Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The visual impact of wind turbines is one of the main factors affecting public acceptance of wind parks. This paper evaluates the visual impact of a wind park in Chania, Crete, using the Spanish method of evaluation. The outcomes are combined with the psychometric testing of the residents by the use of questionnaires and with the values of the Spanish method about various scenarios concerning the size of the wind park (double, half, one wind turbine). The results of the study prove that the quantification of the potential visual impact could minimize this, apparently, main reason that affects public acceptance. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background. To determine total upper limb function following selective neck dissection over a mean follow-up of 1.6 years. Methods. A retrospective questionnaire study in a tertiary head and neck surgical unit. One hundred forty-eight patients who underwent selective neck dissection for head and neck cancer from January 2000 to December 2005 were invited to participate. The main outcome measure was ipsilateral upper limb dysfunction as measured by the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Results. Sixty-five patients responded to the invitation to join the study from 148 invited. Despite accessory nerve conserving surgery for all the selective neck dissections studied, 23% reported no upper limb dysfunction, 54% reported mild upper limb dysfunction, 15% reported modera...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

SummaryPurposeWomen with epilepsy have increased frequency of reproductive health problems compared to women without epilepsy. In puberty, reproductive hormonal changes during sexual maturation may affect epilepsy and induce the debut of seizures as indicated in some studies. On the other hand, epileptic activity affects sex hormone function, which may induce alterations in pubertal endocrine maturation and thereby menarche age. We wanted to investigate the relation between epilepsy and menarche age in a larger population of female epilepsy patients.MethodsA retrospective, questionnaire study of a cohort of 265 female outpatients from three Norwegian hospitals and 142 controls, aged 18-45 years was conducted. Parameters regarding epilepsy and reproductive health issues were registered. Per...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo analyze the contributions of cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) mutations to primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) in Spanish patients.MethodsWe...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

any locality that is now in the United States. The English fleet lies at anchor, the infantry troops having disembarked and are attacking the Spanish settlement on May 28 and 29,...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spanish 2001 p. 10-18 Uruguay Ubilla, M. Lorenzo, N. Depto. de

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spanish Mar 2003 p. 114 Uruguay Aznarez, A. Available from Uruguay

Science.gov (United States)

Eastern Oregon cattle distribution was studied with global positioning (GPS) collars for 2 years on the Zumwalt prairie in the spring and fall and Hells Canyon during the winter to determine distribution and habitat selection differences between Spanish bred (Corriente X Longhorn) and English bred c...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A screening questionnaire designed to take an alcohol history was used on 996 patients attending the London Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. Questions concerned with 'binge' drinking detected...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectivesTo describe the plans of English NHS hospitals to implement ePrescribing systems.Design and settingQuestionnaire-based survey of attendees...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterised ultimately by the loss of photoreceptor cells. We have recently identified a new gene (EYS) encoding...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The claim that focus evokes a set of alternatives is a central issue in several accounts of the effects of focus on interpretation. This article presents two empirical studies that examine whether this property of focus is independent of contextual conditions. The syntactic operation at issue is object-fronting in German, Spanish, Greek, and Hungarian licensed by contexts involving focus on the object constituent. This operation evokes the intuition that the fronted referent excludes some or all relevant alternatives. The presented experiments deal with the question whether this interpretative property obligatorily accompanies the operation at issue or not. The empirical findings show that in German, Spanish, and Greek this intuition depends on properties of the context and is sensitive to...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To develop, test, evaluate and implement effective state-of-the-art teacher training in didactic skills and methods. The training concept should be designed and beneficial for medical teachers' postgraduate medical education (CME). Materials and methods: A 5-day workshop with 12 theoretical and 9 'hands-on' modules was designed and stepwise improved, according to the trainees' feedback. All trainees were trained in small groups (6 to 10 participants per workshop). The workshops consisted of mini-lectures, repeated micro teaching exercises and video-supported feedback concerning the following key-competencies: Communication of goals; methods to trigger interactivity; design of slides in power point presentations; effective feedback-techniques; and use of media, time-management, skills teaching, assessment methods (e.g. OSCE and others), evaluation and general presentation skills. The evaluation was based on two components: (A) trainees' scores in two ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The thesis deals with methods of describing the reservoir rock in central oil and gas fields on the Norwegian continental shelf. Methods of enhancing the level of recovery are dealt with. Following topics are given: Sand body dimensions and infill sequences of stable, humid-climate delta plain channels; minipermeameter-based study of permeability trends in channel sand bodies; significance of tidal cyclicity for modelling of reservoir heterogeneities in the lower Jurassic Tilje Formation, mid-Norwegian shelf; geometry and facies of large-scale flow units in fluvial-dominated fan-delta-front sequences; quantified fluvial architecture in ephemeral stream deposits of the Esplugafreda Formation (Palaeocene), Tremp-Graus Basin, northern Spain; the Safari project - collection and storage of field analogue data for quantitative reservoir modelling; sedimentary architecture of field analogues for reservoir information (SAFARI): a case study of the fluvial Escanilla Formation, ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A questionnaire on the development of specialist clinics was distributed to the members of the Association of British Neurologists and completed by 104 members (85 consultants). Half of the respondents...Full Text Available

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Aims and objectives.- To investigate infant well-being as measured by feeding and sleeping and parental support following discharge from the NICU in infants following major cardiac surgery. Background.- Infant feeding and sleeping have been identified as two of the most important concerns reported by parents. These concerns have been reported anecdotally for infants who have undergone cardiac surgery in the neonatal period. Design.- A prospective study using questionnaires and phone interviews followed a cohort of parents of neonates who underwent surgery in the neonatal period for congenital heart disease. Methods.- The study was conducted using validated questionnaires and phone interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered prior to discharge from ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of this study is to compare, from an environmental point of view, different alternatives for the management of municipal solid waste generated in the town of Castellon de la Plana (Spain). This town currently produces 207ton of waste per day and the waste management system employed today involves the collection of paper/cardboard, glass and light packaging from materials banks and of rest waste at street-side containers. The proposed alternative scenarios were based on a combination of the following elements: selective collection targets to be accomplished by the year 2015 as specified in the Spanish National Waste Plan (assuming they are reached to an extent of 50% and 100%), different collection models implemented nationally, and diverse treatments of both the separated biodegrad...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article analyses the role of energy intensity and the relationship between CO{sub 2} emissions and primary energy in order to explain the evolution of CO{sub 2} emissions by unit of real GDP. It also distinguishes two different meanings of CO{sub 2} emissions Kuznets curve hypothesis: the weak and the strong sense. It considers the case of Spain in the period 1972-1997 as an example in which there is not any evidence supporting this hypothesis in either sense. (author)

KoreaScience (Korea)

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DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Feb

Wastenet

...Oster | Best sexual wellness info Best sexual wellness info Home Posts Tagged Oster Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax Massager Reviews Made of 100% ball bearing construction Traditional frame design with special frame contour to fit hand and reduce hand fatigue Chrome housing and rubber hand pad Heavy-duty, single speed UL approved 120v This lightweight therapeutic massager combines the advantages of hand and mechanical massage. Its special contoured design reduces hand fatigue and its universal ...

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Background: This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) in the general population of Hong Kong. Methods: Random sampling was used to recruit 6028 participants aged 15years or over. Among them, 203 were surveyed twice within a two-week period. Participants completed the Chinese version of the PHQ-9 (including 2 items of the PHQ-2), the Chinese Health Questionnaire, the Happiness Scale, the SF-12, and questions about diagnosis and health service utilization. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct and discriminant validity of the PHQ-2 were assessed. Results: Cronbach's a was 0.76. The test-retest reliability over two weeks calculated by intraclass correlation was 0.70. Spearman correlation results showed that the PHQ-2 s...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective: Analyse the difference in school careers and secondary school qualification levels between unilateral hearing aid users and bilateral hearing aid users. Study design: Retrospective questionnaire study. Setting: Postal-based questionnaire. Participants: Names of adults known to have been fitted with unilateral or bilateral hearing aids during childhood were retrieved. This resulted in 292 names. Participants were selected using the following criteria: availability of the medical record, presence of bilateral hearing loss, completed secondary school education, normal IQ and a minimum aided word-recognition score of 70% at 10 years of age. The questionnaire was sent to 50 potential participants of whom 40 responded, resulting in two groups comprising 19 unilateral and 21 bilateral ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There are a total of nine operational nuclear plants in Spain totalling 7.350 MWe. These units produced 54.265 x 106 KWh in 1990, 36% of the total generation in Spain. Seven of these plants are of the PWR type. The first plant in operation was Jose Cabrera (ZORITA) in 1968, one loop Westinghouse plant with a model 24 Steam Generator. Due to the design margin and careful operation of the Steam Generator of this plant its performance have been very good, with only 5% tubes plugged after 23 years of operation. This is one of the few units in the world that remains in phosphate chemistry. During the period 1981-1985 a total of four units, two in Almaraz and two in Asco entered in operation. These three loop s Westinghouse units use model D-3 preheater Steam Generators. The poor design and manufacture of the Steam Generators of these units have caused a large number of problems: mechanical (Preheater and AVB's vibration), denting, and primary and secondary stress corrosion cracking. As a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Forms used in conducting a national survey about solar energy are presented. Forms for representatives from the domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors, owners and non-owners of solar equipment, are shown. Participants were to be contacted by telephone, mail, and personal visits. (MCW)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mental illness in Oyo State at community level using the general health questionnaire...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Information from the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is used to identify which variables measured in 1981 successfully predict the severity of disease in 1989 and the eight year change in severity...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveTo examine the validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire - 2 (PHQ-2), a 2-item depression screening scale among adolescents.Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to develop a menopause-specific, preference-based health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) index reflecting both menopausal symptoms and potential...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Public health activities, especially infectious disease control, depend on effective teamwork. We present the results of a pilot audit questionnaire aimed at assessing the quality of public health services...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

One hundred and seventy-nine patients completed a questionnaire focusing on adverse reactions to dental local anesthetics as manifested by 16 signs and symptoms. Twenty-six percent of the participants...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Dynamic Analog Scale (DAS) is introduced as a technique for generating single-item measures of personality traits. The DAS is comprised of extensive trait definitions and an analog scale on which respondents simultaneously rate themselves and others. In two studies the Big Five personality traits were assessed with the DAS and compared to a multiple-item questionnaire that measured the same traits. Statistical analysis supported the validity of the DAS for predicting self-reported behavioral acts, drinking behaviors, affect, and religiosity in ways similar to the multiple-item questionnaire. Consistent with previous research, both studies supported the viability of measuring personality traits with single items.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To study the topographical organization of mu and beta band event-related desynchronization (ERD) associated with voluntary hand and foot movements, we used magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electric utilities are actively seeking ways of optimizing the economics of their operations by improving productivity and reducing time and money spent on maintenance. Iberdrola, a Spanish utility, is using advanced machine condition-monitoring technology to centralize control and maintenance of its hydropower projects as a means of achieving those goals. The company is using a blend of technologies to supervise their projects from a regional control center. The monitoring scheme makes use of data from on-line, machine-condition monitors, displays from in-plant audio asnd video equipment, and analysis from the control center`s SCADA system.

CERN Document Server

In the quest to understand the ultimate nature of WIMPs, we propose the use of a hybrid detection technique: cylinders filled with liquefied noble gasses, acting as targets, are immersed inside a tank of Gd-doped ultra-pure water that provides an active and efficient veto against neutrons. The evaluation of the background rejection capabilities and physics potential of this instrument have been carried out through a full GEANT4 simulation, assuming the detector will be located at the Canfranc underground laboratory (in the Spanish Pyrenees). Our results compare very favourably with existing or planned experiments in the field. This technique is scalable and will allow to reach target masses of few tonnes in the next future.

Science.gov (United States)

Twenty-two landrace-derived inbred lines from the Spanish Barley Core Collection (SBCC) were found to display high levels of resistance to a panel of 27 isolates of the fungus Blumeria graminis that exhibit a wide variety of virulences. Among these lines, SBCC145 showed high overall resistance and a distinctive spectrum of resistance compared with the other lines. Against this background, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the genetic basis underlying such resistance using a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between SBCC145 and the elite spring cultivar Beatrix. The population was genotyped with the 1,536-SNP Illumina GoldenGate Oligonucleotide Pool Assay (Barley OPA-1 or BOPA1 for short), whereas phenotypic analysis was performed using two B. graminis isolates. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to both isolates was identified on the long arm of chromosome 6H (6HL) and accounted for ca. 60% of the phenotypic ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Summary Background Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are rare, potentially life-threatening, autoimmune disorders characterized by antibodies to epidermal adhesion molecules. Clinical characteristics are painful chronic erosions of mucous membranes and of the skin. There are only few published studies on the impact of the disease on the health status (HS) of patients with these conditions. Objectives To assess the impact of disease on the HS of patients with pemphigus. Methods Fifty-eight patients enrolled at the Bullous Skin Diseases Unit of IDI-IRCCS in the period January-June 2006 were assessed for their HS using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire and for anxiety and depression using the Institute for Personality and Ability Testin...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective: We have conducted a longitudinal observational study in order to evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of depressive and anxious symptoms in women and men seeking infertility treatment and to analyze associated factors or risk factors for these kinds of disorders. Study design: A total of 1000 consecutive couples that visited our center for the first time were asked to join this study. Depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-rating Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) and Zung Anxiety Scale (ZAS) questionnaires. A second assessment was planned at the time of b HCG dosage (or at the moment of cycle suspension). A standard questionnaire was used to investigate socio-demographic information and the psychological aspects of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) ...

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This study was designed to identify the relationship between free time management and quality of life, exploring whether the amount of free time or the way people using their free time relates to their quality of life. Data were collected from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. Of the 500 questionnaires distribute, 403 usable questionnaires were received with an 81% response rate. The result has found a positive relationship between free time management and quality of life. Contrary to this, there was no significant relationship between time allocation and quality of life. Results might indicate that people who manage their free time well lead to better quality of life. Suggestions based on the observed relationship and directions for future researches were d...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Wood usage for cooking and heating is still very relevant in most developing countries especially those of sub-Saharan Africa and many parts of Asia. Therefore, sustainable means of generating it for this and other purposes are necessary bearing in mind the influence of indigenous knowledge/users perspective on any production method regarding success and sustenance. In conformity with this view, questionnaires were administered on 240 respondents in 8 rural communities of Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria, to elicit information on species that can be used as fuelwood, preferred by the respondents for incorporation into and/or retention in agroforestry plots, out of which 179 (i.e. 75% of the total number of questionnaires administered) were successfully r...

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Background ?Guidelines for safe and effective management and use of point of care testing? have been recently launched in Ireland. Aims To survey point of care testing (POCT) services in the Republic of Ireland. Methods A questionnaire covering accreditation status, existence of POCT committees, quality management systems, and staff resources was distributed by the Irish External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS). Results Of those that returned completed questionnaires, 56% had assigned specific POCT responsibilities to designated staff. Most support was for blood gases and glucose analysis. Compared with other published studies, Irish laboratories gave similar support for blood gases, less for glucose and much less for urinalysis. Conclusions This survey demonstrated poor IT support for P...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A passive dosemeter, based on a Makrofol ED track detector covered with aluminized Mylar, enclosed in diffusion chamber, has been used for radon concentration studies. Detectors have been irradiated, using a "2"4"1Am source, at different energies and fluences in order to obtain the electrochemical etching conditions that allow the optimum registration of alpha particles having energies over 3 MeV. Thirty dosemeters have been sent to the UK National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB) Radon Environmental Chamber for calibration. The sensitivity of the dosemeter has been calculated. Several dosemeters have also been exposed in houses and dwellings in the Barcelona and Madrid areas for monitoring. Values for radon concentration in the areas under study are presented. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We tested two approaches to forecast species distributions while balancing the impact of climate change against the inertia promoted by other influential factors that have been forecast as not changing. Given that mountain species are presumed to be more at risk due to climate warming, we selected an amphibian, a reptile, a bird, and a mammal species present in the Spanish mountains, to model their distributional response to climate change during this century. The climatic forecasts were made according to the general circulation models CGCM2 and ECHAM4 and to the A2 and B2 emission scenarios. We modelled the response of the species to spatial, topographic, human, and climatic variables separately. In our first approach, we compared each of these single-factor models using the Akaike Inform...

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Abstract Objective:- This study explored 12-month outcome and its associations to social adjustment-related variables in patients with first-episode non-affective psychosis in Finland and Spain. Methods:- Forty-nine Finnish and 37 Spanish patients were evaluated at admission on various characteristics of social adjustment. Outcome was measured for 68 (79%) patients by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Global Assessment Scale, and Grip on Life. Results:- One-fourth of the patients experienced psychotic symptoms at follow-up. Sixty per-cent of the patients showed good global functioning and Grip on Life. In both patient groups, poor earlier global functioning, weak social network, poor Grip on Life, and psychological dependence on family of origin were associated with poor outcome. In the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The radiographic features of Ewing's sarcoma of the bones of the hands and feet are reviewed utilizing cases obtained from the Mayo Clinic patient files and the consultation files of Drs. D.C. Dahlin and K.K. Unni. This series consists of a total of 43 cases of pathologically proven Ewing's sarcoma involving the small bones of the hands and feet. The classic radiographic features of Ewing's sarcoma in the long bones, including lytic, permeative destruction, aggressive periosteal reaction, cortical violation, and a soft tissue mass, are also seen in the bones of the hands and feet, with similar frequency. These classic features are most commonly present in lesions affecting the short tubular bones. Lesions affecting the tarsal bones more often demonstrate atypical radiographic features. These atypical radiographic appearances may play a role in the reported delay in diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma within the tarsal bones. ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background: The nail gun is a commonly utilized tool in carpentry and construction. When used properly with appropriate safety precautions, it can facilitate production and boost efficiency;...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe function of a cylinder allowing simultaneous measurements of the opposition axis of the index finger and thumb of the hand and the magnitude of pinch force is described.Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundComplaints of arm, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) affects millions of computer office workers. However its prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Norad commissioned Econ Poeyry to map teaching and research activities and capacity related to clean energy in selected Ethiopian universities. The mapping identified challenges and opportunities with the aim of facilitating future intervention by the Ethiopian Government and donors to help improve the energy sector development of the country. The report covered the government-owned universities of Bahir Dar, Mekelle, Jimma, Arba Minch and Addis Ababa. The mapping was based on a questionnaire and on interviews at each university. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The examples discussed demonstrate that in order to improve further the high-temperature strength properties of (monocrystalline) nickel-base superalloys, it is expedient to follow two parallel routes, namely alloy development, on the one hand, and suitable modifications of the microstructure by appropriate thermal and mechanical treatments, on the other hand. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During 1993 and 1994 a working group of biologists operating in Region Lombardia has carried out a study to evaluate the reliability of artificial substrates in the assessment of water quality by the Extended Biotic Index. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected by means of hand net and artificial substrates (up to 3 replicates) in 22 sampling sites of 15 watercourses of different typology (river, stream, irrigation channel) and water quality. Sampling efficiency and reliability in the calculation of E.B.I. and Quality Class by 1, 2 and 3 artificial substrates with respect to hand net have been evaluated. Influence of water quality, typology and original prevailing substrate in watercourses on the performance of artificial substrates has also been investigated. Results show a good agreement with other Authors' papers, confirming that artificial substrates represent a valid alternative macroinvertebrate sampling technique when traditional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper, firstly, introduces the background in developing a high quality water supply system, in which the drinking water system is isolated inside a building. Results of questionnaire on the high quality service water are illustrated. The results of questionnaire have revealed that the high quality service water is extremely interested. Then, are described the target quality of high quality water, the constitution of high quality water supply system, the treatment process, the measures to secure safety and sanitary, and the method of maintenance. The high quality water is produced through the activated charcoal absorption treatment, membrane treatment, ozonation, cooling, mineral addition, and disinfection of city water. Furthermore, application examples of this system adopted to a department store and a bachelor apartment house are introduced. For the high quality water supply system in the department store, the activated charcoal ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In June 2010, Basic Energy Plan was approved in a Cabinet meeting. It says that Japan aims to construct more than 14 atomic power plants by 2030. Today, there are 12 plans of construction of atomic power plant, but it is hard to say that their plans easily come off. That's because public acceptance of atomic power plant is low in Japan, for example local residents wage opposition campaigns. This study conducts a survey in the form of a questionnaire and analyzes it by Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). Analytic Hierarchy Process is a structured technique for dealing with complex decisions. A questionnaire using AHP is very easy to answer and analyze. This survey was conducted in 2 areas. First area is Hohoku-cho, Yamaguchi Pref. that had a plan of construction of atomic power plant and the plan was demolished by opposition campaigns. Second area is Kaminoseki-cho, Yamaguchi Pref. that has a plan of construction of atomic power plant now and ...

Science.gov (United States)

The language used by chronic benign pain patients to characterize their pain complaint was analyzed to determine the best predictor of psychiatric disturbance. Using the 78 adjectives provided by the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the number of affective descriptors used was the best predictor of psychiatric disturbance. Addition of sensory descriptors either to augment the total number of descriptors used (magnitude) or as a pattern of sensory greater than affective or sensory less than affective failed to increase predictive strength. PMID:6877847

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oral mucositis associated with head and neck radiotherapy can substantially hinder completion of cancer therapy. Alleviation of this often severe stomatitis can provide enhanced patient comfort and facilitate appropriate care. A double-blind format was used in a pilot project to measure, against a control rinse, the effectiveness of an oral rinse consisting of hydrocortisone, nystatin, tetracycline, and diphenhydramine in controlling radiation-related mucositis. A combination of clinical evaluation and patient responses to a questionnaire was used to judge the results of the topical medications. Patients using the experimental medication developed less mucositis than did patients in the control group.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to test the relationships among perceived risk, consumer satisfaction and repurchase loyalty, and to explore the moderating role of knowledge on the relationship between these constructs. Design/methodology/approach - The results are based on a cross-section sample of 846 households in Vietnam using self-administrating questionnaires, with fish as a main research object, and analyzed using structural equation modelling. Findings - The relationship between perceived risk and satisfaction is negative and satisfaction has a significantly positive effect on repurchase loyalty. This study suggests that perceived risk has an indirect effect on repurchase loyalty through satisfaction. Besides direct effects on perceived risk and satisfaction, knowledge prove...

Science.gov (United States)

Public speaking is the most commonly reported fearful social situation. Although a number of contemporary theories emphasize the importance of cognitive processes in social anxiety, there is no instrument available to assess fearful thoughts experienced during public speaking. The Self-Statements During Public Speaking (SSPS) scale is a 10-item questionnaire consisting of two 5-item subscales, the "Positive Self-Statements" (SSPS-P) and the "Negative Self-Statements" subscale (SSPS-N). Four studies report on the development and the preliminary psychometric properties of this instrument. PMID:16763666

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nine coals from Spanish, British, German and American mining basins were hydrogenated using Fe catalyst precursors (red mud and FeSO{sub 4}), without solvent at 300, 350, and 400 {degree}C and 10 MPa of H{sub 2}. Overall conversion and product distribution are related to the textural characteristics of the original coals and are studies throughout the distinct hydrogenation processes. Results reveal that with FeSO{sub 4} as a catalyst precursor, conversions increase with coal surface area. However, when red mud (RM) is used, conversions are independent of coal textural characteristics. Higher conversions are obtained with FeSO{sub 4} than with RM at 300 and 350 {degree}C whereas at 400 {degree}C higher conversions are obtained with RM. This different catalytic activity is also reflected in the changes of the textural characteristics observed in each case. Up to 350 {degree}C, the residues from FeSO{sub 4}-catalyzed processes reveal increased microporosity ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method to select, among several commercial diameter options, the most economic combination of pipeline networks is presented. These networks comply with the discharge conditions in the pipes and pressure in the knots. It is applied a static method for the hydraulics analysis of the Engineering Institute of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) and an optimization technique to reduce the number of calculations. [Spanish] Se presenta un metodo para seleccionar, de entre varias opciones de diametros comerciales, la combinacion que forma la red de tuberias mas economica que satisface las condiciones de gasto en los tubos y de presion en los nudos de la misma. Para el analisis hidraulico se emplea un metodo estatico del Instituto de Ingenieria de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) y se aplica una tecnica de optimacion para reducir el numero de calculos y alcanzar la solucion.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

What has been accomplished does not die, but too often, alas, the personality of those who have handed the torch from one generation to another soon fades into oblivion.—...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The effects of response effort on safe behaviors (i.e., glove wearing, hand sanitizing, and electrical outlet replacement) exhibited by therapists at an autism treatment center were examined. Participants...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The contribution of the parietal cortex to episodic memory is a fascinating scientific puzzle. On one hand, parietal lesions do not normally yield severe episodic memory deficits, but on the...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. Nitric oxide generation is important in the regulation of resistance vessel tone. Until now, however, there has been no evidence of such a role for basal generation of nitric oxide in the skin microcirculation...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The conformation of d (CG)n oligomers with n = 2,3 has been studied in aqueous solution in the presence of high salt concentration. A minimum n value of three is necessary to obtain a left-handed Z-helix....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundEvent-related potentials (ERPs) may be used as a highly sensitive way of detecting subtle degrees of cognitive dysfunction. On the other hand, impairment of cognitive skills...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Background: Despite the fact that adverse health effects are not confirmed for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RFEMF) levels below the limit values, as defined in the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, many persons are worried about possible adverse health effects caused by the RF-EMF emitted from mobile phone base stations, or they attribute their unspecific health complaints like headache or sleep disturbances to these fields. Method: In the framework of a cross-sectional study a questionnaire was sent to 4150 persons living in predominantly urban areas. Participants were asked whether base stations affected their health. Health complaints were measured with standardized health questionnaires for sleep disturbances, headache, health complaints and mental and physical health. 3,526 persons responded (85%) to the questionnaire and 1,808 (51%) agreed to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two hypotheses are in the centre of this investigation, on the one hand the question, whether microwaves as exogenous fields alone are able to stimulate human muscle cells above-threshold, and on the other hand, whether microwaves as conditioning to cathodical electrical pulses can modify the excitation threshold and form. No excitation through the application of microwaves alone can be introduced at any subject. The conditioning of above-threshold cathodical electrical pulses with UMTS-microwaves leads not to a transgression of the threshold or the electrical muscle response (EMG) depending on the amplitude, the duration or the dose rate. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The global demand for platinum has consistently outgrown supply in the past decade. This trend likely will continue and the imbalance may possibly escalate into a crisis. Platinum plays pivotal roles in both conventional automobile emissions control and the envisioned hydrogen economy. A platinum crisis would have profound implications on energy and environment. On the one hand, inadequate platinum supply will prevent widespread commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. On the other hand, expensive platinum may enhance the competitiveness of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-powered electric cars. Policymakers should weigh the potential impacts of a platinum crisis in energy policy.

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Summary Objective Community-based information on the delivery and use of health interventions is important to monitor the effectiveness of the Roll Back Malaria programme. However, community surveys to determine coverage for insecticide-treated bed nets are time-consuming and costly. We wanted to assess whether schoolchildren's reports of household ownership of a bed net and coverage among high-risk groups monitored by schoolteachers through a questionnaire could be used as a proxy of household ownership of bed net and coverage at community level, for routine monitoring of malaria control programmes. Method 3602 schoolchildren in 39 randomly selected schools and 2798 heads of households in 39 villages were interviewed about their use of either insecticide-treated or untreated bed nets. Res...

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This study assesses the current state of undergraduate instruction in empirical research methods in communication and offers recommendations for enhancing such instruction. Responses to an online questionnaire were received from 149 communication-related programs at four-year colleges and universities. Just over 85% of responding programs offered an empirical methods course. Although the course often covered both qualitative and quantitative methods, instruction was heavily slanted toward quantitative methods and topics common to both qualitative and quantitative inquiry. The empirical methods course was usually required for graduation, but it was typically not well integrated with the rest of the curriculum and taken late in students' undergraduate careers. Additional analyses examined st...

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We aimed to investigate the effects of local anesthetics soaked in Merocel nasal packs on hemorrhage and pain after septoplasty. The methodology includes a prospective double-blind study that was conducted in patients undergoing septoplasty because of nasal septal deviation. The study included 143 patients. The patients were divided into four groups. Each group received 1% lidocaine?+?0.000625% adrenalin, 0.375% ropivacaine, 0.25% bupivacaine as study groups or 0.9% sodium chloride as a control group in their Merocel packs postoperatively. The local anesthetics or sodium chloride were reapplied at the eighth postoperative hour. Each patient was given a questionnaire where verbal analog score and amount of postoperative hemorrhage was noted. The statistical analysis was performed using two ...

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In recent years, cobia has become an emerging farmed species in Asia due to its quick growth and high economic value. This study collects biological and economic data affecting the economic performance of cobia farming in three countries, namely Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. The data are collected by questionnaire sampling and analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis in order to compare the key factors affecting the production and economy of cobia farming in these three countries. The results show that Taiwan, China, and Vietnam have significant differences in input intensities and profitability. China has the highest input intensity (3372.42?TWD/m3), as its high stocking density increases feed input. Taiwan has the highest unit input cost (103.44?TWD/kg), as the high quality of the pro...

Science.gov (United States)

Two third-grade Taiwanese students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders participated in a pull-out, small-group social skills training program developed to promote their skill acquisition and maintenance. Using a multiple baseline across skills design, the authors demonstrated that both participants made marked performance improvement in all three targeted social skills of on-task, appropriate conflict resolution, and cooperation during the intervention condition. Maintenance and follow-up data showed that both participants sustained their use of taught social skills in the training setting and their third-grade classroom, respectively. Social validity measures, including peer sociometric ratings and consumer satisfaction questionnaires and interviews, supported the positive effects of the social skills training program for both participants. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

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Abstract Background- Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic disease not currently curable. Physical involvement and the impact of chronic therapies can lead patients to changes in psychological and relational areas. Objectives- To provide a measure of psychological distress, dysfunctional investment in one's appearance, and their relationship. Methods- Self-administered questionnaires (ASI, HADS) were given to 74 pemphigus inpatients. Results- Strong associations between psychological distress and dysfunctional investment in one's appearance were observed [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 7.36, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.20-45.11; OR 5.38, 95% CI 0.81-35.87, respectively, for appearance stereotyping and body-image vulnerability], together with a perceived high disease severity (OR 6.03, 95% CI 1.9...

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Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. Objectives: ED is a common condition in psychiatric patients, which can modify their quality of life. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and the severity of ED in psychiatric patients. Methods: This naturalistic, observational study was conducted during a six months period. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) 15-item questionnaire was used to assess 144 male inpatients with different psychiatric disorders. IIEF is a brief, cross-culturally valid, self-administered scale for detecting treatment-related changes in patients with erectile dysfunction and addresses the relevant domains of male sexual function: erectile functi...

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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria between 1970 and 2006 and to examine the potential danger posed by such activities to public health. Design/methodology/approach - The approach adopted to achieve this objective is questionnaire administration on health impacts. Also secondary sources of information come from textbooks and journals. However, data from natural resources exploitation and hazards are collated and analyzed. Findings - It is evident that, out of the 1,000 reported oil spill incidents analyzed, some hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are lost to the environment. Graphic pictures of typical oil spill through acts of vandalism in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria are analyzed and reviewed. The run-off and sedim...

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Abstract Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among breast cancer patients. Several CAM therapies may have negative side effects or interact with conventional therapies. We studied biologically based CAM use with and without vitamins/minerals in relation to patient and tumor characteristics as well as treatment in an ongoing prospective cohort of 855 primary breast cancer patients. Methods. Patients from two hospitals in southern Sweden were included. Pre-operative and follow-up questionnaires containing questions on food intake, lifestyle, and concomitant medications, including natural remedies, were completed up to five years postoperatively. Clinical information was obtained from clinical records and tumor characteristics from pathology reports. Results...

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Purpose - A significant trend in the retail sector is women's over-representation in part-time work. Given the feminisation and adverse working conditions of part-time employment, the purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of the motivation of female sales employees. Design/methodology/approach - Initially, a theoretical framework is presented with the aim of stipulating the research hypotheses. Empirical evidence was obtained from 349 Greek female sales employees using a structured questionnaire. Analyses of covariance and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with the aim of exploring the research hypotheses. Findings - It was found that part-time and full-time female employees are similar in designating the job motivators that they find important in the workplace. H...

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The consequences of exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect behavior were examined using retrospective questionnaires (Study 1) and 2 social interaction diary studies (Study 2). Exit and neglect were generally associated with more negative partner responses and reduced feelings of value and closeness, and were reported to be more harmful to the relationship. Voice was associated with more positive partner responses and greater value and intimacy, and was perceived to be most beneficial to the relationship. In contrast, loyalty was perceived to have the same detrimental consequences as destructive behaviors (Study 1) and did not predict more positive outcomes within daily interactions (Study 2). These results indicate that, despite good intentions, loyal intimates are often left feeling ignored a...

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Purpose Elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection (LSR) for symptomatic diverticular disease is supposed to have significant short-term advantages compared to open surgery (open sigmoid resection (OSR)). This opinion is rather based on inferences from trials on colonic resections for malignant diseases or minor laparoscopic surgery. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare quality of life as well as morbidity and clinical outcome after LSR vs. OSR following a midterm follow-up period. Methods Patients presenting with a symptomatic sigmoid diverticular disease stage II/III (Stock/Hansen) were randomly allocated to LSR or OSR in a prospective multicenter trial. Endpoints included the quality of life assessed with a standardized questionnaire, postoperative mortality, and compl...

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Indoor and soil gas Radon (222Rn) concentration measurements were accomplished in two stages in Sivas, a central eastern city in Turkey. In the first stage, CR-39 passive nuclear track detectors supplied by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA) were placed in the selected houses throughout Sivas centrum in two seasons; summer and winter. Before the setup of detectors, a detailed questionnaire form was distributed to the inhabitants of selected houses to investigate construction parameters and properties of the houses, and living conditions of inhabitants. Detectors were collected back two months later and analysed at TAEA laboratories to obtain indoor 222Rn gas concentration values. In the second stage, soil gas 222Rn measurements were performed using an alphameter near the selected h...

Science.gov (United States)

This paper is part of a study that assessed the level of commitment of primary schools of remote area dwellers (RADs) to basic education between October 2004 and April 2005. The research question focused on the level of commitment of schools to universal basic education, school-community partnership in school governance and parental involvement in the way the curriculum was delivered. Questionnaire and interviews were used. The results show a significant relationship between teachers' perceptions and variables such as district, qualifications, age, location, and experience. There is consistency between teachers' perceptions and children's academic performance. It has been found that learner achievement in RADs schools is low and that parents are not actively involved in their children's education due to the policy environment and school management practices.

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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of cooperative societies to housing finance for the urban low income group in Ogbomoso, Oyo state of Nigeria. This is with a view to determine the effectiveness of the societies' lending as a means of solving the housing problem among the low income group in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - Questionnaires were administered to 120 members of eight societies of four cooperative unions selected through a random sampling technique. In total, 15 members who had benefited from the loan were surveyed in each of the societies. Data were analysed with the use of frequency distribution, percentage and measure of cooperators satisfaction index (CSI). Findings - The results showed that 52 per cent of responding members had fi...

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This article explores the growth of organised crime within the Vietnamese community with particular reference to the cultivation of cannabis, money laundering and the smuggling or trafficking of children. The article begins by exploring the history and diversity of the 'Vietnamese community' in the United Kingdom and the role of Vietnamese culture in shaping their criminal enterprises. It then draws on research involving two sets of qualitative data: one set is based on 45 interviews with law enforcement personnel based in Vietnam and the United Kingdom as well as with key stakeholders in the Vietnamese community; the other set is based on structured questionnaires issued to 34 Vietnamese residents in Britain, 24 of whom are here illegally. It examines the relationship between illegal immi...

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Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74GJ/103l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. T...

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Abstract Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a highly prevalent condition, is independently associated with increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and metabolic syndrome. It is unclear, however, if the severity of OSA has any impact on glycemic control among patients with T2D. We therefore aimed to determine the independent association between OSA severity and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with T2D. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 52 consecutive patients attending the diabetes obesity clinic between January 2008 to February 2010 with risk factors for sleep apnea and who underwent polysomnography study. Clinical, demographic, and lifestyle data were recorded using a questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of OSA in this clini...

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SummaryThis paper evaluates the status of digitization in 30 Nigerian university libraries with a view to identifying the status, progress, prospects and challenges to digitize library materials and form the basis of providing a roadmap to successful execution of digitization projects. The study assessed the status of digitization of past question papers, theses and dissertations in Nigerian university libraries from May to September 2006 through a self-administered questionnaire, site visits and interviews. It was found that, though there are automation services in those universities, there is no digitization of these materials mentioned in the surveyed institutions. The major obstacles militating against digitizing in the university libraries include lack of funds, lack of appropriate fa...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic quality and adverse events of the water-soluble, non-ionic, iso-osmolar, dimeric contrast media iodixanol and iotrolan in hysterosalpingography (HSG). Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty patients participated in a double-blind randomized parallel-group phase-III study. Questionnaires and patient interviews were used. Diagnostic quality was assessed using a visual analogue scale and the quality in specific regions was rated using a categorical scale. Results: Overall diagnostic quality was equal for the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in diagnostic quality in the specific regions of interest. No differences between the contrast media were found with regard to adverse events. Conclusion: Both contrast media provided images of high diagnostic quality in HSG. (orig.)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In Niigata University Hospital, most of conventional radiography were changed to Fuji computed Radiography (FCR) from July 1988. To evaluate its clinical utility, questionnaires relating to FCR image were distributed to all physicians including non-radiologists in the hospital after three months. The ratio of the physicians evaluated FCR image to be better than conventional image was 75% in chest radiography, 64% in abdominal radiography. FCR tomography of bone, joint, cranium and chest was also evaluated to be better than conventional by most of the physicians. Reduced size of the film and difficulty in detecting interstitial shadows of the lung were mentioned to be the fault of FCR. (author).

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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...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Data from a detailed evaluation of environment conditions in three U.S. Army field stations are presented. Three field stations were evaluated: Kunia, Augsburg, and Berlin. Results from a questionnaire administered to over 600 people at all sites in three job types (operator, analyst, and administrative/other) are given which indicate major concerns with conditions such as temperature, lighting, space, furniture, equipment functioning, and general environmental quality. Physical data obtained from measurements of over 270 work stations indicated the presence of cold temperatures, low light levels, reduced VDT screen contrast, glare, and distracting noises. The report provides the basic data that support the concerns expressed by Headquarters; namely, that field-station personnel perform their jobs under conditions likely to impair their effectiveness. Suggestions for improving conditions are given in a companion report by Rubin and Collins.

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The interscalenic block technique is widely used for ambulatory shoulder surgery despite a substantial number of failures and adverse effects. We prospectively evaluated satisfaction in 40 consecutive patients who underwent open Bankart repair under a single general anesthesic performed in an ambulatory care unit. The mean age of the patients was 23 years. There were 29 men and 11 women. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with a visual analog scale of pain (in the recovery room, at the time of discharge, and the day after and 1 week after surgery) via a home assessment questionnaire that included the following: effectiveness of oral pain medication, ability to perform activities of daily life, and overall satisfaction. One patient failed to be discharged because of a feeling of faintn...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the absence of empirical outdoor thermal comfort studies it has been widely assumed that indoor thermal comfort theory generalises to outdoor settings without modification. Many indoor models were developed to describe thermal discomfort, not stress, therefore their relevance to conditions that vary greatly from neutrality, as many outdoor climatic conditions do, has not been critically validated in the field to date. The thermal comfort of 1018 subjects in outdoor and semi-outdoor locations in subtropical Sydney was investigated by a questionnaire and a comprehensive package of micro-meteorological instruments. The thermal neutrality in terms of the thermal comfort index OUT{sub S}ET* of 26.2 {sup o}C was significantly higher than the indoor SET* counterpart of 24{sup o}C (ASHRAE Trans. 92 (1986) 709). (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Systems Analysis Programs for Hands-on Integrated Reliability Evaluations (SAPHIRE) refers to a set of several microcomputer programs that were developed to create and analyze probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs), primarily for nuclear power plants. The Fault Tree, Event Tree, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (FEP) editors allow the user to graphically build and edit fault trees, and event trees, and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P and IDs). The software is designed to enable the independent use of the graphical-based editors found in the Integrated Reliability and Risk Assessment System (IRRAS). FEP is comprised of three separate editors (Fault Tree, Event Tree, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) and a utility module. This reference manual provides a screen-by-screen guide of the entire FEP System.

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The program introduced here for determining and describing the multi-axial creep of pipes is based, on the one hand, on the results of the nuclear process heat prototype plant material program and, on the other hand, on the possible load conditions which arise for evaluating accidents or extreme working situations. The basis of a theoretical description of multi-axial creep is the invariant theory in which both the von Mises configuration change hypothesis and the Norton creep law are included. Combined tension and torsion are also considered in detail, the superimposition of cyclic stresses in the tensile threshold area is discussed and cases of partial relaxation are explained. Experimental results for the discussed loads are introduced, which have led to satisfactory agreement between theory and experiment. (orig./MM).

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Two grades of WC-10wt.%Co cemented carbide with or without addition of Cr3C2/VC grain growth inhibitor during liquid phase sintering were produced with the goal to investigate their reciprocating sliding friction and wear behaviour against WC-6wt.%Co cemented carbide under unlubricated conditions. The tribological characteristics were obtained on a Plint TE77 tribometer using distinctive normal contact loads. The generated wear tracks were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and quantified topographically using surface scanning equipment. The post-mortem obtained wear volumes were compared to the online assessed wear. Correlations between wear volume, wear rate and coefficient of friction on the one hand and sliding distance and microstructural properties on the other hand were determ...

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Using EAS data from the EAS-EXC group (EAS plus hadronic calorimeter and nuclear emulsion-X chamber hybrid experiment) on Mount Chacaltaya during the 1990's the fractal properties of the energetic cosmic ray fluxes was investigated. A discrimination in the hadron content of the energetic primaries furnishes two different data samples, the total EAS fluxes and the hadron-less fluxes. The sidereal diurnal variation of the hadron-less EAS time variation shows values of 0.5% with a phase at about 2.29 hr sidereal time. With the help of the Crassberger Procaccia algorithm the fractal dimensions have been investigated of, on the one hand, the differences in arrival times of the hadron-less showers and on the other hand the EAS fluxes time series with an integration time of five min. The obtained fractal dimensions show inconclusive evidence of continuous chaotic component in the data samples investigated.

Science.gov (United States)

Applied science may once again play a decisive role in changing the face of armed conflict, and the rest of human affairs, by shifting the battlefield to our very brains. The national-security establishment--and particularly the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)--supports research at the intersection of neuroscience and national security that could ultimately enable authorities to do things like enhance (or muddle, or erase) memory, monitor crowds for individuals whose brain patterns correlate with aggressive behaviors, or control weapons from afar merely with thoughts. What are the dangers of such information falling into "the wrong hands," and are there any "right hands" for this kind of knowledge? Is any extension of human abilities justified by the need for government to protect its society? PMID:15986543

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A new evaluation of the 1% time strain limit for creep strength and the isochronous stress/strain relationship was to be undertaken for the type 800 alloy, based on up to date experimental data. After the evaluation of the 1% time strain limit curves and time fracture curves of individual melts, multilinear regression analyses were made to clear up the relationship between parameters of the creep behaviour such as creep strength, 1% time strain limit and time fracture strain on the one hand and metallurgical parameters such as C, Ti, Al, Ni, Cr contents or grain size and type of manufacture, on the other hand. Based on the knowledge gained from these calculations, new limits were determined for HTR material specifications for variants of the 800 alloy of the Rk, NT, DE, and HT type. (orig./DG).

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The current state and need for radiation protection training in Finland have been surveyed by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK. The survey sought to determine whether the current requirements for radiation protection training had been met, and to promote radiation protection training. Details of the scope and quality of present radiation protection training were requested from all educational institutes and organizations providing radiation protection training. The survey covered both basic and further training, special training of radiation safety officers, and supplementary training. The questionnaire was sent to 77 educational organization units, 66 per cent of which responded. Radiation workers and radiation safety officers were asked about radiation protection knowledge and needs for additional training. The questionnaire was sent to 880 radiation users and 170 radiation safety officers, 70 per cent of whom responded. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background and purpose: A diagnosis of malignancy and its treatment is a very stressful time for patients and their families. This study was conducted to determine the impact of more intensive written information on patients' anxiety levels. The secondary aim was to determine the impact of this information on patients' satisfaction levels. Materials and methods: This prospective randomized trial consisted of patients with a pathological diagnosis of cancer having radical radiotherapy (RT). Patients were randomized to receive the more intensive information (including written information and a telephone call from the research nurse) or not to receive the more intensive information at the time of their initial consultation with the radiation oncologist. Study questionnaires measuring anxiety (STAI form) were completed prior to their first consultation (baseline) at the time of simulation (pre-RT) and at the completion of radiotherapy. A second ...

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Since 1977, precise leveling surveys have been carried out to determine whether there have been vertical terrain displacements and the subsidence speed rate in the Cerro Prieto Geothermal field area. The elevation contours for each leveling show since 1962 that there was a basin that involves the geothermal field. The differences in the last three levelings show a generalized subsidence between Cerro Prieto (BN 10049) and Imperial faults (BN CD-14). [Spanish] A partir de 1977 se realizan trabajos de nivelacion de precision, con el fin de conocer si existen desplazamientos verticales del terreno y cual es la velocidad de subsidencia que existe en el area del Campo Geotermico de Cerro Prieto. Las configuraciones de cotas para cada uno de los anos nivelados, muestran que desde 1962 existe una cuenca que incluye al campo geotermico; la diferencia de cotas obtenidas en las tres ultimas nivelaciones, indican una subsidencia generalizada entre la Falla Cerro Prieto (BN ...

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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 estrategia para ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is the Final Report for the project. Improvements in SISCOM II Technology. It consists of a brief description of the activities carried out during the project, and several Annexes that explain in a deeper way each result. SISCOM II is the main telemetry system currently in use in the Spanish underground coal mining, but it was developed ten years ago and needed a technological update, which was the objective of this project. The aims of the project were: - To develop Hardware and Software for the Outstations currently used (maintenance developments) - To design new hardware and software, easier to use in the current and new applications of SISCOM II Both objectives were met, although not in the way originally intended. The main results were: In the field of old Outstations update: - A new set of boards for the old Outstations was developed - Outstations`s firmware was updated for the new hardware In the field new hardware and software design: - SISCOM ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new multigrid algorithm based on the method of self-correction for the solution of elliptic problems is described. The method exploits information contained in the residual to dynamically modify the source term (right-hand side) of the elliptic problem. It is shown that the self-correcting solver is more efficient at damping the short wavelength modes of the algebraic error than its standard equivalent. When used in conjunction with a multigrid method, the resulting solver displays an improved convergence rate with no additional computational work.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Only two years ago, plastic film recycling was considered an onerous task. Different resins had to be identified, colors had to be separated, and minute contaminants had to be weeded out almost by hand to produce a quality material. But the tide of plastic film recycling is changing now that new technologies have emerged and more organized collection infrastructure have been developed. Today, plastic film recycling maintains a lucrative market for those with the right combination of equipment and know-how.

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The paper shortly recapitulates the background to and the importance of the principle of channeling of liability to the operator, contained in the international Conventions in the field of nuclear liability. It tries to outline the main problems involved in the process of backfitting in some more detail and to describe part of the work that has been done in Sweden and elsewhere to try to solve them. Finally, the paper contains some concluding remarks indicating that no entirely satisfactory solution to the problem is presently at hand. (orig./HP)

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Various physics applications involve the computation of the standard hypergeometric function {sub 2}F{sub 1} and its derivatives. Because it is not an intrinsic in the common programming languages, automatic differentiation tools will either differentiate through the code that computes {sub 2}F{sub 1} if that code is available or require the user to provide a hand-written derivative code. We present options for the derivative computation in the context of an ionization problem and compare the approach implemented in the Diamant library to standard methods.

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This book provides an analysis of pathophysiologic concepts of trauma and reviews the effectiveness of the available imaging modalities in acute trauma of various organ system. Topics covered are chest injuries; abdominal trauma; fractures of long bones; the foot and ankle; the knee; hand and wrist; the elbow; the shoulder; the pelvis hips; the spine; the skull and facial trauma and the clinical assessment of multiple injuries patients. Comparative evaluation of diagnostic techniques of radiography is discussed. Normal anatomy and bone fractures along with soft-tissue injuries are described.

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This book contains nomographs for analysis and design of signalized intersections and thoroughly explains how to use them. The nomographs simplify and reduce the work that otherwise would have to be done by hand. The nomograph method for computing capacity has a significant advantage over computerized methods: it provides insight into the interaction between the various factors in the solution process for design analysis.

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This is an account of the initial struggles and subsequently successful career of a young woman growing up in prewar Australia with the overriding desire to become a physicist despite various problems and prejudices. The book provides first-hand accounts of wartime radar research and development in Australia; the immediately post-war era in nuclear physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge; and work in the Nuclear Physics Division at AERE Harwell in the period from the 1950s onwards. (UK).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Science.gov (United States)

The hazards of smoking in relation to lung cancer can never be over emphasized. In recent times shortly after Ebonyi State was created in 1996, the capital territory has increasingly been polluted by either quarry operators, motorcycle (Okada) riders or reckless cigarette smokers and bush burning. To investigate the havoc caused by all these on people, questionnaire was distributed among smokers and non smokers in various areas of specialization and habitations. In measuring the significance of association and the degree of association, a chi2 test and odds ratio method of analysis was employed. The result of the analysis showed that non-smokers do suffer lung cancer. It also revealed that the chances of a smoker to have lung cancer is 1.765 times higher than that of a non-smoker. Analysis also showed that lung cancer depends on age of smokers. It was later discovered that middle aged population are mostly affected, by the reason of chi2 partitioning. This research ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this research is to clarify how psychological factors' impact on public acceptance of nuclear energy varies with where they live and their degree of knowledge. For this purpose, we carried out questionnaire survey about nuclear energy at three urban areas and two nuclear power plant siting areas. After collecting data, we applied factor analysis to the data, and found four factors which construct cognitive structure of nuclear energy. Using multiple regression analysis, we evaluated the impact of the four factors on two issues: the decision for or against nuclear policy and the reaction to nuclear power plant siting, and compared changes of the impact by where respondents live and their degree of knowledge. Consequently, we found that the impact of all four factors on the two issues varies with where respondents live. We also found that the impact of respondents' degree of knowledge to four factors varies with where they live. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper use data from a pilot study to analyse relationships between type of resettlement (voluntary or involuntary) and individuals' everyday feelings, perceptions of risk, health status and control. The data were collected in 1995, within the Joint Study Project 2, i.e., a collaborative research project of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, 1991/92 - 95/96. The aim of the study was to investigate reactions to change and new life conditions of people who had been resettled due to the Chernobyl accident. Participants from the respective countries included adult individuals sampled from two age groups of less than 45 years and 45 years and older, with approximately the same number of men and women. The questionnaire presented various topics to which responses were indicated on quantitative response scales, as well as in open ended response formats. The results presented here focus on emotional reactions, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) tests the quantitative fit of masks which are worn by military personnel during nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. Subjects are placed in a Dynatech-Frontier Fit Testing Chamber, salt air is fed into the chamber, and samples of air are drawn from the mask and the chamber. The ratio of salt air outside the mask to salt air inside the mask is called the quantitative fit factor. A motion-time study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the layout and work method presently used in the laboratory. A link analysis was done to determine equipment priorities, and the link data and design guidelines were used to develop three proposed laboratory designs. The proposals were evaluated by projecting the time and motion efficiency, and the energy expended working in each design. Also evaluated were the lengths of the equipment links for each proposal, and each proposal's adherence to design guidelines. A ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the three Prairie provinces of Canada, and their economies strongly depend on the petroleum industry. However, climate change may have potential impacts on the sector that could reverberate onto the socio-economic fabric of the provinces. The petroleum industry in the Prairies is faced with a big challenge: how to adapt to the changing climatic conditions so that they maintain or improve their economic and environmental efficiencies. The attitudes of the different stakeholders concerning climate change and the appropriate measures to be implemented by the petroleum industry were obtained through a questionnaire-based survey conducted between February and June 2001. Based on the responses received, a Chi-square statistical test was applied to look at the complex interactions in the results. An analysis of a number of petroleum-related processes and activities vulnerable to climate change was performed. A sound foundation was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The task of selecting reliable computer programs to simulate the performance of passive solar buildings has been assigned by the CEC to a specialized sub-group, the Modelling Sub-Group. This group has selected a detailed program for large computers, which has been commissioned and run by each participant. It has also given a reference for the analysis of a set of simple models, i.e. for mini/micro computers, pocket calculators and manual methods. These simulation techniques have been analyzed by answering an original questionnaire, making test runs of the models with building and climatic data, and comparing the results obtained with the large program. The best manual method has been included in the Passive Solar Handbook prepared by the Passive Solar Working Group. The MSG has also established a comparative table of all the selected simplified models, in order to make the designer able to do a first selection among them, in accordance with the hardware he has at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on the replies to a questionnaire distributed throughout Japan in 1983, genetically significant dose (GSD), per Caput mean bone marrow dose (CMD), leukemogenically significant dose (LSD), malignantly significant dose (MSD), and per Caput effective dose equivalent (EDE) from using small sealed radiation sources for radiotherapy were estimated. Annual frequencies of brachytherapy were estimated to be 2.6 x 10"3 for men and 36.3 x 10"3 for women, with a total of 38.9 x 10"3. The annual frequencies of using afterloading technique were 0.3 x 10"3 for men and 18.8 x 10"3 for women, with a total of 19.1 x 10"3. The annual population doses per person were 7.9 nGy for GSD, 118 #mu#Gy for CMD, 19.3 #mu#Gy for LSD, 172 #mu#Gy for MSD, and 428 #mu#Gy for EDE. The annual collective effective dose equivalent was estimated to be 5.13 x 10"4 man Sv. (Namekawa, K.).

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a prominent symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has distinctive features; however, there is a need for a robust scale to measure fatigue in COPD. METHODS: At baseline, 122 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 52%, women 38%, mean age 66 years) completed a pilot fatigue scale covering a pool of 57 items and underwent a range of tests, including indicators of mood and a short general fatigue questionnaire. All patients responded to the 57-item scale and it was readministered to a subset of 30 patients. The pilot scale was first subjected to constructive validated shortening steps and then to a principal components analysis. RESULTS: The Manchester COPD fatigue scale (MCFS) consists of 27 items, loading into three dimensions: physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97) and test-retest repeatability (r = 0.97, por=16 scores in the Center for ...

Science.gov (United States)

The aim of the study was to determine whether children with chronic benign pain are in contact with their general practitioner (GP) more frequently than those without chronic benign pain. A random sample of children and adolescents aged between 0 and 18 years of age was drawn from the records of ten general practices. According to their responses to a pain questionnaire, subjects were assigned to the chronic benign pain group (n = 95) if they had pain of more than three months' duration, or to the control group (n = 105) if they had pain of less than three months' duration or no pain at all. All the subjects had an average GP consultation rate of 2.6 contacts per year. No significant age and sex differences were found. Chronic benign pain in childhood and adolescence is not related to increased use of healthcare services, suggesting that somatisation does not play a major role in children with chronic benign pain. PMID:12030664

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A CRC cooperative program was conducted to determine the difference in octane requirements between technical raters and 'customers' (the general driving public). The tests were conducted in two phases, with the second being a repeat of the first to verify the results obtained. The trained raters used the CRC E-15 procedure to determine the octane requirement of the vehicles while the customers' perception and objection to knock were determined through the use of a questionnaire. The customers' responses (perception and objection level) were based upon audible knock, acceleration performance, and after-run on a series of full-boiling-range customer/rater unleaded (FBRCU) reference-fuels. Data were analyzed from 168 1988-1991 model-year vehicles, with 126 of these tested in Phase II. The results showed that the customers, objections and perceptions were overwhelmingly based on knock, rather than acceleration performance or ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this research was to examine the energy equivalents of inputs and output in greenhouse vegetable production in the Antalya province of Turkey. For this purpose, the data for the production of four greenhouse crops (tomato, cucumber, eggplant and pepper) were collected in eighty-eight greenhouse farms by questionnaire. The results revealed that cucumber production was the most energy intensive of among the four crops investigated. Cucumber production consumed a total of 134.77 GJha{sup -1} followed by tomato with 127.32 GJha{sup -1}. The consumption of energy by eggplants and pepper were 98.68 and 80.25 GJha{sup -1}, respectively. The output-input energy ratio for greenhouse tomato, pepper, cucumber and eggplant were estimated to be 1.26, 0.99, 0.76 and 0.61, respectively. This indicated an intensive use of inputs in greenhouse vegetable production not accompanied by increase in the final product. This can lead to problems associated with these inputs ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This research centered on finding and perfecting methods of collection and disposal of refuse in Ibadan North Local Government Areas. The methodology used included questionnaire administration, personal interviews, field reconnaissance, and biochemical tests of water samples, all aimed at providing useful data for the design of effective methods of collecting and disposing refuse. The local government area was divided into three classes based on resident income: a high-income area (Bodija Avenue, etc.), a medium-income area (Sanngo, Oluyole, etc.), and a low-income area (Beere, Adeoyo, etc.). The research outcomes revealed that the waste generation rate for the local government ranged from 0.2 to 0.33 kg/cap/day and waste density ranged from 172.41 to 217.61 kg/m"3. Water analyses showed that the chloride, manganese, lead, and cadmium levels in water from low-income areas were above the WHO standard. The refuse generated in high and medium-income areas was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wood usage for cooking and heating is still very relevant in most developing countries especially those of sub-Saharan Africa and many parts of Asia. Therefore, sustainable means of generating it for this and other purposes are necessary bearing in mind the influence of indigenous knowledge/users' perspective on any production method regarding success and sustenance. In conformity with this view, questionnaires were administered on 240 respondents in 8 rural communities of Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria, to elicit information on species that can be used as fuelwood, preferred by the respondents for incorporation into and/or retention in agroforestry plots, out of which 179 (i.e. 75% of the total number of questionnaires administered) were successfully retrieved for statistical analyses. Twelve woody species namely: Annona senegalensis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Bridelia ferruginea, Daniellia oliveri, ...

CERN Document Server

In light of the recent measurements of the top quark forward-backward asymmetry at the Fermilab Tevatron experiment, which in some regions of the parameter space shows a discrepancy of 3$\\sigma$ compared to the SM prediction, we analyze top quark pair production and asymmetry in the context of left-right models both at the Tevatron and LHC. We use the minimal manifest left-right model and an asymmetric left-right model where gauge couplings and flavor mixing in the right-handed sector are allowed to differ from those in the left-handed sector. We explore the consequences of including effects from $W_R$ and $Z_R$ gauge bosons, consistent with phenomenological constraints from meson mixing and new bounds from ATLAS and CMS, for the $t \\bar{t}$ cross section, invariant mass distribution and forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron, and predict their values at the LHC. We show that, varying the parameters of the model while preserving agreement ...

CERN Document Server

E8 X E8 heterotic string and M-theory, when appropriately compactified, can give rise to realistic, N=1 supersymmetric particle physics. In particular, the exact matter spectrum of the MSSM, including three right-handed neutrino supermultiplets, one per family, and one pair of Higgs-Higgs conjugate superfields is obtained by compactifying on Calabi-Yau manifolds admitting specific SU(4) vector bundles. These "heterotic standard models" have the SU(3)_{C} X SU(2)_{L} X U(1)_{Y} gauge group of the standard model augmented by an additional gauged U(1)_{B-L}. Their minimal content requires that the B-L gauge symmetry be spontaneously broken by a vacuum expectation value of at least one right-handed sneutrino. In a previous paper, we presented the results of a renormalization group analysis showing that B-L gauge symmetry is indeed radiatively broken with a B-L/electroweak hierarchy of O(10) to O(10^{2}). In this paper, we present the details of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this study was to evaluate typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in early rheumatic diseases manifesting at the soft tissues of the hand using a retrospective analysis. A total of 186 MRI examinations of patients with clinical suspicion of a rheumatic disease were evaluated in a consensus reading by two experienced radiologists. All imaging patterns were assessed with respect to their type and localization. Under blinded and non-blinded conditions diagnoses were correlated with final clinical diagnosis. The most frequent diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 45.7%) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA, 15.6%). The mean correlation between clinical and MRI diagnosis (r) was 0.75 in blinded and 0.853 in non-blinded reading (p <0.001). The following extra-articular imaging patterns were found: synovitis (59.1%), tendovaginitis (91.4%), dactylitis (14.5%), and bone marrow edema (18.3%). Only dactylitis was specific for a particular rheumatic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Semiconductor properties of passive films formed on the Fe-18Cr alloy in a borate buffer solution (pH = 8.4) and 0.1 M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} solution were examined using a photoelectrochemical spectroscopy and an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Photo current reveals two photo action spectra that derived from outer hydroxide and inner oxide layers. A typical n-type semiconductor behaviour is observed by both photo current and impedance for the passive films formed in the borate buffer solution. On the other hand, a negative photo current generated, the absolute value of which decreased as applied potential increased in the sulfuric acid solution. This indicates that the passive film behaves as a p-type semiconductor. However, Mott-Schottky plot revealed the typical n-type semiconductor property. It is concluded that the passive film on the Fe-18Cr alloy formed in the borate buffer solution is composed of both n-type outer hydroxide and inner oxide layers. On the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the context of the research project, the physical basis of the direct decoupling of highly concentrated solar radiation in materials without the detour via absorbing heat exchanger walls was examined. Also, the first chemical processes suitable for the effective long-term storage of solar energy were analysed, relevant experiments were carried out and the necessary receiver techniques for high temperature applications were provided. The principle of direct coupling was examined on fluidized beds on the one hand and on cavity receivers, on the other hand. The contribution shows the results achieved in detail. It is recorded that first processes for storing solar energy in chemical reactions were able to be examined. Alkaline earth hydroxides accommodated in ceramic honeycomb structures seem to be possible as stores for medium temperature ranges around 500deg C. Investigations on receiver structure materials are also making progress. Highly ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the Assel'skiy and Sakmarskiy time of the lower Permian epoch, on the territory of the modern Dnieper and Donets, and Pripyatskiy Basins, there was a gulf which stretched in a northwest direction. The latter connected to the open sea in the east through the CisDonets trough. Transverse tectonic elevations divided the gulf into 5 semi-isolated reservoirs. In the Assel'skiy time, in the period of carbonate sedimentation, the development of algae, crinoids, corals and other organisms occurred. They created reef, bioherm and biostroma reconstructions. The most favorable sections for their settlement were the coastal zones of the gulf, consedimentation positive structures and transverse tectonic elevations. It is assumed that the formation of reefs, bioherms and biostromas, on the one hand, and sedimentation of evaporites on the other hand, are interrelated processes. The first after the next marine transgression during their ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MRI provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool complementing echocardiography on one hand, and showing advantages over echocardiography, on the other hand, especially after corrective procedures. The multiple different MRI sequences need to be adapted to examinations of children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and can be used to detect morphologic changes, blood-flow in the heart and thoracic vessels and diastolic or systolic function of myocardium. Several factors determine the success of the examination of a complex congenital heart disease or a postoperative situs. Pediatric radiologists and radiologists experienced in congenital heart diseases have to work in close cooperation. Echocardiography should be performed before MRI. The results of prior examinations and the clinical history of the patients, including possible palliative or reconstructive operations, must be available before MRI to guide the planning of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The size of the market for pulverized activated charcoal and particulate activated charcoal prepared by the Association of Inorganic Chemicals of Japan is 55,000t/y (1987) in total. Individually, some fields showed the expansion such as water purification, water treatment and gas treatment on the one hand, but on the other hand, several fields showed the decline such as sugar refining, dextrin sugar and soda glutamate. As a whole, the market showed no marked fluctuations or a very slight increase. Many of the above usages are traditional in the chemical industry and the food industry, etc., and the new usages developed in the past several years have not grown to influence the statistics as yet. Selection of raw material is the key for determining the character of activated charcoal. And the factors of determining the characteristic features are fine pore, surface area and surface activity (catalystic activity). Furthermore, the function ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The $e p\\to e^\\prime p \\rho^0$ reaction has been measured, using the 5.754 GeV electron beam of Jefferson Lab and the CLAS detector. This represents the largest ever set of data for this reaction in the valence region. Integrated and differential cross sections are presented. The $W$, $Q^2$ and $t$ dependences of the cross section are compared to theoretical calculations based on $t$-channel meson-exchange Regge theory on the one hand and on quark handbag diagrams related to Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) on the other hand. The Regge approach can describe at the $\\approx$ 30% level most of the features of the present data while the two GPD calculations that are presented in this article which succesfully reproduce the high energy data strongly underestimate the present data. The question is then raised whether this discrepancy originates from an incomplete or inexact way of modelling the GPDs or the associated hard scattering ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electron elastic and collisional excitation cross sections from the ground state of potassium are calculated using the noniterative integral-equation method of Henry, Rountree, and Smith [Comput. Phys. Commun. 23, 233 (1981)] in the electron energy range 4#<=#E#<=#200 eV. Configuration-interaction target wave functions that take account of correlation and polarization effects are used to represent the ground state and the six lowest excited states 4p "2P degree, 5s "2S, 3d "2D, 5p "2P degree, 4d "2D, and 6s "2S. Elastic and discrete excitation cross sections are obtained in a seven-state close-coupling (7CC) approximation. The 7CC elastic and excitation cross sections are compared and contrasted. Near threshold the elastic cross section dominates the resonance, 4s "2S#->#4p "2P degree, and the sum of the other remaining excitation cross sections. Comparison of our total cross sections with some available experimental and theoretical data is also effected. The discrepancy ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Integration of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) has become a topic of increasing interest to the imaging community over the past two years. In this text, the authors attempt to distinguish facts from fiction concerning such integrated systems. Analysis of existing information of combined imaging on existing brain PET/MR systems and imaging experience with PET-computed tomography (CT) is reviewed. Various types of system integration of PET and MR are discussed with completely independent systems on one hand and completely integrated systems with the possibility of simultaneous data acquisition on the other hand. Furthermore, it is discussed, what simultaneous data acquisition with nuclear imaging systems combined with MR or CT really means, as technical simultaneity may not be relevant in light of the pharmacokinetics of the nuclear tracers used. The authors conclude that combining PET/MR is an interesting research ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A first, partial, assessment is included of the low- to medium-temperature geothermal reserves in 20 Mexican States and their aggregate value. The assessment covers about 29.16% of the identified geothermal-surface manifestations in the public database. For reserve assessments, we use the volumetric method, supplemented with Montecarlo simulations and statistics, to quantify inherent uncertainties. Our estimations are presented on a state-by-state basis. We estimate the aggregated reserves of the 20 states as between 7.7 x 1016 and 8.6 x 1016 kJ, with 90% confidence. The most likely reservoir temperatures range between 60-180 degrees Celsius, with a mean of 111 degrees Celsius. Such massive amounts of recoverable energy-and the associated temperatures-are potentially important for the economic development of nearby localities and the nation. [Spanish] En este trabajo se hace una primera estimacion, parcial, de las reservas geotermicas de temperatura intermedia a ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report describes the design, fabrication, installation and testing of a small variable-speed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). This VAWT is unique in its installation using hand tools only; unconventional and simple support system; and variable speed operation under microprocessor control. Initial testing confirmed that the turbine can be controlled by commanded alternator field modulation. Further studies will be directed toward determination of an optimum control algorithm.

CERN Document Server

We revisit the case of a light neutralino LSP in the framework of the MSSM. We consider a model with eleven free parameters. We show that all scenarios where the annihilation of light neutralinos rely mainly on the exchange of a light pseudoscalar are excluded by direct detection searches and by Fermi measurements of the gamma-flux from dwarf spheroidal galaxies. On the other hand, we find scenarios with light sleptons that satisfy all collider and astroparticle physics constraints. In this case, the lower limit on the LSP mass is 12.6 GeV. We discuss how the parameter space of the model will be further probed by new physics searches at the LHC.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Natural rubber latexes were vulcanized by #gamma#-rays with two polyfunctional monomers, neopentylglycol diacrylate (A-NPG) and dimethacrylate (NPG). In comparison with A-NPG, NPG was more soluble in rubber particles, but it was less effective as an accelerating agent for the vulcanization because of the smaller rate of polymerization. On the other hand, the colloidal stability of the latex containing A-NPG was low because it was localized on the surface of rubber particles due to its poor solubility to the particles. The solubility of A-NPG was improved by adding A-NPG with solvents. The maximum tensile strength of the irradiated latex film was 350 kg/cm"2 at 3 Mrad. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Taboada et al. have recently developed a computer model to predict gamma radiation doses to aircrews flying through nuclear-debris clouds. Although the model has the advantages of taking a large number of parameters into account and using the benchmark DELFIC code to model cloud dynamics, it takes up to 20 min for a single run on a mainframe computer. Results from a number of runs have been generalized into empirical formulae. From these results it is possible to estimate worst case gamma radiation doses for complex scenarios using a hand calculator.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, the authors use free field techniques in D = 2 string theory t calculate the perturbation of the special state algebras when the cosmological constant is turned on. In particular, the authors find that the 'ground cone' preserved by the ring structure is promoted to a three-dimensional hyperboloid as conjectured by Witten. On the other hand, the perturbed (1,1) current algebra of moduli deformations is computed completely, and no simple geometrical interpretation is found. The authors also quote some facts concerning the Liouville matrix a model dictionary in this class of theories.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iron alloys and aluminum were nitrogen implanted in a controlled oxygen atmosphere and the role of hydrogen on the surface etching mechanisms studied. The surface composition was analyzed by in situ photoemission electron spectroscopy (XPS). In iron alloys, hydrogen strongly etches oxygen, improving nitrogen retention on the surface. On the other hand, hydrogen removes nitrogen from aluminum surfaces, with a deleterious effect on the nitriding effectiveness. The oxygen removal in iron alloys is associated with the catalytic effect of electrons in d-orbitals and the nitrogen removal in aluminum is associated with a steric effect.

CERN Document Server

In this study we consider relations between companies in Poland taking into account common branches they belong to. It is clear that companies belonging to the same branch compete for similar customers, so the market induces correlations between them. On the other hand two branches can be related by companies acting in both of them. To remove weak, accidental links we shall use a concept of threshold filtering for weighted networks where a link weight corresponds to a number of existing connections (common companies or branches) between a pair of nodes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author investigates the effects of 529 mergers in the European and North American power industries between 1990 and 2002. The focus is on the effects on the capital market and the changes in the utilities' performance in successive years. It is assumed that as a rule mergers resulted in a lower value of the companies concerned. On the other hand, the target businesses appear to have obtained added value in the same period. Apart from the fight for market power, the author identifies especially financial synergies as an important motive. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this paper is to survey the potential of knowledge systems for the management and modelling of energy systems. The paper starts with a short introduction to knowledge systems. The essence of knowledge systems is summarized and described in terms of modelling. Additionally the application of knowledge systems is compared with the use of conventional software on the one hand and human reasoning on the other. Next, research topics which are important in connection with technological applications of knowledge systems are reviewed. This paper follows with a review of knowledge system applications in the field of energy systems and ends with conclusions on the state of the art and required research and development.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The total area (s m) of Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedron faces corresponding to all intermolecular contacts of one molecule in the structure of crystals and the total volume of pyramids (V m) built on such faces and containing the nuclei of atoms participating in intermolecular contacts in their vertices were determined for 19 unsaturated hydrocarbons. The differential molar heat of adsorption of the hydrocarbons on graphitized thermal carbon black was found to be linearly related to the s m or V m integral parameters of their Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra. Aromatic hydrocarbons on the one hand and saturated hydrocarbons, olefins, and acetylene on the other are characterized by different dependences because of the special shapes of their molecular Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Equivalent circuit and electrical parameters for H-doped NH_4UO_2PO_4.3H_2O self supported membranes have been determined by impedance spectroscopy. The measurements were carried out with a dry membrane, at different temperatures, and a wet membrane in contact with different electrolyte solutions. Resistance values for the dry membrane decrease with temperature increase, which agrees with the weak protonic character of the H-doped ammonium uranylphosphate. On the other hand, differences in the electrical parameters, depending on the electrolyte considered were also obtained and are attributed to different conduction mechanisms. (Author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The work reported included workshop-style, hands-on training sessions to reach three hundred residents of the Detroit area. The training was for teaching low-cost weatherization applications; teaching/constructing/installing thermal shades; and teaching/constructing/installing vertical wall solar air panels. All activities under the grant are summarized, including number and type of workshops, number of participants trained, etc. The organizations which actively supported and contributed to the program are identified, and the program's efforts and accomplishments are evaluated. (LEW)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Direct nuclear reactions are commonly understood in terms of distorted wave (DW) formalisms. In the case of a single nucleon knockout or transfer reaction the DW analysis provides a reasonable understanding of the observed data. On the other hand the predictions based on different available information inputs have been verified with the observations consistently. In the case of direct reactions involving nuclear clusters however, the DW predictions have been found to disagree with the observations in most cases. The outcome of these and other improvements in the intermediate energy nuclear phenomena involving direct reactions are highlighted. (author). 13 refs., 18 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper described experiments on the adsorption of radon gas on surfaces of various materials. The experiments were carried out on three kinds of materials: Poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene and stainless steel. On stainless steel, adsorption was not detectable. On the other hand, there was clearly adsorption on poly(vinyl chloride) and polyethylene. A poly(vinyl chloride) sheet of one square meter surface in a 5.3 L container absorbed approximately 20% of the radon. Radon adsorption has to be taken into account when radon concentration measurements in the air. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Single-crystalline nanostructures often exhibit gradients of surface (and/or interface) curvature that emerge from fabrication and growth processes or from thermal fluctuations. Thus, the system-inherent capillary force can initiate morphological transformations during further processing steps or during operation at elevated temperature. Therefore and because of the ongoing miniaturization of functional structures which causes a general rise in surface-to-volume ratios, solid-state capillary phenomena will become increasingly important: On the one hand diffusion-mediated capillary processes can be of practical use in view of non-conventional nanostructure fabrication methods based on self-organization mechanisms, on the other hand they can destroy the integrity of nanostructures which can go along with the failure of functionality. Additionally, capillarity-induced shape transformations are effected and can thereby be controlled by applied ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To evaluate the current situation and implementation of embolization of uterine leiomyomas into the treatment concept in women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas in Germany. A questionnaire addressing the clinical background of uterine myomas, recommended treatment concepts, preclinical evaluation, technical approach and complications was sent to 164 departments of gynecology and radiology in Germany. 33 radiological departments and 19 gynecological departments submitted a completed questionnaire. Only 7 departments of radiology reported to have own experience with embolization of uterine leiomyomas, while only 2 departments of gynecology considered embolization as an alternative treatment option in patients with symptomatic leiomyomas. 18/33 radiological departments offer this treatment option but get no patient referrals. Agreement was found concerning the indications for treatment, preclinical evaluation by ultrasound and MRI, preferable ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

CORAL-I was an experimental, zero-power, fast-spectrum, high-enriched metal uranium reactor that operated from 1968 until 1988 at the former Junta de Energia Nuclear (JEN), CIEMAT at present. The critical measurements performed at the startup of the reactor are being evaluated as part of the International Critical Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program (ICSBEP) and proposed to be included in its 2001 edition. Additionally, the measurement of the mass reactivity coefficient is compared with MCNP4B calculations. This measurement allows one to perform the approach to critical without the need of a previous control rod calibration, thus enhancing the safety of such an approach. This technique can also be applied to other reactor types. CORAL-I (Ref. 1) is a 90% enriched metal uranium reactor domestically designed and manufactured in the experimental facilities of JEN, now CIEMAT, in Madrid, Spain. The enriched uranium was supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency as metal ingots and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Intermittent sun exposure and sunburn are strong predictors of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). On the other hand, melanomas may arise also in non-sun-exposed areas such as the vulva. However, little is known about a possible relationship between sun exposure and vulvar melanoma. Temporal and latitudinal dependencies of the incidence rates of vulvar melanoma were studied in comparison with those of CMM among Caucasians in Sweden, East Germany, USA and Victoria (Australia). The ratios of vulvar melanoma incidence rates to those of CMM tend to decrease with increasing CMM rates. The incidence rates of CMM have increased with time until recently, while those of vulvar melanoma have either decreased or remain constant. In USA vulvar melanoma incidence rates seem to increase from south to no...

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This article presents a hands-on web-based activity motivated by the relation between human health and ozone pollution in California. This case study is based on multivariate data collected monthly at 20 locations in California between 1980 and 2006. Several strategies and tools for data interrogation and exploratory data analysis, model fitting and statistical inference on these data are presented. All components of this case study (data, tools, activity) are freely available online at: http://wiki.stat.ucla.edu/socr/index.php/SOCR_MotionCharts_CAOzoneData. Several types of exploratory (motion charts, box-and-whisker plots, spider charts) and quantitative (inference, regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA)) data analyses tools are demonstrated. Two specific human health related questions...

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Diesel passenger car is superior to gasoline engine car in the fuel economy, but it has some defects to improve: noise, startability, particulate and transient performance, etc. Among these problems, this paper presents particularly transient performance in a diesel engine and clarifies the causes of its decline at lower temperature operation. As the results, it is found that the transient torque at the early stage of acceleration is only 50% at -20/sup 0/C, and that when coolant temperature went up to 20/sup 0/C, the transient torque approaches to that of the warmed up engine. The transient response become worse with retarding the injection timing and with decreasing the engine speed. On the other hand, since the normal response is not obtained despite using high cetane number fuel, main cause of the inferior transient torque is not the poor combustion, but the increase of friction or cooling loss.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this study, we investigate the relationship between income and environmental quality for Turkey at two levels. First, the relationship between the CO2 emissions and per capita income is examined by the help of a time series model using cointegration techniques. In the second stage, the relationship between income and air pollution is investigated by using PM10 and SO2 measurements in Turkish provinces. In this part of the study panel data estimation techniques are utilized. The time series model covers 1968-2003, and the panel data model covers 1992-2001 including observations from 58 provinces. A monotonically increasing relationship between CO2 and income is found in the long-run according to time series analysis. On the other hand, panel data analysis indicates an N-shape relationshi...

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A first-hand account of developments in the Soviet rocket industry is presented. The organization and leadership of the rocket and missile industry are traced from its beginning in the 1920s. The development of the Glushko Experimental Design Bureau, where the majority of Soviet rocket engines were created, is related. The evolution of Soviet rocket engines is traced in regard to both their technical improvement and their application in missiles and space vehicles. Improved Glushko engines and specialized Isaev and Kosberg engines are discussed. The difficulties faced by the Soviet missile and space program, such as the pre-Sputnik failures, the oscillation problem of 1965/1966, which exposed a weakness in Soviet ICBM missiles, and the Nedelin disaster of 1960, which cost the lives of more than 200 scientists and engineers, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Rocket Forces, Marshall Nedelin, are examined. 122 refs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly accounting for the vast majority of dementia. Recently, many studies have implicated the role of inflammatory response, especially neuroinflammatory response in the development and progression of AD. However, the underlying mechanism of how inflammatory response induces AD is unknown. Kynurenine pathway is a major route of the amino acid tryptophan catabolism, resulting in the production of nicotine adenine dinucleotide and other neuroactive intermediates: quinolinic acid (QA) and kynurenic acid (KA). QA exerts different toxic effects, including over-activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and excitotoxicity, synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. On the other hand, KA is identified as the only...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Working Group reviewed the revised Who guidance and the information published since 1991 on the risks of thyroid cancer in children from radioiodine and the risks of side effects from stable iodine. In particular, it reviewed data compiled on the incidence of thyroid cancers in children following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. It considered whether the NRPB Earls were still appropriate, in the light of the new data. It also reviewed a range of other recommendations given by the 1st Working Group, concerning the chemical form of stable iodine tablets and practical issues concerning implementation of stable iodine prophylaxis. Finally, it reviewed the Patient Information Leaflet that is required, by law, to be included in each box of tablets and provided suggestions for information to be included in a separate information leaflet to be handed out to the public when stable iodine tablets are distributed

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have at hand the tools for development of both a single amino acid substitution and a gene loss type assay for somatic cell mutations in human red cells. We are close to being able to assess the assays as possible means for screening the human population for individuals who may be a risk of acquiring abnormally high frequencies of mutant cells. The cause for such a high frequency of mutant cells could be a prior exposure of the individual to large amount of mutagen, or it could indicate a member of a vulnerable subpopulation that may have poor DNA repair systems. Either of these cases could well be an indication that the particular individual is at high risk that exposure to mutagens could lead to potential pathology. In the near future we expect to determine the reliability of the assays and to perform experiments to confirm the validity of flow cytometry in measuring real somatic mutagenic events that occur in vivo. (orig./AJ).

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In the world of pipeline maintenance, there are pigs and there are intelligent pigs. Intelligent pigs, when launched into a pipeline, carry instrumentation onboard which enables them to gather and record information about problems such as denting, corrosion, and cracking. More basic pigs, on the other hand, look after the routine internal maintenance chores such as cleaning and swabbing, or else perform operational duties such as batching different types of product along the line. The harsh environment in which pigs often operate is described. Aside from the mechanical shocks they undergo when passing welds, bends, and other fittings, they may have to contend with hostile conditions such as hydrogen sulfide environments. High pressure is another factor to consider. In crude oil lines, significant paraffin deposits also can cause problems if they affect the sensors ability to maintain good contact with the pipe wall. In spite of these considerations, increasing ...

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Background Stimulated by the concept of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), minimizing the access even further has become a new trend in minimally invasive surgery. We compare our recently described new method of endoscopic single-access adrenalectomy with the conventional retroperitoneoscopic approach in a matched-pairs study. Methods Fifty single-access retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies (SARA) were performed in 47 selected patients suffering from Conn?s adenomas (n?=?20), pheochromocytomas (n?=?15), Cushing?s adenomas (n?=?6), and other diseases (n?=?6). For SARA, a single 2-cm skin incision beneath the 12th rib was used. Following creation of the retroperitoneal space with the rigid endoscope, dissection was carried out single-handed. Another 47 patients served a...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The authors review two types of simulators for the analysis of cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors (SE's). One of them is the neutron-induced soft error simulator (NISES). A recently proposed nuclear reaction theory forms the foundation for the nuclear reaction database used in NISES. The other simulator, the simplified simulator MBGR, is based on a modified version of the burst generation rate (BGR) model. Both simulators accurately simulate neutron-induced SE rates (SER's). MBGR actually provides an easier and quicker estimation of neutron-induced SER's than NISES. On the other hand, NISES covers more applications; it simulates neutron-induced charge collection, multiple-bit SE, and #alpha#-induced SE analysis

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We have developed a chitosan/polyglycolic acid (PGA) artificial nerve graft which was previously used for bridge implantation of dog sciatic nerves across 30-mm long defects. Here we describe a clinical trial of this graft for repairing a 35-mm-long median nerve defect at elbow of a human patient. During the 3-year follow-up period, functional recovery of the injured median nerve was assessed by pinch gauge test, hydraulic hand dynamometry, static two-point discrimination and touch test with monofilaments, in couple with electrophysiological examinations. The motor and sensory function of the median nerve demonstrated an ongoing recovery postimplantation, reaching M4 and S3+ levels during the follow-up period. The results indicate that the chitosan/PGA artificial nerve graft could be used ...

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Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which obtain their fuel from the grid by charging a battery, are set to be introduced into the mass market and expected to contribute to oil consumption reduction. In this research, scenarios for 2020 EVs penetration and charging profiles are studied integrated with different hypotheses for electricity production mix. The impacts in load profiles, spot electricity prices and emissions are obtained for the Portuguese case study. Simulations for year 2020, in a scenario of low hydro production and high prices, resulted in energy costs for EVs recharge of 20cents/kWh, with 2 million EVs charging mainly at evening peak hours. On the other hand, in an off-peak recharge, a high hydro production and low wholesale prices'...

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The decline of classical epistemology on unity-identity-totality shows it becomes more urgent to leave formal conventionalism behind, and to use a new diverging language. Every scientist must feel the emotion of the beginner. Nevertheless, we must not have illusions. Pure observation does not exist. Moreover, there are no laws that can remove the asymmetries of a system. The knowledge and scientific practice free themselves from the obsession of clarity, of linearity and from the idea of evolution that follows and precedes through pre-determined ways and versions. What we need is a multiple, connected intellection that allows us to look at science and at the world without the distorting effect of ingenuous methodologies and classifications that, if on the one hand put us at our ease, on th...

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The flow of current inside a conductor leads to its overheating. This conductor is also submitted to other climatic phenomena, such as wind, sun light and ambient temperature. The knowledge of this overheating is important to ensure a functioning temperature compatible with the materials used for the conductor manufacturing and with the dip of overhead power lines above the ground and buildings. On the other hand, according to the Laplace works, the flow of current inside parallel conductors induces electromagnetic forces inside them, proportional to the product of currents in both conductors. In the case of short-circuit between aerial power lines or between flexible cables, electrodynamical stresses (traction and flexion) are applied to insulators and holders and important swinging of the lines can be observed. These stresses can be extremely important and must be considered in the design of overhead lines. These two phenomena are analyzed in this chapter. (J.S.)

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It is suggested that the model of a neutrino ball described in terms of the standard model extended by adding right-handed neutrinos and the Majorana scalar field can be presented in order to explain a body of weak interacting neutrinos. Neutrino interaction with the scalar Majorana field violates the lepton number and produces the mass splitting of neutrino due to the sea-saw mechanism. In this model a neutrino ball is an object which appears as a result of a first order cosmological phase transition. It can be regarded as a ball filled with Dirac neutrinos and can be treated as a remnant of the phase transition with unbroken global lepton symmetry. In this paper we study the macroscopic parameters of such a configuration. In the result the mass-radius curve M(R) for this object is obtained. (orig.).

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A series of branched alkylbenzene ranging from C15 to C19 with several isomers (2?5) at each carbon number were identified in sediments from the Dongsheng sedimentary uranium ore deposits, Ordos Basin, China. The distribution patterns of the branched alkylbenzenes show significant differences in the sample extracts. The branched alkylbenzenes from organic-rich argillites and coals range from C15 to C19 homologues, in which the C17 or C18 dominated. On the other hand, the C19 branched alkylbenzenes dominated in the sandstone/siltstone extracts. The obvious differences of the branched alkylbenzene distributions between the uranium-host sandstones/siltstones and the interbedded barren organic-rich mudstones/coals probably indicate their potential use as biological markers associated with part...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Modern commercial alloys are not suited for future steam turbines of operating temperatures beyond 700 C. #gamma#'-hardened alloys like Waspaloy have good mechanical characteristics but have defects when large batches are melted. #gamma#'/#gamma#''-hardened alloys like Inconel 706, on the other hand, are easy to produce but have insufficient microstructural long-term stability and insufficient creep strength. Mixed crystal solidified alloys like Inconel 617 have excessive yield stress at forging temperatures. Two new alloys were therefore developed. Results so far show that they have good production characteristics but insufficient mechanical characteristics. The reasons for this are currently under investigation. (orig.)

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AZ31 magnesium alloy was friction-welded to AM60 and the microstructures and the friction welding process were studied. The microstructures changed near the weld interface. The AZ31 was refined to a grain size of several {mu}m near the weld interface. The nucleation occurred in the shear bands that were introduced during the welding process. On the other hand, the eutectic structure was deformed and the lamellar structure which was composed of {alpha}-Mg and Mg{sub 17}Al{sub 12} was formed near the weld interface in AM60 alloy. In the friction process, the adhesion and peel off occurred alternately between AZ31 and AM60. Eventually, bonding was completed during upset process. (orig.)

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Mechanical properties of P-LDHA and V-ROL N steels of the Czech production are compared with other ultra-high strength steels produced in the world. The most important results can be summarized into following points: 1. Optimally heat treated P-LDHA steel exhibits substantially better strength characteristics then the V-ROL N steel. 2. Optimal tempering temperature of the P-LDHA steel is 300 C. 3. Basic mechanical properties of P-LDHA steel belong to the top of the UHS steels ranking and are well comparable with those of American 300 M steel. 4. In the low-cycle fatigue region, the P-LDHA steel exhibits slightly better fatigue resistance then the 300 M steel. On the other hand, the high-cycle fatigue resistance of 300 M steel is slightly better then that of the P-LDHA steel. (orig.)

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Neutron-induced soft error rates (SER`s) of subhalf-micron CMOS SRAM and Latch circuits were studied both experimentally and analytically to investigate cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors (SE`s). Because the neutron beam used in the measurement has an energy spectrum similar to that of sea-level atmospheric neutrons, the SER data corresponds to those induced by cosmic ray neutrons. The {alpha}-particle induced SER`s were also measured for comparison with the neutron-induced SER`s. Neutron-induced SE`s occurred in both circuits. On the other hand, {alpha}-induced SE`s occurred in SRAM, but not in the Latch circuit. The measured SER`s agreed with simulated results. The authors discussed the significance of how cosmic ray neutrons affects CMOS circuits at ground level.

Science.gov (United States)

Mine rescue teams frequently must fight fires and guard against the propagation of fires or explosions during a rescue and recovery operation. The team's ability to fight fires depends a great deal on hands-on experience with different fire fighting agents and equipment. The team's work includes an assessment of fire conditions, mine fire gases and other potential hazards associated with fire fighting activity. This training module covers the underlying principles of the fire triangle and the different methods for controlling, containing and extinguishing fires in a mine. The manual also covers fire-fighting equipment, considerations involved in a sealing operation and the cause-effect of explosions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We present the results of the low-temperature specific heat of Kondo compound Ce_3_-_xLa_xPd_2_0Si_6 (x=0, 1, 2 and 2.7) and its magnetic-field dependence for x=0. The magnetic part of specific heat divided by temperature, C_m/T, for x=0 makes a peak as high as 9 J/mol Ce K"2 at 0.2 K. On the other hand, C_m/T for the other x's keeps increasing monotonically below 0.2 K and the Fermi-liquid ground state is not realized even in diluted samples. It was found that the magnetic field strongly depresses C_m/T at low temperatures. (orig.).

CERN Document Server

The finite element method and dimensional analysis have been applied in the present paper to study a hydraulic impact, which is utilized in a non-explosive rock breaking technology in mining industry. The impact process of a high speed piston on liquid water, previously introduced in a borehole drilled in rock, is numerically simulated. The research is focused on the influences of all the parameters involved in the technology on the largest principal stress in the rock, which is considered as one of the key factors to break the rock. Our detailed parametric investigation reveals that the variation of the isotropic rock material properties, especially its density, has no significant influence on the largest principal stress. The influences of the depth of the hole and the depth of the water column are also very small. On the other hand, increasing the initial kinetic energy of the piston can dramatically increase the largest principal stress and the best way to ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

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

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Background In scientific literature, when the consequences of illness are discussed, one finds that the deficit perspective is prevailing: Illness as the cause for loss of abilities and a loss of contentment. On the other hand, particularly with creative people, an increase of creativity can be observed, following a confrontation with and having endured a period of illness. When one considers the occurrence of illness retrospectively in a biographical context, one may find often a biographical standstill. Although illness and disease are considered as a collapse, one may observe also psycho-spiritual maturation processes during the confrontation with illness. In several cases illness can thus result in personality maturation and a higher level of psychological health. Aims Despite of the f...

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In this work, we present results of a systematic study of optical properties of Er{sup 3+} ions in 6H SiC. The role of N-donors played in activation of photoluminescence (PL) of erbium at 1.5 {mu}m was investigated. We have confirmed that N-donors are necessary for activation of the Er PL on one hand, whereas on the other we present evidence that N-donors compete for excitation with Er centres. The high-resolution measurements of the Er{sup 3+} PL were performed aiming at determination of crystal field split levels of the {sup 4}I{sub 15/2} ground and {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} first excited multiplet of Er{sup 3+} ions. Careful analysis of temperature evolution of individual PL lines allowed proposing energy level schemes for the ground and first excited states.

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Abstract Few butterflies are pests of economic significance, but some may be locally destructive, such as the papilionid Graphium agamemnon Linnaeus, which is known to feed on the commercially important soursop (Annona muricata Linnaeus) in Vietnam. This paper documents the life history and ecology ofG. agamemnon and investigates commonly used control measures in south-east Vietnam. A novel method of controlling G. agamemnon infestation is described. If soursop basal rootstock (Annona glabra Linnaeus) is encouraged to shoot during times of peak butterfly activity, ovipositing G. agamemnon females are preferentially attracted to the new growth where the resulting early stages may be easily detected and removed by hand.

Science.gov (United States)

The field of a digital-image processing has experienced dramatic growth and increasingly widespread applicability in recent years. Fortunately, advances in computer technology have kept pace with the rapid growth in volume of image data in these and other applications. Digital image processing has become economical in many fields of research and in industrial and military applications. While each application has requirements unique from the others, all are concerned with faster, cheaper, more accurate, and more extensive computation. The trend is toward real-time and interactive operations, where the user of the system obtains preliminary results within a short enough time that the next decision can be made by the human processor without loss of concentration on the task at hand. An example of this is the obtaining of two-dimensional (2-D) computer-aided tomography (CAT) images. A medical decision might be made while the patient is still under observation rather ...

Science.gov (United States)

A practical hands-on course encompassing enzyme purification, biochemical characterization, and crystallization that completed the course work of 350 second-year bachelor students enrolled in molecular biology/biochemistry was given at the Universite Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg (France). The experimental part of the practical dealt entirely with the model protein lysozyme isolated from hen egg-white. It was designed as a research project to give students the possibility to practice biochemical methods such as chromatography, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry. It also included enzyme activity assay and protein crystal growth that are usually taught in master-level courses. The organization of the practical work and the related experimental procedures are described and discussed.

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Rapid nitridation was used to fabricate reaction-bonded and postsintered -Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z (Z=1) ceramics with monoclinic ZrO2 added to the starting powder. Thermo-gravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of ZrO2 reduced the starting temperature of the main nitridation reaction. Using a reaction-bonding route with heating rates of 5, 10, and 20C/min, to fabricate -SiAlON ceramics without ZrO2 resulted in unreacted silicon that bled out of the specimens and the Z=1 composition samples did not maintain the original green compact morphology. On the other hand, no such bleeding of melted silicon was observed for samples with ZrO2 additions and the samples following nitridation maintained the original green morphology. The microstructure and mechanical properties of samples produced by rap...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Water and soil samples from the area were therefore analyzed for their lead and zinc content. Computation of pollution statuses of lead and zinc revealed topsoil lead geoaccumulation indices of ?0.143 and ?0.069 and zinc geoaccumulation indices of 1.168 and 0.713 for Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. The pollution indices were determined to be 0.499 and 0.3564 for soil in Ishiagu and Uburu respectively and also 5.11 and 2.42 for water in Ishiagu and Uburu communities respectively. Water/soil concentration ratio were found to be 0.0018 and 0.0014 for lead in Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. On the other hand, the water/soil concentration ratio for zinc was computed to be 0.001 and 0.0008 for Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. These results seem to suggest that the pollution of the environment by ...

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The mass asymmetry of fragments from nuclear fission of heavy nuclei is reviewed. While mass asymmetry is a common and well-known phenomenon for low-energy fission of the lighter actinides, more recent experiments have demonstrated that, for the heaviest actinides, the mass distribution switches to a symmetric one. On the other hand, it has been discovered that, though for fissioning nuclei with mass numbers A< or [approx]225 the mass distribution is basically symmetric, an asymmetric component is clearly to be identified for nuclei down to the Pb-region. In the absence of a generally accepted dynamical theory of fission, the above experimental findings are discussed in terms of static energy considerations. Triggered from the outset by the structure of the potential energy surface at the saddlepoint, the energy balance at the scission point between the available energy (Q-value) of the reaction and the Coulomb and deformation energy of the nascent fragments is ...

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Microcrystalline silicon carbide ({mu}c-SiC) was prepared at low substrate temperatures using Hot Wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD). High crystalline volume fractions were achieved at high hydrogen dilution and high deposition pressure. Without intentional doping, such material shows high dark conductivity and high optical absorption below the band gap. The material prepared at low deposition pressure or low hydrogen dilution, on the other hand, shows much lower conductivity and sub-gap absorption, but high spin densities up to 5 x 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3}. This high absorption can be attributed to free carriers, different to {mu}c-Si:H where a correlation between the sub-gap absorption and the spin density is observed.

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Oils, tars, and degraded oils of varying degrees of biodegradation occur in the Permian Phosphoria Formation along the eastern flank of the Wind River mountains, Wyoming, US. Biodegradation has altered the isomer distributions of steranes, the hopanes, and the mono- and triaromatised steroids in these oils. The conventional maturity parameters based on these biomarkers are of limited use in estimating their maturity. On the other hand, even in severely biodegraded oils the vanadylporphyrin distributions are unaltered. Because of this, the Porphyrin Maturity Parameter (PMP) derived from the vanadylporphyrin distribution is an ideal parameter for estimating the maturity of these oils. This study also confirms the previous observation that T[sub s] and T[sub m] are unaffected by even severe biodegradation. 14 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

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Purpose. The paper introduces a novel design of air-core inductive sensors in printed circuit board (PCB) technology for a tongue control system. The tongue control system provides a quadriplegic person with a keyboard and a joystick type of mouse for interaction with a computer or for control of an assistive device. Method. Activation of inductive sensors was performed with a cylindrical, soft ferromagnetic material (activation unit). Comparative analysis of inductive sensors in PCB technology with existing hand-made inductive sensors was performed with respect to inductance, resistance, and sensitivity to activation when the activation unit was placed in the center of the sensor. Optimisation of the activation unit was performed in a finite element model. Results. PCBs with air-core indu...

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It was recognized from the early days of commissioning of Bruce B that Control Maintenance staff would require a level of expertise to be able to maintain Special Safety Systems in proper running order. In the early 80's this was achieved through hands on experience during the original commissioning, troubleshooting and placing of the various systems in service. Control maintenance procedures were developed and implemented as the new systems came available for commissioning, as were operating manuals,training manuals etc. Under the development of the Maintenance Manager, a Conduct of Maintenance section was organized. One of the responsibilities of this section was to develop a series of Maintenance Administrative Procedures (MAPs) that set the standards for maintenance activities including training.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

After a brief review of the degradations occurring on tubes of Inconel 600 in steam generators of PWR power stations emphasis is put on the conditioning of the secondary water and more particularly on the condensate treatment in the units of Doel which work on heavily polluted brackish water. The important role of non-destructive testing and eddy-current testing is also pointed out, method developed by Laborelec. The operational experience shows that Belgian stations are nearly not concerned by the degradations mostly found in power stations in other countries which shows the efficiency of the conditioning of the secondary water. On the other hand, other problems have occurred, resulting from: damage caused by foreign objects; fouling of tube before commissioning, cracking of bends and at the limit of the dudgeoning and leaking plugs. (AF).

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The purpose of pipe rupture studies in JAERI is to perform model tests on pipe whip, restraint behavior, jet impingement and jet thrust force, and to establish a computational method for analyzing these phenomena. This report presents the analytical results of 4-inch pipe whip tests under BWR LOCA conditions. Dynamic response analyses were performed using the general-purpose finite element program ADINA. The test pipe was modelled by straight beam elements and the four restraints were modelled by a single truss element. The analytical results were compared with the experimental results. Impact time and maximum total restraint force showed good agreement with experimental results. On the other hand, pipe strain and pipe deflection could not be predicted so well. The reason for this is that the sliding of the restraint during the pipe whip movement cannot be considered in the analyses.