Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A strong dependence of thermal activation energy (TAE) on infrared (IR) stimulation time for the infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal was observed for K-feldspar grains extracted from several sediments and granites from China. A TAE value as low as {approx}0.1 eV was observed at the beginning of IR stimulation and increased to {approx}0.45 eV after 90 s. For a trap depth of {approx}2 eV below the conduction band for the IRSL traps, the TAE value of {approx}0.45 eV is consistent with the energy gap between the excited states ({approx}0.5 eV below the conduction band) and conduction band. This phenomenon is explained as the result of the coexistence of thermally assisted recombination via conduction band or band-tail states hopping and athermal tunnelling recombination of electrons from the excited states under IR stimulation, leading to the observation of a higher anomalous fading rate in the initial part of the IRSL decay curve.

Science.gov (United States)

the booms, separated by 12.5 m, deployed using the well proven MILSTAR hinge technology. ...... MILSTAR. Military Strategic and Tactical Relay satellite ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This book discusses the procedures applied for the clinical nuclear medicine laboratory. The procedures are presented as proven guidelines. The chapters are included on quality assurance, radionuclide handling, and radiation safety.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We analyzed the phenotypic variation of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruits from Mali to define the domestication potential of this species. 269 trees, selected from 10 provenances distributed along a rainfall gradient, were characterized. Five fruits were sampled from each tree. Total individual fruit weight was partitioned into shell, pulp, and seed weight. Ratios were calculated between pulp?+?seed and total weight, and between pulp and seed weight. For all the measured fruit traits, we detected significant differences between provenances, as well as between trees from the same provenance. Assuming that the measured traits are under genetic control, the latter facts indicate that there are considerable opportunities for tree selection on a local scale. However, candidate plus trees wi...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAKXD recombinant inbred strains of mice have proven to be very useful in the identification of potential oncogenes and tumor suppressors involved in the development of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Forty-four patients with histologically proven Hodgkin's disease underwent initial treatment with extended-field radiation therapy. Nineteen of these patients also received combination chemotherapy....Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is proven that there do not exist any diagonal Bianchi type-IX universes which expand for an infinite time, provided only that the matter satisfies the dominant energy condition and has non-negative average principal pressures.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Benzidine-based azo dyes are proven mutagens and have been linked to bladder cancer. Previous studies have indicated that their initial reduction is the result of the azo reductase activity of the intestinal...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Self-incompatibility (SI) is widespread in the angiosperms, but identifying the biochemical components of SI mechanisms has proven to be difficult in most lineages. Coffea (coffee;...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spinal Ewing's sarcomas are rare and cause problems in differential diagnosis. The radiologic, nuclear medicine and CT findings in two children with histologically proven Ewing's sarcoma are presented and problems in differential diagnosis discussed. Biopsy should be done early. (orig.).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

All microRNA (miRNA) target—finder algorithms return lists of candidate target genes. How valid is that output in a biological setting? Transcriptome analysis has proven to be a useful approach...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Polygenic sex determination, although suspected in several species, is thought to be evolutionarily unstable and has been proven in very few cases. In the European sea bass, temperature is known to...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR"T"M) is the 'Next Generation' CANDU"R reactor, aimed at safe, reliable power production at a capital cost significantly less than that of current reactors such as the very successful CANDU 6 reactors (e.g., Wolsong 1-4). The Wolsong 1-4 units are being joined by the Qinshan Phase 3 units in China as the current successful examples of CANDU technology. The ACR design builds on this knowledge base, adding a selected group of innovations to obtain substantial cost reduction while retaining a proven design basis. The ACR maximizes the use of components and equipment applications that are well proven through CANDU and other nuclear experience. Joint development of equipment designs and specifications with manufactures has been emphasized. Similarly, the ACR design emphasizes constructability, and takes advantage of inherent CANDU features to enable short project and construction schedules. Overall, the ACR design ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is implementing waste minimization and pollution prevention activities into its conduct of decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) projects. Many of these activities are rather straight forward and simple approaches, yet they are often overlooked and not implemented as often as they should or could be. Specific activities involving recycling and reuse of materials and structures, which have proven useful in lowering decommissioning and disposal costs on D&D projects at ANL are presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As waste disposal methods and long-term precautionary care of the environment are closely related, disposal of non-avoidable and intractable residual products is to be viewed primarily from a safety angle. Also, thermal processes airm mainly at treatment, not utilization. 'Safety' in this context addresses both the environmental compatibility of the products and the process itself. In other words, only mature techniques (i.e., safe, proven ones) are employed. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is proven that there do not exist any Bianchi type-IX universes which expand for an infinite time, provided only that the matter satisfies the dominant energy condition and has non-negative average pressure (i.e., a non-negative trace of the spatial projection of the stress-energy tensor). This generalizes a proof recently given by us for the case of diagonal Bianchi type-IX solutions.

Science.gov (United States)

The need for cost effective, high performance, long life capacitors with improved reliability is discussed. It is shown that a low cost, miniature aluminum capacitor, with improved reliability and proven life, can be produced with existing technology. It is further shown that the capacitor can be specified for 125 C life and shelf test requirements, and meet established standards for their parametric performance.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The energy challenges of the next 30 years appear daunting and, in certain cases, in conflict with one another. Their complexity is such that one solution alone cannot provide a full answer. It is nevertheless equally clear that hydro-electricity, being renewable, proven, highly efficient, storable and with still very significant resource potential, possesses a unique combination of attributes which will aid decision-makers to plan and execute energy development with confidence.

CERN Document Server

We extend two results on Chow (semi-)stability to positive characteristics. One is on the stability of non-singular projective hypersurfaces of degree greater than 2, and the other is the criterion by Y. Lee in terms of log canonical thresholds. Some properties of log-canonicity in positive characteristics are discussed with a couple of examples, in connection with the proof of the latter one. It is also proven in appendix that the sum of Chow (semi-)stable cycles are again Chow (semi-)stable.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose is to provide a source of information that can be used to assist personnel in the planning, training, and execution of radiological work using the principles of ALARA. This document is not intended to replace HNF or WHC Control Manual requirements. The ALARA Tools-List provides detailed information on the use and procurement of engineered controls, mockup training guidelines, and good radiological work practices that have been proven to be ALARA.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Soils and groundwater beneath an abandoned Process sewer line in the A/M Area of the Savannah River Site (SRS) contain elevated levels of volatile organic compounds, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), two common chlorinated solvents. These compounds have low aqueous solubilities, thus when released to the subsurface in sufficient quantity, tend to exist as immiscible fluids or nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). Because chlorinated solvents are also denser than water, they are referred to by the acronym DNAPLS, or dense non aqueous Phase liquids. Technologies targeted at the efficient characterization or removal of DNAPL are not currently proven. For example, most DNAPL studies rely on traditional soil and water sampling and the fortuitous observation of immiscible solvent. Once DNAPL is identified, soil excavation (which is only applicable to small contained spill sites) is the only ``proven`` cleanup method. New ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This article briefly comments on some stumbling-blocks to climatic change modelling accuracy - in assessments of the greenhouse effect, 25% (missing link) of atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption is still unaccounted for; 1989 World Bank estimates of the Amazon rain forest deforestation rate have since proven to be inaccurate; there are difficulties in assessing the movement of the earth's crust relative to variations in sea level; and different studies vary in results relative to global temperature measurement and trend assessment. The need for an assessment of the economic impacts of increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide is also pointed out.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sixty-six cases of histologically proven hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were studied by MRI. Detectability was better by MRI than by CT, especially in the tumor under 2 cm in diameter. The capsule was detected in all cases of HCC over 3 cm in diameter. The capsule was able to be diagnosed only by dynamic MRI study in some cases. High intensity on the T1-weighted image and iso or low intensity on the T2-weighted image suggested that the nodule was adenomatous hyperplasi (AH) or well differentiated HCC. MRI is concluded to be an essential modality in the diagnosis of HCC. (author).

CERN Document Server

TOGAF is a framework - a detailed method and a set of supporting tools - for developing an enterprise architecture, developed by members of The Open Group Architecture Forum.TOGAF Version 9 provides a wide-ranging set of revisions to the TOGAF specification to improve the value of the TOGAF framework. It is an evolution from TOGAF 8.1.1, thereby preserving existing investment in TOGAF, and adds further detail and clarification to what is already proven.It may be used freely by any organization wishing to develop an enterprise architecture for use within that organization (subject to the Condit

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article presents a decentralized control scheme for the complex problem of simultaneous position and internal force control in cooperative multiple manipulator systems. The proposed controller is composed of a sliding mode control term and a force robustifying term to simultaneously control the payloads position/orientation as well as the internal forces induced in the system. This is accomplished independently of the manipulators dynamics. Unlike most controllers that do not require prior knowledge of the manipulators dynamics, the suggested controller does not use fuzzy logic inferencing and is computationally inexpensive. Using a Lyapunov stability approach, the controller is proven to be robust in the face of varying systems dynamics. The payloads position/orientation and the inte...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The study of imported ceramics found in Beirut and suspected to belong to north Syrian products will provide key evidence for the roles in trade of the various postulated centers in northern Syria and northern Lebanon. It is proposed that a comprehensive range of likely north Syrian products imported to Beirut will be chemically analyzed by PIXE (proton induced X-ray emission) in order to characterize, compare and isolate the various regional production centers that supplied the city from the Persian to Byzantine periods. In this work, we were mainly focusing on the characterization of Amrit products, by using 3 MeV proton beam and Al funny filter, as X-ray absorber.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Seven central-receiver, solar-thermal power plants with heliostat concentrators have been built around the world in the last two decades. This technology has proven to be much too expensive for commercial power plants and efforts to reduce the cost have reached an impasse. It is the nature of the solar concentrators which makes it so expensive. There are two types of concentrators: those, called heliostats, with mirrors on stationary supports, and those with mirrors on mobile supports. Mobile mirrors are potentially much cheaper than heliostats.

Science.gov (United States)

We present evidence for the creation of an exchange spring in an antiferromagnet due to exchange coupling to a ferromagnet. X-ray magnetic linear dichroism spectroscopy on single crystal Co/NiO(001) shows that a partial domain wall is wound up at the surface of the antiferromagnet when the adjacent ferromagnet is rotated by a magnetic field. We determine the interface exchange stiffness and the antiferromagnetic domain wall energy from the field dependence of the direction of the antiferromagnetic axis, the antiferromagnetic pendant to a ferromagnetic hysteresis loop. The existence of a planar antiferromagnetic domain wall, proven by our measurement, is a key assumption of most exchange bias models.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Equipment Qualification technology for I and C system on nuclear grade have been approved with accurate and safe for verifying and validation. It contributes to acknowledge of reliability and to review of user approval. Also it did not completely satisfied the requirement of Russia, it can be satisfied by bit of modification on design. It is expected to support the export of safety PLC to nuclear power plant. Proven EQ technology is required on the further markets of nuclear. Therefore, comparison test with foreign country is necessary to support the mutual accreditation of EQ for export of domestic products.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A central feature of the endocrine pathophysiology of septic shock is thought to be the existence of adrenal dysfunction. Based on changes in glucocorticoid secretion and responsiveness, protein binding, and activity. These changes have been described by the terms "Relative Adrenal Insufficiency" (RAI), or "Critical Illness Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency" (CIRCI), and form part of the rationale for trials of glucocorticoid treatment in septic shock. Diagnostic criteria for these conditions have been based on plasma cortisol profiles and have proven notoriously difficult to establish. The uncertainty in this area arises from the inability of current tests to clearly identify who is truly glucocorticoid "deficient" at a cellular level, and hence who requires supplemental glucocorticoid...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurement of fission and activation products in the soil or over a plane grass land of a nuclear power station environment is required to find out the long term changes. The inventory of radionuclides in the soil is routinely determined by soil sampling, processing and gamma spectrometry in the laboratory. The method although is proven and accurate is time consuming and largely dependent on homogenous distribution. Therefore, an alternative and rapid method of in-situ gamma spectrometry using portable devices was standardized to determine the concentration of radionuclides in soil, for regular environmental monitoring as well as during emergency condition. The paper presents the methodology, ready to use factors and compares the results of a few measurements made in the environment of Tarapur Atomic Power Station by both in-situ and laboratory methods. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coal can be converted to liquid fuels via three generically defined technologies: pyrolysis, direct hydroliquefaction, and indirect liquefaction. This paper presents a general overview of the indirect liquefaction technology and a discussion of processes tht are commercially available as well as those in the development stage. Finally, the objective of the DOE research and development program in conversion of synthesis gas derived from coal to transportation fuels is summarized. The current outlook for indirect liquefaction is encouraging. New facilities are being built in South Africe and New Zealand, and commercial plants could be designed and built for operation in the United States using proven technology. At the same time, developments in gasification as well as liquefaction catalysts and reactor technology promise significant improvements in indirect liquefaction processes in the years to come.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electron-beam codeposition of the elements to form certain high critical temperature superconducting materials, in particular A-15 compounds, has proven to be very useful in research directed at understanding and improving their superconducting properties. This work has used the close control of three or more evaporant sources to reproducibly make specimens that permit studies across selected regions of composition and phase space. The effect of composition and phase, together with the temperature and rate of deposition, on the growth morphology and superconducting properties has been studied. The superconducting properties measured include the critical temperature, ac loss, critical current density, and tunnel junction characteristics. The particular compounds studied include Nb_3Sn, Nb_3Ge, and V_3Si.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To determine a rat strain appropriate for carcinogenicity testing of FYX-051, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, we performed a 4-week oral toxicity study by administering 0.3, 1 and 3?mg/kg, and 1, 3 and 10?mg/kg of FYX-051 to male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fischer (F344) rats, respectively. Histopathology revealed that the degree of FYX-051-induced nephropathy was 3-fold stronger in SD rats than in F344 rats. Our previous study demonstrated that the key factor of species differences in FYX-051-induced nephropathy is purine metabolism. This observation led us to examine the involvement of purine metabolism in differences among two strains of rats. However, purine metabolism was proven not to be implicated as an important factor. Subsequently, other factors responsible for the strain diffe...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Plasmid pRK404-a smaller derivative of RK2-is a tetracycline-resistant broad-host-range vector that carries a multiple cloning site and the lacZ(alpha) peptide that enables blue/white selection for cloned inserts in Escherichia coli. We present herein the complete and annotated sequence of pRK404 and three related vectors-pRK437, pRK442, and pRK442(H). These derivatives have proven to be valuable tools for genetic manipulation in Gram-negative bacteria. The knowledge of their complete sequences will facilitate efficient future engineering of them and will enhance their general applicability to the design of genetic systems for use in organisms for which new genomic sequence data are becoming available.

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. (orig.)

CERN Document Server

A general quantum adiabatic theorem with and without the time-dependent orthogonalization is proven, which can be applied to understand the origin of activation energies in chemical reactions. Further proofs are also developed for the oscillating Schwinger Hamiltonian to establish the relationship between the internal (due to time-dependent eigenfunctions) and external (due to time-dependent Hamiltonian) time scales. We prove that this relationship needs to be taken as an independent quantum adiabatic approximation criterion. We give four examples, including logical expositions based on the spin-1/2 two-level system to address the gapped and gapless (due to energy level crossings) systems, as well as to understand how does this theorem allows one to study dynamical systems such as chemical reactions.

CERN Document Server

Shaping has proven to be a powerful but precarious means of improving reinforcement learning performance. Ng, Harada, and Russell (1999) proposed the potential-based shaping algorithm for adding shaping rewards in a way that guarantees the learner will learn optimal behavior. In this note, we prove certain similarities between this shaping algorithm and the initialization step required for several reinforcement learning algorithms. More specifically, we prove that a reinforcement learner with initial Q-values based on the shaping algorithm's potential function make the same updates throughout learning as a learner receiving potential-based shaping rewards. We further prove that under a broad category of policies, the behavior of these two learners are indistinguishable. The comparison provides intuition on the theoretical properties of the shaping algorithm as well as a suggestion for a simpler method for capturing the algorithm's benefit. In addition, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heusler films with L2_1 and B2 structure are deposited simultaneously on amorphous carbon films, Si(100) surfaces, and in situ cleaved InAs(110) surfaces by coevaporation of Ni and the alloy MnIn. Morphology, structure, and stoichiometry are investigated with transmission-electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray spectroscopy. The almost perfect lattice match supports highly oriented growth of Ni_2MnIn on InAs, which is proven by electron diffraction under grazing incidence. The electrical resistivity of thin films on Si show metallic behavior. At temperatures of liquid helium point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy is performed on films grown on Si(100) and in situ cleaved InAs(110) surfaces yielding spin polarizations comparable to the ones of Fe, Ni, Co, and permalloy (Ni_8_0Fe_2_0).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The use of numerical modeling in oil spill incidents is a well established technique that has proven to provide cost-effective and reasonable estimates of oil surface drift. Good predictability of such models depends highly on the quality of the input data of the incident and on the model calibration effort. This paper presents the results of simulating oil spillage trajectory in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The study employed a 3-D rectilinear hydrodynamic model combined with oil spill model. Typical representative environmental conditions of the Arabian Gulf were first setup into a hydrodynamic circulation model using data from various sources. The performance of the hydrodynamic model was then tested against measurements of tidal fluctuation and sea currents at selected locations. The sp...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Multiple Reggeon exchange supplies subleading logarithms that may be used to restore unitarity to the Low-Nussinov Pomeron, provided it can be proven that the sum of Feynman diagrams to all orders gives rise to such multiple Regge exchanges. This question cannot be easily tackled in the usual way except for very low-order diagrams, on account of delicate cancellations present in the sum which necessitate individual Feynman diagrams to be computed to subleading orders. Moreover, it is not clear that sums of high-order Feynman diagrams with complicated crisscrossing of lines can lead to factorization implied by the multi-Regge scenario. Both of these difficulties can be overcome by using the recently developed non-Abelian cut diagrams. We are then able to show that the sum of s-channel-ladder diagrams to all orders does lead to such multiple Reggeon exchanges. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper-insulated low-pressure oil-filled cable invented in 1917 has been used throughout the world as the major cable system for voltages from 33kV to 525kV and experimentally to 1100kV. The proven reliability of the design is amply demonstrated by the cables installed in the early 1930s still currently in service. The inherent design of an oil-filled cable requires that the low viscosity oil is retained within a lead or aluminium sheath. Changes in oil volume due to changes in ambient temperature and load are accommodated by oil reservoirs which maintain the cable oil pressure within design limits. A microprocessor monitoring system that allows early detection and quick location of oil leaks from high voltage oil-filled cables is described.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magnetic resonance imaging has proven an invaluable method in the diagnosis of joint diseases associated with osteonecrotic, inflammatory, traumatic and degenerative processes. At the clinical level, it has an important role in decisions about the method of treatment and evaluations of the therapeutic success. When the merits of MRT are balanced against those of conventional radiography including tomography and CT, which both ensure better spatial resolution in the visualisation of cortical and spongy bone structures, it becomes quite evident that MRT must not be regarded as an alternative method of imaging but as one that can be used additionally to obtain the most information for the diagnosis of arthropathy. The question as to whether new pulse sequences (snap shots) or invasive techniques like intra-articular injection of paramagnetic substances (MR arthrography) are likely to become routine procedures in the detection of joint diseases using MRT remains to be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

KEPCO (Korean Electric Power Corp.) with the support of AECL and other Korean and Canadian subcontractors has created a strong multi-company team to execute design and construction of the Wolsung-2 CANDU 6 power plant. Key concepts of the project team are: 1. KEPCO is the project manager, and AECL is the major engineering and supply contractor; 2. Significant participation by Korean companies in design work in Canada and Korea; 3. Significant manufacturing in both Canada and Korea; 4. Construction by Korean contractors. Key concepts of the Wolsung 2 design are: 1. Evolutionary improvement of the Wolsung-1 plant which balances proven technology and necessary design improvements including current codes and standards. 2. Sharing some structures with the Wolsung-1 plant. This paper describes the successful establishment and operation of the complex project interfaces along with the current project status and plans.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) is a valuable method for the detection of somatostatin receptor-positive lesions. Most gastrinomas (over-)express the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 which can be targeted by In-111 labeled Octreotide. Different studies show a high sensitivity of SRS for the localization and staging of gastrinomas. SRS seems to be superior to other non-invasive imaging modalities and has been proven to significantly contribute to patient management. However, the sensitivity depends on the size and exact localization of the tumors. Smaller lesions and lesions located in the duodenum show a significantly lower sensitivity. In any case, SRS belongs to the routine imaging procedure for gastrinomas for localization and staging and can also be used for evaluation of the tumor progression. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Permian coal and Triassic mudstone from the Ordos Basin were pyrolyzed in a closed system using a gold tube technique. Carbon and hydrogen isotopes of the gases generated from pyrolysis were compared to Mesozoic gases in the basin to interpret the origin, maturity and any mixing of gases. Maturation trends for thermogenic methane from both coal and lacustrine kerogens in our experiment were found to be independent of heating rate, allowing their use for determination of gas provenance. Gases from a tectonically stable area like the Shanbei slope are derived mainly from Yanchang lacustrine kerogen, and gases in tectonically active areas consist of mixtures of coal-derived gases and oil-associated methane from deeply buried formations, as well as oil-associated gases and biogenic gases from ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fetal MRI examines non-invasively the unborn fetus. Ultrafast MRI sequences effectively suppress fetal motion. Multiple case reports and studies have shown that fetal MRI is particularly helpful in the evaluation of the central nervous system. The high contrast-to-noise ratio, the high spatial resolution, the multiplanar capabilities, the large field of view and the simultaneous visualisation of fetal and maternal structures have proven to be advantageous. Fetal MRI is particularly helpful in the evaluation of the normal and pathological development of the brain. Despite the fact that no side effects have been reported or are to be expected, the use of MRI during pregnancy is still limited to the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media are not to be used as it passes the placenta. Ultrasound remains the primary screening modality for fetal pathology; fetal MRI can serve as an adjunct or second-line imaging modality. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tanker-based floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) systems have been in operation since Aug. 1977, when a single-well FPSO was put into production by Shell Espana in the Mediterranean. The overall operational experience with this system at this field is reviewed. Special attention is directed to the wireline workover facilities which have proven to be satisfactory. A subsequent evolutionary step, a FPSO accommodating multiple wells, necessitated development of a multiple-bore product swivel. A design program for this swivel was initiated in 1978, a prototype was built and fullscale testing finalized in 1980. A summary of the test results is presented. Simultaneous with the multiple-bore swivel development, detailed engineering for an 8-well FPSO was begun. This sytem includes gas lift a

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Despite the proven utility of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to predict soil rainfall erosion, it has limited precision in predicting soil loss in some soil series. Also, runoff is a factor in rainfall erosion and some models, such as the modified USLE (USLE-M), include runoff in predicting soil erosion. The soil erodibility factor is an essential component in both models and this may be affected by application of soil conditioners, such as polyacrylamide (PAM). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different rates of PAM (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6kgha-1) applied with sprinkler irrigation water, followed by two sprinkler irrigations with no PAM, on the erodibility of a loam soil under a rainfall simulator in a laboratory. The range of erodibility factor Ku obtained...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Very high cobalt catalysts have been prepared on steamed and acid-washed y zeolite. These catalysts are very active. Some of them have proven to be very stable. Additionally, if provisions are made to control the temperature build up on the catalyst bed, low methane selectivities result. Additional work is indicated, for instance, perhaps even higher activity catalysts can result from higher levels of cobalt or changes in the catalyst preparation procedure. Since the issue of whether small amounts of ruthenium can promote the catalyst is not completely resolved, catalyst preparation procedure experiments should continue with ruthenium vs. ruthenium-free catalysts. For instance, different methods of impregnation and/or activation should be investigated.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper describes novel analytical methods developed for the detection of previous neutron irradiation and reprocessing of illicit nuclear materials, which is an important characteristic of nuclear materials of unknown origin in nuclear forensics. Alpha spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) using solution nebulization and direct, quasi-non-destructive laser ablation as sample introduction were applied for the measurement of trace-level "2"3"2U, "2"3"6U and plutonium isotopes deriving from previous neutron irradiation of uranium-containing nuclear materials. The measured radionuclides and isotope ratios give important information on the raw material used for fuel production and enable confirm the supposed provenance of illicit nuclear material.

Science.gov (United States)

A 33-year-old male of proven fertility suffered six attacks of malaria while resident in an African country. For this he received anti-malarial drugs. Semen analysis performed after the fourth attack, and repeated during the following 2 years after his return to Israel, revealed severe oligozoospermia, necrozoospermia and occasionally even azoospermia. Immunological examination of the patient revealed an inverse ratio of T-cell subsets and mast cell degranulation in response to palludrin. Twenty-five months after the last attack of malaria a significant improvement was found in semen quality and there was an increase in the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor cytotoxic cells. These observations indicate that although malaria and its treatment may affect spermatogenesis, recovery may be expected eventually. PMID:3500921

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, we propose a new cooperative control method for multiple robotic systems that eliminates several issues in the discentralized control method. The proposed control method is constructed by extending a Passive Velocity Field Control (PVFC). It is easy to guarantee the stability in control, because the PVFC can keep the passivity of the controlled system. In this study, the cooperative control method is proposed and then it`s stability is proven. Moreover, it is extended so as to control an internal force and to control a virtual time. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed cooperative control method are examined by computer simulations for cooperation tasks with two manipulators. 11 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper reports on hydroelectric pumped storage which is the only proven and most efficient technology available for energy storage. It is used by utilities to provide peak and intermediate power and to optimize overall system performance. Because of increased environmental and regulatory constraints, few acceptable sites, long schedules, and huge financial commitments, large conventional pumped storage plants, are now virtually impossible to build. As an alternative, small modular pumped storage, with project sizes ranging from 25 MW to 200 MW, was created to overcome the difficulties of conventional projects. The modular approach involves standardizing the elements of a pumped storage plant by utilizing specialized siting techniques and optimizing design, equipment, and construction. Compared with conventional pumped storage, the modular design can reduce cost and expedite schedule; reduce environmental concerns and permitting obstacles; and expand ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Banning CFCs in foamed insulations has led to an intensive search for alternatives which do not incur the penalty of increased thickness. The most promising of these are silica aerogels, which have proven to be the leading material, when it comes to thermal insulation and environmental protection. Refrigerators insulated with aerogels have been tested and compared to conventionally insulated ones. Results showed a substantial contribution to the energy performance. Boiler manufacturers using aerogel have been able to reduce energy consumption of water heaters by 20%. Float glass elements evacuated and filled with aerogel as well as aerogel insulated polyester lightwalls and bubble skylights yield excellent U-values and significantly reduced energy losses in buildings. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Free Topology Network technology provides cost reduction benefits as well as flexibility in safeguards applications. Power line communications technologies have proven viability for transmission and reception of safeguards data, including surveillance photographs, the source of the largest data files. In the future, enhancements will be made to the technology that should boost both performance and flexibility. Work is already underway to achieve higher data rates over power line communications eventually, it should be possible to reach data rates of one million bits per second or higher. Also, the use of technologies such as Novell Embedded Systems Technology (NEST) and Echelon LON technology will allow a greater number of safeguards technologies to become resident on the Free Topology Safeguards Network.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are 1.4 Gt (1.5 billion st) of recoverable coal under less than 914 m (3,000 ft) of cover in Colorado in pitching seams. Snowmass Coal Co., in cooperation with the US Department of Energy, introduced the longwall mining method in pitching seams to North America. This venture is a coal mining research program directed toward the profitable production of coal under difficult mining conditions as found in pitching seams of the western US. Snowmass Coal classifies pitching seams into the following categories for longwall on the strike in seams 3 m (10 ft) or less thick: Flat = 0 to 10/sup 0/: Normal continuous mines and shuttle cars work efficiently. Slight = 10/sup 0/ to 22/sup 0/: The maximum pitch that rubber tired equipment will function. Moderate = 22/sup 0/ to 40/sup 0/: The angle of repose of mined coal. Steep = 40/sup 0/ to 60/sup 0/: The limit of safe use of this roof support. Vertical = over 60/sup 0/. The longwall roof support covered here will work in all pitches except ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

CERN Document Server

We consider a noisy Slepian-Wolf problem where two correlated sources are separately encoded and transmitted over two independent binary memoryless symmetric channels. Each channel capacity is assumed to be characterized by a single parameter which is not known at the transmitter. The receiver has knowledge of both the source correlation and the channel parameters. We call a system universal if it retains near-capacity performance without channel knowledge at the transmitter. Kudekar et al. recently showed that terminated low-density parity-check (LDPC) convolutional codes (a.k.a. spatially-coupled LDPC ensembles) can have belief-propagation thresholds that approach their maximum a-posteriori thresholds. This was proven for binary erasure channels and shown empirically for binary memoryless symmetric channels. They also conjectured that the principle of spatial coupling is very general and the phenomenon of threshold saturation applies to a very broad class of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) was developed to monitor low level neutron exposure rates at working stations in a nuclear fuel fabrication facility. It has proven capable of accurately measuring neutron dose rates at levels from 0.1 to 0.2 mrem/hr. It also calculates the Quality Factor which is of importance in locations where the neutron to gamma ratio may vary significantly and irregularily. The system described is computerized to monitor 100 work locations simulationeously and can be expanded to monitor 384 locations. Neutron dose is accumulated on a real time basis and after the proton drop point is established, dose rate can be read out at any time for the dose accumulated over a specified period of time. The current development program which provides reduced system maintenance, lower detection limits, and improved accuracy is discussed along with examples of measurement data and work experience with the current system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The goal of the railplug project is to commercialize this miniaturized railgun as an engine technology as rapidly as possible. To improve the technology transfer process, a board of industrial advisors was established. A list of representatives is included at the end of this annual report. The Railplug External Advisory Board (REAB) met in Austin on March 17--18, 1991 to discuss the project plan. A list of comments from the REAB is included at the end of this progress report, along with our written response to those comments. An alternate ``first`` meeting with some representatives of the REAB was held on July 9, 1991. This meeting was attended by most of the board members who were unable to attend the first meeting. The second meeting of the REAB was held in Toronto, Canada, on October 10, 1991. A list of the board members comments from this meeting is included at the end of this report, along with our written response to those comments. These meetings have proven ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The leading challenge in the continued scaling of junctions made by ion implantation and annealing is the control of the undesired transient enhanced diffusion (TED) effect. Spike annealing has been used as a means to reduce this effect and has proven successful in previous nodes. The peak temperature in this process is typically 1050 deg. C and the time spent within 50 deg. C of the peak is of the order of 1.5 seconds. As technology advances along the future scaling roadmap, further reduction or elimination of the enhanced diffusion effect is necessary. We have shown that raising the peak temperature to 1175 deg. C or more and reduction of the anneal time at peak temperature to less than a millisecond is effective in eliminating enhanced diffusion. We show that it is possible to employ a sequence of millisecond anneal followed by spike anneal to obtain profiles that do not exhibit gradient degradation at the junction and have junction depth and sheet resistance ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear energy plays an important role in electricity generation, producing 16% of the world's electricity at the beginning of 1999. It has proven to be safe, reliable, economical and has only a minimal impact on the environment. Most of the world's energy consumption, however, is in the form of heat. The market potential for nuclear heat was recognized early. Some of the first reactors were used for heat supply, e.g. Calder Hall (United Kingdom), Obninsk (Russian Federation), and Agesta (Sweden). Now, over 60 reactors are supplying heat for district heating, industrial processes and seawater desalination. But the nuclear option could be better deployed if it would provide a larger share of the heat market. In particular, seawater desalination using nuclear heat is of increasing interest to some IAEA Member States. In consideration of the growing experience being accumulated, the IAEA periodically reviews the progress and new developments in the field of nuclear ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research and development activities sponsored by countries within the International Energy Agency`s solar thermal working group. SolarPACES, have helped reduce the cost of solar thermal systems to one-fifth that of the early pilot plants. Continued technological improvements are currently being proven in next-generation demonstration plants. These advances, along with cost reductions made possible by scale-up to larger production and construction of a succession of power plants, have made solar thermal systems the lowest-cost solar energy in the world and promise cost-competitiveness with fossil-fuel plants in the future. Solar thermal technologies are appropriate for a wide range of applications, including dispatchable central-station power plants where they can meet peak-load to near-base-load needs of a utility, and distributed, modular power plants for both remote and grid-connected applications. In this paper, the authors present the collective position of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the atmospheric pressure coal combustion area, the internally circulating fluidized bed boiler (ICFB) has already been proven to possess superior performance features in terms of the ease with which load conditions can be controlled and its low pollution level. Based on the particular merits of the ICFB furnace and the application of this technology to pressurized fluidized bed boiler technology, it was possible to achieve a pressurized fluidized bed boiler with superior ease of operation, reliability and los pollution characteristics. Cold model tests and computer simulation have been carried out to investigate the possibility of applying ICFB technology to the pressurized fluidized bed boiler technology in an attempt to develop the pressurized internally circulating fluidized bed boiler (PICFB). Based on the results achieved in this research, a hot-model design and fabrication project were initiated in 1995 to create a 4MW (thermal) heat output capacity ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) is a new hybrid technology for surface treatment of materials based on the principles of plasma nitriding and ion implantation. The equipment and the operation of the system are introduced. As well as providing an alternate method of ion implantation, it is possible to combine energetic ion bombardment with plasma nitriding. Different metal materials and treatment conditions have been studied. The capability of PIII-treatment to improve the properties of a wide range of metals has been proven. Application for forming tools and their industrial test has been successful. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Plasmaimmersionsimplantation (PIII) ist eine neue Hybridtechnologie zur Behandlung von Werkstoffoberflaechen und basiert auf den Prinzipien des Plasmanitrierens und der Ionenimplantation. Die Anlagentechnik und die Arbeitsweise werden vorgestellt. Verfahrensspezifische Vorteile entstehen durch die Moeglichkeit, sowohl alternative ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the atmospheric pressure coal combustion area, the Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler (ICFB) had already been proven to possess superior performance features in terms of the ease with which load conditions can be controlled and because of its low pollution level. Based on the particular merits of the ICFB furnace and the application of this technology to pressurized fluidized bed boiler technology, it was possible to achieve a pressurized fluidized bed boiler with superior ease of operation, reliability and low-pollution characteristics. From fiscal 1992, the authors have conducted extensive research work, including cold model tests and computer simulations to investigate the possibility of applying ICFB technology to the pressurized fluidized bed boiler technology in an attempt to develop the Pressurized Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler (PICFB). Based on the results achieved in this research, a hot-model design and fabrication project has ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Many important advances in the physics of strongly correlated electron systems have been driven by the development of new materials: for instance the filled skutterudites MT4X12 (M=alkali metal, alkaline earth, lanthanide, or actinide; T=Fe, Ru, or Os; X=P, As, or Sb), certain lanthanide and actinide intermetallic compounds such as URu2-xRexSi2 and CeTIn5 (T=Co, Rh, or Ir), and layered oxypnictides and related materials. These types of complex multinary d- and f-electron compounds have proven to be a vast reservoir of novel strongly correlated electron ground states and phenomena. In these materials, the occurrence of such a wide range of ground states and phenomena arises from a delicate interplay between competing interactions that can be tuned by partial or complete substitution of one element for another, as well as the application of pressure, and magnetic fields, resulting in rich and complex electronic phase diagrams in the hyperspace of temperature, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The diagnostic accuracy is compared of the dual-isotope protocol and the conventional "2"0"1Tl protocol, for detection of the coronary artery disease (CAD) using data on a total of 69 patients after myocardial infarction (MI). The "2"0"1Tl protocol was used to examine 44 patients, the dual-isotope protocol was used with 25 patients. All patients were examined by coronarography; a narrowing of the artery by more than 50 % was considered significant for CAD. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy was 97.7 %, 100 % and 97.7 % resp. for the "2"0"1Tl protocol, and 95.2 %, 75 % and 92 % resp. for the dual-isotope protocol. A higher diagnostic accuracy of the dual-isotope protocol has not been proven, and the "2"0"1Tl protocol continues to be used for examinations of patients after MI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate 22 histological proven peripheral nerve sheath tumors, approximately two-thirds of which arose in the lower extremity. The histologic distribution was as follows: 12 schwannomas, 7 neurofibromas, and 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (2 of which occurred in patients with neurofibromatosis). Most lesions demonstrated an intermediate to moderately bright signal on T_1-weighted images and were minimally inhomogeneous. All lesions were moderately bright on T_2-weighted images, again with variable inhomogeneity. The extent of the tumor was best assessed on proton-density- and T_2-weighted images. Smooth margins were noted in 19 lesions. Of the 3 remaining lesions, 2 were malignant (but had been subjected to biopsy prior to MRI), and the other lesion was a plexiform neurofibroma. MRI accurately determined the relationship between the lesions and the adjacent neurovascular structures and muscles, thereby ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

LP steam turbine retrofits are generally undertaken as a result of mechanical problems, for example due to stress corrosion cracking, torsional vibration or erosion. They present plant operators with an opportunity to introduce advanced aerodynamic technology, and at the same time improve efficiency and availability. Standard components, the majority proven in long-term service, can be used to obtain a permanent solution to the problems. In several European countries, retrofits have been carried out on intact LP steam turbines owned by utilities whose primary motivation is efficiency improvement. (orig.) [Deutsch] Niederdruck-Dampfturbinen werden in der Regel nur dann nachgeruestet, wenn waehrend des Betriebes Probleme durch Spannungsrisskorrosion, Torsionsschwingungen oder Erosion auftreten. In solchen Faellen bietet sich die Gelegenheit, eine moderne aerodynamische Loesung zu waehlen, die gleichzeitig Wirkungsgrad und Verfuegbarkeit verbessert. Es wird gezeigt, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

135 patients with histologically proven Ewing's sarcoma, treated at the Institute Gustave Roussy between 1960-1974 were reviewed in order to establish the effectiveness and the complications associated with radiotherapy. In 133 patients, a dose of at least 60 Gy for long bones, 55 Gy for flat bones and 45 Gy for vertebrae was given. 26 major complications (of which more than one occured in certain patients) were observed: 12 cases of growth retardation, loss of joint function in 7 cases, 3 fractures, 2 osteonecroses, 2 cases of delayed healing, one massive soft tissue fibrosis, 1 abdominocutaneous fistula, 2 cases of symptomatic pulmonary fibrosis with associated infection, 2 cases of radiation enteropathy, 2 of mammary hypoplasia and 1 osteosarcoma developing in an irradiated zone. These complications necessitated 12 surgical interventions, including 4 disarticulations or amputations. The incidence of complications can be related to the age of the patient and to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel method to detect and correct inaccuracies in a set of unconstrained dense correspondences between two images is presented. Starting with a robust, general-purpose dense correspondence algorithm, an initial pose estimate and dense 3D scene reconstruction are obtained and bundle-adjusted. Reprojection errors are then computed for each correspondence pair, which is used as a metric to distinguish high and low-error correspondences. An affine neighborhood-based coarse-to-fine iterative search algorithm is then applied only on the high-error correspondences to correct their positions. Such an error detection and correction mechanism is novel for unconstrained dense correspondences, for example not obtained through epipolar geometry-based guided matching. Results indicate that correspondences in regions with issues such as occlusions, repetitive patterns and moving objects can be identified and corrected, such that a more accurate set of dense correspondences results from the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Despite their high medical relevance, the principles of lubrication in natural joints are still unclear. It is generally accepted, that the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA), the main component of the synovial liquid, plays an important role for the low friction observed. Furthermore, it is assumed that surface active lipids participate in the lubrication. Using a model system of lipid bilayers deposited on a polyelectrolyte (PE) cushion and in contact with HA solution, we started to investigate the effects of pressure and shear forces, as experienced by natural joints, on the internal structure of the SiO{sub 2}/PE/lipid/HA interface and the bulk HA solution by neutron reflectometry (NR), complemented by in situ ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) measurements. Only on positively charged polyelectrolyte surfaces, the successful build-up of the model system could be demonstrated. By NR, the existence of an irreversibly absorbed, highly hydrated HA layer on top of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management's (DOE-EM) investments in science and technology, as well as science and technology investments associated with other parts of the DOE are aimed at meeting the Departments cleanup goals. These investments, primarily focused on EM's cleanup mission, comprise the Environmental Quality Research and Development (R&D) portfolios. Synchronizing EM's Cleanup Project Managers (operations facility and process owners throughout the DOE complex) operational needs with EM R&D including the extensive work of the six Focus Areas (major thrust areas within DOE-EM) has been a continuing challenge. This recent initiative to better integrate the R&D program is in response to evolving needs within the Department to apply proven system engineering methods to clarify requirements and define EM's process to effectively orchestrate their R&D Program. To optimize this partnership, ...

CERN Document Server

The Cahn-Hilliard-Navier-Stokes system is based on a well-known diffuse interface model and describes the evolution of an incompressible isothermal mixture of binary fluids. A nonlocal variant consists of the Navier-Stokes equations suitably coupled with a nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equation. The authors, jointly with P. Colli, have already proven the existence of a global weak solution to a nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard-Navier-Stokes system subject to no-slip and no-flux boundary conditions. Uniqueness is still an open issue even in dimension two. However, in this case, the energy identity holds. This property is exploited here to define, following J.M. Ball's approach, a generalized semiflow which has a global attractor. Through a similar argument, we can also show the existence of a (connected) global attractor for the convective nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard equation with a given velocity field, even in dimension three. Finally, we demonstrate that any weak solution fulfilling ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Permian coal and Triassic mudstone from the Ordos Basin were pyrolyzed in a closed system using a gold tube technique. Carbon and hydrogen isotopes of the gases generated from pyrolysis were compared to Mesozoic gases in the basin to interpret the origin, maturity and any mixing of gases. Maturation trends for thermogenic methane from both coal and lacustrine kerogens in our experiment were found to be independent of heating rate, allowing their use for determination of gas provenance. Gases from a tectonically stable area like the Shanbei slope are derived mainly from Yanchang lacustrine kerogen, and gases in tectonically active areas consist of mixtures of coal-derived gases and oil-associated methane from deeply buried formations, as well as oil-associated gases and biogenic gases from shallow depth. The thermal maturity of the C{sub 2} and C{sub 3} gases is estimated to cover an equivalent vitrinite reflectance range from 0.7% to 1.2% R{sub o}, whereas C{sub 1} ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fermented oil palm empty fruit bunch, now known as 'Sterifeed' has been characterized by physico-chemical properties. It has also been proven to have an improved digestibility (by in vitro and in-vivo test) over the original material. The remaining important aspect of feed to be examined is the long term effect of feeding this material to animals. The size of fermentation media bags used was 0.5 - 1 kg/bag. In the large scale production of these materials, the numbers of bags were increased. The production at pilot scale level reinvestigated the basic processing parameters for the 1 kg/bag media and also performed a trial run for different sizes of bags. These include: 1) investigation on the growth of fungi on fermentation media subjected to different treatment times and the non treated media, 2) evaluation of the processing rate, 3) trial run processing of 25-50 MT oil palm EFB into feed, and 4) processing of different sizes of bags

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This work deals with a study on estimation of energy consumption in eight readily defined unit operations of cashew nut processing. Data for analysis were collected from nine cashew nut mills stratified into small, medium and large categories to represent different mechanization levels. Series of equations were developed to easily compute requirements of electricity, fuel and labour for each of the unit operations. The computation of energy use was done using spreadsheet program on Microsoft Excel. The results of application test of the equations show that the total energy intensity in the cashew nut mills varied between 0.21 and 1.161MJ/kg. Electrical energy intensity varied between 0.0052 and 0.029MJ/kg, while thermal energy intensity varied from 0.085 to 1.064MJ/kg. The two identified energy intensive operations in cashew nut processing are cashew nut drying and cashew nut roasting, altogether accounting for over 85% of the total energy consumption in all the three mill categories. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: With intracranial tumors a flat, contrast-enhancing, probably dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR images. Therefore we have attempted to evaluate a tumor infiltration of this enthancement on MRI. Material and Methods: This study included 50 patients. 19 patients had a dural thickening at the tumor base (13 meningiomas and 6 metastases), while 31 patients did not (12 meningiomas and 19 metastases). Studies included plane T_2-weighted spin echo (SE) images as well as T_1-weighted axial, coronal, or sagittal plains with and without contrast agent. Histopathological examinations, were done on the tumor base adjacent to the dura mater. Results: 7 of 12 meningiomas showed a meningeal thickening on MRI with histopathologically proven tumor infiltration as did also 5 of 6 metastases. But 3 of 12 meningiomas and 15 of 19 metastases without dural thickening at the tumor base also showed tumor invasion ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In 576 patients quantitative scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints and the spinal cord with "9"9"mTc-pyrophosphate was performed. 328 were patients with proven ankylosing spondylitis according to the New York criteria. 120 were patients with a clinically and roentgenologically suspected ankylosing spondylitis and 128 persons formed a healthy control group. The count rate in small regions of interest (ROI) in the sacroiliac joints, the spinal cord and the os sacrum were compared on the basis of indexes. The scintigraphic data of patients with ankylosing spondylitis were compared with the healthy control group and with the radiographic findings and radiologic staging of the disease. In a longitudinal follow-up study during 1 to 6 years these investigations were continued together with clinical and roentgenological checks. Quantitative bone scintigraphy provides characteristic indexes for ankylosing spondylitis, indicating the increased mineral metabolism of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes a study to evaluate methods for locating leaks of dielectric fluid from buried high-voltage cable systems. Two primary types of leak location systems were investigated: (1) systems that will rapidly isolate the leak within a manhole section, typically 1000-m long on a feeder that might be 30-km long; and (2) systems that will then pinpoint the location of the leak. Rapid leak isolation was accomplished by developing an enhanced conductivity oil probe which allows the injection of a small quantity of conductive oil and which indicates the path of the oil as it drifts downstream in the direction of the leak. Two methods for pinpointing the leak were proven. The more successful method was the use of trained leak location dogs which were found to have far better sensitivity than instruments and which could detect cable oil alone without the need for additives. A tracer gas injection and detection scheme was developed for use in areas where the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Between 1973 and 1978 combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given to 22 patients with histologically proven Ewing's sarcoma. The combined chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide, vincristin, adriamycin, as well as dacarbazine in some cases. The neoplasm was a localized one at the beginning of treatment in 14 of the 22. These patients received high-voltage rediotherapy to the primary focus at a focal dose between 42 and 55 Gray (4200-5500 rad), followed by chemotherapy. After 6-8 treatment cycles, adriamycin was replaced by methotrexate. Nine of the 14 patients survived without recurrence for 12 to over 59 months. Eight patients had extensive metastases at the beginning of treatment: they at first received only chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy or operation, as indicated. Full clinical remission was achieved in five of them: in three this remission has now lasted for more than 18, 40 and 44 months, respectively. These results indicate that (1) ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Increasingly, governments enact more stringent regulations governing nitrogen and phosphorus in the discharge effluent of wastewater treatment plants. Scientists know that nitrogen and phosphorus accelerates the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs and stimulates algal growth. Ammonia has proven to be toxic to aquatic life forms, including fish. Engineers favour Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) over chemical addition to wastewater treatment. Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs), a type of bioreactor requiring less land, provide the anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic zones necessary for BNR. Methanol was used as an effective external source of carbon for denitrification but lacked research. The authors remedied this situation and some of the results were available. They indicated that the addition of methanol in the SBR increased solids production in the SBR, leading to increased sludge wasting to the aerobic digester. All aspects of the sludge digester performance that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A modulation transfer function (MTF) calibration method based on binary pseudo-random (BPR) gratings and arrays [Proc. SPIE 7077-7 (2007), Opt. Eng. 47, 073602 (2008)] has been proven to be an effective MTF calibration method for a number of interferometric microscopes and a scatterometer [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A616, 172 (2010)]. Here we report on a further expansion of the application range of the method. We describe the MTF calibration of a 6 inch phase shifting Fizeau interferometer. Beyond providing a direct measurement of the interferometer's MTF, tests with a BPR array surface have revealed an asymmetry in the instrument's data processing algorithm that fundamentally limits its bandwidth. Moreover, the tests have illustrated the effects of the instrument's detrending and filtering procedures on power spectral density measurements. The details of the development of a BPR test sample suitable for calibration of scanning and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To evaluate contrast-enhanced CT scan in the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by correlating the CT appearance with pathologic specimens. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients with pathologically proven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were examined. Unenhanced abdominal CT study were performed in 28 patients; conventional contrast-enhanced CT in 27 patients. Enhanced CT scan including fast injection, fast scan and delayed scan at the largest section of the lesion was done in 7 patients. Contiguous 10 mm CT scans of the surgical specimens were also obtained in 8 patients. The preoperative and specimen CT scans in these 8 patients were compared with the corresponding pathological sections. A total of 103 areas of the pathological sections was compared with the CT appearances. Results: All lesions contained areas of delayed contrast enhancement and/or no enhancement on CT examinations. The areas of delayed contrast enhancement corresponded ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

On 24th of July 2007 Westinghouse Electric Co. signed landmark contracts with China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC), to provide four AP1000 nuclear power plants in China. The AP1000 is a two-loop 1117 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). It is based on proven technology, but with an emphasis on safety features that rely on natural driving forces, such as pressurized gas, gravity flow, natural circulation flow and convection. Ansaldo Nucleare has provided a significant support to the passive plant technology development and, starting from 2000, is cooperating with Westinghouse to development of the AP1000 Plant. In the frame of the AP1000 Chinese agreement, Ansaldo Nucleare, in Joint Venture with Mangiarotti Nuclear, has signed a contract with Westinghouse for the design and the supply of innovative components to be installed in the first AP1000 unit to be constructed at the Sanmen site. The contract includes: the design of the steel containment ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For IGCC, the primary investment is too high due to the demand of high gasification efficiency. For PFBCC, the thermal efficiency is too low due to the relatively low turbine inlet temperature and the hot working medium of the gas turbine is not easy to clean. A new scheme is proposed for coal fired combined cycle to overcome the main drawbacks of IGCC and PFBCC. The research targets are developing a new cycle construction of coal fired combined cycle to raise the efficiency and reduce the primary investment. Actually, the new scheme is a synthesis of some existing proposals. It adopts partial gasification to reduce the primary investment of the gasification equipment. The un-gasified surplus solid is then fed to a pressurized fluidized bed boiler, but adopting Curtiss Wright type external combustion to lower the ash content in the working medium. The gas fuel from the partial gasifier is combusted in a top combustor to further increase the working medium temperature. An extremely ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To develop a work in an area with high radiation, it requires of a detailed knowledge of the surroundings work, a communication and effective vision, a near dosimetric control. In a work where the spaces variables and reduced accesses exist, noise that hinders the communication, defendant operative condition, radiation field and taking of decision, it is necessary to have tools that allow a total control of the environment to make opportune and effective decisions, there where the task is developed. Under this elementary concept, it was developed in the Laguna Verde Central a project that it allowed a mechanism, interactive of control in spaces complex; to see, to hear, to speak, to measure. This concept takes to the creation of an equipped system with closed circuit of television, wireless communication systems, tele dosimetry wireless systems, VHS and DVD recording equipment, uninterrupted energy units. The system requires of an electric power socket, and the installation of two ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A sodium-water reaction drove from the single tube break in steam generator of FBR might overheat labor tubes rapidly under internal pressure loadings. If the temperature of tube wall becomes too high, it has to be evaluated that the stress of tube does not exceed the material strength limit to prevent the propagation of tube rupture. This study clarified the tensile and creep properties of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel at ultra-high temperature which will be used in evaluation of the tube burst by sodium-water reaction. The strain rates for tensile test are from 10%/min to 10%/sec, and creep-rupture time is maximum 277sec. The range of test temperature is 700degC to 1300degC. The main results obtained were as follows; (1) The evaluation data on the relationship between tensile strength and strain rate and creep-rupture strength in shorter time on Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel were acquired. (2) Short-term mechanical properties of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel were evaluated based on the results of tensile and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Plant Life Assessment Network (PLAN) is a Brite Euram Type II Thematic Network, initiated by the European Commission to facilitate structured co-operation between all cost shared action projects already funded by the Commission which fall under this common technical theme. The projects involved address a multiplicity of problems associated with plant life assessment and are drawn from Brite-Euram, Standards, Measurement and Testing, Nuclear Fission Safety and Esprit EC programmes. The main aim of the Network is to initiate, maintain and monitor a fruitful co-operation process between completed, ongoing and future EC R and D projects, thereby promoting improved cross fertilization and enhanced industrial exploitation of R and D results. As the project is in its infancy, this presentation covers the background to the initiative in some detail. In particular two key aspects are highlighted, namely, the requirement of the EC to launch such a network in the area of plant life assessment ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Although low-energy ion radiation has been proven to have a wide range of biological effects and led to fruitful achievements as a new mutagenic source for genetic modification, there still exist some disputes about its mutagenic mechanisms because of its short-penetrating property. In present research, Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic for GUS recombination substrate was used to evaluate the genomic instability induced by irradiations of alpha particle (3.3MeV) and Low-energy-Argon ion (30 KeV). A pronounced effects of alpha particle irradiation to Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and Argon ion irradiation to seeds on the somatic homologous recombination frequency (sHRF) were reported. The sHRFs increased 1.88-fold and 2.42-fold, respectively, which indicated that the short-penetrating radiation could effectively induce the plant genomic instability in either dry seeds or seedlings with active metabolism. The local alpha particle irradiation of root was performed. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The most significant lessons provided by these developments at SASOL are the importance of long-range planning and the need for establishing a commercialized technology base in synfuels. These are necessary to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources and can be accomplished with suitable cooperation between government and private industry and between agencies within the government. The Fischer-Tropsch process is not the only method for producing gasoline from coal, but so far it is the only one commercially proven. Another process, which produces gasoline from methanol, has been considered for commercialization. The government of New Zealand decided in December 1979 to build a commercial-size plant using its abundant natural gas as the feedstock in a natural gas to methanol to gasoline process. Because methanol can also be produced from gasified coal, this process may be an attractive option for the production of gasoline from coal in the United States. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

ORNL has conducted a Nuclear Power Options Viability Study for the Department of Energy. That study is primarily concerned with new technology which could be developed for initial operation in the 2000 to 2010 time frame. Such technology would have to compete not only with coal options but with incrementally improved commercial light-water-reactors. This survey reported here was undertaken to gain an understanding of the nuclear commercial technology likely to be offered in the late 1980s and perhaps beyond. The three US vendors actively marketing NSSSs are each developing a product for the future which they expect to be more reliable, more maintainable, more economical, and safer than the present plants. These are all essentially 3800-MW(t) designs, although all are studying smaller plants. They apparently will be off offered as standard prelicensed designs with much larger scope than earlier NSSS offerings, with the possibility of firm prices. Westinghouse with Mitsubishi Heavy ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The high-strength and ultra high-strength steels developed and produced by Thyssen Krupp Stahl make a major contribution to automotive lightweighting. Proven and newly-developed coatings are used to meet increasingly important corrosion protection requirements. Design for materials, optimized forming and joining processes and the use of modern simulation techniques help to exploit the potential of the new steels. Future development work will focus on reducing the density of steels without compromising their well-known advantages - in particular their strength. The use of high-strength and ultra high-strength steels in the automotive industry is on the increase. Steel will remain the material of choice for auto manufacture, above all due to its potential for cost-efficient lightweight construction and its full recyclability. (orig.) [German] Einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum Leichtbau im Automobil leisten die von Thyssen Krupp Stahl entwickelten und hergestellten ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smugglers, who make use of the Ukraine-Slovak border for their business, might be satisfied after last week. The Slovak government ordered the switching off of scanning equipment monitoring the movement of goods by train through the Matovce border line. The modern equipment was substituted by people, who aren't able to check freight cars as effectively as gadgets. Not only in Ukraine are they celebrating this success in corruption, who demanded the shut-off of the scanning equipment The bosses on the Slovak side are also rubbing their hands. As told to TREND by Margareta Grecova, spokeswoman for Cargo Slovakia, 90% of goods that cross through the border at Matovce are unloaded. The most frequently transported commodities are ore, coal, chemical and petroleum products. Smugglers put their consignments among iron ore and coal. They prefer goods with high consumer taxes. Besides alcohol, there are mainly cigarettes. These are put into boxes which are concealed in various parts of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oestfold Research has trough the project 'Climate accounts for disposal' for Waste Norway developed a model for calculation of net greenhouse gas emissions at the disposal of various waste types. The model is based on life cycle methodology according to the standard IS014044. This model has been used for plastic packaging in the project by adapting the basic values of specific conditions in the municipality of Fredrikstad. Oestfold Research has made an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions for the recycling and material recovery of plastic packaging from households in the district on assignment from Fredrikstad municipality and compared with the current solution where plastic packaging together with residual waste is used for energy utilisation. Based on the population in Fredrikstad and estimated amount of plastic packaging waste arising per household per year the difference in climate impact was analyzed and these scenarios calculated: Introduction of recycling and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By using a model dielectric matrix in electron self-energy evaluations the computational effort of a quasiparticle band-structure calculation for a semiconductor is greatly reduced. Applications to various systems with or without inversion symmetry, having narrow or wide band gaps, and semiconductor alloys demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the method. Calculations have been performed for thirteen semiconducting or insulating materials: Si, LiCl, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, InSb, and the Al_0_._5Ga_0_._5As and In_0_._5_3Ga_0_._4_7As alloys. Excellent agreement with experimental results is obtained for the quasiparticle energies for these materials. The only three exceptions, E(#GAMMA#_1_c) of AlP, E(L_1_c) of AlAs, and E(L_1_c) of AlSb are discussed and attributed to various experimental uncertainties. Several other quasiparticle-excitation-related properties are also examined in this work. The many-body corrections to the eigenvalues of the ...

Science.gov (United States)

The first sediments to onlap the metamorphosed Precambrian Arabian shield were Infracambrian (Proterozoic) to Middle Cambrian carbonates, clastics, and evaporites. The oldest Arabian reservoir rocks occur in the Precambrian to lower Paleozoic Era Salt of the Huqf Group, which forms the Birba field of Oman. The Middle Cambrian sequence was followed by Late Cambrian through Early Permian marine sandstones and continental to littoral siltstones and variegated shales. The first commercial oil discovered in the Arabian Gulf region occurs in fluvial sands of the Ordovician to Permian Haima and Haushi Groups of the Marmul field in south Oman. These strata are also productive in other fields and are sealed by unconformable contact with the Al Khlata Formation or beneath shale of the Albian Nahr Umr Formation. The deeply buried kerogen sediments of the Huqf Group to the southeast are believed to be the source rocks for these fields of south Oman. The Late Permian to Triassic deposits of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The performance of PAN-based composite absorbers was evaluated in dynamic experiments at flow rates ranging from 25--100 bed volumes (BV) per hour. Composite absorbers with active components of ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) PAN and K-Co ferrocyanide (KCoFC) PAN were used for separating Cs from a 1 M HNO{sub 3} + 1 M NaNO{sub 3} + 2 {times} 10{sup {minus}5} M CsCl acidic simulant solution. KCoFC-PAN and two other FC-based composite absorbers were tested for separating Cs from alkaline simulant solutions containing 0.01 M to 1 M NaOH and 1 M NaNO{sub 3} + x {times} 10{sup {minus}4} M CsCl. The efficiency of the Cs sorption on the AMP-PAN absorber from acidic simulant solutions was negatively influenced by the dissolution of the AMP active component. At flow rates of 50 BV/hr, the decontamination factor of about 10{sup 3} could be maintained for treatment of 380 BV of the feed. With the KCoFC-PAN absorber, the decontamination factor of about 10{sup 3} could be maintained for a feed ...

Science.gov (United States)

The proven principle of increase in strength during breakage of coke has served as a basis for proposals for mechanical treatment of coke before its use in blast furnaces. The losses of part of the resources of the large-lump product accomanying this treatment make the process of development of the properties outside of the oven not entirely favorable. Mechanical treatment is considered a separate element of the technology of preparation of coke apart from the preceding and subsequent breaking effects, which are also accompanied by losses of part of the blast furnace coke. The large scale of coke production, its high cost, the rising specific capital investment in the mining of coking coal and the limited resources of good coking coal all indicate the necessity for coke preparation which will provide the maximum national economic effect in its utilization. Thus in the process of coke preparation outside the oven, at all stages from the coke wharf to the blast ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generator for electric vehicles has been designed and developed. In this paper we focus on the combustion system and the heat regenerator. The system has been designed to work as a range extender for electric vehicles. This solution would provide energy always available on the vehicle, which would run even if the battery level were low. Several configurations for the burner and for the heat exchanger have been investigated and a comparison of these is presented. The different solutions have been studied both theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, we report on the work carried out to build a TPV device capable of yielding 6 kW of electric power to recharge the battery pack of an electric city-car. The project has been divided into four steps: (1) pre-design of different configurations of the burner and heat exchanger using non-commercial software 'TPV Design Tool 1.0'; (2) testing of the pre-designed generators with a CFD code ...

Science.gov (United States)

Bariatric surgical procedures have become important therapeutic options for treatment of morbid obesity in both adults and adolescents co-morbidities of obesity such as glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, steatohepatitis, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. These co-morbidities of obesity have significant impacts on the overall quality of life of the individual and our society at large. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the relatively newer procedures of gastric banding (GB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) have proven to be efficacious in achieving rapid weight loss and reversing the comorbidities of obesity. Unfortunately, bariatric procedures are not without risks including micronutrient deficiency, failure to maintain lost weight, and mortality. Further, the resolution of T2DM has long been understood to precede weight loss, and this finding provides important clues about the physiologic underpinnings of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Detecting a camouflaged target in a visually noisy background depends on the ability of the observer to discriminate the target from the surrounding terrain. Visible laser irradiation at less than damage levels can act as a masking source by compromising or reducing the observer's ability to resolve differences in the visual scene. Previous research has examined this concept by investigating laser flash effects on: acuity (size discrimination); tracking (motion discrimination); visual sensitivity (color); and contrast sensitivity functions (luminance contrast). In all cases, flashes from continuous-wave (CW) sources have proven more effective visually than pulsed (Q-switched) sources, when compared on peak-energy criteria (i.e., MPE), even though Q-switched lasers induce damage at lower energy doses. Additionally, the inherent safety of ultra-short laser pulses has been questioned. Past animal research has shown that, on the measures of acuity, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There is now an acute need to optimize maintenance to improve both reliability and competitiveness of nuclear power plant operation. There is an increasing tendency to move from the preventive (time based) maintenance concept to one dependent on plant and component conditions. In this context, various on-line and off-line condition monitoring and diagnostics, nondestructive inspection techniques and surveillance are used. Component selection for condition based maintenance, parameter selection for monitoring condition, evaluation of condition monitoring results are issues influencing the effectiveness of condition based maintenance. All these selections of components and parameters to be monitored, monitoring and diagnostics techniques to be used, acceptance criteria and trending for condition evaluation, and the economic aspect of predictive maintenance and condition monitoring should be incorporated into an integrated, effective condition based maintenance programme, which is part of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study assesses the feasibility of the so-called heat pipe technique for cooling the piston of a mediumspeed diesel engine and is part of a research project 'EVE HPD, Extreme Value Engine Tests with High Power Density' carried out by HUT Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory. Diesel engines are being developed to give greater power from a given cylinder swept volume, which means higher temperatures in combustion chamber. The traditional oil cooling cannot be used beyond certain temperature level. Heat pipe technology could provide one solution to the cooling problem. The general properties, principles of operation, and structures of different types of heat pipes are described. Working fluids and container materials of heat pipes are discussed. The operation limitations of heat pipes are studied, especially, the limitations of a reciprocating heat pipe, in which the return of the condensate to the evaporator section is achieved by the movement of the heat pipe. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Over the past 15 years, the People's Republic of China has experienced very rapid economic growth of annual average 8%, which must be supported by fast expanding energy production, notably of electricity. China has the considerable amount of coal resources, but most of these resources are located in the north of the country, and the vast hydroelectric potential in Southwestern China is difficult to develop. Therefore, in the coastal provinces of Southeast China, where economic expansion is greatest, nuclear power has been chosen to meet the need. The Qinshan No. 1 PWR with 300 MWe output is the first Chinese nuclear power facility, and started the operation in 1992. Two 985 MWe PWRs have been operated since 1994 at Daya Bay. The construction of Qinshan No. 2 and 3 PWRs of 600 MWe each are in progress, and are expected to start the operation in 2001. These plants were designed by China based on the Framatome technology. Two more 985 MWe plants will be constructed on Ling Ao site, and ...

Science.gov (United States)

The Cretaceous rudist-bearing carbonates of the Arabian Gulf region are proven exploration targets for hydrocarbons and form the reservoirs of a number of giant fields, including Bu Hasa, Fateh, Fahud, Idd El Shargi, Rumaila, Shaybah, and Shah. Rudist buildups occur in three principal formations: (1) Aptian Shuaiba, (2) Cenomanian Mishrif, and (3) Maastrichtian Simsima. A regional subaerial unconformity marks the upper boundary of each of these formations. Associated with the rudists that dominate the Shuaiba Formation are calcareous algal crusts, foraminifera, and echinoid plates, which accumulated in mudstone, packstone, and carbonate sands. The Mishrif Formation contains mollusk fragments, bioclasitc packstones to grainstones, miliolid and nonrudist bivalves in muddy limestones, and rudist (mainly radiolitids and caprinids) conglomeratic floatstones, with fragmented rudists mixed with wackestone lithoclasts. The Mishrif sediments accumulated as a progradational, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jlab experiment E01-011, carried out in 2005 in JLab Hall C, is the second generation of the hypernuclear spectroscopy experiments by the (e,e{prime}K{sup +}) reaction. The (e,e{prime}K{sup +}) reaction is complimentary to the associated production reactions (K{sup -},{pi}{sup -}), ({pi}{sup +},K{sup +}) since, due to a larger momentum transfer to a hyperon, excitations of both spin-non-flip and spin-flip states are possible. The experiment uses high quality and continuous primary electron beam to produce neutron rich hypernuclei on various targets by the electroproduction. The experimental setup consists of splitter magnet, high resolution kaon spectrometer (HKS) and electron spectrometer (Enge) implemented in new configuration, the so called 'Tilt Method'. Production data was taken on multiple targets: CH{sub 2}, {sup 6}Li, {sup 7}Li, {sup 9}Be, {sup 10}B, {sup 12}C and {sup 28}Si. In present study the analysis of CH{sub 2}, {sup 12}C and {sup 28}Si is presented. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To compare the enhancement pattern of hilar cholangiocarcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with that on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with pathologically proven hilar cholangiocarcinomas were evaluated by both low mechanical index CEUS and CECT. The enhancement feature of the tumor, portal vein infiltration, and lesion conspicuity on them was investigated. Results: In the arterial phase, the numbers of the lesions showing hyperenhancement, isoenhancement, and hypoenhancement, were 14 (43.8%), 14 (43.8%), and 4 (12.6%), on CEUS, and 12 (37.5%), 9 (28.1%), and 11 (34.4%), on CECT (P = 0.162). In portal phase, the numbers of the lesions showing hypoenhancement, isoenhancement, and hyperenhancement were 30 (93.8%), 1 (3.1%), and 1 (3.1%), on CEUS, and 23 (71.9%), 8 (25.0%), and 1 (3.1%), on CECT (P = 0.046). The detection rates for portal vein infiltration were 84.2% (16/19) for baseline ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Purpose To investigate the sensitivity and accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for restaging the mediastinum after induction chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with tissue-proven stage IIIA-N2 disease who were treated with induction chemotherapy and who had undergone mediastinal restaging by EBUS-TBNA were reviewed. On the basis of computed tomography, 58 patients were classified as having stable disease and 66 were judged to have had a partial response. All patients subsequently underwent thoracotomy with attempted curative resection and a lymph node dissection regardless of EBUS-TBNA findings. Results Persistent nodal metastases were detected by using EBUS-TBNA in 89 patients (72%). Of the 35 patients in whom no metastases were assessed by EBUS-TBNA, 28 were found to have residual stage IIIA-N2 disease at ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Surface analytical studies of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels exposed to deaerated 0.1M HCl have revealed that nitrogen alloying additions influence the composition of salt layers and the passive film/alloy interface. In this study the authors employ electrochemical techniques and variable angle X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the passive films formed on a series of austenitic stainless steels, Fe18Cr8Ni, Fe18Cr8Ni0.2N, Fe20Cr20Ni, Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo and Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo0.2N, in acidic chloride aqueous solution. In addition, several other model alloys, Fe19Cr, Fe19Cr9Ni, Fe19Cr2.5Mo, and Fe19Cr9Ni2.5Mo, were examined before and after electrochemical surface nitriding, a technique proven to have an effect analogous to N alloying. It was shown that nitrogen, nickel and molybdenum additions independently and in certain combinations stimulate selective dissolution of iron, resulting in a significant enrichment of chromium beneath the passive film. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

MAN B&W in Augsburg, Germany has further developed its dual-fuel line of engines with the 32/40 DG engine family. These engines, with prechamber injection, augment the company`s spark-ignited gas and dual-fuel engines based on its four-stroke diesel engines. MAN B&W`s power range is between 400 and 16200 kW. Based on the well-proven 32/ 40 engine, the 32/40 DG dual-fuel engine was developed mainly for stationary applications in cogeneration plants and power stations, covering an output range from 2.4 to 7.2 MW. The engine line (bore 320 x stroke 400 mm) has a cylinder output of 400 kW at 750 r/min and a bmep of 19.9 bar with a maximum efficiency of 44.4%. The development focused on meeting TA Luft limits for NO{sub x} emissions of less than 500 mg/m{sup 3} NO{sub x}. This level was targeted without catalytic exhaust after treatment (SCR) and retaining high efficiency and high mean effective pressure similar to that of the diesel engine. To meet the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Colorectal carcinoma is a highly prevalent and common cause of cancer in Taiwan. There is still no available cure for this malignant disease. To address this issue, we applied the multimodality of molecular imaging to explore the efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic nanoradiopharmaceuticals in an animal model of human colorectal adenocarcinoma [colorectal cancer (CRC)] that stably expresses luciferase (luc) as a reporter. In this study, an in vivo therapeutic efficacy evaluation of dual-nanoliposome (100 nm in diameter) encaged vinorelbine (VNB) and "1"1"1In-oxine on HT-29/luc mouse xenografts was carried out. HT-29/luc tumor cells were transplanted subcutaneously into male SCID mice. Multimodality of molecular imaging approaches including bioluminescence imaging (BLI), gamma scintigraphy, whole-body autoradiography (WBAR) and in vivo tumor growth tracing, histopathology and biochemistry/hematology analyses were applied on xenografted SCID mice to study the treatments with 6% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pulmonary infections and tumors are a major cause of death in patients with AIDS. The combination of clinical, radiological, laboratory, and pathohistological data helps to narrow the spectrum of differential diagnoses or even allows a specific diagnosis in many patients. Nevertheless, an accurate diagnosis should be obtained as soon as possible during the clinical course of the illness to initiate treatment in time. Computed tomography (CT) has proven to provide promising results in the diagnosis of AIDS-related throacic diseases. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the diagnostic capacities of CT in the context of particular AIDS-related thoracic pathologies. Additional information on the spectrum of pathological agents and on differential diagnostic signs is summarized. (orig.) [Deutsch] Pulmonale Infektionen und Tumore sind eine wesentliche Todesursache bei Patienten, die am erworbenen Immunmangelsyndrom AIDS leiden. In den meisten Faellen gelingt es, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how market forces, operating in an increasingly competitive energy market, are a preferred route to achieving environmental and energy efficiency benefits other than those which can be achieved through a managed approach adopted by many Governments. It will show, through examples, how electricity is a catalyst for change at several levels in business, the community and the general economy. Many governments` attempts to introduce `vertically-structured` energy saving programmes have failed to realise the benefits of inter-energy substitution. Frequently, programmes are based on the principles of demand-side management within a single energy sector, and they have been implemented by government bodies which have adopted an interventionist as opposed to free market approach to achieve savings in carbon dioxide emissions. Studies world-wide have shown how increased use of electricity, particularly in industry, can be a major stimulant to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Purpose: Hormonal stimulation can induce background enhancement (BE) in MR mammography (MRM). This fact has been assumed to decrease the accuracy of MRM. Consequently, this report investigates: 1. The prevalence of BE in postmenopausal vs. premenopausal women in correlation to hormonal cycle phase (CP). 2. The impact of hormonal status (HS) and BE on diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients over 22 months with complete HS information (week of CP or postmenopausal) were included in this prospective investigation. Exclusion criteria were any hormonal therapy, hysterectomy as well as cancer proven by biopsy. The standard of reference was histopathology. All MRM scans were acquired using the same protocol (1.5 T, dynamic T 1w GRE after 0.1 mmol/kg bw Gd-DTPA i. v.). Two radiologists rated all examinations in consensus according to BI-RADS. BE was defined as: 0 = missing, 1 = moderate, 2 = distinct. Results: 224 patients (150 postmenopausal, 74 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work dosimetric analysis using thermoluminescence technique to study the beams characteristics of x-rays employed in dental radiology has been carried out. The obtained results with CaSO{sub 4}:Dy thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were compared to the doses obtained with parallel-plates ionization chamber. Dosimetric evaluations were also done using radiographic films of large dimensions. The x-rays equipments analyzed were installed in the radiological services of Odontology Department of Sergipe Federal University (U.F.S.). Depending on the anatomical region to be examined the proper exposure time was select, for a fix voltage of 70 kV. The results with TLD and ionization chamber have been determined to female and male individuals. The intraoral regions analysed were the peri apical of the incisors, molar and pre-molar teeth and the occlusive region. These regions were simulated using acrylic plates absorbers installed on the film packet holder. The evaluation of the depth ...

Science.gov (United States)

Cryogenic coolers are often used in modern spacecraft in conjunction with sensitive electronics and sensors of military, commercial and scientific instrumentation. The typical space requirements are: power efficiency, low vibration export, proven reliability, ability to survive launch vibration/shock and long-term exposure to space radiation. A long-standing paradigm of exclusively using "space heritage" equipment has become the standard practice for delivering high reliability components. Unfortunately, this conservative "space heritage" practice can result in using outdated, oversized, overweight and overpriced cryogenic coolers and is becoming increasingly unacceptable for space agencies now operating within tough monetary and time constraints. The recent trend in developing mini and micro satellites for relatively inexpensive missions has prompted attempts to adapt leading-edge tactical cryogenic coolers for suitability in the space environment. The primary ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The results of experiments with a short period (9.6 mm) wiggler sheet electron beam (1.0 mm x 2.0 cm) millimeter-wave free electron laser (FEL) amplifier are presented. This FEL amplifier utilized a strong wiggler field for sheet beam confinement in the narrow beam dimension and an offset-pole side-focusing technique for the wide dimension beam confinement. The beam analysis herein includes finite emittance and space-charge effects. High-current beam propagation was achieved as a result of extensive analytical studies and experimental optimization. A design optimization resulted in a low sensitivity to structure errors and beam velocity spread, as well as a low required beam energy. A maximum gain of 24 dB was achieved with a 1-kW injected signal power at 86 GHz, a 450-kV beam voltage, 17-A beam current, 3.8-kG wiggler magnetic field, and a 74-period wiggler length. The maximum gain with a one-watt injected millimeter-wave power was observed to be over 30 dB. The lower gain at higher ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are few studies that focused on the prognostic value of FDG-PET on small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Not only FDG uptake (maxSUV), but also metabolic size (greatest dimension of PET positive mass) may determine the prognosis of SCLC. Here, we investigated the prognostic significance of maxSUV, and the metabolic size in SCLC patients. Biopsy-proven SCLC patients (n=21; age, means.d.=67.39y; male: female=19: 3) who had underwent FDG-PET within 4 weeks of chemotherapy initiation were enrolled. There were 7 extensive disease (ED) and 14 limited disease (LD) patients. The maxSUV and the metabolic size were measured, and then, size-incorporated maxSUV (SIMaxSUV = maxSUV x metabolic size) were calculated at individual SCLC masses. SIMaxSUV of main lesion (main-SIMaxSUV), and the summed value of SIMaxSUV of all PET positive masses (summed-SIMaxSUV) were obtained. In addition, age, stage, and %expression of glucose transporter type 1, hexokinase-II, and Ki-67 were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Intensive work has long been going on to find out the unknown origin that sets off curious tribo-physicochemical phenomena and that causes various kinds of problems in oil-lubricated sliding contacts in mechanical and processing systems. The strange tribochemical reaction is one of the such curious chemical phenomena observed in the degradation of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricating oil film in a hard disk drive. Plasma (triboplasma) (Nakayama and Mirza 2006 Tribol. Trans. 49 17) would be one of the most probable origins of the problems if it were generated sufficiently intensely in oil-lubricated sliding contacts, as it is in such a highly energetic state. The generation of plasma was predicted in both dry and oil-lubricated sliding (Nakayama 1997 Japan. J. Tribol. 42 1077, Nakayama 2004 Surf. Coat. Technol. 188-189 599). However, plasma generation in industrially important oil-lubricated contacts has not yet been proven, though it has been found in dry sliding ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To determine a rat strain appropriate for carcinogenicity testing of FYX-051, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, we performed a 4-week oral toxicity study by administering 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg, and 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of FYX-051 to male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fischer (F344) rats, respectively. Histopathology revealed that the degree of FYX-051-induced nephropathy was 3-fold stronger in SD rats than in F344 rats. Our previous study demonstrated that the key factor of species differences in FYX-051-induced nephropathy is purine metabolism. This observation led us to examine the involvement of purine metabolism in differences among two strains of rats. However, purine metabolism was proven not to be implicated as an important factor. Subsequently, other factors responsible for the strain differences were examined. FYX-051-induced increases in plasma xanthine concentrations were higher in SD rats than in F344 rats, suggesting more remarkable effects on pharmacodynamics ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Indian PHWRs are designed to operate with natural uranium (NU) as the main fuel. Earlier in the initial fresh core, to achieve flux flattening and hence to operate the reactor at design rated power, limited number of depleted uranium bundles were loaded in the central portion of the core. Presently even in fresh core about 40 % of the core is loaded with depleted uranium bundles (?0.6 wt % 235U) from the consideration of conserving the natural uranium fuel. This is achieved by loading most of the depleted bundles in the peripheral locations of the channels. Successful operation with large number of DU bundles in the fresh core has been proven in MAPS - 2 and MAPS - 1cores after EMCCR as well as in TAPP - 4. In these three reactors 100 % FP was possible even with 40 % DU bundles in the core. In TAPP-4 and 3 initial core, depleted bundles of 0.36 wt % 235U are also loaded to conserve the depleted bundles of 0.6 wt % 235U. Depleted uranium bundles (?0.6 wt % 235U) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of ADC value in grading of neuroepithelial tumors. Methods: The clinical data and images of 70 patients with neuroepithelial tumors pathologically proven were collected and analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were classified into low (WHO I or II) and high (WHO III or IV) grade groups which included 40 and 30 cases respectively according to the 2007 WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system. All the patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced MR scan and DWI before surgery. The minimum ADC (MinADC) value was measured postoperatively on ADC maps. The Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) of tumor tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. MinADC values for two groups were analyzed using student t test, while the age and Ki-67 LI for the two groups was analyzed using Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05 considered to be significant). Also the MinADC value and Ki-67 LI were analyzed with Pearson ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of parathyroid scintigraphy in histological estimation for secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) using Tc-99m sestamibi or Tc-99m tetrofosmin. Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) and Tc-99m tetrofosmin (Tetro) parathyroid imaging following double-phase study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound were performed on 14 patients with 2HPT. All patients underwent parathyroidectomy. The uptake of two tracers in parathyroid areas was compared with the histopathologic findings. Forty-nine parathyroid glands were surgically explored and histologically proven to be hyperplastic. Of these, 42 were diagnosed with nodular type (N-type) hyperplasia, and 7 with diffuse type (D-type) hyperplasia. MIBI and Tetro parathyroid imagings detected 34 and 35 parathyroid glands, respectively. The sensitivity of MIBI was determined to be 76.2% (32/42) for N-type, and 28.6% (2/7) for D-type. The sensitivity of Tetro was determined to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the results of a large project conducted in a corporation between Statistics Denmark and the Danish National Environmental Research Institute. The main objective of the project has been to analyse the possibilities of prescribing the development in the Danish freight transport in a more appropriate and precise way than it is done by existing models. A secondary objective of the project was to develop a model based on the findings of the analysis. The intention was to be able to describe all areas of freight transport. The analysis has proven it impossible to improve the existing calculations in some areas of transport. Hence, the project has been narrowed down to focus exclusively on road freight transport. The developed model distinguishes itself from existing models by a much higher level of detail in the calculations. This enables the model to describe the structural relations between transport and economic activity, which has previously ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Purpose: To report on the nephron-sparing, percutaneous ablation of a large renal cell carcinoma by combined superselective embolization and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Materials and Methods: A 5 cm renal cell carcinoma of a 43-year-old drug abusing male with serologically proven HIV, hepatitis B and C infection, who refused surgery, was superselectively embolized using microspheres (size: 500 - 700 {mu}m) and a platinum coil under local anesthesia. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a 7F LeVeen probe (size of expanded probe tip: 40 mm) and a 200 Watt generator was performed one day after transcatheter embolization under general anesthesia. Results: The combined treatment resulted in complete destruction of the tumor without relevant damage of the surrounding healthy renal tissue. The patient was discharged 24 hours after RF ablation. No complications like urinary leaks or fistulas were observed and follow up CT one day and 4 weeks after the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ohio State University (OSU) is uniquely poised to establish such a center, with interdisciplinary emphasis on modeling, simulation, design and control of hybrid-electric drives for a number of reasons, some of which are: (1) The OSU Center for Automotive Research (CAR) already provides an infrastructure for interdisciplinary automotive research and graduate education; the facilities available at OSU-CAR in the area of vehicle and powertrain research are among the best in the country. CAR facilities include 31,000 sq. feet of space, multiple chassis and engine dynamometers, an anechoic chamber, and a high bay area. (2) OSU has in excess of 10 graduate level courses related to automotive systems. A graduate level sequence has already been initiated with GM. In addition, an Automotive Systems Engineering (ASE) program cosponsored by the mechanical and electrical engineering programs, had been formulated earlier at OSU, independent of the GATE program proposal. The main objective of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A large number of proven technical solutions exists for the use of renewable energies (RE). However, their dissemination is still too slow to meet the political goal of substituting 12 % of the primary energy demand in the European Union by the year 2010. Even renewable energy systems (RES) with economic potential are only partly exploited. There is a long literature concerning the barriers to RE use. In particular it has become clear that the availability of finance and the forms and conditions upon which it is lent have a major impact on RE deployment. An area of importance is the deficiency of appropriate ownership forms and properly adapted financing instruments in certain countries. Moreover, different regulations and institutional barriers in the European countries hinder the free flow of capital for RES within the European common market. On the other hand, solutions have been developed very successfully in individual countries. Differences in cultures and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The South White Rose oilfield, offshore Newfoundland, owned jointly by Husky Oil (82.5 per cent ) and Petro-Canada (17.5 per cent) is being developed using a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) system. Some industry stakeholders claim that the oil should be produced using a concrete gravity base system as used in the Hibernia Field. However, Husky Oil officials are confident that the choice of the FPSO is well justified, based on its cost effectiveness and economic viability. Several production facility options have been assessed, taking into account feasibility, deliverability, economic attributes. risk and safety . The assessment results clearly pointed to FPSO as the preferred system based on its commercial and technical flexibility, proven track record in harsh environments, its ability to produce both oil and gas in sequential development, its promise of production at full capacity earlier than a gravity base system, and easier decommissioning ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Purpose: With intracranial tumors a flat, contrast-enhancing, probably dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR images. Therefore we have attempted to evaluate a tumor infiltration of this enthancement on MRI. Material and Methods: This study included 50 patients. 19 patients had a dural thickening at the tumor base (13 meningiomas and 6 metastases), while 31 patients did not (12 meningiomas and 19 metastases). Studies included plane T{sub 2}-weighted spin echo (SE) images as well as T{sub 1}-weighted axial, coronal, or sagittal plains with and without contrast agent. Histopathological examinations, were done on the tumor base adjacent to the dura mater. Results: 7 of 12 meningiomas showed a meningeal thickening on MRI with histopathologically proven tumor infiltration as did also 5 of 6 metastases. But 3 of 12 meningiomas and 15 of 19 metastases without dural thickening at the tumor base also showed tumor ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Subsurface and surface coalfires are a serious problem in many coal-producing countries. Combustion can occur within the coal seams (underground or surface), in piles of stored coal, or in spoil dumps at the surface. While consuming a non renewable energy source, coalfires promote several environmental problems. Among all GHGs that are emitted from coalfires, CO2 is the most significant because of its high quantity. In connection to this environmental problem, the core aim of the present research is to develop a hyperspectral remote sensing and radiative transfer based model that is able to estimate CO2 concentration (ppmv) from coalfires. Since 1960s remote sensing is being used as a tool to detect and monitoring coalfires. With time, remote sensing has proven a reliable tool to identify and monitor coalfires. In the present study multi-temporal, multi-sensor and multi-spectral thermal remote sensing data are being used to detect and monitor coalfires. Unlike the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aim: Today, MRI is an integral part of the presurgical evaluation of patients suffering from partial epilepsy. These patients frequently show focal morphological abnormalities with potential epileptogenic character and surgical resection of these lesions is associated with superior postsurgical outcome as to seizure frequency. Apart from easily detectable defects, such as post-traumatic lesions or cerebral infarction, as wide variety of mainly small abnormalities can be detected using MRI. Methods: In this study, 484 patients suffering from partial epilepsy of temporal or frontal onset were evaluated for the incidence of different lesions in this population. Results: All lesions found were included without evaluating their potential epileptogenicity, which remains to be proven using other procedures (EEG, SPECT, PET, etc.). Involvement of the hippocampal formation was a major finding in temporal lobe epilepsy, which could be detected as sclerosis (T2w-images), ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: The US commercial nuclear industry has just completed an outstanding decade of plant performance. Safety levels and electric production are at unprecedented high levels and continue to exceed even high industry goals. Nuclear energy continues to keep the highest priority on performance improvement programs and highly trained/qualified people that maintain its record setting safety and reliability of operations. While the industry has maintained a consistently high level of performance, the advent of deregulation and the consolidation of NPP ownership, as well as the current climate of concern about both rising energy costs and availability of power, has raised the standard for nuclear energy's level of competitiveness in today's market place. The resulting challenge is how to more effectively manage risk and improve performance even further in a generally high performing organization. Newer technology and more training by themselves are not the answer. Rather, the answer ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis deals with the analysis of dominant loss mechanisms in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) and hydrogen fed polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) by means of experimental characterization and modeling work. Due to different fuels used in these two fuel cell types, the dominant loss mechanisms are different in their nature. All in-situ characterization techniques that are used in this work are based on a novel test fuel cell with embedded reference electrodes. The first part of this work presents a new concept for realizing a reference electrode configuration in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell by means of laser ablation. The laser beam is used to evaporate a small gap into the electrode surface of a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) to isolate the reference electrode from the working/counter electrode (WE/CE). This method enables the simultaneous ablation of the electrodes on both sides of the CCM because the membrane is transparent for the laser beam. ...