Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Special CoMo/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts were prepared for testing in coal liquefaction: a conventional CoMo/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst, one containing Zn as a second promoter and one having the alumina acidified with fluorine. Their activities were compared with that of red mud. The experiments were conducted in a stirred autoclave with a subbituminous coal and solvent (tetralin, anthracene oil or creosote oil) at 425{degree}C and 17 MPa. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes and preasphaltenes with pentane, toluene and THF. The Co(Zn)Mo/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts have far higher activities than red mud. Zn and fluorine have beneficial effects on the catalyst activity. Coal tar distillates give higher conversions and oil + gas yields than tetralin when the prepared catalysts are used. 17 refs., 7 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:1481407

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reports the effectiveness of solvents on the liquefaction of 11 different Turkish lignites investigated by using tetralin, creosote, and anthracene oils. The highest total conversions were obtained with tetralin. The catalytic effects of CoMo and red mud were compared by using creosote oil as the solvent. It was found that red mud catalyzed mainly the asphaltene formation reaction for the given experimental conditions. The additional of CoMo significantly catalyzed the liquefaction reaction, thus increasing the lignite conversion and oil formation.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe substance abuse prevention goal of the theatre production "TUNNELS" was to provide community education on substance abuse to an audience in Durham, NC and surrounding...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Contaminated wood treatment sites can result in adverse health effects to nearby residents. Environmental exposure can be estimated by measuring concentrations of pollutants in air, water, food, or wipe tests. This environmental exposure value can be used as a surrogate to estimate individual exposure. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not pentachlorophenol (PCP) could be found in potentially exposed residents and if the dioxin levels are consistent with PCP exposure. A further objective of the study was to determine whether or not PAH-DNA adducts could be found in the potentially exposed residents. We present results of biomonitoring studies in residents living near a wood treatment plant that used coal-derived creosote and PCP to process and treat wood for over 100 years. The plant was built in 1904 and used creosote and PCP. Creosote is a complex mixture that contains numerous polycyclic aromatic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new process for the removal of tar from biosyngas, OLGA (Oil and Gas Washer), is presented. This gas cleaning technology is based on physical principles and is designed to eliminate tar problems that relate to fouling and er pollution. The applied principles are confirmed by experimental validation. OLGA can be operated without suffering from harmful effects on important gasification characteristics as cold gas efficiency, gasifier simplicity, and feedstock flexibility. Some fundamental considerations in the development of OLGA are discussed. Amongst these is a different approach to the tar problem. This approach does not consider the total tar content as decisive in the evaluation of gas cleaning equipment. Instead, evaluation is focussed on whether tar properties as condensation behaviour and water solubility can still occur. A biosyngas free of tar should ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Serum specimens obtained from a nationwide sample of parenteral drug abusers (PDAs) during the period 1971-72 had previously been screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. Some specimens...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A new process for the hydrogenation of coal in the presence of wide-cut coal tar was proposed; it involves cavitation treatment, mixing with catalytic additives, and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated pressure in an atmosphere of hydrogen. The yields of hydrocarbon fractions to 300?C and gas condensate were evaluated.

Science.gov (United States)

A method of making high strength coke briquettes suitable for use as blast furnace coke comprising, (A) providing coal, (B) heating the coal at a temperature at or above the softening point of the coal to form partially carbonized char, (C) cooling the partially carbonized char below the softening point of the coal, (D) mixing the cooled partially carbonized char and tar to form a mixture of tar and partially carbonized char, (E) briquetting the mixture of tar and partially carbonized char to form briquettes of tar and partially carbonized char, (F) calcinating the briquettes to form high strength briquettes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP) removes dust and tar droplets very efficiently from biomass product gas. Dust was removed for more than 99%. The tar dewpoint was reduced from 130C to 21C, which is sufficient for the application of the product gas in a gas engine. Tar removal is not sensitive to the voltage or fluctuations in the gas residence time . The voltage was varied between 28 to 37 kV{sub arith} and the gas residence time between 4 and 11s. Fouling of the ESP collector plates was negligible, which was concluded from visual inspection after 200 hours of operation. A reduction in the residence time reduces the size of the ESP and has a significant impact on the investment costs of the ESP. Keywords: electrostatic filter, tar removal, circulating fluidised bed (CFB)

Medline Plus

... Abuse (162) Alcoholism (12) Anxiety Disorders & Phobias (4) Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (3) B Binge Drinking (37) Bipolar Disorder (1) ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Dopamine (DA) D3 and D2 receptor mechanisms are implicated in cocaine's abuse-related behavioral effects, but the relative contribution of the two receptor subtypes is only partially characterized....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The further development of a Guideline (formerly Protocol) for sampling and analysis of 'tars' from biomass producer gases is reported. This Guideline is being developed as a project within the European Fifth Framework Programme with additional partners from Switzerland and North-America. In this paper an outline and the principle of the Guideline are given. The Guideline is based on isokinetic sampling of particles and 'tar' from the main producer gas duct, particle filtration at high temperature, gas cooling in a liquid quench, 'tar' absorption in a solvent at low temperatures, an optional backup adsorber, and flow measurement and control. The Guideline gives a definition for 'Gravimetric tar' which is the 'tar' number to be determined by the Guideline. Also, the Guideline gives procedures ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveThe aims of the study were to: determine the attitudes of parents, pediatric residents, and medical students from a Turkish population toward childhood disciplinary methods; ascertain the association of participants' abusive childhood history with their attitudes toward discipline; and assess their attitudes about disciplinary actions, which should be reported as abuse.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Social Pediatrics. Sixty-five parents, 39 pediatric residents, and 106 medical students completed a questionnaire (Survey of Standards of Discipline). This questionnaire was designed to measure sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes toward childhood disciplinary practices, and abusive childhood experiences. There...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This decision document presents the selected remedial action for the Westerly Wetlands, Northerly Wetlands, and Tar Patch Area at the Burnt Fly Bog Superfund Site. It addresses contaminated soil present on the three remaining contaminated areas on the Site, including the Westerly Wetlands, Northerly Wetlands, and Tar Patch Area. The major components of the selected remedy include: Excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil from the Northerly Wetlands; Excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil from the Tar Patch Area; Backfilling the excavated area in the Northerly Wetland and reestablishing wetlands; Backfilling the excavated area in the Tar Patch Area and creating wetlands; Provision of additional security fencing around the Westerly Wetlands, and the recording of a Deed Notice for the Westerly Wetlands, Northerly Wetlands, and Tar Patch Area; Monitoring of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During 1975 we studied 100 patients--77 men and 23 women--who had a history of alcohol abuse and disturbed liver function test results. On presentation the women were less likely to be suspected of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) controls signal transmission between cells in the nervous system. Abused drugs such as cocaine inhibit this receptor. Transient kinetic investigations indicate...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The tendency for some individuals to partake in high-risk behaviors (eg, substance abuse, gambling, risky sexual activities) is a matter of great public health concern, yet the characteristics and neural...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The results of studies performed for the development of a new process of the thermal cracking of tar as a suspension with ground Baltic oil shale in order to obtain motor fuel components are reported. The experimental results suggest undoubted advantages of the process over industrial thermal cracking because the deep degradation of tar (the yields of a gasoline fraction with bp to 180?C, middle distillates with bp of 180?360?C, and feedstock for catalytic cracking with bp of 360?520?C were ~12, 43?44, and ~15?16 wt % on an initial tar basis) was achieved upon the single-stage processing of the raw material under relatively mild conditions (5 MPa, 425?C, and a feed space velocity of 1.0 h?1). The resulting coke-like products and V and Ni contained in the raw material were deposited on the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The concentrations of iron, chromium, zinc, and aluminum were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in the lipid-soluble fractions of tar from the process stream of an experimental coal gasifier as part of large study on the health risks of coal gasification. Lipid solubility was inferred from octanol/water-partitioning and benzene-solubility tests. The properties of the lipid-soluble metals were compared to reference compounds by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. The ability of the lipid-soluble metals to remain lipid soluble after treatment with acid and base was also tested. Lipid-soluble iron, chromium, zinc, and aluminum were present at 360, 12, 3, and 1 ppM, respectively, in the gasifier coal tar. The presence of these metals in lipid-soluble form may have important consequences relative to the potential toxicity of the tar if persons are exposed to it.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Inferences concerning the lives of extinct animals are difficult to obtain from the fossil record. Here we present a novel approach to the study of extinct carnivores, using a comparison between fossil...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jordan is an example of a third world country that is non-oil producing but contains huge reserves of other energy sources such as tar sand, oil shale, and olive cake. Some limited research is available about how to utilize these energy sources in pure form. However, available research does not deal with combinations of these energy sources. This experimental study investigates combinations of these energy forms as potential energy sources in Jordan. The experimental procedure involves characterization of samples by proximate analysis, calorific value determination of different combinations, and a compacting process of the different particles. The best combination, with respect to calorific value, is found to be 20% tar sand, 20% olive cake, and 60% oil shale. Compacting materials either with starch or with heated tar sand up to 110{sup o}C for 1 h indicates a feasible process for handling, packaging, and transporting. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background Previous reports in adults have suggested that the effects experienced after cannabis use can be described in terms of positive and negative subtypes that are heritable and are associated with abuse and dependence. This study extends existing research by inclusion of adolescents and young adults in an offspring of twins design which makes it possible to take into account genetic and environmental risks for substance use disorder. Methods Data were collected from 725 twin members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, 839 of their 12-32 year old biological offspring and 427 mothers. Offspring who had ever used cannabis (n=464) were asked the degree to which they typically experienced 13 subjective effects shortly after using cannabis. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to derive sub...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is concluded that the Department paid out over $16 million in the past two years for FTS service charges on telephone calls bearing no relationship to official Departmental business. When one adds in the costs of compensation paid to Departmental and contractor employees for the worktime spent making unauthorized FTS calls, the total costs to the Department due to FTS abuse exceeded $28 million for the fiscal years 1983 and 1984. These cost figures, moreover, fail to account for the effect of an annual loss of an estimated 40,000 man-days on the Department's productivity. It is recommended that the Assistant Secretary review the system to identify possible restrictions on usage of the lines by employees and to consider additional recording and accounting procedures to track FTS usage, especially when the lines are used for calls to telephones outside the FTS network.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There is increasing evidence that adolescence, like early life, is a sensitive period in which ongoing brain development can be influenced by environmental factors. This review describes our use of social instability as a model of mild adolescent social stress, its effects on social interactions and on hypothalamic?pituitary?adrenal function over the course of the procedure and in response to new stressors. The effects of social instability are sex-specific, with qualitative differences between the sexes on HPA function over the course of the stressor procedure, and with greater effects in males on behaviour observed during the social instability and greater effects in females on behavioural responses to drugs of abuse into adulthood, long after the stress exposure. The results from invest...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This quarterly report for the period July through September 1984 summarizes activities in Sandia National Laboratories' continuing program of coal liquefaction research. The primary goals are to: explore novel catalytic concepts and materials for conversion of coal to liquid fuels; determine the effects of process variables on catalyst deactivation; determine the effects of coal structure and solvent properties on low temperature dissolution; study the kinetics and catalysis of hydrogen transfer reactions; develop an understanding of slurry gelling phenomena; and provide a technical assessment of coal liquefaction processes. During this period, work was performed on: the rheology of Illinois No. 6 coal in hydrogenated creosote oil; dissolution chemistry of subbituminous coal; pyrite catalysis; liquefaction of Illinois No. 6 coal in indole; characterization and activity testing of catalyst samples from Wilsonville Run 246; catalyst deactivation modeling; ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Clonidine Extended Release Augmentation of Psychostimulants in ADHD ADHD a Risk Factor for Substance Abuse; Cognitive Deficits Not a Predictor Commentary on Kollins et al.; Clonidine XR Augmentation for ADHD Pharmacologic Treatment of Childhood Insomnias Effects of Guanfacine Extended Release on Alertness in ADHD Long Term ADHD Drug Treatment Bipolar Disorder Rates Similar Across Selected Countries Group CBT Alone or Group CBT Plus SSRIs in Childhood Anxiety Resolution of Quetiapine-Induced Oral Dyskinesia From the FDA

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures are extremely rare and associated with various conditions. Up to now Most cases had correlations with major trauma, repetitive minor trauma, seizure, parathyroid...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Gonadotropin–releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the central regulators of reproduction. GABAergic transmission plays a critical role in pubertal activation of pulsatile GnRH secretion....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In our previous work, we demonstrated that biomass-generated producer gas can be converted to ethanol and acetic acid using a microbial catalyst Clostridium carboxidivorans P7{sup T}. Results showed that the producer gas (1) induced cell dormancy, (2) inhibited H{sub 2} consumption, and (3) affected the acetic acid/ethanol product distribution. Results of this work showed that tars were the likely cause of cell dormancy and product redistribution and that the addition of a 0.025{mu}m filter in the gas cleanup negated the effects of tars. C. carboxidivorans P7{sup T} can adapt to the tars (i.e. grow) only after prolonged exposure. Nitric oxide, present in the producer gas at 150ppm, is an inhibitor of the hydrogenase enzyme involved in H{sub 2} consumption. We conclude that significant conditioning of the producer gas will be required for the successful coupling of biomass-generated producer gas with fermentation to produce ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Investigation of co-gasification of biomass-coal blends in oxygen-containing atmosphere was carried out in a pressurized fluidized bed gasifier. Different biomass materials including wood and energy crop were used in the study, whereas the coal used was in bituminous rank from UK, The gasifier used was a Laboratory Development Unit (LDU) with an inner diameter of 144 mm. The operation temperature and pressure were varied in the investigation. The research was part of the European Union's Joule Ill clean coal technology programme. The study was focused on possible synergies in the thermochemical treatment of the fuel blends. The char formed was examined. The tar produced in the process was analyzed. The environmentally concerned nitrogen compounds emitted from the process were detected. Interesting synergies were observed in the experimental study. The blends of the fuels and their char formed in situ demonstrated unexpected high reaction rate of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The results of the investigations show that magnetic treatment is a quite practical and effective method of intensifying certain technological processes in the coking industry. Magnetic treatment was utilized for improving the production of ammonium sulfate, refining of the naphthalene fraction, removal of sludge from wash oil in the benzol division, and the treatment of tar before fractionation. 2 references, 3 tables.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors have examined the pyrolysis of Argonne samples of Wyodak and Illinois No. 6 coal in argon, undecane, Tetralin, and water. The effects of the pyrolysis on individual particles of coal were monitored visually in a cell with diamond windows capable of operation to temperature and pressures in excess of 500{degrees}C and 3000 psi. The changes in the particles from ambient to 460{degrees}C were recorded in real time on video tape, and images were then taken from the tape record and analyzed. The study showed that in argon both coals developed tars at 350{degrees}-370{degrees}C. The tars then quickly evaporated, leaving core particles remarkably similar in size and shape to the initial particles. These observations suggest that coal does not melt nor become fully liquid when heated. Nor does the softened coal undergo crosslinking to generate coke. Rather the simple loss of volatiles leaves behind the core residue as coke. Contrary to the ...

Science.gov (United States)

Preliminary psychometric properties of a new instrument, Angie/Andy Cartoon Trauma Scales (ACTS), are presented. Angie/Andy features a cartoon-based methodology, measuring trauma-related sequelae of prolonged, repeated abuse. A sample of 208 children comprised intrafamilial trauma, extrafamilial trauma, combined trauma, and nontrauma groups. Angie/Andy demonstrated high internal consistency, with coefficient alphas from 0.70 to 0.95. The three trauma groups scored significantly higher than the nontrauma group on all scales (p's < 0.0001). Generally, the most severely traumatized group scored significantly higher than the less severely traumatized groups. The number of types of violence exposures correlated with Angie/Andy scores from 0.55 to 0.74. The frequency and severity of trauma exposure correlated with Angie/Andy scores from 0.44 to 0.56. The Angie/Andy parent version correlated with a standardized parent scale from 0.71 to 0.81. Parent/child agreement was ...

Science.gov (United States)

The abuse of volatile solvents may be due to their ability to produce an intoxication similar to that produced by classical central nervous system depressants such as the barbiturates and ethanol. To evaluate this hypothesis, mice were trained to discriminate pentobarbital from saline injections in a two-lever operant task. Stimulus generalization was examined following 20-min inhalation exposures to toluene (300-5400 ppm). In 8 of 10 subjects, pentobarbital-lever responding occurred following toluene exposure indicating an overlap in the discriminative stimulus properties of toluene and pentobarbital.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A laboratory differential simulation method is used for the design of carbonization columns at coal-tar processing in which phenols are regenerated from phenolate solution by carbon dioxide absorption. The design method is based on integration of local absorption rates of carbon dioxide along the column. The local absorption rates into industrial phenolate mixture are measured in a laboratory model contactor for various compositions of the gas and liquid phases under the conditions that ensure the absorption rates in the laboratory absorber simulate the local rates in the industrial column. On the bases of the calculations, two-step carbonization columns were designed for 30000 t/year of the phenolate solution treatment by carbon dioxide. The absorption proceeds at higher pressure of 500 kPa and temperatures from 50 to 65 C, pure carbon dioxide is used and toluene is added. These conditions have the following favourable effects: (I) significant size reduction of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The coke plant at the Sparrows Point Plant consist of three coke oven batteries and two coal chemical plants. The by-product coke oven gas (COG) consists primarily of hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and contaminants consisting of tars, light oils (benzene, toluene, and xylene) hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, water vapor and other hydrocarbons. This raw coke oven gas needs to be cleaned of most of its contaminants before it can be used as a fuel at other operations at the Sparrows Point Plant. In response to environmental concerns, BSC decided to replace much of the existing coke oven gas treatment facilities in the two coal chemical Plants (A and B) with a group of technologies consisting of: Secondary Cooling of the Coke oven Gas; Hydrogen Sulfide Removal; Ammonia Removal; Deacification of Acid Gases Removed; Ammonia Distillation and Destruction; and, Sulfur Recovery. This combination of technologies will replace the existing ammonia removal system, the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It has become necessary to investigate the feasibility and desirability of joint coking of residues from the processing of petroleum and shale oil. Experiments have been performed on different types of feedstocks: a shale oil residue (SO) with an initial boiling point of 350/sup 0/C, obtained by thermal destruction of Bulgarian shales with a solid heat-carrier; a pyrolysis tar from the production of ethylene; extracts obtained in solvent treatment of petroleum oils, namely extracts from medium-viscosity lube distillate, viscous distillate, and residual lube stock; and asphalt obtained in deasphalting. Each of the petroleum products was blended with the SO in a 1/1 ratio.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Uinta Basin is an important hydrocarbon producing area, with extensive resources of hydrocarbon, bitumen, and fossil fuels. Gilsonite, tar sands, oil shale and coal are found in abundance with the cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rocks. The 25 papers include discussion on: leasing; thermal maturity of rocks and hydrocarbon deposits; influence of source rock type, thermal maturity and migration on composition and distribution of the natural gas; drilling; geology; structural evolution of gilsonite dykes; reclamation of coal mines; oil shale resources; and uranium mining.

Science.gov (United States)

An attempt to gain an understanding of the formation mechanism of these 'soot-like' materials has been made by means of tracing the changes in the molecular-mass distribution and molecular structure of the NMP-extractable materials from an injectant coal as well as its partially gasified chars and its pyrolytic tars. Variations in the SEC chromatograms provide clues about changes in the apparent molecular-mass distributions of these NMP extracts. Results suggest that the build-up of 'soot-like' materials follows from the secondary reactions of tars evolved from the injectant coal. The likely secondary-reaction pathways have been probed by collating structural information on these NMP extracts. The time-resolved 13-16 and 22-25 min elution fractions from the SEC column have been characterized using UV fluorescence (UV F) spectroscopy. Greater concentrations of larger aromatic ring systems are found present in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This facility has treatment capacity of 12 kg/hr, and is equipped with a furnace, two ceramic filter chambers, each of which hangs inside the 36 ceramic filter elements having mean pore size of 44 #mu#m. Three series of experiments were performed during a period from October 1972 to August 1973. The first was measurement of the change of pressure drop of the primary and the secondary filters after an operation of 52 days (352 hours). The pressure drop of the primary filter did not change during the operation, but the secondary brought a fairly large increment, from 79 to 140 mmAq. The second was measurement of the after-burning effect of the primary filter for the soot and tar in the off-gas. Through the after-burning most of the soot was removed from the off-gas, though the tar was not perfectly taken off. At the secondary filter, some of the tar was burnt, but most of it was caught by the filter as aerosol. The third was ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the by now extended debate about the end of the Cold War and its causes, very little attention has been paid to the role played by historical memory in helping shape the way policy-makers approached the collapse of the post-war order. As this article shows, many, if not most policy elites at the time, confronted the passing of the old world with a great degree of caution and trepidation; and one of the key reasons they did so, it is argued here, is because of their reading of the past. This reading, I go on to suggest, made many of them especially cautious and fearful when faced with great change. In the end of course these changes proved irresistible, and for liberals at least seemed to augur in more peaceful and prosperous times. However, as we shall see here, this unguarded optimism ...

CERN Document Server

Research shows that comment spamming (comments which are unsolicited, unrelated, abusive, hateful, commercial advertisements etc) in online discussion forums has become a common phenomenon in Web 2.0 applications and there is a strong need to counter or combat comment spamming. We present a method to automatically detect comment spammer in YouTube (largest and a popular video sharing website) forums. The proposed technique is based on mining comment activity log of a user and extracting patterns (such as time interval between subsequent comments, presence of exactly same comment across multiple unrelated videos) indicating spam behavior. We perform empirical analysis on data crawled from YouTube and demonstrate that the proposed method is effective for the task of comment spammer detection.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Introduction.- Cannabis (marijuana) is the most widely used illicit drug globally. Given the prevalence of nonprescription illicit drug abuse, there is a growing interest in the study of its potential effects on male sexual health. In this review, we discuss the effects of cannabis on male sexual health. Objective.- In this review, we discuss the effects of cannabis on male sexual health. Methods and Main Outcome Measure.- Critical review of scientific literature examining the impact of cannabis use on male sexual health. Results.- Studies examining the effects of cannabis use on male sexual function have been limited in both quality and quantity. Most results of these studies are conflicting and contradictory. While some did outline the beneficial effects of cannabis in enhancing...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A 1 MWe power plant using waste wood fuel is to be installed at a US Marine Corps base, which will supply all wood from a landfill site. The core energy conversion technology is a down-draft gasifier supplying approximately 150 Btu/scf gas to both spark ignition and diesel dual-fuel engine-generator sets. Features of the plant design include: (1) grinding wood fuel from a wide range of waste resources, (2) specialized screening for fines removal, (3) complete tar and other waste product control without landfill disposal, and (4) use of process heat for bulk fuel drying, gasifier air pre-heating, and wastewater evaporation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oils, tars, and degraded oils of varying degrees of biodegradation occur in the Permian Phosphoria Formation along the eastern flank of the Wind River mountains, Wyoming, US. Biodegradation has altered the isomer distributions of steranes, the hopanes, and the mono- and triaromatised steroids in these oils. The conventional maturity parameters based on these biomarkers are of limited use in estimating their maturity. On the other hand, even in severely biodegraded oils the vanadylporphyrin distributions are unaltered. Because of this, the Porphyrin Maturity Parameter (PMP) derived from the vanadylporphyrin distribution is an ideal parameter for estimating the maturity of these oils. This study also confirms the previous observation that T[sub s] and T[sub m] are unaffected by even severe biodegradation. 14 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, Akron, Ohio, an investigation was made into possible hazardous working conditions at two American Smelting and Refining Company (SIC-1031) zinc mines (New Market and Young) in Mascot, Tennessee. Specifically, exposures to asbestos (1332214), silica (14808607), and diesel emissions were determined. At both mines overexposures were found to nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) (NO2) and coal-tar pitch volatiles. Twenty-four percent of the NO2 measurements taken were above the NIOSH recommended ceiling of 1 part per million (ppm), but none exceeded the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) ceiling of 5ppm. Exposure to diesel particulates ranged from 0.24 to 1.06mg/cu m. None of the 52 respirable dust samples collected exceeded the calculated MSHA limits for free silica exposure. A medical evaluation was offered and 83 of the 400 current employees and one retired employee participated. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pulmonary clearance of an aerosol of "9"9Tc"m DTPA was measured in 21 non-smoking AIDS and pneumocystosis patients. The results were compared with those of pulmonary scintiscanning with gallium. All the patients exhibited increased clearance, evidence of a considerable alteration in alveolar permeability. This increase was also observed in patients with normal chest X-rays and normal blood gases. The average clearance in these patients was 6 #+-# 2% min"-"1 as compared with a normal 1.1 #+-# 0.3% min"-"1. Conversely, only four out of eight patients with normal chest X-rays had abnormal gallium scans. Clearance returned to normal after recovery. Measurement of DTPA clearance appears to be a very sensitive indicator for the detection and follow-up of pneumocystosis. However, it is not very specific since it can be increased by tobacco poisoning, drug abuse and the presence of lymphocytic alveolitis. An examination with normal findings can therefore exclude the ...

Science.gov (United States)

A personal account of Richard Berendzen's life as president of The American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. during the 1983-1984 academic year is presented in diary form. The account describes his interactions with faculty, students, administrators, and people outside the university to further the goals of the institution. In the year prior to the diary entries, enrollments at AU had dropped unexpectedly while tuition had not been raised to make up for the shortfall. There were empty beds of former students who faced economic pressures. A union protested AU's consequent firing of its custodians and its contracting with an independent custodial firm, which employed primarily blacks as custodians. The issue of racism surfaced when students and faculty supported demonstrators. Since AU has no wholly assured flow of applicants or donors, Berendzen recognized that to improve, or even to maintain, the relative position of AU, he had to become not only its pedagogical leader but also a ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The identification of genes influencing sensitivity to stimulants and opioids is important for determining their mechanism of action and may provide fundamental insights into the genetics of drug abuse. We used a panel of C57BL/6J (B6; recipient)x A/J (donor) chromosome substitution strains (CSSs) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for both open field activity and sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant response to methamphetamine (MA). Mice were injected with saline (days 1 and 2) and MA (day 3; 2 mg/kg i.p.). We analyzed the total distance traveled in the open field for 30 min following each injection. CSS-8, -11 and -16 showed reduced MA-induced locomotor activity relative to B6, whereas CSS-10 and -12 showed increased MA-induced locomotor activity. Further analysis focused on CSS...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The elemental and mineralogical variation in a self-burning coal seam from Coalspur, Alberta, is determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The elemental variation in the coal seam is related to temperatures in the various alteration zones, i.e., oxidation, combustion, or carbonization and nature of elements. Mobilization of elements is greatest for As, Br, Cl, Mo, N, S, and Sb. Some of these elements are released to the atmosphere, as evident by the presence of orthorombic sulfur crystals on the surface or in vents at the top of the burning seam or saturation of oxidation char by volatile matter (tar). Whewellite (CaC{sub 2}O{sub 4}, H{sub 2}O) is the only Ca-bearing mineral found in the cooler area of the coal seam. Decomposition of this mineral, coupled with the presence of SO{sub 2} formed by reaction of organic sulfur with O{sub 2} in combustion, resulted in formation of a relatively high gypsum content in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document demonstrates the commercial status of the process units to be used in the Tri-State Synfuels Project at Henderson, Kentucky. The basic design philosophy as established in October, 1979, was to use the commercial SASOL II/III plants as a basis. This was changed in January 1982 to a plant configuration to produce gasoline via a methanol and methanol to gasoline process. To accomplish this change the Synthol, Oil workup and Chemical Workup Units were eliminated and replaced by Methanol Synthesis and Methanol to Gasoline Units. Certain other changes to optimize the Lurgi liquids processing eliminated the Tar Distillation and Naphtha Hydrotreater Units which were replaced by the Partial Oxidation Unit. The coals to be gasified are moderately caking which necessitates the installation of stirring mechanism in the Lurgi Dry Bottom gasifier. This work is in the demonstration phase. Process licenses either have been obtained or must be obtained for a number of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We studied the sorption of As(III) and As(V) onto ferrihydrite as affected by pH, nature and concentration of organic [oxalic (OX), malic (MAL), tartaric (TAR), and citric (CIT) acid] and inorganic [phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4), selenate (SeO4) and selenite (SeO3)] ligands, and the sequence of anion addition. The sorption capacity of As(III) was greater than that of As(V) in the range of pH 4.0-11.0. The capability of organic and inorganic ligands in preventing As sorption follows the sequence: SeO4~SO43 PO4. The efficiency of most of the competing ligands in preventing As(III) and As(V) sorption increased by decreasing pH, but PO4 whose efficiency increased by increasing pH. In acidic systems all the competing ligands inhibited the sorption of As(III) more than As(V), but in alkaline e...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A literature review on gasification of lignocellulosic biomass in various types of fluidized bed gasifiers is presented. The effect of several process parameters such as catalytic bed material, bed temperature and gasifying agent on the performance of the gasifier and quality of the producer gas is discussed. Based on the priorities of researchers, the optimum values of various desired outputs in the gasification process including improved producer gas composition, enhanced LHV, less tar and char content, high gas yield and enhanced carbon conversion and cold gas efficiency have been reported. The characteristics and performance of different fluidized bed gasifiers were assessed and the obtained results from the literature have been extensively reviewed. Survey of literature revealed that several industrial biomass gasification plants using fluidized beds are currently conducting in various countries. However, more research and development of technology should be ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new air injection process called toe-to-heel air injection (THAI) has been developed to achieve very stable combustion performance in heavy oil wells by controlling gas override. In the THAI process, injected air migrates preferentially to the combustion front into a horizontal producer well by the oxygen diffusional gradient created under steady state conditions. This is possible because of the balance between the stoichiometric oxygen flux needed to burn the fuel (coke) laid down ahead of the combustion front and the removal of downstream combustion gases and mobilised fluids. This study involved a numerical simulation of the THAI process to increase the understanding of the processes involving fluid flow, heat transfer and chemical reactions taking place during in situ combustion. Two tests were conducted involving one dry and one wet combustion using heavy Wolf Lake Oil. The objective was to determine if the behaviour of the oil could be predicted. A corresponding ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The cost of liquid fuels from coal is a complex function of many factors, such as capital investment, cost of coal and labor cost. Furthermore, the cost will depend on geographical position, the size of the operation and the efficiency of the process. There is no single answer and case studies will have to be made to establish economics at different locations. In the following, the 1980 order-of-magnitude investment costs and operating costs for a coal liquefaction plant are estimated. For a Sasol II type of plant with the product output indicated earlier, the total capital cost is estimated at $4 billion in 1980 dollars. Capital cost accounts for approximately 50%, utilities and materials for 30%, and labor for 20% of the total cost. Given the market value of by-product ethylene ($175/t), tar products ($300/t), chemicals ($300/t), ammonia ($200/t) and sulfur ($25/t), the credit for by-products is $146 million per year. The cost of motor fuel is thus estimated at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

DMT has developed what is called the stepped reforming process. This is an allothermal gasification process which uses hydrogen for a gasification medium. First the biomass is pyrolised by means of a heat transfer material. The escaping gaseous and condensable constituents are hydrogenated, heated in a reforming stage and are made to react to a hydrogen-rich product gas by means of homogeneous gasification. The heat required for this is provided by burning the pyrolysis coke. This makes it possible to dispense with process stages that would involve gasification of solid material and hence require higher pressure levels. The present process also works at ambient pressure. Moreover, stepped reforming promises a number of additional advantages: low-tar product gas containing 60% hydrogen, high cold gas efficiency, no wastewater arisings, robust operating behaviour. This paper outlines the basic ideas that led to the development of stepped reforming process and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document gathers the available presentations (articles and transparencies) given at this annual meeting, the 2007 topic of which was the technological, geopolitical, economical, environmental, societal and development stakes of energy. 1 - technological stakes - which energies for the future: new energies, illusion or solution of the future; the Lorraine region, an energy land: strategies and stakes for a sustainable development; from China to Brazil: understanding the nuclear energy revival; hydroelectric power: renewable and sustainable energy; renewable energies and environment protection: the contribution of biofuels; wind power in Germany between success and contestation; 2 - geopolitical stakes - energy levier of power: the Gulf of Guinea hydrocarbons: between development and geopolitics; the complex evaluation of resources and reserves between technology, market and geopolitics; the new Bakou-Tbilissi-Ceyhan pipeline: what impacts for Turkey and the European Union; 3 - ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Energy from biomass is a CO{sub 2} neutral, sustainable form of energy. Anaerobic digestion is an established technology for converting biomass to biogas, which contains around 60% methane, besides CO{sub 2} and various contaminants. Most types of biomass contain material that cannot be digested; in woody biomass, this portion is particularly high. Therefore, conventional anaerobic digestion is not suited for the production of biogas from woody biomass. While wood is already being converted to energy by conventional thermal methods (gasification with subsequent methanation), dung, manure, and sewage sludge represent types of biomass whose energy potential remains largely untapped (present energetic use of manure in Switzerland: 0.4%). Conventional gas phase processes suffer from a low efficiency due to the high water content of the feed (enthalpy of vaporization). An alternative technology is the hydrothermal gasification: the water contained within the biomass serves as reaction ...