Objective: To evaluate the treatment of malignant biliary stenoses and occlusions using a new stent. Methods: In a prospective study, 25 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were treated with SMART stents. The handling and the quality of stent expansion were documented. Stent function was assessed 2-4 days after intervention by cholangiography and laboratory tests. A follow-up was performed three months, after stent placement. Results: All lesions were treated successfully, with a total of 35 stents implanted. In 14 patients a further balloon dilatation was performed after stent placement (8-10 mm diameter/40-80 mm length). The mean serum bilirubin level decreased significantly from 11.6 mg/dl to 4.6 mg/dl after intervention (p<0.05). The follow-up showed a mean serum bilirubin level at 4.0 mg/dl. In 4 cases (16%) a further intervention (PTCD or stent) was performed. Six patients died due to tumor progression. The stents proved to be patent in 79% (n=15) of patients ...
Emission inventories were estimated for the airborne emissions of: Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Mercury, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Lead, Antimony, Selenium, Tellur, Thallium, Zinc, Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Tin. The inventories were made for the status of 1985 and 1990. A prognosis was given for 1995. The investigations were made for the whole area of the Federal Republic of Germany including the former German Democratic Republic. Working point was an overview about the plant-specific emissions for the various industrial branches and the production statistics. The results are given as total emissions from the existing plants and industrial branches. (orig.) [Deutsch] Es erfolgte eine Abschaetzung der luftseitigen Emissionen fuer die Elemente: Arsen, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chrom, Kobalt, Kupfer, Quecksilber, Mangan, Molybdaen, Nickel, Blei, Antimon, Selen, Tellur, Thallium, Zink, Platin, Palladium, Rhodium und Zink. Die Erhebungen ...
The complete determination of stroke/throughput curves at steam turbines for arbitrary valve positions usually only follows after the fundamental layout of the control valves, of the possible nozzle segments and of the turbine blading. A general fundamental equation and some design norms based on it are presented which may serve already before a fluidic layout of the turbine in detail as an optimizing predetermination of the properties concerning pressure loss and control statics of the metering components in the admission area. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die vollstaendige Bestimmung der Hub-/Durchsatzkurven an Dampfturbinen fuer beliebige Ventilstellungen erfolgt ueblicherweise erst nach der Grundauslegung der Stellventile, etwaiger Duesensegmente und der Turbinenbeschaufelung. Es werden eine allgemeine Grundgleichung und einige auf ihr aufbauende Entwurfsregeln angegeben, die zu einer optimierenden Vorabbestimmung der druckverlustbezogenen ...
In the last few years the supercharging of Otto-cycle-engines has regained popularity, as demonstrated by a number of series-production engines. After listing the aims to be met by a modern supercharger the paper describes the technical status of mass-produced or close to production superchargers. This is followed by a comparative evaluation of the systems, enabling the reader to select possible solutions for a projected supercharger-engine-system by means of a comparison chart. The paper is concluded by a list of possible directions for further development and additional potential for twin-screw superchargers. (orig.) [German] In neuerer Zeit hat die Aufladung von Ottomotoren wieder ein verstaerktes Interesse gefunden, das sich auch in einer Anzahl serienmaessig gefertigter aufgeladener Motortypen wiederspiegelt. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt, nach einer Darstellung der Anforderungen an ein modernes Aufladegeraet, den Stand der Technik bei serienmaessigen ...
Within its competence for energy research, the Bundesministerium fuer Wirtschaft und Arbeit (BMWA) (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) sponsors investigations into the safety of nuclear power plants. The objective of these investigations is to provide fundamental knowledge, procedures and methods to contribute to realistic safety assessments of nuclear installations, to the further development of safety technology and to make use of the potential of innovative safety-related approaches. The Gesellschaft fuer Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) mbH, by order to the BMWi, continuously issues information on the status of such investigations by publishing semi-annual and annual progress reports within the series of GRS-F-Fortschrittsberichte (GRS-F-Progress Reports). Each progress report represents a compilation of individual reports about the objectives, work performed, results achieved, next steps of the work etc. The individual reports are prepared in a standard form by the ...
60 patients between 17 and 72 years of age were investigated. First, an enteroclysis was performed in typical manner. The applicated methylcellulosis was blended with positive oral MR contrast media (Magnevist oral, Schering). After enteroclysis, MRI of the abdomen was performed using T1- and T2-weighted breathhold sequences (Flash 2D pre- and postcontrast and TSE) in axial and coronal planes. The length of the affected bowel and the stenosis seen with enteroclysis correlated well with the visible thickening of the small bowel wall and the stenosis seen in MRI. Using MRI, additional findings could be obtained in 28 patients, such as fistulas, abscesses or a hydronephrosis, or a better assessment of the stenosis was possible with MRI, because of the avoidance of overshadowing of the affected bowel loop with MRI. A brilliant MR-tomographic imaging of the small bowel is possible under the condition, that the small bowel contrast is optimal. The main prerequisite is a large filling volume ...
It is necessary to measure strength and creep behavior to guarantee the safe and reliable usage of refractory alloys at extremely high temperatures. In the literature there is very little information available about the properties of Mo-Re alloys at temperatures higher than 1000 C. A special test facility has been designed and built for stress-rupture testing at very high temperatures (up to 3000 C) of refractory metals and alloys in inert atmospheres. - The stress-rupture strength as well as the creep behavior of molybdenum-rhenium alloys with rhenium contents between 41 and 51 wt.% have been determined at temperatures ranging from 1200 to 2000 C, and rupture times of up to 10 hours using this facility. Previous measurements of stress-rupture strength and creep behavior of pure rhenium have been compared with the measurement results of Mo-Re alloys. - The discussion of the values measured is based on metallographic test results and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Mo-Re ...
In order for fuel cells to be successful, a full-scale hydrogen infastructure is required. The HyTra concept is presented here (HYdrogen TRAnsform, Transfer and TRAnsport) involves combined production, storage and supply of hydrogen in a transportable trailer, i.e. it is both a hydrogen production unit and a mobile filling station. The trailer can be transported to the selected site, where it will produce gaseous hydrogen from electricity and water by electrolysis. A compressor pumps the gas into an internal pressure tank and compresses it to filling pressure. Filling takes place by the overflow principle via a flexible high-pressure line with a standardised H{sub 2} filling unit. (orig.) [German] Um die Marktdurchdringung der Brennstoffzellentechnik gewaehrleisten zu koennen, muss eine flaechendeckende Wasserstoffinfrastruktur aufgebaut werden. Das neue HyTra-Konzept (HYdrogen TRAnsform, TRAnsfer and TRAnsport) beruht auf der Kombination von Wasserstoff-Erzeugung, -Speicherung und ...
Purpose: An animal model is used to investigate whether MR angiography combined with super-paramagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO) is suitable for detecting thromboses. Methods: 42 rats in groups of 7 each were examined on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, respectively, after mechanical/chemical thrombus induction in a 1.5 Tesla magnet with a FISP sequence (TR/TE/FA 50 ms/6 ms/40 ). Imaging was performed before and up to 90 minutes after intravenous injection of 30 {mu}mol FE/kg BW of the experimental SPIO (hydrodynamic diameter, 34{+-}17 nm LLS; R1 and R2 relaxivity at 0.47 T, 31 and 57 L/(mmol*s)). MIP reconstructions of MR angiographies were submitted to consensus assessment by two examiners using histology as the gold standard. Results: The image quality of MIP reconstructions was rated as good in 38 of 42 cases. With regard to thrombotic vessel occlusion, MR angiography coincided with histology in 17 of 42 cases and differed in 25, lumen narrowing being overestimated by MRI in 4 ...
Purpose: The determination of tumor volume in ocular tumors is very important for the planning and success of radiation therapy. This study uses an animal model to evaluate the accuracy of MR-based volumetry of ocular tumors. Materials and methods: In a total of 25 porcine eyes obtained from the slaughterhouse, ocular tumors were produced by injecting a mixture of hand creme and Gd-DTPA under ophthalmoscopic guidance. The injected volume varied between 0.05 ml and 2.7 ml. The eyes were examined with a 1.5 Tesla scanner and a 4 cm circular surface coil especially developed for ocular MRI. After data transfer to a separate workstation, volumetric analysis was carried out by three independent radiologists using semiautomated software. The determined volume was compared with the injected volume. Results: Of the 25 prepared porcine eyes, 23 were suitable for volumetric analysis. The injection of the mixture of hand creme and GD-DTPA produced two different types of tumors. ...
This research project aimed to determine the factors for the transfer of the elements silver (Ag), cerium (Ce), cobalt (Co), chrome (Cr), gallium (Ga), lanthanum (La), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), radium (Ra), ruthenium (Ru), antimony (sb), thorium (Th), titanium (Ti) and uranium (U) from food into the mother's milk. This factors will be used as a basic to check and derive activity values for the contamination of food and for radiation protection at working places of suckling women. For this purpose 19 mothers collected samples daily (2-8 weeks), using the duplicate method, of all the food they consumed as well as of their milk. After microwave-assisted digestion the element contents were analysed by mass-spectroscopy with inductive coupled plasma (ICP-MS). The results of the mothers who participate for more than 5 weeks were used to make a time lapse between the intake and transfer of the elements in the mothers milk visible. (orig.) [German] Ziel dieses Forschungsvorhabens ...
Purpose: To evaluate a T{sub 2}-weighted URSE sequence for the assessment of pulmonary infiltrations in comparison to CT. Methods: 28 MRT scans of 22 patients with confirmed pneumonia were recorded on a 1.5 Tesla apparatus with an expiratory and diastolic triggered, T{sub 2}-weighted ultrafast-spin-echo sequence in axial slice mode with the following parameters: TR{sub eff}/T{sub E}/Turbofactor 2000-4000/90 ms/21-23; slice thickness/separation 6/0.6 mm; FOV 360 mm; 24 slices. 24 spiral CTs (sice thickness/table advance: 1-2 mm/10 mm) were available for comparison. The separate evaluation of MRTs and CTs was performed by three radiologists in a consensus procedure with regard to pulmonary lesions (e.g., infiltration, round foci, net patterns) and image quality of the MRTs (4-step scale). Results: In 71% of the cases the CTs and MRTs agreed with the diagnosis and representation of the lesions, in 25% MRT was superior. MRT was better for the detection of pulmonary abscesses. In 93% the ...
Purpose: Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults. The purpose of the study was to correlate MR imaging features with the four ICD subclasses. Methods: 28 patients with liposarcoma were examined preoperatively on a 1.0 T MRI system, using spin echo sequences, gradient echo imaging and STIR sequences. In all patients, classification of the liposarcomas was made by histologic diagnosis (ICD-10-M-classification). Results: Well differentiated liposarcomas (9 patients) showed a number of MRI features consistent with lipoma (well defined mass high signal intensity (SI) on T{sub 1} images, low signal on T{sub 2} images, no or only little signal increase of tumour tissue after contrast material application, no necrosis). Not well differentiated liposarcomas (myxoid 14 patients, pleomorphic three patients, round cell two patients) revealed the largest part of the mass to be of low SI on T{sub 1}-weighted images. Only scattered fatty islands and septa (9 patients with myxoid ...
Purpose: To determine the value of MRI in the preoperative evaluation of chronic paranasal sinusitis and to compare the results with CT and intraoperative findings. Method/Materials: 42 patients with clinical signs of chronic paranasal sinusitis underwent MRI after CT evaluation on one day, with subsequent functional endoscopic sinus surgery on the next day. Coronary CT was obtained with 5-mm slices and table-feed in the prone position, while MRI was performed in the supine position with coronary T{sub 2}-TSE+pd and coronary and transverse HASTE, each with 5-mm slice thickness. Aquisition time in MRI was less than 8 minutes. Two radiologists reviewed the CT and MRI scans for signs of sinusitis and detection of anatomical landmarks. The results were correlated with the intraoperative findings. Results: MRI offered no artifacts of dental work and showed more often high quality pictures than CT. CT and MRI demonstrated a good correlation in the detection of mucosal pathologies ...
Purpose: To determine the diagnostic value of high resolution MR imaging with a circularly polarised (c.p.) body phased-array coil for the staging of pelvic lymph nodes in cervical carcinoma. Material and methods: 42 patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the cervix were studied on a 1.5 T scanner by using a c.p. body phased-array coil. The imaging protocol included T{sub 2}-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) and T{sub 1}-weighted spin-echo sequences pre and post IV application of Gd-DTPA; slice thickness was 5-7 mm and pixel size 0.53 mm{sup 2}. Lymph nodes with a diameter of {>=}8 mm were considered to have metastatic involvement. MR imaging results were compared with histopathologic findings. Results: MR imaging showed enlarged lymph nodes ({>=} 8 mm) in 16 of 18 patients with histologic proof of lymph node metastases (sensitivity 89%). In 22 of 24 cases MR findings were true negative (specificity 92%). Diagnostic accuracy was 91%. Conclusion: High-resolution MR imaging ...
{gamma} Ti-Al have a higher temperature potential than commercial titanium alloys and a 50 percent lower density than nickel base superalloys. Application temperatures in aircraft turbines are 750 C and above. The authors investigated the high-temperature performance of {gamma} TiAl, i.e. isothermal high-temperature fatigue and the type and importance of damage. LCF experiments were made in the temperature range of brittle/ductile transition in air and vacuum. Damage mechanisms were characterized by microstructural investigations. [German] Unter den modernen Hochtemperaturwerkstoffen kommt den Legierungen auf Basis von {gamma}-TiAl eine zunehmend wichtige Bedeutung zu, da diese Werkstoffe ein hoeheres Temperaturpotential als alle kommerziellen Titanlegierungen haben und eine im Vergleich zu den Nickelbasis-Superlegierungen um ca. 50% geringere Dichte aufweisen. TiAl-Werkstoffe, die z.B. fuer Schaufeln und Gehaeuse in Flugzeugturbinen eingesetzt werden sollen, muessen bei Temperaturen ...
This assessment is a feasibility study according to ISO 14024. It deals with the question whether an ecolabel is suitable for wood pellet heating systems and how concrete criteria for an ecolabel for wood pellet heating plants could be specified. The study begins with a comprehensive market analysis in order to identify possible plants for which an ecolabel would make sense. In the main part of the study, the environmental relevance of the chosen plants is analysed. For this analysis, plant manufacturers were interviewed and a comparison between wood pellet heating systems and heating systems which use gas, oil or wood was carried out. On the basis of this analysis, it was possible to derive a number of criteria which were discussed with company representatives and other experts in this field. As a result of this dialogue and the investigation process as a whole, the introduction of an ecolabel for wood pellet heating plants can be recommended. Wood pellet heating systems are ...
Under the repository storage conditions of Eram and Konrad, waste packages designed for permanent storage must not contain or release freely mobile liquids, except for the minimum residues attainable by reasonable efforts or unavoidable. In accordance with a directive issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), waste conditioning must be carried out so as to minimize waste volumes and, if possible, on the site where the waste arises. Liquid waste is conditioned most effectively by drying. At the present time, various different processes for drying liquid waste are employed as reflected by the state of the art: The Robe process; roller drying; the RDA process; Favorit; in-drum drying; and HPA liquid waste drying with make-up feed. The HPA process offers these advantages: Drying under atmospheric conditions, which means high level of dryness (freely mobile and releasable water is removed); the residual water content is 10%; isothermal drying by hot air, which ...
Purpose: To assess the new method of 3-dimensional echocardiography in comparison to the 'gold standard' MRI as to its ability to calculate left ventricular volumes in patients with congenital heart disease. Materials and methods: Eighteen patients between the ages of 3.9 to 37.3 years (mean: 12.8{+-}9.7) with a geometrically abnormal left ventricle were examined using a 1.5 T scanner with a fast gradient-echo sequence (TR=14 ms, TE=2.6-2.9 ms, FOV=300-400 mm, flip angle=20 , matrix=128:256, slice thickness=5 mm, retrospective gating) in multislice-multiphase technique. Transthoracic 3D-echocardiography was performed with a 3.5 MHz transducer and a Tomtec {sup trademark} (Munich, Germany) system for 3D reconstruction. Results: Volume calculation was possible in all patients with 3D-echocardiography, but the muscle mass calculation only succeeded in 11 to 18 patients (61%) due to inadequate visualization of the entire myocardium. Comparing MRI and 3D-echocardiography, ...
35 patients with ankle sprain were examined by MRI and stress radiographs. 13 were operated afterwards, 22 patients underwent a functional conservative therapy and were examined by MRI and stress radiographs and second time after three months. MRI reports were correct in 12 of 13 operated cases. After conservative therapy we did not find any disrupted ankle ligament. MRI showed intact ligaments thickened by scar. (orig./MG) [Deutsch] 35 Patienten mit klinischem Verdacht auf Aussenbandruptur wurden mit der MRT untersucht. 13 Patienten wurden operiert, 22 konzervativ therapiert. Letztere wurden nach drei Monaten erneut mit MRT und gehaltenen Aufnahmen untersucht. Die MRT-Befunde stimmten in 12 von 13 Faellen mit den operativ erhobenen Befunden ueberein. Nach dreimonatiger konzervativer Therapie waren alle 22 Sprunggelenke stabil. Die rupturierten Baender stellten sich verdickt und durchgaengig dar. (orig./MG)
The methods introduced for the field of cleaning waste water can be classified under various processes. Chemical oxidation is done with ozone, hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation with subsequent biological decomposition. Another method is ultra-filtration with recovery of valuable materials or waste water ponds with algae biomass to decompose ammonium compounds, nitrates and phosphates. (EF) [Deutsch] Die auf dem Gebiet der Abwasserreinigung vorgestellten Methoden kann man in verschiedene Verfahren einordnen. Die chemische Oxidation erfolgt mit Ozon, Wasserstoff-Peroxid, UV Bestrahlung und anschliessenden biologischen Abbau. Eine andere Methode ist die Ultrafiltration mit Rueckgewinnung von Wertstoffen oder Abwasserteiche mit Algenbiomasse zum Abbau von Ammoniumverbindungen, Nitraten und Phosphaten. (EF)
Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty AG, the industrial insurance carriers of Allianz Group and AZT Risk and Technology GmbH, have a lot of experience and a comprehensive database about damage of industrial steam turbines and large-scale power generation turbosets. Sound maintenance concepts are the main loss prevention measure, which will be presented and discussed in detail. Some modifications and additions to existing maintenance concepts are also provided.
Zusammenfassung Der vom Bundesamt f?r Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) entwickelte Ansatz des IT-Grundschutzes war bereits Gegenstand von Beitr?gen in der DuD. Inzwischen hat das ?Grundschutzhandbuch? Eingang in die internationale Standard-Familie ISO 2700x gefunden. Der Autor berichtet ?ber die Erfahrungen mit den ersten durchgef?hrten Zertifizierungen nach dem neuen ISO-Standard auf der Basis von IT-Grundschutz.
Geothermal heat pump systems necessitate a comprehensive approach to geology and building facilities in order to be energetically useful and efficient. Cooperation with geothermal experts should be sought at an early projecting stage in order to obtain reliable data. Geothermal data and the technical facilities of the building must be matched for the project to be both effective and efficient. (orig.)
The development of emmissions, the measures planned and carried out and the present state of research in the Federal Republic of Germany into air pollution effects and abatement technology is reported. Possible starting points and solutions for air pollution abatement measures are explored within the legal framework.
The programme 'Solarthermie 2000' aimed at the testing and optimization of active solar systems, especially for service water heating. Sub-programme 2 was to provide the technical fundamentals and achieve a certain degree of standardization in order to make the technology economically competitive. This necessitated long-term monitoring of a representative number of systems. [German] Im Rahmen des Foerder- und Demonstrationsprogramms Solarthermie 2000, Teilprogramm 2 erfolgt durch die Foerderung von bis zu 100 solarthermischer Anlagen mit Schwerpunkt in den neuen Bundeslaendern eine umfassende Erprobung und Optimierung von Systemen zur aktiven thermischen Sonnenenergienutzung vorwiegend zur Brauchwassererwaermung. Mit dem Teilprogramm 2 sollen die technischen Voraussetzungen fuer einen kuenftigen wirksamen Beitrag der Solarthermie zur Energieversorgung geschaffen und durch Systemstandardisierung die wirtschaftliche Konkurrenzfaehigkeit dieser ...
The report gives a brief introduction into the EU grant programmes since 1984 and explains the philosophy behind them. The current situation regarding grant opportunities for the construction and modernization of small hydroelectric installations is outlined. Hints are given with a view to grant applications. A selection of small hydro power stations supported by grants (since 1984) are described with their economic and technical features. (orig.) [Deutsch] In diesem Beitrag wird eine kurze Einfuehrung in die EU-Foerderprogramme seit 1984 und Erlaeuterungen zu der Programmphilosophie gegeben. Die derzeitige Situation bezueglich der Foerderung von Kleinwasserkraftanlagen fuer Neubauten und Modernisierungsmassnahmen wird dargestellt. Es werden Hinweise zur Stellung eines Foerderantrags beschrieben. Abschliessend erfolgt die Vorstellung einer Auswahl von gefoerderten Kleinwasserkraftanlagen (seit 1984) mit den wirtschaftlichen und technischen Besonderheiten. (orig.)
By using defined compositions based on industrial wastes of the hard-coal mining and a further waste material (red mud), which is obtained during the extraction process of alumina (BAYER-Process), it is possible to produce expanded-clay granulate requiring suitable preparation, shaping and firing at temperatures of about 1150 C. Some of the investigated parameters and aspects of this manufacturing process will be presented in this paper. (orig.) [German] Aus definierten Mischungen industrieller Reststoffe des Steinkohlenbergbaus (Bergematerial) mit einem weiteren Abfallstoff (Rotschlamm), der bei der Aluminiumoxidgewinnung nach dem BAYER-Verfahren anfaellt, laesst sich nach geeigneter Aufbereitung und Formgebung durch Brennen bei ca. 1150 C Blaehton-Grunulat herstellen. Auf einen Teil der untersuchten Parameter und ermittelten Zusammenhaenge soll im folgenden naeher eingegangen werden. (orig.)
Pulmonary tumors in children are rare. Nevertheless, there are besides malign primary neoplasms and metastases also some benign tumors that the radiologist should know. The identification of some tumors is difficult, since some of them may mimic pulmonary inflammation. The first diagnostic tool is chest radiography. After that, a CT with contrastmedium should be performed, if possible a multislice-CT (MSCT). Identification of mediastinal structures is best with MRI. (orig.) [German] Tumoren der Lunge sind im Kindesalter selten. Trotzdem finden sich neben den malignen primaeren und sekundaeren Raumforderungen auch im Kindesalter immer wieder benigne Tumoren, die der Radiologe kennen sollte. Eine eindeutige Identifizierung kann schwierig sein, da z. B. entzuendliche Infiltrate vorgetaeuscht werden koennen. Die primaere Untersuchungsmethode ist das konventionelle Thoraxroentgen. Die weitere Diagnostik muss mit der Computertomographie, nach Moeglichkeit mit einem ...
A report is given of investigations into the possibility of utilizing red mud from the Bayer process for producing Ferrari cements. On repeated burning at 1450deg C suitable mixtures of red mud with silica and lime form a clinker with a low free lime content from which Ferrari cement can be produced. The average 28-day compressive strengths of cements produced from this clinker are so encouraging that further investigations are appropriate. (orig.).
The legal basis to be provided is a licence for decommissioning work, issued for a particular reactor, including activities for recycling of disassembled, radioactive components and materials, subject to radioactivity measurements and exemption from radiological control of materials not exceeding the legally defined maximum level of contamination. (HP) [Deutsch] Es genuegt eine Stillegungsgenehmigung zu einem konkreten Abbauauftrag mit Verwertung radioaktiver Reststoffe nach Freigabe durch Radioaktivitaetsgrenzwertsfestsetzung. (HP)
Since mid-1995, Audi is the second European producer to offer a direct-injection diesel engine for passenger cars. The 2.0 l engine is installed in the middle-class sedan Rover 620 SDi. (orig.) [Deutsch] Als nach Audi zweiter europaeischer Hersteller bietet Rover seit Mitte dieses Jahres einen Pkw-Dieselmotor mit direkter Einspritzung an. Eingesetzt wird das Aggregat mit 2,0 l Hubraum in der Mittelklasselimousine Rover 620 SDi. (orig.)
A singular stress field can occur at the edge of the joint plane in a thermally or mechanically loaded material compound. This stress field was calculated analytically and was compared with the results from the finite element method. If one of the two partners consists of ceramic material, unstable crack spread starting from faults in this strongly stressed area can lead to failure. In linear elastic material, the behaviour of a crack is clearly described by the stress intensity factors. These can be calculated for a known stress distribution in the uncracked structure by the method of the weight function. The corresponding weight functions for surface cracks parallel to the boundary surface were determined with the aid of suitable reference load cases. The effect of the position of the crack in the compound and the elastic constants of the compound are discussed. For examples, the stress intensity factors for cracks in a thermally stressed material compound were determined by the ...
ZusammenfassungUbelkeit und Erbrechen stellen zwei Symptome dar, die grundlich untersucht worden sind und bei Krebspatienten haufig auftreten. Die meisten Studien haben sich bislang mit Haufigkeit und Management dieser beiden Symptome befasst. Das Ziel dieser Studie bestand darin, ein besseres Verstandnis dafur zu entwickeln, wie Krebspatienten ihre Symptome erleben-insbesondere Ubelkeit und Erbrechen nach Chemotherapie-und welche Auswirkungen diese Symptome auf den Tagesablauf der Patienten haben. Neun Frauen mit unterschiedlichen Krebsleiden und Chemotherapie Regimes wurden zwecks Chemotherapie stationar aufgenommen und nahmen an der Studie teil. Es wurden halbstrukturierte Interviews einschliesslich einer Inhaltsanalyse in Anlehnung an Kvale durchgefuhrt (Klarung und Entwicklung neuer B...
Stainless steels can be nitrided at temperatures {<=}400 C to increase their hardness and wear resistance without a decreasing of their excellent corrosion resistance. Structure and properties of the surface layers produced by plasma nitriding and plasma immersion ion implantation in this temperature range were tested. There are negligible differences in the structure of the produced surface layers in spite of different interaction principles of the used technologies. However there are clear differences between the case of different steels. The case of ferritic chromium steels mainly consists of {epsilon}-nitride. Whereas the cases of austenitic and ferritic austenitic steels are characterized by expanded austenite. The corrosion resistance of the steels is reduced by nitriding only, if evident CrN-formation occurs. (orig.) 11 refs.
By tests about pipe failure under extreme bending, moment at cross sections affected by circumferential cracks, admissible strains for securing the integrity in the area of a flow link are indicated. These are 7% for austenic and ferritic materials in the undisturbed cross section. From d/t-ratios of 20 onwards the strains are limited by pipe bulging on the pressure-load side. In this connection, circumferential flaws do not have any influence on the behaviour on the strained side, when their expansion does not exceed the investigated limitis of <60 circumferential expansion and crack depth of 0,3 t. (orig.)
Liberalization and the associated necessity of providing, where possible, inexpensive electrical energy, has intensified still further the demand for higher efficiency steam turbines. Accordingly, continuous efforts are being taken to improve all the flow guiding components of a steam turbine. Special attention is given here to the blading. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Liberalisierung und die damit verbundene Notwendigkeit, elektrische Energie moeglichst preisguenstig zur Verfuegung zu stellen, hat die Forderung nach hohen Wirkungsgraden von Dampfturbinen weiter verschaerft. Es werden daher kontinuierlich Anstrengungen unternommen, alle stroemungsfuehrenden Teile einer Dampfturbine zu verbessern. Das Hauptaugenmerk gilt dabei der Beschaufelung. (orig.)
After cooling ceilings and source ventilation, simple air conditioning systems like thermal activation of concrete cores are gaining general acceptance. Parallel to this, ground source cooling systems are reducing the need for cold generation. Air conditioning systems of this type are favoured by producers of floor heating systems looking for a new market segment. [German] Nach Kuehldecken und Quellueftung gewinnen jetzt einfach aufgebaute Raumklimaanlagen, wie die thermische Betonkernaktivierung, immer mehr Anhaenger. Parallel dazu werden Verfahren zur Erdkaeltenutzung entwickelt, die den Anteil kuenstlich erzeugter Kaelte weiter zurueckdraengen. Forciert wird diese Art der Klimatisierung insbesondere durch die Hersteller von Fussbodenheizungen, fuer die sich hier ein neues Marktsegment eroeffnet. (orig.)
Modern tubular type pumps commonly have lubricated radial bearings which require no compressed water supply and reduce the servicing requirements. Problems that may possibly result from entrained sand in the pumped fluid were solved with the development of ceramic Residur {sup trademark} bearngs in the early eighties. (orig.) [German] In zunehmendem Masse werden Rohrgehaeusepumpen mit foerdermediumgeschmierten Radiallagern ausgestattet, da dies z.B. neben dem Wegfall einer ansonsten notwendigen Druckwasserversorgung auch einen deutlichen reduzierten Wartungsaufwand nach sich zieht. Den Problemen durch eine moegliche Sandbeladung des Foerdermedium wurde bereits durch die Entwicklung der keramischen Residur {sup trademark} -Lager Anfang der 80er Jahre Rechnung getragen. (orig.)
Mechanical alloying is an important pre-requisite for the manufacturing of heat resistant oxide-dispersion-strengthened superalloys. Though the microstructure of these materials after hot extrusion and recrystallization treatment is well documented, little is known about the microstructural evolution during ball-milling. A method was tested to prepare electron transparent foils and extraction replica from powder particles for TEM investigations. The microstructure was found to consist of a Ni-Cr-Al solid solution in which submicron particles of refractory metals were embedded. The extremely fine grainize of about 50 nm is the consequence of severe plastic deformation. Yttria particles could not be detected in the powder after ball milling, but after a heat treatment at 1000 C the well-known fine dispersion of oxide particles was evident. (orig.)
Zusammenfassung Die Festigkeitshypothesen und Flie?fl?chen aus den klassischen Kursen der Mechanik (die Normalspannungshypothese, die Modelle nach von Mises und Tresca) reichen oft nicht aus, das tats?chliche Verhalten von Bauteilen unter Belastung zu erfassen. Deshalb werden in der Literatur weitere Modelle mit einem oder mehreren Parametern vorgeschlagen. Diese Modelle beschr?nken allerdings die Geometrien der zul?ssigen Formen der Fl?chen im Spannungsraum. In dieser Arbeit wird ein auf die Zugspannung normiertes Druck-Torsion-Diagramm vorgestellt, in dem sich die Modelle inkompressiblen Materialverhaltens miteinander vergleichen lassen. Mit diesem Diagramm wird der Begriff der Symmetrie der Fl?che in der ?-Ebene verdeutlicht. Die konvexen Fl?chen inkompressiblen Materialverhaltens sind ...
More than 200 years after the birth of the steam engine, the first thermal engine ever invented, thermal engines such as steam turbines, gas turbines or internal combustion engines are still driving most generators for electric power generation, most machines, and most vehicles, and this will remain so until far into the next century. (orig.) [Deutsch] Mit Waermekraftmaschinen wie Dampfturbinen, Gasturinen und Verbrennungsmotoren werden auch heute - mehr als 200 Jahre nach der technischen Reife der Dampfmaschine (der ersten Waermekraftmaschine) - die meisten Generatoren zur Stromerzeugung, die meisten Arbeitsmaschinen und die meisten Fahrzeuge angetrieben. Und dabei wird es auch bis weit in das 21. Jahrhundert bleiben. (orig.)
Turbine sets are inspected at their overhaul intervals throughout their operating lives. Using three examples, the present article describes the procedure in the inspection and assessment of steam turbines during overhauls and also deals with rehabilitation measures. In addition to the usual non-destructive tests and the recording of findings, computational life assessments are also considered. (orig.) [Deutsch] Turbosaetze werden waehrend ihrer Betriebszeit anlaesslich von Revisionen ueberprueft. Anhand von drei Beispielen wird in diesem Beitrag die Vorgehensweise bei der Pruefung und Bewertung von Dampfturbinen bei Revisionen und fuer Rehabilitationsmassnahmen dargestellt. Neben ueblichen zerstoerungsfreien Pruefungen und Befundaufnahmen erfolgten in Verbindung damit auch rechnerische Lebensdauerbewertungen. (orig.)
Objective: To determine the efficacy of a covered stent prototype designed for protected carotid angioplasty to reduce cerebral embolization. Material and Method: The covered stent tested is made of nitinol, coated with a polyurethane membrane (MembraX{sup TM}; porous size 80 {mu}m). In a bench-top model (flow-rate 650 ml/min, pulsatile flow [dicrote] 123 Pulses/min, pressure 100/60 mm Hg [mean pressure 80 mmHg]) with inserted human carotid (n=6) stent implantation was performed (8/32 mm). Passed particles (mg) were determined in the effluent of a 100 {mu}m filter prior to intervention, after stent deployment and after final dilation (5 mm). Results: When stenting carotid arteries obtained from human cadavers, the highest rate of particle embolization was measured while crossing the lesion with the delivery device (6,8 mg; for all p<0,05), embolization after additional balloon angioplasty and particle rates measured in the effluent filter prior covered stent placement were ...
Osteonecrosis (ON) of the hip joint remains an unsolved therapeutical problem. Diagnosis of ON of the hip has been improved by the technical progress of imaging modalities and better understanding pathomorphology. Over a long period only plain radiographs have been available. Scintigraphy and computed tomography contributed to differential diagnosis and early detection of bone necrosis. Diagnosis in an early reversible stage is of importance. Understanding of pathophysiology, early diagnosis and therapeutical approach has been significantly improved by MR imaging. Using the ARCO system all imaging modalities and their diagnostic viability are described in the five ARCO stages. At the end a diagnostic algorithm will be proposed. (orig.) [German] Die Osteonekrose des Hueftgelenks (ON) stellt noch immer ein nicht geloestes therapeutisches Problem dar. Die diagnostischen Moeglichkeiten bei der ON wurden in den letzten Jahren durch technische Fortschritte bei den bildgebenden Verfahren und ...
Policy strategies for the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources differ significantly among the Member States of the European Union with respect to the amount of additional installed capacity as well as concerning the country-specific support costs. The present report aims to assess the effectiveness and the economic efficiency of the support policies in the EU based on both historical experiences and prospective model-based analysis. The main message of the investigation is that the most effective policy instruments tend to be cost-efficient at the same time. In particular, feed-in tariff systems were identified as a successful instrument for supporting renewable energies in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, whereas quota systems still have to prove themselves in practice. (orig.) [German] Bezueglich des Erfolges bei der Foerderung erneuerbarer Energietraeger im Stromsektor bestehen deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Mitgliedsstaaten der Europaeischen Union. Dies ...
The ash of biomass fuels was analysed in order to identify its inorganic chemical characteristics. The experiments were carried out using different methods of extraction. The accuracy of the measurements was verified by comparative analyses using certified samples. The composition was shown to vary with the fuel type and ash fraction. In the case of arsenic and the toxic heavy metals cadmium, mercury and lead, accumulation factors of 1.4 to 43 were measured in the tissue filter ash. [German] Fuer die Bestimmung der stofflichen Eigenschaften von Biobrennstoffaschen werden neben der fuer die Ermittlung von Stoffbilanzen notwendigen Analyse der Gesamtgehalte, in Abhaengigkeit von der Zielsetzung und den gesetzlichen Vorgaben, unterschiedliche Extraktionsverfahren eingesetzt. Fuer die Gesamtgehaltsbestimmung wurden aus laborinternen Wiederholungsuntersuchungen sowie einem laborexternen Analysenvergleich Kenngroessen fuer die Praezision und Richtigkeit abgeleitet. Waehrend unter ...
Metal hydrode stores are used as fuel tanks in vehicles or as stationary stores of high-purity hydrogen. Equilibrium isotherms at low pessures were measured in order to validate the laws of Henry or Sievert for hydrogen uptake of the alloy Ti{sub 0.98}Zr{sub 0.02}V{sub 0.43}Fe{sub 0.09}Cr{sub 0.05}Mn{sub 1.5} (patented by Daimler Benz AG, code DB5800). The laws were to provide information on whether hydrogen uptake is atomic or molecular and on the conditions in which isothermal measurements are possible. (orig.) [Deutsch] Metallhydridspeicher werden als Kraftstofftank in Fahrzeuge oder als stationaere Speicher zur Bereitstellung von Reinstwasserstoff verwendet. Fuer diese Arbeit wurden die Gleichgewichtsisothermen bei kleinen Druecken vermessen, um die Gesetze von HENRY oder SIEVERT fuer die Wasserstoffaufnahme in der Legierung Ti{sub 0.98}Zr{sub 0.02}V{sub 0.43}Fe{sub 0.09}Cr{sub 0.05}Mn{sub 1.5} zu pruefen. Anhand dieser Gesetze ist zu entscheiden, ob die Wasserstoffaufnahme atomar ...
In early March, 2000 a modern electron-beam welding facility for both series and one-off production of valves bodies (500 kg, up to 50 mm wall thickness) was commissioned at Josch Strahlschweisstechnik. Welding is performed under a fine vacuum. This permits not only the welding of components subject to acceptance inspection (HP0 approval), but also of special materials such as titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, Hastelloy and copper, and also their pairings. Products are developed and readied for production using modern 3D CAD software. A modern nine-axis control system makes it possible to produce sockets in pipe-on-pipe joints. (orig.) [German] Anfang Maerz 2000 wurde eine moderne Elektronenstrahlschweissanlage fuer die Herstellung von Armaturengehaeusen in Grossserien oder auch fuer Einzelfertigung (500 kg, bis 50 mm Wanddicke) bei der Josch Strahlschweisstechnik in Betrieb genommen. Die Schweissungen erfolgen im Feinvakuum. Somit koennen neben dem Schweissen abnahmepflichtiger Bauteile ...
The `biotechnology 2000` project is supervised by the project sponsor `biology, energy, ecology` at Forschungszentrum Juelich on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology. The project activities cover the development of techniques and methods, cell biology, gene structure and gene regulation, photosynthetic production processes, biological hydrogen production, synthetic biology, protein design, neurobiological research, biosystems, plant breeding, phytomedicine and plant protection, the biology of waste disposal methods, research into methods which replace animal experiments, biological safety research, technology risk assessment, and ethical aspects. A general survey introduces the promoted projects, and standardized data sheets briefly introduce the individual activities. The appendix gives the project indices, the indices of joint projects, a list of the supported companies and institutions, and the project sponsor flowsheet. (orig.) [Deutsch] Das Programm ...
When performing trenchless pipe renovation work - whichever process you use - the success of the job depends on the careful removal of all scale, sediments and rust from the innerwall surfaces. The VACUJET process - in which the pipe is cleaned with water at pressures of up to 2 500 bar using a technique jointly developed by Preussag Rohrsanierung GmbH and Fabex GmbH - meets all requirements. The equipment includes a mobile waste water treatment unit which is small enough to fit on a standard trailer. Despite its compact dimensions this plant is so effective that it can treat all the waste water generated during the high pressure cleaning jobs so that it is suitable for reuse in the cleaning process or for release into the sewerage system. (orig.) [Deutsch] Bei der grabenlosen Rohrsanierung, ganz gleich nach welchem Verfahren saniert wird, ist die sorgfaeltige Entfernung von alten Beschichtungen, Ablagerungen und Rost eine wesentliche Voraussetzung fuer den ...
The presented paper describes the formulation of the fractional mass balances which are used to calculate the concentration and size distribution of char in the balance cells of a circulating fluidized bed boiler. In case of using the shrinking core model additionally the distribution of conversion of the char particles is calculated. Basically two reaction models (a shrinking particle and a shrinking core model) are available to describe the combustion process. The model considers all essential physico/chemical phenomena (primary fragmentation, attrition, mass transfer to gas phase) which have to be taken into account for the description of the combustion process. The model is part of an overall simulation program for circulating fluidized bed boilers. This engineering simulator has been developed to return the main performance parameters of such systems like temperature along the furnace height, size distribution of balanced solid components, heat flows at the different heat ...
Clinical information is indispensable for swift and cost-effective clarification of diseases of the larynx. While quality clarification of neurological changes in the area of the posterior cranial fossa and in the course of the vagus nerve as a cause of glottis malfunction is possible with MRI, localized disease of the larynx can more effectively be assessed with low-artifact CT. In the particularly difficult assessment of the post-operative larynx, a recurrence can be diagnosed only after a baseline study has been carried out after the end of therapy. With knowledge of the pretherapeutic findings, the findings immediately post-therapy, and the operation technique used, the optimal CT examination, which can be carried out quickly, will be able to provide more information about recurrence. (orig.) [Deutsch] Zur schnellen und kostenguenstigen Abklaerung von Erkrankungen des Larynx ist die klinische Information unabdingbar: Wenn neurologische Veraenderungen im Bereich der hinteren ...
About 25 years after the last edification of a new large high voltage institute at Technical University of Karlsruhe and about 10 years afte the edification of the test lab at Kaiserslautern University, the Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus had the opportunity to design new high voltage test facilities from the very beginning on and to realize it in a very short time. To review the project from the first ideas followed by the planning and realization phase and the final commissioning of the technical equipment, this book should be a contribution to spred the experiences made among interested people and to demonstrate the actual technical possibilities. To ensure an international exchange of these experiences, all co-authors to the trouble to translate their participation's also to the English language. (orig.) [German] Etwa 25 Jahre nach dem letzten grossen hochspannungstechnischen Institutsneubau in der deutschen Hochschullandschaft an der TH ...
Investigation of an HP-blade damage in 1996 and an MP-blade damage in 1007 at the mounting showed that fretting and creep fatigue had caused the damage. Break-down occurred when creep-related cracks developed between radial bridge to the upper blade tooth and weight relief boreholes. After disassembly of the HP-blades the lower blade tooth was found to be cracked after fretting (some cracks along the whole length of the tooth). The lower teeth of MP-bladedes showed merely superficial cracks (depth about 0.4mm). The massive cracks of the lower blade tooth were caused by instationary clearance changes combined with hard blade underground.(orig.) [German] Das Ergebnis der Untersuchung nach einem HD-Schaufelschaden 1996 sowie einem MD-Schaufelschaden 1997 an der Vierzackenfussbefestigung ergab Zeitstanderschoepfung und Fretting als auszuloesende Schadensmechanismen. Die Havarien wurden durch zeitstandbedingte Brueche zwischen Radienuebergang zum oberen Schaufelzacken ...
Poly-Lactic-Acid (PLA) was evaluated for coating of vascular endoprotheses in the treatment of experimental arterio-venous-fistulae (AVF). Bilateral carotid-external jugular AVF were created in 5 adult dogs. 7 PLA coated nitinol stents were placed via a transfemoral approach covering 5 AVF. The contralateral AVF remained untreated. Angiography was performed immediately after stent placement, at weeks 1 and 3 and at months 3, 6 and 9. All grafts were removed and underwent histologic examination. In 2 cases the occlusion of the AVF was successful, while misplacement occurred in 3 cases. Occlusion of the parent vessel was disclosed in 3 cases. Histologic examination revealed a mild inflammatory reaction with the presence of macrophages. There was no foreign-body reaction or fragmentation of the arterial vessel wall. PLA, which is a well-known biodegradable material, showed a good mid-term biocompatibility. Elastic mismatch of the non-elastic coating and the self-expandable nitinol stent ...
Purpose: To report on the nephron-sparing, percutaneous ablation of a large renal cell carcinoma by combined superselective embolization and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Materials and Methods: A 5 cm renal cell carcinoma of a 43-year-old drug abusing male with serologically proven HIV, hepatitis B and C infection, who refused surgery, was superselectively embolized using microspheres (size: 500 - 700 {mu}m) and a platinum coil under local anesthesia. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a 7F LeVeen probe (size of expanded probe tip: 40 mm) and a 200 Watt generator was performed one day after transcatheter embolization under general anesthesia. Results: The combined treatment resulted in complete destruction of the tumor without relevant damage of the surrounding healthy renal tissue. The patient was discharged 24 hours after RF ablation. No complications like urinary leaks or fistulas were observed and follow up CT one day and 4 weeks after the radiofrequency ...
The BMW four-cylinder two-valve engine was first launched in September 1987 as a 1.8 l engine and was described in detail in [1]. After initial optimisation for model year 94, four years later the engine has undergone a complete technical revision. From model year 98, the four-cylinder two-valve engine with appropriate exhaust emission technology will satisfy the EU3 class for exhaust emissions. (orig.) [Deutsch] Der BMW Vierzylinder-Zweiventilmotor wurde im September 1987 als 1,8-l-Motor erstmals vorgestellt und in [1] ausfuehrlich beschrieben. Nach einer ersten Optimierungsueberarbeitung zum Modelljahr 1994 wurde nun eine grundlegende technische Ueberarbeitung vorgenommen. Der Vierzylindermotor mit Zweiventiltechnik erfuellt als Antriebsaggregat in Verbindung mit einer entsprechenden Abgastechnik bereits ab Modelljahr 1998 die EU 3-Stufe fuer Abgasemissionen. (orig.)
Liberalisation of the energy market will lead to enhanced use of environment-friendly, high-efficiency combined-cycle power stations - a great challenge to steam turbine producers. In this highly competitive market, advanced technology and interesting technical features are key issues. MAN Turbomaschinen AG GHH BORSIG, Oberhausen and Berlin, have been producers of steam turbines since 1905. Performance optimisation is the main aspect of development today. [German] Die jetzt eingeleitete Liberalisierung des Energiemarktes wird in der Zukunft den verstaerkten Einsatz von neuen umweltfreundlichen und zugleich hoch effizienten Kombikraftwerken notwendig machen. Eine grosse Herausforderung an fuehrende Hersteller modernster Dampfturbinen. Eine ausgereifte Technik sowie technische Alleinstellungsmerkmale sind im heutigen Verdraengungswettbewerb eine Voraussetzung bei Industriedampfturbinen. Seit dem Jahre 1904 baut die MAN Turbomaschinen AG GHH BORSIG, Oberhausen und Berlin, Dampfturbinen, ...
We reported three cases of acute intracranial tuberculosis including miliary tuberculosis, basal meningitis, tuberculomas and neuritis of cranial nerves. All patients had native and contrast enhanced CT and MRI scans. MRI revealed more granulomas and a better imaging contrast in the detection of basal meningitis. Neuritis was diagnosed only with the MRI. MRI scans should be prefered as the imaging procedure in clinically presumed intracranial tuberculosis. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Befunde von drei Patienten mit intrakranieller Tuberkulose (intrakranielle Miliartuberkulose, Meningitis tuberculosa, Neuritis und Tuberkulome) in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) wurden mit der Computertomographie (CT) verglichen. Sowohl die MRT als auch die CT wurden nativ und nach Kontrastmittelgabe durchgefuehrt. Die MRT zeigte sich im Nachweis von Granulomen insbesondere im Bereich des Hirnstamms ueberlegen. Ebenso wurde ein hoeherer Bildkontrast bei der Darstellung der Meningitis ...
The author briefly discusses definition of terms, gives an introduction to measurement techniques and describes the characteristics of various low-frequency fields and their causes using typical examples: natural electric fields (thunderstroms), natural magnetic fields, technical electric constant fields (urban transportation, households), static magnetic fields (urban transportation, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging), technical electric alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines, households), and magnetic alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines). The author discusses both occupational exposure and that of the general public while underpinning his statements by numerous tables, measurement diagrams and charts. (Uhe) [Deutsch] Nach einer kurzen Diskussion der Begriffsdefinitionen und einer Einfuehrung in die Messtechnik werden die Charakteristika verschiedener niederfrequenter Felder und ihre Ursachen anhand typischer Beispiele beschrieben: ...
Despite successful reduction of the general lead exposure, this heavy metal is still a matter of public concern due to the fact that associations with intellectual impairment or delayed puberty are found to correlate with very low lead blood concentrations. Lead in tap water is still an important contribution to lead exposure which may cause health risk for infants. Therefore, lead pipes should be completely sanitated by exchange against pipes made from more healthy materials. (orig.) [German] Trotz erfolgreicher Reduktion der allgemeinen Belastung ist Blei auch heute noch umweltmedizinisch relevant, weil es moeglicherweise bei niedrigeren als bisher angenommenen Belastungen gesundheitlich nachteilige Wirkungen, insbesondere waehrend der fruehkindlichen Entwicklung des Nervensystems, ausloest. Insbesondere Blei aus bleiernen Trinkwasserleitungen ist eine Belastung, die fuer Saeuglinge und Kleinkinder nach wie vor ein gesundheitliches Risiko darstellen kann. Solche ...
Until recently no active treatment for advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) was available. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has revolutionized the treatment of this disease and the median overall survival now reaches 5 years. The standard dose of imatinib is 400 mg per day. Locally advanced GIST should be treated with systemic therapy prior to surgical resection. Imatinib was recently licensed for adjuvant therapy following complete surgical removal of GIST in patients with a significant risk of recurrence. (orig.) [German] Bis vor einigen Jahren existierte keine wirksame systemische Therapie fuer fortgeschrittene oder metastasierte gastrointestinale Stromatumoren (GIST). Der Tyrosinkinaseinhibitor Imatinib hat die Behandlung dieser Tumoren revolutioniert, die mediane Ueberlebenszeit liegt heute bei etwa 5 Jahren. Die Standarddosierung von Imatinib betraegt initial 400 mg/Tag. Lokal fortgeschrittene Tumoren werden primaer systemisch behandelt und erst ...
The harnessing and enhanced use of renewable energy today is a matter of lively debate and much concern. Amazingly, hydro power is either rarely considered in these discussions or viewed in a negative light. But hydro power continues to be the most important source of renewable energy, and its use potential is considerable and should be taken into account when, for instance, agreeing on or implementing carbon dioxide reduction targets. Small hydro power stations are an effective means of harnessing existing energy potentials. (orig.) [Deutsch] Ueber die Nutzung und den Ausbau regenerativer Energien wird heutzutage lebhaft diskutiert und gerungen. Es mag erstaunen, dass in diesen Diskussionen die Wasserkraft kaum Beachtung findet oder in einem schlechten Licht gesehen wird. Dabei ist die Wasserkraft nach wie vor bei weitem die wichtigsten Quelle regenerativer Energie, und sie besitzt ein beachtliches Ausbaupotential, das man wenigstens ins Kalkuel ziehen sollte, ...
The contribution is concerned from a legal point of view with the systematic recording, classification and assessment of specific problems concerning the post-operational phase of a nuclear power plant. As an introduction, present experience with decommissioning in the Federal Republic of Germany is dealt with. The first part treats the factual side of section 7 III AtG, explains the terms mentioned, the concrete extent of licensing and priority relations. In part 2 the preconditions for licensing pursuant to section 7 III AtG are dealt with, the stipulations of which are made difficult in particular on account of the reference in section 7 III sentence 2 AtG. The third part is concerned with the legal consequence of section III AtG, i.e. the extent of official discretionary powers, whereby aspects of radioactive waste management carry great weight. In part four administrative and procedural particularities in the legal sense relating to licensing according to section III AtG are ...
The investigations showed that the new adsorber/catalyst composites are well suited for chemical degradation of persistent water pollutants. Compared with alternative processes, the reaction selectivity and the consumption of oxidant are more favourable as the reaction now takes place on/inside the solid. The process, which was developed originally for purification of contaminated water, can be transferred to many other systems of materials. For example, it is expected that the soot emissions of diesel engines will be reduced significantly after efficient hydrogenation of the aromatics contained in the diesel engine on molybdenum-charged mesoporous composites. [German] Mit den vorliegenden Untersuchungen konnte ein erster Nachweis gefuehrt werden, dass die neu entwickelten Adsorber/Katalysator-Komposite fuer den chemischen Abbau persistenter Wasserschadstoffe geeignet sind. Im Vergleich zu alternativen Verfahrensloesungen kann die Selektivitaet der Reaktion und der Verbrauch an ...
To study the biogeochemical behaviour, mobility and transport of trace metals in seawater (Se, Mo, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn), in suspended particulate matter (Mo, Cd, Pb, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn, Al, Mn) and in sediments of the inner and outer coastal regions, samples were collected on 3 separate cruises during a one year period (Mai 1993 - April 1994) at 20 stations in the coastal area of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Standard hydrographic parameters, nutrients and dissolved oxygen were also measured. Priority was taken to establish the methods for the determination of molybdenum and selenium. To study the behaviour of these two elements in detail, longterm measurements were carried out weekly between January 1993 and June 1994 at the `Messsteg/Warnemuende`. Because of parallel measurements correlations to biological, chemical and hydrographic parameters have been tested. The total database is summarized in the Appendix. The results are presented in 30 figures and 13 tables and are ...
A procedure is described for the isolation and determination of {sup 90}Sr, {sup 226}Ra, {sup 228}Ra and {sup 210}Pb in food. These nuclides are highly radiotoxic, above all for babies and children. Samples are dry ashed, alkali metals are removed as carbonates. Separation from other matrix ions and separation of Ra, Sr and Pb can be achieved with a column of Sr-Spec, an immobilized crown ether. For activity measurements membrane filters with SrSO{sub 4}, Ba(Ra)SO{sub 4} and PbS are prepared. Ra is determined by gamma-spectrometry, {sup 90}Sr and {sup 210}Pb are determined by low-level-betacounting. The determination limits are 10 mBq/kg for {sup 90}Sr and {sup 210}Pb and 50 mBq/kg for {sup 226}Ra and {sup 228}Ra. The procedure is useful for all kinds of foodstuff. (orig.) [Deutsch] Es wird ein Analysengang zur Abtrennung und Bestimmung von {sup 90}Sr, {sup 226}Ra, {sup 228}Ra und {sup 210}Pb in Lebensmitteln beschrieben. Ein Merkmal dieser Nuklide ist ihre hohe Radiotoxizitaet, ...
The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of inflammatory spine disease in patients with chronic back pain. The contribution of imaging modalities for the diagnostic evaluation of back pain is discussed. A systematic literature search based on the classification of seronegative spondyloarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis was performed. The results of this search and the experiences in a large collective of rheumatological patients are analyzed. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (1-2%) is comparable to that of spondyloarthropathies (1.9%). The etiology of these entities is not fully elucidated. Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for early detection and surveillance of therapy with TNF-{alpha} antagonists. Bone marrow edema, which is only detectable with MRI, represents an early sign of inflammation. Therapy with TNF-{alpha} antagonists is based on clinical and laboratory criteria, and signs of inflammation in MRI. MRI is useful for assessment of the ...
The comprehensive survey explains the indications and the specific value of the modern tomographic modalities with respect to the various diagnostic issues. Numerous reproductions of CT, MRI, US scans illustrate the aspects discussed. (orig./CB) [German] Bildgebende Verfahren kommen bei der Abklaerung von Erkrankungen des weiblichen Urogenitaltrakts ergaenzend zu der klinischen Untersuchung zur Anwendung. Kongenitale Uterusanomalien werden primaer mit der HSG oder der Laparoskopie diagnostiziert. Zusaetzlich koennen der transvaginale US und in unklaren Faellen die MRT eingesetzt werden. Die Diagnose entzuendlicher Erkrankungen des weiblichen Genitaltrakts erfolgt in der Regel klinisch. Schnittbildverfahren werden bei therapieresistenten, komplizierten Faellen angewendet. Initial werden benigne Neoplasien des Uterus mit dem transvaginalen US abgeklaert. Eine Verdickung des Endometriums ist dabei ein unspezifischer Befund und kann auf eine Hyperplasie, Polypen oder ...
The basis of assessment for particulate exhaust emissions is the gravimetric analysis of the particle concentration of diluted exhaust gases at temperatures below 52 C. This is very time consuming and takes sufficient sensitivity at low particulate emission rates like downstream of particle filters. For this reason the C/S-method, based on the thermographic analysis of carbon and sulfur, has been developed as an alternative to the gravimetric anallysis. This method yields particle mass as well as the main particle compounds. Comparisons between both methods have been carried out for heavy duty and automobile diesel engines as well as road vehicles and large diesel engines. The tests were conducted with commercial diesel fuel and also with other fuels, such as heavy oils. It could be shown that the C/S-procedure yields the same results as the gravimetric procedure independent of engine, engine mode and kind of fuel. The analysis of all important particulate compounds - elemental carbon ...
Storing electrical energy in batteries is not a viable option for sustaining a country's energy economy. The mass and volume, as well as the costs, of electrochemical components required for this would be beyond all reason. Nevertheless, in certain applications the storage of electrical energy does have significant advantages over other technologies. For example, electrically powered road vehicles emit no exhaust fumes and very little noise at their place of operation. In this way they contribute substantially to air and noise pollution control in urban areas. Photovoltaic applications permit environmentally friendly electricity applications in places remote from the public grid where conventional solutions are prohibitively expensive. More than in the past, battery systems today have to meet a wide range of technical, economic and ecological requirements in order to be marketable. This is why the ''Zoxy'' zinc-air battery system was ...
Purpose: To evaluate the success rates of the implantation of stent grafts in the treatment of peripheral aneurysms. Materials and methods: in 13 patients with 15 aneurysms at the common iliac artery (n = 6), external iliac artery (n = 1), hypogastric artery (n = 2), femoral artery (n = 2) or popliteal artery (n = 4), implantation of dacron-covered nitinol stents was performed. The patients were followed up for three to 20 months (mean, 8.8 months) with intravenous digital subtraction angiography, CT or colour-coded Doppler sonography. Results: In all cases, the aneurysm was successfully occluded after stent implantation. In one case with a popliteal aneurysm, kinking of the vessel caused thrombosis of the stent. The stent was successfully reopened. The aneurysm however, had to be surgically treated 9 months later. The primary and secondary patency rates at 6 months were 93% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The method described might be an alternative therapy to surgery. There are ...
The Deutsche Post AG is a transport company that with approximately 55,000 vehicles owns one of the biggest fleets in Europe. Being aware of its responsibility in the field of environmental policy it is looking for an alternative solution of an environmentally friendly vehicle drive system that also takes into account economic efficiency. Extensive investigations have led to a new energy storage based on the zinc-air energy system that has been developed and manufactured by the Israeli Company Electric Fuel Ltd. First tests showed an extraordinarily high capacity potential, drive values and ranges, which had been considered as impossible until that point of time. After these tests the Deutsche Post AG decided together with other well-known partners at home and abroad to carry out a territorial test with the zinc-air energy system in order to obtain insight into the day-to-day capability, economic efficiency, environmental friendliness under real driving conditions and into the required ...
To test the assumption underlying every morphometric twin study that the brains of monozygotic twins are almost identical. Methods: High resolution MRI of the neurocranium of 26 monozygotic twin pairs were acquired and the volumes of 36 cerebral structures were measured. The same twins served as control group after rear-ranging them into non-related pairs of same sex and matching them for age, body height and body weight. Results: For most of the examined structures the correlations within the twins were significant (R = 0,97-0,59). Except for total forebrain volume the controls showed no significant similarity. Conclusions: For almost every measured cerebral structure the assumption, that significant similarities exist between healthy monozygotic twins is correct. Therefore discordant monozygotic twins represent an excellent sample when investigating cerebral correlates of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. (orig.) [German] Pruefung der Grundannahme hirnmorphologischer ...
The issue of projecting policies ensuring appropriate energy supply in the future has become more important in Germany after conclusion of the agreement on a long-term nuclear power phase-out. A recent comparative analysis of a selection of scientific studies forecasting the implications of a nuclear power phase-out has shown that there is demand for more studies examining the issue in greater detail, and on the basis of an enlarged scope of research topics. Hence the present study, intended as a preliminary analysis, will investigate the potential, conditions of successful application, conceivable support schemes, and effects of those policy options that in any case, apart from the nuclear power phase-out scenario, are of essential importance in the context of building the proper conditions for sustainable development of Germany's energy sector. The options and strategies examined are: stepping up energy efficiency programmes and incentives, enhancing exploitation of the ...
After 3 years of construction the trial run of the heating power station HKW 2 ended in November 1997 on time. No extraordinary damage occured during construction, assembly or commissioning. The plant has been operating according to schedule since November 1997. A brief inspection carried out in the summer of 1998 in order to assess warranty claims showed no damage to any part except one valve. Experience shows that all aforementioned activities were necessary. The paper reports about success and negative experience. Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9000ff., however, affords to guarantee of high-quality construction. Builders of such plants therefore need to set up their own quality assurance centre and ensure its technical competence. If necessary,additional experts should be called in.Quality assurance costs for HKW 2 came to about 0.5-0.6 percent of total costs. In view of the success and long life of this investment these expenses are more than justified. (orig.) [German] ...
For purposes of assessing the dumpability of wastes, Article 1 - Ordinance on the Environmentally Responsible Landfilling of Household Wastes (AbfAblV) - of the Ordinance on the Environmentally Responsible Landfilling of Household Wastes and Biological Waste Treatment Plants defines classificaton criteria for biologically and mechanically treated wastes destined for landfilling. The practical experiences that have been gathered with these classification criteria and values were evaluated in a questionnaire-based survey. This was done in particular for the purpose of verifying and validating proposals on the methodology of respiration and fermentation tests. A general finding has been that the application and implementation of the regulations of the AbfAblV is fraught with difficulties. This is evident for one thing in the frequency of analyses and for another in the difficulty of complying with the limit values of the classification criteria. The authors are in support of demands that ...
During their life, intervertebral discs undergo degenerative changes which need not necessarily become lesions. Conventional X-rays do not provide information on the condition of the intervertebral discs, so MRT or CT are recommended as primary techniques as they are non-invasive. Invasive methods like myelography and especially discography should not be used unless a case is highly problematic. In infants with pains in the back, MRT should be carried out as early as possible as there is nearly always an organic cause. (orig.) [German] Die Bandscheibe ist im Laufe des Lebens degenerativen Veraenderungen unterworfen, die klinisch zu Beschwerden fuehren koennen, aber nicht fuehren muessen. Konventionlle Roentgenaufnahmen lassen zwar die Hoehenminderung des Bandscheibenfachs und begleitende knoecherne Veraenderungen erkennen, nicht aber den Zustand der Bandscheibe selbst. Die Beurteilung der Bandscheibe und des Knochens gelingt mit der CT, die parallel zum Bandscheibenfach durchgefuehrt ...
1. Cyanide degradation: Of the cyanide- and thiocyanate-degrading bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas spec. were the most effective. 2. Biosorption: Of the isolates suited for biosorption of heavy metals, 597-A (non-identifiable) and 597-A2 (Aspergillus fumigatis) had the biggest potential. The sorption capacity of the fungi for metals varied with the C source used for their growth: apple juice > molasses > glucose. The fungi are not cyanide-sensitive and can even degrade cyanide. Living biomass had better metal sorption efficiencies than dead mycelium. The biosorption rates in waste water were usually higher than in broth. Depending on the metal composition and concentrations and on the exposure time and volume of the mycelia, up to 85 % of the initial concentration was removed from the liquid phase. The capacity of different biomasses for the sorption of metal mixtures was between 65 and 80 mg/g of dry matter depending on the experimental conditions, with ...
The first commercial vehicle, built by Gottlieb Daimler in Cannstatt (Germany), head foto, had been the begin of a new transport technology around the world. Benz had been consolidated 1926 with Daimler to the Daimler-Benz AG with a new vehicle programme; all trucks over 5 t payload would be powered since 1935 by diesel engines only. Worldwide all-wheel drived vehicles had been under development for different purposes. After 1945 the European Automobil industry launched at first former types followed by new designed and improved types. The eight-wheeler used since the twentees in England conquered Switzerland, and in 1984 Germany too. The development of gear boxes and drive axles had been influenced on the drive train demands depending of the engine output and speed and the increased GTW. The future of the commercial vehicles will be determined by the European legislation, higher economy and reduced-pollutant Euro II and later Euro III engines, further by the cooperation of the truck ...
Purpose: `Exoscopic` and endoscopic identification of colorectal pathologies via MRI. Methods: 5 patients (36-88 years), two normal and three with different colorectal pathologies (diverticular disease, polyps and carcinoma of the colon), were examined by MRI after colonoscopy. Subsequent to filling of the colon with a gadolinium-water mixture under MRI-monitoring, 3D-data sets of the colon were acquired in prone and supine positions over a 28 sec breathold interval. Subsequently multiplanar T{sub 1}-weighted 2D-sequences were acquired before and following i.v. administration of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg BW). All imaging was performed in the coronal orientation. The 3D-data were interactively analysed based on various displays: Maximum intensity projection (MIP), surface shadowed display (SSD), multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), virtual colonoscopy (VC). Results: All of the colorectal pathologies could be interactively diagnosed by MPR. On MIP images some pathologies were missed. VC ...
Tumours lesions of the temporal bone and of the cerebello-pontine angle are rare.This tumours can be separated into benign and malignant lesions. In this paper the CT and MRI characteristica of tumours of the temporal bone and the cerebello-pontane angle will be demonstrated. High resolution CT (HRCT) as usually performed in the axial plane are using a high resolution bone window level setting, coronal planes are the reconstructed from the axial data set or will be obtained directly. With the MRI FLAIR sequence in the axial plane the whole brain will be scanned either to depict or exclude a tumour invasion into the brain. After this,T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences or fatsuppressed inversion recovery sequences in high resolution technique in the axial plane will be obtained from the temporal bone and axial T1-weighted spinecho sequences before and after the intravenous application of contrast material will be obtained of this region. Finally T1-weighted spinecho sequences in high ...
Backgrund: Interleukin-1, tumornecrosisfactor-{alpha} and interferon-{gamma} endogenously provide protection of the hematopoietic system against radiation. Thiols have already been used successfully as radioprotective agents. In this study the effect von N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the release of interleukin-1{alpha} and {beta} (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-{gamma} (IFN-{gamma}) and tumornecrosisfactor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) was assessed in an in vitro assay. Patients and Methods: Whole blood samples from 8 healthy volunteers were stimulated with 7.5 {mu}m/ml PHA. NAC was added at concentrations of 0.6, 6, 12 and 24 mmol/l. Subsequently the samples were irradiated with a dose of 18 Gy according to preceding validation experiments. Results: IL-1{alpha}, IL-1{beta} and IL-2: In comparison to simulation and radiation alone the addition of 0.6 and 6 mmol/l with IL-2 also 12 mmol/l, NAC resulted in a significant increase of the cytokine-concentrations. The highest concentration of ...
Functional imaging of the pharynx used to be the domain of cineradiography, CT and ultrafast CT. The development of modern MRI techniques led to new access to functional disorders of the pharynx. The aim of this study was to implement a new MRI technique to examine oropharyngeal obstructive mechanisms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sixteen patients suffering from OSA and 6 healthy volunteers were examined on a 1.5 T whole-body imager (`Vision`, Siemens, Erlangen Medical Engineering, Germany) using a circular polarized head coil. Imaging was performed with 2D flash sequences in midsagittal and axial planes. Patients and volunteers were asked to breathe normally through the nose and to simulate snoring and the Mueller maneuver during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prior to MRI, all patients underwent an ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination, functional fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy and polysomnography. A temporal resolution of 6 images/s and an in-plane resolution of ...
Early recognition of recurrence and work-up of clinically indeterminate lesions may be impaired after reconstruction with silicone implants due to superimposition of the implant or to scarring. This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of contrast-enhanced MRI in patients with silicone implant after breast cancer. Contrast-enhanded MRI was offered to 169 patients. Comparative two- to three-view mammography was also performed in 169 patients, as well as comparative sonography in 144 patients. Conventional imaging and clinical examination detected only 8/13 recurrences, whereas 12/13 were detected by MRI. One recurrence had been visible as a strongly enhancing 2-mm dot in a previous examination (2 years before), but was not called. It was therefore counted as false negative. In addition, multicentricity was detected by MRI alone in two of three cases. MRI correctly diagnosed scar tissue in all cases with indeterminate findings. However, due to false-positive calls caused by enhancing ...
In the present work the effect of different surface conditions on plasma nitriding response of AISI M2 high speed steel was investigated. The plasma nitriding of ground and sandblasted samples and drills was performed at temperatures of 400 C and 500 C for two gas mixtures: 5 vol.% N{sub 2} and 76 vol.% N{sub 2} in hydrogen. Surface layers were characterized before and after plasma nitriding concerning the microstructure, roughness, microhardness, chemical composition, phase composition and residual stress states. Machining tests were carried out with drills during which drilling forces and flank wear have been measured. A significant effect of the surface state prior to nitriding on residual stress states and the properties of the nitrided layer and untreated core has been observed. Thinner nitrided layers on ground and sandblasted samples were attributed to high compressive residual stress states and a stress affected diffusion of nitrogen and carbon. In the machining tests, ...
The aim of this work was the examination of the coarse grain recrystallisation of the {gamma}-free ODS nickel-based alloy PM 1000 depending on the various parameters due to the processing during heat treatment. After isotropic hot compacting (HIP) of the mechanically alloyed powder, one observes a homogeneous sub-microscopic fine grain structure which can coarsen during high temperature heat treatment, due to sufficiently high driving force from the grain boundary energy via abnormal grain growth to 600 times its size. The setting of the elongated high temperature resistant recrystallisation structure is, however, not connected with this. The dependence of the sucess of re-crystallisation on the re-forming parameters (re-forming temperature and degree of re-forming) was shown by a socalled re-forming card. In order to achieve re-crystallisation to a coarse and aligned grain structure, apart from a certain absolute minimum degree of re-forming, the re-forming must occur within a defined ...
Aim: Changes within the brain detected by MRI after chronic manganese poisoning raised the question whether morphological changes of the basal ganglia, particularly of the globus pallidus, could be detected after chronic occupational exposure to manganese dioxide. Results: No cases of parkinsonism were detected in clinical examinations or by other means. The mean manganese concentration in blood was 12 {mu}g/l (range: 3.9-23.3 {mu}g/l). In comparison to the upper reference value of 10 {mu}g/l, 42 workers (56%) had a higher body burden. A significant positive correlation between manganese levels in blood and the PI (indicated by T{sub 1}-shortening) was observed as well as between the CBI and workplace-specific exposure. Brain atrophy was not detected in any of the observed cases. Conclusions: Long-term exposure to manganese dioxide dust correlates with the Pallidum-Index in MRI scans. Although the MRI findings have no current clinical relevance for individuals, further studies are ...
MRI provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool complementing echocardiography on one hand, and showing advantages over echocardiography, on the other hand, especially after corrective procedures. The multiple different MRI sequences need to be adapted to examinations of children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and can be used to detect morphologic changes, blood-flow in the heart and thoracic vessels and diastolic or systolic function of myocardium. Several factors determine the success of the examination of a complex congenital heart disease or a postoperative situs. Pediatric radiologists and radiologists experienced in congenital heart diseases have to work in close cooperation. Echocardiography should be performed before MRI. The results of prior examinations and the clinical history of the patients, including possible palliative or reconstructive operations, must be available before MRI to guide the planning of the examination. With a systematic segmental approach ...
The amounts of lead and cadmium produced and processed in these days are considerable. As a result, our environment is increasingly polluted by heavy metals and industrial installations, motor vehicles or incinerating plants appear to be among the main culprits here. Air and water are the media permitting the entry of heavy metals into our natural environment where they accumulate in the soil and then gradually migrate into the plants. Their further transport in the food constitutes the third step in the environmental spread of heavy metals. The consumption of muscle and organ meats, of vegetables, fruits, canned food and drinking water is unavoidably associated with some ingestion of lead and cadmium. The degree to which they are taken up and stored in different tissues is determined by absorption properties and the nutritional state of the organism. Cadmium tends to accumulate in the kidneys, lead is mainly stored in the bones. A continuously increasing uptake finally results in ...
Aim: Treatment of carcinoma of the uterine cervix by remote afterloading brachytherapy has been accompanied with new isotopes having dose rates different from the classical low-dose rate (LDR) radium source. The dose rate conversion factor from LDR to high-dose rate (HDR) found to be around 0.54 in most studies. As regards medium-dose rate (MDR) brachytherapie, the published data are very few and the experience is still short. In this study the experience of Osaka University Hospital with micro-HDR-Selectron and Selectron-MDR, as a preliminary report of the clinical trial, is presented. Results: The 3-year survival and loco-regional control rates for both modalities were nearly equivalent (62% and 67% for HDR and 68% and 74% for MDR)(totally 45 patients). The cumulative rectal and bladder complication rates were the same in both groups (29% at 3 years), with only 1 patient (MDR-group) developed grade 3 rectal and bladder complication. In this study, point A dose rate correction factor ...
Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the typical appearance of ganglioneuromas in computer-assisted tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of diagnostic imaging (9 CT, 6 MRI) in 9 children aged 3 to 15 years with the histological diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. Results: The tomographies showed large (max. 13.4 cm in diameter) round or oval tumors with sharp delineation. The sites of the tumors were the retroperitoneum (5), the mediastinum (3), and the adrenal gland (1). Intraspinal tumor involvement occurred in 4 cases. On comparing CT with MRI, MRI was more accurate in defining the intraspinal involvement. The ganglioneuromas were of hypodense appearance in the native CT scan and showed moderate enhancement upon administration of contrast media. In five patients tumor calcifications with a disseminated sprinkled pattern were seen in CT. In MRI T{sub 1}-weighted scans the tumors were homogeneous and hypointense, ...
Purpose: With intracranial tumors a flat, contrast-enhancing, probably dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR images. Therefore we have attempted to evaluate a tumor infiltration of this enthancement on MRI. Material and Methods: This study included 50 patients. 19 patients had a dural thickening at the tumor base (13 meningiomas and 6 metastases), while 31 patients did not (12 meningiomas and 19 metastases). Studies included plane T{sub 2}-weighted spin echo (SE) images as well as T{sub 1}-weighted axial, coronal, or sagittal plains with and without contrast agent. Histopathological examinations, were done on the tumor base adjacent to the dura mater. Results: 7 of 12 meningiomas showed a meningeal thickening on MRI with histopathologically proven tumor infiltration as did also 5 of 6 metastases. But 3 of 12 meningiomas and 15 of 19 metastases without dural thickening at the tumor base also showed tumor invasion into the dura ...
Background. In multiple myeloma 5 different infiltration patterns can be differentiated: 1. Normal appearance of bone marrow, 2. focal involvement, 3. homogeneous diffuse infiltration, 4. combined diffuse and focal infiltration, 5. 'salt-and pepper' pattern with inhomogeneous bone marrow with interposition of fat islands. Methods. For the fast and total acquisition of all patterns a combination of a T1-weighted spin echo sequence and a fat suppression technique is superior. The focal involvement is clearly demonstrated as areas of high signal intensity on e.g. STIR images. Diffuse involvement can be quantified objectively by calculation of the percentage of signal intensity increase after contrast material injection. MRI is superior to X-ray in focal and diffuse involvement. With ultrafast sequences a 'screening' of the whole red bone marrow as for myeloma infiltration is possible. Prognosis. In prognosis studies diffuse infiltration is inferior to ...
CT and MRI of acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and cerebello-pontine angle present themselves with very typical findings. The imaging should be adapted to the pathology looked for and either CT or MRI should be used alone or in combination.CT, especially high resolution CT (HRCT), provides an excellent bone contrast, while MRI has a much superior soft tissue contrast. Acute inflammatory changes of the inner ear are solely depicted by contrast-enhanced MRI. HRCT excellently depicts osseous changes of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle such as chronic ossifying labyrinthitis occurring after acute labyrinthitis, otosclerotic or traumatic changes. Tumorous changes not yielding to bony changes are best delineated by MRI. Posttraumatic hemorrhage and chronic fibrotic changes within the labyrinth are depicted by MRI, only. In conclusion HRCT and MRI are excellent methods to delineate acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and cerebello-pontine angle. HRCT best depicts osseous ...
Methods: Systemic irradiation of neuroaxis is an essential part in the management of medulloblastoma, stPNET and intracranial germ cell tumors. The introduction of quality assurance programs in radiooncology assures a precise radiotherapy of target volumes and is a prerequisite to improve survival. Results: Hyperfractionated radiotherapy has the potential of increasing dose to tumor more safely without increasing the risk for late adverse effects. Pilot studies revealed excellent tumor control in medulloblastoma with acceptable acute toxicity and a long-term survival of up to 96%. In medulloblastoma stereotactic radiation techniques reveal an acceptable toxicity and promising results in tumor control in recurrent disease or as primary treatment. They are now part of future treatment protocols in case of persisting residual tumor. Radiotherapy alone in pure germinoma is continuously yielding high cure rates. In secreting germ cell tumors cisplatin containing chemotherapies in ...
Wood is currently having a renaissance as a domestic fuel. Wood pellets, usually about 8 mm in diameter and 40 mm long and produced from sawmill and wood processing residues by pressing without binders, are gaining general acceptance. According to a market analysis of Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim, about 4,800 pellet-fuelled heating systems with automatic fuel supply and with a total thermal capacity of 35 kW are in operation in Germany, and 2000 new ones were installed in 2000. [German] Holz als Brennstoff erlebt in vielen Heizkellern und Kaminen eine Renaissance. Und zwar nicht in Form von Holzscheiten, sondern als kleine Presslinge, meist mit einem Durchmesser von acht und einer Laenge von bis zu 40 Millimetern. Als Abfallprodukt von Saegewerken und Holz verarbeitenden Betrieben werden die so genannten Pellets unter hohem Druck und ohne Bindemittel wie beispielsweise Leim hergestellt. Und dieser neue Brennstoff findet immer mehr Anhaenger. So sind im vergangenen Jahr ...
Many industrial workshops in Germany were erected during the 40s and 50s, especially at the beginning of the economic boom. After more than 40 years, these facilities are in need of structural and production-technical modernization. A case in point is the carriage fabrication workshop of the Salzgitter-based company Linke-Hoffmann-Busch. The characteristic features of this type of building are large glazed areas, free uncontrolled ventilation and substantial height. Opportunities for energy-oriented and light-technical modernization are demonstrated at this Salzgitter workshop in exemplary form, the emphasis being on the use of solar energy components and, particularly, transparent thermal insulation. (orig.) [Deutsch] In der Bundesrepublik Deutschland gibt es viele Produktionshallen, die in den vierziger und fuenfziger Jahren, insbesondere zu Beginn des wirtschaftlichen Aufschwungs, errichtet wurden. Diese Hallen sind nach ueber vierzig Jahren sowohl aus baulichen ...
On the 28{sup th} of May in 1998, the regulation of the ''Application of roof bolt support in coal mines'' came into force. Afterwards, the new roof bolt permission guidelines have been worked out by the Landesoberbergamt (Inspectorate of mines) in co-operation with the Deutsche Montan Technologie GmbH, with the Deutsche Steinkohle AG and with bolt manufacturers. These guidelines have been put into force on the 31{sup st} of August in 2000. Topics of this paper are the new regulation and first experiences. (orig.) [German] Nach der Erarbeitung der ''Richtlinien ueber die Verwendung von Ankerausbau im Steinkohlenbergbau (Anker-Richtlinien)'' vom 28. Mai 1998 wurden unverzueglich auch die ''Richtlinien ueber die Genehmigung von Ankerausbau (Ankergenehmigungs-Richtlinien)'' in Angriff genommen. Diese Richtlinien, die das Landesoberbergamt NRW gemeinsam mit ...
The ECOTEC combustion system and the architecture of the new Opel 2.2 l aluminum engine have been configured to achieve low noise and exhaust emissions. This power unit, employed in Germany for the first time in the Astra Coupe, already complies with the Euro IV emissions standard. It features minimum maintenance requirements and a long operating life. The DOHC spark-ignition engine with four valves per cylinder has two chain-driven camshafts, valve gear with roller cam followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. Two chain driven balancer shafts have been integrated into the engine block. The cylinder head and block, lower crankcase, oil pan, and cylinder head cover are all made of aluminum. A modular concept makes it possible to adapt the engine effectively to different vehicle concepts and markets. (orig.) [German] Das ECOTEC-Verbrennungssystem und die Motorarchitektur des neuen 2,2-l-Aluminium-Triebwerks von Opel sind auf niedrige Geraeusch- und Abgasemissionen ausgelegt. Das in ...
The VerTech Pit Method for wet oxidation of municipal sewage sludge offers an ecologically and economically advantageous alternative for dealing with sewage and special sludges. Europe`s first commercial plant has now been commissioned in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands following industrial-scale trials in the USA. Up to its present stage of operation the plant has achieved a high degree of reduction of solid residues and a favourable resource and environmental profile, thus impressively confirming earlier results. It is amply in keeping with the landfill criteria laid down in the Household Waste Technical Code. Furthermore, the potential sludge throughput has been found to exceed the projected value. [Deutsch] Mit dem VerTech-Tiefschachtverfahren zur Nassoxidation kommunaler Klaerschlaemme steht ein alternatives Verfahren zur Behandlung von Klaer- und Sonderschlaemmen zur Verfuegung, das oekologische und wirtschaftliche Vorteile aufweist. Nach grosstechnischer ...
The Jansen pumped-storage plants owned by Bayernwerk Wasserkraft AG are located on the river Pfreimd in eastern Bavaria, Germany. The group comprises the three power plants at Reisach, Tanzmuehle and Trausnitz, as well as the Rabenleite upper reservoir and two weirs. After forty years of service, the power plant group has recently been rehabilitated. The rehabilitation and modernization scheme included, inter alia, replacing the surface sealing on the upstream side of the upper reservoir dam, installing a state-of-the-art leakage and stability monitoring system, and renewing the instrumentation and control equipment in the power plants and in the central control room. Finally, the paper describes the operating experience with the new I and C systems. (orig.) [German] Die Pumpspeicherkraftwerke Jansen der Bayernwerk Wasserkraft AG befinden sich an der Pfreimd in Ostbayern. Die Kraftwerksgruppe besteht aus den 3 Kraftwerken Reisach, Tanzmuehle und Trausnitz sowie aus dem Hochspeicher ...
The textbook is primarily intended for radiologic staff and radiologic safety officers and gives information on the current regulatory provisions of the German X-ray Ordinance, applications of X-rays, quality assurance, organisational aspects of film processing and quality requirements of X-rays. An annex lists the guidelines of the Bundesaerztekammer (German National Chamber of Physicians) relating to quality assurance aspects, and further useful information on commercially available film-screen systems, the various associations of physicians in Germany, and requirements and performance of radiation surveys. (vhe) [Deutsch] Das vorliegende Lehrbuch, das sich vor allem an das technische Personal und an Strahlenschutzbeauftragte wendet, unterrichtet ueber die derzeit gueltigen Bestimmungen der Roentgenverordnung, die Anwendung von Roentgenstrahlen, ueber Qualitaetssicherung, die Organisation der Filmverarbeitung sowie ueber die Anforderungen an die Qualitaet von Roentgenbildern. Im ...
Only about 25% of residue accumulating in the Federal Republic of Germany is currently used for the purposes of energy. This residue will be converted into fuel for power stations by the Omega process when the dumping of waste with a calorific value in excess of 5 MJ/kg is prohibited with effect from 2005. This oxygen melting process is suitable for the local use of substitute fuels. Waste is converted into a high-quality synthesis gas with a wide range of uses. The Omega process combines drying, thermal decomposition, gasification and melting of the material used in a single-stage process. This is now technologically possible for the first time by combining a metallurgical cupola furnace with a traditional gas producer. The highly-calorific synthesis gas produced by the Omega process can be used in block heat and power stations or as an industrial fuel gas, instead of natural gas. It is also suitable as a starting material for synthesising methanol. The gas is specifically processed ...
Compared to the reference year of 1990, CO{sub 2} emissions of the Federal Republic of Germany have been curbed by about 12%, primarily as a result of industrial backfitting and pollution abatement measures accomplished in the industrial infrastructure of the new Federal Laender of Germany. Federal Government policy sticks to the previous commitment, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% by the year 2005. Current forecasts and scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions show that only immediate adherence to a very stringent reduction policy might ensure that this ambitious goal will be achieved. In this context, any change of the baseline data and scenarios hitherto used for progonostic assessments is a crucial factor, so that the article here discusses the impacts of a change in the nuclear generation scenario, as recently ventilated by the German Federal Government, and expected effects on public power supply. (orig./CB) [Deutsch] Ausgehend von dem Bezugsjahr 1990 sind die ...
Recently the association of a rare disease named ''nephrogenic systemic fibrosis'' (NSF) with the administration of gadolinium-containing contrast media, especially gadodiamide (Omniscan, GE-Healthcare), was described. NSF is a scleroderma-like disease characterised by widespread tissue fibrosis. Until now, NSF cases were observed only in patients with kidney disease. Almost all patients were suffering from chronic renal insufficiency, 90 % of them required renal replacement therapy. The true incidence of the disease is unknown. First retrospective analyses of selected collectives of patients with end-stage renal disease showed 2 - 5 % cases of NSF after administration of Gadolinium-containing contrast agents with an odds ratio of 20 - 50 in comparison to non-exposed controls. NSF is a serious adverse reaction, which may result in severe disabilities and even death. Therefore all radiologists applying gadolinium-based contrast agents should be ...
About ten years ago microbiologically influenced corrosion manifested on stainless steel pipes used with river water for cooling a chemical plant. The pipe material was similar to Type 316 L. After only six weeks of operation pinhole leaks occurred nearly simultaneously at several welded joints of the pipe. The material degradation was simulated in laboratory and field corrosion tests. Microbiologically influenced corrosion failures also appeared on the pipes of a tubular heat exchanger of duplex steel Type 31803 and on carbon and stainless steel pipes in industrial waste water purification plants after these plants had been modernized with a biological purification unit. The basics of microbiologically influenced corrosion phenomena and typical corrosion failures of pipes will be described. (orig.) [German] Vor etwa zehn Jahren sind in einer neu errichteten chemischen Produktionsanlage an einer mit Flusswasser beaufschlagten Kuehlwasserleitung aus hochlegiertem nichtrostendem Stahl ...
In an extended case report, we discuss four cases with masses in the lacrimal fossa representing the most important entities in this region (lymphoma, pleomorphadenoma, inflammatory pseudotumor, and malignant epithelial tumor). The different indications for CT and MRI are explained. For the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland lesions, the following imaging parameters are important: The shape of the lacrimal gland, the inner structure, the degree of contrast enhancement, and the surrounding bony structures. In the evaluation of the expansion of lacrimal gland lesions, CT in thin slices with multiplanar reconstructions is equal to MRI. However, the contrast-enhancement of lacrimal glands is better evaluated with MRI than with CT. The bony structures are better visualized on CT than on MRI. (orig.) [Deutsch] In einem erweiterten Fallbericht wird ueber die vier grossen Entitaeten bei Traenendruesenraumforderungen berichtet (Lymphom, pleomorphes Adenom, entzuendlicher Pseudotumor und ...
CNG vehicles suffer from an uncontrolled temperature rise of the gas inside the tank during the filling process and heat exchange with the environment leads to variable filling levels. A partly filled tank reduces the range of CNG vehicles and works as a impediment to the spreading of environmentaly more friendly CNG vehicles. The increase of the pressure inside the tank combined with a prolongation of the filling time beyond three minutes can reduce the deficit of the filling process. For economic reasons the time required for refuelling should be as short as possible without the need to operate the filling station with a critical pressure. To meet this target the current technique requires further improvement. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die betriebliche Praxis bei Tankvorgaengen von Erdgasfahrzeugen zeigt, dass waehrend des Tankvorganges die Temperatur des getankten Erdgases im Fahrzeugtank ansteigt. Waehrend und nach Beendigung des Tankvorganges findet ein ...
The evaluation of possible manufacture-based defects in turbine shafts and housings for component serviceability relevance is of particular interest not only in post-manufacturing NDT but also in evaluation of NDT results obtained by in-service inspections of components with long service lives. The results discussed in the paper are summarized as follows: Most of the examined natural defects in the forgings and castings behave like cracks under the simulated operating conditions and hence may well be evaluated by fracture mechanical methods for their serviceability relevance determined by crack propagation under fatigue, creep and creep-fatigue stress. The empirical correlation of true defect size and US testing results (echo signal, echodynamics, attenuation) permits improved determination of true defect sizes in the turbine components. Care has to be taken to select the proper testing and evaluation methods in compliance with defect types. (orig./MM) [Deutsch] Die ...
In view of current trends in motor car development, the author investigates the increasing conflict between higher comfort and lower fuel consumption. The conflict results mainly from insufficient cooling water heating with consumption-optimized engines. So far, it was never necessary to analyze heat flow after cold starting and heat-up of the powertrain, to develop strategies for heat storage and distribution, to remove heat sinks and to use components multifunctionally. The contribution shows that a general heat management strategy for the whole vehicle will result in high potential fuel savings and improved thermal comfort. Using the example of a latent heat store, heating strategies for the engine and transmission system on the one hand and the passenger compartment on the other hand are developed, and the advantages are presented in detail. [German] Abgeleitet aus den Trends in der Fahrzeugentwicklung wird auf den immer staerker werdenden Konflikt zwischen den steigenden ...
Alloyed steels containing retained austenite after martensitic hardening are widely applied in technical practice. Although many practical investigations have been made into the mechanical behaviour of composite microstructures with retained austenite, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning their fatigue and crack propagation behaviour. For this reason, the author investigated the effects of retained austenite concentration and stability on the transformation and deformation behaviour of hardened states of the steels X210Cr12 and 100Cr6. For this purpose, monotone tensile tests, cyclic tensile pressure tests, and supplementary crack propagation experiments were carried out. The concentrations of retained austenite were varied between 10 and 100% by volume by means of different heat treatments. [Deutsch] Legierte Staehle, die nach martensitischer Haertung noch Restaustenit enthalten, finden in der technischen Praxis verbreitete Anwendung. Zum mechanischen ...
In 1986, following comprehensive preliminary studies, a 17 MW battery energy storage plant was set up in the insular power supply system of Berlin (West) for the purpose of frequency and output control and provision of immediate reserve capacities. The present paper reports on the initial task, and the dimensioning and construction of this large-scale demonstration as well as the costs entailed in this. It also relates the experiences gained with the operation of the battery energy storage plant in its function as a fast-responding control unit and gives an account of its economic efficiency. Recent studies on the economic efficiency of the plant in conditions as they exist in the present interconnected power supply system are presented. Finally the author reports on the experiences gained with individual plant components, i.e., battery, battery periphery, and power converter and quantifies the cost of plant operation, maintenance, and servicing. (orig./HW) [Deutsch] Im Inselnetz von ...
Long duration investigations on XLPE-insulated, medium-voltage cable have been intensively carried out by producers, institutes and users for decades. These tests have concentrated on cable ageing especially under the influence of water. About six years ago, a standard test procedure was developed based on comprehensive know-how. This test procedure is now included in DIN VDE 0276-620. In the following text, experience gained during testing and while performing tests in numerous laboratories is reported, and a summary of the test results is given. (orig.) [Deutsch] Langzeituntersuchungen an VPE-isolierten Mittelspannungskabeln, die sich mit der Alterung der Kabel, besonders unter dem Einfluss von Wasser beschaeftigen, wurden seit Jahrzehnten durch Hersteller, Institute und Anwender intensiv betrieben. Basierend auf diesem sehr umfangreichen Know-how wurde vor rd. sechs Jahren ein standardisiertes Pruefverfahren entwickelt, das heute Bestandteil der DIN VDE 0276-620 ist. Die Verfasser ...
With publication the fire design rules of the Eurocode and the national application documents (NAD) for the first time also calculation methods of constructive structural fire protection are available. This dimensioning of components and structures in fire case is based on the normal temperature design on Eurocodes and can be applied in the future as alternative to the classical fire design method of the German standard DIN 4102 part 4. In this contribution a view of the proof procedures of the Eurocode fire protection parts and the arrangements of the NADs is given as soon as the application of these fire design rules in Germany is described. (orig.) [German] Mit der Veroeffentlichung der Eurocode-Brandschutzteile als Vornormen und der zugehoerigen nationalen Anwendungsregelungen (NAD) als DIN-Fachberichte stehen erstmals auch rechnerische Nachweisverfahren fuer den konstruktiven baulichen Brandschutz zur Verfuegung. Diese brandschutztechnische Bemessung von Bauteilen und Tragwerken ...
Following the conventional X-ray diagnosis of the skull and upper cervical spine, CT proved to be the primary diagnostic method after a skull and brain injury: For all 4 cases we succeeded in detecting the occipital condyle fracture and in determing its size and location by reconstructions (coronal, sagittal, 3-D). In the case of complex occompanying injuries like soft tissue hematomas (cerebral, in the spinal cord, and the soft tissue of the neck) or for the detection of brain stem contusion, MRT had significant advantages. MRT can offer a higher image quality in soft tissue, especially in the spinal cord and the brain. (orig.) [Deutsch] Im Anschluss an die konventionelle Roentgendiagnostik des Schaedels und der Halswirbelsaeule, erwies sich die Computertomographie als primaer einzusetzendes diagnostisches Verfahren, nach erlittenem Schaedel-Hirn-Trauma. In allen Faellen gelang der exakte Frakturnachweis an den Okzipitalkondylen, die Bestimmung des ...
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 Technik gegeben durch die ...
Purpose: For planning the therapeutic strategies and estimating the prognosis in esophageal cancer, N-staging is very important. To date, MRI still is of minor importance as imaging modality of the mediastinum despite promising developments in the past, like ECG-gating or 'averaging' sequences, e.g. LOTA (Long-term averaging), which facilitate mediastinal and thoracic MR-imaging. In a prospective approach, the value of MRI based N-staging was examined with respect to LOTA-sequences. Material and Methods: Within from weeks prior to esophagectomy, standardized MRI of the esophagus was performed in 15 patients (10 squamous-cell-carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas) using a 1.5 T whole body scanner. Imaging quality was classified based on depiction of aortic wall or tracheal wall layers. Criteria for malignant infiltration were a diameter of more than 15 mm or a round appearance of a lymph node together with GD-DTPA enhancement. All data were blinded and separately read by ...
Pr{sub 2}[Mo{sub 2}C{sub 3}] was obtained by arc melting of the elements followed by annealing at 1500 C in arc welded and sealed Mo-ampoules. The compound was characterised by chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction and metallography. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P2{sub 1}/c, Z = 4, a = 597.99(10) pm, b = 665.15(11) pm, c = 1185.60(19) pm and {beta} = 111.631(5) ) represents a new structure type containing a three dimensional polyanion {sub {infinity}}{sup 3}[(Mo{sub 2}C{sub 3}){sup 6-}] with Molybdenum(III) in a distorted tetrahedral coordination by carbo-ligands. Tetrameric building-blocks, Mo{sub 4}C{sub 10}, of edge sharing MoC{sub 4}-tetrahedra are arranged to form layers running parallel to (100). The layers are interconnected along [100] by sharing common apices of the MoC{sub 4} tetrahedra. The coordination polyhedra around praseodymium represent distorted (PrC{sub 5})-arrangements (mono capped tetrahedra and square pyramids). The metal atoms together form a distorted motif ...
In an epidemiological study of the somatic late effects risk following incorporation of a short lived {alpha}-emitter, 1473 ankylosing spondylitis patients treated with repeated intravenous injections of {sup 224}Ra in the years 1948 - 75, have been observed in the GSF. The usual therapeutic plan consisted of a total of 10 - 12 injections of 1.036 MBq (28 {mu}Ci) of {sup 224}Ra each, given at weekly intervals; this would result in an cumulative {alpha}-dose of 0.56 - 0.67 Gy to the marrow-free skeleton of a 70-kg-man (standard man). These patients have been followed together with a control group of ankylosing spondylitis patients not treated with radioactive drugs and/or X-rays. Until May 1993 (mean follow-up time 19.9 yr), 595 patients of the exposure group and 722 patients of the control group have died, causes of death have been ascertained for 578, resp. 668 patients. Among others we observed in the exposure group 10 cases of leukaemia (vs. 2.7 - 2.8 cases expected, p < 0.001) ...
The transport-relevant basic data recorded within the framework of a federation-wide transport data survey made in 1986 are the best-founded source at present for determining the transport volume of other radioactive materials in different economic areas of the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to the high recording rates, a sufficiently complete survey can be provided in particular with regard to the transport volume (e.g.transports/consignments/cargos, transport distance) - with the exception of transport by ship - for the ranges of application in reserach, medicine and technology. However, as regards the radiologically relevant basic data and transport modalities, the information supplied by the transporting agencies is incomplete. A table gives a comprehensive survey of type and scope of the transport volume of other radioactive materials in the Federal Republic of Germany (excluding the GDR) for transport by road, rail and air. The table also includes data on the dose rate of ...
Characterisation of the classification of brain tumours authorised by the WHO. Method of appraisal: This classification was revised and published in its second version. In the revision, some tumours were regrouped histogenetically and some tumour variants were added. Radiologically relevant changes of the classification include the differentiation of four new tumour entities that are easily distinguished by MR imaging. These four tumours belong to the group of childhood tumours or tumours occurring in early adulthood and are characterized by a good prognosis after extirpation. Results of appraisal: Central neurocytomas are small-cyst ventricular tumours associated with the foramen of Monroi and show moderate contrast enhancement. Infantile desmoplastic gangliogliomas/astrocytomas commonly consist of a solid tumour portion related to the leptomeninges with pronounced contrast enhancement and a typically very large cyst. Pleomorphic xanthostrocytomas are circumscribed cortical tumours ...
Normally, the alloy NiMo28 is used in the solution annealed and quenched condition in which it has a face centred cubic matrix structure. The matrix of the material is supersaturated with molybdenum and, at temperatures above 800 C, has a tendency to form intermetallic precipitates such as the Ni{sub 4}Mo-ordered phase leading to the embrittlement of the NiMo28-ordered phase leading to the embrittlement of the NiMo28 alloy during hot working. For this reason, the aim of these investigations was to optimise the alloy by reducing its tendency to embrittle. The TEM-analyses carried out served to investigate the precipitation of the material as a function of its iron content after ageing at 700 C. The change in hardness and in the lattice constants of the NiMo28-specimens with iron content were also determined. To improve the hot working properties of this material it is recommended that the iron content be kept to about 3.2 mass % in order to reduce the tendency of the alloy to ...
In the year 1996 the spheres of competence of several DLR-Institutes working in the areas of fluid dynamics, reaction kinetics, combustion, numerical methods and laser measuring techniques have been brought together while contributing to the internal DLR project 'combustion chamber modelling (BKM)', in order to proceed with the computational simulation of combustion processes in combustion chambers of gas turbines. The main issue was the development of a research code for numerical simulation of fluid flow in real combustion chambers. Here the development of computational models of physical and chemical processes was emphasized, among other processes the formation of soot was treated. Moreover, a worldwide outstanding database of measured data for the purpose of code validation has been created within the framework of the BKM project using the laboratory facilities of the DLR, which are in Germany unique for the experimental investigation of the various processes in ...
This report is intended to satisfy two concurrent needs: (1) provide a contract deliverable from Oncorh Consulting to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with emphasis on identification of salient results of value to ongoing Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) planning and (2) summarize results of research that have broader scientific relevance. This is the fourth in a series of reports that address reproductive ecological research and monitoring of spring chinook populations in the Yakima River basin. This annual report summarizes data collected between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005 and includes analyses of historical baseline data, as well. Supplementation success in the Yakima Klickitat Fishery Project's (YKFP) spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) program is defined as increasing natural production and harvest opportunities, while keeping adverse ecological interactions and genetic impacts within acceptable bounds (Busack et al. 1997). ...
Court decisions available so far do not primarily consider the problems linked to the commissioning of an expert and his mandate, as well as the legal status of the commissioning of an expert as an administrative act which might be legally contestable. Thus there are at present no court decisions that would create legal certainty in matters of the act of commissioning a nuclear expert opinion. The current legal situation is such that an independent order for commissioning of an expert opinion in compliance with section 19 III AtG (Atomic Energy Act), which in general is given in response to the refusal of the facility operator to do so, can be independently contested on the basis of section 44 a, sentence 2 VwGO (Rules of Administrative Courts). The current practice of conflict-oriented, or nuclear power phase-out-oriented, implementation of the nuclear law poses a threat to our constitutional state and to our democracy. The supply of energy as a common good is of essential importance ...
Primary malignant lymphoma of the brain is a disease of unknown etiology, which is increasing in incidence and has an unfavorable prognosis. Despite the lack of specific changes on CT or MRI in most cases, these procedures may typically facilitate the diagnosis: A focal-enhancing mass with subependymal spread on CT or MRI and hyperattenuation on nonenhanced CT are the most reliable features in the diagnosis of primary malignant lymphoma of the brain. Peritumoral edema and mass effect are usually not prominent features. On unenhanced CT scans they usually appear homogeneously isodense to mildly hyperdense relative to the gray matter. On MRI these tumors are slightly hypointense on T1-weighted images and slightly hpyerintense on PD- and T2-weighted images relative to the gray matter. On CT and MRI enhancement is usually homogeneous. Contrast-enhanced MRI, with its multiplanar capability, lack of bone-induced artifacts, and high-contrast resolution, is likely to reveal subependymal spread ...
Purpose: Small suspicious breast lesions that are only visible at MR imaging were preoperatively marked with a hook wire under MR-guidance to allow the removal of the lesion with tissue-sparing surgery. Method: In all patients the suspicious lesions were marked preoperatively under MR guidance with a hook wire using a commercially available stereotactic device. Interventions were performed with MR guidance on a 1.0 T and on a 1.5 T system. Results: In 19 patients 22 lesions were localized. One lesion was missed and removed in a second procedure. The mean duration for localization was 66{+-}20 min (range 38-119 min). In two patients two lesions were localized. The mean deviation of the wire tip to the lesion was 2,0{+-}2,6 mm. In this series, 6 of 22 lesions were malignant. The mean diameter of the lesion was 7.6{+-}2.6 mm (range 3-14 mm). Conclusion: Suspicious breast lesions detectable only in MR imaging can be accurately localized with a hook wire preoperatively under MR control to ...
Lung cancer staging according to the TNM system is based on morphological assessment of the primary cancer, lymph nodes and metastases. All aspects of this important oncological classification are measurable with MRI. Pulmonary nodules can be detected at the clinically relevant size of 4-5 mm in diameter. The extent of mediastinal, hilar and supraclavicular lymph node affection can be assessed at the same time. The predominant metastatic spread to the adrenal glands and spine can be detected in coronal orientation during dedicated MRI of the lungs. Search focused whole body MRI completes the staging. Various additional MR imaging techniques provide further functional and clinically relevant information during a single examination. In the oncological context the most important techniques are imaging of perfusion and tumor motion. Functional MRI of the lungs complements the pure staging and improves surgical approaches and radiotherapy planning. (orig.) [German] Das Staging des ...
Nickel-based alloys are presently used as brazing filler metals for components which undergo mechanical stress in corrosive conditions, f. e. heat exchangers. When soldering chrome containing steel parts with nickel based brazing filler metals additionally containing boron and silicon a reaction of chrome and boron can occur. This evolution of chromium borides, depositing on grain boundaries, causes a lack of chrome in the steel part. A drop of the chrome content in the parts below 13 % leads to a loss of corrosion resistance. It is possible to change the microstructure of brazing joints by modification with chromium and molybdenum. Continuous brittle phases could be successfully avoided with this modification. Furthermore it could be shown that the choice of additives, the heating respectively cooling rate and the brazing temperature have important influence on the microstructure evolution and therefore on the mechanical and corrosive properties of joints. (Abstract Copyright [2008], ...
Preserving customers` investments in capital goods is one of the strategic market services offered by ABB, and to this end the company has developed project-specific retrofit concepts especially for older power generation plant. A prime example of such a modernization is the Umm Al Nar East (UANE) combined cycle power station in Abu Dhabi, UAE. UANE has two gas turbines of type GT13D, which together generate 140 MW of electrical energy, and heat-recovery boilers which supply steam to a seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 80 million liters of drinking water per day. After almost 20 years in operation, UANE is being modernized. To address the owner`s concerns and minimize plant downtime, ABB has introduced Service, Operation and Rehabilitation (SOR) Key Account Management for Abu Dhabi. In the first phase of the modernization project, the static starting equipment was upgraded and the mechanical turbine governor replaced by the EGATROL electro-hydraulic control system. Also, ...
In comparison to deterministic criteria, probabilistic reliability indices like interruption frequency and unavailability give a more differentiated insight into reliability in an electrical energy network. One possibility for network planning based on these indices is the definition of limits for customer nodes, another is the monetarisation of reliability in terms of interruption costs. Because of numerous disadvantages, interruption cost methods could not up to now win broad recognition in network planning in Western Europe. A more recent method for the monetarisation of reliability circumventing most of these disadvantages is the insurance system. In this system the customer selects a tariff class in an insurance system, and the utility reimburses its customers in the case of an interruption. In its first section, the paper describes a method for the flexible and realistic optimisation of MV networks. This method based on Genetic optimisation is able to integrate probabilistic ...
Purpose: To determine the value of MRI in the postoperativ evaluation of a singular ventricle compared to echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Materials and methods: Thirty-one patients (range: 6 months to 30 years) with a functional single ventricle following palliative corrective operations. Five patients had a Blalock-Taussig-Shunt, 8 patients a Glenn-Anastomosis and 18 a cavopulmonary shunt (6 with classic Fontan-Circulation, 12 with modified cavopulmonary anastomosis). The results in terms of postoperative morphologic changes were compared to percutaneous echocardiography (31/31) and cardiac catheterization (6/31). Results: Echocardiography, which was performed on all patients, could not visualize the entire length of the tunnel, the Glenn-Anastomosis or the central pulmonary arteries in 70% of the patients due to an inadequate acoustic window. MRI was able to show the entire tunnel in 11/12 patients and the central pulmonary arteries in 30/31 patients. The exact anatomy ...
Clinical studies have proved the effectiveness of local ablading methods in pations with non-resectable liver metastases of a colorectal carcinoma. RF ablation and LITT are a potentially curative therapy option and an alternative to systemic chemotherapy; the latter is carried out primarily for reducing tumour size with the goal of secondary resectability. The number of R0-sesectable metastases can be enhanced by a combined therapy of surgery and local ablading methods, e.g. by preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative ablasion of further non-resectable tumours during surgery. Systemic chemotherapy combined with surgery as an adjuvant method is not recommended unless in cases of non-abladable tumour recidivation. Currently, systemic chemotherapy is used as a neo-adjuvant therapy for tumour size reduction with the goal of secondary resectability or, in case of inoperability, local ablation. (orig.) [German] Abladierende Verfahren. Klinische Studien belegen die Effektivitaet der ...
Parallel imaging and echo sharing techniques have markedly reduced the acquisition times for MRI of large volumes. Dynamic 2 and 3-dimensional data sets of the chest with high temporal resolution (up to 10 images/s with single slice and 2 volume/s) allow an analysis of respiratory motion of the lungs and tumors. Time-resolved 2D series in preselected planes can be used to observe respiratory motion during free breathing or after respiratory commands, e.g. to exclude chest wall invasion by a tumor or for diagnosing impairment of respiratory mechanics. Time-resolved 3D-series (4D-MRI) allow monitoring of the spatial displacement of the lungs and tumors as a whole volume. Present limitations such as an overestimation of tumor size and an underestimation of displacement due to a limited temporal resolution are expected to be overcome with further technical developments. However, 4D-MRI already appears to be the appropriate tool to select patients for motion-adapted radiotherapy. In ...
The influences of temperature and duration of tempering on hardness and microstructure were investigated at high-temperature martensitic and low-carbon steels with 9% chrome and the further alloying elements molybdenium, vanadium, niobium and partially tungsten. After austenitizing and subsequent air cooling the steels were tempered at temperatures below, at and above Ac{sub 1b} for different times and finally a hardness test was performed. Making use of the temperature dependence of the hardness tempering diagrams were constructed and the Hollomon-Jaffe-Parameter on the three steels was determined within its application limits. Micrographs of the structure shows the formation of the carbides and the martensite. At tempering temperatures below Ac{sub 1b} a decrease of hardness occurs, above Ac{sub 1b}, a hardness rise due to the partial austenitizing was obtained. While hardening below Ac{sub 1b}, the tempering quality increases from P 91, NF 616 to E 911. (orig.) [Deutsch] An ...
Purpose: In vitro evaluation of possible deflection and heating of present-day prosthetic heart valves, 12 technical and 5 biological, were investigated using a 1.5 Tesla Siemens Vision system. Deflection was measured at the edge of a 1.5 Tesla superconducting magnet. Each valve was then submerged in a vial of a 1/1 electrolyte solution and temperature was measured before and after imaging with a turbo-spin-echo sequence (TR 5200 ms, TE 138 ms, Flip angle 180 C, acquisition time 10.5 minutes, length of echo train 29). MR imaging was performed with phase encoding parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the valves. Results: None of the investigated prosthetic heart valves was deflected. The maximal observed temperature rise was 0.5 C. During MR investigation of the prostheses, artifacts caused by metallic parts were less evident using a spin-echo sequence than a gradient-echo sequence. Conclusions: Patients with the tested present-day prosthetic heart valves can be safely imaged by ...
To determined precisely a possible connection between the amount of copper in tap-water and the risk of early childhood liver disease, it was attempted through an epidemiological survey, to determine the extent of excessive concentrations of copper in the tap-water of households with copper pipes. Water samples from 956 households were tested for copper, and the state of health of the infants in these households was documented. Infants who had been fed using water with a copper concentration of 0.8 mg/l or more received a paediatric examination with a blood serum analysis to rule out any liver damage. A copper level greater than 0.8 mg/l was found in only 2% of the households examined. Eight infants were examined by a paediatrician and their serum was analysed. These infants had either been breast-fed to the 12th week or had received more than 200 ml of tap water per day during first 12 months. None of the infants examined showed any signs of liver malfunction. From the results of the ...
Already in 1998, the city of Hanover, the Stadtwerke Hannover and six further cities of the region initiated the funding programme 'Hannover proKlim' for promoting energy-relevant modernization measures in domestic buildings. One year later, the social marketing campaign 'Haus-Partner Hannover / Der (H)Eissbaer'' was started, which addresses building owners in Hanover with the intention to induce them to action. The 'Energiepass Hannover' is another important instrument of the campaign. This report takes stock of the results achieved so far. [German] Beim Klimaschutz im Gebaeudebestand lassen sich in Hannover drei Ansaetze hervorheben, die parallel zueinander entwickelt wurden und die in besonderer Weise dazu beitragen, die CO{sub 2}-Emissionen im Gebaeudebestand zu reduzieren: Bereits 1998 hat die Landeshauptstadt Hannover gemeinsam mit den Stadtwerken Hannover und sechs weiteren Staedten der Region den Klimaschutz-Fonds ...
On account of a raised appearing of plastic waste and shreddered light fraction (SLF) from old car utilization as well as legal handicaps experiments were carried out at the Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy (RWTH Aachen) on a laboratory rig to inject DSD (Duales System Deutschland)-plastic waste and SLF with the destination of a subsequent raw material utilization in the blast furnace and cupola furnace. The experiments on the laboratory rig with DSD plastics could verify that by injection of specific coal/plastic mixtures into the blast furnace the injection rate could be raised by an improvement in the conversion degree and therefore the amount of the inserted reducing agent can be lowered. The injection of SLF without reduction of the inert materials and of the contents on alloying elements and/or tramp elements by extensive preparation has no advantages according to the experiments for the blast furnace process. Pilot experiments on the cupola furnace showed that, assuming a certain ...
The aim of the presented investigation was to gain information about the behaviour of the initiation and growth of intercrystalline creep cracks during creep deformation from the evaluation of metallographic micrographs. The austenitic steel X10 NiCrAlTi 32 20 HT (Alloy 800 HT) was investigated by carrying out creep tests at 800 and 900 C with different nominal stresses until fracture. Additional tests are carried out on certain creep strains in the late tertiary creep stage. The creep tests are followed by a metallographic investigation of the crept specimens. The statistical distribution of the microcrack lengths was used to estimate the rate of crack initiation and crack growth. It is found that the rate of growth of the intercrystalline creep cracks in Alloy 800 HT is dependent on the applied stress and the creep strain reached. The rate of growth of long cracks was only slightly higher than that of short cracks and was lower than predictions based on fracture mechanics concepts. ...
For a wider application of GaAs single crystals for semiconductor devices a cheaper process to grow crystals with high purity and low dislocation density is required. According to todays knowledge the Czochralski method with a hot wall vessel should be the choice. The temperature of the vessel has to be 700deg C to avoid condensation of arsenic which vapourizes from the 1240deg C hot melt. Arsenic vapour is very agressive against all metals. Therefore the corrosion resistance of metals and alloys with a high melting point and also ceramics has been tested. All the alloys under investigation are corroded severely so that they have to be excluded as a material for the vessel. The metals tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten are more resistent, titanium forms initially a thick protection layer and further corrosion is greatly reduced. The ceramics investigated (TiB{sub 2}; ALN; Makor; BN) are not attacked by arsenic though they may store some arsenic. (orig./MM). [Deutsch] Fuer breitere ...
The influence of a decarburisation process during austenitising of the through-hardenable rolling bearing steel 100Cr6 (SAE 52100) on the rim zone properties of the martensitic through-hardened material was investigated by means of material analysis and diffusion calculations. For this purpose, two specimens were prepared under defined heat treatment conditions, and the near-surface carbon distribution was determined micro-chemically by using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In part 1 of the present work, these concentration profiles are compared with the depth variation of the micro-hardness and with the distance curves of the residual stresses and the line broadening ({l_brace}211{r_brace} {alpha}'-Fe diffraction line) both measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, microstructure investigations were performed. In part 2, a refined kinetics model of a diffusion-controlled reaction based on the finite element method (FEM) will be applied to the decarburisation ...
CT-Expo is a novel MS Excel application for assessing the radiation doses delivered to patients undergoing CT examinations, based on computational methods that were used to analyze the data collected in the German survey on CT practice in 1999. The program enables the calculation of all dose quantities of practical value, such as axial dose free-in-air, weighted CTDI, dose-length product, effective dose and uterine dose. In contrast to existing programs for CT dose assessment, CT-Expo offers a number of unique features, such as gender-specific dose calculation for all age groups (adults, children, newborns), applicability to all existing scanner models including correction of scanner-specific influences, and the possibility of comparison with the results from the German CT survey on CT practice. Three different application modules offer free and standardized dose calculations as well as a comprehensive benchmarking section including guidance on dose optimization. The program is ...
The measuring series was performed from November 1991 through April 1992 in seven drinking-water conditioning plants of the Fichtel mountains area in the north-eastern part of Bavaria, and the results revealed as an annual average a dose of about 1 - 40 WLM. The area of interest is a drinking-water catchment area where the ground water and other water resources include waters particularly rich in radon content, which explains this relatively high dose range. This is why comprehensive, specific local and long-term mearurements were carried out in order to assess the occupational radiation dose in the drinking-water conditioning plants, taking as a model site the conditioning plant of the municipal utilities of Hof in Weissenstadt. These more specific measurements were performed by the Technical Inspectorates (TUeV) of Bavaria and Saxony and the isotope laboratory of Georg-August University of Goettingen in mid-April 1994 (Goettingen University, TUeV Saxonia and Bavaria) and from June ...
Purpose: The nint version of the licensing regulation for medical doctors (Approbation Regulation (AR)) sets a benchmark in terms of practical experience, interdigitation of preclinical and clinical studies, interdisciplinary approach, economic efficiency, independence of students, added new teaching and learning modalities, and ongoing evaluation of the progress of the medical students. It is the aim to implement these major points of the AR in a model course for diagnostic radiology and radiation protection within the scope of the Virtual University of Bavaria and test them in practice. Materials and Methods: In cooperation with residents and board certified radiologists, students developed the virtual course 'Web-Based Training (WBT) Radiology' in diagnostic radiology and radiation protection for students in the first clinical semester. A representative target group taken from the student body was asked about the options to get access to the World Wide Web ...
Objective: To determine the reproductibility of three-dimensional volume and thickness measurements of the knee joint cartilage with MRI in volunteers. Methods: The knees of 7 healthy individuals (ages 23 to 58 yrs.) were sagitally imaged with a resolution of 2x0.31x0.31 mm{sup 3}, using a fat-suppressed FLASH-3 D sequence. The knee was repositioned in between replicate acquisitions, 6 data sets being obtained in each case. After semiautomatic segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction of the cartilage, the thickness was determined independent of the original section orientation. The coefficient of variation for repeated volume measurements and the deviations of the maximal cartilage thickness values were calculated subsequently. Results: The mean variation of the cartilage volumes of the replicate measurements was 1.4% ({+-}0.8%) in the patella, 1.7% ({+-}1.5%) in the femur, 3.0% ({+-}1.2%) in the medial tibial plateau and 3.5% ({+-}2.0%) in the lateral tibial plateau. The ...
The role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of preoperative and postoperative complications caused by acquired cholesteatomas will be described in this paper. The pre- and postoperative imaging of the temporal bone was performed with HRCT and MRI. HRCT and MRI were performed in the axial and coronal plane. MRI was done with T2 weighted and T1 weighted sequences both before and after the intravenous application of contrast material. All imaging findings were confirmed clinically or surgically. The preoperative cholesteatoma-caused complications depicted by HRCT included bony erosions of the ossicles, scutum, facial canal in the middle ear, tympanic walls including the tegmen tympani, and of the labyrinth. The preoperative cholesteatoma-caused complications depicted by MRI included signs indicative for labyrinthitis, and brain abscess. Postoperative HRCT depicted bony erosions caused by recurrent cholesteatoma, bony defects ...
TRITEX was a pumped loop with Pb-15.8Li, fabricated from steel 1.4922. In contact with the molten eutectic were also molybdenum, vanadium and armco-iron. The loop was originally designed to investigate tritium extraction using solid getter metals. Over the years the goal changed to the study of metals, corrosion products and purification of the eutectic mixture. Therefore many modifications were done. The first part of this report describes TRITEX. All parts were enclosed in thermoboxes for a homogeneous temperature. One test section was in an argon glove box and could be opened during operation. Other special equipment`s were: permeation membranes and liquid-metal-covergas-interfaces to study the transport of H{sub 2}, D{sub 2} and {sup 3}H, different purification devices, a quartz observation window to see the liquid metal surface, 4 different kinds of flow measurements, level indicators, freeze valves. The second part describes loop operation. Between 1989 and 1996, the eutectic ...
From autumn this year, the FRJ-2 of the Research Center Juelich will be supplying molybdenum targets to the Institut National des Radioelements in Fleurus, Belgium - which deals in medical radio-isotopes worldwide - thus helping to meet the need for technetium-99, which is used in the medical profession for diagnostic purposes because of its favourable radiological characteristics. Technetium-99 is formed as a result of the radioactive decay of molybdenum-99. For many years now, molybdenum has been produced by the irradiation of uranium in research reactors, so that the initiation of molybdenum production in the FRJ-2 is not especially new. What is unusual, however, are the particular peripheral conditions which result from the combination of the irradiation requirements, a predetermined target design and the technical characteristics of the reactor and which necessitated special solutions. This applies especially to the handling of the targets after irradiation, which is much more ...
Differentiating a benign from a malignant lesion by information such as density data, or signal intensities or echo gradients, is not possible with CT, nor MRI, nor ultrasonography. Only some lesions show characteristic signs. Inflammations cannot be difscriminated from malignant tumors. CTs of small tumors in particular are so poor in contrast that it is much more difficult to detect tumors or discriminate them from other lesions, as compared to MR images or ultrasonographs. CT does not detect surface tumors, but is more sensitive than MRI or US in detecting discrete cortical bone lesions. The same applies to small calcified tumors. MRI however is most sensitive in detecting tumor volumes in the yellow marrow, and is the best modality for evaluation of extraossal extension of tumors. CT yields better results than MRI if applied for simultaneous screening of lymph node metastases in the lower neck. MRI frequently is spoilt by movement artefacts. High-resolution, contrast enhanced CT ...
The fundamental recommendations of the ICRP issued in its publication of 1990 stipulate the general principle of performance of dose measurements at regular intervals in the field of diagnostic radiology, for the purpose of equipment performance checking and optimization of radiological protection. In response to this requirement, the Federal Ministry, in cooperation with experts and the competent supervising authorities, has issued an order to install dose-area-product meters in angiographic examination systems, imaging systems and fluoroscopic screen devices primarily used for examining infants and children up to the age of 12. This is done in response to reported cases of adverse effects of radiation exposure and the high priority given to radiological protection in the examination of infants and children. In 1992, an expert group was convened to discuss and elaborate instructions for including dose-area product measurement in the dosimetry activities in medical diagnostic ...
Austenitic stainless steel (18% Cr, 12% Ni, Mo gradation between 0,06 to 3,6%) had been solution nitrided. By step-by-step removing, the samples could be prepared with various surface contents of nitrogen from 0.04 to 0.42%. In two test series the influence of nitrogen had been determined. The susceptibility against pitting corrosion of these samples had been tested by the chronopotentiostatical method. For the investigated steel composition and the used corrosion system there is no influence of molybdenum on the effectiveness of nitrogen. The effectiveness of nitrogen can be described by the factor 25 in the PRE. By the investigation of the surfaces with the XPS analysis, it could be shown that the passivation and the pit nucleation is influenced by nitrogen. In these ranges NO{sub x}, NH{sub x}, and NH{sub z}-spectra have been detected. Bound Mo was found in steels containing molybdenum. It is assumed that the repassivation mechanisms of N and Mo work independently of each other. ...
To evaluate the usefulness of radiation therapy alternative to surgery for clinical N0-N1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From 1976 through 1989, 116 patients with NSCLC without mediastinal involvement were treated with definitive radiation therapy alone at Gunma University Hospital. All patients were treated with once-daily standard fractionation using 10 MV X-rays. The total dose ranged from 60 Gy to 80 Gy. The actuarial 2- and 5-year survival rates of the entire group were 43% and 20%, respectively with a median survival time of 19 months. The survival of 76 patients with stage T2 tumors was significantly better than that of 28 patients with T3 tumors (mean survival time 21 versus 15.5 months; p<0.05). Sixty-two patients with tumors less than 5 cm in diameter had a 2-year progression rate of 20%, in comparison with 39% of 54 patients with tumors greater than 5 cm. The difference of survivals for these 2 groups was statistically significant. Twelve patients given a total dose ...
The further optimisation and improvement of the efficiency of internal combustion engines require the realisation of new technologies leading to a distinctively faster warm-up behaviour of the coolant and lubricants as well as of the engine components after a cold start. In order to achieve reduced fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions with the help of heat management, the design criteria of innovative cooling systems need to be reflected and adapted to future requirements. The use of intelligent components within the cooling system, such as the 'Stand Alone Rotary Valve' as a thermostat's substitute or the use of coolant pumps with a rotary valve integrated into the pump's inlet chamber, offer new ways to realise in a decisively quicker and more flexible way the appropriate heating up and cooling down procedures at varying driving conditions. A description of both of the intelligent components for the cooling system is given in this paper. The ...
The report describes the processing of TiSi{sub 2}, MoSi{sub 2} and Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} by means of metal injection molding (MIM). First, the sintering activities of the three materials were investigated. After this, the viscosities of different mixtures of organic binder and powders of the three materials were determined, and in the final stage, components were produced by injection molding, the binder was removed, and the components were sintered. TiSi{sub 2} in powder form could be sintered to more than 95% of its theoretical density after 4 h at 1386 C. Metallographic analyses proved leaktightness of the component at this density. In the case of Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}, it was found that this material requires very long sintering times and high sintering temperatures for sintering to about 94% of its theoretical density. Metallographic analyses showed that only about 90% of the theoretical density was reached. MoSi{sub 2} in powder form could be sintered to only 90% of its theoretical ...
To compare the accuracy in the detection and staging of various malignant tumors with high resolution whole-body MRI using parallel imaging with whole-body dual-modality PET-CT. Preliminary results of an interim analysis from a prospective, blinded study are presented, in which 20 patients (mean age 59 years, range 27-77 years) with different oncological diseases underwent whole-body dual modality FDG-PET-CT screening for tumor search or staging in case of confirmed or suspected metastatic disease. All patients also underwent whole-body MRI imaging with the use of parallel imaging (iPAT). High-resolution coronal T1w- and STIR-sequences of 5 body levels with 512 x 512 matrix, axial fast T2w imaging of lung and abdomen (HASTE), contrast-enhanced dynamic and static T1w-sequences of liver, brain, abdomen, and pelvis were performed. Using a 32-channel whole-body MRI scanner (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Medical Solutions) with a total field of view of 205 cm and free table movement, all ...
Low energy buildings promise significant energy savings and help climate preservation by cutting down on annual heating requirements to values below 70 kWh per m{sup 2} dwelling space. It is expected that low energy constructions will become the common standard by the year 2000 as a result of the forthcoming energy saving ordinance. For making the introduction and implementation of this standard successful, practical experience will be essential. For this reason, the state government of Hesse has supported respective pilot projects 1987. In 1989 the funding programme `30 low energy buildings in Hesse` has been established. Consecutively - between 1989 and 1993 - 29 buildings were erected. At first, the thermal quality of the crafted building construction including the ventilation systems was checked. Consecutively, energy consumption, indoor and outdoor temperatures were measured over a time span of several years. The experience of the inhabitants was surveyed. The `Institut Wohnen und ...
Purpose: To visualise the vessel wall of the descending thoracic aorta using magnetic resonance imaging. To evaluate the diagnostic potential of tailored T{sub 1}-weighted sequences with contrast enhancement to assess systemic atherosclerotic disease. Methods: This study was performed on a clinical 1.5 Tesla scanner using a gradient strength of 30 mT/m and the phased array spine coil. A cadaver was examined to optimise a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to evaluate atherosclerotic aortic wall disease. The acquired MR images were compared to gross specimens and histology. Subsequently seven patients who had undergone transesophageal ultrasound (TEU) with detailed assessment of the descending thoracic aorta were examined with MRI. The optimised protocol included untriggered and fat suppressed T{sub 2}-weighted turbo spin echo sequences and ECG-triggered and fat suppressed T{sub 1}-weighted spin echo sequences before and after iv administration of Gd-DTPA. Findings of the MR ...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic imaging tool relies on the generation of magnetic fields, whereas the computerized tomography (CT) uses X-radiation. The fundamental principle of MRI is the magnetic resonance of paramagnetic atomic nuclei. These nuclei, as e.g. protons (= hydrogen nuclei), are aligned in required orientation by application of a strong magnetic field. Upon simultaneous application of an electromagnetic high-frequency field perpendicular to the axis of the basic magnetic field, and in response to periodical changing of the electromagnetic field at a given frequency, the originally aligned paramagnetic nuclei are forced into a movement similar to that of a ``whipping top``. When the resonance frequency is shut off, the nuclei return to their former, aligned positions, inducing a weak signal in a coil. The series of signals generated by multiple repetition of this process of excitation of nuclei and their return to aligned rest is used as input to a ...
Purpose: {sup 31}P-MRS is used to assess the influence of sex and age on quadriceps muscle metabolism before and after exercise. Materials and Methods: 32 healthy volunteers (15 women, 17 men; mean age: 38{+-}17 yrs.) were examined by dynamic phosphorus-31 ({sup 31}P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In the magnet, the quadriceps muscle was stressed by an isometric and an isotonic form of exercise until exhaustion, respectively. Results: Resting conditions: With increasing subjects` age, the ratio {beta}-adenosine triphosphate/total phosphate decreased (r=-0.37; p=0.02). With increasing subjects` age, the ratios inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine (r=0.79; p=5x10{sup -8}), phosphomonoester/{beta}-adenosine triphosphate (r=0.74; p=10{sup -6}) and phosphodiester/{beta}-adenosine triphosphate (r=0.62; p=10{sup -4}) increased. The pH was the only one of the evaluated spectroscopic parameters which showed a sex-dependence: Female subjects had a significantly lower pH (7.03{+-}0.02) ...
We report for the first time about a micromachined mass flow sensor directly integrated between the double guidance and the needle seat into the body of a Common Rail (CR) injection nozzle. The thermal measurement principle was chosen because gaseous as well as liquid mass flows can be determined fast and precisely. Additionally, with glass-ceramic materials fabricated in a low cost batch process, a high temperature and especially pressure stable substrate can be used. The flow sensitive thin film is realized by an e-beam evaporated 110 nm thick molybdenum (Mo) layer. The latter is electrically characterized by the resistivity of {rho} = 8.2 x 10{sup -7} {omega} m ({+-}2%) at room temperature as well as by the first {alpha}=4.5 x 10{sup -4} K{sup -1} ({+-}5%) and second {beta}=3.0 x 10{sup -6} K{sup -2} ({+-}12%) temperature coefficients of resistance up to 300 C. The static temperature field at and around the thin film sensor on the glass-ceramic substrate is investigated with an IR ...
This thesis deals with the analysis of dominant loss mechanisms in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) and hydrogen fed polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) by means of experimental characterization and modeling work. Due to different fuels used in these two fuel cell types, the dominant loss mechanisms are different in their nature. All in-situ characterization techniques that are used in this work are based on a novel test fuel cell with embedded reference electrodes. The first part of this work presents a new concept for realizing a reference electrode configuration in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell by means of laser ablation. The laser beam is used to evaporate a small gap into the electrode surface of a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) to isolate the reference electrode from the working/counter electrode (WE/CE). This method enables the simultaneous ablation of the electrodes on both sides of the CCM because the membrane is transparent for the laser beam. ...