Nop25 is a putative RNA binding nucleolar protein associated with rRNA transcription. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism of Nop25 localization in the nucleolus. Deletion experiments of Nop25 amino acid sequence showed Nop25 to contain a nuclear targeting sequence in the N-terminal and a nucleolar targeting sequence in the C-terminal. By expressing derivative peptides from the C-terminal as GFP-fusion proteins in the cells, a lysine and arginine residue-enriched peptide (KRKHPRRAQDSTKKPPSATRTSKTQRRRR) allowed a GFP-fusion protein to be transported and fully retained in the nucleolus. When the peptide was fused with cMyc epitope and expressed in the cells, a cMyc epitope was then detected in the nucleolus. Nop25 did not localize in the nucleolus by deletion of the peptide from Nop25. Furthermore, deletion of a subdomain (KRKHPRRAQ) in the peptide or amino acid substitution of lysine and arginine residues in the subdomain ...
BackgroundAmino-terminal signal peptides (SPs) are short regions that guide the targeting of secretory proteins to the correct subcellular compartments in the cell. They are cleaved...Full Text Available
Since the 1970's, global efforts have been going on to replace the high-enriched (>90% "2"3"5U), low-density UAlx research reactor fuel with high-density, low enriched (<20% "2"3"5U) replacements. This search is driven by the attempt to reduce the civil use of high-enriched material because of proliferation risks and terrorist threats. American initiatives, such as the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) and the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program have triggered the development of reliable low-enriched fuel types for these reactors, which can replace the high enriched ones without loss of performance. Most success has presently been obtained with U_3Si_2 dispersion fuel, which is currently used in many research reactors in the world. However, efforts to search for a replacement with even higher ...
c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2) isoforms are transcribed from the jnk2 gene and are highly homologous with jnk1 and jnk3 transcriptional products....Full Text Available
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose, which causes liver injury in animals and humans, activates c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Although it was shown that the JNK inhibitor SP600125 effectively reduced...Full Text Available
Tropomyosin (Tm) is a conserved dimeric coiled-coil protein, which forms polymers that curl around actin filaments in order to regulate actomyosin function. Acetylation of the Tm N-terminal...Full Text Available
The exocyst is an evolutionarily conserved octameric complex involved in polarized exocytosis from yeast to humans. The Sec3 subunit of the exocyst acts as a spatial landmark for exocytosis through...Full Text Available
Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima has been purified to homogeneity. A second larger enzyme with PGK activity and identical N-terminal sequence was...Full Text Available
Two bacteriolytic enzymes secreted by Achromobacter lyticus M497-1 were purified and identified as being very similar (considering their amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence) to alpha- and...Full Text Available
BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a population prevalence of about 1%. Natriuretic peptide level is elevated in patients with AF with...Full Text Available
E-cadherins belong to a family of membrane-bound, cellular adhesion proteins. Their adhesive properties mainly involve the two N-terminal extracellular domains (EC1 and EC2). The junctions between these...Full Text Available
The US and UK have been separately working on the development of a NDA instrument to determine the enrichment of gaseous UF/sub 6/ at low pressures in cascade header pipework in line with the conclusions of the Hexapartite Safeguards Project viz. the instrument is capable of making a ''go/no go'' decision of whether the enrichment is less than/greater than 20%. Recently, there has been a series of very useful technical exchanges of ideas and information between the two countries. This has led to a technical formulation for such an instrumentation based on ..gamma..-ray spectrometry which, although plant-specific in certain features, nevertheless is based on the same physical principles. Experimental results from commercially operating enrichment plants are very encouraging and indicate that a complete measurement including set up time on the pipe should be attainable ...
The natural biotic capacity of soils to degrade gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH, lindane) was estimated using an enrichment technique based on the ability of soil bacteria to develop on synthetic...Full Text Available
This work develops and demonstrates a laboratory-scale high temperature natural gas furnace that can operate with/without oxygen enrichment to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The laboratory-scale is 5ft in diameter & 8ft tall. This furnace was constructed and tested. This report demonstrates the efficiency and pollutant prevention capabilities of this test furnace. The project also developed optical detection technology to control the furnace output.
a-Dystroglycan is an extracellular adhesion protein that is known to interact with different ligands. The interaction is thought to stabilize the integrity of the plasma membrane. The N-terminal part of a-dystroglycan may be proteolytically processed to generate a small 38kDa protein (a-DG-N). The physiological significance of a-DG-N is unclear but has been suggested to be involved in nerve regeneration and myelination and to function as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. In this report we show that a-DG-N is released into different body fluids, such as lachrimal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine and plasma. To investigate the significance of a-DG-N in CSF we examined the levels of a-DG-N and known neurodegenerative markers in CSF from patients di...
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 three-dimensional mathematical model has been developed as a tool for furnace structure design and operation conditions optimization when the straw combustion is in oxygen-enriched or conventional air atmospheres. Mathematical methods have been used based on a combination of FLIC (A fluid Dynamic Incinerator Code) code for the in-bed incineration and commercial software FLUENT for the over-bed combustion. Oxygen-enriched atmospheres promote the destruction of most pollutants due to the high oxygen partial pressures and temperatures, which is reflected by very low residual amounts of organic combustion by-products in the bottom ash and flue gas of the straw-fired boiler unit. The predictions indicated that the maximum combustion temperature is around 1500 K, CO emission is 201 vppm and O{sub 2} concentration is about 6.9 vol% at furnace exit, and it is shown that mathematical models can serve as a reliable tool for ...
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-βs are secreted in large latent complexes consisting of TGF-β, its N-terminal latency-associated peptide (LAP) propeptide, and latent TGF-β...Full Text Available
Scyl1 is an evolutionarily conserved N-terminal protein kinase-like domain protein that plays a role in COP1-mediated retrograde protein trafficking in mammalian cells. Furthermore, loss of Scyl1 function...Full Text Available
The p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) also known as MAPKAP-Ks are serine/threonine protein kinases that are activated by ERK or PDK1 and act as downstream effectors of mitogen-activated protein kinase...Full Text Available
The MEX-15 is a conceptual design of a Multipurpose Reactor with thermal power of 15 MW and this reactor is pool type with fuel plates U{sub 3}0{sub 8}-Al of low enrichment uranium. This report presents the static calculation for the MEX-15 reactor using SRAC code system and was developed under the collaboration agreement between ININ-JAERI in Research Reactor Technology Development Division of Department of Research Reactor in Tokai Research Establishment. (Author)
The RECH-1 MTR reactor has been converted from HEU to MEU (45% enrichment) and the decision to a LEU (20% enrichment) conversion was taken some years ago. This LEU conversion decision involved a local fuel development and fabrication based on U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-Al dispersion fuel, and a fabrication qualification stage that resulted in four fuel elements fully complying with established fabrication standards for this type of fuel. This report-presents relevant points of these four leaders fuel elements fabrication, in particular a fuel plate core homogeneity control development. A summary of the intended in core follow-up studies for the leaders fuel elements is also presented here. (author)
A collaborative experimental research program has been established between industry and university partners to evaluate the subcritical behavior of fresh and spent highly enriched fuel assemblies at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). This proposed program will involve a series of subcritical measurements using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed {sup 252}Cf source-driven noise technique. Measurements evaluating the subcritical behavior of simple arrays of fresh MURR assemblies will be performed for evaluating the spectral effects of materials typically found in shipping casks such as lead, steel, aluminum, and boron. Also, measurements will be performed on spent assemblies to characterize physics parameters which may be useful in determining the subcritical behavior of fuels for reactivity credit of actinide burnup and fission product poisoning.
Peculiarities of Kurchatov Institute WWR-2 and TR research reactors spent fuel treating and transportation for radiochemical processing are stated. Spent fuels were performed as fuel assemblies of different forms and containing similar fuel elements: EhK-10 with 10% enrichment UO2-Mg fuel kernels or S-36 with 36% enrichment U-Al alloys. Spent fuel storage conditions are described. Features of developed procedures for identification of fuel assemblies by type of fuel elements are given. Transport package TUK-19 for loading and transportation of spent fuel for processing was chosen. Details of spent fuel loading in TUK-19 that is conducted by personnel under protective sheet of water in special reclaim volume are described
The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of verifying depleted uranium (DU), natural uranium (NU), low enriched uranium (LEU) and high enriched uranium (HEU) by a developed digital gamma-gamma coincidence spectroscopy. The spectroscopy consists of two NaI(Tl) scintillators and XIA LLC Digital Gamma Finder (DGF)/Pixie-4 software and card package. The results demonstrate that the spectroscopy provides an effective method of "2"3"5U and "2"3"8U quantification based on the count rate of their gamma-gamma coincidence counting signatures. The main advantages of this approach over the conventional gamma spectrometry include the facts of low background continuum near coincident signatures of "2"3"5U and "2"3"8U, less interference from other radionuclides by the gamma-gamma coincidence counting, and region-of-interest (ROI) imagine analysis for uranium enrichment determination. Compared to ...
It Peripheral blood progenitor enriched CD34+ cells (PBPC) are rather often used as stem cell background in cancer patients following high dose therapy. Keeping in mind that precursor dendritic cells (DCs) originate from haematopoietic progenitor cells, purified CD34+ cells might also serve as starting cells for ex-vivo production of DC. The aim of the present study is to develop a clinical grade procedure for ex-vivo production of DC derived from enriched CD34+ cells. Various concentrations of CD34+ cells were grown in gas-permeable Teflon bags with different serum-free and serum-containing media supplemented with GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-a, SCF, Flt-3L and INF-a. Serum-free CellGroSCGM medium for 7 days followed by CellGroDC medium in 7 days gave equal results as serum-containing medium. Follow...
This report presents a comparison of the characteristics of some prominent examples of independent government corporations and agencies with respect to the Department of Energy's (DOE) uranium enrichment enterprise. The six examples studied were: the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA); the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); the Synthetic Fuels Corporation (SYNFUELS); the Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL); the British Telecommunications Corporation (British TELECOM); and the Communications Satellite Organization (COMSAT), in order of decreasing levels of government ownership and control. They range from BPA, which is organized as an agency within DOE, to COMSAT, which is privately owned and free from almost all regulations common to government agencies. Differences in the degree of government involvement in these corporations and in many other characteristics serve to illustrate that there are no accepted standards for defining the characteristics of ...
The President`s budget request for FY 1994 included a construction project for the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS). However, the budget that emerged from the Congress did not, and so activities during this reporting period were limited to continued research and development and to advanced conceptual design. A significant effort was devoted to a study, requested by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and led by Brookhaven National Laboratory, of the performance and cost impacts of reducing the uranium fuel enrichment below the baseline design value of 93%. The study also considered alternative core designs that might mitigate those impacts. The ANS Project proposed a modified core design, with three fuel elements instead of two, that would allow operation with only 50% enriched uranium and use existing fuel technology. The performance penalty would be 15--20% loss of thermal neutron flux; the flux would still just meet the ...
The efficient use of the fuel is one of the objectives in the assemblies design of type BWR. The present tendency in the assemblies design of type BWR is through a radial distribution of enrichments. The present work has like object showing the because of this decision, for what a comparison of the neutronic performance of two fuel cells with the same enrichment average but one of them with radial distribution of enrichment and the other with a single enrichment equal to the average. The cells were analyzed with the CASMO-4 code and the obtained results of the behavior of the neutron flow and the power sustain the because of the radial distribution of enrichments. (Author)
This report describes measurements performed with annular uranium metal castings of different enrichments to investigate the use of {sup 252}Cf-source-driven noise analysis measurements as a means to quantify the amount of special nuclear material (SNM) in the casting. This work in FY 97 was sponsored by the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant and the DOE Office of Technology Development Programs. Previous measurements and calculational studies have shown that many of the signatures obtained from the source-driven measurement are very sensitive to fissile mass. Measurements were performed to assess the applicability of this method to standard annular uranium metal castings at the Oak Ridge Y-12 plant under verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) using the Nuclear Weapons Identification System (NWIS) processor. Before the measurements with different enrichments, a limited study of source-detector-casting moderator ...
A algorithm was developed to determine the characteristic parameters of PWR spent fuel, such as burnup, cooling time and initial enrichment of {sup 235}U by use of gamma-ray activity ratios of {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs, {sup 154}Eu/{sup 137}Cs and {sup 106}Ru/{sup 137}Cs from the high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy and ORIGEN-S calculations. For the verification of the method developed, gamma-ray measurements of Kori-1 and Kori-2 nuclear fuel rods were carried out using HPGe gamma ray scanning system. As a results, it is revealed that the measured values are in a good agreement with the operator declared values within the about {+-} 5% errors. Besides, the under-water burnup measuring device has been designed to measure the gamma-ray from the PWR spent fuel assembly. This device will be set up in the pool of Post-Irradiation Examination Facility(PIEF), and used in determination of the average burnup, cooling time and ...
A simple and rapid procedure was developed for the purification of cyclotron-produced {sup 203}Pb via the {sup 203}Tl(d,2n) {sup 203}Pb reaction. A Pb(II) selective ion-exchange resin, with commercial name Pb Resin from Eichrom Technologies, Inc., was used to purify {sup 203}Pb from the cyclotron-irradiated Tl target with excellent recovery of the enriched Tl target material. The purified {sup 203}Pb was used to radiolabel the monoclonal antibody Herceptin. The in vitro and in vivo properties of the {sup 203}Pb radioimmunoconjugate were evaluated.
The near-term availability of domestic and selected foreign uranium resources for use by United States electric utilities is considered in light of projected geopolitical and socioeconomic considerations. No attempt is made to analyze the impact on domestic uranium supply of inflation or cost-price considerations, the introduction of the breeder reactor, limitations in enrichment capacity, or the presently expanding uranium inventory. All data are current as of mid-1980. The period with which this research is concerned is 1980-1995. It is concluded that the United States must promote responsible, environmentally acceptable uranium resource exploration and development, if this nation is to remain self sufficient in this necessary energy commodity.
Major staple crops are often deficient in some of the nutrients required in human diet. Thus, malnutrition is a major problem, especially in developing countries, where a diversified diet is not affordable for the majority. Several strategies have been adopted to improve nutrition. However, micronutrient deficiency is still widely spread. Rice is one of the most important staple foods for a large part of the world's population. Therefore, even a small improvement in nutritional content of rice seeds can have a dramatic impact on human health. Different approaches are being exploited to produce rice enhanced in nutrients with iron and provitamin A.
Flow cytogenetics is a rapidly developing technology which complements rather than supplants the traditional methods of cytogenetic analysis. As an adjunctive approach to chromosome classification, flow systems measurements of isolated chromosomes give new information relative to the enrichment of A-T or G-C base sequences on specific chromosomes. As a result, chromosomal fluorescence polymorphisms both within and among individuals that are not always associated with banding polymorphisms can be detected. Finally, flow sorting provides bulk quantities of highly purified chromosomes for use in biochemical studies. Methodology is detailed. (PSB)
DescriptionThis project aims to develop a hybrid bioremediation/phytoremediation process for sustainable in- situ treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soils, centred on 3 tenets: 1) Application of wood-chip derived compost enriched with white rot fungi for primary bioremediation; 2) Growth of pre-selected plant species for secondary phytoremediation; 3) Use of stress- adapted mycorrhizal fungi to maximise plant performance. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimise bioremediation for the trea [continued...
Abstract The white sea bream, Diplodus sargus (Teleostei, Sparidae), is a species with a high commercial importance in Mediterranean aquaculture. There is currently little information available about the genetic characteristics of cultured populations. In this survey, we have developed eight polymorphic microsatellites for the white sea bream using an enriched genome library protocol. All of them were polymorphic in the 67 individuals tested, 32 of which were wild specimens, and 35 were individuals from a captive F1 broodstock. These markers can potentially be useful tools for use in population genetic studies.
High-flux neutron sources are continuing to be of interest both in Canada and internationally to support materials testing for advanced power reactors, new developments in extracted-neutron-beam applications, and commercial production of selected radioisotopes. The advanced MAPLE reactor concept has been developed to meet these needs. The advanced MAPLE reactor is a new tank-type D_2O reactor that uses rodded low-enrichment uranium fuel in a compact annular core to generate peak thermal-neutron fluxes of 1 x 10"1"9 n#centre dot#s"-"1 in a central irradiation rig with a thermal power output of 50 MW. Capital and incremental development costs are minimized by using MAPLE reactor technology to the greatest extent practicable.
SR proteins are essential splicing factors whose function is controlled by multi-site phosphorylation of a C-terminal domain rich in arginine-serine repeats (RS domain). The protein kinase SRPK1 has been shown to polyphosphorylate the N-terminal portion of the RS domain (RS1) of the SR protein ASF/SF2, a modification that promotes nuclear entry of this splicing factor and engagement in splicing function. Later, dephosphorylation is required for maturation of the spliceosome and other RNA processing steps. While phosphates are attached to RS1 in a sequential manner by SRPK1, little is known about how they are removed. To investigate factors that control dephosphorylation, we monitored region-specific mapping of phosphorylation sites in ASF/SF2 as a function of the protein phosphatase PP1. W...
Heme peroxidases are a class of multifunctional redox-active proteins found in all organisms. We recently cloned, expressed, and characterized an ascorbate peroxidase from Leishmania major (LmAPX) that was capable of detoxifying hydrogen peroxide. Localization studies using green fluorescent protein fusions revealed that LmAPX was localized within the mitochondria by its N-terminal signal sequence. Subcellular fractionation analysis of the cell homogenate by the Percoll density-gradient method and subsequent Western blot analysis with anti-LmAPX antibody further confirmed the mitochondrial localization of mature LmAPX. Submitochondrial fractionation analysis showed that the mature enzyme (?3.6?kDa shorter than the theoretical value of the whole gene) was present in the intermembrane space ...
To test the hypothesis that transduction of the channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) gene, a microbial-type rhodopsin gene, into retinal ganglion cells of genetically blind rats will restore functional vision, we recorded visually evoked potentials and tested the experimental rats for the presence of optomotor responses. The N-terminal fragment of the ChR2 gene was fused to the fluorescent protein Venus and inserted into an adeno-associated virus to make AAV2-ChR2V. AAV2-ChR2V was injected intravitreally into the eyes of 6-month-old dystrophic RCS (rdy/rdy) rats. Visual function was evaluated six weeks after the injection by recording visually evoked potentials (VEPs) and testing optomotor responses. The expression of ChR2V in the retina was investigated histologically. We found that VEPs could not b...
Two computational problems were worked on for this study. The first chapter examines the option of coal combustion using oxygen feed with carbon dioxide recycle to control the adiabatic flame temperature. Computer simulations using an existing state-of-the-art 3-dimensional computer code for turbulent reacting flows with reacting particles were employed to study the effects of increased carbon dioxide mole fraction on the char burnout, radiant heat transfer, metal partitioning, and NOx formation. The second chapter compares assumptions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio at the surface of mineral inclusions made in previous studies to predictions obtained from a pseudo-steady state kinetic model (SKIPPY) for a single porous particle. The detailed kinetic simulations from SKIPPY for varying particle sizes and bulk gas compositions were used to develop algebraic expressions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio that can be incorporated into metal vaporization sub-models run as a post ...
Three algal bioassay experiments were conducted from March 1992 through September 1993 in an area of Lake Mead that has experienced problems associated with severe nutrient enrichment. The first experiment determined the effects of elevated CO2 (700 ppm) (2xCO2), vs ambient CO2 on the natural algal assemblage without nutrient enrichment. The second experiment determined the effects of 2xCO2 on nutrient enriched bioassays and if nutrients were limiting. The third experiment examined elevated temperatures and 2xCO2. Nested climate models were used to predict changes in water temperatures and thermocline development in Las Vegas Bay. The lake model predicted an increase in mean water temperatures of 1.8 deg under a 2xCO2 scenario. A thermocline definition of 1 deg. C change per 2-m depth was applied to water temperatures developed by a lake model coupled to nested general circulation ...
The detection of rare mutations has many important applications, including risk assessment of drugs and chemicals, measuring environmental exposures to genotoxins, and cancer cell detection. A sensitive genotypic selection method has been developed that combines two different mutant allele selection techniques, MutEx enrichment and allele-specific competitive blocker PCR (ACB-PCR). This method was developed and evaluated for the detection of a CAA --> AAA mutation at codon 61 of the mouse H-ras gene. The MutEx enrichment is based on MutS binding to a mismatched basepair in heteroduplex DNA. The bound MutS protects the mutant allele from degradation during subsequent exonuclease treatment. ACB-PCR preferentially amplifies a mutant allele in a PCR reaction using a primer that has more mismatches to the wild-type allele than the mutant allele. By combining these two approaches, the codon 61 mutation was ...
The isotopic enrichment of copper ions in a positive column Cu-Nu discharge using optogalvanic excitation is analyzed with a rate equation model With excitation at 510.6 nm, the fraction of the ions belonging to the 63-amu isotope of copper is enriched relative to the neutral abundance. Enrichment as large as 10% is calculated when the initial abundance of the neutral isotope is small (< or =0.1) and the discharge current density is large (> or =75 mA/cm/sup 2/). The degree of enrichment is examined as a function of the initial abundance, discharge current, the rate of charge exchange, and the diameter of the discharge tube.
Fhe ECOTRONIC system developed by Bosch und Pierburg System oHG is an electronic system for mixture formation for Otto-cycle engines complying with high operational requirements. Engineers incorporated electronic control of the quantity of mixture and mixture enrichment for supplementary functions into a reliable, low-cost system, which will also comply with future requirements concerning fuel consumption, emissions and driveability. The author of the present article reduces the carburetor down to its basic systems, explains how supplementary functions were converted from mechanical to either open or closed-loop electronic control, and describes the newly developed actuators, the control unit making use of digital technology, and the results achieved.
A survey is given by the authors of methods of removing the sulphur dioxide content of fumes which can be linked together with producing useful final products. From these technologies those suppling well utilizable gypsum, the Walther process, producing ammonium sulphate, the Wellman-Lord and Bergbau-Forschung processes, respectively adapted to produce sulphuric acid or sulphur, may be of interest. Also in the method of fumes desulphurisation by catalysis by manganese, developed in KBFI, utilizable final products are given. Background of the work of developing this method. Detailed description of the manganese catalytic method based on the use of a red mud desulphurizing agent. By this process, in addition to desulphurizing fumes, enriched red mud with reduced Na/sub 2/O content is produced, which as an iron carrier, is to be reckoned with, or to be used in the cement industry for replacing imported calcined pyrites.
In view of the findings that several Kunitz-type protein inhibitors suppress tumor invasion and metastasis, the aim of the present study is to explore whether Bungarus multicinctus protease inhibitor-like protein-2 (PILP-2) and PILP-3 exhibit anti-tumor activity. Although approximately 28% of amino acid substitutions occurred between PILP-2 and PILP-3, molecular modeling suggested that PILP-2 and PILP-3 shared similar folded structures. Unlike PILP-2, PILP-3 showed a notable activity in abolishing migration and invasion of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. The ability of PILP-3 to inhibit matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) activity was higher than that of PILP-2. Pull-down assay revealed protein-protein interaction between PILP-3 and MMP-2. In contrast to mutation on N-terminal region, replacement of amino acids at C-terminus attenuated notably the ability of PILP-3 to inhibit cell invasion, cell migration and MMP-2 activity as well as the binding capability of ...
The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY 1996 report is compiled from annual reports submitted by principal investigators following the close of the fiscal year. This report describes the projects supported and summarizes their accomplishments. It constitutes a part of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program planning and documentation process that includes an annual planning cycle, projection selection, implementation, and review. The Berkeley Lab LDRD program is a critical tool for directing the Laboratory`s forefront scientific research capabilities toward vital, excellent, and emerging scientific challenges. The program provides the resources for Berkeley Lab scientists to make rapid and significant contributions to critical national science and technology problems. The LDRD program also advances the Laboratory`s core competencies, ...
Direct plating, selective enrichment, and cold enrichment followed by secondary selective enrichment procedures were compared for detecting and enumerating Listeria monocytogenes in chopped cabbage stored at 5 degrees C for up to 64 days. Addition of Fe3+ to solid media enhanced detection of the organism. Cold enrichment (5 degrees C) in nutrient broth and brain heart infusion broth followed by secondary enrichment (48 h, 30 degrees C) in Trypticase soy-yeast extract-antibiotic broth and thiocyanate-nalidixic acid broth and plating on selective agar media (Doyle and Schoeni selective enrichment agar [minus acriflavin hydrochloride, supplemented with 5 micrograms of Fe3+/ml] and McBride Listeria agar) resulted in the detection of highest populations. PMID:3111369
A series of modifications which increased the capacity of Canadian Electrolytic Zinc's Valleyfield plant from 220,000 MT/year to 260,000 MT/year during the last decade is discussed, combined with an an overview of the plant's operations. The modifications included modernisation of the waste disposal methods and facilities, such as a new high-density sludge wastewater treatment process, a new process to remove selenium from weak acid solutions and the jarofix process. Roasting capacity also has been improved by recent investments in new cooling coils, rebricking, oxygen enrichment and process automation. In addition to increases in refining capacity, the improvements also enabled the company to minimize its impact on the environment and the community.
In this book are found technical and scientific papers on the main works of the Direction of the Fuel Cycle (DCC) in France. The study fields are: the up-side of the nuclear fuel cycle with theoretical studies (plasma simulation) and technological developments and instrumentation (lasers diodes, carbides plasma projection, carbon 13 enrichment); the down-side nuclear fuel cycle with theoretical studies (ion Eu{sup 3+} complexation simulation, decay simulation, uranium and plutonium diffusion study, electrolyser operating simulation), scenario studies ( recycling, wastes management), experimental studies; dismantling and cleaning (soils cleaning, surface-active agent for decontamination, fault tree analysis); analysis with expert systems and mass spectrometry. (A.L.B.)
Analytical methods developed to sample and characterize ambient organic aerosols often face the trade-off between long sampling times and the loss of detailed information regarding specific chemical species present. In the work presented here, high-time resolution ambient measurements (3.5 minutes) are achieved by using the Photoionization Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (PIAMS) in conjunction with the mini-Versatile Aerosol Concentration Enrichment System (m-VACES). Aerosol sampling took place for one week at State of Delaware Air Quality Monitoring Site in Wilmington, Delaware in June 2006. The soft, universal ionization scheme of PIAMS allows for identification of various chemical compounds by a signature ion, often the molecular ion. Meteorological data was used to link some species, such as...
A simple and rapid procedure was developed for the purification of cyclotron-produced "2"0"3Pb via the "2"0"3Tl(d,2n) "2"0"3Pb reaction. A Pb(II) selective ion-exchange resin, with commercial name Pb Resin from Eichrom Technologies, Inc., was used to purify "2"0"3Pb from the cyclotron-irradiated Tl target with excellent recovery of the enriched Tl target material. The purified "2"0"3Pb was used to radiolabel the monoclonal antibody Herceptin. The in vitro and in vivo properties of the "2"0"3Pb radioimmunoconjugate were evaluated.
LLNL is developing the nuclear fusion based Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) power plant concept. The baseline design uses a depleted uranium (DU) fission fuel blanket with a flowing molten salt coolant (flibe) that also breeds the tritium needed to sustain the fusion energy source. Indirect drive targets, similar to those that will be demonstrated on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), are ignited at 13Hz providing a 500MW fusion source. The DU is in the form of a uranium oxycarbide kernel in modified TRISO-like fuel particles distributed in a carbon matrix forming 2-cm-diameter pebbles. The thermal power is held at 2000MW by continuously varying the 6Li enrichment in the coolants. There are many options to be considered in the engine design including target yield, U-to-C ratio in th...
A neutron scanning device was developed in order to obtain accurate neutron intensities of high burn-up BWR fuels. This scanning device was calibrated with a "2"5"2Cf source and used to measure axial distributions of neutron intensities of BWR fuels with various enrichments (2.0%-3.4%) irradiated up to 60 GWd/tU at Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station Unit 2(2F-2). The measured neutron intensities were approximated well with power law interpolations on the calculated burn-up values. The neutron intensities calculated by the ORIGEN2-86 code showed good agreements with the measured ones within 20%. (author)
Carotenoids are highly beneficial for human nutrition and health because they provide essential nutrients and important antioxidants in our diets. However, many food crops, especially the major staple crops contain only trace to low amounts of carotenoids. Although significant progress has been made in developing food crops rich in carotenoids by altering the expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes, in many cases it has proved to be difficult to reach the desired levels of carotenoid enrichment. The recent identification and characterization of a novel gene mutation in cauliflower reveals that creating a metabolic sink to sequester carotenoids is an important mechanism to control carotenoid accumulation in plants. The successful demonstration of increased carotenoid accumulation in ass...
Acca sellowiana has commercial potential because of the quality and the unique flavor of its fruit. Conservation of natural populations and management of breeding programmes would benefit from the availability of molecular markers that could be used to characterize levels and distribution of genetic variability. Thus, 13 microsatellite markers were developed from an enriched genomic library of A. sellowiana. They were characterized using 40 samples. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.513 to 0.913 and from 0.200 to 0.889, respectively. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from A. sellowiana that will contribute to improve researches on the genetic conservation, characterization and breeding. PMID:21586063
In this work, the half-life of the {sup 155}Sm beta{sup -} decay was determined using enriched {sup 154}Sm samples submitted to irradiation in the IEA-R1 reactor of IPEN; the activity of the samples were followed for 4-5 consecutive half lives using a 198 cm{sup 3} HPGe detector. The data was corrected using a non paralizable dead time correction and fitted to an exponential decay function using a non linear fitting procedure developed on the MatLab platform. The resulting value--T{sub 1/2} = 22.180(26) min--was compatible to the one found in the literature, with a lower uncertainty.
In this work, the half-life of the "1"5"5Sm #beta#"- decay was determined using enriched "1"5"4Sm samples submitted to irradiation in the IEA-R1 reactor of IPEN; the activity of the samples were followed for 4-5 consecutive half lives using a 198 cm"3 HPGe detector. The data was corrected using a non paralizable dead time correction and fitted to an exponential decay function using a non linear fitting procedure developed on the MatLab platform. The resulting value--T_1_/_2 = 22.180(26) min--was compatible to the one found in the literature, with a lower uncertainty.
A study has been conducted on the statistics of detected neutrons that leaked from four subcritical reflected, enriched-uranium assemblies, to explore the feasibility of developing a criticality warning system based on neutron noise analysis. Studies were conducted on three possible discriminators, i.e., three signatures that might be used to discriminate among assemblies of various multiplications. The noise analysis techniques studied performed well enough in deeply subcritical situations to deserve testing in an applications environment. They have a good chance of detecting changes in reactivity that are potentially dangerous. One can expect sharpest results when doing comparisons, i.e., when comparing two records, one taken in the past under circumstances known to be normal and one taken now to search for change.
A simple enantioselective HPLC method was developed for measuring carfentrazone-ethyl enantiomers. The separation and determination was accomplished on an amylose tris[(S)-a-methylbenzylcarbamate] (Chiralpak AS) column using n-hexane/ethanol (98:2, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 248 nm. The effects of mobile-phase composition and column temperature on the enantioseparation were discussed. The accuracy, precision, linearity, LODs, and LOQ of the method were also investigated. LOD was 0.001 mg/kg in water, 0.015 mg/kg in soil and wheat, with an LOQ of 0.0025 mg/kg in water and 0.05 mg/kg in soil and wheat for each enantiomer of carfentrazone-ethyl. SPE was used for the enrichment and cleanup of soil, water, and wheat samples. Recoveries for two enantio...
Using indigenously developed computer program, coupled neutron gamma multi-group libraries have been generated from MA TXS-NJOY files. The MATXS format contains all the details for each reaction. Temperature and dilution factor dependent cross-sections have been generated and used in discrete ordinates method for benchmark studies of fast critical experiments. We have analyzed criticality benchmarks, which includes CSEWG fast critical benchmarks, "2"3"3U and Pu spheres and enriched uranium spheres using 30-group neutron cross-sections. Neutron and gamma spectra for spheres with point neutron source at the center, are also calculated with 42-group coupled neutron gamma cross-sections. (author)
In FY1994, JMTR was in operation during 4 operation cycles with low enriched Uranium(LEU,20%) fuel for irradiation study of nuclear fuels and materials and for radioisotope production. Irradiation studies were carried out using capsules, Oarai Gas Loop-1(OGL-1), Oarai Shroud Facility(OSF-1) and hydraulic rabbits irradiation facilities in support of LWR, FBR, HTTR and thermonuclear reactor. Irradiation studies on blanket materials were intensively carried out. Power ramping tests were carried out and the future program is under consideration. For R and D works, neutron spectrum evaluation technology, re-instrumentation technique for irradiation fuel rod, remote controlled SEM apparatus and examination technique with miniaturized specimens were successfully developed. (author).
Activities are reported by the Reactor Systems Section, Research Instrument Section, and the Measurement and Controls Engineering Section. Reactor system activities include dynamic analysis, survillanc and diagnostic methods, design and evaluation, detectors, facilities support, process instrumentation development, and special assignments. Activities in the Research Instrument Section include the Navy-ORNL RADIAC development program, advanced ..gamma.. and x ray detector systems, neutron detection and subcriticality measurements, circuit development, position-sensitive detectors, stand-alone computers, environmental monitoring-detectors and systems, plant security, engineering support for fusion energy division, engineering support for accelerator physics, and communications: radio, closed-circuit tv, and computer. Activities in the Measurement and Controls Engineering Section include the AVLIS program; gas centrifuge ...
Several years of research on seven different plants (five terrestrial and two aquatic species) suggest that the beneficial effects of atmospheric CO2enrichment may be divided into three...Full Text Available
One membrane oxygen enricher (Oxygen Enrichment Company OE-4E) and four molecular sieve (MS) concentrators (Mountain Medical Econo2, De Vilbiss MINI DeVO2, Cryogenic Roomate III, and Mountain Medical...Full Text Available
Thermophilic propionate-oxidizing, proton-reducing bacteria were enriched from the granular methanogenic sludge of a bench-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor operated at 55°C with a mixture...Full Text Available
Enrichment cultures were used to determine the conditions promoting fastest methanogenic propionate degradation and growth by adapting the cultures to various physical and chemical conditions and measuring...Full Text Available
There is growing interest in using {sup 242m}Am as a nuclear fuel for space reactors and nuclear batteries. In this paper, we discuss different {sup 242m}Am enrichments, as well as fuel weight requirements, to produce a critical reactor. It was found that relatively low enrichments of {sup 242m}Am, about 10 w/o, are enough to guarantee criticality. Such low enrichments might eliminate the need for a {sup 242m}Am enrichment process. It was also found that the best results for low {sup 242m}Am requirements are obtained with a moderator to fuel volume ratio of 10,000.
The manufacturing of TRIGA fuel rods with low enriched uranium follows in principle the same route as high-enriched uranium. The high purity of the primary metals (uranium, zirconium and erbium) is important for determining the equilibrium metal-hydrogen phases. The impurities from the metal, on the surface and from hydrogen may have an important influence on the hydriding process. This paper presents the aspects of the fuel contamination with oxygen during the manufacturing process of the low enriched uranium fuel. The continuous control of the oxygen concentration in the working zone ensures avoidance of the accidental contamination. Key words: manufacturing, fuel, oxygen, contamination. (authors)
Results of americium-242m and americium-242 preparation by irradiating initial americium-241 at a reactor in the form of a diphtalocyanine complex are presented. The enrichment coefficient, equalling 10, has been obtained using the extraction method of recoil atom separation from the parent isotope. Application of the chromatographic column with Dowex-50 permits to increase the enrichment coefficient of isotopes upto 24.6.
A 1984 American Association of the Academy of Sciences study of more than 150 successful science in-service programs developed a list of their characteristics, which included: Strong academic component in mathematics, science, and communications, focused on enrichment rather than remediation; academic subjects taught by teachers who are highly competent in the subject matter and believe that students can learn the materials; heavy emphasis on the applications of science and mathematics and careers in these fields; integrative approach to teaching that incorporates all subject areas, hands-on opportunities, and computers; multiyear involvement with students; recruitment of participants from all relevant target populations; opportunities for in-school and out-of-school learning experiences; parental involvement and development of base of community support; specific attention to removing educational inequalities related to ...
A 1984 American Association of the Academy of Sciences study of more than 150 successful science in-service programs developed a list of their characteristics, which included: Strong academic component in mathematics, science, and communications, focused on enrichment rather than remediation; academic subjects taught by teachers who are highly competent in the subject matter and believe that students can learn the materials; heavy emphasis on the applications of science and mathematics and careers in these fields; integrative approach to teaching that incorporates all subject areas, hands-on opportunities, and computers; multiyear involvement with students; recruitment of participants from all relevant target populations; opportunities for in-school and out-of-school learning experiences; parental involvement and development of base of community support; specific attention to removing educational inequalities related to ...
Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor-{beta} (TGF-{beta}) family and a strong negative regulator of muscle growth. Here, we present the crystal structure of myostatin in complex with the antagonist follistatin 288 (Fst288). We find that the prehelix region of myostatin very closely resembles that of TGF-{beta} class members and that this region alone can be swapped into activin A to confer signalling through the non-canonical type I receptor Alk5. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of Fst288 undergoes conformational rearrangements to bind myostatin and likely acts as a site of specificity for the antagonist. In addition, a unique continuous electropositive surface is created when myostatin binds Fst288, which significantly increases the affinity for heparin. This translates into stronger interactions with the cell surface and enhanced myostatin degradation in the presence of either Fst288 or Fst315. Overall, we have identified several ...
We examined whether or not BMD or bone markers were useful for assessing the risk of vertebral fractures in 248 Japanese men with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed the relationships between bone markers (osteocalcin [OC], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP], urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen) or BMD and HbA1c, urinary C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, body height, weight, duration of diabetes, and serum creatinine showed that serum OC and OC/BAP ratio were correlated negatively with HbA1c (P?P?P?0.05). This association was still significant after additional adjustment for lumbar or femoral neck BMD. Our res...
Four extracellular keratinases (designated KI, KII, KIII, and KIV) were produced during submerged aerobic cultivation in a medium containing native human foot skin (NHFS) for enzyme synthesis. The molecular weights, determined by SDS-PAGE, were 25, 50, 34, and 19kDa, respectively. Gel filtration of the four purified enzymes in native conditions indicated that active keratinase KI is a novel homo-octamer, KII a homo-dimer, and KIII and KIV monomers. All four keratinases exhibited high activities at pH 8.0-10.0 with an optimal pH of 9.0. The optimal temperature for keratinolytic activity of KI, KII, and KIII was approximately 50, and 60degreeC for KIV. One millimolar of PMSF completely inhibited the keratinolytic activities of the four enzymes. The N-terminal sequences of KI, KII, and KIII s...
This paper is the first of a series which describes the Enrichment Diagnostic System (EDS) developed for the MARS project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Although EDS was developed for use on AVLIS, the functional requirements, overall design, and specific techniques are applicable to any experimental data acquisition system involving large quantities of transient data. In particular this paper will discuss the techniques and equipment used to do the data acquisition. Included are what types of hardware are used and how that hardware (CAMAC, digital oscilloscopes) is interfaced to the HP computers. In this discussion the author will address the problems encountered and the solutions used, as well as the performance of the instrument/computer interfaces. The second topic the author will discuss is how the acquired data is associated to graphics and analysis portions of EDS through efficient real time data bases. ...
This document reports on the work done by the Separations Science and Technology Programs of the Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, in the period April-September 1993. This effort is mainly concerned with developing the TRUEX process for removing and concentrating actinides from acidic waste streams contaminated with transuranic (TRU) elements. The objectives of TRUEX processing are to recover valuable TRU elements and to lower disposal costs for the nonTRU waste product of the process. Other projects are underway with the objective of developing (1) evaporation technology for concentrating radioactive waste and product streams such as those generated by the TRUEX process, (2) treatment schemes for liquid wastes stored or being generated at Argonne, (3) a process based on sorbing modified TRUEX solvent on magnetic beads to be used for separation of contaminants from radioactive and hazardous waste streams, and (4) a ...
The morphological development of larval cobia Rachycentron canadum from 3 days post hatch (dph) until weaning (27 dph) was examined using S.E.M. Two groups of fish were studied: a control group (CF), reared under standard feeding protocol, and a group in which prey items were enriched with supplemental taurine (4 g l-1 day-1; TF). TF fish grew faster (P < 0001), attained greater size (mean s.e. 551 15 v. 339 10 mm total length) and had better survival (mean s.e. 293 04 v. 71 12 %) than CF fish. Canonical variance analysis confirmed findings with respect to differences in growth between the treatment groups with separation being explained by two cranial measurements. S.E.M. revealed that 3 dph larvae of R. canadum (in both groups) possess preopercular spines, superficial neuromasts on the h...
An advanced process for the separation of hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S) from coal gasification product streams through an electrochemical membrane is being developed. H{sub 2}S is removed from the syn-gas stream, split into hydrogen, which enriches the exiting syn-gas, and sulfur, which is condensed from an inert sweep gas stream. The process allows removal of H{sub 2}S without cooling the gas stream and with negligible pressure loss through the separator. The process is made economically attractive by the lack of need for a Claus process for sulfur recovery. Membrane manufacturing coupled with full-cell experimentation was the primary focus this quarter. A tape-casted zirconia membrane was developed and utilized in one full-cell experiment (run 25); run 24 utilized a fabricated membrane purchased from Zircar Corporation. Results are discussed.
Metabolic carbon labelling experiments enable a large amount of extracellular fluxes and intracellular carbon isotope enrichments to be measured. Since the relation between the measured quantities and the unknown intracellular metabolic fluxes is given by bilinear balance equations, flux determination from this data set requires the numerical solution of a nonlinear inverse problem. To this end, a general algorithm for flux estimation from metabolic carbon labelling experiments based on the least squares approach is developed in this contribution and complemented by appropriate tools for statistical analysis. The linearization technique usually applied for the computation of nonlinear confidence regions is shown to be inappropriate in the case of large exchange fluxes. For this reason a sophisticated compactification transformation technique for nonlinear statistical analysis is developed. Statistical analysis is then ...
For higher U-loading in low-enriched U-10 wt.%Mo fuels, monolithic fuel plate clad in AA6061 is being developed as a part of Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program. This paper reports the first characterization results from a monolithic U-10 wt.%Mo fuel plate with a Zr diffusion barrier that was fabricated as part of a plate fabrication campaign for irradiation testing in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were employed for analysis. At the interface between the Zr barrier and U-10 wt.%Mo, going from Zr to U(Mo), UZr_2, #gamma#-UZr, Zr solid-solution and Mo_2Zr phases were observed. The interface between AA6061 cladding and Zr barrier plate consisted of four layers, going from Al to Zr, (Al, Si)_2Zr, (Al, Si)Zr_3 (Al, Si)_3Zr, and AlSi_4Zr_5. Irradiation behavior of these intermetallic phases is discussed based on their constituents. ...
Rice is a very important food staple that feeds more than half the world's population. Two major Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies, japonica and indica, show significant phenotypic variation in their stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic variation are still largely unknown. A common link among different stresses is that they produce an oxidative burst and result in an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, methyl viologen (MV) as a ROS agent was applied to investigate the rice oxidative stress response. We observed that 93-11 (indica) seedlings exhibited leaf senescence with severe lesions under MV treatment compared to Nipponbare (japonica). Whole-genome microarray experiments were conducted, and 1,062 probe sets were identified with gene expression level polymorphisms between the two rice cultivars in addition to differential expression under MV treatment, which were assigned as Core Intersectional Probesets ...
Improved uranium utilization by means of extended burnup via routine end-of-cycle coastdown has been analyzed, with a specific focus on pressurided water reactors. Both computer and simple analytic models have been developed to determine the optimal coastdown length. Coastdown has been compared with the use of higher fuel-enrichment to achieve comparable burnup values. Temperature and Power coastdown modes were analyzed and changes in the plant thermodynamic efficiency determined. Effects on fuel integrity due to coastdown were examined using a fuel reliability code (SPEAR). Finally the effects on coastdown duration of major parameters involved in charaterizing reactor operation and the economic enviroment were examined. It was found that natural uranium savings up to 7% could be achieved in a typical application by the use of routine pre-planned coast down up to the economic optimun. If coastdown is carried out all the way up to the economic ...
In Japan, the development of next-generation Light Water Reactor has been launched since April 2008. The development program will be completed in 2015. The purpose of development is to cope with the replacement for existing nuclear power plants after 2030 in Japan and the expanding demand for nuclear power in the world; 'Nuclear Renaissance.' The reactor also aims to be global standard at around 2030. The requirements for global standard and domestic users have been investigated through the feasibility study of past 2 years, 2006-2007, and six innovative features or 'Core-Concepts' were established as follows. A) Reactor core system with uranium enrichment above 5% for significant decrease of spent fuel discharge and prominent higher availability B) Long-life materials and innovative water chemistry technologies for 80 years plant lifetime and significant reduction of occupational dose C) Seismic ...
The possible surface enrichment of chromium and molybdenum during dissolution of Fe18Cr (110) and Fe18Cr3Mo (110) alloys at constant potentials in the passive region is elucidated by taking into account quantitative information on partial dissolution rates of alloy components as measured by #gamma#-spectrometry and on chemical composition of passivating films as measured by ESCA and AES. When combining results from all methods it is found that chromium under all conditions is enriched in the passivating films. An accumulation of chromium in the alloy is also indicated. For molybdenum, an enrichment in the passive film is observed at -0.2 V (SCE), whereas in the potential interval 0.1 - 0.9 V, the molybdenum enrichment as determined by ESCA and AES is hardly significant. On the other hand, #gamma#-spectrometry gives a clear indication of molybdenum enrichment in both potential. ...
Abstract in english The tegument surface of the adult schistosome, bounded by a normal plasma membrane overlain by a secreted membranocalyx, holds the key to understanding how schistosomes evade host immune responses. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS), and the sequencing of the Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome/genome, have facilitated schistosome proteomics. We detached the tegument from the worm body and enriched its surface membranes by differential extraction, before subjecting t (more) he preparation to liquid chromatography-based proteomics to identify its constituents. The most exposed proteins on live worms were labelled with impearmeant biotinylation reagents, and we also developed methods to isolate the membranocalyx for analysis. We identified transporters for sugars, amino acids, inorganic ions and water, which confirm the importance of the tegument plasma membrane in nutrient acquisition and solute balance. Enzymes, ...
A procedure has been developed for producing a radiopharmaceutically pure ''no-carrier-added'' "2"0"1Tl. The procedure is based on irradiating enriched metallic thallium (> 96% "2"0"3Tl) targets with approx. 30 Mev protons, separating "2"0"1Pb by co-precipitation with SrSO_4 from sulphuric acid solution, and extracting "2"0"1Tl (after its in-growth) with butyl acetate from a hydrochloric solution. The average overall yield of "2"0"1Tl is approx. 92%. The radioactive concentration of the product exceeds 2 mCi/mL; radionuclide impurities-"2"0"0Tl <= 0.5%; "2"0"2Tl <= 0.1%; "2"0"3Pb <= 0.02%; inactive impurities (#mu#g/mL)-Tl < 2, Sr < 1, Fe < 0.25, Cu < 0.05; pH within the range 5-8. The product is sterile, apyrogenic, and suitable for clinical application. (author).
To avoid the drop in corrosion resistance of stainless steels in conventional nitriding (precipitation of CrN), low-temperature techniques like ion implantation, plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII, PI{sup 3}) and low-temperature plasma nitriding were developed. In this investigation, four stainless-steel grades (ferritic: X6Cr17, austenitic-ferritic: X2CrNiMoN22.5.3, austenitic: X8CrNiTi18.10 and X5CrNi18.10) were plasma-nitrided between 250 and 500 C. Nitrogen-enriched layers with a high nitrogen content were produced, leading to a significant increase in surface hardness. X-ray diffraction indicated that CrN did not precipitate if treatment temperatures did not exceed 400 C. 'Expanded austenite' formed in the austenitic and duplex steels and {epsilon}-nitride (Fe{sub 2}N{sub 1-x}) in the ferritic steel. The optically visible structure of the nitrided cases is comparable with that of the PIII layers, with higher charging ...
LLNL is developing the nuclear fusion based Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) power plant concept. The baseline design uses a depleted uranium (DU) fission fuel blanket with a flowing molten salt coolant (flibe) that also breeds the tritium needed to sustain the fusion energy source. Indirect drive targets, similar to those that will be demonstrated on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), are ignited at #approx#13 Hz providing a 500 MW fusion source. The DU is in the form of a uranium oxycarbide kernel in modified TRISO-like fuel particles distributed in a carbon matrix forming 2-cm-diameter pebbles. The thermal power is held at 2000 MW by continuously varying the "6Li enrichment in the coolants. There are many options to be considered in the engine design including target yield, U-to-C ratio in the fuel, fission blanket thickness, etc. Here we report results of design variations and compare them in terms of various figures of merit such as ...
The authors present arguments against nuclear energy and pro renewable energy sources. Thus, the water used in Uranium mining and primary ore processing becomes contaminated in long lived radioisotopes and so a threat for local ecosystems and communities. Then, during the fabrication, enrichment, and handling of nuclear fuel the workers are exposed to radiations and dangerous accidental radioactive leaks can occur. But, by far, the most menacing aspect of nuclear power exploitation remains the human errors in operating the nuclear plants which can result in major accidents like that from Chernobyl which spread radioactivity all over the Europe. The equipment used in nuclear facilities which is highly contaminated as well as the burned fuel implies transportation and long term storage which also present high risks. The major advantage of the nuclear energy consists in its very low environment impact and its null contribution to the greenhouse effect. In contrast, ...
During the water detritiation process most of the tritium inventory is transferred from water into the gaseous phase, then it is further enriched and finally extracted and safely stored. The control of tritium inventory is an acute issue from several points of view: - Financially - tritium is an expensive material; - Safeguard - tritium is considered as nuclear material of strategic importance; - Safety - tritium is a radioactive material: requirements for documented safety analysis report (to ensure strict limits on the total tritium allowed) and for evaluation of accident consequences associated with that inventory. Large amounts of tritium can be stored, in a very safely manner, as metal tritides. A bench-scale experiment of a tritium storage bed with integrated system for in-situ tritium inventory accountancy was designed and developed at ICSI Rm. Valcea. The calibration curve and the detection limit for this experimental model of tritium ...
Natural radioactive materials under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels. The natural radionuclide ({sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th, {sup 40}K) contents of rock samples at various locations in the North Tushki area were investigated using gamma-spectrometric analysis. Estimates of the measured radionuclide content have been made for the absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation. The equivalent radium (R{sub eq}) and the external hazard index (H{sub ex}) which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated and tabulated. The studied samples have been collected from various rock exposures in the North Tushki area. The distribution of major oxides, U and Th were studied. It is found that the enrichment and depletion of the major oxides are mainly due to the effect of hydrothermal alteration, which caused mobility of some major oxides, which increases some elements and decreases others. It is important to mention that the study area is ...
The goal of this project is to develop a bench-scale procedure to produce clean, desulfurized, premium-quality chars from the Illinois basin coals. This goal is achieved by utilizing the effective capabilty of smectites in combination with methane to manipulate the char yields. The major objectives are: to determine the optimum water- ground particle size for the maximum reduction of pyrite and minerals by the selective-bitumen agglomeration process; to evaluate the type of smectite and its interlamellar cation which enhances the premium-quality char yields; to find the mode of dispersion of smectites in clean coal which retards the agglomeration of char during mild gasification; to probe the conditions that maximize the desulfurized clean-char yields under a combination of methane+oxygen or helium+oxygen; to characterize and accomplish a material balance of chars, liquids, and gases produced during mild gasification; to identify the conditions which reject ...
The goal of this project is to develop a bench-scale procedure to produce clean, desulfurized, premium-quality chars from the Illinois basin coals. This goal is achieved by utilizing the effective capabilty of smectites in combination with methane to manipulate the char yields. The major objectives are: to determine the optimum water- ground particle size for the maximum reduction of pyrite and minerals by the selective-bitumen agglomeration process; to evaluate the type of smectite and its interlamellar cation which enhances the premium-quality char yields; to find the mode of dispersion of smectites in clean coal which retards the agglomeration of char during mild gasification; to probe the conditions that maximize the desulfurized clean-char yields under a combination of methane+oxygen or helium+oxygen; to characterize and accomplish a material balance of chars, liquids, and gases produced during mild gasification; to identify the conditions which reject ...
Based on preliminary studies, some conclusions can be drawn concerning the Accelerator Fuel Enricher and Fission Product Exterminator (APEX). APEX-1 and APEX-2 systems can destroy TU's, /sup 137/Cs, and /sup 90/Sr at acceptable cost and efficiency. The principal difference between APEX-1 and APEX-2 is the in-reactor and in-circuit inventory of /sup 137/Cs and /sup 90/Sr. Stable and low hazard wastes can be disposed of by burial. Accelerator breeders can effectively sustain a fission reactor economy indefinitely. Military waste can be blended into commercial fuel cycle for transmutation. Accelerator and target technologies appear practical and could be developed in a few years. More detailed studies are needed to better define the technical and economic features of the LAFER and APEX cycles, so that comparative assessments can be made between these cycles, as well as with other transmutation and waste disposal concepts.
To propose a new design concept of a nuclear reactor used in the space, research has been conducted on the conceptual design of a new nuclear reactor on the basis of the following three main concepts: (1) Thermionic generation by thermionic fuel elements (TFE), (2) reactivity control by rotary reflector, and (3) reactor cooling by liquid metal. The outcomes of the research are: (1) A calculation algorithm was derived for obtaining convergent conditions by repeating nuclear characteristic calculation and thermal flow characteristic calculation for the space nuclear reactor. (2) Use of this algorithm and the parametric study established that a space nuclear reactor using 97% enriched uranium nitride as the fuel and lithium as the coolant and having a core with a radius of about 25 cm, a height of about 50 cm and a generation efficiency of about 7% can probably be operated continuously for at least more than ten years at 100 kW only by reactivity control by rotary ...
A weak shift of the isotope concentration ratio Li{sup 6}/Li{sup 7} was measured in the coexisting phases of the miscibility gap of lithium-ammonia solutions. Li{sup 6} is slightly enriched in the concentrated metallic phase (enrichment factor {alpha} = 1.009 {+-} 0.002). This effect can be enhanced in a counter-current column to yield any desired enrichment of the two isotopes. The counter current system and its operation were tested succesfully with a sodium-potassium-ammonia solution.
This paper describes the problems and capabilities of highly enriched actinide isotopes production by electromagnetic separation in the S-2 mass separator of VNIIEF. Isotope enrichment characteristics for uranium, plutonium, americium and curium isotopes, used in different nuclear physics experiments, and isotope contamination for single and double separations are presented. The capabilities for highly enriched "2"4"4Pu and "2"4"8Cm production for nuclear accelerator experiments and other applications are described, some details of the current and future programmes are given and the transport packaging is described. (orig.).
Recent surveys of supergiants stars in the LMC indicate that the post-main-sequence region of the colour-magnitude diagram is well populated, although numerical evolution of massive stars with normal surface hydrogen indicates to the contrary. Supergiant stars having surface enrichment of helium acquired for example from a previous phase of accretion from a binary companion, however, evolve in a way so that the evolved models and observed data are consistent. We compare the available data with computed evolutionary tracks of massive stars of metallicity relevant to the LMC with and without helium-enriched envelopes and conclude that a large fraction of supergiant stars may occur in binaries. (author).
In order to understand the physical processes concerned with the selective heating by ion cyclotron resonance and with the subsequent collection of heated particles, experiments were carried out with the extraction of lithium samples, enriched with "6Li isotopes. Probe and integral extractors allow to collect enriched Li at the end of the selective heating region. Surface density distribution on the collector and local isotopic content of lithium are measured, as a function of the screen height and the retarding potential. Dependence of the collected amount of lithium and of its isotopic content on the value of the magnetic field is also measured. 4 figs., 2 tabs., 5 refs.
Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are sequences that are identical between reference genomes of distantly related species. As they are under negative selection and enriched near or in specific classes...Full Text Available
This report discusses the UTR-10 reactor at Iowa State University which went critical on low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel on August 14, 1991. However, subsequent to the criticality experiments the fuel plates started to discolor. In addition, roll pins used to lift the fuel assemblies were discovered to be cracked. It was determined that these problems were due to chemical agents in the primary coolant water. The roll pins were replaced by solid stainless steel pins. The primary coolant was replaced and the reactor is currently in operation. Surveillance specimens will be used to monitor any possible future discoloration. The high enriched fuel (HEU) is being prepared for eventual shipment to a high enriched fuel receiving facility.
This report discusses the UTR-10 reactor at Iowa State University which went critical on low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel on August 14, 1991. However, subsequent to the criticality experiments the fuel plates started to discolor. In addition, roll pins used to lift the fuel assemblies were discovered to be cracked. It was determined that these problems were due to chemical agents in the primary coolant water. The roll pins were replaced by solid stainless steel pins. The primary coolant was replaced and the reactor is currently in operation. Surveillance specimens will be used to monitor any possible future discoloration. The high enriched fuel (HEU) is being prepared for eventual shipment to a high enriched fuel receiving facility.
Three enriched cultures (48, 15a, and 26a), selected from more than 80 soil and water samples, could grow anaerobically in the presence of crude oil at 30{degrees}C and could ferment molasses to gases and organic acids. Oil recovery by culture 48 in the laboratory model experiment was enhanced by 25.2% over the original reserves and by 53.7% over the residual reserves. Enriched culture 48 was composed of at least 4 species belonging to the genera Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, and Bacteroides. This enriched culture was used as inoculum for MEOR field trials at Jilin oil field with satisfactory results. The importance of the role of these isolates in EOR was confirmed by their presence and behavior in the fluids produced from the microbiologically treated reservoir.
The Institute of Energetic and Nuclear Research - IPEN is a research and development institution, located in a densely populated area, in the city of Sao Paulo. The nuclear fuel cycle was developed from the Yellow Cake to the enrichment and reconversion at IPEN. After this phase, all the technology was transferred to private enterprises and to the Brazilian Navy (CTM/SP). Some plants of the fuel cycle were at semi-industrial level, with a production over 20 kg/h. As a research institute, IPEN accomplished its function of the fuel cycle, developing and transferring technology. With the necessity of space for the implementation of new projects, the uranium hexafluoride (UF{sub 6}) production plant was chosen, since it had been idle for many years and presented potential leaking risks, which could cause environmental aggression and serious accidents. This plant decommission required accurate planning, as ...
Full text: The isotopic assay instrument under development at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is capable of rapid prescreening to detect small and rare particles containing high concentrations of uranium in a heterogeneous sample. The isotopic measurement concept is based on laser vaporization of solid samples followed by sensitive isotope-specific detection using either uranium atomic fluorescence emission or uranium atomic absorbance. Both isotopes are measured concurrently, following a single ablation laser pulse using two external-cavity violet diode lasers. The simultaneous measurement of both isotopes enables the correlation of the fluorescence and absorbance signals on a shot-to-shot basis. This measurement approach demonstrated negligible channel crosstalk between isotopes. Scanning the heterogeneous samples provides high-resolution imagery of sample isotopic fluorescence and absorbance. Isotopically selective excitation of uranium vapor also ...
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) plants were grown in environmental chambers at ambient and enriched CO2 levels (330 and 600 microliters CO2...Full Text Available
Americium 242m and americium 242 were prepared by reactor irradiation of americium 241 as its diphthalocyanine complex. The product atoms were extracted from the parent isotope at an enrichment factor of 10. A Dowex 50 chromatographic column raised the factor to 24.6.
Americium 242m and americium 242 were prepared by reactor irradiation of americium 241 as its diphthalocyanine complex. The product atoms were extracted from the parent isotope at an enrichment factor of 10. A Dowex 50 chromatographic column raised the factor to 24.6.
This research has two main goals. First, we wanted to introduce optimization tools in the diffusion code DONJON, mostly for fuel management. The second objective is more practical. The optimization capabilities are applied to the fuel management problem for different CANDU reactors at refueling equilibrium state. Two kinds of approaches are considered and implemented in this study to solve optimization problems in the code DONJON. The first methods are based on gradients and on the quasi-linear mathematical programming. The method initially developed in the code OPTEX is implemented as a reference approach for the gradient based methods. However, this approach has a major drawback. Indeed, the starting point has to be a feasible point. Then, several approaches have been developed to be more general and not limited by the initial point choice. Among the different methods we developed, two were found to be very efficient: the ...
This publication identifies conditions which affect (either increase or decrease) public concern for and political acceptance of the development and implementation of programmes for geological disposal of long lived radioactive waste. It also looks at how interested citizens can be associated in the decision making process in such a way that their input enriches the outcome of a more socially robust and sustainable solution. The publication also considers how to optimize risk management, addressing the needs and expectations of the public and of other relevant stakeholders. Factors of relevance for societal acceptance conditions are identified for the different stages of a repository programme and implementation process, from policy development to the realization of the repository itself. Further, they are described and analysed through case studies from several countries, illustrating the added value of broadening the ...
The sequencing and detailed comparative functional analysis of genomes of a number of select botanical models open new doors into comparative genomics among the angiosperms, with potential benefits for improvement of many orphan crops that feed large populations. In this study, a set of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was developed by mining the expressed sequence tag (EST) database of sorghum. Among the SSR-containing sequences, only those sharing considerable homology with rice genomic sequences across the lengths of the 12 rice chromosomes were selected. Thus, 600 SSR-containing sorghum EST sequences (50 homologous sequences on each of the 12 rice chromosomes) were selected, with the intention of providing coverage for corresponding homologous regions of the sorghum genome. Primer pairs were designed and polymorphism detection ability was assessed using parental pairs of two existing sorghum mapping populations. About 28% of these new markers detected ...
A molybdenum (Mo) adsorbent called PZC (Poly Zirconium Compound) with high efficiency of Mo adsorption has been developed in order to generate {sup 99m}Tc from {sup 99}Mo produced from natural Mo by (n, gamma) method. The {sup 99m}Tc generator using PZC has cleared mostly the technical subjects. By the results of many experiments, cold and hot test with {sup 99}Mo activity from low level (10{sup 5} Bq) to high level (10{sup 10} Bq), it has been confirmed that the PZC method can be practically applied for the (n, gamma) {sup 99}Mo-{sup 99m}Tc generator. From the reasons that PZC has the ability and many merits such as high adsorption capacity (>250 mg-Mo/g-PZC) of Mo, high elution yield (av. 80%) of {sup 99m}Tc, the low breakthrough (<0.05 kBq-{sup 99m}Mo/MBq-{sup 99m}Tc) of {sup 99}Mo and others, the current (n, fission) {sup 99m}Tc generator utilizing {sup 99}Mo produced from enriched uranium will be taken the place by PZC ...
Eight phospholipases A2 (PLAs) and four three-finger-toxins (3FTx) from the pooled venom of Bungarus fasciatus (Bf) were previously studied and sequenced, but their expression pattern in individual Bf venom and possible geographic variations remained to be investigated. We herein analyze the individual venom of two Bf specimens from Kolkata (designated as KBf) to address this question. Seven PLAs and five 3FTx were purified from the KBf venoms, and respective cDNAs were cloned from venom glands of one of the snakes. Comparison of their mass and N-terminal sequence revealed that all the PLAs were conserved in both KBf venoms, but that two of their 3FTx isoforms were variable. When comparing the sequences of these KBf-PLAs with those published, only one was found to be identical to that of Bf Vb-2, and the other five were 94-98% identical to those of Bf II, III, Va, VI and XI-2, respectively. Notably, the most abundant PLA isoforms of Bf and KBf venoms contain Pro31 ...
Four trypsin inhibitor homologs, the first known from Dendroaspis angusticeps venom, were characterized using a combination of gel filtration, cation exchange, reverse-phase liquid chromatography, Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. The four toxins comprise two 57 residue and two 59 residue isoforms. The long toxins possess a Lys-Gln N-terminal extension lacked by the short toxins. The only other structural difference is an Arg/His replacement at position 55. The long Arg55 variant is identical to trypsin inhibitor E from the venom of Dendroaspis polylepis. The name epsilon-dendrotoxin is suggested so as to follow the nomenclature of Benishin, C.G., Sorensen, R.G., Brown, W.E., Krueger, B.K., Blaustein, M.P., 1988. Four polypeptide components of green mamba venom selectively block certain potassium channels in rat brain synaptosomes. Mol. Pharmacol. 34, 152-159. Among snake venom protease inhibitors, the epsilon-dendrotoxins are structurally most like the ...
Amino acids other than those that serve as ligands have been found to influence the chemical properties of transferrin iron. The catalytic ability of pyrophosphate to mediate transferrin iron release to a terminal acceptor is largely quenched by modification non-liganded histine groups on the protein. The first order rate constants of iron release for several partially histidine modified protein samples were measured. A statistical method was employed to establish that one non-liganded histidine per metal binding domain was responsible for the reduction in rate constant. These results imply that the iron mediated chelator, pyrophosphate, binds directly to a histidine residue on the protein during the iron release process. EPR spectroscopic results are consistent with this interpretation. Kinetic and amino acid sequence studies of ovotransferrin and lactoferrin, in addition to human serum transferrin, have allowed the tentative assignment of His-207 in the ...
From the dried fruiting bodies of the mushroom Armillaria luteo-virens, a dimeric lectin with a molecular mass of 29.4 kDa has been isolated. The purification procedure involved (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}SO{sub 4} precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, and Q-Sepharose, and gel filtration by fast protein liquid chromatography on Superdex 75. The hemagglutinating activity of the lectin could not be inhibited by simple sugars but was inhibited by the polysaccharide inulin. The activity was stable up to 70 {sup o}C but was acid- and alkali-labile. Salts including FeCl{sub 3}, AlCl{sub 3}, and ZnCl{sub 2} inhibited the activity whereas MgCl{sub 2}, MnCl{sub 2}, and CaCl{sub 2} did not. The lectin stimulated mitogenic response of mouse splenocytes with the maximal response achieved by 1 {mu}M lectin. Proliferation of tumor cells including MBL2 cells, HeLa cells, and L1210 cells was inhibited by the lectin with an IC{sub 5} of 2.5, 5, and 10 {mu}M, respectively. ...
The SIEN 2009 symposium organized by Romanian Nuclear Energy Association, AREN, in co-operation with Romanian Atomic Forum, ROMATOM, was primarily targeting the expert community involved in developing new nuclear power projects and implementing the National Nuclear Program. The symposium was also open as a discussion and information forum for scientists, engineers, technicians and students interested in scientific and technologic topics of Nuclear Power. It was structured in the following 6 sections: - Nuclear new builds and developments; - Operation, inspection and maintenance; - Increasing nuclear safety features; - Fuel cycle and decommissioning; - Public perception and confidence strengthening; - Environmental management. The symposium began with three plenary lectures dealing with: - Sustainable Nuclear Energy European Technology Platform; - Nuclear new-build; - Current issues of nuclear equipment standardization in Romania. A poster ...
The main objective of this paper is to identify conditions which affect public concern (either increase or decrease) and political acceptance for developing and implementing programmes for geologic disposal of long-lived radioactive waste. It also looks how citizens and relevant actors can be associated in the decision making process in such a way that their input is enriching the outcome towards a more socially robust and sustainable solution. Finally, it aims at learning from the interaction how to optimise risk management addressing needs and expectations of the public and of other relevant stakeholders. In order to meet these objectives, factors of relevance for societal acceptance conditions are identified, described and analysed. Subsequently these factors are looked for in the real world of nuclear waste management through cases in several countries. The analysis is conducted for six stages of a repository programme and implementation ...
The ELEX process for isotopic enrichment and separation of tritium from aqueous reprocessing effluents is described. After the development of an appropriate hydrophobic catalyst and the study of the separate constituent steps of the ELEX process, an integrated bench-scale installation with a detritiation capacity of 10 mol water per hour was constructed. It comprises essentially a 1.5 kW electrolyser and two 2 cm diameter by 3 m high exchange columns. In this mini-pilot the ELEX process was successfully demonstrated by detritiating more than 1000 dm"3 water containing up to 100 mCi tritium per dm"3, which is the feed concentration expected for application of the process in a reprocessing plant. The process decontamination factor was always larger than 100 and the overall tritium balance could be kept within the experimental errors of the various measurements. Depending on the duration of the runs, the volume reduction factor was between 10 and ...
Current trends in nuclear power generation (and particularly in pressurized water reactors) are toward plant life extension and extended fuel burnup. A higher heat generation rate can induce local boiling regimes at the fuel rod surface in the hottest channels of the core, which can strongly modify the chemical environment of the cladding and influence the oxidation rate of zirconium alloys. Tests performed in out-of-pile loops under severe chemical and thermal-hydraulic conditions (nucleate boiling, higher lithium contents compared to PWRs) reveal two important phenomena: an increase of the oxidation rate of Zircaloy-4 cladding materials in 'high' lithiated environments; an enrichment of the chemical additives in the primary water (boron, lithium) at the surface of the cladding under nucleate boiling conditions. The latter phenomenon, also called 'hideout effect', is mainly controlled by some thermal hydraulic parameters such as bubble diameters and nucleation ...
According to the Romanian Nuclear Strategy, the third and fourth units of the Cernavoda NPP will be commissioned by 2015. Improvements in operation and safety are expected to be applied for these CANDU-6 based units. On the other side, the need for innovation determined AECL to promote the ACR -1000 - an evolutionary Generation III+ power reactor design and a necessary step towards Generation IV inherently safe nuclear energy systems. CANDU-6 is recognized for having two independent fully capable shutdown systems. ACR-1000 also benefits for this strong safety feature. Two major achievements i.e. using of light water as coolant and using Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) as fuel in a compact heavy water moderated lattice allowed the obtaining of a slightly negative Coolant Void Reactivity (CVR) for the first time in a CANDU-type reactor. The main goal of the paper is to compare the response of SDS1 action during some LOCAs supposed to take place both in CANDU-6 and ...
Abstract The Jebel Ressas Pb-Zn deposits in North-Eastern Tunisia occur mainly as open-space fillings (lodes, tectonic breccia cements) in bioclastic limestones of the Upper Jurassic Ressas Formation and along the contact of this formation with Triassic rocks. The galena-sphalerite association and their alteration products (cerussite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite) are set within a calcite gangue. The Triassic rocks exhibit enrichments in trace metals, namely Pb, Co and Cd enrichment in clays and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Cr enrichment in carbonates, suggesting that the Triassic rocks have interacted with the ore-bearing fluids associated with the Jebel Ressas Pb-Zn deposits. The 18O content of calcite associated with the Pb-Zn mineralization suggests that it is likely to have precipitated from a fl...
A novel PCR based assay was devised to specifically detect contamination of any Salmonella serovar in milk, fruit juice and ice-cream without pre-enrichment. This method utilizes primers against hilA gene which is conserved in all Salmonella serovars and absent from the close relatives of Salmonella. An optimized protocol, in terms time and money, is provided for the reduction of PCR contaminants from milk, ice-cream and juice through the use of routine laboratory chemicals. The simplicity, efficiency (time taken 3-4 h) and sensitivity (to about 5-10 CFU/ml) of this technique confers a unique advantage over other previously used time consuming detection techniques. This technique does not involve pre-enrichment of the samples or extensive sample processing, which was a pre-requisite in mos...
This report presents the results of a study dealing with the homogeneous recycling of either Pu or Pu+Np or Pu+Np+Am or Pu+Np+Am+Cm in PWRs using MOX-UE fuel, i.e. standard MOX fuel with a U235 enriched uranium support instead of the standard tail uranium (0.25%) for standard MOX fuel. This approach allows to multirecycle Pu or TRU (Pu+MA) as long as U235 is available, by keeping the Pu or TRU content in the fuel constant and at a value ensuring a negative moderator void coefficient (i.e. the loss of the coolant brings imperatively the reactor to a subcritical state). Once this value is determined, the U235 enrichment of the MOX-UE fuel is adjusted in order to reach the target burnup (51 GWd/t in this study).
BackgroundTransposons, i.e. transposable elements (TEs), are the major internal spontaneous mutation agents for the variability of eukaryotic genomes. To address the general issue...Full Text Available
We describe a novel 13C enriched precursor molecule, sodium 1-13C acetylenedicarboxylate, which after hydrogenation by PASADE-NA (Parahydrogen and Synthesis Allows Dramatically...Full Text Available
Secondary caries and restoration fracture remain the two most common problems in restorative dentistry. Release of fluoride ions (F) could be a substantial benefit because F could enrich neighboring...Full Text Available
A general method is described to sequester peptides containing azides from complex peptide mixtures, aimed at facilitating mass spectrometric analysis to study different aspects of proteome...Full Text Available
An enriched glucan synthase fraction was obtained from red beet root microsomes by sequential extraction with the detergents 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate and digitonin....Full Text Available
Noncoding RNAs play important roles in various aspects of gene regulation. We have identified 7SK RNA to be enriched in nuclear speckles or interchromatin granule clusters (IGCs), a subnuclear domain...Full Text Available
BackgroundIncreasing evidence demonstrates that stem cells maintain their identities by a unique transcription network and chromatin structure. Opposing epigenetic modifications...Full Text Available
A thermophilic methanogen was isolated from enrichment cultures originally inoculated with sludge from an anaerobic kelp digester (55°C). This isolate exhibited a temperature optimum of 55 to...Full Text Available
The functional and thermodynamic characteristics of the ubiquinolcytochrome (Cyt) c oxidoreductase in a Cyt b/c1-enriched fraction (defined...Full Text Available
This project reflected cooperation across the disciplines in the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics and computer science. The University of the Pacific served as the center for this pre-college program. The idea was to use this link as a pilot program.
BackgroundThe present paper contributes to enrich the ethnobotanical knowledge of Calabria region (Southern Italy). Research was carried out in Alto Tirreno Cosentino, a small area...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere is an ever increasing rate of data made available on genetic variation, transcriptomes and proteomes. Similarly, a growing variety of bioinformatic programs are becoming...Full Text Available
The concept of oxygen enriched air applied to reciprocating engines is getting renewed attention in the context of the progress made in the enrichment methods and the tougher emissions regulations imposed on diesel and gasoline engines. An experimental project was completed in which a direct injection diesel engine was tested with intake oxygen levels of 21% -- 35%. Since an earlier study indicated that it is necessary to use a cheaper fuel to make the concept economically attractive, a less refined fuel was included in the test series. Since a major objection to the use of oxygen enriched combustion air had been the increase in NO{sub x} emissions, a method must be found to reduce NO{sub x}. Introduction of water into the engine combustion process was included in the tests for this purpose. Fuel emulsification with water was the means used here even though other methods could also be used. The teat data indicated a large ...
A pure culture of an Agrobacterium sp. (deposited as ATCC 55002) that mineralizes the ferric chelate of EDTA (ferric-EDTA) was isolated by selective enrichment from a treatment facility...Full Text Available
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in a number of solid tumors, but not yet in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most frequently occurring soft tissue tumor in childhood. Hence, the aim of this...Full Text Available
BackgroundCancer stem cells (CSCs) have increased resistance to cancer chemotherapy. They can be enriched as drug-surviving CSCs (D-CSCs) by growth with chemotherapeutic drugs, and/or...Full Text Available
This paper presents calculations of the {sup 252}Cf-source-driven noise analysis measurements for subcritical highly enriched uranium metal cylinders using the Monte Carlo code MCNP-DSP. This code directly calculates the noise analysis data from the {sup 252}Cf- source-driven noise analysis method for both neutron and gamma ray detectors. Direct calculation of experimental observables by the Monte Carlo method allows for the benchmarking of the calculational model and the cross sections and for determining the bias in the calculation.
Computer processing was adopted to pick up significant signals from the undefined Moessbauer spectra. A program, by which smoothing and curve fitting was made possible, was devised and applied to the analysis of the Moessbauer spectra of "5"7Fe enriched iron and other specimens. Although this processing sometimes distorted the absorption peaks, it was quite effective for elimination of noise and finding of exact positions of absorption peaks. Availability of the processing was demonstrated by several examples obtained for "5"7Fe enriched iron, natural iron, calcined ferric oxyhydroxides, red mud residue and its calcined product. (auth.).
Separation of lithium isotopes was investigated by chemical ion exchange with a hydrous manganese(IV) oxide ion exchanger using an elution chromatography. The capacity of manganese(IV) oxide ion exchanger was 0.5 meq/g. The heavier lithium isotope was enriched in the solution phase, while the lighter isotope was enriched in the ion exchanger phase. The separation factor was determined according to the method of Glueckauf from the elution curve and isotopic assays. The separation factor of {sup 6}Li{sup +} -{sup 7}Li{sup +} isotope pair fractionation was 1.018.
Full text of publication follows: Slightly over-stoichiometric lithium orthosilicate pebbles have been selected as one optional breeder material for the European Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) blanket. This material has been developed in collaboration of Research Center Karlsruhe and the Schott Glass, Mainz. The lithium orthosilicate pebbles are fabricated from lithium hydroxide and silica by a melting and spraying method in a semi-industrial scale facility. Lithium hydroxide was selected as the precursor since enriched lithium hydroxide is commercially available. The lithium orthosilicate pebbles produced by the process contains oxide phases besides orthosilicate, but it was also found that the oxide phases can be decomposed by annealing at high temperatures. The lithium orthosilicate pebbles produced in this way possesses satisfactory pebble characteristics. Therefore, the authors performed out-of-pile annealing tests using the lithium ...
OAK B188 The goal of this project is to mimic the energy transduction processes by which photosynthetic organisms harvest sunlight and convert it to forms of energy that are more easily used and stored. The results may lead to new technologies for solar energy harvesting based on the natural photosynthetic process. They may also enrich our understanding and control of photosynthesis in living organisms, and lead to methods for increasing natural biomass production, carbon dioxide removal, and oxygen generation. In our work to date, we have learned how to make synthetic antenna and reaction center molecules that absorb light and undergo photoinduced electron transfer to generate long-lived, energetic charge-separated states. We have assembled a prototype system in which artificial reaction centers are inserted into liposomes (artificial cell-like constructs), where they carry out light-driven transmembrane translocation of hydrogen ions to generate proton motive ...
The centromere is the most characteristic landmark of eukaryotic chromosomes. Centromeres function as the site for kinetochore assembly and spindle attachment, allowing for the faithful pairing and segregation of sister chromatids during cell division. Characterization of centromeric DNA is not only essential to understand the structure and organization of plant genomes, but it is also a critical step in the development of plant artificial chromosomes. The centromeres of most model eukaryotic species, consist predominantly of long arrays of satellite DNA. Determining the precise DNA boundary of a centromere has proven to be a difficult task in multicellular eukaryotes. We have successfully cloned and sequenced the centromere of rice chromosome 8 (Cen8), representing the first fully sequenced centromere from any multicellular eukaryotes. The functional core of Cen8 spans ~800 kb of DNA, which was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) using an antibody ...
Full text: The maturation of chicken forebrain is protracted and occurs well after synapse formation providing a good model for studying mechanisms of brain maturation. Using microslices from immature (10 day) and adult chicken forebrain prepared after decapitation, we have examined functional properties of NMDA and AMPA receptors by measuring agonist-induced uptake of "4"5Ca"2"+ . The rate and extent of NMDA induced "4"5Ca"2"+ accumulation decreased during maturation with no change in EC_5_0. The rate and extent of the AMPA induced response also decreased with a 60-fold increase in EC_5_0. However, the total NMDA receptor content did not change as indicated by 3 H-MK801 binding and NR1 immunoreactivity in P2 fractions. Similarly, there was no change in the B_m_a_x of "3H-AMPA, though there was a two-fold increase in K_D, and little or no change in the immunoreactivity in GluR1, 2, 2/3 or 4. These results suggest that it is the regulation of receptors, their subunit composition and/or ...
The experimental work completed thus far in the areas of rapid radiochemical separations and metastable isomeric states is summarized. Activation analyses were made in samples of ore materials and metals using rapid radiochemical separations to isolate short-lived radioactive isotopes such as 3.77-min V/sup 52/ and 14.6-min Mo/sup 101/. The analytical results obtained were compared to the results obtained from standard chemical and instrumental analytical methods and, where possible, to activation analysis results obtained from longer-lived isotopes of the same element. Further work is in progress to improve the procedures, to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of the methods, and to evaluate their usefulness on a wide variety of sample matrices. The research on short-lived metastable isomers showed that 1.7-min W/sup 185m/ is not produced in sufficiently high yield for the development of a supplementary analytical scheme for ...
The chemical composition and evolution of produced waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, has important implications for issues such as gas reserve calculations, reservoir management and saline water disposal. The occurrence of saline formation water in the Palm Valley field has been the subject of considerable debate. There were no occurrences of mobile water early in the development of the field and only after gas production had reduced the reservoir pressure, was saline formation water produced. Initially this was in small quantities but has increased dramatically with time, particularly after the initiation of compression in November 1996. The produced waters range from highly saline (up to 300,000 mg/L TDS), with unusual enrichments in Ca, Ba and Sr, to low salinity fluids that may represent condensate waters. The Sr isotopic compositions of the waters ({sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr = 0.7041-0.7172) ...
The chemical composition and evolution of produced waters associated with gas production in the Palm Valley gas field, Northern Territory, has important implications for issues such as gas reserve calculations, reservoir management and saline water disposal. The occurrence of saline formation water in the Palm Valley field has been the subject of considerable debate. There were no occurrences of mobile water early in the development of the field and only after gas production had reduced the reservoir pressure, was saline formation water produced. Initially this was in small quantities but has increased dramatically with time, particularly after the initiation of compression in November 1996. The produced waters range from highly saline (up to 300,000 mg/L TDS), with unusual enrichments in Ca, Ba and Sr, to low salinity fluids that may represent condensate waters. The Sr isotopic compositions of the waters ("8"7Sr/"8"6Sr = 0.7041-0.7172) are ...
A novel continuous powder introduction microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry method (CPI-MIP-AES) has been developed for trace determination of metals in ground and tap water samples after preconcentration on activated carbon. The experimental setup consisted of integrated rectangular cavity TE_1_0_1 and vertically positioned plasma torch. The technical arrangement of the sample introduction system has been designed based on the fluidized bed concept. The satisfactory signal stability required for sequential analysis was attained owing to the vertical plasma configuration, as well as the plasma gas flow rate compatibility with sample introduction flow rate. The elements of interest (Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) were preconcentrated in a batch procedure at pH 8-8.5 after addition of activated carbon and then, after filtering and drying of the activated carbon suspension, introduced to the MIP by the CPI system. An enrichment ...
Natural radioactive materials under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels. The natural radionuclide ("2"3"8U, "2"3"2Th, "4"0K) contents of rock samples at various locations in the North Tushki area were investigated using gamma-spectrometric analysis. Estimates of the measured radionuclide content have been made for the absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation. The equivalent radium (R_e_q) and the external hazard index (H_e_x) which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated and tabulated. The studied samples have been collected from various rock exposures in the North Tushki area. The distribution of major oxides, U and Th were studied. It is found that the enrichment and depletion of the major oxides are mainly due to the effect of hydrothermal alteration, which caused mobility of some major oxides, which increases some elements and decreases others. It is important to mention that the study area is far from the ...
A necessary condition for crevice corrosion is that a crevice former create a sufficiently tight, restricted geometry on the metal surface to support the development of critical crevice chemistry. Crevice corrosion is affected by the crevice geometry (tightness) and the properties of the crevice former. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the crevice former material on the evolution of localized corrosion-damage. A standard crevice corrosion test method is modified by (a) the use of ceramic, metal or polymer materials as the crevice former and (b) the variation of size and shape of the crevice. This study focuses on the post initiation stage of crevice corrosion and addresses factors that may limit the initiation of localized corrosion and also slow or stop the continued propagation of corrosion. Controlled crevice corrosion tests are performed under aggressive, accelerated conditions on Ni-Cr-Mo alloy C-22 and other alloys for comparison. ...
The development of MCNP-DSP, which allows direct calculation of the measured time and frequency analysis parameters from subcritical measurements using the {sup 252}Cf-source-driven noise analysis method, permits the validation of calculational methods for criticality safety with in-plant subcritical measurements. In addition, a method of obtaining the bias in the calculations, which is essential to the criticality safety specialist, is illustrated using the results of measurements with 17.771-cm-diam, enriched (93.15), unreflected, and unmoderated uranium metal cylinders. For these uranium metal cylinders the bias obtained using MCNP-DSP and ENDF/B-V cross-section data increased with subcriticality. For a critical experiment [height (h) = 12.629 cm], it was {minus}0.0061 {+-} 0.0003. For a 10.16-cm-high cylinder (k {approx} 0.93), it was 0.0060 {+-} 0.0016, and for a subcritical cylinder (h = 8.13 cm, k {approx} 0.85), the bias was ...
Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters found in the brain and mediates brain functions. It is very well known that serotonin related brain abnormalities are exerted mainly via serotonin receptors in a similar manner to other neurotransmitters found in the brain. Recently, it has also been found that serotonin is involved in Alzheimer's disease either directly or indirectly by its actions on serotonergic neurons. To understand and treat the diseases caused by abnormalities in the serotonergic system in the brain, it is certain that its mechanism of function has to be well investigated. So far several 5-HT receptors and receptor subtypes have been well characterized. Moreover, serotonin agonists and antagonists acting on specific receptors are chemically synthesized and are now available for the prevention or treatment of serotonergic related diseases. In recent years, a great demand for developing neuroimaging agents has emerged for the diagnosis of abnormal ...
The effects of CH_4 content at nitriding step in the low temperature two-step plasma treatment (carburizing+nitriding) on the surface characteristics of AISI304L stainless steel were investigated. The low temperature plasma carburizing was carried out at 550 .deg. C for 5h in a gas mixture of H_2 Ar and CH_4. The thickness of a carburized layer increased up to about 30 #mu#m and corrosion resistance of the layer decreased due to the precipitation formed at the grain boundary. After carburizing, a low temperature plasma nitriding was subsequently performed in the same chamber at 400 .deg. C for 15h to improve corrosion resistance and to further increase the surface hardness. The surface hardness of a N-enriched layer after nitriding reached up to 1,200HV_0_._1, which is much higher than that of as-carburized layer(750 HV_0_._1). The post nitriding process had a beneficial effect on reducing the precipitates in the C-enriched layer. The thickness ...
In the case where uranium recovered by an advanced aqueous reprocessing is utilized in light water reactors (LWRs) with the thermal neutron spectrum, the effects of the decontamination factor (DF) of the reprocessing on core neutronic characteristics were examined. The amounts of transuranium (TRU) elements and fission products (FPs) contained in the recovered uranium depend on the DF of reprocessing, and also "2"3"6U is generated by neutron capture of "2"3"5U during a reactor operation. These all act as poisons in the fuel. Therefore, in this paper, the additional "2"3"5U enrichment necessary to compensate for the produced TRU elements, FPs, and "2"3"6U was evaluated for three representative DF values: 10"2, 10"3, and infinity. The low value of 10"2 corresponds to the advanced aqueous reprocessing investigated here. An APWR core with a discharge burnup of 49 GWd/t when the initial "2"3"5U enrichment is 4.6% was considered as the reference ...
A technique of producing radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements (r.e.e.) and carrier free "2"4"2Am is suggested. The technique makes use of ''sandwich'' phthalocya=- nine complexes of r.e.e. and americium placed on sorbent. This is a new type of r.e.e. compounds and actinides (C_3_2H_1_6N_8)_2M (M is a metal ion) which are thermally, radiationally and chemically stable, dissolve well in some organic solvents and do not dissolve in water. Radiation and chemically stable activated carbon is used as a sorbent carrier. After irradiation the target is treated by a weakly acid solution or complex-former solution. Radioactive atoms formed due to (n, #gamma#)-reaction and desoleting the complex because of recoil transfer into the solution. When irradiating in the flux of 10"1"3 neutr./cm"2 x s for 1 hour it is possible to produce radioactive isotopes with the yield from 20 to 90%, for example "1"6"0Tb, "1"6"6Ho with enrichment factor > 100 and "2"4"2Am with ...
The antimicrobial effects and quality changes of O2, He, N2 or N2O-enriched active modified atmosphere packaging -MAP- (100 kPa initial gas partial pressure) compared to a chlorinated -100 mg L-1 NaClO- passive MAP (control) in fresh-cut Red Chard baby leaves up to 8 days at 5 degreeC were studied. High O2 MAP (>85 kPa O2) inhibited natural microflora growth during 7 days at 5 degreeC. Regarding control treatment, no differences for He and N2O-enriched MAPs on microbial growth were found although control samples were previously disinfected. Initial total phenolics content (613 mg ChAE kg-1 fw) increased up to 61-93% after 6 days at 5 degreeC under O2, He, and N2-enriched MAPs. Vitamin C content decreased up to 67% after shelf life in control samples while lower decreases were monitored in ...
An analysis of the passive films formed on amorphous alloys of the system Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-P-metalloid and Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-B-Si revealed that they are more markedly enriched with chromium in silicon-free alloys. In silicon-containing amorphous alloys the passive films were highly enriched with silicon, which occurred in these films in the form of a corrosion product close to SiO/sub 2/. As shown by the investigations of a study of the anodic behavior of Fe/sub 40/Ni/sub 40/P/sub 14/B/sub 6/ and Fe/sub 40/Ni/sub 38/Mo/sub 4/B/sub 18/, phosphorus facilitates the passivation of amorphous alloys by reducing the solution current in the active state and enriching the surface layers of the metal in the form of a black prepassivation film which also contains nickel and iron. The behavior of Fe-Ni amorphous alloys containing only boron as metalloid additive differs little from that of crystalline alloys of similar composition but ...
An analysis of the passive films formed on amorphous alloys of the system Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-P-metalloid and Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-B-Si revealed that they are more markedly enriched with chromium in silicon-free alloys. In silicon-containing amorphous alloys the passive films were highly enriched with silicon, which occurred in these films in the form of a corrosion product close to SiO_2. As shown by the investigations of a study of the anodic behavior of Fe_4_0Ni_4_0P_1_4B_6 and Fe_4_0Ni_3_8Mo_4B_1_8, phosphorus facilitates the passivation of amorphous alloys by reducing the solution current in the active state and enriching the surface layers of the metal in the form of a black prepassivation film which also contains nickel and iron. The behavior of Fe-Ni amorphous alloys containing only boron as metalloid additive differs little from that of crystalline alloys of similar composition but without the boron. The authors note that ...
The experiment was carried out on a short rotation coppice culture of poplars (POP-EUROFACE, Central Italy), growing in a free air carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere (FACE). The specific objective of this work was to study whether elevated CO{sub 2} and fertilization (two CO{sub 2} treatments, elevated CO{sub 2} and control, two N fertilization treatments, fertilized and unfertilized), as well as the interaction between treatments caused an unbalanced nutritional status of leaves in three poplar species (P. x euramericana, P. nigra and P. alba). Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of a possible change in foliar nutrients concentration. CO{sub 2} enrichment reduced foliar nitrogen and increased the concentration of magnesium; whereas nitrogen fertilization had opposite effects on leaf nitrogen and magnesium concentrations. Moreover, the interaction between elevated CO{sub 2} and N fertilization amplified some element unbalances such ...
Thin passive films formed on highly corrosion-resistant type-312L stainless steel, containing 20 mass% chromium and 6 mass% molybdenum, in 2 mol dm{sup -3} HCl solution at 293 K have been analyzed by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). The stainless steel does not suffer pitting corrosion even in this aggressive solution, showing a wide passive potential region. The depth profiles obtained clearly show a two-layer structure of the air-formed and passive films: an outer iron-rich layer and an inner layer highly enriched in chromium. Alloy-constituting molybdenum is deficient in the inner layer of the passive films and is enriched in the outer layer, particularly at the active dissolution potential. The molybdenum species in the outer layer may retard the active dissolution of stainless steel, promoting the formation of stable passive films highly enriched in chromium. Chloride ions are present only at the ...
Thin passive films formed on highly corrosion-resistant type-312L stainless steel, containing 20 mass% chromium and 6 mass% molybdenum, in 2 mol dm-3 HCl solution at 293 K have been analyzed by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). The stainless steel does not suffer pitting corrosion even in this aggressive solution, showing a wide passive potential region. The depth profiles obtained clearly show a two-layer structure of the air-formed and passive films: an outer iron-rich layer and an inner layer highly enriched in chromium. Alloy-constituting molybdenum is deficient in the inner layer of the passive films and is enriched in the outer layer, particularly at the active dissolution potential. The molybdenum species in the outer layer may retard the active dissolution of stainless steel, promoting the formation of stable passive films highly enriched in chromium. Chloride ions are present only at the ...
A method to reduce the fuel composition heterogeneity effect on the core performance parameters has been studied for the DUPIC fuel which is made of spent pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuels by a dry refabrication process. This study focuses on the reactivity control method which uses either slightly enriched, depleted, or natural uranium to minimize the cost rise effect on the manufacturing of DUPIC fuel, when adjusting the excess reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, reactivity control by natural uranium for high reactivity spent PWR fuels, and reactivity control by natural uranium for linear reactivity spent PWR fuels. The results of this study have shown that the reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, all the spent PWR fuels can be utilized as the DUPIC fuel and the fraction of fresh uranium feed is 3.4% on an average. For the reactivity control by natural uranium, about ...
A sensitivity study has been done to determine the composition of DUPIC fuel from the viewpoint of neutronics fuel design. The spent PWR fuel compositions were generated and fissile contents adjusted by blending fresh uranium after mixing two spent PWR fuel assemblies. The {sup 239}Pu and {sup 235}U enrichments of DUPIC fuel were adjusted by controlling the amount of fresh uranium feed and the ratio of slightly enriched and depleted uranium in the feed uranium. Based on the material balance calculation, it is recommended that DUPIC fuel composition be such that spent PWR fuel utilization is more than 90%. A sensitivity study on the temperature reactivity coefficient of DUPIC fuel and shown that it is desirable to increase the {sup 239}Pu and {sup 235}U contents to reduce both the fuel and coolant temperature coefficients. On the other hand, refueling simulations of the DUPIC core have shown that the channel power peaking factor, which is a ...
The compositions of the Earth's crust and mantle, and those of the Moon and Mars, are relatively well known both isotopically and elementally. The same is true of our knowledge of the asteroid belt composition, based on meteorite analyses. Remote measurements of Venus, the Jovian atmosphere, and the outer planet moons, have provided some estimates of their compositions. The Sun constitutes a large majority, > 99%, of all the matter in the solar system. The elemental composition of the photosphere, the visible 'surface' of the Sun, is constrained by absorption lines produced by particles above the surface. Abundances for many elements are reported to the {+-}10 or 20% accuracy level. However, the abundances of other important elements, such as neon, cannot be determined in this way due to a relative lack of atomic states at low excitation energies. Additionally and most importantly, the isotopic composition of the Sun cannot be determined astronomically ...
The effect of alloying Sn, Pb, As, Sb and P on the dezincification of commercial brass 60Cu-39Zn-1Pb has been investigated in 1% CuCl{sub 2} solution by immersion studies and electrochemical measurements. Specimens with a smooth surface finish exhibited more resistance to dezincification. Appreciable inhibitive effect on dezincification was observed for the 55Cu-40Zn-3Pb-2Sn brass composition. The galvanic coupling of lead phase with the matrix accelerated corrosion. To improve the dezincification resistance of the Sn containing brass, As, Sb and P were added at two different levels (0.05% and 0.1%). Brass of composition 48.95Cu-45Zn-5Pb-1Sn-0.05As was more resistant indicating the synergistic effect of Sn and As. The effect of 0.05 and 0.1% of arsenic addition with various concentrations of zinc was also studied. The alloy of composition 57.90Cu-40Zn-2Pb-0.1As showed better corrosion resistance than the alloy containing 1% Sn and 0.05% As (48.95Cu-45Zn-5Pb-1Sn-0.05As). To understand ...
The condition of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in wet storage at ten Soviet-designed research reactors has been assessed in the light of international experience in order to identify any associated safety issues. These reactors use Al-clad UO2-Al or U-Al alloy dispersion fuels of ?20% enrichment that were fabricated in Russia; the reactors have been in operation since 1955-70. Although originally sent for reprocessing, much of the SNF generated over the last 25-30 years has been stored in fuel storage pools (FSPs) of variable water quality. The external condition of wet-stored SNF assemblies from the reactors surveyed varied from significant failure due to galvanic corrosion that was driven by poor water quality, through gradual pitting caused by slightly impure water, to a stable condition of no observable change in the oxidized Al alloy surface of the irradiated fuel. SNF stability in wet storage seems to depend on three factors: Al being the sole metal in the FSP (to ...
We present a novel preparation method for studies of in vitro reconstituted mitotic chromosomes from Xenopus laevis egg extracts. This method involves a gentle adsorption of chromosomes from the extracts using surface affinity enrichment, followed by plunge freezing, freeze-substitution and cryo-embedding before examination by EM tomography. For comparison, chromosomes were also prepared by a conventional method, which included immobilization of chromosomes in agarose and a room-temperature dehydration (embedding) protocol. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed that samples prepared with the new method have a greater interconnectivity of sub-structural features and a higher compaction ratio together with an apparently less perturbed chromatin structure than those prepared using the conventional approach. The implications of the new method for the preparation of other difficult samples and additional application possibilities are discussed.
Aerial deposition of Ni from a refinery in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada has resulted in the enrichment of 29km2 of land with Ni concentrations exceeding the Canadian Ministry of the Environment's remedial action level of 200mgkg-1. Several studies on these soils have shown that making the soils calcareous was effective at reducing chemically extractable Ni, as well as alleviating Ni phytotoxicity symptoms in vegetable crops grown in the vicinity of the refinery. Conversely, dolomitic limestone additions resulted in increased uptake of Ni in the Ni hyperaccumulator Alyssum murale `Kotodesh', a plant whose use was proposed as a remediation strategy for this area. In this paper we use multiple techniques to directly assess the role soil type and lime treatments play in altering the speciati...
In a work studying the corrosion and tarnishing properties of a variety of copper alloys, the alloy Cu-A110-Sn5 was found to show an excellent corrosion resistance in neutral solutions, where copper and most conventional Cu alloys are covered by thick nonprotective surface layers. The passive films formed on this alloy were characterized with electrochemical and photoelectrochemical methods. The pH dependence of the passivation and of the photocurrent behavior of the Cu-A110-Sn5 alloy clearly indicates that the passivity of this alloy in neutral solutions is due to a formation of passive film enriched with aluminum oxide. At corrosion potential a strong increase in the corrosion resistance with time is due to a gradual enrichment of the surface with aluminum oxide. This can be seen in the photocurrent spectra which change from cooper-type to aluminum-type with time. At higher applied potentials the formation of an aluminum-type oxide film is ...
Nucleotides released upon brain injury signal to astrocytes and microglia playing an important role in astrogliosis, but the participation of microglia in the purinergic modulation of astrogliosis is still unclear. Highly enriched astroglial cultures and co-cultures of astrocytes and microglia were used to investigate the influence of microglia in the modulation of astroglial proliferation mediated by nucleotides. In highly enriched astroglial cultures, adenosine-5?-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5?-O-(3-thio)-triphosphate (ATP?S), adenosine 5?-O-(3-thio)-diphosphate (ADP?S; 0.01?1?mM), and adenosine-5?-diphosphate (ADP; 0.1?1?mM) increased proliferation up to 382%, an effect abolished in co-cultures containing 8% of microglia. The loss of ATP proliferative effect in co-cultures is supporte...
A multiphase origin of the Cu-Co ores in the western part of the Lufilian fold-and-thrust belt in Central Africa is proposed based on literature, satellite image interpretations and petrographic and fluid inclusion analyses on samples from the stratiform mineralization of Kamoto and Musonoi (DR Congo). The various mineral occurrences in the Katanga Copperbelt can be classified in distinct categories: stratiform, supergene enrichment and vein-type. The stratiform mineralization form the largest group and can be found mainly in Lower Roan (R-2) rocks, which can be identified as ridges on satellite imagery. Ore deposits outside the R-2 occur along lineaments and result often from supergene enrichment.The main phase of the stratiform mineralization in the Katanga Copperbelt occurred during dia...
Single stage separation factors ..cap alpha.. have been determined for /sup 6/Li and /sup 7/Li between lithium ions in methanol and complexed ions with a cryptand (2 sub(B), 2, 1) polymer. The /sup 6/Li was concentrated in the cryptand. The separation factors were compared with the values of other chemical exchange systems. The maximum enrichment factor obtained was epsilon = 0.047 +- 0.002. The figure is one of the greatest in the chemical exchange reactions without valence change and almost 10 times larger than the values of ion exchangers. The variation in ..cap alpha.. depending on the chemical species was small in the non-aqueous system. High enrichment of lithium isotopes was expected to be achievable by means of the chromatographic application of the cryptand (2 sub(B), 2, 1).
An evaluation was made of the effectiveness of the action of reagents used for cleaning cyan-containing waste water for conditioning of the overflow of copper concentrate thickners of the Belousovskiy enrichment before sorption extraction of gold by activated charcoal. It was established that conditioning of the overflow by iron sulfates (II), copper and zinc diminshes, and by hypochlorite increases the capacitance of the activated charcoal for gold.
Molybdenum dioxo bis acetylacetonate shows a retention of about 31% for both "9"9Mo and "1"0"1Mo, with reactor irradiations at ambient temperature. But its radiolytic stability and resistance to hydrolysis are too low for application to "9"9Mo enrichment. The molybdenum (II) carboxylates and the arene molybdenum (O)tricaronyls show high retentions. These complexes are also air and water sensitive in solution. (orig.).
Magmatic sulfide deposits are the most significant source of platinum-group elements (PGE) in the world. Key to understanding their genesis is determining the processes and timing of sulfide saturation, metal enrichment and crustal contamination. In this study, we have identified droplets of magmatic sulfide from the Platreef, South Africa, where droplets of sulfide have been trapped in the earliest crystallising phase, chromite. Due to their early entrapment at high temperatures, metal concentrations and ratios that they display are indicative of a very early-stage sulfide liquid in the system, as they will have cooled and fractionated within an essentially closed system, unlike interstitial blebs that crystallise in an open system as the magma cools. Analysis of these droplets in an opaque mineral like chromite by LA-ICP-MS is problematic as some of the fractionated inclusion is necessarily lost during cutting and polishing to initially identify the inclusion. ...
A variety of critical experiments were constructed of enriched uranium metal during the 1960s and 1970s at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility (ORCEF) in support of criticality safety operations at the Y-12 Plant. The purposes of these experiments included the evaluation of storage, casting, and handling limits for the Y-12 Plant and providing data for verification of calculation methods and cross-sections for nuclear criticality safety applications. These included solid cylinders of various diameters, annuli of various inner and outer diameters, two and three interacting cylinders of various diameters, and graphite and polyethylene reflected cylinders and annuli. Of the hundreds of delayed critical experiments, one experiment was comprised of a stack of approximately 7-inch-diameter metal discs. The bottom of the stack consisted of uranium with an approximate height of 4-1/8 inches. The top of the stack consisted of beryllium with an approximate height of ...
This 'Issues in Ecology' article from the Ecological Society of America provides information about the consequences of nutrient enrichment along the US coast. It describes problems such as harmful algal blooms (HABs), anoxia, hypoxia, and dead zones. It explains which nutrients are involved and describes implications of excess nutrients in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River basin. The article features several color photographs, maps, and diagrams.
Reported on here are studies of various methods for liquefying coal. Hydropyrolysis as an alternative method for producing liquid hydrocarbons and a carbon enriched char is discussed. Other methods described involve supercritical gas extraction of coal and use of natural gas as a hydrogenating agent. Relevant waste water treatments are discussed as well. 65 refs., 9 figs.
The leukocyte-enriched p110γ and p110δ isoforms of PI3K have been shown to control in vitro degranulation of mast cells induced by cross-linking...Full Text Available
The phytomanagement of Se-polluted soil and water is one strategy that may be environmentally sustainable and cost-effective for soils and waters enriched with natural-occurring Se. Several plant species, including Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), pickleweed (Salicornia bigelovii), and other salt/S...
The possibility of having properly designed multinational fuel cycle agreements which would contribute to public acceptance of nuclear energy are explored. The advantages of existing international cooperation in the field of uranium enrichment and nuclear waste disposal and reprocessing are discussed. The possible forms of multinational co-operation under an international organisation, committed the non-proliferation and operating under international law and covering storage facilities, security of raw materials and the nuclear fuel cycle are summarised in model form. (U.K.).
The paper describes the production of highly enriched isotopes of uranium, plutonium, americium and curium by electromagnetic separation for scientific and applied researches in physics, chemistry, geology, medicine, biology and other fields. Using the equipment described, the isotopes are produced in quantities sufficient to set up nuclear physical experiments, to produce nuclear reference materials and standard sources for calibration of radiometrical and mass spectrometrical equipment, in radionuclide metrology, etc. For the following isotopes the indicated degrees of isotopic enrichment were achieved: "2"3"3U-99.97%; "2"3"5U-99.97%; "2"3"6U-98.0%; "2"3"8U-99.997%; "2"3"8Pu-99.6%; "2"3"9Pu-99.9977%; "2"4"0Pu-99.9-100%; "2"4"1Pu-96.998%; "2"4"2Pu-97.8-99.96%; "2"4"4Pu-96.7%; "2"4"1Am-99.6%; "2"4"2"mAm-73.6%; "2"4"3Am-99.2-99.94%; "2"4"3Cm-99.99%; "2"4"5Cm-99.998%; "2"4"6Cm-99.8%; "2"4"7Cm-90%, "2"4"8Cm-97%. Methods for preparing layers of ...
DescriptionPhytoplankton is the collective name given to the microscopic floating plants in seas and lakes. Under certain conditions, the abundance of phytoplankton as a whole or of one or more species in particular, can reach a magnitude at which it is visible through discolouration of the sea. Some of these blooms because of the colour of the water have been called 'Red Tides'. Blooms of some 300 species of the phytoplankton are known as Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) species in recognition of their poten [continued...
A nonperturbing 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method was used to monitor the equilibrium distribution of carboxyl 13C-enriched fatty acids (FA) between distinct binding sites on human serum albumin,...Full Text Available
In this report, the quantitative relation between the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) and the size of ion exchange resin is studied by enriching lithium isotopes with high pressure ion exchange displacement chromatography. The dependence of HETP on the size of the resin can be expressed as H = C x (anti r)sup( ) in which = 2.4 and it is found that Snyder's equation is suitable for such a system of isotope separation as may be explained by the simple displacement mechanism.
By means of ESCA the composition and the thickness of passive films formed on austenitic stainless steels were investigated after the attack of nitric acid at various temperatures and acid concentrations. The outermost layers of the oxide film consist of SiO_2, then a layer rich of Cr-oxid follows, containing also some Mo in the four- and sixvalent state. Ni does not contribute to the oxide film. Cr is also enriched in the metal just below the oxide film. (orig.).
AimTo compare the blood glucose-lowering effect of a highly viscous fiber blend (VFB) added to a starchy snack on postprandial glycemia between healthy participants and participants...Full Text Available
Understanding climate development in the central Andes is important in determining the relationship between mountain range uplift and climate change. Recent work along the western margin of the central Andes has led to the development of two competing hypotheses: 1) that climate change is directly responsible for uplift or 2) that uplift controls climate change. In the first scenario, uplift results from increased friction at the plate boundary due to sediment-starvation of the trench which is a function of decreased run-off (particularly post 14 Ma) due to global cooling. In the second scenario progressive uplift of the Andean Cordillera during the Miocene resulted in a strong orographic effect with a concomitant rainshadow west of the Andes. To determine the relationship between climate change and uplift it is necessary to ascertain precisely, when the climate changed, the nature of that change and when uplift occurred. With respect to ...
This SBIR Phase I developed neutron detectors made from gallium arsenide (GaAs) p-type/ intrinsic/n-type (P-I-N) diodes grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) onto semi-insulating (S1) bulk GaAs wafers. A layer of isotonically enriched boron-10 evaporated onto the front surface serves to convert incoming neutrons into lithium ions and a 1.47 MeV alpha particle which creates electron-hole pairs that are detected by the GaAs diode. Various thicknesses of ''intrinsic'' (I) undoped GaAs were tested, as was use of a back-surface field (BSF) formed from a layer of Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}As. Schottky-barrier diodes formed from the same structures without the p+ GaAs top layer were tested as a comparison. After mesa etching and application of contacts, devices were tested in visible light before application of the boron coating. Internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the best diode near the GaAs bandedge ...
Fluorine is known to have a beneficial role for the B diffusion reduction in preamorphized Si, and is promising for the realization of ultra-shallow junctions. Thus, we studied the F incorporation in Si during the solid phase epitaxy (SPE) process, pointing out the effects of the implanted F energy and fluence and the role played by the possible presence of dopants. The incorporation of fluorine proceeds by F segregation at the amorphous-crystalline interface, with a kinetics driven by the SPE rate. In fact, the quicker the SPE rate, the higher is the F fluence retained. Moreover, we demonstrated that F incorporated in Si layers does not appreciably affect the Is emission from spatially separated end-of-range (EOR) defects. The modification, induced by the presence of F, of the point defect density (Is and Vs) was also studied by means of B and Sb spike layers, used as local markers for Is and Vs, respectively. We showed that F is not only able to completely suppress the boron ...
Pitting corrosion of Inconel 600 was examined in chloride and sulfate solutions through usage of potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The effects of chloride and sulfate concentration were investigated in the range of 0.0001 to 0.1 M. Increasing chloride concentrations resulted in active shifts of the pit nucleation potential. Immunity to pitting corrosion was evident at a chloride level below 0.005 M. Increasing sulfate concentrations resulted in improved pitting resistance of Inconel 600 in chloride solutions. Detrimental effects associated with pitting were evident with low-level sulfate being added to dilute chloride media. The density of pits increased with increasing chloride concentrations or temperature between room temperature and 70 C. Systematic trends for the depth of pits were not evident. The observations of pitting corrosion in open immersion were consistent with those in polarization methods. Corrosion products contained in the pits were ...
In order to optimize the production of "2"0"1Tl and "6"7Ga using the (p, xn) reactions on enriched "2"0"3Tl and "6"8Zn targets we established a new set of cross section curves for the most relevant reactions. Target stacks made of up to 15 thin (50 #mu#m) natural Tl or Zn foils interleaved with brass degradation foils were irradiated with incident proton energies from 42 to 10 MeV in overlapping experiments. Yields for "2"0"0","2"0"1","2"0"2"m","2"0"3","2"0"4"mPB and "6"6","6"7","6"8Ga were computed from measured #gamma# emission rates. Where possible, cross section curves for the nuclear reactions involved were computed. Thick target yields and contamination ratios for enriched targets were derived and show good agreement with results from actual production runs. (orig.).
We present the results of modeling intended to evaluate the feasibility of using neutrons from induced fission in highly enriched uranium (HEU) as a means of detecting clandestine HEU, even when it is embedded in absorbing surroundings, such as commercial cargo. We characterized radiation from induced fission in HEU, which consisted of delayed neutrons at all energies and prompt neutrons at energies above a threshold. We found that for the candidate detector and for the conditions we considered, a distinctive HEU signature should be detectable, given sufficient detector size, and should be robust over a range of cargo content. In the modeled scenario, an intense neutron source was used to induce fissions in a spherical shell of HEU. To absorb, scatter, and moderate the neutrons, we place one layer of simulated cargo between the source and target and an identical layer between the target and detector. The resulting neutrons and gamma rays are resolved in both time ...
64Cu (T1/2=12.7h, ?- decay: 40%, ?+ decay: 19%, E.C. decay: 41%) is one of the most useful radioisotope in the nuclear medicine due to its multiple decay mode and the intermediate half-life. Several nuclear reaction, i.e., 64Ni(p,n)64Cu, 68Zn(p,?n)64Cu and 64Ni(d,2n)64Cu have been investigated for production. The highest could be obtained with proton irradiation on the enriched 64Ni target. For mass and routine production, the 64Ni target fabrication using electroplating, the reliable chemical separation of 64Cu from the irradiated 64Ni target and the effective recovery process for the recycling of very expensive enriched material ($20,000/g) and so forth are absolutely necessary to be established. In this work, we report our mass production method of 64Cu with 64Ni and Cyclone-30 accelerator
This project of law concerns an additional protocol to the agreement of warranties signed on September 22, 1998 between France, the European atomic energy community and the IAEA. This agreement concerns the declaration of all information relative to the R and D activities linked with the fuel cycle and involving the cooperation with a foreign country non endowed with nuclear weapons. These information include the trade and processing of nuclear and non-nuclear materials and equipments devoted to nuclear reactors (pressure vessels, fuel loading/unloading systems, control rods, force and zirconium tubes, primary coolant pumps, deuterium and heavy water, nuclear-grade graphite), to fuel reprocessing plants, to isotope separation plants (gaseous diffusion, laser enrichment, plasma separation, electromagnetic enrichment), to heavy water and deuterium production plants, and to uranium conversion plants. (J.S.)
Mechanisms that govern transport, accumulation and toxicity of persistent pollutants at interfaces in aquatic ecosystems were the foci of this thesis. Specific attention was paid to humic substances, their occurrence, composition, and role in exchange processes across interfaces. It was concluded that: The composition of humic substances in aquatic surface microlayers is different from that of the subsurface water and terrestrial humic matter. Levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the aquatic surface microlayer reflect the DOC levels in the subsurface water. While the levels and enrichment of DOC in the microlayer generally show small variations, the levels and enrichment of particulate organic carbon (POC) vary to a great extent. Similarities exist between aquatic surface films, artificial semi-permeable and biological membranes regarding their structure and functioning. Acidification and liming of freshwater ecosystems affect DOC:POC ...
In field O{sub 3}-enrichment experiments increased herbivore densities have been reported, which could be due to negatively affected host location behavior of natural enemies. We addressed the impact of doubling background O{sub 3} on the host location of the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae by conducting 24-h trials in an open-air O{sub 3}-fumigation system during two consecutive years. Two circles (radii 1.40 and 4.00 m) of Plutella xylostella-infested potted cabbage plants were placed in the O{sub 3} and ambient plots. Female wasps were released into each plot from the center, and observed 5 times over a 24-h period to assess their host location capability. Thereafter, plants were kept in laboratory conditions until larvae pupation to determine parasitism rates. No significant differences were detected between ambient and O{sub 3}-enriched environments either in the number of wasps found in the field, or in the percentages of parasitized larvae. ...
Fresh tree root decomposition induced by tillage is an important source of soil nutrients in agroforestry systems. Here we examined the effects of tree species, root size and soil N enrichment on fresh root decomposition under laboratory conditions. Fresh roots with two diameters (<2 and 2?5?mm) of Populus euramericana cv. ?N3016? (poplar) and Pinus tabulaeformis (pine) collected from agroforestry systems in Northeast China were used in the experiment. For each root treatment, four N levels (0, 50, 100 and 150??g?N g?1 soil) were added. We recognized N concentration and C/N ratio as the root quality variables, and determined decomposition rates as cumulative CO2 production and mass loss. Poplar roots had higher N concentration and lower C/N ratio and decomposed faster than pine roots, and ...
The possible contribution of short rotation cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations was investigated using the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technique. Three poplar species were grown in an SRC plantation for three growing seasons. Above-ground and below-ground biomass increased by 15 to 27 per cent and by 22 to 38 per cent, respectively; light-efficiency also increased as a result. Depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil increased after three growing seasons at elevated carbon dioxide levels, but carbon dioxide showed no effect on stem wood density. Stem wood density also differed significantly from species to species. These results confirmed inter-specific differences in biomass production in poplar, and demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide enhanced biomass productivity and light-use efficiency of a poplar short rotation cultivation ecosystem without changing biomass allocation. The ...
The possible contribution of short rotation cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations was investigated using the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technique. Three poplar species were grown in an SRC plantation for three growing seasons. Above-ground and below-ground biomass increased by 15 to 27 per cent and by 22 to 38 per cent, respectively; light-efficiency also increased as a result. Depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil increased after three growing seasons at elevated carbon dioxide levels, but carbon dioxide showed no effect on stem wood density. Stem wood density also differed significantly from species to species. These results confirmed inter-specific differences in biomass production in poplar, and demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide enhanced biomass productivity and light-use efficiency of a poplar short rotation cultivation ecosystem without changing biomass allocation. The ...
Partially purified UDPgalactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.22) from bovine milk has been used to synthesize millimolar amounts of compounds such as Gal#beta#(1#->#4)Glc, Gal#beta#(1#->#4)GlcNAc-#beta#-hexanolamine, and Gal#beta#(1#->#4)-GlcNAc#beta#(1#->#4)GlcNAc. The same method has been used to prepare similar compounds containing "1"3C-enriched galactopyranosyl moieties. Gal#beta#(1#->#4)GlcNAc-#beta#-hexanolamine was also synthesized in a solid-phase system in which the GlcNAc-#beta#-hexanolamine glycoside was covalently linked to agarose beads. At pH 7.0 and at 1 to 5 mM Mn"2"+"+ the yields of the galactosyl saccharides are greater than 90% by using 10% excess of UDPGal donor. The use of a 90% enriched [1-"1"3C]galactosyl residue allowed the determination of the most abundant conformer about the galactopyranosyl-glycoside linkage by analysis of the carbon-carbon coupling constants from Cl to Gal to the C3', C4', and C5' of GlcNAc ...
Economic analysis was performed at KAERI with the assistance of US DOE to compare single reactor fuel cycle costs for a once-through option and a thermal recycle option to operate 1 GWe of a PWR plant for its lifetime. A reference fuel cycle cost was first calculated for each option with best estimated reference input data. Then a sensitivity analysis was performed changing each single value of such fuel cycle component costs as yellow cake price, enrichment charges, spent fuel storage cost, reprocessing cost, spent fuel disposal cost and reprocessing waste disposal cost. Savings due to thermal recycle in requirements of uranium, conversion, and enrichment were examined using formulas suggested by US DOE, while MOX fabrication penalty was accounted for. As a result of the reference fuel cycle cost analysis, it is calculated that the thermal recycle option is marginally more economical than the once-through option. The major factors affecting ...
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 at.% of {sup 238}Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 deg. C and immersion density measurements of materials stored at 50 deg. C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After 25 equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 deg. C have expanded in volume by 0.11-0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.55. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 deg. C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 at.% of "2"3"8Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 deg. C and immersion density measurements of materials stored at 50 deg. C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After 25 equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 deg. C have expanded in volume by 0.11-0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.55. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 deg. C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 atomic percentage of {sup 238}Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 C and immersion density measurements of material stored at 50 C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After twenty-five equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 C have expanded in volume by 0.11% to 0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.3. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
Hydrogen production from desugared molasses (DM) was investigated in both batch and continuous reactors using thermophilic mixed cultures enriched from digested manure by load shock (loading with DM concentration of 50.1 g-sugar/L) to suppress methanogens. H"2 gas, free of methane, was produced during batch cultivations, at different (DM) concentrations ranging from 1.5 g-sugars/L to 50.1 g-sugars/L. The highest yield of 237 ml-H"2/g-sugar was achieved during the DM batch fermentation at concentration of 2.1 g-sugars/L, whereafter the yield decreased with increasing DM concentration. The enriched hydrogen producing mixed culture achieved from the 16.7 g-sugars/L DM batch cultivation was immobilized on heat treated anaerobic sludge granules in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reac...
A concept is shown for a fully reusable, Earth-to-orbit launch vehicle with horizontal takeoff and landing, employing an air-turborocket for low speed and a rocket for high-speed acceleration, both using liquid hydrogen for fuel. The turborocket employs a modified liquid air cycle to supply the oxidizer. The rocket uses 90% pure liquid oxygen as its oxidizer that is collected from the atmosphere, separated, and stored during operation of the turborocket from about Mach 2 to 5 or 6. The takeoff weight and the thrust required at takeoff are markedly reduced by collecting the rocket oxidizer in-flight. This article shows an approach and the corresponding technology needs for using air liquefaction and enrichment system propulsion in a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle. Reducing the trajectory altitude at the end of collection reduces the wing area and increases payload. The use of state-of-the-art materials, such as graphite polyimide, in a direct substitution for ...
Data on the postfire dynamics of soil properties in the foci of Siberian moth population outbreaks are considered. It has been shown that controlled fires set in pest-defoliated forests result in the loss of approximately 75% of carbon and 50% of nitrogen from the forest litter through their emission into the atmosphere and in the enrichment of the upper soil horizons with potassium and phosphorus (this concerns both total and movable forms). Microbiological processes in the organogenic horizon undergo significant transformation, the density of microarthropods decreases, and the abundance of mites becomes hundreds of times lower. PMID:15354965
A laboratory stream consisting of two stream sections interrupted by two pools was filled with a mixture of tap water and organically enriched water from rivers nearby. Bottom sediment material, Potamogeton pectinatus, macro-invertebrate organisms, as well as the mosquito fish, Aplocheilichthys johnstonii were collected from rivers around Johannesburg and introduced into the laboratory stream. After initial acclimatization, the distribution of the isotope "3"2P through this laboratory stream was followed. Absorption of this isotope by benthic algae, Potamogeton pectinatus, several macro-invertebrate organisms as well as Aplocheilichthys johnstonii was recorded.
Separation of lithium isotope by NTOE compound was carried out with 0.01M HCl solution. The ion exchange capacity of NTOE was 0.8 meq/g. The separation factor, #alpha#=("7Li/"6Li)_s_o_l_i_d/("7Li/"6Li)_l_i_q_u_i_d was 1.0242 by the elution chromatography. The lighter isotope, "6Li was concentrated in the liquid phase, while the heavior isotope, "7Li was enriched in the solid phase. (author).
The nine papers presented at this conference cover the following topics: the systematization, condensed description, and prediction of sets of anion exchange extraction constants on the basis of their statistical computer treatment; characteristics and uses of solid extractants containing D2EHPA and TBP for separating the transplutonium elements; enrichment of americium 242m and americium 242 by the Szilard-Chalmers method; an x-ray diffraction pattern analysis for transplutonium compounds; the radiation chemistry of americium; and the effects of alpha irradiation on the behavior of americium in perchlorate solutions.
Cesium recovery from the polluted layers in the 1/3 scale hydrogen negative ion source for LHD-NBI system has tested. It was found, that the cesium recovery can be produced by additional discharges as from the cesium layer, aged by tungsten and residual gas, so as from the cesium layers, polluted by an occasional water leak. The highest cesium recovery to NI production was produced by a xenon arc, while glow discharge and arcing in hydrogen were less effective. The mechanism of recovery is the ejection of cesium from the underlying enriched layer by the arc and its transport to the surface. (author)
The introduction of large blast furnaces, oxygen-enriched blast and natural gas firing means that the coke rate is determined mainly by the ability of the coke charge to loosen up the burden and ensure a high level of permeability. Coke strength is now of great importance to the steelmaker, alongside ash and sulphur contents. The article suggests that moisture still offers a useful negotiating base for furnace operators and suppliers. It is important to know the moisture content and a sampling procedure is recommended for determining the moisture desorption time. Such tests also indicate any relationship between different quenching plants and the product.
A variety of critical experiments were constructed of enriched uranium metal during the 1960s and 1970s at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility (ORCEF) in support of criticality safety operations at the Y-12 Plant. The purposes of these experiments included the evaluation of storage, casting, and handling limits for the Y-12 Plant and providing data for verification of calculation methods and cross-sections for nuclear criticality safety applications. These included solid cylinders of various diameters, annuli of various inner and outer diameters, two and three interacting cylinders of various diameters, and graphite and polyethylene reflected cylinders and annuli. Of the hundreds of delayed critical experiments, two were performed that consisted of uranium metal annuli with a solid beryllium metal core. The outer diameter of the annuli was approximately 13 or 15 inches with an inner diameter of 7 inches. The diameter of the core was approximately 7 inches. ...
The reactor fuel cycle based on uranium is described. The various stages in the cycle include mining of uranium ores followed by crushing and grinding, leaching and purification of leach liquor by ion exchange resin process or solvent extraction process, refining of uranium concentrate (yellow cake) by digesting with HNO_3 and then solvent extracting uranyl nitrate with TBP, conversion of uranyl nitrate to uranium hexafluoride, production of uranium metal, uranium enrichment, fabrication of reactor fuel elements and reprocessing of the spent fuel. Chemical reactions wherever they are involved are explained. (M.G.B.).
LUCIFER (Low-background Underground Cryogenic Installation For Elusive Rates) is a new project for the study of neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, based on the technology of scintillating bolometers. These devices promise a very efficient rejection of the alpha background, opening the way to a virtual background-free experiment if candidates with a transition energy higher than 2615 keV are investigated. The baseline candidate for LUCIFER is 82Se. This isotope will be embedded in ZnSe crystals grown with enriched selenium and operated as scintillating bolometers in a low-radioactivity underground dilution refrigerator. In this paper, the LUCIFER concept will be introduced. The sensitivity and the very promising prospects related to this project will be discussed.
The overall purpose of this research was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of elevated levels of CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} on tree leaf litter quality and decomposition. This research was conducted at the Aspen FACE (Free Air CO{sub 2} Enrichment) facility near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This research comprised one facet of a larger project assessing how CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} pollutants will alter carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in north temperate forest ecosystems.
Inspire is the project name of a new High Energy Physics information system which will integrate present databases and repositories to host the entire corpus of the HEP literature and become the reference HEP scientific information platform worldwide. It is a common project between CERN, DESY, FERMILAB and SLAC. It will empower scientists with new tools to discover and access the results most relevant to their research; enable novel text- and data-mining applications; deploy new metrics to assess the impact of articles and authors. In addition, it will introduce the Web2.0 paradigm of user-enriched content in the domain of sciences with community-based approaches to the peer-review process.
CERN, DESY, Fermilab and SLAC have joined forces to build INSPIRE, the next-generation HEP information platform offering innovative tools for information discovery and communication. Representing a natural community-based evolution of SPIRES, INSPIRE provides fast access to the entire body of HEP literature. As a subject repository it will host fulltexts of preprints, Open Access journal articles and supplementary material like conference slides and multimedia, enabling novel text- and data mining applications. In the spirit of Web2.0 INSPIRE will also supply tools for collaboration and user-enriched content.
This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research Program for calendar year 1996. Contributions from the individual investigators about their projects are included, specifically, physics: treatment planning software, real-time neutron beam measurement dosimetry, measurement of the Finnish research reactor epithermal neutron spectrum, BNCT accelerator technology; and chemistry: analysis of biological samples and preparation of {sup 10}B enriched decaborane.
This plan outlines the procedures and operations used at LLNL's Site 300 for the management of the hazardous waste generated. This waste consists primarily of depleted uranium (a by-product of U-235 enrichment), beryllium, small quantities of analytical chemicals, industrial type waste such as solvents, cleaning acids, photographic chemicals, etc., and explosives. This plan details the operations generating this waste, the proper handling of this material and the procedures used to treat or dispose of the hazardous waste. A considerable amount of information found in this plan was extracted from the Site 300 Safety and Operational Manual written by Site 300 Facility personnel and the Hazards Control Department.
The influence of Confucian culture in Chinese Mainland China is reflected in the current situation and contextual trends of educational research content of educational thought of Confucianism, educational issues grounded on theoretical views of Confucianism, and the influence of the inclusiveness of Confucianism. In terms of research method, the current situation of educational research is reflected in empirical research whose methods value the construction of the metaphysical theoretical system, the guiding role of educational theories for educational reform practice, and research that enriches the literature. In terms of research value, the current situation of educational research is reflected in studies that focus on human nature, human relations, thoughts, willpower, emotion, human ri...
The identification and characterization of carbonaceous materials (CMs) that control hydrophobic organic chemical (HOC) sorption is essential to predict the fate and transport of HOCs in soils and sediments. The objectives of this paper are to determine the types of CMs that control HOC sorption in the oxidized and reduced zones of a glacially deposited groundwater sediment in central Illinois, with a special emphasis on the roles of kerogen and black carbon. After collection, the sediments were treated to obtain fractions of the sediment samples enriched in different types of CMs (e.g., humic acid, kerogen, black carbon), and selected fractions were subject to quantitative petrographic analysis. The original sediments and their enrichment fractions were evaluated for their ability to sorb trichloroethene (TCE), a common groundwater pollutant. Isotherm results and mass fractions of CM enrichments were used to calculate ...
PAH biomineralization measurements of yardwaste compost samples indicated heterogeneous distribution of active microorganisms and substantial sequestration of the non-polar substrate in the compost matrix. - The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential of phenanthrene and fluoranthene biodegradation in yardwaste compost materials. These polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were chosen for this work because they are relatively readily biodegradable and ubiquitous in the environment. Compost samples were incubated in biometers with "1"4C-labeled phenanthrene and the evolution of "1"4CO_2 was assessed as a measure of mineralization. The "1"4CO_2 evolution varied widely among replicate biometers, possibly as the result of (1) uneven and patchy colonization of phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms on compost particles, and (2) non-uniform dispersion of the labeled substrate spike into the yardwaste microenvironment. Mineralization of phenanthrene reached about 40% extent of "1"4CO_2 ...
Basalt and diabase from the Cretaceous Dumisseau Formation, southern Haiti have Mg-numbers of 43-63, TiO/sub 2/ contents of 1.6-3.9% and La abundances of 3.6-15.3 ppm. LaTa ratios average 10, and indicate that the basalts are oceanic in character, distinct from the arc associations forming the northern part of Haiti. Oldest lavas have low TiO/sub 2/, (1.6%) and are LREE-depleted, similar to N-MORBs, whereas overlying lavas have higher TiO/sub 2/ (2-3.9%) and are LREE-enriched, similar to E-MORBs or hotspot basalts. /sup 87/Sr/sup 86/Sr ratios vary from 0.70280 to 0.70316, /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd from 0.512929 to 0.513121, and /sup 206/Pb/sup 204/Pb from 19.00 to 19.27 LREE-depleted lavas have high /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd (0.51309-0.51310) typical of MORBs, whereas /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd in the LREE-enriched lavas varies widely (0.512929-0.513121). Chemical features of the Dumisseau basalts are equivalent to those of Caribbean seafloor basalts ...
A method for enrichment of the ppb level of cadmium in water by using the coagulation of soybean protein by adding acids or its complex-forming character with heavy metal ions was investigated. After adding fixed amounts of soybean milk and 2% sodium diethyldithiocarbamate(DDTC) aqueous solution and a suitable amount of delta-gluconic lactone (delta-GL) to a sample solution, the mixture was heated to boiling in order to coagulate the protein. The coagulum(soybean curd) was separated from the suspension by centrifugation and burned to ashes with a low temperature plasma asher. Then the cadmium enriched in it was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Various factors such as the pH of the sample solution, the amounts of soybean milk and the collection additives, and the concentration of NaCl in the sample solution on the recovery of cadmium were examined systematically. The best recovery was obtained under the following conditions: To a ...
The simultaneous diffusion of Si and the dopants B, P, and As has been studied by the use of a multilayer structure of isotopically enriched Si. This structure, consisting of 5 pairs of 120 nm thick natural Si and {sup 28}Si enriched layers, enables the observation of {sup 30}Si self-diffusion from the natural layers into the {sup 28}Si enriched layers, as well as dopant diffusion from an implanted source in an amorphous Si cap layer, via Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The dopant diffusion created regions of the multilayer structure that were extrinsic at the diffusion temperatures. In these regions, the Fermi level shift due to the extrinsic condition altered the concentration and charge state of the native defects involved in the diffusion process, which affected the dopant and self-diffusion. The simultaneously recorded diffusion profiles enabled the modeling of the coupled dopant and self-diffusion. From the ...
The objective of this work is to determine the ability of indigenous bacteria from a Venezuelan oil field to grow under reservoir conditions inside a porous media, and to produce metabolites capable of recovering residual crude oil. For this purpose, samples of formation waters from a central-eastern Venezuelan oil reservoir were enriched with different carbon sources and a mineral basal media. Formation water was used as a source of trace metals. The enrichments obtained were incubated at reservoir temperature (71{degrees}C), reservoir pressure (1,200 psi), and under anaerobic conditions for both outside and inside porous media (Berea core). Growth and metabolic activity was followed outside porous media by measuring absorbance at 660 nm, increases in pressure, and decreases in pH. Inside porous media bacterial activity was determined by visual examination of the produced waters (gas bubbles and bacterial cells). All the carbohydrates tested ...
An IAEA databank lists a number of reported cases of illicitly trafficked nuclear or other radioactive materials. Apart from the traditional concern with nuclear proliferation, the post September 11th public is now wary of a possible attack by terrorists with a nuclear or radiation dispersion device (RDD). Until now, the seized quantities have not been sufficient to manufacture a nuclear explosive device, but they might be enough to construct an RDD. Recognizing the latent global challenge to public health and safety, the G8 States (Japan, USA, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Canada, and Russia) have called for 'joint international efforts to identify and suppress illicit supply' of, and demand for, nuclear material and to deter potential traffickers. One measure gaining in significance is to identify seized material and trace it back to its origin the objective of an emerging science known as nuclear forensics. Repeatedly nuclear or other radioactive material of unknown origin are ...
Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection has been used for sensitive, simple, and reliable analysis of carfentrazone-ethyl residues in water. Carfentrazone-ethyl was enriched by use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), a new adsorptive material. Several conditions affecting recovery of the analyte, for example polarity and volume of eluents, pH of water samples, and sample volume, were studied. Recovery from fortified samples, linear range, and limit of detection were evaluated. The results showed that MWCNT are an efficient SPE adsorbent for preconcentration of carfentrazone-ethyl in water. Under the optimized SPE conditions, recovery of carfentrazone-ethyl from fortified water was 81.49?91.08%, with RSD from 1.66 to 8.21%. The limits of detection ...
Simple, one-zone models for inhomogeneous chemical evolution of the Galactic halo are used to predict the number fraction of zero-metallicity, Population III stars, which currently is empirically estimated at < 4e-4. These analytic models minimize the number of free parameters, highlighting the most fundamental constraints on halo evolution. There are disagreements of at least an order of magnitude between observations and predictions in limiting cases for both homogeneous Simple Model and Simple Inhomogeneous Model (SIM). Hence, this demonstrates a quantitative, unambiguous discrepancy in the observed and expected fraction of Population III stars. We explore how the metallicity distribution of the parent enrichment events f(z_0) drives the SIM and predictions for the Population III fraction. The SIM shows that the previously-identified "high halo" and "low halo" populations are consistent with a continuous evolutionary progression, and therefore may not ...
Gas separation membranes with polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)/polystyrene(PS) were prepared by using the sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) method with various PS contents (10?70wt%). These gas separation membranes can be applied to reduce the smoke density in the emission gas of diesel engines. PS content has a pronounced effect on the membrane performance. It was found that the optimized PS contents in the final membrane were 50wt%. The emission capacities of diesel engines used in this study were 632 cc and 11,149 cc. When the oxygen separation membrane was used in the diesel engines, the smoke density of both diesel engines was remarkably reduced (35?73%). The oxygen concentration in the inlet air affects the composition of the emission gases. Especially, hydrocarbon (HC) dec...
Summary Despite the great interest of red porgy as a new species for Mediterranean aquaculture, its commercial production is constrained by the high incidence of skeletal deformities occurring in this species under culture conditions. Several studies have been conducted to better understand the origin of these anomalies in this species, using different system intensiveness, rotifers enrichment products or rotifers docosahexaenoic acid content. The first study showed that culture intensification increased the number of fish with an extra vertebrae, what was probably related to the different nutritional quality of live preys employed in each treatment, since water temperature, salinity and genetic background were identical for the different batches of fish studied. Total incidence of skeleta...
In this paper we provide a geochemical investigation on 34 groundwater samples in the Mt. Vulture volcanic aquifer representing one of the most important groundwater resources of the southern Italy pumped for drinking and irrigation supply. The present study includes the first data on the abundance and mobility of minor and trace elements and the thermodynamic considerations on water-rock interaction processes in order to evaluate the conditions of alkali basalt weathering by waters enriched in magma-derived CO2. The results highlight the occurrence of two hydrofacies: bicarbonate alkaline-earth and alkaline waters deriving from low-temperature leaching of volcanic rocks of Mt. Vulture, and bicarbonate-sulfate-alkaline waters (high-salinity waters) related to prolonged water circulation in...
The laboratory environment existing outside the test situation itself can have a substantial influence on results of some behavioral tests with mice, and the extent of these influences sometimes depends on genotype. For alcohol research, the principal issue is whether genotype-related ethanol effects will themselves be altered by common variations in the lab environment or instead will be essentially the same across a wide range of lab environments. Data from 20 inbred strains were used to reduce an original battery of seven tests of alcohol intoxication to a compact battery of four tests: the balance beam and grip strength with a 1.25g/kg ethanol dose and the accelerating rotarod and open-field activation tests with 1.75g/kg. The abbreviated battery was then used to study eight inbred str...
In order to assess various core parameters a reference equilibrium core with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel for Pakistan Research Reactor (PARR-1) was assembled. Due to increased volume of reference core, the average neutron flux reduced as compared to the first higher power operation. To get a higher neutron flux an irradiation facility was created in centre of the reference equilibrium core where the advantage of the neutron flux peaking was taken. Various low power experiments were performed in order to evaluate control rods worth and neutron flux mapping inside the core. The neutron flux inside the central irradiation facility almost doubled. With this arrangement reactor operation time was cut down from 72 hours to 48 hours for the production of the required specific radioactivity. (author)
The pitting resistance of Fe-Cr and Fe-Cr-Mo alloys has been correlated with characteristics of the passive films analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Increased film protectiveness as a result of increased Cr in the alloy can be directly attributed to Cr enrichment of the film and decreased film thickness. Increased Mo in the alloy or passivation at noble potentials promotes passive film resistance to breakdown, but neither does much to change the macrocharacteristics of the film. Rather, it is suggested that the roles of alloying and/or passivation conditions are related to the susceptibility and distribution of weak points of the film. In solutions in which pitting occurs, chloride is generally not incorporated into the film, suggesting that the role of halides is to interact with weak points of the film at the solution/film interface. At 260/sup 0/C, the films are much thicker and likely to be much more defective in structure than those formed at ...
This is a process for producing calcium sulfate dihydrate during desulfurization of stack gases from power station boilers, where the stack gases are introduced into a washing tower and are treated with a washing water suspension containing lime in the washing tower, where oxygen in the form of air or of air enriched in oxygen is also blown into the washing tower, and where the washing water suspension drawn off from the washing tower is fed back to the washing tower at a temperature of 45 to 50/sup 0/C in the circuit and at least part of the flow goes via a thickener and where calcium sulfate dihydrate slurry is drawn off from the thickener.
Two plastic wastes (polyolefin-enriched and multicomponent), two lube oils (paraffinic and synthetic) and one coal-tar were assessed as individual and combined additives to coal blends for the production of blast furnace coke. The effects of adding 2wt.% of these additives or their mixtures (50:50 w/w) on the coking capacity of coal, coking pressure and coke quality parameters were investigated. It was found that the two plastic wastes reduce fluidity, whereas the addition of oils and tar helps to partially restore the fluidity of the coal-plastic blend. From the co-carbonization of the coking blend with the different wastes in a movable wall oven of over 15kg capacity, it was deduced that polyolefins have a detrimental effect on coking pressure. The addition of oils and tar to the coal-pl...
Physics traditionally serves mankind through its fundamental discoveries, which enrich our understanding of nature and the cosmos. While the basic driving force for physics research is intellectual curiosity and the search for understanding, the nation's support for physics is also motivated by strategic national goals, by the pride of world scientific leadership, by societal impact through symbiosis with other natural sciences, and through the stimulus of advanced technology provided by applications of physics. This Physics Survey volume looks outward from physics to report its profound impact on society and the economy through interactions at the interfaces with other natural sciences and through applications of physics to technology, medicine, and national defense.
The distribution of the alkaline earth elements strontium and barium between the solid phases of phosphates of transition elements of group 4 and chloride melts was studied. The distribution coefficients of strontium and barium were found at T = 700-800/sup 0/C. Phosphates of the type NaM/sub 2//sup (IV)/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/, where M/sub (IV)/ represents titanium, zirconium, and hafnium, were used as the solid phases. It was established that there is an enrichment of the precipitates with the distributed components. The distribution coefficient depends on the nature of the solid phase and the temperature. It was suggested that M/sup (II)/ x M/sub 4//sup (IV)/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 6/ is formed in processes of distribution, where M/sup (II)/ represents Sr, Ba.
This report describes all time and frequency analysis parameters measured with the new Nuclear Weapons Identification System (NWIS) processor with three input channels: (1) the {sup 252}Cf source ionization chamber; (2) a detection channel; and (3) a second detection channel for active measurements. An intuitive and physical description of the various functions is given as well as a brief mathematical description and a brief description of how the data are acquired. If the full five channel capability is used, the number of functions increases in number but not in type. The parameters provided by this new NWIS processor can be divided into two general classes: time analysis signatures including multiplicities and frequency analysis signatures. Data from measurements with an 18.75 kg highly enriched uranium (93.2 wt%, {sup 235}U) metal casting for storage are presented to illustrate the various time and frequency analysis parameters.
This report describes all time and frequency analysis parameters measured with the new Nuclear Weapons Identification System (NWIS) processor with three input channels: (1) the 252Cf source ionization chamber (2) a detection channel; and (3) a second detection channel for active measurements. An intuitive and physical description of the various functions is given as well as a brief mathematical description and a brief description of how the data are acquired. If the fill five channel capability is used, the number of functions increases in number but not in type. The parameters provided by this new NWIS processor can be divided into two general classes: time analysis signatures including multiplicities and frequency analysis signatures. Data from measurements with an 18.75 kg highly enriched uranium (93.2 wt 0/0, 235U) metai casting for storage are presented to illustrate the various time and frequency analysis parameters.
Uphalda gneisses (UG) is a crystalline klippe located near Srinagar in Garhwal Himalaya. These gneisses are compared with Debguru porphyroids (DP) (?Ramgarh group) of Garhwal?Kumaun Himalaya and Baragaon mylonitic gneisses (BMG) of Himachal Himalaya. Petrographic study reveals that the deformation of UG was initiated at higher temperature (above 350?C) and continued till lowering of temperature and deformation led to the mylonitization. Geochemically, these granitic gneisses (UG, DP and BMG) exhibit similar composition. Features such as high molecular A/CNK value (>1), presence of normative corundum and absence of normative diopside, enhanced Rb/Sr, Rb/Zr ratios, enrichment of Th and containing rounded zircons support their crustally-derived S-type granitic nature. The linear plot in major...
Pectin rich cold stored spoiled fruits, vegetables and cold soils were screened and different pectinolytic isolates were obtained by enrichment culturing and ruthenium red plate assay. Among the primary isolates 10-15% were yeast isolates. Six isolates with higher zones of pectin hydrolysis were selected and tested for polygalacturonase (PGU) production at room temperature (25 degrees C) and at 5 degrees C. One isolate identified as Saccharomyces sp. with highest polygalacturonase activity at 5 degrees C was used for enzyme production using raw fruit pectins as substrates. The isolate was identified by preliminary cultural, morphological and sugar fermentation tests. PGU production was high in raw pectin substrates like orange peel (21 U/ml), apple peel (20 U/ml ), mango peel (19 U/ml), ...
This study serves to investigate the uptake of POPs in the different trophic levels (scrapers, collectors, predators, shredders) of macroinvertebrate communities sampled from a glacial and a non-glacial stream in the Italian Alps. The presented results show that the contaminant concentrations in glacial communities are generally higher compared to those from non-glacial catchments, highlighting the importance of glaciers as temporary sinks of atmospherically transported pollutants. Moreover, the data also suggests that in mountain systems snow plays an important role in influencing macroinvertebrate contamination. The main chemical uptake process to the macroinvertebrates is considered to be bioconcentration from water, as similar contaminant profiles were observed between the different trophic levels. The role of biomagnification/bioaccumulation is thought to be absent or negligible. The enrichment of chemicals observed in the predators is likely to be related to ...
Author.The geochemical and isotopic study, based on the analysis of twenty water samples from well in the coastal plain of Sarafand (South-Lebanon), permit to eliminate the hypothesis of marine intrusion in this aquifer. The increase of salinity observed in certain wells is due to the contamination of cretaceous aquifer water by the quaternary formations. The two poles of mixing are respectively characterized: by weak tritium contents (between 2 and 3 UT) and a value of stable isotopes (-5,9<0,18<-5,5) corresponding to the appearance of cretaceous formation area; by the high tritium contents and enrichment relative to heavy isotope in the mineralized water of superficial formations. On the other hand, the isotope contents permit the set a rapid renewal of the cretaceous aquifer water due to quick circulation in the Karstic system
The characteristic rich shifting of the maximum adiabatic flame temperature from the stoichiometric value for mixtures of hydrocarbon and air is demonstrated to be caused by product dissociation and hence reduced amount of heat release. Since the extent of dissociation is greater on the lean side as a result of the stoichiometry of dissociated products, the peaking occurs on the rich side. The specific heat per unit mass of the mixture is shown to increase monotonically with increasing fuel concentration, and as such tends to shift the peak toward the lean side. It is further shown that this is the cause for the lean shifting of the adiabatic flame temperature of oxidizer-enriched mixtures of N{sub m}H{sub n} and F{sub 2} and of NH{sub 3} and O{sub 2}, with various amounts of inert dilution, even though their maximum heat release still peaks on the rich side. (author)
In this paper, the authors investigate the technical and economical aspects of the natural gas injection in non-integrated pig-iron plants using charcoal in the blast furnace. The effects of the natural gas injection concerning the blast furnace flame temperature, charcoal consumption, productively and permeability are analyzed. It was found that the injection is beneficial in many ways, such as in the improvement of the productivity and quality, if the flame temperature is kept within an appropriate range. In the financial-economic project`s evaluation, the cash flow for the natural gas injection was analysed considering two blast conditions: through the drying and oxygen enrichment of the air. A sensibility analysis is presented in which the internal rate of return of the investment varies according to the prices of charcoal and oxygen. 3 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs
Abstract Host-microorganism interactions in the intestinal tract are complex, and little is known about specific nonpathogenic microbial factors triggering host responses in the gut. In this study, mannose-specific interactions of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v with jejunal epithelium were investigated using an in situ pig Small Intestinal Segment Perfusion model. The effects of L. plantarum 299v wild-type strain were compared with those of two corresponding mutant strains either lacking the gene encoding for the mannose-specific adhesin (msa) or sortase (srtA; responsible for anchoring of cell surface proteins like Msa to the cell wall). A slight enrichment of the wild-type strain associated with the intestinal surface could be observed after 8 h of perfusion when a mixture of wild-type and...
KMeyeDB () is a database of human gene mutations that cause eye diseases. We have substantially enriched the amount of data in the database, which now contains information about the mutations of 167 human genes causing eye-related diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy, night blindness, Oguchi disease, Stargardt disease, macular degeneration, Leber congenital amaurosis, corneal dystrophy, cataract, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Usher syndrome. KMeyeDB is operated using the database software MutationView, which deals with various characters of mutations, gene structure, protein functional domains, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, as well as clinical data for each case. Users can access the database using an ordinary Internet browser wi...
Nickel ion radiation at 500 C was shown to have a strong effect on the surface electrochemistry and intergranular corrosion (IGC) of stainless steel (SS). Measured current densities in a 1 N sulfuric acid solution at room temperature were increased at active-passive, passive, and transpassive potentials. Radiation effects on the current decay behavior and susecptibility to IGC were similar for a fine-grained (FG) S alloy and for a very large-grained (LG) SS. Radiation-induced segregation (RIS) at the surface was believed to promote higher currents at short times, whereas segregation at grain boundaries was responsible for IG attack. Analytical electron microscopy (AEM) measurements revealed chromium and iron depletion plus Ni and silicon enrichment at grain boundaries in irradiated specimens. Si enhanced dissolution at transpassive potentials, whereas Cr depletion did the same at active-passive and passive potentials.
Fractionation of isotopes of the alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals in ion exchange chromatography of their chlorides was studied. The heavier isotopes of potassium and rubidium were found to be preferentially fractionated into the ion exchanger phase while the lighter isotopes of lithium, magnesium, calcium and strontium were enriched in the exchanger phase. This can be interpreted as a resultant of the relative significance of isotope effect upon dehydration and isotope effect accompanying the phase change of the hydrated metal ion. Found was no evidence of anomalous isotope effect attributable to the odd-even difference in mass number of isotopes. Based on the spectroscopic and solution chemical data (experimental and theoretical), the isotopic reduced partition function ratios of the hydrated alkaline metal ions and stretching force constants of metal ion-hydrating water bonds were estimated. (author).
The authors provide the intact criticality information that supports the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) in the potential Monitored Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain. FFTF is one of more than 250 forms of DOE-owned SNF. Because of the variety of the DOE SNF, the National Spent Nuclear Fuel Program has designated nine representative fuel groups for disposal criticality analyses based on fuel matrix, primary fissile isotope, and enrichment. The FFTF fuel is representative of the mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) group.
Ecosystems worldwide are experiencing unprecedented nitrogen enrichment through fertilization and pollution. While longterm ecological consequences are difficult to predict, it seems that plants and animals adapted to nitrogen-limited environments are at particular risk from these changes. This report summarizes the limited body of literature which addresses this important topic. From a herbivoreAes perspective, fertilization increases the nutritional quality of host plant tissues. In some cases fertilization has lead to decreased production of defensive compounds. How this affects populations of insects is unclear because fertilization affects not only herbivores but their natural enemies. This report outlines how fertilization affects tree processes such as growth, photosynthesis, and production of defensive compounds. The many factors that affect insect repsonse to fertilization and the difficulties in assessing how fertilization affects insect populations are ...
The effects of modification with Ti and Nb, heat treatment and solute segregation on void suppression in 316 stainless steel were studied using HVEM in the temperature range of 623-873 K after solution treatment at 1323-1473 K. Post-irradiation compositional analysis was performed by an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. In Ti-modified stainless steel, void swelling peaks appeared at 723 K and 823 K. On the other hand, when the stainless steels modified by both Ti and Nb were irradiated, the void swelling was effectively suppressed, particularly the growth rate of a void was remarkedly retarded. This void suppression effect was easily recognized with increasing Nb concentration. Compositions such as Mo, Cr, Ti and Ni changed during irradiation and Ni, Si and Ti enriched around voids, whereas Cr and Mo depleted. (orig.).
The thermal stability and deformability of Mn-Al-C alloys containing 0.6 pct C are investigated experimentally as a function of excess phase content. It is shown that an increase in Mn content from 68.9 to 73.5 pct leads to increased stability of the high-temperature epsilon phase. The enrichment of the system Mn-Al-Cu in Mn and Al above the optimum composition leads to the formation of nonmagnetic excess phases, eta and beta, which reduce the magnetization of the alloy. In addition, a decrease in thermal stability is observed in the alloy with 73.5 pct Mn due to the decomposition of the ferromagnetic phase. 7 references.
The integral membrane protein synaptophysin is one of the most abundant polypeptide components of synaptic vesicles. It is not essential for neurotransmission despite its abundance but is believed to modulate the efficiency of the synaptic vesicle cycle. Detailed behavioral analyses were therefore performed on synaptophysin knockout mice to test whether synaptophysin affects higher brain functions. We find that these animals are more exploratory than their wild type counterparts examining novel objects more closely and intensely in an enriched open field arena. We also detect impairments in learning and memory, most notably reduced object novelty recognition and reduced spatial learning. These deficits are unlikely caused by impaired vision, since all electroretinographic parameters measur...
CORAL-I was an experimental, zero-power, fast-spectrum, high-enriched metal uranium reactor that operated from 1968 until 1988 at the former Junta de Energia Nuclear (JEN), CIEMAT at present. The critical measurements performed at the startup of the reactor are being evaluated as part of the International Critical Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program (ICSBEP) and proposed to be included in its 2001 edition. Additionally, the measurement of the mass reactivity coefficient is compared with MCNP4B calculations. This measurement allows one to perform the approach to critical without the need of a previous control rod calibration, thus enhancing the safety of such an approach. This technique can also be applied to other reactor types. CORAL-I (Ref. 1) is a 90% enriched metal uranium reactor domestically designed and manufactured in the experimental facilities of JEN, now CIEMAT, in Madrid, Spain. The enriched uranium was supplied ...
Formation kinetics and composition of products of interaction of binary and ternary tungsten-molybdenum-rhenium alloys containing 30#+-#3 at.% (27-47 weight %) Re with products of thermal dissociation of ammonia and nitrogen-oxygeneous mixtures are studied. Mo-45% Re-10%W ternary alloy occupies intermediate position between W-27%Re and Mo-47%Re binary alloys, while its corrosion resistance and corrosion nature are close to those of W-Re and mechanical features - to those of Mo-Re alloy. It is explained by the fact, that the variation of W and Mo ration occurs in thin surface layer of ternary alloys in contrast to the initial state and the enrichment of near-the-surface layer with tungsten occurs under hot and cold deformation, at aging in the air, and during oxidation-reduction treatment. 4 refs.; 7 figs.
An oxidative method for enriching the content of humic acids in a mined lignite from Umbria (central Italy) is described. A mild oxidation using H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in an alkaline medium was successful in increasing the percentage of lignite-derived humidifed carbon from 5.77% to 33.67%. The newly formed humic acids showed a higher number of oxygen-bearing functional groups, a lower carbon/oxygen ratio and a higher absorbance ratio at 465 and 665 nm (E{sub 4}/E{sub 6}) in diluted solution compared to the native lignite-derived humic acids. A high E{sub 4}/E{sub 6} ratio indicated less condensation of the aromatic nucleus and a lower molecular weight in comparison to the lignite-derived native humic acids.
Discusses results of investigations into catalytic properties of various minerals during hydrogenation of Kansk-Achinsk brown coal with a view to replacing synthetic compositions based on molybdenum. Describes tests and equipment used in hydrogenation of grade B-2 Borodinsk deposit coal in tetralin (hydrogen donor). Various by-products of metallurgical processes and compounds separated from tailings containing mainly iron and sulfur and other metals were used as catalysts. States that: minerals containing iron compounds in the form of pyrites, hematites and magnetites exhibit catalytic properties when used in the hydrogenation of brown coal; pyritic catalysts enrich liquid products with hydrogen while sulfur and nitrogen content remains the same; the yield of malthenes with pyritic catalysts is no lower than with alumocobaltmolybdenum catalysts. 18 refs.
Analyses of food-borne pathogens are of great importance in order to minimize the health risk for customers. Thus, very sensitive and rapid detection methods are required. Current conventional culture techniques are very time consuming. Modern immunoassays and biochemical analysis also require pre-enrichment steps resulting in a turnaround time of at least 24 h. Biomagnetic separation (BMS) is a promising more rapid method. In this study we describe the isolation of high affine and specific peptides from a phage-peptide library, which combined with BMS allows the detection of Salmonella spp. with a similar sensitivity as that of immunomagnetic separation using antibodies.
A Brownian dynamics simulation has been used to investigate the aggregation kinetics of bimodal colloidal mixtures with similar surface chemistries but different sizes, driven by the DLVO interaction potential. The time evolution of structural formation is examined by the mean number of neighbors under fast and slow aggregation regions. It was found that the electrolyte ionic strength affects the kinetic pattern of colloidal aggregation. Under the high electrolyte ionic strength conditions (fast aggregation), the selective aggregation of the least stable single component can take place in the early stage, while the other component is enriched in this least stable component in the later stage. With the ionic strength decreasing (towards the slow aggregation), the hybrid aggregation (selecti...
An enriched culture 48, capable of adapting to the reservoir conditions and fermenting molasses to produce gas and acid, was used as an inoculum for bio- huff-`n`-puff tests at Fuyu oil area of Jilin oil field. The production well was injected with water containing 4-6% (v/v) molasses and inoculum, and then shut in. After 15-21 days, the well was placed back in operation. A total of 44 wells were treated, of which only two wells showed no effects. The daily oil production of treated wells increased by 33.3-733.3%. Up to the end of 1994, the oil production was increased by 204 tons per well on average. Results obtained from various types of production wells were discussed.
This study investigated the optimum polyphenol extraction conditions for two Nigerian green leafy vegetables, Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) that are widely used for food and medicinal purposes. Seven different solvents were used to extract the total phenolic contents of the leaves; 100% acetone, 80% acetone, 50% acetone, 100% ethanol, 70% ethanol, 100% methanol and 70% methanol and their total phenolic contents were determined. The results showed that the 80% acetone was significantly (p<0.05) the most effective for polyphenol extraction from the leaves and generally the acetone-containing solvents were more effective than alcohol-containing solvents. The 80% acetone extract was fractionated on a silicic acid-packed column to give two main fractions: acetone elute...
Analysis of the pattern of the chromosomal localization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is necessary for comprehensively understanding their functions. The chromosomal localization of QTLs controlling milk production traits has been studied in cattle chromosomes. The distribution of QTLs between chromosomes has proved to be binomial. Their distribution along each chromosome was, in general, uniform, except for the QTLs controlling the somatic cell score (SCS), which tended towards telomeric location. However, there are chromosomes either enriched with or particularly poor in QTLs. The QTL distribution patters are the most similar for the milk yield (M) and milk protein yield (P) and for milk fat yield (F) and milk fat content (%F). The pattern of the SCS QTLs stands out among those of ot...
A phenomenological model based on the multizone method is described. The model requires a relatively low amount of central processing unit (CPU) time and memory for each run and, consequently, is useful for parameter studies. The flame morphology predicted by the model is compared to that recently uncovered in experimental studies. As a demonstration of its utility, the model is used to study the effect of the oxygen content in intake air on the emission of particulate matter (PM) and NO{sub x} from a direct injection diesel engine. A parametric study reveals that while oxygen-enriched intake air is useful for reducing PM, the reduction comes with a large increase in NO{sub x} emission. The PM-NO{sub x} trade-off curve for the oxygenated intake air is worse than that for the baseline air case. (Author)
The {sup 252}Cf-source-driven noise analysis method has been used in measurements for subcritical configurations of fissile systems for a variety of applications. Measurements of 25 fissile systems have been performed with a wide variety of materials and configurations. This method has been applied to measurements for (1) initial fuel loading of reactors, (2) quality assurance of reactor fuel elements, (3) fuel preparation facilities, (4) fuel processing facilities, (5) fuel storage facilities, (6) zero-power testing of reactors, and (7) verification of calculational methods for assemblies with the neutron k < l. These previous measurements, performed with a wide variety of multiplying systems, demonstrated the usefulness of the method. The high sensitivity of noise-measured parameters to small changes in fissile systems has been observed in several measurements. This high sensitivity has been evaluated using Monte Carlo neutron transport methods for an array of light-water reactor ...
Austenitic stainless steels (304-type) have been implanted with nitrogen ions in order to investigate the effects of implanted nitrogen on their electrochemical behaviour and on the nature of the passive film formed on the steels in acid (0.5M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}). Alloys with two nitrogen doses have been prepared (2.5x10{sup 16} and 2x10{sup 17} N atoms/cm{sup 2}). The implanted alloys have been characterized by {sup 15}N-NRA (nuclear reaction analysis) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Alloy surfaces with well-defined N concentrations were prepared, prior to the electrochemical measurements, by argon-ion sputtering of the implanted material for a fixed time in order to reach a well-defined point on the nitrogen depth profile. The samples were then transferred without exposure to air to an electrochemical cell mounted in an inert gas glove box. The implanted nitrogen modifies the electrochemical behaviour of the alloy. The anodic dissolution in the active state is enhanced, ...
Austenitic stainless steels (304-type) have been implanted with nitrogen ions in order to investigate the effects of implanted nitrogen on their electrochemical behaviour and on the nature of the passive film formed on the steels in acid (0.5M H_2SO_4). Alloys with two nitrogen doses have been prepared (2.5x10"1"6 and 2x10"1"7 N atoms/cm"2). The implanted alloys have been characterized by "1"5N-NRA (nuclear reaction analysis) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Alloy surfaces with well-defined N concentrations were prepared, prior to the electrochemical measurements, by argon-ion sputtering of the implanted material for a fixed time in order to reach a well-defined point on the nitrogen depth profile. The samples were then transferred without exposure to air to an electrochemical cell mounted in an inert gas glove box. The implanted nitrogen modifies the electrochemical behaviour of the alloy. The anodic dissolution in the active state is enhanced, and the current density in ...
Abstract Unrefined and refined black raspberry seed oils (RSOs) were examined for their lipid-modulating effects in male Syrian hamsters fed high-cholesterol (0.12% g/g), high-fat (9% g/g) diets. Hamsters fed the refined and the unrefined RSO diets had equivalently lower plasma total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in comparison with the atherogenic coconut oil diet. The unrefined RSO treatment group did not differ in liver total and esterified cholesterol from the coconut oil-fed control animals, but the refined RSO resulted in significantly elevated liver total and esterified cholesterol concentrations. The unrefined RSO diets significantly lowered plasma triglycerides (46%; P=.0126) in comparison with the coconut oil diet, whereas the refined RSO only tended to lower plasma triglyceride (29%; P=.1630). Liver triglyceride concentrations were lower in the unrefined (46%; P=.0002) and refined (36%; P=.0005) RSO-fed animals than the coconut oil group, with the ...
TRIGA-SSR is a steady state research and material test reactor that has been in operation since 1980. The original TRIGA fuel was HEU (highly enriched uranium) with a U"2"3"5 enrichment of 93 per cent. Almost all TRIGA HEU fuel bundles are now burned-up. Part of the spent fuel was loaded and transferred to US, in a Romania - DOE arrangement. The rest of the TRIGA fuel bundles have to be temporarily stored in the TRIGA facility. As the storage conditions had to be established with caution, neutron and thermal hydraulic evaluations of the storage conditions were required. Some criticality evaluations were made based on the SAR (Safety Analysis Report) data. Fuel constant axial temperature approximation effect is usual for criticality computations. TRIGA-SSR fuel bundle geometry and materials model for SCALE5-CSAS module allows the introduction of a fuel temperature dependency for the entire fuel active height, using different materials for each ...
Nuclear fuel vendors in Japan are now studying reprocessed uranium (RepU) fuel in order to prepare for full scale utilization in the future. Separate studies are made for PWR and BWR fuel. The study consists of 2 phrases. The purposes of phase-1 are to understand various RepU characteristics in the fuel fabrication process, to analyze the core characteristics by loading RepU assemblies, to solve the problems clarified in the study, and to collect basic data for licensing. In phase-2, the effects of impurities on the fabrication process will be evaluated, and the safety of RepU fuel manufacturing will be confirmed with a RepU fuel fabrication campaign in 1990. The neutronic data will be collected after insertion into power reactors, and the data will be used to verify plant safety for full utilization of RepU in the future. This paper summarizes the phase-1 study results. 1. RepU Characteristics. The internal and external radiation exposures due to nuclide impurities in RepU, were ...
The objective of this research is to determine the role of DNA repair in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in mammalian cells. Use of the host-cell reactivation viral suicide enrichment procedure was initiated in the isolation of repair-deficient mutants. Lightly mutagenized BHK cells were infected with irradiated Herpes simplex virus (HSV); several radiation-sensitive strains were isolated among the survivors of the infection. The characterization of these strains is progressing and the enrichments are continuing. That alterations in the frequency of mutation of C3H/10T 1/2 cells, occurring as a result of holding the cells in a confluent state following treatment with ethylmethane sulfonate, parallel the alterations in the frequency of neoplastic transformation was found. The repair capabilities of BHK cells were found to be intermediate in comparison to repair-proficient and -deficient human cells with regard to the reactivation of HSV treated ...
A method for determining the reactivity of highly subcritical systems of fissile material, using neutron-noise power spectral densities in conjunction with a /sup 252/Cf source, had previousy been tested in two fast reactor critical assemblies (a mockup of the Fast Flux Test Facility reactor and unreflected enriched uranium metal assemblies) and one thermal reactor (a light-water moderated and reflected lattice of Oak Ridge Research Reactor fuel elements). The last-mentioned test demonstrated the effectiveness of the method in water-moderated systems and thereby prompted the present study of its application to facilities for fuel preparation, reprocessing, and storage. To investigate the applicability of this method to facilities for fuel preparation, reprocessing, and storage, limited experiments were performed with a uranyl fluoride solution. The Los Alamos National Laboratory SHEBA facility, an unreflected cylindrical tank (56 cm diam), was partially filled with ...
Full text.Sediments are the ultimate sink of trace elements. The total metal analysis may only give information concerning possible enrichment of metals. The analysis of metal partitioning in the different chemical components of sediments (exchangeable, carbonate, easily reducible, moderately reducible, organic and residual); give a detailed information on the way in which these metals are bound to sediments, their mobilization capacity and their ability to affect water quality under different environmental conditions. The studied river basin is dominated by limestone formation, the enrichment of metals in the carbonate sediment fraction is a high probability. The objective of the study was to determine the percentage of the total metal content (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb) in the six chemical fractions of the bed load sediments of Nahr-Ibrahim river during the dry season and verify the role of carbonate for metal sediment deposition. Bed load ...
Previous studies on Venezuelan diets provided information on food consumed in each diet and their nutritional contents. It also showed the comparison of the iron absorption from these diets when given in the morning after over-night fast and when given at the customary time of the day. It was observed that the iron absorption from the lunch given at noon was slightly higher (although not significant) in Zulia and Sucre diets. There were no significant differences between the Zulia lunch given in the morning after over-night fast at noon. Similar results were observed in the Sucre diet lunch repeated twice. From these results we can state that iron absorption from meals is not affected by the time it is administered with the condition that the subjects tested have had a previous fast of three hours before the meal is administered. The significant difference in iron absorption in the first study could be due to a marked physiological daily variation in iron absorption. The results from ...
The compositions of passive films formed on Fe-17Fr-13Ni (at. %) and Fe-18.5Cr-14Ni-1.5Mo (100) single crystals have been determined and the structure of the alloy under the film has been investigated. The alloys were passivated in 0.05M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} at 250 mV/SHE for 30 min. The oxygen content was measured by nuclear microanalysis using the {sup 16}O(d,p) {sup 17}O* reaction. The oxygen content in the passive film is similar for the two alloys and equal to (12{plus minus}2) 10{sup 15} O/cm{sup 2}. The cationic compositions of the passive films have been determined by {sup 4}He channeling at two incident beam energies: 0.8 and 2.0 MeV. For the two alloys studied, a total cation content of (5{plus minus}2)10{sup 15} at/cm{sup 2} is found in the passive films. The corresponding thickness is about 12 A. There is an excess of oxygen, which can be attributed to the presence of hydroxyls and sulfate. A strong chromium enrichment is found in the passive film formed ...
The compositions of passive films formed on Fe-17Fr-13Ni (at. %) and Fe-18.5Cr-14Ni-1.5Mo (100) single crystals have been determined and the structure of the alloy under the film has been investigated. The alloys were passivated in 0.05M H_2SO_4 at 250 mV/SHE for 30 min. The oxygen content was measured by nuclear microanalysis using the "1"6O(d,p) "1"7O* reaction. The oxygen content in the passive film is similar for the two alloys and equal to (12#+-#2) 10"1"5 O/cm"2. The cationic compositions of the passive films have been determined by "4He channeling at two incident beam energies: 0.8 and 2.0 MeV. For the two alloys studied, a total cation content of (5#+-#2)10"1"5 at/cm"2 is found in the passive films. The corresponding thickness is about 12 A. There is an excess of oxygen, which can be attributed to the presence of hydroxyls and sulfate. A strong chromium enrichment is found in the passive film formed on both alloys: chromium represents about 50% of the ...
A method for using in situ X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy to determine the composition of passive, transpassive, and nonreducible thin oxide films is described. The method is demonstrated by determining the composition of the passive films formed in pH 4.5, 0.1 M acetate buffer, on 100 {angstrom} thick Fe-yCr alloys (y = 8.5, 15, 19, 23 atom %) at potentials: (1) low in the passive region ({minus}0.3 V vs. mercurous sulfate reference electrode, MSE); (2) high in the passive region; (3) in the transpassive region; and (4) in the cathodic region where the air-formed film is not fully reduced. The nonreducible film at {minus}1.2 V is entirely a Cr{sup 3+} oxide/hydroxide. This nonreducible film persists at anodic potentials. At {minus}0.3 V, the passive film on each alloy is significantly enriched in Cr. The film at {minus}0.3 V consists primarily of the nonreducible Cr{sup 3+} oxide/hydroxide plus a very small amount of additional oxidized alloy. At +0.2 V, ...
Cross sections of proton-induced nuclear reactions on highly enriched {sup 192}Os were measured up to 66 MeV by using the stacked-foil irradiation technique. Excitation functions are presented for the reactions {sup 192}Os(p,n){sup 192}Ir, {sup 192}Os(p,3n){sup 190}Ir, {sup 192}Os(p,4n){sup 189}Ir, {sup 192}Os(p,5n){sup 188}Ir, {sup 192}Os(p,6n){sup 187}Ir and {sup 192}Os(p,7n){sup 186}Ir. No earlier experimental cross-section data could be found in the literature except for the {sup 192}Os(p,n){sup 192}Ir process. Our new experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions by means of the theoretical model code ALICE/ASH. Integral thick-target yield calculations were also performed for the {sup 192}Os(p,n){sup 192}Ir and {sup 192}Os(p,3n){sup 190}Ir reactions to evaluate the {sup 190}Ir contamination level, as a function of energy, in the case of {sup 192}Ir productions.
Cross sections of proton-induced nuclear reactions on highly enriched "1"9"2Os were measured up to 66 MeV by using the stacked-foil irradiation technique. Excitation functions are presented for the reactions "1"9"2Os(p,n)"1"9"2Ir, "1"9"2Os(p,3n)"1"9"0Ir, "1"9"2Os(p,4n)"1"8"9Ir, "1"9"2Os(p,5n)"1"8"8Ir, "1"9"2Os(p,6n)"1"8"7Ir and "1"9"2Os(p,7n)"1"8"6Ir. No earlier experimental cross-section data could be found in the literature except for the "1"9"2Os(p,n)"1"9"2Ir process. Our new experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions by means of the theoretical model code ALICE/ASH. Integral thick-target yield calculations were also performed for the "1"9"2Os(p,n)"1"9"2Ir and "1"9"2Os(p,3n)"1"9"0Ir reactions to evaluate the "1"9"0Ir contamination level, as a function of energy, in the case of "1"9"2Ir productions.
Partially purified UDPgalactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.22) from bovine milk has been used to synthesize millimolar amounts of compounds such as Gal..beta..(1..-->..4)Glc, Gal..beta..(1..-->..4)GlcNAc-..beta..-hexanolamine, and Gal..beta..(1..-->..4)-GlcNAc..beta..(1..-->..4)GlcNAc. The same method has been used to prepare similar compounds containing /sup 13/C-enriched galactopyranosyl moieties. Gal..beta..(1..-->..4)GlcNAc-..beta..-hexanolamine was also synthesized in a solid-phase system in which the GlcNAc-..beta..-hexanolamine glycoside was covalently linked to agarose beads. At pH 7.0 and at 1 to 5 mM Mn/sup 2 + +/ the yields of the galactosyl saccharides are greater than 90% by using 10% excess of UDPGal donor. The use of a 90% enriched (1-/sup 13/C)galactosyl residue allowed the determination of the most abundant conformer about the galactopyranosyl-glycoside linkage by analysis of the carbon-carbon coupling constants from ...
In 2002 and again in 2003, an investigative journalist unit at ABC News transported a 6.8 kilogram metallic slug of depleted uranium (DU) via shipping container from Istanbul, Turkey to Brooklyn, NY and from Jakarta, Indonesia to Long Beach, CA. Targeted inspection of these shipping containers by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, included the use of gamma-ray imaging, portal monitors and hand-held radiation detectors, did not uncover the hidden DU. Monte Carlo analysis of the gamma-ray intensity and spectrum of a DU slug and one consisting of highly-enriched uranium (HEU) showed that DU was a proper surrogate for testing the ability of DHS to detect the illicit transport of HEU. Our analysis using MCNP-5 illustrated the ease of fully shielding an HEU sample to avoid detection. The assembly of an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) -- a crude atomic bomb -- from sub-critical pieces of HEU metal was then examined via Monte Carlo criticality calculations. ...
Austenitic stainless steels have been implanted with molybdenum ions (Mo[sup +], 100 keV, 2.5 x 10[sup 16] atoms cm[sup -2]). The implanted material has been characterized by XPS and RBS. The implanted region has a thickness of [approx] 1000 A with a maximum molybdenum concentration of [approx] 9 at.% Mo located at [approx] 210 A from the surface. The effects of implanted molybdenum on the passivation of the alloy in 0.5 M H[sub 2]SO[sub 4] have been investigated by electrochemistry and XPS. After XPS analysis the samples were transferred without exposure to air into a glove-box with an inert atmosphere. The electrochemical behaviour of the alloy is significantly modified by the implanted molybdenum. The major effect is that the activation peak disappears. A bilayer structure (outer hydroxide/inner oxide) of the passive film is observed for both the implanted and non-implanted alloys and the thicknesses of the films are similar. On the implanted alloy the outer hydroxide layer contains ...
Austenitic stainless steels have been implanted with molybdenum ions (Mo"+, 100 keV, 2.5 x 10"1"6 atoms cm"-"2). The implanted material has been characterized by XPS and RBS. The implanted region has a thickness of #approx# 1000 A with a maximum molybdenum concentration of #approx# 9 at.% Mo located at #approx# 210 A from the surface. The effects of implanted molybdenum on the passivation of the alloy in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 have been investigated by electrochemistry and XPS. After XPS analysis the samples were transferred without exposure to air into a glove-box with an inert atmosphere. The electrochemical behaviour of the alloy is significantly modified by the implanted molybdenum. The major effect is that the activation peak disappears. A bilayer structure (outer hydroxide/inner oxide) of the passive film is observed for both the implanted and non-implanted alloys and the thicknesses of the films are similar. On the implanted alloy the outer hydroxide layer contains molybdenum cations in ...
Known trace-matrix-separation and enrichment procedures for the refractory metals Mo and W use very time-consuming batch-techniques. This paper presents the application of a quasicontinuous liquid chromatographic (LC) technique as a step towards automated ultratrace separation. The anionic peroxo complexes from Mo(VI) and W(VI) are used for the trace-matrix-separation. Optimization of the peroxide concentration permits a complete removal of all cationic analyte traces on the HPLC-suitable cation exchanger Nucleosil SA. The high chromato-graphic efficiency also allows a direct ion chromatographic separation of the removed traces. This leads to conclusions about the contribution of the analyte traces on the trace-matrix-separation column and the limits of determination. (author). 13 refs.; 12 figs.; 5 tabs.
Concentrations of tritium in environmental waters (precipitation, rivers, lakes, tap water) have been determined using electrolytic enrichment and liquid scintillation counting. In waters of big rivers (the Vistula and the Odra rivers), lakes and tap water the annual average concentrations were similar to each other being from 1.4 to 1.9 Bq x dm"-"3. These concentrations were similar to those in the precipitation in which they ranged from 1.7 to 2.2 Bq x dm"-"3. The lowest tritium concentrations were found in waters of the Seashore Region rivers (average for 1994-1999 was 1.1 Bq x dm"-"3). The tritium concentrations in surface waters and in precipitation are still higher than that of natural level. The data obtained show that tritium concentration in the water of rivers might depend on the size of drainage area. The observed seasonal variations of tritium concentration in the precipitation collected in Warsaw and at the Mount Sniezka indicate the stratospheric ...
High salinity is one of the main factors limiting cotton growth and productivity. The genes that regulate salt stress in TM-1 upland cotton were monitored using microarray and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) with samples taken from roots. Microarray analysis showed that 1503 probe sets were up-regulated and 1490 probe sets were down-regulated in plants exposed for 3h to 100mM NaCl, and RT-PCR analysis validated 42 relevant/related genes. The distribution of enriched gene ontology terms showed such important processes as the response to water stress and pathways of hormone metabolism and signal transduction were induced by the NaCl treatment. Some key regulatory gene families involved in abiotic and biotic sources of stress such as WRKY, ERF, and JAZ were differentially expressed. Our transcriptome analysis might provide some useful insights into salt-mediated signal transduction pathways in cotton and offer a number of candidate genes as potential markers of tolerance to ...
Uranium-aluminum alloys with a significant enrichment of uranium with "2"3"3U or "2"3"5U serve as nuclear fuels in research reactors. The quality assurance of this fuel requires, among other things, precise knowledge that all trace metal constituents that affect neutron economy, fuel integrity, and fuel fabrication process parameters are well within the specification limits. Trace metal characterization of "2"3"5U-Al alloy has been carried out by atomic spectrometry. The trace metal constituents of interest are grouped into common metals (silver, boron, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, nickel, lead, silicon, tin, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, and zinc) and lanthanides (cerium, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, holminium, lutetium, samarium, and terbium). The elements yttrium and zirconium are grouped with the latter in view of the chemical separation procedure used. The alloy samples are dissolved in 6 M ...
FT-IR spectroscopic studies of the adsorption of natural and {sup 18}O-enriched NO gases on thermally and cleaned MgO powders were carried out. The temperature dependence of the IR spectra was investigated to characterize the adsorbate species. Three types [1, 2, and 3] of NO adsorptions were obtained in the wavenumber region of 1500--1000 cm{sup {minus}1}. Those types were examined using density functional theory [(U)B3-LYP/6-31G*] vibrational analyses of (MgO){sub n}-NO cluster calculations. Types 1, 2, and 3 were assigned to monodentate, asymmetric, and symmetric bidentate geometries, respectively. A type 4, a tridentate model which involves a NO{sub 3}-like species, was calculated and was found to give wavenumbers of less than 1,000 cm{sup {minus}1}. The splitting of IR bands of type 3 due to the {sup 15}N{sup 18}O adsorbate was ascribed to the oxygen exchange, {sup 15}N{sup 18}O {yields} {sup 15}N{sup 16}O, via the reaction {sup 16}O-{sup 15}N-{sup 18}O ...
None of the materials presently in common use for polarized proton targets has a pure carbon nuclear background. The alcohols and diols contain some oxygen, and the ammonia and amine-based materials contain nitrogen and/or other noncarbon species. In the latter cases the noncarbon nuclei are measurably polarized as a concomitant of the process used to polarize the hydrogen nuclei. The relative simplicity of a pure carbon background would be advantageous for most types of scattering experiments and perhaps crucial for some. In addition to simplifying the kinematics of background events, pure carbon is relatively easy to prepare as a dummy'' target for background subtraction. Also, in such a target material, [sup 13]C-enrichment would yield a clean polarized [sup 13]C material. In this note I explore the possibilities for such materials, touching upon only what I consider to be the high'' points. The subject matter is capable ...
The genetic type, source and charging history of natural gas in the Yulin gas field in the Ordos Basin have been studied by combining the carbon isotopic composition of natural gas and geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons with carbon isotope fractionation model results and fluid inclusion analysis. The carbon isotopic composition of methane and ethane in the Yulin gas field is relatively enriched in ^1^3C with d^1^3C1 values ranging from -35.3%% to -29.8%% (average value=-32.4%%) and d^1^3C2 ranging from -26.3%% to -23.5%% (average value=-24.8%%). The C7 light hydrocarbons are predominated by methylcyclohexane, accounting for 65.8% to 80.9% (average value=71.6%), which is characteristic of coal-derived gas. Furthermore, the gas geochemistry indicates that, although marine lime...
Within the framework of a Dutch research program on the environmental effects of coal combustion 15 measuring campaigns were carried out in the eighties. All the relevant ingoing and outgoing flows of electric power plants were sampled and the heavy metals composition was determined. An overview is given of these fifteen measuring campaigns. It is concluded that between 99.7% and 99.9% of the fly ash can be separated by electrofilters. The removal of solid elements is higher than 99%, except for those elements, which are enriched in the fly ash, f.e. Cd and Se (>90% removal is possible). Additional separation of the emissions of fly ash and elements in the fly ash takes place in a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) installation. Some elements are emitted as gaseous wastes. After the electrofilter Cl, F and I can be found for almost 100%, Br and Hg for 50% on average, and only small amounts of As and Se in the gaseous phase. In a wet FGD unit these elements can be ...
The influence of surface oxides of variable composition and nonstoichiometry formed at high temperatures in air on the general corrosion resistance of ferritic chromium steel type 08H17T (Fe-17Cr-1Ti) in weak sulfuric acid has been studied. Anodic passive films formed on steel with different pretreatments have also been examined. The surface oxide of nearly stoichiometric composition formed at 300 C provides for the passive state of steel in sulfuric acid despite its depletion by chromium when compared with that for nonstoichiometric Cr-enriched oxide formed at 600 C. The dissolution and transformation of nonstoichiometric thermal surface oxide in sulfuric acid appear to take place through defect sites, {minus}Fe{sup 2+} ions, and oxygen vacancies of the n-type conductor. The passive film formed on the nonstoichiometric oxide film, which had been produced at 600 C, was found to be more susceptible to open-circuit breakdown compared to the native oxide and to the ...
Identifying stable isotope variation and mineralogical changes in fractured rock may help establish the history of climatic and geomorphological processes that might affect the isolation properties of a waste repository site. This study examines the use of the stable isotope ratios of oxygen ({sup 18}O/{sup 16}O) and carbon ({sup 13}C/{sup 12}C) in authigenic minerals as hydrogeochemical tools tracing low-temperature rock-water interaction in variably-saturated fractured stuff. Isotopic compositions of fracture-filling and rock matrix minerals in the Apache Leap tuff, near Superior, Arizona were concordant with geothermal temperatures and in equilibrium with water isotopically similar to present-day meteoric water and groundwater. Oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of fracture-filling, in unsaturated fractured tuff, displayed an isotopic gradient believed to result from near-surface isotopic enrichment due to evaporation rather than the effects of rock-water ...
KSC-1 (KAERI Shipping Cask-1) was designed and manufactured with a pure domestic technology in 1985 in order to transport a PWR spent fuel assembly from nuclear power plant to PIEF (Post-Irradiation Examination Facility) of KAERI. Since the first transportation of the fuel assembly from Kori-1 NPP was carried out by the cask in 1987, 19 shipments for the PWR spent fuels have been done successfully by now. Maximum discharge burnup of PWR in Korea has been extended from the late 1990s in order to reduce the cost of power generation. From this cause, allowable design values of the initial enrichment and the cooling time for the cask have been changed three times: year 2003, 2007 and 2010. Radiation shielding and criticality of KSC-1 were analyzed for all the PWR fuel type irradiated in Korea NPP to renew the design approval
Sediment trap fluxes of solids, organic carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in Lake Superior in 1984 and 1985. Mass fluxes from surface waters ranged from 0.14 to 1.1 g/m{sup 2}{center dot}day and increased near the lake floor due to resuspension of surficial sediment and horizontal transport in the benthic nepheloid layer. Organic matter fluxes from surface water ranged from 60 to 90 mg of C/m{sup 2}{center dot}day, with {approximately}5% of organic carbon settling from surface waters accumulating in bottom sediments. Concentrations of PCBs and PAHs are enriched 10-100 times on settling particles relative to those on suspended particles. Resultant settling fluxes are 10-100 times greater for several PCB and PAH compounds than net accumulation rates in bottom sediments, indicating the effective and rapid recycling in the benthic region. Biological packaging of organic pollutants into rapidly settling ...
The second regular inspection of No.2 plant in Sendai Nuclear Power Station was carried out from October 5, 1987 to January 8, 1988. the parallel operation was resumed on December 8, 1987, 65 days after the parallel off. The facilities as the object of inspection were the reactor proper, reactor cooling system, measurement and control system, fuel facilities, radiation control facilities, waste facilities, reactor containment installation, and emergency power generation system. On these facilities as the object of inspection, the appearance, disassembling, leak, function, performance and other inspections were carried out, and abnormality was not found at all. The works related to this regular inspection were accomplished within the range of allowable dose based on the relevant laws. The main reconstruction works carried out during the period of this regular inspection were the change of the degree of enrichment from 3.15 wt.% to 3.4 wt.% for replacement fuel so as ...
The second regular inspection of No.2 plant in Sendai Nuclear Power Station was carried out from October 5, 1987 to January 8, 1988. the parallel operation was resumed on December 8, 1987, 65 days after the parallel off. The facilities as the object of inspection were the reactor proper, reactor cooling system, measurement and control system, fuel facilities, radiation control facilities, waste facilities, reactor containment installation, and emergency power generation system. On these facilities as the object of inspection, the appearance, disassembling, leak, function, performance and other inspections were carried out, and abnormality was not found at all. The works related to this regular inspection were accomplished within the range of allowable dose based on the relevant laws. The main reconstruction works carried out during the period of this regular inspection were the change of the degree of enrichment from 3.15 wt.% to 3.4 wt.% for replacement fuel so as ...
Aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase, a pyridoxal phosphate utilizing enzyme, catalyzes the conversion of S-adenosylmethionine to ACC, the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone, ethylene. Ethylene, besides being involved in normal plant growth processes, is also produced in response to stress, e.g. wounding, pathogen infection, etc. The authors report the partial purification (400 fold) of ACC synthase from wounded pink tomato pericarp by classical techniques including ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange and phenyl sepharose chromatography. Further purification results in a decrease in specific activity apparently due to the instability of the enzyme and the low levels present in plant tissue. Radiolabeling of a pyridoxal phosphate-utilizing protein in the ACC synthase enriched fraction was achieved. Evidence that this radiolabeled protein is ACC synthase will be presented. Amino acid sequence determination of putative ...
Tensile specimens 60 ..mu..m thick of Ni-8 at. % Si have been bombarded at 475/sup 0/C to doses of 0.1 to 0.3 dpa with either 7 MeV proton or 28 MeV alpha particle beams. Deliberate embrittlement by high temperature (700/sup 0/C) preimplantation of helium was required to produce intergranular fracture. Depth profile sputtering and analysis in a Scanning Auger Microprobe was then used to study radiation-induced segregation of silicon both at the external surfaces and at internal interfaces. The external surfaces exhibited a strongly silicon-enriched zone for the first 10 to 20 nm followed by a broad (approx.200 nm), shallow silicon-depleted region. Segregation of silicon to grain boundaries varied from interface to interface and possibly from region to region on a given interface. In general, however, depth profiles of silicon content with distance from internal boundaries showed no noticeable depletion zone and a more gradual fall-off compared to the profiles from ...
Probiotic agents, live microorganisms with beneficial effects for the host, may offer an alternative to conventional antimicrobials in the treatment and prevention of enteric infections. The probiotic agents Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG quantitatively inhibited the adherence of an attaching and effacing pathogenic Escherichia coli to HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells but did not inhibit adherence to nonintestinal HEp-2 cells. HT-29 cells were grown under conditions that induced high levels of either MUC2 or MUC3 mRNA, but HEp-2 cells expressed only minimal levels of MUC2 and no MUC3 mRNA. Media enriched for MUC2 and MUC3 mucin were added exogenously to binding assays and were shown to be capable of inhibiting enteropathogen adherence to HEp-2 cells. Incubation of L. plantarum 299v with HT-29 cells increased MUC2 and MUC3 mRNA expression levels. From these in vitro studies, we propose the hypothesis that the ability of probiotic agents ...
There is an increased emphasis on hyphenated techniques such as immunoaffinity LC/MS/MS (IA-LC/MS/MS) or IA-LC/MRM. These techniques offer competitive advantages with respect to sensitivity and selectivity over traditional LC/MS and are complementary to ligand binding assays (LBA) or ELISA's. However, these techniques are not entirely straightforward and there are several tips and tricks to routine sample analysis. We describe here our methods and procedures for how to perform online IA-LC/MS/MS including a detailed protocol for the preparation of antibody (Ab) enrichment columns. We have included sample trapping and Ab methods. Furthermore, we highlight tips, tricks, minimal and optimal approaches. This technology has been shown to be viable for several applications, species and fluids from small molecules to proteins and biomarkers to PK assays. PMID:21872661
The authors observed an extremely high permittivity (#approx#35 000 at T_C) in barium zirconate titanate (BaZr_0_._1Ti_0_._9O_3) ceramics with holmium substitution (1-5 mol %) in Ba site. Careful microstructural investigation and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis of the 1-2 mol % of Ho substituted ceramics showed the enrichment of a Ho-phase along the grain boundaries with a composition close to the Ho_2Ti_2O_7 pyrochlore. The formation of Ho rich phase resulted in the Maxwell-Wagner polarization mechanism, which leads to this unusually high permittivity. Ceramics with 3 mol % or higher Ho content showed lesser permittivity values compared to 1-2 mol %, probably due to the increase in pyrochlore phase. These high dielectric constant ceramics are useful in nanoscale devices.
Calculations have been made to determine the production of "1"8"8W from "1"8"6W in several US fission reactor systems, e.g., Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Important input to these calculations are the cross-section parameters for "1"8"6W, "1"8"7W, and "1"8"8W. Only two values have been measured for "1"8"7W and none for "1"8"8W. Consequently, results from integral measurements play a crucial role in determining the "1"8"7W and "1"8"8W values. This has been studied for irradiations in the FFTF and the Oregon State Univ. (OSU) research reactor. Short irradiation of enriched "1"8"6W in both the FFTF and the OSU reactors have produced #mu#Ci/g quantities of "1"8"8W/"1"8"8Re. Measurements were made of the "1"8"8W gamma ray emission. These results were incorporated with other available data to provide more accurate "1"8"8W calculations in fission reactor systems.
The Ohio State University Research Reactor (OSURR) is licensed to operate at a maximum power level of 500 kW. A pool-type reactor using flat-plate, low enriched fuel elements, the OSURR provides several experimental facilities including two 6-inch i.d. beam ports, a graphite thermal column, several graphite-isotope-irradiation elements, a pneumatic transfer system (Rabbit), various dry tubes, and a Central Irradiation Facility (CIF). The core arrangement and accessibility facilitates research programs involving material activation or core parameter studies. The OSURR control room is large enough to accommodate laboratory groups which can use control instrumentation for monitoring of experiments. The control instrumentation is relatively simple, without a large amount of duplication. This facilitates opportunities for hands-on experience in reactor operation by nuclear engineering students making reactor parameter measurements. For neutron activation analysis and ...
Uranium enrichment by gas centrifugation relies on the pressure diffusion of the isotopes when their gaseous mixture is submitted to the pressure diffusion in the strong radial pressure gradient due to the centrifugal force in a very rapidly rotating cylinder. To compute the isotope separation in a gas centrifuge, the viscous compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the mixture, then the diffusion equations are solved for the isotopes. As far as the separation performance is concerned, the models deal with the steady state of the axi-symmetric gas motion in the rotating cylinder. The numerical tools are briefly presented: first, the MOLINA code which numerically solves the axi-symmetric gas motion in the specific conditions of rapid rotation by use of a change of variables suited to the high density gradient and by use of a Marker And Cell method; then, the diffusion equations solver which uses a Finite Volume method with a mesh refinement for the ...
We investigate the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies in a high resolution, hydrodynamical cosmological simulation of a Milky Way sized halo and its environment. Our simulation includes gas cooling, star formation, supernova feedback, metal enrichment and UV heating. In total, 90 satellites and more than 400 isolated dwarf galaxies are formed in the simulation, allowing a systematic study of the internal and environmental processes that determine their evolution. We find that 95% of satellite galaxies are gas-free at z=0, and identify three mechanisms for gas loss: supernova feedback, tidal stripping, and photo-evaporation due to re-ionization. Gas-rich satellite galaxies are only found with total masses above ~ 5x10^9 solar masses. In contrast, for isolated dwarf galaxies, a total mass of ~ 10^9 solar masses constitutes a sharp transition; less massive galaxies are predominantly gas-free at z=0, more massive, isolated dwarf galaxies are often able to retain ...
Selected derivatives of cyclophosphamide (CP) metabolites were synthesized and the solution chemistry of each was studied by "3"1P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy under a standard set of reaction conditions at physiological pH (7.4) and temperature (37"0C). Complementary "2H and "1"3C NMR spectral data was obtained using isotopically ("2G and "1"3C) enriched CP metabolites. The CP derivatives were synthesized by the ozonolysis of substituted 3-butenyl phosphorodiamidates, and were isolated as analogues of either cis and trans 4-hydroperoxy-CP or aldophosphamide (AP). The relative ratios of the tautomeric species, 4-hydroxy-CP and AP, and their half-lives (T/sub 1/2/) were measured by "3"1P NMR spectroscopy. The influence of CP metabolites on perfused U-937 cells, a CP-sensitive human lymphoma, was observed by high resolution "3"1P NMR spectroscopy. In this manner, it was possible to measure, for the first time, a rate constant for the intracellular ...
The aim of this article was to investigate the interactions of metal cations in aqueous solutions with the biomass of the freshwater macroalga Vaucheria sp. This problem is important when elaborating new applications of biosorption, e.g. the production of mineral feed additives for livestock from the biomass of algae enriched with microelement ions. Potentiometric titration was applied as a quick and cheap screening test to search for new efficient biosorbents. It revealed a variety of functional groups capable of cation exchange on the macroalgal surface, including carboxyl, phosphate, hydroxyl or amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on natural and chromium-loaded Vaucheria sp. confirmed that carboxyl groups played a dominant role in the biosorption. The study also showed that Ca(II), Na(I), K(I), and Mg(II) ions were released from the biomass after biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions, indicating that ion exchange was a key ...
Both ammonium and nitrite act as substrates as well as potential inhibitors of anoxic ammonium-oxidizing (Anammox) bacteria. To satisfy demand of substrates for Anammox bacteria and to prevent substrate inhibition simultaneously; two strategies, namely high or low substrate concentration, were carefully compared in the operation of two Anammox upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors fed with different substrate concentrations. The reactor working at relatively low influent substrate concentration (NO(2)(-)-N, 240 mg-NL(-1)) was shown to avoid the inhibition caused by nitrite and free ammonia. Using the strategy of low substrate concentration, a record super high volumetric nitrogen removal rate of 45.24 kg-Nm(-3) day(-1) was noted after the operation of 230 days. To our knowledge, such a high value has not been reported previously. The evidence from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the morphology and ultrastructure of the Anammox cells in both the reactor ...
The influence of some processing factors such as cold work and heat treatment on the susceptibility to caustic stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of modified alloy 800, referred to alloy 800 M, in a boiling solution of 50%NaOH + 0.3%SiO_2+0.3%Na_2S_2O_3 was investigated by means of microstructure examination, tensile test, stress analysis, SCC test of C-rings, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and corrosion mode. Cold work led to lengthening of grains, decrease in ductility, increase in strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC. With increasing temperature of heat treatment on alloy 800 M after cold work, grains became bigger, ductility increased but strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC decreased. SCC cracks on C-ring specimens initiated from pitting and propagated along grain boundaries. AES analysis indicates that the surface films on alloy 800M are enriched in nickel and depleted in iron and chromium. (authors)
The diagnosis of dialysis-related amyloid (AB-amyloid) has been based usually on clinical and radiological criteria. Following the discovery that beta 2-microglobulin was the major protein of this amyloid, we isolated and radiolabelled uremic plasma beta 2-microglobulin. After intravenous injection, gamma-camera images of selected joint areas were obtained from 42 patients who were on regular hemodialysis therapy. Positive scans involving the shoulder, hip, knee and carpal regions were found in 13 of 14 patients treated for more than 10 years and 10 of 16 patients treated for 5 to 10 years. Patients treated for less time had negative scans. Specificity was indicated by negative scans in non-amyloid inflammatory lesions in control hemodialysis patients. Up to 48-fold tracer enrichment was detected in excised AB-amyloid containing tissue as compared to amyloid-free tissue. These findings suggest that circulating radiolabelled beta 2-microglobulin is taken up by the ...
A combination of /sup 18/O-labeling experiments and kinetic studies to clarify the nonenzymatic hydrolytic pathways of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) at pH values ranging from 0 to 8.3 has been used in this experiment. In 1 N and 0.1 N HCl, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that hydrolysis occurs by addition-elimination, with initial attack 93% ..gamma.. and 7% ..beta..; both lead only to ADP + P/sub i/. In the subsequent hydrolysis of the ADP to AMP + P/sub i/, attack is 83% ..beta.. and 17% ..cap alpha... At pH 8.3, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that hydrolsysis occurs by elimination-addition. Over the entire pH range studied, no oxygen exchange between water and ATP, ADP, or P/sub i/ was detected. Nonenzymatic hydrolysis and isotopic analysis of the resultant P/sub i/ comprise a preferred means of assaying the isotopic enrichment of (..gamma..-/sup 18/O)ATP to be used in studies of enzymatic processes.
Using a radioactive tracer method the bulk and grain boundary diffusion of {sup 59}Fe was determined in industrial alloy 800 and melts of alloy 800 with additional P and S in the temperature range 800 to 1000 C. The use of the approximation of Suzuoka was confirmed by autoradiographs. In alloy 800 H the activation energy of grain boundary diffusion of {sup 59}Fe is (209 {+-} 17)kJ/mol. Dissolved elements especially P increase the activation energy of the grain boundary diffusion of Fe by their segregation to the grain boundaries. In addition the influence of the grain boundary diffusion on the growth of creep cavities was investigated in the same materials, and the chemical composition of the creep cavities and grain boundaries were analysed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). For alloy 800 + 0.088 wt-%P an enrichment of about 14 at-%P was observed at the grain boundaries. The addition of P clearly enhances the creep strength of alloy 800; this can probably be ...
Using a radioactive tracer method the bulk and grain boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe was determined in industrial alloy 800 and melts of alloy 800 with additional P and S in the temperature range 800 to 1000 C. The use of the approximation of Suzuoka was confirmed by autoradiographs. In alloy 800 H the activation energy of grain boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe is (209 #+-# 17)kJ/mol. Dissolved elements especially P increase the activation energy of the grain boundary diffusion of Fe by their segregation to the grain boundaries. In addition the influence of the grain boundary diffusion on the growth of creep cavities was investigated in the same materials, and the chemical composition of the creep cavities and grain boundaries were analysed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). For alloy 800 + 0.088 wt-%P an enrichment of about 14 at-%P was observed at the grain boundaries. The addition of P clearly enhances the creep strength of alloy 800; this can probably be explained ...
In a fuel assembly having moderator rods, an axial average value of a ratio between the total of the lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators and the total of the lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets is determined as greater than 0.4, a lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators per one moderator rod is determined as from 14 to 50cm"2 and the ratio between the total of the lateral cross sectional area of moderators and a total of the lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets in a horizontal cross section is determined as from 2.7 to 3.4. Since the axial average value for lateral cross sectional area of a portion to be filled with moderators/lateral cross sectional area of fuel pellets is determined as #>=# 0.4, the lateral cross sectional area of moderators of moderator rods is increased, the lateral cross sectional area of a gap water region is decreased to reduce the value of local power peaking coefficient, so ...
Gene analysis was used to determined the presence, abundance and phylogenetic affiliation of methanogens that exist in gas-hydrate-bearing sediment samples obtained from 23 drill cores from the JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5L-38 gas hydrate research well. Rates of methane production were examined using sediment-inoculated enrichments containing {sup 14}C-labeled carbon substrates, carbon dioxide and acetate. Archaeal 16S rDNA was only detected in 6 of the samples, resulting in 8 sequences with relationships to the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (7 clones) and the Subsurface Euryarchaeotic Group (1 clone). The single Euryarchaeota sequence did not appear to be related to methanogens. Subsamples from the cores showed variable results upon DNA extraction and amplification. Methanogenic Coenzyme M (CoM) was detected in 13 of the 20 cores, but methanogenic methyl CoM reductase genes were not amplified from the samples when using a sensitive quantitative polymerase ...
A series of experiments involving high explosives and radioactive materials were conducted at Los Alamos, New Mexico, primarily to understand certain safety aspects of operational nuclear weapons. The experiments were conducted underground in large diameter holes as deep as 120 ft. The location was selected because it had geologic and hydrologic characteristics that assured complete containment of the experiments and precluded any possible contamination of groundwater. Important features verified by the USGS included the absence of any recharge and about 1200 feet of dry rock above the groundwater aquifer. Residual materials dispersed by detonation of the high explosives remain at the bottom of the experimental holes. The materials of significance from an environmental standpoint include about 40 kg of plutonium, 93 kg of enriched uranium, at least 82 kg of depleted uranium, 13 kg of beryllium, and an undetermined amount of lead. Environmental monitoring has been ...
A novel Ni and Cu-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) system with enhancement of glass-forming ability (GFA) and bio-corrosion resistance was prepared by copper mold casting by the addition of Ag. It was found that the addition of Ag can considerably enhance the glass-forming ability, as indicated by the increase of the critical glass dimension from 3 mm diameter of the ternary system to over 10 mm in the alloy of Zr_5_3Co_1_8_._5Al_2_3_._5Ag_5. The bio-corrosion behaviors of the Zr-based BMGs in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) were investigated by electrochemical polarization at 310 K. It was found that the addition of appropriate amount of Ag can enhance the corrosion resistance of the BMGs. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the formation of an Al_2O_3-enriched passive film is mainly responsible for the high corrosion resistance of Ag-bearing alloy in phosphate buffered solution.
Selecting an appropriate matrix solution is one of the most effective means of increasing the ionization efficiency of phosphopeptides in matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In this study, we systematically assessed matrix combinations of 2, 6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and diammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC), and demonstrated that the low ratio DHAP/DAHC matrix was more effective in enhancing the ionization of phosphopeptides. Low femtomole level of phosphopeptides from the tryptic digests of ?-casein and ?-casein was readily detected by MALDI-TOF-MS in both positive and negative ion mode without desalination or phosphopeptide enrichment. Compared with the DHB/PA matrix, the optimized DHAP/DAHC matrix yielded superior sample homogeneity and higher phosphopeptide measurement sensitivity, particularly when multiple phosphorylated peptides were assessed. Finally, the DHAP/DAHC matrix was applied to identify ...
Phosphoro-uraniferous deposit of Itataia is situated in Precambrian metamorphic terrains, into the litho-stratigraphic unit named Caico Complex. Regionally, the rocks are linearly folded, as a result of compressive tectonic that fits in the regmatic pattern. Rio Groairas' and Itatira's wrench faults form shearing couples in which the drag folds' climax are thrusting faults with axial plane dipping north. Uranium mineralization occurs into a phosphatic rock containing about 80% of collophane - 'collophanite - in association chiefly with marbles or feldsphatic rocks and gneisses. The ore (collophanite) occurs mainly as a stockwork, and it may be massive, (into big joints) or disseminated (impregnating the host rocks). Dark ore appears only in brecciated zones; it is richer in uranium content, but poorer in phosphorous. The highest grade ore is in a very fractured zone, associated to marbles. Supergene enrichment took place in this area. Underground works show that ...
The fuel composition heterogeneity effect on reactor performance parameters was assessed by refueling simulations for three DUPIC fuel options of fuel composition heterogeneity control: the fissile content adjustment, the reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, and the reactivity control by natural uranium. For each DUPIC fuel option, the simulations were performed using 30 heterogeneous fuel types which were determined by the agglomerative hierarchical clustering method. The heterogeneity effect was considered during the refueling simulation by randomly selecting fuel types for the refueling operation. The refueling simulations of the heterogeneous core have shown that the key performance parameters such as the maximum channel power (MCP), maximum bundle power (MBP), and channel power peaking factor (CPPF) are close to those of the core that has single fuel type. For the three DUPIC fuel options, the uncertainties of MCP, MBP, and CPPF due to ...
The formation and breakdown of the passive films on stainless steels are mainly controlled by ionic and electronic transport processes. Both these processes are in part controlled by the electronic properties of the oxide film. Consequently, it is vital to gain a detailed perception of the electronic properties of the passive films together with structural and compositional information for a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms behind passivity and localised corrosion. As a step towards this goal the passive films formed on two main austenitic stainless steels AISI 316L and AISI 304L in borate solution were characterised by in situ Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent spectroscopy coupled with electrochemical measurements. This revealed the formation of an Fe-Cr spinel as the dominant constituent in the passive films with more Cr enrichment in the oxide film on 316L than that of 304L. Bandgap readings and semiconductivities of the two stainless steels suggested ...
The formation and breakdown of the passive films on stainless steels are mainly controlled by ionic and electronic transport processes. Both these processes are in part controlled by the electronic properties of the oxide film. Consequently, it is vital to gain a detailed perception of the electronic properties of the passive films together with structural and compositional information for a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms behind passivity and localised corrosion. As a step towards this goal the passive films formed on two main austenitic stainless steels AISI 316L and AISI 304L in borate solution were characterised by in situ Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent spectroscopy coupled with electrochemical measurements. This revealed the formation of an Fe-Cr spinel as the dominant constituent in the passive films with more Cr enrichment in the oxide film on 316L than that of 304L. Bandgap readings and semiconductivities of the two stainless steels suggested ...
A method for determining the reactivity of subcritical systems of fissile material, using neutron-noise power spectral density measurements in conjunction with a /sup 252/Cf source, has been tested in experiments with an aqueous solution containing uranium fluoride (4.95 wt% /sup 235/U). The kappasub(eff)-values obtained from the ratio of spectral densities G*/sub 12/G/sub 13//G/sub 11/G/sub 23/ agreed with those from break-frequency noise analysis and with bias-corrected transport theory calculations within the statistical uncertainty of the measurements. Corrections for the effects of spatial modes and source-detector locations appear to be well-understood, since measurements for a variety of source-detector positions resulted in essentially the same kappasub(eff)-values. Modal correction factors were such that ignoring them would result in higher values of kappasub(eff) than actually occur. The measurements have demonstrated the applicability of the /sup 252/Cf-source-driven ...
The electrochemical behaviour of passive films formed on one austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) and one ferritic stainless steel (AISI 446) in solutions with pH between 0.6 and 8.4 was studied by capacitance measurements and photocurrent spectroscopy. Compositional characterization of the passive films was done by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The capacitance increases with decreasing pH. Doping densities evaluated from Mott-Schottky plots are in the range 2-6 x 10{sup 20} cm{sup -3} and increased with the pH in the neutral/alkaline range while in pH 0.6, values above 10{sup 21} cm{sup -3} were found. The bandgap energy indicates two transitions, at 2.5-2.8 and 3.2 eV. The analytical data reveal that, as the pH increased, the films become enriched in Fe(II) and Fe(III), whereas the Cr(III) gradually decreases. The films formed at very low pH had a behaviour that contrasts with that of the films formed in the neutral/alkaline media. The films are described by ...
The electrochemical behaviour of passive films formed on one austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) and one ferritic stainless steel (AISI 446) in solutions with pH between 0.6 and 8.4 was studied by capacitance measurements and photocurrent spectroscopy. Compositional characterization of the passive films was done by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The capacitance increases with decreasing pH. Doping densities evaluated from Mott-Schottky plots are in the range 2-6 x 10"2"0 cm"-"3 and increased with the pH in the neutral/alkaline range while in pH 0.6, values above 10"2"1 cm"-"3 were found. The bandgap energy indicates two transitions, at 2.5-2.8 and 3.2 eV. The analytical data reveal that, as the pH increased, the films become enriched in Fe(II) and Fe(III), whereas the Cr(III) gradually decreases. The films formed at very low pH had a behaviour that contrasts with that of the films formed in the neutral/alkaline media. The films are described by a bilayer ...
Abstract We present the first numerical,-N-body, hydrodynamical, chemical simulations of cosmic structure formation in the framework of non-Gaussian models. We study the impact of primordial non-Gaussianities on early chemistry (e-, H, H+, H-, He, He+, He++, H2, H+2, D, D+, HD, HeH+), molecular and atomic gas cooling, star formation, metal (C, O, Si, Fe, Mg, S) enrichment, Population-III (popIII) and Population-II-I (popII) transition and on the evolution of -visible- objects. We find that non-Gaussianities can have some consequences on baryonic structure formation at very early epochs, but the subsequent evolution at later times washes out any difference among the various models. When assuming reasonable values for primordial non-Gaussian perturbations, it turns out that they are responsi...
In order to understand the anodic behaviour of Al--Mo and Al--W amorphous alloys in the borate buffer electrolyte, samples of these alloys were polarized galvanostatically. The resultant anodic films were thicker than the passive films formed during potentiodynamic polarization enabling detailed examination of the films and alloy substrates by surface analytical methods. AES investigations suggest that the anodic films formed at low and moderate voltages on Al--Mo or Al--W amorphous alloys consist of Al-oxide, whereas refractory metals remain unoxidized and enriched at the film/substrate interface. Molybdenum and tungsten act as 'dissolution moderators', restraining the substrate dissolution process at the film/substrate interface. However, after anodization at high voltages (50 V), AES revealed the presence of an oxidized refractory metal in the inner part of the anodic film. Based on these results of growth of thick anodic films, the role of Mo ...
To obtain reactor physics parameters for high-moderation mixed-oxide (MOX) cores, Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (NPEC), the French Atomic Commission (CEA), and their industrial partners have conducted a MOX core physics experimental program called MISTRAL with the EOLE critical facility of the Cadarache research center. This program consists of four high-moderation cores and was successfully completed in July 2000. This paper describes the analysis results of MISTRAL-3 that is a homogeneous full MOX cylindrical core (H/HM = 6.2) with an 80-cm height and a 59-cm diameter consisting of 1388 standard pressurized water reactor-type MOX fuel rods of 7.0 wt% plutonium-enrichment in a square pitch of 1.39 cm. NPEC has been analyzing the experimental results by using the SRAC and MVP code systems. SRAC and MVP calculate the nuclear core characteristics correctly for the high-moderation MOX core MISTRAL-3. No apparent trend with the moderation ratio is observed in ...
Uranium Hexafluoride is a material used in the various processes which comprise the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle (conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication). Confinement of UF6 is a very important safety requirement since this material is highly reactive and presents safety hazards to humans. The present paper discusses the safety relevant aspects of accidental releases of UF6 inside process confinement buildings. Postulated accidental scenarios are analyzed and their consequences evaluated. Implant releases rates are estimated using computer code predictions. A time dependent homogeneous compartment model is used to predict concentrations of UF6, hydrogen fluoride and uranyl fluoride inside a confinement building, as well as to evaluate source terms released to the atmosphere. These source terms can be used as input to atmospheric dispersion models to evaluate consequences to the environment. The results can also be used to define adequate protective ...
This paper investigated the effect of hydrogen (H{sub 2}) addition on the combustion process of a heavy-duty diesel engine. The addition of a small amount of H{sub 2} was shown to have a mild effect on the cylinder pressure and combustion process. When operated at high load, the addition of a relatively large amount of H{sub 2} substantially increased the peak cylinder pressure and the peak heat release rate. Compared to the two-stage combustion process of diesel engines, a featured three-stage combustion process of the H{sub 2}-diesel dual fuel engine was observed. The extremely high peak heat release rate represented a combination of diesel diffusion combustion and the premixed combustion of H{sub 2} consumed by multiple turbulent flames, which substantially enhanced the combustion process of H{sub 2}-diesel dual fuel engine. However, the addition of a relatively large amount of H{sub 2} at low load did not change the two-stage heat release process pattern. The premixed combustion ...
The Nuclear Safety Commission presented the report to the Minister of International Trade and Industry on April 5, 1984, after the careful investigation and deliberation on the alteration of installation of No.1 and No.2 reactor facilities in the Sendai Nuclear Power Station. The technical capability of Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., was recognized to be adequate. It was judged that the safety after this alteration of installation of the reactor facilities can be ensured. The main items of examination were as follows. The mechanical, nuclear and thermo-hydraulic designs of 17 x 17 B-type fuel assemblies were regarded as adequate. The coexistence of A-type and B-type fuel assemblies does not cause any problem about the safety. The safety at the time of abnormal transient change and accident in the mixed fuel assembly core was confirmed. In No.2 reactor, the degree of enrichment of the fuel for replacement and the number of fuel assemblies to be replaced are ...
We describe a method for affinity purification of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins that is fast and effective. Complementary chemically synthesized oligodeoxynucleotides that contain a recognition site for a sequence-specific DNA binding protein are annealed and ligated to give oligomers. This DNA is then covalently coupled to Sepharose CL-2B with cyanogen bromide to yield the affinity resin. A partially purified protein fraction is combined with competitor DNA and subsequently passed through the DNA-Sepharose resin. The desired sequence-specific DNA binding protein is purified because it preferentially binds to the recognition sites in the affinity resin rather than to the nonspecific competitor DNA in solution. For example, a protein fraction that is enriched for transcription factor Sp1 can be further purified 500- to 1000-fold by two sequential affinity chromatography steps to give Sp1 of an estimated 90% homogeneity with 30% yield. In addition, the use ...
A tri-functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based silane precursor R_xR_yR_z(SiO_3_/_2)_n (x + y + z = n = 6, 8, 10, ...) bearing 3-(N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)ureido)propyl, isooctyl and perfluoropropyl groups was synthesized and investigated as corrosion protective coating for AA 2024 alloy. Infrared reflection-absorption (IR RA) combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy provided information about partial self-assembling of coatings having a fluorine enriched upper layer with a low surface energy (#gamma#"t"o"t = 12.37 mN/m). The structural changes that accompanied corrosion produced under chronocoulometrical conditions were assessed from ex-situ IR RA spectra. A new band at 1690-1700 cm"-"1 appeared above the corrosion potential, and was assigned to the formation of amidonium ions and consequent relaxation of urea-urea associations.
The aim of this study was to search for a sorbent that could act as an extraction phase and as a support for solid-matrix time-resolved luminescence (SMTRL). Four potential sorbents were investigated for this purpose using tetracycline (TC) as a model analyte. Sorbents prepared from C18 silica gel or calcium cross-linked pectin gel were able to extract TC from dilute solutions. Europium(III)-TC complex adsorbed on the surface of C18 generated the most intense TRL signal when measured at {lambda}{sub ex} = 388 nm and {lambda}{sub em} = 615 nm. This method achieved a 1 ng/ml limit of detection (LOD) with a 100 {mu}l sample solution in a repeated spotting mode. Hyphenation of sorbent extraction and SMTRL was demonstrated using C18. This method is suitable for screening of TC in foods or aqueous solutions and can be extended to other luminescent lanthanide-chelating analytes in physiological or environmental samples.
A preliminary chemical characterization is presented of phosphate-free aminolipids isolation from Chlorobium limicola f. thiosulfatophilum. The lipid contains no phosphorus, glycerol, sugar, ornithine, or lysine. Ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectra indicate that the amino moiety of the lipid is an aromatic heterocyclic compound. Infrared spectra indicate that the lipid is a secondary or tertiary amide, and gas chromatograhic analysis of the hydrolyzed lipid shows that for each 1100 g of lipid, 1 mol of myristic acid (C/sub 14:0/) is linked in an amide bond. Acid hydrolysis of the lipid yields two fluorescent substances, A (ninhydrine positive) and B (negative), in addition to myristic acid. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies indicate that substance A contains a butyl groups attached to a conjugated ring carbon, two equivalent ethyl groups attached to one or two nitrogen atoms, and two downfield protons (8.4 ppm), perhaps attached to a ring carbon adjacent to a ...
Surgical fires--fires that occur on or in a surgical patient--are a rare but devastating complication of surgical procedures. They can happen during almost any kind of operation and can have dire consequences for both the patient and the hospital. The risk of surgical fires can be minimized as long as everyone on the surgical team understands how fires start and what to do when they occur. It's important to recognize the interaction among ignition sources, oxidizers, and fuels--the three sides of the classic fire triangle. What's more, staff members need to be alert to "hidden" fire risks, such as unsuspected oxygen-enriched atmospheres and less-than-obvious fuels. They also need to be drilled in the correct steps for responding to fires. In this guide, we describe the elements of surgical fires, including the types of equipment and materials that make up each side of the fire triangle. Through a series of case histories, we illustrate the many ways in which fires ...
It is expected that the progressive increase of tropospheric trace gases such as CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} will have a significant impact on agricultural production. The single and combined effects of CO{sub 2} enrichment and tropospheric O{sub 3} on grain quality characteristics in soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were examined in field studies using 3 m in diam. open-top chambers. Wheat cultivars {open_quotes}Massey{close_quotes} (1991) and {open_quotes}Saluda{close_quotes} (1992) were exposed to two CO{sub 2} concentrations (350 vs. 500 {mu}mol CO{sub 2} mol{sup {minus}1}; 12 h d{sup {minus}1}) in combination with two O{sub 3} regimes (charcoal-filtered air vs. ambient air + 40 {plus_minus} 20 nmol O{sub 3} mol{sup {minus}1}, 7 h d{sup {minus}1}; Monday to Friday) from late March until maturity in June. Grain quality characteristics investigated included: test weight, milling and baking quality, flour yield, protein content, softness equivalent, ...
The construction materials used in coolant systems in nuclear power plants become covered with oxide films as a result of exposure to the aqueous environment. The susceptibility of the materials to different forms of corrosion, as well as the extent of the incorporation of radioactive species on the surfaces of the primary circuit, are greatly influenced by the physical and chemical properties of these oxide films. The composition and characteristics of the oxide films in turn depend on the applied water chemistry. This work was undertaken in order to collect and evaluate the present views on the structure and behaviour of oxide films formed on iron- and nickel-based materials in aqueous environments. This survey should serve to recognise the areas in which more understanding and research effort is needed. The review begins with a discussion on the bulk oxides of iron, nickel and chromium, as well as their mixed oxides. In addition to bulk oxides, the structure and properties of oxide ...
The identification, and hence origin determination, of unknown nuclear material that might be found undeclared away from designated locations in the nuclear fuel cycle, is an important task in the frame of nuclear forensics. Material with forensic importance can be found at the microscopic level as particles in environmental samples indicating possible clandestine production of fissile material, and as bulky samples in the case of illicit trafficking of nuclear material. The objective of this work is to present, at a theoretical level, an isotopic finger-printing methodology which would determine the origin of unknown nuclear material with forensic importance. This is demonstrated for the case when the unknown nuclear material is spent nuclear fuel. The methodology is based on multivariate statistics, such as cluster and factor analysis, complemented by spent fuel isotopic composition simulations using the zero-dimensional depletion computer code ORIGEN2. A major source of error in the ...
The Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs issued the report on a bill to establish a national program for research, development, and demonstration in fuels and energy and for the coordination and financial supplementation of Federal energy research and development; to establish development corporations to demonstrate technologies for shale oil development, advanced power cycle development, geothermal steam development, and coal liquefaction and gasification development; to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to make mineral resources of the public lands available for the development conporations. Comments from governmental agencies on the bill are published. (MCW)
... Materials Development Program TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Elementary - High School ... of technology education materials through its Instructional Materials Development (IMD) program. The ...
... grants to adopt or adapt courses and materials developed by CCD projects at other institutions, and ... to adopt or adapt CCD-developed courses and materials. -iv- Accomplishments The CCD program has ...
The nature of hydrothermal resources, their associated temperatures, geographic locations, and developable capacity are described. The parties involved in development, required activities and phases of development, regulatory and permitting requirements, environmental considerations, and time required to complete development activities ae examined in detail. These activities are put in proper perspective by detailing development costs. A profile of the geothermal industry is presented by detailing the participants and their operating characteristics. The current development status of geothermal energy in the US is detailed. The work on market penetration is summarized briefly. Detailed development information is presented for 56 high temperature sites. (MHR)
The objective of this animation is to develop a QTL mapping population for locating and characterizing the genes responsible for resistance to tan spot disease of wheat.
... This work was based upon previously successful development of combustible cartridge cases, at Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute ...
Measurements using radioactive targets are important for the determination of key reaction path ways associated with the synthesis of the elements in nuclear astrophysics (sprocess), advanced fuel cycle initiative (transmutation of radioactive waste), and stockpile stewardship. High precision capture cross-section measurements are needed to interpret observations, predict elemental or isotopical ratios, and unobserved abundances. There are two new detector systems that are presently being commissioned at Los Alamos National Laboratory for very precise measurements of (n,{gamma}) and (n,f) cross-sections using small quantities of radioactive samples. DANCE (Detector for Advanced Neutron-Capture Experiments), a 4 {pi} gamma array made up of 160 BaF{sub 2} detectors, is designed to measure neutron capture cross-sections of unstable nuclei in the low-energy range (thermal to {approx}500 keV). The high granularity and high detection efficiency of DANCE, combined with the high TOF-neutron ...
Supplement B to the Terra Nova Development Application provides a description of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel system selected for the development, a summary of the reasons for selecting the system, and the impact of this selection on the Development Plan, the Benefits Plan, the Environmental Impact Statement and the Socio-Economic Impact Statement. There is also a description of the contractor alliance approach to be used in the Terra Nova Development. Refs., tabs., figs.
A total of 48 papers were presented, and covered the following topics: the current situation in Pakistan with respect to development and utilization of coal resources; the policies that have been responsible for the development and utilization of coal resources in Pakistan; coal development and utilization in other developing nations e.g. Indonesia, Greece, Philippines, China, Thailand and Haiti; and technological developments in coal exploration; extraction, handling, transport and utilization which could accelerate future development of Pakistan's coal resources. Specific subjects covered include the use of coal in the cement industry of Pakistan; the production of briquettes for domestic use, development and training of personnel for the coal industry; and sources of finance for coal development projects. ...
The storage and chemical properties of the forest litter in dark coniferous forest of Sejila Mountain were studied. The results showed that the existing storage was 5.863 t.hm-2 and the annual litter fall was 0.3205 t.hm-2. It implied that the forest litter decomposed slowly and accumulated quickly, and the turnover of nutrient circles was slow. The contents of N, Ca, Na, and Mn nutrient elements in litter layer were in the order of un-decomposed layer (U layer) > semi-decomposed layer (S layer) > decomposed layer (D layer), those of K, Fe, and Mg were in the order of D layer > S layer > U layer, and P element content was in the order of U layer > D layer > S layer. The pool of elements was 78.483 kg.hm-2 N, 3.843 kg.hm-2 P, 48.205 kg.hm-2 K, 23.115 kg.hm-2 Ca, 13.157 kg.hm-2 Na, 30.554 kg.hm-2 Fe, 2.113 kg.hm-2 Mn and 27.513 kg.hm-2 Mg. The turnover of forest litter was the total of nutrient release accumulation. K, Fe, and Mg were enriched, and ...
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ex situ scanning tunneling microscopy measurements have been combined to investigate the thickness, the chemical composition, and the structure of passive films formed in 0.5 M H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} on Fe-22Cr(110). Aging under polarization at +500 mV/SHE causes a dehydration (anodic) reaction of the outer chromium hydroxide layer of the passive film. This anodic reaction results in a thickening of the inner mixed Cr(III) and Fe(III) oxide layer enriched in Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}. It also causes a coalescence of the oxide nuclei of the passive film and a crystallization of the inner Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}. It also causes a coalescence of the oxide nuclei of the passive film and a crystallization of the inner Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} oxide layer in epitaxy with the substrate. The epitaxial relationship is {alpha}-Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) {parallel} Fe-22Cr(110) with three different azimuthal orientations. Aging under polarization is beneficial to the ...
Severe depletion of nutrients through removal of the above ground litter caused a cessation of growth of a Eucalyptus exserta forest in tropical China. Since there is no above ground input of C in this forest, microbial biomass (C_m_i_c) and soil organic C (C_o_r_g) are maintained by the below ground input only. By determining the maintenance requirement of the soil microflora, it should be possible to estimate the below ground production of this forest. To check this hypothesis the authors performed an experiment with labelled C. Since large scale production and field application of "1"4C labelled Eucalyptus litter were not feasible, 'naturally labelled' C_4 plant litter (Zea mays) was used. Maize litter has a #delta#"1"3C of -12.7 per mille as compared with a #delta#"1"3C of -30.7 per mille for Eucalyptus leaf litter. The "1"3C abundance is used to determine the amount of maize C in each of the soil layers. Investigations were made of how supplementation of the soil with litter ...
New RNAA determinations of Ba, Sr, Zr, U, Re, Pd, Ag, Zn and Se and INAA measurements of Lu are added to published data for 21 other elements in the same suite of ten samples. On the average, 21 refractory elements are not significantly fractionated from one another. The mean of their enrichment factors relative to C1 chondrites is 17.5 +- 0.4, indicating that the high-temperature condensate inclusions represent 5.7 wt% of the total condensable matter. Os, Ir, Ru, Re and most of the W condensed in one or more refractory siderophile element alloys along with small fractions of the Pd, Co, Au and Ag. The bulk of the Eu and Sr condensed in solid solution in melilite. Sc, Zr, Hf, Ta, U and the remaining REE condensed in a phase whose abundance in the inclusions in negatively correlated with that of melilite, either diopside or one or more minor or trace phases, including perovskite. Ba condensed in a different phase, separately from all these elements. In individual ...
The lakes formed in the Amazon floodplain play a key role in sustaining the highest populational density in the Amazon Basin because of its high primary productivity. The water volume in these lakes vary greatly during the year and possible water sources are the feeding river during high water state of the hydrographs and local inputs from its drainage basin. As these sources are chemically distinct, to understand the nutrient dynamics in these lakes, it is very important to know the relative water contribution of different water sources. In this paper we use "1"8O as a conservative to know the water sources for the lakes and our hypothesis is that: 1) In the high water stage lake water is derived predominantly from its feeding river. Therefore their #delta#"1"8O should be similar. 2) In the low water stage lake water is a mixture of watershed and last flood event waters. In this case, lake #delta#"1"8O should be indicative of the relative contribution of each source. To test this ...
The genetic type, source and charging history of natural gas in the Yulin gas field in the Ordos Basin have been studied by combining the carbon isotopic composition of natural gas and geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons with carbon isotope fractionation model results and fluid inclusion analysis. The carbon isotopic composition of methane and ethane in the Yulin gas field is relatively enriched in {sup 13}C with {delta}{sup 13}C{sub 1} values ranging from - 35.3 permille to - 29.8 permille (average value = - 32.4 permille) and {delta}{sup 13}C{sub 2} ranging from - 26.3 permille to - 23.5 permille (average value = - 24.8 permille). The C{sub 7} light hydrocarbons are predominated by methylcyclohexane, accounting for 65.8% to 80.9% (average value = 71.6%), which is characteristic of coal-derived gas. Furthermore, the gas geochemistry indicates that, although marine limestone source rocks are present in the region, the contribution of oil-associated ...
Conventional plasma carburizing or nitriding for austenitic stainless steels results in a degradation of corrosion resistance. However, a low temperature plasma surface treatment can improve surface hardness without deteriorating the corrosion resistance. The 2-step low temperature plasma processes (the combined carburizing and post nitriding) offers the increase of both surface hardness and thickness of hardened layer and corrosion resistance than the individually processed low temperature nitriding and low temperature carburizing techniques. In the present paper, attempts have been made to investigate the influence of the introduction of Ar gas (0#approx#20%) in nitriding atmosphere during low temperature plasma nitriding at 370 .deg. C after low temperature plasma carburizing at 470 .deg. C. All treated specimens exhibited the increase of the surface hardness with increasing Ar level in the atmosphere and the surface hardness value reached up to 1050 HV_0_._1, greater than 750 ...
In the context of stellar reionization in the standard cold dark matter model, we analyze observations at z #approx# 6 and are able to draw three significant conclusions with respect to star formation and the state of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at z #approx# 6. (1) An initial stellar mass function (IMF) more efficient, by a factor of 10-20, in producing ionizing photons than the standard Salpeter IMF is required at z #approx# 6. This may be achieved by having either (a) a metal-enriched IMF with a lower mass cutoff of #>=#30 M_s_u_n or (b) 2%-4% of stellar mass being Population III massive metal-free stars at z #approx# 6. While there is no compelling physical reason or observational evidence to support (a), (b) could plausibly be fulfilled by continued existence of some pockets of uncontaminated, metal-free gas for star formation. (2) The volume-weighted neutral fraction of the IGM of _V#approx#10"-"4 at z = 5.8 inferred from the SDSS ...
Track analysis of medium energy #alpha# particle trajectories recorded in fine grain nuclear emulsion submitted to specific intensifying treatments led to the observation of strong ionizing events (SIE) sticking out of the primary's track core. Preliminary determinations showed that the number of SIEs increases with the primary's energy, and that their production is of more than one order of magnitude higher than the number of Rutherford recoils. The presence of SIEs on monoenergetic #alpha# tracks also has a significant influence on the measured range distribution, which, expressed in terms of energy loss, results in a mean contribution to the total energy loss of far reaching (SIEs (radial spread >= 0.458 #mu#m) of proportional 25 keV per 13.6 MeV #alpha# particle, instead of 0.75 keV in the case where only the Rutherford interactions are taken into account. Measurements carried out in detectors enriched with gelatin indicate an increase in the number of SIEs ...
The first Russian reprocessing facility, known as RT-1 (located at PA-Mayak in Ural region) was started on the radiochemical plant base in 1977. Nowadays RT-1 is the sole operating reprocessing plant in Russia. The main features of RT-1 is its broad spectrum of reprocessing spent nuclear fuels (SNF). The following spent fuel types are reprocessed: -) SNF from PWR reactors (WWER-440) and FB reactor (BN-600); -) SNF of transport ship reactors; -) production reactors SNF; -) research reactor spent nuclear fuel. The world-known technological processes are used at RT-1, but there are the following distinctive features. First, the universality of the three technological lines which allows not only the reprocessing of various SNF kinds, but also to implement the combined reprocessing of some types of them. Secondly, extraction of neptunium during SNF reprocessing which is used to implement its separate storage and for radioisotope production. Thirdly, target enrichment of ...
The first Russian reprocessing facility, known as RT-1 (located at PA-Mayak in Ural region) was started on the radiochemical plant base in 1977. Nowadays RT-1 is the sole operating reprocessing plant in Russia. The main features of RT-1 is its broad spectrum of reprocessing spent nuclear fuels (SNF). The following spent fuel types are reprocessed: -) SNF from PWR reactors (WWER-440) and FB reactor (BN-600); -) SNF of transport ship reactors; -) production reactors SNF; -) research reactor spent nuclear fuel. The world-known technological processes are used at RT-1, but there are the following distinctive features. First, the universality of the three technological lines which allows not only the reprocessing of various SNF kinds, but also to implement the combined reprocessing of some types of them. Secondly, extraction of neptunium during SNF reprocessing which is used to implement its separate storage and for radioisotope production. Thirdly, target enrichment of ...
Late plagiogranite bodies in the Semail ophiolite have been previously suggested to represent late stage fractionates within an episodic spreading center magma chamber or the roots of seamount chains. Field and lab observations suggest that these late silicic magma chambers represent zones of repeated injection by dikes of intermediate to mafic composition. Multiple generations of intrusion, partial resorption and reintrusion are preserved in the plagiogranite as 1) relict phantom xenoliths, 2) angular xenoliths with quartz-rich margins, 3) deformed fine-grained dikes with distinct chilled margins, and 4) planes of rectangular blocks with cuspate margins or ellipsoids of similar fine grained mafic materials. The blocks and ellipsoids are actually dismembered mafic dikes that chilled by intruding a cooler silicic liquid and were either thermally fractured or pinched out. All of the dikes are hydrothermally altered to assemblages including amph., qtz., epi., preh., and chl. and are ...
Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash contains economically significant levels of silver and gold. Bottom ashes from incinerators at Amsterdam and Ludwigshafen were sampled, processed, and analyzed to determine the composition, size, and mass distribution of the precious metals. In order to establish accurate statistics of the gold particles, a sample of heavy non-ferrous metals produced from 15 tons of wet processed Amsterdam ash was analyzed by a new technology called magnetic density separation (MDS). Amsterdam's bottom ash contains approximately 10 ppm of silver and 0.4 ppm of gold, which was found in particulate form in all size fractions below 20 mm. The sample from Ludwigshafen was too small to give accurate values on the gold content, but the silver content was found to be identical to the value measured for the Amsterdam ash. Precious metal value in particles smaller than 2 mm seems to derive mainly from waste of electrical and electronic equipment ...
This study explores the effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment and climate change on soil moisture (W{sub r} ) and biome-level water limitation (L{sub TA}), using a dynamic global vegetation and water balance model forced by five different scenarios of change in temperature, precipitation, radiation, and atmospheric CO2 concentration, all based on the same IS92a emission scenario. L{sub TA} is defined as an index that quantifies the degree to which transpiration and photosynthesis are co-limited by soil water shortage (high values indicate low water limitation). Soil moisture decreases in many regions by 2071-2100 compared to 1961-1990, though the regional pattern of change differs substantially among the scenarios due primarily to differences in GCM-specific precipitation changes. In terms of L{sub TA}, ecosystems in northern temperate latitudes are at greatest risk of increasing water limitation, while in most other latitudes L{sub TA} tends to increase (but again ...
Microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often stops although a significant number of removable chlorines remain. To determine the reason for the cessation, we investigated the limitation of organic carbon, PCB bioavailability, and inhibition by metabolic products. Enrichment with carbon sources did not induce additional chlorination, indicating the plateau was not due to depletion of organic carbon. The bioavailability was not limiting, since a subcritical micelle concentration of the surfactant, which enhanced desorption without inhibiting dechlorinating microorganisms, failed to lower the plateau. Neither was it due to accumulation of metabolites, since no additional dechlorination was detected when plateau sediments were incubated with fresh medium. Similarly, dechlorination was not inhibited in freshly spiked sediment slurries. Dechlorination ended up at the same level with nearly identical congener profiles, regardless of treatment. These ...
Promoting the exchange of information related to implementation of the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) philosophy is a continuing objective for the Department of Energy (DOE). This report was prepared by the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) ALARA Center for the DOE Office of Health. It contains the fifth in a series of bibliographies on dose reduction at DOE facilities. The BNL ALARA Center was originally established in 1983 under the sponsorship of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to monitor dose-reduction research and ALARA activities at nuclear power plants. This effort was expanded in 1988 by the DOE`s Office of Environment, Safety and Health, to include DOE nuclear facilities. This bibliography contains abstracts relating to various aspects of ALARA program implementation and dose-reduction activities, with a specific focus on DOE facilities. Abstracts included in this bibliography were selected from proceedings of technical meetings, journals, research reports, ...
This bibliography contains abstracts relating to various aspects of ALARA program implementation and dose reduction activities, with a focus on DOE facilities. Abstracts included in this bibliography were selected from proceedings of technical meetings, journals, research reports, searches of the DOE Energy, Science and Technology Database (in general, the citation and abstract information is presented as obtained from this database), and reprints of published articles provided by the authors. Facility types and activities covered in the scope of this report include: radioactive waste, uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage and reprocessing, facility decommissioning, hot laboratories, tritium production, research, test and production reactors, weapons fabrication and testing, fusion, uranium and plutonium processing, radiography, and aocelerators. Information on improved shielding design, decontamination, containments, robotics, source prevention ...
We investigate the coupling between rock-size solids and gas during the formation of gas giant planets by disk fragmentation in the outer regions of massive disks. In this study, we use three-dimensional radiative hydrodynamic simulations and model solids as a spatial distribution of particles. We assume that half of the total solid fraction is in small grains and half in large solids. The former are perfectly entrained with the gas and set the opacity in the disk, while the latter are allowed to respond to gas drag forces, with the back reaction on the gas taken into account. To explore the maximum effects of gas-solid interactions, we first consider 10 cm size particles. We then compare these results to a simulation with 1 km size particles, which explores the low-drag regime. We show that (1) disk instability planets have the potential to form large cores due to aerodynamic capturing of rock-size solids in spiral arms before fragmentation; (2) temporary clumps can concentrate tens ...
The stunning, intricate interaction between the visual, vestibular and optomotor systems--each a miracle on its own--ensures maintenance of orientation in space as well as visual recognition and target selection despite a host of sensory conflicts and adversary disturbances. Their main goals are to keep a target of interest on the fovea by either maintaining or shifting the direction of gaze in order to produce an accurate internal representation of the visual surroundings, in particular the selected target, and to continuously mirror the spatial relationship between these various visual elements and the self. Not surprising, the implementation of this host of elaborate neural networks encompasses almost every part of the brain, including the brainstem, cerebellum, extrapyramidal system and many areas of the cerebral cortex. Thus far, these systems are among the best investigated in brain research; and enormous knowledge was amassed over the last century employing a variety of ...
Prior to this study, almost no up-to-date information was available on the 'background' level of "1"4C present in the water and biota of the UK coastal marine environment. The weighted mean "1"4C activity derived from the lowest activities of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and biota for sites which are remote from potential sources is 247#centre dot#6#+-#1#centre dot#0 Bq kg"-"1 carbon. This is proposed as the best estimate of the natural/weapons testing 'background' for 1995 and should be subtracted from the activity derived for any sample to establish the excess due to UK anthropogenic inputs. "1"4C activities in the DIC component of seawater and a range of marine biota are significantly enhanced above the expected 'background' value in the environment around the British Nuclear Fuels plc reprocessing plant at Sellafield, Cumbria, NW England and Amersham International plc, Cardiff, Wales. The enrichments around Sellafield are largely confined to the NE Irish ...
We have investigated the nanocrystalline microstructure and the hard magnetic properties of Sm(Co{sub 0.725}Fe{sub 0.1}Cu{sub 0.12}Zr{sub 0.04}B{sub 0.015}){sub 7.4} melt-spun ribbons. The coercivity (H{sub c}) of the as-spun ribbons increased with the wheel surface speed from 2.8kOe for 10m/s to 14.5kOe for 40m/s. The post-annealing of the melt-spun ribbons from 700 to 900 deg. C for 10min did not lead to a substantial increase of H{sub c}. However, after isothermal aging at 820 deg. C and subsequent slow cooling (0.5 deg. C/min) to 120 deg. C, H{sub c} increased from 2.8 to 10.9kOe for 10m/s, while it decreased from 14.5 to 13.5kOe for 40m/s ribbons. The grain size of the melt-spun ribbon reduced with structural transformation from 2:17H (Th{sub 2}Ni{sub 17}-hexagonal type) to 1:7H (TbCu{sub 7}-hexagonal type) as the wheel surface speed was increased. Three-dimensional atom probe analysis showed a boron enriched precipitate at the grain boundaries in the as-spun ...
We have investigated the nanocrystalline microstructure and the hard magnetic properties of Sm(Co_0_._7_2_5Fe_0_._1Cu_0_._1_2Zr_0_._0_4B_0_._0_1_5)_7_._4 melt-spun ribbons. The coercivity (H_c) of the as-spun ribbons increased with the wheel surface speed from 2.8kOe for 10m/s to 14.5kOe for 40m/s. The post-annealing of the melt-spun ribbons from 700 to 900 deg. C for 10min did not lead to a substantial increase of H_c. However, after isothermal aging at 820 deg. C and subsequent slow cooling (0.5 deg. C/min) to 120 deg. C, H_c increased from 2.8 to 10.9kOe for 10m/s, while it decreased from 14.5 to 13.5kOe for 40m/s ribbons. The grain size of the melt-spun ribbon reduced with structural transformation from 2:17H (Th_2Ni_1_7-hexagonal type) to 1:7H (TbCu_7-hexagonal type) as the wheel surface speed was increased. Three-dimensional atom probe analysis showed a boron enriched precipitate at the grain boundaries in the as-spun ribbons, which acts as the grain growth ...
This paper discusses the mineralogy and geochemistry of the No. 6 Coal (Pennsylvanian) in the Junger Coalfield, Ordos Basin, China. The results show that the vitrinite reflectance (0.58%) is lowest and the proportions of inertinite and liptinite (37.4% and 7.1%, respectively) in the No. 6 Coal of the Junger Coalfield are highest among all of the Late Paleozoic coals in the Ordos Basin. The No. 6 Coal may be divided vertically into four sections based on their mineral compositions and elemental concentrations. A high boehmite content (mean 6.1%) was identified in the No. 6 Coal. The minerals associated with the boehmite in the coal include goyazite, rutile, zircon, and Pb-bearing minerals (galena, clausthalite, and selenio-galena). The boehmite is derived from weathered and oxidized bauxite in the weathered crust of the underlying Benxi Formation (Pennsylvanian). A high Pb-bearing mineral content of samples ZG6-2 and ZG6-3 is likely of hydrothermal origin. The No. 6 coal is ...
Microorganisms associated with fractured basalt core were compared to those suspended in groundwater pumped from the same well in the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (Idaho, USA). Two wells influenced to different degrees by a mixed-waste plume in the fractured basalt aquifer were examined. In one well, an array of dialysis cells filled with either deionized water or crushed basalt was equilibrated to compare the microorganisms collected in this fashion with those from core and groundwater samples collected in a traditional manner from the same well. Analyses were performed to characterize these samples and to provide a basis for comparison. These included total cell counts by microscopy; total biomass by phospholipid fatty acid analysis; enumerations of viable aerobic heterotrophs, groups of putative aerobic co-metabolic TCE-degraders and aerobic H2-oxidizing bacteria; mineralization of 14C- labeled acetate; and enrichments for dissimilatory iron-reducing ...
The presence of soluble sulfide in produced water results in problems for the petroleum industry due to its toxicity, odor, corrosive nature, and potential for wellbore plugging. Sulfide oxidation by indigenous nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB) present in brine collected from wells at the Coleville Unit (CVU) in Saskatchewan, Canada, was investigated. Sulfide oxidation took place readily when nitrate and phosphate were added to brine enrichment cultures, resulting in a decrease in sulfide levels of 99-165 ppm to nondetectable levels (< 3.3 ppm). Produced water collected from a number of producing wells was screened to determine the time required for complete sulfide oxidation, in order to select candidate wells for treatment. Three wells were chosen, based on sulfide removal in 48 hours or less. These wells were treated down the backside of the annulus with a solution containing 10 mM KNO{sub 3} and 100 {mu}M NaH{sub 2}PO{sub 4}. Following a 24- to 72-hour ...
The effects of a daily 3-g supplement of betaine on kinetic aspects of L-[2H3-methyl-1-13C]methionine (MET) metabolism in healthy young adult men were explored. Four groups of four subjects each were given a control diet, based on an L-amino acid mixture supplying 29.5 and 21.9 mg.kg-1.d-1 of L-methionine and L-cystine for 4 d before the tracer study, conducted on day 5 during the fed state. Two groups received the control diet and two groups received the betaine supplement. Tracer was given intravenously (iv) or orally. The transmethylation rate of MET (TM), homocysteine remethylation (RM), and oxidation of methionine were estimated from plasma methionine labeling and 13C enrichment of expired air. RM tended to increase (P = 0.14) but the TM and methionine oxidation were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher after betaine supplementation when estimated with the oral tracer. No differences were detected with the intravenous tracer. Methionine concentration in ...
Immidacloprid is a cyclodiene organochlorine used as an insecticide all over the world and possessing a serous environmental threat. It is mostly used for cotton insects (bollworm, aphid and white fly). For isolation of imidacloprid degrading bacteria, two soil samples were collected from industrial contaminated sites of Kala Shah Kahu district sheikupura, having ten year history of use. Soil samples were analyzed by measuring pH and electric conductivity. The isolation of imidacroprid degrading bacteria was performed by enrichment technique. Eight bacterial strains, S/sub 1-a/ S/2-2-b/ S/2-c/ S/2-d/ S/2-e/ S/sub 2-f/ and S/sub 2-g/ and S/sub e-a/ were isolated on the basis of their colony morphologies. The purified colonies were characterized morphologically, physiologically and biochemically. Gram staining was done and Gram negative strain were confirmed on MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue. Bacterial strains were also checked for different minimal media in ...
According to ICRP 60 and European-Directive 96/29, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) and Technical Enriched Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) have to take the radiation protection of the general population as well as of workers into account. The German radiation protection regulations stress that particularly. In connection with these regulations, various measurement programs have been and still are performed to investigate the relevant exposure paths. One of these programs is the determination of the intake of natural occurring radionuclides of the uranium decay series in individuals of the public, in exposed regions and houses and also at NORM workplaces by excretion analysis. Excretion analysis surveillance is one of the common tools for internal dosimetry. Sources of primordial radionuclides could be the ingestion of foodstuff and water and the incorporation of (mostly airborne) pollution on work places. The main focus in this ...
Incorporation of /sup 32/P from (gamma-32P)ATP into tyrosine residues of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II receptor was observed in a Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of rat adipocyte plasma membranes. IGF-II receptor phosphorylation proceeded to a stoichiometry of approximately 0.5 mol of phosphate/IGF-II binding site after 10 min of incubation at 4 degrees C. A Km for ATP of 6 microM was calculated for this phosphorylation reaction. Addition of IGF-II caused an approximately 2-fold increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF-II receptor in this preparation. In contrast, phosphorylation of angiotensin II by the Triton X-100 washed membranes was not stimulated by IGF-II. Incubation of purified receptor immobilized on IGF-II agarose or of receptor-enriched low density microsomal membranes with (gamma-32P)ATP did not result in appreciable incorporation of (/sup 32/P)phosphate into the IGF-II receptor nor into exogenous substrates. These data suggest that the ...
Tree growth is mainly regulated by nitrogen (N) availability. Many plants exhibit enhanced growth and increased biomass or net primary productivity when exposed to higher atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO_2), as N metabolism is regulated by signals that are derived from CO_2 metabolism. This study estimated N use by trees of 3 poplar species exposed for 3 years to free air CO_2 enrichment (FACE) in order to determine if CO_2 treatment affected the future N availability of the plantation. N uptake of fine roots and litter was measured throughout the first crop rotation. Results were then related to previously published variations in soil N content during the same period. Retranslocation from green leaves was studied, as well as processes determining N mobilization and immobilization. The study showed that elevated CO_2 concentrations significantly increased N-use efficiency, and decreased N concentrations in most plant tissues. However, elevations in CO_2 did ...
The neutron data required to completely analyze fission reactors includes many isotopes and covers a broad energy range. In both fast and thermal reactors, the neutron inventory is a fine balance determined by the fission properties of "2"3"5U, "2"3"9Pu and "2"3"8U and by the capture cross sections of "2"3"8U, fuel materials, structural materials and coolant materials. In fast reactors, the spectrum of neutrons ranges from 1 keV to 3 MeV and is influenced by the elastic and inelastic scattering properties of "2"3"8U and the structural and coolant materials. For neutron shielding applications, the important neutron data include the total cross sections of structural and coolant materials in the MeV range. The impact of these basic nuclear data in fission reactor applications is most suitably described by sensitivity analysis. For example, sensitivity coefficients computed for a typical large plutonium fueled fast reactor indicate that a percent increase in the "2"3"9Pu(n,f) cross ...
Glycosaminoglycan synthesis was studied in cell populations of ultraviolet light-induced murine cutaneous fibrosarcoma cells under conditions of varying growth rates in vitro. After labeling with the precursors, /sup 3/H-glucosamine and /sup 35/SO/sub 4/, sulfated glycosaminoglycans recoverable by direct proteolysis of the culture monolayers increased approximately 5-fold on a per cell basis from sparsely populated, exponential cell cultures (greater than 85% of cells in S, G2, or M phases) to stationary cultures inhibited by high cell density (greater than 50% of cells in G1). Within this cell surface-associated material, the relative ratio of heparan sulfate to the chondroitin sulfates was approximately 60/40% under conditions of exponential growth; in the growth-arrested cultures, the reverse ratio was found. The substratum attached material, obtained from the flask surface after ethyl glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)-mediated detachment of the ...
The Ordos Basin, the second largest sedimentary basin in China, contains the broad distribution of natural gas types. So far, several giant gas fields have been discovered in the Upper and Lower Paleozoic in this basin, each having over 1000x10{sup 8}m{sup 3} of proven gas reserves, and several gas pools have also been discovered in the Mesozoic. This paper collected the data of natural gases and elucidated the geochemical characteristics of gases from different reservoirs, and then discussed their origin. For hydrocarbons preserved in the Upper Paleozoic, the elevated {delta}{sup 13}C values of methane, ethane and propane indicate that the gases would be mainly coal-formed gases; the singular reversal in the stable carbon isotopes of gaseous alkanes suggests the mixed gases from humic sources with different maturity. In the Lower Paleozoic, the {delta} {sup 13}C{sub 1} values are mostly similar with those in the Upper Paleozoic, but the {delta}{sup 13}C{sub 2} and {delta}{sup 13}C{sub ...
The excitation function of the {sup 64}Ni({alpha},p){sup 67}Cu reaction was measured from threshold up to 24 MeV in order to investigate the possibility of production of the {beta}{sup -}-emitting therapeutic radioisotope {sup 67}Cu (T{sub 1/2}=61.9 h). Two stacks of thin metallic self-supporting foils of {sup 64}Ni (enrichment 77.8%) prepared by electrolytic deposition were irradiated by {alpha}-particle beams. The radioactivity was determined via HPGe detector {gamma}-ray spectrometry. Some {sup 67}Ga activity (which emits the same {gamma}-rays as {sup 67}Cu), formed via the {sup nat}Cu({alpha},x){sup 67}Ga process on trace copper impurity in the Ni foils, was also observed. Corrections were done for {sup 67}Ga activity contribution and for the {sup 67}Cu activity escape fraction from the thin Ni-foil. The maximum cross section of the {sup 64}Ni({alpha},p){sup 67}Cu reaction amounts to 34 mb at 22 MeV. The experimental results were compared with theoretical ...
The use of environmental monitoring as a technique to identify activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle has been proposed by international safeguards organizations. The elements specific for each kind of nuclear activity, or 'nuclear signatures', inserted in the ecosystem can be intercepted by different live organisms. This work demonstrates the technical viability of using pine needles as bioindicators of nuclear signatures associated with uranium enrichment activities. Additionally, it proposes the use of HR-ICP-MS to identify the signature corresponding to that kind of activities in the ecosystem. Nitric acid solutions, used to wash pine needles sampled near nuclear facilities and containing only 0.1 #mu#g x kg"-"1 of uranium, exhibit a n("2"3"5U)/n("2"3"8U) isotopic abundance ratio of 0.0092#+-#0.0002, while solutions originated from samples collected at places located more than 200 km far from activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle exhibit a value of ...
Digested sewage sludge was applied to pastures and tree plantations at 19 to 44 Mg/ha (dry weight) as part of a municipal sludge disposal program. The sludge had low concentrations of heavy metals and traces of /sup 137/Cs and /sup 60/Co. Monitoring of soils, soil solutions, and runoff indicated that N, P, heavy metals, and radionuclides were largely retained in the upper 15cm of the soil. Soil solutions had elevated NO/sub 3//sup /minus// concentrations often >100 mg/L, but no significant increases in groundwater NO/sub 3//sup /minus// were found during the first year. Runoff from active sites had elevated concentrations of NO/sub 3//sup /minus// (20--30 mg/L), soluble P (1 mg/L), BOD/sub 5/ (5--30 mg/L), and fecal coliform (up to 14,000 colonies per 100 ml), not unlike runoff from pastures with cattle. Enrichment of organic N (2 times), available (inorganic) N (5 to 10 times), and Bray-P in the upper soils persisted for several years following sludge ...
A transplant experiment was conducted to determine whether standard metabolic rate (SMR) of a freshwater shrimp (Palaeomonetes paludosus) would be affected by exposure to trace element-enriched coal combustion waste (coal ash). Shrimp were transplanted into replicate cages in a coal ash-polluted site and a reference site for 8 months. The coal ash-polluted site was characterized by elevated sediment concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Se compared to sediments in the reference site. After 8 months in the study sites, shrimp in the polluted site appeared to have accumulated As, Cd and Se from the habitat, but there were on differences in survival between the study sites. However, mean SMR of shrimp (measured as O{sub 2} consumption at rest) held in the polluted site was 51% higher than mean SMR of shrimp held in the reference site. The elevation in SMR indicates that the energetic costs of maintenance are greater for shrimp chronically exposed to the ...
Surface analytical studies of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels exposed to deaerated 0.1M HCl have revealed that nitrogen alloying additions influence the composition of salt layers and the passive film/alloy interface. In this study the authors employ electrochemical techniques and variable angle X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the passive films formed on a series of austenitic stainless steels, Fe18Cr8Ni, Fe18Cr8Ni0.2N, Fe20Cr20Ni, Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo and Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo0.2N, in acidic chloride aqueous solution. In addition, several other model alloys, Fe19Cr, Fe19Cr9Ni, Fe19Cr2.5Mo, and Fe19Cr9Ni2.5Mo, were examined before and after electrochemical surface nitriding, a technique proven to have an effect analogous to N alloying. It was shown that nitrogen, nickel and molybdenum additions independently and in certain combinations stimulate selective dissolution of iron, resulting in a significant enrichment of chromium beneath the passive film. ...
Surface analytical studies of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels exposed to deaerated 0.1M HCl have revealed that nitrogen alloying additions influence the composition of salt layers and the passive film/alloy interface. In this study the authors employ electrochemical techniques and variable angle X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the passive films formed on a series of austenitic stainless steels, Fe18Cr8Ni, Fe18Cr8Ni0.2N, Fe20Cr20Ni, Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo and Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo0.2N, in acidic chloride aqueous solution. In addition, several other model alloys, Fe19Cr, Fe19Cr9Ni, Fe19Cr2.5Mo, and Fe19Cr9Ni2.5Mo, were examined before and after electrochemical surface nitriding, a technique proven to have an effect analogous to N alloying. It was shown that nitrogen, nickel and molybdenum additions independently and in certain combinations stimulate selective dissolution of iron, resulting in a significant enrichment of chromium beneath the passive film. ...
The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ni, Se, Ti, V and Zn in biological fluids, human blood serum and market milk were determined by neutron activation analysis, with enrichment by coprecipitation. The pre-concentration of these trace elements was accomplished by converting the dissolved trace metal ions into their pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate) chelates, followed by coprecipitation with a metal carrier such as Ni, Pb or Bi. The coprecipitation was carried out prior to irradiation for the short-lived nuclides (V, Ti and Se) and after irradiation for the other elements. The validity of the method was checked using certified biological reference materials; the concentrations of trace elements found by the proposed method agreed well with the published certified data. The limits of detection for Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, Ni, Se (obtained through the long-lived isotope "7"5Se) and Zn under the present experimental conditions were found to be 5, ...
Sodium is one of the most essential elements needed for metabolic processes amongst human beings. It is consumed in the form of sodium chloride but it is also present in edible plant leaves. Sodium is mostly analyzed by flame photometric method, a destructive and time consuming technique. Sodium has been determined in some green leave vegetables samples-palak, radish, khatta palak (ambat chuka), chaulai leaves, chauli bean covers and its seeds by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The method involves irradiation of samples with thermal neutrons from "2"4"1Am-Be source and counting "2"4Na activity (half life 15 hr) from the reaction "2"3Na(n,#gamma#) "2"4Na. Activity due to 1.37 MeV photopeak was counted with a NaI(Tl) crystal coupled to gamma ray spectrometer. Green leaves of the vegetables were thoroughly washed, dried at constant temperature and powdered. Bowen's Kale powder was used as standard for measuring sodium abundances. About 2g each of samples and the standard were ...
Rapid detection and characterization of food borne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 is crucial for epidemiological investigations and food safety surveillance. As an alternative to conventional technologies, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid microarrays for detecting and genotyping E. coli O157:H7. The array was composed of oligonucleotide probes (25-30 mer) complementary to four virulence loci (intimin, Shiga-like toxins I and II, and hemolysin A). Target DNA was amplified from whole cells or from purified DNA via single or multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR products were hybridized to the array without further modification or purification. The array was 32-fold more sensitive than gel electrophoresis and capable of detecting amplification products from < 1 cell equivalent of genomic DNA (1 fg). Immunomagnetic capture, PCR and a microarray were subsequently used to detect 55 CFU ml-1 (E. coli O157:H7) from chicken rinsate ...
Residual radioactive material guidelines for uranium in soil were derived for the Colonie site located in Colonie, New York. This site has been designated for remedial action under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The site became contaminated with radioactive material as a result of operations conducted by National Lead (NL) Industries from 1958 to 1984; these activities included brass foundry operations, electroplating of metal products, machining of various components using depleted uranium, and limited work with small amounts of enriched uranium and thorium. The Colonie site comprises the former NL Industries property, now designated the Colonie Interim Storage Site (CISS), and 56 vicinity properties contaminated by fallout from airborne emissions; 53 of the vicinity properties were previously remediated between 1984 and 1988. In 1984, DOE accepted ownership of the CISS property from NL ...
We present local two-dimensional and three-dimensional hybrid numerical simulations of particles and gas in the midplane of protoplanetary disks (PPDs) using the Athena code. The particles are coupled to gas aerodynamically, with particle-to-gas feedback included. Magnetorotational turbulence is ignored as an approximation for the dead zone of PPDs, and we ignore particle self-gravity to study the precursor of planetesimal formation. Our simulations include a wide size distribution of particles, ranging from strongly coupled particles with dimensionless stopping time #tau#_s #ident to# #OMEGA#t_s_t_o_p = 10"-"4 (where #OMEGA# is the orbital frequency, t_s_t_o_p is the particle friction time) to marginally coupled ones with #tau#_s = 1, and a wide range of solid abundances. Our main results are as follows. (1) Particles with #tau#_s #approx#> 10"-"2 actively participate in the streaming instability (SI), generate turbulence, and maintain the height of the particle layer before ...
Novice problem solvers are rather sensitive to surface problem features, and they often resort to trial and error formula matching rather than identifying an appropriate solution approach. These observations have been interpreted to imply that novices structure their knowledge according to surface features rather than according to problem type categories. However, it may also be the case that novices do know problem types, but cannot map the problem at hand to a known type, because they fail to create a sufficiently well-elaborated problem representation. This study aims to distinguish between these explanations. In this study novice physics students at high and low levels of proficiency completed two problem-sorting tasks from the domain of electricity and magnetism, one with and one without elaboration support. Results confirm that these students do distinguish problem types in accordance with their required solution approaches, and that their problem-sorting performance improves ...
The precipitation of heavy metals as hydroxides is the standard technique for the decontamination of waste water streams polluted by these elements. On the other side, progress in research has been made concerning the biosorption onto dead biomass and bioprecipitation supported by physiologically active bacteria. As the aim of this study, a flexible strategy has been envisaged cleaning a waste water with definite heavy metal load underlying the process mentioned above. Suitable bacteria were enriched and the process was tested in a technical plant. As result, a very high efficiency of heavy metal elimination has been found. The field of application covered by the acquired process is identical with the whole range of the waste water streams polluted by heavy metals. In addition, a second stage may be necessary if there are any further contaminants to be removed. (orig.) [Deutsch] Bei der Reinigung von schwermetallhaltigen Abwaessern ist der derzeitige Stand der ...
Full text: In heavy-water-moderated power reactors, tritium is primarily produced by neutron capture in deuterium nuclei in the moderator and coolant. For CANDU 6 reactors, the estimated steady-state values are #approx# 3 TBq#centre dot#kg"-"1 D_2O in the moderator and #approx# 74 GBq#centre dot#kg"-"1 D_2O in the coolant. Tritium removal is one option available to reactor operators for use in their heavy water and tritium management strategies. The WTRF is designed to remove tritium from tritiated heavy water in each of the four CANDU units at the Wolsung Site, to immobilize the tritium and to store it on site. The detritiation process is based on three steps: the first one (front-end) involves the transfer of tritium from heavy water to deuterium gas; the second one (enrichment) concentrates the tritium in a cryogenic distillation system to produce essentially pure D_2 and T_2 streams; and in the third step the tritium is packaged for long-term storage. The WTRF ...
The leached glass is subject to leachant attack and results in surface layer alteration which greatly affects the corrosion progress of glass forms. This work studied the composition change, precipitation, pitting corrosion as well as surface layer break and spallation of the leached glass forms. 6 conclusions can be made: 1. The extent of surface layer alteration is related to many factors such as temperature, pH, leachant chemistry, flow rate and leach duration, etc. 2. The alkali element Na is seriously depleted and the elements like U.Ti,Fe, Ca and Mg are enriched in the surface layer. The influence of media has such order: Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} > Na-bentonite > Zeolite. 3. The precipitate formed in leach test for 56 days at 90 {infinity}C is mostly amorphous, but after 91 days has crystallized. There is K - Ca - Al - Si crystal,the amount of Al, K and Si is increasing, but the amount of Ca is decreasing along with leaching time. CaCO{sub 3} crystal ...
This additional protocol to the agreement between France, EURATOM and the IAEA aims at reinforcing the nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime. This protocol widens the field of competences of the IAEA with the supply of new information relative to: the civil nuclear cooperation between France and countries having no nuclear weapons in the domain of fuel cycle; the regular inspection of French nuclear facilities; the trade (import and export) of medium- or high-level radioactive wastes containing plutonium, highly enriched uranium or {sup 233}U, and the trade of some non-nuclear equipments or materials with countries having no nuclear weapons. The protocol defines also some practical dispositions relative to the delays and periodicity of controls, to the transmission of data, to the appointment of IAEA inspectors and their access to the facilities and sites considered. The list of the activities and equipments covered by the protocol are given in appendixes. ...
Simulation irradiation experiments were carried out to investigate the formation processes and contribution to hardening of radiation-induced features in low alloy steels. Medium Cu (0.12 and 0.16%) and low Cu (0.03%) A533B steels were irradiated with 3 MeV Ni ions and 5 MeV electrons, and in KUR at 290degC. Irradiated steels were examined by three-dimensional atom probe, positron annihilation, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurements. Electron irradiation caused almost the same hardening as KUR irradiation in medium Cu steels under almost the same dose rate and dose conditions, whereas the formation of larger, denser and more Cu enriched clusters and smaller accumulation of single vacancies were confirmed for KUR irradiation. This indicated that cascade damage provides additional cluster nucleation sites to compensate for lower free point defect production. High dose rate Ni ion irradiation produced Mn-Ni-Si clusters and ...
A series of pentaamminerhodium(III) complexes, Rh(NH/sub 3/)/sub 5/Z/sup n+/, has been prepared with 80% enrichment in /sup 15/N (Z = H/sub 2/O, OH/sup /minus//, Cl/sup /minus//, Br/sup /minus//, I/sup /minus//, NH/sub 3/, /minus/ONO/sup /minus//, /minus/NO/sub 2//sup /minus//, /minus/NCS/sup /minus//, /minus/SCN/sup /minus//, /minus/NCO/sup /minus//, CN/sup /minus//). The /sup 1/H-decoupled /sup 15/N NMR spectra show two doublets (from coupling to /sup 103/Rh) with approximate intensity ratio 4:1. /delta//sub N/ and /sup 1/J(rh-N) are sensitive to Z, especially for the unique amine trans to Z. Good correlations exist between /delta//sub N/ in this series of /delta//sub N/ in this series and /delta//sub N/ in the corresponding cobalt(III) complexes Co(NH/sub 3/)/sub 5/Z/sup n+/ and platinum(II) complexes Pt(NH/sub 3/)/sub 3/Z/sup m+/, J(Rh-N) trans to Z also correlates well with H(Pt-N) trans to Z in the platinum series. 16 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
This book is an anatomical reference for cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in neonates and infants. It contains 122 clear, sharp MRI scans and drawings showing changes in the normal appearance of the brain and skull during development. Sections of the atlas depict the major processes of maturation: brain myelination, development of the corpus callosum, development of the cranial bone marrow, and iron deposition in the brain. High-quality scans illustrate how these changes appear on magnetic resonance images during various stages of development.
We analyzed the effect of short-term water deficits at different periods of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaf development on the spatial and temporal patterns of tissue expansion...Full Text Available
The development of the Java Programming Language by Sun Microsystems has provided a new tool for the development of Internet based applications. Our preliminary work has shown how Java can be used to...Full Text Available
The development of central neuropathic pain varies among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The factors contributing to the development and perpetuation of segmental pain (at-level allodynia)...Full Text Available
An overview of the operations of Sandia`s Microelectronics Development Lab (MDL) is to develop radiation hardened IC, but techniques used for IC processing have been applied to a variety of related technologies such as micromechanics, smart sensors, and packaging.
From view on Organization Behavior theory, the concept, development and affecting factors of safety culture are introduced. The focuses are on the establishment, development and management practice for safety culture at Daya Bay NPP. A strong safety culture, also demonstrated, has contributed greatly to improving performance at Daya Bay
The energy strategy of the UK Overseas Development Administration is outlined with specific emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energies. Based on 29 case studies concerning projects and programmes in both developed and developing countries, critical success factors for renewable energy projects are identified. UK)
The results of the two most recently completed runs at the Wilsonville Advanced Coal Liquefaction Research and Development Facility are presented. In Run 255, initial screening of operating conditions for the liquefaction of a Texas lignite was completed....
... Gastrointestinal Tract On the Growth and Development of Hymenolepis DiminutaKerry L. Dwinell, Paul Bass, Gordon L. Telford, ... central (CNS) nervous systems in the development of Hymenolepis diminuta usi...
This paper explores how an aid-funded Ph.D.-programme in mathematics education instituted in some Southern African Development Community countries measures up to issues related to research capacity development projects. The research capacity development programme is described and reflected against mutual benefit, relevance, sustainability and prioritization of the location of project funding expenditure--some of the constructs in the discourse on research capacity development initiatives. It is found that the benefits of the programme are indeed mutual; the outcomes regarding relevance and sustainability are more uncertain and the location of expenditure of the funding is not overtly in favour of the donor country.
Seventy-seven patients developed retinal breaks following an episode of ocular contusion, and 65 (84.4%) of these developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Surgical treatment successfully restored...Full Text Available
The development of both the mammalian oocyte and the somatic cell compartments of the ovarian follicle is highly coordinated; this coordination ensures that the ovulated oocyte is ready to undergo fertilization...Full Text Available
There is no commonly accepted standardized terminology for oral diagnoses. The purpose of this article is to report the development of a standardized dental diagnostic terminology by a work...Full Text Available
The growth and development of rice (Oryzae sativa) seedlings was shown to be regulated epigenetically by a fungal endophyte. In contrast to un-inoculated (nonsymbiotic) plants, endophyte...Full Text Available
... development of SC policy within DOD, because it describes the necessary link between DOD ... strategy convolutes USG efforts to develop SC policy. ...
R/V Laurence M. Gould LMG0303 - Development of a luminescence dating capability for Antarctic glaciomarine sediments: Tests of signal zeroing at the ...
There is an urgent need in aquaculture to develop microbial control strategies, since disease outbreaks are recognized as important constraints to aquaculture production and trade and since the development...Full Text Available
Because resistance to new insecticides may develop rapidly and cross resistance is often encountered, even between insecticides of different classes, there is a continual demand for the development...Full Text Available
Nativist and constructivist approaches to the study of development share a common emphasis on characterizing beginning and end states in development. This focus has highlighted the question...Full Text Available
BackgroundWhereas there is increasing evidence that loss of expression and/or function of the thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) could result in a selective advantage for tumor development,...Full Text Available
A growing number of environmental toxicants found in pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents are believed to have deleterious effects on development by disrupting hormone-sensitive processes....Full Text Available
Jan 22, 2011 ... dc.description.abstract, The progress in the development of a surface analysis tool based on the excitation of characteristic luminescence ...
The activities and the policy in the Netherlands regarding the development of the title systems since 1990 are briefly outlined, focusing on the use of PV-systems in buildings. 5 figs., 1 tab.
Due to the serovar diversity in Haemophilus (H.) parasuis, it is difficult to develop a universal serological method for detection of this pathogen....Full Text Available
... investigates the convergence of three main areas of UUV development; mission ... with an improved low-cost embedded-system robot controller, to ...
... design, and manufacturing knowledge have been acquired and used to develop an 'in-house' capability for the fabrication of magnetic forming coils ...
... teaching and learning; Creating learning materials and teaching strategies; Developing faculty ... achieve educational innovations. Educational Materials Development (EMD): A project under the former ...
Copper deficiency is associated with impaired brain development and mitochondrial dysfunction. Perinatal copper deficiency was produced in Holtzman rats. In vivo proton NMR...Full Text Available
... By developing and disseminating educational materials and curricula, supporting the preparation and ... education, such as curriculum or educational materials development, faculty or teacher preparation ...
CANDU 600 nuclear reactors are usually fuelled with STANDARD (STD), 37 rods fuel bundles. Natural uranium (NU) dioxide (UO_2), is used as fuel composition. A new fuel bundle geometry called CANFLEX (CFX) with 43 rods is proposed and some new fuel composition are considered. Flexibility is the key word for the attempt to use some different fuel geometries and compositions for CANDU 600 nuclear reactors as well as for innovative ACR-700/1000 nuclear reactors. The fuel bundle considered in this paper is CFX-RU-0.90 that encodes the CANFLEX geometry, recycled dioxide uranium (RU) with 0.90% enrichment. The goal of this proposal is ambitious: a higher average discharge burn-up up to 14000 MWd/tU and, for the same amount of generated electric power, reduction in nuclear fuel fabrication, reduction of spent nuclear fuel radioactive waste and reduction of refueling operational work by using fewer bundles. An improved sub-channel approach for thermal-hydraulic analysis is ...
The radionuclide characteristics of light-water-reactor (LWR) spent fuel play key roles in the design and licensing activities for radioactive waste transportation systems, interim storage facilities, and the final repository site. Several areas of analysis require detailed information concerning the time-dependent behavior of radioactive nuclides including (1) neutron/gamma-ray sources for shielding studies, (2) fissile/absorber concentrations for criticality safety determinations, (3) residual decay heat predictions for thermal considerations, and (4) curie and/or radiological toxicity levels for materials assumed to be released into the ground/environment after long periods of time. The crucial nature of the radionuclide predictions over both short and long periods of time has resulted in an increased emphasis on thorough validation for radionuclide generation/depletion codes. Current radionuclide generation/depletion codes have the capability to follow the evolution of some 1600 ...
(Cu_4_7Zr_1_1Ti_3_4Ni_8)_1_0_0_-_xMo _x bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with x = 0, 1 and 2 at.% and a bulk metallic glass matrix composite with x = 5 at.% were successfully prepared by water-cooled copper mold casting. The effect of the addition of a small amount of Mo on the glass forming ability (GFA), thermal properties of the base alloy (i.e. x = 0) were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analyzer (DTA). It is found that the addition of appropriate amount of Mo can enhance the GFA of the Cu-based BMG, as indicated by the increase in the reduced glass transition temperature T _r_g (=T _g/T _l) and the parameter #gamma# (=T _x/(T _g + T _l)) with the increase of Mo. On the other hand, the corrosion resistance of the Cu-based BMGs with different Mo contents was examined by electrochemical polarization and weight loss measurement in 1 mol/L H_2SO_4 and 1 mol/L NaOH solutions, respectively. It is found that the ...
The changes in microstructure of a specially prepared boron nitride (BN) film as a function of film depth were studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and other materials analysis tools. These changes were then correlated to the changes in processing parameters during film growth. The analyzed film was fabricated by the four-step ion-assisted deposition procedure known to be effective in film-stress engineering for the formation and retention of a thick cubic BN (cBN) layer with a three-step buffer-layer deposition. In this deposition, the energy of the ions assisting cBN formation was increased stepwise from 200 to 280, and then to 360 eV [S.F. Wong, C. W. Ong, G.K.H. Pang, K.Z. Baba-Kishi, W. M. Lau, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 22 (2004) 676]. The nominal thickness of the cBN layer was 650 nm and that for each of the three buffer layers was about 160 nm. Both the HRTEM and electron diffraction results confirmed that the top cBN layer, with a thickness of 643 ...
The rate of the oxygen-exchange reaction in an aqueous solution of a heterocyclic oxygen compound, 2,4,6-trimethylpyrylium perchlorate, was quantitated. The /sup 18/O isotope effect in /sup 13/C NMR spectroscopy affords a direct, continuous, and relatively simple analysis of the reaction and was used to obtain data on the incorporation of /sup 18/O from solvent H/sub 2//sup 18/O into the pyrylium salt. Due to the low solubility of this salt in aqueous solutions, 2,4,6-trimethyl(2-/sup 13/C)pyrylium perchlorate and 2,4,6-trimethyl(2,6-/sup 13/C/sub 2/)pyrylium perchlorate were synthesized to facilitate the acquisition of the data on an NTC-200 spectrometer operating at 50.31 MHz. Upon incorporation of /sup 18/O into the pyrylium salt, the /sup 13/C NMR signal of the directly bonded carbon atom is shifted upfield 0.038 ppm. A /sup 13/C isotope effect is also detected in the doubly /sup 13/C-enriched pyrylium salt where the /sup 13/C NMR signal for /sup 13/C-O-/sup ...