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PMID:16589753

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A method has been developed to predict the effects of mutations in the p53 cancer suppressor gene. The new method uses novel parameters combined with previously established parameters. The most important...Full Text Available

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Small-scale methods for determining the reaction rates of explosives that make it possible to predict safe temperatures for using them, and methods for testing the accuracy of these predictions were developed. Each different size and shape of each different explosive has its own critical temperature. The ability to predict these critical temperatures is required before high-energy materials can be used safely.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Acoustic pharyngometry is a relatively new noninvasive method that quantifies geometrically complexed pharyngeal dimensions. Our study aimed to investigate the predictability and usefulness of acoustic...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background:There is a need for simple imaging parameters capable of predicting therapeutic outcome.Methods:This retrospective study analysed 50 patients...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Rationale and ObjectivesSample-size estimation is an important consideration when planning a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study. The aim of this work was...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The FVM-LES-acoustic analogy method (FVM-LES-AAM), which is a hybrid prediction technique for the acoustical property computation, is presented and performed in this paper. The FVM-LES-AAM was developed by combining the finite volume method (FVM), the large eddy simulation (LES), and the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings analogy algorithm (FWH-AA). To predict the acoustical properties of induction cookers, the FVM is used for discretizing the calculation field and building numerical equations, and the LES and FWH-AA are performed for computing the sound sources and predicting the far-field sound, respectively. Using the FVM with the unstructured grids method to discretize the control equation of Navier-Stokes was introduced for illuminating the above numerical simulation procedure. To prove the FVM...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a new approach to improve the in silico modeling of ultrasound transducer arrays. While current simulation tools accurately predict the theoretical element...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundMolecular docking methods are commonly used for predicting binding modes and energies of ligands to proteins. For accurate complex geometry and binding energy estimation,...Full Text Available

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The present paper is concerned with the prediction method for the motions and tensions of mooring lines on slack-moored floating oceanic architectural building in coastal zone. The motions and the tensions of mooring lines were estimated by the time domain numerical simulation in the present method. The present method includes the nonlinearity of mooring system, slow varying wave drift force. The authors performed a time domain numerical simulation for motions and the tensions of mooring lines on floating barge in two component waves. Also, the results obtained by numerical simulation were compared with the experimental results. The validity of the present method was confirmed.

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Results from ultimate analysis, proximate and petrographic analyses of a wide range of Kentucky coal samples were used to predict coal rank parameters (vitrinite maximum reflectance (R{sub max}) and gross calorific value (GCV)) using multivariable regression and artificial neural network (ANN) methods. Volatile matter, carbon, total sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen were used to predict both R{sub max} and GCV by regression and ANN. Multivariable regression equations to predict R{sub max} and GCV showed R{sup 2} = 0.77 and 0.69, respectively. Results from the ANN method with a 2-5-4-2 arrangement that simultaneously predicts GCV and R{sub max} showed R{sup 2} values of 0.84 and 0.90, respectively, for an independent test data set. The artificial neural network method can be appropriately used to predict R{sub max} and GCV when ...

CERN Document Server

This paper proposes an adaptive morphological dilation image coding with context weights prediction. The new dilation method is not to use fixed models, but to decide whether a coefficient needs to be dilated or not according to the coefficient's predicted significance degree. It includes two key dilation technologies: 1) controlling dilation process with context weights to reduce the output of insignificant coefficients, and 2) using variable-length group test coding with context weights to adjust the coding order and cost as few bits as possible to present the events with large probability. Moreover, we also propose a novel context weight strategy to predict coefficient's significance degree more accurately, which serves for two dilation technologies. Experimental results show that our proposed method outperforms the state of the art image coding algorithms available today.

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A review of analytical design methods used for predicting reactor core flow and temperature distributions is presented with emphasis on LMFBR's. The paper also briefly describes and contrasts the methods used for LWR's. These methods are global analysis, subchannel analysis, distributed parameter, and hybrid analysis. The evolution of the local and subchannel analysis methods is presented. Data used for code validation are also presented. Current research and development needs are identified and discussed. Areas identified for future research and development include methods and expermental data for analysis of distorted bundles and natural convection. Methods that have been developed for predicting the safety performance of LMFBR's and LWR's are not within the scope of this paper.

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Theoretical prediction of nuclear masses is analyzed as a pattern recognition problem on the N-Z plane. A global pattern is observed by plotting the differences between measured masses and Liquid Drop Model (LDM) predictions. After unfolding the data by removing the smooth LDM mass contributions, the remaining microscopic effects have proved difficult to model, although they display a striking pattern. These deviations carry information related to shell closures, nuc]ear deformation and the residual nuclear interactions. In the present work the more than 2000 known nuclear masses are studied as an array in the N-Z plane viewed through a mask, behind which the approximately 7000 unknown unstable nuclei that can exist between the proton and neutron drip lines are hidden. We show here that employing a Fourier transform deconvolution method these by masses can be predicted with similar accuracy than ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Significant temperature differences occur between the internal structure and the outer skin of the Space Shuttle Orbiter as it returns from space. These temperature differences cause important thermal stresses. A finite element model containing thousands of degrees of freedom is used to predict these stresses. A ground test was performed to verify the prediction method. The analysis and test results compare favorably. (orig.).

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Thalassaemic patients are in need of frequent assessment of bone age because of growth failure and pubertal disorders. To compare the ''rapid'' Greulich and Pyle (G and P) method with the third edition of the Tanner and Whitehouse (TW3) method for determining skeletal maturity and predicting final height in thalassaemic patients. A total of 191 radiographs from 58 patients (28 male, 30 female) were retrospectively evaluated by two investigators, one for each method. In 47 radiographs from 15 patients having attained their adult height, predicted final height was calculated according to each method. The mean bone ages determined by both the G and P and TW3 methods were lower than mean chronological age, although the differences were not statistically significant (10.04 {+-} 3.69 years and 9.98 {+-} 3.39 ...

Science.gov (United States)

Probabilistic sensitivities using the score function method are developed for a lifing analysis of an alpha + beta titanium alloy in a round bar under axial fatigue load. Sensitivities with respect to the statistical inputs of the crack initiation size (a...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe binding of peptide fragments of antigens to class II MHC is a crucial step in initiating a helper T cell immune response. The identification of such peptide epitopes...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This doctoral thesis addresses some problems in the analysis of spatial and spatial-temporal data and discusses prediction, prediction errors and identification of emission sources. European sulphur data are used as illustration. In an investigation of a spatial-temporal decomposition model for improving estimates of spatial interpolation (prediction) errors from monitoring data, the estimates were improved compared to estimates obtained by the method known as Kriging (an extension of the Wiener-Kolmogorov theory from time series to spatial processes), although the interpolated values were quite similar. A study of a random process model with an unknown, slowly varying trend and a correlated residual process is performed, using both trend estimation (smoothing) and prediction. Local polynomial methods are extended to continuous random processes. A new approach ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Aim- To explore whether the subspecific genetic entities of Acacia saligna occupy different bioclimatic niches in their native and introduced ranges and whether these niches are predictable using species distribution models (SDMs). Location- Australia, South Africa and the Mediterranean Basin. Methods- Species distribution models were developed in MAXENT using six climatic variables to calculate the climatic suitability of the ranges of A.saligna. We assessed (1) the subspecific niche differences identified by SDMs using measures of niche overlap and model performance; (2) the ability of SDMs to predict the most likely subspecific genetic entities present in South Africa based on comparisons to genetic data; and (3) the ability of SDMs to predict the most likely subspecific geneti...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Monte Carlo ray-tracing method is applied and coupled with optical properties to predict the radiation performance of solar concentrator/cavity receiver systems. Several different cavity geometries are compared on the radiation performance. A flux density distribution measurement system for dish parabolic concentrators is developed. The contours of the flux distribution for target placements at different distances from the dish vertex of a solar concentrator are taken by using an indirect method with a Lambert and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Further, the measured flux distributions are compared with a Monte Carlo-predicted distribution. The results can be a valuable reference for the design and assemblage of the solar collector system.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method has been developed for calibration of CT-numbers to volumetric electron density distributions using tissue substitutes of known elemental composition and experimentally determined electron density. This information have been used in a dose calculation method based on photon and electron interaction processes. The method utilizes a convolution integral between the photon fluence matrix and dose distribution kernels. Inhomogeneous media are accounted for using the theorems of Fano and O'Connor for scaling dose distribution kernels in proportion to electron density. For clinical application of a calculated dose plan, a method for prediction of accelerator output have been developed. The methods gives the number of monitor units that has to be given to obtain a certain absorbed dose to a point inside an irregular, inhomogeneous object. The ...

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As a part of a phenomenological model, a method for simulating the wall/jet interaction in a direct injection diesel engine is proposed. The method is based on the application of the momentum conservation equation in the different directions in which the wall jet is spread, and takes into account both the interaction with the combustion chamber geometry and with swirl. It takes as initial conditions the results of calculating the free jet, which is divided into packages. The predictions provide good agreement with those by other researchers. (author).

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The objective of this study is to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the thermal conductivity of ethylene glycol-water solutions based on experimentally measured variables. The thermal conductivity of solutions at different concentrations and various temperatures was measured using the cylindrical cell method that physical properties of the solution are being determined fills the annular space between two concentric cylinders. During the experiment, heat flows in the radial direction outwards through the test liquid filled in the annual gap to cooling water. In the steady state, conduction inside the cell was described by the Fourier equation in cylindrical coordinates, with boundary conditions corresponding to heat transfer between the solution and cooling water. The performance of ANN was evaluated by a regression analysis between the predicted and the experimental values. The ANN ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The successful development of coal-fired combined cycle power generation systems require that all component parts are manufactured from appropriate materials and that these materials give predictable in-service performance. High temperature corrosion resulting from coal-derived particulates, deposition and gaseous species, is potentially life limiting for many components in these systems. Realistic laboratory test methods are outlined for gasifier and gas turbine environments and these have been combined with a materials assessment method based on accurate dimensional metrology. Such tests have allowed the production of models of materials performance as well as accurate comparisons between laboratory and plant derived data. These initial models predict the performance of materials well in the gas turbine environment, but tend to under-predict the damage observed in real gasifier ...

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We have developed an energy-extension method of a Bragg curve counter (BCC) at the high-energy end for the measurements of double-differential cross-sections (DDXs) of fragment productions induced by tens of MeV protons. In this method, we estimate the incident energies of the fragments penetrating a BCC on the basis of the energy loss and atomic number (Z). We applied this method to the DDX measurements of the {sup nat}C(p, Li) and {sup nat}C(p, Be) reactions induced by 70 MeV protons. The validity of this method has been confirmed by comparing the DDXs of beryllium with theoretical predictions of the PHITS code and the two-body kinematics. This method improves the energy acceptance of the BCC for light fragments twice as wide as that of a conventional method without remodeling of the BCC and any loss of the original advantages.

Science.gov (United States)

The ultimate compressive strength of 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae was determined experimentally. In addition, the trabecular bone mineral content was measured by single energy quantitative computed tomography. The areas of fractured endplates were also determined by computed tomography. The results show that a linear relationship exists between the compressive strength and the product of bone density and endplate area. These data allow an in vivo prediction of vertebral body strength using a noninvasive method with a standard error of estimate amounting to less than 0.95 kN. PMID:3212488

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Absorption with aqueous amine solvents is at present the most viable technology for CO{sub 2} capture. While this is a proven technology, efforts are ongoing to improve it in order to make it a more attractive technology for large scale use to reduce CO{sub 2} emissions. Finding solvents with better properties is one approach to improving the technology. In this thesis methods in computational chemistry are used to improve the understanding of the chemistry of CO{sub 2} absorption in amine-water systems. The work is also intended to provide models that can be used to predict the performance of new solvents. Such predictive models are intended to facilitate the screening for new solvents

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this article, the ability of artificial neural networks in prediction of separation in steady two dimensional boundary layer flows is studied. Data for network training is extracted from numerical solution of an ODE obtained from Von Karman integral equation with approximate one parameter Pohlhousen velocity profile. As an appropriate neural network, a two layer radial basis generalized regression artificial neural network is used. The results shows good agreements between the overall behavior of the flow fields predicted by the artificial neural network and the actual flow fields for some cases. The method easily can be extended to unsteady separation and turbulent as well as compressible boundary layer flows. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background There is some evidence that a patient?s pre-operative condition influences short-term and long-term post-operative outcomes. The aim of the present study is to compare the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) models in the prediction of post-operative outcome, both short term and long term, in patients undergoing resection of oesophago-gastric cancer. Patients and Methods Patients who underwent curative resection for oesophago-gastric cancer from January 2005 to May 2009 and who had data to score the POSSUM, P-POSSUM, O-POSSUM and mGPS models were included in the study. Observed morbidity and mortality rates were compared with predicted outcome in different risk groups. Bot...

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A new approach for the selection of best PSS locations in multimachine power systems is proposed in this paper. Study shows that the right-eigenvector measures the activity of state variables and the left-eigenvector measures the control effect of control signals. Based on the right and left eigenvector the concept of sensitivity of PSS effect (SPE) is presented and used to identify the best PSS locations. The proposed method is used to identify the best PSS location in a 13-machine system to increase the damping of an interarea mode. The time-domain simulation results confirm that the prediction of best PSS location by SPE method is correct and accurate.

Science.gov (United States)

This paper reports that, to obtain better simulation results for a Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) reactor operation, a new simulation method is developed that uses actual detector readings as a correction factor. Detector readings from a CANDU reactor are used to correct the calculated flux distribution during core calculation iterations. A suitable function is found to describe the relationship between the detector flux and the fluxes of mesh points around the detector. The new simulation method is tested by performing numerical calculations for the Wolsung reactor (a CANDU-600). The results show that the new method predicts the core state more accurately with fewer iterations.

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The advent of carbon nanotubes, which are graphite layers convoluted in cylinders several nanometers in diameter and several micrometers in length, as well as the experiments on implanting metal atoms in such tubes open the way to producing nanoconductors and other materials with unique properties. For theorists, the basic challenge is interpreting and predicting the structure and properties of these systems. The linearized augmented-plane-wave method (LAPW) is one of the most accurate methods in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. A generalization of this method for quasi-two-dimensional systems, surface electronic states, and layered crystals is known. The LAPW theory for quasi-unidimensional systems, which exhibit translational symmetry in one direction, has been absent thus far. In this paper, the authors suggest a version of such a theory and use this method to ...

CERN Document Server

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are probabilistic functions of finite Markov chains, or, put in other words, state space models with finite state space. In this paper we examine subspace estimation methods for HMMs whose output lies a finite set as well. In particular we study the geometric structure arising from the non-minimality of the linear state space representation of HMMs, and consistency of a subspace algorithm arising from a certain factorisation of the singular value decomposition of the estimated linear prediction matrix. For this algorithm we show that the estimates of the transition and emission probability matrices are consistent up to a similarity transformation, and that the m-step linear predictor computed from the estimated system matrices is consistent, i.e. converges to the true optimal linear m-step predictor.

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In order to predict thermal hazards of high-energy materials, accurate kinetics constants must be determined. Predictions of thermal hazards for mixtures of high-energy materials require measurements on the mixtures, because interactions among components are common. A differential-scanning calorimeter (DSC) can be used to observe rate processes directly, and isothermal methods enable detection of mechanism changes. Rate-controlling processes will change as components of a mixture are depleted, and the correct depletion function must be identified for each specific stage of a complex process. A method for kinetics measurements on mixed explosives can be demonstrated with Composition B is an approximately 60/40 mixture of RDX and TNT, and is an important military explosive. Kinetics results indicate that the mator process is the decomposition of RDX in solution in TNT with a perturbation caused by ...

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Finite element method is one of the bases for numerical solutions to engineering problems. Complex engineering problems using finite element analysis typically imply excessively large computational time. Parallel supercomputers have the potential for significantly increasing calculation speeds in order to meet these computational requirements. This paper predicts parallel NIKE3D performance on the Kendall Square Research (KSR1) system. The first part of the prediction is based on the implementation of parallel Cholesky (U{sup T}DU) matrix decomposition algorithm through actual computations on the KSRI multiprocessor system, with 64 processors, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The other predictions are based on actual computations for parallel element matrix generation, parallel global stiffness matrix assembly, and parallel forward/backward substitution on the BBN TC2000 multiprocessor system at ...

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To significantly improve the simulation of climate by general circulation models (GCMs), systematic errors in representations of relevant processes must first be identified, and then reduced. This endeavor demands that the GCM parameterizations of unresolved processes, in particular, should be tested over a wide range of time scales, not just in climate simulations. Thus, a numerical weather prediction (NWP) methodology for evaluating model parameterizations and gaining insights into their behavior may prove useful, provided that suitable adaptations are made for implementation in climate GCMs. This method entails the generation of short-range weather forecasts by a realistically initialized climate GCM, and the application of six-hourly NWP analyses and observations of parameterized variables to evaluate these forecasts. The behavior of the parameterizations in such a weather-forecasting framework can provide insights on how these schemes ...

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Polyethylene gas piping is expected to be in service for times on the order of 50 years depending on service conditions. Therefore research research on piping materials and pipes has two principal objectives: (a) developing methods for predicting when a pipe will fail and (b) improving the material for piping. The prediction of long time failure hinges on the development of short time test methods which relate to long time failure. The improvement in the behavior of current materials also hinges on the use of test methods of short duration relative to the anticipated life time of the pipe in service. One of the primary criterion for an acceptable test method is that it produces the same type of failure as is observed after long time failure in service. It has been found that P.E. pipe material fails in a brittle mode after long periods of time. The failure mode ...

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The effects of the heating rate from 0.6 up to 50{sup o}C.s{sup -1} on the thermoluminescence of {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 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).

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This study discusses and compares, from a practical point of view, three different approaches for permeability determination from logs. These are empirical, statistical, and the recently introduced virtual measurement methods. They respectively make use of empirically determined models, multiple variable regression, and artificial neural networks. All three methods are applied to well log data from a heterogeneous formation and the results are compared with core permeability, which is considered to be the standard. In this first part of the paper we present only the model development phase in which we are testing the capability of each method to match the presented data. Based on this, the best two methods are to be analyzed in terms of prediction performance in the second part of this paper.

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A study, based on a literature review was made to examine currently recommended meteorological measurement programs and diffusion prediction methods for nuclear power plants to determine their adequacy for plants located in coastal zones. Although procedures for handling the near-worst case (stable, light-wind situation) were judged adequately conservative, deficiencies in guidelines and procedures were found with respect to the following: failure to consider the role of coastal internal boundary layers; specifications for tower locations and instrument heights; methods of classifying atmospheric stability; methods of allowing credit for plume meander, and models specified for diffusion calculations. Recommendations were made for changes in the guidelines applicable to these topics. Areas in which additional research is needed were identified.

CERN Document Server

Feature selection refers to the problem of selecting relevant features which produce the most predictive outcome. In particular, feature selection task is involved in datasets containing huge number of features. Rough set theory has been one of the most successful methods used for feature selection. However, this method is still not able to find optimal subsets. This paper proposes a new feature selection method based on Rough set theory hybrid with Bee Colony Optimization (BCO) in an attempt to combat this. This proposed work is applied in the medical domain to find the minimal reducts and experimentally compared with the Quick Reduct, Entropy Based Reduct, and other hybrid Rough Set methods such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO).

CERN Document Server

We apply the potential force estimation method to artificial time series of market price produced by a deterministic dealer model. We find that dealers' feedback of linear prediction of market price based on the latest mean price changes plays the central role in the market's potential force. When markets are dominated by dealers with positive feedback the resulting potential force is repulsive, while the effect of negative feedback enhances the attractive potential force.

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Classical molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate the salvation shell exchange kinetics of potassium ion in bulk water, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. The reactive flux method is used to compute the dissociation rates. The influence of the solvent on the reaction rates and kinetic properties of this exchange process will be discussed. Comparison will be also be made to the prediction of the Grote-Hynes theory.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is maintained that special features of FFTF make it an ideal system to test sodium boiling detection techniques by acoustic/neutronic methods and to test the response of acoustic/neutronic sensors to vibrations. It is shown that accumulated research results indicate that such tests in FFTF are feasible, predictable, promising and safe. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A computer program 'CPA simulator' has been designed to simulate the response parameters of a typical charge preamplifier (CPA) used in nuclear front-end electronics. The response parameters are studied considering three common connection methods between the detector and the CPA. The simulator predicts and illustrates the role and influence of the different components of the CPA and detector circuits.

Science.gov (United States)

The removal of Reactive Black 5 dye in an aqueous solution by electrocoagulation (EC) as well as addition of flocculant was investigated. The effect of operational parameters, i.e. current density, treatment time, solution conductivity and polymer dosage, was investigated. Two models, namely the artificial neural network (ANN) and the response surface method (RSM), were used to model the effect of independent variables on percentage of dye removal. The findings of this work showed that current density, treatment time and dosage of polymer had the most significant effect on percentage of dye removal (p0.8). PMID:21411950

Science.gov (United States)

The authors suggest a method of calculation of the isotherms of the spinodal and the heterogeneous equilibria in four-component systems in the framework of a unified thermodynamic model of the solution. The results of their calculations predict the existence of extended regions of immiscibility in the solid phase in the interval of temperatures usually used to obtain epitaxial layers of InAs/sub x/P/sub y/Sb/sub 1-x-y/ and AlAs/sub x/P/sub y/Sb/sub 1-x-y/.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The automatic interpretation of apparent resistivity curves from horizontally layered earth models is carried out by the curve-fitting method in three steps: (1) the observed VES data are interpolated at equidistant points of electrode separations on the logarithmic scale by using the cubic spline function, (2) the layer parameters which are resistivities and depths are predicted from the sampled apparent resistivity values by SALS system program and (3) the theoretical VES curves from the models are calculated by Ghosh's linear filter method using the Zhody's computer program. Two soundings taken over Takenoyu geothermal area were chosen to test the procedures of the automatic interpretation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Intracapsular femoral neck fractures remain unsolved fractures even after improvement in techniques of diagnosis and internal fixation. Individuals who sustain displaced femoral neck fractures are at high risk of developing avascular necrosis and non-union. Although several methods for predicting the viability of femoral head have been reported, they are not effective or widely used because of unreliability, potential complications and technical difficulties. Dynamic MRI was introduced in the recent past as a simple, non-invasive technique to predict the femoral head viability after the femoral neck fractures. In this study role of dynamic MRI was studied in 30 patients with 31 intracapsular femoral neck fractures. Fractures were divided in to three types according to dynamic curve patterns on MRI evaluation and were followed up for 6 months to 2 years to observe the final outcome. Sensitivity, Specificity and the Accuracy ...

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The aim of this paper is to numerically explore the non-linear two-dimensional unsteady potential flow over a Savonius rotor and to develop a code for predicting its aerodynamics performances. In the model developed, the rotor is represented in a median plane by two semicircles, displaced along their common diameter. The two semicircles can be considered to produce lifting effects. As a result, they are modelled by a collection of discrete vortices on their contours. The flow field is then governed by the Laplace equation. The versatile Neumann boundary condition, applied over the contour of the semicircles and the Kutta Joukowsky condition applied at the four extremities of the semicircles have been used in the modelling. The torque distribution of the stationary rotor and the unsteady pressure field on the blades of the rotating rotor, predicted by the code developed, have been compared and validated by some experimental data. (author)

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A study was performed to examine currently recommended meteorological measurement programs and atmospheric transport and diffusion prediction models for nuclear power plants to determine their adequacy for plants located in coastal zones where meteorological conditions are normally more complex than at inland sites and to make recommendations for changes to improve current procedures. Recommendations were based on an extensive literature review and on studies of coastal meteorology and diffusion. The study was focused on the following areas: coastal internal boundary layers; tower location; instrument heights; atmospheric stability classification; plume meander; and diffusion calculations. Each of the areas is discussed with appropriate recommendations which were made with respect to either the scientific or the regulation aspects of current procedures or both. Other potential problem areas are also pointed out.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report on the improvement of Critical Dimension (CD) linearity on a photomask by applying the concept of process proximity correction to a laser lithographic process used for fabrication of photomasks. Rule-based Laser Process proximity Correction (LPC) was performed using an automated optical proximity correction tool and we obtained dramatic improvement of CD linearity on a photomask. A study on model-based LPC was executed using a two-Gaussian kernel function and we extracted model parameters for the laser lithographic process by fitting the model-predicted CD linearity data with measured ones. Model-predicted bias values of isolated space (I/S), Arrayed Contact (A/C) and Isolated Contact (I/C) were in good agreement with those obtained by the nonlinear curve-fitting method used for the rule-based LPC.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The objective of this study is to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the thermal conductivity of ethylene glycol-water solutions based on experimentally measured variables. The thermal conductivity of solutions at different concentrations and various temperatures was measured using the cylindrical cell method that physical properties of the solution are being determined fills the annular space between two concentric cylinders. During the experiment, heat flows in the radial direction outwards through the test liquid filled in the annual gap to cooling water. In the steady state, conduction inside the cell was described by the Fourier equation in cylindrical coordinates, with boundary conditions corresponding to heat transfer between the solution and cooling water. ...

CERN Document Server

Positronium is an ideal system for the research of the bound state QED. New precise measurement of orthopositronium decay rate has been performed with an accuracy of 150 ppm, and the result combined with the last three is 7.0401 +- 0.0007 mu s^-1. It is the first result to validate the 2nd order correction. The Hyper Fine Splitting of positronium is sensitive to the higher order corrections of the QED prediction and also to the new physics beyond Standard Model via the quantum oscillation into virtual photon. The discrepancy of 3.5 sigma is found recently between the measured values and the QED prediction (O(alpha^3)). It might be due to the contribution of the new physics or the systematic problems in the previous measurements: (non-thermalized Ps and non-uniformity of the magnetic field). We propose new methods to measure HFS precisely without the these uncertainties.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background Experimental and clinical studies have identified a crucial role of microcirculation impairment in severe infections. We hypothesized that mottling, a sign of microcirculation alterations, was correlated to survival during septic shock. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in a tertiary teaching hospital. All consecutive patients with septic shock were included during a 7-month period. After initial resuscitation, we recorded hemodynamic parameters and analyzed their predictive value on mortality. The mottling score (from 0 to 5), based on mottling area extension from the knees to the periphery, was very reproducible, with an excellent agreement between independent observers [kappa?=?0.87, 95% CI (0.72?0.97)]. Results Sixty patients were included. The SOFA scor...

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This experiment investigated the effects of free-stream turbulence intensity, length scale, Reynolds number, and leading-edge velocity gradient on stagnation-region heat transfer. Heat transfer was measured in the stagnation region of four models with elliptical leading edges downstream of five turbulence-generating grids. Stagnation-region heat transfer augmentation increased with decreasing length scale but an optimum scale was not found. A correlation was developed that fit heat transfer data for isotropic turbulence to within {+-}4 percent but did not predict data for anisotropic turbulence. Stagnation heat transfer augmentation caused by turbulence was unaffected by the velocity gradient. The data of other researchers compared well with the correlation. A method of predicting heat transfer downstream of the stagnation point was developed. 28 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Determination of the maximum temperature and temperature distribution along the rake face of the cutting tool is of particular importance because of its controlling influence on tool life, as well as, the quality of the machined part. Numerous attempts have been made to approach the problem with different methods including experimental, analytical and numerical analysis. Although considerable research effort has been made on the thermal problem in metal cutting, there is hardly a consensus on the basics principles. The unique tribological contact phenomenon, which occur in metal cutting is highly localized and non-linear, and occurs at high temperatures, high pressures and high strains. This has made it extremely difficult to predict in a precise manner or even assess the performance of va...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma in the right distal femur in a 6-year-old male to demonstrate how dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DEMRI) findings predicted histopathology. Materials and methods. DEMRI was performed at presentation and during and after completion of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Histopathologic studies were done at presentation, at 77 weeks (20 weeks after a pathological fracture), and from the en bloc resection at 104 weeks. Results. DEMRI predicted the early tumor response, absence of tumor recurrence, presence of necrosis and lack of fracture healing, confirmed by histopathology. Conclusion. DEMRI is a clinically useful tool in managing Ewing's sarcoma. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Little is known about the rates of establishment and clonal spread of invasive plants on a landscape scale. This knowledge is necessary for reconstructing and predicting invasions, for example of the alien shrub Rosa rugosa. A series of aerial photographs (1986, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006) were used to map the species in coastal dunes of north-western Denmark (2354ha), and all R. rugosa patches (1321) were recorded with GPS in 2004 and 2007. The 2004 records were used to digitize 82-161 distinct patches on the photographs. The increase in patch sizes from the older to the younger photographs was used to calculate a lateral clonal spread rate (0.42myear^-^1). Relative area increment by clonal spread was 16.4% per year, decreasing exponentially with patch size due to constant clonal lateral spre...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As an integral part of DOE/GTD's Brine Injection Program, LBL is developing and demonstrating methods for: (1) designing and analyzing injection tests, (2) predicting and monitoring migration of injected fluids, and (3) optimizing field-wide injection and heat extraction operations in geothermal reservoirs. Computational and well test techniques are being developed (a) to detect and predict the movement of fluids of contrasting temperatures, phase compositions and chemistries in the injected formation, and (b) to characterize the associated physical and chemical processes occurring in the reservoir. LBL's theoretical and field-related brine injection activities in FY 1986 are described, and progress made during FY 1987 is discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Technologies and practices that recover energy and materials from municipal solid waste present a technically and economically viable alternative to sanitary landfills and other solid waste disposal methods. However, community planners considering resource recovery should be aware of the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects. To assess these impacts, a planner should: identify the most significant types of impacts; establish boundaries beyond which impacts are not significant; characterize the environment as it would exist without the proposed project over the project's lifetime; predict the magnitude, and the distribution over time and space, of potential impacts; and relate the magnitude of predicted impacts to a scale of significance that will allow environmental values to be considered in decision-making. 24 references, 1 table.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Energy savings performance contracting (ESPC) is now receiving greater attention as a means of implementing large-scale energy conservation projects in housing. Opportunities for such projects exist for military housing, federally subsidized low-income housing, and planned communities (condominiums, townhomes, senior centers), to name a few. Accurate prior (to construction) estimates of the energy savings in these projects reduce risk, decrease financing costs, and help avoid post-construction disputes over performance contract baseline adjustments. This paper demonstrates an improved method of estimating energy savings before construction takes place. Using an engineering model calibrated to pre-construction energy-use data collected in the field, this method is able to predict actual energy savings to a high degree of accuracy. This is verified with post-construction energy-use data from a geothermal heat pump ESPC at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The proper selection of materials of construction is necessary to provide process equipment with optimum performance and corrosion resistance. If properly chosen, the selected material should deteriorate at a uniform, predictable rate, which will allow for maintenance or replacement at scheduled intervals. This concept of risk assessment for predictive maintenance is a minimum requirement for proper materials selection. Materials selection is based on prior service history, field corrosion tests, pilot-plant tests, and laboratory bench-top tests--in that relative order of usefulness. Corrosion test methods are usually divided into two groups: laboratory and field (plant-site) tests. The main difference between the two is that field test specimens are exposed to actual process conditions will all of the variables involved, while laboratory tests are a simulation of field conditions, even if actual process fluids are ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Soil erodibility (the K factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation, USLE) is an important index to measure soil susceptibility to water erosion, and an essential parameter needed for soil erosion prediction. To evaluate the appropriateness of the nomograph and other methods for estimating the K factor for the USLE and to develop a relationship for soil erodibility estimation for Chinese soils, a set of soil erodibility values was calculated using soil loss data from natural runoff plots at 13 sites in eastern China. The definition of soil erodibility in relation to the USLE was strictly followed. Comparing these measured values to those estimated using the nomograph method, the method adopted for the EPIC model and the formula of Shirazi and Boersma, we found that all these estimated soil ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Voltage sag caused by faults on an electric power transmission line is one of the most intractable power quality issues for both utility companies and customers. The fault in power system randomly exists along transmission lines due to the combination of many uncertain factors. To predict and assess the annual expected sag frequency (ESF) deriving from the faults along lines, a stochastic based method that employs maximum entropy principle, namely the maximum entropy probability method (MEPM), has been introduced in this paper. Moreover, various types of faults have been considered systematically. With the fault line intervals and the sample moments taken into account, the discrete values of distribution probability of fault locations along the transmission lines have been estimat...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a new method and newly developed stabilizing equipment to prevent the loss of synchronism of generators in pumped-storage plants from spreading. The proposed method includes functions to estimate the swing of each generator by using on-line generator output sampled at a rate of 600 times per second after an occurrence of disturbance such as fault, faulty equipment and so on, to predict generator swing 200-300 milliseconds ahead and loss of synchronism between generators in pumped-storage plants and those in thermal and nuclear plants, and to decide the number of generators that must be shed to maintain stability. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) installed the newly developed stabilizing equipment based on this method in the power system in June, 1986.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An estimation method of plasma density based on surface plasmons theory for surface-wave plasmas is proposed. The number of standing-wave is obtained directly from the discharge image, and the propagation constant is calculated with the trim size of the apparatus in this methods, then plasma density can be determined with the value of 9.1 x 1017 m-3. Plasma density is measured using a Langmuir probe, the value is 8.1 x 1017 m-3 which is very close to the predicted value of surface plasmons theory. Numerical simulation is used to check the number of standing-wave by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method also. All results are compatible both of theoretical analysis and experimental measurement. (authors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The /sup 252/Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method has been tested in a wide variety of experiments that have indicated the broad range of applicability of the method. The neutron multiplication factor k/sub eff/ has been satisfactorily detemined for a variety of materials including uranium metal, light water reactor fuel pins, fissile solutions, fuel plates in water, and interacting cylinders. For a uranyl nitrate solution tank which is typical of a fuel processing or reprocessing plant, the k/sub eff/ values were satisfactorily determined for values between 0.92 and 0.5 using a simple point kinetics interpretation of the experimental data. The short measurement times, in several cases as low as 1 min, have shown that the development of this method can lead to a practical subcriticality monitor for many in-plant applications. The further development of the method will require experiments ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper propose a two-level suboptimal control using fuzzy predication to control large-scale systems. A class of large-scale linear systems composed of interconnected subsystems is investigated. The overall control problem that is posed as a minimization of overall objective function, which is considered to be of quadratic form, is reduced to some optimization problems of lower order (sub)systems. The control input of each subsystem is composed of two signals. The first represents the local control signal (first level) and the second is the predication signal (second level). In fact, the second signals is the prediction of other subsystems. It applies to each subsystem at every specified sample time (coordination sample times ). The fuzzy logic theory is used for interaction prediction, where the prediction single is constructed by a set of fuzzy sets with respect to state variable in an appropriate inference engine ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this work trailing edge noise levels of a research aerofoil have been computed and compared to aeroacoustic measurements using two different approaches. On the other hand, aerodynamic and aeroacoustic calculations were performed with the full Navier-Stokes CFD code Fluent [Fluent Inc 2005 Fluent 6.2 Users Guide, Lebanon, NH, USA] on the basis of a steady RANS simulation. Aerodynamic characteristics were computed by the aid of various turbulence models. By the combined usage of implemented broadband noise source models, it was tried to isolate and determine the trailing edge noise level. Throughout this work two methods of different computational cost have been tested and quantitative and qualitative results obtained. On the one hand, the semi-empirical noise prediction tool NAFNoise [Moriarty P 2005 NAFNoise User's Guide. Golden, Colorado, July. http://wind.nrel.gov/designcodes/ simulators/NAFNoise] was used to directly ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The performance of more than 3,000 offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico was observed during the passage of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. This event provided an opportunity to test the procedures used for platform analysis and design. A global bias was inferred for overall platform capacity and loads in the Andrew Joint Industry Project (JIP) Phase 1. It was predicted that the pile foundations of several platforms should have failed, but did not. These results indicated that the biases specific to foundation failure modes may be higher than those of jacket failure modes. The biases in predictions of foundation failure modes were therefore investigated further in this study. The work included capacity analysis and calibration of predictions with the observed behavior for 3 jacket platforms and 3 caissons using Bayesian updating. Bias factors for two foundation failure modes, lateral shear and overturning, were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Debris coolability in the lower plenum of the reactor pressure vessel is an important factor for evaluation of debris in-vessel retention. The debris coolability analysis module is developed for the accurate prediction of the safety margin of the present reactor vessels in a severe accident. The module calculates debris spreading and cooling through melting and solidification in combination with a temperature distribution and failure evaluation of the vessel wall. Debris spreading is solved by the explicit method on a quasi-three-dimensional scheme and debris coolability is solved on the basis of natural convection analysis. The calculation for spreading is compared with a water spreading experiment on the floor and the calculation for coolability is compared with a n-octadecane melting experiment in a rectangular vessel. The comparisons show capabilities for predictions of spearhead transportation in the debris spreading ...

Science.gov (United States)

We briefly reviewed and summarized the experimental study on {beta}-delayed proton decays published by our group over the last 8 years, namely the experimental observation of {beta}-delayed proton decays of nine new nuclides in the rare-earth region near the proton drip line and five nuclides in the mass 90 region with N{approx}Z by utilizing the p-{gamma} coincidence technique in combination with a He-jet tape transport system. In addition, important technical details of the experiments were provided. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical predictions of some nuclear models, resulting in the following conclusions. (1) The experimental half-lives for {sup 85}Mo, {sup 92}Rh, as well as the predicted 'waiting point' nuclei {sup 89}Ru and {sup 93}Pd were 5-10 times longer than the macroscopic-microscopic model predictions of Moeller et al. [At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 66,131(1997)]. These ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The experimental study on #beta#-delayed proton decays near the proton drip line published by our group over the last 8 years were reviewed and summarized briefly, including first observation of 9 precursors in the rare-earth region and new measurements of 5 nuclei in the mass-90 region near N-Z line with the aid of the 'p-#gamma#' coincidence in combination with a He-jet tape transport system. Systematically comparing the experimental data with the current nuclear-model predictions, following points were represented. (1) the experimental half-lives for "8"5Mo and "9"2Rh as well as the predicted 'waiting point' nuclei "8"9Ru and "9"3Pd are 5-10 times longer than the macroscopic-microscopic model predictions given by Moeller et al. It considerably influences the prediction of mass abundances of the nuclides produced in rp-process. (2) The current-model predictions are not consistent ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growing concern of the population with regards to the problem of atmospheric pollution has induced a change in the role of air quality monitoring networks, especially those monitoring air pollution in large cities which suffer from summer smog. The population is no longer satisfied with real-time measurements but wants to be warmed of high pollutants concentrations in advance. Some countries have been forecasting air pollution, and especially ozone, for a large number of years. Although most of them use statistical models based on the analyses of past conditions which induced high pollution episodes, some predict ozone levels using only their knowledge of the meteorological situation. Nowadays two trends appear regarding ozone forecasting: either very basic statistical methods, such as regression, or more sophisticated ones, such as neural networks. The paper then reviews several behaviours common to most forecasting models: the uncertainly ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This research has two main goals. First, we wanted to introduce optimization tools in the diffusion code DONJON, mostly for fuel management. The second objective is more practical. The optimization capabilities are applied to the fuel management problem for different CANDU reactors at refueling equilibrium state. Two kinds of approaches are considered and implemented in this study to solve optimization problems in the code DONJON. The first methods are based on gradients and on the quasi-linear mathematical programming. The method initially developed in the code OPTEX is implemented as a reference approach for the gradient based methods. However, this approach has a major drawback. Indeed, the starting point has to be a feasible point. Then, several approaches have been developed to be more general and not limited by the initial point choice. Among the different methods we developed, two were found to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

T-history method, developed for measuring heat-of-fusion of phase change material (PCM) in sealed tubes, has the advantages of a simple experimental device and convenience with no sampling process. However, some improper assumptions in the original method, such as using a degree of supercooling as the end of latent heat period and neglecting sensible heat during phase change, can cause significant errors in determining the heat of fusion. We have improved this problem in order to predict better results. The present study shows that the modified T-history method is successfully applied to a variety of PCMs such as paraffin and lauric acid having no or a low degree of supercooling. Also it turned out that selected periods for sensible and latent heat do not significantly affect the accuracy of heat- of-fusion. As a result, the method can provide an appropriate means to assess a newly ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Organic modification of aerogel chemical formulations is known to transfer desirable hydrophobicity to lightweight solids. However, the effects of chemical modification on other material constants such as elasticity, compliance, and sound dampening present a difficult optimization problem. Here a statistical treatment of a 9-variable optimization is accomplished with multiple regression and an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN shows 95 percent prediction success for the entire data set of elasticity, compared to a multidimensional linear regression which shows a maximum correlation coefficient, R=0.782. In this case, using the Number of Categories Criterion for the standard multiple regression, traditional statistical methods can distinguish fewer than 1.83 categories (high and low elasticity) and cannot group or cluster the data to give more refined partitions. A non-linear surface requires at least 3 categories (high, low, and medium ...

Science.gov (United States)

In the course of previous composite structures test programs, the need for and the feasibility of developing analyses for scale-up effects has been demonstrated. The analysis techniques for scale-up effects fall into two categories. The first category pertains to developing analysis methods independently for a single, unique failure mode in composites, and using this compendium of analysis methods together with a global structural model to identify and predict the response and failure mode of full-scale built-up structures. The second category of scale-up effects pertains to similitude in structural validation testing. In this latter category, dimensional analysis is used to develop scale-up laws that enable extrapolation of sub-scale component test data to full-scale structures. This viewgraph presentation describes the approach taken and some developments accomplished in the first category of analysis for scale-up ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We are developing a laterally variable velocity model of the crust and upper mantle across Eurasia and North Africa to reduce event location error by improving regional travel-time prediction accuracy. The model includes both P and S velocities and we describe methods to compute travel-times for Pn, Sn, Pg, and Lg phases. For crustal phases Pg and Lg we assume that the waves travel laterally at mid-crustal depths, with added ray segments from the event and station to the mid crustal layer. Our work on Pn and Sn travel-times extends the methods described by Zhao and Xie (1993). With consideration for a continent scale model and application to seismic location, we extend the model parameterization of Zhao and Xie (1993) by allowing the upper-mantle velocity gradient to vary laterally. This extension is needed to accommodate the large variation in gradient that is known to exist across Eurasia and North African. Further, we ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Dynamic Analog Scale (DAS) is introduced as a technique for generating single-item measures of personality traits. The DAS is comprised of extensive trait definitions and an analog scale on which respondents simultaneously rate themselves and others. In two studies the Big Five personality traits were assessed with the DAS and compared to a multiple-item questionnaire that measured the same traits. Statistical analysis supported the validity of the DAS for predicting self-reported behavioral acts, drinking behaviors, affect, and religiosity in ways similar to the multiple-item questionnaire. Consistent with previous research, both studies supported the viability of measuring personality traits with single items.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The nine papers presented at this conference cover the following topics: the systematization, condensed description, and prediction of sets of anion exchange extraction constants on the basis of their statistical computer treatment; characteristics and uses of solid extractants containing D2EHPA and TBP for separating the transplutonium elements; enrichment of americium 242m and americium 242 by the Szilard-Chalmers method; an x-ray diffraction pattern analysis for transplutonium compounds; the radiation chemistry of americium; and the effects of alpha irradiation on the behavior of americium in perchlorate solutions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In recent years, the phase stability of austenitic stainless steels, and its effect on the mechanical properties of stainless steels, have been the subject of much interest. With the availability of new experimental techniques, new theoretical methods, and new computational procedures, significant advances have been made in understanding, and being able to predict, phase stability and mechanical properties of stainless steel welds. This paper reviews some of these developments, with an emphasis on recent work that has been done at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

CERN Document Server

The possibility of the existence of stable tetrahedral deformations at spin zero is investigated using the Skyrme-HFBCS approach and the generator coordinate method (GCM). The study is limited to nuclei in which the tetrahedral mode has been predicted to be favored on the basis of non self-consistent models. Our results indicate that a clear identification of tetrahedral deformations is unlikely as they are strongly mixed with the axial octupole mode. However, the excitation energies related to the tetrahedral mode are systematically lower than those of the axial octupole mode in all the nuclei included in this study.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We discuss various superstring effective actions and, in particular, their common sector which leads to the so-called pre-big-bang cosmology (cosmology in a weak coupling limit of heterotic superstring theory. Using the conformal relationship between these two theories we present Kasner asymptotic solutions of Bianchi type IX geometries within these theories and make predictions about possible emergence of chaos. Finally, we present a possible method of generating Horava-Witten cosmological solutions out of the well-known general relativistic or pre-big-bang solutions.

Science.gov (United States)

The effects of variable hardness, pH, alkalinity, humics, and suspended clay on the chemical speciation of copper and its toxicity to fathead minnow larvae in Lake Superior water were investigated. Two proposed methods (toxicity factors and chemical speciation) for predicting LC50 values in specific natural waters from laboratory toxicity data and the average site specific values of general water quality parameters were evaluated. The accuracy of the cupric ion-selective electrode in determining CU/sup +2/ activities in ambient and chemically altered Lake Superior water was also determined.

CERN Document Server

Daya Bay Neutrino Experiment is dedicated to measuring the last unobserved neutrino mixing angle theta_13. The predicted precision on sin^2(2theta_13) is 0.01 at 90% confidence level. This document briefly reviews the measurement method and detector construction status. The first two anti-neutrino detectors' dry run result is also discussed. The Daya Bay near hall data taking is expected to commence in the summer of 2011 and the data taking of all of the three halls in the summer of 2012.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Compact heat exchangers are being increasingly considered for condensation applications in the process, cryogenic, aerospace, power and refrigeration industries. In this paper, different configurations available for condensation applications are analyzed and the current state-of-the-knowledge for the design of compact condensers is evaluated. The key technical issues for the design and development of compact heat exchangers for condensation applications are analyzed and major advantages are identified. The experimental data and performance prediction methods reported in the literature are analyzed to evaluate the present design capabilities for different compact heat-exchanger configurations. The design flexibility is evaluated for the development of new condensation applications, including integration with other process equipment.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Monte Carlo criticality calculations have been performed for over 50 years for reactor physics and criticality safety applications. With today's faster computers, these calculations are being carried out to greater precision (smaller uncertainties) in keff, and detailed distributions of power and reaction rates are being computed routinely. This paper provides a review of the fundamental theory of Monte Carlo criticality calculations, with guidance on practical methods for: (1) assuring convergence of both keff and the source distribution, (2) minimizing the bias in keff and reaction rate distributions, and (3) dealing with the under-prediction bias in uncertainties for keff and reaction rate distributions. (authors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As the penetration of wind energy continues to increase around the world, with a trend towards large utility-scale wind farms (greater than 100 MW), effective wind energy forecasting will become increasingly important. Previous work by GH has estimated the trading benefit of high quality short-term forecasting to be EUR 7/MWh. Depending on market conditions, for a 100 MW wind farm with a capacity factor of 30%, this equates to an estimated annual trading benefit of up to EUR 1.8m. To date, a number of studies have focused on the mathematical modelling techniques for forecasting the production from wind farms, looking predominantly at the task of predicting the meteorological conditions at the site. This paper focuses on the final stage of the forecasting process, conversion from a meteorological forecast to a power production forecast. This challenge is particularly significant for utility-scale wind farms. The main body of research in short-term forecasting in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maintenance of power stations so far operated on the concept of using or extending the expected service life of a machine or plant as far as possible in order to avoid early and costly replacement. This was done by means of time-oriented maintenance, inspection and repair, otherwise called preventive maintenance. A European study on maintenance methods totals the cost of these measures at between 140 to 200 billion DM. One way of reducing these costs is 'predictive maintenance'. Estimated savings are about 8 percent or between 12 and 16 billion DM per year. Predictive maintenance identifies irregulaties of machine parts at an early point in time by means of condition monitoring and can help to cut costs: unplanned repairs can be avoided; repairs can be fitted into production schedules; production will not be disturbed to to unforeseen repairs, optimised spare part warehousing helps to cut costs. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defence high level nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. If current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used, high cumulative personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing cask receiving and unloading operations in a remote and partially automated manner. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defense nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. Unacceptable personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur if current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels, while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing cask receiving and unloading operations in a remote and partially automated manner. 6 refs., 12 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The problems of radioimmunoassay data processing with a fairly big computer are investigated in detail. The logit transformation, introduced by Rodbard et al. in 1968, and the related mathematical operations are presented. From logit-ln plots the confidence limits for the calculation of the antigen concentration can be predicted as well as the minimum detectable dose (i.e. the sensitivity of the assay). The Scatchard plot is used to calculate the equilibrium constant of the antigen-antibody coupling reaction and the binding capacity. A 4-parameter logistic curve fitting method is developed and combined with a method to carry out a multi-component Scatchard analysis. Both a weighted and an unweighted linear regression procedure are evaluated for use in calculating the plasma renin activity from the angiotensin I amounts determined by radioimmunoassay. Improvements for Rodbard's computer programmes are proposed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lean premixed combustion (LPC) of natural gas is of considerable interest in land-based gas turbines for power generation. However, modeling such combustors and adequately addressing the concerns of LPC, which include emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, remains a significant challenge. In this paper, characteristics of published simulations of gas turbine combustion are summarised and methods of modeling turbulent combustion are reviewed. The velocity-composition PDF method is selected for implementation in a new comprehensive model that uses an unstructured-grid flow solver. Reduced mechanisms for methane combustion are evaluated in a partially stirred reactor model. Comprehensive model predictions of swirl-stabilised LPC of natural gas are compared with detailed measurements obtained in a laboratory-scale combustor. The model is also applied to industrial combustor geometries. (Author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work, a pre-cracked semi-circular shaped explosive simulant was loaded using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). A high-speed camera was used to capture the deformation and fracture process of the specimen in situ. The digital images were processed using the digital image correlation (DIC) method. Next, full displacement and strain fields were obtained. The displacement vector field shows that the specimen fractured under tensile stress action. The strain field can be used to predict the crack propagation. Results show that the method of combined DIC and SHPB is effective to study the dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of explosive simulants. In addition, the specimen was loaded using a drop weight. The fracture toughness of the specimen was preliminary measured.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Isotropic Compton profiles of TaC and TaN have been measured for the first time, at an intermediate resolution, using 662 keV #gamma#-radiation. Energy bands, density of states and Fermi surface topology of TaC and TaN have been computed using linear combination of atomic orbitals with density functional theory and full potential linearised augmented plane wave method. Both band structure calculations predict the metallic character of TaC and TaN. The electron momentum densities calculated using various approaches of density functional theory are compared with the present measurements. On the basis of Mulliken's population, it is also seen that TaC has more covalent bonding than TaN. The optical properties computed using full potential linearised augmented plane wave method are explained in terms of intraband transitions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The problem of buried steelwork in cargo hold insulation has been investigated by several using empirical methods. These efforts have resulted in correction factors that serve as a useful aid in the complex task of estimating the K-value of a ship`s cargo holds for the correct dimensioning of the refrigeration plant. Today, the advent of the digital computer has established numerical methods of analysis as a common working tool among practicing engineers. For estimating the flow in cases of buried steelwork that cannot be handled by correction factors, this is an effective approach. This study is an analytical/numerical investigation of the effect that buried steelworks have on the heat leakage across cargo hold walls. It aims at providing enlightenment on the physical significance of the parameters influencing the problem and developing practically simple methods for predicting the heat leakage across ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An axisymmetric plasma screw pinch is an axisymmetric column of ionized gaseous plasma radially confined by forces from axial and azimuthal currents driven in the plasma and its surroundings. This dissertation is a contribution to detailed, high resolution computer simulation of dynamic plasma screw pinches in 2-d {ital rz}-coordinates. The simulation algorithm combines electron fluid and particle-in-cell (PIC) ion models to represent the plasma in a hybrid fashion. The plasma is assumed to be quasineutral; along with the Darwin approximation to the Maxwell equations, this implies application of Ampere`s law without displacement current. Electron inertia is assumed negligible so that advective terms in the electron momentum equation are ignored. Electrons and ions have separate scalar temperatures, and a scalar plasma electrical resistivity is assumed. Altemating-direction-implicit (ADI) methods are used to advance the electron fluid drift velocity and the magnetic ...

Science.gov (United States)

Fault symptoms of running gearboxes must be detected as early as possible to avoid serious accidents. Diverse advanced methods are developed for this challenging task. However, for multiwavelet transforms, the fixed basis functions independent of the input dynamic response signals will possibly reduce the accuracy of fault diagnosis. Meanwhile, for multiwavelet denoising technique, the universal threshold denoising tends to overkill important but weak features in gear fault diagnosis. To overcome the shortcoming, a novel method incorporating customized (i.e., signal-based) multiwavelet lifting schemes with sliding window denoising is proposed in this paper. On the basis of Hermite spline interpolation, various vector prediction and update operators with the desirable properties of biorthogonality, symmetry, short support and vanishing moments are constructed. The customized lifting-based multiwavelets for feature matching ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The finite-volume based commercial CFD-code Fluent was used to simulate the reacting flow in a heavy fuel oil fired laboratory furnace. Both the standard {kappa}-{epsilon} turbulence model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) were tested. The combustion model was based on the conserved scalar (mixture fraction) and prescribed probability density function approach. The heavy fuel oil droplet trajectories were predicted by solving the momentum equations for the droplets using the Lagrangian treatment. The soot distribution in the furnace was calculated by solving a transport equation for the soot mass fraction. Simple expressions for the soot formation and oxidation rates were employed. The radiation heat transfer equation was solved using the finite volume method. The formation of thermal NO from molecular nitrogen was modeled according to the extended Zeldovich mechanism. Fuel-based NO was modeled assuming that all the nitrogen in the fuel is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The accuracy is investigated of both lymphangiography and CT in detecting lymph nodes metastases in 59 patients evaluated preoperatively and subsequently submitted to surgery with selective/systemic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. CT accuracy was also investigated in 46 patients with a clinically suspected relapse of ovarian cancer (verified by means of clinical and/or CT follow-up in 36 patients, by laparotomy in 7, by fine-needle biopsy in 1 and by necroscopy in the last 2). In the first group (previously untreated patients) the overall results in the pelvis were, respectively, for lymphangiography and CT: 94.9% vs 89.8% accuracy, 86.6% vs 60% sensitivity, 97.7% vs 100% specificity, and 92.8% vs 100%, 95.5% vs 88% positive and negative predictive values. In the paraaortic region the results were: 89.1% vs 86.5% accuracy, 73.3% vs 66.6% sensitivity, 100% specificity for both techniques, 100% positive predictive value, and 84.6% vs 81.5% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Norwegian Open Research Archives (NORA)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the present paper an attempt is made to describe transverse cracking of cross-ply ([0{sup o}{sub n}/90{sup o}{sub m}]{sub s}) laminates subjected to an external applied load and a temperature change. For this purpose a new method is suggested which was developed on the basis of the energy balance based finite fracture criterion suggested by Hashin (1996) [Hashin, Z., 1996. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 44, 1129]. In this approach the value of the specific surface energy (the critical energy release rate) is assumed to be dependent on a random microdamage distribution in the material. Hence, it is assumed to be a random function of location. A new probabilistic technique is developed to take this randomness into consideration. It is shown that only one unknown probabilistic function is required, namely the probability density function of the specific surface energy. This is determined by fitting the external stress and the corresponding crack density to experimental data ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The five thermal-hydraulic concepts chosen for conceptual study of advanced PWR systems have been studied as follows: (1) Critical Heat Flux in passive PWR Conditions: review of previous works (various of correlations, analysis of parametric trends) on CHF, assessment and improvement of CHF prediction models for round tubes, development of the prediction model on bundle CHF with considering the correction factor calculated from the tube data base, design and construction of the intermediate-pressure CHF experimental loop, extension of CHF data base by performing the experiments at low-flow, and low-quality conditions (2) Passive Cooling Concepts for Concrete Containment Systems: Selection of the external condenser by comparing and reviewing between passive cooling concepts for concrete containment system concepts, survey and review of previous studies (theoretical mechanism of condensation heat transfer and effect of non-condensable gases) on ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shielding calculations for neutron-gamma radiation are usually done by using the full Theory of Transport or the Monte Carlo Techniques. After some works based on the Albedo Method, the shielding calculations for neutron-gamma radiation have a reliable tool with great didactical value which shows its clarity and simplicity for the resolution of cases that involve neutrons and photon shielding in nonmultiplying media. The excellent results of these works have motivated the elaboration and the development of this study that will be presented in this dissertation. The balance of a neutronic current entering a shield of two layers considering the coupling neutron-gamma will be determined by the Albedo Method. The shield will be composed of a layer of iron and another one of manganese with 10 cm of thickness each. The arrays of the materials coefficients will be obtained from the ANISN code. ANISN is a one dimensional deterministic code that is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Condensing two-phase channel flow occurs in many industrial applications, including heating and refrigeration systems. It can also occur in certain nuclear reactor accidents. For example, during a small-break loss-of-coolant accident in a pressurized water reactor, following the partial depletion of the primary coolant, condensation of steam on the primary side of the steam generator tubes can provide a heat sink for disposal of the decay heat generated in the reactor core. Condensing two-phase flow can also play an important role in the operation of the passive emergency cooling system in the advanced simplified boiling water reactor. Here, steady-state condensation in the presence of a noncondensable in a concurrent two-phase channel flow is analyzed using a two-fluid model. The effect of noncondensables on the combined heat transfer at the liquid-gas mixture interphase is accounted for by using the stagnant film model, and closure relations relevant to the annular-dispersed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glass produced during the Purex 4 campaigns of the Integrated DWPF Melter System (IDMS) and the 774 Research Melter contained a lower fraction of sludge components than targeted by the Product Composition Control System (PCCS). Purex 4 glass was more durable than the benchmark (EA) glass, but was less durable than most other simulated SRS high-level waste glasses. Further, the measured durability of Purex 4 glass was not as well correlated with the durability predicted from the DWPF process control algorithm, probably because the algorithm was developed to predict the durability of SRS high-level waste glasses with higher sludge content than Purex 4. A melter run, designated Purex 4 Remediation, was performed using the 774 Research Melter to determine if the initial PCCS target composition determined for Purex 4 would produce acceptable glass whose durability could be accurately modeled by the DWPF glass durability algorithm. Reagent grade ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report describes the results of EPRI Program S404-28, titled Experimental Modeling of Eddy Current Response'', conducted by the Westinghouse Science and Technology Center (STC). The Westinghouse STC demonstrates that its mercury modeling technique provides an unique bridge between steam generator eddy current field inspection conditions and predictions obtained using recently developed analytical models. The mercury modeling technique was used systematically to explore factors which contribute to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) sizing inaccuracy, including probe design, coil excitation frequency, crack length, and crack morphology. Two new proposed techniques for inverting crack lengths from eddy current data are compared with the technique commonly used in field data analysis for PWSCC. The performance of uniform field eddy current probes is compared with the performance of pancake coil probe designs, and an assessment of ...

CERN Document Server

All of the solar system gas giants produce electron cyclotron masers, driven by the solar wind impinging on their magnetospheres. Extrapolating to the planet orbiting tau Boo, various authors have predicted that it may be within the detection limits of the 4-meter wavelength (74 MHz) system on the Very Large Array. This paper reports three epochs of observations of tau Boo. In no epoch do we detect the planet; various means of determining the upper limit to the emission yield single-epoch limits ranging from 135 to 300 mJy. We develop a likelihood method for multi-epoch observations and use it to constrain various radiation properties of the planet. Assuming that the planet does radiate at our observation wavelength, its typical luminosity must be less than about 10^{16} W, unless its radiation is highly beamed into a solid angle Omega << 1 sr. While within the range of luminosities predicted by various authors for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MRT criteria have been developed to distinguish between tumour and implant material following examination of 50 patients who had transsphenoidal hypophysectomies for tumours. Judgements were based on the postoperative hormonal status and the operation notes. Following contrast injection of Gd-DTPA and using T_1 weighted spin-echo sequences, implant material appeared as sandwich-like, linear or circular structures. Residual recurrent tumour produced homogenous or non-homogenous aspects without marginal enhancement in 84% of cases. Postoperative displacement of the infundibulum to the opposite side was observed in 73% of patients with tumour remnants. Sensitivity of MRT was 70%, specificity 95%. There was a positive predictive value of 94% and a negative predictive value of 72% with an accuracy of 81%. This provides assistance in differentiating between tumour remnants and implant material. MRT is recommended as a method of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

E-35 reported the specific air flow analysis program using a CFSV model (including a human body model) to develop a high-accuracy evaluation simulator for heterogeneous thermal environment based on human thermal physiological conditions. E-36 reported development of the radiation heat transfer analysis module by using a numerical integral method to calculate shape factors. Radiation heat transfer characteristics every body part were clarified quantitatively by this module. E-37 reported the results on continuous measurement of physiological conditions and thermal environment factors every monitor under controlled indoor thermal environment, to collect measurement data necessary for improving the accuracy of a prediction program for human body temperatures. E-38 reported the study result on physiological reaction and subjective evaluation through an examinee experiment in a blood controlled region, to collect basic data for the above ...

CERN Document Server

We compare the predictions of four different algorithms for the distribution of ionized gas during the Epoch of Reionization. These algorithms are all used to run a 100 Mpc/h simulation of reionization with the same initial conditions. Two of the algorithms are state-of-the-art ray-tracing radiative transfer codes that use disparate methods to calculate the ionization history. The other two algorithms are fast but more approximate schemes based on iterative application of a smoothing filter to the underlying source and density fields. We compare these algorithms' resulting ionization and 21 cm fields using several different statistical measures. The two radiative transfer schemes are in excellent agreement with each other (with the cross-correlation coefficient of the ionization fields >0.8 for k 0.6 for k < 1 h/Mpc). When used to predict the 21cm power spectrum at different times during reionization, all ionization ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents a methodology for modeling slug initiation and growth in horizontal ducts. Transient two-fluid equations are solved numerically using a class of high-resolution shock capturing methods. The advantage of this method is that slug formation and growth in a stratified regime can be calculated directly from the solutions to the flow field differential equations. In addition, by using high-resolution shock capturing methods that do not contain numerical diffusion, the discontinuity generated by slugging in the flow field can be modeled with good accuracy. The two-fluid model is shown to be well-posed mathematically only under certain conditions. Under these circumstances, the two-fluid model is capable of correctly predicting and modeling the flow physics. When ill-posed, an unbounded instability occurs in the flow field solution, and the instability amplitude increases exponentially with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study presents a dynamic analysis of a rotor supported by two turbulent flow model journal bearings and lubricated with couple stress fluid under nonlinear suspension. The dynamics of the rotor center and bearing center is studied. The dynamic equations are solved using the Runge-Kutta method. The analysis methods employed in this study is inclusive of the dynamic trajectories of the rotor center and bearing center, power spectra, Poincare maps and bifurcation diagrams. The maximum Lyapunov exponent analysis is also used to identify the onset of chaotic motion. The results show that the values of dimensionless parameters l* strongly influence dynamic motions of bearing and rotor centre. It is found that couple stress fluid improve the stability of the system when l* > 0.4 even if the flow of this system is turbulent. We also demonstrated that the dimensionless rotational speed ratios s and the dimensionless unbalance parameter #beta# ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study presents a dynamic analysis of a flexible rotor supported by two porous squeeze couple stress fluid film journal bearings with non-linear suspension. The dynamics of the rotor center and bearing center are studied. The analysis of the rotor-bearing system is investigated under the assumptions of non-Newtonian fluid and a short bearing approximation. The spatial displacements in the horizontal and vertical directions are considered for various non-dimensional speed ratios. The dynamic equations are solved using the Runge-Kutta method. The analysis methods employed in this study is inclusive of the dynamic trajectories of the rotor center and bearing center, power spectra, Poincare maps and bifurcation diagrams. The maximum Lyapunov exponent analysis is also used to identify the onset of chaotic motion. The numerical results show that the stability of the system varies with the non-dimensional speed ratios, the non-dimensional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We consider the supercooled Stefan problem with a general anisotropic curvature- and velocity-dependent boundary condition on the moving interface. We present numerical methods, based on an integral equation formulation and including a new algorithm for moving curves with curvature-dependent velocity. These methods compute a periodic interface with {ital O}({Delta}{ital t}) accuracy, where {Delta}{ital t} is the time step. Previous work has been limited to short time spans and achieved slightly less than {ital O}({Delta}{ital t}{sup 1/2}) accuracy. Accurate numerical results are seen to agree with the predictions of linear stability theory. This agreement has eluded previous authors, because their numerical methods suffered from grid effects and their linear stability theory was incorrect. We study the long-time evolution of an unstable interface. Our computations exhibit the beginnings of a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ageing of nuclear power plants means evolution of material or equipment properties on one side, and evolution of personnel skill and procedure adequacy on the other side, both of which, after a certain time, may not be compatible with the required safety provisions, or with an economic operation of the plant. Repair or replacement of components, as well as change in service conditions for a better compatibility with component reduced capabilities can be used to mitigate ageing effects. The paper summarises the results of a study conducted in this field with the support of the European Commission. It presents: the synthesis of the work done under international auspices, and in the European context; the comparison of ageing management approaches used in several European countries with international recommendations; the summary of the various potential phenomena and their governing parameters, the methods of in-service ageing identification and possible mitigation ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two-phase air-water flows in a microscale fractal-like flow network were experimentally studied and results were compared to predictions from existing macroscale void fraction correlations and flow regime maps. Void fraction was assessed using (1) two-dimensional analysis of high-speed images (direct method) and (2) experimentally determined using gas velocities (indirect method). Fixed downstream-to-upstream length and width ratios of 1.4 and 0.71, respectively, characterize the five-level flow network. Channels were fabricated in a 38 mm diameter silicon disk, 250 ?m deep disk with a terminal channel width of 100 ?m. A Pyrex top allowed for flow visualization. Superficial air and water velocities through the various branch levels were varied from 0.007 m/s to 1.8 m/s and from 0.05 m/s to 0.42 m/s, respectively. Two-phase flow regime maps were generated for each level of the flow network and are well ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new methodology for three-dimensional (3-D) numerical modeling of the continuous steel casting process is presented and evaluated. The results are compared with available experimental data obtained in a water-oil mold model for various flow rates and immersion depths of the submerged entry nozzle. The water-oil interface pattern at the top of the mold is also investigated. Wave formation and evolution in time is simulated with a volume tracking method. The predicted flow field inside the mold exhibits quite satisfactory agreement with the corresponding measurements, whereas some quantitative differences are observed referring to the final wave amplitude at low casting speeds. Conclusions of scientific and engineering importance concerning both the computer algorithm and the mold performance are also drawn.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Text mining, also known as discovering knowledge from the text, which has emerged as a possible solution for the current information explosion, refers to the process of extracting non-trivial and useful patterns from unstructured text. Among the general tasks of text mining such as text clustering, summarization, etc, text classification is a subtask of intelligent information processing, which employs unsupervised learning to construct a classifier from training text by which to predict the class of unlabeled text. Because of its simplicity and objectivity in performance evaluation, text classification was usually used as a standard tool to determine the advantage or weakness of a text processing method, such as text representation, text feature selection, etc. In this paper, text classif...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The critical superconducting paramters of A-15 compounds are reviewed, and the trends analysed in order to predict maximum values. Experimental data on critical temperature is summarized and compared with theory. The ability to form the stoichiometric, well-ordered materials required for maximum Tsub(c) is discussed in terms of the thermodynamic stability of the A-15 phase. It is concluded that critical temperatures in excess of 25 K, in the A-15 structure, are unlikely. The upper critical field data show that, whereas the vanadium-based compounds are paramagnetically limited, the niobium-based compounds are not. The relation between critical current and microstructure is explored. Best data on critical current densities and ac losses is presented. Finally an account is given of the various methods by which actual conductors, both tapes and multifilamentary wires, are made. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper consists the radiation streaming analysis of Horizontal penetrations in Calandria Vault of 540 MWe PHWR. There are total 19 penetrations, penetrating east and west walls of calandria vault of 540 MWe PHWR. These penetrations are provided to accommodate ion chambers. HFUs and SDS - 2. Penetrations described here are not present in 220 MWe units except for ion chamber penetrations. As these penetrations are in accessible area, a detailed analysis has been carried out to find out the neutron and gamma dose rates around these penetrations when reactor is operating. Analysis has been carried out using computer code DOT-III and MCNP. Predictions by this method compare well with the measurements at ion chamber locations at KGS-1,2. (author)

CERN Document Server

We present a proposal for a combined ICARUS & NOE general purpose detector, to be installed in Hall B of the Gran Sasso Laboratory.The main scientific goal is the one of elucidating in a comprehensive way the pattern of neutrino $9 masses and mixings, following both (1) the S-KAM results and (2) the predictions on atmospheric neutrinos of the large solution of the Solar Neutrinos deficit. To achieve these goals, the experimental method is based upon the $9 complementary and simultaneous detection of CERN beam (CNGS) and cosmic ray (CR) events. This is made possible because of the complete isotropy of the detection technique. For the currently allowed values of the S-KAM results, both $9 CNGS and cosmic ray data will give independent measurements and provide a precise $(sin^{2}2\\theta; \\Delta m^{2})$ determination rather than a wide band of allowed values. Since we can observe and unambiguously identify $9 $\

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Native to Southeast Asia, Hygrophila polysperma is an invasive aquatic weed of lotic habitats in the southern United States and Mexico. An increase in the number of water bodies invaded by hygrophila since 1990 suggests that current methods employed to control this weed are inadequate. Classical biological control may be a viable option for long term regulation of hygrophila in the invaded range. In this study, we used the Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Model (MaxEnt) to prioritize climatically suitable native habitats in India and Bangladesh for conducting exploratory surveys to collect biological control agents. In total, 164 point occurrences from the United States and Mexico and 20 predictor variables, including 19 bioclimatic variables and altitude, were used to predict the nati...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Neutron energy spectra were measured for two OSURR experimental facilities. The method of multiple foil activation was used with the SAND-II neutron spectrum unfolding code to obtain spectral data for the Central Irradiation Facility and Rabbit tube. Limited data was obtained for the thermal column using only gold foils. Calculations were made of the neutron environment in various locations using the MORSE code. A shift towards higher neutron energies was observed comparing results for LEU and HEU cores. A slight loss in total thermal neutron flux was measured for all positions. Calculational results show reasonable agreement with measured data.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Conclusions. There are gender differences when it comes to the risk factors for sleep apnea. Large tonsils, a high tongue and a wide uvula are risk factors for sleep apnea in men, while large tonsils and a retrognathic mandible are risk factors in women. Upper airway abnormalities including mandibular retrognathia are, however, unable to predict sleep apnea among snorers being investigated for suspected sleep apnea. Objectives. To identify gender-specific risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea and the diagnostic performance from physical upper airway examinations among snoring men and women investigated because of suspected sleep apnea. Patients and methods. The dimensions of the uvula, tonsils, velopharynx and tongue, and nasal septal deviation, mandibular position, neck circumference, ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ockham?s razor is the principle that, all other things being equal, scientists ought to prefer simpler theories. In recent years, philosophers have argued that simpler theories make better predictions, possess theoretical virtues like explanatory power, and have other pragmatic virtues like computational tractability. However, such arguments fail to explain how and why a preference for simplicity can help one find true theories in scientific inquiry, unless one already assumes that the truth is simple. One new solution to that problem is the Ockham efficiency theorem (Kelly 2002, Minds Mach 14:485?505, 2004, Philos Sci 74:561?573, 2007a, b, Theor Comp Sci 383:270?289, c, d; Kelly and Glymour 2004), which states that scientists who heed Ockham?s razor retract their opinions less often and s...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study has been carried out in the framework of a collaboration between the laboratory of processes automation (LAP, Caen (France)), and Air Com, a monitoring network for the prevention of atmospheric pollution in Basse-Normandie. It aims at obtaining a medium and long term forecast of the ozone level above the Caen city. The expected goal is to foresee the pollution peaks exceeding the warning thresholds, but the rareness of such events make them more difficult to predict. In order to solve this kind of problem, a neural modeling method combined with a noise injection technique has been implemented in order to obtain a sufficiently performing model over the whole domain of operation. (J.S.)

CERN Document Server

Proteins are polymers of amino acids. These macromolecules are synthesized by intracellular machines called {\\it ribosome}. Although, traditionally, the experimental investigation of protein synthesis has been an active area of research in molecular cell biology, important quantitative models of this phenomenon have been reported mostly in the research journals devoted to statistical physics and related interdisciplinary topics. From the perspective of a physicist, protein synthesis is a phenomenon of {\\it classical transport of interacting ribosomes on a messenger RNA (mRNA) template} that dictates the sequence of the amino acids on the protein. Here we bring this frontier area of contemporary research into the classroom by appropriate simplification of the models and methods. In particular, we develope a simple toy model and analyze it by some elementary techniques of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to predict the average rate of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magnetic structures and magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) of tetragonal phase Fe_3Pt with an L1_2 atomic ordering in bulk and thin film are investigated by means of the first-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. The results obtained predict that the tetragonal phase, in which the tetragonal distortion with (c/a) = 0.95 makes an asymmetry of magnetic properties along the c-axis (out-of-plane) and a-axis (in-plane), has an out-of-plane MCA. In addition, from the thin film calculations, the presence of surface is found to strongly enhance the out-of-plane MCA.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate targeted infill and extension drilling opportunities, better determinations of oil-in- place, methods for improved completion efficiency and the suitability of waterflooding in certain shallow-shelf carbonate reservoirs in the Williston Basin, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Improved reservoir characterization utilizing 3-dimensional (3D) and multi-component seismic are being investigated for identification of structural and stratigraphic reservoir compartments. Field demonstrations are in progress to collect data for evaluation of horizontal completions in both the Red River and Ratcliffe. A vertical well in the Red River will test attribute analysis of 3D seismic data for prediction of porosity development. Additional seismic acquisitions and interpretation are in progress for both the Ratcliffe and Red River. A water-injectivity test in a new horizontal completion in the Red Rive B zone ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study assessed the impact of the results of genetic testing for hereditary cancer from a multifactorial health psychology perspective, considering that emotional expression plays a key role in psychological adjustment. Measures of dispositional and transactional coping strategies, anxiety and alexithymia were filled out by 77 participants in a longitudinal study design. Statistical analyses were performed using general linear models and partial least squares path modelling, low-constraint methods that are particularly useful in the behavioural sciences. While anxiety levels prior to the result announcement were predictive of the distress experienced by noncarriers, considerable variability was observed for mutation carriers. Some subjects who had lower anxiety levels before the test d...

Science.gov (United States)

A full-scale model of a rigid sectorial ring and a set of bellows which was covered with a temperature control layer and a coolant supply equipment was constructed to verify the adequacy of the heating and cooling system designed for JT-60. To cool and heat it effectively and to decrease the temperature differences among the various parts in the vacuum vessel, heater units and cooling pipes were located on the surface of the ring. The temperature control layer is to heat the vessel to 500/degree/sub //C within 70 hours and to maintain it at the temperature for 48 hours for simulating the state of bakeout. Subsequently the vessel is cooled down within about the same time as in heating. Prior to the series of tests, numerical analyses were performed to predict the cooling and heating efficiencies on the model and to examine the method of the temperature regulation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A first-principles quasiparticle approach to the electronic excitation energies in crystals and at surfaces is described. The quasiparticle energies are calculated within the GW approximation for comparison with photoemission and other spectroscopic experiments. Applications of the method to bulk semiconductors and the Si(111)2[times]l, Ge(111)2[times]l. and H/Si(III) surfaces are presented. In both cases, significant self-energy corrections arising from many-electron effects to the excitation energies are found. Using atomic positions from total energy minimization, the calculated excitation energies explain quantitatively the experimental spectra. This approach thus provides an ab initio means for analyzing and predicting results from spectroscopic probes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hydrogen has the potential to serve as both an energy storage means and an energy carrier in renewable energy systems. When renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power are used to produce electrical power, the output can vary depending on weather conditions. By using renewable sources to produce hydrogen, a fuel which can be stored and transported, a reliable and continuously available energy supply with a predictable long-term average output is created. Electrolysis is one method of converting renewable energy into hydrogen fuel. In this experiment we examine the use of an electrolyzer based on polymer-electrolyte membrane technology to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is vented to the atmosphere and the hydrogen is stored in a small pressure vessel.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A dynamic control rod worth measurement was performed for control bank D, C, B, and A of Yonggwang unit 1 cycle 14 during its low power physics test. MASTER was used for three-dimensional core kinetics calculations required to convert excore detector signal into static rod worth, using the same modeling and cross sections as ANC which was used for the core static design. A signal curve fitting method was proposed to solve a low signal problem due to large amount of rod worth, which leads to the distortion of resulting static worth. The static worths measured in this test well agreed with the predicted worth of design within #+-#15% which is a test requirement of rod worth measurement.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To form a licensing basis for a new methodology for a fuel channel safety analysis code for CANDU-6 nuclear reactor, a CATHENA model for a post-blowdown fuel channel analysis has been developed, and tested for a high temperature thermal-chemical experiment CS28-1 [Lei, Q.M., 1993. Post-test analysis of the 28-element high-temperature thermal-chemical experiment CS28-1. In: 4th International Conference on Simulation Methods in Nuclear Engineering, Montreal, PQ, 1993]. Pursuant to the objective of this investigation, the current study has focused on understanding the involved phenomena, their interrelations, and how to maintain a good accuracy of the temperature and H2 generation rate prediction without losing the important physics of the involved phenomena. The transient simulation results ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Density is useful in deducing the spatial structure of coals. In this paper, nitrogen has been used instead of the commonly employed helium, for the gas displacement pycnometer based density determination of a number of coals of Indian origin. The results show that the nitrogen-based densities are always higher than the helium-based ones. Also, empirical relationships between the helium-based and nitrogen-based coal densities have been developed by two modeling methods, namely, multi-variable regression and artificial neural networks. Although the two models have fared well, the neural network model exhibits a relatively better prediction accuracy and generalization performance than the regression model. This study thus demonstrates that nitrogen, which is cheaper and easily available, can be used gainfully as the probe gas for estimating the true density of coals. 23 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Spiral orbit tribometry friction tests performed on Ni-rich Ni55Ti45 titanium ball bearings indicate that this alloy is a promising candidate for future aerospace bearing applications. Microstructural characterization of the bearing specimens was performed using transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, with NiTi, Ni4Ti3, Ni3Ti, and Ni2Ti4Ox phases identified within the microstructure of the alloy. Density functional theory was applied to predict the electronic structure of the NixTiy phases, including the band structure and site projected density of states. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy was used to verify the density of states results from the density functional theory calculations, with good agreement observed between experiment and theory.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ObjectivesVaricocele is a common cause of infertility, and varicocele-associated testicular hypotrophy has been described as a potential cause of decreased semen quality. We investigated the relationship between testicular hypotrophy and poor semen quality in infertile men with varicoceles. We hypothesized that bilateral hypotrophy is required before the semen quality is severely impaired.MethodsWe retrospectively identified consecutive patients with palpable varicoceles undergoing an infertility evaluation at a single academic center. Each patient was evaluated by the same clinician with history and physical examination. Testicular hypotrophy was defined as a size discrepancy of greater than 3 mL or an absolute size of less than 14 mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of pipe rupture studies in JAERI is to perform model tests on pipe whip, restraint behavior, jet impingement and jet thrust force, and to establish a computational method for analyzing these phenomena. This report presents the analytical results of 4-inch pipe whip tests under BWR LOCA conditions. Dynamic response analyses were performed using the general-purpose finite element program ADINA. The test pipe was modelled by straight beam elements and the four restraints were modelled by a single truss element. The analytical results were compared with the experimental results. Impact time and maximum total restraint force showed good agreement with experimental results. On the other hand, pipe strain and pipe deflection could not be predicted so well. The reason for this is that the sliding of the restraint during the pipe whip movement cannot be considered in the analyses.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

{sup 90}Sr, with a long half-life of 28.5 years, is the most dangerous strontium isotope. The adsorption behavior of radionuclides in the environment are closely related to the safe disposal of radioactive wastes. Since various types of minerals may exist in and around the repositories used for ultimate disposal of nuclear waste, the adsorption behavior of certain radionuclides onto and from these minerals and similar adsorbents should be studied in order to estimate the rates of transport of the nuclides in the event of water penetration into and through the repository. Information on the adsorption properties of the purified individual clay minerals may not be sufficient to predict the adsorption properties of a corresponding mixture, because these clay minerals may interact with each other and lead to modification of the adsorption properties of the mixture as compared to the pure minerals. The adsorption behavior of strontium on kaolinite and montmorillonite ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAlthough benign ampullary tumors are removed endoscopically, due to their potential to progress to malignant disease, the favored treatment for adenocarcinoma is pancreaticoduodenectomy. We reviewed our institutions experience in order to identify which patients were at highest risk of disease progression following surgical resection, as well as evaluate whether localized T1 tumors are best treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 157 patients who presented with an ampullary mass, from 2001 to 2010, and identified 51 with benign adenoma and 106 with adenocarcinoma. ResultsPatients with malignant tumors most often presented with larger tumors and jaundice, which alone was predictive of survival (OR = 67). Forty-five percent of patients with pathologic...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, a neural networks (NN) based adaptive sliding mode controller (SMC) is introduced. The selection of SMC feedback gains is normally based on one operating point and thus the performance of the controller away from the design operating point is, of necessity, a compromise. The adaptive SMC is proposed to overcome the limitations imposed on the effectiveness of the SMC under different operating conditions. Neural networks are used for online prediction of the optimal SMC gains when the operating point changes. The proposed method has been applied to a power system stabilizer (PSS) of a single machine power system. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control scheme.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a promising hybrid process for high-performance machining of non-conductive glass. ECDM drilling has been found to have different characteristics and material removal mechanisms in discharge regime (less than 300??m in depth) and hydrodynamic regime (more than 300??m in depth); however, these regimes are never separately modeled in existing ECDM models, which leads to large prediction error, especially at low applied voltages and high machining depths. Until now, no model is particularly designed for discharge regime, where most material is removed. In this paper, a finite element based model for ECDM drilling in discharge regime is presented. Material removal subjected to a single spark was simulated using finite element method. The drilling d...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 64 multidetector-row CT angiography for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and the application in the follow-up of carotid endarterectomy and percutaneous transluminal stenting. Methods: Forty transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with interpretable CTA and DSA of the cervical carotid arteries were selected from May 2005 to December 2005. This yielded a total of 80 vessels. The CTA curved planar reformations (CPR) and DSA images referenced to the distal cervical internal carotid were graded by two senior neuroradiologists blindly, according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) guidelines. The paired-t test was used to verify the statistical significant difference between pre-operating and post-operating of carotid endarterectomy or percutaneous transluminal stenting in measuring the vascular diameter and area of cross section using CTA. Results: When the 70% stenosis was used ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The fundamental tasks of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant maintenance operations are planning, scheduling, executing, postmaintenance testing, completing the maintenance job, and supporting these activities with administrative and technical assistance. The Department of Energy (DOE) Maintenance Management Program'' guidelines require that we use a graded approach for applying formality and documentation to these maintenance operations. The most-rigorous controls should be placed on maintaining the most-vital systems, structures, and components (SSCs). We must understand risk assessments in order to evaluate which SSCs are most vital. The product of this assessment process is a well-developed understanding of where to apply the most rigor, formality, and documentation. Once we have determined where, we must determine how to apply maintenance so as to mitigate risk. Fundamental to determining how to apply it is an understanding of the main difference between proactive and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This progress report consists of an article, the abstract of which follows, and apparently the references and vita from a proposal. A review of perturbation diagnostics applied to microwave resonant cavity discharges is presented. The classical microwave perturbation technique examines the shift in the resonant frequency and cavity quality factor of the resonant cavity caused by low electron density discharges. However, modifications presented here allow the analysis to be applied to discharges with electron densities beyond the limit predicted by perturbation theory. An {open_quote}exact{close_quote} perturbation analysis is presented which models the discharge as a separate dielectric, thereby removing the restrictions on electron density imposed by the classical technique. The {open_quote}exact{close_quote} method also uses measurements of the shifts in the resonant conditions of the cavity. Thirdly, an electromagnetic analysis is presented ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liquid sodium is used as coolant in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR). There is a likelyhood of sodium spillage in ambient air in the Steam Generator Building (SGB) of the FBR plant. Due to high chemical reactivity with oxygen, especially at temperatures greater than 573 K, it catches fire very easily. In order to carryout safety related experimental studies for different modes of sodium fires and to develop suitable mathematical models for the assessment of their consequences, an experimental facility (SFEF, Sodium Fire Experimental Facility) is being setup a IGCAR, Kalpakkam. The SFEF is having a 540 m"3 volume experimental hall. Stainless steel linear will be provided on the inside surfaces of experimental hall walls, ceiling and floor. Analysis has been carried out for enclosed sodium pool fire scenarios in SFEF by using sodium pool fire code SOFIRE II, which estimates the thermal transients like pressure rise, gas temperature rise, cell wall temperature rise and sodium burning rate. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An extensive set of benchmark measurement of PDDs and beam profiles was performed in a heterogeneous layer phantom, including a lung equivalent heterogeneity, by means of several detectors and compared against the predicted dose values by different calculation algorithms in two treatment planning systems. PDDs were measured with TLDs, plane parallel and cylindrical ionization chambers and beam profiles with films. Additionally, Monte Carlo simulations by meansof the PENELOPE code were performed. Four different field sizes (10x10, 5x5, 2x2, and1x1 cm"2) and two lung equivalent materials (CIRS, #rho#_e"w=0.195 and St. Bartholomew Hospital, London, #rho#_e"w=0.244-0.322) were studied. The performance of four correction-based algorithms and one based on convolution-superposition was analyzed. The correction-based algorithms were the Batho, the Modified Batho, and the Equivalent TAR implemented in the Cadplan (Varian) treatment planning system and the TMS Pencil Beam ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Computational prediction of microRNA targets remains a challenging problem. The existing rule-based, data-driven and expression profiling approaches to target prediction are mostly approached from the...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake with a focus in the Akashi straits has given huge earthquake damages in and around Awaji Island and Kobe City in 1995. It is clear that the basement structure, which is steeply deepened at Kobe City from Rokko Mountains towards the coast, and the focus under this related closely to the local generation of strong ground motion. Generation process of the strong ground motion was discussed using 2D and 3D numerical simulation methods. The 3D pseudospectral method was used for the calculation. Space of 51.2km{times}25.6km{times}25.6km was selected for the calculation. This space was discretized with the lattice interval of 200m. Consequently, it was found that the basement structure with a steeply deepened basement, soft and weak geological structure thickly deposited on the basement, and earthquake faults running under the boundary of base rock and sediments related greatly to the generation of strong ground motion. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A CANDU nuclear reactor was shut down for over one year because steam generator (SG) tubes had failed with outer diameter stress-corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in the U-bend section. Novel, single-pass eddy current transmit-receive probes, denoted as C3, were successful in detecting all significant cracks so that the cracked tubes could be plugged and the unit restarted. Significant numbers of tubes with SCC were removed from a SG in order to validate the results of the new probe. Results from metallurgical examinations were used to obtain probability-of-detection (POD) and sizing accuracy plots to quantify the performance of this new inspection technique. Though effective, the above approach of relying on tubes removed from a reactor is expensive, in terms of both economic and radiation-exposure costs. This led to a search for more affordable methods to validate inspection techniques and procedures. Methods are presented for calculating POD curves ...

Science.gov (United States)

The paper deals with the modeling and the development of a numerical procedure for the analysis of shape-memory alloy (SMA) elements in order to predict the main features of SMA devices. A 3D SMA model in the framework of small strain theory is developed starting from the thermo-mechanical model proposed by Souza et al. (Eur J Mech A/Solids 17:789-806, 1998) and modified by Auricchio and Petrini (Int J Numer Methods Eng 55:1255-1284, 2002). The aim of this paper is to propose some more modifications to the original model, to derive its consistent 1D formulation, to clarify the mechanical meaning of the material parameters governing the constitutive model. A robust time integration algorithm is developed in the framework of the finite element method and a new beam finite element is proposed. Some numerical applications and a comparison with experimental data available in literature are carried out in order to assess the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Compares methods used at CEGB (UK), EdF (France), and ENEL (Italy) for generation planning studies with particular reference to those tools (or parts of them) that perform a yearly simulation of the generating system operation. Offers a short description of the composition of the 3 generating systems for a better understanding of the different philosophies employed. Comments on the frequency of utilization of the programs and on their main differences. Suggests that since the 3 systems show a tendency towards a more similar mix in the future (e.g. the percentage of hydro power plants will decrease both in the French and in the Italian system while the nuclear and coal base units will increase; all 3 systems will include an increasing share of pumped storage plants) the discussed planning problems will probably become common to the 3 systems. Predicts increasing importance of coal transportation problems for ENEL and EdF organization; a more ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the preparing stage of Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR), the expected inventories of radwaste treatment systems are estimated. The inventory calculation plays an important role in the estimation of environmental radiation as well as nuclear power plant (hereafter referred to NPP) integrity, and further improvement of the public perception for NPP or radiation. The inventory has been accumulated and periodically measured for every NPP during the whole operation in Korea. But, a detailed analysis and database construction for the inventory have not still been carried out. For estimating the inventory change in this study, the radwaste treatment systems of Wolsung (hereafter referred to WS) nuclear power units 3 and 4 were selected as the reference systems. An analysis and prediction of the inventory change were performed for total activity released to environment during the whole operation. The linear regression analysis based on least squares ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Department of Energy`s Office of Technology Development initiated an Integrated Demonstration Program at the Savannah River Site in 1989. The objective of this program is to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate innovative technologies that can improve present-day environmental restoration methods. The Integrated Demonstration Program at SRS is entitled ``Cleanup of Organics in Soils and Groundwater at Non-Arid Sites.`` New technologies in the areas of drilling, characterization, monitoring, and remediation are being demonstrated and evaluated for their technical performance and cost effectiveness in comparison with baseline technologies. Present site characterization and monitoring methods are costly, time-consuming, overly invasive, and often imprecise. Better technologies are required to accurately describe the subsurface geophysical and geochemical features of a site and the nature and extent of contamination. More efficient, nonintrusive ...

Science.gov (United States)

This work investigates the potential use of simultaneously near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopies for the quantitative analysis of fatty acids and triacylglycerols and for identifying the Registered Designation of Origin (RDO) of extra virgin olive oils. The two spectral ranges were used separately using PLS and PLS-DA regressions. To combine both information, concatenated matrix was used at the first time, multiblock method using H-PLS models were constructed at the second time. The models were compared in terms of prediction errors. The results obtained with MIR spectroscopy are better than the ones obtained with NIR spectroscopy. The H-PLS methodology seems to be very interesting for quantitative analysis with the use of additional information in the NIR range, which is not present in the MIR one. For RDO identification by discriminant analysis, the use of multiblock method was less efficient. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anomalous fading of the feldspar infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal hampers possibilities of using feldspar IRSL to obtain burial ages for sediments beyond the dating range of quartz optically stimulated luminescence. Here, we propose a new approach to quantify anomalous fading of the feldspar IRSL signal over geological burial times based on laboratory fading experiments. The approach builds on the description of the quantum mechanical tunnelling process recently proposed by Huntley [2006. An explanation of the power-law decay of luminescence. J. Phys. Condensed Matter 18, 1359-1365]. We show that our methods allow the construction of un-faded and natural IRSL dose-response curves as well as anomalous fading rates in field saturation. The predicted level of field saturation closely approximates the measured saturation level for five samples from fluvial deposits (Lower Rhine) known to be older than 1 Ma. The modelled anomalous ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radio frequency (RF) sheaths are suspected of limiting the performance of present-day ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRFs) antennas over long pulses and should be minimized in future fusion devices. Within the simplest models, RF-sheath effects are quantified by the integral VRF = ? E|| ? dl where the parallel RF field E|| is linked with the slow wave. On 'long open field lines' with large toroidal extension on both sides of the antenna it was shown that VRF is excited by parallel RF currents j|| flowing on the antenna structure. In this paper, the validity of this simple sheath theory is tested experimentally on the Tore Supra (TS) ITER-like antenna prototype (ILP), together with antenna simulation and post-processing codes developed to compute VRF. The predicted poloidal localization of high-|VRF| zones is confronted to that inferred from experimental data analysis. Surface temperature distribution on ILP front face, as well as ILP-induced modifications of ...

Science.gov (United States)

The advancement of bioprocess monitoring will play a crucial role to meet the future requirements of bioprocess technology. Major issues are the acceleration of process development to reduce the time to the market and to ensure optimal exploitation of the cell factory and further to cope with the requirements of the Process Analytical Technology initiative. Due to the enormous complexity of cellular systems and lack of appropriate sensor systems microbial production processes are still poorly understood. This holds generally true for the most microbial production processes, in particular for the recombinant protein production due to strong interaction between recombinant gene expression and host cell metabolism. Therefore, it is necessary to scrutinise the role of the different cellular compartments in the biosynthesis process in order to develop comprehensive process monitoring concepts by involving the most significant process variables and their interconnections. Although research ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In not infected knee prostheses bone scintigraphy is a possible method to diagnose mechanical loosening, and therefore, to affect treatment regimes in symptomatic patients. However, hitherto studies showed controversial results for the reliability of bone scintigraphy in diagnosing loosened knee prostheses by using asymptomatic control groups. Therefore, the aim of our study was to optimize the interpretation procedure and to evaluate the accuracy using results from revision surgery as standard. Methods: Retrospectively, we were able to examine the tibial component in 31 cemented prostheses. In this prostheses infection was excluded by histological or bacteriological examination during revision surgery. To quantify bone scintigraphy, we used medial and lateral tibial regions with a reference region from the contralateral femur. Results: to differentiate between loosened and intact prostheses we found a threshold of 5.0 for the maximum tibia to ...

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... Title : The Numerical Weather Prediction System at the Italian Air Force Weather Service: Impact of Non-Conventional Observations and Increased ...

Science.gov (United States)

Brush fires, especially during the summer months, are hazards that occasionally threaten the leeward (Waianae) coast of Oahu in Hawaii. The prediction of future ... ...

Science.gov (United States)

... This paper presents our research in neural learning for predicting ... Denote this feature set as F4. ... can be observed that the SOC curves generated by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Performance assessments for the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site on the Nevada Test Site have used three different mathematical models to estimate Rn-222 flux density. This study describes the performance, uncertainty, and sensitivity of the three models which include the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 3.64 analytical method and two numerical methods. The uncertainty of each model was determined by Monte Carlo simulation using Latin hypercube sampling. The global sensitivity was investigated using Morris one-at-time screening method, sample-based correlation and regression methods, the variance-based extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test, and Sobol's sensitivity indices. The models were found to produce similar estimates of the mean and median flux density, but to have different uncertainties and sensitivities. When the Rn-222 effective diffusion coefficient ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Neutron reflectometry (NR) was used to measure the concentration profile of a symmetric PEP/dPEP polymer blend with nanometer-scale resolution in the one-phase region. The shape of the profile near the surface was found to differ significantly from mean-field theory predictions for all bulk concentrations and temperatures surveyed. The profile shape is flattened at the surface over a distance about half the bulk correlation length, a length scale far greater than that of the dispersive forces that are the dominant microscopic interaction in such blends. We introduce a new method for extracting the surface energy difference that drives segregation based on the Gibbs adsorption equation (GAE) and compare it to a previous method based on mean-field theory. While both methods produce qualitatively similar results (the surface energy of pure dPEP is {approx}0.21 mJ/m{sup 2} smaller than pure PEP), the GAE ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the future, the demand for energy is predicted to grow and more countries plan to utilize nuclear energy as their source of electric energy. This gives rise to many important issues connected to nuclear energy, such as finding methods that can verify that the spent nuclear fuel has been handled safely and used in ordinary power producing cycles as stated by the operators. Gamma ray spectroscopy is one method used for identification and verification of spent nuclear fuel. In the specific gamma ray spectroscopy method called gamma scanning the gamma radiation from the fission products Cs-137, Cs-134 and Eu-154 are measured in a spent fuel assembly. From the results, conclusions can be drawn about the fuels characteristics. This degree project examines the possibilities of using alternative measuring approaches when using the gamma scanning method. The focus is on examining how to ...

Science.gov (United States)

Research into methods for reasoning under uncertainty is currently one of the most exciting areas of artificial intelligence, largely because it has recently become possible to record, store, and process large amounts of data. While impressive achievements have been made in pattern classification problems such as handwritten character recognition, face detection, speaker identification, and prediction of gene function, it is even more exciting that researchers are on the verge of introducing systems that can perform large-scale combinatorial analyses of data, decomposing the data into interacting components. For example, computational methods for automatic scene analysis are now emerging in the computer vision community. These methods decompose an input image into its constituent objects, lighting conditions, motion patterns, etc. Two of the main challenges are finding effective representations and ...

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PMID:12548607

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

... predicting potential increases in human mortality due to global warming....

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Science.gov (United States)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim with this project sponsored by Energimyndigheten is to develop a method for calculations of grate boilers fueled by bark. This report describes this project, 'Evaluation Method for Grate Combustion' (EMGC). CFD codes is an engineering tool applicable in the area of the over-grate section called the furnace. This part of the boiler is easy to model for an experienced CFD code user and the results are usually quite satisfactory for evaluating the combustion process in general. Various gas phases reactions and related combustion processes over the burning bed can be simulated including air staging, fuel staging and SNCR. However the simulation needs information of amount and properties of the burning bed products, entering the furnace. The simulation of the in-furnace processes without this information is often just a numerical speculation. A predictive mathematical model based on physical and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A new study on the pressure-induced phase transitions of TiO_2 has been performed using all-electron density-functional theory based computations with the projector augmented wave and the linearized augmented plane wave methods considering five experimentally observed structures. The static results yield a picture that is consistent with experiments, i.e., phase transitions with pressure are predicted as rutile #-># monoclinic baddeleyite (MI) #-># orthorhombic I (OI) #-># cotunnite (OII) on compression, and OII #-># OI #-># MI #-># columbite (TiO_2II) on decompression. The elasticities of these five polymorphs are compared. Except for the baddeleyite structure, which is considerably softer than the other polymorphs, all phases show a zero pressure bulk modulus in the range of 200-240 GPa, consistent with compression results and the single crystal elastic constant; on the basis of these results we can say that the cotunnite ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) treated with modern radiotherapy techniques with MRI along with optimal chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: The records of all 60 patients with ESFT who received radiation to the primary site between 1990 and 2004 were reviewed. All patients received chemotherapy, including vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and etoposide. Radiation was used as the sole modality for local control in 31 patients and was given either before (n = 3) or after surgical resection (n = 26) in the remainder. All patients had MRI and CT scan-based treatment planning, and 43% received intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Radiation doses ranged from 30 Gy to 60 Gy (median, 51 Gy), and 35% received hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Results: Median age was 16 years (range, 2-40 years). Because of selection bias for radiotherapy, the majority of primary tumors were centrally located ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have developed a kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulator that links atomic migration and binding energies determined primarily from first principles calculations to macroscopic phenomena and laboratory time scales. Input for the kMC simulation is obtained from a combination of ab initio planewave pseudopotential calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental data. The simulator is validated against an extensive series of experimental studies of the diffusion of B spikes in self-implanted Si. The implant energy, dose, and dose rate, as well as the detailed thermal history of the sample, are included. Good agreement is obtained with the experimental data for temperatures between 750 and 950 C and times from 15 to 255 s. At 1050o C we predict too little diffusion after 105 s compared to experiment: apparently, some mechanism which is not adequately represented by our model becomes important at this temperature. Below 1050o C, the kMC simulation produces ...