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... (restricted)] 98-118 Oil prices and competitiveness: time series evidence from six oil-producing countries by Mohammad R. Jahan-Parvar & Hassan Mohammadi [Downloadable! (restricted)] 2008, Volume 35, Issue 6 444-485 The S-shaped labor supply schedule: evidence from industrialized countries by Maryke ...

Science.gov (United States)

Mild steel samples were studied by chronoamperometry in sodium sulfide (Na[sub 2]S) aqueous solution. Pit nucleation and growth also were monitored by optical microscopy. The influence of variables such as temperature, polarization potential, surface roughness, the presence of electrochemically generated oxide layers, and the simultaneous presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) was studied. The influence of each parameter on pit shape and growth was reviewed. Different reactions and competitive processes were proposed based on the experimental results.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Last year, 1991, was a difficult one for Finland's oil and chemicals company, Neste Corporation. The sharp fall in the international price of chemicals products had a significant impact on the corporation's overall result. Neste was, however, able to improve its competitive position, move ahead with numerous investments, and develop new businesses. This was particularly evident in two areas that have received significant emphasis within Neste in recent years: oil exploration and the Baltic region where a network of modern service stations in Neste livery and stretching from Vyborg on the Finnish-Russian border, through St. Petersburg, Tallinn, and the Baltic countries to Warsaw, is currently taking shape. The majority of the western-style stations in this network will be located along the route of the M12 highway, which has been dubbed the Via Baltica.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of neutralizing cations on the secondary reactions of the primary products from CO hydrogenation over ion-exchanged zeolite-supported Ru catalysts was investigated using zeolites with different alkali cations (Li/sup +/, Na/sup +/, K/sup +/, Rb/sup +/, Cs/sup +/). The transformation of olefins (propylene and butene) on the zeolites without the metal, under conditions similar to those used for CO hydrogenation, was also studied in order to understand the effect of the various constituents of the support, i.e., the Broensted acid sites generated during catalyst preparation and the alkali cations, on possible secondary reactions of the primary olefinic products. It was established that secondary acid-catalyzed reactions of these primary products can play a major role in shaping product selectivity during CO hydrogenation over zeolite-supported catalysts. Depending on the concentration and the strength of the acid sites, various ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The French nuclear power program was pushed through in order to reduce the country's dependence on imported fossil sources of energy. Nuclear power and hydro power have achieved a level of self-sufficiency in the energy sector of more than 50%. It should be emphasized that the French nuclear power program was largely self-financed. Electricite de France (EdF) considers itself well prepared for the European market, provided the creation of the single market implies that electricity rates are taken as a yardstick of competitiveness. Negotiations about a European directive on deregulating the electricity market were for the government to hold. EdF pleaded in favor of preserving for each country a certain leeway for shaping its own policy. The road to deregulation was to be opened, but the specific situation of each country was to be taken electricity to be passed through imposes narrow constraints upon an expansion of exchanges of electricity, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The coal transportation industry has played an integral role in determining coal markets, particularly in recent years, as the industry has evolved from cost-based pricing to market-based pricing. Aggressive pricing by Western rail carriers has caused extensive changes in coal marketing patterns in the Midwest. Multi-modal barge deliveries of Western and Appalachian coals have also played a significant, though lesser, role in changing coal markets. Eastern rail carriers have generally lagged in their aggressive pursuit of new coal markets and, to date, few changes in coal markets have been realised. The historic dominant role of transportation in shaping markets for coal will continue into the future as the utility industry contends with the effects of CAAA compliance and deregulation and as the coal industry contends with regional coal displacements and major imbalances in supply and demand. The dominance of rail transportation in defining coal distribution ...

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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to elicit the subtle but progressive shift in organizational/institutional interaction with its rivals within a competitive framework, and thereby discusses and analyses paradigm shifts in competition and competitiveness. The paper argues that interorganizational networks and the recent concept of supply chain management may have induced a change in how competitiveness is viewed at the national, industry, and firm levels of interaction. Design/methodology/approach - The paper conceptualizes extant literature into distinct themes of (organizational and institutional) analysis - micro, macro, and meso - and based on this review the paper seeks to identify emerging logics and shifts within mainstream competitiveness literature over the last decade. Findi...

Science.gov (United States)

Jun 8, 2005... competition June 17-19, organized by the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Therefore we develop a competitive beamforming ap- proach, in which the beamformer is designed to minimize the worst-case regret over all s(t ...

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PMID:7628679

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

(1) Most ancillary services needed for real-time control of the transmission grid and to meet operating criteria can be competitively supplied and competitively procured. (2) The independent service operator (ISO) must directly control the generators and loads, which supply ancillary services. (3) Comparability of access to ancillary services is achievable through the ISO-based competitive market structure.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Organisms ranging from bacteria and corals to plants and vertebrates can form intransitive competitive networks, in which coexistence can be maintained because no one species or genotype is superior...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Female sexual promiscuity can have significant effects on male mating decisions because it increases the intensity of competition between ejaculates for fertilization. Because sperm production is costly,...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We examined the bacterial aerobic nasal flora of 216 healthy volunteers to identify potential competitive interactions among different species, with special emphasis on the influence of staphylococcal...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

While both sperm number and quality are now recognized to be important in determining the outcome of sperm competition, very few studies have experimentally assessed the influence of these two parameters simultaneously. We studied the effect of sperm quality and number on competitive fertilization success in an internal-fertilizing fish, the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), which is characterized by high levels of sperm competition. We artificially inseminated virgin females with varying proportion of sperm from two competing males, while holding constant the total number of sperm transferred to the female. Sperm morphology and sperm swimming velocity were also determined prior to insemination. The paternity outcome of sperm competition trials was assessed through molecular analyses of the res...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The object of this work is to develop and optimize a new type of light-emitting diode (LED) with a wire-shaped, cylindrical geometry.

Science.gov (United States)

... Descriptors : *COMBUSTIBLE CARTRIDGE CASES, MANUFACTURING, RESIDUES, SLEEVES, NITROCELLULOSE, SHRINKAGE, ACRYLIC ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report consists of three sections. The first section is a brief general overview of all the issues that impact the competition between natural gas and electricity in industrial applications. The second section of this report focus on the all the marketing issues and provides detail analysis of the status of these issues in Europe, Japan and United States. The third section of this report is a detail review of the current status of the competition between gas technologies and electro-technologies, it also make recommendation for developing new gas technologies. The fourth section is a contribution from M. Pettersson and S. Stenstroem, Sweden, on infrared dryers. (authors)

Science.gov (United States)

1. Contest rules The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching a public competition to find the most suitable names for its four Cluster II space weather satellites. The quartet, which are currently known as flight models 5, 6, 7 and 8, are scheduled for launch from Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan in June and July 2000. Professor Roger Bonnet, ESA Director of Science Programme, announced the competition for the first time to the European Delegations on the occasion of the Science Programme Committee (SPC) meeting held in Paris on 21-22 February 2000. The competition is open to people of all the ESA member states (*). Each entry should include a set of FOUR names (places, people, or things from history, mythology, or fiction, but NOT living persons). Contestants should also describe in a few sentences why their chosen names would be appropriate for the four Cluster II satellites. The winners will be those which are ...

Science.gov (United States)

Skip to main content About USAID Locations Our Work Public Affairs Careers Business / Policy USAID: From The American People Policy USAID's 50th Anniversary Policy Home »...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mate choice copying was mostly described as a strategy employed by females to assess the quality of potential mates, but also males can copy other males? mate choice. An open question in this context is whether and how copying males evaluate sperm competition risk, as mating with a female that has already copulated with another male obviously sets the stage for intense sperm competition (i.e., in species with internal fertilization). Using the livebearing Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) as a model, we asked (a) whether males of that species indeed copy other males? choices, and if they do so, (b) whether copying males strategically adjust their behavior to sperm competition risk. We used an approach where focal males could first choose to associate with a large or a small stimulus femal...

Science.gov (United States)

vetted educational resources. (Gregory Smith, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8501) Award for DARPA Competition: Scott Wilson, spatial analysis branch chief at the USGS National Wetlands...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There are 2 models of male adjustment of sperm investment in the ejaculate in relation to sperm competition. The "risk model" predicts that as "risk" of sperm competition increases, sperm investment also increases. This prediction has been supported in many species, including mammals. The "intensity model" involves the number of competing males copulating with the same female and predicts that males will allocate the highest sperm investment at low sperm competition intensity (SCI) and then decreasing sperm investments as SCI increases. Two alternative outcomes are that sperm investment is unaffected by SCI and that sperm investment increases as SCI increases. There are studies supporting all 3 possible outcomes in relation to SCI but no data on mammals. The present paper presents the firs...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper it will be discussed how to most effectively give room to competitive forces in natural gas markets, given the traditional merchant pipeline as point of departure. Alternative models of organizing the market will be reviewed: we first consider decreasing barriers to entry and then analyse advantages and drawbacks of a third party access system. In this context different forms of implementing a competitive market for transportation capacity and coordinating it with gas trade are discussed, among them a simultaneous auction of gas and transmission capacity. Finally a hub system of point markets will be suggested to improve the currently implemented third party access system and to allow for competitive markets for gas and transportation service. 33 refs., 6 figs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In natural ecosystems, hundreds of species typically share the same environment and are connected by a dense network of interactions such as predation or competition for resources. Much is known about...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The data were collected over three growing seasons. They include density, vegetative biomass, and seed biomass of the two species within the plots. There ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We investigate ordering properties of two-dimensional granular materials using several shapes created by welding ball bearings together. Ordered domains form much more easily in two than in three dimensions, even when configurations lack long-range order. The onset of ordered domains occurs near a packing density of 0.8, a phenomenon observed previously for disks. One of our shapes, the trapezoid, has packings that remain disordered and near the transition density even after annealing by shaking. Although random packings are unstable for disks and many other shapes in two dimensions, trapezoid packings provide an approach to studying two-dimensional randomness. We also find that the rotational symmetry of a shape is an excellent predictor of how easily it orders, and a potential guide to identifying two-dimensional shapes that remain random after annealing.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We compare the lifecycle costs of an electric car to a similar gasoline-powered vehicle under different scenarios of required driving range and cost of gasoline. An electric car is cost competitive for a significant portion of the scenarios: for cars of lower range and for higher gasoline prices. Electric cars with ?150 km range are a technologically viable, cost competitive, high performance, high efficiency alternative that can presently suit the vast majority of consumers' needs.

Science.gov (United States)

Sperm competition occurs when a female copulates with two or more males and the sperm of those males compete within the female's reproductive tract to fertilize her eggs. The frequent occurrence of sperm competition has forced males of many species to develop different strategies to overcome the sperm of competing males. A prevalent strategy is for males to increase their sperm investment (total number of sperm allocated by a male to a particular female) after detecting a risk of sperm competition. It has been shown that the proportion of sperm that one male contributes to the sperm pool of a female is correlated with the proportion of offspring sired by that male. Therefore, by increasing his sperm investment a male may bias a potential sperm competition in his favour. Here we show that male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, increase their sperm investment when they mate in the presence of another ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The shapes of dendritic arbors are fascinating and important, yet the principles underlying these complex and diverse structures remain unclear. Here, we analyzed basal dendritic arbors of 2,171 pyramidal...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The problem of optimizing a horn radiator of electromagnetic waves for the reflection coefficient and the coefficient of transformation of the fundamental mode into higher order modes is solved. Optimization is performed by means of selecting a combined shape of the radiator generatrices.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Secondary deuterium in the atmosphere are produced in interactions by primary cosmic rays. The shape of their energy spectrum depends on the primary cosmic ray spectrum incident at the top of the atmosphere. At high energies, the spectral shape depends on the primary spectrum of helium and heavy nuclei. However, at very low energies, specially below the geomagnetic cut-off, the spectral shape depends on the evaporation and recoil processes and hence almost independent of the spectral shape of the primary radiation. It is undertaken a calculation of the secondary deuterium spectrum at small atmospheric depths at various latitudes and the results will be presented.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... coupling deformed nuclei gold 195 high spin states iridium 187 moment of

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The nuclear shapes of transitional Mo isotopes are calculated by means of a model based on the cranking approximation and the Strutinksy method. The recent experimental results of the high-spin spectroscopy and lifetime measurement of [sup 87]Mo are studied in detail and explained by the evolution of the [gamma]-deformation with the quasiparticle configurations. The shape calculations with the modified-harmonic-oscillator potential give a critical neutron number N [>=] 47 for the spherical shape of the Mo isotopes. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of WC particle size with the addition of VC as a grain growth inhibitor was investigated during the liquid phase sintering of WC-Co system. With increasing WC particle size at the same VC content, the effect of grain growth inhibition was increased. Also, with increasing the VC content, the grain shape of WC was changed from the faceted shape to the distorted shape, and the step density of the WC grain was increased. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new band gap profile (exponential profile) for the active layer of the a-SiGe:H single junction cell has been designed and experimentally demonstrated. In this paper we compare its optical and electrical characteristics with the two more common profiles: the U- and V-shapes. As predicted by the simulations, the new profile combines the advantages of both profiles. Like the V-shape, the exponential shape reduces the amount of Ge in the i-layer, decreasing both the space charge defect density inside the i-layer and the recombination losses. It also improves the electric field. At the same time, the exponential shape generates the same current density as the U-shape.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present study describes the screening of five lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for use as probiotics based on their competitive adhesion and production of antagonistic substances against some fish pathogens. A reduction of adhesion of all pathogenic strains tested was obtained with three of the LAB strains (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CLFP100, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris CLFP102 and Lactobacillus curvatus CLFP150). With the exception of fish pathogens Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Renibacterium salmoninarum that were not inhibited by LAB strains, production of antagonistic compounds by all tested LAB was observed against at least one of the indicator strains. Based on mucus adhesion, competitive exclusion, and suppression of fish pathogen growth, the selected LAB strains can b...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Annual wormwood interference on soybean crop growth and yield may result from competition and allelopathy, which are modulated by crop management. Allelochemicals released by annual wormwood (e.g. artemisinin) may affect the crop directly or indirectly through the effect on the nitrogen fixing symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The objectives were (i) to quantify the crop response (i.e. biomass production, nodulation and yield) to weed interference and (ii) to determinate the relative change of competition and allelopathy interferences, when a sublethal dose of herbicide is applied. Two split plot field experiments with three replications were used. The experiment involved a factorial combination of five weed-crop density (soybean/annual wormwood, plantsm^-^2) levels: D1, pure soybean, 40...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Old World Bluestems (OWB), introduced from Europe and Asia in the 1920s, recently have begun to raise concerns in the Great Plains. Despite suggestion in the late 1950s that OWB were weedy and negatively impacted biological diversity, they were widely introduced throughout the Great Plains for agricultural purposes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that OWB exhibit invasive characteristics that promote competitive exclusion of native species. The objective of our study was to quantify the competitive abilities of two OWB species (Caucasian bluestem; Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake (=?Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubb.) and yellow bluestem; Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng) with three native grass species (big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem (Schizachyrium s...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Native plant individuals often persist within communities dominated by exotics but the influence of this exposure on native populations is poorly understood. Selection for traits contributing to competitive ability may lead to native plant populations that are more tolerant of the presence of exotic invaders. In this way, long-term coexistence with an exotic may confer competitive advantages to remnant (experienced) native populations and be potentially beneficial to restoration. In past studies we have documented genetic differentiation within native grass populations exposed to the exotic invader Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens). Here, we examine populations of a cool-season grass, needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata [Trin. & Rupr.]) and a warm season, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus a...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An overview of the Department of Energy`s Office of Industrial Technologies and its private sector partnerships is presented. Commercial success stories and real-world benefits of the technology partnerships are discussed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sexually-selected communication signals can be used by competing males to settle contests without incurring the costs of fighting. Steroid regulation of these signals can render them as reliable...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Male intrasexual competition should favour increased male physical prowess. This should in turn result in greater aerobic capacity in males than in females (i.e., sexual dimorphism), and a correlation...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The rate and capacity for chloroform (CF) and trichloroethylene (TCE) transformation by a mixed methanotrophic culture of resting cells (no exogenous energy source) and formate-fed cells were measured....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Flavone and isoflavone phytoestrogens are plant chemicals and are known to be competitive inhibitors of cytochrome P450 aromatase with respect to the androgen substrate. Aromatase is the enzyme that...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electricity markets in the United States are undergoing unprecedented structural changes as a result of the confluence of regulatory, competitive, and technological forces. This paper introduces these structural changes and forces and discuss the implications, markets and commercialization scenarios for emerging fuel cells in evolving US electricity markets.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sibling Paenibacillus dendritiformis bacterial colonies grown on low-nutrient agar medium mutually inhibit growth through secretion of a lethal factor. Analysis of secretions reveals...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

New forms of payment, growing competition, the continued evolution of multiunit hospital systems, and associated forces are redefining the fundamental relationship between hospitals and physicians....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sperm competition theory predicts that males should invest prudently in ejaculates according to levels of female promiscuity. Males may therefore be sensitive to cues in their social environment associated...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Infant mice were used to measure the amount of fluid accumulation (enterosorption) in the intestinal tract after oral inoculation of a porcine strain of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (K88-+, Ent-+). Significant reduction in the amount of fluid found in the intestinal tract was observed if the mice were first inoculated with a K88-possessing, non-enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli. The protection provided is thought to be due to specific competition for attachment sites on cells of the small intestine. PMID:1095492

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The competitiveness of a new nuclear plant vs. a new oil or gas fired combined cycle plant or a coal fired plant in East-Asia, is reviewed in the paper. Both the nuclear and the fossil fired plants are evaluated as either utility financed or independent power producer (IPP) financed. Two types of advanced light water reactors (ALWRs) are considered in this paper, namely evolutionary ALWRs (1200 MWe size) and passive ALWRs (600 MWe class). A range of capital and total generation costs for each plant type is reported here. The comparison centers on three elements of overall competitiveness: generation costs, hard currency requirements, and employment requirements. Each of these aspects is considered perspective. Year-by-Year generation cost history over the plant lifetime is shown in some cases. It is found here that a utility financed evolutionary and passive ALWRs are broadly competitive with an IPP financed gas fired ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report presents the results of a study of the Japanese MLU magnetic-levitation (maglev) system. The development of the MLU system is reviewed, and the dynamic circuit model then is introduced and applied to the figure-eight-shaped null-flux coil suspension system. Three different types of figure-eight-shaped null-flux suspension systems are discussed in detail: (1) the figure-eight-shaped null-flux coil suspension system without cross-connection; (2) the combined suspension and guidance system; and (3) the combined propulsion, levitation, and guidance system. The electrodynamic-suspension maglev systems developed in Japan seem to be very promising and could result in a commercial application in the near future.

CERN Document Server

We study suspensions of semi-flexible colloidal rods and biopolymers using an Onsager-type second-virial functional for a segmented-chain model. For suspensions of thin and thick fd virus particles we calculate phase diagrams in quantitative agreement with experimental observations, and we find their effective state-point dependent shape to be much shorter and thicker than the actual shape. We also calculate the stretching of worm-like micelles in a host fd virus solution, again finding agreement with experiments. For both systems, our results show that the fd virus stiffness can play a key role in system behavior.

Science.gov (United States)

single star evolution. To understand the evolution of massive stars and their role in shaping the galaxy, understanding of the distribution of ...

Science.gov (United States)

... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service. ... US Military (ie, Army, Navy, Air Force) service publications ... Strike Group to Fight in the Joint Task Force. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We study some aspects of the experimental behaviour of tachyons, in particular by finding out their <> shape. A Superluminal particle, which in its own rest frame is spherical or ellipsoidal (and with an infinite lifetime), would <> to a laboratory frame as occupying the whole region of space bound by a double cone and a two sheeted hyperboloid. Such a structure (the tachyon <<shape>>) rigidly travels with the speed of the tachyon. However, if the Superluminal particle has a finite lifetime in its rest frame, then in the laboratory frame it gets a finite space extension. As a by-product, we are able to interpret physically the imaginary units entering - as is well known - the transverse co-ordinates in the Superluminal Lorentz transformations. The various particular or limiting cases of the tachyon shape are thoroughly considered. Finally, some brief considerations ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent Kawasaki Steel's development on size and shape measurement techniques for hot steel rolling processes is reviewed. First, a precision enhancement technique for a laser distance meter is described, then its rugged structure necessary for measurement in such tough environment as hot rolling processes is described in detail. A plate length meters and an inter-stand sensors for a hot strip mill are shown as developed size measurement techniques. Furthermore, plate shape meters and laser profile gauges for H-beams are depicted as specific examples of shape measurement techniques. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report discusses: shape coexistence in "1"8"4Pt; nuclear structure of "1"8"7Ir; g-factors of excited states; OLNO-2; and refrigerator development.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

English 1 Jul 1997 [vp.] United States McLaughlin, KW Yenen, O. Samson,

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... brain take place. This highly plastic period offers the possibility for

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During instrumentation of the root canal, it is important to develop a continuously tapered form and to maintain the original shape and position of the apical foramen. However, the presence of curvatures...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... implementation this might look like a new Developmental Counseling Form or Soldier Evaluation Report (SER) much like the OER/NCOER that will ...

Science.gov (United States)

A method for the calculation of excitation functions and isomer ratios, for shape isomers, in heavy ion induced reactions is proposed. The calculated values of excitation functions and isomer ratios agree very well with the experimental values for the reaction /sup 238/U(/sup 11/B, alpha 3n)/sup 242/Am. (auth)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The neutron deficient Sr and Zr nuclei are studied in the relativistic mean-field approach. Large deformations and shape coexistence are predicted for these nuclei in the vicinity of the proton drip line. The charge radii are found to increase with the removal of neutrons from the semimagic {sup 88}Sr and {sup 90}Zr, in close agreement with the recent isotopic-shift measurements.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel approach is presented to extract relevant parameters associated with the energy loss of ejectiles from nuclear reactions obtained by digitizing the signals of a Bragg curve spectrometer. New and more powerful computational paradigms allow a more thorough pulse-shape analysis. This is fulfilled using a back-propagation artificial neural network as a pattern identifier. The known problem of over-training is discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We measured the volume of the supratentorial ventricles in 39 consecutive children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and associated hydrocephalus, using a stereological method based on the Cavalieri theorem of systematic sampling. We distinguished the following groups: newborns before and after cerebrospinal fluid shunting (14), a somewhat larger group of newborns with an untreated MMC-associated hydrocephalus (25) and a group of shunted children at a mean age of 1.5 years (28). We paid special attention to the shape of the lateral ventricles, looking separately at the anterior and posterior halves. The measurements were compared with a healthy control group (10) and with children with hydrocephalus unrelated to MMC (15). The average volume ratio of the posterior to the anterior half of the lateral ventricles was 1.05 #+-# 0.39 in non-hydrocephalic children, 1.11 #+-# 0.55 in untreated hydrocephalic children without MMC, and 2.15 #+-# 0.65 in MMC-associated hydrocephalus ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since 1995, OECD started to examine the current situation of government regulation in each member country and discussed to recommend quality improvement of regulation to member countries. The conference on reformation of regulation in power industry was held in October and December 1998. In USA, enhancing competition in supplying electricity was recommended by eliminating differentiation in use of power network, transmission network and incidental facilities. The retail competition is also an important reformation. The reformation in Netherlands can be seen as following EU guide for revealing problems of the existing regulation in the power industry and for opening up a power market. The Dutch government passed the power act for opening up a market to the public between 1999 and 2007. In Japan, the entry of independent power provider (IPP) has been softened. With the opening of bid system in 1999, bids will be equally given to both power ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As the Electric Power Industry is actively preparing for a restructured future where retail wheeling is practiced ideally and efficiently in a competitive market-based environment, concerns may arise legitimately on how system reliability and integrity can be ensured in an environment where markets have an enhanced role. As these concerns may be justified, at least for a transition period, this paper presents a proposal which outlines how the generally accepted requisite capacity, energy, and ancillary services standards may be satisfied through market reliance and minimal coordination by a Reliability Monitoring and Ancillary Services Managing Entity or Independent System Operator. A Strawman detailing one -- and by no means the only -- future scenario inspired by the recent NEPOOL restructuring discussions in New England is presented to demonstrate that market-based competition and flexibility are compatible with a reliable Power System.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of cloud computing by firms belonging to the high-tech industry. The eight factors examined in this study are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, firm size, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from 111 firms belonging to the high-tech industry in Taiwan. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis. Findings - The findings revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

It is not clear whether males in all mammalian species adjust their copulatory behavior when faced with risk of sperm competition (RSC). Previous work on meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, indicated that males increase their sperm expenditure but not the number of ejaculations in the presence of odors of a conspecific male. The present study follows up on this work and asks whether male meadow voles modify any aspect of their copulatory behavior when they face a RSC. We examined 46 variables of copulatory behavior and found that the presence of odors from a conspecific male did not affect any of these variables. Thus, male meadow voles, unlike some other species of mammals, do not adjust their copulatory behavior when exposed to cues associated with an elevated RSC.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A kinetic study of the degradation by ozone of eight phenolic acids present in wastewaters from olive oil mills has been performed by using a competition kinetic method. The selected phenolic acids are: caffeic, p-coumaric, syringic, vanillic, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic, veratric, p-hydroxy-benzoic, and protocatechuic. The influence of the operating variables (temperature, pH, and ozone partial pressure in the gas stream) is established, and the stoichiometric ratios for the individual direct reactions between ozone and each acid are determined. Once the reaction rate constants are evaluated, they are correlated as a function of temperature and pH into kinetic expressions which are provided for every phenolic acid. The global process occurs in the fast and pseudo-first-order kinetic regime of absorption, a condition required by the competition model to be used.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The biosorption of lead, copper and zinc ions on Rhizopus arrhizus has been studied for three single-component and two binary systems. The equilibrium data have been analysed using the Freundlich adsorption model. The characteristic parameters for the Freundlich adsorption model have been determined and the competition coefficients for the competitive biosorption of Pb(II)-Cu(II) at pH 4.0 and 5.0, and Pb(II)-Zn(II) at pH 5.0 have been calcualted. For the individual single-component isotherms, lead has the highest biosorption capacity followed by copper, then zinc. The capacity of lead in the two binary systems is always significantly greater than those of the other metal ions, in agreement with the single-component data. Only a partial selectivity for copper ions has been obtained at pH 4.0. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) was launched in 2005 to cap CO2 emissions from large industrial facilities and electricity producers. The European Commission is currently designing the post 2012 EU ETS, as outlined in COM(2008)16. Novel to this system is that a greater part of the rights will be auctioned. Auctioning in general assures a greater deal of efficiency compared to (certain types of) free allocation, lowers the administrative costs and prevents eventual windfall profits. However, auctioning also implies a potential loss of competitiveness for industry. If no international agreement on future climate policies is reached, firms may not be able to pass on the higher costs to their customers and may be faced with a loss in profitability and the threat of import substitution. In any emission trading scheme with an absolute cap, a relocation of production that is not covered by CO2 targets implies an increase in global CO2 emissions. This phenomenon has ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Proposed features of the competitive electricity market in Ontario were reviewed. The speaker predicted that demand for renewable energy in Ontario`s competitive electricity market will be affected by green power, emissions trading, labelling, and renewables portfolio standard. Under current regulations retailers can charge customers a premium for purchasing electricity generated by `green` sources. The existing limits on emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxides will remain in place, but an emissions cap and trading program for all Ontario-based generation is an option to consider. Ontario`s Market Design Committee (MDC) has recommended the implementation of emissions trading for electricity-related air pollutants for all generators located in Ontario. The complex mechanics of emission trading are explained. The MDC recommendation of the use of standard labels to disclose the mix of energy sources used by sellers of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract When both sexes mate with multiple partners, theory predicts that males should adjust their investment in ejaculates in response to the risk and/or intensity of sperm competition. Here, we demonstrate that, in the harlequin beetle riding pseudoscorpion, Cordylochernes scorpioides, males use cues deposited on females by previous males to distinguish between virgin, once-mated, and multiply-mated females and adjust sperm allocation accordingly. Sperm number declined in direct proportion to the number of previous males, with virgin females receiving nearly three times more sperm than females exposed to three previous males. Given the lack of first-male sperm precedence in C.scorpioides, this pattern is not consistent with current sperm competition models and appears best explained by...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Despite the current global economic crisis, the Cleantech industry has excellent growth prospects. Especially technologies for water treatment, energy efficiency in buildings and combined heat and power will face high demand and high growth rates in the coming years, just like the suppliers for the wind and solar industry. Today German companies are market leaders in these segments. However, there is a threat that they will lose this competitive position as international competition increases. Besides attractive incentive schemes and regulatory framework, access to venture capital and the fast expansion to international markets is an important factor to secure the leading market position of German Cleantech companies. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper tests the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for four local (SOx, NOx, CO, VOC) and two global (CO2, GHG) air pollutants. Using a new panel data set of thirty OECD countries, the paper finds that the postulated inverted U-shaped relationship between income and pollution does not hold for all gases. A meaningful Environmental Kuznets Curve exists only for CO, VOC and NOx, where for CO2 the curve is monotonically increasing. For GHG there is indication of an inverted U-shaped relationship between income and pollution, but still most countries are on the increasing path of the curve and hence the future development of the curve is uncertain. For SOx it was found that emissions follow an U-shaped curve. Based on the empirical results, the paper concludes that the Environmental Kuznets Curve does not hold for all gases, it is rather an empirical artefact than a regularity.

CERN Document Server

Sur l'origine des chiffres arabes A. Boucenna 1 From the pagination of an Algerian Arabic manuscript of the beginning of the 19th century,we rediscover the original shape that the Arabic numerals had before passing in Europe and underwent the transformation that gave the modern Arabic numerals. This original shape,whose use disappeared completely, proves that these numerals have their origin in the Arabic letters. Contrary to what some hypotheses pretend, particularly those that present them as drifting of Indian characters, the 10 Arabic numerals that we use are, nothing else, 10 Arabic letters more or less modified and taken in the "Abjadi" order. The hypothesis of the Indian origin of the Arabic numerals is revealed a mistake denied by the shape of the Arabic numerals and by the logic of the right to left representation of the numbers and the algorithm of the elementary operations. The Arabic numerals that simplified the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Thin films of Ni and Ni alloy have been widely used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic storage systems. As the dimensions of components in these systems decrease to the micro-scale, even the nano-scale, the interfacial phenomena significantly differ to the counterparts on the macro-scale. A better understanding of micro-/nano-tribology will benefit the fabrication of the small components. In this manuscript parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted to investigate the nanoscratch behavior of nickel. The simulations are performed for two cases with different indenter shapes. Case I has a sharp indenter, while the indenter in Case II is blunt. It has been found that the indenter shape significantly influences the nanoscratch deformation. The sharp ind...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shaped charges were first used more than 30 years ago to perforate casing, cement sheath and reservoir to provide selective communication between the reservoir and well bore. Since then, advances have been made in design of shaped charge sand ancillary equipment. Penetration has increased considerably. Miniaturization of equipment allows passing through relatively small restrictions and effectively communicating with reservoirs. Gun debris has been drastically reduced and in some designs eliminated. Deep reservoirs can be effectively penetrated under down-hole environments exceeding 500 F and 20,000 psi. This work covers the problems encountered and reviews successful devices employing shaped charge and explosive technology.

Science.gov (United States)

The authors describe an effect of suppression of invasion of the guinea pig eye conjunctiva and the HEp-2 epithelial cells by virulent Sh. flexneri bacilli, with a simultaneous administration of the same dose of avirulent shigella mutants, genetically connected with them. The data of morphological study and experiments with 3H-glucose labeled shigellae carried out on the cell species model indicated that the bacterial competition for the specific sites for absorption on the epithelial cells underlay the observed phenomenon. PMID:331774

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article deals with excavation equipment used in open-pit mining operations. Because of competition in the mining industry, a demand for more energy-efficient excavators is being felt. The authors present different types of machinery and give statistics on energy use, weights, bucket capacity, and maximum digging depths. Actual manufacturers specifications are also given for different models. A short discussion on the role computers are playing in this new technology is also given.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maintaining efforts at the end of a very average year in terms of tonnages marketed, maintaining a high degree of vigilance art responsiveness in the face of competition from other energy sources, emphasizing the exemplary safety of industrial plant, and playing an increased role as a source of proposals within the context of dialogue with the authorities in the current environment of stricter regulations. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As competition dramatically reshapes power markets, electric utilities strive to increase flexibility in their commitments and limit exposure to market risks. This paper provides an overview of a promising tool called option valuation which is useful for analyzing and managing risks. The paper demonstrates an application of these techniques for developing new pricing products tailored to meet customers` risk preference.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Utilities looking to thrive in increasingly competitive markets are reexamining their approach to pricing. To compete effectively, utilities will need to both control costs and offer customers pricing options that are competitive and reflect the diversity in their customer base. These price structures must reflect two key factors -- marginal costs, which will increasingly reflect market prices, and consumers` responsiveness to those price structures. To accomplish this requires the capability to forecast customers` response to price structures that often provide complex signals to customers about how changes in their energy consumption and maximum power demand affect their bill, and to calculate corresponding changes in utility profits and customer net benefits. Much discussion of competitive pricing focuses on innovative new rate structures. However, significant opportunities are present to improve matters by simply ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One approach to improving the competitiveness of photovoltaic systems is the development of designs specifically for export applications. In other words, where is it appropriate in a system design to incorporate components manufactured and/or assembled in the receiving country in order to improve the photovoltaic exports from the US? What appears to be needed is a systematic method of evaluating the potential for export from the US of PV systems for various application in different countries. Development of such a method was the goal of this project.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Analytical expressions for thermoluminescence (TL) dating based on the modified Zimmerman model were derived. The non-linear behaviour of TL sensitivity is reexamined and is found to be due to electron capturing competitions in both test-dose excitation and the readout stages. A curve fitting method is proposed to determine the paleodose for the additive dose dating method. The multiple activation technique is also investigated, from which the paleodose should be regarded as an upper limit.

Wastenet

...who trains at the University, lines up in the pole vault alongside Steve Lewis in the men's competition, who also trains at the Loughborough High performance Athletics Centre. Loughborough alumni Victoria Barr, Hayley Jones, Lee McConnell and Kim Wall are all in the British women's 4x400m relay ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We study the dynamics of scroll vortices in excitable reaction-diffusion systems analytically and numerically. We demonstrate that intrinsic three-dimensional instability of a straight scroll leads to the formation of helicoidal structures. This behavior originates from the competition between the scroll curvature and unstable core dynamics. We show that the obtained instability persists even beyond the meander core instability of the two-dimensional spiral wave. copyright 1998 The American Physical Society.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Discussion is presented of world crude steel production, the Japanese steel industry and its expectations of the Canadian coal industry. It is concluded that the Canadian coal industry should pay attention to the trend in customer's requirements regarding coal quality, maintain price competitiveness in the international market place, and remain flexible with regard to the market trend.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document presents the activity of KiloFarad International (KFI), a trade association for the promotion of the interests of the international ultra-capacitor industry through education and representation. KFI provides a forum for the ultra-capacitor industry to work on non-competitive activities (standards, working groups, test procedures etc..). The rest of the document presents some informations about ultra-capacitors technology and some advanced applications in the automotive and telecommunication industries. (J.S.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The externally fired combined cycle is emerging as an economically viable repowering options for old non-competitive coal fired steam plants. This paper describes the initial operation of a pilot plant located at Kennebunk, Maine and the initial work on the repowering of a 48MW coal fired steam plant located in Warren, PA.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A low voltage FEL operating at 130 kV which can be run cw with a continuous electron beam current level up to 12 mA has been constructed for the X-Band microwave range (8-12 GHz). In this poster, we will report on the dependence on time, after the electron beam is switched on, of the growth and competition of those longitudinal modes in the cavity having nett gain.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Calculations for a single-j nucleon coupled to an axially symmetric core with both #beta#_2 and #beta#_4 deformation have been performed for "1"8"7Ir. Using #beta#_4=-0.08, consistent with previously measured and predicted values of #beta#_4, the calculated spectrum is competitive with recent calculations assuming an asymmetric core.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The article explains why electric and gas utilities in Germany should not forget the domestic customers when deciding their key account management strategies and marketing policy in the competitive electricity and natural gas markets. Competition in the German energy sector has just begun, and so far the industrial customers have been absorbing most of the utilities` attention. The authors show that this is a short-sighted management strategy and present a number of reasons speaking in favour of bulding up structures or preserving the loyalty of domestic cutomers, as this customer group will finally play an important role in the utilities` efforts to keep their competitive edge. (orig./CB) [Deutsch] Wenn heute unter Marketingaspekt ueber Kundenbindung im Energiemarkt gesprochen wird, dann wird haeufig zuerst oder sogar ausschliesslich ueber die umsatzstarken Geschaeftskunden nachgedacht. Der Wettbewerb, vor allem im Bereich ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The study concludes that while the diversification into nonutility activities by the Rural Electric Cooperatives and the Rural Telephone Cooperatives has been expanding, the regulatory activities by the Rural Electrification Administration and the state public utility commissions have been inadequate to guard against cross-subsidization. In fact, there generally exist no data to identify and investigate illegal cross-subsidization activities of cooperatives. Increasing the regulatory functions of state public utility commissions and the REA was recommended.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AbstractThe optimal definition of the size, shape and location of gross tumour volume is one of the most important steps in the planning of radiation therapy, and necessitates a proper...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundWhile the gene flow in some organisms is strongly affected by physical barriers and geographical distance, other highly mobile species are able to overcome such constraints....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe variety of ways in which faces are categorized makes face recognition challenging for both synthetic and biological vision systems. Here we focus on two face processing...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nuclear Hartree-Fock (HF) + BCS calculations have led to predictions of shape isomerism in isotopes of Pt, Hg and Os nuclei. These have been confirmed through the observation of superdeformed rotational bands in {sup 190,{hor ellipsis},194}Hg. Encouraged by these measurements and similar observations in {sup 194}Pb, we have extended these calculations to a wide range of contiguous nuclei. These HF results, for {sup 192,194}Pt, {sup 190,{hor ellipsis},198}Hg and {sup 194}Pb, have been employed in a Generator Coordinate Method (GCM) calculation utilizing the quadrupole deformation as the generating variable. The resulting spectra confirm the conclusions drawn from the HF results and agree with those experiments which have been performed. Adding a phenomenological assumption for the moments of inertia of our GCM states, we can construct the radiative transitions within and out of the superdeformed band. The results are in good agreement with the observed de-population ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The classic evolutionary theory of aging explains why mortality rises with age: as individuals grow older, less lifetime fertility remains, so continued survival contributes less to reproductive fitness....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report discusses: shape coexistence in {sup 184}Pt; nuclear structure of {sup 187}Ir; g-factors of excited states; OLNO-2; and refrigerator development.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Monodisperse noble metal nanoparticles are of tremendous interest for numerous applications, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, catalysis or biosensing. However, preparation of monodisperse metal nanoparticles is still a challenging task, because typical preparation methods yield nanoparticle ensembles with broad shape and/or size distributions. To overcome this drawback, tailoring of metal nanoparticles with laser light has been developed, which is based on the pronounced shape- and size-dependent optical properties of metal nanoparticles. I will demonstrate that nanoparticle tailoring with ns-pulsed laser light is a suitable method to prepare nanoparticle ensembles with a narrow shape and/or size distribution. While irradiation with ns-pulsed laser light during nanoparticle growth permits a precise shape tailoring, post-grown irradiation allows a size tailoring. For example, the initial ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundRecent advances in the understanding of the maternal and paternal heritage of south and southwest Asian populations have highlighted their role in the colonization of Eurasia...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cosmic ray neutron spectrum at sea level has been measured by the method of pulse shape discrimination in anthracene scintillator. The exponent of the differential spectrum was found to be 2.2+-0.1. (Auth.).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

One selection pressure shaping sequence evolution is the requirement that a protein fold with sufficient stability to perform its biological functions. We present...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

retrieve detailed aerosol and cloud particle size distribution and shape ...... but on rain types, and hydrometeor characteristics. ..... of ice streams, decreasing sea ice cover in the Arctic, poleward movement of forest cover, and ...

Science.gov (United States)

A cartridge case is made by making up an aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers, forming the fibers into a mat and molding the mat or preform into final shape by use of a die at up to 165 degrees F.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

SummaryThe evolutionary pressures that shaped the specificity and catalytic efficiency of enzymes can only be speculated. While directed evolution experiments show that new functions...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The sirtuin Sirt6 is a NAD-dependent histone deacetylase that is implicated in gene regulation and lifespan control. Sirt6 can interact with the stress-responsive transcription factor NF-κB...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Relativistic electron beams are used for generating high power microwaves. These microwave sources require electron beam generators spanning significant ranges in voltage and impedance. The pulsed power technology used to generate these electron beams is presented. Electron beam generators that produce beams with pulse durations in the 10 ns to 100 ns regime consist of an energy storage section, pulse shaping section, and an electron beam diode. The energy storage section is either a Marx generator or capacitor bank-pulsed transformer. The pulse shaping is done with high-voltage transmission lines. The electron beam diode is usually a cold-cathode, space-charge-limited flow device. For longer pulses (approx.1 ..mu..s) the energy storage and pulse shaping can be combined. Lumped-element pulsed-forming networks (PFN) can be designed to produce the desired pulse shape. The Marx generator becomes one of the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The 3-D spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images of the retina often do not reflect the true shape of the retina and are distorted differently along the x and y...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The lift and drag characteristics of a wide range of bluff body shapes were studied using data from sources including wind tunnel testing and flow visualization. For a given orientation of any body, it is found that its drag is strongly influenced by its ...

Science.gov (United States)

A univibrator and a pulse height discriminator using tunnel diodes and backward diodes are described, along with their applications in pulse shaping and fast coincidence technique. The main advantages achieved are simplicity of design and speed. The characteristics of the two diodes are shown. (auth)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A flexible, steerable tube (distal end) of an endoscope for the application in the laparoscopic surgery has been analyzed by means of the finite-element-method (FEM). The unusual mechanical and thermal features of the used shape memory alloy (SMA) of NiTi were taken in account. The analyses showed that the strains remain in the super-elastic region up to the maximum bending of 90 and no plastic deformations occur. The application of the shape optimization (CAO) made possible finding the optimal structure of the distal end and therefore powerful reducing the maximum strains in the critical regions. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new magnetic macroparticle filter design consisting of two 90{sup o} filters forming an S-shape is described. Transport properties of this S-filter are investigated using Langmuir and deposition probes. It is shown that filter efficiency is product of the efficiencies of two 90{sup o} filters and the deposition rate is still acceptably high to perform thin film deposition. Films of amorphous hard carbon have been deposited using a 90{sup o} filter and the S-filter, and macroparticle content of the films are compared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A manipulator for checking the inside of a vertical, flange-shaped collector of a horizontal steam generator consists of a rotating mast with bearings at the top and bottom ends with a support that can be moved along the length of the mast for the checking system mountings. The support is propelled by a drive spindle placed parallel to the mast with its drive head bearing in the support and locked into a toothed rack attached to the mast. The checking system mountings are fitted in or on the walls of the support and are very close to the box-shaped support. Their retractable arms are hinged.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We present ab-initio calculations of the electronic structure of small Fe clusters (1-9 atoms) on Ni(001), Ni(111), Cu(001) and Cu(111) surfaces. Our focus is on the spin moments and their dependence on cluster size and shape. We derive a simple quantitative rule that relates the moment of each Fe atom linearly to its coordination number. Thus, for an arbitrary Fe cluster the spin moment of the cluster and of the individual Fe atoms can be readily found if the positions of the atoms are known. (orig.)

Wastenet

...Events Archive Worldwide Africa Programme Arab Programme Asia and Pacific Programme Europe and NIS Programme Latin American and Caribbean Programme Least-Developed Countries South-South Cooperation Human Security Directory of Offices Research & Statistics Publications Research and Statistics Subsites Annual Report Evaluation Group Investment and Technology Promotion Policymaking Organs Legal Resources Goodwill Ambassadors Industrial Competitiveness and Trade Private Sector Development Environmental Management Energy and Climate Change Research and Statistics Financial Institutions Partnerships Thematic ...Events Archive Worldwide Africa Programme Arab Programme Asia and Pacific Programme Europe and NIS Programme Latin American and Caribbean Programme Least-Developed Countries South-South Cooperation Human Security Directory of Offices Research & Statistics Publications Research and Statistics Subsites Annual Report Evaluation Group Investment and ...

Science.gov (United States)

DNA polymerase gamma from purified nuclei of EMT-6 cells (mice) seems to be identical to the mitochondrial DNA polymerase from the same source following several criteria. These two enzyme activities are strongly inhibited by ethidium bromide and acriflavin, while proflavin, acridine orange, daunomycin and chloroquine inhibition is less pronounced. In the case of DNA polymerases alpha and beta very little inhibition by ethidium bromide was observed. Intercalation of this dye in a poly dA-dT 12-18 template-primer was studied spectrophotometrically under conditions similar to those in the in vitro DNA polymerase assay. The polymerase assay. The inhibition by this drug of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma activity was shown to be competitive at varying concentrations of TTP while the inhibition was of the non-competitive type at different concentrations of poly dA-dT 12-18. We conclude that the drug, most probably in the intercalated form, is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The deregulation of the power industry having been implemented at unparalleled pace in Germany, the marketers and utility managers have been faced with the challenge of coping within relatively short time with the whole range of problems involved in restructurisation in the emerging competitive and very dynamic market. The article summarizes the activities for reorientation and positioning in the market, laying the foundation for success in the future. The communication and IT infrastructure is a major aspect to be considered. The authors explain how the German power industry may profit from international experience and results, so as to gain time in pulling up with competitors in the international marketplace. (orig./CB) [German] Die Liberalisierung der deutschen Stromwirtschaft kann im internationalen Vergleich als einzigartig sowohl hinsichtlich ihrer Breite als auch ihrer Geschwindigkeit - volle Marktoeffnung fuer alle Kunden auf einen Schlag - angesehen ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An overall plant design was developed for a gas-cooled fast reactor employing a direct supercritical Brayton power conversion system. The most important findings were that (1) the concept could be capital-cost competitive, but startup fuel cycle costs are penalized by the low core power density, specified in large part to satisfy the goal of significant post-accident passive natural convection cooling; (2) active decay heat removal is preferable as the first line of defense, with passive performance in a backup role; (3) an innovative tube-in-duct fuel assembly, vented to the primary coolant, appears to be practicable; and (4) use of the S-Co2 GFR to support hydrogen production is a synergistic application, since sufficient energy can be recuperated from the product H2 and 02 to allow the electrolysis cell to run 250 C hotter than the reactor coolant, and the water boilers can be used for reactor decay heat removal. Increasing core power density is identified as ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text. This research assesses models for new nuclear build in European Union (EU) member states to find the most stable form. The countries examined in this study are the United Kingdom and Romania. The results attest that due to various historical, political, competition, and electricity market structural conditions Romania and the United Kingdom have emerged with different models for new build nuclear projects. This paper begins with an assessment of the effects on the nuclear sector from energy, environmental and competition legislation in the EU. Then the political and economic climate of the aforementioned EU member states is completed. Following this an overview of the market structure of the electricity sector in those respective countries is conducted. Then the key research on the models and the phases of new nuclear build are explored. The research concludes each model has transcended from different political and economic forces, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In 1986, the National Research Council, through its Energy Engineering Board, formed the Committee on Geothermal Energy Technology. The committee's study addressed major issues in geothermal energy technology, made recommendations for research and development, and considered cooperative arrangements among government, industry, and universities to facilitate RandD under current severe budget constraints. The report addresses four types of geothermal energy: hydrothermal, geopressured, hot dry rock, and magma systems. Hydrothermal systems are the only type that are now economically competitive commercially. Further technology development by the Department of Energy could make the uneconomical hydrothermal resources commercially attractive to the industry. The economics are more uncertain for the longer-term technologies for extracting energy from geopressured, hot dry rock, and magma systems. For some sites, the cost of energy derived from geopressured and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A photoaffinity derivative of the local anesthetic trimethisoquin, 5-azido-["3H]trimethisoquin (5-A["3H]T) labelled bands of app. mol. wt 50 k and 66 k. To explain the rather paradoxical labelling by 5-A["3H]T of two polypeptide chains instead of one, three possibilities were considered: (i) The site for non-competititve blockers is not carried by the 50 k or 66 k chain; however, these chains lie in the vicinity of the binding site and become preferentially labelled since they present chemical groups with which the nitrene group of 5-A["3H]T reacts. (ii) The 50 k and 66 k chains are different but carry binding sites for non-competitive blockers with similar reactivities. (iii) The 50 k chain labelled by 5-A["3H]T derives from the 66 k chain by proteolysis. These results show that the third alternative is the correct one. Under conditions which limit proteolysis, 5-A["3H]T selectively labels the 66 k polypeptide chain. (Auth.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In analysis of hydrogen in metals and alloys by SIMS, control of the hydrogen blank mainly due to residual gases is a persistent problem. Contrarity, this problem becomes less important in case of deuterium analysis. The prescribed amounts of deuterium were introduced into a pure titanium and a beta-titanium alloy (Ti- 6.6wt%Fe) by the gas reaction method. Intensities of the various secondary ions sputtered from each sample were measured by the Hitachi Ion Microanalyzer with primary ions of Ar"+. Energy distributions of the various secondary ion species were measured with the energy window of about 15eV width. The effects of oxygen gas pressure in the target chamber and the bulk deuterium concentration on the shape of energy distribution curves are discussed. For all samples, intensity of D"- ions is higher than that of D"+ ions, especially at higher energy ranges. With increasing the deuterium concentration: a) intensities of D"+ and D"- ions from Ti-D system ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

On the basis of literary sources and experimental data, the advantages of a monogamous reproductive strategy are analyzed. Monogamous species of Lepidoptera have no postcopulative mechanisms of control over the success of reproductive sperm competition, cryptic female choice, and, probably, the male?s nuptial gift. Selection of the sex partner and of the quality of the future generation is determined by the precopulative and copulative mechanisms of the reproductive behavior, which include chemocommunication and a ?lock-and-key? mechanism. In an experiment with one male and one female, the quota of successful mating can depend on the morphological complication of the genital apparatus of males. Cases are considered of repeated mating for some, usually monogamous, species. In comparison wit...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The power industry is undergoing major changes. Deregulation and a competitive climate demand effective solutions. Costs and losses must be reduced, and overall efficiency must be raised. Industrial options connected to energy market and environmental considerations are discussed. Themes discussed in this paper are environmental challenges, the fuel factor, power plants in use today, the Norwegian power system, the European system, power exchange across borders, the transmission system, the future European system, and options for Norwegian industry. 27 figs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Polymeric waste materials should be considered resources for the manufacture of new products through recycling processes, with a similar status to virgin fossil-based plastics and biopolymers from renewable resources. Several efforts can be made to achieve this qualitative quantum leap in plastics recycling, and consequently introduce recycled products, with competitive performance, to the market. Scientific knowledge about the degradation processes during the life cycle and the development of fast and reliable analytical methods for the quality assessment of recycled plastics are fundamental to guarantee their performance in new applications. Different strategies-restabilisation, rebuilding, compatibilisation, and addition of elastomers and fillers-can be used to upgrade the structure and...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Growing competitiveness of alternative manufacturing routes requires cost minimization in the production of drop forged components. The authors analyse the potential of medium carbon, vanadium microalloyed steels for drop forging. Laboratory and industrial experiments have been carried out emphasizing deformation and temperature cycles, strain rates and dwell times showing a typical processing path, associated mechanical properties and corresponding microstructures. The steels the required levels of mechanical properties on cooling after forging, eliminating subsequent heat treatment. The machinability of V-microalloyed steels is also improved when compared with plain medium carbon steels. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Studies on pupal irradiation of Earias vittella Fabricius, were undertaken to determine the optimum dose for sterile and competitive adults. Late pupae were irradiated with gamma radiation doses ranging from 150 to 300 Gy. Emerging adults were normal and without malformation. When males that emerged from irradiated pupae were crossed with normal female, fecundity as well as longevity was comparable to control, but there was drastic reduction in percent egg hatch in all the treatments. However, when females emerging from irradiated pupae were crossed with normal male, there was reduction in the fecundity as well as fertility and this effect was dose dependent. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the recent years the use of nuclear energy has turned from a technical and scientific issue to a political one. The high-temperature reactor (HTR) however, has always been advertised as particularly safe. The present situation and future developments of HTR-technology were the two issues that VDI-News brought up on the 27th October on an HTR-conference in an interview with the 'spiritual father' of the HTR, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Schulten of the Juelich Nuclear Research Centre.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Feasibility of using sterile females for population suppression of Earias vittella (Fabricius) was evaluated by conducting studies on mating competitiveness of radiation sterilized females, both in individual pairs and in simulated large population conditions. Results showed that sterility induced by using a 10:1:1 ratio (sterile female: normal female: normal male) in single pair experiments and also in simulated large population conditions was more than 99.0 per cent. Release of radiation- sterilized females of E. vittella in natural populations has thus an excellent potential for population suppression. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper considers the main components of energy policy, in particular the challenges of network security of supply, long-term contracts and the environmental constraints. It is argued that the United Kingdom's energy policy should take account of multiple market failures and context dependent. Given energy liberalisation in the 1980s and 1990s, it is argued that interventions based upon market-based instruments should be given greater importance. Institutional reform to reflect the shift in focus towards investment in non-carbon technologies and the security issues associated with networks is proposed, notably the creation of an energy agency. 15 refs., 2 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The world steel industry and market and the current status and prospects for the Japanese steel industry are discussed with particular reference to China, Europe, and the US. Trends in coking coal supply from Australia, Canada, and Mongolia and changes in demand for hard and semi-soft coking coals are considered. Canadian coal plays a significant role in the hard coking coal and PCI coal markets. This is expected to continue. Emerging concerns include the strong Canadian dollar and increases in fuel and materials costs. Canadian suppliers are asked to improve efficiencies, be competitive in the overall coal chain, and diversify their PCI coal reserves. 14 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due mainly to competitive pressures, the practice of offering electric and telephone service under contracts or special tariffs negotiated individually between a utility and its customers has increased in importance in recent years. Moreover, the practice is likely to become still more widespread in the future. This creates questions of public policy that are of interest to regulators and ratepayers alike such as how to supervise the practice, how to encourage utilities to compete while preventing cross-subsidization and anticompetitive behavior, and how the practice will ultimately affect utilities and ratepayers. This report sheds light on the topic by describing approaches that have been taken by the various regulatory commissions and by providing a framework for analyzing such contractors.

CERN Document Server

A complex network approach on a rough fracture is developed. In this manner, some hidden metric spaces (similarity measurements) between apertures profiles are set up and a general evolutionary network in two directions (in parallel and perpendicular to the shear direction) is constructed. Also, an algorithm (COmplex Networks on Apertures: CONA) is proposed in which evolving of a network is accomplished using preferential detachments and attachments of edges (based on a competition and game manner) while the number of nodes is fixed. Also, evolving of clustering coefficients and number of edges display similar patterns as well as are appeared in shear stress, hydraulic conductivity and dilation changes, which can be engaged to estimate shear strength distribution of asperities.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Phelps N. A. Cluster or capture? Manufacturing foreign direct investment, external economies and agglomeration, Regional Studies.?This paper reviews the nature and significance of external economies associated with multinational enterprise (MNE) participation in the manufacturing industries of host economies. It argues that the balance of forces of internalization and externalization is currently skewed towards the former and the interests of MNEs rather than the latter and the interests of local and national communities and governments. A stylized comparison of developmental and competition state interventions in relation to MNEs and their foreign direct investment (FDI) suggests that in the absence of co-ordinated interventions by governments, there will commonly be a failure of t...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We study uncertainties surrounding competition on business networks and board games. We investigate these uncertainties using concepts of fuzzy logic and game theory. We investigate how the payoff of the players is affected by a number of factors. These include the level of connectivity or number of links, the number of competitors, possible constraints on the networks and on the boards, as well as choice of strategy adopted by competitors. We introduce one fuzzy player in the game. This player uses fuzzy rules to make strategic decisions. We introduce learning to train and analyze how the fuzzy player adapts over time during the game.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The production of process heat for agriculture and industry is one of the applications of solar energy which is very close to economic competitivity. Solar collectors can be produced at a reasonable cost by existing industries and are used optimally through applications which present a good time correlation between energy needs and the possible production of solar heat. This article studies heat consumption in industrial and agricultural sectors, gives hints on collectors choices, rates the different projects by simulation taking into account the nature of agricultural and industrial activities and the geographical location of the projects, examines when the equipment first competes according to hypotheses made on the various energy and collectors cost.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In today's business environment, strong forces of competition and globalization have created an urgency to focus how an organization controls and nurtures its intellectual capital. The concept of knowledge and its management has gained currency and momentum as technology has enabled thoughts and ideas to be more easily generated and distributed. With increased application of technologies such as the Internet, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and advanced software capabilities, it has been suggested the time has come for discussion of a new paradigm for knowledge management. Toward that end, this article examines the knowledge literature and reviews the experience of a leading private healthcare group, with the objective of gaining a better understanding of the issues that confront e...

Science.gov (United States)

The Wind Energy Division at Sandia National Laboratories recently completed a point design based on the 34-m Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) Test Bed. The 34-m Test Bed research machine incorporates several innovations that improve Darrieus technology, including increased energy production, over previous machines. The point design differs minimally from the Test Bed; but by removing research-related items, its estimated cost is substantially reduced. The point design is a first step towards a Test-Bed-based commercial machine that would be competitive with conventional sources of power in the mid-1990s.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the experimental researches on the polarization Characteristics of symmetric GaAs-GaAlAsP double heterojunction lasers, and analyses the mode-competition processes of these lasers. The experiments showed that semiconductor laser is emitted spontaneously and does not indicate optical polarization characteristic when it is biased under the threshold current. When it is biased above the threshold current, the laser for thin active layer of d = 0.15approx.0.40 ..mu..m is generally observed only in fundamental order mode, and TE mode polarization is predominant. At this time, polarization selection is dependent on Fabry-Perot cavity facet (cleaved face) mode reflectivity R/sub 0/. But TM mode is saturated at the threshold, the current applied to the laser above the threshold is used to enhance the TE polarization when the active thickness d is larger than 0.4 ..mu..m, the competition between TE and TM mode, fundamental order an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Asian countries are expected to generate 45% of the world energy consumption and Japan is the absolutely greatest consumer in Asia, but China is the country that will be most important as a new consumer on the world energy markets. China, like India and later possibly even Japan try to change to natural gas as a source of energy as much as possible. This is causing a competition about the resources that can be reached by pipelines for gas, which in practice means those in Russia and Central Asia. Russia is trying to control the gas in Central Asia. The competition is also increasing about oil. China is becoming heavily dependent on Muslim countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. This also leads to an effort to increase the safety along the sea lanes, which may collide with the interests of other countries. Territorial conflicts with gas and oil as underlying elements exist in Asia. USA is a player on the energy market, who is using ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In response to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission`s subsequent rulemaking on transmission access, many states are exploring options to restructure their electric industries. In their deliberations on restructuring, policymakers should consider (1) the reliability of the electric system; (2) income-distribution effects on ratepayers and utilities; (3) social consequences such as effects on energy conservation, renewable energy, and the environment; and (4) economic efficiency. We address economic-efficiency considerations in this study. Economic efficiency is important because it is one of the primary reasons that policymakers should consider restructuring in the first place: improving the electric-industry`s efficiency lowers costs and, hence, electric prices. In this study, we look at the sources of (in)efficiency in existing and proposed electric markets with the objective of guiding policymakers to design efficient electric markets. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For many industrial applications, materials are desired which combine light weight, high temperature strength, and stability in corrosive environments. Among competing materials, ceramics are noteworthy candidates for such applications. The use of ceramics is often constrained, however, by brittleness; i.e., low toughness. Ceramic composites are being developed to overcome this limitation. With recent advances in ceramic fiber technology, it is possible to design a composite material based on continuous ceramic fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix. The use of ceramic composites in industrial applications will result in reduced fuel consumption, but will also prevent airborne pollution (principally NO, SO{sub x}, CO{sub 2}, and particulates), and economically benefit the end user through energy and environmental savings and increased competitiveness. Industry will also benefit through increased productivity and consumers will benefit through lower energy and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recently, the development of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, in the forms of wire, thin film and stent have been found increasingly in the fields of materials science and smart structures and engineering. The increase in attraction for using these materials is due to their many unique materials, mechanical, thermal and thermal-mechanical properties, which in turn, evolve their subsequent shape memory, pseudo-elasticity and super-elasticity properties. In this paper, a common type of SMA actuator, Nitinol wires, were embedded into advanced composite structures to modulate the structural dynamic responses, in terms of natural frequency and damping ratio by using its shape memory and pseudo-elastic properties. A simple theoretical model is introduced to estimate the natural frequency of the structures before and after actuating the embedded SMA wires. The damping ratios of different SMA composite beams were measured ...

CERN Document Server

We present a kinematic diagnostic for peanut-shaped bulges in nearly face-on galaxies. The face-on view provides a novel perspective on peanuts which would allow study of their relation to bars and disks in greater detail than hitherto possible. The diagnostic is based on the fact that peanut shapes are associated with a flat density distribution in the vertical direction. We show that the kinematic signature corresponding to such a distribution is a minimum in the fourth-order Gauss-Hermite moment $s_4$. We demonstrate our method on $N$-body simulations of varying peanut strength, showing that strong peanuts can be recognized to inclinations $i \\simeq 30\\degrees$, regardless of the strength of the bar. We also consider compound systems in which a bulge is present in the initial conditions as may happen if bulges form at high redshift through mergers. We show that in this case, because the vertical structure of the bulge is not derived from ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The synthesis of narrowly dispersed nanocrystalline TiO_2 was investigated with a surfactant aided solvothermal synthetic method in toluene solutions. When a sufficient amount of titanium isopropoxide, Ti[OCH(CH_3)_2]_4 (TIP), was added to the solution, the shapes of TiO_2 nanoparticles changed from spheres to rods. The aggregated microstructures of the nano-sized TiO_2 in systems of spheres, rods, and mixtures of spheres and rods was studied using TEM. The morphological shape of the aggregation was described in terms of the fractal dimensions. We used a box-counting method to get the fractal dimension of these systems. The fitted fractal dimensions for spheres, sphere/rod mixtures, and rods are D = 1.54, D = 1.81, and D = 1.89, respectively. The fractal dimension changed from 1.54 to 1.9 with the TIP/toluene ratio, indicating that the growth mechanism for aggregations showed different behaviors.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent research has shown that biologically inspired approaches to materials synthesis and self-assembly, hold promise of unprecedented atomic level control of structure and interfaces. In particular, the use of organic molecules to control the production of inorganic technological materials has the potential for controlling grain structure to enhance material strength; controlling facet expression for enhanced catalytic activity; and controlling the shape of nanostructured materials to optimize optical, electrical and magnetic properties. In this work, we use organic molecules to modify silver crystal shapes towards understanding the metal-organic interactions that lead to nanoparticle shape control. Using in situ electrochemical AFM (EC-AFM) as an in situ probe, we study the influence of a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylamminobromide (CTAB) on Ag growth during electrochemical deposition on Ag(100). The results show ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Background: the authors report on the conception and first clinical application of a donut-shaped high-dose configuration for proton therapy (PT). This approach allows one to intensify target volume dose coverage for targets encompassing a critical, dose-limiting structure - like here, the cauda equina -, whilst delivering minimal dose to other healthy structures surrounding the target, thereby reducing the integral dose. Methods and results: intensity-modulated PT methods (IMPT) for spot scanning were applied to create and deliver a donut-shaped high-dose configuration with protons, allowing treating > 75% of the target with at least 95% of the prescribed dose of 72.8 CGE, whilst restricting dose to the cauda equina to 60-65 CGE. Integral dose was lower by a factor of 3.3 as compared to intensity-modulated radiotherapy with photons (IMXT). Conclusion: IMPT and spot scanning technology allow a potentially clinically useful approach which ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Relativistic electron beams are used for generating high power microwaves. These microwave sources require electron beam generators spanning significant ranges in voltage and impedance. The pulsed power technology used to generate these electron beams is presented. Electron beam generators that produce beams with pulse durations in the 10-ns to 100-ns regime consist of an energy-storage section, pulse-shaping section, and an electron beam diode. The energy-storage section is either a Marx generator or capacitor bank-pulsed transformer. The pulse shaping is done with high-voltage transmission lines. The electron beam diode is usually a cold-cathode, space-charge-limited flow device. For longer pulses (/approximately/1 ..mu..s) the energy storage and pulse chaping can be combined. Lumped-element pulse-forming networks (PFN) can be designed to produce the desired pulse shape. The Marx generator becomes one of the elements of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Low pressure silane plasmas are known for their ability to synthesize silicon nanoparticles via gas phase nucleation. While in the past this particle formation has often been considered from the viewpoint of a contamination problem in semiconductor processing, we here describe a silane low pressure plasma that enables the synthesis of highly oriented, cubic-shaped silicon nanocrystals with a rather monodisperse size distribution. These silicon nanocubes have successfully been used in the manufacture of single nanoparticle vertical transistors. We discuss the advantages of this new paradigm of building nanoelectronic devices. The plasma synthesis process is characterized in more detail than in prior work. The particle nucleation, growth and shape evolution are studied. Results indicate that the process provides two spatially distinct zones: a diffuse plasma for particle growth and a constricted plasma zone for particle annealing. Measurements of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The theory of ..cap alpha.. decay in first-order perturbation theory is presented. The theory is designed for a strongly deformed nucleus in an isomeric state which changes its deformation dynamically through decay from a very deformed to an almost spherical shape. It is shown that other channels are not coupled to the ..cap alpha.. channel in first-order perturbation theory. The collective degrees of freedom of the daughter nucleus are described by shape vibrational states, eigenstates of a Hamiltonian whose potential has two minima. The parent nucleus is described by dynamically coupling the vibrational degrees of freedom to the ..cap alpha..-particle motion and also taking rotations into account. The ..cap alpha.. particle is taken to be a point-like particle. The theory is applied to the ..cap alpha.. decay of the isomeric state of /sub 95//sup 242/Am.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We present modeling, simulation, and characterization for the dynamic response of clamped-clamped microbeams under mechanical shock. A Galerkin-based reduced-order model is utilized and its results are verified by comparing to finite-element results. The results indicate that the response of a microbeam to mechanical shock is inherently non-linear because of the dominating effect of mid-plane stretching. The effect of the shock pulse shape is investigated. It is concluded that the shape of the shock pulse can result in significant dynamic amplification in the response of the microbeam even in cases where the shock load is considered quasi-static.The combined effect of the electrostatic force and mechanical shock is investigated. The results show that this combined effect can lead to early ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effects of the heating rate from 0.6 up to 50"oC.s"-"1 on the thermoluminescence of #alpha#-Al_2O_3:C are very intensive. The material rapidly loses its high sensitivity as the heating rate increases. The peak shape characteristics, peak maximum and full width at half maximum agree only qualitatively with those theoretically predicted. The trapping parameters calculated by the curve fitting method, the peak shape method, the variable heating rate method and the initial rise method, were found to decrease as the heating rate increases. The validity of the results are discussed in the framework of the kinetic models. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The dependence of melting temperature T m on the size and shape of an n -dimensional nanocrystal of elementary single-component substance is studied. The nanocrystal has the form of an n-dimensional parallelepiped with a square base. The ratio of the length of side rib to the length of base rib (which is equal to f) defines the form of the system. It is demonstrated that, if the surface pressure is ignored, the value of T m decreases with isomorphic (f = const) decrease in the size of nanocrystal. In so doing, the more the value of form parameter f deviates from unity, the more appreciable the size dependence of T m will be. However, if the surface pressure (?Laplace pressure??) is taken into account in the case of decrease in size, the value of T m may vary significantly. In so doing, if ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Introduction Postoperative alopecia is a relatively rare event, and therefore both patients and surgeons are puzzled once it develops even though it is said to improve spontaneously with time in most cases. We report a parieto-occipital pressure-induced alopecia firstly developed in a patient who had undergone repeated surgery for 10?years after a traffic accident. Case report A 29-year-old male underwent segmental osteotomy at the upper and lower frontal edentulous areas for distraction osteogenesis. Throughout the operation, he was in the supine position with the hair covered with a paper cap and the head on a plastic vinyl chloride-covered soft foam horseshoe-shaped urethane sponge placed on the horseshoe-shaped headrest. About 2?weeks after the surgery, two patches of parieto-occipital...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background vibration in a CANDU plant can be used to determine the dynamic characteristics of major items of equipment, such as calandria, the fuelling machines and the primary heat transport pumps. These dynamic characteristics can then be used to verify the seismic response of the equipment which, at present, is based on theoretical models only. The feasibility and basic theory of this new approach (which uses accelerations measured at several points on a structure and does not require knowledge of the source of excitation) was established in Phase I of the study. This report is based on Phase II in which the methods of analysis developed in Phase I were improved and verified experimentally. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm was incorporated and an interactive curve fitting technique was developed to obtain the dynamic characteristics in the form of natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios. The method is now available for use at a CANDU plant.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the challenges facing engineers is developing newer, safer detonators that are equivalent to devices currently in use. There is no clear consensus on an exact method for drawing equivalence of detonators. This paper summarizes our current efforts to develop diagnostics addressing various aspects of detonator design to better quantify and prove equivalency. We consider various optical techniques to quantify the output pressure and output wave shape. The development of a unique interpretation of streak camera breakouts, known as the apparent center of initiation, will be discussed as a metric for detonation wave shape. Specific examples apply these techniques to the comparison of a new laser-driven detonator with an existing exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator. Successes and short-comings of the techniques will be discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present paper deals with instabilities of long homogeneous and isotropic thin shells, characterized by geometrical non-linearities and imperfections, with reference to a bent helicoidally geometrical shape of particular interest for the helicoidal steam generators tube bundle. Apparently no data exist in the literature to describe the non-linear buckling behaviour of curved thin shells under external pressure, thus, the theoretical analyses based on the classical linear elastic theory, as expected, might be inadequate to evaluate the collapse load especially if the curvature is rather large. To the purpose of determining the buckling pressure load the effects of a pre-existing level of geometrical and technological imperfection, unavoidably caused by various manufacturing processes wer...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The dynamic response of cylindrical and ring-shaped YBaCuO bulk parts to pulsed magnetic fields is calculated by using small sets of finite elements. Some comparisons with experimental results are provided, and they give confidence in the modelling of the superconducting properties. Transient magnetizations as a function of time and space as well as shapes and absolute values of trapped magnetic flux profiles are presented. The influence of the sample geometry is investigated for different millisecond pulsed magnetization processes. Results are reported for different radial thicknesses and heights, different pulse durations, peak magnetic fields and pulse sequences with and without stepwise cooling. Comparisons concerning the achievable trapped magnetic field and flux are made, and implications for the use of high-temperature superconductor bulk parts as cryo-permanent magnets in potential applications like electric machinery are discussed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a new method of extracting biologic particles from a mixture of particles. The method is based on the pumping effect in a p-shaped ultrasonic actuator, which has a gap between its two vibrating metal plates. An adhesive tape is placed at a proper position in the gap. Due to the pumping effect which is induced by the sound field in the gap, the particles with smaller mass and radius in the mixture can be pumped up to reach the adhesive tape; while the ones with larger mass cannot. Therefore, the particles with smaller mass and radius can be extracted from the mixture. A theoretical model which can well explain the operation principle and experimental phenomena is developed. By the experimental results and the theoretical analyses based on the model, the validity of the m...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper experimental observations and a theoretical analysis of periodic radiation bursts and macropulse formation in the start-up phase of a free-electron laser (FEL) oscillator are presented. This microwave FEL uses a long pulse electron beam with a slowly decaying voltage. The output radiation consists of a superposition of bell-shaped macropulses, each of which is composed of a periodic sequence of short micropulses. The micropulses are separated by a cavity round-trip time. Each bell-shaped macropulse has a random start-up time and amplitude. The startup of the radiation macropulses is correlated with random current spikes on the continuous electron beam. The observed macropulse signal agrees with a theoretical calculation of the impulse response of the FEL oscillator when the shift in the FEL resonance frequency arising from the slow voltage drop of the electron beam is included in the analysis. Possible applications of the ...

CERN Document Server

This paper proposes the use of particle swarm optimization method (PSO) for finite element (FE) model updating. The PSO method is compared to the existing methods that use simulated annealing (SA) or genetic algorithms (GA) for FE model for model updating. The proposed method is tested on an unsymmetrical H-shaped structure. It is observed that the proposed method gives updated natural frequencies the most accurate and followed by those given by an updated model that was obtained using the GA and a full FE model. It is also observed that the proposed method gives updated mode shapes that are best correlated to the measured ones, followed by those given by an updated model that was obtained using the SA and a full FE model. Furthermore, it is observed that the PSO achieves this accuracy at a computational speed that is faster than that by the GA and a full FE model which is faster than the SA and a full FE model.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Investigations of dislocation structure and mechanical properties of iron after rolling deformation in shaped rolls and after hydroextrusion are conducted. It is shown that dislocation iron structure slightly changes with deformation degree after rolling in shaped rolls and annealing and it is characterized by low density of screw dislocations. Cold brittleness temperature decreases in the result of rolling and the succeeding recrystallization and impact strength increases both at room temperature and at low temperatures. Screw dislocations having high Peierls barrier prevail in the structure after hydroextrusions. The iron deformed by hydroextrusion at 400 mPa and higher after annealing has high cold brittleness temperature and low impact strength.

CERN Document Server

Land snails move via adhesive locomotion. Through muscular contraction and expansion of their foot, they transmit waves of shear stress through a thin layer of mucus onto a solid substrate. Since a free surface cannot support shear stress, adhesive locomotion is not a viable propulsion mechanism for water snails that travel inverted beneath the free surface. Nevertheless, the motion of the freshwater snail, Sorbeoconcha physidae, is reminiscent of that of its terrestrial counterparts, being generated by the undulation of the snail foot that is separated from the free surface by a thin layer of mucus. Here, a lubrication model is used to describe the mucus flow in the limit of small amplitude interfacial deformations. By assuming the shape of the snail foot to be a traveling sine wave and the mucus to be Newtonian, an evolution equation for the interface shape is obtained and the resulting propulsive force on the snail is calculated. This ...

CERN Document Server

{The determination of cluster masses is a complex problem that would be aided by information about the cluster shape and orientation (along the line-of-sight).} {It is in this context, that we have developed a scheme for identifying the intrinsic morphology and inclination of a cluster, by looking for the signature of the true cluster characteristics in the inter-comparison of the different deprojected emissivity profiles (that all project to the same X-ray brightness distribution) and by using SZe data when available.} {We deproject the cluster X-ray surface brightness profile under the assumptions of four different geometry and inclination configurations for the observed system; these 4 configurations correspond to four extreme geometry+inclination scenarios. The deprojection in question is performed by the non-parametric algorithm DOPING. The formalism is tested with model systems and then is applied to a sample of 24 clusters. While the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Research and bioethical policies are increasingly seen to facilitate, rather than to impede, scientific progress. Bioethical structures, nonetheless, often fail to account for or to shape the specific social surrounds in which scientific research is conducted. In Taiwan, a perceived shortage in human biological donations threatens to hamper stem cell research progress. This paper considers the stalled national biobank project and the lack of a reliable embryo supply for stem cell research, and suggests that one must look beyond regulatory structures in seeking explanations for such shortages. Specific aspects of Taiwan's democratization and social changes combine with problematic relations between patients and physicians to shape the terrain upon which human biologicals are given or withhe...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Apparatus for solid-phase antibody separation techniques used in radioimmunoassays is described in this invention. It consists of a rectangular prism tray with multiple wells protruding into its interior from one side. Near the base of the tray is an orifice used for creating evacuated condition within the structure. At the base of each well there is an orifice of such size and shape as to retain an aqueous liquid under given pressure conditions but permit the evacuation of this liquid at reduced pressure. The outlet of these orifices is in the shape of an inverted conical frustrum. Each of the wells contains an antibody coated disc of porous cellulose paper surrounded by a plastic support. The porous nature of the cellulose paper ensures contact between the antibody coating and the antigen. The use of antibody coated porous cellulose paper in combination with the vacuum operated apparatus simplifies the manipulative steps whilst still ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, a hybrid time-frequency method (HTM) based on the improved Morlet wavelet and auto terms window (ATW) is presented. The Morlet wavelet, for its shape is similar to the mechanical shock signals, is added two parameters which decide the shape of the mother wavelet. The added parameters and the appropriate scale parameter for continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) are calculated using the cross validation method (CVM) and the minimum Shannon entropy method. The useless noise in the original signal can be filtered by the CWT filter de-noising process. An ATW based on the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Distribution (SPWVD) spectrum is designed as a window function to suppress the cross terms in Wigner-Ville Distribution (WVD). The gear fault diagnosis experiment results show that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is carried out a calculation to determine the energy spectra of secondary {sup 3}He at small atmospheric depths. It is produced in the spallation reaction of primary helium and heavier nuclei in the overlying atmosphere. It is examined the effect of the geomagnetic cut-off on the spectral shape of the secondary {sup 3}He nuclei. The calculations are being carried out for both solar minimum and maximum periods. Results from these calculations will be presented at the Conference.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe Prospective Space-Time scan statistic (PST) is widely used for the evaluation of space-time clusters of point event data. Usually a window of cylindrical shape is employed,...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the main disadvantages of solar air collectors in practical applications is their relatively low efficiency. In this experimental investigation, the shape and arrangement of absorber surfaces of the collectors were reorganized to provide better heat transfer surfaces suitable for the passive heat transfer augmentation techniques. The performance of such solar air collectors with staggered absorber sheets was tested. The experimental results show that it is possible to provide 10 to 25% enhancement in the efficiency compared to the conventional solar air collectors. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The method of inversion of the eigenvalue problem previously developped for nuclei with axial symmetry is extended to asymmetric equilibrium shapes. This new approach to the asymmetric rotator model is applied to the odd-mass Iridium isotopes. A satisfactory and coherent description of the observed energy spectra is obtained, especially for the lighter isotopes. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new multipellet long-pulse plasma fueling system is in operation on JET. In the initial experimental phase, a variety of plasma density profile shapes have been produced with peak to average values ranging up to 2.5 and peak plasma density up to 1.2 )times) 10/sup 20/m/sup )minus/3). 7 refs., 4 figs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possible role of space-like objects in elementary particle physics (and in quantum mechanics) is reviewed and discussed, mainly by exploiting the explicit consequences of the peculiar relativistic mechanics of Tachyons. Particular attention is paid: (i) to tachyons as the possible carriers of interactions; (ii) to the possibility of ''vacuum decays'' at the classical level; (iii) to a Lorentz-invariant bootstrap model; (iv) to the apparent shape of the tachyonic elementary particles and its possible connection with the de Broglie wave-particle dualism. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The energy distribution of neutrons generated due to bombardment of 40 MeV alpha particles on thick elemental tantalum is measured using threshold activation detectors. A method of unfolding the neutron spectrum from the activation data based on information-entropy weighted average solution is described. The present unfolding method does not require 'a priori' information about the shape of the solution spectrum. 16 refs. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Single-crystalline nanostructures often exhibit gradients of surface (and/or interface) curvature that emerge from fabrication and growth processes or from thermal fluctuations. Thus, the system-inherent capillary force can initiate morphological transformations during further processing steps or during operation at elevated temperature. Therefore and because of the ongoing miniaturization of functional structures which causes a general rise in surface-to-volume ratios, solid-state capillary phenomena will become increasingly important: On the one hand diffusion-mediated capillary processes can be of practical use in view of non-conventional nanostructure fabrication methods based on self-organization mechanisms, on the other hand they can destroy the integrity of nanostructures which can go along with the failure of functionality. Additionally, capillarity-induced shape transformations are effected and can thereby be controlled by applied fields and forces (guided ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The proton therapy gives an irradiation adapted to the shape and the depth of tumors ( eyes, head and neck) with a millimetric, even sub millimetric precision for the ophthalmological tumors. It is equally an excellent tool for the pediatrics tumors. For numerous treatments in France the proton therapy is associated to the photons treatments (x radiation). however, others physical treatments could modulate the medical offer, such thermal therapy or treatments by ultrasonic waves. (N.C.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To evaluate the radiological patterns of vascular invasion in peripheral cholangiocarcinomas. Hepatic arteriography and portography in 20 cases with cholangiocarcinoma including 12 cases with angiographic CT were retrospectively analyzed. The arteriography showed no arterioportal shunt, hypertrophy of tumor vessel, or tumor staining extending to central portion of the mass in all cases. However, doughnut shaped peripheral tumor staining was seen until late hepatogram phase in 12 cases and compensatory hyperperfusion around the mass was seen in six cases (eight cases if include arterial CT). Encasement of tumor vessel was seen in 12 cases, and hypertrophy of feeding vessel in nine cases. On portography, the filling defect on segmental portal branch could be demonstrated only in 11 cases. Shape of the portal defect was tapered narrowing in six cases, abrupt narrowing in two cases but intraluminal nodular filling defect was not seen. Remaining ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The point-defect-impurity pair diffusion model proposed recently by Mulvaney and Richardson is adopted and modified to simulate the coupled diffusion of phosphorus and self-interstitials in phosphorus-implanted silicon. The assumption of implantation-induced, but empirically determined initial interstitial distributions of Gaussian shape allows a simulation of the net effect of transient enhanced diffusion. As a result an improved modeling of phosphorus diffusion in silicon is achieved for a broad range of ion-implantation and annealing conditions. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Epidemiological studies will not solve the shape of the dose effect curve for stochastic effects in the low dose range. Unicellular processes are necessary for the primary processes so that no threshold dose exists. This is evident for somatic and genetic mutations. Not clearly solved is this question for the complex carcinogenesis. These processes develop with manifold interacting molecular and cellular steps. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this invention is to assure operating reliability of a Mandrel head in tubes of various diameters. This goal is achieved in that it is equipped with movable expanding sectors, which are installed on a rigid conical plunger dye. It is also equipped with spring-loaded conical slides blocks which are installed on a shaft. The upper ends of the sectors of the sectorial head are attached by hinges to a rigid cone shaped plunger dye. The lower ends are installed with the possibility of interacting with the slide blocks.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The structural changes attendant on intermartensitic transformation in a Ni-Mg-Ga shape memory alloy are considered using magneto-optical visualization with the help of ferrite-garnet monocrystalline films. It is established that on the intermartensitic transformation the complete reorganization of martensite macrostructure fails. Martensite crystals resulted from the basic transformation change somewhat their sizes on intermartensitic transition. The existence of large-scale labyrinth magnetic domain structure is revealed

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dose-dependent behavior of the infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) decay from NaCl has been studied experimentally using only one aliquot irradiated with a range of 2-200 Gy {beta}-radiation doses. It was observed that the maximum IRSL intensity has not changed by an increase in dose though the total intensity increased as expected. Considering the possible implications of our findings for dosimeter, the results were compared with the other studies and discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The governor model is extended to include the asymmetric shape of nuclei which allows a simultaneous analysis of the data for both the ground state and the #gamma#-vibrational bands in deformed even-even nuclei. The rotationally invariant core is assumed to be a spheroid with an axis of symmetry parallel to the axis of rotation. The calculations are carried out under the assumption of no stretching. The static #gamma#-deformation results are compared with the VMI(ARM) and Krutov values, and the calculated energies are in good agreement with the experimental data.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Natural radioactive materials were used for detector calibration. We found that KCl is a very suitable material for this purpose. The efficiency curve shape was derived by using #gamma# ray lines of "2"1"4Bi normalised using a known quantity of KCl in the same geometry. The best fit was found by the least squares method. The summing correction coefficients for "2"1"4Bi are determined. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A 5.76 MeV alpha-particle group has been observed in Am and Bk sources separated from a CERN W target. The data are interpreted due to the production of long-lived isomeric states in /sup 236/Am and /sup 236/Bk which decay to /sup 236/Pu. The possibility of high spin states as well as of shape isomeric states is raised.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease characterized by a high variability of disease severity and outcome that points to the role of environmental factors and modulating genes that shape the course...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The motivation for this design study has been to identify magnet designs for useful magnetic fusion experiments which minimize capital cost. Some possibly useful novel design features have been identified. 5 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maintaining uniformity of properties over long distances is one of the fabrication problems encountered with the new high {Tc} superconductors. Uniform properties are crucial in long tapes or wires with high critical current since local nonuniformities can limit the current carrying capacity of the whole piece. Transport critical currents in high {Tc} superconductors are conventionally measured with the contact 4-point probe DC current-voltage technique. This technique requires contact with the sample and and spatially averages over the region between the two voltage contacts. Two techniques have been used to infer the critical state model. The first uses the net magnetization of a suitably shaped sample in an external magnetic field. The second combines a DC magnetic field with AC induced currents to infer spatial flux profiles. The AC magnetization technique offers an advantage in that it is noncontacting; however, it also averages the measurement over a large ...