Abstract The creation of chirality on Earth and the development of chiral life have been discussed in this highlight. Convincing evidence for the introduction of chirality on Earth is still fragmentary. We believe that by a combination of chiral crystallization and formation of helical polymers with preferred chiral conformational structure is the key to this question. This concept of macromolecular asymmetry has inspired ideas and resulted in possible rules for how chiral life as we know it, could have been introduced. These investigations needed the understanding of the requirements for chiral crystallization, for the stereochemistry of the initial formation of helical polymers, the measurements of optical activity of solids and their coordination with the fundamentals of chirality. Spac...
The energy dispersive beamline X6A at the National Synchrotron Light Source employs a curved crystal monochromator (polychromator) which focuses a range ([similar to]1 keV) of x-ray energies into a narrow (100--120 [mu]m) line image. Although this beamline was constructed primarily for time-dependent EXAFS experiments, we have begun to explore the use of this instrument for energy dispersive diffraction experiments with different types of sample including macromolecularcrystals. The tunability ([ital E]=6.5 to 21 keV) and flexibility ([Delta][ital E]=100--1000 eV) of the instrument makes the beamline ideal as a test bed for the application of polychromatic single-crystal diffraction techniques to different chemical or biological materials.
We have prepared high-quality, single crystals of SmB_6 under various conditions to improve sample quality. We have measured the resistivity and magnetic susceptibility from room to liquid-helium temperatures to sort samples. We have applied pulsed magnetic fields as high as 50 T at temperatures as low as 40 mK while measuring resistivity. Our samples are of higher quality than previously known. All solvent-grown, single-crystal samples should be etched to remove a surface conductivity. (orig.).
High resolution structural elucidation of macromolecular structure by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance requires the preparation of uniformly aligned samples that are isotopically labeled. In...Full Text Available
A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure suitable for the simultaneous determination of the molecular size and concentration of macromolecular hyaluronate and proteoglycans in synovial...Full Text Available
Assessment of subtle changes in the primary macromolecular components of cartilage, proteoglycan (PG) and collagen, is critical for the diagnosis of early stages of osteoarthritis (OA), but...Full Text Available
All eukaryotes require mitochondria for survival and growth. The origin of mitochondria can be traced down to a single endosymbiotic event between two probably prokaryotic organisms. Subsequent evolution...Full Text Available
The pattern of biodegradation and the chemical changes occurring in the macromolecular fraction of domestic sludge during autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) was monitored and characterised...Full Text Available
A practical method to determine the ionic diffusion coefficient and activation energy by using quasielastic light scattering (QELS) is presented. It is shown that a temperature dependence curve of the QELS intensity at a fixed frequency can be well fitted by Jonscher's formula and that the diffusion parameters can be obtained from this curve fitting. This method is successfully applied not only to crystals with high optical quality, as reported earlier, but also to opaque ceramics, which are more important than the crystals from a practical point of view. The composition dependence of the ionic diffusion coefficient is studied in sintered YbSZ to show the usefulness of this method.
An attempt has been made to grow L-tartaric acid nicotinamide (LTN); a complex of tartaric acid, by employing a modified unidirectional method. The crystalline structure and quality are investigated by single crystal XRD and rocking curve studies. The linear and nonlinear optical properties are studied by UV-vis-NIR spectral analysis, SHG test, phase matching and laser induced damage threshold measurement. For comparison, parallel growth of the crystal was carried out by conventional method and the properties of the LTN samples grown by the conventional and unidirectional methods are investigated. The mechanical, photoconductivity and dielectric behavior of LTN crystals are also investigated.
Radial sonic crystals (RSC) are fluidlike structures infinitely periodic along the radial direction that verify the Bloch theorem and are possible only if certain specially designed acoustic metamaterials with mass density anisotropy can be engineered (see Torrent and Sanchez-Dehesa 2009 Phys. Rev. Lett. 103 064301). A comprehensive analysis of two-dimensional (2D) RSC shells is reported here. A given shell is in fact a circular slab with a central cavity. These finite crystal structures contain Fabry-Perot-like resonances and modes strongly localized at the central cavity. Semi-analytical expressions are developed to obtain the quality factors of the different resonances, their symmetry features and their excitation properties. The results reported here are completely general and can be extended to equivalent 3D spherical shells and to their photonic counterparts.
Effect of a planar texture quality and its thickness on lasing spectrums and thresholds in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) of steroid type is explored. Transition from the qualitative planar texture to the poor texture quality is accompanied by change of characteristic mode structures and by shift of barycentre in the long-wave side and the considerable growth of the lasing threshold. It is found that in the CLC texture created by substrates with perpendicular directions of orientation the stable single-mode lasing takes place. The nature of oscillated modes in such texture is caused by phase jump. The gained results show that in steroid CLC, unlike induced one, lasing spectrums is possible to feature with the coupled wave model. Key words: steroidal cholesteric liquid crystal, distributed feedback lasing, oscillation thresholds, phase defect of periodical structure, transmission and lasing ...
By gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy, we obtained a device-quality GaInP epitaxial layer lattice matched to (100)-GaAs substrates, with a photoluminescence efficiency comparable to that of a crystal grown by liquid-phase epitaxy. A GaInP/AlInP double heterostructure laser with a GaInP active layer was fabricated, and pulsed lasing operation was achieved at room temperature for, we believe, the first time.
With iWork '09: The Missing Manual, you'll quickly learn everything you need to know about Apple's incredible productivity programs, including the Pages word-processor, the Numbers spreadsheet, and the Keynote presentation program that Al Gore and Steve Jobs made famous. This book gives you crystal-clear and jargon-free explanations of iWork's capabilities, advantages, and limitations to help you produce stunning documents and cinema-quality digital presentations in no time.
We present a monolithic, self-starting, all-PM, stabilized Yb-fiber laser, pulse-compressed in a hollow-core PM photonic crystal fiber, providing the 370 fs pulses of 4 nJ energy with high mode quality.
This thesis dealt with the metal-organic gas phase epitaxy with nitrogen as carrier gas. For this first by means of three-dimensional modelings of the epitaxy process the influence of the carrier gas on the processes was explained. The optimization of the growth parameter for the whole light-emitting-diode structure in double-hetero arrangement resulted that an a temperature of 770 C and a V/ III-ratio of 150 layers with a high crystalquality could be reached.
A film of GaSb grown epitaxially on a Si substrate is a direct transition semiconductor useful for application as a light source in Si photonics and channel material in next-generation field effect transistors because its energy bandgap is close to the optical fibre communication wavelength and it possesses high carrier mobility. Here, we report a novel method for heteroepitaxial growth of high-quality GaSb/Si films, despite having a lattice mismatch as large as ? 12%, using elastically strain-relaxed GaSb nanodots with ultrahigh density as seed crystals for film growth. The nanodot seed crystals were grown epitaxially by restricted contact with the Si substrate through nanowindows in an ultrathin SiO(2) film on the Si substrate. A light-emitting diode containing GaSb/Si films with a thickness of ? 90 nm fabricated by this method operated at room temperature. The growth method was also used to fabricate AlGaSb films of high ...
The interpretation of solution hydrodynamic data in terms of macromolecular structural parameters is not a straightforward task. Over the years, several approaches have been developed to cope...Full Text Available
Fabrication of diffused titanium optical guides on a LiNbO/sub 3/ crystal substrate requires precise quality assurance. Light couplers in particular must be positioned within micron specifications. This requirement is the reason that the width of lines detected during microscopic inspection of the crystal is such an important parameter for quality evaluation. To assist in the inspection of these optical guides, a line width estimation program has been developed for an IBM PC based microscope inspection system. A digital image processing approach is used to develop an algorithm which can be tailored by the user for specific signal and noise characteristics. Default filter parameters, which can be updated and saved interactively by the user, are stored in a file on disk. The final program can be executed stand-alone or through a commercially available, menu-driven, image processing software package. ...
This thesis dealt with the metal-organic gas phase epitaxy with nitrogen as carrier gas. For this first by means of three-dimensional modelings of the epitaxy process the influence of the carrier gas on the processes was explained. The optimization of the growth parameter for the whole light-emitting-diode structure in double-hetero arrangement resulted that an a temperature of 770 C and a V/ III-ratio of 150 layers with a high crystalquality could be reached.
Abstract The salts [Cnmim]2[Mo6Cl14] (mim = methylimidazolium; n = 4, 6, 12, 16, 18) have been obtained by reaction of CnmimCl with MoCl2. Thermal analysis shows the melting point decreases with increasing alkyl chain length of the cation. The imidazolium chloromolybdates(II) with n = 6-18 decompose above 340 C; [C18mim]2[Mo6Cl14] is thermally stable up to 390 C. All compounds are insensititve to the constituents of the atmosphere. Of the higher melting salts [Cnmim]2[Mo6Cl14] (n = 4, 6), high-quality single crystals could be obtained. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses clearly show that the cluster complex anion [Mo6Cl14]2- has an electron-precise octahedral {Mo6} cluster. For [C4mim]2[Mo6Cl14], two polymorphs differing in the cation alkyl-side-chain conformation were obtained. The ...
In order to reduce the activation temperature of the TiZrV alloy, thin films of various compositions were produced by three-cathode magnetron sputtering on stainless-steel substrates. For the characterisation of the activation behaviour the surface chemical composition has been monitored by Auger electron spectroscopy during specific in situ thermal cycles. The volume elemental composition of the film has been measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the morphology (crystal structure and size of the crystallites) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The criteria indicating the sample quality and its dependence on film structure and chemical composition are presented and discussed. (13 refs).
In this paper, the state-of-the-art ultrasonic and magnetic measuring techniques developed at Kawasaki Steel and used in the production process of steel sheets are described. Representative examples shown here are as follows: (1) Magnetic flux leakage testing system for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (2) Nondestructive orientation measurement for secondary re-crystallized grains in grain-oriented electrical steel by ultrasonic interferometry, (3) Immersion testing method for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (4) Surface wave probe for the detection of surface flaws in rolls used in rolling mills. Developments of these techniques and their applications to actual steel sheets production processes have contributed to advance in technologies for quality assurance and control. With the help of these techniques, steel sheet products with advanced and uniform properties are being continuously produced to meet customers' ...
Magnetotactic bacteria contain chains of magnetically interacting crystals (magnetosome crystals), which they use for navigation (magnetotaxis). To improve magnetotaxis efficiency, the magnetosome crystals...Full Text Available
The objective of this research was to convert coal into a soluble substance under mild conditions. The strategy involved two steps, first to breakdown the macromolecular network of coal, and second to add hydrogen catalytically. We investigated different basic reagents that could, in priciple, break down coal's structure and alkylation strategies that might enhance its solubility. We examined O- and C-alkylation, the importance of the strength of the base, the character of the added alkyl groups and other reaction parameters. This work provided new information concerning the way in which hydrogen bonding, polarization interactions between aromatic structures and covalent bonding could be disrupted and solubility enhanced. The objective of our research was to explore new organochromium chemistry that might be feasible for the hydrogenation of coal under mild conditions.
This patent describes a {gamma}-ray detector. It comprises: a dislocation-free single crystal having an input surface and a transmission surface at opposite ends thereof; an active shield surrounding the crystal and functioning as an anticoincidence counter; and {gamma}-ray detector means disposed adjacent the transmission surface of the crystal for receiving and detecting {gamma}-rays of a predetermined wavelength incident on the input surface of the crystal at a specific Bragg angle and transmitted through the crystal.
A high degree of structural perfection is an essential requirement for CdTe crystals used as substrates for the epitaxial growth of CdHgTe alloys. Here, a method for the evaluation of the structural perfection of CdTe crystals is proposed which is based on X-ray diffraction measurements using both two-crystal and three-crystal diffractometers (differential version). The method makes it possible to obtain more information on structural perfection both at the crystal surface and within the crystal body.
The quality of fuel oils is discussed. The problems that the fuel oil marketer must deal with that relate to the quality of the fuel oil are described.
The strain gradient crystal plasticity theory is applied to study the deformation of planar single crystal with a void under a nominally uniaxial tension. The crystal theory assumes elevated strain hardening due to slip gradients and has a constitutive length scale. The effects of the void size with respect to the constitutive length scale on the single crystal deformation are investigated.
This handbook is a unique compendium of knowledge on all aspects of the physics of liquid crystals. In over 500 pages it provides detailed information on the physical properties of liquid crystals as well as the recent theories and results on phase transitions, defects and textures of different types of liquid crystals. An in-depth understanding of the physical fundamentals is a prerequisite for everyone working in the field of liquid crystal research. With this book the experts as well as graduate students entering the field get all the information they need.
Results are presented from studies on the quality of cast parts made by counterpressure casting of high-strength aluminum alloy AMKh-605, and Al-Cu-Mn-Cr alloys (5.6-6.4% Cu, 0.25-0.55% Mn, 0.20-0.55% Cr, 0.20-0.45% Ti, 0.08-0.25% Zr, less than or equal to0.25% Fe, less than or equal to0.25% Si, less than or equal to0.05% Mg). Chill castings were heat treated by quenching from 450/sup 0/C (20 hours) in water, aging at 160/sup 0/C for five hours with cooling in air. Fractograms of tensile specimens are presented. Scanning electron microscopy allows an ambiguous determination of the cause of failure of a part, be it at initial crystallization crack defects or burns, and also allows a relationship to be established between structure and mechanical properties.
The identification of crystallographic phases in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been limited by the lack of a simple way to obtain electron diffraction data of an unknown while observing the micro structure of the specimen. With the development of Charge Coupled Device (CCD) based detectors, backscattered electron Kikuchi patterns (BEKP), alternately referred to as electron backscattered diffraction patterns (EBSP), can be easily collected. Previously, BEKP has been limited to crystallographic orientation studies due to the poor pattern quality collected with video rate detector systems. With CCD detectors, a typical BEKP can now be acquired from a micron or sub-micron-sized crystal using an exposure time of 1-10 seconds with an accelerating voltage of 10-40 kV and a beam current as low as 0.1 nA. Crystallographic phase analysis using BEKP is unique in that the properly equipped SEM permits high magnification images, BEKP`s, and ...
In order to optimize the performance of molecular organic electronic devices it is important to study the intermolecular density of states and charge transport mechanisms in the environment of crystalline organic material. Using this approach in Field Effect Transistors (FETs) we show that material purification improves carrier mobility and decreases density of the deep localized electronic state. We also report a general exponential energy dependence of the density of localized states in a vicinity of the mobility edge (Fermi energies up to approx7 times higher than the thermal energy (kT)) in a variety of the extensively purified molecular organic crystal FETs. This observation and the low activation energy of the order of approxkT suggest that molecular structural misplacements of the sizes that are comparable with thermal molecular modes rather than impurity deep traps play a role in formation of these shallow states. We find that the charge carrier mobility in ...
This study demonstrates amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) of the ultraviolet (UV) electroluminescence (EL) from ZnO at #lambda##approx#380 nm in the n-ZnO/ZnO nanodots-SiO_2 composite/p- Al_0_._1_2Ga_0_._8_8N heterojunction light-emitting diode. A SiO_2 layer embedded with ZnO nanodots was prepared on the p-type Al_0_._1_2Ga_0_._8_8N using spin-on coating of SiO_2 nanoparticles followed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO. An n-type Al-doped ZnO layer was deposited upon the ZnO nanodots-SiO_2 composite layer also by the ALD technique. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) reveals that the ZnO nanodots embedded in the SiO_2 matrix have diameters of 3-8 nm and the wurtzite crystal structure, which allows the transport of carriers through the thick ZnO nanodots-SiO_2 composite layer. The high quality of the n-ZnO layer was manifested by the well crystallized lattice image in the HRTEM picture and the ...
Purpose:To report crystal formation as a complication of intravitreal ganciclovir injection.Patients and methods:A 73-year-old female patient with...Full Text Available
One of the main goals in the determination of three-dimensional macromolecular structures from electron microscope images of individual molecules and complexes (single particles) is a sufficiently high spatial resolution, about 4 A, at which the interpretation with an atomic model becomes possible. To reach high resolution, an iterative refinement procedure using an expectation maximization algorithm is often used that leads to a more accurate alignment of the positional and orientational parameters for each particle. We show here the results of refinement algorithms that use a phase residual, a linear correlation coefficient, or a weighted correlation coefficient to align individual particles. The algorithms were applied to computer-generated data sets that contained projections from model structures, as well as noise. The algorithms show different degrees of over-fitting, especially at high resolution where the signal is weak. We demonstrate that the degree of ...
The mechanism of trypsin inactivation by intact Hymenolepis diminuta has been investigated by biochemical and autoradiographic methods. Although worms inactivate trypsin and chymotrypsin in vitro, no inactivation of other endoproteases (subtilisin, pepsin and papain) could be demonstrated. Trypsin inactivation, as demonstrated by macromolecular substrates (azoalbumin, hemoglobin and casein), could not be detected using low molecular weight synthetic substrates such as N-p-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) or N-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME). In addition, the kinetic parameters (K/sub m/ and k_3) for H. diminuta-inactivated trypsin, using BAPA as the substrate, were not different from those of the native enzyme. The number of active sites for both native and inactivated trypsin were determined by titration with p-nitro-phenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate. Absorbance values for both titrations were found to be identical. Dialysis, heating to 50 C, or repeated ...
Macromolecular and polyanionic Na(+)-poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (PGA) silver nitrate complex acted as both a metal ion provider and a particle protector to fabricate nanosized silver colloids under chemical reduction by dextrose. The formation and size of particles have been characterized from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering analysis and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the average particle size was 17.2+/-3.4 to 37.3+/-5.5 nm, apparently depending on the complex concentration. It was found that the rate constant and conversion of silver nanoparticles were proportional to the concentration of PGA. The growth mechanism of nanosized silver colloid was fully discussed. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity evaluated by L929 fibroblasts proliferation and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strain (methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)) and Gram-negative strain (P. aeruginosa) bacteria have been assessed. ...
Multicrystalline silicon is a very interesting material for terrestrial solar cells. Its low cost and respectable energy conversion efficiency (12-15%) makes it arguably the most cost competitive material for large-volume solar power generation. However, the solar cell efficiency of this material is severely degraded by regions of high minority carrier recombination which have been shown to possess both dislocations and microdefects. These structural defects are known to increase in recombination activity with transition metal decoration. Therefore, gettering of metal impurities from the material would be expected to greatly enhance solar cell performance. Contrary to this rationale, experiments using frontside phosphorus and/or backside aluminum treatments have been found to improve regions with low recombination activity while having little or no effect on the high recombination regions and in turn only slightly improving the overall cell performance. The goal of this research is to ...
Crystallization procedure is considered to have adaptability to new reprocessing process based on the PUREX process because it has an advantage in recovering rather pure uranium from contaminated uranium solution without reagent. NEXT (New Extraction System for TRU Recovery) process has been developed by JNC, and applying the crystallization process unit to NEXT process has a capability to contribute to an improvement of economical efficiency and reduction of liquid waste in NEXT process. Thus following studies were carried out. In crystallization process unit, UNH (Uranyl Nitrate Hydrate)-crystals are washed by a nitric acid solution to get high decontamination factor, but the data on UNH-crystals dissolution by washing procedure is insufficient to evaluate the effectiveness of crystallization process unit. So, in this study, the effect of a nitric acid ...
A comparison of nucleation and crystallization of Li{sub 2}O{sm_bullet}2SiO{sub 2} between microwave and conventional heating was investigated. Standard stereological techniques were used to evaluate the results. Nucleation and crystallization behaviors during microwave heating appeared different from conventional heating. Work is in progress to better understand the effects of microwaves on nucleation and crystallization in glass.
We present a study of the crystal field in PrNiAl, NdNiAl, ErNiAl and ErCuAl intermetallic compounds based on inelastic neutron spectroscopy. These compounds crystallize in the ZrNiAl-type hexagonal structure with an orthorhombic symmetry on rare-earth sites. The results are compared with the specific-heat data, and the lower parts of the crystal-field energy-level schemes are determined. (orig.)
We present a study of the crystal field in PrNiAl, NdNiAl, ErNiAl and ErCuAl intermetallic compounds based on inelastic neutron spectroscopy. These compounds crystallize in the ZrNiAl-type hexagonal structure with an orthorhombic symmetry on rare-earth sites. The results are compared with the specific-heat data, and the lower parts of the crystal-field energy-level schemes are determined. (orig.)
The ErNi{sub 1-} {sub x} Cu {sub x} Al compounds crystallize all in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. The concentration dependence of lattice constants shows a discontinuity between x=0.5 and 0.6. This structural change has no primary impact on the magnetic order in this series, but influences the crystal field. The lower part of the crystal-field energy-level schemes has been estimated from the specific-heat data.
The ErNi_1_- _x Cu _x Al compounds crystallize all in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. The concentration dependence of lattice constants shows a discontinuity between x=0.5 and 0.6. This structural change has no primary impact on the magnetic order in this series, but influences the crystal field. The lower part of the crystal-field energy-level schemes has been estimated from the specific-heat data.
Large single crystals of PETN, RDX, and TNT can be grown easily from evaporating ethyl acetate solutions. The crystals all share a similar type of defect that may not be commonly recognized. The defect generates conical faces ideally mosaic crystals, and may account for the polymorphs'' of TNT and detonator grades of PETN. TATB crystals manufactured by the amination of trichlorotrinitrobenzene in dry toluene entrain two forms of ammonium chloride. One of these forms causes worm holes'' in the TATB crystals that may be the reason for its unusually low failure diameters. Strained HMX crystals form mechanical twins that can spontaneously revert back to the untwinned form when the straining force is removed. Large strains or temperatures above 100[degrees]C lock in the mechanical twins.
Large single crystals of PETN, RDX, and TNT can be grown easily from evaporating ethyl acetate solutions. The crystals all share a similar type of defect that may not be commonly recognized. The defect generates conical faces ideally mosaic crystals, and may account for the ``polymorphs`` of TNT and detonator grades of PETN. TATB crystals manufactured by the amination of trichlorotrinitrobenzene in dry toluene entrain two forms of ammonium chloride. One of these forms causes ``worm holes`` in the TATB crystals that may be the reason for its unusually low failure diameters. Strained HMX crystals form mechanical twins that can spontaneously revert back to the untwinned form when the straining force is removed. Large strains or temperatures above 100{degrees}C lock in the mechanical twins.
The energy levels scheme of octahedrally coordinated Ni2+ ion in single crystal, powder nano-single crystal, ceramics and glass-ceramics of MgGa2O4 host matrix, has been calculated in the exchange charge model of crystal field. The parameters of the crystal field acting on the Ni2+ ion are calculated from the crystal structure data, after optimization of the geometry of the system. The energy level schemes have been calculated by diagonalization of the crystal field Hamiltonian of this system. The obtained results were compared with experimental data; a good agreement were demonstrated, which confirm the validity of the model and used method.
Selection of the appropriate radiation quality is an important aspect of optimisation for every clinical imaging task in radiology, since it affects both image quality and patient dose. Spreadsheet...Full Text Available
A new separation process of saturated fatty acids (lauric acid-myristic acid) using crystallization from an aqueous ethanol solution has been examined. There were two vessels in this separation process: an extraction vessel and a crystallization vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were first extracted from their organic phase (melt) in the extraction vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were continuously introduced to the crystallization vessel, and then the fatty acids were crystallized there. The crystals of the fatty acids were collected continuously above the aqueous phase in the crystallization vessel. In this process, the yield and the purity of the crystals over time were measured, and it was found that the purity of lauric acid increased unsteadily up to 0.98 mole fraction of lauric acid with an increase in the yield ...
This handbook provides guidance in the application of quality assurance to measurement activities. It is intended to help those persons making measurements in applying quality assurance to their work activities by showing how laboratory practices and quality assurance requirements are integrated to provide control within those activities. The use of the guidance found in this handbook should help provide consistency in the interpretation of quality assurance requirements across all types of measurement laboratories. This handbook also can assist quality assurance personnel in understanding the relationships between laboratory practices and quality assurance requirements. The handbook is composed of three chapters and several appendices. Basic guidance is provided by the three chapters. In Chapter 1, the role of quality assurance in obtaining ...
Clean Water Act You are here: Water Laws & Regulations Policy & Guidance Clean Water Act Water Quality and 401 Certification Water Quality and 401 Certification Water Quality...
Cerium is known to enter substitutionally in trivalent state when doped in alkali halides. Cerium doped NaCl crystals exhibit greatly enhanced thermoluminescence output upon X-irradiation at RT, the intensity of emission being about 10 times that in undoped crystals for similar dosage of irradiation. The cerium doped crystals give upon X-irradiation a very intense glow peak at 145degC with shoulders at 120degC and 210degC. Upon partially bleaching the crystal with F-light, the peak at 120degC becomes prominent probably due to faster bleaching of the glow at 145degC. From further optical bleaching studies, it is concluded that the glow peak at around 120degC is due to cerium centres in the irradiated crystal and the 145degC peak due to F centres. This F centre emission occurs at lower temperature, compared to that in the undoped crystals where it occurs at around ...
We tried to apply a quartz crystal as a sensor by using the resonant frequency and the resistance properties of quartz crystals. Four kinds of fatty acids that have the same head groups were coated on the surfaces of the quartz crystals, and the shift of the resonant frequency and the resistance were observed based on the lengths of the tail groups. Myristic acid (C{sub 14}), palmitic acid (C{sub 16}), stearic acid (C{sub 18}), and arachidic acid (C{sub 20}) were deposited on the surfaces of quartz crystals by using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method. As a result, the resonant frequency change was more sensitive to high molecular-weight fatty acids than to low molecular-weight ones. We also observed the effect of temperature on stearic acid LB films, and the response properties of quartz crystals coated with stearic-acid LB films to organic gases were investigated. As a result, the ...
The development of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) mineral scale in reverse osmosis (RO) membrane desalting was investigated by direct real-time observation of crystal growth. Gypsum scaling studies were conducted in a specially modified plate-and-frame reverse osmosis cell fitted with an optical window, with dark-field membrane lighting arrangement within the membrane cell to enhance crystal boundaries and allow recording of digital surface images magnified through an optical microscope. The evolution of the surface number density (SND) of gypsum crystals resembled a sigmoidal population growth process with an increasing rate of crystal formation at higher solution supersaturation (with respect to gypsum) at the membrane surface. The rate of formation of new crystals declined as the su...
Single crystals of ytterbium tartrate trihydrate have been grown by gel method using silica and agar-agar gels as media of growth. The medium of growth influences the morphology of grown crystals, silica gel yielding single and polycrystalline in the form of spherulites whereas agar-agar gel leading to growth of single and twinned crystals. Materials grown as single crystals have been characterized by using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDAX, XRD, FT-IR, CHN and thermogravimetric techniques. The stoichiometry of the grown single crystals is suggested to be Yb(C4H4O6) (C4H5O6).3H2O. The FT-IR spectrum shows the presence of singly as well as doubly ionized tartrate ligands. Results of thermal analysis indicate that the material is thermally stable up to a temperature of 200...
A curved crystal X-ray spectrographs of reflection type spherical geometry was required based on the Johann scheme. Due to their high efficiency and resolution, X-ray spectrographs of focusing spectrograph spatial resolution are suitable for detecting weak X-ray spectra in spectrometers for laser fusion research. Spherically bent mica crystal with a radius of curvature of 380 mm was used in the spectrometer. The Bragg angle of the crystal analyzer was 51 degree. The image plate was employed to obtain high spatial resolution and a narrow spectral band width, with an effective area of 30 mm x 80 mm. The designed optical path of the X-ray spectrometer beam was 980 mm long from the source to the crystal and the detector. The first experiment was carried out at the 20 J energy laser facility of Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics. X-ray spectra in an absolute intensity scale ...
The resistance to destruction of spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger occluded in crystals of calcium carbonate and exposed to ethylene oxide and moist and dry heat...Full Text Available
Cadmium telluride single crystals were subjected to multiple-energy boron ion implants with total doses up to 1.5 x 10 sq cm. Various diagnostic techniques were used to assess the structural and electronic properties of these crystals in their as-implante...
IntroductionThe murine air pouch is a bursa-like space that resembles the human synovial membrane. Injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the pouch elicits an acute inflammatory...Full Text Available
Single crystal cubic boron nitride (cBN) was heteroepitaxially grown on a seed crystal of diamond under static high pressure and high temperature at 5.5GPa and 1,600--1,700 C, respectively, for 10--100 hour. A temperature gradient method was employed for the crystal growth by using lithium boron nitride as a solvent. Initial growth feature of cBN crystal was found on the diamond seed surface after the growing time of 10 minutes. The nucleation sites of the crystals seem to be near the etch pits on the diamond surface which were introduced by the surface dissolution by the solvent for cBN growth. Two types of growth features, island and step growth were typically shown on the surface. It can be seen that grown crystal appearing as a (111) nitrogen face was exhibited with the step growth feature, while the (11n) face exhibited the island growth feature. ...
Single crystals of semi-organic L-histidine hydrobromide have been grown by slow evaporation technique from a mixture of L-histidine and hydrobromic acid in aqueous solution at ambient temperature. From high-resolution X-ray diffraction analysis, the crystalline perfection of the grown crystal has been studied. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectral analysis, Thermo-Gravimetry (TG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and hardness test have been employed to characterize the as-grown crystals. The UV cutoff wavelength of the grown crystal is below 300 nm and has a wide transparency window, which is suitable for second harmonic generation of laser in the blue region. Nonlinear optical characteristics have been studied using Q switched Nd:YAG laser (#lambda#=1064 nm). The second harmonic generation conversion efficiency of the grown ...
The mechanical characteristics of semicrystalline materials are related to the proportion, size and structure of the crystalline phase. Studying isothermal crystallization is the first stage in determining what relations exist between structure and charac...
We compared two insecticidal and eight noninsecticidal soil isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis with regard to the solubility of their proteinaceous crystals at alkaline pH values. The...Full Text Available
We report on a high resolution, monolithic crystal PET detector design concept that provides depth of interaction (DOI) positioning within the crystal. Our design utilizes a novel sensor on...Full Text Available
Experimental data are reported on the micro-irregularities of resistivity in longitudinal and transverse specimens of germanium 0.5 to 0.8 mm in thickness and 25 to 40 mm in width. These data are correlated with the conditions of growth of the crystals. (16 refs).
Under different sintering temperatures(340 degrees C, 440 degrees C, 540 degrees C, 640 degrees C), four TiO2 particles were prepared. The crystal types of all four samples were found to possess anatase structures by XRD. It was obtained by N2 experimental adsorption at low temperature (77K) that their surface areas and average pore size were between 79 and 124 m2/g, 56.8 and 254.8 A respectively. The pore structure of TiO2 particles was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tests of adsorption dynamics for FGD and the performance of SO2 removal were investigated in a fixed-bed system for different samples. The results show that SG540 sample which made at 540 degrees C sintering temperature had the most quality among the four samples. It can adsorb SO2 of 38.9 mg for one gram SG540 sample. Different operating conditions for SG540 such as adsorption temperature, SO2 concentration in flue gas and the superficial velocity of ...
ZnO thin films were electrodeposited in aqueous solution on gilded p-type Si wafer substrates. Thermal treatments were carried out on different films in Ar atmosphere at different temperatures, between 200 and 600 {sup 0}C. Surface morphology studies using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show a smooth surface for an annealing temperature of 400 {sup 0}C with a roughness mean square value of about 15 nm and a precipitation of ZnO microcrystals on the deposit surface at 600 {sup 0}C. X-ray diffraction experiments reveal a decrease in the c-parameter value from 5.223 to 5.206 A after treatment at 600 {sup 0}C, due to the removal of hydrogen from the film. Raman spectroscopy analyses show an improvement in the crystalquality of the film and a decrease in the compressive stress inside the deposit. Photoluminescence observations reveal an important change in the UV emission band after annealing at 200 {sup 0}C. A visible ...
Silicon on insulator (SOI) structures are promising candidates for the fabrication of VLSI circuits with very high packing densities. The preparation of such structures can now be achieved by high dose implantation of reactive ion species such as oxygen to produce buried layers of SiO/sub 2/ in silicon. In this paper we report experiments to depth profile these layered structures by SIMS. SOI samples have been prepared by implanting (100) silicon wafers with 400 keV molecular oxygen ions at a dose of 1.8x10/sup 18/ O/sup +/ cm/sup -2/. During the implantation the wafers were maintained at temperatures between 325 and 600/sup 0/C, using beam heating, which achieved in situ-annealing and ensured that the top silicon layer remained single crystal. Analysis was carried out on an Atomika DIDA-II spectrometer using 10 keV Ar/sup +/ ions with a low current density of less than 1 mA cm/sup -2/. During analysis negative secondary ions were monitored which provided a high ...
The Fredericksberg of South Florida may have a great oil potential that has been overlooked as a primary target in past decades. Previous exploration in the area has targeted the Lower Cretaceous oil-producing Sunniland Formation lower in the stratigraphic section. The Fredericksberg Dollar Bay Formation has hydrocarbon shows in many wells occurring in limestone biohermal deposits as well as in an upper dolomitic section. The Dollar Bay Formation is part of the Big Cypress Group of the Comanchean Series of the Lower Cretaceous. The Lower Cretaceous lithology is composed of evaporitic-carbonate cycles consisting of anhydrites, dolomites, and limestones. There are also present some calcareous shales, mudstones, salt, lignitic material, and carbonaceous material, especially in the anhydrite and limestone intervals. The limestones are usually micritic, chalky, calcarenitic, sometimes argillaceous, containing skeletal particles of gastropods, pelecypods, ostracods, algae, and forams ...
This work is concentrated on growth, spectroscopy and laser performance of thulium-doped vanadate crystals. At the beginning the growth techniques are analyzed and then the matrix of vanadates crystal, its structure and physicochemical properties are explained together with the rare earth activators influence. Detailed spectroscopy of the thulium-doped vanadate crystals then follows. On the background of this theoretical analysis and state of the art of the subject the description of thulium vanadate lasers (especially Tm:YVO"4, Tm:GdVO"4, and Tm:LuVO"4) together with their generated output radiation characteristics are presented.
A consistent statistical theory of the crystal-liquid phase transition is developed, being based on a method which takes into account liquidlike fluctuations in crystals and solidlike clusters in liquids. It is shown that degenerate fluidlike droplets have a finite number density at zero temperature, while nondegenerate fluctuations disappear when the temperature goes to zero. The existence of a melting point is proved. This method, which takes into consideration the heterophase fluctuations, provides the possibility of describing metastable states such as a supercooled liquid or an overheated crystal. Conditions for the existence of metastable states are found. The liquid-glass transition can also be described by the method presented here.
We report investigations of enhancement in material conversion efficiency of KDP for SHG applications. The limitation of conventional technique of growing KDP crystal was overcome in the present work by adopting a growth method to grow KDP directly in type-II phase matching direction. The conventional technique results in #approx#30% of the crystal volume usable for SHG applications whereas the present method has resulted in enhancing it to #approx#90%. The orientation of the element was confirmed by frequency conversion experiment using Nd:YAG laser. The UV-vis transmittance obtained was 92%. The interferometric results show that the crystals have excellent optical homogeneity.
... analyzer section for angle resolved measurements, and a thin film evaporator with a quartz crystal microbalance to measure the mass deposition. ...
By the example of CH2Cl2, CF2Cl2, CHF2Cl, C2F6, C2H6, SF6 and C6H12 we have investigated the isobaric thermal conductivity jump at crystal-liquid phase transition. It is shown that the reduction in the thermal conductivity at melting derives from the degree of orientational ordering of the crystals at pre-melting point.
Lead tungstate crystals doped with small fractions of praesodynium or molybdenum have been tested in beams of high-energy electrons. The goal of these tests was to study the effects of such dopants on the capability to separate the signal components deriving from the Cherenkov and scintillation light generated by the beam particles. These studies were carried out in view of the possible application of such crystals in dual-readout calorimeters.
Hydrothermal method for preparing crystal borophosphate with zeolite structure is suggested. To increase absorption capacity and thermal stability of final product, aluminium hydroxide sol, ethylenediamine and ethyl acetate are added to the mixture of crystal boric and concentrated phosphoric acids. Thermal stability of the specimens prepared constitutes 880-950 deg, water absorption capacity is within the limits of 0.30-0.32 cmT/g. 1 table.
Experimental data in the Kondo lattice YbPd_2Si_2 is compared with the results of a hybridization model, based ont he 'large degeneracy expansion' approximation, which takes into account the crystal field level splittings of the Yb ion. We show that satisfactory agreement is obtained with a unique set of crystal field and hybridization parameters. (orig.).
Experimental data in the Kondo lattice YbPd{sub 2}Si{sub 2} is compared with the results of a hybridization model, based ont he 'large degeneracy expansion' approximation, which takes into account the crystal field level splittings of the Yb ion. We show that satisfactory agreement is obtained with a unique set of crystal field and hybridization parameters. (orig.).
In Hungary, legislation for nuclear power plants was developed at the end of the 1970s, among which is the quality assurance code for nuclear power plants. Hungarian practice is presented, including discussion of the requirements for quality assurance, qualification of the suppliers and inspection practices. The general requirements of quality assurance in the course of construction of a nuclear power plant are presented: quality assurance of technological equipment, fuel, electrical equipment, automatic instrumentations, building structures and technology.
The evolution of metallic substance atomic structure is studied on temperature variation including crystal heating up to melting points, a crystal- liquid phase transition and initiation of a high-density liquid specific structure. It is marked that heat induced changes of simple metal structure can be described as changes around a natural elementary cell which is common for both a crystal and a liquid and consists of a central atom and Z_1 atoms of the first coordination sphere. On this basis the vacancy model of melting is verified. Concentrations of melting vacancies are determined by coordination numbers in the form of Z_1/(1+Z_1)"2 which are the same for both a crystal and a natural elementary cell. The size of natural elementary cells is in an agreement with that of the coordination sphere featured in the liquid and phase transition statistical theory. Calculated data are given for a number of ...
In-situ TEM investigations during thermal treatment of amorphous Pd{sub 81}Si{sub 19} have been performed. It was found that crystalline nuclei are formed near the perforation edge of the hole produced by electrochemical polishing. After impinging with neighboring crystals, a crystallization front formed which was aligned parallel to the perforation edge. The crystallization front moved in the direction perpendicular to the perforation edge. Crystal growth was found to proceed faster in thinner parts of the specimen than in thicker parts. The results are described qualitatively within a thermodynamic model taking into account volume-, surface- and interfacial free energies and an appropriate specimen geometry.
Based on the corrected phase diagrams proper growth conditions for Li2Zn2(MoO4)3 crystals are selected. Large crystals (up to 100 mm), both impurity-free and activated by transition metal ions (Cu, Cr), are grown by the low-gradient Czochralski method. By the EPR method the charge state and structural position of copper and chromium ions are determined. The performed studies of luminescent properties show that for impurity-free crystals luminescence with ? = 388 nm with a two-exponential luminescence decay with ?1 = 2 ns and ?2 = 6 ns is observed at room temperature. At 77 K for both impurity-free crystals and those activated with transition metal ions luminescence with ? = 560 nm and the luminescence lifetime ? = 100 ns is observed, the intensity of luminescence with ? = 560 nm depending ...
The optical spectroscopy measurements of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) crystals doped with Yb show evidence of the presence of non-equivalent optical centers with very similar radiative decay rates. The energy level schemes of those centers have been determined on the basis of optical absorption, luminescence and Raman experiments. Crystal field fitting resulted in two sets of slightly different crystal field parameters for two non-equivalent Yb centers. Both sets of parameters describe perfectly the experimentally detected Y b3+ energy levels. Correlation between systematic trends in the experimental energy level schemes and crystal field parameters is discussed.
The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of [N(n-Bu)_4]"+[(MeCp)_3PrCl]"- dissolved in 2-MeTHF were measured at room and at low temperatures. On the basis of these spectra the crystal field splitting pattern could be derived. The parameters of an empirical Hamiltonian were fitted to the energies of 42 levels to give an r.m.s. deviation of 23 cm"-"1. From the crystal field parameters obtained the crystal field strength of the ligand collective was estimated. Compared with neutral Cp_3Pr circle B complexes the crystal field strength of the anionic [(MeCp)_3PrCl]"- moiety is unusually low. (orig.)
Two electroactive polymeric arylene bisimides, namely poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] and its perylene analogue - poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR as well as Raman spectroeletrochemistry. Contrary to low molecular weight arylene bisimides, which show a clear two electron, double-step electrochemical reduction (neutral form to radical anion and from radical anion to dianion), in the synthesized polymers multielectron transfers are observed, accompanied with a strong electrochromic effect. However, as probed by cyclic voltammetry, their first reduction step is retarded and covers a wider potential range. We attribute this effect to macromolecular nature of the compounds being reduced and their structural inhomogeneity caused by ?-stacking induced nanoaggregation of bisimide ...
Low-temperature catalytic pretreatment is a promising approach to the development of an improved liquefaction process- This work is a fundamental study on effects of pretreatments on coal structure and reactivity in liquefaction. The main objectives of this project are to study the coal structural changes induced by low-temperature catalytic and thermal pretreatments by using spectroscopic techniques; and to clarify the pretreatment-induced changes in reactivity or convertibility of coals in the subsequent liquefaction. This report describes the recent progress of our work. Substantial progress has been made in the spectroscopic characterization of structure and pretreatment-liquefaction reactions of a Montana subbituminous Coal (DECS-9), and thermochemical analysis of three mw and reacted bituminous coals. Temperature programmed liquefaction has been performed on three low-rank coals both in the presence and absence of dispersed molybdenum sulfide catalyst. We also performed a ...
The transfer of 203Pb and/or 47Ca across the intestinal epithelium of the chick was investigated, with emphasis given to the functional role of cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3). 203Pb, after introduction in the intestinal lumen, is rapidly accumulated by the intestinal tissue, and only a fraction of 203Pb is translocated parenterally (absorbed). Cholecalciferol did not significantly affect the accumulation of 203Pb by intestinal tissue but did accelerate 203Pb movement across the basal-lateral membrane. In contrast, cholecalciferol both decreased 47Ca tissue levels and increased 47Ca absorption. In rachitic chicks, the rate of absorption of 203Pb was greater in the distal than in the proximal segments of the intestine; after cholecalciferol repletion, the degree of absorption in al segments was similar, indicting the order of cholecalciferol effectiveness as duodenum greater than or equal to jejunum greater than ileum. An acute dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 to rachitic chicks also enhanced both ...
The transfer of /sup 203/Pb and/or /sup 47/Ca across the intestinal epithelium of the chick was investigated, with emphasis given to the functional role of cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3). /sup 203/Pb, after introduction in the intestinal lumen, is rapidly accumulated by the intestinal tissue, and only a fraction of /sup 203/ Pb is translocated parenterally (absorbed). Cholecalciferol did not significantly affect the accumulation of /sup 203/Pb by intestinal tissue but did accelerate /sup 203/Pb movement across the basal-lateral membrane. In contrast, cholecalciferol both decreased /sup 47/Ca tissue levels and increased /sup 47/Ca absorption. In rachitic chicks, the rate of absorption of /sup 203/Pb was greater in the distal than in the proximal segments of the intestine; after cholecalciferol repletion, the degree of absorption in all segments was similar, indicating the order of cholecalciferol effectiveness as duodenum greater than or equal to jejunum > ileum. An acute dose of ...
The general principles of Cu(II) binding to algal waste from agar extraction, composite material and algae Gelidium, and different modelling approaches, are discussed. FTIR analyses provided a detailed description of the possible binding groups present in the biosorbents, as carboxylic groups (D-glucuronic and pyruvic acids), hydroxyl groups (cellulose, agar and floridean starch) and sulfonate groups (sulphated galactans). Potentiometric acid-base titrations showed a heterogeneous distribution of two major binding groups, carboxyl and hydroxyl, following the quasi-Gaussian affinity constant distribution suggested by Sips, which permitted to estimate the maximum amount of acid functional groups (0.36, 0.25 and 0.1 mmol g{sup -1}) and proton binding parameters (pK{sup '}{sub H}=5.0,5.3and4.4;m{sub H} = 0.43, 0.37, 0.33), respectively for algae Gelidium, algal waste and composite material. A non-ideal, semi-empirical, thermodynamically consistent (NICCA) isotherm fitted better ...
N/C and S/C ratios show only minor differences between asphaltenes and coal on this basis, the asphaltenes continue to appear to be good surrogates for the characterization of organic acid rain precursors in coal. Alkylmethoxythiophene carboxylic acids (ATCA) are detected in all dichromate oxidation products analyzed to date. Relative concentrations of ATCA compounds are directly proportional to the sample`s bulk organic sulfur contents. Concentrations of ATCA compounds in oxidation products decrease upon repeated oxidation. This may indicate that the thiophenic groups tend to be located in external positions on the coal macromolecular structure and a high proportion of them can be stripped away with only one mild oxidation step. If true, this may make industrial-scale removal of organic sulfur easier than expected. Using analytical micropyrolysis-gas chromatography with a sulfur-selective flame photometric detector, it is possible to easily see a full distribution ...
Performance of SRF cavities are limited by non-linear localized effects. The variation of local material characters between "hot" and "cold" spots is thus of intense interest. Such locations were identified in a BCP-etched large-grain single-cell cavity and removed for examination by high resolution electron microscopy (SEM), electron-back scattering diffraction microscopy (EBSD), optical microscopy, and 3D profilometry. Pits with clearly discernable crystal facets were observed in both "hotspot" and "coldspot" specimens. The pits were found in-grain, at bi-crystal boundaries, and on tri-crystal junctions. They are interpreted as etch pits induced by surface crystal defects (e.g. dislocations). All "coldspots" examined had qualitatively low density of etching pits or very shallow tri-crystal boundary junction. EBSD revealed the crystal structure surrounding the ...
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were modified with poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (also known as Nylon 66) via a controlled polymer solution crystallization method. A 'nanohybrid shish kebab' (NHSK) structure was found wherein the MWNT resembled the shish while Nylon 66 lamellar crystals formed the kebabs. These Nylon 66-functionalized MWNTs were used as precursors to prepare polymer/MWNT nanocomposites. Excellent dispersion was revealed by optical and electron microscopies. Nitric acid etching of the nanocomposites showed that MWNT formed a robust network in Nylon 66. Non-isothermal DSC results showed multiple melting peaks, which can be attributed to lamellar thickness changes upon heating. The crystallite sizes L{sub 100} and L{sup 010} of Nylon 66, determined by WAXD, decreased with increasing MWNT contents. Isothermal DSC results showed that crystallization kinetics increased first and then ...
Strain-induced crystallization of crosslinked natural rubber (NR) and its synthetic analogue, cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR), both mixed with various amounts of stearic acid (SA), were investigated by time-resolved X-ray diffraction using a powerful synchrotron radiation source and simultaneous mechanical (tensile) measurement. No acceleration or retardation was observed on NR in spite of the increase of SA amount. Even the SA-free IR crystallized upon stretching, and the overall crystallization behavior of IR shifted to the larger strain ratio with increasing SA content. No difference due to the SA was detected in the deformation of crystal lattice by stress for both NR and IR. These results suggested that the extended network chains are effective for the initiation of crystallization upon stretching, while the role of SA is trivial. These behaviors are much different from their ...
The exchange charge model of crystal field theory has been used to analyze systematically the ground state absorption spectra of octahedrally coordinated Ni{sup 2+} ion in isostructural nickel halide crystals NiCl{sub 2}, NiBr{sub 2}, and NiI{sub 2}. The parameters of the crystal field acting on the Ni{sup 2+} ion are calculated from the available crystal structure data. The obtained energy level schemes are compared with experimental absorption spectra; a good agreement with experimental data is demonstrated. Dependencies of the crystal field invariants and covalence effects on the type of ligands are considered. It is shown numerically that the overlap effects between Ni{sup 2+} ion and ligands increase with an increase of the ligands' atomic number resulting in the following order of the degree of covalence: NiI{sub 2}>NiBr{sub 2}>NiCl{sub 2}.
The exchange charge model of crystal field theory has been used to analyze systematically the ground state absorption spectra of octahedrally coordinated Ni"2"+ ion in isostructural nickel halide crystals NiCl_2, NiBr_2, and NiI_2. The parameters of the crystal field acting on the Ni"2"+ ion are calculated from the available crystal structure data. The obtained energy level schemes are compared with experimental absorption spectra; a good agreement with experimental data is demonstrated. Dependencies of the crystal field invariants and covalence effects on the type of ligands are considered. It is shown numerically that the overlap effects between Ni"2"+ ion and ligands increase with an increase of the ligands' atomic number resulting in the following order of the degree of covalence: NiI_2>NiBr_2>NiCl_2.
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BackgroundThe aim of this study is to validate the questionnaire ECOS-16 (Assessment of health related quality of life in osteoporosis) for the evaluation of health related quality...Full Text Available
This report presents results from the soil inorganic analysis of the 44th set of environmental quality assessment samples, of the quality assessment program, that were received on or before June 3, 1996. The samples were analyzed for RCRA metals.
Quality reporting tools, integrated with ambulatory electronic health records, can help clinicians and administrators understand performance, manage populations, and improve quality. Report Central...Full Text Available
The status of the concept of controlling the quality of physicians is reviewed as are studies that have been done on methods to measure and improve quality. The conclusions are dismal given the rhetoric...Full Text Available
The `Procurement Quality Function` is an element of the Body of Knowledge of Quality Engineering, as defined by the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC). This paper describes the Procurement Quality function which has been installed as an integral part of the Quality Engineering group of the Technical and Management Support Services (T&MSS) contractor to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project. Each of the elements of the T&MSS Procurement Quality Engineering (PQE) system is discussed along with the measurements obtained. With the installation and development of the PQE system we have attained more meaningful evaluation of supplier capability, reduction of procurement document review reject ratios from 31% to less than 2% per quarter, more effective measurement and control of supplier performance, ...
... tests, one often encounters, for instance, separated flows with large ... It is suspected that the flow-quality criteria given in AGARD Report No. ...
BACKGROUND: This prospective and retrospective study carried out over a period of one month (50 patients) looked at the quality of hospital records of urethral catheterisation with reference to the...Full Text Available
Amphibians are considered reliable indicators of environmental quality. In the western United States, a general decline of frog populations parallels an apparent worldwide decline. The factors thought...Full Text Available
As controlled clinical vocabularies assume an increasing role in modern clinical information systems, so the issue of their quality demands greater attention. In order to meet the resulting stringent...Full Text Available
The following aspects will be discussed: The main function of the Division of Inspection Services and its role in the Marketing of agricultural products; the shelf life of agricultural products: short review of present methods with a practical example of losses incurred due to limited keeping quality; irradiation and heat treatment: advantages of inhibited microbiological activities and undesirable chemical changes from a quality control point of view; quality standards: the basic principles of quality control; consequences of effective post-harvest treatment: export of deciduous and citrus fruit; the magnitude of the problem of poor keeping quality and quality requirements; other fruit; quantities and export limitations and vegetables; quantity and quality requirements; local marketing: fruit and vegetables subjected to inspection; quantity ...
...Air Quality Monitoring Networks Products and Equipment Find and compare a variety of air quality monitoring networks products and equipment on the world's largest environmental industry portal. ...
When a plasma becomes contaminated by foreign particles, generically referred to as dust, the result is called a dusty plasma. At the present time there is a great deal of interest in dusty plasmas because of their roles in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial processes - semiconductor processing, high temperature fusion experiments, stellar formation and the rings of Saturn. This thesis is concerned with the role of dust in processing type plasmas. In the following experiments, artificial dust is introduced into a parallel electrode plasma chamber. Ions and electrons in the plasma charge the dust particles and they become suspended in the plasma due to the balancing of electric and gravitational forces. By illuminating the suspended dust with laser light and using an extremely high speed camera fitted with a macro lens to look at the scattered light, the dust particles are observed directly. Specially written computer software is then able to track and analyse the particles' ...
The kinetics of calcium sulfate crystal growth is of importance in various fields, such as geochemistry, desalination technology, petroleum industry, and water and wastewater treatment. The seeded crystal growth rate of calcium sulfate dihydrate was measured as a function of supersaturation in NaCl electrolyte solutions from 0 to 6 m at temperatures of 25, 50, 70, and 90 C. The growth followed a second-order parabolic rate law with activation energies greater than 53 kJ/mol which suggested the surface reaction as the rate-limiting step. It was observed that the rate constant and the activation energy are solution composition dependent. The rate constant increases with NaCl concentration up to 3 molal and then begins to fall slightly. The activation energy dropped from 61 kJ/mol in the pure Ca-SO[sub 4]H[sub 2]O system to 53 kJ/mol in 3.0 m NaCl solutions. The electrolyte effect was similar to the crystal solubility behavior ...
The structural change of the (100-x)(0.6Li{sub 2}S{center_dot}0.4SiS{sub 2})centre dotxLi{sub 3}PO{sub 4} oxysulfide glassesduring crystallization was analyzed by means of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The unique tetrahedral units of SiO{sub n}S{sub 4-n} (n=1,2,3) and PO{sub n}S{sub 4-n} (n=1,2,3) present in the glass samples vanished and the SiS{sub 4}, PS{sub 4}, SiO{sub 4} units increased with proceeding of the crystallization process. Nonbridging sulfur and oxygen atoms decreased while bridging oxygens and S{sup 2-} increased with proceeding of the crystallization process. Large structural difference between the glass and the corresponding crystallized sample explained the high stability against crystallization found in the oxysulfide glass with the composition of X=5. (author)
The structural change of the (100-x)(0.6Li[sub 2]S[center dot]0.4SiS[sub 2])centre dotxLi[sub 3]PO[sub 4] oxysulfide glassesduring crystallization was analyzed by means of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The unique tetrahedral units of SiO[sub n]S[sub 4-n] (n=1,2,3) and PO[sub n]S[sub 4-n] (n=1,2,3) present in the glass samples vanished and the SiS[sub 4], PS[sub 4], SiO[sub 4] units increased with proceeding of the crystallization process. Nonbridging sulfur and oxygen atoms decreased while bridging oxygens and S[sup 2-] increased with proceeding of the crystallization process. Large structural difference between the glass and the corresponding crystallized sample explained the high stability against crystallization found in the oxysulfide glass with the composition of X=5. (author)
The spectral dependences of absorption photoinduced in a pure bismuth titanium oxide crystal by 532-nm laser pulses are studied. It is shown that optical absorption in the crystal in the range from 492 to 840 nm increases with increasing exposure. The photoinduced absorption relaxes in the dark for more than 60 hours. A model of photoinduced absorption is proposed which assumes the population of two trap centres with the normal energy distribution law for the concentrations of electrons photoexcited from donors to the conduction band. This model well describes the spectral dependences of photoinduced absorption by using the average ionisation energies of the traps E{sub 1} = 1.60 eV and E{sub 2} = 2.57 eV. The model is used to estimate the increase in the photorefractive sensitivity of a bismuth titanium oxide crystal in the near IR region, which was earlier observed after exposing the crystal to ...
In culture migrating and interacting amoeboid cells can form nematic liquid crystal phases. A polar nematic liquid crystal is formed if the interaction has a polar symmetry. One type of white blood cells (granulocytes) form clusters where the cells are oriented towards the center. The core of such an orientational defect (disclination) is either a granulocyte forced to be in an isotropic state or another cell type like a monocyte. An apolar nematic liquid crystal is formed if the interaction has an apolar symmetry. Different cell types like human melanocytes (=pigment cells of the skin), human fibroblasts (=connective tissue cells), human osteoblasts (=bone cells), human adipocytes (= fat cells) etc., form an apolar nematic liquid crystal. The orientational elastic energy is derived and the orientational defects (disclination) of nematic liquid crystals are investigated. The ...
To improve organic electronic applications, knowledge about microscopic mechanisms determining the charge carrier mobilities is pivotal. 9,10-Diphenylanthracene (DPA) has been identified as model system to study those correlations due to its high electron and hole mobilities at room temperature and its complex structural phase behaviour. We demonstrate our temperature dependent Time-Of-Flight data on single crystals grown by vapor phase transport (VPT) and by Bridgman growth technique. Both preparation techniques revealed crystals of different morphologies resulting in significant variations of the related bipolar mobilities. As a key result, the charge carrier mobility of {proportional_to}1 cm{sup 2}/Vs at room temperature along the (111)-direction of Bridgman crystals exceeds that along the (001)-direction of VPT grown crystals by about one order of magnitude. The observed differences in the mobility ...
The quality assurance requirements in various countries and according to various international codes and standards are presented, compared and critically discussed. Cases of developing countries are also discussed, and the use of IAEA code of practice and other codes for quality assurance in these countries is reviewed. Recommendations are made regarding the quality assurance system to be applied for Egypt's nuclear power plants.
The general requirements applicable to the quality assurance of the Finnish nuclear power plants are presented in the Council of State Decision (395/91) and in the guide YVL 1.4. This guide specifies the quality assurance requirements to be applied during the operation of the nuclear power plants as well as of the other nuclear facilities. Quality assurance applies to all the activities and organizations with a bearing on the safe operation of the nuclear power plants. (5 refs.).
The present code requirements on quality assurance as well as the present praxice of quality assurance procedures in the operation of nuclear power plants are presented. On the example of recurring inspections the organizational and technical complications are shown with respect to the code and licensing requirements. Taking the present experiences into account suggestions are given how to transform the general requirements of KTA 1401 to quality assurance requirements during plant operation. (orig.).
Significant progress has been achieved recently in the growth of Yttrium Calcium Oxyborate (YCOB) crystals. Boules have been grown capable of producing large aperture nonlinear crystal plates suitable for high average power frequency conversion or optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). With a large aperture (5.5 cm x 8.5 cm) YCOB crystal we have demonstrated a record 227 W of 523.5nm light (22.7 J/pulse, 10 Hz, 14 ns). We have also demonstrated the applicability of YCOB for 1053 nm OPCPA.
The absorption, emission and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of the anionic complex (Cp_3Pr. NCS)"- were measured at room and low temperatures. On the basis of these spectra the electronic structure in the f-f range could be derived. The parameters of an empirical Hamiltonian were fitted to the experimentally determined crystal field splitting pattern. Compared with the previously examined neutral Cp_3 Pr.X complexes the quadratic crystal field parameter B_0"2 is considerably reduced.
Spontaneous emission in photonic crystals with anisotropic three-dimensional dispersion relation is studied. If the upper level is below a characteristic frequency omega(1), or above omega(2), or between omega(1) and omega(2), the radiation is a localized field with a frequency in the band gap, or a propagating field with a frquency in the band, or a diffusion field, respectively. An analytical expression for the Lamb shift is obtained. The Lamb shift for the current case is small compared to that in an ordinary vacuum or in one- or two-dimensional photonic crystals due to lower density of states. PMID:11017227
The color centers, which are generated in yttrium-aluminium perovskite (YAP):Nd(1 at.%) and YAP:Er(50 at.%) crystals under the influence of ultraviolet and #gamma#-irradiation, have been studied by absorption spectroscopy. The generated color centers are both stable and transient at room temperature. It is shown that the transient color centers are mainly responsible for the decrease of laser generation efficiency of Nd:YAP and YAP:Er irradiated crystals, although physical mechanisms leading to efficiency decrease are different in these materials. (orig.)
The luminescence spectra of trivalent europium ion embedded in various rare earth chromates were analysed. The spectroscopic data in most of chromates are in agreement with the structural determination but for some others the discrepancy between two methods is underlined. Energy level schemes were deducted from the experimental emission spectra and the crystal field simulation has been performed. The maximum splitting of the "7F_1 manifold of the Eu"3"+ ion as a function of N_v, the so-called crystal field strength parameter, is given. This allows us to classify the compounds according to their crystal field extent. (author)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate in large crystal form is produced by maintaining the circulation of the lime containing scrubbing solution in the desulfurization scrubbing of flue gases from a power plant boiler so that it has a residence time of 5 to 25 hours, preferably 15 hours. The crystals are moved by passing a portion of the recirculation through a thinner in which a sludge containing crystals with a mean particle size of which 90% is in excess of 100 microns is removed. This product can be dewatered and treated with sulfuric acid and steam to convert it to the alpha semihydrate and is free from sulfite.
In CsCdBr_3, Tm"3"+ substitutes for Cd"2"+. It predominately forms symmetric dimer centers and single-ion centers, both of trigonal symmetry. The energy level schemes of both centers were determined by EPR and site-selective laser spectroscopy. To describe the spectra term dependent crystal-field parameters were deduced on the basis of a microscopic model taking into account the local lattice deformation induced by the impurity centers and the quasi-resonant virtual scattering of intrinsic lattice excitations by the Tm"3"+ ions. (orig.)
We show that in the Landau gauge of the SU(2) Yang-Mills theory the residual global symmetry supports existence of the topological vortices which resemble disclination defects in the nematic liquid crystals and the Alice (half-quantum) vortices in the superfluid heluim 3 in the A-phase. The theory also possesses half-integer and integer charged monopoles which are analogous to the point-like defects in the nematic crystal and in the liquid helium. We argue that the deconfinement phase transition in the Yang-Mills theory in the Landau gauge is associated with the proliferation of these vortices and/or monopoles. The disorder caused by these defects is suggested to be responsible for the confinement of quarks in the low-temperature phase.
In this project we developed photonic crystal modeling capability and fabrication technology that is scaleable to large area. An intelligent optimization code was developed to find the optimal structure for the desired spectral response. In terms of fabrication, an exhaustive survey of fabrication techniques that would meet the large area requirement was reduced to Deep X-ray Lithography (DXRL) and nano-imprint. Using DXRL, we fabricated a gold logpile photonic crystal in the <100> plane. For the nano-imprint technique, we fabricated a cubic array of gold squares. These two examples also represent two classes of metallic photonic crystal topologies, the connected network and cermet arrangement.
The results of studies of the time-resolved luminescence of self-trapped excitons (STE) with different multiplicity as well as the X-ray emission in oriented BeO crystals under excitation in the vicinity of the 1 s Be photoabsorption edge are presented. The branching of the electronic excitations relaxation depends strongly on the crystal orientation after the inner-shell excitation. The common features between the processes of the STE luminescence and resonantly excited X-ray fluorescence have been discussed.
We consider the radiation of particles (electrons and positrons) undergoing planar channeling in a single crystal of small thickness L. We show that for Lapprox...pi..b/theta/sub L/, where b is the lattice constant and theta/sub L/ is the Lindhard angle, in addition to the principal maxima of spontaneous radiation of channeled particles in the spectrum there are additional interference maxima, and the positions of all maxima of the radiation intensity depend on L. We discuss the dependence of the intensity of radiation at various frequencies on the crystal thickness.
White beam Laue micro-diffraction was performed on directionally solidified, single-crystal Mo pillars in the as-grown state, after focused ion beam (FIB) milling and after pre-straining. The Laue diffraction peaks from the as-grown pillars are very sharp and show no broadening, similar to those from single-crystal Si wafers. Significant broadening and streaking of the peaks occurred after FIB milling and pre-straining, indicative of the damage these treatments induce in the nearly perfect crystal structure of the directionally solidified Mo pillars.
The crystal and molecular structures of the anti-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome agent 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) have been determined by x-ray diffraction. There are two crystallographically independent AZT molecules in the crystal asymmetric unit; they have similar conformation and differ primarily in the glycosyl torsion angle. Comparisons with a hydrated thymidylate structure indicate that the azido group does not significantly affect the gross conformational preference of the molecule. The comparisons also suggest possible functional roles for the azido group in enzyme binding.
Fuzzy theory has been regarded as a very important technique for quality management (QM) of distributed manufacturing system and attracts the attentions of academic and industry; however, there is a lack of a comprehensive literature review and a classification scheme for it. This paper is the first academic literature review of the fuzzy theory applied in quality management of distributed manufacturing system. It involves five most popular databases in this research area and covers more than 20 journals, proposes a classification scheme using clustering analysis method. Sixty-one journal articles were finally selected, reviewed and classified. Each selected article was classified firstly based on four QM dimensions (quality planning, quality control, quality assurance and quality improvem...
I. S. Kirbis, P. Maxwell, M. S. Flear, K. Miller and M. Ibrahim External quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples: a review of UK NEQAS ICC (cytology module) results Objective:- To date, external quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples is provided only by the United Kingdom national external quality assessment service for immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation (UK NEQAS ICC & ISH). For the purpose of this study a retrospective analysis of a comprehensive collection of quality-related data regarding immunocytochemistry on cytology samples collected through this service was analysed. Methods:- The quality of immunocytochemical reactions, using on-line collected data, was analysed for the last 23 UK NEQAS ICC cytology module external quality asses...
Purpose - Holding the number of outside directorships constant, this paper aims to test whether executive directors from superior performing firms are subsequently rewarded with better quality outside directorships. Design/methodology/approach - The quality of new outside directorship appointments is modelled using a two-step Heckman selection procedure to control for the probability of acquiring a new outside board seat. Outside directorship quality is estimated using an index formed from series of observable firm-specific characteristics proxying for the following three latent aspects of quality: prestige, reputational risk and monetary rewards. The index aggregates across these three dimensions to produce an overall quality score, with higher scores signifying higher quality directorshi...
Purpose: To compare the diagnostic quality and adverse events of the water-soluble, non-ionic, iso-osmolar, dimeric contrast media iodixanol and iotrolan in hysterosalpingography (HSG). Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty patients participated in a double-blind randomized parallel-group phase-III study. Questionnaires and patient interviews were used. Diagnostic quality was assessed using a visual analogue scale and the quality in specific regions was rated using a categorical scale. Results: Overall diagnostic quality was equal for the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in diagnostic quality in the specific regions of interest. No differences between the contrast media were found with regard to adverse events. Conclusion: Both contrast media provided images of high diagnostic quality in HSG. (orig.)
This paper, firstly, introduces the background in developing a high quality water supply system, in which the drinking water system is isolated inside a building. Results of questionnaire on the high quality service water are illustrated. The results of questionnaire have revealed that the high quality service water is extremely interested. Then, are described the target quality of high quality water, the constitution of high quality water supply system, the treatment process, the measures to secure safety and sanitary, and the method of maintenance. The high quality water is produced through the activated charcoal absorption treatment, membrane treatment, ozonation, cooling, mineral addition, and disinfection of city water. Furthermore, application examples of this system adopted to a department store and a bachelor apartment house are ...
Lead is known to enter substitutionally in divalent state when doped in alkali halides. When irradiated at room temperature these lead centers (Pb"+"+) act as traps for electrons knocked off from the halogen ions and become Pb"+ and Pb"0 (for large doses of irradiation). These changes could be followed in the optical absorption studies. These lead-doped crystals after X-ray irradiation yield a thermoluminescence output smaller than that observed in 'pure' crystals. However, two new glow peaks are observed in additions to those due to F-centers. In KCl : Pb and Kbr : Pb crystals part of the F-center glow preceds the new glow peaks. The new peaks are attributed to the Pb"+ and Pb"0 centers. The glow peak temperatures and trap depths for these peaks an obtained by total-curve fitting method are reported. (author).
The thermoluminescence (TL) and emission of coloured RbCl and RbCl:Sn crystals are studied in the temperature range 300 to 560 K. The glow peaks responsible for F centres and tin centres in different valence states are identified using optical bleaching studies. The glow peaks are analysed using total curve fitting method and the kinetic parameters are determined. In moderately #gamma#-irradiated tin-doped RbCl crystals, the TL emission bands observed at 4.0, 3.6, and 2.2 eV are attributed to Sn"0, Sn"+, and Sn"- centers, respectively. A comprehensive energy level diagram depicting the various TL processes in these undoped and tin-doped RbCl crystals is proposed. (author).
The SCF approximation is used in a statistical theory of melting based on equality of the chemical potentials. The results for the melting points of the inert gases are close to the observed values.
The thermal conductivity of liquid CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4 is measured by a steady-state method under saturated vapor pressure in the temperature regions corresponding to pre-crystallization temperatures. The experimental results obtained are used to investigate the isobaric thermal conductivity jump ? ?p at the crystal-liquid phase transition in CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4. The contributions of the phonon-phonon and phonon-rotational interaction to the total thermal resistance in solid and liquid state are specified using a modified method of reduced coordinates. The decrease in the thermal conductivity at the crystal-liquid phase transition, ? ?p, is explained by a combined effect of variations in positional distribution of molecules and in the form of rotational molecular motion.
The thermal conductivity of liquid CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4 is measured by a steady-state method under saturated vapor pressure in the temperature regions corresponding to pre-crystallization temperatures. The experimental results obtained are used to investigate the isobaric thermal conductivity jump ??p at the crystal-liquid phase transition in CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4. The contributions of the phonon-phonon and phonon-rotational interaction to the total thermal resistance in solid and liquid state are specified using a modified method of reduced coordinates. The decrease in the thermal conductivity at the crystal-liquid phase transition, ??p, is explained by a combined effect of variations in positional distribution of molecules and in the form of rotational molecular motion.
The new nonlinear optical crystal Rb3V5O14 has been synthesized by solid state reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal Rb3V5O14 crystallizes in the trigonal system with space P31m (No. 157), a=b=8.7134(12) A, c=5.2807(11) A and ?=90o, ?=90o, ?=120o, Z=1, ?=3.516 g/cm3. It is a layered structure that is very flat and strongly parallel to c. The V5O14 layer structure consists of corner-linked square and triangular pyramids. The layers are separated by Rb+ ions, which fit equally well on the V5O14 layer. The Kurtz powder SHG measurement, using 1064 nm radiation, showed that the second-harmonic generation efficiency of Rb3V5O14 is about two times that of KDP. -- Graphical abstract: The new nonlinear optical crystal Rb3V5O14 has been synthesized by solid state reaction and characterized by ...
Microwave-hydrothermal processing was compared with conventional hydrothermal processing in the crystallization of hematite from 1M ferric nitrate and hydroxyapatite from calcium oxide and phosphoric acid. Microwave-hydrothermal processing led to the crystallization of hematite while convention-hydrothermal process led to the crystallization of a mixture of goethite and hematite under the same temperature conditions. Thus the crystallization of hematite which is the stable iron oxide phase at high temperatures has been catalyzed by microwaves. Microwave-hydrothermal processing also led to highly crystalline hydroxyapatite powders compared to the conventional hydrothermal processing which also points to the catalytic role of microwaves. The microwave induced effects may be attributed to the generation of localized high temperatures at the reaction sites which enhance reaction rates.
Simulations of the x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) oscillator are presented that include transverse effects and realistic Bragg crystal properties with the two-dimensional code GINGER. In the present cases considered the radiation divergence is much narrower than the crystal acceptance, and the numerical algorithm can be simplified by ignoring the finite angular bandwidth of the crystal. In this regime GINGER shows that the saturated x-ray pulses have 109 photons and are nearly Fourier-limited with peak powers in excess of 1 MW. Wealso include preliminary results for a four-mirror cavity that can be tuned in wavelength over a few percent, with future plans to incorporate the full transverse response of the Bragg crystals into GINGER to more accurately model this tunable source.
Intrusive degassing and recycling of degassed and dense magma at depth have been proposed for a long time at Stromboli. The brief explosive event that occurred at the summit craters on 9 January 2005 threw out bombs and lapilli that could be good candidates to illustrate recycling of shallow degassed magma at depth. We present an extensive data set on both the textures and the mineral, bulk rock and glassy matrix chemistry of the ?9 Jan? products. The latter have the common shoshonitic?basaltic bulk composition of lavas and scoriae issued from typical strombolian activity. In contrast they differ by the heterogeneous chemistry of their matrix glasses and their crystal textures that testify to crystal dissolution event(s) just prior magma crystallization upon ascent and eruption. Comparison...
The transformation from the as-quenched amorphous to the crystalline state in Fe_7_8B_1_3Si_9 alloy has been investigated using a new-type neutron diffractometer. The time resolved diffraction patterns clearly show that this alloy crystallizes into FeSi alloy and Fe_2B in that order. The time evolution of these crystalline phases can be analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation with the exponent of about 2.5 over a wide temperature range. This suggests that the crystallization occurs by the diffusion-controlled growth with a constant nucleation rate. The scaling behavior in the crystallization kinetics is also discussed. (author).
The transformation from the as-quenched amorphous to the crystalline state in Fe/sub 78/B/sub 13/Si/sub 9/ alloy has been investigated using a new-type neutron diffractometer. The time resolved diffraction patterns clearly show that this alloy crystallizes into FeSi alloy and Fe/sub 2/B in that order. The time evolution of these crystalline phases can be analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation with the exponent of about 2.5 over a wide temperature range. This suggests that the crystallization occurs by the diffusion-controlled growth with a constant nucleation rate. The scaling behavior in the crystallization kinetics is also discussed.
Results of experimental investigation into radiation electromagnetic effect (REM) in samples of germanium crystals under approximately 40 MeV #alpha#-particle irradiation in a cyclotron are presented. A high level of excitation, volumetric character of generation of non-equilibrium carriers and formation of defects as well as the form of their spatial distribution are shown to result in some peculiarities of the EMF of the REM effect on the particle flux, fluence and sample parameters. Agreement of theoretical calculations, conducted with account of specificity of #alpha#-particle interaction with a crystal, and experimental data is obtained. It is revealed that the REM effect can be applied in obtaining data on spatial distribution of non-equilibrium carrier concentrations along the particle trajectory in the crystal.
Oct 30, 2006 ... Pigment Analysis by HPLC at Horn Point Laboratory. Laurie Van Heukelem. Crystal Thomas. Meg Maddox. University of Maryland Center for ...
A method has been developed to optimize the energy resolution of a horizontally focusing monochromator. The method consists of determining the optimum radius of curvature of the cylindrically bent monochromator crystal by minimizing the total diffracted X-ray flux measured through an X-ray absorption foil. When measured at an absorption edge a global minimum can be identified, which corresponds to the minimum energy band accepted along the entire length of the crystal. Experimental verification of this method has been validated by comparing X-ray fluorescent scans taken for a series of crystal curvatures and by directly measuring the X-ray beam profiles at the corresponding points. The actual optical configuration and asymmetric-cut parameter of the focusing monochromator on beamline X4C at the National Synchrotron Light Source are modeled and ray tracing simulations of the optical system are compared with direct beam ...
A localization criterion for the crystal-liquid phase transition (PT) is suggested, according to which the PT starts when the ratio E d/k B T reaches a boundary value E d(s)/k B T m, above which a solid phase, and below which, a liquid phase is located in the phase diagram. Here, E d is the energy of the delocalization of an atom, k B is the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature, and E d(s) is the energy of delocalization for the solid phase at the melting point T m. It is shown that this criterion extends the Lindemann criterion of melting to the case of crystallization, and the L?ven criterion of crystallization to the case of melting. It is shown that the localization criterion suggested is applicable both for the normally melting substances and for the substances melting with a decr...
A localization criterion is proposed for the crystal-liquid phase transition (PT). According to this criterion, the PT begins when the E d/k b T ratio reaches a boundary value E d(s)/k b T m such that a solid phase is present above it and a liquid phase is present below it in a phase diagram. Here, E d is the energy of atom delocalization, k b is the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature, and E d(s) is the delocalization energy for a solid phase at melting point T m. This criterion is shown to generalize the Lindemann criterion of melting to the case of crystallization and the L?ven criterion of crystallization to the case of melting. This localization criterion is found to be applicable for both normally melting substances and substances that melt with a decrease in the specific volume...
The KDP crystal was 10 cm long and cut such that the c-axis was 50.3* to the normal of its input face. We selected for study idler and signal beams ...
LaPO4 single crystals lightly doped with Er3+, and codoped with Er3+ and Yb3+ have been grown by spontaneous nucleation in a lead phosphate flux. Absorption and luminescence spectra have been measured in the visible and near-IR regions and the excited state dynamics has been studied upon pulsed laser excitation. The obtained results have allowed the evaluation of the effective emission cross-sections around 1.5 ?m, that have been found to be similar to important oxide laser crystals doped with Er3+. Efficient visible upconversion has been observed upon excitation at 980 nm in the codoped crystals. This behaviour is attributed to Yb3+-Er3+ energy transfer processes.
Approximately 65% of PSI structures report some type of ligand(s) that is bound in the crystal structure. Here, a description is given of how such ligands are handled and analyzed at the JCSG and a...Full Text Available
Consideration is given to the data, demonstrating the effect of ion radiation on strength characteristics of ionic crystals, presented by magnesium oxide. Crystals, prepared in the form of plates, were irradiated by Si"+, Fe"+, C"+ ions by the dose of 10"1"6-10"1"7 ion/cm"2 at room temperature in vacuum. The following characteristics were investigated: dislocation density, microhardness, crack resistance. Investigation of dislocation structure showed, that dislocation density in irradiated sample was 2-3 times higher, as compared to nonirradiated one. Sufficient increase of fracture viscosity of MgO crystals was revealed. It can be conditioned by occurrence of compression stresses in the surface layer, decelerating crack formation and propagation.
Background: Thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies (TSAb) bind to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) extracellular domain, or ectodomain (ECD), comprising a leucine-rich repeat domain (LRD) linked by a hinge region to the transmembrane domain (TMD). The LRD (residues 22???260; signal peptide 1???21) contains two disulfide-bonded loops at its N-terminus. In the crystal structure of the isolated LRD complexed with human TSAb monoclonal antibody (mAb) M22, N-terminal disulfide loop 1 (residues 22???30) could not be determined because of crystal disorder. Nevertheless, present crystal structure data are interpreted to exclude a role for the LRD N-terminal disulfide loops in the TSAb epitope(s), contradicting prior functional evidence of a role for these loops in TSAb function. Materials and Methods: ...
A practical hands-on course encompassing enzyme purification, biochemical characterization, and crystallization that completed the course work of 350 second-year bachelor students enrolled in molecular biology/biochemistry was given at the Universite Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg (France). The experimental part of the practical dealt entirely with the model protein lysozyme isolated from hen egg-white. It was designed as a research project to give students the possibility to practice biochemical methods such as chromatography, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry. It also included enzyme activity assay and protein crystal growth that are usually taught in master-level courses. The organization of the practical work and the related experimental procedures are described and discussed.
Herein, we demonstrate the structure of the PS colloidal crystals which were fabricated on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic Si wafers by a spin-coating technique. Monodisperse PS colloids are spin-coated onto self-assembled monolayers of 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and propyltrimethoxysilane coated Si wafers. PS spheres organized as ordered close-packed face-centered cubic structure with (111) planes on the hydrophilic surface while they gathered without the crystal structure on the hydrophobic surface. This paper also reports a simple and rapid method to fabricate the close-packed structure of hollow TiO2 spheres. The colloidal crystal of TiO2 hollow spheres was prepared using the PS sphere template on the hydrophobic surface. The mechanism for the growing multilayers of self-assembled PS p...
The electronic structures of the set of molecular clusters of dielectric oxide crystals AWO4 (A = Pb, Cd, Zn), the sizes of which increase sequentially are ab-initio calculated by the Restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) method. The results of calculations of molecular orbitals and energy dependences of partial densities of electronic states of different clusters are compared each to other and to experimental data. It is found that calculated electronic structures of the tungstate groups and cations which are surrounded in cluster by certain number of the nearest neighbor atoms of the crystals quite well represent the experimentally obtained value of the forbidden gap of corresponding AWO4 crystal. (authors)
replacing the KDP crystal, and introducing computer programs for accumulation of an almost unlimited number of frames. The calibration procedure using solar ...
Gaseous Nitrogen Dewar apparatus developed by Dr. Alex McPherson of the University of California, Irvine for use aboard Mir and the International Space ...
Sep 19, 2005 ... within a sealed tube to control the environment to which a sample mounts are better suited to handling the very small crystal is exposed. ...
Huntsville, Alabama Utilities has successfully provided services for over 53 years. However, the quality of service demands from customers are changing every day! Part of this demand is due to updated digital appliances, home and business computers, and automated systems. A quality program was initiated in 1992 as a result of an internal assessment. The Malcolm Baldrige approach was selected which includes seven areas: (1) Leadership; (2) Information and Analysis; (3) Strategic Planning; (4) Human Resource Utilization; (5) Quality Assurance of Products and Services: (6) Quality Results: (7) Customer Satisfaction. Training for and implementation of the Quality program is discussed in detail.
This paper develops a model of nonlinear pricing with competition. The novel element is that each consumer's willingness to pay for quality is private information and is allowed to differ across brands. The consumer's preferences are represented by a multidimensional type containing the marginal value of quality for different products. Buyers with high willingness to pay for quality also display strong preferences for particular brands, and require higher discounts in order to switch away from their favorite product. Therefore, competition is fiercer for buyers with lower tastes for quality, and hence more elastic demands. This is in sharp contrast to earlier models in which competition is fiercer for higher-taste, more valuable buyers. In equilibrium, firms either compete intensively for ...
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The rare earth antimonates RE_3Sb_5O_1_2 constitute an isostructural series, where the rare earth site symmetry is S_4. The spectroscopic properties of pure or doped compounds of this family are studied in order to derive their energy level schemes and to simulate them through the crystal field theory, by using the approximated D_2_d potential. The paramagnetic susceptibilities are calculated with the derived wavefunctions and compared to experiment.
Structural relaxation, crystallization and optimisation processes in soft magnetic amorphous alloys based on iron are examined by applying different experimental techniques: X-ray diffraction analysis, high-resolution electron microscopy, measurements of magnetic and electric properties (permeability, after-effect resistivity). The presented results are discussed in terms of annealing out of microvoids, formation of nanocrystalline phase and changes of effective magnetostriction constant. (author)
Optical absorption measurements show that substitutional H"- ions, that is, protons with two electrons on anion sites, are thermally more stable than anion vacancies when thermochemically reduced CaO crystals are annealed in a reducing atmosphere. The H"- ions are identified by the infrared vibrational modes observed at 880 and 911 cm"-"1.
Four inorganic hydrogen-bonded crystals with second-order nonlinear properties have been discovered: K_4LiH_3(SO_4)_4, Na_2SeO_4#centre dot#H_2SeO_3#centre dot#H_2O, Cs_1_,_5Li_1_,_5H(SO_4)_2 and NH_4HSeO_4. (author)
A general account of the properties, growing technology and annealing of lead-tin-telluride single crystals is given. Photoconductors were made for the 8 to 14 micron. spectral range and responsivity, detectivity and spectral response measurements showed satisfactory results. Improvement in the growing and annealing of the single crystals promise good performance in the near future.
Results of experimental researches of impurity level crystals Fe1-xCoxSi are presented in this article. Magnetic properties in a temperature range up to T {<=} 1000 K are analyzed. It was established that with Co impurities increasing origin of magnetic ordering exists at low temperatures. At high temperatures a high temperature maximum of susceptibility of nominally pure iron monosilicide crystal is observed.
The nuclear interaction probability of light charged particles in BaF[sub 2] crystals has been studied as a function of the incident particle energy. Light charged particles were identified in charge and mass by measuring their magnetic rigidity and their time-of-flight. The percentage of particles undergoing nuclear interactions has been measured for particles of charge from Z=1 to Z=6 and the experimental data are compared with the results of a model calculation. (orig.)
Radionuclide (R) sorption from a solution (vapor) by freshly formed crystals with production of substitution solid solutions under different types of self-disordering is studied. Changes of self-defectiveness and macrodefectiveness with time and effect of radiation defects in the presence of P macroquantities are taken into account. An analysis for monodispersed sorbents is performed. It is shown that the achievement of equilibrium within a reasonable time in impurity-solid phase system depends on defectiveness which ensures a required level of the coefficient of impurity diffusion in sorbent crystals.
The results of experimental researches of photoluminescence and X-ray luminescence in crystal ZnSe are presented at the different values of tension of electric-field to samples. Observed, that the electric field changes both intensity of stationary luminescence and form of bars in the spectrums of luminescence. At the saliatory change of difference of potentials on the electrodes of crystal in luminescence there are of long duration relaxation processes character of which substantially depends on the type of excitation of standard.
The theoretical treatment of the relation between the critical angle of planar channeling and the characteristics of crystal lattice defects is carried out. The predictions are made about some typical forms of the critical angle dependence on the mean-square static displacement produced by defects, and then these predictions are detailed for the cases of homogeneous disordering, spherical clusters of point defects and dislocation loops. Analytical results are supported by the exact computer calculations for the defects in the intermetallic A-15 compounds.
In scattering of channeled particles by point defects and in emission of gamma rays in the spontaneous-radiation spectral region conditions are attained where the momentum transferred to the defect is taken up by the crystal as a whole. This leads to coherent and interference effects in the radiation from the crystal defects. When the longitudinal momentum transferred is zero, an induced radiation effect appears in the transitions between the states of transverse motion.
The present communication deals with the synthesis, single crystal growth and characterization of a new nonlinear optical material L-proline strontium chloride monohydrate (L-PSCM). Single crystals have been grown using the slow solvent evaporation technique. Single crystal XRD analysis confirmed that the crystal belongs to the orthorhombic structure with lattice parameter a=6.6966(3) A, b=12.4530(5) A, c=15.2432(5) A and space group P2_12_12_1. Presence of various functional groups in L-PSCM and protonation of the ions were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The melting point of the single crystal was found to be 126 "oC using DSC. Ultraviolet-visible spectral analyses showed that the crystal has low UV cut-off at 226 nm combined with very good transparency of 90% in a wide range. The optical band gap was estimated to be 5.82 ...
We derive the expression for spontaneous emission rate in finite one-dimensional photonic crystal with arbitrary defects using the effective resonator model to describe electromagnetic field distributions in the structure. We obtain explicit formulas for contributions of different types of modes, i.e. radiation, substrate and guided modes. Formal calculations are illustrated with a few numerical examples, which demonstrate that the application of effective resonator model simplifies interpretation of results.
We present a comparative study on the acoustic tunneling through artificial periodical composites, from phononic crystals to acoustic metamaterials. We find that the features of the acoustic tunneling are closely related with the origins of band gaps. In particular, the band gap associated with the negative effective material parameter in the metamaterial results in a better analog of the tunneling effect to the quantum system.
TlGaSe_2 compound belongs to group of layered semiconductors of A"3B"3C_2"6-type. Photoelectric and optical properties of TlGaSe_2 single crystals were investigated in detail. Influence of gamma-, electron and neutron radiation on photoelectric properties of TlGaSe_2 single crystals is investigated too. The present work deals with experimental results relative to X-ray dosimetric characteristics of TlGaSe_2 crystals at 300 K. X-ray conductivity and X-ray dosimetric characteristic measurements are carried out in low load resistance regime. The source of X-ray radiation is the installation of X-ray diffraction analysis (URS-55a) with the BCV-2(Cu). Intensity of X-ray radiation (E) is regulated by measurement with current variation in tube at each given value of X-ray radiation dose E (R/min) are measured by crystal dosimeter DRGZ-02. X-ray conductivity coefficients K_#sigma# characterising X-ray ...
Proper use of quality assurance will provide the basis for an effective management control system for nuclear waste management programs. Control is essential for achieving successful programs free from costly losses and failures and for assuring the public and regulators that the environment and health and safety are being protected. The essence of quality assurance is the conscientious use of planned and systematic actions, based on selecting and applying appropriate requirements from an established quality assurance standard. Developing a quality assurance program consists of using knowledge of the technical and managerial aspects of a project to identify and evaluate risks of loss and failure and then to select appropriate quality assurance requirements that will minimize the risks. Those requirements are integrated into the project planning documents and are carried out as ...
This paper aims to explore consumer preference for fresh vegetables labelled as organic in combination with health and environment related quality traits. The study decomposes organic farming into its main quality aspects and measures consumers' preference structure for organic, in general, and for specific organic quality traits in particular. By means of stated choice preference modelling, the following hypotheses are tested: consumers prefer health over environment related quality traits; the organic label plays a significant role in consumers' choice for organic products; organic farming is perceived as healthier and more environmentally friendly than conventional farming; purchase intention is mainly driven by health related quality traits; both health and environmental concerns influ...
This study was designed to identify the relationship between free time management and quality of life, exploring whether the amount of free time or the way people using their free time relates to their quality of life. Data were collected from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. Of the 500 questionnaires distribute, 403 usable questionnaires were received with an 81% response rate. The result has found a positive relationship between free time management and quality of life. Contrary to this, there was no significant relationship between time allocation and quality of life. Results might indicate that people who manage their free time well lead to better quality of life. Suggestions based on the observed relationship and directions for future researches were d...
How does one assure that both quality and creativity are obtained in basic research environments QA theoreticians have attempted to develop workable definitions of quality, but in more reflective moments, these definitions often fail to capture the deeper essence of the idea of quality.'' This paper asserts that creativity (as a product of the human mind) is a concrete interface between perfunctory definitions of quality (conformance to specifications) and more philosophical speculations about the nature of quality- related ultimates'' like elegance or beauty. In addition, we describe the distinction between creative ideas and creative acts and highlight one of the major inhibitors of creativity, fear. Finally we show that highly creative people often have an irreverent attitude toward boundaries and established authority, and discuss how one can ...
Managing service quality is vital to retain customer satisfaction and augment revenues for any business organization. Often it is difficult to assess service quality due to lack of quantifiable measures and limited data. In this paper, we present a hybrid approach based on SERVQUAL and fuzzy TOPSIS for evaluating service quality of urban transportation systems. The proposed approach consists of three steps. The first step involves development of a SERVQUAL based questionnaire to collect data for measuring transportation service quality. The participants provide linguistic assessments to rate the service quality criteria and the alternatives. In step 2, the linguistic ratings are combined through fuzzy TOPSIS to generate an overall performance score for each alternative. The alternative wit...
When a highly collimated beam of particles is aimed along the atomic rows of an aligned single crystal, the averaging effect of high speed motion results, to the lowest order of approximation, in crystal electric fields which are transverse to the atomic rows. The enormous magnitude of the crystal transverse electric fields is unsurpassed by any other known earth-bound macroscopic sources. For example, the field strengths along the <100> axis of tungsten at 77 K approach 9{center dot}10{sup 13}V/m. Thus quantum electrodynamic (QED) processes in strong fields which are thought to occur only in the extra-terrestrial environment can now be investigated in the laboratory. Here we review the results of measurements performed at the SPS facility in CERN using highly collimated beams of electrons, positrons and photons in the 20-200 GeV range, and germanium crystals cooled to 77 K with thicknesses ...
We point out that electromagnetic one-way edge modes analogous to quantum Hall edge states, originally predicted by Raghu and Haldane in 2D gyroelectric photonic crystals possessing Dirac point-derived bandgaps, can appear in more general settings. In particular, we show that the TM modes in a gyromagnetic photonic crystal can be formally mapped to electronic wavefunctions in a periodic electromagnetic field, so that the only requirement for the existence of one-way edge modes is that the Chern number for all bands below a gap is non-zero. In a square-lattice gyromagnetic Yttrium-Iron-Garnet photonic crystal operating at microwave frequencies, which lacks Dirac points, time-reversal breaking is strong enough that the effect should be easily observable. For realistic material parameters, the edge modes occupy a 10% band gap. Numerical simulations of a one-way waveguide incorporating this crystal show ...
New alloys of Cu.sub.x Ag.sub.(1-x) InSe.sub.2 (where x ranges between 0 and 1 and preferably has a value of about 0.75) and CuIn.sub.y Ga.sub.(1-y) Se.sub.2 (where y ranges between 0 and 1 and preferably has a value of about 0.90) in the form of single crystals with enhanced structure perfection, which crystals are substantially free of fissures are disclosed. Processes are disclosed for preparing the new alloys of Cu.sub.x Ag.sub.(1-x) InSe.sub.2. The process includes placing stoichiometric quantities of a Cu, Ag, In, and Se reaction mixture or stoichiometric quantities of a Cu, In, Ga, and Se reaction mixture in a refractory crucible in such a manner that the reaction mixture is surrounded by B.sub.2 O.sub.3, placing the thus loaded crucible in a chamber under a high pressure atmosphere of inert gas to confine the volatile Se to the crucible, and heating the reaction mixture to its melting point. The melt can then be cooled slowly to form, ...
In this paper, we present the results of Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition gate-oxide (SiO_2) integrity on ELC (excimer-laser-crystallized), MILC (metal-induced lateral-crystallized) and SPC (solid-phase-crystallized) polysilicon films. We observed that gate oxide strength of poly-Si TFT strongly depends on the crystallization method for the active silicon layer. In the case of ELC films, asperities on the silicon surface reduce the SiO_2 breakdown field significantly. The metallic contaminants in MILC films are responsible for a deleterious impact on gate oxide integrity. Among the three cases, the SiO_2 breakdown field was the highest for the SPC silicon films. The breakdown fields at the 50 % failure points in Weibull plots for the ELC, MILC and SPC cases were 5.1 MV/cm, 6.2 MV/cm, and 8.1 MV/cm, respectively. We conclude that the roughness and metallic contamination of the poly-Si films are ...
An energy analyzer has been constructed and operated in UHV for the purpose of analyzing the energy of neutral atoms scattered from solid surfaces. The analyzer consists of a LiF single crystal located at an angle close to the normal to the sample crystal so that the diffraction pattern obtained by scanning the LiF crystal yields the energy of the scattered atoms. Two designs which have been used are described. The temperature of both sample and analyzer crystal is near 20 K and once cleaned they can be maintained in the state of initial preparation for many weeks. The sample was a (001) Cu surface in this case. Such an energy analyzer can only be used, in most cases, for He atom scattering although Ne atoms could be used if the scattered intensities were adequate. The detector developed in this study is able to detect about 2 x 10"5 atoms/s. The resolution of the spectrometer depends on the incident ...
BackgroundStrategies to accurately identify the occurrence of specific health care events in administrative data is central to many quality improvement and research efforts. Many...Full Text Available
This paper describes how a computerized MIS is used to assist HMO management to conduct utilization and quality of care review activities in a prepaid medical care network. The HMO is a ‘network’...Full Text Available
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The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH) has continuously emphasized improvement in the quality of care provided in hospitals as the central purpose of the accreditation process. In...Full Text Available
ObjectivesThe objective of this paper is to describe the complex mixed-methods design of a study conducted to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes...Full Text Available
...of stations and a number of components, and meta information on air quality monitoring networks and stations. Access the database Producer Europe Environment Agency Content ...of stations and a number of components, and meta information on air quality monitoring networks and stations. Coverage National (Europe) Number of records...
This paper presents a brief account of Lingling Hydroelectric Power Equipment General Works, the capacity of equipment production, the organization body, the quality assurance system and supervision of government department on its product quality.
Intended to be used in conjunction with ANSI N45.2 and addresses the quality assurance requirements related to subsurface investigations performed prior to the construction of safety related structures of nuclear power plants.
Requirements for the installation, inspection, and testing that assure the quality of important components of a nuclear power plant during construction are presented.
BackgroundHeterogeneous results for research investigating health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients undergoing sphincter-ablating procedures for rectal cancer...Full Text Available
BackgroundQuality of Life measurements are necessary tools for effectively evaluating health services. In the population of patients afflicted with war-related blindness in Iran,...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the psychosocial effects on the quality of life (QOL) of adults with head and neck cancer (HNC) and any gender variations with predictive factors that may influence...Full Text Available
This guide describes an acceptable method of complying with the Commission's regulations with regard to the quality assurance requirements for the packaging, shipping, receiving, storage, and handling of items for water-cooled nuclear power plants.
The guide describes a method acceptable to the NRC staff for complying with the Commission's regulations with regard to quality assurance requirements for installation, inspection, and testing of mechanical equipment and systems for water-cooled and high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear power plants.
This paper discusses the quality assurance requirements for high-level canistered waste form products which would be acceptable for disposal in a deep geologic repository. A review plan and guidelines are provided.
Experience of the Westinghouse Water Reactors Division with indoctrination and training of quality engineers includes training of personnel from Westinghouse divisions in the USA and overseas as well as of customers' personnel. A written plan is prepared for each trainee in order to fit the training to the individual's needs, and to cover the full range of information and activities. The trainee is also given work assignments, working closely with experienced quality engineers. He may prepare inspection plans and audit check lists, assist in the preparation of QA training modules, write procedures, and perform supplier surveillance and data analyses, or make special studies of operating systems. The trainee attends seminars and special courses on work-related technical subjects. Throughout the training period, emphasis is placed on inculcating an attitude of team work in the trainee so that the result of the training is the achievement of both ...
BackgroundRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) which are of poor quality tend to exaggerate the effect estimate and lead to wrong or misleading conclusions. The aim of this study...Full Text Available
This plan describes the Quality Assurance Program which will be applied to spent fuel handling and packaging tests conducted at the Area 25 E-MAD facility, Nevada Test Site (NTS).
IntroductionHealth information on the Internet undergoes no quality control at the stage of production, thus its quality is highly variable, making it difficult...Full Text Available
AimsTo describe nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction, and quality of care in Japanese hospitals, and to determine how these outcomes are associated with work environment...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlthough considerable progress has been made in the treatment of chronic kidney disease, compromised quality of life continues to be a significant problem for patients...Full Text Available
...Agriculture Analysis of food supply chains and linkages in relation to quality and safety assurances Dept of Primary Industries, Australia Impact of food chain quality assurance requirements on farmer adoption and competitiveness UK Research Councils Review of environmental certification through farm assurance followed by industry developmental workshop Agriculture & ...
OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to determine whether an index for measuring quality of care for psychiatric emergencies is reliable and valid. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING. The study used primary...Full Text Available
In the RIR (Risk-informed Regulation), PSA (Probabilistic Safety Assessment) plays a major role because it provides overall risk insights for the regulatory body and utility. Therefore, the scope, the level of details and the technical adequacy of PSA, i.e. the quality of PSA is to be ensured for the successful RIR. To improve the quality of Korean PSA, we evaluate the quality of the KSNP (Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant) internal full-power PSA model based on the 'ASME PRA Standard' and the 'NEI PRA Peer Review Process Guidance.' As a working group, PSA experts of the regulatory body and industry also participated in the evaluation process. It is finally judged that the overall quality of the KSNP PSA is between the ASME Standard Capability Category I and II. We also derive some items to be improved for upgrading the quality of the PSA up to ...
BackgroundHealth related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the most important outcomes to measure effectiveness of an intervention, especially for islet transplantation...Full Text Available
PURPOSE This study was designed to evaluate the impact of electronic medical record (EMR) implementation on quality of diabetes care.METHODS We conducted a 5-year longitudinal...Full Text Available
BackgroundMigrants everywhere face several demands for health and maintaining good health and quality of life could be challenging. Iraqis are the second largest refugee group that...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to develop a menopause-specific, preference-based health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) index reflecting both menopausal symptoms and potential...Full Text Available
AIMS:This study aimed to determine the effect of 50 days of forced swimming stress on fertilization capacity of rat and subsequent offspring quality.SETTING...Full Text Available
Are economic resources related to relationship quality among young couples, and to what extent does this vary by relationship type? To answer these questions, we estimated regression models...Full Text Available
A numerical technique is developed for estimating water quality violation frequencies due to pollutant discharges from urban areas during combined sewer overflow events. The first four moments of in-stream pollutant concentration are found by integrating a pollutant loading - wat...
OBJECTIVES: To assess the subjective quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of Sudanese type-1 and type-2 diabetic outpatients, using the WHO 26-item QOL instrument, compared with a general population...Full Text Available
Total quality management strategy and the worldwide introduction of the DIN/ISO 9000 (EN 29 000) series of standards have given new impetus to traditional quality assurance. The most important change must surely be seen in the holistic approach of total quality management and its strict orientation towards customer requirements and satisfaction. International codes and standards for the nuclear industry will also have to be brought into line as part of the process of harmonizing quality assurance system standards. One possible approach is simply to specify a supplementary 'delta' of nuclear-specific requirements to be appended to the broad range of conventional requirements. It is a particular feature of quality-assured procedures in Germany that product and/or component related quality requirements and quality verifications are defined in ...
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a program of repeated assessments, feedback, and training on the quality of coded clinical data in general practice.Design:...Full Text Available
Introduction:Although radical prostatectomy (RP) is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, it has potentially deleterious effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL)....Full Text Available
BackgroundEvidence on human semen quality as it relates to exposure to various metals, both essential (e.g., zinc, copper) and nonessential (e.g., cadmium, lead), is inconsistent....Full Text Available
BackgroundThe effects of intervention programs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with hip fracture have not been well studied. We hypothesized that older patients...Full Text Available
BackgroundParents of chronically ill children are at risk for a lower Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Insight in the dynamics of factors influencing parental HRQoL is necessary...Full Text Available
IAQ Tools for Schools Program Leaders in Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, NY El Paso Independent School District, El Paso,...
Olive tree (Olea european L.) cultivation, the major tree crops in Mediterranean countries is being extended to irrigated lands. However, the limited water availability, the severe climatic conditions and the increased need for good water quality for urban and industrial sector uses are leading to the urgent use of less water qualities (brackish water and recycled wastewater) for olive tree irrigation. The aim of this work was to asses the effects of long term irrigation with treated waste water (TWW) on the soil chemical properties, on olive tree growth and on oil quality characteristics. (Author)
Scattered radiation generated in patient and imaging system has to be considered when quality-assurance tests involve dose detection or image-quality estimations. Measurement of automatic-exposure control dose can be altered by backscattering from intensifying screens of more than 10% and the equipment transmission factor can be overestimated up to a factor of 10 when only primary radiation is used. The sensitivity of intensifying screens depends on the angle of incidence of the radiation and so primary and scattered radiation are detected differently. The quality-control aspects of anti-scatter grids are discussed. (author).
Scattered radiation generated in patient and imaging system has to be considered when quality-assurance tests involve dose detection or image-quality estimations. Measurement of automatic-exposure control dose can be altered by backscattering from intensifying screens of more than 10% and the equipment transmission factor can be overestimated up to a factor of 10 when only primary radiation is used. The sensitivity of intensifying screens depends on the angle of incidence of the radiation and so primary and scattered radiation are detected differently. The quality-control aspects of anti-scatter grids are discussed. (author).
This document presents the basic Quality Assurance (QA) requirements which shall be included in the Quality Assurance Program established by sites planning to certify Transuranic (TRU) Waste to Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Waste Acceptance Criteria. These QA requirements were modeled after ANSI/ASME NQA-1-1979. The application of quality assurance to Waste Certification Programs is required by WIPP-DOE-069 and DOE Order 5700.6A, as implemented by DOE Order AL 5700.6A.
A large number of fiber optic cables were used in support of a neutron imaging experiment at the Nevada Test Site. This paper describes the quality control testing of fiber components used on this experiment. The principal reason for quality control testing was to ensure reliable, high transmission fibers; a secondary reason was to gain data on a large sample of fiber cables in the field. Also described is the instrumentation developed for carrying out these field measurements. The design of the quality control instrumentation was a compromise between accuracy and simplicity of use.
The report is the second of three describing the geology of coal quality variations in the foothills and mountains region of Alberta. The Lower Cretaceous Luscar Group, Lower Paleocene Coalspur Formation, and the Upper Paleocene Paskapoo Formation (Obed-Marsh coal zone, which is classified as a foothills deposit) are evaluated. Data on proximate and ultimate analysis variables, calorific analysis, vitrinite reflectance, maceral analyses, and coal quality relationships are presented. The coals range from low volatile bituminous to subbituminous A. Regional and local in seam coal quality variations are examined. 49 refs., 39 figs., 6 tabs.
This document summarizes the degree to which State water quality standards include wetlands in their definitions of State waters. The detailed review of other elements of standards, such as uses, criteria and antidegradation, is beyond the scope of this review. The purpose of this review is to provide a baseline of information for the development of EPA guidance and policies related to water quality standards for wetlands.
... The colored background is an isopleth map showing change in sulfate concentrations as measured by the CASTNET rural air quality monitoring network , leading to significant improvements in air quality and human health. Wet sulfate deposition decreased 43 percent in the Northeast and 44 percent in the ...
Room air quality and thus thermal comfort for the occupiers in closed spaces depend on several factors: temperature and humidity of the air, temperature of the surrounding surfaces, content of foreign matter of the air, acoustical perceptions, electric fields and ions as well as colours and light. Air humidification, cleaning and ionization largely contributes to improved room air quality. The article goes into problems of too dry and polluted air as well as into measures with which these problems can be solved. (BWI).
With regard to the operation of nuclear power plants, Electricite de France formally recognized in 1973 that it was necessary for safety reasons and economically acceptable to adopt organizational principles of quality assurance that would be applicable both to its own activities and to those of its suppliers. Generally speaking, the form and spirit of the quality assurance programme chosen is based largely on the Code of Practice No. 50-C-QA. In particular, the programme focuses on the flexible character of quality assurance requirements and stresses that in the final analysis product quality depends above all on those to whom the project has been assigned, because it is they who are responsible for meeting the quality objectives set. Ten years of experience with the suppliers of Electricite de France has shown that these suppliers, after some initial difficulty, have been able to ...
The document reports the main issues discussed during the first course-debate on quality controls in radiotherapy, held in Rome in December 3-4, 1998 and May 3-5 1999 in collaboration between the Istituto Superiore di Sanita' and the Istituto Regina Elena. The points considered critical to the quality assurance in radiotherapy by the participants are presented in relation to the total radiotherapy procedure.
In this article, the authors recall the factors apt to influence image quality in NMR Imaging and present the european works that have been developed in MRIQA to set 5 quality assurance tests: EUROSPIN 1 to 5.
Apppendix B of 10 CFR Part 50 establishes quality assurance requirements for the operation of nuclear power plant safety-related structures, systems and components. This Guide describes an acceptable method for complying with these regulations with regard to overall quality assurance program requirements for the operation phase of nuclear power plants. Input to this Guide has been provided by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards.
Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 establishes overall quality assurance requirements for the design, construction and operation of safety-related structures, systems, and components. This guide presents a method acceptable to the Commission for complying with these regulations with regard to overall quality assurance program requirements during design and construction of nuclear power plants. Input to this guide has been provided by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards.
This paper discusses the clean-up of an Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) site utilized for disposal of transuranic contaminated waste from 1954 until 1970. The author presents requirements of the environmental protection statutes that have generated quality assurance requirements in addition to those historically implemented as a part of facility design, construction and operation. A hierarchy of program guidance quality documentation and procedures is discussed. Data qualification and computer database management are identified as requirements.
The Sodium Storage Facility Project Quality Assurance Plan delineates the quality assurance requirements for construction of a new facility, modifications to the sodium storage tanks, and tie-ins to the FFTF Plant. This plan provides direction for the types of verifications necessary to satisfy the functional requirements within the project scope and applicable regulatory requirements determined in the Project Functional Design Criteria (FDC), WHC-SD-FF-FDC-009.
...and supply ensuring better food quality for the consumer developing safer and more flexible food production processes and technologies raw materials for food production; production and processing systems; by-products and wastes from fisheries and agro-industry; new food sources; packaging systems; quality monitoring; traceability Food contamination detecting and eliminating infectious and toxic agents throughout the food chain establishing the hazards and origins of food contaminants producing food more safely rapid ...
Three HQE (High Quality of the Environment) realizations are presented to illustrate the environmental quality in the architecture, and to see how the natural gas answers the demands of the HQE. (A.L.B.)
This document describes the 2003 SNL ASCI Software Quality Engineering (SQE) assessment of twenty ASCI application code teams and the results of that assessment. The purpose of this assessment was to determine code team compliance with the Sandia National Laboratories ASCI Applications Software Quality Engineering Practices, Version 2.0 as part of an overall program assessment.
Tl(InS_2)_1_-_x(FeSe_2)_x single crystals (where x=0; 0.001; 0.005; 0.01 and 0.015) were grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. Obtained single crystals were crystallized in monoclinic structure. The present paper deals with experimental results relative to X-ray dosimetric characteristics of the Tl(InS_2)_1_-_x(FeSe_2)_x solid solutions at 300 K. Installation URS-55a was the source of radiation. X-ray radiation dose (E) falling on the crystals is measured by the crystalline X-ray dosimeter DRGZ-02. The value of X-ray conductivity coefficient K_#sigma# characterising X-ray sensitivity is defined as K_#sigma#= (#sigma#_E-#sigma#_0)/E#sigma#_0. where #sigma#_E is conductivity under the effect of X-ray radiation by intensity E, #sigma#_0 is conductivity in the lack of radiation. Comparing X-ray dosimetric characteristics of TlInS_2 and Tl(InS_2)_1_-_x(FeSe_2)_x crystals notes that ...
Cadmium telluride single crystals were grown heavily doped with chloride by the THM method. The resulting crystals were n-type with free carrier concentrations of the order of 10('12)/cm at room temperature. Hall effect studies revealed room temperature mobilities between 30 and 350 cm('2)/v-sec and resistivites between 2 x 10('3) and 10('4) ohm-cm. Studies were made of the gamma and alpha counting characteristics of these crystals with metal, metal-semiconductor, and metal-insulator electrodes. It was found that the MIS and MSS structures resulted in significant improvement over the MS structures in counting, signal-to-noise and energy resolution.
A pin hole camera assembly for use in viewing an object having a relatively large light intensity range, for example a crucible containing molten metal in an atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) system is disclosed herein. The assembly includes means for optically compressing the light intensity range appearing at its input sufficient to make it receivable and decipherable by a standard video camera. To accomplish this, the assembly utilizes the combination of interference filter and a liquid crystal notch filter. The latter which preferably includes a cholesteric liquid crystal arrangement is configured to pass light at all wavelengths, except a relatively narrow wavelength band which defines the filter's notch, and includes means for causing the notch to vary to at least a limited extent with the intensity of light at its light incidence surface.
The preparation, crystal structure, and the electrical properties of the compound (ET)/sub 3/Ag/sub x/I/sub 8/ where x = approx. 6.4 and ET is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene, C/sub 10/S/sub 8/H/sub 8/, are described. The compound possesses a truly two-dimensional polymeric anion, one which combines the structural features of both an organic electronic conductor and an inorganic solid electrolyte. The crystal structure consists of alternating anion and cation donor layers. The compound exhibits high electronic conductivity dominated by the electronic contribution, at least near room temperature.
Continuous freestanding SiC(Al) films were fabricated by melt spinning the aluminum-containing polycarbosilane (A-PCS) precursor. The results showed that the films contained #beta#-SiC crystals, #alpha#-SiC nano-crystals, C clusters and small amount of Al_4O_4C and Al_4SiC_4. The Al atoms in the films played important roles as both sintering aids and grain growth inhibitor. The PL spectrum showed a wide luminescence band from 320 nm to 440 nm, and the origin of PL centered at 385 nm might be related to the #alpha#-SiC nano-crystals using quantum size effects. The obtained films are expected to have important applications in MEMS for the environment of high temperature and optoelectronic devices.
The luminescence spectra of trivalent europium ion embedded in various rare earth chromates were analysed. The spectroscopic data in most of chromates are in agreement with the structural determination but for some others the discrepancy between two methods is underlined. Energy level schemes were deducted from the experimental emission spectra and the crystal field simulation has been performed. The maximum splitting of the {sup 7}F{sub 1} manifold of the Eu{sup 3+} ion as a function of N{sub v}, the so-called crystal field strength parameter, is given. This allows us to classify the compounds according to their crystal field extent. (author) 11 refs, 8 figs, 2 tabs
This paper attempts to explain the peculiarities of the radial-distribution function of metal glasses without involving ideas of the amorphous structure. On a computer, the radial atomic density for a spherical eutectic single crystal of the composition Fe/sub 84/C/sub 16/ of radius 15 A formed by alternating small crystals of e-Fe and Fe/sub 3/C of cubic form with the edge of the cube ca 10 A. For the sake of clarity, the diagram of such a quasisingle crystal is shown and has been given a cubic boundary. The change in the relationship between the heights of the subpeaks of the second maximum of the radial distribution function of atoms in the Fe-B glasses with a change in the concentration of boron can be explained by the change in the space group of the Fe/sub 3/B metastable boride which is formed in this system.
Various chemical, physical, and mechanical methods to prevent unwanted deposition of mineral scale are described. The suitability of the different methods, which largely depends on the specific features and requirements of the system involved, is discussed. Special emphasis is placed upon the threshold treatment, where the growth process is retarded by the addition of trace amounts of growth inhibitors. Growth experiments have been performed on barium sulfate and calcium sulfate dihydrate seed crystals, suspended in a supersaturated solution with and without organic bisphosphonates as inhibitors. Two methods are selected for the analysis of the growth data. A degree of inhibition is defined to obtain a quantitative description of the influence of a growth inhibitor on the growth rate of the crystals. In addition the influence of the molecular structure of various bisphosphonates with different substituents is shown. The effect of a ...
A novel continuous laminar shear structuring crystallizer with a suitable cooling system was designed and built. This is a new method to continuously crystallize edible fat in the desirable polymorphic form from the melt while being uniformly sheared.The machine consists of four main sections: Feed unit, shearing mechanism, cooling system and power unit. In each of these sections specific design considerations are taken into account which makes the process controllable and continuous. The shearing unit is made of two concentric cylinders. The internal cylinder is stationary and has a cooling system inside for temperature control. The outer cylinder rotates to produce a uniform shear in the sample fluid placed in the 1.5mm gap between the cylinders. The sample's feed rate is controlled whil...
Two approaches are used to analyse X-ray or neutron scattering by crystals with different dislocation ensembles. Analogy between the above concepts is discussed. The microscopical approach takes into account the detailed displacement field due to different types of dislocation arrangement in the crystal. Frequently a phenomenological concept operating with the ideas of displacements, strains and stresses arising in the materials under deformation is applied. Unfortunately, the phenomenological concept cannot take into account that similar stress distributions may have significantly different microscopic reasons. The comparison of the results obtained by both phenomenological and microscopic descriptions of scattering enables us to understand the connection between different types of strains and stresses in the crystal with the type of the defects in it. (orig.)
High molecular weight samples of the novel biodegradable polyester poly(ethylene sebacate) (PESeb) were synthesized. Miscible poly(ethylene sebacate)/poly(4-vinyl phenol) semicrystalline/amorphous blends were prepared by applying the solvent casting method. Miscibility was proved by the single composition dependent glass transition temperature over the entire composition range observed in DSC traces of the quenched blend samples and also by the melting point depression. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter was found to be x12 = -1.3. Also, FTIR spectra supported the hypothesis of intermolecular interactions due to hydrogen bonding. The crystallization of PESeb in blends was studied. As expected, isothermal crystallization rates decreased in the blends with increasing the PVPh content. T...
Modifications of the structure and mechanical properties in LiF crystals irradiated with MeV-energy Au ions have been studied using nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The nanostructuring of crystals under a high-fluence irradiation (above 1013 ions/cm2)?was?observed. Nanoindentation tests show a strong ion-induced increase of hardness (up?to 150?200%), which is related to the high volume concentration of complex color centers, defect aggregates, dislocation loops and grain boundaries acting as strong barriers for dislocations. From the?depth profiling of the hardness and energy loss it follows that both nuclear and electronic stopping mechanisms of MeV Au ions contribute to the creation of damage and hardening. Whereas the electronic stopping is dominating i...
Nanowires, films, and membranes comprising ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieves, and methods of making, are disclosed. A single crystal ultra-long nanowire includes an ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve, and has an average length greater than about 10 micrometers and an average diameter of about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. A film comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is stacked on a surface of a substrate, wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned. A free standing membrane comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is aggregately stacked, and wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned.
Measurements are made on the principal magnetic susceptibilities and anisotropies of praseodymium selenate octahydrate single crystals in the temperature range 90 to 300 K. Although the effective magnetic moment is close to the free ion value, the anisotropy is quite high at room temperature. A least sequares fit of the Curie-Weiss law to the observed average susceptibility yields -36.5 K as the paramagnetic Curie temperature. An analysis of the results with a crystal field (CF) of D_4 symmetry, explains the observed results quite well. The CF and the spin-orbit interaction matrix is block diagonalized in the complete 33 dimensional basis of the "3H term in order to obtain the Stark energies and their eigenstates. Intermediate coupling effects are also considered. The ground state being a singlet, the g-factors are absent. Some predictions on the electronic heat capacity and the electronic quadrupole splitting are made in the light of the ...
The magnetic pyrochlore Er{sub 2}Ru{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been studied with neutron scattering and susceptibility measurements down to a base temperature of 270 mK. For the low temperature phase in which the Er sublattice orders, new magnetic Bragg peaks are reported which can be indexed with integer (hkl) for a face centered cubic cell. Inelastic measurements reveal a wealth of crystal field levels of the Er ion and a copious amount of magnetic scattering below 15 meV. The three lowest groups of crystal field levels are at 6.7, 9.1 and 18.5 meV.
The preparation and luminescence properties of crystal phosphors based on alkali metal iodide and calcium oxide substrates were studied. The highest luminescence intensities were achieved with iodide substrates at 200/sup 0/ and with the calcium oxide substrate at 800/sup 0/. The calibration graphs were linear in the thallium concentration ranges 0.03-5.0 and 0.1-2.0 mu g using sodium and potassium oxides, respectively, and in the range 0.05-5 mu g using cesium iodide and calcium oxide. A method is proposed for the determination of down to 3 x 10/sup -4/% thallium in rocks, using a crystal phosphor with sodium iodide substrate.
In CsCdBr{sub 3}, Tm{sup 3+} substitutes for Cd{sup 2+}. It predominately forms symmetric dimer centers and single-ion centers, both of trigonal symmetry. The energy level schemes of both centers were determined by EPR and site-selective laser spectroscopy. To describe the spectra term dependent crystal-field parameters were deduced on the basis of a microscopic model taking into account the local lattice deformation induced by the impurity centers and the quasi-resonant virtual scattering of intrinsic lattice excitations by the Tm{sup 3+} ions. (orig.) 22 refs.
The n3 and n4 vibrational transitions of CH3 and CD3 isolated in solid parahydrogen were studied by high-resolution infrared spectroscopy. The radicals were produced by in situ UV photolysis of methyl iodides trapped in solid parahydrogen. The observed spectra showed clear rotational fine structures, which were subjected to further splitting due to the electrostatic field of solid parahydrogen. The molecular constants and crystal field parameters of the radicals in solid parahydrogen were determined by analyzing the spectral structures of the n3 and n4 transitions of CD3 by the crystal field theory. The rotational constants of the CD3 radical were found to be only a few percent smaller than those in the gas phase. The determined crystal field parameters indicated significant quantum effect...
Counting characteristics of X-ray detectors fabricated from indium-doped, gallium-doped, and chlorine-doped CdTe have been investigated. The detectors fabricated from indium-doped and gallium-doped crystals showed radiation-induced polarization, namely, a progressive decrease of count rate with an increase of photon fluence in the high-photon-fluence region, while the detectors fabricated from chlorine-doped crystals did not. Results from current-voltage characteristics of the detectors indicated that the different counting characteristics of these detectors originated from the difference in internal electric fields in each detector.
The absorption spectra of an unoriented single crystal of the title compound (1) have been measured at room and at low temperatures. Assuming a similar sequence of crystal field (CF) levels as for the previously analyzed Nd[N(SiMe_3)_2]_3 (2) a truncated CF splitting pattern is derived from the spectra obtained. The parameters of an empirical Hamiltonian are fitted to the energies of 71 levels to give an r.m.s. deviation of 24.2 cm"-"1. The parameters obtained are compared with those of 2 and Nd[N(SiMe_3)_2]_3(CNC_6H_1_1)_2 (3). The observed trends of CF parameters are consistent with the results of simple model calculations in the framework of the angular overlap model. (orig.)
The magnetic scattering spectra of RAgSb_2 (R = Ho, Er, Tm) intermetallic compounds are measured and their crystal electric field parameters are determined using inelastic neutron scattering. It is revealed that the ground state is a nonmagnetic singlet for the HoAgSb_2 compound, a Kramers doublet with a strongly anisotropic g factor for the ErAgSb_2 compound, and a quasi-doublet (random doublet) characterized by an extremely anisotropic g factor for the TmAgSb_2 compound. The exchange interaction is estimated in the molecular field approximation. The magnetic properties of the RAgSb_2 compounds are analyzed in terms of the energy level schemes and eigenfunctions determined in this study. The calculated anisotropic magnetic susceptibilities for all compounds are in good agreement with the experimental data obtained for single crystals.
Precipitation-hardened single crystals of a beta (bcc) Ti--40 at. percent V--1.0 at. percent Si alloy were deformed in compression at 77 and 298"0K. The dependence of the yield stress upon aging time at 843"0K for solution-treated crystals shows two maxima which are caused by silicide precipitates. The orientation dependence of the yield stress and of the active macroscopic slip plane were determined as a function of aging time. The solution-treated as well as aged crystals exhibit an asymmetry of both the yield stress and the plane of slip, the degree of asymmetry being larger at 77 than at 298"0K. The asymmetry of slip and yielding is not affected by the presence of precipitation hardening. Results indicate that the effect of the dislocation core structure on dislocation motion is independent of the presence of precipitates. (auth).
Mono-layers of stearic and behenic acids deposited with the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, were used as aligning films in nematic liquid crystal cells. During the filling process the liquid crystal adopts a deformed quasi-planar alignment with splay-bend deformation and preferred orientation along the filling direction. This state is metastable and transforms with time into homeotropic once the flow has ceased. The transition is accompanied by formation of disclination lines which nucleate at the edges of the cell. The lifetime of the metastable splay-bend state was found to depend on the cell thickness. On heating, anchoring transition from quasi-homeotropic to degenerate tilted alignment in form of circular domains takes place near the transition to the isotropic phase. The anchoring transition is reversible with a small hysteresis.
A diffusion criterion of the crystal-liquid phase transition (PT) is proposed according to which the PT begins when the E d/ k b ratio reaches a threshold value of E d( s)/ k b T m, where E d is the self-diffusion energy, k B is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature, and E d( s) is the self-diffusion energy in the solid phase at the melting temperature T m. It is shown that this criterion is a generalization of the Lindemann criterion and is applicable both to solids exhibiting normal melting and to those melting with a decrease in the specific volume. Based on the new criterion, it is possible to explain the relation T N < T m, where T N, is the crystallization onset temperature. The results of calculations of the T N/ T m ratio well coincide with experimental data.
Counter-current regeneration of 2-stage sodium zeolite softeners has been employed in reducing hardness leakage level of steamflooding water to less than 1 ppm when raw water contains as much as 5,000 ppm of the total dissolved solids. Hardness leakage is caused by sodium displacement of calcium and magnesium from the bottom of the exchanger bed. This study presents nomographs providing for rapid calculations to be made, for which a convenient operational mode does not already exist. The nomographs relate the hardness leakage as a function of salt quality and influent water quality and present solutions for predicting the leakage level, salt quality requirement or the treatability of raw water required for steamflooding projects.
Given the important role of parent-youth communication in adolescent well-being and quality of life, we sought to examine the relationship between specific communication variables and youth perceived quality of life in general and as a deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) individual. A convenience sample of 230 youth (mean age = 14.1, standard deviation = 2.2; 24% used sign only, 40% speech only, and 36% sign + speech) was surveyed on communication-related issues, generic and DHH-specific quality of life, and depression symptoms. Higher youth perception of their ability to understand parents' communication was significantly correlated with perceived quality of life as well as lower reported depressive symptoms and lower perceived stigma. Youth who use speech as their single mode of communication ...
The present Manual provides guidance and illustrative examples for applying a method by which graded quality assurance requirements may be determined and adapted to the items and services of a nuclear power plant in conformance with the requirements of the IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards (NUSS) Code and Safety Guides on quality assurance. The Manual replaces the previous publication IAEA-TECDOC-303 on the same subject. Various methods of grading quality assurance are available in a number of Member States. During the development of the present Manual it was not considered practical to attempt to resolve the differences between those methods and it was preferred to identify and benefit from the good practices available in all the methods. The method presented in this Manual deals with the aspects of management, documentation, control, verification and administration which affect quality. 1 fig., 4 tabs.
This paper reported on a study in which rapeseeds were separated into high quality seed for food oil and low quality seed for biofuels. A laboratory-scale oilseed screw press was then used to examine the effects of choke opening and seed preheating on the rapeseed pressing performance and the quality of food oil and biofuels oil. Oil recovery and chlorophyll content was found to increase as maximum pressure increased. In terms of pressing performance, the rapeseed heated by microwaves yielded more oil and chlorophyll than without heating. The NEB ratio of microwave heating press with an 8.0 mm choke opening was advantageous. Rapeseed oil extracted from low quality seeds was found to have a high acid value. The quality of oil extracted by oilseed screw press was found to be good and met the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius for edible oils.
Real-time neutron radiography (NTV) has been used for practical applications at the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). At present, however, the direct image from the TV system is still poor in resolution and low in contrast. In this paper several image improvements are demonstrated, such as a frame summing technique, which are effective in increasing image quality in neutron radiography. Image integration before the A/D converter has a beneficial effect on image quality and the high quality image reveals details invisible in direct images, such as: small holes by a reversed image, defects in a neutron converter screen through a high quality image, a moving object in a contoured image, a slight difference between two low-contrast images by a subtraction technique, and so on. For the real-time application a contouring operation and an averaging approach can also be utilized effectively.
Real-time neutron radiography (NTV) has been used for practical applications at the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). At present, however, the direct image from the TV system is still poor in resolution and low in contrast. In this paper several image improvements are demonstrated, such as a frame summing technique, which are effective in increasing image quality in neutron radiography. Image integration before the A/D converter has a beneficial effect on image quality and the high quality image reveals details invisible in direct images, such as: small holes by a reversed image, defects in a neutron converter screen through a high quality image, a moving object in a contoured image, a slight difference between two low-contrast images by a subtraction technique, and so on. For the real-time application a contouring operation and an averaging approach can also be utilized effectively. (orig.).
New York State Electric and Gas Co. (NYSEG) has developed a tool called Coal Quality Engineering Analysis (CQEA) to evaluate the cost impacts of coal quality on its power plants. CQEA allows quantification of the effect of coal quality on plant operating costs and has become an important factor in coal purchasing. The article describes the development of the analysis method, including a logic diagram of CQEA relationships. The results of CQEA calculations on the impact of one coal on overall production costs of different units, the impact of different coals on overall production costs of one unit, and production cost vs. coal quality, are presented and discussed. The use of the CQEA system within NYSEG is described.
Wireless mesh networks can provide low-cost solutions for extending the reach of wireless access points by using multi-hop routing over a set of stationary wireless routers. The routing protocol for these networks may need to address quality considerations to meet the requirements of the user. In this paper, we present a quality based routing protocol for wireless mesh networks that tries to maximize the probability of successful transmissions while minimizing the end-to-end delay. The proposed routing protocol uses reactive route discoveries to collect key parameters from candidate routes to estimate the probability of success and delay of data packets transmitted over them. To achieve accurate route quality assessments, a new route quality metric is proposed that uses performance models ...
A concept for the optimization of manufacturing processes of composite material components with regard to product's quality and cost is introduced and applied for the case of thermoplastic composite helicopter canopies produced by `Cold' Diaphragm Forming (CDF) process. The proposed methodology relies on the consideration of the processes thermal cycle as decisive for the component's quality and cost. Quality and cost sensitivity analyses were made to derive material dependent Quality Functions (QFs) and process dependent Cost Estimation Relationships (CERs). QFs and CERs are exploited to derive iteratively the optimal thermal cycle. The processes thermal cycle is numerically simulated to allow for its virtual application on the material. To perform the optimization procedure a new softwar...
This paper discusses the new quality assurance regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for packaging and transportation of radioactive materials. These regulations became effective on October 18, 1977. Background information concerning these regulations and packaging and transportation history is included. The quality assurance program is described with indications of how it is composed of general (administrative) provisions which must meet the 18 quality assurance criteria and be approved by the NRC; specific provisions which appear in the DOT and NRC regulations and in the individual package design approval; and other specific procedures which are not required by regulations but which are necessary for the proper control of quality. The quality assurance program is to be developed using a graded approach for the application of pertinent criteria and optimizing the ...
The Quality Assurance Requirements and Description (QARD) is the principal quality assurance document for the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program (Program). It establishes the minimum requirements for the Quality Assurance Program. The QARD contains regulatory requirements and program commitments necessary for the development of an effective quality assurance program. Quality assurance implementing documents must be based on, and consistent with, QARD requirements. The QARD applies to the following: (1) acceptance of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (3) the Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS) facility through application for an operating license; (4) Mined Geologic Disposal System (MGDS), including the site characterization activities (exploratory studies facility (ESF) and surface ...
In consistency with the increasing requests from Member States for establishing radiotherapy programmes, an IAEA Technical Co-operation project was initiated in Latin America aimed at improving the physical aspects (as a complement to the clinical issues) of quality assurance in radiotherapy; this ARCAL XXX project (RLA/6/032) was classified as a Model Project of the IAEA. Among the important outcomes of the project were (i) the training of a considerable number of medical physicists in hospitals of the region, (ii) the development of a protocol for quality control procedures, and (iii) the organization of quality audit site visits (to the participant countries) where the implementation in hospitals of the developed quality control procedures is verified. The present publication is the protocol for quality control of the physical aspects of radiotherapy. It contains detailed ...
This document defines the quality assurance program requirements for the US Department of Energy, Richland Field Office, Environmental Restoration program at the Hanford Site. This document integrates quality assurance requirements from US Department of Energy Orders, the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order, and applicable industry standards into a single source document for the development of quality assurance programs applicable to the Environmental Restoration program items and activities. This document has been configured into three parts and fifteen criteria to provide user organizations with a workable document that best facilitates line operations. When developing individual user organization quality assurance programs, the document configuration provides each organization with the Flexibility to incorporate only those parts and criteria that are applicable to their individual ...
The Water Frame work Directive (December 2000) proposes integrated water management in regard to both quality and quality. A mathematical model has therefore been produced at the CEIT and EPTISA research centre, in collaboration with the Ebro Hydrographic. Confederation (CHE), to predict water quality and thus begin integrated management of it in the river basins. A description is given of the characteristics of the simulation tool. The hydraulic model is based on the numerical (weighted, four-point implicit) resolution of the complete Saint Venant equations. The quality model is based on the IWA River Water Quality Model Number 1 which has clear advantages (consistency, mass balance and easy integration with the biological models of the waste water treatment plants and the collector networks compared to traditional models. The experimental validation, which includes calibration in ...
The temperature dependence of the dislocation mobility threshold is investigated on the basis of a dislocation model suggested by Frenkel-Kontorova. The critical value is obtained for the stress/temperature, corresponding to the dislocation depinning from its equilibrium position. The universal behaviour of a barrier height at finite stress and temperature is revealed and investigated.
Post-transcriptional nucleoside modifications fine-tune the biophysical and biochemical properties of transfer RNA (tRNA) so that it is optimized for participation in cellular processes. Here we report...Full Text Available
The ice cover in high mountain lakes breaks up and disappears in about an hour, in part because it has been divided into fragile vertical spindles, which are individual crystals. Contributing to this...Full Text Available
The profile imaging technique is used to study the oxidation of ZnTe and InP surfaces induced by in situ reaction due to the electron beam of the microscope and by ex situ heating in air. For both materials, in situ reaction with the electron beam resulted in desorption of the anion species and the formation of the metal oxide. The observation of In metal particles, and the fact that the rate of formation of In_2O_3 was substantially reduced by an improvement of the vacuum near the specimen region, suggested that the presence of oxygen is not involved in the desorption process. The ex situ heating of ZnTe up to 260 degrees C in air resulted in crystals of ZnO and Te metal, generally in a layered surface region with the sequence of ZnTe/Te/ZnO. The large Te crystals usually had an epitaxial relationship with the bulk ZnTe but the small ZnO crystals had random orientations. The ex situ heating of InP to 380 degrees C in air ...
Following studies on fiber and sheet texture of hexagonal crystal system in 1988, work has been extended to tube texture. Using the zircaloy-4 fuel cladding of Wolsung-type reactor as specimen, six pole figures for different crystallographic planes were m...
Zinc molybdate (ZnMoO4) single crystals were grown for the first time by the Czochralski method and their luminescence was measured under X ray excitation in the temperature range 85-400 K. Properties of ZnMoO4 crystal as cryogenic low temperature scintillator were checked for the first time. Radioactive contamination of the ZnMoO4 crystal was estimated as <0.3 mBq/kg (228-Th) and 8 mBq/kg (226-Ra). Thanks to the simultaneous measurement of the scintillation light and the phonon signal, the alpha particles can be discriminated from the gamma/beta interactions, making this compound extremely promising for the search of neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of 100-Mo. We also report on the ability to discriminate the alpha-induced background without the light measurement, thanks to a different shape of the thermal signal that characterizes gamma/beta and alpha particle interactions.
Optical absorptance spectra of A-15 compounds were taken using a calorimetric technique in the range 0.2 eV to 4.0 eV. Thermomodulation spectra were taken on several A-15 sputtered films.
Optical absorptance spectra of A-15 compounds were taken using a calorimetric technique in the range 0.2 eV to 4.0 eV. Thermomodulation spectra were taken on several A-15 sputtered films.
The crystallization dynamics of Nylon 66/Nylon 48 blends, the crystalline/crystalline polymer blend, was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under isothermal conditions. The equilibrium melting temperature (T{sub m}{sup 0}), crystal growth rate (G) and the nucleation rate (N) depended on both the degree of supercooling ({delta}T) and the blend fraction (phi). The {delta}T/T{sub m}{sup 0} values obtained at the fixed G, which corresponded to the chemical potential different between molecules in the liquid and the crystal states, and the surface free energy parameters evaluated from G and N depended on phi for blends. The results suggested that Nylon 66/Nylon 48 blends are miscible in all blend fractions. The result agrees with the intermolecular interaction parameter ({chi}) obtained from T{sub m}{sup 0} depression. Infrared spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction data indicated that the hydrogen bond became weak ...
Pd-Si metallic glasses have been utilized as catalysts in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The glasses are selective of ethane, whereas the in-situ crystallized glasses select a range of hydrocarbons characteristic of conventional Pd catalysts. This shift in selectivity has been observed in other hydrogenation reactions. Surface crystallization caused by the reaction conditions causes variable selectivity. Crystallization in reaction conditions has been monitored by DSC. During the course of the grant we developed the use of (+)- apopinene (6,6-dimethyl-1R,5R-bicyclo(3.1.1)hept-2-ene) as a molecular probe for determining the number and kinds of active sites on metallic glass catalysts. To accomplish this we conducted many experiments for comparison on other types of catalysts. These were foils, powders, and highly dispersed metals on several different supports. The glassy surfaces appear to be three dimensionally random (hilly ...
DC resistivity, dc magnetization, and specific heat of eight Sc{sub 5}Co{sub 4}Ge{sub 10}-type crystal-structure compounds R{sub 5}T{sub 4}Ge{sub 10} for R = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and T = Rh and Ir are presented. The resistivity, single-crystal magnetization, and specific-heat results show that in all those compounds, the magnetic moments order antiferromagnetically in the c direction at low temperature. However, in the Er and Tm compounds, the magnetizations along x-y hard directions do not show any anomalies above 2.0 K. This suggests that the ordered Er and Tm ions, which have positive quadrupole coefficients, interact with a crystal field that has an electronic potential valley along the c axis. The fitting of the hard axis magnetizations to Curie-Weiss law suggests that the resulting antiferromagnetic-like {theta} reflects the strength of the crystal-field torque on the magnetic moments rather than the ...
DC resistivity, dc magnetization, and specific heat of eight Sc/sub 5/Co/sub 4/Ge/sub 10/-type crystal structure compounds R/sub 5/T/sub 4/Ge/sub 10/ for R = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and T = Rh and Ir are presented. The resistivity, single crystal magnetization, and specific heat results show that in all those compounds, the magnetic moments order antiferromagnetically in the c direction at low temperature. However, in the Er and Tm compounds, the magnetizations along x-y hard directions do not show any anomalies above 2.0 K. This suggests that the ordered Er and Tm ions, which have positive quadrupole coefficients ..cap alpha../sub j/, interact with a crystal field that has an electronic potential valley along the c axis. The fitting of the hard axis magnetizations to Curie-Weiss law suggests that the resulting antiferromagnetic-like theta reflects the strength of the crystal field torque on the magnetic ...
The glasses with the composition of 37.5Li2O?(25?x)Fe2O3?xNb2O5?37.5P2O5 (mol%) (x=5,10,15) are prepared, and it is found that the addition of Nb2O5 is effective for the glass formation in the lithium iron phosphate system. The glass?ceramics consisting of Nasicon-type Li3Fe2(PO4)3 crystals with an orthorhombic structure are developed through conventional crystallization in an electric furnace, showing electrical conductivities of 3?10?6?Scm?1 at room temperature and the activation energies of 0.48?eV (x=5) and 0.51?eV (x=10) for Li+ ion conduction in the temperature range of 30?200??C. A continuous wave Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1064?nm) with powers of 0.14?0.30?W and a scanning speed of 10??m/s is irradiated onto the surface of the glasses, and the formation of Li3Fe2(PO4)3 crystals is c...
A liquid crystal display panel (LCD) has come into use as a display device for a stationary telephone set. This LCD driving IC requires high functionality and miniaturization. At Fuji Electric Co.,Ltd., in accordance with the demand, an LCD controller driver IC was developed which incorporates an icon display circuit and a voltage generating circuit for liquid crystal. The main features are as follows. In addition to 5 x 8 (dot), 16 digits, 2 line character display, the IC is equipped with independently controllable 32 kinds of icon displays. The power supply voltage operating range is 2.4-5.5V. Additional external parts are unnecessary because of a built-in CR oscillation circuit, power supply circuit for liquid crystal, and a boosting circuit. The IC is provided with a gold bump electrode structure mountable with COG (Chip On Glass) and TAB (Tape Automated Bonding). (NEDO)
Calculations, drawing principally on developments at AERE Harwell, of the relaxation about lattice defects are reviewed with emphasis on the techniques required for such calculations. The principles of defect modelling are outlined and various programs developed for defect simulations are discussed. Particular calculations for metals, ionic crystals and oxides, are considered. (UK).
Enolase is a multifunctional enzyme that plays important roles in many biological and disease processes. α-Enolase from human liver (hENO1) was expressed as a soluble protein and purified by...Full Text Available
The three-dimensional structure of the human adenovirus-2 proteinase complexed with its 11 amino acid cofactor, pVIc, was determined at 2.6 A resolution by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The fold...Full Text Available
Crystals of a new ternary samarium rhenium oxide, Sm{sub 3}ReO{sub 7} were obtained by subsolidus reaction of samariumsesquioxide and rheniumdioxide (ratio 1.5:1) in sealed Pt-10Rh-tubes at 1673 K. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Sm{sub 3}ReO{sub 7} crystallizes in the orthorohombic system with unit cell dimensions a = 10.736(5), b = 7.392(3), and c = 7.519(3) in space group Cmcm (No. 63) with Z = 4. The structure consists of ReO{sub 6} octahedra, distorted SmO{sub 6} octahedra, and SmO{sub 8} prisms that are interconnected to each other to form a three-dimensional network. Rhenium has the formal oxidation state of +5 but no metal-metal bond is observed in this compound. The observed magnetization in the temperature range 4 K < T < 52 K is explained by a Curie-Weiss law modified by a temperature independent Van Vleck paramagnetism of samarium (3+).
The synthesis of an extracellular ribbon of cellulose in the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum takes place from linearly arranged, membrane-localized, cellulose-synthesizing and extrusion complexes that...Full Text Available
BackgroundAs the first pathway-specific enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, phytoene synthase (PSY) is a prime regulatory target. This includes a number of biotechnological approaches...Full Text Available
Like other halophytic chenopods, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) can accumulate high betaine levels in shoots and roots. N,N,N-trimethylglycine impedes sucrose crystallization...Full Text Available
The frequency dependence of the lasing power of a He-Ne laser was studied using the electrooptic effect in a KDP crystal. The gain profile of the power curve was found to differ noticeably between the high-frequency and low-frequency edges. (AIP). (AIP)
We report the experimental and theoretical results on the anisotropies in the magnetic properties and x-ray absorption spectra of single-crystal LiFePO4. A mean-field theory is developed to explain the observed strong anisotropies in Lande g-factor, paramagnetic Curie temperature, and effective moment for LiFePO4 single crystals. The values of the in-plane nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor spin exchange (J1 and J2), interplane spin exchange (J{perpendicular}), and single-ion anisotropy (D), obtained recently from neutron scattering measurements, are used for calculating the Curie temperatures with the formulas derived from the mean-field Hamiltonian. It is found that the calculated Curie temperatures match well with that obtained by fitting the magnetic susceptibility curves to the modified Curie-Weiss law. For the polarized Fe K-edge x-ray absorption spectra of single-crystal LiFePO4, a different feature assignment for ...
The acid site distribution over large ZSM-5 crystals was analyzed using FTIR microscopy. Results of the analysis of the OH-stretching vibrations and of vibrations of pyridine adsorbed on Bronsted and Lewis acid sites were found to be in good agreement. The resolution which can be obtained using this novel technique is about 10-20 [mu]m. This limits the application to large crystals as analyzed in this study. Comparison of the results of IR microscopy with aluminum distributions obtained by electron microprobe analysis revealed that IR microscopy cannot resolve inhomogeneities on a scale smaller than the above-state limits. The results of both methods on a larger scale, however, are in very good agreement. Using a combination of both techniques, it is possible to obtain a clearer picture of the distribution of acid sites in large zeolite crystals, where electron microprobing gives the higher resolution, and IR microscopy ...
BackgroundBacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium known for producing protein crystals with insecticidal properties. These toxins are widely sought after for controlling...Full Text Available
The behaviour of the packaging materials under radiation field has a great importance in radiation processing, because, in most cases, they are finally responsible for the preservation of the beneficent changes achieved in irradiated products. For example, in radiation sterilisation and food irradiation, the packages must preserve the sterilisation, respectively the sanitisation. They must preserve also the physical barrier feature. The radiation effects on plastics were extensively studied in the last decades for nuclear industry and more recently for radiation processing. The two major effects of nuclear radiation on polymeric materials are the degradation and cross-linking. The degradation consists in breaking of macromolecules after interaction with nuclear particles, amplified by the free radicals which persist long periods, especially in crystalline polymers. Oxygen could penetrate the sample and interact with free radicals so that the degradation process continues after the ...
The rare earth antimonates RE{sub 3}Sb{sub 5}O{sub 12} constitute an isostructural series, where the rare earth site symmetry is S{sub 4}. The spectroscopic properties of pure or doped compounds of this family are studied in order to derive their energy level schemes and to simulate them through the crystal field theory, by using the approximated D{sub 2d} potential. The paramagnetic susceptibilities are calculated with the derived wavefunctions and compared to experiment.
The early work of Stern has been reviewed briefly along with some of our experiments carried out later with similar geometrical arrangements in order to highlight his successes at the time and the future developments of his findings and predictions. The double crystal technique, developed by Stern has been used for energy analysis of He beams and results are shown for scattering from a rough reconstructed (001) InSb surface and Xe adsorbed layers. Surface phonons were not observed in the case of InSb probably as a result of the rough surface. (orig.).
In this paper we discuss recent work at the Advanced Technology Centre of BAE Systems on photonic technology, in particular photonic crystal fibres, applied to infra-red and electro-optic countermeasure systems. The use of Photonic Crystal fibres or holey fibres in countermeasure systems could significantly simplify platform integration by enabling remote location of laser sources, the generation of multiple wavelengths or continuum generation from a single pump source .The paper will describe the development of these fibres, drawing examples from recent civil collaborative research projects such as PFIDEL and LAMPS.
With the help of self-assembly, thermal sintering, selective etching techniques and sol-gel process, the non-close packed (ncp) face-centered cubic (fcc) photonic crystals of titanium dioxide (TiO2) hollow spheres connected by TiO2 cylindrical tubes have been fabricated using silica template. The photonic bandgap calculations indicate that the ncp structure of TiO2 hollow spheres was easier to open the pseudogaps than close packed system at the lowest energy. PMID:17097102
The chemical properties of alloys in a given environment are to a large extent governed by the surface composition. Changes of the surface composition during passivation are important features in this respect. Previous studies of single crystal Ni-Mo alloys surfaces have been reported. The aim of this work was to obtain quantitative data, for the natural oxide and the passive films formed on Ni-6% Mo(100) and (110) alloys, using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis.
The chemical properties of alloys in a given environment are to a large extent governed by the surface composition. Changes of the surface composition during passivation are important features in this respect. Previous studies of single crystal Ni-Mo alloys surfaces have been reported. The aim of this work was to obtain quantitative data, for the natural oxide and the passive films formed on Ni-6% Mo(100) and (110) alloys, using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and nuclear reaction analysis. (author).
Double-crystal high-resolution x-ray fluorescence spectrometry was applied to the state analysis of sulfur in coal and related fly ash. For total sulfur, a proportional relationship exists between fluorescence intensities and the analytical values obtained by the oxygen-combustion method. Two oxidation states of sulfur were identified by a least square curve fitting method, by assuming that the spectrum profile is identical for each sulfur state but the intensity and position are different. The chemical state of sulfur in coal and remaining in fly ash is discussed.
This paper reports on hydrolysis of 10 metal salt aqueous solutions of 6 metal oxides that was conducted in supercritical water. Continuous and rapid production of metal oxide fine particles was achieved by mixing a metal salt aqueous solution with preheated water fed from another line. The reaction time required was less than 2 min. Particle size, morphology, and crystal structure of the obtained metal (hydrous) oxides were examined. Particle size (20 to 600 nm) was different among the system but the size range was relatively narrow in all the cases.
We discuss how magnetic phenomena affect superconductivity in simple metals, transition metals and alloys thereof, and dilute Rare-Earth alloys. It is shown both qualitatively and quantitatively that superconductors are sensitive probes for studying itinerant spin excitations, local spin excitations associated with nearly magnetic impurities, the effect of the atomic environment on the stability of local magnetic moments, and the nature of the spin order in Rare-Earth alloys. Also, we discuss how magnetic impurities can be used to study the electronic configuration which is responsible for superconductivity in Laves-phase crystals like A-15 compounds and ..beta..-W crystals, for example.
An annealing with the nanosecond laser light pulse is applied for crystal lattice reconstruction of a disturbed near-surface layer, which was created in semiconductor material as a result of the implantation process. Radiation with energy density higher than the threshold value causes the melting of the surface layer and than the epitaxial recrystallization from the melt on a different substrate. Structural changes occurring in the Ge implanted Si crystals after annealing with different energy densities are investigated by means of the cross-section high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. (author)
A finite three-dimensional layer-by-layer photonic crystal with planar defects in a layer is shown to drastically modify the spontaneous emission rate of an embedded dipole. Finite-difference time-domain calculations with one quarter symmetric boundary condition and perfectly matched layer demonstrate the strong enhancement effects induced by the cavity resonance of defect modes and band-edge resonant modes. Simulation shows that the emission spectra are quite different when the position or polarization of the dipole is changed. Moreover, the extraction efficiency is calculated to observe the percentage of light leakage through a substrate.
Low cycle fatigue (LCF) of a fourth-generation single-crystal (SC) Ni-base superalloy TMS-138 was studied by comparison with a typical third-generation (TMS-75) and a second-generation (CMSX-4) Ni-base SC superalloys. TMS-138 exhibits improved LCF behaviour under a condition of the R ratio of 0 at temperatures of 1073 K and 1173 K. The addition of refractory elements resulted in a remarkable improvement of the LCF properties compared to those of the reference superalloys due to the different microstructure developed in TMS-138. (orig.)
Experimental data in the hybridised compound YbPd{sub 2}Si{sub 2} is compared with the results obtained with a recently proposed hybridisation model, based on the ''large-degeneracy expansion'' approximation, which takes into account the crystal field splittings of the rare earth ion energy levels. With a unique set of parameters, satisfactory agreement is simultaneously obtained for the thermal variation of the electronic specific heat, of the magnetic susceptibility and of the electric field gradient at the Yb site, as well as for the field variation of the low temperature magnetisation. (orig.).
Fractal dimensional analysis was employed to obtain a quantitative measure of the morphology of polymer networks formed by UV irradiation induced polymerization of photo-reactive mesogenic monomers dissolved in a liquid crystal host medium. The fractal dimensions obtained, may be interpreted by polymer network growth following a percolation-like model for monomer concentrations well below the solubility limit. On passing the solubility limit, the polymerization process changes from a (radical chain) solution polymerization to a dispersion polymerization, with fractal dimensions decreasing and suggesting a cluster-cluster aggregation process for monomer concentrations above the solubility limit, similar to the aggregation of colloidal particles.
Several experiments showed that the classical Kolmogorov power spectral density of the refractive-index sometimes does not properly describe the statistics of the atmosphere. In this paper we show an experimental testbed able to generate non-classical Kolmogorov turbulence by using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The testbed is used at Naval Postgraduate School for laboratory investigation of laser beam propagation in maritime environment where a power law different from classical Kolmogorov, 11/ 3, could be present. Applications of this testbed are ship to-ship free space optical communication, imaging and high energy laser weapons.
The electromagnetic properties of a prototype gravitational wave detector, based on two coupled superconducting microwave cavities, were tested. The radio-frequency (rf) detection system was carefully analysed. With the use of piezoelectric crystals small harmonic displacements of the cavity walls were induced and the parametric conversion of the electromagnetic field inside the cavities explored. Experimental results of bandwidth and sensitivity of the parametric converter versus stored energy and voltage applied to the piezoelectric crystal are reported. A rf control loop, developed to stabilize phase changes on signal paths, gave a 125 dBc rejection of the drive mode on a time scale of 1 h.
Nanoindentation was performed on a Mo-alloy single crystal to investigate effects of focused ion beam (FIB) milling on mechanical behavior. On a non-FIB-milled surface, pop-ins were observed on all load-displacement curves corresponding to a transition from elastic to plastic deformation. Similar pop-ins were not detected on surfaces subjected to FIB milling. This difference indicates that FIB milling introduces damage that obviates the need for dislocation nucleation during subsequent deformation. A second effect of FIB milling is that it increased the surface hardness. Together, these effects could be the source of the size effects reported in the literature on micropillar tests.
A passive integrating radon dosemeter is described. The radon dosemeter is based on radon adsorption on activated charcoal. By placing TLD crystals inside an open charcoal container, the beta radiation from radon daughters, produced by the decay of adsorbed radon, is detected continuously during the exposure time. After closing the container, radiation will still be detected by the TLD crystal. Calibration procedures are reported and the suitability of the dosemeter is discussed. The dosemeter proved to be suitable for measurements during periods from a few days to two weeks both in domestic and mine atmospheres.
A complete electron paramagnetic resonance power pattern characterization of Fe"3"+ in cubic sites in presented. A one-to-one correspondence among the peaks appearing in the powder pattern and the outer fine-structure transitions (Mnot = 1/2 ) observed in the single crystal along the , , and directions is shown. It is shown that the process of mechanically grinding the single crystal to a powder (particle size approx.1--10 #mu#) does not remove the cubic symmetry sites. No axial or lower symmetry sites which may be induced by lattice distortion of the crystallites due to strain have been observed.
The freezing of liquid in the form of a granule on a cooled substrate is considered. On the basis of a hypothesis regarding the form of the isotherms in the granule, an analytical solution of the Stefan problem is obtained for two limiting cases: when a/sub d/ >> a/sub s/ and a/sub d/ << a/sub s/, where a/sub s/ and a/sub d/ are the thermal conductivity of the substrate and drop, respectively. The results of calculating the crystallization times of the granules as a function of their dimensions (height and diameter) and the substrate temperature, and also the dynamics of temperature variation at the base of the granule in the course of crystallization, are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Crystal structure of monoclinic telluric acid ammonium phosphate (TAAP) has been studied by an X-ray diffraction method in the paraelectric phase at 333 K and in the ferroelectric phase at room temperature. It is confirmed that the space group in the paraelectric phase is P2/n. Comparison of the results between the two temperatures suggests that the plane which is made by the PO{sub 4} tetrahedron linked by hydrogen bonds has an important role for the ferroelectric phase transition. This plane is almost parallel to the direction of spontaneous polarization.
The crystal field splitting of the "3H_4 ground state of the Pr ion in PrFeO_3 and PrGaO_3 has been investigated by inelastic scattering of the thermal neutrons. At several temperatures the transitions have been measured by TAS and TOF methods for polycrystalline PrFeO_3 and by the TOF method for polycrystalline PrGaO_3. Energy level schemes which are different for these materials are given. (author).
This was a project to investigate the crystal chemistry of OH and H{sub 2}O substitution in silicate minerals by use of X-ray and neutron diffraction methods combined with IR spectroscopy and to interpret and generalize the results using an electrostatic model for these mineral structures. Using these data together with published H position data electrostatic parameters for H sites were calculated from a simple electrostatic model. The data were then used to refine the model for incorporation of H into the wadsleyite structure. This has led to recent work on the synthesis and characterization of hydrous wadsleyites.
Abstract in english In the last decade it has been experimentally found a periodic domain pattern arising in smectic C* liquid crystals in surface stabilized bookshelf geometry. Such a periodic texture appears after switching-off an external electric field, even in strong anchoring conditions. It has a static character and can be bidimensional, being dependent on both directions normal to the smectic planes and normal to the cell plates. In the present work an explanation to this phenomenon (more) is proposed. According to our model in the antiferroelectric phase the biperiodic texture is a threshold phenomenon, appearing for values of the spontaneous polarization greater than a critical value, whereas in the ferroelectric phase this type of bidimensional instability is hindered.
Transformation optics is used to design a gateway that can block electromagnetic waves but allows the passage of other entities. Our conceptual device has the advantage that it can be realized with simple materials and structural parameters and can have a reasonably wide bandwidth. In particular, we show that our system can be implemented by using a magnetic photonic crystal structure that employs a square ray of ferrite rods, and as the field response of ferrites can be tuned by external magnetic fields, we end up with an electromagnetic gateway that can be open or shut using external fields. The functionality is also robust against the positional disorder of the rods that made up the photonic crystal.
The nine title compounds were prepared from the elements by arc-melting and subsequent heat treatment in resistance and high-frequency furnaces. The crystal structure of these isotypic compounds was determined for YPdSi from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Pmmn, a = 430.8(1) pm, b = 1391.2(1) pm, c = 743.1(1) pm, Z = 8, R = 0.024 for 417 structure factors and 40 variable parameters. The crystal structures of the isotypic compounds GdPdSi and ErPdSi were also refined from single-crystal data. The structure is of a new type. It consists of condensed, six-membered rings of alternating palladium and silicon atoms with Pd-Si bond distances varying between 249.6 and 258.8 pm. These two-dimensionally infinite nets are connected to each other via weak Pd-Si and Si-Si bonds with bond distances of 276.3 and 259.5 pm. The rare earth atoms are situated above and below the six-membered palladium-silicon ...
This project has been concerned with the understanding of certain key physical and physical chemical properties of polymeric systems which are related to their use as working substances in mechanochemical systems. Since the crystal-liquid phase transition is involved in the process of interest, attention has been focused on this transition and on the properties of semi-crystalline polymers. Two kinds of behavior and properties have been studied in this program. One of these is concerned with melting-crystallization under an applied external force. Here the primary matters of concern are the equilibrium melting temperature-stress relations and the associated problem of crystallization kinetics under an applied external stress. The other area of study involves mechanical properties, with particular emphasis on the influence of the morphological and structural variables which describe the semi-crystalline state. We have taken ...
From the crystal field analysis of optical absorption spectra on monoclinic S.G. P2{sub 1}/c MgNd(BO{sub 2}){sub 5}, where Nd{sup 3+} occupies a single crystallographic position with no symmetry elements, energy level schemes and an expression of the associated wavefunctions for the 4f{sup 3} configuration of Nd{sup 3+} have been derived, considering approximate C{sub 2v} and C{sub s} (C{sub 2}) symmetries. Despite of the low symmetry of Nd{sup 3+}, resulting rms deviations between calculated and experimental levels are very satisfactory. The composition of the crystal field wavefunctions from both sets of phenomenological free-ion and crystal field parameters has been checked through a calculation of the thermal evolution of the paramagnetic susceptibility {chi}, according to the Van Vleck formula. The same simulation was performed with crystal field parameters (CFPs) resulting from the ab initio ...
The paper generalizes some results of the United States/Moldova program on advanced composite organic and semiconductor light emitters. High density exciton system bound to N impurity superlattice grown by modern technologies and GaP:N, GaP:N:Sm nanocrystals distributed in transparent fluorine-containing polymers will be used as the base elements for new generation of optoelectronic devices. The work seeks to expand further the applications of GaP itself through the formation of nanocomposites. Classic and new methods are applied for preparation of GaP:N nanoparticles with the controlled dimensions developed clear quantum confinement effect. The long-term ordered bulk GaP crystals as well as their nanoparticles have been investigated by TEM, XRD, Raman scattering, and luminescent methods. The evolution of the Raman Light Scattering and luminescence spectra is reported from pure and doped GaP single crystals grown over 40 years ago and evaluated ...
This work is a theoretical investigation on the physical properties of semiconductor-based two-dimensional photonic crystals, in particular for what concerns systems embedded in planar dielectric waveguides (GaAs/AlGaAs, GaInAsP/InP heterostructures, and self-standing membranes) or based on macro-porous silicon. The photonic-band structure of photonic crystals and photonic-crystal slabs is numerically computed and the associated light-line problem is discussed, which points to the issue of intrinsic out-of-lane diffraction losses for the photonic bands lying above the light line. The photonic states are then classified by the group theory formalism: each mode is related to an irreducible representation of the corresponding small point group. The optical properties are investigated by means of the scattering matrix method, which numerically implements a variable-angle-reflectance experiment; comparison with experiments is ...
The exchange charge model (ECM) of crystal field is utilized to provide the theoretical explanation of the ground state absorption and the excited state absorption observed for the octahedrally coordinated Ni{sup 2+} ions in the spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The ECM enables modeling of the crystal field parameters (CFPs) for the impurity ions based on the crystal structure data of the host lattice. To ensure the reliability of the CFPs, the convergence of the CFP values with the increasing number of the coordination spheres taken into account in the ECM calculations is considered. The trigonal CFPs B{sub 2}{sup 0},B{sub 4}{sup 0}andB{sub 4}{sup -3} determined by the ECM, together with the appropriate Racah parameters B and C, serve as input to two crystal field analysis computer packages, which compute the energy level schemes within the whole 3d{sup 8} configuration. The cubic approximation utilizing ...
Substitution of various rare earths R within the class of R2PdSi3 single crystals with hexagonal AlB2-type crystallographic structure reveals the systematic dependence of anisotropic magnetic properties governed by the interplay of crystal-electric field effects and magnetic two-ion interactions. Here we compare the floating zone (FZ) crystal growth with radiation heating of compounds with R = Tb, Tm, Pr, and Gd. The congruent melting behavior enabled moderate growth velocities of 3 to 5 mmh-1. The preferred growth directions are close to the basal plane of the hexagonal unit cell. The composition of the crystals, except of Tb2PdSi3, is slightly Pd-depleted with respect to the nominal composition 16.7 at.% Pd. Thin precipitates of RSi secondary phases were detected in the crystal matrix. Their phase fraction can be diminished by growth from Pd-rich melt compositions and annealing ...
For several decades most of the efforts to develop new scintillator materials have concentrated on high-light-yield inorganic single-crystals while polycrystalline ceramic scintillators, since their inception in the early 1980 s, have received relatively little attention. Nevertheless, transparent ceramics offer a promising approach to the fabrication of relatively inexpensive scintillators via a simple mechanical compaction and annealing process that eliminates single-crystal growth. Until recently, commonly accepted concepts restricted the polycrystalline ceramic approach to materials exhibiting a cubic crystal structure. Here, we report our results on the development of two novel ceramic scintillators based on the non-cubic crystalline materials: Lu SiO:Ce (LSO:Ce) and LaBr:Ce. While no evidence for texturing has been found in their ceramic microstructures, our LSO:Ce ceramics exhibit a surprisingly high level of ...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed comparatively detailed quality assurance requirements for the high-level radioactive waste disposal systems. Quality assurance is recognized as a key issue for confidence building and smooth implementation of the HLW program in Japan, and Japan is at an initial phase of repository development. Then the quality assurance requirements at site research and site selection, site characterization, and site suitability analysis used in the Yucca Mountain project were examined in detail and comprehensive descriptions were developed using flow charts. Additionally, the applicability to the Japan high-level radioactive waste disposal project was studied. The examination and study were performed for the following QA requirements: The requirements that have the relative importance at site research and site selection, site characterization, and site suitability analysis (such as planning ...
A technical committee reported on: (1) proposed water quality objectives for the San Joaquin River Basin; (2) proposed effluent limitations for agricultural drainage discharges in the basin to achieve these objectives; and (3) a proposal to regulate these discharges. The costs and economic impact of achieving various alternative water quality objectives were also evaluated. The information gathered by the technical committee will be used by the Regional Board along with other information in their review of the San Joaquin River Basin Water Quality Control Plan and their actions to regulate agricultural drainage in the San Joaquin Valley. The results of the Technical Committee's efforts as reported in Regulation of Agricultural Drainage to the San Joaquin River, August 1987. Based on the available information, the improvement in water quality resulting from implementation of the interim selenium ...
This document establishes the Quality Assurance (QA) Program requirements for the Hazards Waste remedial Actions Program (HASWRAP) for ensuring, with a high degree of confidence, that program objectives will be achieved as planned. The QA Program is introduced in Sect. 1. The HAZWRAP Support Contractor Office (SCO) functional organization and QA responsibilities are shown in Sect. 2. QA program requirements are contained in Sect. 3. These requiremens are pased on the American national Standard, American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers NQA-1 Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear Facilities. The 18 elements defined in the standard are tailored to HAZWRAP's needs. The QA program requirements are delineated under the major headings: Quality Assurance Program, Organization, and Control of Quality;two additional program requirements, Software ...
The quality assurance requirements in use today for radioactive waste facilities, geologic repositories and hazardous waste projects were developed initially for the nuclear power plant industry, and their intent is being applied by regulations and guidance documents to radioactive and hazardous waste programs. The wording of the NRC quality assurance requirements in Appendix B of 10CFR50, the related guidance documents and the industry's ANSI/ASME NQA-1 were developed over a period of several years to address quality assurance for the design and construction of the complex and interactive systems to produce electrical power using nuclear fuel. Now, those same documents are the basis for the quality assurance requirements and guidance for waste management facilities and repositories. The intent of Appendix B of 10CFR50 and NQA-1 can easily be applied to waste projects, providing one understands and uses ...
This document defines the quality assurance requirements for the US Department of Energy-Richland Operations Office Environmental Restoration Remedial Action program at the Hanford Site. The Environmental Restoration Remedial Action program implements significant commitments made by the US Department of Energy in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order entered into with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the US Environmental Protection Agency. This document combines quality assurance requirements from various source documents into one set of requirements for use by the US Department of Energy-Richland Operations Office and other Environmental Restoration Remedial Action program participants. This document will serve as the basis for developing Quality Assurance Program Plans and implementing procedures by the participants. The requirements of this document will be applied to activities affecting ...
In 1990, field studies of water quality and stream macroinvertebrate communities were initiated in Sandia Canyon at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The studies were designed to establish baseline data and to determine the effects of routine discharges of industrial and sanitary waste. Water quality measurements were taken and aquatic macroinvertebrates sampled at three permanent stations within the canyon. Two of the three sample stations are located where the stream regularly receives industrial and sanitary waste effluents. These stations exhibited a low diversity of macroinvertebrates and slightly degraded water quality. The last sample station, located approximately 0.4 km (0.25 mi) downstream from the nearest wastewater outfall, appears to be in a zone of recovery where water quality parameters more closely resemble those found in natural streams in the Los Alamos area. A large increase in ...
To predict air quality properly at a given location, it is necessary to identify all emission sources that will have significant impact at that location. Furthermore, the atmospheric pollutants that are emitted by these sources must be identified and quantitatively characterized. Once the air-quality predictions have been made, it is desirable to have some historical air-quality data for comparison. An efficient means of obtaining this information is through the use of detailed emission inventories and an inventory of air-quality-monitoring stations. Therefore, as part of the Alberta Government/Industry Acid Deposition Research Program (ADRP), three comprehensive inventories have been developed, namely: a sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) emission inventory, a nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission inventory, and an inventory of air-quality-monitoring stations. Volume 2, Design of the Emission ...
This report is the conclusion of a three-part series that describes and attempts to explain regional coal quality variations within the foothills/mountains region of Alberta. Proximate and ultimate analysis variables, plus some vitrinite reflectance and maceral analyses, are examined for the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Kootenay Group, Lower Cretaceous Luscar Group, the Lower Paleocene Coalspur Formation, and the Upper Paleocene Obed-Marsh coal-bearing units. The study has two major components: a statistical analysis and mapping of coal quality data provided by the Energy Resources Conservation Board; and a 'geologic models' section, in which regional and local in-seam coal quality variations are examined from a geological perspective. The first component is designed to describe, characterize, and set limits for the coal quality variables, while the second component should provide from a ...
Volume 2 of the water resources data for the 1992 water year for Oklahoma consists of record of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes or reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water well. The report contains discharge records for 136 gaging stations; stage and contents for 31 lakes or reservoirs; water quality for 50 gaging stations. Also included are 61 partial-record or miscellaneous streamflow stations and 28 ground-water sites.
The textbook is primarily intended for radiologic staff and radiologic safety officers and gives information on the current regulatory provisions of the German X-ray Ordinance, applications of X-rays, quality assurance, organisational aspects of film processing and quality requirements of X-rays. An annex lists the guidelines of the Bundesaerztekammer (German National Chamber of Physicians) relating to quality assurance aspects, and further useful information on commercially available film-screen systems, the various associations of physicians in Germany, and requirements and performance of radiation surveys. (vhe).
This paper presents a multicriteria analysis of ventilation during summertime in Europe. Multicriteria analysis theories are used to determine the most suitable ventilation strategy on a university building, that is to say to ensure the best possible indoor air quality, thermal comfort of the occupants and the lower energy consumption in case of accelerated diurnal or nocturnal ventilation and/or air conditioning. After defining the possible actions, the criteria of quality regarding thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy consumption are defined. The possible actions are then assessed relative to each of these three criteria and ranked from the best to the worst ones using two different multicriteria analysis methods. (author)
Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain an overview of the methodological quality of studies on the measurement properties of neck pain and disability questionnaires and to describe how well various aspects of the design and statistical analyses of studies on measurement properties are performed. Methods: A systematic review was performed of published studies on the measurement properties of neck pain and disability questionnaires. Two reviewers independently rated the quality of the studies using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. This checklist was developed in an international Delphi consensus study. Results: A total of 47 articles were included on the measurement properties of 8 different questionnaires. The meth...
This paper discusses key methods for sustaining quality engineering data, the fundamental principles that these methods are based on, and the methods for supporting the performance of nuclear power plants by the provision of quality engineering data at all times. The concept of an 'engineering data foundation', and a Configuration Management data model are developed. The concepts and methods for managing the integrity of engineering data across many different databases and document systems are developed, including the key concepts of data-positions and data-values, Master Data and Copy Data, and the concept of a 'partnership between people and technology'. (author). 7 refs., 1 tab., 2 figs.
The quality of the end product from andrology services continues to lack consistency and in some cases fails to meet the needs of the end users (patients or clinicians). Results of external quality assessment (EQA) schemes continue to show unacceptably wide variation for the results of a single specimen. Some laboratories are able to show that the results of semen analyses relate to both natural and assisted pregnancy and are therefore useful in the management of the infertile couple, whereas others claim that their value is limited to the identification of severe male factor infertility. With wide variation in standardisation of methodology, levels of staff training and quality assurance, it is entirely understandable that such discrepancies persist. The following article proposes that Qu...
In order to promote the use of natural gas air-conditioning systems in the tertiary sector, Gaz de France (the French gas utility) in association with Electricite de France (EdF) and the French chamber of council engineers (CICF) have created the Acerclim organization which aims at certifying the quality of the design, realization and exploitation of air processing and air-conditioning installations according to the ISO 9001 criteria. This article describes this quality procedure named 'CHSB Air'. (J.S.)
This article deals with the need for control strategies and control systems in buildings with hybrid ventilation. In this respect, control strategies are methods of keeping certain parameters like temperature, air quality etc within specified limits. A control system is automatic and includes sensors, motors, dampers etc. The article also discusses consequences with respect to thermal comfort, air quality and energy use following selection of control parameters for controlling air masses.
The environmental Restoration Remedial Action Quality Assurance Requirements Document (DOE/RL 90-28) defines the quality assurance program requirements for the US Department of Energy-Richland Field Office Environmental Restoration Remedial Action Program at the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington. This paper describes the objectives outlined in DOE/RL 90-28. The Environmental Restoration Remedial Action Program implements significant commitments made by the US Department of Energy in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order entered into with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Surface quality is one of the most important criteria for establishing the optimum cutting parameters needed to perform a machining process. Usually, the evaluation of the degree of the surface finishing requires to apply metrological techniques which involve times out in the production. As a consequence of this, a loss in both the economy of the process and the fiability of the tests reproducibility can be produced. In this work a relation between cutting force and surface roughness has been studied for the turning process of an Al-Cu alloy. From this relation, the surface quality of the machined samples can be evaluated by using the cutting forces values acquired during the cutting process. (Author) 8 refs.
This conference is composed of 21 communications and 21 posters in the domain of building ventilation and indoor air quality; the main themes are: indoor air quality assessment and optimization; performance enhancement and optimization of ventilation systems and equipment; ventilation systems for renovated and rehabilitated buildings; French and European regulations, standardizations and certifications; experimental and numerical simulation studies concerning ventilation systems, air flow, temperature distribution, air quality, thermal comfort and ventilation-induced acoustic levels
This document describes products which the US EPA Wetlands Research Program proposes to develop during the years 1989-1994. The general protocols used to develop these products are also described. All these products are intended to address concerns about the wetlands and water quality, and are part of a larger set of products EPA is developing to deal with other aspects of wetlands. EPA's highly interrelated concerns about wetlands and water quality can be generally categorized as follows: water quality criteria to protect wetland function; ecological status of the wetland resource; and waste-assimilation limits of wetlands.
Water-resources data for the 1993 water year for Minnesota consists of records of stage, discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This volume contains discharge records for 58 gaging stations; stage and contents for 9 lakes and reservoirs; water quality 15 stream stations, 1 lakes station, 1 precipitation station, and water levels for 15 observation wells. Also included are 61 high-flow partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program and are pulished as miscellaneous measurements.
Water-resources data for the 1991 water year for Minnesota consist of records of stage, discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. The volume contains discharge records for 60 gaging stations; stage and contents for 9 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 18 stream stations, 1 lake station, 22 partial-record sites, 1 precipitation station, 108 wells; and water levels for 119 observation wells. Also included are 59 high-flow partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements or low-flow investigations.
Regional Information: Quality of Life Sports and Recreation. Professional Sports Teams. New Orleans Saints - National Football League; New Orleans Hornets ...
will be derived from biochemical analyses of molluscs, ostracodes, foraminifera and corals. The corals will allow us to compare marine and estuarine trends, examine the linkage...
Abstract Male infertility continues to be a clinical challenge of increasing significance. While male factors such as decreased semen quality are responsible for 25% of all infertility issues, the etiology of suboptimal semen quality is poorly understood. Many physiological, environmental, and genetic factors have been implicated, including oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), or free radicals, and although ROS are required for critical aspects of sperm function, excessive levels of ROS can negatively impact sperm quality. The origin of ROS generation, and the etiologies of increased ROS in men with suboptimal sperm quality have only recently been elucidated, offering multiple targets for potential therapy. Here, we present a critical review of th...
... and high-quality photospheric-phase Type II SN spectra to constrain core- collapse SN explosions, massive star evolution, and distances in the Universe ...
The paper describes the latest approach to quality engineering in the design process as applied by Ontario Hydro throughout the various phases of the project life cycle for Ontario Hydro generating stations and related facilities. Ontario Hydro has long recognized that the high quality and performance required in nuclear generating stations start in the design process and can best be achieved through an adequate and proper quality engineering programme in design. The current approach has evolved over a period of six years and represents a meaningful and effective series of requirements, functions and activities, which are used to ensure safety, reliability, economy and environmental acceptability of nuclear generating stations. (author).
BackgroundProvision of consumer information and patient education are considered an essential part of chronic disease management programmes developed for patients with heart failure....Full Text Available
A few studies have found poor semen quality in sons whose mothers have received fertility treatment, but it is unknown whether the poor semen quality is related to the infertility treatment or to infertility per se, for example, whether it is caused by hereditable factors. Using data from a population-based, Danish follow-up study conducted in 2005-2006, the authors of the present study examined whether sons of subfertile couples who had not received fertility treatment had poorer semen quality than sons of fertile couples. Among the 311 participants, an inverse association between parental waiting time to pregnancy and both semen volume and total sperm count was observed (p trend = 0.04 and p trend = 0.046, respectively). Semen volume in sons of subfertile parents (pregnant after ?1 ye...
In Europe, the use of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies is restricted to Kirsten RAS (KRAS) wild-type colorectal tumors. Information on the KRAS status of the patients tumor is thus key for clinical practice; however, there is little guidance or definition on which KRAS mutations to assess and how to assess them. To ensure the consistency and the quality of KRAS test results in Europe, an interlaboratory control network needs to be set up. This pilot study aimed to identify the variables that need to be assessed in a quality control scheme and to provide a first assessment in a selected set of laboratories. Fourteen different tumor cases were circulated between 13 laboratories by a central laboratory acting as the referent for the mutation status determination. This study illustrated that of...
To meet BPA`s contractual obligation to supply electrical power to its customers, BPA proposes to acquire power generated by Klickitat Cogeneration Project. BPA has prepared an environmental assessment evaluating the proposed project. Based on the EA analysis, BPA`s proposed action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for the following reasons: (1)it will not have a significant impact land use, upland vegetation, wetlands, water quality, geology, soils, public health and safety, visual quality, historical and cultural resources, recreation and socioeconomics, and (2) impacts to fisheries, wildlife resources, air quality, and noise will be temporary, minor, or sufficiently offset by mitigation. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required and BPA is ...
The current Risk-informed Regulation (RIR) framework employs both a Level 1 Core Damage Frequency (CDF) and a Level 2 Large Early Release Frequency (LERF) as two surrogate measures for the plant risk. For their use in making regulatory decisions for the plant risk, it has been required to maintain an appropriate level of quality for the plant risk models. The first step for this purpose is to evaluate the quality of the PSA model in a qualitative or quantitative manner. Recently, a similar type of quality evaluation has been made for the KSNP Level 1 PSA model based on an ASME PRA Standard for the RIR application, but not for the corresponding LERF model. The main objective of this paper is to provide the ASME PRA Standard-based evaluation result for the existing KSNP Level 2 LERF model and the insights obtained from the evaluation process.
The current Risk-informed Regulation (RIR) framework employs both a Level 1 Core Damage Frequency (CDF) and a Level 2 Large Early Release Frequency (LERF) as two surrogate measures for the plant risk. For their use in making regulatory decisions for the plant risk, it has been required to maintain an appropriate level of quality for the plant risk models. The first step for this purpose is to evaluate the quality of the PSA model in a qualitative or quantitative manner. Recently, a similar type of quality evaluation has been made for the KSNP Level 1 PSA model based on an ASME PRA Standard for the RIR application, but not for the corresponding LERF model. The main objective of this paper is to provide the ASME PRA Standard-based evaluation result for the existing KSNP Level 2 LERF model and the insights obtained from the evaluation process
Studies continued on organic tracers for use as hydrologic tracers as part of the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization project. This subject report for the quarter 01/01/93 through 03/31/93 discusses the following issues: project organization and responsibilities; quality assurance program; design control; procurement document control; instructions, procedures, and drawings; document control; control of purchased items and services; identification and control of items; control of processes; inspection; test control; control of measuring and test equipment; handling, storage, and shipping; inspection, test, and operating status; control of nonconforming items and conditions; corrective action; quality assurance records; audits; software quality assurance; and scientific investigation.
Analytical procedures are described for the determination of organic compounds, metals and radioisotopes in environmental materials, human tissues, urine, feces, and waste water.
During 1993 and 1994 a working group of biologists operating in Region Lombardia has carried out a study to evaluate the reliability of artificial substrates in the assessment of water quality by the Extended Biotic Index. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected by means of hand net and artificial substrates (up to 3 replicates) in 22 sampling sites of 15 watercourses of different typology (river, stream, irrigation channel) and water quality. Sampling efficiency and reliability in the calculation of E.B.I. and Quality Class by 1, 2 and 3 artificial substrates with respect to hand net have been evaluated. Influence of water quality, typology and original prevailing substrate in watercourses on the performance of artificial substrates has also been investigated. Results show a good agreement with other Authors' papers, confirming that artificial substrates represent a valid alternative macroinvertebrate ...
Sep 3, 2010 ... These higher-quality deformable mirrors will enable diffraction-limited performance for many space-based optical systems such as space-based ...
BackgroundPerfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are found globally in wildlife and humans and are suspected to act as endocrine disruptors. There are no previous reports of PFAA levels in...Full Text Available
This paper discusses geology, coalfields, coal quality, seams and strata, coal reserves, mining methods, production, coal liquefaction, and research on spontaneous combustion and methane explosions.
This groundwater quality report (GWQR) contains an evaluation of the groundwater quality data obtained during the 1993 calendar year (CY) at several hazardous and non-hazardous waste management facilities associated with the US DOE Y-12 Plant located on the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) southeast of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The groundwater quality data are presented in Part 1 of the GWQR submitted by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in February 1994. Groundwater quality data evaluated in this report were obtained at several hazardous and non-hazardous waste management sites located within the Chestnut Ridge Hydrogeologic Regime (Chestnut Ridge Regime). The Chestnut Ridge Regime encompasses a section of Chestnut Ridge south of the Y-12 Plant and is one of three hydrogeologic regimes defined for the purposes of groundwater ...
ObjectivesVaricocele is a common cause of infertility, and varicocele-associated testicular hypotrophy has been described as a potential cause of decreased semen quality. We investigated the relationship between testicular hypotrophy and poor semen quality in infertile men with varicoceles. We hypothesized that bilateral hypotrophy is required before the semen quality is severely impaired.MethodsWe retrospectively identified consecutive patients with palpable varicoceles undergoing an infertility evaluation at a single academic center. Each patient was evaluated by the same clinician with history and physical examination. Testicular hypotrophy was defined as a size discrepancy of greater than 3 mL or an absolute size of less than 14 mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to...
Human activities in the karst Ozark Plateaus can impact water quality of springs where surface water is rapidly transferred to subsurface conduits. Bennett Spring, in southern Missouri, is the fourth largest spring in the state and supports local tourism activities. Questions regarding poorly functioning on-site wastewater systems (OWS) have raised concerns over the long-term water quality of the spring. This study reports the results of a surface water quality monitoring program in the recharge area where monthly samples were collected at base flow to identify potential pollution sources to the spring. Base flow hydrology of the recharge area was highly variable over the study period, which was drier than normal, causing an incomplete sampling record due to no flow conditions at some site...
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A new prototype model system named AirGIS has been developed to support local authorities in air quality management for big Danish cities. The system is based on the Danish operational street pollution model (OSPM), technical and cadastral digital maps and Danish national administrative databases on buildings, cadastres and populations. It applies a geographic information system (GIS). AirGIS estimates ambient air pollution levels at high temporal and spatial resolutions. The model system enables mapping of traffic emissions, air quality levels and human exposures at residence addresses, at workplace addresses and in streets. Mapping and scenario results can be compared with air quality limits. Impact assessment of traffic air pollution abatement measures can also be carried out. (author)