UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Tension pneumothorax in newborns is a rare but life-threatening complication. We encountered a case of a full-term neonate with a breech presentation. An elective cesarean section was scheduled. Immediately...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Acute pneumothorax is a frequent complication after percutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency (RF) ablation. In this study we present three cases showing delayed development of pneumothorax after pulmonary RF ablation in 34 patients. Our purpose is to draw attention to this delayed complication and to propose a possible approach to avoid this major complication. These three cases occurred subsequent to 44 CT-guided pulmonary RF ablation procedures (6.8%) using either internally cooled or multitined expandable RF electrodes. In two patients, the pneumothorax, being initially absent at the end of the intervention, developed without symptoms. One of these patients required chest drain placement 32 h after RF ablation, and in the second patient therapy remained conservative. In the third patient, a slight pneumothorax at the end of the intervention gradually increased and led into tension ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveTo assess the utility of gracilis muscle transposition in the treatment of iatrogenic rectourethral fistula.Summary Background DataIatrogenic...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundTracheal rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication that most commonly occurrs after blunt trauma to the chest, but which may also complicate tracheal intubation....Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background The crucial role of cigarette smoking in the development of pneumothorax is unclear because nonsmokers can also develop primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The purpose of this study was to clarify the pathophysiologic effects of cigarette smoking and its clinical correlations in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods Included were 115 specimens of lung tissue from patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery from January 2001 to December 2002. We reviewed the clinical features of 56 smokers and 59 nonsmokers with an average follow-up of 67 months. The pathologic findings of resected lung specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Results There were no statistical differences in sex, age, body height, body weight, body mass inde...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Case Report. A 37 years old patient at 40 weeks gestation presented with acute severe hypoxia with a seizure followed by fetal bradycardia. Caesarean section was performed under...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A 74-year-old male patient receiving ventilatory support due to aspiration pneumonia developed bilateral pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, pneumo-retroperitoneum, and subcutaneous...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is described as (1) failure of diaphragmatic closure at development, (2) presence of herniated abdominal contents into chest and (3) pulmonary hypoplasia. Usually,...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In patients subjected to bone marrow transplantation the aggressive measures necessarily preceding this treatment lead to drastic metabolic changes which, in turn, are a cause of marked disturbances of homeostasis. The general preparatory measures in the form of cytoreduction by cytostatic drugs are broadened for leukaemic patients to include wholebody irradiation. During the study described here investigations were carried out into the resulting strain on the metabolism. One of the most essential changes observed in those patients was a nitrogen loss of up to approx. 20 g/day that occurred during the immunosuppressive phase. This was accompanied by markedly pronounced variations in fluid elimination, which partly were of an iatrogenic nature. An immediate and sufficient substitution of amino acids in connection with complete parenteral nutrition rapidly acted to compensate for the nitrogen losses, even though these could not be totally reversed to achieve a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present paper is concerned with the prediction method for the motions and tensions of mooring lines on slack-moored floating oceanic architectural building in coastal zone. The motions and the tensions of mooring lines were estimated by the time domain numerical simulation in the present method. The present method includes the nonlinearity of mooring system, slow varying wave drift force. The authors performed a time domain numerical simulation for motions and the tensions of mooring lines on floating barge in two component waves. Also, the results obtained by numerical simulation were compared with the experimental results. The validity of the present method was confirmed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the past decade, a new technique has been developed for measuring tensile stresses in solids. This ultrasonic technique has been used thus far primarily for measuring fastener tension. The precision of measurement is routinely to 2-3% and, with special care, to approx. 1%. The method is insensitive to the frictional losses which plague tensioning by torque wrench. Though the approach is relatively new, it promises a wide range of applicability.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Spontaneous pneumothoraces are believed to arise when air from the supplying airway exit via a ruptured visceral pleural bleb into the pleural cavity. Endobronchial one-way valves (EBVs) allow air exit...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

[12] Kusy, R. P. and Turner, D. T.: Influence of molecular-weight ofpoly(methyl methacrylate)on fracture morphology in notched tension, Polymer. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cross-sectional imaging has revolutionised the radiological diagnosis of pleural collections. Not only can the precise location and volume of a pleural effusion be established, but also features specific for the aetiology of the effusion can be demonstrated. Increasingly, radiologists are called upon to perform image-guided biopsies, aspirations and small bore chest drain placement, all of which have been shown to be safe and efficacious. Pneumothoraces occurring due to acute trauma and in an intensive care setting can also benefit from radiological input, both in terms of diagnosis and image-guided treatment. (orig.)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Midurethral tension-free sling procedure has become one of the most popular techniques for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. As the time elapsed, however, complications associated with a...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The relationships between muscle tensions, jaw motions, bite and joint forces, and craniofacial morphology are not fully understood. Three-dimensional (3-D) computer models are able to combine anatomical...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Laboratory studies investigated the influence of dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) on microbial degradation of hexadecane in cultures with sediment-seawater suspensions. With a fermentor system, it was...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVES: The ability to maximally generate active muscle tension during resistance training has been established to be a primary determinant for strength development. The influence of intrasession...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The hierarchical arrangement of collagen and mineral into bone tissue presumabley maximizes fracture resistance with respect to the predominant strain mode in bone. Thus, the ability of cortical...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Interfacial tension at the aqueous solution of di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid or its copper salts/water solutions has been measured by the drop volume method.

Science.gov (United States)

The formation mechanism of the cold-rolled strip shape with high tension was studied. An advanced method to calculate the allowable variation of strip transverse profiles was established by the strip buckling criterion, which can be more properly used in cold rolling. With this method, the aim allowable variation of the product strip transverse profile and the required transverse profile range of incoming strips can be reached. Besides, this method has been successfully applied in a domestic tandem cold mill, and the transverse profile range of incoming strips suggested with this method is more practicable and complete. Consequently, the good performance is acquired.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The authors investigated the role of Computerized Tomography in guiding fine needle biopsy (FNB) in small (2 2 cm in diameter for CT-guided FNB sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Cytologic specimens were positive for malignancy in 40/52 cases (76.9%) and negative in 12 (23.1%). Clinical-surgical follow-up confirmed all the positive cytologic findings (40 cases), while 2 of the extant 12 cases were false negatives (95.20% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 96.15% diagnostic accuracy). 158 of 195 nodules > 2 cm in diameter and with clinical surgical follow-up (81.3%) were positive for malignancy and 34 were negative (17.43%) (98.75% sensitivity, 97.14% specificity and 98.46% diagnostic accuracy). Pneumothorax occurred in 33 patients (16.5%) with nodules > 2 cm in diameter as a complication of biopsy. Hemoptysis occurred in 15 patients (7.5%). In the whole group of lung lesions, the complications were pneumothorax in 80 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A series of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles have been performed on palladium wire samples, stressed by a constant mechanical tension, in order to investigate the changes in electrical and mechanical properties. A large increase of palladium electrical resistivity has been reported due to the combined effects of the production of defects linked to hydrogen insertion into the host lattice and the stress applied to the sample. An increase of the palladium sample strain due to hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles in ????? phase transitions is observed compared to the sample subjected to mechanical tension only. The loss of initial metallurgical properties of the sample occurs already after the first hydrogen cycle, i.e. a displacement from the initial metallic behavior (increase of the resistivity and decrease of thermal coefficient of resistivity) to a worse one occurs already after the first hydrogen cycle. A linear correlation between ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bags of explosive are loaded rapidly into deep wellbores by suspending a rigid positioning tube partway into the wellbore, and loading the bags into the tube, the bags being prevented from dropping through the open bottom end of the tube by a cord attached to the lowermost bag and secured at the upper end of the tube when the tube-suspending cable is in tension by a cordsecuring/releasing means, E.G., a pivotable bar having a hook on one end. When the bag-laden tube is lowered to the bottom of the wellbore, or to a column of bags previously placed therein, the tension on the cable is relaxed and the cord is released, allowing the positioning tube thereafter to be raised to the surface for re-use, leaving the cord and bags in the wellbore. Freedom of the bag-supporting cord to move with respect to the positioning tube when the latter is raised to the surface is assured by threading the cord through plastic tubing mounted to the wall of the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this article I explore the political event of the Tanzanian government's interdiction of a prominent educational civil society organization in order to theorize the emerging policy heterarchy in Tanzania. In the context of the ensuing public debate about the interdiction, I ask two questions: (1) what tensions are emerging from the democratization reforms embedded in national iterations of international EFA policies and (2) to what end are such reforms taking place? I address these questions with ethnographic, documentary and interview data collected as part of a broader study of participation in development between 2004 and 2007 in Dar es Salaam and the Singida region of central Tanzania. My analysis draws on critical, anthropological and postcolonial theories to explore the tensions o...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A simple model based on surface chemistry is developed, based an simple concepts of contact angle, wetting and spreading. Results of the modeling can be stated by two simplified ``rules of thumb``: (1) A liquid will spread on the surface of a solid if the surface tension of the liquid is lose than the surface free energy of the solid, and (2) The liquid having the surface tension nearest that of the solid will preferentially wet the surface of the solid. These two rules can then be used to define the parameters that constitute a process for formulating a plastic bonded explosive (PBX), which is a crystalline high-explosive material coated with a small amount of plastic polymeric material (the binder). The PBX then can be pressed to a high density, and machined to a specific shape. The pressed and machined explosive material can then be used in a physics experiment to study fundamental properties of either the explosive or some other material.

Science.gov (United States)

Symplectic integrators designed for simulating soft matter at constant temperature and constant pressure (or constant surface tension) are presented. In addition to the well-known merits of symplectic integrators, such as long time stability, these methods allow the estimation of thermal heat production/absorption and thus entropy differences through a simple function of the time scaling factor ?. The relative entropy estimation around crystal-liquid phase transition is given for systems with soft core repulsive potential.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The results of experimental researches of photoluminescence and X-ray luminescence in crystal ZnSe are presented at the different values of tension of electric-field to samples. Observed, that the electric field changes both intensity of stationary luminescence and form of bars in the spectrums of luminescence. At the saliatory change of difference of potentials on the electrodes of crystal in luminescence there are of long duration relaxation processes character of which substantially depends on the type of excitation of standard.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Interfacial tension in the system toluene solution of di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid HDEHP-aqueous solutions of inorganic salts has been measured by the drop volume method. The ion-exchange constants in the monolayers formed by HDEHP and alkaline-earth metals have been measured.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The crystallization of calcium sulfate from aqueous solutions with NaCl is both geological and industrial interest because NaCl is the dominant solute in natural brines and many industrial fluids. Induction periods for the nucleation of calcium sulfate dihydrate were experimentally determined as a function of supersaturation in NaCl solutions from 0 to 6 m at 25 C and in 3.0-m NaCl solutions at temperatures from 25 to 90 C. Using classic nucleation theory, the interfacial tension between gypsum and 3.0-m NaCl solution was estimated to be about 39 mJ/m[sup 2] at 25 C and increases with increasing temperature (to 63 mJ/m[sup 2] at 90 C). It was observed that the induction period decreases with increasing NaCl concentrations up to 3 m and then starts to increase slightly at a given temperature and saturation state. The electrolyte effect on nucleation was proportional to the enhanced solubility of calcium sulfate dihydrate in NaCl solutions. This phenomenon may result ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wharton's jelly contains large amounts of hyaluronic acid, and glucosamine is an important constituent of this macromolecule. In order to evaluate the placental vascular effects of this aminosugar, small chorionic and stem villous arteries were dissected from placental specimens obtained at normal term vaginal deliveries (n = 15). Ring preparations were mounted in organ baths, and isometric wall tensions were measured. Glucosamine and its epimer galactosamine (5 X 10(-4) to 10(-2) M) produced marked relaxation of contractions induced by PGF2 alpha (10(-5) M) in both chorionic and stem villous arteries. The effect was unchanged after pretreatment with atropin, propranolol and indomethacin. The relaxant effect of the neutral sugar mannose was less pronounced compared with that of the hexosamines. Total tissue concentrations of placental hexosamines have been reported within the range needed to produce placental vascular relaxation in the present study. However, the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research and development underway since 1982 has led to the development of a method of reinforcing wood and wood composite structural products (WWC) using high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic. This method allows the use of less wood fiber and lower grade wood fiber for a given load capacity. The first WWC in which reinforcement has been marketed is glulam beams. Marketed under the trade name FiRP{trademark} Reinforced glulam, the product has gained code approval and is now being used in the construction of buildings and bridges in the United States, Japan and other countries. The high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic (FiRP{trademark} Reinforced panel (RP)) has specific characteristics that are required to provide for proper use in WWC`s. This paper discusses these characteristics and the testing requirements to develop code approved allowable design values for carbon, aramid and fiberglass RP`s for such uses. Specific issues such as in-service characteristics, i.e. long term creep ...

Science.gov (United States)

Hot-torsion testing was used to establish the cavitation behavior of a typical alpha/beta titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, with a colony microstructure, during simple-shear deformation. For this purpose, sections of deformed specimens were examined by optical metallography, and by scanning and orientation-imaging microscopy (OIM). It was found that cavity nucleation occurred along prior beta boundaries as well as at triple points; in particular, most cavities nucleated along boundaries perpendicular to the axial direction of the specimen. Extensive growth was observed for cavities surrounded by both hard and soft orientations, with the soft colonies accommodating more of the imposed strain. At high degrees of deformation, dynamic globularization of the colony microstructure adjacent to the cavities was also observed. In addition, the metallographic observations revealed that the cavities did not grow in an equiaxed mode, but in an elliptical manner. A tensor describing the cavity-growth rate ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Until 1990, in Tuscany, salt pollution of anti-salt insulators installed on high-tension transmission lines had led to rare breakdowns. On the contrary, in the last months of 1990, in most of Tuscany, following a strong libeccio wind coming from the Tyrrhenian Sea, and due to a long period of drought, salt deposits accumulated on the insulators of the high-voltage transmission lines (380 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV). This phenomenon not only took place in the coastal areas near Livorno, Pisa and Grosseto, but also in areas far away from the sea such as Florence, Prato, Arezzo and Siena. Following this, several high-tension lines, and whole sections of 380 kV electric stations went out of order, damaging the stations' equipment, insulators on the lines, and in particular porcelain insulators. The maintenance operations that were immediately undertaken consisted in washing operations, first focussed on stations, and then on lines. Several ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of particle/matrix interface debonding on composites consisting of elastic particles and viscoelastic matrix is studied. The interface debonding is represented by a nonlinear cohesive law for the high explosive PBX 9501. The Mori-Tanaka method gives the constitutive relation of the composite in terms of the properties of elastic particles, viscoelastic matrix, and nonlinear cohesive law for interfaces. For the example of a composite with spherical particles subject to hydrostatic tension, simple analytical expressions of the composite stress-strain relation are obtained. The strain rate and temperature have strong effects on the composite behavior. High strain rate and low temperature give high strength of the composite. However, the rate and temperature effects decrease as the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By the methods of microstructural and electron-microscopic analyses by the tension test and impact test studied is the effect of quenching conditions on structure and mechanical properties of the TS6 titanium-#beta# alloy. It is shown that low temperature quenching from 700 deg C, recommended earlier for analogous VT15 titanium alloy, leads to appearence of intercrystalline fracture and to sharp decrease of impact strength of the TS6 alloy. Established are optimum conditions for quenching of half-finished products and articles of the TS6 alloy depending on their subsequent working or operation.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Current multi-scale computational models of ventricular electromechanics describe the full process of cardiac contraction on both the micro- and macro- scales including: the depolarization of cardiac cells, the release of calcium from intracellular stores, tension generation by cardiac myofilaments, and mechanical contraction of the whole heart. Such models are used to reveal basic mechanisms of cardiac contraction as well as the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in disease conditions. In this paper, we present a methodology to construct finite element electromechanical models of ventricular contraction with anatomically accurate ventricular geometry based on magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. The electromechanical model couples detailed repres...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present paper dealt with the extension of tendon friction coefficient correlation as a function of loading end load and circumferential angle, proposed in the former paper. The extended correlation further included the effects of the number of strands contacted with sheath, tendon diameter, politicization of tendon and tendon local curvature. The validity of the correlation was confirmed by several published measured data. The structural analysis of middle cylinder part of 1/4 PCCV (Prestressed Concrete Containment Vessel) model was conducted using the present friction coefficient correlation. The results were compared with the analysis using constant friction coefficient, focused on the tendon tension force distribution. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background: Pleural biopsy and cytology are standard procedures for the investigation of pleural disease. Recent medical literature has suggested that image-guided pleural biopsy shows improved sensitivity for the diagnosis of pleural malignancy, when compared with the more commonly performed reverse bevel needle biopsy such as Abrams' needle. In our centre there has been an increasing trend towards performing image-guided pleural biopsies, and to our knowledge there is no large published series documenting the complication rate and diagnostic yield. Methods: The radiology and pathology databases were searched for all image-guided [computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US)] pleural biopsies from January 2001 to December 2004. All imaging and histology were reviewed, and final diagnostic information about patients was obtained from the respiratory multidisciplinary team database and patient notes. A record was made of complications following biopsy, presence of pleura in the biopsy, ...

Science.gov (United States)

With an increased use of fiber reinforced concrete in structural applications, proper characterization techniques and development of design guides are needed. This dissertation presents a multi-scale modeling approach for fiber and fabric reinforced cement-based composites. A micromechanics-based model of the yarn pullout mechanism due to the failure of the interfacial zone is presented. The effect of mechanical anchorage of transverse yarns is simulated using nonlinear spring elements. The yarn pullout mechanism was used in a meso-scale modeling approach to simulate the yarn bridging force in the crack evolution process. The tensile stress-strain response of a tension specimen that experiences distributed cracking can be simulated using a generalized finite difference approach. The stiffness degradation, tension stiffening, crack spacing evolution, and crack width characteristics of cement composites can be derived using matrix, interface and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A historical review on insulated cables for power transmission, is presented, beginning with impregnated paper insulation, oil filled cables and natural rubber cables. High density and chemically reticulated polyethylene were then used for high voltage and very high voltage cables; the advantages of polyethylene compared to impregnated paper cables are discussed, which led to research programs at EDF on various themes concerning the optimization of polyethylene cables: dielectric properties and reliability, thermomechanical behaviour, thermal ageing of materials, testing methods (acceptance dielectric test and long duration temperature test); utilization of low- and high-density and chemically reticulated polyethylene for 225 kV cables is discussed

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Spratly Islands constitute one of the earth's most ecologically significant areas, hosting a high diversity of marine species, providing critical habitats for endangered species, and providing marine larvae to reestablish depleted stocks among the heavily overfished and degraded coastal ecosystems of the South China Sea. Territorial disputes have led to the establishment of environmentally destructive, socially and economically costly military outposts on many of the islands. Given the rapid proliferation of international peace parks around the world, it is time to take positive steps toward the establishment of a Spratly Islands Marine Peace Park. Its purpose would be to manage the area's natural resources and alleviate regional tensions via a freeze on claims and claim supportive act...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A hypofunctionality of Gi proteins has been found in migraine patients. The fixed combination of indomethacin, prochlorperazine and caffeine (Indoprocaf) is a drug of well-established use in the acute treatment of migraine and tension-type headache. The aim of this study was to investigate if Indoprocaf was able to exert its central antinociceptive action when Gi proteins activity is abolished by pertussis toxin (PTX), compared to its single active ingredients and to sumatriptan. The mice model of abdominal constriction test induced by an i.p. injection of a 0.6% solution of acetic acid was used. The study showed that Indoprocaf (a fixed combination of indomethacin 1?mg/kg, prochlorperazine 1?mg/kg and caffeine 3?mg/kg, s.c.) and sumatriptan (20?mg/kg, s.c.) exert their central antinocicep...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A series of cleavable water-soluble silicone surfactants were prepared by the reaction of a hydroxyl-terminated polyester and an organopolysiloxane. Cleavable surfactants can decompose into water-insoluble moiety of silanol and two water-soluble products under acidic conditions, whereas these compounds are stable under neutral or alkaline conditions. The structure change of theses cleavage products are confirmed by IR and UV spectra analysis. The fundamental surface activity including surface tension, foaming, contact angle and viscosity are studied. The photocatalytic degradation of modified silicone surfactants with UV light over titanium oxide was investigated. Experimental results have confirmed that products are slowly degraded by direct photolysis. However, the cleavable silicone sur...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Strain embrittlement in Ti base alloys during tensile testing was investigated. Results show that in an #alpha#-#beta# titanium alloy the local activity of H in alpha phase (#alpha#/sub H//sup #alpha#) increases and activity of H in beta phase (#alpha#/sub H//sup #beta#) decreases as the equiaxed #alpha# particle size decreases at constant volume fraction of phases. Thus with decreasing particle size there would be a tendency for H to move from #alpha# to #beta#, decreasing the H content of #alpha#. Also whether H tended to move from #beta# to #alpha# or from #alpha# interiors to the #alpha#-#beta# interface this tendency would be reduced by surface tension effects, making the alloy less susceptible to embrittlement.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Spratly Islands are developing into a flashpoint in the South China Sea region. Geological surveys conducted underneath the seabed of these islands following the oil crisis in the 1970s shows an enormous potential of oil and gas reserves. Moreover, with the adoption of the new International Law of the Sea concept there are overlapping claims by contending countries. Unless these claimant countries reconcile their differences and come to terms, the conflict is bound to escalate. This thesis is an in depth study of the disputes over the Spratlys and examines four cases of islands based territorial disputes that could be used as a model in resolving these tensions. This thesis argues that a military option will only create division and in-flame longstanding animosities. Instead, a peaceful solution is recommended as quickly as possible so that regional nations will realize the full potential of these islands. Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Science.gov (United States)

Since 1970, officers on the Seattle campus have regularly patrolled the hallways of dormitories of the University of Washington. It is a community-policing strategy, a low-key way to engage students. However, the practice might cease this fall. In June, the state's Court of Appeals ruled that students have the same right to privacy in dormitory hallways as they do in their rooms. Therefore, the court concluded, campus police officers lack the legal authority to randomly patrol residence halls. Although the closely watched ruling bears on only one state, it reveals the tension between privacy and security in dormitories everywhere. Residence halls are legally complex spaces, where crime often creeps in and where residents, perhaps more than ever, expect administrators and police officers to ensure their safety.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A flow pattern or flow regime is the characteristics spatial distribution of the phases of fluid in a duct. Since heat transfer and pressure drop are dependent on the characteristic distribution of the phases, it is necessary to describe flow patterns in an appropriate manner so that a hydrodynamic or heat transfer theory applicable to that pattern can be chosen. The objective of the present analysis is to create a flow regime map based on physical modeling of vapor/liquid interaction phenomena in a microgravity environment. In the present work, four basic flow patterns are defined: dispersed flow, stratified flow, slug flow, and annular flow. Fluid properties, liquid and vapor flow rates, and pipe size were chosen as the principal parameters. It is assumed that a transition from one flow pattern to another will occur when there is a change in the dominant force which controls that flow pattern. The forces considered in this modeling are surface tension force, both ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Carbon black is widely used as an active filler in the rubber industry to improve the physical properties of rubber. The surface energy of carbon black is high compared to that of various elastomers like styrene?butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR) and ethylene?propylene?diene rubber (EPDM). The work aims at reducing the surface energy of carbon black by modifying its surface for application especially in rubber blends. The present paper looks into the possibility of using plasma polymerisation of acetylene as a surface modification technique for carbon black in comparison with silica. Thermogravimetric analysis, wetting behaviour with various liquids of known surface tension and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) were used to characterise the carbon black b...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The PERMCAT is a membrane reactor proposed for processing fusion reactor plasma exhaust gas: tritium removal is obtained by isotopic swamping operating in counter-current mode. In this work, a membrane reactor using a permeator tube of length about 500 mm produced via diffusion welding of Pd-Ag thin foils is described. An appropriate mechanical design of the membrane module has been developed in order to avoid any significant compressive and bending stresses on the very long and thin wall permeator tube: two expanded bellows have been applied to the Pd-Ag tube, so that it has been pre-tensioned before operating. The elongation of the metal permeator under hydrogenation has been theoretically estimated and experimentally verified for properly designing the membrane reactor.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new test methodology is described which allows access to loading rates that lie between split Hopkinson bar and shock-loading techniques. Gas gun experiments combined with velocity interferometry techniques have been used to experimentally determine the intermediate strain-rate loading behavior of Coors AD995 alumina and Cercom silicon-carbide rods. Graded-density materials have been used as impactors; thereby eliminating the tension states generated by the radial stress components during the loading phase. Results of these experiments demonstrate that the time-dependent stress pulse generated during impact allows an efficient transition from the initial uniaxial strain loading to a uniaxial stress state as the stress pulse propagates through the rod. This allows access to intermediate loading rates over 5 x 10{sup 3}/s to a few times 10{sup 4}/s.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of alloying low carbon 18Cr-30Ni steel with silicon (up to 5.1%), copper (up to 5.4%), cobalt (up to 15.3%) on the resistance to corrosion cracking and pitting corrosion, is studied. Tests on uniaxial tension are carried out in 42% MgCl_2 solution and gravimetric studies in 10% FeCl_3x6H_2O. It is established that alloying steel of the Kh18N30 type with silicon increases strength and resistance to corrosion cracking. Copper and cobalt decrease a resistance to pitting corrosion but somewhat increase a resistance to corrosion cracking.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Engineering details of a high voltage driven corona-plasma ozone generator are described. The plasma diode of generator has coaxial cylindrical geometry with cathode located inside anode. Cathode is made of a large number of radial gas nozzles arranged on central tubular mast which admits oxygen gas. The sharp endings of the nozzles along with a set of corona rings create the high electric field at the cathode required for formation of dense corona plume responsible for O_3 evolution. A model of coronal plasma generation and ozone production is presented. The plasma formation is strongly dependent on the electric field and temperature in side diode where a high electron density in a low temperature negative corona is suited for high ozone yields. These are established by suitable regulation of A-K gap, voltage, oxygen pressure, and cathode-nozzle population.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of buildings dating from the 1950s and 1960s were retrofitted with thermal insulation in order to cut energy consumption. This took place within the building competition 'Therma' nitrated by the Federal Ministry of Regional Planning, Building and Town Planning in 1974. Result at that time were so encouraging that now, 15 years later the results were checked again with special attention to the long-term performance of the thermal insulation measures. Laboratory tests prove that the building materials are still in good condition and that humidity has not increased with age. Cracks in the surface plaster of the compound insulation systems occurred at different frequencies and intensities and usually caused by thermal tensions. (BWI).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Haemocyanin serves as normal transporter of oxygen in many Arthropods. The oxygen equilibrium curves have been described for the haemocyanins of many Arthropods and Molluscs. Oxygen equilibrium curves of the blood reveal the relationship between the oxygen tension and the percentage saturation of the haemocyanin. The shape of the oxygen equilibrium curves vary in position from sigmoid to hyperbolic in different animals or even undulatory as shown in some chitons. Oxygen equilibrium curves are known to be influenced by pH, temperature and inorganic ions. The effect of environmental pollutants like the heavy metals on the oxygen equilibrium curves of the fresh water crab has not been previously reported. One of the toxic heavy metals with regard to aquatic organisms is lead. Hence the present study was designed to determine the effect of organic and inorganic lead on the oxygen equilibrium curve of the fresh water crab, Barytelphusa guerini.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Effect of alcohol solvent in mixing process on process on the microstructure and sintering behavior of ceramic-based composites was inestigated in detail. The mixture of fine ceramic powders was prepared through the conventional ball-milling method with various alcohol media. The particle distributions of fine ceramic powders were strongly dependent on the kind of alcohol employed during ball-milling. Ceramic-based composites were fabricated by hot-pressing the mixture of fine ceramic powders. Their microstructures and some mechanical properties of the ceramic-based composites were evaluated. It was found that the viscosity of alcohol, surface tension and contat angle greatly affect the sinterbility and some of the mechanical properties of ceramic-based somposites. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This essay reviews key controversies in the history of the Darwinian research tradition: the Wilberforce-Huxley debate in 1860, early twentieth-century debates about the heritability of acquired characteristics and the consistency of Mendelian genetics with natural selection; the 1925 Scopes trial about teaching evolution; tensions about race, culture, and eugenics at the 1959 centenary celebration Darwin?s Origin of Species; adaptationism and its critics in the Sociobiology debate of 1970s and, more recently, Evolutionary Psychology; and current disputes about Intelligent Design. These controversies, I argue, are etched into public memory because they occur at the emotionally charged boundaries between public-political, technical-scientific, and personal-religious spheres of discourse. Ov...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We have colocalized elastin and fibrillin-1 with perlecan in extracellular matrix of tensional and weight-bearing connective tissues. Elastin and fibrillin-1 were identified as prominent components of paraspinal blood vessels, and posterior longitudinal ligament in the human fetal spine and outer annulus fibrosus of the fetal intervertebral disc. We also colocalized perlecan with a synovial elastic basal lamina, where the attached synovial cells were observed to produce perlecan. Elastin, fibrillin-1 and perlecan were co-localized in the intima and media of small blood vessels in the synovium and in human fetal paraspinal blood vessels. Elastic fibers were observed at the insertion point of the anterior cruciate ligament to bone in the ovine stifle joint where they colocalized with perleca...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The gliding modes of a duplex Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy were investigated through in situ (scanning electron microscopy) tensile tests. A method based on electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) measurements was used to identify activated slip systems. The approach applied to a large number of grains allowed a statistical analysis of the nature (basal, prismatic, pyramidal) and distribution of the slip systems according to the crystallographic texture. A discussion concerning the pertinence of Schmid's law to explain the occurrence and succession of slip events is then proposed. The domain in favor of each type of slip system is finally presented by using inverse pole figures mapped with Schmid's factor iso-curves.

CERN Document Server

We review a new theoretical approach to the kinetics of surfactant adsorption at fluid-fluid interfaces. It yields a more complete description of the kinetics both in the aqueous solution and at the interface, deriving all equations from a free-energy functional. It also provides a general method to calculate dynamic surface tensions. For non-ionic surfactants the results coincide with previous models. Common non-ionic surfactants are shown to undergo diffusion-limited adsorption, in agreement with experiments. Strong electrostatic interactions in salt-free ionic surfactant solutions are found to lead to kinetically limited adsorption. In this case the theory accounts for unusual experimental results which could not be understood using previous approaches. Added salt screens the electrostatic interactions and makes the ionic surfactant adsorption similar to the non-ionic case. The departure from the non-ionic behavior as the salt concentration is decreased is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The work reported here concerns the evolution of the shape of a coherent, cubic precipitate as it grows by coarsening. The work was motivated by the need to explain recent experimental observations that show that cuboidal ..gamma.. Ni/sub 3/Al precipitates in Ni-Al alloys resist coarsening and decompose into doublets of parallel rectangular plates and octets of small cubes. The theoretical model assumes a precipitate of cubic phase with negative elastic anisotropy, and neglects any difference between the elastic constants of the precipitate and the matrix. The elastic energy of the precipitate is then calculated as a function of its morphology, including the possibility of decomposition into doublets or octets of discrete particles. The results show that a cuboidal precipitate with (100) faces and edge length, 2a, is metastable with respect to transition to a doublet of discrete plates, with dimensions a x 2a x 2a, that are separated by the distance ..mu.. - a, when the edge length ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A bistable, micromechanical switching device and its buckling stability, heat transfer, and dynamics analyses are summarized. A SEM picture of the device. The buckling element of the microactuator is a U-shaped cantilever ({open_quotes}buckled cantilever{close_quotes} in the picture) consisting of two 0.8 micron-thick polysilicon layers with 0.5 micron-thick oxide insulator sandwiched between them. The 82 micron-long cantilever is buckled by the {open_quotes}tension band{close_quotes} made of 0.5 micron-thick silicon nitride. The snapping action of the microactuator to the down-state (or up-state) is achieved by heating the upper (or lower) polysilicon layer of the buckling cantilever with electric current. Analysis of a snapping action between two buckled states is described. It provides a design framework as well as operation guidelines for the actuator. The buckling stability criterion and the deflection of the buckled cantilever are discussed by using a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Penetrating liver wounds are related to many causes and rank second after blunt abdominal and liver trauma. In this report are examined the clinical and radiological findings of personal series of patients with penetrating trauma, especially by firearms and stab and cut wounds. It will also tried to define the diagnostic workup of these traumas, which is especially based on CT signs of liver damage and associated changes and which is of basic importance for following treatment, both surgical or conservative. In the last seven years it was retrospectively reviewed 31 cases of penetrating liver trauma. The patients were 19 men and 12 women, ranging in age 18 to 73 (mean 42), with penetrating liver injuries from firearms (16 patients) and stab (9 cases) wounds; 6 patients had injuries from different cases. Abdominal CT was carried out in emergency with the CT Angiography (CTA) technique in all patients. In the patients with suspected chest and abdomen involvement CT was performed from the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A characteristic of filled elastomers is their ability to undergo very large deformations without damaging their internal structure. The material behaviour is mainly elastic, however, elastomers show hysteresis effects leading to damping properties, which are quite important as regards their applications in various fields of mechanical engineering.A series of experiments (tension, torsion and combinations of both) was carried out on cylindrical bars made of a carbon-black filled rubber mixture. In addition to a pronounced nonlinear rate-dependence, relaxation and viscosity properties are observed as being influenced by the process histories.The behaviour of elastomeric materials is modelled on the basis of a free energy function and evolution equations for additional internal variables. Incorporating or disregarding the very small rate-independent hysteresis, the constitutive modelling may be classified under viscoplasticity or viscoelasticity. The constitutive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The kinetics of calcium sulfate crystal growth is of importance in various fields, such as geochemistry, desalination technology, petroleum industry, and water and wastewater treatment. The seeded crystal growth rate of calcium sulfate dihydrate was measured as a function of supersaturation in NaCl electrolyte solutions from 0 to 6 m at temperatures of 25, 50, 70, and 90 C. The growth followed a second-order parabolic rate law with activation energies greater than 53 kJ/mol which suggested the surface reaction as the rate-limiting step. It was observed that the rate constant and the activation energy are solution composition dependent. The rate constant increases with NaCl concentration up to 3 molal and then begins to fall slightly. The activation energy dropped from 61 kJ/mol in the pure Ca-SO[sub 4]H[sub 2]O system to 53 kJ/mol in 3.0 m NaCl solutions. The electrolyte effect was similar to the crystal solubility behavior in aqueous electrolyte solutions resulting from the variation ...

Science.gov (United States)

The Wind Energy Research Division of Sandia National Laboratories has been funded by the Wind/Ocean Technology Division of the Department of Energy (DOE) to design and build a 34-meter diameter Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). The turbine design incorporates the results of recent VAWT research in aerodynamics and structural dynamics. Initial system concept studies identified several blade options that met the required power rating of 500 kW. The final blade and rotor configurations were chosen based on finite element calculations that determined the turbine modes of response, their frequency of vibration, and stress levels. For parked survival turbine components were designed to with stand the loading of a 150 mph (67.0 m/s) wind coupled with maximum cable tensions. Specific areas of design discussed include the rotor, cables, bearings, brakes, and foundations. Construction of the turbine is in progress at this time and anticipated completion of the project is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Security of supply is defined as the availability and reliability of energy supply at acceptable prices. By security of energy supply we mean a globally large supply of reliable, affordable, clean energy. By virtue of its nature security of supply in the energy sector primarily requires making provisions for the future through exploration, innovation, research, diversification and investments in technology. Energy politics takes place in a tension field defined by the goals of economic efficiency, sustainability and security of supply. In the past there have been repeated shifts within this triad of goals. The task for a rational energy policy is to reconciliate these goals in a meaningful way. European energy policy is understood to comprise all sovereign measures taken by the European Union in the energy sector, in particular measures that impact on the supply and demand for energy resources. Energy law serves, or should serve, to bring energy policy to ...

CERN Document Server

We present a phenomenological analysis of the recent Tevatron results on the $t \\bar t$ forward-backward asymmetry and invariant-mass spectrum assuming a new contribution from an s-channel gluon resonance with a mass in the range from 700 to 2500 GeV. In contrast to most of the previous works, this analysis shows that for masses below ~1 TeV resonant New Physics could accommodate the experimental data. In general, we find that axial-like couplings are preferred for light and top quark couplings, and that only top quark couples strongly to New Physics. We find that composite model scenarios arise naturally from only phenomenological analyses of the experimental results. We show that our results are compatible with recent LHC limits in dijet and $t \\bar t$ production, and find some tension for large resonance mass ~2.5 TeV. We indicate as best observables for discriminating a relatively light new gluon a better resolution in CDF forward-backward asymmetry, as well ...

Science.gov (United States)

The effects of 0.2 and 0.5 mL/kg Innovar (a neuroleptic analgesic) on cardiovascular functions and reflexes in rabbits were measured. We recorded the effects of Innovar on arterial pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, ventricular contractility, arterial oxygen tension, as well as the drug's effects on the bradycardia and vasoconstrictor response to cigarette smoke stimulation of the nose (the so-called "nasopharyngeal reflex"). In animals given 0.2 mL/kg Innovar, all steady state cardiovascular variables had returned to pre-Innovar levels in 45 min, as had the efficacy of the nasopharyngeal reflex. In animals given 0.5 mL/kg Innovar, all steady state cardiovascular variables, except PaO2, were slightly but significantly depressed for up to 135 min after injection. The nasopharyngeal reflex returned to normal within 90 min. Because of the calmative and analgesic effects of Innovar, and its only moderate effects on cardiovascular functions and reflexes, we feel it ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A 2007 report compiled by members of the armed services indicates that climate change presents a serious security threat to the American public as well as to United States military operations. It is likely that climate change will increase global tensions and competition for resources. This presentation discussed advanced research and technology programs conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Scientists and engineers at NASA have developed a number of technologies that may contribute to American energy security. Advanced energy research and development programs initiated by the organization include advanced heat engines; wind turbines; batteries and electric cars; solar photovoltaics; and fuel cell technologies. NASA's aeronautics and space exploration program has several capabilities relevant to advanced wind power systems. A collaborative program is currently underway to develop airborne wind turbines designed to harness high ...

CERN Document Server

We present results from an investigation of the dynamical behavior of buoyant magnetic flux rings in the radiative interior of a uniformly rotating early-type star. Our physical model describes a thin, axisymmetric, toroidal flux tube that is released from the outer boundary of the convective core, and is acted upon by buoyant, centrifugal, Coriolis, magnetic tension, and aerodynamic drag forces. We find that rings emitted in the equatorial plane can attain a stationary equilibrium state that is stable with respect to small displacements in radius, but is unstable when perturbed in the meridional direction. Rings emitted at other latitudes travel toward the surface along trajectories that largely parallel the rotation axis of the star. Over much of the ascent, the instantaneous rise speed is determined by the rate of heating by the absorption of radiation that diffuses into the tube from the external medium. Since the time scale for this heating varies like the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In-reactor testing of bolt-loaded compact tension specimens was performed in 360 C water. New data confirms previous results that high irradiation levels reduce SCC resistance in Alloy X-750. Low boron heats show improved IASCC (irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking). Alloy 625 is resistant to IASCC. Microstructural, microchemical, and deformation studies were carried out. Irradiation of X-750 caused significant strengthening and ductility loss associated with formation of cavities and dislocation loops. High irradiation did not cause segregation in X-750. Irradiation of 625 resulted in formation of small dislocation loops and a fine body-centered-orthorhombic phase. The strengthening due to loops and precipitates was apparently offset in 625 by partial dissolution of #gamma# precipitates. Transmutation of boron to helium at grain boundaries, coupled with matrix strengthening, is believed to be responsible for IASCC in X-750, and the absence of these two ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes the results of an experimental program which developed a needed reliable data base on modern pipe-type cable construction from which designers can knowledgeably consider maximizing cable pulling lengths with resulting cost savings. The program comprised evaluations of available commercial constructions over the range of conductor sizes (both copper and aluminum) and insulation thicknesses in general utilization. The work focussed on determining the cable's performance under the three mechanical stress modes to which the cable is subjected during installation; (a) tension and elongation, (b) torsion and (c) sidewall (bearing) pressure in bends. Additionally, the program included experimentation to determine the effective coefficient of friction of the various combinations of modern skid wire materials and pipe filling oils used as lubricants with the cable in both triangular and cradled configuration. The cables tested were equipped ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Conventional gas-filled high voltage circuit breakers have the disadvantages of needing means to compress the arc-extinguishing gas and means for storing a significant amount of energy for operating the breaker. This invention has the object of providing a circuit breaker which does not need a gas compression means and whose energy of operation is very low. The principle of operation used in this circuit breaker consists of creating an arc voltage higher than that of the network. The difficulty of creating a high enough arc voltage in the SF{sub 6} gas normally used in a circuit breaker is resolved according to the invention by dividing the initial arc into a large number of elementary arcs by means of metal plates. The arc voltage of each elementary arc is from 20 to 40 volts, depending on the type of metal used. In a particular embodiment, the circuit breaker contains means for displacing the arc and giving it a solenoidal form. 11 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A press formability of magnesium alloy sheet cannot be evaluated by only general characteristics in tensile test; tensile strength, elongation n-value and r-value. For example, AZ31-alloy elongates about 20% in room temperature but breaks easily at shallow stage in deep drawing, which is caused by little local elongation (local necking). Crystallographic restriction of slip deformation in this alloy produces high strength, which almost equal to macroscopic fracture strength. In press forming, the bending under high tension requires a large deformability. A great difference in the deformability between AZ31 magnesium alloy and a strain hardened A1100 Aluminum (only 5% in elongation) is shown by static bending test with V-notch. In a rolled plate of AZ31, a crack is produced by stress concentration and propagates with reduced load at all testing temperature up to 453 K. In contrast, the point of notch in A1100 is dulled by local plastic deformation with held load in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes work performed by Argonne National Laboratory on fatigue and environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) in light water reactors from January 1997 to June 1997. Topics that have been investigated include (a) fatigue of carbon, low-alloy, and austenitic stainless steels (SSs) used in reactor piping and pressure vessels, (b) irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking of Types 304 and 304L SS, and (c) EAC of Alloys 600 and 690. Fatigue tests were conducted on ferritic and austenitic SSs in water that contained various concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) to determine whether a slow strain rate applied during various portions of a tensile-loading cycle is equally effective in decreasing fatigue life. Slow-strain-rate-tensile tests were conducted in simulated boiling water reactor (BWR) water at 288 C on SS specimens irradiated to a low fluence in the Halden reactor and the results were compared with similar data from a control-blade sheath and neutron-absorber ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ruptured offshore oil well 80 miles from Mexican town of Ciudad del Carmen, which poured 8000 barrels of light oil a day into the Gulf of Mexico, provided marine scientists with the opportunity to monitor the spill and see what happens to petroleum hydrocarbons in sea water. Scientists followed changes in viscosity, surface tension, and buoyancy of individual oil globs as they moved through the water and interacted with the surface slick. Using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, chemists are gaining an understanding of the unique characteristics of the oil. Computer-generated models projected the slick's movement in the Gulf in response to wind and wave pressures, but the sophisticated system did not give an accurate daily prediction. Immediate damage to fish, turtles, and sea birds was documented by tagging. Long-term effects will take longer to ascertain since 25 years is generally required to flush oil out of sediments. Fishermen do not agree ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One purpose of this article is to alert state utility commissions involved in restructuring electric utilities to pay special attention to proposals that would fragment the utility's billing and metering (B and M) operations. Such fragmentation would essentially foreclose an important future option for handling all levels of retail deregulation. A fusing of B and M could become the linchpin for transitioning retail electricity from its present cost-based fixed rates to a market-based pricing regime fully exploiting the high economic efficiencies that are characteristic of most commodity pricing regimes. Realizing such economic efficiencies requires self enforcing economic discipline that makes and keeps retail pricing of electricity responsive to: imbalances in supply and demand (S and D), tensions between potential customers and competing suppliers, the need to meet a return-on-investment (ROI) objective, and the relative quality of product demanded. In ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbon dioxide is receiving renewed interest as an efficient and environmentally safe refrigerant in a number of applications, including mobile air conditioning and heat pump systems, and hot water heat pumps. Compact heat exchangers for CO{sub 2} systems are designed with small-diameter tubing. The purpose of this study is therefore to provide a better basis for understanding and predicting heat transfer and pressure drop during flow vaporization of CO{sub 2} in microchannels. The ''unusual'' properties of carbon dioxide give heat transfer and two-phase flow characteristics that are very different from those of conventional refrigerants. Examples of these differences are the much higher pressure, the resulting high vapour density, a very low surface tension, and a low liquid viscosity. High pressure and low surface tension has a major effect on nucleate boiling characteristics, and earlier test data have ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

CT is a valuable tool in assessing thoracic gunshot wounds. CT is also the method of choice in emergency, because it permits rapid depiction of bullet damage to the chest and to other body districts. This in turn permits correct assessment of the main thoracic injuries, plus adequate and prompt planning of surgical treatment or support intensive care. It is reported on the role of CT in diagnosing the complex pleuropulmonary, cardiovascular and thoracic wall injuries caused by gunshot wounds, with their specific and acute signs which differ greatly fro those of other types of chest trauma. In the last 4 years, it was observed an amount of 76 cases of gunshot injury, twenty-six of them involved the chest. The patients, 25 men and 1 woman (mean age: 32 years, range: 17-48), were all submitted to emergency CT with iv contrast agent injection and the CT-angiography technique. The reanimator was always presented to monitor the patients' vital functions and shock state. CT of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The creep crack growth properties of two versions of Alloy 800 have been compared at 500 and 600"0C in the Grade II condition in tests up to 10"4 hours duration. The two alloys were a low carbon alloy containing (wt.%) 0.024 C, 0.5 Ti, 0.3 Al (Alloy B) and a higher carbon alloy containing (wt.%) 0.038 C, 0.2-0.3 Ti, 0.2-3.0 Al (Alloy J). At 600"0C, Alloy B attained maximum age hardening in 10"2 hours, whereas J did not harden significantly in time up to 10"4 hours. Both alloys age hardened at 550"0C with Alloy J hardening more rapidly than B. The creep displacements and displacement rates in small compact tension specimens at 600"0C were smaller than Alloy B than in Alloy J. However, failure times were shorter in Alloy B because of lower displacements for crack initiation and propagation and higher crack growth rates. At 550"0C the displacements for initiation and propagation in Alloy J were smaller than at 600"0C. A consequence of this embrittlement was that the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A three-dimensional, three-phase, multiple-component numerical simulator was developed to investigate transport and growth of microorganisms in porous media and the impacts of microbial activities on oil recovery. The microbial activities modeled in this study included: (1) growth, retention, chemotaxis, and end product inhibition of growth, (2) the formation of metabolic products, and (3) the consumption of nutrients. Major mechanisms for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) processes were modeled as follows: (1) improvement in sweep efficiency of a displacement process due to in situ plugging of highly-permeable production zones by cell mass or due to improved mobility control achieved by increasing the viscosity of the displacing fluid with a biopolymer, and (2) solubilization and mobilization of residual oil in porous media due to the reduction of the interfacial tension between oleic and aqueous phases by the production of a biosurfactant. The numerical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this report is to provide a brief overview and bibliography of those techniques that may have application for the evaluation of a site to determine if a high energy release event is nuclear in nature. This effort is motivated by recognition of the changing world political climate and the perception that low yield and non-proliferation issues will grow in importance as countries become increasingly involved as signators to treaties that are intended to limit the development and testing of nuclear weapons. Along with an increasing interest in such issues is the awareness of the need to implement improved capabilities for treaty monitoring programs that must deal with assessing suspicious occurrences of high energy release events. In preparing this report, it is recognized that monitoring can take two main forms. The first involves the resolution of unidentified events detected by seismic and satellite National Technical Means. Events of an indeterminate nature could occur ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Homogeneous nucleation of CaSO{sub 4}{center_dot}2H{sub 2}O (gypsum) based on an optical diagnostic technique was studied within a supersaturation range of 1--4 at 25--90 C. The experiments were carried out using an experimental apparatus consisting of a batch crystallizer with the related measurement devices. Signals of scattered and transmitted light coming from a He-Ne laser source were analyzed to measure the induction period (t{sub ind}), that is, the time delay necessary for homogeneous nucleation to take place. As expected from theory, it was found that t{sub ind} decreases when either temperature or supersaturation increase; from the dependence of t{sub ind} on supersaturation, it was possible to distinguish between the mechanisms of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation. From the experimental data relative to homogeneous nucleation, the interfacial tension ({gamma}{sub s}) between CaSO{sub 4}{center_dot}2H{sub 2}O and the surrounding aqueous solution ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In-reactor testing of bolt-loaded compact tension specimens was performed in 360 C water to determine the irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) behavior of HTH Alloy X-750 and direct-aged Alloy 625. New data confirm previous results showing that high irradiation levels reduce SCC resistance in Alloy X-750. Heat-to-heat variability correlates with boron content, with low boron heats showing improved IASCC properties. Alloy 625 is resistant to IASCC, as no cracking was observed in any Alloy 625 specimens. Microstructural, microchemical and deformation studies were performed to characterize the mechanisms responsible for IASCC in Alloy X-750 and the lack of an effect in Alloy 625. The mechanisms under investigation are: boron transmutation effects, radiation-induced changes in microstructure and deformation characteristics, and radiation-induced segregation. Irradiation of Alloy X-750 caused significant strengthening and ductility loss that was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Graphical abstract: Ordered mesoporous organic-inorganic composite film has been achieved by sol-gel and spin-coating techniques. We believe that the mesoporous composite films have a potential application as a protect coating of bipolar plate material. Display Omitted Research highlights: ? Ordered mesoporous composite film was deposited on the 304 stainless steel. ? This composite film exhibited excellent protective performance in 0.5 M H_2SO_4. ? The film exhibited a high surface tension with water contact angle close to 90"o. - Abstract: The organic-inorganic composite film was deposited on the 304 stainless steel as bipolar plate material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells by spin-coating method. As shown by XRD, N_2 adsorption-desorption and TEM, the composite films exhibit ordered mesoporous structures. The corrosion tests in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 system displayed that, compared with 304SS, the composite films made corrosion potential shifted to positive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this study is to evaluate the lifetime of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube at Wolsung Unit-1. The testing materials (Effective full power year: 9.3 year, Accumulated nuetron fluence: 7.66{approx}8.91 x 1025 n/m{sup 2}) were sampled from M-11 tube at various position(inlet, middle and outlet). The cutting was carried out at hot cell to fabricate CT(Compact tension) specimen with 48 ppm hydrogen content. In the result of DHC test, irradiation-damaged specimen showed 4{approx}6 times faster DHC velocity(5.298E-0.8{approx}7.039E-8 m/s: 182 .deg. C) than non-irradiated specimen. These DHCV results also show slight faster than one of specimen from Pickering plant (average DHCV: 4.5E-8 m/s: 182 .Deg C). This faster DHCV can be explained with the fact that Wolsung Unit-1 have been operated in a severe conditions(higher cooling water temperature, high power and efficiency) than Pickering one. The striation spacing which was seen DHC fracture surface at irradiated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Regional arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2) reactivity of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the effect of PaCO2 on the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of CBF were investigated by using autoradiographically determined CBF in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model after a 2-h period under pentobarbital anesthesia to clarify the relation between PaCO2 reactivity, CBF heterogeneity, and the temporal cycling of CBF. PaCO2 was adjusted to one of four levels. CBF was determined in four cortical areas and white matter using the tissue fractionation of [14C]iodoantipyrine [( 14C]IAP) in combination with vessel mapping using in vivo 4% thioflavine S. Specific PaCO2 reactivity and CBF were normal in the nonischemic cortex, normal, although slightly depressed, in the border zone far from the ischemic core area, and depressed in the border zone adjacent to the ischemic core area (P less than 0.001) and the ischemic core (P less than 0.001). In normocapnic and hypocapnic ...

Science.gov (United States)

These classroom guides, designed to accompany the daily CNN (Cable News Network) Newsroom broadcasts for the month of October 2000, provide program rundowns, suggestions for class activities and discussion, student handouts, and a list of related news terms. Top stories include: Chinese authorities detain Falun Gong protesters on Tiananmen Square and Pope John Paul II angers China by canonizing Chinese martyrs, U.S. presidential candidates prepare for the first presidential debate, U.S. presidential candidates debate education issues, Danville, Kentucky prepares for the first U.S. vice presidential debate, and Yugoslav protesters seize parliament (October 2-6); Yugoslavian president Vojislav Kostunica takes office, recent clashes between Arabs and Israelis concern neighboring Arab states, North Korea observes 55 years of communism with celebrations, Al Gore and George W. Bush meet in the second presidential debate, and Violence in the Mideast and an attack on a U.S. ship in Yemen have ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The goal of this paper is to explore how compliance with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA), especially Title IV and emission trading under it, will affect the current relationship between state and federal regulation. It is difficult, with the limited experience we have had under Title IV, to be definitive about or to be a very strong advocate of too many policy positions. What may be most helpful at this point is to identify where the difficult issues in state/federal relations might arise; and then to explore ways in which tensions might be either avoided or resolved. One anticipated conclusion is that a traditional regulatory mindset could be very destructive if applied to this new area of oversight without due sensitivity to what Congress is trying to achieve in Title IV. That concern pervaded the early legislative debates; and it persists today. Title IV presents some unique challenges to state regulators and will require some creative solutions and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Chemical-technology approaches allowing to intensification the prevention processes of gas hydrates formation at motion of gas-liquid stream of natural gas in system natural gas well - gas wire have been worked up. Technological regimes of treatment of gas stream have been determined. Linear correlation dependences inhibitor electrolytes contained hydrated ions with different ion radii and charges of subgroups of alkali elements with one - type electron configuration were obtained. Important physico-chemical parameters of electrolytes have been determined: activity; coefficients of activity, viscosity, diffusion; density; heat capacity; heat conductivity; surface tension and freezing-point. The features of continuous influence of inhibitory factors on process of gas flow at low temperatures and relatively high pressure differences ?P have been studied by using of technological installation modulating the system natural gas well - gas wire. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Purpose: To assess the role of CT in the evaluation of traumatic and spontaneous oesophageal perforation. Materials and methods: From March 2001 to May 2003, we studied 12 patients (7 males and 5 females; age range: 25-66 years, mean age: 43.5 years) with suspected oesophageal perforation due to motor-vehicle accidents (4 cases), stab wound (one case), post-intubation (2 cases), foreign body ingestion (2 cases) and spontaneous (3 cases). Five patients underwent standard chest and cervical radiography; two patients with suspected foreign body ingestion also underwent a gastrografin swallow study; all of the 12 patients underwent CT of the neck, chest and abdomen before and after intravenous, and in four cases oral, administration of contrast material. Results: In 5 patients with cervical, thoracic and abdominal trauma, the CT examination showed the presence of pleuroparenchymal injury (pneumothorax, pleural effusion and subcutaneous emphysema) as well as findings ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The characteristics of per-fluorocarbon compounds (PFC) are colorless, non-toxic, easily vaporized and nonflammable. Also, some of them are liquids of a high density, low surface tension, low latent heat and low specific heat. These particular chemical and physical properties of fluoro-organic compounds permit their use in very different fields such as electronics, medicine, tribology, nuclear and material science. The Sonatol process was developed under a contract with the DOE. The Sonatol process uses an ultrasonic agitation in a PFC solution that contains a fluorinated surfactant to remove radioactive particles from surfaces. Filtering the suspended particles allows the solutions to be reused indefinitely. They applied the Sonatol process to the decontamination of a heterogeneous legacy Pu-238 waste that exhibited an excessive hydrogen gas generation, which prevents a transportation of such a waste to a Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Korea Atomic Energy Research ...