This paper summarizes an investigation carried out on Polish terrain occupied by Russian Federation military troops. The investigation identified natural environmental devastation, pollution, and contamination. Quantitative estimation of the devastation and its economic evaluation are provided. The results of the investigation are as follows: 406 ha have been contaminated by petrochemical products; 22.7 ha are chemically polluted; and 6,500 ha of underground water, as well as 17.5 ha of surface water, cannot be classified. On 15,300 ha the soil has been degraded, of which landfills comprise an area of 98 ha. No toxic warfare agents have been detected, nor any radioactivity levels exceeding those characteristic of the given region.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and has very limited therapeutic options. Recently, it has been found that hyaluronic acid (HA) shows selective binding to CD44 receptors expressed in most cancer histotypes. Since the trend in cancer treatment is the use of targeted radionuclide therapy, the aim of this research was to label HA with rhenium-188 and to evaluate its potential use as a hepatocarcinoma therapeutic radiopharmaceutical. Methods: {sup 188}Re-HA was prepared by a direct labelling method to produce a ReO(O-COO){sub 2}-type coordination complex. {sup 188}Re-HA protein binding and its stability in saline, phosphate buffer, human serum and cysteine solutions were determined. Biokinetic and dosimetric data were estimated in healthy mice (n=60) using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose methodology and mouse model beta-absorbed fractions. To evaluate liver ...
The goal of the present work was to develop a new synthetic nanosystem for gene delivery. For this purpose, we chose two polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS), as the main components of the nanocarrier. Nanoparticles with different hyaluronate:chitosan (HA:CS) mass ratios (0.5:1 and 1:1) and different polymer molecular weights (hyaluronate 170 (HA) or <10 kDa (HAO) and chitosan 125 (CS) or 10-12 (CSO) kDa) could be obtained using an ionic crosslinking method. These nanoparticles were loaded with pDNA and characterized for their size, zeta potential and pDNA association efficiency. Moreover, their toxicity and ability to transfect the model plasmid pEGFP-C1 were evaluated in the cell line HEK 293, as well as their intracellular fate. The results showed that HA:CS nanoparticles have a small size in the range of 110-230 nm, a positive zeta potential of +10 to +32 mV and a very high ...
We investigated the impacts of forest thinning, prescribed fire, and contour ripping on community level physiological profiles (CLPP) of the soil microbial population in postmining forest rehabilitation. We hypothesized that these management practices would affect CLPP via an influence on the quality and quantity of soil organic matter. The study site was an area of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest rehabilitation that had been mined for bauxite 12?years previously. Three replicate plots (20???20?m) were established in nontreated forest and in forest thinned from 3,000?8,000 stems ha?1 to 600?800 stems ha?1 in April (autumn) of 2003, followed either by a prescribed fire in September (spring) of 2003 or left nonburned. Soil samples were collected in August 2004 from two soil ...
The importance of indigenous soil Mn level on plant Mn uptake from metal salt or sewage sludge amended soils was investigated. Twelve soil materials, six surface and six subsurface, were amended with either varying rates of a composite of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn sulfate salts, equivalent to the total of these metals present in a digested sewage sludge (Washington, DC) at rates of 0 to 896 dry metric tons/ha or with the sludge itself, at 224 dry metric tons/ha. Corn (Zea mays L.) was grown in the greenhouse for 30 days, 1 year after amendment application. Two pH levels of about 5.5 and 6.5 were maintained during the experiment on the metal salt amended soil materials. Plant tissue Mn levels increased with the application of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn (in combination) as metal salts or as sewage sludge over the range of soil materials used. The amount of increase with a given increase in applied ...
The first step in the protection of the environment is the control of pollutant level in the components of the environment. The application is compared of radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXFA) used for this purpose with polarographic and nuclear analytical techniques. The advantage of RXFA is its high sensitivity and selectivity, its low time and cost exactingness. The origins and development of RXFA are described. (Ha).
In Italy, short rotation coppice (SRC) has become very popular in recent years, with over 4000 ha already planted - almost exclusively with clonal poplar. Commercial harvesting operations are dominated by modified foragers, equipped with dedicated SRC headers. At present, contractors use two main header types: German Claas HS-2 and Italian GBE. The former fits smaller foragers with a power below 300 kW, the latter is used on larger harvest units. This study models the performance of modified foragers on a range of short-rotation poplar plantations. Data were collected from 45 operations, covering a total of 118 ha and producing over 4400 green tonnes of wood chips. The average yield of the fields harvested during the trials was about 23 gt ha{sup -1} year{sup -1} (at a moisture content of 59%), and machine productivity ranged from 9 to 70 green tonnes per scheduled machine hour (gt SMH{sup -1}), with an average value of 35 ...
Abstract BACKGROUND: Nitrate leaching and the resulting groundwater contamination from intensive cereal production has become a major concern for long-term farmland efficiency and environmental sustainability in northern China. The aim of this study was to evaluate a water-saving super-absorbent polymer (SAP) for minimising NO3- leaching from soil and optimising corn growth and yield. Thirty-six undisturbed soil lysimeters were installed in a field lysimeter facility in drought-affected northern China to study the growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays L.) as well as the amount of NO3-leaching losses under different fertiliser (standard, medium or 75% and low, or 50% of conventional fertilisation rate) and SAP (control, 0; level-1, 15 kg ha-1 and level-2, 30 kg ha-1) tre...
In the present paper, the effects of hydroxyapatite (HA) content on the microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of Ti-based glassy alloy/HA composite prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) are investigated. The microstructure of the composites is homogeneous when the HA is lower than 2 wt%. When the HA content is higher than 3 wt%, the crystalline precipitates with size of less than 5 nm are distributed in the glassy matrix. HA decomposes during sintering procedure for the composite with high HA content. With increasing HA addition, compressive strength decreases. Especially for the HA content is over 2 wt%, the strength decreases sharply because of partial crystallization of glassy alloy matrix.
Jurisdictional wetlands of the Argonne National Laboratory-East (ANL-E) site in DuPage County, Illinois, were delineated in the summer and autumn of 1993 in accordance with the 1987 US Army Corps of Engineers methodology. Potential wetland sites with an area greater than 500 m{sup 2} (0.05 ha [0.124 acre]) were identified for delineation on the basis of aerial photographs, the DuPage County soil survey, and reconnaissance-level field studies. To qualify as a jurisdictional wetland, an area had to support a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation as well as have hydric soil and wetland hydrology. Thirty-five individual jurisdictional wetlands were delineated at ANL-E, totaling 180,604 m{sup 2} (18.1 ha [44.6 acres]). These wetlands were digitized onto the ANL-E site map for use in project planning. Characteristics of each wetland are presented -- including size, dominant plant species and their indicator status, hydrologic ...
Three normal human diploid cell strains were transfected with an activated Ha-ras oncogene (EJ ras) or SV40 T-antigen. Multiple clones were examined for morphological alterations, growth requirements, ability to grow under anchorage independent conditions, immortality and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Clones expressing SV40 T-antigen alone or in combination with ras protein p21 were significantly radioresistant as compared with their parent cells or clones transfected with the neo gene only. This radioresistant phenotype persisted in post-crisis, immortalized cell lines. These data suggest that expression of the SV40 T-antigen but not activated Ha-ras plays an important role in the radiosensitivity of human diploid cells. The radioresistant phenotype in SV40 T transfected cells was not related to the enhanced level of genetic instability seen in pre-crisis and newly immortalized cells, nor to the process of immortalization ...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-{sup 15}N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of {sup 15}N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of {sup 15}N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) with increasing urea ...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-"1"5N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of "1"5N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of "1"5N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) with increasing urea doses. The amount of "1"5N ...
Magnetic pulse welding is a solid state impact welding process, similar to explosive welding, which produces metallurgical bond by oblique high-speed impact between two metal bodies. This violent impact removes the metal surface oxide layers and then joins the two atomic level clean metal surfaces together by the incidental compression pressure. The impact velocity is at 200?400?m/s and the being welded metal surface undergoes severe plastic deformation with strain rate in the order of 106?107?s?1. The ultrafine-grained structure was observed on the welded interface. This article studied two types of similar material lap joint interfaces and the base metals were aluminum alloy 6061 and copper alloy 110. Nano-indentation testing shows that the welded interfaces have significantly greater ha...
Regular fuel reduction burning is an important management strategy for reducing the scale and intensity of wildfires in south-west Australian native forests, but the long term effects of this on tree and stand growth are not well understood. Five fire treatments, including application of frequent and infrequent low intensity burns, and 25?years of fire exclusion, were applied to small (4?ha) experimental plots in a low rainfall mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest to investigate the effects of these treatments on tree stem diameter growth, stand basal area increment and tree mortality. Mean tree stem growth measured over 20?years was lowest in the long unburnt treatment compared with the burn treatments, although surface soil nutrient levels were gener...
Hyaluronic acid (HA), a principal matrix molecule in many tissues, is present in high amounts in articular cartilage. HA contributes in unique ways to the physical behavior of the tissue, and has been shown to have beneficial effects on chondrocyte activity. The goal of this study was to incorporate graduated amounts of HA into type I collagen scaffolds for the control of chondrocyte-mediated contraction and chondrogenesis in vitro. The results demonstrated that the amount of contraction of HA/collagen scaffolds by adult canine articular chondrocytes increased with the HA content of the scaffolds. The greatest amount of chondrogenesis after two weeks was found in the scaffolds which had undergone the most contraction. HA can play a useful role in adjusting the mechanical behavior of tissue engineering scaffolds and chondrogenesis in chondrocyte-seeded scaffolds.
Hyaluronate (HA) distribution patterns were examined in the cranial mesenchyme underlying the mesencephalic neural folds of mouse embryos maintained in roller tube culture. Using standard image-processing techniques, the digitized images of Alcian blue-stained or 3H-glucosamine-labeled sections digested with an enzyme specific for HA, were subtracted from adjacent, undigested sections. The resultant difference picture images (DPI) accurately depicted the distribution of stained or labeled HA within the cranial mesenchyme. 3H-glucosamine-labeled HA was distributed uniformly throughout the cranial mesenchyme as 12, 18, and 24 hr of culture. By contrast, the mesenchyme was uniformly stained with Alcian blue at 12 hr, but stain intensity decreased in the central regions of the mesenchyme at 18 and 24 hr. HA distribution patterns were also examined in the cranial mesenchyme of embryos ...
Hyaluronan (HA) is important for joint cavitation, lubrication, volume regulation and synovial fluid drainage but little is known about the regulation of joint HA synthesis/secretion in vivo....Full Text Available
Purpose:Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are commonly classified as hospital-acquired (HA) or community-acquired (CA). Typical HA-MRSA...Full Text Available
The US Department of Energy is conducting cleanup operations at the Weldon Spring site, St. Charles, Missouri, that will include development of a 77-ha (191-acre) soil borrow area. Eight wetlands, including riverine and palustrine emergent wetland types and totaling 0.9 ha (2.2 acres), will be eliminated during excavation of the borrow area. A 23-ha (57-acre) wetland/shorebird complex will be created at the Busch Conservation Area. The complex will include 2 ha (5 acres) of palustrine emergent wetland as mitigation for wetland losses in the borrow area.
This paper reported on a study in which a life cycle assessment (LCA) of cotton production in Australia was conducted to evaluate energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from tillage to export shipping. The study showed that on-farm indirect cotton-farming is the most energy consuming component, consuming nearly 32.36 GJ/ha of energy. On-farm indirect cotton-farming is the most GHG emitting component, emitting about 1.64 tonne of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2})/ha. Energy use and the emissions by off-farm direct cotton-farming were calculated as 5.09 GJ/ha and 0.14 tonne CO{sub 2}/ha respectively. Energy consumed by off-farm indirect farming was found to be 0.036 GJ/ha or 0.002 tonne CO{sub 2}/ha. The total energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in the Australian cotton farming system were estimated to be 46.43 GJ/ha and 2.42 tonnes ...
The disposal of municipal solid waste in an environmentally sound manner is a major problem worldwide. The composting of the organic fraction of refuse transforms it into soil amendment that can be recycled on agricultural lands. In order to promote the use of compost among farmers, agronomic investigations have to evaluate the impact of its use on soil properties and plant growth. In a greenhouse experiment, a sample of locally produced compost was applied to a sandy clay soil at rates equivalent to 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 t/ha with supplemental addition of NH_4 NO_3 at levels equivalent to 0, 25, 50 and 100 Kg N/ha. Barley (Hordium vulgare L.) and corn (Zea mays L. indentata) were grown as indicator crops and soil properties were determined over a period of 150 days. Plant growth was affected by N starvation until the compost was stabilized in the soil. Nitrogen starvation persisted for a longer period with increasing ...
In situ composite coating of hydroxyapatite (HA)/TiO2 were produced on titanium (Ti) substrate by micro-arc oxidation coupled with electrophoretic deposition (MAO&EPD) technique with different concentrations of HA particles in the 0.2M NaOH electrolyte solution. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the hybrid coating were effected by HA concentration. The amount of HA particles incorporated into coating layer increased with increasing HA concentration used in the electrolyte solution. The corrosion behavior of the coating layer in simulated body fluids (SBF) was evaluated using a potentiodynamic polarization test. The corrosion resistance of the coated sample was increased compared to the untreated Ti sample. The in vitro bioactivity assessment showed that the MAO&EPD treated...
The Savannah River Swamp is a 3,020 Ha forested wetland on the floodplain of the Savannah River and is located on the Department of Energy`s Savannah River Site (SRS). Major impacts to the swamp hydrology occurred with the completion of the production reactors and one coal-fired powerhouse at the SRS in the early 1950`s. Water was pumped from the Savannah River, through secondary heat exchangers of the reactors, and discharged into three of the tributary streams that flow into the swamp. This continued from 1954 to 1988 at various levels. The sustained increases in water volume resulted in overflow of the original stream banks and the creation of additional floodplains. Accompanying this was considerable erosion of the original stream corridor and deposition of a deep silt layer on the newly formed delta. Heated water was discharged directly into Pen Branch and water temperature in the stream often exceeded 50 C. The nearly continuous flood of ...
A field study (1993-96) assessed the benefits of applying unusually high rates of coal fly ash from power plants as a soil amendment to enhance water retention of soils without adversely affecting growth and marketability of the turf species, centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.) A Latin Square plot design was employed that included 0 (control, no fly ash applied), 280, 560 and 1120 MgHa {sup -1} application rates of unweathered precipitator fly ash. The fly ash was spread evenly over each plot area, rototilled, and allowed to weather under natural conditions for 8 months before seeding. High levels of soluble salts, indicated by the electrical conductivity of soil extracts, in tandem with an apparent phytotoxic effect from boron, apparently inhibited initial plant establishment as shown by substantially lower germination counts in treated soil. However, plant height and rooting depth were not adversely affected, as were the dry ...
Cyclothiazomycin B1 (CTB1) is an antifungal cyclic thiopeptide isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. HA 125-40. CTB1 inhibited the growth of several filamentous fungi including plant pathogens along with swelling of hyphae and spores. The antifungal activity of CTB1 was weakened by hyperosmotic conditions, and hyphae treated with CTB1 burst under hypoosmotic conditions, indicating increased cell wall fragility. CTB1-sensitive fungal species contain high levels of cell wall chitin and/or chitosan. Unlike nikkomycin Z, a competitive inhibitor of chitin synthase (CHS), CTB1 did not inhibit CHS activity. Although CTB1 inhibited CHS biosynthesis, the same result was also obtained with a non-specific proteins inhibitor, cycloheximide, which did not reduce cell wall rigidity. These ...
Natural bone consists of hard nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) in a nanostructured protein-based soft hydrogel template (ie, mostly collagen). For this reason, nanostructured HA has been an intriguing coating material on traditionally used titanium for improving orthopedic applications. In addition, helical rosette nanotubes (HRNs), newly developed materials which form through the self-assembly process of DNA base pair building blocks in body solutions, are soft nanotubes with a helical architecture that mimics natural collagen. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was for the first time to combine the promising attributes of HRNs and nanocrystalline HA on titanium and assess osteoblast (bone-forming cell) functions. Different sizes of nanocrystalline HA were synthesized in this study through a wet chemical precipitation process following either hydrothermal treatment or sintering. Transmission ...
The study area is located in the Bekaa plain of Lebanon totaling about 12753 ha. It lies between the eastern foothills of Mount Lebanon chain and expands across the Litani River towards the foothills of the eastern Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Its characteristics, i.e. natural terrain, climate and socio-economy, make it vulnerable especially due to soil pollution. This paper tries to identify the nature and level of soil pollution by heavy metals. Valley slopes represent a complex landform and lithology that contributed to the formation of different soil. Agriculture in the plain is being practiced mainly with cash, field crops and vegetables. Throughout the central part of the plain, groundwater table is abundant and relatively high (<1.0 m. locally) that multiplies the vulnerability of the soil-groundwater system. There are different sources of pollution, such as industrial (tanneries, batteries, leather manufacturing), solid and liquid wastes, ...
Despite their high medical relevance, the principles of lubrication in natural joints are still unclear. It is generally accepted, that the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA), the main component of the synovial liquid, plays an important role for the low friction observed. Furthermore, it is assumed that surface active lipids participate in the lubrication. Using a model system of lipid bilayers deposited on a polyelectrolyte (PE) cushion and in contact with HA solution, we started to investigate the effects of pressure and shear forces, as experienced by natural joints, on the internal structure of the SiO{sub 2}/PE/lipid/HA interface and the bulk HA solution by neutron reflectometry (NR), complemented by in situ ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) measurements. Only on positively charged polyelectrolyte surfaces, the successful build-up of the model system could be demonstrated. By NR, ...
Periureteral or subtrigonal injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) copolymer (Deflux, Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden) is an increasingly common endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux. We report a confusing radiographic finding of bilateral calcified Dx/HA injections initially thought to represent bilateral distal ureteral stones in a boy who presented with intermittent periumbilical pain. Urologists, radiologists, and emergency room physicians should be aware of the potential for calcification of ureteral implants of Dx/HA, and of the potentially confusing radiographic images that may result. (orig.)
Hyaluronan (HA), a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is widely used in the clinic for viscosurgery, viscosupplementation, and treatment of osteoarthritis. Four decades of chemical modification...Full Text Available
Individual canine synovial villi were used to establish short-term synovial organ cultures. These villi incorporated /sup 3/H-glucosamine into highly-polymerized /sup 3/H-hyaluronic acid (/sup 3/H-HA), which was the only /sup 3/H-glycosaminoglycan identified in the culture medium. Some /sup 3/H-HA, and larger amounts of other /sup 3/H-glycosaminoglycans, were recovered from cultured tissues. Culture medium /sup 3/H-HA content was proportional to the surface area of cultured villi. Organ cultures of nonvillous synovium were compared with villi; nonvillous cultures synthesized less /sup 3/H-HA per mm2 of their synovial intimal surface than villi. These cultures complement cell culture techniques for in vitro studies of synovial lining cell function.
Hie synthesis of diverse biologically important compounds, under condi- tions which existed on the earth in the initial period of its evolution, ha; ...
Short rotation trials using cuttings poplar (Populus x rasumowskyana) in Southern Finland investigated the establishment of poplar plantations and the effects of spacing and application of nitrogen fertilizer on biomass production over a period of 6 years. Thicker cuttings grew better whilst those of less than 1 cm diameter grew only moderately. Nitrogen fertilization improved height and diameter growth and above-ground dry mass yield. Woody biomass production was 4.2 dry tons/ha per year, at 300 kg/ha nitrogen. A spacing of 15 000 stems/ha gave the best yield after 4 years, but 5000 stems/ha was more productive spacing in the next 2 years. (author).
Phytoremediation, a technology using plants to remediate or stabilize contaminants in soil, groundwater, or sediments, has recently received a great deal of attention from regulators, consultants, responsible parties, and stakeholders. phytoremediation ha...
Three field experiments were conducted at the research fields of Plant Protection Research Institute, Iran, at different locations in 2004-2005 to study the efficacy of different broadleaved herbicides to control weeds in wheat. Treatments were the full-season hand weeded and weed-infested controls, and post-emergence applications of florasulam plus flumetsulam at 8.75, 10.50, and 12.25ga.i./ha, 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 210, 245, 280, and 490ga.i./ha, bromoxynil plus MCPA at 75, 100, and 150ga.i./ha, 2,4-D at 560, 720, and 1120ga.i./ha, tribenuron methyl, and 2,4-D plus MCPA. Herbicides were applied at wheat tillering stage. Naturally occurring broadleaved weed populations were used in experiments. Results indicated that bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150ga.i./ha, 2,4-D plus MCPA, and 2,...
The heavy chain (HC) subunits of the bikunin proteins are covalently attached to a single chondroitin sulfate (CS) chain originating from bikunin and can be transferred to different hyaluronan (HA) molecules by TSG-6/HC2. In the present study, we demonstrate that HCs transferred to HA may function as HC donors in subsequent transfer reactions, and we show that the CS of bikunin may serve as an HC acceptor, analogous to HA. Our data suggest that TSG-6/HC2 link HCs randomly on the CS chain of bikunin, in contrast to the ordered attachment observed during the biosynthesis. Moreover, the results show that the transfer activity is indifferent to the new HC position, and the relocated HCs are thus prone to further TSG-6/HC2-induced transfer reactions. The data suggest that HCs may be transferred directly from HA to HA without the involvement of the bikunin CS chain. The results ...
The aims of this study are determining the energy use, qualitative analyzing of energy flow and also investigating energy efficiency by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in corn production of Iran during a seven years period. Results indicated that the average of total energy input increased from 40.98 GJ ha-1 in 2001 to 63.64 GJ ha-1 in the year of 2007. Similarly, the average of total output energy rose from 89.03 to 107.54 GJ ha-1 in the same years, respectively. Also the results showed that average energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy gain in the studied period was 2.59, 0.17 kg MJ-1, 7.24 MJ kg-1 and 51.34 GJ ha-1, respectively. DEA considered the yield (kg ha-1) as output and three major energy inputs; fertilizers, diesel fuel and machinery as inpu...
This hazard analysis (HA) has been prepared for the 300 Area N Reactor Fuel Fabrication and Storage Facility (Facility), in compliance with the requirements of Westinghouse Hanford Company (Westinghouse Hanford) controlled manual WHC-CM-4-46, Nonreactor Facility Safety Analysis Manual, and to the direction of WHC-IP-0690, Safety Analysis and Regulation Desk Instructions, (WHC 1992). An HA identifies potentially hazardous conditions in a facility and the associated potential accident scenarios. Unlike the Facility hazard classification documented in WHC-SD-NR-HC-004, Hazard Classification for 300 Area N Reactor Fuel Fabrication and Storage Facility, (Huang 1993), which is based on unmitigated consequences, credit is taken in an HA for administrative controls or engineered safety features planned or in place. The HA is the foundation for the accident analysis. The significant event scenarios identified by ...
The presence of the nitrogen-fixing shrub, Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, influences the concentration of inorganic nitrogen in surface waters in the Adirondack Mountain region of northern New York. - The purpose of this research was to determine the abundance of the nitrogen-fixing shrub, Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (speckled alder), in shrub wetlands of the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State and to determine whether its abundance affects the concentration or accumulation of inorganic nitrogen in wetland substrates. Alder/willow wetlands are the second most common wetland type in the Adirondack region. The Adirondack Park Agency's digital GIS database of wetland types was used to determine the areal extent of alder/willow wetlands in the Adirondacks. Randomly selected wetlands were sampled to determine the size and abundance of alder. Alder densities averaged {approx}7000 stems ha{sup -1} and alder was present in 75% of the wetlands. As an indication of ...
Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is a limiting disease having, among its pathological features, the inflammation of synovial tissue with progressive and later destruction of the articulation. This leads to joint deformation and loss of its function, generating pain and reducing the mobility of the affected articulation. The aim was to evaluate "1"6"6Ho-Hydroxyapatite ("1"6"6 Ho-HA) as potential radiopharmaceutical for the symptomatic treatment of chronic and acute arthritis. Materials and Methods: Holmiun-166 was produced by irradiation of Ho_2O_3 at La Reina Research Reactor, Nuclear Chilean Energy Commission. Hydroxyapatite was in-house synthesized. Its labelling and quality controls follows the internationally accepted procedures. An antigen's arthritis was induced to eight New Zealand rabbits with the "1"6"6 Ho-HA radiochemical being administered thereafter in two dosage modalities (single and double). The compound therapeutic efficiency was ...
The leaching of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and radionuclides "2"3"2Th, "2"2"6Ra, "2"2"8Ra, and "4"0K from Joel sands amended with red mud/gypsum (RMG) at 9 rates (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 t/ha) was measured using columns. Intense leaching conditions (34 mm/day for 12 days) and a high rate of applied P (320 kg/ha as superphosphate) and N (680 kg/ha as ammonium nitrate) were used to simulate extremes of irrigated vegetable production on the Swan Coastal Plain. Addition of the highest rate of RMG (256 t/ha) reduced leaching of fertiliser P and ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) by 85% and 50%, respectively, compared with 0 t/ha after 12 days. At 64 t RMG/ha P leaching was reduced 50% compared with 0 t/ha. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) leaching was not affected by addition of RMG. Reduced leaching of NH4-N was attributed to an increase in ...
The present study is focused on preparation of nano composite materials and the effect of citric acid on their different properties. The formation of nano HA and its interaction with chitosan (C), gelatin (G) polymers and citric acid (CA) materials were studied. The Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize these composite materials. The compressive strength (CS) was also measured to know the reinforcement of the prepared composites. The results show that carboxylic and amino groups play crucial role for HA formation on chitosan-gelatin polymeric matrix in the presence of citric acid (CA). The formation of nano HA part...
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Department of Energy-National Energy Technologies Laboratory (DOE-NETL) are evaluating and demonstrating integration of terrestrial carbon sequestration techniques at a coal-fired electric power plant through the use of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) system gypsum as a soil amendment and mulch, and coal fly ash pond process water for periodic irrigation. From January to March 2002, the Project Team initiated the construction of a 40 ha Carbon Capture and Water Emissions Treatment System (CCWESTRS) near TVA's Paradise Fossil Plant on marginally reclaimed surface coal mine lands in Kentucky. The CCWESTRS is growing commercial grade trees and cover crops and is expected to sequester 1.5-2.0 MT/ha carbon per year over a 20-year period. The concept could be used to meet a portion of the timber industry's needs while simultaneously ...
Changes of /sup 67/Ga uptake in the lungs and changes of components of the so-called ground substance of the lung connective tissues of mice were followed for 7 weeks after the start of bleomycin (BLM) administration (20 mg/kg body weight IP, twice weekly for 5 weeks; this treatment induced fibrosis of the lung). /sup 67/Ga uptake of the lung was elevated at 1 week, and reached a maximum at 5 weeks (3.00+-0.11% dose/g lung), and then decreased slightly at 7 weeks. The uronic acid content in the 1.2 M NaCl-soluble fraction, which contained predominantly heparan sulfate (HS), was increased at 1 week, peaked at 3 weeks, and then remained unchanged up to 7 weeks. This pattern was similar to that of /sup 67/Ca acumulation in the lungs. The uronic acid content of the 0.4 M NaCl-fraction, which contained predominantly hyaluronic acid (HA), was decreased at 1 week, but increased to a maximum at 3 weeks, then decreased to about the initial level at 5 ...
Mycobacterium xenopi is one of the most common agents responsible for nontubercolar mycobacterial pulmonary disease on AIDS patients. These lesions have been studied with conventional radiography while CT has been used in patients with aspecific mycobacterioses or non-AIDS pulmonary conditions from Mycobacterium xenopi. 12 AIDS patients were examined. They had pulmonary lesions from Mycobacterium xenopi, patients age ranged 30 to 46 years. All patients had CD4 blood levels lower than 250 cells/mL and Mycobacterium xenopi in the sputum. All patients underwent a standard chest radiograph and a CT examination. CT images were evaluated by three radiologists independently and the definitive diagnosis was made in the presence of a fourth radiologist. Chest CT showed parenchymal consolidation in 66% of cases, associated with bilateral basal bands in 16% of cases. Consolidation was unilateral in 41% of cases and most frequently involved the right lower lobe. Bilateral ...
The hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of influenza virus performs two critical roles during infection: it binds virus to cell surface sialic acids, and under mildly acidic conditions it induces fusion...Full Text Available
Calpains are Ca2+-dependent proteinases that mediate protein turnover in crustacean skeletal muscles. We used an antibody directed against lobster muscle-specific calpain (Ha-CalpM)...Full Text Available
As reported previously (Namba et al., 1985), normal human fibroblasts were transformed by 60Co gamma-ray irradiation into immortal cells with abnormal karyotypes. These transformed cells (KMST-6), however, showed a low cloning efficiency in soft agar and no transplantability. However, upon treatment with Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MSV), the cells acquired elevated clonability in soft agar and transplantability in nude mice. Ha-MSV alone, however, did not convert normal human fibroblasts into either immortal or tumorigenic cells. The Ha-MSV-transformed KMST-6 cells showed an enhanced expression of the ras oncogene, but normal and 60Co gamma-ray-transformed cells did not. Our current data suggest that gamma rays worked against normal human cells as an initiator, giving rise to chromosome aberrations and immortality, and that Ha-MSV, probably through its ras oncogene, played a role in the progression ...
Cytokine regulation of synovial fluid (SF) lubricants, hyaluronan (HA), and proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is important in health, injury, and disease of synovial joints, and may also provide powerful regulation...Full Text Available
Jun 16, 2011 ... Results indicated that fuel loadings averaged 24.05 Mg ha 1 in 2004–2006. Forest litter decreased from wetter to drier forest life zones. ...
4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) is a hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis inhibitor with anticancer properties; the mechanism of its anticancer effects is unknown. We evaluated the effects of 4-MU on...Full Text Available
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a significant component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), particular interest being shown herein in synovial fluid. The present study aims to investigate the degrading effects of X-ray radiation on HA at radiotherapy doses. Measurements of viscosity and shear stresses on HA solutions have been made at different shear rates using various types of viscometer for different concentrations in the range 0.01-1% w/v of HA. The HA has been subjected to doses of 6 MV photon radiation ranging from 0 to 20 Gy, the major emphasis being on doses below 5 Gy. It is found that there is a dose-dependent relationship between viscosity and shear rate, viscosity reducing with radiation dose, this being related to polymer scissions via the action of radiation-induced free radicals. The dependency appears to become weaker at higher concentrations, possibly due to the contribution ...
This study was designed to identify abnormalities in the hepatic-arterial/portal-venous scintiangiogram (SA) in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). SA's were performed in 35 patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), 8; acute alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis (A/C), 14; and cirrhosis (C), 13. Posterior flows were done with a bolus of 10 mCi Tc-99m sulfur colloid with computer time-activity curves over the liver and left kidney. Curves were analyzed for per cent of hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous contribution using the slope ratio method. Hepatic arterialization was estimated from the angle of the HA component of the curve. Reversal of the relative contribution of the hepatic and portal components of total flow were seen in all groups. Although quite severe in AH, the degree of reversal could not be used to differentiate among the groups. The average HA angle in AAH was 48.3 +- 8.1, in A/C 41.5 +- ...
This study was designed to identify abnormalities in the hepatic-arterial/portal-venous scintiangiogram (SA) in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). SA's were performed in 35 patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), 8; acute alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis (A/C), 14; and cirrhosis (C), 13. Posterior flows were done with a bolus of 10 mCi Tc-99m sulfur colloid with computer time-activity curves over the liver and left kidney. Curves were analyzed for per cent of hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous contribution using the slope ratio method. Hepatic arterialization was estimated from the angle of the HA component of the curve. Reversal of the relative contribution of the hepatic and portal components of total flow were seen in all groups. Although quite severe in AH, the degree of reversal could not be used to differentiate among the groups. The average HA angle in AAH was 48.3 +- 8.1, in A/C 41.5 +- 10.6, and in ...
Growth dynamics and biomass production in short-rotation poplar plantations were evaluated at Hanyuan Forestry Farm, Baoying County, P.R.C. Experimental treatments applied in a split-plot design included: four planting densities (1111, 833, 625 and 500 stems ha{sup -1}); three poplar clones (NL-80351, I-69 and I-72) and three rotation lengths. Survival of all three clones was excellent at the experimental site under the imposed management regime. Differences in DBH, height, LAI and above-ground biomass production, however, were manifested among the treatments. Overall the clonal ranking was in the order NL-80351 {>=}I-69 > I-72 by age 6. LAI values ranged from 0.6 to 4.4 m{sup 2} m{sup -2} and differences among four planting densities and three clones were significant throughout the first six years. Above-ground biomass productivity was affected considerably by planting density, clone and rotation length. Within the four densities, the highest biomass ...
The high nutrient nitrogen and organic matter contents of sewage sludge (SS) make it a potential organic fertilizer for sandy soil. In this study, "1"5N-labelled ammonium sulphate was used to investigate the availability of nitrogen from irradiated and non-irradiated sewage sludge to tomato plants. The application of sewage sludge to sandy soil increased dry matter production (DMP), nitrogen yield (NY) and nitrogen recovery (NR) over two successive years. A positive relationship was found between sludge application rate and DMP and NY. The increase was significantly higher (P=0.05) in irradiated than non-irradiated sewage sludge. Total nitrogen derived from non-irradiated sewage sludge are : 48.0, 63.7, 73.5, 105.2 Kg/ha, whereas, the total nitrogen derived from irradiated sewage sludge are: 55.1, 72.5, 88.9, 141.4 Kg/ha corresponding to application rates of 10 t/ha, 20 t/ha, 30 ...
The IR spectra of complexes of uranyl perhalates with antipyrine (AP), hexamethylphosphorus triamide (HMPTA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and water with the composition (UO/sub 2/L/eta/)(Ha10/sub 4/)/sub 2/, where Ha10/sub 4/ = C10/sub 4//sup -/, Bro/sub 4//sup -/, 10/sub 4//sup -/ (except for DMSO and H/sub 2/O), L is a neutral ligand, n = 4 for HMPTA and n = 5 for the remaining L, were investigated. X-ray crystallographic analysis established that the investigated perhalate complexes of uranyl with the same neutral ligands are isostructural. It was established that in the complexes studied the Ha10/sub 4//sup -/ anions are outer-sphere anions, and the value of the frequency of the antisymmetrical stretching vibration of the uranyl group does not depend on the nature of the perhalate anion. From the values obtained for ..nu../sub 3/ UO /SUP 2/2/ /sup +/, the values of the multiplicity and energy of the uranium-ligand bond ...
Vanadium(V) in aqueous HCl, HNO_3 or H_2SO_4 solutions is extracted with 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone (HA) dissolved in CHCl_3 and determined spectrophotometrically, Depending on the composition of the aqueous phase, two complexes are formed. At pH 1 (HCl, HNO_3, H_2SO_4) VO_2A(HA)_2 is formed with maximal absorption at 478 nm. However, from 4-5 M HCl, VO_2Cl(HA)_3 is extracted, and has maximal absorption at 615 nm. The same complex is extracted from 2-3 M HNO_3 or 3-4 M H_2SO_4 if enough chloride is added. Solutions of both complexes follow Beer's law and the molar extinction coefficients are 4.15x10"3 1.mole"-"1cm"-"1 at 478 nm and 5.10x10"3 at 615 nm. The determination of vanadium at both wavelengths is very simple, fast and selective. The composition of the complexes was established by the usual methods as well as by characterization of the isolated crystalline compounds by elemental analysis and ...
Field experiments were conducted in the south Texas and Texas High Plains area in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate peanut variety tolerance to carfentrazone-ethyl and pyraflufen-ethyl. Lactofen was used as the standard. Carfentrazone-ethyl at 0.03 and 0.04kgai/ha, pyraflufen-ethyl at 0.003 and 0.004kgai/ha, and lactofen at 0.22kgai/ha were applied 35 days after planting (DAP) in south Texas and 51-56 DAP in the High Plains area in weed-free plots. Peanut cultivars selected for evaluation were those normally used in each area. In south Texas, Tamrun 96, Tamrun OL 01, and Tamrun OL 02 were evaluated while in the High Plains area, Flavor Runner 458, GP-1, and Tamrun OL 02 were evaluated. No peanut cultivar by herbicide interaction was observed in south Texas but an interaction did occur in the High ...
Establishment of a continuous population has been prevented over a 24 year period in the San Joaquin Valley, USA, through continuous, daily in-season release of sterile pink bollworms based on an extensive trap monitoring programme. A post-harvest crop destruction ordinance and occasional use of pheromones as disruptants were the only other factors used by programme management, except in 1990. In 1990, the programme used a conventional insecticide on 280 acres (113 ha) out of 1.18 million acres (477,546 ha) of cotton. During the four year period 1986-1989, a management system was explored using a high rate pheromone disruption system and sterile insects. Major reductions in conventional insecticide usage, while maintaining extremely low populations, were evident in this semi-isolated valley of southern California. It is hoped that this will provide a model for a future large scale test on up to 20,000 acres (8100 ha) of ...
Production costs for commercial-sized Populus plantations were developed from a series of research programs sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Short Rotation Woody Crops Program. Populus hybrid planted on good quality agricultural sites at a density of 2100 cuttings ha{sup {minus}1} was projected to yield an average of 16 Mg (OD) ha{sup {minus}1}yr{sup {minus}1}. Discounted cash flow analysis of multiple rotations showed pre-harvest production costs of $17 (US) Mg{sup {minus}1}(OD). 19 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
Mechanistic studies on a charged ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fouled with natural organic matter (NOM) and colloidal particles are systematically investigated to understand the relative role of each NOM fraction and the presence of colloidal particulate to membrane fouling. Humic acid (HA), dextran, and kaolin were employed as surrogate model foulants representing the organic hydrophobic acid NOM, hydrophilic neutral NOM, and inorganic colloidal materials, respectively. The results obtained showed that the organic NOM of hydrophilic surrogate (dextran) plays a primary role in promoting membrane fouling, followed by hydrophobic acids and inorganic kaolin, but to a lesser extent than organic NOM compounds. Significant differences in the extent of fouling between dextran and HA have been obs...
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of tef, a major staple crop in Ethiopia, is very low, either caused by untimely use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers or lack of other essential nutrients like sulphur (S). The average grain yield of this crop is low, averaging ?1 in farmer?s fields of the semi-arid conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to see the effect of the timing of combined N and S fertilization on the yield, yield components, and N and S concentration in the plant parts of the crop. A factorial combination of three rates of N (0, 70, and 105?kg?ha?1) with four rates of S (0, 16, 32, and 48?kg?ha?1) was applied in randomized complete blocks in three replications. The experiment was carried out in the 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons in the Cambisols of the semi-arid area of Ethi...
Understanding the dynamic of soil C is a key to managing soil organic matter to enhance soil fertility and ecosystem functioning and reduce trace gas emission from soils. Our objective was to determine the influence of thermically-dry sewage sludge (TSL) and municipal waste compost and the application management on soil (mixed or on soil surface) applied at sludge (TSL) and municipal waste compost and the application management on soil (mixed or on soil surface) applied at two rates of 30 t ha"-1 and 60 t ha"-1, on CO_2 fluxes, microbial biomass C (MBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DH), during an incubation study. (Author)
The Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine (SBMM) is a 65 ha site located on the eastern shore of the Oaks Arm of Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Between 1864 and 1957, SBMM was the site of underground and open pit mining operations for S and Hg, coinciding with past and present hot spr...
The heavy Higgs bosons H,A of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model can be produced as resonances in high-energy #gamma##gamma# colliders. Prospects of the search for these particles in bb-bar and neutralino-pair final states are studied in this report. Heavy Higgs bosons can be found with masses up to about 70-80% of the initial e"+e"- collider energy for moderate values of tan #beta#, i.e. in areas of the parameter space not accessible at other colliders.
Quantification of the downed woody materials that comprise forest fuels has gained importance in Caribbean forest ecosystems due to the increasing incidence and severity of wildfires on island ecosystems. Because large-scale assessments of forest fuels have rarely been conducted for these ecosystems, forest fuels were assessed at 121 US Department of Agriculture forest service inventory plots on Puerto Rico, Vieques, and the US Virgin Islands. Results indicated that fuel loadings averaged 24.05 Mg ha(-1) in 2004-2006. Forest litter decreased from wetter to drier forest life zones. These island forests showed a paucity of coarse woody fuels (CWD) (2.91 Mg ha(-1)) and relatively greater quantities of smaller-sized fine woody fuels (FWD) (10.18 Mg ha(-1) for FWD and 10.82 Mg ha(-1) for duff/litter) when compared to continental tropical forests. Between 2001 and 2006, CWD fuel loads decreased, while fine ...
Irradiation with a single dose of 30 Grey on the basal regions of the lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats induced a peribronchial and alveolar inflammation. Infiltration of mast cells in the edematous alveolar interstitial tissue and also in the peribronchial tissue were characteristic features of the lesion. The appearance of mast cells was already seen 4 wk after irradiation and by weeks 6 to 8 there was a heavy infiltration. The staining properties suggested that they were connective tissue-type mast cells. The infiltration of mast cells was paralleled by an accumulation of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) in the alveolar interstitial tissue 6 and 8 wk after irradiation. The recovery of hyaluronan (HA) during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of the lungs also increased at this time. Treatment with a mast cell secretagogue, compound 48/80, induced a distinct reduction of granulated mast cells in the alveolar tissue. Regular treatment with compound 48/80 from the time of ...
In these years Information Technology has been used in activities that require an intelligent intervention. In this context take placing Decision Support Systems, since they use Information Technology to support users in decision processes, that is problems of logical level greater then problems normally treated by traditional information systems. The purpose of this work is to describe Decision Support Systems specifying what they are, their functionally and structure, identifying, furthermore, user types referred to and interaction modality between them; and to present a prototype of these systems. From a preliminary analyses phase of ENEA being and its Information Systems to understand which topics can be supported by systems of this type, it deals with one of these topics: weighing of new project, finding parameters, or key quantity, that affect and determine decisions. It describes, then, models, conceived form parameters, that permit to the user, through a ...
Johnston Atoll (JA) is a small (270-ha), but strategic, US possession in the Pacific Ocean, which was previously used in nuclear weapons testing. Nuclear devices were launched by missile for detonations at very high altitudes. In 1962, one missile failed on the launch pad and two failed overhead. The devices were destructed without nuclear yield, but transuranium (TRU) elements were dispersed. Cleanup was swift and incomplete. A 2-ha area was placed under radiological controls and restricted from use due to residual contamination. Planning was begun in 1983 for a total JA cleanup to provide additional (unrestricted) land to meet future requirements. A TRUe soil cleanup is programmed to begin at JA in 1988 utilizing a full-scale mining plant. The plant should be able to process all contaminated soil by 1992 and produce less than #approx# 2000 m"3 of concentrated waste. This cleanup will increase the amount of land available for unrestricted use ...
We tested the hypothesis that overstorey of eucalypt forest dominated by tall, large diameter trees uses less water than regrowth stands in the high rainfall zone (>1100mmyear^-^1) of the northern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest in southwestern Australia. We measured leaf area, cover, sapwood area and sapwood density at three paired old and regrowth stands. We also measured sapflow velocity at one paired stand (Dwellingup) from June 2007 to October 2008. Old stands had more basal area but less foliage cover, less leaf area and slightly thinner sapwood. The ratio of sapwood area to basal area decreased markedly as tree size increased. Sapwood area of the regrowth forest stands (6.6+/-0.30m^2ha^-^1) was nearly double that of the old stands (3.4+/-0.17m^2ha^-^1), despite larger basal are...
The possibility of a positive agricultural use of flue gas filter ash from brown coal power plants is investigated. The suggested measure is mixing ash dump surfaces with extremely acidic spoil bank soils, which balances the high pH value of the alkaline ash and contributes to improved nutrient and soil sorptive conditions. Optimum quantity of spoil bank sands in the mixture with ash is between 10% and 40%. The optimum quantity must be determined for each type of ash considering improvement of soil chemical conditions and water retention capacity. Filter ash properties vary widely; the required amount of spoil bank sand added to investigated ash surfaces near 3 brown coal power plants was between 25% and 30% of the mixture. The same favourable soil and ash mixture can be produced by adding 60% to 75% filter ash to acidic raw spoil bank soil surfaces forming a top soil layer in a thickness of minimum 60 cm. Tests of plant growth showed high crop yields in winter grains up to 40.2 ...
Atrazine and phenanthrene (Phen) sorption by nonhydrolyzable carbon (NHC), black carbon (BC), humic acid (HA) and whole sediment and soil samples was examined. Atrazine sorption isotherms were nearly linear. The single-point organic carbon (OC)-normalized distribution coefficients (K_O_C) of atrazine for the isolated HA1, NHC1 and BC1 from sediment 1 (ST1) were 36, 550, and 1470 times greater than that of ST1, respectively, indicating the importance of sediment organic matter, particularly the condensed fractions (NHC and BC). Similar sorption capacity of atrazine and Phen by NHC but different isotherm nonlinearity indicated different sorption domains due to their different structure and hydrophobicity. The positive relationship between (O + N)/C ratios of NHC and atrazine log K_O_C at low concentration suggests H-bonding interactions. This study shows that sediment is probably a less effective sorbent for atrazine than Phen, implying that ...
Abstract This research aimed to investigate coarse root systems of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) trees at a 13-year-old restored bauxite mine site in south-western Australia. Excavations in an area with small trees (low-quality site) revealed that deep ripping equipment failed to penetrate the cemented lateritic subsoil, restricting coarse roots (roots >5 mm in diameter) to the top 0.5 m of the soil profile, resulting in fewer (1,344 stems/ha) and smaller (mean height 4.5 m) Jarrah trees. An adjacent area within the same pit (high-quality site), with a stand density of 3,256 stems/ha and a mean height of 8.0 m, had a kaolinitic clay subsoil which coarse roots penetrated to the average ripping depth (1.5 m). Trees at the low-quality site did not penetrate the subsoil with their ...
Salamanders regenerate their appendages after amputation and nerves are required for this process. Experiments were designed to test the idea that one way nerves could affect blastema cell proliferation is by influencing the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and to identify neurotrophic factors which promote blastema cell mitosis. Temporal and spatial differences of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) synthesis is innervated and denervated limbs were examined. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was found to be the major GAG produced during the proliferative period and chondroitin sulfate during differentiation. Denervation reduced synthesis of both these components by half. Dorsal root ganglia and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a brain-derived mitogen, similarly doubled GAG synthesis in cultured blastemas, the FGF-effect being primarily on HA production. Histochemical and autoradiographical results confirmed the biochemical data. Autoradiography of ...
The interpretation of soil amelioration experiments with peanuts is made difficult by the unpredictibility of the crop and by the many factors altered when ameliorating acid soils. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of lime and gypsum applications on peanut kernel yield via the three first order yield components, pods per ha, kernels per pod, and kernel mass. On an acid medium sandy loam soil (typic Plinthustult), liming resulted in a highly significant kernel yield increase of 117% whereas gypsum applications were of no significant benefit. As indicated by path coefficient analysis, an increase in the number of pods per ha was markedly more important in increasing yield than an increase in either the number of kernels per pod or kernel mass. Furthermore, exch. Al was found to be particularly detrimental to pod number. It was postulated that poor peanut yields resulting from acid soil infertility were mainly due to the ...
The heavy Higgs bosons H,A of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model can be produced as resonances in high-energy {gamma}{gamma} colliders. Prospects of the search for these particles in bb-bar and neutralino-pair final states are studied in this report. Heavy Higgs bosons can be found with masses up to about 70-80% of the initial e{sup +}e{sup -} collider energy for moderate values of tan {beta}, i.e. in areas of the parameter space not accessible at other colliders.
Surveys for interior wetland birds at mine-associated emergent wetlands on coal surface mines in southern Illinois detected one state threatened and two state endangered species. Breeding by least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) and common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) was confirmed. Regional assessment of potential wetland bird habitat south of Illinois Interstate 64 identified a total of 8,109 ha of emergent stable water wetlands; 10% were associated with mining. Mine-associated wetlands with persistent hydrology and large expanses of emergent vegetation provide habitat that could potentially compensate for loss of natural wetlands in Illinois.
This paper is devoted to investigate the influences of thermal dispersion and magnetic field on a hot semi-infinite vertical porous plate embedded in a saturated Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkman porous medium. The coefficient of thermal diffusivity has been assumed to be the sum of the molecular diffusivity and the dynamic diffusivity due to mechanical dispersion. The effects of transverse magnetic field parameter (Hartmann number Ha), Reynolds number Re (different velocities), Prandtl number Pr (different types of fluids) and dispersion parameter on the wall shear stress and the heat transfer rate are discussed.
The use of the method is described on powder samples before and after sintering with an La content of up to 1%. For excitation of the K series of La a _2_4_1Am source with an activity of 1.11 GBq was used. The obtained results showed that the method is sufficiently accurate (error 7%) at a short period of measurement (100 s). It gives satisfactory results even in the comparison of the experimental relative count rate and the theoretically calculated value despite the fact that the analytical signal comes from the sample surface. (Ha).
The combination of zero-valent iron (Fe0) and iron oxide-coated sand (IOCS) was used to remove Cr(VI) and As(V) from groundwater in this study. The efficiency and the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) and As(V) by using this combination, with the influence of humic acid (HA), were investigated using batch experiments. Results showed that, compared to using Fe0 or IOCS alone, the Fe0-IOCS can perform better on the removal of both Cr(VI) and As(V). Metal extraction studies showed that As(V) was mainly removed by IOCS and iron corrosion products while Cr(VI) was mainly removed by Fe0 and its corrosion products. Competition was found between Cr(VI) and As(V) for the adsorption sites on the iron corrosion products. HA had shown insignificant effects on Cr(VI) removal but some effects on As(V) removal kinetics. As(V) was adsorbed on IOCS at the earlier stage, but adsorbed/coprecipitated with the iron corrosion products at the later stage. - Research ...
The grafted human glioblastoma cell CB109 was used as a model for intralesional therapy with 131I-labelled hyaluronectin glycoprotein (131I-HN). 131I-HN bound specifically to in situ hyaluronic acid (HA), a main component of the extracellular matrix which is involved in tumour invasion. Labelling experimental conditions were determined and, finally, 25 {mu}Ci/{mu}gHN, 1 {mu}g chloramine-T/{mu}gHN and a 60-s stirring period provided a 131I-HN preparation with an optimal affinity for HA (64% compared to unlabelled HN). Following intratumoral injection, 131I-HN was retained with a limited diffusion outside the tumour. On day 4 the radioactivity concentrated in the tumour was still 25 times greater than that in the liver, spleen and kidneys combined. For therapeutic assays, 65 {mu}Ci 131I-HN was injected into the tumour, resulting in a delivery of 6.8 Gy over a 7-day period. Controls received unlabelled HN, heat-inactivated HN, a mixture of ...
The hypothesis of genetic defects in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) regulation among patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and nephropathy was assessed by studies in tissue cultures of fibroblasts obtained from 7 patients with normal urinary albumin excretion, 11 patients with diabetic nephropathy, and 6 nondiabetic control subjects. The incorporation of (2H) glucosamine and (35S) sulfate into hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate (CS + DS), and heparan sulfate (HS) was measured in cells, matrix, and medium and related to micrograms of tissue protein. Large interindividual variations were seen in all three groups, and the incorporation of (3H) glucosamine into HA, CS + DS, and HS and (35S) sulfate into CS + DS and HS were not significantly different between the three groups. However, the fractional incorporation of (3H)glucosamine into HS was significantly reduced in diabetic patients with nephropathy ...
Spontaneous mutation has been discovered and utilized in domestication of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). As the result of the domestication, lupin has become a dominant grain legume crop in Western Australia. Facing the new challenge of developing herbicide tolerance cultivars, chemical mutagenesis has been used to create new tolerance to herbicide. This paper reports the characterization of two lupin mutants (Tanjil-AZ-33 and Tanjil-AZ-55) that are highly tolerant to metribuzin herbicide. A dose response study over 8 doses revealed that Tanjil-AZ-33 was 6 times more tolerant to metribuzin than the original parental cultivar Tanjil by measure of LD50. This mutant Tanjil-AZ-33 is the most tolerant germplasm in narrow-leafed lupin. Both mutants also maintain the high resistance to the disease anthracnose as cv Tanjil. Seed yield based on small field plots (3.6 m"2) under irrigation was 4.2 t/ha for Tanjil-AZ-33 and 1.9 t/ha for ...
Background: While Borneo's forests are globally recognised for their diverse vegetation many regions remain uncharacterised. Aims: We examine the tree community in one hectare of lowland (hill) forest near the Malinau River. Methods: We objectively sited a 1-ha plot in primary forest. All stems over 30 cm girth were measured and identified. Results: Stem basal area was typical for Asian rain forests, but the numbers of stems (759) and species (205) were high. The most abundant species were Gluta wallichii, Cleistanthus bakonensis and Lithocarpus cantleyanus, while those contributing most to basal area were Shorea venulosa, Dipterocarpus lowii and Calophyllum lowii. Dipterocarpaceae was the dominant family amongst the largest stems and contributes a third of stand basal area (11.5 m2). Thir...
Abstract A critical aspect of reestablishing a self-sustaining Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest ecosystem to bauxite-mined areas is to ensure that vital ecosystem functions such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling are returned. Significant research has been undertaken over the past 20 years relating to litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Studies have shown that litter accumulates rapidly in restored areas (1-4 ton ha-1 yr-1) and the accumulated litter tends to be richer in nitrogen due to intentionally elevated densities of nitrogen-fixing species. This leads to a lower (carbon:nitrogen) C:N ratio (60:1 compared to 130:1 in unmined forest) that may promote mineralization of organic N to inorganic forms in restored areas. The major nutrient store in the unmined forest is...
Purpose PR-104, a bioreductive prodrug in clinical trial, is a phosphate ester which is rapidly metabolized to the corresponding alcohol PR-104A. This dinitrobenzamide mustard is activated by reduction to hydroxylamine (PR-104H) and amine (PR-104M) metabolites selectively in hypoxic cells, and also independently of hypoxia by aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 in some tumors. Here, we evaluate reductive metabolism of PR-104A in mice and its significance for host toxicity. Methods The pharmacokinetics of PR-104, PR-104A and its reduced metabolites were investigated in plasma and tissues of mice (with and without SiHa or H460 tumor xenografts) and effects of potential oxidoreductase inhibitors were evaluated. Results Pharmacokinetic studies identified extensive non-tumor reduction of PR-104A to t...
Chitosan (Ch) microspheres have been developed by precipitation method, cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and used as a template for layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of two natural polyelectrolytes. Using a LBL methodology, Ch microspheres were alternately coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) and Ch under mild conditions. The roughness of the Ch-based crosslinked microspheres was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Morphological characterization was performed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stereolight microscopy. The swelling behaviour of the microspheres demonstrated that the ones with more bilayers presented the highest water uptake and the uncoated cross-linked Ch microspheres showed the lowest uptake capability. Micros...
Aim To determine the fate and clinical implication of large (?2cm), non-hypervascular nodules depicted on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the cirrhotic liver. Materials and methods In 21 patients with cirrhosis (14 hepatitis B, two ethanol abuse, four cryptogenic, one Wilson's disease), 25 large (?2cm in the longest dimension) non-hypervascular nodules were identified on dynamic MRI. The implications for diagnosis of the initial size, contour, and signal characteristics on MRI in addition to patients' age and cause of cirrhosis were assessed in our analysis. Results Twelve (75%) out of 16 lesions were malignant or potentially-malignant from 14 hepatitis B patients, while seven (78%) of the nine lesions from other patients were benign (p=0.016). The mean age of the patients who ha...
Many existing agents for diabetes therapy are unable to restore or maintain normal glucose homeostasis or prevent the eventual emergence of hyperglycemia-related complication. Therefore, agents based on novel mechanisms are sought to complement and extend the current therapeutic approaches. Based on the initial paper research, we focused on active STAT3 as an attractive pharmacological target for type 2 diabetes. The subsequent text mining with a unique query to identify suppressors but not activators of STAT3 revealed the ERK2/STAT3 pathway as a novel diabetes target. The description of ERK2 inhibitors as diabetes target had not been found in our text mining research at present. The mechanism-based peptide inhibitor for ERK2 was identified using the knowledge of the KIM sequence, which ha...
Mapping the distribution of invasive alien plant species is significant for testing ecological hypotheses and for guiding effective management. Little is known about the distribution of invasive plants at landscape scale, and the factors controlling their dispersal and establishment are still poorly understood. This is the case for Rosa rugosa, an invasive shrub with negative effects on biodiversity in dune ecosystems of NW Europe. The aim of the study was to identify the factors which determine the distribution of R. rugosa in coastal dunes. In a large semi-natural dune area of NW Denmark (2364ha) all patches of the species (1321, 1.3-59.1m2) were GPS mapped. Patch distribution was GIS analysed, based on aerial photographs and vegetation maps. The distance of R. rugosa from the most consp...
The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of weather and available protection on the behaviour of outdoor-wintered beef cattle (Bos taurus). A herd of 78-85 cattle head was studied during four winter months in the Southwest of Sweden. Protection was offered by coniferous forest situated on and around the 12ha pasture, which we divided into protection categories. During 240h we observed 10 cows and 10 heifers as focal animals (each 3h/month) during day time and adjusted observation times to the altitude of the sun. Close to the animals and at an unprotected spot of the pasture we measured temperature, wind speed and solar radiation and combined these variables to a single measure called Wind Chill Temperature (WCT). During observations the animals were in the forest in 12...
Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation's REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129ha of research and inventory p...
Little is known about the rates of establishment and clonal spread of invasive plants on a landscape scale. This knowledge is necessary for reconstructing and predicting invasions, for example of the alien shrub Rosa rugosa. A series of aerial photographs (1986, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006) were used to map the species in coastal dunes of north-western Denmark (2354ha), and all R. rugosa patches (1321) were recorded with GPS in 2004 and 2007. The 2004 records were used to digitize 82-161 distinct patches on the photographs. The increase in patch sizes from the older to the younger photographs was used to calculate a lateral clonal spread rate (0.42myear^-^1). Relative area increment by clonal spread was 16.4% per year, decreasing exponentially with patch size due to constant clonal lateral spre...
Since Taiwan lacks sufficient self-produced energy, increasing energy efficiency and energy savings are essential aspects of Taiwan's energy policy. This work summarizes the energy savings implemented by 303 firms in Taiwan's textile industry from the on-line Energy Declaration System in 2008. It was found that the total implemented energy savings amounted to 46,074 ton of oil equivalent (TOE). The energy saving was equivalent to 94,614 MWh of electricity, 23,686 kl of fuel oil and 4887 ton of fuel coal. It represented a potential reduction of 143,669 ton in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide absorption capacity of a 3848 ha plantation forest. This study summarizes energy-saving measures for energy users and identifies the areas for making energy saving to provide an energy efficiency baseline.
Abstract The aim of this study is to study the effects of Boron (B) pollution in Buyuk Menderes river on planted crops and agricultural areas constructed in the irrigation schemes by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) of the Lower Buyuk Menderes basin, Turkey. The studied irrigation schemes in the basin are Saraykoy, Pamukkale, Nazilli, Aydin, Sultanhisar, Koarli, and Soke. Mean B concentrations of river water used in the irrigation schemes ranged from 0.10 to 0.43 mgB L-1 for the period of 2008 to 2009. A total of 100,556 ha of the agricultural area and the basin groundwater resources are under the influence of B pollution from the Buyuk Menderes river. The amount of B accumulating in soils and seepage in the groundwater due to the used irrigation water was 18,495,350 and 9153 kgB yr-1, resp...
Briefly described is knowledge of crevice corrosion, corrosion cracking and denting. In evaluating the corrosion resistance of steam generator materials it is necessary to distinguish corrosion problems caused by the primary coolant eide and by the secondary circuit side. At present tubes are manufactured of 7 austenitic alloys of a different chemical composition, and available information shows that views on their corrosion resistance differ. Greatest attention has been devoted to corrosion cracking in the presence of HaOH. Findings related to I-600, I-800, I-690 and AISI 316 are given. Corrodibility by sulfur-containing products is now being studied, namely the intercrystalline corrosion cracking caused by the presence of H_2S_4O_6. Knowledge gained in this respect is summed up. (J.P.).
Potential of spent biomass of a cyanobacterium, Nostoc linckia HA 46, from a hydrogen bioreactor was studied for biosorption of a textile dye, reactive red 198. The waste biomass was immobilized in calcium alginate and used for biosorption of the dye from aqueous solution using response surface methodology (RSM). Kinetics of the dye in aqueous solution was studied in batch mode. Interactive effects of initial dye concentration (100-500mg/L), pH (2-6) and temperature (25-45^oC) on dye removal were examined using Box-Behnken design. Maximum adsorption capacity of the immobilized biomass was 93.5mg/g at pH 2.0, initial concentration of 100mg/L and 35^oC temperature, when 94% of the dye was removed. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies revealed that biosorption was mainly mediated by fun...
Abstract Question: How do the diversity, size structure, and spatial pattern of woody species in a temperate (Mediterranean climate) forest compare to temperate and tropical forests? Location: Mixed evergreen coastal forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA. Methods: We mapped, tagged, identified, and measured all woody stems (?1 cm diameter) in a 6-ha forest plot, following Center for Tropical Forest Science protocols. We compared patterns to those found in 14 tropical and 12 temperate forest plots. Results: The forest is dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and three species of Fagaceae (Quercus agrifolia, Q. parvula var. shrevei, and Lithocarpus densiflorus), and includes 31 woody species and 8180 individuals. Much of the diversity was in small-diameter shrubs,...
Phycocyanin - a major phycobiliprotein constitutively produced by many cyanobacteria hold several promising applications in diagnostics, biomedical research, and therapeutics. This paper discusses a novel rapid method for the purification of cyanobacterial phycocyanin (C-PC) from Phormidium fragile using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The protein was extracted and concentrated by grinding under liquid nitrogen and ammonium sulfate fractionation. C-PC was purified by single step hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Purified phycocyanin showed absorbance maximum (lmax) at 624nm. The criterion of purity (R) achieved was 4.52. Phycocyanin to phycoerythrin and phycocyanin to allophycocyanin purity ratio were 3.85 and 7.49, respectively. The purified protein showed a pI of 5.2 and ha...
Uranium and thorium ores are the source of natural radionuclides. Briefly described are the original and current methods of long-lived nuclide separation ("2"3"8U, "2"3"5U, "2"2"6Ra, "2"3"0Th, "2"3"1Pa, "2"2"7Ac, "2"3"2Th, "2"2"8Ra+"2"2"8Ac, "2"2"8Th), some short-lived nuclides ("2"3"4Th and "2"2"8Ac), radon, short-lived radon daughter products and long-lived radon daughter products ("2"1"0Pb, "2"1"0Bi, "2"1"0Po). Some nuclides, such as "2"1"0Po or "2"3"1Pa can more easily be producedin reactors. (Ha).
Object: To prevent a sudden drop in the level of a coolant in a annular pipe encased within a downcomer pipe. Structure: The coolant levels in annular pipes encased within downcomer pipes are simultaneously measured by level gauges which generate signals representative of coolant levels. The signals are fed to a level control system which will actuate valves to regulate the cover gas pressure in order to average the level differences among the annular pipes in different downcomer pipes. (Kamimura, M.).
Use of treated effluent and duckweed biomass from a pilot-scale UASB-duckweed ponds system treating domestic sewage was evaluated in rearing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nutritional value of duckweed as sole feed was compared with wheat bran. Two sources of water were used for each feed trial, treated-sewage and freshwater. The experiment was conducted in parallel with a conventional settled sewage-fed fishpond. Results of growth performance demonstrated that, in case of freshwater ponds specific growth rate (SGR) of tilapia fed on fresh duckweed was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the SGR in wheat bran fed pond. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the two feeding regimes in treated sewage fed ponds. The SGR of tilapia reared in the treated sewage-wheat bran-fed pond (TWP) was significant higher (p <0.01) than the SGR in the freshwater-wheat bran-fed pond (FWP). On the other hand, due to the early spawning in the treated sewage-duckweed fed ...
A compartment model, including removal of organic matter in a forest ecosystem, is developed to describe matter cycling and net CO{sub 2} flux of the ecosystem especially of managed forests. The model consists of five carbon stocks: atmosphere, foliage, woody matter, underground matter, and dead organic matter in the soil. Employing appropriate values of ecophysiological parameters in the model and simulation of man-made sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation forests shows that these forests have high growth potential with a maximum total phytomass of over 750 t ha{sup -1} in dry matter basis. When the typical pattern of thinning regime for sugi plantation forests in Japan is applied to the present model, the simulated forest biomass developments compare well with mensuration data from various forestry sites. The CO{sub 2} balance between the sugi forest ecosystem and the atmosphere reveals a net CO{sub 2} fixation of 49.38 million ton CO{sub 2} year{sup -1} ...
The globalization of markets has generated more options of purchase of all type of goods and services, these options have generated opportunities and threats for all the companies and have looked for the satisfaction of the client as a strategy to remain or incursion into the global market. The Instituto de Investigaciones Electricas (IIE) is not the exception and therefore it looks for the identification of the qualitative aspects and to systematize its application in the projects that executes by means of the implantation of a system of quality assurance based on the series of ISO 9000 Standards. Some examples are described to identify the qualitative aspects of the projects that are developed in the Institute. [Spanish] La globalizacion de los mercados ha generado mas opciones de compra de todo tipo de bienes y servicios, dichas opciones han generado oportunidades y amenazas para todas las empresas y se ha buscado satisfacer al cliente como ...
{sup 188}Re is a {beta}{sup -} (Emax=2.12 MeV) and {gamma} (155 keV) emitter. Since its chemistry is similar to that of the largely employed tracer, {sup 99m}Tc, molecules of hyaluronic acid (HA) have been labelled with {sup 188}Re to produce a target specific radiopharmaceutical. The radiolabeled compound, i.v. injected in healthy mice, is able to accumulate into the liver after a few minutes. To study the effect of metabolic radiotherapy in mice, we have built a small gamma camera based on a matrix of YAP:Ce crystals, with 0.6x0.6x10 mm{sup 3} pixels, read out by a R2486 Hamamatsu PSPMT. A high-sensitivity 20 mm thick lead parallel-hole collimator, with hole diameter 1.5 mm and septa of 0.18 mm, is placed in front of the YAP matrix. Preliminary results obtained with various phantoms containing a solution of {sup 188}Re and with C57 black mice injected with the {sup 188}Re-HA solution are presented. To increase the space resolution and to ...
The development of the spatial N export and retention model N{sub E}XRET for large river basins is presented, utilizing remote-sensing-based land use and forest classification. Export coefficients describing the contribution from agriculture, forestry and peat harvesting were estimated based on empirical studies. Representativeness of forest treatment coefficients have been evaluated by use of data from a small, well-documented test catchment. Simulation results from the application of the model to the Oulujoki river basin (22,840 km{sup 2} ) are discussed. Model estimated N fluxes were compared with measured N fluxes in separate points of the river basin. Based on source apportionment, agriculture contributes 17% of the total export, varying between 8% in the uppermost subbasin and 38% in the lowermost subbasin close to the sea. Forestry contributes almost as much, 16%, with less pronounced variation (11-24%) between the different subbasins. In the separate subbasins, 7-37% of the ...
Willow harvested in 2-to-3-year rotations has been touted as a reliable source of biomass. A newly designed harvester based on a round baler was developed in 2006. The third generation biobaler was evaluated in 2009 at 2 willow plantations in Quebec. The first site at Godmanchester was a three-year old regrowth with an estimated 52,000 stems/ha of large diameter willow. The biobaler with a flail cutter harvested three plots totalling 4,136 m{sup 2}. Total harvested biomass was 10.36 t DM in 42 bales. The harvest rate averaged 29 bale/h with an average bale size of 1.22 m wide by 1.30 m in diameter. Diesel fuel consumption averaged 0.81 L/bale. Measured losses averaged 11 per cent of the yield. The second site at Saint-Roch-del'Achigan was a two-year old growth with an estimated 49,000 stems/ha of large stem willow. The biobaler harvested seven plots totalling 15,740 m{sup 2}. Total harvest was 30.70 t DM in 148 bales. The first 14 ...
This paper reports the estimates concerning the atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption and storage by living plants all over the world. It is necessary to decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations for avoiding global warming. As living plants absorb carbon dioxide by photosynthesis and accumulate carbon in their bodies, they can play an important role to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide. Literatures describing distribution areas, biomass values and net primary productivity (NPP) of forests, marine plants and microorganisms were collected. Examining those data, the biomass and NPP of forests, marine plants and microorganisms can be summarized as follows: (1) Forest biomass and their NPP of the world. The world's forest area is recently estimated as 4 billion hectares, and their biomass is about 400 billion tons of carbon which is equal to 2/3 of the total atmospheric carbon. The NPP of the world's forest is estimated as 25-35 billion tons C/year. (2) Mean ...
The biobaler was originally developed for short-rotation willow plantations, but can currently harvest a wide range of woody crops with a basal diameter up to 150 mm. The biobaler is an alternate approach to harvest woody crops as round bales, generally 1.2 m wide by 1.5 m diameter. In addition to harvesting trees, it can improve management of wild brush, forest understory vegetation and encroaching small trees on abandoned land. It allows easy handling, storage and transportation to sites where the biomass can be used for energy use or other applications. This paper reported on a study that was conducted in the fall of 2009 in which a third generation biobaler was used on 8 different sites across Minnesota, notably Waseca, Madelia, Faribault, Afton, Ogilvie, Hinckley, Aurora and Hibbing. A total of 160 bales were harvested from these sites. The average bale mass was 466 kg and average bale density was 296 kg/m{sup 3}. The moisture content averaged 44.9 per cent and the bale dry matter ...
In conventional microtremor prospecting methods, underground structure is estimated using the phase velocity of Rayleigh-wave only. However, it is considered that the underground structure can be estimated at a higher accuracy by using two phase velocities of Rayleigh-wave and Love-wave that directly reflects S-wave velocity structure. Therefore, three-component microtremor array observation of a circle (equilateral triangle) with the maximum radius of 40 to 250 m was carried out at the center of Morioka city. Analysis was carried out by means of extended space with autocorrelation to obtain phase velocities of Love- and Rayleigh-waves. The frequency zone of the obtained Rayleigh-wave phase velocity is 1.5 Hz to 8.6 Hz, and the phase velocity is 2670 m/s to 733 m/s. The frequency zone of the obtained Love-wave phase velocity is 3 Hz to 8.6 Hz, and the phase velocity is 2100 m/s to 412 m/s. The underground structure obtained by using two observed phase velocities is clarified under a ...
Hydrologic processes in suburban watersheds and their effects on water quality warrant investigation. Biweekly and storm samples were collected and analyzed for base cations, selected anions, and DOC over a one-year period at the outlet of three small (37 - 55 ha) watersheds (one forested, two with different degrees of suburban development) in the Croton Watershed, southeastern New York. Less frequent sampling for Pt/Co color and disinfection by-product precursors (DBPs) were also conducted. Median baseflow concentrations (>3 days since rainfall) of DOC were similar, ranging from 2.1 to 1.8 to 1.7 mg L -1 for the most urbanized to the forested watershed, respectively. On a unit area load basis (kg ha-1 yr-1), the range was from 8.9 to 6.4 to 5.1, again from most urbanized to forested watershed. All three watersheds showed similar storm responses, with evidence for a flushing mechanism in that DOC concentration increased with increasing ...
This study presents and applies a coherent methodological framework to compare biomass cascading chains, i.e. the subsequent use of biomass for materials, recycling and energy recovery, considering land use, CO2 emission reduction and economic performance. Example cascading chains of short rotation poplar wood are compared with each other on the basis of literature data. Results for these chains vary strongly, namely, from CO2 mitigation benefits of 200 euro/Mg CO2 to CO2 mitigation costs of 2200 euro/Mg CO2, and from net CO2 emission reductions per hectare of biomass production of 28 Mg CO2/(ha yr) to net CO2 emissions of 8 Mg CO2/(ha yr). Using a present-value approach to determine CO2 emissions and costs affects the performance of long-term cascading chains significantly, i.e. cost and CO2 emission reduction are decreased. In general, cascading has the potential to improve both CO2 emission reduction per hectare and CO2 mitigation costs of ...
Discussed in this paper are the P-wave and S-wave zero-offset VSPs carried out utilizing boreholes located in Nada Ward, Kobe City, and Hokudan-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, as part of the deep layer boring survey following Hanshin Earthquake Disaster. This effort aims at the elucidation of P-wave and S-wave velocity structures, high-precision identification of data obtained by the surface reflection method, and collection of basic data for active faults investigation in the future. Among the velocity structures obtained for various layers, the S-wave velocity structures in particular agree with the stratigraphy excellently and may be utilized in seismic analyses to be conducted in the future. Reflection from geological boundaries is received with precision, providing accurate information about correlation between reflection and geological cross sections. The records will be useful in formulating plans for reflection surveys for instance of the boundary between the Osaka group and Kobe group. ...
The Earth`s oceans, forests, agricultural lands and other natural areas absorb about half of the carbon dioxide emitted from anthropogenic sources. Terrestrial carbon sequestration strategies are immediately available to bridge the gap between current terrestrial sequestration capacity and high-capacity geologic sequestration projects available in 10 to 20 years. Terrestrial carbon sequestration strategies consist of implementing land management practices aimed at decreasing CO2 emitted into the atmosphere and developing advanced measurement tools to inventory and monitor carbon processes in soils and biota. In addition to atmospheric CO2 mitigation and carbon trading advantages, terrestrial carbon sequestration produces a variety of benefits which include reclamation of degraded lands, increased soil productivity, increased land value and a more secure food source. Carbon storage in soil depends on climate and management practices, with potential yearly increases estimated from 0 ...
Full text: Pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), an introduced pest from Mexico, first occurred in United States cotton production in Texas in 1917. Unacceptable economic losses have occurred. The development of PBW sterile moth release technology, gossyplure sex pheromone behavioral control, cotton plant cultural control to reduce overwintered PBW populations, and the transfer of the insect toxin protein gene into cotton from Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Berliner) have provided an effective integrated pest management (IPM) system with PBW eradication potential. Sterile insect release was considered a potential option for PBW population suppression in the early 1960s. Research on the isolated island of St. Croix, (US Virgin Islands) demonstrated its validity. Reductions of larval infestations in bolls following sterile moth releases began when ratios of released PBW sterile male to native male moths averaged 70:1 in gossyplurebaited traps. Numbers of larvae per ...
2.1.1 Levels of preservation and packaging and the levels of packing to be applied selectively are defined in MIL-STD-2073-1 and are mandatory for use or ...
Purpose: Cardiomyopathy is one of the major complications of {beta} thalassaemia major as a result of transfusion iron overload. The aim of our study is to evaluate with MR if there is any difference of iron deposition signal intensity (SI) or distribution between non-cardiopatic and cardiopatic thalassaemic patients in order to establish if there is a relationship between cardiopathy and iron deposition. Materials and methods: We studied 20 patients affected by {beta} thalassaemia major, of whom 10 cardiopatic and 10 non-cardiopatic, and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum ferritin and left ventricular ejection fraction were calculated in thalassaemic patients. All patients were examinated using a 1.5 MR unit with ECG-gated GE cine-MR T2*-weighted, SE T1-weighted and GE T2*-weighted sequences. In all cases, using an adequate ROI, the myocardial and skeletal muscle signal intensity (SI), the myocardial/skeletal muscle signal intensity radio (SIR) and the SI average of the ...
Acute thoracic aortic injuries account for up to 10-20% of fatalities in high-speed deceleration road accidents and have an estimated immediate fatality rate of 80-90%. Untreated survivors to acute trauma (10-20%) have a dismal prognosis: 30% of them die within 6 hours, 40-50% die within 24 hours, and 90% within 4 months. It was investigated the diagnostic accuracy of Helical Computed Tomography (Helical CT) in acute traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta, and the role of this technique in the diagnostic management of trauma patients with a strong suspicion of aortic rupture. It was compared retrospectively the chest Helical CT findings of 256 trauma patients examined June 1995 through August 1999. Chest Helical CT examinations were performed according to trauma score, to associated traumatic lesions and to plain chest radiographic findings. All the examinations were performed with no intravenous contrast agent administration and the pitch 2 technique. After a previous baseline ...
Estonia is rich in such renewable energy sources like wood, peat and wind. Wind energy potential is very high (up to 7 TWh) due to its geographical location. Wind potential could be efficiently used particularly on the western coast and on islands. Wider use of renewable energy sources would allow significant cutting of GHG emissions. Wind energy yield reaches up to 9000 MWh in West-Estonian Archipelago, 4000-8000 MWh in other coastal regions and up to 4000 MWh in inland areas per 2 MW wind turbine. In Estonian coastal regions (20 km wide zone along the 3800 km long coastline) there is 114 000 ha (7.9% of total area) open fields that are fully suitable for harnessing wind energy. Use of wind energy has been hindered so far mainly by a systematic under-capacity operation of two large oil shale power plants in Narva and weak power network system in coastal regions (orig.)
Resumen Estudios epidemiologicos recientes, muestran claramnete la incidencia de la disfuncion erectil con la edad. Por lo tanto, los profesionales sanitarios que se ocupan de las personas de edad avanzada, deberian preparar cuidadosamente el diagnostico y el abordaje de la disfuncion erectil. Es innegable que la introduccion de los inhibidores de la fosfodisterasa tipo 5 (PDE5Is) ha revolucionado el tratamiento de la disfuncion erectil. Los clinicos deberian conocer el potencial de los efectos adversos asociados con el uso de PDE5Is cuando se aconseja a los pacientes. Otras terapias suplementarias y de segunda/tercera linea para la disfuncion erectil, que incluyen las inyecciones intracavernosas, la aplicacion transuretral de medicacion, la testosterona, los sistemas de vacion peneano, la...
Water protection wetlands aim to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations either separately or simultaneously. In the latter case, a wetland must contain parts differing clearly in both function and physical condition. In efforts to reduce nitrogen the most important process is denitrification. Phosphorus is deposited with solids and bound to the vegetation and soil in wetlands. As the bulk of the solid and nutrient load comes from catchments during spring floods, wetlands should be designed on the basis of, at least, the average maximum vernal run-off (MHq). Use of higher run-offs, e.g. MHql/10 or MHql/20, in the design without reducing the target retention would require large wetlands. The efficiency of wetlands is constrained by too short retention times and low leachate temperatures. Wetlands established with special environmental support are normally designed on the basis of MHq. The average catchment area of such wetlands is 1.86 km{sup 2} median 0.53 km{sup 2}. The ...
The impact of surface mining for coal on the nature and extent of freshwater wetlands was assessed on 73,200 ha in western Pennsylvania. The influence of mining on wetlands was not uniform across physiographic regions, varying with regional differences in hydrology and soils. Overall, mined lands supported 18% more palustrine wetlands, than unmined lands, primarily because of a 270% gain in permanent, open-water wetlands on mined lands in the glaciated region. Open-water wetlands declined on mined lands in unglaciated regions owing to unfavorable hydrologic conditions. The number and size of emergent wetlands declined as a result of mining. Mined lands supported 81% fewer riverine wetlands than unmined lands. This was caused primarily by avoidance of lands containing streams, and secondarily by a 10% reduction in replacement of riverine wetlands during reclamation. Land managers need to develop land use policies that maximize the ecological and social benefits that ...
Separate effects of ammonium (NH{sub 4} {sup +}) and nitrate (NO{sub 3} {sup -}) on boreal forest understorey vegetation were investigated in an experiment where 12.5 and 50.0 kg nitrogen (N) ha{sup -1} year{sup -1} was added to 2 m{sup 2} sized plots during 4 years. The dwarf-shrubs dominating the plant community, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, took up little of the added N independent of the chemical form, and their growth did not respond to the N treatments. The grass Deschampsia flexuosa increased from the N additions and most so in response to NO{sub 3} {sup -}. Bryophytes took up predominately NH{sub 4} {sup +} and there was a negative correlation between moss N concentration and abundance. Plant pathogenic fungi increased from the N additions, but showed no differences in response to the two N forms. Because the relative contribution of NH{sub 4} {sup +} and NO{sub 3} {sup -} to the total N deposition on a regional scale can vary substantially, the ...
Artificial bone cements (BCs) based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) powders and methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer also present in their formulation small amounts of other substances, including a chemical initiator compound and radiopaque agents. Because inadequate mixing of the recipe components during the manufacture of the bone cement may compromise the mechanical properties of the final pieces, new techniques to incorporate the fillers into the BC and their effect upon the mechanical properties of BC pieces were investigated in the present study. PMMA powder composites were produced in situ in the reaction vessel by addition of X-ray contrasts to the reacting MMA mixture. It is shown that this can lead to much better mechanical properties of test pieces, when compared to standard bone cement formulations, because enhanced dispersion of the radiopaque agents can be achieved. Moreover, it is shown that the addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) and acrylic ...
NGC 1407 is the central elliptical in a nearby evolved galaxy group apparently destined to become a cluster core. We use the kinematics of globular clusters to probe the dynamics and mass profile of the group's center, out to 60 kpc (~10 R_eff) -- the most extended data set to date around an early-type galaxy. This sample consists of 172 GC velocities, most of them newly obtained using Keck/DEIMOS, with a few additional objects identified as DGTOs or as IGCs. We find weak rotation in the GC system's outer parts, with the metal-poor and metal-rich GCs misaligned. The RMS velocity profile declines rapidly to a radius of ~20 kpc, and then becomes flat or rising to ~60 kpc. There is evidence that the GC orbits have a tangential bias that is strongest for the metal-poor GCs -- possibly contradicting theoretical expectations. We construct cosmologically-motivated galaxy+dark halo dynamical models and infer a mass within 60 kpc of ~3x10^12 M_Sun, extrapolating to a virial mass of ~6x10^13 ...
Pre-harvest sprays of bavistin (50% carbendazim) at 100, 200 and 400 g a.i/ha were ineffective in the control of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem in onion. The combination of gamma irradiation (0.1 kGy) with bavistin dust (0.33g a.i/kg bulbs) was effective to an extent of about 79% in reducing storage losses due to sprouting and rottage. This combination treatment was better than dust treatment alone and highly cost effective. Bavistin, when used as pre-harvest spray, did not leave any residue in the tissues, whereas the compound was seen to move deep into the tissues, when used as post-harvest dust treatment. Higher concentrations of carbendazim residues (2.1-3.4 mg/kg bulb) were detected in the outer scales of the bulbs, as compared to that of inner scales (0.6-1.6 mg/kg), and the residue decreased slightly with passage of storage time. (author). 19 refs., 2 tabs.
Smoothness-constrained least-squares technique with ABIC minimization was applied to the inversion of phase velocity of surface waves during geophysical exploration, to confirm its usefulness. Since this study aimed mainly at the applicability of the technique, Love wave was used which is easier to treat theoretically than Rayleigh wave. Stable successive approximation solutions could be obtained by the repeated improvement of velocity model of S-wave, and an objective model with high reliability could be determined. While, for the inversion with simple minimization of the residuals squares sum, stable solutions could be obtained by the repeated improvement, but the judgment of convergence was very hard due to the smoothness-constraint, which might make the obtained model in a state of over-fitting. In this study, Love wave was used to examine the applicability of the smoothness-constrained least-squares technique with ABIC minimization. Applicability of this to Rayleigh wave will be ...
A solution based on sludge and Olive oil mill effluent (OME) co-digestion, coupled with a management plan, has been implemented, to treat and dispose safely, the mixed residues, into the natural forest and agricultural land. The mixture of up to 25% OME to the sludge improved anaerobic degradation of phenols and fats. High density fat compounds, present in OME, enhanced aggregation, settling and acetoclastic activity of anaerobic sludge. The full scale unit, obtained by modification of a cold digester, allowed to set-up a low capital cost system. The system produced large quantity of biogas and electric energy. Anaerobic degradation of the mixture improved fertilizing properties, making feasible land application of the digested mixture. Regional plan based in Geographical Information System (GIS) selected 800 ha of adequate land area for application near the WWTP. The experience is technically and economically successful. Main incomes are provided by energy use and ...
Anisotropy has been investigated using S-wave as a technique for detecting fractures. In this study, fundamental experiments were carried out with slightly changing the measuring conditions at a place where anisotropy was expected. This paper describes the fundamental data acquisition of anisotropy analysis using S-wave, and a part of the results. The experiments were conducted on the agricultural road in Yamadera district, Matsuyama-machi, Yamagata Prefecture. Two flat unpaved roads meeting at right angles were used as traverse lines. In this place, several reflection surfaces were certainly detected by P-wave, and anisotropy of S-wave was confirmed from the velocity of refracted wave of S-wave. Data were processed for individual traverse lines meeting at right angles. Firstly, signal sweeping, correlation, and vertical superposition were made. Six kinds of data were prepared, i.e., three-component receiving records of data at 0{degree} of generating direction and three-component ...
Chlorinated organics are frequently found as harmful soil contaminants and persisted for extended periods of time. A novel approach, named pulsed corona discharge plasma (PCDP), was employed for the degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil. Experimental results showed that 87% of PCP could be smoothly removed in 60 min. Increasing pulse voltage, enhancing soil pH, lowering humic acid (HA) in soil and reducing granular size of the soil were found to be favorable for PCP degradation efficiency. Oxidation and physical processes simultaneously contributed to PCP removal in soil and ozone was the main factor in PCDP treatment. C-Cl bonds in PCP were cleaved during PCDP treatment by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The mineralization of PCP was confirmed by total organic carbon (TOC) and dechlorination analyses. The main intermediate products such as tetrachlorocatechol, tetrachlorohydroquinone, acetic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid were ...
Palladium/magnetite nanoparticulate catalysts were developed for efficient elimination of halogenated organic pollutants from contaminated wastewater. Particle recovery from treated water can be ensured via magnetic separation. However, in worst-case scenarios, this catalyst removal step might fail, leading to particle release into the environment. Therefore, a toxicological study was conducted to investigate the impact of both pure magnetite and palladium/magnetite nanoparticle exposure upon human skin (HaCaT) and human colon (CaCo-2) cell lines and a cell line from rainbow trout gills (RTgill-W1). To quantify cell viability after particle exposure, three endpoints were examined for all tested cell lines. Additionally, the formation of reactive oxygen species was studied for the human cells. The results showed only minor effects of the particles on the tested cell systems and support the assumption that palladium/magnetite nano-catalysts can be implemented for a ...
The effect of transverse magnetic field parameter (Hartmann number, Ha) Reynolds number (Re) and Prandtl number (Pr) on the mixed convection flow past a semi-infinite vertical porous plate in a non-Darcian porous medium with variable viscosity and porosity, viscous dissipation and fluid-solid thermal conductivity ratio in the presence of plate transpiration (lateral mass flux) is investigated theoretically and numerically using Keller`s implicit finite difference scheme. It is shown that the Harmann number acts as a retarding force and increases the momentum boundary layer thickness, analogous to the flow against a positive pressure gradient, simultaneously decreasing local skin friction (shear stress). The heat transfer rate is however enhanced by the magnetic field (for positive values of the Eckert number) since the fluid is heated and temperature gradients become reduced between the fluid and the plate, with important potential applications in MHD power ...
Internal hydrological processes in suburban watersheds and their effects on water quality warrant investigation. Instrument clusters (throughfall collectors, suction lysimeters, monitoring wells, and shallow and deep piezometers) were installed at several locations within three small (50 - 70 ha) watersheds (one forested, two with different degrees of suburban development) in the Croton Watershed, southeastern New York. Biweekly and storm samples were analyzed for base cations, selected anions, and DOC over a one-year period. The topographic index (TI) quantified landscape position; flowpath analyses determined degree of development at each cluster, using % impervious cover as the metric. Water quality degradation was observed in sites with medium and high TI values; no such effect was observed along the ridges, i.e., low TI values. At medium TI values, areas with more than 5% impervious had degraded water quality. At high TI values, the water chemistry degradation ...
In this study, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) byproducts are used to ameliorate alkali soil. The average application rates for soils with low exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), mid ESP, and high ESP are 20.9, 30.6, and 59.3 Mg ha(-1), respectively. The experimental results obtained for 3 consecutive years reveal that the emergence ratios and yields of the crops were 1.1-7.6 times and 1.1-13.9 times those of the untreated control, respectively. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in the treated soils are far below the background values stipulated by the Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (GB15618-1995). Their concentrations in the seeds of corn and alfalfa grown in the treated soils are far below the tolerance limits regulated by National Food Standards of China. The results of this research demonstrate that the amelioration of alkali soils using FGD byproducts is promising. PMID:17412469
The assumed linear relationship between exposure to radiation and cancer incidence is questioned in this article. The current research data on radiation effects at the cellular level is reviewed, as are epidemiological studies of background radiation effects and health effects of populations exposed to low levels of radiation exposure via employment or medical treatments. Statistics reveal that threshold levels currently in force need to be reviewed. Some evidence of beneficial effects of low level radiation exposure effects of low level radiation exposure is also presented, and so regulations should be reviewed at an international level. (UK).
Aim: Compounds such "9"9"mTc-MDP and "9"9"mTc-HEDP are used regularly in bone scintigraphy for metastasis detection. The therapeutics properties of beta emitter radionuclides like "1"5"3Sm, "1"6"6Ho and "1"7"7Lu has been widely reported in literature being "1"7"7Lu the less developed for medical applications. With the purpose of study different radiopharmaceuticals alternatives, for metastasis bone palliation, we have evaluated, on a comparative basis, the labeling of "1"5"3Sm-MDP, "1"5"3Sm-HEDP, "1"6"6Ho-MDP, "1"6"6Ho-HEDP, "1"7"7Lu-MDP and "1"7"7Lu-HEDP from the exhibited radionuclidic purity and biological distribution point of view. Material and Methods: The radionuclides were produced at La Reina Research Reactor, Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission. The radionuclidic purity was determined by gamma-Ray spectrometry. The labeling was accomplished with MDP (Plenum) and HEDP synthesized in-house. The in-vitro affinity of labeled compounds to the mineral bone matrix was determined using ...
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2"+_1 level in "8"8Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
Abnormal fat metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined whether free fatty acid levels (FFAs), like insulin levels, oscillate...Full Text Available
AbstractEffects of dietary biotin supplementation on serum biotin levels and physical properties of sole horn of 40 Holstein cows were evaluated. The mean serum biotin level in biotin-supplemented...Full Text Available
The DOE strategy recognizes that public perception of low-level waste management practices is not positive. Actions are included that are aimed at opening the system to the public. A better informed public will be able to better assess the performance of the low-level waste management system.
Background: The causes of elevated B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are multifactorial. Renal dysfunction has been shown to affect BNP levels in some studies and...Full Text Available
Objectives:There is no study about correlation between vitamin D serum level and multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran. So in this survey, we investigated the serum level of 25-hydroxy...Full Text Available
Detailed level and decay schemes are presented for the nuclei of the A = 101 mass chain. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
Detailed level and decay schemes are presented for the nuclei of the A = 101 mass chain. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
This article is a story of networking of palliative care at the corporate level. This gives an insight that if you have will and dedication then you can imagine and make it true that networking can...Full Text Available
The report contains general information on aluminium and aluminium compounds concerning the existing standards, emissions, exposure levels and effect levels. The document is to be considered as a first evaluation to be used for the national discussion dur...
The energy levels, wavelengths, oscillator strengths, Auger rates and level-to-level dielectronic recombination rate coefficients describing dielectronic recombination into excited levels of Ne-like titanium from F-like low-lying states are calculated. Our calculations are based on Dr. R.D. Cowan's semi-relativistic mass-velocity and Darwin corrections are included in the Hamiltonian, and the distorted-wave model is used for the calculation of free electron wavefunctions. In order to set the recombination rate coefficients on a level by level basis, in a manner compatible with detailed level population kinetics modelling of highly-stripped ions in plasma, the dielectronic recombination rate coefficients as a function of free electron temperatures are given in an analytical form, which is not only very convenient in practice, but also hopefully accurate compared ...
The effect of two-body nature of the nuclear shell model potential on the recent numerical calculations of the nuclear level density has been examined. For the two most widely used single particle energy level schemes based on harmonic oscillator and Woods-Saxon potential, this effect is shown to significantly modify the excitation energy dependence of the level densities. (author).
The group- V vacancy pair, the so-called E-center, has recently been demonstrated to have, both in Si and Ge, more complicated energy-level schemes in the energy gap than were previously assumed. The E-center in silicon has, in addition to its well-established single-acceptor level in the upper half of the band gap, also a donor level in the lower half of the band gap; this donor level has lain hidden for more than 40 years. The E-center in Ge has an even more complicated level scheme as it induces, in addition to two levels analogous to those found in Si, also a double-acceptor level in the upper half of the band gap. Thus the E-center in Si can exist in three charge states and the E-center in Ge in four.
...5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA says European foods are largely under the Maximum Pesticide Residues Level , according to EFSA:...5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA says Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to 1st column Skip to ...5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA says Only 3.5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA ...says Monday, 12 July 2010 12:41 European foods are largely under the Maximum Pesticide Residues Level, according to EFSA: in 2008 only 3.5% of ...
The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum is an association of representatives of states and compacts established to facilitate state and compact commission implementation of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 and the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 and to promote the objectives of low-level radioactive waste regional compacts. The Forum provides an opportunity for states and compacts to share information with one another and to exchange views with officials of federal agencies. The Forum participants include representatives from regional compacts, designated host states, unaffiliated states, and states with currently-operating low-level radioactive waste facilities. This report contains information synthesizing the accomplishments of the Forum, as well as any new advances that have been made in the management of low-level ...
It is shown that level-density expressions cannot adequately represent or substitute for level structure information when making calculations of the Hauser-Feshbach type for cross sections or isomer-ratios for nuclei in the first few MeV above their ground state. It is stated that such discrete level information should include both experimentally confirmed and theoretically predicted levels. The utility of discrete level information to optimize level density calculations, to compute isomer ratios, in deriving dipole strength functions, and in the analysis of primary gamma ray spectra is emphasized, especially for nuclei far from the line of stability. 29 refs., 12 figs., 6 tabs. (DWL)
A plan has been put forth to strategically thin northern California forests to reduce fire danger and improve forest health. The resulting biomass residue, instead of being open burned, can be converted into ethanol that can be used as a fuel oxygenate or an octane enhancer. Economic potential for a biomass-to-ethanol facility using this softwood biomass was evaluated for two cases: Stand-alone and co-located. The co-located case refers to a specific site with an existing biomass power facility owned by Wheelabrator Environmental Systems Inc. near Martell, California. A two-stage dilute acid hydrolysis process is used for the production of ethanol from softwoods, and the residual lignin is used to generate steam and electricity. For a plant processing 800 dry tonnes per day of feedstock, the co-located case is an economically attractive concept. Total estimated capital investment is approximately $ 70 million for the co-located case. The resulting internal rate of return is about 24% ...
The Coastal Zone Sector of the Canadian Climate Impact and Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN) was established to address concerns regarding climate change in coastal areas. Coastal zones are sensitive to increases in air, sea and ground temperatures as well as to variations in sea level, precipitation, ice thickness, and storm intensity. This report presents the results of a workshop which focused on how coastal communities will be affected by climate induced water level changes, particularly sea-level rise on ocean coasts and decreasing lake levels in the Great Lakes. The workshop addressed issues such as the effects of changing water levels on coastal infrastructure, utilities, community development, and the implications of changing water levels to human safety, cultural resources, tourism, and insurance. The workshop reviewed the current state of ...
Purpose: To permit accurate detection of sodium leakage by distinguishing between variations in the overflow tank level due to changes in sodium temperature accompanying changes in the power level or operating state of a liquid metal sodium cooled fast breeder, and a reduction in power level due to duct leakage. Constitution: The volume of sodium in the primary cooling system is roughly estimated from the temperatures of hot and cold legs, and the duct leak preset level with respect to the sodium liquid level within an overflow tank when the plant is normal is varied according to the state of the plant. More particularly, the volume of sodium within the overflow tank is calculated on the basis of a signal representing the liquid level detected by a liquid level gauge in the overflow tank and a signal representing the temperature detected by ...
Investigations were carried out of radiation level around Daya Bay for three times since the construction and operation Daya bay Nuclear Power Station and Lingao Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong province in the period of 1988 to 2000. As shown by the investigation, the radiation levels both in the field and indoors remains unchanged by and large but slightly higher than before on the roads. Also this paper gives the analysis of variations in radiation levels form site to site and from time to time. It was shown that, for environmental ? radiation levels measurements, typical measuring sites have significant impact on the meaning results. (authors)
In this study, we propose a new bioactive bone cement (BBC), composed of natural bone powder (hydroxyapatite; HA), chitosan powder, and the currently available polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, for use in orthopedic surgeries such as vertebroplasty or as bone filler. Three types of BBCs (BBC I, BBC II, and BBC III) were prepared with different composition ratios. In vitro tests and animal studies were performed with the new BBCs, and with a currently available commercial PMMA bone cement. Surface morphology, chemical composition, changes in pH over time, exothermic temperatures, intrusion, and cellular responses were investigated in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and radiological and histological examinations were performed in animal studies. The results showed that the major components of the BBCs were C, O, Ca, P, Cl, Si, S, Ba, and Mg. The pH values of the BBCs decreased after 1 day, but eventually recovered to 7.2-7.4. The water absorbency, ...
Corn stover is typically left behind in the field after grain harvest. Although part of the stover should remain in the field for soil organic matter renewal and erosion protection, half of the stover could be removed sustainably. This represents about one million t dry matter (DM) of stover per year in the province of Quebec. Stover harvested in the fall is very wet. While there are applications for wet stover, the available markets currently require a dry product. Preliminary measurements have shown that stover left in the field throughout the winter becomes very dry, and a considerable amount would still be harvestable in the spring. In the spring of 2009, corn stover was harvested at 2 sites, each subdivided into 2 parcels. The first parcel was cut and raked in the fall of 2008 (fall parcel), while the second parcel was cut and raked in spring 2009. Fibre from both parcels was baled in the spring 2009. At the first site, a large square baler was used in late April to produce bales ...
In this work a flat receiver of self construction is shown with relatively low cost and easy manufacture, but with a thermal efficiency superior to 40% for applications at temperatures less than 60 degrees Celsius, that allows satisfying international standards in this respect. The heater has been matter of study in open courses distributed in the Universidad Autonoma de la Ciudad de Mexico (UACM) oriented to that the participants construct their own system, in addition to its installation and tests. The obtained results have been excellent. The massive use of efficient solar receivers of self-construction can truly help to the decreasing of the gas discharges of greenhouse effect. [Spanish] En este trabajo se presenta un captador plano de auto construccion con relativamente bajo costo y facil manufactura, pero con un rendimiento termico superior a 40% para aplicaciones a temperatura menos de 60 grados centigrados que le permite satisfacer estandares internacionales a este respecto. El ...
This topical report is a compilation of characterizations by different disciplines of the Mississippian Ratcliffe in portions of Richland County, MT. Goals of the report are to increase understanding of the reservoir rocks, oil-in-place, heterogeneity and methods for improved recovery. The report covers investigations of geology, petrography, reservoir engineering and seismic. The Ratcliffe is a low permeability oil reservoir which appears to be developed across much of the study area and occurs across much of the Williston Basin. The reservoir has not been a primary drilling target in the study area because average reserves have been insufficient to payout the cost of drilling and completion despite the application of hydraulic fracture stimulation. Oil trapping does not appear to be structurally controlled. For the Ratcliffe to be a viable drilling objective, methods need to be developed for (1) targeting better reservoir development and (2) better completions. A geological model is ...
The Maybell uranium mill tailings site is 25 miles (mi) (40 kilometers [km]) west of the town of Craig, Colorado, in Moffat County, in the northwestern part of the state. The unincorporated town of Maybell is 5 road mi (8 km) southwest of the site. The site is 2.5 mi (4 km) northeast of the Yampa River on relatively flat terrain broken by low, flat-topped mesas. U.S. Highway 40 runs east-west 2 mi (3.2 km) south of the site. The designated site covers approximately 110 acres (ac) (45 hectares [ha]) and consists of a concave-shaped tailings pile and rubble from the demolition of the mill buildings buried in the former mill area. The site is situated between Johnson Wash to the east and Rob Pit Mine to the west. Numerous reclaimed and unreclaimed mines are in the immediate vicinity. Aerial photographs (included at the end of this executive summary) show evidence of mining activity around the Maybell site. Contaminated materials at the Maybell processing site include ...
The Maybell uranium mill tailings site is 25 miles (mi) (40 kilometers [km]) west of the town of Craig, Colorado, in Moffat County, in the northwestern part of the state. The unincorporated town of Maybell is 5 road mi (8 km) southwest of the site. The designated site covers approximately 110 acres (ac) (45 hectares [ha]) and consists of a concave-shaped tailings pile and rubble from the demolition of the mill buildings buried in the former mill area. Contaminated materials at the Maybell processing site include the tailings pile, which has an average depth of 20 feet (ft) (6 meters [m]) and contains 2.8 million cubic yards (yd{sup 3}) (2.1 million cubic meters [m{sup 3}]) of tailings. The former mill processing area is on the north side of the site and contains 20,000 yd{sup 3} (15,000 m{sup 3}) of contaminated demolition debris. Off-pile contamination is present and includes areas adjacent to the tailings pile, as well as contamination dispersed by wind and ...
Bikini Island was contaminated March 1, 1954 by the Bravo detonation (U.S nuclear test series, Castle) at Bikini Atoll. About 90% of the estimated dose from nuclear fallout to potential island residents is from cesium-137 ({sup 137}Cs) transferred from soil to plants that are consumed by residents. Thus, radioecology research efforts have been focused on removing {sup 137}Cs from soil and/or reducing its uptake into vegetation. Most effective was addition of potassium (K) to soil that reduces {sup 137}Cs concentration in fruits to 3-5% of pretreatment concentrations. Initial observations indicated this low concentration continued for some time after K was last applied. Long-term studies were designed to evaluate this persistence in more detail because it is very important to provide assurance to returning populations that {sup 137}Cs concentrations in food (and, therefore, radiation dose) will remain low for extended periods, even if K is not applied annually or biennially. Potassium ...
Florida imports about 85% of its energy needs. Among the renewable energy sources available, biomass appears promising in Florida because of a favourable environment for production and the available methods to convert biomass to energy. Optimal production of biomass requires the identification and management of high yielding persistent perennial cultivars. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) are two tall grasses that meet these requirements. To optimize the supply of convertible biomass, suitable methods of harvesting the crop must be available. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility and energetics of harvesting, drying and baling tall grasses with conventional farm machinery. A Mathews rotary scythe and a New Holland 849 Auto Wrap large round baler were determined to provide a practical harvesting system for baled biomass averaging 15-27 Mg ha [sup -1]. This harvesting system requires about 3 kg ...
Many factors such as poverty, ineffective institutions and environmental regulations may prevent developing countries from managing how natural resources are extracted to meet a strong market demand. Extraction for some resources has reached such proportions that evidence is measurable from space. We present recent evidence of the global demand for a single commodity and the ecosystem destruction resulting from commodity extraction, recorded by satellites for one of the most biodiverse areas of the world. We find that since 2003, recent mining deforestation in Madre de Dios, Peru is increasing nonlinearly alongside a constant annual rate of increase in international gold price (?18%/yr). We detect that the new pattern of mining deforestation (1915 ha/year, 2006-2009) is outpacing that of nearby settlement deforestation. We show that gold price is linked with exponential increases in Peruvian national mercury imports over time (R(2)?=?0.93, p?=?0.04, 2003-2009). ...
Field experiments were conducted on the sulphur-deficient Typic Haplustepts of the IARI farm for two consecutive, kharif seasons viz. 1996 and 1997 with soybean cultivar Pusa 22 as the crop. Varying rates of S as gypsum were basally applied in the main plots adjacent to the micro plots (1 m x 1 m) to quantify the partitioning of the fertilizer-sulphur taken up by soybean and its distribution in the soil profile. Soybean responded to the application of sulphur, with increase in yield being obtained up to rate of 40 kg S ha"-"1. Data computed on distribution of the S derived from labelled gypsum and percent S utilization by the soybean crop increased from 13.23 and 4.15 to 23.41 and 6.39, respectively. During 1996, the per cent utilization of labelled S ranged from 5.6 to 8.8. Monitoring of added sulphur in the soil profile up to a depth of 1 m revealed maximum accumulation of the added S in 30-60 cm soil layer. With the help of "3"5S around 11 to 18 per cent of the ...
Digested sewage sludge was applied to pastures and tree plantations at 19 to 44 Mg/ha (dry weight) as part of a municipal sludge disposal program. The sludge had low concentrations of heavy metals and traces of /sup 137/Cs and /sup 60/Co. Monitoring of soils, soil solutions, and runoff indicated that N, P, heavy metals, and radionuclides were largely retained in the upper 15cm of the soil. Soil solutions had elevated NO/sub 3//sup /minus// concentrations often >100 mg/L, but no significant increases in groundwater NO/sub 3//sup /minus// were found during the first year. Runoff from active sites had elevated concentrations of NO/sub 3//sup /minus// (20--30 mg/L), soluble P (1 mg/L), BOD/sub 5/ (5--30 mg/L), and fecal coliform (up to 14,000 colonies per 100 ml), not unlike runoff from pastures with cattle. Enrichment of organic N (2 times), available (inorganic) N (5 to 10 times), and Bray-P in the upper soils persisted for several years following sludge ...
More than 80% of the people of Nepal are farmers and 90% of the farmers do farming for subsistence. Agricultural productions contribute about 50% of country's GDP. Agricultural sector has been categorized as the top priority sector since many years. The environment of the country has also deteriorated substantially by the unplanned and unscientific use of natural resources such as air, soil, water, air and forest. Fertility of the soil has also been declining and studies show that productions in mountains is decreasing at a rate of 40 Kg/ha. Yr (1). The Terai, a narrow strip of land in the south, is in heavy pressure due to over exploitation and population growth (both natural and migratory). Shallow groundwater (shallow tube wells) is the main source of drinking water in Terai (the lowland region of Nepal). A study conducted by Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) showed that more than 55% of Terai tube wells are microbiologically contaminated (2). There ...
As characterization of artificial cracks formed underground by using the water pressure fracturing method, experiments have been carried out to detect relationship of pressurization and S-wave propagation time with the polarizing direction dependence. Openings are created when pressure in the vicinity of the artificial cracks increases greater than reopening pressure of micro cracks. Elastic wave velocity decreases in this region because of water in the opened micro cracks. Anisotropy is created in the S-wave propagation velocity due to influence from anisotropic reopening region when the artificial cracks are pressurized, and is separated into two components which polarize orthogonally with each other (micro splitting). Field experiments conducted at the Higashi-hachimantai field were analyzed by using wavelet transform. It was possible to detect the S-wave arrival time at high accuracy, and the arrival of an orthogonally polarized wave was observed in 0.03 to 0.11 ms after the ...
Aim of this retrospective study was to assess the capability of contrast-enhanced helical computerised tomography (CT) in sigmoid diverticulitis, especially relative to selection of the appropriate treatment. The findings of 41 patients were reviewed from 1998 to 1999 June. Contrast-enhanced helical CT is the imaging modality of choice in assessing mild or severe acute diverticulitis because it provides useful information for appropriate treatment planning in the emergency setting. This technique is most useful in questionable cases and in patients with suspected severe diverticulitis where a choice must be made between different treatment options. [Italian] Scopo di questo studio retrospettivo e' illustrare i molteplici aspetti radiologici della flogosi diverticolare sigmoidea con tomografia computerizzata (TC) spirale, con specifico riguardo alle implicazioni terapeutiche che scaturiscono dall'analisi e dal confronto dei reperti TC con i riscontri clinici e ...
An assessment of the accuracy of National Land Cover Data 2001 as compared to National Wetlands Inventory mapping of Mobile and Baldwin Counties conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC). Both classifications were checked against stratified randomly selected ground-based sites and with each other to compare the accuracy of the NLCD with NWI classification methods. For this accuracy comparison, numerous visits were made by photointerpreters to the Mobile Bay area to establish signatures for the modified NWI mapping. After all of the quadrangles in Baldwin and Mobile Counties were mapped, an accuracy assessment of those maps was conducted by field-checking the mapped classes with ground-based check sites. These same sites were used to check the accuracy of the NLCD and also as the basis for cross-walking the NLCD and NWI classification systems for direct comparison of the two methods. This accuracy assessment is dependent on a methodology ...
AREVA is the world leader in the design and construction of nuclear power plants, the manufacture of heavy components, and the supply of nuclear fuel and nuclear services such as maintenance and inspection. The Equipment Division provides the widest range of nuclear components and equipment, manufactured at its two facilities in Jeumont, northern France, and St. Marcel, in Burgundy. The St. Marcel plant, set on 35 ha (87.5 acres) near Chalon-sur-Saone, was established in 1973 in a region with a long history of specialized metalworking and mechanical activities to meet the demand for non-military nuclear requirements in France. The site offers two advantages: - excellent facilities for loading and transporting heavy components on the Saone river, - it's proximity to other group sites. Since its completion in 1975, the Chalon/St. Marcel facility has manufactured all the heavy components for French pressurized water reactors (PWRs) ranging from 900 MW to 1500 ...
Bowel infarction is a rare and typical condition of the elderly; despite improvements in diagnostic imaging and vascular surgery, bowel infarction remains a major cause of acute abdomen, with mortality rates ranging 70-80%. Diagnosis on often late because clinical signs, laboratory data and radiologic findings are a specific. The authors investigated radiographic and particular CT patterns of intestinal infraction in 56 patients submitted to surgery within 12 hours of admission. We also report the CT findings of 5 of these patients who had reversible mesenteric ischemia. CT is more sensitive than radiography and does not exhibit the limitations of angiography (i.e., invasiveness, radiation exposure and complex organization). Therefore CT can presently be considered the method of choice in patients with suspected bowel infarction. [Italian] L'infarto intestinale rappresenta una malattia rara e tipica del soggeto anziano; nonostante il notevole perfezionamento delle tecniche di ...
The energy level schemes of the near "4"8Ca nuclei were investigated in the frame of the spherical shell model with pure configurations. For every nucleus two configurations were considered: the ground state configuration (GS) - calculated making use of empirical two-body interactions extracted from the level energies of the neighbouring nuclei, and the lowest energy configuration with one nucleon in the excited state (ES) - calculated making use of the two-body Kuo-Brown interactions. The results made it possible to explain the greater part of the so-called intruder levels. Comparison of the calculated and experimental level energy values epsilonsub(J)sup(calc)-epsilonsub(J)sup(exp) reveals systematic deviations of the experimental level energies from the shell model predictions. (orig.).
Serum heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP) level in 649 cases of normal pregnancy and 164 cases of high-risk pregnancy is measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results indicate that the HSAP level in normal pregnancy increased proportionally with gestation weeks (r = 0.9843). In 33 cases of pregnancy induced hypertension and 21 cases of intrauterine fetal growth retardation, the HSAP level is significantly low. In 7 cases of neonatal asphyxia and 26 cases of fetal distress, the HSAP level in the mother's serum is also low. In 53 cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, the HSAP level is similar to those of normal pregnancy. This study illustrates that HSAP RIA can play an important role in the evaluation of placental function and fetal prognosis for cases of high-risk pregnancy.
The objective of the current research was to examine the association of herd level disease incidence with the return over feed (ROF) (milk income minus feed cost) herd profit index offered through Canwest...Full Text Available
Microbes in nature frequently function as members of complex multitaxon communities, but the structural organization of these communities at the micrometer level is poorly understood because of limitations...Full Text Available
Commercial feed rations containing sulfamethazine at the level of 110 ppm were fed for a period of 65 days to market pigs in a study simulating normal farm practices. The levels of sulfamethazine at...Full Text Available
The development of central neuropathic pain varies among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The factors contributing to the development and perpetuation of segmental pain (at-level allodynia)...Full Text Available
...5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA says Monday, 12 July 2010 12:41 European foods are largely under the ...Maximum Pesticide Residues Level , according to EFSA: in 2008 only 3.5% of analysed samples exceeded the MRLs (4.2% ...
Some of most used indicators in marine ecology are nucleic acid-derived indices. They can be divided by target levels in three groups: 1) at the organism level as ecophysiologic indicators, indicators...Full Text Available
This paper discusses the quality assurance requirements for high-level canistered waste form products which would be acceptable for disposal in a deep geologic repository. A review plan and guidelines are provided.
The experiments at the incinerator for low-level wastes processing, (containing transuranium radionuclides) are described. Air decontamination factors and detector readings correction factors for efficiency and absorption are indicated.
The experiments at the incinerator for low-level wastes processing, (containing transuranium radionuclides) are described. Air decontamination factors and detector readings correction factors for efficiency and absorption are indicated.
Effects associated with the temperature dependence of the level density parameter, a(T), are investigated in connection with neutron evaporation processes. Different approximations, for this temperature dependence, are compared for the case of neutron emission from the compound nucleus /sup 209/Pb.
Detailed level and decay schemes and the experimental reaction and decay data on which they are based are presented for nuclei with mass number A = 242; the experimental data are evaluated. Adopted values for level and ..gamma..-ray energies, ..gamma..-intensities, as well as other nuclear properties are given.
Detailed level and decay schemes and the experimental reaction and decay data on which they are based are presented for nuclei with mass number A = 242; the experimental data are evaluated. Adopted values for level and #gamma#-ray energies, #gamma#-intensities, as well as other nuclear properties are given.
The evaluators present in this publication spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reactions studies for all isobars with mass number A = 66. The first level- scheme of "6"6As, from (HI,xn#gamma#), has been included in this evaluation.
Cardiovascular modelling has been a major research subject for the last decades. Different cardiac models have been developed at a cellular level as well as at the whole organ level. Most of...Full Text Available
Oxidative stress occurs when the level of prooxidants exceeds the level of antioxidants in cells resulting in oxidation of cellular components and consequent loss of cellular function. Oxidative...Full Text Available
1. The mechanical power spent to accelerate the limbs relative to the trunk in level walking and running, Ẇint, has been measured at various `constant' speeds (3-33...Full Text Available
The cosmic ray neutron spectrum at sea level has been measured by the method of pulse shape discrimination in anthracene scintillator. The exponent of the differential spectrum was found to be 2.2+-0.1. (Auth.).
Children are at higher risk from lead exposure because their developing neural system is susceptible to its neurotoxic effects. We studied lead levels of paints manufactured in Nigeria in 2006. Lead levels in 5 colors of paints, each from different manufacturers were measured using flame-atomic absorption spectroscopy. We found that 96% of the paints had higher than recommended levels of lead. The mean lead level of paints ranged from 84.8 to 50,000 ppm, with mean of 14,500 ppm and median of 15,800 ppm. The main determinant of lead levels was color of the paint. As lead levels in paint sold in the past years in Nigeria are likely to be at least as high as that currently sold, it is likely that many existing houses contain dangerously high levels of lead. Efforts need to be undertaken to assess the presence of high lead ...
Sphingomyelin (SM) is an abundant phospholipid in cell membranes and in lipoproteins. In human plasma, SM is mainly found in atherogenic lipoproteins; therefore, higher levels of SM may promote atherogenesis....Full Text Available
PurposePrevious studies suggest that some common medications alter prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. It remains unclear whether these reported medication effects are due to...Full Text Available
The hyperfine splitting in the rotational levels of the C/sub 2/H molecule is calculated as far as N = 10. Line strengths and transition probabilities are determined for permitted transitions with DN = 1, DF = 0, +- 1.
The principal cause of primary non-function in orthotopic liver transplantation is thought to be preservation injury to the microvasculature. We, therefore, evaluated if effluent levels of hyaluronate,...Full Text Available
Climate change-induced sea-level rise will have a disproportionate effect along the Gulf Coast shoreline for a number of reasons. This document describes ... ...
The changes in conjugated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels compared to the levels of free IAA have been analyzed during the development of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed using quantitative...Full Text Available
...5% of foods exceed the maximum pesticide residues level , EFSA says Monday, 12 July 2010 12:41 European foods are largely under the ...Maximum Pesticide Residues Level , according to EFSA: in 2008 only 3.5% of analysed samples exceeded the MRLs (4.2% ...
ObjectiveTo examine the role of first trimester bacterial vaginosis (BV) and level of BV-associated microorganisms diagnosed using the Nugent’s Gram stain...Full Text Available
ObjectivesTo assess Croatian community pharmacists' patient care competencies using the General Level Framework (GLF).MethodsThe competencies of...Full Text Available
This volume presents the collations tables of a six volume comparative epidemiological survey of the effects of low level radiation dose. Data are collated for the effects observed in the following irradiated groups:- Preconception irradiation, intra-uterine irradiation, childhood irradiation, adult irradiation. (UK).
The aromas of fruits, vegetables, and flowers are mixtures of volatile metabolites, often present in parts per billion levels or less. We show here that tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum...Full Text Available
Various physico-chemical tissue optical clearing (TOC) methods have been suggested to maximize photon density in tissue. In order to enhance photon density, a compression-controlled low-level...Full Text Available
ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to describe the levels of daily spiritual experiences in community-dwelling older adults, to compare levels of spiritual...Full Text Available
BackgroundManagement of nightlife in UK cities focuses on creating safe places for individuals to drink. Little is known about intoxication levels as measuring total alcohol consumption...Full Text Available
The relationship between serum PG I, PG II levels and extent of atrophic gastritis was examined. The subjects were 64 patients (male: 32, female: 32, 51.9 years old on average) with established diagnosis of either atrophic gastritis or normal. In the X-ray gastric examination, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was used to obtain clear-cut images of the gastric area. Concerning the serum PG I level, patients in the group with atrophic gastritis showed lower levels than those of the people in the group with no atrophic change, but the variation was wide, and no definite tendency was seen in the relationship between the atrophic change and the serum PG I levels. Concerning the serum PG II level, as the atrophic change progresses, the serum PG II level tended to increase gradually. A significant reduction in the PG I/II ratio was seen in the group with atrophic ...
The relationship between serum PG I, PG II levels and extent of atrophic gastritis was examined. The subjects were 64 patients (male: 32, female: 32, 51.9 years old on average) with established diagnosis of either atrophic gastritis or normal. In the X-ray gastric examination, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was used to obtain clear-cut images of the gastric area. Concerning the serum PG I level, patients in the group with atrophic gastritis showed lower levels than those of the people in the group with no atrophic change, but the variation was wide, and no definite tendency was seen in the relationship between the atrophic change and the serum PG I levels. Concerning the serum PG II level, as the atrophic change progresses, the serum PG II level tended to increase gradually. A significant reduction in the PG I/II ratio was seen in the group with atrophic ...
ObjectiveDisc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels are different from those at lower levels of the lumbar spine with regard to clinical characteristics and surgical outcome....Full Text Available
Objective: To study the changes of serum leptin, insulin and adiponectin levels and their relationship with BMI in females with simple obesity. Methods: Serum leptin, adiponectin and insulin levels were measured with RIA in 48 pre-obese females (BMI=23-24.9 kg/m"2), 40 females with simple obesity, (BMI#>=#25 kg/m"2) and 42 female controls (BMI 18-22.9 kg/m"2). Correlations among these variables were studied. Results: Serum leptin, insulin levels were significantly higher and serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in both the pre-obese and obese females than those in controls. Serum leptin, insulin levels were positively correlated to BMI; Serum adiponectin levels were negatively correlated to BMI. Conclusion: Within normal range of BMI, the leptin-insulin feedback mechanism provided satisfactory self-regulation. However, with excessive BMI, this ...
Ligature-induced periodontitis was monitored for 6 months in eight Macaca mulatta monkeys to examine clinical status, radiographic bone level, and crevicular fluid (CF) levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),...Full Text Available
A method for calculating plume rise above stack level is presented. The equations set forth by Briggs, which are presently the most popular for such calculations, are discussed. A method using 2 nomographs, simplifying the calculations is given. (JMT)
UK Nirex has announced four sites which it wishes to assess for the disposal of low-level and short-lived intermediate-level radioactive wastes. There is local opposition at all four of the potential sites. (U.K.).
The level of total extracellular neuraminidase produced by 74 clinical isolates of group B streptococci isolated from diseased or asymptomatically colonized infants was assayed. Extracellular neuraminidase...Full Text Available
Algebraic properties of the analytical model, describing electro-magnetic weak interaction with the two-level system with two-fold degenerate state are considered. The expressions for the coherent states and Green function of the system are obtained.
Six patient assessment systems that have explicit decision rules for replicating team judgments on level of care patient placement were selected for analysis. The six were selected because of their...Full Text Available
Assessment of the regulation of plant metabolism by the calcium ion requires a knowledge of its intracellular levels and dynamics. Technical problems have prevented direct measurement of the concentration...Full Text Available
On Day 363, a negative 360-degree roll turn with spacecraft ... Ill. DSN Support Assessment. As an indication of the high level support provided by the ...
Based on the single-particle levels given by Nilsson, the intrinsic and effective (with collective effects) level density parameters as a function of the excitation energy for the "1"8"6Os, "1'8"7Ir, "1"8"9Os and "1"9"3Au deformation nuclei have been calculated in the range of the excitation energy up to 150 MeV. The calculated fission probabilities P_f (U) are consistent satisfactorily with the experimental data when a nonadiabatic estimation of the collective effects was used to calculated the nuclear level density parameters.
DescriptionFarm-level estimates of the financial impact of regulation are important indicators of the effect that a regulation have. Such estimates should be included in RIA, particularly within the Small Firms Impact Test. This farm-level analysis can be used in the RIA to inform judgements of the affordability of the regulation proposal. It will help to identify which farm types are likely to be financially had-hit from the regulation. Farm-level cost estimates for each regulation are also required t [continued...
Energy level data are given for the atom and all positive ions of phosphorus (Z = 15). These data have been critically compiled, mainly from published and unpublished material on measurements and analyses of the optical spectra. We have derived or recalculated the levels for a number of the ions. In addition to the level values in cm/sup -1/ and the parity, the J value and the configuration and term assignments are listed if known. Leading percentages from the calculated eigenvectors are tabulated or quoted wherever available. Ionization energies are given for all spectra.
12], the Predictive Capability Maturity Model (PCMM) [ref. 13], the Uncertainty Structure scale [ref. 11], and the Simulation Readiness Level (SRL) scale ...
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2/sup +//sub 1/ level in /sup 88/Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
Surface-sensitive UV photoelectron yield spectroscopy was employed to study electron acceptor levels at surfaces of chalcopyrite structure Cu-In-Se thin films. Surface Fermi level pinning was observed for Cu-rich films. Shallow acceptor levels ascribable to defects Cu_I_n and V_C_u were observed for near-stoichiometric and In-rich films respectively. (orig.).
... Risk (Adverse) for Endangered Species: Risk to aquatic species if anticipated pesticide residue levels equal one-fifth of LD10 or one-tenth of LC50; risk to ...terrestrial species if anticipated pesticide residue levels equal one-fifth of LC10 or one-tenth of LC50. Risk Assessment: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the ... Risk for Non-Endangered Species: Risk to species if anticipated pesticide residue levels are equal to or greater than LC50. Risk Management: The process ...
A microscopic calculation of the level density is performed, based on a combinatorial evaluation using a realistic single-particle level scheme. This calculation relies on a fast Monte Carlo algorithm, allowing to consider heavy nuclei (i.e., large shell model spaces) which could not be treated previously in combinatorial approaches. An exhaustive comparison of the predicted neutron s-wave resonance spacings with experimental data for a wide range of nuclei is presented.
Recent radiochemical investigations of the PWR reactor coolant have corfirmed earlier observations that the level of activities of 33 m Cs/sup 138/, 2.8 hr Kr , and 8.1 day 1/sup 131/ are more than ten times higher than those predicted for the estimated U contamination of the Zircaloy cladding. The present fission product activity levels have not, as yet, presented any problems in the PWR. (W.L.H.)
The development of our understanding of the quantum states of nuclei is viewed from a historical perspective. The characteristics of nuclear energy levels are presented, and interpretations of these excitations in terms of simple vibrational and rotational modes are presented. The application of energy level schemes in a variety of fields is briefly summarized. (author). 18 refs., 7 figs.
The computer facilities and the computer expertise at certain departments at Aalborg University made these departments natural starting points for integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in their activities. This utilization and integration of ICT was not organized from the top or intermediate levels. It developed from the grassroots. Today Aalborg University as a whole can be said to be a truly ICT integrated institution. The quick development is to a high extent due to a structure with a finely distributed system of equipment, know-how and autonomy at all levels
Levels in "7"2Se were observed via in-beam gamma spectroscopy following the "5"8Ni("1"6O,2p) reaction. Spectra and partial energy level schemes are shown. (3 figures) (U.S.).
Separate entries were made in the data base for 17 of the 19 papers included. Two papers were previously included in the data base. Workshop reports are included on (1) nuclear level density theories and nuclear model reaction cross-section calculations and (2) extraction of nuclear level density information from experimental data.
Separate entries were made in the data base for 17 of the 19 papers included. Two papers were previously included in the data base. Workshop reports are included on (1) nuclear level density theories and nuclear model reaction cross-section calculations and (2) extraction of nuclear level density information from experimental data. (WHK)
The serum levels of ferritin in 394 patients, including 339 patients with various malignant tumors and 23 with various non-malignant diseases, and 32 healthy subjects were determined. The normal levels of ferritin were 82.7 +- 42.3 ng/ml for males and 42.0 +- 36.9 ng/ml for females. The positive ratio of serum ferritin level was 28% in patients with malignant tumors and 22% in patients with non-malignant diseases. The usefulness of serum ferritin assay in screening for malignant tumors appeared to be limited. High serum levels of ferritin were found in patients with malignant lymphoma (positive ratio: 42%), pulmonary cancer (38%) and esophageal cancer (37%). According to the histological types, epidermoid cancer appeared to produce a higher serum level of ferritin than adenocarcinoma in patients with pulmonary cancer. It was interesting that malignant lymphoma had a high serum ...
An eddy current probe of the level of molten metal is considered for a sectional machine of continuous casting of steel. The advantages of electromagnetic probes of the level over radiometric ones lie in their insensitivity to the layer of dross and high speed. The results and directions of further studies are given.
Objective To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 levels in the vaginal secretions of pregnant women with or without asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods In this study, vaginal levels and molecular forms of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were studied in 36 pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation with asymptomatic BV and 41 pregnant women, matched for gestational age, without BV. Results Vaginal MMP-8 concentrations were significantly higher (P = .023) in BV-positive women. There was no significant difference in MMP-9 levels between healthy pregnant controls and BV-positive pregnant women. The presence of MMP-8 was confirmed by a 38-kd band on Western blots. Conclusions Our findings show that BV is associated with increased levels of MMP-8 in vaginal fluid. Increased pr...
Elevation of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels in the blood has served as an indicator of lead poisoning and iron deficiency anemia for many years. We have discovered that sublethal doses of whole body irradiation with x-rays also elevates ZPP 2-3-fold over normal levels. The ZPP level does not begin to increase until days 12-14 postirradiation and peaks between days 18 and 20 before returning to normal levels between days 28 and 35. Increasing the radiation dose delays the onset of the rise in ZPP, but does not affect the magnitude of the elevation. At lethal doses, ZPP elevation is not observed. Neither of the two previously described mechanisms that cause elevations of ZPP, namely iron deficiency and inhibition of ferrochelatase, are responsible for the radiation-induced elevation of ZPP. The elevation of ZPP appears to be correlated with the recovery of the hematopoietic system from radiation injury.
In areas where grid connection is difficult and costly, the use of renewable energy is both economically and environmentally advantageous. Due to typically low system efficiency (10%) and intermittency of photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation, a new design of multi-level H-bridge inverter technology is considered. This multi-level technology increases DC to AC conversion efficiency and the design includes battery energy storage to enable 24/7 operation. The proposed multi-level inverter is compared and contrasted with other existing designs. The proposed cascaded inverter provides lower switching losses, simple switching techniques, modularity, and simpler charge-balancing approaches than conventional technology. A switching technique was designed for the proposed multi-level inverter t...
A more complete level scheme is presented here for the decay of [sup 187]Pt, incorporating many new lines and levels up to 2.4 MeV. Emphasis has been placed on the extraction of multipole mixing ratios from nuclear orientation data. Analysis of that data, however, required a more complete understanding of the level structure (including, in particular, branching ratios, conversion coefficients, and level feedings), prompting the collection of new spectroscopy data. The low-lying, positive-parity levels are described in terms of (odd-proton) single-particle Nilsson states coupled to a triaxial core. Multipole mixing ratios are compared to those calculated in the Particle-Plus-Triaxial-Rotor Model. (orig.).
A more complete level scheme is presented here for the decay of "1"8"7Pt, incorporating many new lines and levels up to 2.4 MeV. Emphasis has been placed on the extraction of multipole mixing ratios from nuclear orientation data. Analysis of that data, however, required a more complete understanding of the level structure (including, in particular, branching ratios, conversion coefficients, and level feedings), prompting the collection of new spectroscopy data. The low-lying, positive-parity levels are described in terms of (odd-proton) single-particle Nilsson states coupled to a triaxial core. Multipole mixing ratios are compared to those calculated in the Particle-Plus-Triaxial-Rotor Model. (orig.).
Level set method based segmentation provides an efficient tool for topological and geometrical shape handling. Conventional level set surfaces are only $C^0$ continuous since the level set evolution involves linear interpolation to compute derivatives. Bajaj et al. present a higher order method to evaluate level set surfaces that are $C^2$ continuous, but are slow due to high computational burden. In this paper, we provide a higher order GPU based solver for fast and efficient segmentation of large volumetric images. We also extend the higher order method to multi-domain segmentation. Our streaming solver is efficient in memory usage.
The measurement of level in the liquid nitrogen vessel has been carried out by the weight conversion method using weigher or by putting directly a stick in the vessel. On a large CE tank, the pressure difference was read by manometer. These methods can not be used when the vessel does not put on the weigher or the pipe for manometer is stopped. We noticed the interaction between radiation ({gamma}-ray) and substance and applied it to determine the liquid nitrogen level. The results proved it the easy method for measurement of the level in the large CE tank. Cesium 137 ({gamma}-ray energy: 662 keV) was used as the radiation source. {gamma}-ray transmission dose was determined by GM survey meter. The liquid nitrogen level could be determined by using the change of the transmission dose with amount of liquid nitrogen. (S.Y.)
The current Risk-informed Regulation (RIR) framework employs both a Level 1 Core Damage Frequency (CDF) and a Level 2 Large Early Release Frequency (LERF) as two surrogate measures for the plant risk. For their use in making regulatory decisions for the plant risk, it has been required to maintain an appropriate level of quality for the plant risk models. The first step for this purpose is to evaluate the quality of the PSA model in a qualitative or quantitative manner. Recently, a similar type of quality evaluation has been made for the KSNP Level 1 PSA model based on an ASME PRA Standard for the RIR application, but not for the corresponding LERF model. The main objective of this paper is to provide the ASME PRA Standard-based evaluation result for the existing KSNP Level 2 LERF model and the insights obtained from the evaluation process.
The current Risk-informed Regulation (RIR) framework employs both a Level 1 Core Damage Frequency (CDF) and a Level 2 Large Early Release Frequency (LERF) as two surrogate measures for the plant risk. For their use in making regulatory decisions for the plant risk, it has been required to maintain an appropriate level of quality for the plant risk models. The first step for this purpose is to evaluate the quality of the PSA model in a qualitative or quantitative manner. Recently, a similar type of quality evaluation has been made for the KSNP Level 1 PSA model based on an ASME PRA Standard for the RIR application, but not for the corresponding LERF model. The main objective of this paper is to provide the ASME PRA Standard-based evaluation result for the existing KSNP Level 2 LERF model and the insights obtained from the evaluation process
Computer vision imposes unique requirements on the representation and manipulation of image data and knowledge. At a vision system's lowest level are sensors that represent an image with purely numeric image arrays, while at the highest level are semantic world models that provide the final interpretation of the scene. In between are thousands of intermediate descriptions, many of which must be repeatedly accessed and processed during interpretation. In this article, the authors describe a representation and management system for use at the intermediate (symbolic) level of vision. Based on database management methodology, the intermediate symbolic representation (ISR) mediates access to intermediate-level vision data and forms an active interface to the higher-level inference processes that construct an image's interpretation. The system supports important types of ...
Purpose: To provide a feedwater control device capable of minimizing the adverse response of steam drum level at low power. Consitution: In order to perform feedwater control at low power by the substantial control of three factors, that is, main steam flow rate, feedwater flow rate and steam drum level, the main steam flow rate is determined from the reactor output and feedwater rate is determined from the changes in the feedwater temperature due to the mixing of waters in the reactor clean up system and feedwater. If a difference is resulted between these flow rates, a starting feedwater regulator is controlled instantly to eliminate the difference. The water level in the steam drum is used for amending the difference from the final set value of the drum water level, by which the adverse response of the steam drum level can be minimized. (Seki, T.).
The activities "1"0"1Mo and "1"0"1Tc produced from neutron capture by natural Mo were chemically separated and studied using Ge(Li) #gamma#-ray detectors. Out of 185 transitions observed in the decay of "1"0"1Mo, 170 were assigned to 44 excited levels in "1"0"1Tc. For the decay of "1"0"1Tc, 26 of 27 transitions were placed among 10 excited levels in "1"0"1Ru. The interpretation of the "1"0"1Tc level scheme using the shell-model approach is not satisfactory even for a five-particle calculation. Systematics of odd-A level structures in the region of A=101 indicate that the level structure of "1"0"1Tc could be due partly to the onset of collective effects.
SummaryObjectiveTo assess the level of noise generated by music shops in an urban city in Nigeria. Study designCross-sectional, descriptive study. MethodologyThe study involved music shops in three out of eight identified clusters of market areas in Benin City. A semi-structured, researcher-administered questionnaire was also used to collect data from music shop owners. Noise levels generated by speakers in the music shops were measured using a sound level meter, and blood pressure measurements were taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer. ResultsOf the 250 music shops studied, more than 90.0% generated noise levels >85 dB, and 54.8% had a continuous pattern of noise. Longer duration of working years was significantly associated with decreased hearing (P = 0.01), shouting when talking (P = 0...
The method is related to hydrodynamic methods for studying wells and may be used in the prospecting and mapping of gas and gas condensate deposits and formations. The method consits of drilling exploratory wells and measurement of the physical parameters of the stratum liquid. The piezometric levels are periodically determined simultaneously in all the observation wells during a change in the atmospheric pressure, and the presence of a remoteness of the gas deposit from the well is judged from the size of the increments in the piezometric levels intime. The determinations of the piezometric levels in the wells are conducted during an abrupt change in atmospheric pressure, for instance, during the replacement of a cyclone by an anticyclone or the reverse. The atmospheric pressure is measured by a barograph, while the piezometric levels are measured by high precision level meters or ...
The procedure was developed to enable STUK (Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) to make simplified estimates on off-site consequences based on the existing results of the PSA level 2 calculations done by e.g. power utilities. Method is based on dose calculated from each nuclide group of reactor activity inventory when the same release fraction for each group is assumed. This means that a specific new result from PSA level 2 can be categorised to find out a representative PSA level 3 result for this case. In addition a user interface including the procedure was prepared. Secondly some new insights about consequences based on the releases from PSA level 2 is expected to give better understanding of risks at prevailing increased reactor power levels. In this case only some early health effects and long-term doses were estimated without full-scope PSA level 3 ...
To assess the effects of automobile exhaust on human health, we determined serum concentrations of total immunoglobulin E and hyaluronate in 185 schoolchildren who lived in a district that contained major roads. Serum immunoglobulin E levels were elevated in children who had asthma or wheezing, but levels did no t differ with respect to distance of their homes from the major roads. Serum hyaluronate levels were higher in children who lived less than 50 m from the roadside, compared with children who resided a greater distance from roads. The difference, however, was significant only in a subgroup of children in whom immunoglobulin E levels exceeded 250 IU/ml. Our results suggest that serum hyaluronate levels in children reflect the effects of traffic-related air pollution. Children with high immunoglobulin E levels appeared to be particularly susceptible to the ...
Object: To control the average liquid level of each steam generator at a constant level irrespective of the flow rate of sodium thereby to decrease change in the retained amount of sodium and at the same time to improve the load response characteristic. Construction: A method for decreasing to as large an extent as possible a change in the amount of sodium retained in a steam generator due to change in the flow rate, which comprises the steps of detecting the main recirculating flow rate of liquid sodium by the use of a sodium flow rate detector, amplifying the detected flow rate signal depending upon the ratio between the flow rates respectively in a super-heater and a re-heater (distribution ratio), delivering the amplified signal to a function generator which generates a liquid level setting signal for maintaining the respective average liquid levels of the super-heater and the re-heater at constant ...
Ionizing radiation dose levels due to home radon can rise to levels that would be illegal for workers in the nuclear industry. It is well known that radon levels within homes and from home to home, and also from month to month, vary considerably. To define an Isle of Man radon seasonal correction factor, readings were taken in eight homes over a 12 month period. An average island indoor exposure of 48 Bq m{sup -3} (range 4-518 Bq m{sup -3}) was determined from 285 homes selected from a cohort of 1300 families participating in the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) in the Isle of Man. This compares with a UK home average of 20 Bq m{sup -3} and a European Union average (excluding UK) of 68 Bq m{sup -3}. Ten homes of those measured were found to have radon levels above the National Radiological Protection Board 200 Bq m{sup -3} action level. There are 29 ...
Full text.Changes in land use and urbanization yield more pressure put on limited soil and water resources, including the risk of pollution with toxic heavy metals. The study area lies in the Bekaa valley totaling about 12753 ha. The valley receives from the west torrential fan deposits and a mixture of colluvial and alluvial material. The principal soil classes are Fluvisols, Cambisols, Regosols, Vertisols and Luvisols. The area is populated and also the most important agricultural part of the plain. Agriculture in the plain is being practiced mainly with cash, field crops and vegetables. The western surrounding area is being used mainly for terraced fruit trees. This Arab-German Technical Cooperation Project (ACSAD-BGR) aimed, following the ISO standards and Eikman-Klocke recommendations, at investigating the nature of the extends of soil pollution by heavy metals in two pilot areas: The central Bekaa-Lebanon and Ghouta-Damascus. Different institutions cooperate ...
The study reports ultrasonography and computerise tomography findings in 16 patients with amoebic abscesses, 12 of whom lived in a temperate peripheral area north-east of Naples (Italy). All patients have a clinical-diagnostic condition called sub-urban amoebiasis. The personal experience with the US guided therapeutic drainage of amoebic abscess with repeated cavity washing, which is important for positive parasitology. Combined US and CT assessment facilitated the diagnosis of amoebiasis and its differentiation from pyogenic abscess and hepatoma. [Italian] La colonizzazione epatica rappresenta la localizzazione piu' comune dell'amebiasi extraintestinale e gli ascessi epatici ne costituiscono la manifestazione piu' frequente sviluppandosi nel 3-9 % dei pazienti affetti da infezione parassitaria. Diversi studi confermano che la terapia medica dell'amebiasi risulta piu' efficace quando viene associato il drenaggio percutaneo degli ascessi ...
Aim of the work was to describe the noninvasive assessment of bone mineral density, geometrical and biochemical properties in premenopausal women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens and comparison of these parameters with those of age-matched female subjects with Mediterranean dietary intake lacking in these substances. Volumetric cortical, trabecular and total mineral density and bone geometrical properties were evaluated with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal radius of the non dominant forearm. pQCT showed higher bone mineral density (total and trabecular) and SSI values in premenopausal with dietary intake of phytoestrogens. Despite the lack of statistical significance, these preliminary results, should further support the few literature findings about the potential role of phytoestrogens consumption in preventing trabecular bone loss. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate definitively postmenopausal osteoporosis. [Italian] Scopo del ...
Herbivores and pathogens impact the species composition, ecosystem function, and socioeconomic value of forests. Herbivores and pathogens are an integral part of forests, but sometimes produce undesirable effects and a degradation of forest resources. In the United States, a few species of forest pests routinely have significant impacts on up to 20 million ha of forest with economic costs that probably exceed $1 billion/year. Climatic change could alter patterns of disturbance from herbivores and pathogens through: (1) direct effects on the development and survival of herbivores and pathogens; (2) physiological changes in tree defenses; and (3) indirect effects from changes in the abundance of natural enemies (e.g. parasitoids of insect herbivores), mutualists (e.g. insect vectors of tree pathogens), and competitors. Because of their short life cycles, mobility, reproductive potential, and physiological sensitivity to temperature, even modest climate change will ...
The K site near Seoul began landfilling in 1992. The landfilled wastes include municipal solid waste (66.4%), construction residues (20.4%), water and wastewater sludges (trace levels), and hazardous waste (trace levels). The water content of the municipal solid waste is very high (47.3%); as a result, the leachate level (average E.L.) of the landfill, the design value of which is 7.0 m, was measured at 10.3 m in January 1995 and is increasing. The increase of leachate level in the landfill site causes a problem with slope stability. The leachate level at each disposal stage divided by the intermediate cover layer was calculated with the HELP (Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance) model and calibrated with the data measured from February 1993 to June 1995. Also, the hydraulic conductivities of the waste layer and the intermediate cover layer in each stage were calibrated ...
several authors tried to drive codes to construct nuclear level scheme of nuclei using a set of measured gamma -ray transitions and known energy levels, Ritz combination principle proved to be useful in constructing a more complete decay scheme. In this thesis the energy level schemes of some nuclei have been investigated by the measurements of the gamma - ray energies and use of Ritz combination code. The nuclei under investigation are "110m Ag (253 d)"110 Cd and "166m Ho (1200 yr) "166 E r. On the basis of the suggested level at 2249.02 keV by the Ritz code new positions of the two gamma-ray transitions at 677.5 and 706.6 KeV are found in decay scheme of "110m Ag. Also by this code, new position for the 994.84 KeV gamma-ray transition were established to depopulate the level at 1075.2 KeV.
A ground-breaking study was recently completed as part of the Seabrook Level 2 PRA update. This study updates the post-core damage phenomena to be consistent with the most recent information and includes accident management activities that should be modeled in the Level 2 PRA. Overall, the result is a Level 2 PRA that fully meets the requirements of the ASME PRA Standard with respect to modeling accident management in the LERF assessment and NRC requirements in Regulatory Guide 1.174 for considering late containment failures. This technical paper deals only with the incorporation of operator actions into the Level 2 PRA based on a comprehensive study of the Seabrook Station accident response procedures and guidance. The paper describes the process used to identify the key operator actions that can influence the Level 2 PRA results and the development of success criteria for these ...
A ground-breaking study was recently completed as part of the Seabrook Level 2 PRA update. This study updates the post-core damage phenomena to be consistent with the most recent information and includes accident management activities that should be modeled in the Level 2 PRA. Overall, the result is a Level 2 PRA that fully meets the requirements of the ASME PRA Standard with respect to modeling accident management in the LERF assessment and NRC requirements in Regulatory Guide 1.174 for considering late containment failures. This technical paper deals only with the incorporation of operator actions into the Level 2 PRA based on a comprehensive study of the Seabrook Station accident response procedures and guidance. The paper describes the process used to identify the key operator actions that can influence the Level 2 PRA results and the development of success criteria for these ...
Uncertainty in computer vision can arise at various levels. It can occur in the low level in the raw sensor input, and extends all the way through intermediate and higher levels. Ideally, at any level where decisions are being made on the basis of previous processing steps, a computer vision system must have sufficient flexibility for representation of uncertainty in any of these levels. The input cue representation portion of a computer vision system should maintain the information content of the original input images, while at the same time allowing for uncertainty in the identification of attributes required by other parts of the system for decision making. Processes such as edge detection, segmentation, and shape matching yield results which could bias higher level decision making, unless some framework is defined for the representation of uncertainty in the ...
The relationship between plasma testosterone levels and locomotor activity in wild-caught sexually mature male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) was assessed in the laboratory. Several aspects of locomotor activity were monitored for 1 h on two consecutive days using the automated Digiscan activity monitoring system. Plasma testosterone levels were determined immediately following the second day of activity monitoring. Significant Pearson correlations were obtained between plasma testosterone levels and total distance traveled [r(10) = 0.55, p < 0.05] and amount of time spent in movement [r(10) - 0.55, p < 0.05] on the second day. The wild voles showed a reduction in activity levels from the first to the second day of activity monitoring, which is indicative of habituation to a novel environment. This study provides direct evidence for a significant correlation between laboratory measures of ...
Serum ferritin levels were measured in 72 normal subjects and in 214 cases with various diseases by an immunoradiometric assay. In normal subjects, the serum ferritin levels were 27-230 ng/ml. Elevated serum ferritins were observed in most cases with iron excess and acute hepatitis. Markedly elevated levels were found in the majority of cases with acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma, hepatoma, and pancreatic cancer. High ferritin levels were also found in other malignant diseases. However, the range overlapped broadly with that of nonmalignant diseases. The serum ferritin correlated significantly with serum iron in normals and in those with iron deficiency anemia. In most nonmalignant cases, the serum ferritin and iron levels distributed on a regression line obtained from levels in normals and those with iron deficiency anemia. However, 92% of the malignant cases ...
The stability of a solid ice cover subjected to rapidly varying water levels and discharge was investigated. The support from the bank limits the stress in the ice cover and consequently bank contact must be maintained to ensure ice cover stability. An analysis was required of the stability of ice hinges, a flexible connection between a solid ice cover and the riverbank. Phase II and phase III of the research involved a field study of the Peace River, investigating the evolution of ice hinges with water level variation, from initial ice cover cracking parallel to the banks, to a fully developed hinge. A test program of midwinter discharge variations was undertaken to gather specific data and measurements of ice hinge link length, ice thickness, hinge joint behavior, riverbank geometry, and response of ice hinging to water level variation. This volume of appendices to the study presents detailed observations and comments ...
The steam generator low water level trip setpoint of KORI NPP units 3 and 4(KNU 3 and 4), three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactor, is higher than that of OPR1000. In addition, steam generator downcomer water level in KNU 3 and 4 could fluctuate easily during a transient because of smaller downcomer water inventory, compared to the total water inventory in the steam generator. Due to these reasons, there is a higher possibility of unnecessary reactor trips caused by the steam generator low-low water level in KNU 3 and 4. Its operating history shows that most of reactor trips were caused by steam generator low-low level reactor trip signal. Such reactor trips, especially unnecessary ones, result in time and economic losses. In this paper, a feasibility study was performed to reduce unnecessary reactor trip by changing steam generator low-low water level reactor trip ...
The steam generator low water level trip setpoint of KORI NPP units 3 and 4(KNU 3 and 4), three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactor, is higher than that of OPR1000. In addition, steam generator downcomer water level in KNU 3 and 4 could fluctuate easily during a transient because of smaller downcomer water inventory, compared to the total water inventory in the steam generator. Due to these reasons, there is a higher possibility of unnecessary reactor trips caused by the steam generator low-low water level in KNU 3 and 4. Its operating history shows that most of reactor trips were caused by steam generator low-low level reactor trip signal. Such reactor trips, especially unnecessary ones, result in time and economic losses. In this paper, a feasibility study was performed to reduce unnecessary reactor trip by changing steam generator low-low water level reactor trip ...
The problems in computer vision range from edge detection and segmentation at the lowest level to the problem of cognition at the highest level. This correspondence describes the organization and operation of a semantic network array processor (SNAP) as applicable to high level computer vision problems. The architecture consists of an array of identical cells each containing a content addressable memory, microprogram control, and a communication unit. The applications discussed in this paper are the two general techniques, discrete relaxation and dynamic programming. While the discrete relaxation is discussed with reference to scene labeling and edge interpretation, the dynamic programming is tuned for stereo.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were measured in a mild case of dyssegmental dysplasia. X-ray pictures of a female baby born vaginally at 39 weeks of gestation showed short, bent, dumbbell-shaped long bones of the limbs and profound dyssegmental ossification in the spine, findings characteristic of dyssegmental dysplasia. When the levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were measured, the levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly reduced. This case might provide a clue to disclose the etiology of dyssegmental dysplasia. PMID:12568417
Energy levels in N=50 nuclei are calculated allowing single-particle excitations from the p{sub 1/2} and g{sub 9/2} shells into the d{sub 5/2}, s{sub 1/2}, d{sub 3/2}, and g{sub 7/2} shells. Important parts of the interaction are determined by least-squares fits to known levels. Agreement with experiment is very good. The high-spin particle-hole states appear to be mainly yrast levels in mass 93 and higher, but are not in {sup 90}Zr. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
To assist the Department of Energy (DOE) in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, the National Low-Level Waste Management Program (NLLWMP) outlines the key activities tat the NLLWMP will accomplish in the following fiscal year. Additional activities are added during the fiscal year as necessary to accomplish programmatic goals. This report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the NLLWMP during Fiscal Year 1996.
The level structure of the doubly-odd /sup 242/Am nucleus was investigated by means of thermal-neutron-capture gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy. Pair, curved-crystal, and ..beta.. spectrometers were used. The data from these measurements, combined with previous direct reaction results, permit us to establish a detailed level scheme including six new well-developed bands. Our experimental results are interpreted in the framework of the Nilsson model. Precise Gallagher-Moszkowski splittings and Newby odd-even shifts extracted from the data are compared with theoretical calculations.
An energy control strategy (10) for a hybrid electric vehicle that controls an electric motor during bleed and charge modes of operation. The control strategy (10) establishes (12) a value of the power level at which the battery is to be charged. The power level is used to calculate (14) the torque to be commanded to the electric motor. The strategy (10) of the present invention identifies a transition region (22) for the electric motor's operation that is bounded by upper and lower speed limits. According to the present invention, the desired torque is calculated by applying equations to the regions before, during and after the transition region (22), the equations being a function of the power level and the predetermined limits and boundaries.
Optimization is a powerful paradigm for expressing and solving problems in a wide range of areas, and has been successfully applied to many vision problems. Discrete optimization techniques are especially interesting since, by carefully exploiting problem structure, they often provide nontrivial guarantees concerning solution quality. In this paper, we review dynamic programming and graph algorithms, and discuss representative examples of how these discrete optimization techniques have been applied to some classical vision problems. We focus on the low-level vision problem of stereo, the mid-level problem of interactive object segmentation, and the high-level problem of model-based recognition. PMID:20660950
Excitation transfer between the 3S[sub 1/2] states of the lithium isotopes [sup 6]Li and [sup 7]Li is measured in a thermionic diode. The 3S level is excited by off-resonant two-photon transitions with a single mode cw laser. The relative densities of the directly excited and collisionally populated levels are probed by further laser excitation to the 12P levels. An energy transfer cross section of 585 A[sup 2] [+-] 160 A[sup 2] is found at the experimental temperature of about 850 K. A simple semiclassical calculation yields a cross section of 450 A[sup 2]. (orig.)
Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defence high level nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. If current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used, high cumulative personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing cask receiving and unloading operations in a remote and ...
Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defense high-level nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. If current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used, high cumulative personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations, suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing cask receiving and unloading operations in a remote and ...
May 11, 2011 ... The Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measures the type, amount, energy, and ...
May 11, 2011 ... The Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measures the type, amount, energy, and ...
The pathological effects of lead on the renal, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems have been reviewed. Emphasis is placed on reported subclinical effects due to chronic, low-level lead...Full Text Available
Contagious diseases are a threat to animal health and productivity, both nationally and at the farm level. This makes implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent their introduction and...Full Text Available
... cations, and precision UUV navigation ... In addition, conventional teleoperation of robots is not ... would involve an autonomous mobile robot capable of ...
... After formation of the monolayer (usually in 48 hours), the growth medium was poured off, and the cells washed twice with a Henkes solution and ...
Information about the greenhouse effect, the role of greenhouse gases in global climate change, levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and references....
15 to 75% of the gun barrel diameter. Similarly, model masses typically vary from 0.01 to 100 .... taining acceptable levels of gun barrel erosion. The ...
Gene expression is a fundamentally stochastic process, with randomness in transcription and translation leading to significant cell-to-cell variations in mRNA and protein levels. This variation...Full Text Available
Wade. Jackson. - Army. VTD at NASA. Langley. ABSTRACT. Panel size has a large effect on the impact response and resultant damage level of honeycomb sandwich ...
Abstract Capillary permeability is a tightly regulated feature of microcirculation in all organ beds. In sepsis, this feature is fundamentally altered. We have previously reported elevated levels of angiopoietin-2 in patients with septic shock, and have investigated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related and weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), which mediates both angiogenesis and inflammation, in those patients. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure serum TWEAK levels in 20 patients with septic shock, all of whom were treated by direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (DHP-PMX), and in 20 non-septic controls. The TWEAK levels were higher in patients with septic shock (192.8--230.5-pg/mL) than in controls (84.1--28.7-pg/mL, P-=-0.043). Between 11 survivors and 1...
High resolution of NMR spectroscopic data of biosamples are a rich source of information on the metabolic response to physiological variation or pathological events. There are many advantages...Full Text Available
A specific radiochemical procedure for indium determination in semiconductor-grade silicon, using an inorganic ion exchanger (cerium oxalate) is proposed.
To evaluate the contribution of genetic influences on the individual variation in plateau serum salicylate levels, salicylate metabolism was studied in seven pairs of identical and six pairs of fraternal...Full Text Available
... main in this state only for 10-8 secs., after which they decay to the meta- stable state (fluorescent level) because of spontaneous radiation or other ...
This paper focuses on the Internet as a tool for enhancing behavior and lifestyle changes to reduce the burden of cancer at a population level. The premise of this paper is that the Internet...Full Text Available
Purpose: To determine the rankings of 6 input-output functions for understanding low-level, conversational, and high-level speech in multitalker babble without manipulating volume control for listeners with normal hearing, flat sensorineural hearing loss, and mildly sloping sensorineural hearing loss. Method: Peak clipping, compression limiting, and 4 wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) input-output functions were compared in a repeated-measure design. Interactions among the compression characteristics were minimized. Speech and babble were processed and recorded at 3 input levels: 45, 65, and 90 dB sound pressure level. Speech recognition of 3 groups of listeners (n = 6/group) was tested for speech processed by each input-output function and at each input level. Results: Input-output functions that made low-level speech audible and ...
The influence of a periodic electromagnetic field on the radiative corrections to the atomic energy levels is studied for the case of ''strong fields'' for which the interaction between the atom and field is of the order or greater than the radiative effects. The analysis is carried out on the basis of the Schwinger-Dirac equation for the propagation function of a bound electron in the field and on the basis of the density matrix in the Furry representation. It is shown that in the strong field approximation the radiative shifts and widths are manifest as radiative corrections to the quasi-energies. In super-high resolution experiments intensity effects in the radiative corrections to the atomic levels are obtained in the case of single-photon resonance. Some multiphoton processes are condidered by taking into account the effect of the field on the radiative structure of the levels.
Age-associated changes within an individual are inherently complex and occur at multiple levels of organismal function. The overall decline in function of various tissues is known to play a...Full Text Available
BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production-volume chemical commonly used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. Low-level concentrations of BPA in animals and possibly...Full Text Available
Insofar as international conferences reflect the state of development of the subject under discussion, they provide an opportunity to question, at a rather fundamental level, the direction of and progress...Full Text Available
A new method of determining the nuclear level density is presented. This method is based on the statistical analysis of the partial width fluctuations appearing in an excitation function of the radiative proton capture. The method was applied in the case of the /sup 88/Sr(p,..gamma..sub(..omega..))/sup 89/Y and /sup 89/Y(p,..gamma..sub(..omega..))/sup 90/Zr reactions. The density of levels with spin I/sup -/ in /sup 90/Zr and the densities of levels with spins 1/2/sup +/ and 3/2/sup +/ in /sup 89/Y at excitation energies from 10.9 to 11.6 MeV and from 9.3 to 10.8 MeV respectively, were determined with an uncertainty of about 35%.
BACKGROUND:In adults, it is well known that high levels of pain catastrophizing are related to increased pain and disability as well as to heightened anxiety and depression. However,...Full Text Available
Background Trauma centers are designated to provide systematized multidisciplinary care to injured patients. Effective trauma systems reduce patient mortality by facilitating the treatment of injured patients at appropriately resourced hospitals. Several U.S. studies report reduced mortality among patients admitted directly to a level I trauma center compared with those admitted to hospitals with less resources. It has yet to be shown whether there is an outcome benefit associated with the ?level of hospital? initially treating severely injured trauma patients in Australia. This study was designed to determine whether the level of trauma center providing treatment impacts mortality and/or hospital length of stay. Methods Outcomes were evaluated for severely injured trauma patients with an ...
A new technique to monitor light diffraction patterns electrically is applied to frog semitendinosus muscle fibers at various levels of stretch. The intensity of the diffraction lines, sarcomere length...Full Text Available
The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=242 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated. Adopted data, levels, spin and parity assignments are given.
BackgroundChanges in levels of estradiol and progesterone that occur with the transition to reproductive senescence may influence nociception or affect.Full Text Available
The energy level schemes of tin isotopes produced in the heavy ion reactions are presented. The using of #gamma# spectroscopy technique is also described. 4 refs, 12 figs.
Metastable and somatically heritable patterns of DNA methylation provide an important level of genomic regulation. In this article, we review methods for analyzing these genome-wide epigenetic...Full Text Available
In this project, measurement of x-ray radiation dose level during radiological examination in Jos university teaching hospital and Plateau State specialist hospital at different locations within the department were carried out using radiation survey meter. The results were converted from micro sievert per hour (#mu#Sv/hr) to milisievert per year (mSv/yr). The radiation levels from the two hospitals visited ranged from 1.3m Sv/yr to 8.4m Sv/yr. This implies that all the radiology departments visited are still operating within the safety limit having less than 20 mSv/yr which is the standard permissible radiation level recommended per year.
metric temperatures has been prepared showing the surface water temper- ... occasion, gray levels show different densities for similar water temper- ...
Models can be useful at many different levels when considering complex issues such as biological control of mosquitoes. At an early stage, exploratory models are valuable in exploring the characteristics...Full Text Available
Object: To minimize the range of the liquid level variation of the cooling system and reduce the time required for the liquid level control by sealing the gas of a cover gas respiration system which acts upon an evaporator and pump overflow column. Structure: In liquid level control by the cover gas pressure of a high-speed reactor secondary cooling system, upon occurrence of a sudden change in the rate of flow of the recirculated liquid, automatic check valves provided in an evaporator and pump overflow column cover gas respiration system are completely or substantially closed, while at the same time the recirculation cooling medium is sucked up and an automatic check valve provided in the overflow system is closed. (Kamimura, M.).
Intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a major complication of pregnancy, affecting ~5% to 10% of newborns. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is an organochlorine pesticide that consists of eight stereoisomers and g-isomer is the only isomer that possesses insecticidal activity. The aim of the present study was to analyze the OCP residues in maternal and cord blood of women and to assess the level of oxidative stress markers as well as to establish correlation with OCP levels. Fifty women delivering neonates with low birth weight (IUGR) and equal number of women delivering normal birth weight babies (control) were recruited. We have observed higher levels of g-HCH and T-HCH and increased oxidative stress markers in IUGR subjects versus control subjects. Significant correlations were also fou...
... elevated blood sugar levels, but not full-blown diabetes. What are the keys to preventing the disease? ... been well studied, in a study called The Diabetes Prevention Program, in several thousand people with this ...
In this paper, a robust water level control system for the horizontal steam generator (SG) using the quantitative feedback theory (QFT) method is presented. To design a robust QFT controller for the nonlinear uncertain SG, control oriented linear models are identified. Then, the nonlinear system is modeled as an uncertain linear time invariant (LTI) system. The robust designed controller is applied to the nonlinear plant model. This nonlinear model is based on a locally linear neuro-fuzzy (LLNF) model. This model is trained using the locally linear model tree (LOLIMOT) algorithm. Finally, simulation results are employed to show the effectiveness of the designed QFT level controller. It is shown that it will ensure the entire designer's water level closed loop specifications.
A crack fault is one of the damage modes most frequently occurring in gears. Identifying different crack levels, especially for early cracks is a challenge in gear fault diagnosis. This paper aims to propose a method to classify the different levels of gear cracks automatically and reliably. In this method, feature parameters in time domain, specially designed for gear damage detection and in frequency domain are extracted to characterize the gear conditions. A two-stage feature selection and weighting technique (TFSWT) via Euclidean distance evaluation technique (EDET) is presented and adopted to select sensitive features and remove fault-unrelated features. A weighted K nearest neighbor (WKNN) classification algorithm is utilized to identify the gear crack levels. The gear crack experime...
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)
Quantitative microscopy has been extensively used in biomedical research and has provided significant insights into structure and dynamics at the cell and tissue level. The entire procedure...Full Text Available
... This Level 2 analysis will be somewhat less detailed, but experience in other fields including pipe whip 4 , locomotive dynamics, and nuclear fuel ...
Purpose: To eliminate the water level deviation due to the recycling flowrate, as well as enable a stable control to a reference value even upon changes in the recycling flowrate caused by the variation in the opening degree of a minimum flow valve. Constitution: Reactor recycling system comprises a feedwater pump, a flowrate control valve, a reactor water level detector, and a minimum flow line and a minimum flow valve for preventing the overheating of the feedwater pump at a low flowrate. A flowrate compensator is further disposed, in which a recycling flowrate signal is subtracted from a pump flow rate signal and the result is fedback as a compensated pump flowrate signal. This enables the control system to operate at a rapid response for suppressing the effect of the recycling flowrate as external disturbance, whereby the water level in the reactor can be controlled stably to the reference level and ...
Purpose: To stably control the reactor water level so as not to cause excess water feeding in a BWR type reactor. Constitution: A flow control valve is disposed to the exit of a feedwater pump for a nuclear reactor and the valve is controlled by a flow regulator to maintain the water level constant in the reactor. A signal from a water level controller is inputted to the flow regulator to thereby control the flow rate control valve. In this case, the flow regulator remains in a saturated state just after the starting of the feedwater pump, in which the pump flowrate is at 100% to result in an excess water feeding condition. In view of the above, a feedback circuit is provided to the flow regulator so that the saturated state is eliminated and the water feeding can be controlled directly from the water level controller. (Kamimura, M.).
This document is the annual update of the FFTF and Advanced Reactors Transition Program Resource Loaded Schedule for FY 2002 using current project direction and authorized funding levels
Trends in front-end-of-line technology are discussed. At the chip level, many of the important parameters are published in the National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors in 1994. At the device and circuit level, both bipolar and CMOS are scalable. However, the large standby power of bipolar circuits severely limits the integration level of bipolar chips. The inherently low standby power of CMOS, on the contrary, allows the integration level of CMOS circuits to continue increasing with scaling. In reality, both the electric field and power density of CMOS devices have been gradually rising over the generations owing to non-scaling effects of thermal voltage and silicon bandgap. As power supply voltage reaches 1.5V and below, circuit performance can only be gained at the expense of higher active or standby power of the chip. Implications of device scaling on contact and silicide technology are ...
This document contains a summarization of the results and insights from the Level 1 accident sequence analyses of internally initiated events, internally initiated fire and flood events, seismically initiated events, and the Level 2/3 risk analysis of internally initiated events (excluding fire and flood) for Surry, Unit 1. The analysis was confined to mid-loop operation, which can occur during three plant operational states (identified as POSs R6 and R10 during a refueling outage, and POS D6 during drained maintenance). The report summarizes the Level 1 information contained in Volumes 2--5 and the Level 2/3 information contained in Volume 6 of NUREG/CR-6144.
The effects of intradot electron-electron interaction on the photon-assisted Andreev tunneling of a superconductor/carbon-nanotube/superconductor system are studied by using nonequilibrium Green's function technique. The inverse supercurrent reflecting the #pi#-junction transition emerges in the spin-split energy-levels regime polarized by the Coulomb interaction. For the positive tunneling case, the supercurrent reaches its maximum when the spin-degenerate energy-levels are nearest to the Fermi surface. Conversely, for the negative tunneling case, the supercurrent reaches its maximum when two split energy-levels are symmetric with respect of the Fermi surface. The sign and the amplitude of the Andreev tunneling depend distinctly on the energy-level spacing tuned by photon-assisted tunneling. In order to fully understand the transport characteristics, the current-carrying density of states are ...
Advances in modern neuroscience require the identification of principles that connect different levels of experimental analysis, from molecular mechanisms to explanations of cellular functions,...Full Text Available
In rats, drug-induced depression of the central nervous system has been shown generally to be associated with an elevation in level of total acetylcholine in the brain. This generalization held true...Full Text Available
BackgroundPerfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are found globally in wildlife and humans and are suspected to act as endocrine disruptors. There are no previous reports of PFAA levels in...Full Text Available
This paper focuses on the development of explicit self-awareness in children. Mirror self-recognition has been the most popular paradigm used to assess this ability in children. Nevertheless, according to Rochat (2003), there are, at least, three different levels of explicit self-awareness. We therefore designed three different self-recognition tasks, each corresponding to one of these levels (a mirror self-recognition task, a picture self-recognition task and a masked self-recognition task). We observed a decrease in performance across the three tasks. This supports a developmental scale in self-awareness. Besides, the masked self-recognition performance makes it possible to assess the final and the most sophisticated level of self-awareness, i.e. the external self. To our best knowledge,...
The #gamma# rays following the #beta# decays of "8"8Kr and "8"8Rb have been studied, using both large volume Ge(Li) detectors for singles and coincidence measurements and anti-Compton spectrometry for singles measurements. Level schemes for "8"8Rb and "8"8Sr were constructed from the data and 74 of 81 #gamma# rays observed in the decay of "8"8Kr were placed in the "8"8Rb level scheme with 23 excited states. For the decay of "8"8Rb, all of the observed 27 #gamma# rays have been placed in the (well known) level structure of "8"8Sr. Spin and parity assignments have been deduced from #beta#-decay logft values and #gamma#-ray transition patterns. Possible shell model interpretations are presented for the level schemes.
As adulterated and substituted Chinese medicinal materials are common in the market, therapeutic effectiveness of such materials cannot be guaranteed. Identification at species-, strain- and locality-levels,...Full Text Available
AimsThis article provides a brief review of recent cross-cultural research on personality traits at both individual and culture levels, highlighting the relevance...Full Text Available
The use of repeated expressions to establish coreference allows an investigation of the relationship between basic processes of word recognition and higher-level...Full Text Available
... five newly created airborne divisions, 82nd, 101st, 11th ... completed large scale airborne operations in ... Although division-sized airborne operations ...
In several respects the dorsal thalamus of Trichosurus presents a level of organizational complexity considerably in advance of that seen in Didelphis. In particular, such features as the lamination...Full Text Available
Most countries worldwide nowadays apply Environmental Assessment (EA) as an ex ante tool to evaluate environmental impacts of policies, plans, programmes, and projects. However, the application and performance of EA differ significantly. Scientific analysis of how EA performs mainly focuses on two levels: the micro (or project) level and the macro (or system) level. Macro level analysis usually focuses on institutions for EA and the organisation of stakeholder interaction in EA. This article proposes a more comprehensive framework for analysing EA systems that combines other approaches with a capacity approach and an explicit consideration of the context in which EA systems are developed and performed. In order to illustrate the value of our framework, we apply it to the Republic of Yemen,...
Primates are remarkably good at recognizing objects. The level of performance of their visual system and its robustness to image degradations still surpasses the best computer vision systems despite...Full Text Available
... in MEDCAP "the level of interface was left up ... of these patients had peripheral nerve injuries, head ... with poorly constructed prosthesis or waiting for ...
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plans to use the Common Criteria, as the tool for developing graded and measurable evaluation criteria for information technology (IT) in safeguards systems in facilities subject to IAEA inspection. In their draft paper [ITSECSES] the IAEA defines a three-tiered Vulnerability Assessment Level (VAL) scheme. Each increased VAL level (1-3) defines additional and more stringent security and security-related requirements for the system developer, the system evaluator (assessor or authenticator), and for the IAEA. When all parties meet all requirements for a particular VAL level, IAEA has a measurable degree of confidence in the secure and proper operation of an IT system.
In order to study the neurobiological basis of seasonal changes in hippocampal structure and function, the rate of cell proliferation was examined in male and female wild meadow voles captured during different seasons. We found that the number of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells varied across the seasons and across sex in the meadow vole. Non-breeding female meadow voles had a higher rate of cell proliferation and cell death than males captured during either season or breeding females. These seasonal changes in the female meadow vole were associated with both fluctuating levels of adrenal steroids and gonadal steroids. Estradiol level was highly correlated with both the number of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells and the number of pyknotic cells in female meadow voles, with high levels of estradiol being associated with low levels of cell proliferation and cell death. Corticosterone level was ...
Although hippocampal infusions of glucose enhance memory, we have found repeatedly that septal glucose infusions impair memory when γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are activated....Full Text Available
This paper reports on a Level 1 PRA performed on the Omega West Reactor at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A Master Logic Diagram was used to identify possible initiating events. A chi-square distribution was used to quantify initiating event frequencies given that no initiating events have occurred in 30 years of OWR operation. The PRA results are presented as both probability density function and cumulative distribution function curves.
The results of photoneutron spectra measurements for the reaction (#gamma#,n) on the Sr-88 nuclei near threshold are presented. The parameters of resonance levels, as well as radiative S_#gamma#"("1") and neutron S_n"("1") strength functions for transitions on the first excited level of Sr-87 were obtained. 2 refs.; 1 fig.; 1 tab.
Events detected in a shielded plastic scintillation counter occurring in the 26 microsec preceding the arrival of an extensive air shower at ground level with local electron density or = 20 m to the -2 power and the 240 microsec after its arrival have been studied. No significant excess of events (tachyons) arriving in the early time domain have been observed in a sample of 11,585 air shower triggers.
In vitro rooting response and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels were examined in two genetically related dwarfing apple (Malus pumila Mill) rootstocks. M.26 and M.9...Full Text Available
We discuss the use of active control to reduce mirror position fluctuations at the quantum level. We have shown in a recent experiment that it is possible to reduce the thermal noise of a mirror by measuring and controlling its motion with an optomechanical sensor based on a high-finesse optical cavity. This approach can be extended to lock the mirror motion at the quantum level, and to suppress the quantum effects of radiation pressure in interferometric measurements such as gravitational-wave detectors. The sensitivity improvement is furthermore independent of losses in the interferometer.
This document contains eleven papers on various aspects of low-level radioactive waste regulation. Topics include: EPA environmental standards; international exemption principles; the concept of below regulatory concern; envirocare activities in Utah; mixed waste; FUSRAP and the Superfund; and a review of various incentive programs. Individual papers are processed separately for the data base. (TEM)
After a brief survey of the known level measurement methods the particularities of the radiometric measurement of the still utilisable residual volume of a bulk material in a large bin are discussed. At constant angle of repose the measurement in a suitably positioned plane of measurement suffices, at variable angle of repose two planes of measurement are required. The probable working ranges for a 1300-t lime bin are estimated.
Low-level lead exposure during early childhood has long been associated with altered neurocognitive development and diminished cognitive functions. Over nine thousand U.S. industrial facilities...Full Text Available
Altogether 99 029 men aged 40-59, employed on the Italian railroad system, were classified in three levels of physical activity at work and three levels of job responsibility and then followed up for...Full Text Available
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.
We obtain a simple derivation of the optimal quantum state estimation of a two-level system using the no-signaling principle. In particular, we show that the no-signaling principle determines the unique form of the guessing probability, independently to a given figure of merit such as the fidelity or the information gain. This proves that optimal measurements for a two-level quantum system is the same for almost all figures of merit.
The lowest excited level in Ni-like ions, 3d{sup 9}4s {sup 3}D{sub 3}, decays only via a magnetic octupole (M3) decay. They present calculated values of transition wavelengths and rates for ions with 30 {le} Z {le} 100. They have observed this line in Xe{sup 26+}, using the Livermore EBIT-I electron beam ion trap and a microcalorimeter, as well as a high-resolution flat-field grating spectrometer.
Measurements of the two-body recombination of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen in a magnetic field of 40 kG have been extended to temperatures above 0.5/sup 0/K. The rate constant for the formation of parahydrogen shows an unexpected increase with temperature, which is explained by inverse predissociation into the v = 14,J = 4 level of H/sub 2/. Data indicate the level is bound by 0.7 +- 0.1/sup 0/K.
A rat hepatocyte cell line was shown previously to contain a nuclear pool of free heparan SO/sub 4/ (HS) chains which turns over rapidly. These cells were labeled with /sup 35/SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ and the steady state levels of (/sup 35/SO/sub 4/)HS in the nucleus were measured under culture conditions chosen to give different cell doubling times (DT's). In each log phase culture growing at a constant rate, the level of nuclear HS did not change as the cell density increased. Rapidly dividing cells had levels of nuclear HS within the range of 30-42 pmol /sup 35/SO/sub 4/ in the nuclear HS/10/sup 6/ cells. However, in cultures with decreased DT's, there was a corresponding decrease in the level of nuclear HS below 30 pmol/10/sup 6/ cells that was proportional to the decrease in the DT. In contrast, when the cell DT increased in cultures approaching confluence, there was a corresponding ...
Evaluated spectroscopic data for all nuclei with mass number A = 216 are presented together with the relevant level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies. The experimental data are evaluated, inconsistencies and discrepancies are noted, and adopted values for level and #gamma#-ray energies, #gamma# intensities, as well as for other nuclear properties are given. The present evaluation supersedes the earlier one on A = 216 by A. Artna-Cohen (1997Ar04), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 80, 157 (1997).
Detailed level schemes, decay schemes, and the experimental data on which they are based are presented for all nuclei with mass numbers A -- 216, 220, 224, and 228. The experimental data are evaluated; inconsistencies and discrepancies are noted; and adopted values for level and #gamma#-ray energies, #gamma# intensities, as well as for other nuclear properties are given.
The potential market for irradiated chicken breasts was investigated using a mail survey and a retail trial. Results from the mail survey suggested a significantly higher level of acceptability of irradiated chicken than did the retail trial. A subsequent market experiment involving actual purchases showed levels of acceptability similar to that of the mail survey when similar information about food irradiation was provided.
Reduced glutathione levels in erythrocytes of 14 Enga New Guinea Highlanders had a mean value of 50.1 mg/100 ml (S 5.9) which was significantly lower than the mean value of 67.9 mg/100 ml (S 9.7) found in 16 normal Caucasian Australians (P less than .001). PMID:1061442
AC/DC voltage standards based entirely on solid-state references used as secondary, working, or transfer standards is widespread, although metrological performance is typically defined only via comparison with a higher level standard. The present report shows the improvements of the output metrological characteristics of an ac/dc calibrator by establishing three internal hierarchical levels of dc voltage references and by constant calibration of ac measuring circuits.
... Research Center, Washington DC May 23 BBC NEws: US used Nuclear Weapons in Afghanistan Jalalabad: New reference levels based on recent samples show uranium levels 45 times normal. New bioassay studies identify uranium internal contamination in Spin Gar (Tora Bora) area and the City ...
Coarse components in the charge, i.e. >6 mm material, display higher ash, a lower volatile matter and a smaller proportion of caking components. Bulk density and moisture levels were studied over a wide range of size reductions (60-85% blast furnace coke. Laboratory work should be checked in practical runs working with 74-76% <3 mm charge material.
Within the EU-Project VOTALP (Vertical Ozone Transports in the Alps), we have shown that deep alpine valleys like the Mesolcina Valley very efficiently transport air out of the polluted valley up to altitudes between 2000 and near 4000 m asl (above sea level). Pollutants emitted in these valleys are very efficiently transported up to high altitudes. (author) 2 figs., 1 tab., 2 refs.
Oestrogen has been reported to modulate tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 cytokine levels in human mononuclear cell cultures. In the present study, the effects of exogenous oestrogen...Full Text Available
The High-Level Waste Storage Tank Farms/242-A Evaporator Standards/Requirements Document (S/RID) is contained in multiple volumes. This document (Volume 2) presents the standards and requirements for the following sections: Quality Assurance, Training and Qualification, Emergency Planning and Preparedness, and Construction.
A length of metal sheathed metal oxide cable is perforated to permit liquid access to the insulation about a pair of conductors spaced close to one another. Changes in resistance across the conductors will be a function of liquid level, since the wetted insulation will have greater electrical conductivity than that of the dry insulation above the liquid elevation.
In the case of a release of residual power and fragmenting following a hypothetical accident the applied powers are small. The boiling in the fluid in the bed promotes leveling and the angles of repose obtained are very small. For a specific power in water of 3.1 W/cm_3 a limiting angle of repose of less than 2 degrees is obtained after a time interval of between 1 and 3 hours. EDULCOREE-and ETABUL-research programs are carried out. (DG).
Research programs from the following sections and programs are summarized: aquatic ecology, environmental resources, earth sciences, terrestrial ecology, advanced fossil energy program, toxic substances program, environmental impacts program, biomass, low-level waste research and development program, US DOE low-level waste management program, and waste isolation program.
The influence of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on the internal levels of these auxins was studied during the first 4 days of adventitious root formation in cuttings...Full Text Available
In 1998, research began at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory to investigate the application of {sup 6}Li and {sup 7}Li isotopes to the measurement of neutron and gamma radiation. Various size pairs of {sup 6}Li and {sup 7}Li based detectors were exposed to mixed neutron and gamma radiation. Experiments demonstrated that these detectors could be used to measure low level neutron radiation in the presence of high level gamma radiation. (author)
In 1998, research began at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory to investigate the application of "6Li and "7Li isotopes to the measurement of neutron and gamma radiation. Various size pairs of "6Li and "7Li based detectors were exposed to mixed neutron and gamma radiation. Experiments demonstrated that these detectors could be used to measure low level neutron radiation in the presence of high level gamma radiation. (author)
Carbaryl is one of the insecticides used in large quantities in Indonesia. It is effective against soybean and peanut plant insects. The residues in the plants are determined by Colorimetry at the residues level up to 5 ppm and by thin layer chromatography at level up to 0,1 ppm. Both methods use coupling reaction between hydrolysis product of Carbaryl and diazo reagent to produce colour. (author).
The report examines common ventilation and air conditioning systems and strategies for both domestic and commercial buildings; and covers issues such as energy conservation, indoor air quality and occupant comfort. Drawing data from many countries in Europe and the United States of America, various natural, mechanical and air conditioning systems were compared using criteria such as climate, level of occupant interaction, and level of system comfort. This classification system is evaluated and seen as a valuable framework for further research. (U.K.)
The present report is final report from a study on characterisation of radioactive waters in the Nordic countries. The study has mainly been focused on long-lived low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Methods to measure or estimate the activity content and the general composition are discussed. Recommendations are given regarding characterisation of waste under treatment and characterisation of already produced waste packages. (au).
There is a short description of DINAMIKA-5 code and calculation results for some conditions with level drop in the volume of the secondary circuit during RCP disconnection and decrease of feedwater flowrate at NPP units with VVER-1000 reactors. (orig.) (3 refs., 9 figs.).
Spark ignition internal combustion engines perform satisfactorily when the fueled with biomass producer gas from a fluidized bed gasifier. Although power output is reduced compared to natural gas levels, full power recovery can be achieved with a relatively low level of supercharging. Important considerations are an adequate fuel delivery system and adquate gas cleaning. ref.
Background and purpose:Theoretically, three α1-adrenoceptor subtypes can interact at the signalling level to alter vascular contraction or at the molecular level...Full Text Available
Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 false positives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was significantly higher (85.7%) for polyps {>=} 1 cm. Virtual colonoscopy is an ...
Neutralizing an acidic fluid consists of adding a sodium hydroxide solution to neutralize the H group of acids, therefore increasing the pH. The injection of sodium hydroxide has to be continuous and at a proper depth inside the well to protect against the corrosion of casing and surface equipment. Neutralization is a common practice used in geothermal fields, such as at The Geysers in the US and Miravalles in Costa Rica-places where aggressive fluids cause problems for extracting and using geothermal fluids commercially. A zone surrounding wells H-4, H-16 and H-29 in the northern section of the Los Humeros, Pue., geothermal field, known as the Colapso Central, has shown evidence of aggressively acidic fluids. Several wells drilled in the area had to be repaired, thus plugging and isolating the deepest production zones. Well H-43 was drilled two years ago in the northern zone of the field, and even though it is not located in the aggressive-fluid zone, the well presents mineralogical ...
Some of well known F{sub 2} layer anomalies might have their origin in lower atmosphere and some have extra terrestrial sources. It has been suggested that the phenomena occurring below the ionosphere such as thunderstorms, lightning/sprites, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and above the phenomena like corona mass ejection, solar flares and extra terrestrial events may produce F{sub 2} layer signatures. In the present paper we have tried to summarize the effect of some phenomena occurring below the ionosphere like thunderstorms, lightning/sprites and seismic activity and the phenomena such as solar flares which occur above the ionosphere, on the ionospheric electron and ion temperatures. The paper also discusses possibilities. The ionospheric electron and ion temperatures were measured by the RrPAa payload aboard the Iindian SRrOSS-C2 satellite. The normal day's ion and electron temperatures have been compared to the temperatures recorded during the disturbed day. The ...
The specific research goal of this project is to identify means to restore and rebuild the Snake River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) population to support a sustainable annual subsistence harvest equivalent to 5 kg/ha/yr (CBFWA 1997). Based on data collected, a white sturgeon adaptive management plan will be developed. This 2001 annual report covers the fifth year of sampling of this multi-year study. In 2001 white sturgeon were captured, marked, and population data were collected in the Snake and Salmon rivers. The Snake River was sampled between Lower Granite Dam (rkm 174) and the mouth of the Salmon River (rkm 303), and the Salmon River was sampled from its mouth upstream to Hammer Creek (rkm 84). A total of 45,907 hours of setline effort and 186 hours of hook-and-line effort was employed in 2001. A total of 390 white sturgeon were captured and tagged in the Snake River and 12 in the Salmon River. Since 1997, 36.1 percent of the tagged white sturgeon ...
The specific research goal of this project is to identify means to restore and rebuild the Snake River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) population to support a sustainable annual subsistence harvest equivalent to 5 kg/ha/yr (CBFWA 1997). Based on data collected, a white sturgeon adaptive management plan will be developed. This 2000 annual report covers the fourth year of sampling of this multi-year study. In 2000 white sturgeon were captured, marked, and population data were collected in the Snake and Salmon rivers. The Snake River was sampled between Lower Granite Dam (rkm 174) and the mouth of the Salmon River (rkm 303), and the Salmon River was sampled from its mouth upstream to Hammer Creek (rkm 84). A total of 53,277 hours of setline effort and 630 hours of hook-and-line effort was employed in 2000. A total of 538 white sturgeon were captured and tagged in the Snake River and 25 in the Salmon River. Since 1997, 32.8 percent of the tagged white sturgeon ...
The specific research goal of this project is to identify means to restore and rebuild the Snake River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) population to support a sustainable annual subsistence harvest equivalent to 5 kg/ha/yr (CBFWA 1997). Based on data collected, a white sturgeon adaptive management plan will be developed. This report presents a summary of results from the 1997-2002 Phase II data collection and represents the end of phase II. From 1997 to 2001 white sturgeon were captured, marked, and population data were collected in the Snake and Salmon. A total of 1,785 white sturgeon were captured and tagged in the Snake River and 77 in the Salmon River. Since 1997, 25.8 percent of the tagged white sturgeon have been recaptured. Relative density of white sturgeon was highest in the free-flowing segment of the Snake River, with reduced densities of fish in Lower Granite Reservoir, and low densities the Salmon River. Differences were detected in the length ...
Pinta is a system for segmentation and visualization of anatomical structures obtained from serial sections reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging. The system approaches the segmentation problem by assigning each volumetric region to an anatomical structure. This is accomplished by satisfying constraints at the pixel level, slice level, and volumetric level. Each slice is represented by an attributed graph, where nodes correspond to regions and links correspond to the relations between regions. These regions are obtained by grouping pixels based on similarity and proximity. The slice level attributed graphs are then coerced to form a volumetric attributed graph, where volumetric consistency can be verified. The main novelty of our approach is in the use of the volumetric graph to ensure consistency from symbolic representations obtained from individual slices. In this fashion, the system allows ...
A review of the various solidification agents and techniques that are currently available or potentially applicable for the solidification of low-level radioactive wastes is presented. An overview of the types and quantities of low-level wastes produced is presented. Descriptions of waste form matrix materials, the wastes types for which they have been or may be applied and available information concerning relevant waste form properties and characteristics follow. Also included are descriptions of the processing techniques themselves with an emphasis on those operating parameters which impact upon waste form properties. The solidification agents considered in this survey include: hydraulic cements, thermoplastic materials, thermosetting polymers, glasses, synthetic minerals and composite materials. This survey is part of a program supported by the United States Department of Energy's Low-Level Waste Management ...
The #gamma#-ray spectrum emitted after thermal neutron capture in "8"7Sr was studied at the ILL high flux reactor with pair- and intrinsic Ge-spectrometers. 661 transitions were assigned to the reaction "8"7Sr(n,#gamma#)"8"8Sr and 205 of them were placed into a "8"8Sr level scheme of 47 levels. This represents 88% of the observed intensity. The level energies were determined with a precision of better than 22 ppm; the neutron binding energy was determined as 11 112.69 (22) keV. To aid the analysis high resolution particle spectra of the reaction "8"7Sr(d,p)"8"8Sr were measured at 20 MeV deuteron energy with the Munich Q3D spectrometer. 85 states were observed with this reaction. The data helped to establish newly found levels and to differentiate between primary and secondary transitions in the (n,#gamma#) data. The observed level densities and primary transition strengths are ...
Diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, a method based on x-ray fluorescence analysis, was used for noninvasive determination of iron and zinc in two distinct skin areas, representing predominantly dermal and epidermal tissues, in 56 patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia. The mean iron levels in the skin of patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia were elevated by greater than 200% and greater than 50%, respectively, compared with control values. The zinc levels of both skin areas examined were within the normal range. The data indicate that the rate and number of blood transfusions, which correlated well with serum ferritin levels (r . 0.8), are not the only factors that determine the amount of iron deposition in the skin (r less than 0.6). Other sources of iron intake contribute to the total iron load in the tissues, particularly in patients who are not given multiple transfusions. The noninvasive ...
Discusses the Methodological Directions for Expected Noise Calculation and Noise Reduction Design in Coal Preparation Plants developed at the Institute of Solid Fuel Preparation. Calculation of expected sound pressure levels is described. An exemplary chart of noise levels in the coal feed section of the coal preparation plant at the Taldinskii surface mine is presented. Procedures for planning noise pollution abatement measures and checking the expected noise levels are considered and explained on the example of the project of the coal crushing section in the Taldinskii plant (Kemerovugol' association) designed by Sibgiproshakht. A SMD-117 jaw crusher, 300 mm screen and a conveyor are to work in a space of 45,820 m{sup 3} with 30 m ceiling height. The expected noise level calculated for the working place of the crusher operator is 93-95 dBA without noise isolation and 85.5 dBA with noise ...
The Department of Energy is investigating Yucca Mountain, Nevada as a potential site for commercial radioactive waste disposal in a mined geologic repository. One critical aspect of site suitability is the tectonic stability of the repository site. The levels of risk from both actual fault displacements in the repository block and ground shaking from nearby earthquakes are being examined. In particular, it is necessary to determine the expected level of ground shaking at the repository depth for large seismic sources such as nearby large earthquakes or underground nuclear explosions (UNEs). Earthquakes are expected to cause the largest ground motions at the site, however, only underground nuclear explosion data have been obtained at the repository depth level (about 350m below the ground level) to date. In this study we investigate ground motion from Nevada Test Site underground nuclear explosions ...
Endoreduplication represents a cell cycle variant during which multiple rounds of DNA replication occur without subsequent chromosome separation and cytokinesis, resulting into a cellular increase of the DNA content. Although the DNA ploidy level of cells is controlled by external stimuli such as light, currently limited knowledge is available on how environmental signals regulate the endoreduplication cycle at the molecular level. Previously, we have demonstrated that the conversion from the mitotic cell cycle into an endoreduplication cycle is mediated by the atypical E2F transcription factor DEL1 that operates as a repressor of endocycle onset. Here, we identified DEL1 as a transcriptional target of the classical E2Fb and E2Fc transcription factors that antagonistically control DEL1 transcript levels through competition for a single E2F cis-acting binding site. Correspondingly with the reported opposite effect of light ...
A crack fault is one of the damage modes most frequently occurring in gears. Identifying different crack levels, especially for early cracks is a challenge in gear fault diagnosis. This paper aims to propose a method to classify the different levels of gear cracks automatically and reliably. In this method, feature parameters in time domain, specially designed for gear damage detection and in frequency domain are extracted to characterize the gear conditions. A two-stage feature selection and weighting technique (TFSWT) via Euclidean distance evaluation technique (EDET) is presented and adopted to select sensitive features and remove fault-unrelated features. A weighted K nearest neighbor (WKNN) classification algorithm is utilized to identify the gear crack levels. The gear crack experiments were conducted and the vibration signals were captured from the gears under different loads and motor speeds. The proposed method is ...
In recent years, discovery of association rules among itemsets in a large database has been described as an important database-mining problem. The problem of discovering association rules has received considerable research attention and several algorithms for mining frequent itemsets have been developed. Many algorithms have been proposed to discover rules at single concept level. However, mining association rules at multiple concept levels may lead to the discovery of more specific and concrete knowledge from data. The discovery of multiple level association rules is very much useful in many applications. In most of the studies for multiple level association rule mining, the database is scanned repeatedly which affects the efficiency of mining process. In this research paper, a new method for discovering multilevel association rules is proposed. It is based on FP-tree structure and uses cooccurrence ...
This study was designed to compare the levels of chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness in children age ranged (3-7) and (8-12) years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure, was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cr and Mn in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood and urine. The digests of all biological samples were analyzed for Cr and Mn by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated significantly higher levels of Cr, whilst low level of Mn in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of male and female night blindness children, compared with control subjects of both genders. These data present guidance to clinicians and ...
High-resolution sequence stratigraphy taking base-level cycles as interface of reference was developed rapidly in recent years. Its greatest predominance lies in that it can be applied to multi-controled continental sedimentary basins and can effectively improve accuracy and distinguishability of sequence stratigraphy analysis. Principles of base-level cycles can also be applied to the research and practice of the exploration and exploitation of sandstone-type uranium deposits as they control the spatial distribution, porosity, the permeability and the sealing ability of sandstone and mudstone, and stacking patterns of strata configuration. Taking Dongsheng uranium deposits as an example, the application of base-level cycles to exploration and exploitation of sandstone uranium deposits was analyzed. It is suggested that favorable strata framework of sandstone and mudstone was developed very well in the fluctuation of ...
The "2"0 "2"1 "2"2Ne("6Li, d)"2"4 "2"5 "2"6Mg reactions have been studied at a bombarding energy of 32 MeV. Alpha particle spectroscopic strengths have been extracted for several low-lying levels by a finite-range distorted wave analysis. These are compared with theoretical predictions. The agreement is good both for relative strengths to different levels within a nucleus and for ground-state strengths relative to the "1"6O("6Li, d) result. Strengths calculated using eigenfunctions determined in large shell-model computations agree well with pure symmetry SU(3) predictions. The "2"1Ne("6Li, d) angular distributions for transitions to the ground-state band of "2"5Mg are characterized by the lower of the two L-transfers allowed for populating each level. For the 3"+(5.24 MeV) unnatural parity level in "2"4Mg, a two-step calculation gives a better account of the data than does a compound nuclear ...
The decays of Ta/sup 177/ and Lu/sup 177/ to levels in vestigated with beta spectrometers, NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometers, and fast coincidence and angular correlation techniques. Energy levels in Hf/sup 177/ were characterized according to their energy (kev), the Nilsson asymptotic quantum numbers (Nn/sub 2/ LAMBDA ), the total angular momentum and its component along the symmetry axis (I,K), and the parity ( pi ) as follows: 0STA5I4 7/2, 7/2-!; 112.97STA514 9/2, 7/ 2-!; 249.7STA5I4 11/2, 7/1-!; 32l.34STA624 9/2, 9/2+1; 447.9STA624 11/2, 585.8STA642 7/2, 3/2+1; 509.0STA5I2 5/2, 5/1-1; 605.5STA512 7/2, 5/2-!; 746.04STA633 7/2, 7/2+1; 848.2STA 633 9/2, 7/2+1; and 1058.38STA503 7/2, 7/2-!. The levels at 447.9, 488.8, and 585.8 kev are tentative. The spins and parities were uniquely determined by angular correlation and internal conversion data for the levels at 746.0 and 848.2 kev, ...
The rate of hepatic cytochrome P450 Cypla1 and Cyp1a2 induction was investigated in C57BL male mice during induction with o-aminoazotoluene (OAT), benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone (AQ). The Cypla1 mPNA level determined by quantitative RT-competitive PCR increased more than three orders of magnitude during induction with OAT and BP compared with untreated animals and remained unchanged during induction with AQ. The Cypla2 mRNA level was only 8.5, 18.7 and 1.9 times higher during induction with OAT, BP and AQ respectively than in untreated mice. At the same time 7-Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-Methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MROD) activities of Cypla were also investigated in liver. The increase of Cypla1 mRNA level correlated with the increase of EROD activity. This suggests involvement of the transcriptional mechanism of the inducibility of this enzyme. In the case of Cypla2 there was ...
The optical absorption of the Tm"3"+ ion in the gadolinium oxychloride (GdOCl) matrix in the UV, visible, and NIR range was studied at temperatures between 9 and 300 K. The visible luminescence of GdOCl:Tm"3"+ under Ar"+ ion laser and mercury lamp excitation was recorded at 9, 77, and 300 K, too. The crystal field (CF) splitting of the "3H_4_-_6, "3F_2_-_4, "1G_4, "1D_2, and "1I_6 levels of the Tm"3"+ ion deduced from the spectra was analysed according to the C_4_v point symmetry of the RE"3"+ site. The resulting energy level scheme, consisting of 39 levels (i.e. 55 Stark components) out of the total of 70 (91) for the whole 4f"1"2 configuration, was simulated with the aid of a phenomenological theory taking simultaneously into account both the free-ion and CF effects. The model included 13 adjustable parameters describing the electrostatic (the Racah parameters E_0_-_3) and the configuration interaction (the Trees ...
In our previous study, we have estimated the level of human exposure to dioxins (PCDDs, PCDFs, and Dioxin like PCBs) in Japan based on dioxins monitoring data and results of total diet studies (TDS) in fiscal 2000 (April 2000- March 2001). It has been reported that the national PCDDs/DFs emission in 2001 against the 1997 level has been reduced by approximately 77% In addition, reduction of environmental levels was reported. The enforcement of Japan's Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins has significant impact on the reduction of the average dioxins concentrations in the ambient air. Therefore, the transitions of Japanese dioxins exposure levels in recent years are worthy of attention. In order to determine exposure level in fiscal 2001, collection and compilation for surveillance results derived from the regular environmental monitoring under the law as well as ...
The Buntsandstein facies outcrops along a 12 km long, 150 m thick cuesta near Ayllon (Central Spain). The outcrop study is based on vertical sedimentological sections and continuous photo paneling, and demonstrates the presence of two depositional systems: an alluvial fan system in the lower half of the outcrop, and a straight and braided river system in the upper part of the outcrop. This overall evolution is probably related to base-level fall to base-level rise cycle, in which the reservoir architecture is linked to genetic units stacking pattern: during the base-level fall, the alluvial fan is prograding over sand flat and sandy alluvial plain deposits. Coarse and pebbly proximal sandsheets are interbedded with finer reddish distal deposits. Reservoirs units are laterally continuous, but silty alluvial plain deposits constitute vertical permeability barriers, during base-level stillstand, erosive ...
A cross-sectional medical examination of a copper smelter work force included determination of blood lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), blood cadmium (Cd-B), urinary cadmium (Cd-U), and urinary arsenic (As-U), since it was known that such metal impurities were present in the copper concentrate. A total of 776 copper smelter employees (680 active and 96 retirees and ex-employees) were examined. Another 144 men, never employed in the smelter, but who had worked in copper mines (and sometimes in gold mines) were also examined. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, Cd-B, and As-U were significantly higher in active copper smelter employees than in retirees or miners, indicating exposure and absorption in the copper smelter. Significant correlations between Pb-B and Cd-B, and Cd-U and As-U were present, confirming the common source of absorption. Although there was evidence for an increased lead absorption, this was very moderate, with practically no Pb-B levels in excess of 60 ...
Background: Determinants of warfarin use and anticoagulation levels in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients have not been clarified thoroughly. Methods and Results: A total of 6,324 patients with non-valvular AF and congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, prior stroke (CHADS(2)) score ?1 were used to investigate determinants of warfarin use, and 6,932 patients with AF receiving warfarin were used to investigate determinants of international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time. Target INR levels for non-valvular AF patients were 1.6-2.6 for patients aged ?70 years and 2-3 for patients aged transient ischemic attack (TIA), and had higher CHADS(2) scores than those not receiving warfarin. Determinants of warfarin use were age (?60 years), AF type (persistent and permanent), and comorbidities (congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and prior stroke or TIA). Use of antiplatelet drugs was a negative determinant of warfarin ...
No prospective studies have evaluated the effects of correction of iron deficiency anemia on insulin resistance in non-diabetic premenopausal women with iron deficiency anemia. All patients were treated with oral iron preparations. Insulin resistance was calculated with the Homeostasis Model Assessment formula. All patients were dichotomized by the median for age and BMI to assess how the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and insulin resistance was affected by the age and BMI. Although the fasting glucose levels did not change meaningfully, statistically significant decreases were found in fasting insulin levels following anemia treatment both in the younger age (<40 years) (P=0.40) women and in the low BMI (27 kg/m) (P=0.22) subgroups but not in the older age (>= 40 years) and the high BMI (>-27Kg/m) subgroups. Post-treatment fasting insulin levels were positively correlated both with BMI (r=0.386, ...
Southeastern Finland belongs to the area covered by the Weichselian ice sheet, where the release of the ice load caused a rapid isostatic rebound during the postglacial time. While the mean overall apparent uplift is of the order of 2 mm/yr today, in the early Holocene time it was several times higher. A marked decrease in the rebound rate occurred around 8500 BP, however, since then the uplift rate has remained high until today, with a slightly decreasing trend towards the present time. According to current understanding there have neither been temporary increases nor decreases in the rate of uplift during the postglacial time. Even so, it is not known for sure whether there are regional irregularities on the rebound in Finland. Concurrently with land uplift, relative sea-level changes in the Baltic basin were also strongly affected by the global eustatic rise of sea-level. During the early Litorina Sea stage on the southern coast of Finland ...
We investigated the association between biomarkers of dermal exposure, naphthyl-keratin adducts (NKA), and urine naphthalene biomarker levels in 105 workers routinely exposed to jet-fuel. A moderate correlation was observed between NKA and urine naphthalene levels (p?=?0.061). The NKA, post-exposure breath naphthalene, and male gender were associated with an increase, while CYP2E1*6 DD and GSTT1-plus (++/+-) genotypes were associated with a decrease in urine naphthalene level (p?0.0001). The NKA show great promise as biomarkers for dermal exposure to naphthalene. Further studies are warranted to characterize the relationship between NKA, other exposure biomarkers, and/or biomarkers of biological effects due to naphthalene and/or PAH exposure. PMID:21961652
Using longitudinal data from Ukraine we examine the extent of any long-lasting effects of exposure to the Chernobyl disaster on the health and labour market performance of the adult workforce. Variation in the local area level of radiation fallout from the Chernobyl accident is considered as a random exogenous shock with which to try to establish its causal impact on poor health, labour force participation, hours worked and wages. There appears to be a significant positive association between local area-level radiation dosage and perception of poor health, though much weaker associations between local area-level dosage and other specific self-reported health conditions. There is also some evidence to suggest that those who lived in areas more exposed to Chernobyl-induced radiation have sig...
The energy level schemes of /sup 192/Os and /sup 192/Pt have been established on the basis of ..gamma..-..gamma.. coincidence studies using a dual parameter data collection system. Ge(Li) detectors were employed to study the gamma spectra produced in the E.C. and ..beta../sup -/ decays of /sup 192/Ir to /sup 192/Os and /sup 192/Pt, respectively. Thirteen new transitions and three new levels at 1146.95, 1237.35 and 1913.76 keV are suggested. Relative intensities from singles measurements, branching ratios, ..cap alpha..(K) and log ft values were calculated and multipolarities, spins and parities deduced. Comparisons are made with predictions of the Interacting Boson Model calculated on the basis of an O(6) to SU(3) transition.
The energy level schemes of "1"9"2Os and "1"9"2Pt have been established on the basis of #gamma#-#gamma# coincidence studies using a dual parameter data collection system. Ge(Li) detectors were employed to study the gamma spectra produced in the E.C. and #beta#"- decays of "1"9"2Ir to "1"9"2Os and "1"9"2Pt, respectively. Thirteen new transitions and three new levels at 1,146.95, 1,237.35 and 1,913.76 keV are suggested. Relative intensities from singles measurements, branching ratios, #alpha#(K) and log ft values were calculated and multipolarities, spins and parities deduced. Comparisons are made with predictions of the Interacting Boson Model calculated on the basis of an O(6) to SU(3) transition. (orig.).
The optical spectroscopy measurements of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) crystals doped with Yb show evidence of the presence of non-equivalent optical centers with very similar radiative decay rates. The energy level schemes of those centers have been determined on the basis of optical absorption, luminescence and Raman experiments. Crystal field fitting resulted in two sets of slightly different crystal field parameters for two non-equivalent Yb centers. Both sets of parameters describe perfectly the experimentally detected Y b3+ energy levels. Correlation between systematic trends in the experimental energy level schemes and crystal field parameters is discussed.
This paper is dedicated to the treatment of sludge occurring in frame of the Egyptian produced from oil and gas production. The activity levels of three radium isotopes: Ra-226 (of U-series), Ra-228 and Ra-224 (of Th-series) in the solid TENORM waste (sludge) were first evaluated and followed by a sequential treatment for all radium species (fractions) presented in TENORM. The sequential treatment was carried out based on two approaches `A' and `B' using different chemical solutions. The results obtained indicate that the activity levels of all radium isotopes (Ra-226, Ra-228 and Ra-224) of the environmental interest in the TENORM waste sludge were elevated with regard to exemption levels established by IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International basic safety standards f...
It has been widely assumed that South Africa has achieved universal basic education. Through an analysis of the 2001 census and two national enrolment datasets rather than statistical projections, this study re-examines this assumption and provides new estimates of enrolment levels in primary, basic and secondary education. Using GER, NER, and ASER indicators, disaggregated by gender and province, the study shows that access to education in South Africa is not as widespread as published sources note. While statistics show that national access levels are lower than prevailing estimates, the relatively high levels of access in some of the most disadvantaged provinces suggest the need to re-evaluate assumptions about targets for universal access for developing regions. In addition, the analysis reveals South Africa's unexpected and provocative gendered patterns of access and participation.
The passive films formed on 316L stainless steel in various NaCl solutions have been investigated by capacitance measurements (Mott-Schottky). Pitting parameters have been determined using the galvano-kinetic polarisation method. The obtained results reveal the existence of a shallow and a deep donor level localised in the band gap of the semiconducting oxide film. These energy levels are due to iron ions in the tetrahedral and octahedral positions. It also appears that the participation of the deep donor level effects the electric field. The study developed allows us to compare characteristic parameters of the electronic structure of the passive film to those related to pitting susceptibility. (authors) 25 refs.
This article argues that anti-corruption agencies at the local-level have been successful in a way that can be evaluated and emulated. A related contention is that corruption control is most effective when the central public integrity agency is part of both a local anticorruption network and a local public management network. Quite reasonably, the international anti-corruption project has focused most time and energy on advocating and assessing efforts made to ensure public integrity at the national level. Baseline studies by scholars and supra-national integrity nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) identify the form of corruption control (if any) adopted by the central government. Key considerations in assessing the status of national anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) are the ones mentioned...
A set of nomographs to estimate the levelized energy cost for photovoltaic systems are presented. These are designed to assist system designers, analysts, and planners in estimating the effects of research and development and system-design optimization on the delivered cost of energy. The nomographs are based on a refined version of the energy cost estimation equation that appears in the National Photovoltaics Program Five-Year Research Plan. The nomographs have been prepared to emphasize technologies with the potential of producing low-cost energy (<$0.40/kWh levelized in nominal terms or $0.17/kWh in 1982 dollars), and thus primarily apply to far-term or advanced intermediate photovoltaic technologies. Separate sets of nomographs are presented to encompass both flat-plate and concentrator technologies. To supplement the nomographs, a set of tabular solutions of the energy cost equation are included as an appendix.
The occurrence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk samples collected from mothers from twelve provinces in mainland China was investigated. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the most prevalent agent, followed by HCHs and HCB, whereas levels of chlordane compounds, drins and mirex were lower. The relatively lower DDE/DDT ratio in the Fujian rural area suggested more recent exposure to DDT than in other areas. The mean level of DDTs in breast milk from the southern China was higher than those from northern China (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between concentration of DDTs in human milk and consumption of animal-origin food, suggesting that this parameter could play an important part in influencing OCPs burdens in lactating women. The mean...
The Los Alamos Cost Estimating System (QUEST) is being converted to run on IBM personal computers. This very extensive estimating system is capable of supporting cost estimators from many different and varied fields. QUEST does not dictate any fixed method for estimating. QUEST supports many styles and levels of detail estimating. QUEST can be used with or without data bases. This system allows the estimator to provide reports based on levels of detail defined by combining work breakdown structures. QUEST provides a set of tools for doing any type of estimate without forcing the estimator to use any given method. The level of detail in the estimate can be mixed based on the amount of information known about different parts of the project. The system can support many different data bases simultaneously. Estimators can modify any cost in any data base.
The objective of this work was to compare seasonal variations of reproduction physiology of the ragworm Nereis diversicolor -a key species in estuarine ecosystems-originating from a clean (Authie) and multi-polluted (Seine) estuaries. A particular attention was carried out in female worms, on relationships between sexual maturity stages, energy reserves (glycogen and lipids) and steroid hormone levels (progesterone, 17b-estradiol, and testosterone). Sexual maturity index (SMI), energy reserves and steroid hormones are clearly influenced by season in worms from both sites. Depleted steroid hormone levels were depicted in specimens exhibiting high sexual maturity stage and energy reserves. Intersite analysis has revealed all over the sampling period:-a sexual precocity in worms from Seine,-g...
The energy level schemes of {sup 152}Gd and {sup 152}Sm have been established on the basis of single gamma-spectra, and gamma-gamma coincidence measurements. Ge(Li) detectors were used to study the gamma spectra produced in the EC/beta{sup +} and beta{sup -} decays of {sup 152}Eu to {sup 152}Sm and {sup 152}Gd, respectively. Thirteen new transitions are reported and data from eleven coincidence gates enabled five new levels to be suggested. Relative intensities and log ft values were calculated and spin/parities deduced. Comparisons are made with new predictions of the Interacting Boson Model. (orig.).
The energy level schemes of "1"5"2Gd and "1"5"2Sm have been established on the basis of single #gamma#-spectra, and #gamma#-#gamma# coincidence measurements. Ge(Li) detectors were used to study the gamma spectra produced in the EC/#beta#"+ and #beta#"- decays of "1"5"2Eu to "1"5"2Sm and "1"5"2Gd, respectively. Thirteen new transitions are reported and data from eleven coincidence gates enabled five new levels to be suggested. Relative intensities and log ft values were calculated and spin/parities deduced. Comparisons are made with new predictions of the Interacting Boson Model. (orig.).
Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that is found in aquatic food webs and is hazardous to humans. An emerging conceptual model predicts that the areas of the landscape that have the potential to contain food webs with elevated concentrations of Hg are those that receive high amounts of Hg and sulfate deposition and have high coverage of forests and wetlands and low coverage of agriculture. The objective of the present study was to test this conceptual model using concentrations of Hg in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from 145 reservoirs in four ecoregions of North Texas. The highest level of Hg contamination in fish was in the South Central Plains, the ecoregion that receives the highest levels of Hg and sulfate deposition and contains extensive forest and wetland habitat and ...
Arauzo-Carod J.-M. and Viladecans-Marsal E. Industrial location at the intra-metropolitan level: the role of agglomeration economies, Regional Studies. The objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of agglomeration economies on location decisions taken by new firms inside metropolitan areas. As it is assumed that these economies differ according to firms' level of technology, the sample comprises new firms from high-, intermediate- and low-technology industries. Of particularly interest is in analysing the effects of agglomeration economies that are felt over very short distances (inside the metropolitan areas). Introduced in the estimation is the effect of the central city as a determinant for the location of new firms in the rest of the metropolitan area. [image omitted] Arauzo...
Increased levels of epidermal growth factor receptor have been reported in a variety of tumors, including pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas in man. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased levels of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) were present in lung tumors from Beagle dogs that had been exposed to "2"3"9PuO_2- Using immunohistochemical techniques, sections from 17 lung tumors were examined for the presence of EGFR. Seven of the tumors were strongly positive for EGFR; the remainder of the tumors and the normal lung sections were negative. The positive immunostaining could not be correlated with the histologic phenotype of the tumors. Work is in progress to determine the level of EGFR in preneoplastic, proliferative epithelial foci in the Iung. (author)
The purpose of this study was to validate through natural exposure a cut-off level of varicella zoster IgG as protective against infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). Laboratory testing to determine VZV immune status of pregnant women exposed to varicella is recommended. Quantitative assays are now available which are sensitive and specific. More than 200 consecutive requests for screening in pregnant patients with recent varicella contacts were followed-up by questionnaire. DiaSorin LIAISON and VZV time resolved fluorescence immuno assay (VZV TRFIA) were used to measure VZV antibody level. One hundred fifty out of 209 (72%) questionnaires were returned; 14 patients developed varicella, 129 did not and seven were not known. Patients who had been given VZIG and developed varicella on...
A plant for the fixation of high-level wastes in borosilicate glass has been operating in France since 1978. A large plant is under construction in the U.S. for the fixation of defence high-level waste and plans for other glass fixation plants are well advanced at several sites around the world. Among the reasons for the selection of borosilicate glass as a fixation medium are the relative ease of processing wastes of variable composition by means of well established technology, and the long-term radiation and thermal stability of the glass. Well formulated glass also has sufficient resistance to the action of groundwater so that it can serve as an important barrier against the spread of radionuclides via groundwater in any forseeable situation. Research is continuing to quantify the reactions of waste glass in site-specific geological repository environments.
The risks from mining and processing of ores is reviewed on a generic basis with particular reference to some of the confusions which can arise due to lack of consistency or common logic in the use of exclusion, exemption and clearance. The difference in exclusion and exemption are challenged by comparing doses received in high background radiation areas and the doses received from a mining practice. The common principle of risk to the human species is not applied consistently. The differences between IAEA recommendations and local regulatory conditions are compared, and the use of exemption levels as clearance levels is considered. A case study on management of mine tailings is presented with special focus on the use of clearance levels. In all areas of review the interpretation of regulation is subject to confusion resulting from inconsistencies which can distort free market economics. (author).
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pork/beef levels and the casings on the quality properties of semi-dried jerky. The pork/beef levels in the four test formulations were as follows: T-1 (pork: beef=100:0), T-2 (95:5), T-3 (90:10), and T-4 (80:20). After tumbling for 30min with curing solution, the cured meats were stuffed into natural sheep casings, collagen casings, or cellulose casings, and then dried. The restructured jerky with cellulose casing had the lowest water content and the highest protein content, with no significant differences between various formulations. There were no significant differences among all formulations with regard to pH and total microbial counts, and jerky with cellulose casing had the lowest value of water activity. The processing yields ...
Abstract The glycosylation profile of therapeutic antibodies is routinely analyzed throughout development to monitor the impact of process parameters and to ensure consistency, efficacy, and safety for clinical and commercial batches of therapeutic products. In this study, unusually high levels of the mannose-5 (Man5) glycoform were observed during the early development of a therapeutic antibody produced from a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, model cell line A. Follow up studies indicated that the antibody Man5 level was increased throughout the course of cell culture production as a result of increasing cell culture medium osmolality levels and extending culture duration. With model cell line A, Man5 glycosylation increased more than twofold from 12% to 28% in the fed-batch process...
The role of adaptation in the divergence of lineages has long been a central question in evolutionary biology, and as multilocus sequence data sets have become available for a wide range of taxa, empirical estimates of levels of adaptive molecular evolution are increasingly common. Estimates vary widely among taxa, with high levels of adaptive evolution in Drosophila, bacteria, and viruses but very little evidence of widespread adaptive evolution in hominids. Although estimates in plants are more limited, some recent work has suggested that rates of adaptive evolution in a range of plant taxa are surprisingly low and that there is little association between adaptive evolution and effective population size in contrast to patterns seen in other taxa. Here, we analyze data from 35 loci for si...
The scattering of atoms by a resonance standing light wave is considered under conditions when the lower of two resonance levels is metastable, while the upper level rapidly decays due to mainly spontaneous radiative transitions to the nonresonance levels of an atom. The diffraction scattering regime is studied, when the Rabi frequency is sufficiently high and many diffraction maxima are formed due to scattering. The dynamics of spontaneous radiation of an atom is investigated. It is shown that scattering slows down substantially the radiative decay of the atom. The regions and characteristics of the power and exponential decay are determined. The adiabatic and nonadiabatic scattering regimes are studied. It is shown that the wave packets of atoms in the metastable and resonance excited states narrow down during scattering. A limiting (minimal) size of the wave packets is found, which is achieved upon nonadiabatic ...
In evaluating the risk associated with low levels of exposure to toxicants, it is clear that DNA repair, one of the main defenses against agent damage, is not a constant. It can be modified by age, time of day, and physiological state. Nutrition, especially caloric restriction (CR), can modify almost every step in the process of protecting genomic integrity. And history of exposure can modify DNA repair. Thus, the conditions of exposure are almost as important to toxicity as the exposure itself, even at the level of DNA repair. Extrapolation from high to low dose, to be consistent with what is known, should be less a mathematical exercise than an exercise in toxicological judgement, which puts the exposure in proper perspective. This appears to be true at almost every level in the process including a response with a toxic stimulus, even those thought to be very basic, such as DNA repair.
The magnetic three spin-1/2 model for nanometer-scale molecular cluster V15 is analyzed with the emphasis on the origin of the mixing of different spin levels in the resonance fields that is generally important for the problem of single molecular magnets. The zero-field splitting in the ground quadruplet (two Formula Not Shown levels) is shown to depend mainly on the normal component of AS exchange meanwhile the zero-field splitting in the excited Formula Not Shown multiplet is a second order effect with respect to in-plane components of AS exchange. The normal component of the AS exchange is shown to lead to the exact crossing of the magnetic sublevels at the arbitrary direction of the field. The positions of two crossing/anticrossing points in the ground manifold depend mainly on the iso...
Non-design-basis transition changes in the level fluctuations in the surrounds of a hot steam generator collector for a WWER-440 reactor and the corresponding responses of the temperature fields, strains and stresses are examined. A new approach to the thermal calculation of the horizontal steam generator, which is rapid and affords accurate results, is suggested. An important result of the calculation is the shape of the transition region level and the corresponding distribution of the heat transfer coefficient values. This was used for the calculation of the temperature fields, strain and stress of the hot collector. The stress values obtained were deeply below the yield point of the hot collector material but they get superimposed on the stress from overpressure in the primary and secondary circuits. The obtained fluctuations of the secondary medium level in the surrounds of the hot collector give rise to comparison ...
This paper presents a new mathematical model for designing distribution networks in a supply chain system considering service level constraint optimizing strategic decisions (location), tactical decisions (inventory), and assigning decisions. In real-world cases, demand, traveling time or any parameters in classical models may change over the period of time. So, considering uncertainty yields more flexibility for the results and the proposed model. In our study, environmental uncertainty is described by discrete scenarios. In this model, we have service level constraint in order to prevent inventory lost in distribution centers (DCs). Also, we assume that customer's demand is stochastic with Poisson distribution function and DCs have coverage radius constraints thus any DC cannot service a...