Originally designed exclusively for peak load covering, pumped storage plants are now faced with new challenges brought about by the deregulation of the electricity market and the substantial growth of wind power capacity. Today's pumped storage plants are started more frequently and often for shorter periods of time. The grid controlling tasks have increased the importance of the role played by this type of power plant and improved sales considerably. But the operational demands have grown substantially as well. This paper discusses the ensuing adaptation of power plant operation as well as options available to power plant operators. (orig.)
In the paper presented, an attempt is made to describe quantitatively the room air motion by diffuse air distribution. Since solving the problem theoretically, seems to be hopeless at present, only an experimental solution seems to promise success. Experiments with diffuse air distribution offer suitable preconditions. With this kind of air introduction into the room, a relatively regular distribution of room air motion can be expected. A further simplification will be achieved by isotherme flow conditions. The first goal of the experiments was to establish whether the velocities measured are reproducible to demonstrate, and can be brought into a functional connection. The room air motion is a measured value which changes temporarily and locally quite largely, far more than is customary with technical measurements. From there, a second task arises, i.e. to evaluate the fluctuation of the velocity registered by its quantity in an appropriate ...
Focused ion beam (FIB) milling techniques are presented aiming at the manipulation of both tin dioxide (SnO_2) inverted opals and polystyrene (PS) direct opals. Different SnO_2 opals are considered in order to estimate the regularity of their bulk after the production. A SnO_2 mesoporous monolith is FIB micromachined to make it suitable for optical applications. PS direct opals are structured by FIB milling at different scales. Ordered arrays of PS opals are modified by selectively removing a single sphere. In performing this task, we discuss the effects on the FIB milling due to the gas-assisted enhanced etching and to the binding of the nearest neighbours. Techniques to achieve imaging of PS opals in absence of a conductive coating are also brought up. Furthermore, isolated PS spheres are drilled with or without enhanced etching in order to produce controlled defects on them. The FIB-assisted manipulations we show may find potential ...
Task, Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) Transition to Operations ... Related Tasks (36). Task, Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) on ISS. Common Item(s) ...
... mounted new operations against the TTP stronghold in ... was the fourth tranche of Pakistan's IMF-backed ... and brought the total funds received by ...
Sandia is a national security laboratory operated for the U.S. department of Energy by the Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company. Sandia designs all non-nuclear components for the nation's nuclear weapons, performs a wide variety of energy research and development projects, and works on assignments that respond to national security threats - both military and economic. They encourage and seek partnerships with appropriate U.S. industry and government groups to collaborate on emerging technologies that support their mission. Today, Sandia has two primary facilities, one in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and one in Livermore, California. They employ about 7,600 people and manage about $1.4 billion of work per year. In 1995, a decision was made to move from their in-house developed systems to commercial software. This decision was driven partly by Y2K compliance issues associated with the existing operating system and support environment. Peoplesoft was selected for human ...
... The task consisted of determination of the most economical composition of the charge of the cupola furnace of the foundry. 21s was no simple task. ...
... directed the transformation of designated Service operational headquarters into effective and scalable Joint Task Force headquarters capable of ...
The Second Kitasato Symposium: New Prospects for Cytokines brought together researchers and rheumatologists to consider the essential role of cytokines in health and their contributions to autoimmunity....Full Text Available
Hexavalent chromium in corrosion preventive coating 64 ...To prevent corrosion of rims, weights can be provided with a coating. ...integrated clips brought up technical problems due to corrosion
... mounted new operations against the TTP stronghold in ... was the fourth tranche of Pakistan's IMF-backed ... and brought the total funds received by ...
AECL Publications on Reactor Safety in CANDU Reactors are listed in this bibliography. The listing is chronological and the accompanying index is by subject. The bibliography will be brought up to date annually. (auth).
Special Operations Forces (SOF) within a Joint Task Force are controlled by a Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF). Presently, JSOTF headquarters are formed around the core of the Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), a service SOF headquarter...
Cache locking technique is often utilized to guarantee a tighter prediction of Worst-Case Execution Time (WCET) which is one of the most important performance metrics for embedded systems. However, in Multi-Processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoC) systems with multi-tasks, Level 2 (L2) cache is often shared among different tasks and cores, which leads to extended unpredictability of cache. Task assignment has inherent relevancy for cache behavior, while cache behavior also affects the efficiency of task assignment. Task assignment and cache behavior have dramatic influences on the overall WCET of MPSoC. This paper proposes joint task assignment and cache partitioning techniques to minimize the overall WCET for MPSoC systems. Cache locking is applied to each task to guarantee a precise WCET. We pr...
Summary of personnel, commitments, and costs ... Origin of complex land-based ecosystems (W. Friedman) ...... technology has brought about the birth of lab- ..... Baross, J.A. and S.E. Hoffman, Submarine hydrothermal vents and ...
Assimilatory nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in crude spinach leaf (Spinacia oleracea) extracts undergoes rapid changes following fluctuations in photosynthesis brought about by changes...Full Text Available
How can the inhabitants of the European Union be brought closer together? One way of doing it is to expand and improve the trans-European railway network and to have interoperable highspeed trains connecting Europe's major centres. (orig.)
Non-cemented femoral fixation in hip arthroplasty has become the standard of practice in the USA. However, recent literature has brought attention to an increasing incidence of periprosthetic femur...Full Text Available
Institutional and organizational models ... Review individual centre institutional and organizational models in the light of the tasks to be performed by
Two experiments examined the role of compatibility of input and output (I-O) modality mappings in task switching. We define I-O modality compatibility in terms of similarity of stimulus modality and modality of response-related sensory consequences. Experiment 1 included switching between 2 compatible tasks (auditory-vocal vs. visual-manual) and between 2 incompatible tasks (auditory-manual vs. visual-vocal). The resulting switch costs were smaller in compatible tasks compared to incompatible tasks. Experiment 2 manipulated the response-stimulus interval (RSI) to examine the time course of the compatibility effect. The effect on switch costs was confirmed with short RSI, but the effect was diminished with long RSI. Together, the data suggest that task sets are modality specific. Reduced switch costs in compatible tasks may be due to special ...
The ''Enabling & Information Technology To Increase RAM for Advanced Powerplants'' program, by DOE request, was re-directed, de-scoped to two tasks, shortened to a 2-year period of performance, and refocused to develop, validate and accelerate the commercial use of enabling materials technologies and sensors for coal/IGCC powerplants. The new program was re-titled ''Enabling Technology for Monitoring & Predicting Gas Turbine Health & Performance in IGCC Powerplants''. This final report summarizes the work accomplished from March 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 on the four original tasks, and the work accomplished from April 1, 2004 to July 30, 2005 on the two re-directed tasks. The program Tasks are summarized below: Task 1--IGCC Environmental Impact on high Temperature Materials: The first ...
The effect of reference signals on performance in a visual vigilance task was studied under three conditions. Reference signals were presented on the same display as the real signals. In condition 1 (control), no reference signals were displayed. Sugbject...
The Space Task Group in its study of future directions in space, with ..... almost $6 billion and a peak civil service and contractor work force of 420000 people. ..... space organizations permitting assumptions of primary or joint responsibility for ...
Performance on serial tasks is influenced by first- and higher-order sequential effects, respectively due to the immediately previous and earlier trials. As response-to-stimulus interval (RSI)...Full Text Available
The purpose of the Joint Task Force Headquarters Master Training Guide (JTF HQ MTG) is to provide a descriptive, performance-oriented training guide to assist leaders in training their units. It also serves as a guide for the JTF Headquarters in actual op...
We used the idea of hierarchical control to study multi-muscle synergies during a whole-body sway task performed by a standing person. Within this view, at the lower level of the hierarchy,...Full Text Available
This ETP defines the task and deliverables associated with the design, fabrication and testing of an improved spray wash system for the Rotary Mode Core Sampling (RMCS)Spray Wash Trailer.
As requested by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) and the Director DARPA, the Defense Science Board task force performed a one-time independent evaluation of the technology investment for the Defense Advanced Research...
This study investigates the doctrinal guidance available to a corps headquarters if required to serve as ajoint task force headquarters and simultaneously be required to warfight the corps. The study contends that a corps being required to simultaneously ...
...undertake missions and tasks (on either a...Secretary of Defense to task the DoD Components...the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff any commitment of military forces assigned to the Unified... (9) Military forces employed in MSCA...approval from higher headquarters, local military...
Commercial introduction of new polymer materials for use as the electrolyte in solid tantalum and solid aluminum electrolytic capacitors is underway. ...
... The goal is to understand and describe the work actors do, their information behavior, the context in which they work, and the reasons for their ...
This report provides a summary of progress for the project {open_quotes}Evaluation of the Geologic Relations and Seismotectonic Stability of the Yucca Mountain Area, Nevada Nuclear Waste Site Investigation (NNWSI).{close_quotes} A similar report was previously provided for the period of 1 October 1991 to 30 September 1992. The report initially covers the activities of the General Task and is followed by sections that describe the progress of the other ongoing tasks.
Bungarus caeruleus (Indian common krait) bite during monsoons is common in Northwest India. This study was undertaken to find the effectiveness of neostigmine and polyvalent antivenom in improving neuromuscular paralysis following bite. All the consecutive patients admitted between June 2007 and December 2008 with common krait bite, identified either from brought snake or circumstantial evidence were studied. Ten vials of polyvalent antivenom and three doses of 2.5mg neostigmine at 30min intervals after administration of 0.6mg of atropine were administered I.V. and patients were assessed for any improvement in neuroparalysis. Seventy-two patients were admitted during the study period. All the patients except two came from rural areas and were brought between June and September. Sixty-two p...
This paper focuses on the development of explicit self-awareness in children. Mirror self-recognition has been the most popular paradigm used to assess this ability in children. Nevertheless, according to Rochat (2003), there are, at least, three different levels of explicit self-awareness. We therefore designed three different self-recognition tasks, each corresponding to one of these levels (a mirror self-recognition task, a picture self-recognition task and a masked self-recognition task). We observed a decrease in performance across the three tasks. This supports a developmental scale in self-awareness. Besides, the masked self-recognition performance makes it possible to assess the final and the most sophisticated level of self-awareness, i.e. the external self. To our best knowledge,...
This report accounts for Task 3 of DOE Contract No. AC01-81FE-05077. It reviews the developments in indirect coal liquefaction with emphasis on slurry-phase reactors and catalysis. This report also discusses topics related to indirect coal liquefaction research, such as analytical techniques in catalysis. The subjects covered in this report were selected by DOE. This report is the third and final task report of the three major tasks in this contract. The first task, ''Direct Coal Liquefaction Catalyst Development - Program Review and Research Perspectives'', was completed in November 1982. The second task, ''Review of Direct Coal Liquefaction by Slurry-Phase Catalysis'', was completed in September 1983. 47 refs., 66 figs., 50 tabs.
This is the third quarterly progress report for Year 3 of the ACTS Project. It includes a review of progress made in: (1) Flow Loop construction and development and (2) research tasks during the period of time between Jan. 1, 2002 and Mar. 31, 2002. This report presents a review of progress on the following specific tasks: (a) Design and development of an Advanced Cuttings Transport Facility (Task 3: Addition of a Cuttings Injection/Separation System), (b) Research project (Task 6): ''Study of Cuttings Transport with Foam Under LPAT Conditions (Joint Project with TUDRP)'', (c) Research project (Task 9b): ''Study of Foam Flow Behavior Under EPET Conditions'', (d) Research project (Task 10): ''Study of Cuttings Transport with Aerated Mud Under Elevated Pressure and ...
Research performed under this contract was divided into four tasks under the following headings: Task 1, Characterization of fly ash; Task 2, Measurements of the optical constants of slags; Task 3, Calculations of the radiant properties of fly ash dispersions; and Task 4, Measurements of the radiant properties of fly ash dispersions. Tasks 1 and 4 constituted the Ph.D. research topic of Sarbajit Ghosal, while Tasks 2 and 3 constituted the Ph.D. research topic of Jon Ebert. Together their doctoral dissertations give a complete account of the work performed. This final report, issued in two volumes consists of an executive summary of the whole program followed by the dissertation of Ghosal and Ebert. Volume 2 contains the dissertation of Ebert which covers the measurements of the optical constants of slags, and calculations of the radiant ...
may be possible to meet those loads with renewable energy systems &mdashachieving zero-net- energy performance.Solar-thermal heating systems, ...p/p Spencer and others argue that renewable energy systems should be considered only after the building envelope ...energy loads are brought low enough, however, a renewable energy system may make sense financially. p
Brain scintiscanning which was first carried out exclusively 'statical' and only with test substances of limited quality has been replaced nowadays by 'dynamical' camera-sequency-scintiscanning with technetium. This brought considerable progress not only for identifying but also for the differential diagnosis of cerebro-organic processes. Development, methods, and integration of brain scintiscanning in a diagnostical conception are described briefly. (orig.).
In the recent years the use of nuclear energy has turned from a technical and scientific issue to a political one. The high-temperature reactor (HTR) however, has always been advertised as particularly safe. The present situation and future developments of HTR-technology were the two issues that VDI-News brought up on the 27th October on an HTR-conference in an interview with the 'spiritual father' of the HTR, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Schulten of the Juelich Nuclear Research Centre. (orig.).
The second in a series of flights to assemble the Japanese segment of the International Space Station saw the mammoth Kibo module delivered to the complex complements of Discovery and its crew on the STS-124 mission. Kibo, the Japanese word for u201chopeu201d would house dozens of experiments and serve as a platform for external payloads brought to the complex on subsequent Shuttle flights and the Japanese u201cKounotoriu201d H-2 Transfer Vehicle cargo ship.
This conference brought together those persons in the nuclear industry who have a vital interest in the training and licensing of nuclear reactor and nuclear fuel processing plant operators, senior operators, and support personnel for the purpose of an exchange of ideas and information related to the various aspects of training, retraining, examination, and licensing. The document contains 64 papers; each paper was abstracted for the data.
The results of work of making the electronic textbook of special discipline ('General theory and construction of heat-and-power engineering facilities' are brought. The principles and requirements, presented towards literature of such type, are outlined. (author)
Wolsung nuclear power plant has experienced four occasions of reactor shutdown owing to heavy water leaks since its commercial operation. Among these heavy water leaks, only one case was acute and brought about reactor shutdown but the other cases listed below were chronic and repaired after manual reactor shutdown. (author). 4 tabs., 10 figs.
The technical rule intends to maintain the function of the safety facilities in case of explosion hazards resulting from materials capable of generating explosive atmospheres or forming explosive mixtures if such materials are brought or released into the nuclear facility or are generated on site. (orig.).
The technical rule intends to maintain the function of the safety facilities in case of explosion hazards resulting from materials capable of generating explosive atmospheres or forming explosive mixtures if such materials are brought or released into the nuclear facility or are generated on site. (orig.).
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is establishing a local chapter of the University of California Energy Institute (UCEI). In order to most effectively contribute to the Institute, LLNL sponsored a workshop on energy and environmental issues in transportation. This workshop took place in Livermore on August 10 and brought together researchers from throughout the UC systems in order to establish a joint LLNL-UC research program in transportation, with a focus on energy and environmental impacts.
Asymptotic giant branch stars are red supergiant stars of low-to-intermediate mass. This class of stars is of particular interest because many of these stars can have nuclear processed material brought up repeatedly from the deep interior to the surface where it can be observed. A review of recent theoretical and observational work on stars undergoing the asymptotic giant branch phase is presented. 41 refs.
This report forms part of an independent review of the specifications, execution and results of Task 6 of the Aespoe Task Force on Modelling of Groundwater Flow and Transport of Solutes, which is seeking to provide a bridge between site characterization (SC) and performance assessment (PA) approaches to solute transport in fractured rock. The present report is concerned solely with Task 6C, which relates to the construction and parametrisation of a block-scale hydrostructural model of the TRUE Block Scale region of the Aespoe Hard Rock laboratory. The task objectives, specifications and outcome are summarised and reviewed. Also, consideration is given to how the hydrostructural model might affect the outcomes of Task 6D and 6E. The main conclusions of this review are summarised below: The Task 6C hydrostructural model is a more comprehensive approach to ...
The Task Force solicited comments on its Draft Final Report from a variety of sources. Letters were sent to over 400 individuals who had expressed interest in the interest in the Department`s radioactive waste, management programs, a notice was placed in the Federal Register, the morning session of the January 1993 meeting of the full Secretary of Energy Advisory Board was given over to discussion of the draft, and Task Force members and staff presented the effort at several professional meetings. Altogether 32 written comments were received. They are reproduced here, followed in each case by the Task Force`s response to specific suggestions made to improve the draft. (The panel did not respond to comments that simply reflected policy preferences or that praised the group`s effort.) With one exception, those specific suggestions are highlighted and given a letter designation from {open_quotes}A{close_quotes} to ...
The goal of GRI's Gas Appliance Technology Center is to encourage the introduction of highly efficient, cost-effective, convenient gas appliances for residential and commercial gas users. The report covers activity at Battelle from February 1989 to April 1990 in broad support tasks, residential and commercial appliances, and residential space conditioning. Broad support tasks included the G/A/S Newsletter; the GATC InfoBase; and technology transfer, workshops, and GATC coordination. Residential appliance tasks included burner technology research, gas appliance venting, gas lighting, and plastics durability. Commercial appliance tasks included development of a commercial cooktop fuel/air mixing valve. Residential space conditioning tasks included a corrosion test method for gas appliances and vents, generic technology for condensing heat exchangers, and technology for ...
This report describes the 5 tasks to be covered under this project and compiles budget information. Task 1 is to establish a Plutonium Information Resource, which has been established in Amarillo, Texas. Task 2, Advisory Functions, coordinates studies and activities relating to the disposition of excess weapons-grade plutonium. Task 3, Environmental, Public Health, and Safety, supports soil remediation activities. Task 4, Education and Outreach, is supporting four programs: K--12 education improvement in science and math courses; Academic intervention to identify and encourage high ability high school and middle school students with potential to become scientists and engineers; Graduate education evaluation; and Public outreach programs. Task 5, Plutonium and other Materials Studies, is currently funding two projects for the disposition of high explosives: a ...
Unmanned systems are often used to augment the ability of humans to perform challenging tasks. While the value of individual unmanned vehicles have been proven for a variety of tasks, it is less understood how multiple unmanned systems should be used together to accomplish larger missions such as site security. The purpose of this paper is to discuss efforts by researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to explore the utility and practicality of operating multiple unmanned systems for a site security mission. This paper reviews the technology developed for a multi-agent mission and summarizes the lessons-learned from a technology demonstration.
Volume VII of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the tritium transport model documentation. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
Volume VI of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the groundwater flow model data. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
Volume IV of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the hydrologic parameter data. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
Volume II of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the potentiometric data. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
In FY 1984 three specific tasks which are all related to not-well-understood two-phase phenomena of importance to LWR accidents have been identified under the program. These three tasks are: (1) inverted annular flow experiments and modeling; (2) hot leg U-bend two-phase flow simulation study; and (3) development and evaluation of two-phase flow scaling criteria. Some of the important results obtained under Tasks (1) and (2) are reported in this paper.
This chapter reports recent advances in the statistical learning literature that may be of interest for biometrics. In particular we discuss two different algorithmic settings, binary classification and multi-task learning, and analyze the two closely related problems of feature selection and feature learning. In the binary case the theoretical and algorithmic advances to feature selection are applied to solve face detection and face authentication problems. In the multi-task case we show how the data structure described by a group of features common to the various tasks can be effectively learned, and then we discuss how this approach could be used to address face recognition.
2.1 The Importance of Life Cycle Management and Cost Estimating................. ........... 1-2 .... 4.3.5 Task 12: Update Cost Estimate on Regular Basis. ...
Information superiority provides the Joint force a competitive ... Information Grid (GIG) as it matures and fills the needs of the Joint Task Force ... representatives from The Army Secretariat, Headquarters Department of Army ...
How to decide which mine surface tasks may be performed by industrial robots to improve productivity and working conditions is described. Charts are presented of the industrial tasks performed on the surface and how each task may be classified as light, average, difficult or very diffcult according to a defect criteria is explained (defective operations are those which involve, heavy, harmful, stressful or dangerous jobs). The results of these calculations are used to identify which operations are suitable for first introduction of robots since traditional automation methods cannot be used, e.g. various storage, loading and packaging tasks, coal selection, sorting and removal of foreign matter, provision of services such as food preparation, cleaning, etc. Robots may also be used to control automated operations that are monotonous and hazardous for human operators. It is envisaged that in the future ...
... Headquarters Element, Defense Logistics Agency, Support Detachment 3 ... Joint Task Force, Team 6 ... 19th Special Forces Group, Support Element 1 ...
... 7th Joint Task Force Augmentation Team Schwetzingen ... Headquarters 85th Division Training Support, Detach 2 ... 20th Special Forces Company A ...
BackgroundFeature selection is an important pre-processing task in the analysis of complex data. Selecting an appropriate subset of features can improve classification or clustering...Full Text Available
Selection of the appropriate radiation quality is an important aspect of optimisation for every clinical imaging task in radiology, since it affects both image quality and patient dose. Spreadsheet...Full Text Available
... The other standards in this group deal with heat exchangers, insulation, marking, valves, hydraulic cleanliness, storage of LPG, and centrifugal fire ...
... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service. ... US Military (ie, Army, Navy, Air Force) service publications ... Strike Group to Fight in the Joint Task Force. ...
The Morris water maze is widely used to evaluate to evaluate the spatial learning ability of rodents under laboratory settings. The present study demonstrates that reproductive male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, are able to acquire and retain a spatial water maze task using celestial cues. Voles were able to acquire a modified outdoor Morris water maze task over 4 trials per day, whereby they had to learn and remember the location of a submerged hidden platform, using the position of the sun and associated celestial cues. Their proficiency on this task was related to the availability of the celestial cues, with voles displaying significantly poorer spatial navigation on overcast than clear days and when the testing time (and position of the sun and associated celestial cues) was shifted from morning to afternoon. These findings with meadow voles support the ecological relevance of the water maze ...
Project methodology, analysis of the occupational and training situation, task analysis process, design process for a systematic training plan specific to the job position are described.
... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service. ... ie, Army, Navy, Air Force) service publications ... The Case of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. ...
During this quarter, work began on the regional structural and geologic analysis of the greater Green River basin (GGRB) in southwestern Wyoming, northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah. The ultimate objective of the regional analysis is to apply the techniques developed and demonstrated during earlier phases of the project to sweet-spot delineation in a relatively new and underexplored play: tight gas from continuous-type Upper Cretaceous reservoirs of the GGRB. The primary goal of this work is to partition and high-grade the greater Green River basin for exploration efforts in the Cretaceous tight gas play. The work plan for the quarter of January 1, 1998--March 31, 1998 consisted of three tasks: (1) Acquire necessary data and develop base map of study area; (2) Process data for analysis; and (3) Initiate structural study. The first task and second tasks were completed during this reporting period. The third ...
... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service ... but also with respect to other Joint, National and ... unit of action (UA) combat team or task force is organized ...
Introduction. This study used Item-Response Theory (IRT) to model the psychometric properties of a false belief picture sequencing task. Consistent with the mental time travel hypothesis of paranoia, we anticipated that performance on this deductive theory of mind (ToM) task would not be associated with the presence of persecutory delusions but would be related to other clinical, cognitive, and demographic factors. Method. A large (N=237) and diverse clinical and nonclinical sample differing in levels of depression and paranoid ideation performed 2 ToM tasks: the false belief sequencing task and a ToM stories task that was used to assess the validity of the false belief sequencing task as a measure of ToM. Results. A unidimensional IRT model was found to fit the data well. Latent ToM ability as measured by the false belief sequencing task ...
Amotivation is a telling hallmark of negative symptomatology in schizophrenia, and it impacts nearly every facet of behavior, including inclination to attempt the difficult cognitive tasks involved...Full Text Available
... for team sizes ranging from 2 to 6 robots. ... intercep- tion mission, a robot must overtake a ... of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), unmanned aerial ...
... Experts ( Appendix 5 ), and the NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program ( Appendix 6) . The Task Force consisted of one representative from NMFS Headquarters and 1-2 rep...
We used neuropsychological tasks to investigate integrity of brain circuits linking orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala (orbitofrontal-amygdala), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus...Full Text Available
Sep 5, 1996 ... In Haiti, the military deployed a space support team to advise the task force commander on the effective use of space assets, such as the Milstar ...
This standard establishes requirements, verification criteria, and contractor tasks for electromagnetic effects protection of airborne, ground, and support systems. These effects include electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic interference, lightni...
Jan 14, 2004 ... presented to the nation at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., ...... Board/Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Joint Task Force on ...
DECOVALEX II project started in November 1995 as a continuation of the DECOVALEX I project, which was completed at the end of 1994. The project was initiated by recognizing the fact that a proper evaluation of the current capacities of numerical modelling of the coupled T-H-M processes in fractured media is needed not only for small scale, well controlled laboratory test cases such as those studied in DECOVALEX I, but also for less characterised, more complex and realistic in-situ experiments. This will contribute to validation and confidence building in the current mathematical models, numerical methods and computer codes. Four tasks were defined in the DECOVALEX II project: TASK 1 - numerical study of the RCF3 pumping test and shaft excavation at Sellafield by Nirex, UK; TASK 2 - numerical study of the in-situ T-H-M experiments at Kamaishi Mine by PNC, Japan; TASK 3 - review of current ...
By using the paired comparison methodology, it was possible to establish evaluative priorities, providing criterion weights which reflected the thoughts and feelings of an advisory committee consisting of experts in the task selection process. For the U.S. Army Infantry School, the weights can be used to stress higher weighted criterion results in the task selection process. By extending the size and diversity of the advisory committee, the use of paired comparison methodology can provide an effective, reliable procedure for (1) constructing evaluative criterion weights for the task selection process and in other areas which have multiple criteria used for evaluative purposes and (2) incorporating into an evaluative design the valuable contributions of various experts and interest groups. (Author/BW)
Even before Egyptian times, fiber and paper-based methods were used to manage time, tasks, and priorities. Papyrus and paper were effective in their time, but now is the time for the even more effective computer-based methods of time management. This study compares paper and computer methods of the management of time, tasks, and priorities. Discussed are recommended strengths of off-the-shelf software for time management. Integrated software is recommended. A case study of the use of idea processing software to manage publication tasks and priorities is examined. Illustrated--for classroom-style training--are uses of a computer to enhance the quality and increase the efficiency of the coordination of publications from conception and research to printing and issuance. 3 refs., 43 figs.
Feb 6, 2003 ... Director, Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, .... Commander of the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia at Prince ...
... increasing its economic results, tapping mew financial sources and augmenting its income, but also a basic task in financial and tax management. ...
Recall from visual memory is vulnerable to the influence of task-irrelevant information, including the remembered, prototypical value of stimuli seen previously. Wilken...Full Text Available
Flow cytometry (FCM) is widely used in health research and in treatment for a variety of tasks, such as in the diagnosis and monitoring of leukemia and lymphoma patients, providing the counts of helper-T...Full Text Available
joint task force (JTF), division (OIV) and regimental combat team (RCT) with ..... Headquarters, Department of the Army. (HQOA), (2010). Field Manual 2-0 ...
The training of a new project team member was completed (Task 2.1). The Software Requirements Document was written (Task 2.3). It was determined that the CAPE-OPEN interfaces are sufficient for the communication between Fluent and V21 Controller (Task 2.4). The AspenPlus-Fluent prototype on allyl/triacetone alcohol production was further developed to assist the GUI and software design tasks. The prototype was also used to analyze the sensitivity of a process simulation result with respect to a parameter in a CFD model embedded in the process simulation. Thus the integration of process simulation and CFD provides additional process insights and enables the engineer to optimize overall process performance (e.g., product purity and yield) with respect to important CFD design and operation parameters (e.g., CSTR shaft speed). A top-level design of the V21 Controller was developed and discussed. A draft ...
Spent oxide fuels are reduced in a molten salt of CaCl[sub 2]-CaF[sub 2] to convert them into metals, then melted in an Fe-U bath disposed in an electrolytic refining vessel and brought into contact with molten Mg, to extract transuranium elements and rare earth elements contained in the Fe-U bath as metals in the molten Mg. Then molten Mg is removed and the residue is brought into contact with KCl-LiCl molten salt and electrolyzed using the Fe-U as an anode. Then, uranium is recovered by deposition on an iron cathode disposed in chloride electrolytes of the electrolytic refining vessel. Uranium and transuranium elements can be thus separated and, for example, depleted uranium for use in blanket fuels can be recovered easily. This can greatly reduce the temporary storage amount of depleted uranium, to eliminate requirement for a large-scaled facility used exclusively for storing uranium and long time management for uranium. (T.M.).
Spent oxide fuels are reduced in a molten salt of CaCl_2-CaF_2 to convert them into metals, then melted in an Fe-U bath disposed in an electrolytic refining vessel and brought into contact with molten Mg, to extract transuranium elements and rare earth elements contained in the Fe-U bath as metals in the molten Mg. Then molten Mg is removed and the residue is brought into contact with KCl-LiCl molten salt and electrolyzed using the Fe-U as an anode. Then, uranium is recovered by deposition on an iron cathode disposed in chloride electrolytes of the electrolytic refining vessel. Uranium and transuranium elements can be thus separated and, for example, depleted uranium for use in blanket fuels can be recovered easily. This can greatly reduce the temporary storage amount of depleted uranium, to eliminate requirement for a large-scaled facility used exclusively for storing uranium and long time management for uranium. (T.M.).
For the inventory of water tritium concentration in the Manche department, it is the complementarity that animated the work opened during year 2001. To answer to a commune sensitivity such water quality, particularly drinking water at tap, the A.C.R.O. laboratory brought its know how to make and its technical means in the area of tritium analysis and the general council brought its know how to make and its logistics means in matter of sanitary control. This collaboration has allowed to supply an indication on the tritium content of the distribution waters of thirty of the most important cities of the department. Then, it allowed to inform on the radiological situation (in relation with the tritium presence) of coast waters and principal rivers waters. More than 160 controls have been realised between the months of march 2001 and february 2002. Only the tritium under the shape of tritiated water has been measured. The measures have been made by ...
Amongst the minor actinides issued from the spent nuclear fuel, {sup 241}Am is present in high concentration and contributes significantly to the long-term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. A major uncertainty was present in the transmutation chain of {sup 241}Am when irradiated by a high intensity thermal neutron flux. This uncertainty was brought about by the poor knowledge of the {sup 242gs}Am neutron capture cross section. A dedicated experiment has been performed at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, which gives a definitive experimental answer to this problem.
Amongst the minor actinides issued from the spent nuclear fuel, "2"4"1Am is present in high concentration and contributes significantly to the long-term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. A major uncertainty was present in the transmutation chain of "2"4"1Am when irradiated by a high intensity thermal neutron flux. This uncertainty was brought about by the poor knowledge of the "2"4"2"g"sAm neutron capture cross section. A dedicated experiment has been performed at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, which gives a definitive experimental answer to this problem.
This paper presents the results of experimental study carried out to know whether the salicylic acid used as an additive during the precipitation of zirconium using ammonium hydroxide solution goes into the filtrate, remains in the hydrated zirconia or gets distributed between the both under the ambient conditions of precipitation. Keeping its simplicity and amenability to adopt on a routine basis, spectrophotometric method has been chosen for the purpose among the many methods available and the problems associated in determining salicylic acid in the presence of zirconium and the medial measures to circumvent the same have been brought out in detail. (author)
The universe is full of exotic particles and waves. Some, such as neutrinos, pass through our neighbourhood unnoticed; others, such as extreme uv radiation, are absorbed by the upper atmosphere before they are able to do too much damage. For a long time, any systematic attempt to understand how our weather can be affected by extra-terrestrial sources other than solar visible and infrared radiation has been a lively and often controversial diversion from mainstream research. But recent scientific and technological breakthroughs and concern over long-term climate change have brought this subject into the spotlight.
Major similarities between robustness assessment and seismic design exist, and significant information can be brought from seismic design to robustness design. As will be discussed, although some methods and limitations considered in seismic design can improve robustness, the capacity of the structure to sustain limited damage without disproportionate effects is significantly more complex. In fact, seismic design can either improve or reduce the resistance of structures to unforeseeable events, depending on the structural type, triggering event, structural material, among others. Based on a case study, the influence of redundancy and ductility on the seismic behavior and robustness of a long-span timber structure is assessed.
The effects of automation and optimization on the day-to-day activities of oil field operators are sketched in this lead-in editorial comment on a series of articles designed to provide an overview of the revolution that computers have brought to the petroleum industry. The articles that follow detail the role of databases in tracking production information, new system architectures based on common integrated data repositories that provide corporation-wide access, the way video and single-site supervisory control and data acquisition are combined to control wellsite production, and a case study about the integrated processes introduced by Wascana Energy to automate its fields.
In the recent years the use of nuclear energy has turned from a technical and scientific issue to a political one. The high-temperature reactor (HTR) however, has always been advertised as particularly safe. The present situation and future developments of HTR-technology were the two issues that VDI-News brought up on the 27th October on an HTR-conference in an interview with the 'spiritual father' of the HTR, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Schulten of the Juelich Nuclear Research Centre.
Almost every electric utility company involved in nuclear plant construction has experienced difficulty as a result of the deteriorating condition of the nuclear industry as a whole. The thrust of a growing number of lawsuits brought against electric companies for alleged violations of federal securities laws is that the companies failed to reveal cost overruns, delays, and the risk of cancellation and write-off of nuclear plants in their annual reports and registration statements. A review of several suits and the disclosure requirements of securities statutes concludes that, although investors have known about utility problems, they have just become aware this year that the entire financial viability of the electric companies is threatened.
The electrolyte was brought into contact with air and potassium carbonate was measured with various contact time in order to check the defect of carbon dioxide in the air on zinc-air cell. The relationship between potassium carbonate concentration in electrolyte and battery capacity was also studied. The potassium carbonate concentration in the electrolyte. The rate of carbon dioxide absorption was mainly affected by the pore size of hydrophobic membrane. Our study showed that adapting the pore of hydrophobic membrane decreased the loss of cell discharge performance due to the presence of carbon dioxide or water vapor in the atmosphere. 7 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.
The receiver whose convective heat loss test results are presented was designed to absorb 5 MW of solar energy, using a molten salt working fluid. During the tests, this receiver was brought to a temperature of about 343 C by a small group of heliostats. Total receiver heat loss due to emitted radiation, conduction and convection was first determined, and the convection loss was established by calculating the radiation and conduction losses analytically and subtracting their sum from the total. Losses due to convection are found to be 1.43 percent of the total heat input.
The HVDC link across the English Channel, which was brought into service in 1986, has several innovative features. Techniques used in its construction together with recent developments have consolidated the viability of HVDC links for a variety of applications. Outlines the main features of the scheme, including the benefits of interconnecting the British and French 400 kV AC power systems; integration of the UK converter system to the 400 kV AC grid; the DC submarine cables; convertor equipment (particularly the UK installation); and future HVDC developments. 6 refs.
This report summarizes the objectives, background, technical progress, and status of ANL electric vehicle battery R&D tasks for DOE-EHP during the period of January 1 through March 31, 1991. The work is organized into the following six task areas: Project management; battery systems technology; lithium/sulfide batteries; advanced sodium/metal chloride battery; aqueous batteries; and EV Battery performance/life evaluation.
This report summarizes the objectives, background, technical progress, and status of ANL electric vehicle battery R D tasks for DOE-EHP during the period of January 1 through March 31, 1991. The work is organized into the following six task areas: Project management; battery systems technology; lithium/sulfide batteries; advanced sodium/metal chloride battery; aqueous batteries; and EV Battery performance/life evaluation.
This quality assurance plan (QAP) is designed ensure that the methodologies and the data used for environmental cleanup and treatment studies at the Nevada Test Site are both usable and defensible. The QAP serves two purposes in this regard: (1) to guide the preparation of procedures for carrying out the tasks of the Basic Environmental compliance and Monitoring program (BECAMP); and (2) to help management track the progress of those tasks.
This report covers the technical effort through February, 1989. This effort was directed towards the technology associated with the development of a large scale, long pulse DF-CO{sub 2} chemical laser. Optics damage studies performed under Task 1 assessed damage thresholds for diamond-turned salt windows. Task 2 is a multi-faceted task involving the use of PHOCL-50 for laser gain measurements, LTI experiments, and detector testing by LANL personnel. To support these latter tests, PHOCL-50 was upgraded with Boeing funding to incorporate a full aperture outcoupler that increased its energy output by over a factor of 3, to a full kilojoule. The PHOCL-50 carbon block calorimeter was also recalibrated and compared with the LANL Scientech meter. Cloud clearing studies under Task 3 initially concentrated on delivering a Boeing built Cloud Simulation Facility to LANL, and currently involves design of a Cold ...
Advances in robotic technologies reflected in commercially available and demonstrated capabilities provide exceptional alternatives to the designer of new and upgraded production processes. This paper discusses the states of the art of these technologies, describes some of the research and application engineering which has extended and exploited these capabilities, and provides some conceptual synthesis of advanced robotics and other industrial automation to hypothetical nuclear industry/laboratory tasks. Nuclear industry applications are oriented upon tasks in hazardous and contaminating environments and with hazardous materials.
Mission, threat and capabilities adaptations in the twenty-first century continue to change the tasks assigned to U.S. Army Infantry units. Traditional infantry tactical training does not prepare U.S. infantry forces for many of the tasks required in cont...
Over the five year period of performance, thirteen task assignments were issued by the DOE to ARINC Research. During the two year base period seven tasks were assigned. Two task assignments were issued for each of the three consecutive one year option periods. Associated with all task assignments were multiple subtasks, some of which required significant effort. These subtasks are appropriately cited in this report under their respective task assignments as principal work activities or deliverables. The technical and management support provided to the DOE under this contract focused on two general areas: (1) appraisal activities and (2) non-appraisal activities. Support to appraisals included planning, document review, developing lines-of-inquiry, interviewing, data collection, report writing, and follow-up. Such work was executed both on-site at the DOE facility under review and ...
Previous work shows the presence of scale invariance and long-range correlations in ongoing and spontaneous activity of large scale brain responses (i.e. EEG), and such scaling behavior can also be modulated by simple sensory stimulus. However, little is known whether such alteration but not destruction in scaling properties also occurs during complex cognitive processing and if neuroplasticity plays any role in mediating such changes. In this study, we addressed these issues by investigating scaling properties of multivariate EEG signals obtained from two broad groups - artists and non-artists - while they performed complex tasks of perception and mental imagery of visual art objects. We found that brain regions showing increased correlation properties from rest were similar for both tasks, suggesting that brain networks responsible for visual perception are reactivated for mental imagery. Further, we observed that the two groups could be ...
Universal Oil Products, Inc. (UOP) of Des Plaines, Illinois has contracted A.E. Roberts & Associates, Inc. (AERA) of Atlanta, Georgia to prepare a sensitivity analysis for the development of the Fluidized-bed Copper Oxide (FBCO) process. As proposed by AERA in September 1991, development of the FBCO process design for a 500 mega-watt (MW) unit was divided into three tasks: (1) Establishment of a Conceptual Design, (2) Conceptual Design, (3) Cost Analysis Task 1 determined the basis for a conceptual design for the 500 megawatt (MW) FBCO process. It was completed by AERA in September of 1992, and a report was submitted at that time {open_quotes}Establishment of the Design Basis for Application to a 500 MW Coal-fired Facility.{close_quotes} Task 2 gathered all pertinent data available to date and reviewed its applicability to the 500 MW FBCO process. Work on this task was carried out on a joint basis ...
The Devonian oil shales of the Eastern United States are a significant domestic energy resource. The overall objective of the multi-year program, initiated in October 1987 by the US Department of Energy is to perform the research necessary to develop the Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Hydroretorting (PFH) process for producing oil from Eastern oil shales. The program also incorporates research on technologies in areas such as raw shale preparation, beneficiation, product separation, and waste disposal that have the potential of improving the economics and/or environmental acceptability of recovering oil from oil shales using the PFH process. The results of the original 3-year program, which was concluded in May 1991, have been summarized in a four-volume final report published by IGT. DOE subsequently approved a 1-year extension to the program to further develop the PFH process specifically for application to beneficiated shale as feedstock. Studies have shown that beneficiated shale is the ...
The Devonian oil shales of the Eastern United States are a significant domestic energy resource. The overall objective of the multi-year program, initiated in October 1987 by the US Department of Energy is to perform the research necessary to develop the Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Hydroretorting (PFH) process for producing oil from Eastern oil shales. The program also incorporates research on technologies in areas such as raw shale preparation, beneficiation, product separation, and waste disposal that have the potential of improving the economics and/or environmental acceptability of recovering oil from oil shales using the PFH process. The results of the original 3-year program, which was concluded in May 1991, have been summarized in a four-volume final report published by IGT. DOE subsequently approved a 1-year extension to the program to further develop the PFH process specifically for application to beneficiated shale as feedstock. Studies have shown that beneficiated shale is the ...
The set of activities performed by SENTECH, Inc. addressed the specific recommendations provided to the Department of Energy (DOE) by its advisors, including the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel and the review panel members of the DOE Annual Hydrogen Program Review. SENTECH`s efforts were conducted under five tasks: Task 1: Technology and Process Analysis; Task 2: Hydrogen Information Development and Transfer; Task 3: Educational Products; Task 4: Systems Analysis; and Task 5: Life Cycle Costs. SENTECH activities were executed in two broad areas--analysis and technology transfer. The analytical tasks undertaken in FY97 were focused on two types of analysis--systems analysis and technical/economic assessments. These analytical activities benefit DOE by providing data that allow it to define the strategic goals of the hydrogen R and D ...
Conventional radiography has been the accepted nondestructive testing (NDT) method used for many years to either ''accent'' or ''reject'' a field weld in the pipeline industry. However, conventional radiography requires the expense of film, developing chemicals, and manpower for film development. It also normally has a delay of 2 hours or more between when the weld was radiographed and when the radiographic film of the weld is available for interpretation. Over the last few years, a newer approach to performing radiographic testing, called ''realtime'' radiography, has been used in several different types of field inspection operations. The realtime radiography system forms the image with optical imaging in lieu of photographic film. Objectives of this project were: (Task 1) Integration of realtime x-ray system components into a realtime-radiographic imaging ...
There are five tasks within this project on thermally stable coal-based jet fuels. Progress on each of the tasks is described. Task 1, Investigation of the quantitative degradation chemistry of fuels, has 5 subtasks which are described: Literature review on thermal stability of jet fuels; Pyrolytic and catalytic reactions of potential endothermic fuels: cis- and trans-decalin; Use of site specific {sup 13}C-labeling to examine the thermal stressing of 1-phenylhexane: A case study for the determination of reaction kinetics in complex fuel mixtures versus model compound studies; Estimation of critical temperatures of jet fuels; and Surface effects on deposit formation in a flow reactor system. Under Task 2, Investigation of incipient deposition, the subtask reported is Uncertainty analysis on growth and deposition of particles during heating of coal-derived aviation gas turbine fuels; under ...
Volume V of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the transport parameter and source term data. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
Volume III of the documentation for the Phase I Data Analysis Task performed in support of the current Regional Flow Model, Transport Model, and Risk Assessment for the Nevada Test Site Underground Test Area Subproject contains the data covering groundwater recharge and discharge. Because of the size and complexity of the model area, a considerable quantity of data was collected and analyzed in support of the modeling efforts. The data analysis task was consequently broken into eight subtasks, and descriptions of each subtask's activities are contained in one of the eight volumes that comprise the Phase I Data Analysis Documentation.
There is evidence that aged normal subjects have more difficulty in achieving automaticity than young subjects. The underlying central neural mechanism for this phenomenon is unclear. In the present study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate the effect of normal ageing on automaticity. Aged healthy subjects were asked to practice self-initiated, self-paced, memorized sequential finger movements with different complexity until they could perform the tasks automatically. Automaticity was evaluated by having subjects perform a secondary task simultaneously with the sequential movements. Although it took more time, most aged subjects eventually performed the tasks automatically at the same level as the young subjects. Functional MRI results showed that, for bot...
A three-light, three-lever discrete avoidance behavioral task was initiated to study the effects of a 500-675 rad neutron pulse upon performance. Eight primates performed the task for 4 h(3.5 h postexposure) on exposure day and for 4 h on each of 3 d postexposure. For the exposure day, five subjects had a decrease in correct responses, seven had increased reaction times, and six experienced productive emesis within 3.5 hours postexposure. Although the performance degradations were not severe, these data suggest that the performance of time critical tasks could be significantly impaired.
Many real-world text classification tasks involve imbalanced training examples. The strategies proposed to address the imbalanced classification (e.g., resampling, instance weighting), however, have not been systematically evaluated in the text domain. In this paper, we conduct a comparative study on the effectiveness of these strategies in the context of imbalanced text classification using Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier. SVM is the interest in this study for its good classification accuracy reported in many text classification tasks. We propose a taxonomy to organize all proposed strategies following the training and the test phases in text classification tasks. Based on the taxonomy, we survey the methods proposed to address the imbalanced classification. Among them, 10 common...
In 1992, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established a task force to develop a procedure for measuring electric energy consumption, all-electric range, fuel economy, and exhaust emissions for hybrid vehicles; the procedure will be submitted to regulatory agencies as representing the automotive industry`s recommendations. The draft procedure is currently being tested on hybrid vehicles. The University of Maryland`s parallel hybrid was tested in September 1994, and the University of California-Davis` parallel hybrid and the University of Illinois` series hybrid will be tested in November 1994 and January 1995, respectively. The procedure is being modified to incorporate any lessons learned, and the task force hopes to recommend the final procedure to the SAE by mid 1995.
Adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) often fail to master literacy skills, in part because disruptive behaviors interfere with task engagement and persistence. The theory of behavioral momentum explains the persistence of behavior in the face of changing environmental conditions. The current exploratory study examined variables related to behavioral momentum in the context of a continuous reading task. Participants were three adolescents identified with EBD who were instructional on fifth-grade material. Results indicated that when participants read a third-grade paragraph immediately before a fifth-grade paragraph, they decreased the latency to initiate reading of the fifth-grade paragraph and increased words read correctly per minute on the first 10 words of the fifth-grade paragraph. Results are discussed in terms of the theory of behavioral momentum and the nature of interventions that may be developed to increase ...
Due to recent advancements in mobile computing and communication technologies, mobile ad hoc computational Grids are emerging as a new computing paradigm, enabling innovative applications through sharing of computing resources among mobile devices without any pre-existing network infrastructure. Energy-efficient resource allocation is one of the key issues in mobile ad hoc computational Grids due to limited battery life of mobile nodes. To reduce energy consumption, we propose a hybrid power-based resource allocation scheme for allocation of interdependent tasks to nodes within mobile ad hoc computational Grid. The basic idea is to exploit dependencies and task type, and allocate interdependent tasks to nodes accessible at minimum transmission power. We also propose a power-based algorithm...
We investigated high-resolution mental imagery and mental rotation, while the participants received caloric vestibular stimulation. High-resolution visual mental imagery tasks have been shown...Full Text Available
... Headquarters 5th Brugade 78th Division (Ts) ... 2nd Battalion 20th Special Forces Company B ... 29th Corps Personnel Serves Hq Joint Task Force Aug ...
... NE Mall Room B-607, EPA Headquarters, 401 M ... formally adopted and initiated a joint strategy for ... CLI kick-off Partner and Task Force meeting. ...
This report describes a quality assurance program plan for the Yucca Mountain Project. Aspects of the plan include: document control, equipment maintenance and calibration, process control, audits, computer software, and inspections. (CBS)
Reliable dietary assessment is a challenging yet essential task for determining general health. Existing efforts are manual, require considerable effort, and are prone to underestimation and misrepresentation...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe variety of ways in which faces are categorized makes face recognition challenging for both synthetic and biological vision systems. Here we focus on two face processing...Full Text Available
ObjectiveMusician's focal dystonia is usually considered to be task specific but secondary motor disturbances have been reported also. We carried out a detailed evaluation of the...Full Text Available
The status of the South American Geocentric reference System (SIRGAS) Project is presented, including the project goals, objectives and tasks already carried out by the Working Groups. (author). 2 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab
Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) often exhibit impaired executive function, particularly in experimental tasks that involve response conflict and require adaptive behavioral...Full Text Available
The Executive Director for Operations (EDO) in establishing the Piping Review Committee concurred in its overall scope that included an evaluation of the potential for pipe breaks. The Pipe Break Task Group has responded to this directive. This report summarizes a review of regulatory documents and contains the Task Group's recommendations for application of the leak-before-break (LBB) approach to the NRC licensing process. The LBB approach means the application of fracture mechanics technology to demonstrate that high energy fluid piping is very unlikely to experience double-ended ruptures or their equivalent as longitudinal or diagonal splits. The Task Group's reommendations and discussion are founded on current and ongoing NRC staff actions as presented in Section 3.0 of this report. Additional more detailed comments and discussion are presented in Section 5.0 and in Appendices A and B. The obvious ...
Treatment of functional bowel disorders of irritable bowel-type (IBS) in children remains a difficult task because of a lack of drugs with low adverse event profile. We here report the results of a...Full Text Available
This report results from a contract tasking Eindhoven University of Technology as follows: The contractor will investigate the plasma treatment of surfaces and plasma enhanced deposition using EUT's cascade arc source as the basis for this effort.
Rare Earth Cobalt (REC) permanent magnets have unique properties that permit solutions to some optical tasks that cannot be accomplished with conventional magnets. A review of design and of performance characteristics of these magnets includes an analytical description of the three dimensional fringe fields of REC quadrupoles.
ObjectiveThis study discusses an appropriate framework to measure system performance for the task of neonatal seizure detection using EEG. The framework is used to present an extended...Full Text Available
Preventing tobacco use in youths may be an easier task than helping adults break the habit of smoking and overcome its ill effects. Using experimental procedures based on social work techniques,...Full Text Available
This report is designed to cover the overall Operation Castle radiological safety matters from the viewpoint of those issues of direct concern to Headquarters, Joint Task Force Seven. It was written for the express purpose of assisting in the development ...
This report is designed to cover the overall Operation Castle radiological safety matters from the viewpoint of those issues of direct concern to Headquarters, Joint Task Force Seven. It was written for the express purpose of assisting in the development ...
Background:An association has been reported between the dominant nostril through which we breathe and the cerebral hemisphere found to be active.Aims:To...Full Text Available
... We also toured a Trident submarine at Kings Bay, Ga. "During the weekend at the Joint Interagency Task Force Headquarters in Key West, Fla., we ...
This manual provides information to assist in selection and designing control measures for reducing pollutant discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). he manual will be useful for municipal public works staff, design engineers, and regulatory agency staff tasked with the ...
BackgroundThe various tasks of visual systems, including course control, collision avoidance and the detection of small objects, require at the neuronal level the dendritic integration...Full Text Available
This paper summarizes the findings for the African Region of the WPA Task Force on Steps, Obstacles and Mistakes to Avoid in the Implementation of Community Mental Health Care. We present an overview...Full Text Available
Circuit modification associated with learning and memory involves multiple events, including the addition and remotion of newborn cells trough adulthood. Adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis were mainly...Full Text Available
Laser-assisted processing techniques for producing high-quality solar cell metallization patterns are being investigated, developed, and characterized. The tasks comprising these investigations are outlined.
We studied multi-joint coordination during tasks of transporting real and imaginary objects with two arms. One of the arms was unexpectedly arrested in one third of trials performed. In the...Full Text Available
Patients with schizophrenia can be taught the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) sorting rules based upon expanded feedback. However, few task manipulations have been reported that differentially...Full Text Available
This monograph explores an alternative way of providing a JSOTF headquarters to the Joint Force Commander. Beginning with a history of joint SOF doctrine, the monograph outlines the evolution of special operations command and control and the subsequent ne...
Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the bulk of the 132 kV cable network in England and Wales was transferred from the CEGB to the area boards in the 1970s. Norweb has successfully dealt with the increase in work using in-house expertise exclusively.
Microarray data has a high dimension of variables but available datasets usually have only a small number of samples, thereby making the study of such datasets interesting and challenging. In the task...Full Text Available
Peripheral vision has been the topic of few studies compared with central vision. Nevertheless, given that visual information covers all the visual field and that relevant information can...Full Text Available
This Current Year Work Plan presents a detailed description of the activities to be performed by the Joint Integration Office during FY87. It breaks down the activities into two major work areas: Program Management and Program Analysis. Program Management is performed by the JIO by providing technical planning and guidance for the development of advanced TRU waste management capabilities. This includes equipment/facility design, engineering, construction, and operations. These functions are integrated to allow transition from interim storage to final disposition. JIO tasks include program requirements identification, long-range technical planning, budget development, program planning document preparation, task guidance, task monitoring, information gathering and task reporting to DOE, interfacing with other agencies and DOE lead programs, integrating public involvement with program efforts, and ...
Officers receive service-specific education and undergo experiences within their components that provide the expert knowledge that enables them to operate in their respective military departments. Given the Department of Defense (DoD) emphasis on service ...
The main objectives of Phase 2 are to determine the feasibility of using cements with controlled particle size distributions (CPSD cements) in practical concrete applications, and to refine our estimates of the potential energy savings that may ensue from such use. The work in Phase 2 is divided into two main tasks, some parts of which will be carried out simultaneously: Task 1 will continue cement paste studies to optimize cement performance similar to those of Phase 1, but with particular emphasis on gypsum requirements, blended cements, and water-reducing admixtures. This task will also include preparation of sufficient CPSD cements for use in all Phase 2 work. Task 2 will be a comprehensive examination of the properties of concretes made with CPSD cements. This will include optimization of concrete mix designs to obtain the best possible performance for practical applications of both portland and ...
Static task intensity–endurance time (ET) relationships (e.g. Rohmert's curve) were first reported decades ago. However, a comprehensive meta-analysis to compare experimentally-observed...Full Text Available
Double cones (DCs) are the most common cone types in fish, reptiles and birds. It has been suggested that DCs are used for achromatic tasks such as luminance, motion and polarization vision. Here we...Full Text Available
A summary of research conducted during the first year is presented. The research objectives were sought by conducting two tasks: (1) investigation of probabilistic design techniques for reliability-based design of composite sandwich panels, and (2) examin...
ObjectivesTo study inhalation and dermal exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and its oligomers as well as personal protection equipment (PPE) use during task performance...Full Text Available
This official IEA report is a deliverable of IEA SHC Task 21/IEA BCS Annex 29: Daylight in Buildings. The Task focuses on daylighting systems and strategies which can be applied in new and existing buildings with a high potential electricity saving potential such as offices, schools, commercial, and institutional buildings. The daylighting performance of these strategies and systems is tested in laboratory facilities, through modeling, and in real case study buildings. This paper provides methods and procedures to evaluate the daylighting performance of real buildings. Annex 29 case studies located in Europe, North America, and Australia. It is a deliverable of Subtask D research projects. The main objective of Subtask D, as stated in the Implementing Agreement of Task 21/Annex 29, is `to demonstrate the viability of daylighting buildings in various world climatic zones as a means of achieving significant improvements in ...
One of the tasks comprising ERDA Contract EY-76-S-02-2840, ''Minimization of Cupola Energy and Air Pollution,'' has been the carrying out of a comprehensive survey of world literature relating to the cupola furnace for melting of cast iron. It was decided...
The author compares the UHF Follow-on and MILSTAR satellite communication systems. The comparison uses an analytical hierarchy process. Although the two systems have been tasked with different missions, a comparison of cost, capability, and orbit is condu...
New neurons are generated in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus (GCL) throughout adulthood. This process is modulated by many environmental and neurochemical factors. We previously...Full Text Available
The last of our series on the Task Forces. PS accelerator 'We had a clear mandate, which we could approach in a logical way', explains Steve Myers, Head of SL Division and convenor of Task Force 5, 'To avoid duplication of effort in the accelerator sector through a restructuring that would lead to greater efficiency and flexibility and so release resources for the LHC.' The implementation of all their recommendations is already underway, albeit with different time scales. In 2001 the accelerator sector involved more than 900 staff members in three divisions (LHC, PS and SL) and one unit (AC), working in 141 sections within 34 groups. The first step for the Task Force was to identify major activities within the sector and to set up inter-divisional working groups to review these activities (16 in all), identifying the technologies and the numbers of staff associated with each activity. The working groups were also asked ...
This report details the status of the Biological Conversion of Synthesis Gas Project. The following tasks are described as being completed: (1) the test plan, (2) culture development, and (3) the mass transfer/kinetic studies. The bioreactor studies (Task 4) are underway. The continuous stirred tank reactor system for the conversion of H{sub 2}S to elemental sulfur using Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum has been studied for varying light intensities. The system was also modified to include both sulfur recovery and cell recycle using ceramic membranes. Studies were also performed to observe the effects of cell recycle using a polysulfone hollow filter membrane module. Work on Task 5, limiting conditions/scale-up, includes a scale-up study with three different size reactors to establish the optimum operating conditions for hydrogen production from synthesis gas by the biological water-gas shift reaction using the photosynthetic ...
Safety standards for exposure to radiofrequency radiation must be based upon biologic consequences of exposure to such environments. Behavioral-based measures are considered to be the most-sensitive indices of biological effects. Current safety guidelines are based upon average power density and may not be relevant to the high-peak-power, short pulse width microwave radiation produced by newly developed high peak power microwave sources. The effects of exposure to high-peak-power radiation on reflexive responding and motor function in Fischer 344/N rats were assessed by measuring startle and general activity, and disruption of on-going performance of a rotarod task, respectively. The emitter used was the TEMPO repeat pulse axially extracted vircator. Exposure to single pulses resulted in significant startle responses. Exposure to 1 pps for 10 s produced significant alterations in baseline activity and marked disruption of performance of the rotarod ...
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
Average human behavior in cue combination tasks is well predicted by Bayesian inference models. As this capability is acquired over developmental timescales, the question arises, how it is learned....Full Text Available
Conceptual documents like Joint Vision 2010 (JV 2010), the Concept for Future Joint Operations (CFJO), and the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) postulate that advances in technology and information superiority will revolutionize the way military force...
The non-licensed operator on the job training model presently considered for development and implementation at C.N. Almaraz (CNA) has the primary objective of imparting practical knowledge and skills to the trainee on a per system basis and specific to the job position. This model is somewhat different in scope from the OJT process used in U.S. stations because the learning process is not done on a task per task basis, but rather on the concept of learning collectively all the knowledge and skills required by the specific-system job. This model arose primarily from two thoughts. First, the knowledge and skills have been obtained from a detailed job and task analysis process which will result in the learning of many required knowledge and skills divided by three categories: components, systems and academics. Secondly, the OJT most commonly used in the U.S. requires that the respective station department administers and ...
for sensitive personnel data. Based on the judgment of Task Force ...... Gunn, R ., Memorandum on Sub-Atomic Power Sources for Submarine ... Hunley, J., ed., The Birth of NASA: The Diary of T. Keith Glennan, SP-4105, ...
...COMCAM forces document Air Force and air component activities...supported unified command or joint task force commander, through the...Force COMCAM forces in a joint environment. If an...share of Unified Command headquarters COMCAM and visual...
(General Stafford) was selected as chair for the Task Force based on his expertise .... a large foreign customer base that includes joint working agreements with Russia, the .... NASA Headquarters management advocates the Jorge Scientific ...
Four major projects at UNRSL have been supported by NWPO-Neotectonics Yucca Mountain Task 4 funds during the last year: (1) Operation and analysis of data from the UNRSL microearthquake network at Yucca Mountain. (2) Continued operation, maintenance, and calibration of three broadband stations. Limited data analysis was also initiated. (3) Continued review by Dr. Brune of documents and literature related to seismic hazard and tectonics of the Yucca Mountain region. (4) Testing of noise levels in boreholes.
This study investigates spent fuel cask handling experience at existing nuclear facilities to determine appropriate cask decontamination and maintenance operations at the potential Yucca Mountain repository. These operations are categorized as either routine or nonroutine. Routine cask decontamination and maintenance tasks are performed in the cask preparation area at the repository. Casks are taken offline to a separate cask maintenance area for major nonroutine tasks. The study develops conceptual designs of the cask preparation area and cask maintenance area. The functions, layouts, and major features of these areas are also described.
What makes teamwork tick?. Cooperation matters, in daily life and in complex applications. After all, many tasks need more than a single agent to be effectively performed. Therefore, teamwork rules!. Teams are social groups of agents dedicated to the fulfilment of particular persistent tasks. In modern multiagent environments, heterogeneous teams often consist of autonomous software agents, various types of robots and human beings. Teamwork in Multi-agent Systems: A Formal Approach explains teamwork rules in terms of agents' attitudes and their complex interplay. It provides the first comprehe
The Knowledge Associates for Novel Intelligence (KANI) system provides a collection of automated 'associates' to actively support and participate in the information analysis task. In this paper, we describe the Information Integration Associate (IIA), which facilitates analyst interaction with underlying KANI reasoning and extraction associates and provides an interactive representation of the analytic process. We focus on features of the IIA that guide communication between the user and the KANI system in a way that ensures mutual understanding of the analytic task being performed, the capabilities of the system to assist the user, and the status of any reasoning and extraction conducted on behalf of the user by the KANI system.
The Fast Flux Test Facility near Richland, Washington, utilizes computer control for reactor refueling and other related core component handling and processing tasks. The computer controlled tasks described in this paper include core component transfers within the reactor vessel, core component transfers into and out of the reactor vessel, remote duct measurements of irradiated core components, remote duct cutting, and finally, transferring irradiated components out of the reactor containment building for off-site shipments or to long term storage. 3 refs., 16 figs.
The Phase I feasibility study has focused on determining the availability of information for estimating exposures of the public to chemicals and radionuclides released as a result of historical operation of the facilities at the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). The estimation of such past exposures is frequently called dose reconstruction. The initial project tasks, Tasks 1 and 2 were designed to identify and collect information that documents the history of activities at the ORR that resulted in the release of contamination and to characterize the availability of data that could be used to estimate the magnitude of the contaminant releases or public exposures. A history of operations that are likely to have generated off-site releases has been documented as a result of Task 1 activities. The activities required to perform this task involved the extensive review of historical operation records and ...
Studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF)on human health have been conducted for more than 20 years. None have categorically established or eliminated any connection between EMF and adverse health effects. Nonetheless, 96% of the risk managers working in the utility sector view EMF as an over-riding concern. Public concern over EMF has erupted into legal, as well as regulatory, actions. To date, some utilities have had lawsuits brought against them by customers who claim they developed cancer as a result of nearby high-voltage transmission lines. What`s more, a small handfull of cities have adopted ordinances that specifically limit where and how utilities handle the placement of their transmission lines.
The difficult economic circumstances with which almost the whole world had to contend, brought serious financial crisis in many countries. South Africa also had its own share of serious problems. Despite this situation, Transvaal Consolidated Land and Exploration Company, Limited, showed on increase in earnings of 24 per cent per share. The reason for this lies mainly in two areas. Firstly the company acquired the mining related business of Rand Mines, Limited. Included in the acquisition was a partfolio of shares mainly in the company's associated gold and uranium mining companies and additional shares in its listed coal mining subsidiaries. Secondly, the average gold price realised by producers in rand terms, was considerably higher than in the previous year. Consolidated profit attributable to members increased by 52 per cent to R82,6 million.
Fugitive dust emissions from stockpiles in the open storage yards of industrial zones and the subsequent atmospheric dust dispersion have brought about many ecological and economical problems. This paper introduces a new approach to reduce pollutant emissions by simply changing pile configuration and without affecting the operational activity on these parks. Flow around piles of different geometries and for various wind conditions was studied using previously validated Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations. Different pile height scenarios were investigated corresponding to a constant material volume and a fixed angle of repose under various wind magnitudes. The results obtained were integrated in order to evaluate the rate of dust emissions for the various configurations considered. It was found that, for the range of wind conditions and pile dimensions tested, an optimal geometry exists which corresponds to the lower emissions rate. 13 refs., 2 figs., 2 ...
Two days of hearings on Titles V and X of the Water Resources Development Act of 1983 brought comments from representatives of several states, farm and transport industries, environmental groups, and concerned taxpayers. Title V requires the collection of new funds from users beyond a ceiling set for annual spending on water projects, while Title X proposes a cost-sharing partnership for certain navigation projects. Witnesses were requested to confine their comments to constructive alternatives to the proposed legislation. Additional material on the deep river study and statements submitted for the record follow the testimony of 28 witnesses.
Before expanding on the development of the Terra Nova oilfield, the author discussed the overall business strategy of Petro-Canada and identified where the Terra Nova and offshore Newfoundland oil have their place within this strategy. The principal basins and oilfields offshore Newfoundland were reviewed, then the emphasis shifted to rest on the Terra Nova development project. A whole range of topics were brought up, including the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, the modules layout, the FPSO located at Bull Arm, and the floating production systems. The physical environment of the Grand Banks was highlighted, and the next few sections were devoted to the Terra Nova FPSO, FPSO and drill centres, the Turret General Arrangement, and Spider buoy including the disconnect/reconnect. The last four sections dealt with the animation of riser movement, the wellhead protection animation, Henry Goodrich, and operations readiness.
This paper considers the technical progress in offshore pipeline construction with limitation to some general subjects covering pipeline design, installation and start-up. In future the use of limit state pipeline design philosophy, may be implemented as an alternative to the stress based design commonly used to day giving a potential for further optimisation of the pipeline design and consequently reduction of the initial investment. Comprehensive research and development efforts in Norway in the second half of the 1970`s, made it technically feasible to cross the deep water Norwegian Trench in the 1980`s. In addition, the development of several offshore pipeline systems until to day including gas distribution systems to the European continent, have brought Norway to the forefront of technical expertise
The 10th International Neurotrauma Symposium was held in Shanghai, China, on 27-???30 April 2011. This meeting marked the 20th anniversary of International Neurotrauma Symposia. The vision of the International Neurotrauma Society is to unite clinicians and scientists to discuss and present the latest in translational clinical and basic science research related to neurotrauma. The Shanghai meeting brought together 1000 delegates from over 70 countries. Key areas discussed included current guidelines of neurotrauma management, the latest advances in neuroimaging, the latest concepts in cell death mechanisms after neurotrauma, the role of decompressive techniques for cranial and spinal neurotrauma, advances in biomarkers for CNS injury, and the future of clinical management and research in ne...
In this paper, research on pass schedule of tandem cold mill (TCM) is carried out. According to load (reduction, rolling force, motor power) balance, non-linear equations set with variables of inter-stand thickness is constructed. The pass schedule optimization is carried out by solving the non-linear equations set. As the traditional method, the Newton-Raphson method is used for solving the non-linear equations set. In this paper a new simple method is brought up. On basis of the monotone relations between thickness and load, the inter-stands thickness is adjusted dynamically. The solution of non-linear equations set can be converged by iterative calculation. This method can avoid the derivative calculation used by traditional method. So, this method is simple and calculation speed is high. It is suitable for on-line control. (author)
In this paper, research on pass schedule of tandem cold mill (TCM) is carried out. According to load (reduction, rolling force, motor power) balance, non-linear equations set with variables of inter-stand thickness is constructed. The pass schedule optimization is carried out by solving the non-linear equations set. As the traditional method, the Newton-Raphson method is used for solving the non-linear equations set. In this paper a new simple method is brought up. On basis of the monotone relations between thickness and load, the inter-stands thickness is adjusted dynamically. The solution of non-linear equations set can be converged by iterative calculation. This method can avoid the derivative calculation used by traditional method. So, this method is simple and calculation speed is high. It is suitable for on-line control. (author)
Whilst unwashed preparations of biomass from a local brewery had an apparent maximum biosorption capacity for uranium of 360 mg/g (dry weight biomass) washing reduced this maximum to 150 mg/g. Homogenization of both biomass preparations and recovery of cellular debris had no significant effect on the maximum biosorption capacities although at lower equilibrium concentrations of uranium differences in the biosorption capacities were detected. When unwashed biomass was retained by a semi-permeable membrane 40% of uranium used in the experiments precipitated outside that membrane. Therefore a significant proportion of the uranium removed from solution, and previously attributed to biosorption by the yeast biomass, resulted from precipitation brought about by interaction with low molecular weight components loosely associated with the biomass. (Author).
This international conference brought together representatives from industry, academia and government agencies to present the latest developments on the subject of chemical admixtures and superplasticizers in concrete. Recent technological advances in the development of superplasticizers were reviewed, as well as new approaches to manufactured aggregates. The influence of new materials on the rheology of cement systems was discussed, as well as the influence of superplasticizers on various types of aggregates. The addition of hydrophobic admixtures in corrosion prevention strategies were reviewed. Various interactions between cements and superplasticizers were evaluated. Issues concerning adsorption and concrete materials were also investigated. A total of 70 papers were presented at the conference, of which 3 have been catalogued separately for inclusion in this database. refs., tabs., figs.
This report summarizes the 1981 operating and test data obtained at the six ton per day Advanced Coal Liquefaction Research and Development Facility in Wilsonville, Alabama. Special emphasis is placed on data accumulated during the fourth quarter of 1981. The Wilsonville R and D Facility was in operation 71% of 1981 (70% of the fourth quarter) with scheduled shutdowns accounting for 23% of the downtime (28% during the fourth quarter). Kentucky 9 coal from the Fies mine was processed in all runs conducted during 1981 (Runs 222 through 235). The hydrotreater (HTR) unit was brought on stream successfully in May 1981. The three process units of the Wilsonville facility were operated in a non-integrated mode during the second half of 1981. Significant data was obtained and is summarized.
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
It is a useful hypothesis to thing of the reaction to protein deprivation as made up of two parts. First there is an initial adaptation involving rapid losses of protein. This is followed by slow continuing depletion. When considering two organ groups, such as the liver and muscle, it appears that the curve of urinary nitrogen excretion reflects the different parts they play in these two phases. The changes in the relative amounts of protein in different organs results in an alteration in the pattern of body protein at the level of the organ, the tissue and the cell. These changes are themselves the result of altered rates of synthesis and breakdown. The questions that must be asked and hopefully will be answered with the help of isotopes, are how these changes are brought about, how they are inter-related and controlled, and what is their significance? This paper contains a discussion of the few results that have been obtained so far. 1 fig.
The discovery of atomic nucleus by E. Rutherford, at the beginning of the twentieth century, was the Nuclear Physics original landmark. From then, a series of experiments in which beams of particles composed of neutrons, protons and others, brought to collide with a nucleus in order to unravel its structure or produce artificial elements through nuclear transmutation, were triggered. With the development of experimental equipment, a number of other nuclear phenomena have been observed, such as beta decay, nuclear fission and fusion, M\\"oesbauer effect, etc. In view of the global political and economic landscape and the contemporary educational trends, this work suggest alternative topics in nuclear physics that can be discussed at the conceptual level in high school teaching, where the main focus lies in the historical and technological importance of such phenomena in society.
Joensen P. Multiple sclerosis incidence in the Faroe Islands 1986-2007. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 121: 348-353.Copyright 2009 The Author Journal compilation Copyright 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objective - Epidemiological studies of the isolated Faroese population in 1945 identified a high annual incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) of 10/100,000. At the time, there was speculation that the disease was brought to the country by British occupation forces resident in the islands from 1940 to 1945. The objective of the current study is to determine the incidence of diagnosis of MS in the Faroe Islands during the period 1986-2007. Methods - All patients in the Faroe Islands diagnosed with MS from July 1, 1986 to July 1, 2007 are documented in the current longitudinal, prospective study. The dia...
ObjectivesThe International Network for Young Scientists is holding a China:UK workshop in Shanghai in December. It will focus specifically on Renewable Energy. Profs Wallace and Infield have been invited to be the UK academic partners. Dr. Luo Yong Hao, Deputy Director of Institute for Thermal Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University is the lead Chinese academic partner. British Council Shanghai are the co-ordinators of the event and have obtained some limited funding to cover the costs.. ~%~~%~T [continued...]DescriptionReseachers are being brought together at a China:UK Renewable Energy Research Workshop. They will define and initiate joint research and staff/student exchanges between Chinese and UK universities to advance renewable energy and related research to meet the energy needs of both China and the UK.~%~
The phased field development of the Lion and Panthere fields, offshore the Ivory Coast, includes a small floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) tanker with minimal processing capability as an early oil production system (EPS). For the long-term production scheme, the FPSO will be replaced by a converted jack up mobile offshore production system (MOPS) with full process equipment. The development also includes guyed-caisson well platforms, pipeline export for natural gas to fuel an onshore power plant, and a floating storage and offloading (FSO) tanker for oil export. Pipeline export for oil is a future possibility. This array of innovative strategies and techniques seldom has been brought together in a single project. The paper describes the development plan, early oil, jack up MOPS, and transport and installation.
An unprecedented mobilization at all levels is being established in order to fight against the effects of climate change and announcements are increasing each week with proposals of ever more ambitious plans of action. A new landscape is beginning to take shape from a more varied energy supply with less carbon. This new order highlights several central R/D areas which are to be developed and which re described in the first part of this article. How are these plans of action going to be put into practice in the field, within the dynamics of the great unifying project 'Grenoble University of Innovation'? How can the innovation process be speeded up to quickly find answers to all these questions? How can all scientific disciplines be incorporated in this run-up and how can the different players be brought to interact? The new PREDIS centre in Grenoble, described in the second part of the article, is intended to answer these questions. (authors)
The renovation programme of the Phenix nuclear power plant (fast neutrons reactor situated at Marcoule) has for objective to ensure the reactor operation lengthening. In this frame, expertise and monitoring operation in situ of materials have been started. The presence of sodium and a temperature at the cold breakdown of the primary circuit between 150 and 180 degrees (Celsius) imply, for fast reactors, very special conditions. In this context, Framatome has realised three intervening in the area of nondestructive testing: the inspection of the cone-shaped support ring, the monitoring of the upper part of the primary vessel and the monitoring of the intermediary exchanger equipment. (N.C.)
The effect of NaCl and Na_2SO_4 treatments on chlorophyll content, rate of "1"4C assimilation and products of photosynthesis in peanut (Arachish hypogaea L.) variety TMV-10 has been investigated. It was observed that chlorophyll content was affected mainly by NaCl, Na_2SO_4 treatment lowered the rate of photosynthetic "1"4CO_2 fixation. The analysis of labelled products revealed that the salts affect the carbon metabolism differently. The radioactivity was found to be accumulated in fractions of sugars and sugarphosphates in the leaves of NaCl treated plants. Na_2SO_4 treatment brought about considerable decline in labelling of sugars and an increase in labelling of amino acids and sugarphosphates. (orig.).
We propose and analyze a novel regenerative amplifier free electron laser (FEL) to produce fully coherent x-ray pulses. The method makes use of narrow-bandwidth Bragg crystals to form an x-ray feedback loop around a relatively short undulator. Self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) from the leading electron bunch in a bunch train is spectrally filtered by the Bragg reflectors and is brought back to the beginning of the undulator to interact repeatedly with subsequent bunches in the bunch train. The FEL interaction with these short bunches not only amplifies the radiation intensity but also broadens its spectrum, allowing for effective transmission of the x-rays outside the crystal bandwidth. The spectral brightness of these x-ray pulses is about two to three orders of magnitude higher than that from a single-pass SASE FEL.
The previous decade has brought a remarkable increase of the interest in applications that deal with querying and mining of time series data. Many of the research efforts in this context have focused on introducing new representation methods for dimensionality reduction or novel similarity measures for the underlying data. In the vast majority of cases, each individual work introducing a particular method has made specific claims and, aside from the occasional theoretical justifications, provided quantitative experimental observations. However, for the most part, the comparative aspects of these experiments were too narrowly focused on demonstrating the benefits of the proposed methods over some of the previously introduced ones. In order to provide a comprehensive validation, we conducted an extensive experimental study re-implementing eight different time series representations and nine similarity measures and their variants, and testing their effectiveness on ...
Dielectric and thermal characteristics of gel grown single crystals of ytterbium tartrate trihydrate have been carried out. The dielectric constant has been measured as a function of frequency in the range 2?kHz?1?MHz and temperature range 30?300??C. The dielectric constant increases with temperature, attains a peak near 215??C, and then decreases as the temperature exceeds 215??C. The dielectric anomaly at 215??C is suggested to be due to phase transition brought about in the material. The dielectric behaviour of the material is correlated with the results on thermal analysis. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis have been used to study the thermal characteristics of the material. The experimental results show that the material is thermally stable up to 200??C. The decompos...
A device is described for transporting loads, especially for moving belt driving stations in open pit mining operations with a propelling mechanism which for lifting a respective load is operable to move into a free space formed by the load with the ground. The device comprises a plurality of lifting mechanisms, by means of which, a lifting platform can be brought into engagement with a supporting surface of the load. The device comprises at least one supporting member which is so designed that it prevents the lifting platform from lifting off lifting mechanisms. Furthermore, means are provided which permit a turning of the lifting platform relative to the lifting mechanisms about a vertical axis which is arranged in a certain relationship to the propelling mechanism.
Human pluripotent stem cells hold promising potential in many therapeutics applications including regenerative medicine and drug discovery. Over the past three decades, embryonic stem cell research has illustrated that embryonic stem cells possess two important and distinct properties: the ability to continuously self-renew and the ability to differentiate into all specialized cell types. In this article, we will discuss the continuing evolution of human pluripotent stem cell culture by examining requirements needed for the maintenance of self-renewal in vitro. We will also elaborate on the future direction of the field toward generating a robust and completely defined culture system, which has brought forth collaborations amongst biologists and engineers. As human pluripotent stem cell re...
A decontamination washer for working dresses using liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide were designed and manufactured. The size of reactor for decontamination and solidification is about 16 liter. The system is a closed one with recycling ability of carbon dioxide. The efficiency of recycling of carbon dioxide and that of separation of solutes in carbon dioxide were checked. They met all the design goals. A remote control system of the carbon dioxide flow was set in a control panel. The manufactured decontamination washer was brought to Wolsung nuclear power plants, and installed to check the efficiency of decontamination and the feasibility of usage in nuclear power plants. The elimination of radioactive oil from the contaminated dresses were very high. However, the decontamination factor was lower than the design goal value. It's due to the low removal rate of radioactive particles attached on the dresses.
Biodegradable helicoidal stent prototypes made up of layers of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers were fabricated by temperature conditioning the stents at different stages of fabrication. The process incorporated elastic memory, or self-expandability in the stent, which is desirable to minimize stent recoil. The collapse pressures of such stents were studied, with and without in vitro degradation. The effects of thickness and the composition of each layer on the collapse pressure were modeled using the simple series model. Results of the in vitro studies for over 3 months showed that collapse pressure of the stents depended mainly on the degradation and other side-effects brought about by the degradation of different polymer compositions. General...
Testimony at an April 30, 1980 hearing addressed whether to reauthorize or amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978, specifically section 306, to further implement state programs and institutionalize state management of coastal zones. The text of the reauthorization bill (S. 2622) is followed by the statements of eleven witnesses and additional articles, letters, and statements submitted for the record. Witnesses are present for the fishing and oil industries, state and national governments, and public interest groups. Among the points brought out in testimony were that uniform standards are unwise - given the variety of coastal regions; and that there is a need to balance protection and development policies. (DCK)
In the present study, surfaces of cylinder head, piston, exhaust and inlet valve of a four-stroke, direct injection, single cylinder diesel engine were coated with molybdenum (Mo) by plasma spray method. Thus, thermal barrier characteristic was brought to these parts. Variances in performance and emission values of cotton methyl ester and 2D fuel mixtures were studied in the ceramic coated and uncoated engines under the same running conditions. Performance (6.0% for specific fuel consumption) and emission values (up to 18.0% for CO, 8.0% for smoke density) of the test fuel were improved in the coated engine compared with the uncoated engine. NO_x increase (4.5%) with the increased temperatures expected in the coated engine.
Bioremediation technology is being evaluated for use on the Kwajalein Atoll, which is located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The study was undertaken by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on behalf of the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA). During February of 1991, a team from ORNL and The University of Tennessee (UT) visited the USAKA. In addition to making on-site observations regarding microbial abundance and distribution of petroleum contaminants, they brought back to Oak Ridge various soil and water samples for detailed analyses. This report documents the biological studies of these samples and presents observations made during the period from February to April of 1991 by investigators at ORNL, UT, and the Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
This paper proposes a framework based completely on Java technology. The advantages brought about by the use of Java in network management answer some critical problems existing in current systems. With this work we address several factors concerning interoperability and security in heterogeneous network environments. Specifically, we present a manager application and a multithreaded agent engine that make use of a lightweight communication mechanism for message exchange. A MIB parser is introduced to accelerate handling of incoming management requests, and the RSA public-key cryptosystem is implemented to provide both encryption and authentication features. Results, measured in terms of response time, compare favourably with other published work and standard management frameworks.
This report presents and discusses results from Task 5 of the study ''Fate of Mercury in Synthetic Gypsum Used for Wallboard Production,'' performed at a full-scale commercial wallboard plant. Synthetic gypsum produced by wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems on coal-fired power plants is commonly used in the manufacture of wallboard. The FGD process is used to control the sulfur dioxide emissions which would result in acid rain if not controlled. This practice has long benefited the environment by recycling the FGD gypsum byproduct, which is becoming available in increasing quantities, decreasing the need to landfill this material, and increasing the sustainable design of the wallboard product. However, new concerns have arisen as recent mercury control strategies developed for power plants involve the capture of mercury in FGD systems. The objective of this study is to determine whether any mercury is released into the ...
P.S. Lowell and Co., Inc. (Lowell and Co.) and Jay S. Dweck, Consultant, Inc. (JSD) under contract to the US Department of Energy (DOE) Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) have developed and implemented an aqueous electrolyte calculation capability into the ASPEN (Advanced System for Process Engineering) process simulator. This report documents the efforts of Task 1 which were to implement the basic calculational capability. Task 2 involves development of several unit operations models and demonstration of the models in simulating environmental control processes in coal gasification and shale oil processing plants. Task 1 of the project involved several subtasks: selection of a chemical equilibrium algorithm; selection of activity coefficient algorithms; selection of species for inclusion in the initial implementation; collection of required data for the selected species; regression of parameters not found in the ...
The Electrochemical Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE`s Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EHP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising electric-vehicle (EV) propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby. significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R&D contracts on advanced battery and fuel cell technologies for DOE-EHP. This report summarizes the battery-related activities undertaken during the period of October 1, 1991 through March 31, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. These tasks are structured into the following ...
The Electrochemical Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE's Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EHP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising electric-vehicle (EV) propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby. significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R D contracts on advanced battery and fuel cell technologies for DOE-EHP. This report summarizes the battery-related activities undertaken during the period of October 1, 1991 through March 31, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. These tasks are structured into the following ...
The Safeguards and Security Technology Development Directory is published annually by the Office of Safeguards and Security (OSS) of the US Department of Energy (DOE), and is Intended to inform recipients of the full scope of the OSS R&D program. It is distributed for use by DOE headquarters personnel, DOE program offices, DOE field offices, DOE operating contractors, national laboratories, other federal agencies, and foreign governments. Chapters 1 through 7 of the Directory provide general information regarding the Technology Development Program, including the mission, program description, organizational roles and responsibilities, technology development lifecycle, requirements analysis, program formulation, the task selection process, technology development infrastructure, technology transfer activities, and current research and development tasks. These chapters are followed by a series of appendices which contain more specific ...
The Hanford Cultural Resources Laboratory (HCRL) was established by the US Department of Energy Field Office, Richland (RL) in 1987 as part of Pacific Northwest Laboratory. The HCRL provides support for managing the archaeological, historical, and cultural resources of the Hanford Site, Washington, in a manner consistent with federal statutes and regulations. This report summarizes activities of the HCRL during fiscal year (FY) 1990. The HCRL responsibilities have been set forth in the Hanford Cultural Resources Management Plan (HCRMP) as a prioritized list of tasks. The task list guided cultural resources management activities during FY 1990 and is the outline for this report. In order, these tasks were to (1) conduct cultural resource reviews, (2) develop an archaeological resources protection plan, (3) monitor the condition of known archaeological sites, (4) plan a curation system for artifacts and records, (5) evaluate ...
In October 1980, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. began a three year contract with the DOE: Catalyst and Reactor Development for a Liquid Phase Fischer-Tropsch Process. The program contains four major tasks: (1) Project Work Plan, (2) Slurry Catalyst Development, (3) Slurry Reactor Design Studies, and (4) Pilot Facility Design. This report describes work on Tasks 2 and 3 carried out in the third quarter of the contract. In Task 2, the computerized search of the Fischer-Tropsch literature was continued, and improvements were made in data processing programs. Shakedown tests were completed on the first 300 ml slurry reactor, and construction of the second and third reactors began. Five modified conventional slurry catalysts were prepared, and two batches were tested in the gas phase giving information on selectivity as a function of composition and activation. Four supported cluster catalyst were synthesized, and seven were ...
Implementation of Noble Metal Chemical Application (NMCA) in a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) requires injection of a noble metal compound while the reactor is idle at hot shutdown conditions. In order to minimize outage time, utilities are very pro-actively finding ways to reduce the number of critical path tasks. One of these tasks is to remove some containment vessel drywell head bolts during the NMCA idle time. This, thereby, saves the utilities outage time, or they can perform other tasks as desired. Using design basis conditions and state-of-the-art analytical techniques, detailed finite element stress analyses of the closure region are performed. Two acceptance criteria are evaluated. The first is that contained within Section III of the ASME Code for allowable stresses. The second relates to leak tightness, i.e., with bolt removal the joint must still remain leak tight. This paper describes the activities performed to ...
The objective of this Task Group is the coordination of research studies on biokinetic models and the evaluation of the implications of new biokinetic models on dose assessment and safety standards. For this the new ICRP models, which will be used for a revision of ICRP Publications 30, 54, 68 and 78, are implemented into six different computer codes in five European countries and quality assured by intercomparison procedures. The work has started with the implementation of the new ICRP Alimentary Tract Model. New systemic models and the new NCRP wound model will follow. The work also includes the evaluation of experimental results in terms of formulation by the new model structures and a quality assurance of model formulation. PMID:17556343
With steam generator check testing, the numerous types of defect not only have to be detected reliably but also to be identified correctly and classified according to depth. A priori, no signals are provided by the physical eddy-current mechanism, i.e. the disturbance of an excited eddy-current field by a defect, which will allow unambiguous identification and classification of the defects. The task, therefore, consists in designing the eddy-current method in terms of measurement technology in such a way as to obtain useful detection, identification and classification by a translation of the signals as simple and as save as possible. Internal through-flow wils and internal rotating probes were examined for their suitability to fulfill this three-pronged task with steam generator inspection.
With steam generator check testing, the numerous types of defect not only have to be detected reliably but also to be identified correctly and classified according to depth. A priori, no signals are provided by the physical eddy-current mechanism, i.e. the disturbance of an excited eddy-current field by a defect, which will allow unambiguous identification and classification of the defects. The task, therefore, consists in designing the eddy-current method in terms of measurement technology in such a way as to obtain useful detection, identification and classification by a translation of the signals as simple and as save as possible. Internal through-flow wils and internal rotating probes were examined for their suitability to fulfill this three-pronged task with steam generator inspection. (orig./RW).
In 2009, following approval of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), the European Commission (EC) created task groups to develop guidance for eleven quality descriptors that form the basis for evaluating ecosystem function. The objective was to provide European countries with practical guidelines for implementing the MSFD, and to produce a Commission Decision that encapsulated key points of the work in a legal framework. This paper presents a review of work carried out by the eutrophication task group, and reports our main findings to the scientific community. On the basis of an operational, management-oriented definition, we discuss the main methodologies that could be used for coastal and marine eutrophication assessment. Emphasis is placed on integrated ap...
The three tasks were completed during this reporting period. During this quarter, work focused on a local structural analysis of the Table Rock field, greater Green River basin (GGRB) in southwestern Wyoming. The ultimate objective of the local analysis is to apply the techniques developed and demonstrated during earlier phases of the project in the Rulison Field area of the Piceance basin for sweet-spot delineation. The primary goal of this work is to focus in on the Table Rock field area in the northern Washakie basin of the Greater Green River basin in support of Union Pacific Resources and DOE planned horizontal drilling efforts. The work plan for the quarter of April 1, 1998--June 30, 1998 consisted of three tasks: (1) Acquire necessary seismic data and depth-convert, (2) Map major fault geometry and analyze displacement vectors, (3) Develop and initiate a natural fracture prediction study.
Background:- Children with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) have shown deficits in -cool- abstract-cognitive, and -hot- reward-related executive function (EF) tasks. However, it is currently unclear to what extent ODD/CD is associated with neuropsychological deficits, independently of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods:- Fifty-nine adolescents with a history of early-onset oppositional problems, 28 with pure ODD/CD symptoms and 31 with ADHD with or without ODD/CD, and 34 healthy controls were administered a task battery measuring motor response inhibition, sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and reward-related decision-making. Findings were analysed using dimensional and group analyses. Results:- In group analyses both groups with and wit...
This operation plan covers the period of operations from the time major elements of the joint task force are deployed in the forward area until the completion of on-site operations. It was published for planning purposes only, always subject to periodic revision and refinement as more detailed information became available. ENIWETOK-BIKINI Danger Area, as the term is used in this plan, is that area encompassing ENIWETOK and BIKINI ATOLLS and bounded by the meridians 160 deg 35' - 166 deg 16' east longitude, and by the parallels 10 deg 15' - 12 deg 45' north latitude (an area of 150 by 350 miles).
The Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration (BWID) is a program of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Development whose mission is to evaluate different new and existing technologies and determine how well they address DOE community waste remediation problems. Twenty-three Technical Task Plans (TTPs) have been identified to support this mission during FY-92; 10 of these have identified some support requirements when demonstrations take place. Section 1 of this report describes the tasks supported by BWID, determines if a technical demonstration is proposed, and if so, identifies the support requirements requested by the TTP Principal Investigators. Section 2 of this report is an evaluation identifying facility characteristics of existing Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) facilities that may be considered for use in BWID technology demonstration activities.
This report summarizes the results of Task 3 work that was initially discussed in our monthly reports for the period October 1, 1992 through September 30, 1993, and contained in our various papers and abstracts, both published and currently in press or in review. Our work during this period was involved (a) the continuation of studies begun prior to October, 1992, focussed mainly on aspects of the caldera geology, volcanic stratigraphy, magmatic activity, hydrothermal mineralization and extensional tectonics of the western and northwestern parts of the southwestern and Nevada volcanic field (SWNVF), studies of the subsurface rocks of Yucca Mountain utilizing drill hole samples obtained in 1991 and 1992, and (b) new studies of veins and siliceous rocks cropping out in northwestern Yucca Mountain that provide evidence for previously unrecognized hydrothermal activity during the Crater Flat Tuff period of volcanism.
This document is the report of a task group of the Radiation Therapy Committee of the AAPM and has been prepared primarily to advise hospital physicists involved in external beam treatment of patients with pelvic malignancies who have high atomic number (Z) hip prostheses. The purpose of the report is to make the radiation oncology community aware of the problems arising from the presence of these devices in the radiation beam, to quantify the dose perturbations they cause, and, finally, to provide recommendations for treatment planning and delivery. Some of the data and recommendations are also applicable to patients having implanted high-Z prosthetic devices such as pins, humeral head replacements. The scientific understanding and methodology of clinical dosimetry for these situations is still incomplete. This report is intended to reflect the current state of scientific understanding and technical methodology in clinical dosimetry for radiation oncology patients ...
A scheme for controlling multimanipulator systems is presented. The control objective is to coordinate the manipulators to perform parts-matching tasks such as screwing a nut onto a bolt. The task of moving a rigid object can be treated as a special case. Two secondary control objectives internal force control and load distribution can be accomplished within the structure of the control law. The internal force control mechanism keeps the internal forces on the object being manipulated at a desirable level. The load distribution mechanism distributes control effort to each manipulator according to a weighting factor. It is also shown that the control algorithm has a modular structure which facilitates its implementation on a multiprocessor computer. The scheme was tested on a planar scara type dual-manipulator system. A series of experimental results is included to demonstrate the system performance under various conditions.
In this paper we present an approach for supporting users in the difficult task of searching for video. We use collaborative feedback mined from the interactions of earlier users of a video search system to help users in their current search tasks. Our objective is to improve the quality of the results that users find, and in doing so also assist users to explore a large and complex information space. It is hoped that this will lead to them considering search options that they may not have considered otherwise. We performed a user centred evaluation. The results of our evaluation indicate that we achieved our goals, the performance of the users in finding relevant video clips was enhanced with our system; users were able to explore the collection of video clips more and users demonstrated a preference for our system that provided recommendations.
This document is furnished as part of the effort to develop NRC Class 1E Digital Computer Systems Guidelines which is Task 8 of USAF Rome Laboratories Contract F30602-89-D-0100. The report addresses four major topics, namely, computer programming languages, software design and development, software testing and fault tolerance and fault avoidance. The topics are intended as stepping stones leading to a Draft Regulatory Guide document. As part of this task a small scale survey of software fault avoidance and fault tolerance practices was conducted among vendors of nuclear safety related systems and among agencies that develop software for other applications demanding very high reliability. The findings of the present report are in part based on the survey and in part on review of software literature relating to nuclear and other critical installations, as well as on the authors' experience in these areas.
A methodology is proposed to facilitate the construction of gridded bathymetry data for the use of hydrodynamic models on the continental shelf. It relies on the carrying out of three successive tasks: (1) automatic selection of records of better quality among multiple sets of overlapping data; (2) elimination of data points located on land; and (3) taking into account the shoreline as bathymetric data. Algorithms are proposed to perform sorting of the records according to their quality as well as masking by the coastline. The suggested method facilitates the updating of bathymetry data and optimizes their use. It enables automatic execution of all the tasks and building of new digital bathymetry models in a few hours, without action from the operator. The method has been tested many times...
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) at the Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) contracted with P.S. Lowell and Co. Inc. (Lowell and Co.) and Jay S. Dweck, Consultant, Inc., (JSD) to enhance the capability of ASPEN in simulating coal gasification and oil shale processing plants. Of particular concern was the capability to predict the distribution of environmentally significant components among the various aqueous and organic liquids and gas streams within or leaving the process. The project was divided into major task areas. The first was to develop and implement the calculational routines necessary for predicting aqueous electrolyte chemical reactions. Part of this effort also was to select a species list and collect and/or regress data for the necessary parameters. The second task was to develop and implement a multi-phase flash capability (including precipitated solids) and unit operations models for a venturi and a ...
This paper summarizes the findings from an exploratory definition of a usage strategy for multiple control centre wall displays in CANDU nuclear power plants. Wall displays are defined as large sized, vertically oriented display surfaces that may be positioned in various locations about a control room to support user information needs. The paper begins by discussing the need for a usage strategy for all control room information resources, and then reviews the history in wall display implementation and usage in nuclear power plant control rooms. The balance of the paper discusses the approach used in characterization and review of control room task information needs and definition of a wall display usage strategy. The paper concludes by outlining some of the possible impacts on future control room design and operations that the introduction of wall displays may imply. (author)
The six-axes industrial robot MANUTEC r15 UW was modified to work underwater and successfully tested down to the simulated water depth of 1100 m. Next step in the program was to use this robot as a handling tool for inspection tasks at the welding seam of an underwater structure conducted with CCD-cameras and distance sensors. This was also to demonstrate the possibility to assist and later on to replace divers from this work. Additional research was focussed on the stiffness and rigidity of the robot during the precise guiding of tools and workpieces under current water conditions up to a flow velocity of 1.1 m/s. Present work is concentrated on the application of this subsea robot on a maintenance task at the Brazilian underwater template OCTOS-1000. For this experiments the robot is integrated in a large mock-up which simulates a quarter section of this template. (orig.)
The vigilance reinforcement hypothesis (VRH) asserts that errors in signal detection tasks are partially explained by operant reinforcement and extinction processes. VRH predictions were tested with a computerized baggage screening task. Our experiment evaluated the effects of signal schedule (extinction vs. variable interval 6 min) and visual field complexity (dial vs. baggage x-ray) on search behavior rates. There was a main effect for signal schedule [F (1, 20) = 14.0, p = 0.001, p[subscript rep] = 0.99], but no effects for field complexity or interaction. The VRH suggests that performance errors in visual screening work may be reduced through operant conditioning of search behaviors by intensive management of artificially planted signals. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)
This is the final report of a one-year, Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The main objective of this project was to engineer and procure an electron beamline compatible with the operation of a 1-kW free-electron laser (FEL). Another major task is the physics design of the electron beam line from the end of the wiggler to the electron beam dump. This task is especially difficult because electron beam is expected to have 20 kW of average power and to simultaneously have a 25% energy spread. The project goals were accomplished. The high-power electron design was completed. All of the hardware necessary for high-power operation was designed and procured.
The research documented herein was funded by a research contract between the Research Reactors Division (RRD) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering Department (MABE). The research was governed by a statement of work (SOW) which clearly defines nine specific tasks. This report is outlined to follow and document the results of each of these nine specific tasks. The primary goal of this phase of the research is to demonstrate, through verification and validation methods, that COMSOL is a viable simulation tool for thermal-hydraulic modeling of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) core. A secondary goal of this two-dimensional phase of the research is to establish methodology and data base libraries that are also needed in the full three-dimensional COMSOL simulation to follow. COMSOL version 3.5a was used for all of the models presented throughout ...
Most pumped-storage plants have the capability to operate as synchronous condensers. As such, they can be brought on line very quickly to support system load requirements. However, one of the effects of making a rapid transition from synchronous condenser operation to turbine/governor operation is an initial reverse power flow into the machine. This reverse power flow can be very undesirable at a time when the system is calling for load support. On weak or isolated systems, this reverse power flow can lead to objectionable voltage and frequency dips in the system. With the proper utilization of a static frequency converter (SFC) and its associated controls and auxiliary switchgear systems, the reverse power flow resulting from a transition from synchronous condenser operation can be eliminated. This paper will describe the method by which an SFC system can be used to make this rapid load response in pumped-storage plants without incurring a reverse power flow and ...
The difficult economic circumstances with which almost the whole world had to contend, brought serious financial crisis in many countries. South Africa also had its own share of serious problems. Despite this situation, Transvaal Consolidated Land and Exploration Company, Limited, showed on increase in earnings of 24 per cent per share. The reason for this lies mainly in two areas. Firstly the company acquired the mining related business of Rand Mines, Limited. Included in the acquisition was a partfolio of shares mainly in the company's associated gold and uranium mining companies and additional shares in its listed coal mining subsidiaries. Secondly, the average gold price realised by producers in rand terms, was considerably higher than in the previous year. Consolidated profit attributable to members increased by 52 per cent to R82,6 million.
In a previous paper [Phys.Rev.D82, 085016(2010)] we introduced a method for obtaining the exact Feynman propagator of a relativistic particle (for both Klein-Gordon and Dirac case) from a superstatistical average over non-relativistic single-particle paths. We suggested that this method could offer new insights into the currently much debated issue of emergent relativity. In this paper we proceed further, showing that a Brownian motion on a short scale originates a relativistic motion on scales larger than particle's Compton wavelength. Viewed in this way, special relativity is not a primitive concept, but rather it statistically emerges when a coarse graining average over distances of order, or longer than the Compton wavelength is taken. We also present the modifications necessary to accommodate in our scheme the doubly special relativistic dynamics. In this way, an unsuspected, common statistical origin of the two frameworks is brought to light. Salient issues ...
The papers collected in this volume were presented at the 4th Colloquium on Process Simulation held at Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland, June 11-13, 1997. In the more developed industrial nations, the processes for producing chemicals, energy, and materials encounter environmental concern and laws which challenge engineers to develop the processes towards more efficient, economical and safe operation. This necessitates more thorough understanding of the processes and phenomena involved. Formerly, the development of the processes was largely based on trial and error, whereas today, the development of computer performance together with the diversification of modelling software enables simulation of the processes. The increased capacity and possibilities for modelling the processes brought by the improved hardware and software, have generated a strong demand for more accurate mathematical descriptions of the processes. Especially, the coupling of ...
It is the Office of protection against the ionizing radiations (O.P.R.I.) who alerted the A.C.R.O. that a new ruthenium incident had arisen to the factory Cogema - La Hague on October 31., 2001. The A.C.R.O. immediately made a campaign of analyses the results of which are presented in this note. The previous similar incident dates May 18., 2001. A loss of depression in the workshop R7 of the factory UP2-800 specialized in the vitrification had brought an unchecked release, by one of the smokestacks, composed essentially of radioactive ruthenium and rhodium; the evacuated activity was estimated by the operator at approximately 11 MBq. The measures in environment made by the A.C.R.O. had led the association to question the Authority of Nuclear Safety about the total quantity of release announced by the operator. Having presented the results of the measures of radioactivity in the environment made following the incident of 31. october 2001, an estimation of the term ...
The present study discusses the contribution of the adoption of more rigorous and objective criteria to the selection and analysis of information sources, leading to more scientific rigour when registering phytotherapic drugs. To this end, it is herein proposed the adoption of a previously tested and acknowledged methodology, namely the Systematic Revision, as a standard for phytotherapic drug analyses. In order to show differences brought about by the Systematic Revision during the registration procedures of phytotherapic drugs, the case of the Maytenus ilicifolia (known popularly in Brazil as 'espinheira-santa') is presented. As it is well known, the use of ionizing radiation is expanding, especially in medicine and pharmacy. Therefore, gamma radiation was applied to the microbiological quality control of phytotherapic matrices. Results indicated a positive contribution of Systematic Revision to the registration procedures of phytotherapic ...
The role played by calcium sulfite in the flue gas desulfurization of lime/limestone scrubbers makes it desirable to work out its thermodynamic properties. A thermogravimetric apparatus was used to study the equilibria between calcium sulfite hemihydrate and calcium sulfite anhydrite under different conditions. Efforts were made to analyze the difficulties encountered in the dynamic approach to equilibration after calcium sulfate dihydrate failed in calibration of the apparatus. Finally, the kinetics and thermodynamics for the dissociation of calcium sulfite hemihydrate were examined. The confirmation of Engel-Brewer's correlation between the electronic configuration and crystal structure in metallic systems has long been pursued in this group by studying the Lewis-acid-base interactions. Tantalum-iridium alloys of different compositions were brought into equilibrium with various steam/hydrogen mixtures in the same thermogravimetric setup. Although the ...
As silicon-integrated circuit technology enters the sub-100 nm realm, continued progress will depend on a fundamental understanding of the physics of materials processing. The high cost of processing experimental lots and the speed at which new devices must be brought to the market have created a new emphasis on realistic physical models incorporated in technology CAD (TCAD) simulation tools. The volume bring together materials scientists, TCAD researchers and silicon technologists to review recent developments in the integrated-circuit community and to identify key issues for future research in this field. Results of research on the physical mechanisms involved in silicon device processing is presented both from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. The application of this fundamental research to TCAD process simulation models is also addressed. Topics include: shallow junctions and transient enhanced diffusion; extended defects and transient enhanced ...
ScotGrid is a distributed Tier-2 centre in the UK with sites in Durham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. ScotGrid has undergone a huge expansion in hardware in anticipation of the LHC and now provides more than 4MSI2K and 500TB to the LHC VOs. Scaling up to this level of provision has brought many challenges to the Tier-2 and we show in this paper how we have adopted new methods of organising the centres, from fabric management and monitoring to remote management of sites to management and operational procedures, to meet these challenges. We describe how we have coped with different operational models at the sites, where Glagsow and Durham sites are managed "in house" but resources at Edinburgh are managed as a central university resource. This required the adoption of a different fabric management model at Edinburgh and a special engagement with the cluster managers. Challenges arose from the different job models of local and grid submission that required special attention ...
Three dispersants (stearic acid, oleic acid, and poly-(12-hydroxystearic acid)) are compared for their ability to produce low-viscosity suspensions of zirconia in kerosene. Rheological measurements and sediment packing density measurements show that poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) is a better dispersant than stearic acid or oleic acid; this is explained in terms of the longer tail of the poly-(12-hydroxystearic acid) surfactant molecule. The amount of dispersant can be optimized to reduce viscosity and yield point of the suspension, and to eliminate thixotropic hysteresis. The use of a dispersion medium of lower viscosity than the dispersant makes it easy to detect when complete monolayer coverage has been achieved. The loss of pseudoplasticity, brought about by a higher degree of deflocculation, can be recovered by increasing the volume fraction of solids of a suspension and this is beneficial in the plastic forming of ceramics. Rheological measurements showed that ...
In a scenario of aqueous transport from a high-level radioactive waste repository, the concentration of radionuclides in water in contact with the waste constitutes the source term for transport models, and as such represents a fundamental component of all performance assessment models. Many laboratory experiments have been done to characterize release rates and understand processes influencing radionuclide release rates from irradiated nuclear fuel. Natural analogues of these waste forms have been studied to obtain information regarding the long-term stability of potential waste forms in complex natural systems. This information from diverse sources must be brought together to develop and defend methods used to define source terms for performance assessment models. In this manuscript examples of measures of radionuclide release rates from spent nuclear fuel or analogues of nuclear fuel are presented. Each example represents a very different approach to obtaining a ...
This paper begins with an introduction to Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (GNPS) and gives a simple introduction to the operations and maintenance documentation system at GNPS. It then will review the maintenance program guidelines base and the associated problems prior to the application of reliability centered maintenance (RCM). How RCM was implemented at GNPS, how the results of RCM analysis were used to optimize the maintenance program and test program, and what is the interface between RCM and the existing maintenance program will be shown. Next, it will show the successful implementation of RCM at GNPS resulted in the following changes: A new understanding of equipment failure challenges operations and maintenance beliefs, maintenance concepts undergo a large change, maintenance program and periodic testing program are continuously modified and optimized, new on-condition maintenance technologies are introduced, non-productive scheduled overhauls are discarded, ...
A study was undertaken of the effect of monovalent cations (Li/sup +/, Na/sup +/, K/sup +/) on the dielectric constant (epsilon) of the water-lipid interface of unilamellar phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles, i.e., the ester carbonyl oxygen region of the PC molecules or the neighborhood of the oxygen atoms of the phosphorylcholine moiety. epsilon was determined by reacting the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with ..cap alpha..-tocopherol incorporated in the lipid vesicles. The results are consistent with a decrease of epsilon (LiCl: 35.5 to 29.5; NaCl: 34 to 29; KCl: 33 to 29) as the concentration of the salts in the solvent media increases from 0.025 to 0.5 M. These effects can be rationalized in terms of dielectric saturation at the water-lipid interface brought about by ion-induced local electric fields. In the unilamellar PC vesicles the effect of the ions on epsilon follows the sequence K/sup +/ > Na/sup +/ > Li/sup +/ which contrasts ...
This study examines, in general, the transformation of the role of the Brazilian state to intervener in supervisory of the services, through the delegation of responsibility for the exploitation of public services to private enterprise, and the creation of regulatory agencies. The study pointing to the necessity of a legal and regulatory stable scenario in the regulation of these services, as enables of private investment mechanisms and, as a consequence of sustainable economic development. The success of the neo liberal state model is examined, specifically in relation to the market of pipeline gas distribution, showing the environmental, economic and social benefits that brought in this sector, the private investment and stability so far reasonably observed in this segment. The work also indicating, in general, the risks and issues most relevant, from the investor and markets point of view, to attract and maintain investment and to reduce the cost of private ...
Samples of fat coal-E, its roof sandstone-A and blind coal-W from two coal mines in Hebei Province of China were brought to the laboratory to study the features of infrared thermal images and radiation temperature in the course of uni-axial load and uni-axial cycle load. To check the results of infrared remote sensing detection, two other methods, acoustic emission detection and electrical resistance detection were also used. The AGA-782 thermalvision detected change of the temperature field of the samples` surfaces. The study showed that: (1) coal rocks and sandstone in the course of loading have three types of infrared thermal image features and three types of infrared radiation temperature features; (2) infrared detection is comparable with acoustic emission detection and electrical resistance detection. Generally, the infrared forewarning of coal rocks` failure comes later than that of acoustic and electrical resistance, but the infrared radiation temperature ...
Wood plastic composites (WPC) have been prepared with five low-grade woods, native to Syria, and with Okoume (aucoumea klaineana pierre) imported to Syria in large quantities. Three monomer systems; acrylamide, butylmethacrylate, and styrene were used. polymerization was induced at various radiation doses (10, 20, and 30 kGy) to study the role of radiation doses using a "6"0Co gamma radiation source. Some physical properties of WPC, namely polymer loading and compression strength or tensile strength of the obtained wood polymer composites (WPC) were studied. The effect of the additives, sulfuric acid (H"+), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP), trimethyolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), urea (U), lithium nitrate (LiNo_3), copper sulfate (CuSO_4) and co-additives on monomer system polymerization were also investigated. Methanol, water and water/methanol mixtures were used as the swelling agents. In general, the use of additives and co-additives brought about an enhancement of ...
Increasing the speed and complexity of semiconductor integrated circuits requires advanced processes that put extreme constraints on the level of metal contamination allowed on the surfaces of silicon wafers. Such contamination degrades the performance of the ultrathin SiO sub 2 gate dielectrics that form the heart of the individual transistors. Ultimately, reliability and yield are reduced to levels that must be improved before new processes can be put into production. It should be noted that much of this metal contamination occurs during the wet chemical etching and rinsing steps required for the manufacture of integrated circuits and industry is actively developing new processes that have already brought the metal contamination to levels beyond the measurement capabilities of conventional analytical techniques. The measurement of these extremely low contamination levels has required the use of synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence (SR-TXRF) ...
Nickel cadmium batteries differ greatly in their mechanical design and construction of the electrodes. Using available electrode constructions, batteries are designed which meet the requirements of specific applications and offer optimum performance. Pocket- and tubular cells are basically developed with the technology of the year 1895. Since then some improvements with todays technology have been made. The sintered cells use the technology of the 1930's and they are still limited to high power application. With this knowledge and the technology of today the fiber-structured nickel electrode (FNC) was developed at DAUG laboratory, a subsidiary company of Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. After ten years of experience in light weight prototype batteries for electric vehicles (1-2), the system was brought into production by a new company, DAUG-HOPPECKE. Characteristics of fiber electrodes: thickness and size can be easily changed; pure active materials are used; high ...
Increasingly stringent pollution regulations have spurred a broad interest in the reduction of engine emissions. Two strategies can be considered: after-treatment or engine emissions reduction. For Diesel engines, after-treatment has a high cost induced by the required technology and implementation issues. In this context, the Highly Premixed Combustion combustion mode (HP C) has emerged as a topic of major interest in recent years. It represents one of the most promising ways for new generation of CI engines using high Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) rates. Experimentation on the test bench brought the proof of significant emission reduction. However, actual vehicle implementation implies frequent transient which fall far beyond steady state experimentation on the test bench. Several key challenges have to be addressed. With this combustion technology; accurate torque balancing at all engine modes is a requirement. Even slight unbalance between the cylinders can ...
The purpose of the study is to investigate the heat transfer augmentation method for a wavy channel type heat exchanger. Experimental studies were carried out, by installation of flow guide-plates with simple structure, to clarify the effects on the augmentation whether the effects are brought by the flow acceleration or by the increase of intensity of turbulence due to the flow seperation, and to determine optimum shape of flow guide-plates. The shape and dimensions of the experimental apparatus are as follows; channel width H of 30 mm, rectangular section with breadth of 300 mm, wavy duct with a bend angle of 60/sup 0/ and straight pipe of 2H length. Air stream was flowed through the duct with Reynolds number of 1.7 x 10/sup 4/ only. As the results, following conclusions were obtained. (1) Wavy duct with large bend angle and without inserting flow guide-plates could not be expected large effects on the heat transfer augmentation. (2) An improvement on heat ...
The formation kinetics of Pd_2Si for fully silicided (FUSI) gate formation and the work function tuning of a Pd_2Si FUSI gate by impurity predoping were investigated. It has been found that the morphology and phase of a formed FUSI layer depend not only on the silicidation annealing temperature but also on the heating ramp-up rate and the presence of impurities. Fast ramp-up annealing was necessary to avoid defect formation, such as voids in the silicide film at the oxide interface, and to obtain a homogeneous silicide film containing only Pd_2Si phase. The most severe effect on the silicidation reaction, that is the increase in defect formation, was brought about by As predoping. The work function of the Pd_2Si FUSI gate was modulated by impurity pileup at the Pd_2Si/SiO_2 interface, as in the case of the NiSi FUSI gate. However, the work function shifted in the opposite direction to that of the NiSi FUSI gate for As, P, Sb, and BF_2. A wide range of work function ...
A simple sample decomposition and laser fluorimetric determination of uranium at trace level is reported in certain refractory minerals, like ilmenite, rutile, zircon and monazite; environmental samples viz. soil and sediments; industrial waste materials, such as, coal fly ash and red mud. Ilmenite sample is decomposed by heating with ammonium fluoride. Rutile, zircon and monazite minerals are decomposed by fusion using a mixture of potassium bifluoride and sodium fluoride. Environmental and industrial waste materials are brought into solution by treating with a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids. The laser induced fluorimetric determination of uranium is carried out directly in rutile, zircon and in monazite minerals and after separation in other samples. The determination limit was 1 #mu#g x g"-"1 for ilmenite, soil, sediment, coal fly ash and red mud samples, and it is 5 #mu#g x g"-"1 for rutile, zircon and monazite. The method is also developed for the ...
High precision, fast computation speed, as well as a good capability of fault tolerant and reconstruction are required more and more for spacecraft attitude determination system. To realize the above requirement, an approach was presented to the synthesis of federated filters using sigma point technique. In this algorithm, the sigma point technique brought the algorithm a high precision, while the federated structure significantly enhanced the filters' capability of multi-rate information fusion, fault tolerance, and system modularity. Within consideration of computation consumption, a simple information-sharing formulation was derived to adapt to the special property of sigma point distribution, and a dynamical information sharing strategy for multi-rate fusion was developed. A numerical simulation example was employed to give the algorithm a test, where the simulated system contained a suit of gyroscopes; a three-axis magnetometer and a sun sensor each had a ...
The present article describes a novel synthesis route for nano-sized goethite ({alpha}-FeOOH) using hydrazine sulphate as an additive. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks of synthesized powder matched well with those of {alpha}-FeOOH. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the particles of irregular shape in the range of 1-10 nm. Batch adsorption experiments for fluoride uptake were performed to study the influence of various experimental parameters such as contact time (10 min to 7 h), initial fluoride concentration (10-150 mg L{sup -1}), pH (2-11.6) and the presence of competing anions. The time data fitted well to pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The fluoride removal passed through broad maxima in pH ranges of 6-8. High adsorption capacity of 59 mg g{sup -1} goethite was obtained. The isothermic data fitted well to Freundlich model. The presence of other ions namely chloride and sulphate adversely affected fluoride removal. Fluoride from contaminated water sample could be ...
Interference between the crossover leg of the Reactor Coolant System(RCS) and the Pipe Whip Restraints(PWR) has brought a degradation issue of the integrity of the Reactor Coolant System in Westinghouse type Nuclear Power Plants(NPPs) of Korea. According to the gap inspection carried out during planned overhaul (year 2000), interference between the crossover leg and the PWR was found in each RCS loop. This plant has had the high vibration problem on the RC pump 'B'. The reason for the high vibration in the RC pump 'B' had been massively surveyed and it was found that the crossover leg of RCS contacted with the PWR in hot condition. Since the contact between the crossover leg and the PWR changes the dynamic characteristics of the piping system for the RCS, this is considered as one reason for the high vibration. And a possibility of overstress on the crossover leg due to the contact with the PWR should be evaluated. Through ...
The use of previously measured mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel systems as benchmarks can be valuable tool in computational analysis and quality assurance efforts. The Fissile Materials Disposition Program (FMDP) has identified these experiments as potential benchmarks, or standards, for VVER's employing MOX fuel. Standards for the analysis of these benchmark experiments were based on those used in the recent compilation International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments begun in 1992 by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Los Alamos National Laboratory's archives were explored for log-book records of these experiments without success. These experiments were the first to use MOX fuel in light water. Three approach-to-critical experiments were performed using fuel rods at various pitches and different plutonium-oxide concentrations. A parallel program verified the prediction of critical condition as similar materials and geometries were actually ...
The outlook for natural gas (from both supply and price perspectives) has improved dramatically since the late 1970s, and significant advances have been made in electrical generation technologies which use gas. For example, gas-fired combined-cycle turbine units have become even more efficient and reliable. These units can be installed quickly (12 to 24 months versus 8 to 15 years for coal and nuclear units), and they may be brought on-line in small incremental blocks. This modular construction feature offers greater flexibility to utility planners, and the relatively low capital cost of combined-cycle units reduces financial uncertainties. The purpose of this chapter is to compare two electric power generating options, a new coal-fired powerplant and a new natural gas fired combined-cycle unit, from both economic and environmental perspectives. The comparison is based on a 240 megawatt baseload system.
There are many factors contributing to the changes taking place within the electric utility industry. The environmental pressures on the industry are substantial and include the global warming issue, hazardous and nuclear waste challenges, air toxicities, and the electromagnetic field controversy. An issue of special concern is deregulation of the industry, which brought with it retail wheeling, wholesale wheeling, transmission access, and market-based pricing, all of which have greatly shaken the industry. The changes are expected to happen quickly. This is quite different from the 31 years it took to deregulate the telecommunications industry, the 15 to 20 years for railroads, the 9 years for the natural gas industry, and the 2 years for the airline industry. Historically there has been a general willingness among the utilites to share information through collaborative research. Research and development is viewed as a cost and not an investment in the electric ...
We discuss the evolution of a disc galaxy due to the formation of a bar and, subsequently, a peanut. After the formation stage there is still considerable evolution, albeit slower. In purely stellar cases the pattern speed of the bar decreases with time, while its amplitude grows. However, if a considerable gaseous component is present in the disc, the pattern speed may increase with time, while the bar strength may decrease. In some cases the gas can be brought sufficiently close to the center to create a strong central concentration, which, in turn, may modify the properties of the bar. More violent evolution can take place during interactions, so that some disc substructures can be either formed or destroyed in a time scale which is small compared to a Hubble time. These include spirals, bars, bridges, tails, rings, thick discs and bulges. In some cases interactions may lead to mergings. We briefly review comparisons of the properties of merger remnants with ...
Total quality management strategy and the worldwide introduction of the DIN/ISO 9000 (EN 29 000) series of standards have given new impetus to traditional quality assurance. The most important change must surely be seen in the holistic approach of total quality management and its strict orientation towards customer requirements and satisfaction. International codes and standards for the nuclear industry will also have to be brought into line as part of the process of harmonizing quality assurance system standards. One possible approach is simply to specify a supplementary 'delta' of nuclear-specific requirements to be appended to the broad range of conventional requirements. It is a particular feature of quality-assured procedures in Germany that product and/or component related quality requirements and quality verifications are defined in the specifications of the architect engineer so that full implementation of the requirements from the design phase through to ...
The demonstration test of a power system stabilizer, employing a fuzzy theory, in the two hydroelectric power stations of Kyusyu Electric Power Co., Inc. is described. The PSS inputs auxiliary signals to the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) of a generator and generates an electric torque in the direction opposite to the operating direction of a generator to enhance the damping effect and improve the system stability. Usually, the change in the slide information of a generator is detected, and the phase adjustment is performed so that the damping is the optimum value. However, since the damping is optimized in the specific system state, no complete damping may be obtained when the system state is changed. A fuzzy theory was thus applied for the control operation part. In a secondary fuzzy PSS, the velocity and acceleration were calculated from the slide information of a generator to produce a control signal. In the third dimension, moreover, the position (integral information of ...
The US Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors an extensive research program to improve the methods, dosimeters, and instruments available to DOE facilities for measuring neutron dose and assessing its effects on the work force. The Total Dose Meter was recently developed for measuring in real time the adsorbed dose of mixed neutron and gamma radiation and for calculating the dose equivalent. The Field Neutron Spectrometer was developed to provide a portable instrument for determining neutron spectra in the workplace for flux-to-dose equivalent conversion and quality factor calculation. The Combination Thermoluminescence/Track Etch Dosimeter (TLD/TED) was developed to extend the effective neutron energy range of the conventional TLDs to improve detection of fast-energy neutrons. An Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeter is presently being developed for application to gamma, neutron, and beta radiation. An Effective Dose Equivalent System is being developed to provide guidance in ...
Automobile has become the dominant transport mode in the world in the last century. In order to meet a continuously growing demand for transport, one solution is to change the control approach for vehicle to full driving automation, which removes the driver from the control loop to improve efficiency and reduce accidents. Recent work shows that there are several realistic paths towards this deployment : driving assistance on passenger cars, automated commercial vehicles on dedicated infrastructures, and new forms of urban transport (car-sharing and cybercars). Cybercars have already been put into operation in Europe, and it seems that this approach could lead the way towards full automation on most urban, and later interurban infrastructures. The European project CyberCars has brought many improvements in the technology needed to operate cybercars over the last three years. A new, larger European project is now being prepared to carry this work further in order to ...
Scenarios are developed for spent fuel that is taken out of the nuclear reactor and stored for 20 years before reprocessing, and three storage techniques which use a water pool, dry cask or vault are compared with respect to their costs. The storage price (storage cost per kilogram of spent fuel), which is employed as the economic index, is calculated on the assumption that all the charge is paid when the spent fuel is brought in the storage facilities. Four scenarios are assumed for spent PWR and BWR fuels to be stored in at-reactor (AT) or away-from-reactor (AFR) facilities. The capital costs cover the buildings of the storage facilities, equipment, decommissioning, casks for transportation and storage (for cask storage) and casks for transportation (for water pool or vault storage). Costs for operation and maintenance of the facilities are also considered in evaluating these methods. Evaluation results show that the dry cask method is the most advantageous for ...
Scenarios are developed for spent fuel that is taken out of the nuclear reactor and stored for 20 years before reprocessing, and three storage techniques which use a water pool, dry cask or vault are compared with respect to their costs. The storage price (storage cost per kilogram of spent fuel), which is employed as the economic index, is calculated on the assumption that all the charge is paid when the spent fuel is brought in the storage facilities. Four scenarios are assumed for spent PWR and BWR fuels to be stored in at-reactor (AT) or away-from-reactor (AFR) facilities. The capital costs cover the buildings of the storage facilities, equipment, decommissioning, casks for transportation and storage (for cask storage) and casks for transportation (for water pool or vault storage). Costs for operation and maintenance of the facilities are also considered in evaluating these methods. Evaluation results show that the dry cask method is the most advantageous for ...
Further to a cost-benefit analysis of the various medium-term and long-term and H.L.W. storage possibilities, C.E.A. (French Atomic Energy Commission) and S.G.N. decided to develop an original dry storage process with natural convection cooling that offers many advantages: cut in the total investment and operating costs; high operating safety; natural convection cooling; existence of two containment barriers irrespective of the assumed clad conditions; flexible, modular and compact design. The process was first implemented in the so-called CASCAD Cadarache Facility (vault-type facility) constructed in Cadarache mainly to store fuel from Brennilis heavy water reactor. For the purpose, a large program was set up to develop and validate computer codes, in particular with the use of mockups. On the request of many clients, and owing to the outstanding operating results of the CASCAD Cadarache Facility, SGN was brought to adapt the process to the storage of other types ...
A comprehensive attenuation data of dose equivalent for point isotropic monoenergetic neutron sources up to 400MeV in infinite shields of water, ordinary concrete and iron has been calculated using the ANISN-JR code and a neutron-photon multigroup macroscopic cross section HIL086R. The attenuation factors were fitted to a 4th order polynomial exponent formula, making possible to use easily for point kernel codes. Additional data in finite shielding geometry was also calculated to correct the effect due to infinite medium, giving the maximum correction of 0.23 in the region for more 400 cm distance from neutron source of 400 MeV in iron shield. Effective attenuation length for monoenergetic neutrons have been studied in detail. Subsequently, it was shown that the attenuation length was strongly dependent upon the penetration length and the Moyer`s formula using a single attenuation length brought large error into the dose estimation behind thick shields for the ...
A collaboration initiated in 1989 between Judy Lachvayder and Chris Cullis in response to an application for a Christa McCauliffe Fellowship has grown into a substantial program. A one week course in biotechnology, using the Cold Spring Harbor Vector van, was run in 1990. A similar one week summer course was run by Cullis for high school freshmen and sophomores. Both programs (teachers and students) have continued with support from the Edison Biotechnology Center (EBTC), U.S. Biochemical, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and CWRU. A core of teachers from these courses were brought together by the EBTC and the Cleveland Regional Area of Biologists (CRABS) was formed. This group holds regular meetings and develops new classroom exercises. A group of master teachers from the participants have also held their own workshops at local and national meetings. A Science and Society Symposium was held in February 1994 and an equipment loan program for teachers has been ...
We theoretically model a nuclear-state preparation scheme that increases the coherence time of a two-spin qubit in a double quantum dot. The two-electron system is tuned repeatedly across a singlet-triplet level-anticrossing with alternating slow and rapid sweeps of an external bias voltage. Using a Landau-Zener-Stueckelberg model, we find that in addition to a small nuclear polarization that weakly affects the electron spin coherence, the slow sweeps are only partially adiabatic and lead to a weak nuclear spin measurement and a nuclear-state narrowing which prolongs the electron spin coherence. This resolves some open problems brought up by a recent experiment. We also show that the electronic two-spin states singlet and triplet T_+ are promising candidates for the implementation of a qubit in GaAs double quantum dots (DQD). A coherent superposition of the two-spin states is obtained by finite time Landau-Zener-Stueckelberg interferometry and the single qubit ...
To respond to an increase of social problems concerning orphan sources in Japan, a working group was formed in the Japan Health Physics Society. In this working group, we investigated how to prevent acute radiation hazard or social panic regarding orphan sources in scrap metal and detection system for orphan sources brought into scrap yards before recycle. For detection system in a scrap yard we conducted an experiment on detectability of monitoring instrument using a radiation source mixed in scrap metal on a truck. The result showed that it was not easy to detect even a high-level source if it was shielded by scrap metal. We also estimated detection limits for radioactive materials in scrap metal by calculation that was validated with experimental data. We summarized present status about orphan sources in Japan and proposed a categorization of orphan sources according to dose rates to deal with unknown sources in a scrap yard. Our report includes some proposals ...
The purpose of this assessment is to develop a versatile process that will provide a mechanism for evaluating both present and future risks to this environment. Much of the regulatory and environmental interest in the port has centered around a Ballast Water Treatment facility that treats and discharges up to 30 mgd of oily ballast water brought in by crude oil tankers. However, six point discharges and other potential sources of pollution exist in the area. The authors have delineated eleven subareas in the port in order to identify the potential anthropogenic stressors, as well as the receptors that could be exposed to these stressors. Potential effects were then characterized for each exposure. Each component is ranked and integrated, resulting in a relative risk estimate in each subarea. Both the discernible risks, based on available data, and the data gaps are presented. Uncertainty is expressed as a range of high and low risk associated with each component. ...
Secretary Cheney's 1990 Annual Report to the President and the Congress established the requirement for the Unified Commanders in Chief to be prepared for Third World conflict involving roles and missions requiring, 'mobile, highly ready, well equipped fo...
The interpretation of solution hydrodynamic data in terms of macromolecular structural parameters is not a straightforward task. Over the years, several approaches have been developed to cope...Full Text Available
Multiple memory systems are involved in parallel processing of spatial information during navigation. A series of studies have distinguished between hippocampus-dependent ‘spatial’ navigation,...Full Text Available
This research activity emphasizes the systems definition and resulting structural requirements for the primary structure of two potential SPS large space structure test articles. These test articles represent potential steps in the SPS research and technology development.
This document presents the SSI preliminary views and position concerning the decommissioning of nuclear plants. To prevent the exposure of the decommissioning personnel and the general public to unacceptable levels of radiation and to protect the environment and future generations, it is SSI`s task to formulate and issue the necessary terms and regulations with which the reactor licensees must comply during the decommissioning work. The views and principles presented here are the basis of SSI`s continued work on guidelines and regulations for the decommissioning of nuclear plants.
During the first 18 months of this project, four experimental subtasks were to have begun but only one of these was to have been completed. Additionally, five modeling subtasks were scheduled to begin, four of which were to have been completed. We are on schedule for all but one of these subtasks. All four experimental tasks are progressing on schedule. Initial durability tests were completed. The conclusions drawn from this first round of durability tests are being used to design the next set of tests. Initial baseline engine data were acquired and showed that the engine selected for this task behaves as hoped. However, the dyno controller is inadequate. The engine will be moved to another dyno during the near future. The modeling tasks are also progressing well. A model for the dynamic response of the ignition circuit was developed and validated. Two technical papers resulting from this model were submitted for ...
Quantum computers hold the promise of solving certain computational tasks much more efficiently than classical computers. We review recent experimental advances towards a quantum computer with trapped ions. In particular, various implementations of qubits, quantum gates and some key experiments are discussed. Furthermore, we review some implementations of quantum algorithms such as a deterministic teleportation of quantum information and an error correction scheme.
Only two years ago, plastic film recycling was considered an onerous task. Different resins had to be identified, colors had to be separated, and minute contaminants had to be weeded out almost by hand to produce a quality material. But the tide of plastic film recycling is changing now that new technologies have emerged and more organized collection infrastructure have been developed. Today, plastic film recycling maintains a lucrative market for those with the right combination of equipment and know-how.
The Subseabed Disposal Project (SDP) was part of an international program that investigated the feasibility of high-level radioactive waste disposal in the deep ocean sediments. This report briefly describes the seven-step iterative performance assessment procedures used in this study and presents representative results of the last iteration. The results of the performance are compared to interim standards developed for the SDP, to other conceptual repositories, and to related metrics. The attributes, limitations, uncertainties, and remaining tasks in the SDP feasibility phase are discussed.
The systems analyses and optimization studies performed in connection with a program to design and evaluate a commercial 663 MWe coal-fired combined cycle power plant using pressurized fluidized bed combustion and advanced technology in the hot gas cleanup system and gas turbines are presented. Details on the plant control system are included. (LCL)
This report is designed to cover the overall Operation Castle radiological safety matters from the viewpoint of those issues of direct concern to Headquarters, Joint Task Force Seven. It was written for the express purpose of assisting in the development of future radiological safety plans by presenting detailed discussion of the problems and solutions arising during Operation Castle.
This report is designed to cover the overall Operation Castle radiological safety matters from the viewpoint of those issues of direct concern to Headquarters, Joint Task Force Seven. It was written for the express purpose of assisting in the development of future radiological safety plans by presenting detailed discussion of the problems and solutions arising during Operation Castle. Included is a discussion of fallout forecasting techniques.
Research is being carried out in this project in two areas which are of interest to ongoing investigations at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC). They are: (a) thermal behavior of slurry reactors used for indirect coal liquefaction; and (b) coal liquefaction under supercritical conditions. The current status of each of these tasks is summarized in this report. 76 refs., 23 figs., 6 tabs.
Research is being carried out in this project in two areas which are of interest to ongoing investigations at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC). They are: (1) behavior of slurry reactors used for indirect coal liquefaction, and (2) coal liquefaction under supercritical conditions. The current status of each of these tasks is summarized in this report.
One of the supporting elements of the Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) Program is the materials/manufacturing technologies task. The objective of this element is to address critical materials issues for both industrial and utility gas turbines. DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office (ORO) will manage this element of the program, and a team from DOE-ORO and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is coordinating the planning for the materials/manufacturing effort. This paper describes that planning activity which is in the early stages.
Substantial damages at main components of steam turbines do not have to result inevitably in an exchange of the components concerned. Rather a preliminary or final repair is possible which also considers the cause of the damage. An important condition with the technically complex questions is an appropriate qualification and experience of all involved persons. The common task of operators, manufacturers and insurance companies is to preserve the balance from costs, expenditure of time and risk.
With the lifting of the top dome of the Windscale (AGR) Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor earlier this year, the decommissioning team has begun to dismantle the heaviest of the reactor components. In defining the tasks involved, the most important criterion was to minimise the radiation exposure expected to be received by the team members. The manager of the WAGR decommissioning project describes the preparation undertaken and the final lifting of the top dome in this article. (author).
Task 13 (a) was approved on December 21, 2001. Minimal work was performed for the quarter during the approval process. Laboratory and equipment facilities have been maintained in anticipation of the work to be done. The PI communicated with DOE and Estonia researchers during this period, providing advice and direction for the startup of the Estonia research, and preparing a Draft Teaming Agreement. The PI participated in an industrial liaison meeting with DOE personnel. This meeting is expected to lead to formal cooperation between industry and government.
Space HVAC systems are to provide hygienical room air. Air change is necessary because of pollutants released from materials or production processes but also because of the presence of humans or animals who consume oxygen. Poor room climate and/or poor air hygiene do not only reduce the felt comfort but may also result in a loss or profitability and higher sickness rates. (orig.)
The special geodetic problems encountered during the construction of the Paks nuclear power plants are treated. The main building with its hermetically connected components including the reactor, the steam generators, the circulation pumps etc. impose special requirements on the control net of datum points. The geodesy tasks solved during the construction of the main building are presented in details.
This report presents the work performed at the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) during the second program quarter from October 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993, under Department of Energy (DOE) Contract No. DE-AC22-93PC92114. This program has co-ordinated funding for Task 1 from IGT`s Sustaining Membership Program (SMP), while DOE is funding Tasks 2--8. Progress in all tasks are reported. The overall objective of this research project is to develop a catalytic process to convert natural gas to liquid transportation fuels. The process consists of two steps that each utilize catalysts and sulfur containing intermediates: (1) to convert natural gas to CS{sub 2} and (2) to convert CS{sub 2} to gasoline range liquids. Experimental data will be generated to demonstrate the potential of catalysts and the overall process. During this quarter, progress in the following areas has been made. An existing unit at IGT was modified to ...
The Fusion Technology task performs analyses and systems studies of conceptual fusion reactors based upon inertial and high-#beta# magnetic confinement schemes. Progress in the areas of theoretical analysis (plasma and neutral-gas blanket models), specific reactor studies (toroidal and linear theta pinches, Z pinches, laser fusion) neutronic and nuclear data assessments, materials (metals and insulators) evaluation, and general engineering design is reported.
This Current Year Work Plan presents in detail a description of the activities to be performed by the Joint Integration Office/RI during FY86. It breaks down the activities into two major work areas: Program Management and Program Analysis. Program Management is performed by the JIO/RI by providing technical planning and guidance for the development of advanced TRU waste management capabilities. This includes equipment/facility design, engineering, construction, and operations. These functions are integrated to allow transition from interim storage to final disposition. JIO/RI tasks include program requirements identification, long-range technical planning, budget development, program planning document preparation, task guidance development, task monitoring, task progress information gathering and reporting to DOE, interfacing with other agencies and DOE lead programs, integrating public involvement ...
In November 1998, President Clinton charged the National Bioethics Advisory Commission with the task of conducting a thorough review of the issues associated with human stem cell research, balancing all ethical and medical considerations. The President's ...
Focuses on the application of remote sensing techniques to the study of coal waste mounds. The situation at the coal waste mounds in Fukuoka, Japan is cited. Guidelines on film parameters, photographic keys and tasks required to inventory, monitor and manage coal waste mounds in Japan are addressed. Application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, aerial photography and satellite imagery techniques in monitoring spoil banks is reviewed. Applicability of the techniques is discussed. 24 refs.
Characterization of the electron beam's properties will be a major task after the upgrade of the Los Alamos Free-Electron Laser (FEL) Facility with a photoelectric injector (PEI) and increased acceleration capability to 40 MeV. Adjustments to the previous diagnostics package that address the lower beam emittance, higher energy, and wakefield source reduction issues will be discussed. 6 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.
The technology status of the dynamics and controls discipline as it applies to energy storage wheel systems was evaluated. No problems were identified for which an adequate solution could not be proposed. Design issues that influence control were addressed. The dynamics and control aspects associated with the energy storage system concept and its various constituent parts, and the control tasks attendant to large, manned spacecraft are discussed.
Using the Philips DRM distributed real-time multiprocessing system, designers can implement high-performance computer systems using VME hardware and the C programming language. The system provides a virtual-processing environment in which several 68000 CPUs share the workload. There are no centralized components, and tasks can be assumed by the rest of a system in the event of an individual processor's failure.
Data Qualification (DQ) is a formal, technical process whose objective is to affirm that experimental data are suitable for their intended use. Although it is not possible to develop a fixed recipe for the DQ process to cover all test situations, these general guidelines have been developed for the Nuclear Engineering Section to establish a framework for qualifying data from steady-state processing. These guidelines outline the role of the DQ team providing insight into the planning and conducting of the DQ process.
Abstract In his, -Descartes' Ontology of Thought-, Alan Nelson presents, on Descartes' behalf, a compositional theory of mental representation according to which the content of any mental representation is either simple or is entirely constituted by a combination of innate simples. Here the simples are our ideas of God, thought, extension, and union. My objection will be that it is simply ludicrous to think that any four simples are adequate to the task of combining to constitute all of human thought, and that the simples God, thought, extension, and union are particularly ill suited to it.
Equations are compiled for thermal balance in which for simplification, no consideration is made for heat conductivity along the axis of the cable and dependence of losses, heat capacitance and heat conductivity on temperature. Equations are modeled on a transistor analog calculator 42 TA. The solution to the task on the computer produced values of maximum temperature on the cable and coordinates of the point of maximum overheating. Using the analog model, one can study other parameters of the thermal mode.
The recent announcement that the public inquiry into the CEGB's plans to build a PWR at Sizewell will begin in January 1983 and the statement which followed from the task force that was set up in July 1981 to consider the future of the PWR programme in the UK, are considered. The relevant time scales, costs and safety, in particular the cost incurred due to the added safety features for the British PWR, are discussed. The effect of political aspects on the future of the PWR in Britain is considered.
Emerging high-power microwave technologies require that bioeffects of exposure to this type of radiation be investigated for health and safety considerations. Disruption of animal behavior is reported to be a sensitive indicator of microwave exposure. Three behavioral tasks were chosen for this initial investigation of exposure to U.S. Air Force high-power microwave emitters. The tasks were: (1) single-trail avoidance, (2) water satiation, and (3) rotarod performance. Exposure to high-power microwave radiation from the USAFSAM peak-power simulator significantly affected the single-trail avoidance task. Neither the single-trail avoidance task nor rotarod performance was affected by the Gypsy emitter. However, animals exposed to 9-kW and 11-kW outputs from the USAFSAM emitter spent significantly less time imbibing water postexposure than sham-exposed animals. The most consistent finding in the animals ...
An American Society of Mechanical Engineers task group on stainless steel weld materials was organized to determine the need for ferrite measurements of production welds required by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 1.31 (Rev. 1). The task group studied paired ferrite measurements (i.e., calculated and measured ferrite numbers (FNs) for the material qualifications versus measured ferrite numbers for corresponding production welds (PWs)). Our purpose was to compare delta-ferrite content as measured in the filler metal weld qualification pad with that in the resultant PW. Welds made predominantly by three common processes (submerged arc, shielded metal arc, and gas tungsten arc) were included in the study. Weld metals investigated included types 308, 308L, 316, and 316L stainless steel. An initial evaluation of the paired ferrite measurements was made by the task group, and specific conclusions and ...
DNA isolation procedures significantly influence the outcome of PCR-based detection of human pathogens. Unlike clinical samples, DNA isolation from food samples such as fresh and fresh-cut produce has remained a formidable task and has hampered the sensitivity and accuracy of molecular methods. We...
We propose a novel scheme for scalable solid state quantum computing, where superconducting microwave transmission line resonators (cavities) are arranged in a two-dimensional grid on the surface of a chip, coupling to superconducting qubits (charge or flux) at the intersections. We analyze how tasks of quantum information processing can be implemented in such a topology, including efficient two-qubit gates between any two qubits on the grid and elements of fault-tolerant computation.
Reporting of the first nuclear trafficking incidents began in the early 1990's. The incidents were handled on a national level, using the resources and expertise available in the respective states. However, it soon became evident that fighting this illicit movement of nuclear material across borders would require international cooperation and a systematic and methodological approach. To this end, the G-8 states encouraged the creation of a dedicated group of experts. The Nuclear Smuggling International Technical Working Group (ITWG) was created in the mid 1990's under the auspices of the G-8, following the 1995 Ottawa summit and the 1996 nuclear security summit held in Moscow. The group reports regularly to the Nuclear Safety and Security Group (NSSG) of the G-8. The ITWG has been working towards a sustainable mechanism to help resolve the international problem surrounding combating the illicit trafficking of nuclear material. In consequence, the technical focus has been on ...
Biological monitoring has been conducted in industrially impacted streams near US Department of Energy facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky for almost ten years. A comprehensive Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program, which was developed to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements, includes tasks on (1 ) toxicity testing; (2) bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial biota; (3) bioindicators of fish health; and (4) fish, macroinvertebrate, and periphyton community surveys. These studies have been used successfully to characterize spatial trends and demonstrate temporal recovery resulting from remedial actions and pollution abatement activities, identify contaminant sources, and provide data for conducting ecological risk assessments. The program uses multiple lines of evidence to evaluate stream recovery and illustrates the importance of using an integrated approach when determining stream health. An overview of data collected ...
The US Department of Energy has provided support to four universities and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in order to pursue research leading to the development and deployment of an advanced robotic system capable of performing tasks that are hazardous to humans, that generate significant occupational radiation exposure, and/or whose execution times can be reduced if performed by an automated system. The goal is to develop a generation of advanced robotic systems capable of performing surveillance, maintenance, and repair tasks in nuclear facilities and other hazardous environments. This goal will be achieved through a team effort among the Universities of Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and their industrial partners, Combustion Engineering, Martin Marietta Baltimore Aerospace, Odetics, Remotec, and Telerobotics International. Each of the universities and ORNL have ongoing activities and ...
The Accelerator Transmutation Waste System is under development at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The goal is to perform an independent verification of the feasibility of actinide and long-lived fission product burning in this system. The authors' work is divided into five tasks: (a) production of an actinide and long-lived fission product cross section library from JEF 2.2; (b) simulation using MCNP and KENO IV Monte Carlo codes, of the Accelerator Transmutation Waste System configurations existing in literature; (c) validation of HETC Monte Carlo code (production of spallation source); (d) validation of the cross sections by comparison of Keff and reaction rate results, calculated with MNCP and KENO IV, with experimental benchmarks and intercomparison between the authors' calculations of a PWR unit cell and the computations carried out with various codes and cross section libraries (NEACRP critically group data); and (e) simulation of the final Los Alamos ...
The goal of the railplug project is to commercialize this miniaturized railgun as an engine technology as rapidly as possible. To improve the technology transfer process, a board of industrial advisors was established. A list of representatives is included at the end of this annual report. The Railplug External Advisory Board (REAB) met in Austin on March 17--18, 1991 to discuss the project plan. A list of comments from the REAB is included at the end of this progress report, along with our written response to those comments. An alternate ``first`` meeting with some representatives of the REAB was held on July 9, 1991. This meeting was attended by most of the board members who were unable to attend the first meeting. The second meeting of the REAB was held in Toronto, Canada, on October 10, 1991. A list of the board members comments from this meeting is included at the end of this report, along with our written response to those comments. These meetings have proven to be most useful in ...
The goal of the railplug project is to commercialize this miniaturized railgun as an engine technology as rapidly as possible. To improve the technology transfer process, a board of industrial advisors was established. A list of representatives is included at the end of this annual report. The Railplug External Advisory Board (REAB) met in Austin on March 17--18, 1991 to discuss the project plan. A list of comments from the REAB is included at the end of this progress report, along with our written response to those comments. An alternate first'' meeting with some representatives of the REAB was held on July 9, 1991. This meeting was attended by most of the board members who were unable to attend the first meeting. The second meeting of the REAB was held in Toronto, Canada, on October 10, 1991. A list of the board members comments from this meeting is included at the end of this report, along with our written response to those comments. These meetings have proven to ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE`s Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EBP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising EV propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the US economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R&D contracts on advanced battery and fuel cell technologies for DOE-EBP. This report summarizes the objectives, background, technical progress, and status of ANL electric vehicle battery R&D tasks for DOE-EHP during the period of October 1, 1990 through December 31, 1990. The work is organized into the following six task areas: 1.0 Project Management; ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE's Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EBP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising EV propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the US economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R D contracts on advanced battery and fuel cell technologies for DOE-EBP. This report summarizes the objectives, background, technical progress, and status of ANL electric vehicle battery R D tasks for DOE-EHP during the period of October 1, 1990 through December 31, 1990. The work is organized into the following six task areas: 1.0 Project Management; ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE`s Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EHP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising electric-vehicle (EV) propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R&D contracts on advanced battery technologies for DOE-EHP. This report summarizes the battery-related activities undertaken during the period of July 1, 1992 through September 30, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. The work is organized into the following task areas: ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides technical and programmatic support to DOE's Electric and Hybrid Propulsion Division (DOE-EHP). The goal of DOE-EHP is to advance promising electric-vehicle (EV) propulsion technologies to levels where industry will continue their commercial development and thereby significantly reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector of the economy. In support of this goal, ANL provides research, development, testing/evaluation, post-test analysis, modeling, database management, and technical management of industrial R D contracts on advanced battery technologies for DOE-EHP. This report summarizes the battery-related activities undertaken during the period of July 1, 1992 through September 30, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. The work is organized into the following task ...
Many types of maintenance activities are performed on contaminated (radioactive) machines and components at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). When personnel dose levels are within permissible limits, maintenance is performed in contaminated work areas or in gloveboxes. Otherwise, maintenance is performed in the Interim Examination and Maintenance (IEM) Cell, a hot cell that is used to perform tasks that require remote operation. Maintenance is often a combination of manual and remote operation. One such operation was the cleaning of the closed loop ex-vessel machine (CLEM) core component grapple (CCG). The CLEM is used to transfer core components in and out of the reactor vessel. The CCG had not been operating properly due to buildups of metallic sodium and sodium compounds on the outside surface and internal moving parts. This paper tells how the CCG was disassembled and cleaned. Part of this task was done in a glovebox and part in the IEM ...
There are two major distinct activities involved with reprocessing of nuclear fuel. They are: a) Mechanical handling of the fuel in the head end plants; and b) chemical dissolution and separation of unused fuel, useful by-products and waste products. Plants and facilities associated with the former include significant remote handling equipment that is designed for handling of fuel for normal production processes. These equipment are selected and designed to meet the design throughput of the plant taking into consideration ease of their operation and maintenance in conjunction with statutory regulations on safety and operator dose uptake. Nevertheless, during the life of the plant, there are instances when special equipment is called for to access part of the plant and undertake tasks such as inspection, maintenance and modification to improve the existing process. BNFL has much experience in the design and application of remote handling equipment for normal ...
Operating PWR units in the USA have experienced very severe corrosion of the tube support plate at the crevice between the tube and the support. This results in distortion of the plate and crushing of the tube (denting). The first task of this project required that currently available computational methods to estimate the pH attained by concentrating boiler water under various fault conditions such as condenser leakage of river waters and faulty operation of condensate polishing plant. Particular attention has been paid to systems in which sulfate predominates. In the second task, the mechanisms are discussed by which solutions become concentrated in porous deposits on a boiling heat transfer surface. It is concluded that more experimental data are needed to test the validity of existing models. High solution concentrations in the deposit may occur at a heat flux close to the critical value for drying out the base of the deposit. The pore to ...
This report summarizes the major activities conducted in the Chemical and Energy Research Section of the Chemical Technology Division (CTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) during the period January--March 1997. Created in March 1997 when the CTD Chemical Development and Energy Research sections were combined, the Chemical and Energy Research Section conducts basic and applied research and development in chemical engineering, applied chemistry, and bioprocessing, with an emphasis on energy-driven technologies and advanced chemical separations for nuclear and waste applications. The report describes the various tasks performed within seven major areas of research: Hot Cell Operations, Process Chemistry and Thermodynamics, Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) Remediation Studies, Chemistry Research, Separations and Materials Synthesis, Solution Thermodynamics, and Biotechnology Research. The name of a technical contact is included with each ...
Rehabilitation of the abandoned uranium mining areas in Saxonia and Thuringia is a task posing also legal problems. The radiation protection laws of the former GDR continued to be effective to a great extent and proved to be a legal basis not ``perfect`` in formal terms, but suitably efficient in practice to tackle the manifold problems encountered in the land reclamation and waste disposal work. Originally intended to serve as a legal interim regime awaiting amendment at a later date, the body of laws available for the task proved to be a sufficient basis. (orig./HP) [Deutsch] Das fortgeltende Strahlenschutzrecht der frueheren DDR hat sich zwar nicht als formal `perfektes`, in der Sache aber strahlenschutzgerechtes und praktikables Instrument zur Loesung der anstehenden Sanierungsaufgaben erwiesen. Bei seiner Beurteilung darf nicht ausser Acht gelassen werden, dass die Ueberleitung dieses Rechts seinerzeit aus der Not eines kurzfristigen ...
The objective of the current research in coal liquefaction is to produce a synthetic crude from coal at a cost lower than $30.00 per barrel (Task A). A second objective is to produce a fuel which is low in aromatics, yet of sufficiently high octane number for use in the gasoline-burning transportation vehicles of today. To meet this second objective, research was proposed for conversion of the highly-aromatic liquid product from coal conversion to a product high in isoparaffins, which compounds in the gasoline range exhibit a high octane number (Task B). Experimental coal liquefaction studies conducted in a batch microreactor in the laboratory have demonstrated potential for high conversions of coal to liquids with low yields of hydrocarbon (HC) gases, hence small consumption of hydrogen in the primary liquefaction step. Ratios of liquids/HC gases as high as 30/1, at liquid yields as high as 82% of the coal by weight, have been achieved. The ...
In the ALICE experiment at CERN, the Detector Control System (DCS) employs several interacting software components to accomplish its task of ensuring the correct operation and monitoring of the experiment. This paper describes the Front-End-Electronics Communication (FeeCommunication) software and its role within the DCS. The FeeCommunication software's central task is passing configuration and monitoring data between the top level DCS process control and the field devices of several detectors within ALICE. The lowest level of the FeeCommunication software runs on the DCS boards, specialized embedded systems which are in direct contact with the field devices and are physically located within the detector. The middle and upper layers run on standard PC hardware located in the counting room or other external locations. This paper focuses on the design and implementation of the FeeCommunication software and the steps that were taken to ...
All first-stage experimental tests were completed for Task 4 (and the Contract). The first-stage one-liter autoclave tests that were made were duplicates of Run 41-LA. The conditions used were chosen last quarter to reduce the cost of the first-stage of the process from those used at the conclusion of Task 3. Filtration and second-stage tests were made using the products of the first-stage tests. Post-second-stage filtration, tested as an alternative to interstage (pre-second- stage) filtration, resulted in low filtration rates. Different catalyst loadings and type and residence time for second-stage hydrotreating were explored. Longer residence times did not result in significantly more resid conversion. Higher catalyst loadings were more effective in converting the resid at the same residence time. The material and elemental balances for the first-stage were completed. The material and elemental balances for the second-stage were initiated.
The objective of the study was to investigate neuronal processing during the encoding, retention and retrieval phases of a serial visual working memory task. Particularly, we were interested in how these phases are affected by working memory load and how processing is modulated by methylphenidate. Healthy adults were asked to memorize the order of four, five or six pictures under methylphenidate (20mg) and under placebo while brain electrical activity was recorded. On the performance level, the number of correct responses decreased with increasing working memory load. Concerning brain electrical activity, in the encoding phase P3 amplitudes increased at midline electrodes with increasing memory load while load had no effect in the retention and retrieval phase. Medication neither influenced performance nor the different processing stages significantly. Our data provide evidence that during the encoding phase more attentional resources are allocated in trials with ...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Human K2P3.1 (TASK1) channels represent potential targets for pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation. K2P channels control excitability by stabilizing membrane potential and by expediting repolarization. In the heart, inhibition of K2P currents by class III antiarrhythmic drugs results in action potential prolongation and suppression of electrical automaticity. Carvedilol exerts antiarrhythmic activity and suppresses atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery or cardioversion. The objective of this study was to investigate acute effects of carvedilol on human K2P3.1 (hK2P3.1) channels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Two-electrode voltage clamp and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology was used to record hK2P3.1 currents from Xenopus oocytes, Chinese hamster o...
The purpose of this research is to develop a technically and economically feasible process for biologically producing H(sub 2) from synthesis gas while, at the same time, removing harmful sulfur gas compounds. Six major tasks are being studied: 1. Culture development, where the best cultures are selected and conditions optimized for simultaneous hydrogen production and sulfur gas removal; 2. Mass transfer and kinetic studies in which equations necessary for process design are developed; 3. Bioreactor design studies, where the cultures chosen in Task 1 are utilized in continuous reaction vessels to demonstrate process feasibility and define operating conditions; 4. Evaluation of biological synthetic gas conversion under limiting conditions in preparation for industrial demonstration studies; 5. Process scale-up where laboratory data are scaled to larger-size units in preparation for process demonstration in a pilot-scale unit; and 6. Economic ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides advanced battery R&D; technology transfer to industry; technical analyses, assessments, modeling, and databases; and independent testing and post-test analyses of advanced batteries. These capabilities and services are being offered to the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) are being negotiated for USABC-sponsored work at ANL. A small portion of DOE`s cost share for USABC projects has been provided to ANL to continue R&D and testing activities on key technologies that were previously supported directly by DOE. This report summarizes progress on these USABC projects during the period of April I through September 30, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. The work is organized into the following task areas: 1.0 ...
The Electrochemical Technology Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) provides advanced battery R D; technology transfer to industry; technical analyses, assessments, modeling, and databases; and independent testing and post-test analyses of advanced batteries. These capabilities and services are being offered to the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) are being negotiated for USABC-sponsored work at ANL. A small portion of DOE's cost share for USABC projects has been provided to ANL to continue R D and testing activities on key technologies that were previously supported directly by DOE. This report summarizes progress on these USABC projects during the period of April I through September 30, 1992. In this report, the objective, background, technical progress, and status are described for each task. The work is organized into the following task areas: 1.0 ...
The purpose of this study is to extend the knowledge base for wetland treatment to include processes and substances of particular importance to small, on-site systems receiving oil and gas well waste water. Collection of data on the sorption of heavy metals and the degradation of toxic organics is one of the key tasks. The toxic organics phenolics and anthracene, and chromium and copper have been selected as target adsorbates. An information search was performed on oil refinery waste treatment wetland systems.
The river Saale cascade consists of seven reservoirs with a total capacity of approx. 415 Mio. m[sup 3]. The entire reservoir system covers a catchment area of 1665 km[sup 2]. The water management tasks extend to the following main fields: flood protection upkeep of minimum water stock, salt load control and power generation. The energy supply capacity of the cascade is mainly used by pumped storage plants. The last of these plants, Hohenwarte II, was put into service in 1963. (orig.)
The US New Source Review (NSR) program requires power plant owners to install modern pollution control whenever they upgrade their plants in a way that will cause more pollution. The Clean Air Task Force and other environmental organizations and dozens of states and municipalities have challenged changes to the NSR rule change exempting grandfathered power plants under certain conditions. The author discussed this legislation and whether the Clear Skies Act will be effective. 9 refs.
Ventilation of blind drifts in the Karaganda Basin because of the high release of methane is a very important task. As indicated by measurements in 116 blind drifts, on the average the magnitude of air velocity in the pipelines VPM is in limits of 15-25 m/sec. The DPV-1 sensor encompasses almost the entire range of velocities of air motion. Operation of the DPV-1 sensors at mines of the production association ''Karaganda-ugol''' confirmed their high reliability and convenience for operation.
A safety analysis code to design a pressurized water reactor and to obtain the licenses including entire proprietary rights is under development in domestic R and D project. The tasks of KAERI is to develop the constitutive relations including models for defining flow regimes and flow regime related models for inter-phase friction, wall frictions, wall heat transfer, and interphase heat and mass transfer in the two-phase three-field equations. In this paper, the process will be presented for choosing the best flow regime maps which occur in gas-liquid two-phase flow in horizontal and vertical tubes.
A safety analysis code to design a pressurized water reactor and to obtain the licenses including entire proprietary rights is under development in domestic R and D project. The tasks of KAERI is to develop the constitutive relations including models for defining flow regimes and flow regime related models for inter-phase friction, wall frictions, wall heat transfer, and interphase heat and mass transfer in the two-phase three-field equations. In this paper, the process will be presented for choosing the best flow regime maps which occur in gas-liquid two-phase flow in horizontal and vertical tubes.
A standing challenge for the science of mind is to account for the datum that every mind faces in the most immediate - that is, unmediated - fashion: its phenomenal experience. The complementary tasks of explaining what it means for a system to give rise to experience and what constitutes the content of experience (qualia) in computational terms are particularly challenging, given the multiple realizability of computation. In this paper, we identify a set of conditions that a computational theory must satisfy for it to constitute not just a sufficient but a necessary, and therefore naturalistic and intrinsic, explanation of qualia. We show that a common assumption behind many neurocomputational theories of the mind, according to which mind states can be formalized solely in terms of instan...
The report gives results of an analysis of the effect of the availability of a flue gas desulfurization system on the ability of an individual power plant to generate electricity at its rated capacity. (The availability of anything is the fraction of time it is capable of service, whether or not it is actually in service.) Also analyzed are its effects on a power generating system (a group of several coal-, oil-, and gas- fired power plants plus nuclear and hydroelectric plants).
The U.S. Support Program to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards (USSP) was established in 1977 to transfer US technology and expertise to assist the IAEA Department of Safeguards because its limited budget and scope would not allow for R&D activities and the procurement of specialized or customized equipment. Over the years, the USSP and the Department of Safeguards have worked together continuously to develop and improve processes for requesting, selecting, and managing projects that support the Safeguards verification mission. This paper will discuss the main USSP processes for accepting and processing Safeguards requests, and managing and reporting task progress.
This report has been prepared in support of the industry effort to standardize nuclear plant designs. This document describes the Combustion Engineering, Inc. System 80+trademark Standard Design. This volume contain Chapter 18 -- Human Factors Engineering. Topics covered include: design team organization and responsibilities; design goals and design bases; design process and application to human factors engineering; functional task analysis; control room configuration; information presentation and panel layout evaluation; control and monitoring outside the main control room; and verification and validation.
The objectives of this project were to develop feasible synthetic routes to produce (1) 4(4{prime}-hydroxy-5{prime}6{prime},7{prime}8{prime}-tetrahydro-1{prime}-naphthylmethyl)-6-methyldibenzothiophene, and (2) a 1-hydroxynaphthalene-dibenzothiophene polymer. These compounds are thought to be representative of sulfur containing molecules in coal. The program was divided into two technical tasks. Unfortunately, the attempted syntheses of these compounds was unsuccessful due to their unusual reactivities. Attempted synthetic routes and possible future routes are described, and Appendix A lists the compounds that were synthesized during this program.
This is a review of recently published literature on surgery in tropical Africa. It presents the current state of surgical need and surgical practice on the continent. We discuss the enormous burden of surgical pathology (as far as it is known) and the access to and acceptability of surgery. We also describe the available facilities in terms of equipment and manpower. The study looked at the effects of the human immunodeficiency virus, the role of traditional healers, anesthesia, and the economics of surgery. Medical training and research are discussed, as are medical migration out of Africa and the concept of task shifting, where surgical procedures are performed by others when surgeons are not available. It closes with recommendations for involvement and action in this area of great glob...
Guidelines and ground rules followed in the development of requirements for the SPS are presented. Development planning objectives are specified in each of these areas, and evolutionary SPS program scenarios are described for the various concepts studied during the past one year contract. Program descriptions are presented as planning packages of technical tasks, and schedule phasing. Each package identifies the ground based technology effort that will facilitate SPS definitions, designs, development, and operations.
National Nuclear Safety Department is authorized by Infra (Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority) for issuing rules and regulation and conducting the licensing and supervisory process for nuclear facilities. The main responsibilities of the NNSD are conducted via five main division are, nuclear codes and standards, Nuclear Safety assessment, Authorization, Inspection and Enforcement and Technical Support. In this paper, the functions and responsibilities of TSD in enhancing nuclear safety are described. Examples of main tasks to support the Nuclear Safety assessment division regarding to technical calculations and research of safety issues in licensing documents are provided. (author)
This paper presents a rationale for and a summary of tasks and missions to which mobile and stationary robots and other teleoperator-controlled devices could be assigned in response to the accidental release of radioactive and other hazardous/toxic materials to the environment. Many of these vehicles and devices currently support operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants and other nuclear industry facilities. This paper also discusses specific missions for these devices at the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear power plant sites at the time of the accidents. Also discussed is the status of devices under development for future applications, as well as research on robotics.
This probably is a suitable moment for work to begin on an international Convention in this area, although it is a difficult task. Generally speaking, the RADWASS (Radioactive Waste Safety Standards) Programme has achieved sufficient consensus, and might serve as an important basis for work in relation to the Convention. The Convention should not go into highly technical details since consensus at this level is more difficult at the present moment, although this will undoubtedly be achieved in the medium term. An important element of the Convention should be the regulation of movements of radioactive wastes at international level. (orig./HP)
The Joint Work Session of the ITER CDA (Conceptual Design Activities) by four parties, (eg. Japan, USA, USSR and EC), which has continued during 3 years from May 1988 to December 1990 was completed successfully. During the CDA, overall diagnostic systems for the next generation machine was performed for the first time and the principal tasks of Diagnostic research and development (R and D) are identified. In this paper, radiation hardening problems, which should be solved for the period 1991 through 1996 of the ITER EDA (Engineering Design Activities), are described. (author).
Disaster impact modeling and analysis uses huge volumes of image data that are produced immediately following a natural or an anthropogenic disaster event. Rapid damage assessment is the key to time critical decision support in disaster management to better utilize available response resources and accelerate recovery and relief efforts. But exploiting huge volumes of high resolution image data for identifying damaged areas with robust consistency in near real time is a challenging task. In this paper, we present an automated image analysis technique to identify areas of structural damage from high resolution optical satellite data using features based on image content.
This paper presents a decision approach, and associated computer software tools, for prioritizing and selecting among technology development activities. The approach elicits and then summarizes technology development preferences from stakeholders, and then integrates preferences into a set of funding recommendations. By formalizing the technology review process, the decision approach builds consensus and clarifies the basis for final budget decisions. The software development was conducted jointly by Pacific Northwest Laboratory and Decisions Science Associates, Incorporated. The Underground Storage Tank Integrated Demonstration funded the task; however, the approach should also be valuable to the US Department of Energy Office of Technology Development, the Office of Waste Management, and the Office of Environmental Restoration.
A major component of the 1990 recommendations of ICRP (ICRP, 1991a) was the revision of the dose limits. But other changes were introduced which necessitated a review of earlier guidance. In particular, ICRP set up a Task Group in 1993 to prepare a report on the principles for the protection of workers. The report was adopted in 1997 and has now been published as ICRP Publication 75 (ICRP, 1997). It is for others to judge the real significance of the guidance provided; what follows are some of the main points. (author)
Since 1976 the Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf has the task to collect, treat and store radioactive waste (Radwaste) arising in Austria. Within the Department of Waste Management a variety of appropriate treatment systems are installed. For storing unconditioned and conditioned waste proper storage-halls are available. The collection of Radwaste is carried out using 100 l drums, for the conditioned waste the 200 l drum concept is used. The interim storage of conditioned waste is done at Seibersdorf until a final repository is built. The present plan foresees one to be in operation at the year 2012. (author).
Significant changes in Energy Generation industry and as a consequence in Nuclear Energy put new challenges and extend the tasks that need to be resolved by Technical Support Organisations. Political and economical changes in Bulgaria put also significant influence on Nuclear sector. During the last decade the main challenges for Bulgarian TSO's and for Risk Engineering Ltd in particular came from renovation of nuclear legislative framework, wide modernization programs of Kozloduy NPP Units and decision of Bulgarian Government for construction of Belene NPP. (author)
The founding of the Hanford Engineering Works to produce plutonium is described. The 45-year defense mission has now been replaced with a peaceful mission, that of being the first site for massive cleanup of the 45-year nuclear waste. In order to establish a remedial investigation and feasibility plan, a process of discovery named the Technical Baseline Report must be performed; the task of this process is to discover all that is known about a proposed cleanup site (what the waste was, where did it go). When none of the documentation can answer the question, oral history is utilized. Some of the problems associated with the conduct of oral history interviews are described, particularly Hanford`s legacy of secrecy.
Procedures followed in designing for offshore production rigs in the Northeastern Areas of the Campos Basin are presented. Various advantages afforded by the mast in the performance of required tasks are analyzed, along with all calculation premises and methods for adequate sizing. Standards covering mast design, materials used in manufacture, and test routines are also examined. (author). 16 figs., 3 tabs., 11 refs
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of moral conflicts in information systems development by studying student perceptions in an information systems (IS) project course implemented in close collaboration with information technology firms. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on an empirical case study. Students' perceptions of moral conflicts were gathered through diaries, drawings, and questionnaires; and the analysis was inspired by phenomenography. Findings - The analysis reveals six types of moral conflicts. Students face conflicts related to their work tasks and to human and outside parties, and inherent in them is an inclination to moral failure in terms of doing something they perceive to be morally wrong, and also the desire for moral success...
There are many types of allround trucks. But which is the adequate one for the manifold tasks in construction, horticulture and landscaping works? Passenger transport, load haulage and traction: the article takes a critical glance at what is on offer. (orig.) [German] Allroundlaster gibt es viele. Aber welcher ist der richtige fuer die vielfaeltigen Aufgaben am Bau und im Garten- und Landschaftsbau? Personen befoerdern, Lasten tragen und Anhaenger ziehen: Ein kritischer Blick aufs Angebot. (orig.)
Laser-assisted processing techniques for producing high-quality solar cell metallization patterns are investigated, developed, and characterized. The tasks comprising these investigations are outlined. A new batch of solar cells was processed using the laser decomposition of spun-on silver neodecanoate to metallize cells. Decomposition of silver neodecanoate was carried out at different laser powers on different cells on a given wafer to determine whether this would have any effect on cell performance. Solar cells which were written with laser powers of 5 to 8 watts, gave excellent results with cell efficiencies in the range of 14 to 16%.
In this contract, Laser-assisted processing techniques for producing high-quality solar cell metallization patterns are being investigated, developed, and characterized. The tasks comprising these investigations are outlined. Four new batches of solar cells were processed, in addition to several test runs on wafers, using the laser decomposition of spun-on silver neodecanoate to metallize cells. Decomposition of silver neodecanoate was carried out at different laser powers on different cells on a given wafer to determine whether this would have any effect on cell performance. A one watt laser power gave an electroplated linewidth of 50 microns , while at 8 watts the line width was 90 microns.
The Joint European Torus (JET) fusion machine is the only device capable of operation with tritium (as fuel) and Be (as plasma facing component), what makes it best suited to study ITER relevant issues. A large variety of activities are performed within the JET Fusion Technology Task Force. In this paper, some topics such as erosion/deposition and material transport, flakes characterization and detritiation techniques are highlighted. Recent results obtained using a pumping cryo-panel and on plasma facing component characterisation are given. Finally, issues that will be addressed in the forthcoming JET work-programme are presented, such as a beryllium main wall for JET and in-situ laser detritiation. (authors)
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.
Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are parallel distributed processing machines. The unique characteristics of ANNs are: Fault tolerance, robustness, plasticity and generalization. These offer great potential in many AI applications such as character recognition. Handwritten character recognition is an intrinsically interesting problem, but the difficulties of this task are the many variations in the characters. A robust new incremental learning method, which combines supervised and unsupervised learning paradigms implemented by the Functional Link Net, is illustrated with experimental results. Clustering, based on unsupervised learning, classifies the input data into several categories. The supervised learning paradigm then further classifies the data in the clustered categories.
The purposed project is a commercial-scale ethanol-fuel facility with a capacity of twenty million gallons per year of fuel-grade ethanol. In addition, 70,000 tons per year of distillers dried grains will be produced. The following tasks and issues are addressed: process engineering - process descriptions, plant layout, and design; economics and finance - overview of capital and operating costs; environmental analysis - preliminary project description; and permit processing and legal issues. (MHR)
The availability of technology for reducing SO2 emissions from coal-fired steam generators using flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems is discussed. Foreign and domestic lime, limestone, double alkali, magnesium slurry, and Wellman-Lord FGD systems are described, and the design parameters and operating experiences are discussed. Steps that have been taken to achieve high system operability are discussed. Also, disposal of FGD system wastes is discussed briefly.
A safety analysis code, named as SPACE, for a pressurized water reactor is under development to obtain a licensing to be used for the PWR design and to hold entire proprietary rights. The task of KAERI is to develop the physical models and correlations which are required to solve the field equations. It can be divided into four parts; i) flow regime determination, ii) wall heat transfer, iii) wall and interfacial friction, iv) interfacial heat and mass transfer. This paper will describe the process to develop the models for the two-phase flow regime maps in the horizontal and vertical pipes.
A safety analysis code, named as SPACE, for a pressurized water reactor is under development to obtain a licensing to be used for the PWR design and to hold entire proprietary rights. The task of KAERI is to develop the physical models and correlations which are required to solve the field equations. It can be divided into four parts; i) flow regime determination, ii) wall heat transfer, iii) wall and interfacial friction, iv) interfacial heat and mass transfer. This paper will describe the process to develop the models for the two-phase flow regime maps in the horizontal and vertical pipes.
One of the most complicated tasks during the assembly of the Wendelstein W7-X is the installation of the superconductive coil system. The entire magnet system is enclosed between the Outer Vessel and the plasma vessel in high vacuum at 4 K. The coils are supported by a support structure, the Central Support Structure (CSS). The CSS carries all 70 coils, and it is designed as a closed ring made of 5 modules (10 half modules). The whole structure is supported by 10 Cryolegs which rest on the machine base. This paper describes the final design and manufacture of these Cryolegs.
Software to aid the distribution and coordination of tasks between different processors was developed to distribute applications written in Fortran. This development led to the discovery of problems unique to Fortran and to interesting practical solutions. Two graphical applications were distributed to a variety of machines and machine pairs: CDC 7600-LSI/11, CRAY-LSI/11, VAX 11/780, and Apollo. These distributions pointed out several parameters such as the use of Fortran COMMON, communication parameters, and processing capabilities that can affect the successful distribution of applications.
The booklet presents general information and practical hints for the task of acquiring and evaluating the data describing investments and other expenditure and activities for pollution abatement measures taken by electric utilities. The information is intended as an aid for establishing standard criteria for assignment and evaluation, and for comparison and classification of pollution abatement measures. As a line of orientation, a catalogue of pollution control measures is given, arranged into the following sections: Fossil-fueled power plants; nuclear power plants (BWR and PWR); hydroelectric power plants; power transmission and distribution. (HSCH)
The book is intended as a source of information for general practioners and for medical students doing their practical training. Efficient application of imaging methods is explained with great emphasis on practical aspects, concentrating on typical tasks to be solved for adult patients with internal disease or surgical problems. The material is arranged by various organic systems of the body. Graded diagnostics for a stepwise approach to the final diagnosis is the concept described, and is shown to be of advantage to the patient and in terms of cost and time.
A novel way to extract relevant parameters associated with the outgoing ions from nuclear reactions, obtained by digitizing the signals provided by a Bragg curve spectrometer (BCS) is presented. This allowed the implementation of a more thorough pulse-shape analysis. Due to the complexity of this task, it was required to take advantage of new and more powerful computational paradigms. This was fulfilled using a back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) as a pattern identifier. Over training of ANNs is a common problem during the training stage. In the performance of the ANN there is a compromise between its size and the size of the training set. Here, this effect will be illustrated in relation to the problem of Bragg Curve (BC) identification. (Author)
A methodology of tsunami PSA was developed in this study. A tsunami PSA consists of tsunami hazard analysis, tsunami fragility analysis and system analysis. In the case of tsunami hazard analysis, evaluation of tsunami return period is major task. For the evaluation of tsunami return period, numerical analysis and empirical method can be applied. The application of this method was applied to a nuclear power plant, Ulchin 56 NPP, which is located in the east coast of Korean peninsula. Through this study, whole tsunami PSA working procedure was established and example calculation was performed for one of real nuclear power plant in Korea
Developing in Ext GWT is a fast--paced, practical guide to quickly learning the tasks necessary in building enterprise--class Rich Internet Applications. Based around the exciting new UI library from Ajax leaders Ext JS and the latest GWT release, this book takes the reader through setup, the available widgets, and advanced custom widgets and templates, and concludes with a functional sample client--server application in less than 150 pages. Not your typical beginner's guide to programming, this book provides a rapid approach to becoming effective with leading commercial RIA tools and librarie
Conversion of the United States military to the International System of measurement units is in the very early stages. Little formal planning has been done to articulate the management required to complete the conversion of operational Army and Air Force units. For those operational forces tasked to provide continuous combat readiness throughout metrication, management problems associated with the conversion are particularly difficult because of the nature of these assigned missions. This is the case for the 82nd Airborne Division ready brigade force (DRB) and the Military Airlift Command (MAC) strategic airlift system operating the C-141 and C-5A aircraft.
Data generated in the fields of science, technology, business and in many other fields of research are increasing in an exponential rate. The way to extract knowledge from a huge set of data is a challenging task. This paper aims to propose a hybrid and viable method to deal with an information system in data mining, using topological techniques and the significance of the attributes measured using rough set theory, to compute the reduct, This will reduce the randomness in the process of elimination of redundant attributes, which, in turn, will reduce the complexity of the computation of reducts of an information system where a large amount of data have to be processed.
Since 1983, about 600 research projects received a total of DM 250 million public funds for the following tasks: - Development of scientific fundamentals for monitoring and observation of forest decline and its ecological and economic consequences. - Investigation of the cause-effect relationship of forest damage, with particular regard to the involvement of the various compartments of the forest ecosystem and to the contribution of different pollutants. - Development of the scientific fundamentals required for forestry measures to accompany the air pollution abatement measures. The investigations comprised both laboratory and field tests. The findings and conclusion are summarized. (orig./MG).
Just as FFTF has prototype components to confirm their design, FFTF is serving as a prototype for the design of the commercial LMFBR's. Design and manufacture of critical components for the FFTF system have been accomplished primarily using vendors with little or no previous experience in supplying components for high temperature sodium systems. The exposure of these suppliers, and through them a multitude of subcontractors, to the requirements of this program has been a necessary and significant step in preparing American industry for the task of supplying the large mechanical components required for commercial LMFBR's. (auth)
The intention is to define what is required as evidence of continuous resistance to malfunction to ensure operational safety according to Rule KTA 3706 'Proof of electrical component safety under leakage conditions'. As a supporting part of this task, a recognized scientific and engineering basis on which to define the requirements has to be set up. The report is a compilation of studies and development work which could contribute useful improvements to the assessment methodology applied to thermal aging (Arrhenius model, ndeg-rule, Eyring model, Inverse-power model, according to KTA Rule 3505) of electronic controls or electrical components. (orig./DG).
This report describes studies performed in the framework of the Collimation Task Force organized to support the work of the second International Linear Collider Technical Review Committee. The post-linac beam-collimation systems in the TESLA, JLC/NLC and CLIC linear-collider designs are compared using the same computer code under the same assumptions. Their performance is quantified in terms of beam-halo and synchrotron-radiation collimation efficiency. The performance of the current designs varies across projects, and does not always meet the original design goals. But these comparisons suggest that achieving the required performance in a future linear collider is feasible.
Empirical formulae are proposed for the description of relation between optimum energies minimizing the mean-weighted error of gamma absorption measurement of the thickness of layers in two-layer products with the thickness of every layer from 30 up to 150 mm by carbon. Error of informational parameter approximation with the application of tables does not exceed 10% in case of non-accurate assessment of layers thickness not exceeding 2.5%. Generalized equation is derived which binds main parameters of the task and permits to choose optimum energies with the accuracy sufficient for practical purposes
The SmartStore model was developed to determine the optimum design of borehole heat stores as a function of different design parameters. The optimum design is defined as the design that achieves the storage task with a minimum annual storage cost. The annual storage cost is the sum of annual costs of investment, operation, maintenance and heat loss. The PC-model has a user-friendly lay-out and gives a fast pre-design of borehole heat stores. In this article the model is briefly described. It is also shown that the technical design of the store is influenced by varying technical properties of the storage volume, but also by the cost of heat. (orig.)
The role of robotics and remote handling equipment in future nuclear power plant maintenance activities is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence applications. Special requirements manipulators, control systems, and man-machine interfaces for nuclear applications are noted. Tasks might include inspection with cameras, eddy current probes, and leak detectors; the collection of material samples; radiation monitoring; and the disassembly, repair and reassembly of a variety of system components. A robot with vision and force sensing and an intelligent control system that can access a knowledge base is schematically described. Recent advances in image interpretation systems are also discussed.
The role of robotics and remote handling equipment in future nuclear power plant maintenance activities is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence applications. Special requirements manipulators, control systems, and man-machine interfaces for nuclear applications are noted. Tasks might include inspection with cameras, eddy current probes, and leak detectors; the collection of material samples; radiation monitoring; and the disassembly, repair and reassembly of a variety of system components. A robot with vision and force sensing and an intelligent control system that can access a knowledge base is schematically described. Recent advances in image interpretation systems are also discussed.
Dynamic contingency analysis is certainly a demanding task in the context of dynamic performance evaluation. This paper presents the results of a test for checking the contingency screening capability of the IPEBS method. A brazilian 1100-bus, 112-gen system was used in the test; the ranking of the contingencies based on critical clearing times obtained with IPEBS, was compared with the ranking derived from detailed time-domain simulation. The results of this comparison encourages us to recommended the use of the method in industry applications, in a complementary basis to the current method of time domain simulation. (author) 5 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.
This paper describes an effective unsupervised speaker indexing approach. We suggest a two stage algorithm to speed-up the state-of-the-art algorithm based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). In the first stage of the merging process a computationally cheap method based on the vector quantization (VQ) is used. Then in the second stage a more computational expensive technique based on the BIC is applied. In the speaker indexing task a turning parameter or a threshold is used. We suggest an on-line procedure to define the value of a turning parameter without using development data. The results are evaluated using 10 hours of audio data.
The Plant Life Assessment Network (PLAN) is a Brite Euram Type II Thematic Network, initiated by the European Commission to facilitate structured co-operation between all cost shared action projects already funded by the Commission which fall under this common technical theme. The projects involved address a multiplicity of problems associated with plant life assessment and are drawn from Brite-Euram, Standards, Measurement and Testing, Nuclear Fission Safety and Esprit EC programmes. The main aim of the Network is to initiate, maintain and monitor a fruitful co-operation process between completed, ongoing and future EC R and D projects, thereby promoting improved cross fertilization and enhanced industrial exploitation of R and D results. As the project is in its infancy, this presentation covers the background to the initiative in some detail. In particular two key aspects are highlighted, namely, the requirement of the EC to launch such a network in the area of plant life assessment ...
The 1990s promise to be a decade of change. In business, the focus will be on restructuring for purposes of improved productivity and efficiency. The Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized that change is on the horizon. The Yucca Mountain Project, carried out under the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) within the DOE is under new leadership. This new leadership is restructuring its operations to provide better focus, greater efficiency, meaningful products demonstrating progress and a more open operational environment. Criticisms of past operations have been reviewed and evaluated such that the new management organization derives benefit from the past. In recognition that management concerns may be manifested in other areas, Yucca Mountain Project management believes that reorganization is necessary to maximize efficiency. In designing the new organization, a high priority has been placed upon making changes which enable the federal leadership to exercise ...
This report presents the results of cladding technology development under the Coal-Fired Combined Cycle DOE Project for the period July 1976 through June 1978. Sub-task 3.1, Clad Alloy Development, involved the selection, fabrication and burner rig evaluation of advanced clad alloy compositions diffusion-bonded to IN-738. Testing was conducted for up to 5800 hours at 1600/sup 0/F in a simulated PFB environment. Metallographic evaluation showed Co-base cladding alloys PFB-5PM and PFB-6PM (aluminided) and Fe-base alloy GE-2541 to be the most corrosion resistant. The formability and fabricability of sheet material was significantly improved for these alloys by utilizing powder metallurgy techniques. Sub-task 3.2, Clad Process Development, encompassed processing activities to evaluate sheet alloy formability, bucket surface preparation techniques, platform clad forming, and the activated diffusion bonding (ADB) of corrosion resistant tips to MS5001 ...
Laser safety standards and eye protection (filters) are designed to limit ocular exposures to prevent retinal lesions, yet eyesafe laser exposures can disrupt vision by causing glare and flashblindness. Protective filters can have opposing effects on vision function. They reduce laser exposures but also reduce task luminance and contrast. Filters alone may interfere with vision and consequently reduce work safety and performance. It is therefore important to be able to predict the effects of both laser exposures and protective filters to assess trade-offs between protection and visual function. This paper briefly reviews the methods, concepts, and experimental database used in our laboratory to predict laser, filter, and laser-plus-filter effects on tasks involving visual detection. The modeling approach uses estimates of the spatial distribution of light in the retinal image of the laser source to predict glare, flashblindness, and retinal ...
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify the extent and scope of changes to radiography practice. Method: Questionnaires were sent to radiology managers at acute National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in 2000 as a follow-up to an initial survey conducted in 1998. Information was sought on region, teaching/non-teaching status, the nature of extended role tasks undertaken and the year in which these tasks were first undertaken. Results: Some 172 questionnaires were returned from a total of 253 dispatched (68%). In 161 hospitals radiographers administered intravenous injections and performed barium enemas in 119 hospitals, while a red-dot system was in operation in 141 hospitals. Reporting by radiographers had increased since 1998. Replies indicated that, at 124 hospitals, radiographers were reporting in ultrasound. Skeletal reporting was the second most-frequently-reported activity, with 63 hospitals indicating that radiographers ...
Economics may one day dictate that it makes sense to replace oil or natural gas with coal in boilers that were originally designed to burn oil or gas. In recognition of this future possibility, Pittsburgh Energy Technical Center (PETC) has supported a program led by ABB Power Plant Laboratories in cooperation with the Energy and Fuels Research Center of Penn State University to develop the High Efficiency Advanced Coal Combustor (HEACC). The objective of the program is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of retrofitting a gas/oil designed boiler to burn micronized coal. In support of the overall objective the following specific areas were targeted: a coal handling/preparation system that can meet the technical requirements for retrofitting microfine coal on a boiler designed for burning oil or natural gas; maintaining boiler thermal performance in accordance with specifications when burning oil or natural gas; maintaining NOx emissions at or below 0.6 lb NO{sub 2} per ...
The role of the Latin American state oil companies (LASOCs) in establishing national industries to fuel economic development is discussed. LASOCs are represented internationally in an organization called ARPEL (Asistencia Reciproca Petrolera Estatal Latinoamericana) which is aimed to foster interchange, cooperation, and mutual assistance among its 20 member companies, as well as to promote economic integration of Latin America through its petroleum sector. State oil companies in Latin America date from 1922, when the oldest LASOC was created in Argentina. LASOCs are responsible for ca 80% of petroleum activities in Latin America. As of 1990, Latin American oil reserves, including gas liquids, amounted to ca 122 billion bbl or 12.2% of the world total. Regional oil production averaged 7.4 million bbl/d in 1990. Refining capacity is ca 7.7 million bbl/d, of which 80% is operated directly by LASOCs. Natural gas reserves are 7.3 trillion m"3, ca 6% of the world total, and production ...
In the convolution/superposition algorithm, the energy spectrum should be modified to make the reconstructed dose distribution consistent with the measured dose distribution. The energy spectrum, which gives the best agreement, is not determined uniquely depending on the reconstruction procedure. In this report, the effects of the characteristics of the energy spectrum on the calculation accuracy are evaluated by comparing the percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profiles for the reference energy spectrum with those calculated for the modified spectrum in order to optimize the energy spectrum modification procedure when 4 and 10 MV X-ray beams are used. Decreasing the number of energy bins brought a larger decrease rate in the computation accuracy than a decrease rate in computation time. Further, the decrease of the number of energy bins led to a change of the energy spectrum. The balance of the relative fluence weight in a each bin and its average energy, which ...
Different technological procedures used for the chemical mining of uranium differ for one thing with a level of the deposit exploitation and for another with the expenditures. It is necessary to find out the highest acceptable value of the costs per unit of production - limit unit costs. This criterion serves both for selection of the minable parts of deposit, and for determination of the exploitation level of the deposit parts. The paper describes a calculation of the costs and their decomposition into the fixed and variable costs. An evaluation of the different variants of the deposit exploitation is based on the variable costs, expressed in the dependence on the parameters of technological procedure. These parameters are either primary, e.g. density of the wells or dosage of reagents, or secondary, e.g. the uranium production. A relation between primary and secondary variables is defined by the technological models. The first economic optimization calculations for uranium mining ...
The environmental management infrastructure that has evolved in the United States over the last 25 years or so, since {open_quotes}the environment{close_quotes} burst into the national consciousness with events like Love Canal and Earth Day in the early 1970s. Increasingly, U.S. businesses must successfully compete with those of other nations to survive. Organizational re-engineering, cycle-time management, concurrent engineering, and lean manufacturing are just a few examples of corporate efforts to become better global competitors. U.S. environmental management systems, with their various inefficiencies, can hardly be excluded from these improvement initiatives. Businesses must find ways to reduce or control their environmental costs and, where possible, find ways that {open_quotes}environment{close_quotes} can add positive value to their goods and services. Secondly, although considerable progress has been made in some areas, such as the development of cleaner combustion technology, ...
We studied the strain introduced in a Si(111) substrate due to MeV ion implantation using extremely asymmetric x-ray diffraction and measured the rocking curves of asymmetrical 113 diffraction for the Si substrates implanted with a 1.5 MeV Au"2"+ ion at fluence values of 1x10"1"3, 5x10"1"3, and 1x10"1"4/cm"2. The measured curves consisted of a bulk peak and accompanying subpeak with an interference fringe. The positional relationship of the bulk peak to the subpeak and the intensity variation of those peaks with respect to the wavelengths of the x rays indicated that crystal lattices near the surface were strained; the lattice spacing of surface normal (111) planes near the surface was larger than that of the bulk. Detailed strain profiles along the depth direction were successfully estimated using a curve-fitting method based on Darwin's dynamical diffraction theory. Comparing the shapes of resultant strain profiles, we found that a strain evolution rapidly occurred within a depth of ...
Waste management, like many other issues, has experienced major milestones. In 1971, the Calvert Cliff's decision resulted in an entirely different approach to the consideration of environmental impact analysis in reactor siting. The accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl have had profound effects on nuclear power plant design. The high-level waste repository program has had many similar experiences that have modified the course of events. The management of radioactive, hazardous chemical and mixed waste in all of the facilities of the Oak Ridge Operations (ORO) Office of the Department of Energy (DOE) took on an entirely different meaning in 1984. On April 13, 1984, Federal Judge Robert Taylor said that DOE should proceed 'with all deliberate speed' to bring the Y-12 plant into compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Water Act. This decision resulted from a suit brought by the Legal Environmental ...
The principal objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility and economic success of producing oil from abandoned or nearly abandoned fields in the Dundee Formation of Central Michigan using horizontal drilling technology. A site for a horizontal well was selected in Crystal Field, a nearly-abandoned Dundee oil field in Michigan. This field had produced over 8 million barrels of oil, mostly in the 1930`s and 1940`s. At the height of development, Crystal Field produced from 193 wells, but by 1995, only seven producing wells remained, each producing less than 10 bbls/day. A horizontal well was drilled as a field demonstration pilot, funded through this DOE project, and was immensely successful. Core and logs from the Dundee interval were recovered from a vertical borehole at the same surface location. The horizontal well was brought on production at a rate of 100 bbls/day and is probably capable of producing at a higher rate. The addition of several ...
The PDIM multifunction regulator offers in one single unit the basic functions filtering, slamshut safety valve, pressure reduction and a gas flow straightening vane. This concept formulated by the engineer J.-P. Cornil is a Gaz de France patent. Developed and manufactured by a French industrial company it incorporates some astute innovations in the field of fluid dynamics. Its technical caracteristics make a significant step forward in gas technology. Since the first unit was brought into service over 1000 PDIM units have been built and incorporated in gas regulating and metering stations for transport, distribution and industrial applications. The very compact nature of the PDIM enhanced by its direct bolting to a turbine or other type of gas meter leads to small size stations allowing lower cost projects and making it easier to set in populated or architecturally significant areas. (orig.) [Deutsch] Der PDIM ist eine Verschmelzung der Funktionselemente ...
Perspectives from industry, academe, and the NRC are brought together in this report and used to develop a logical framework that links management and organization factors and safety in nuclear power plant performance. The framework focuses on intermediate outcomes which can be predicted by organizational and management factors, and which are subsequently linked to safety. The intermediate outcomes are efficiency, compliance, quality, and innovation. The organization and management factors can be classified in terms of environment, context, organizational governance, organizational design, and emergent processes. Initial empirical analyses were conducted on a limited set of hypotheses derived from the framework. One set of hypotheses concerned the relationships between one of the intermediate outcome variables, efficiency, as measured by critical hours and outage rate, and safety, as measured by 5 NRC indicators. Results of the analysis suggest that critical hours ...
Research at the interface between biomolecules and inorganic nanocrystals has resulted in a great number of new discoveries. In part this arises from the synergistic duality of the system: biomolecules may act as self-assembly agents for organizing inorganic nanocrystals into functional materials; alternatively, nanocrystals may act as microscopic or spectroscopic labels for elucidating the behavior of complex biomolecular systems. However, success in either of these functions relies heavily uponthe ability to control the conjugation and assembly processes.In the work presented here, we first design a branched DNA scaffold which allows hybridization of DNA-nanocrystal monoconjugates to form discrete assemblies. Importantly, the asymmetry of the branched scaffold allows the formation of asymmetric2assemblies of nanocrystals. In the context of a self-assembled device, this can be considered a step toward the ability to engineer functionally distinct inputs and outputs.Next we develop an ...
Measurements of human joint motion frequently involve the use of opto-electronic and other motion analysis systems where some type of makers are used to establish joint motion within a global reference coordinate frame. Typically, this global reference coordinate frame is chosen to be most convenient for the person carrying out the experiment in which the joint motion is measured, and Euler angles are chosen as the measure of joint motion. Results, however, may be quite arbitrary and therefore rendered meaningless if the reference frame is not properly chosen with respect to the physical joint axis. In order to make a proper choice of coordinate axes in the reference frame, one must take into consideration both the location and the orientation of die physical joint axis relative to the reference frame`s axes. In nature, joint axes can exist at any orientation and location relative to an arbitrarily chosen global reference frame. An axis that is not properly aligned with the global ...
The MTX experiment was proposed in 1986 to apply high frequency microwaves generated by a free-electron laser (FEL) to electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) in a high field, high density tokamak. As the absorption of microwaves at the electron cyclotron resonance requires high frequencies, the opportunity of applying a free-electron laser has appeal as the device is not limited to frequencies in the microwave or long millimeter wavelength regions, in contrast to many other sources. In addition, the FEL is inherently a high power source of microwaves, which would permit single units of 10 MW or more, optimum for reactors. Finally, it was recognized early in the study of the application of the FEL based on the induction linear accelerator, that the nonlinear effects associated with the intense pulses of microwaves naturally generated would offer several unique opportunities to apply ECRH to current drive, MHD control, and other plasma effects. It was consequently decided to adapt ...
Among KEPCO's 9 nuclear power units, Korea Nuclear Unit No. 3, the Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant is the only CANDU-PHWR Unit, while the rest of 8 others are PWR units. The unit was designed by Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. of Canada, who also performed overall project management for the plant construction under the provisions and arrangement of the relevant contracts. The gross electrical output of the plant is 678.7 MWe and thermal output of the reactor is 2061 MWth. While these figures lead to lower plant efficiency than LWR counterparts, unit energy cost for fuel is more favorable than LWRs because natural uranium is utilized for the fuel bundles, some of which are already being fabricated domestically. Annual capacity factors for 1983 and 1984 could have been improved, if two major planned outages for the modification works on steam generator internals and one major forced outage from the heavy water spill incident could be eliminated. The heavy water spill incident in ...
The main aim of any food irradiation treatment is to guarantee the best safe quality of the products, reducing the spreading risk ("cross-contamination") for several food-associated diseases. Actually, over 40 countries provide clearances for the treatment of about 45 different types of foodstuffs. EU has to homogenise the situation within the associated States. With the European directive 1999/2/EC Italy, as other EU countries, already has brought into force their regulations to comply. The current Italian regulation on irradiation treatment of foodstuffs is referred since 1996 as follows: a) potatoes, onions and garlic; b) spices, herbs and condiments microbial. The new (April 2001) Italian law allows the possibility to ask for special permission of treatment for other foodstuff which is possible to treat in other E.U. countries. Large majority of foods are submitted to irradiation treatment after they have been packaged. In Dutch cases the study of radiation ...
The advent of light metal alloys and advanced materials (polymer, composites, etc.) have brought the possibility of achieving important energy reductions into the full life cycle of these materials, especially in transportation applications. 1 These materials have gained acceptance in the aerospace industry but use of light metal alloys needs to gain wider acceptance in other commercial transportation areas. Among the main reasons for the relatively low use of these materials are the lack of manufacturability, insufficient mechanical properties, and increased material costs due to processing inefficiencies. Considering the enormous potential energy savings associated with the use of light metal alloys and advanced materials in transportation, there is a need to identify R&D opportunities in the fields of materials fabrication and forming aimed at developing materials with high specific mechanical properties combined with energy efficient processes and good ...
The author blows the whistle about what he considers as a worldwide environmental crisis. He brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy - both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future. The author proposes that an ambitious national strategy - which he calls 'Geo-Greenism' - is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure. He explains a new era - the Energy-Climate era - through an illuminating account of recent events. He shows how 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the flattening of the world by the Internet (which brought 3 billion new consumers onto the world stage) have combined to bring climate and energy issues to Main Street. But they have not gone very far ...
Modern high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) instruments, which are capable of a point-to-point resolution of better than 0.2 nm, have allowed atomic-scale observations of a variety of internal interfaces. The application of the HREM technique to fcc model systems for the purpose of addressing a number of interface issues will be examined in this paper. Atomic structure observations for heterophase interfaces of metal/metal and metal/metal-oxide systems as well as HREM studies of grain boundaries in NiO and Au will be discussed with emphasis on generic structural features and the role of the interface plane. Comparisons between observed interface structures and atomistic computer modeling results have shown agreements for some interfaces, as well as certain differences in others. A number of structural features are common to both metal and oxide grain boundaries, as well as certain heterophase boundaries. Of particular importance in close-packed solids appears to be the tendency ...
Fission-track age of a bentonitized volcanic ash bed occurring in the middle part of Nagrota Formation. Upper Siwalik, north of Uttarbaini, Jammu district, Jammu and Kashmir, has been determined to be 1.6 #+-# 0.2 m.y. B.P. The radiometric age obtained for the sample roughly coincides with the Olduvai Event (1.6-1.8 m.y.). However, the lithological and paleoclimatic changes in the Upper Siwalik success ion are indicated at the contact between Parmandal Sandstone and Nagrota Formation, i.e. about 1100 m below the 1.6 #+-# 0.2 m.y. datum line in this part. Vertebrat e fauna was studied from 16 sites beneath and 12 above the volcanic ash bed to interpret the biological and palaeoenvironmental aspects of the Nagrota Formation. The assemblage represented in the collection is similar to that of the Pinjor Biozone (Villafranchian) and is assigned a probable age ranging from about 2.9 m.y. to 1.0 m.y. B.P. The stratigraphic interval from the base of Nagrota Formation (approx. 2.9 m.y. B.P.) to ...
The needs of large industrial, commercial, and institutional energy consumers are more closely connected with the needs of power utilities and energy services companies, a result of the evolving global energy environment. Consumer choice, competition amongst energy suppliers, and increased demand are brought about in some regions by deregulation. Increasingly, large energy consumers expect high levels of quality and reliability from the energy delivered. As a result, management of the cost and the quality of the energy product and the energy assets that produce, deliver, control and consume it requires different strategies. Three major challenges must be overcome: (1) requirement to support economic and efficient delivery, purchasing and use of energy, (2) requirement to guarantee higher levels of power quality and reliability, and (3) requirement to supply the growing demand for energy while establishing a market-based pricing system. The solution is the ...
Surface films on iron formed in methanol solutions containing various amounts of water with or without 0.1 kmol/m{sup 3} LiClO4 have been analyzed by in-situ ellipsometry and ex-situ XPS. It was found that surface films having refractive indices n2 and absorption coefficients k2 in the range of 1.8-2.2 and 0.25-0.3, respectively, are formed on iron at potentials of the passive state. The values of n2 and k2 for passive films on iron obtained in the methanol are smaller than those of passive films formed in aqueous solutions. The refractive index n2 of the surface film on iron in the methanol became larger with increasing water or dissolved oxygen content. In the deaerated methanol with the water content less than 0.07%, a surface film having a refractive index of 1.7 was formed on iron, and XPS spectrum of this film showed a spectrum which was similar to that obtained from iron methoxide Fe(OCH3)3 powder. By the addition of water or oxygen into methanol and also by anodic polarization, ...
Food-grade PVC and PVDC/PVC films containing 28.3% dioctyladipate (DOA) and 5.0% acetyltributylcitrate (ATBC) plasticizers, respectively, were brought into contact with olive oil and were irradiated with {gamma}-radiation [{sup 60}Co] at doses equal to 4 kGy and 9 kGy corresponding to `cold pasteurization`. Irradiation was carried out at 8-10 C and samples were subsequently stored at 4-5 C. Contaminated oil samples were analysed for DOA and ATBC at intervals between 7 h and 97 h of contact, using an indirect GC method. Identical non-irradiated (control) samples were also analysed for DOA and ATBC content. Results showed no statistically significant differences in migrated amounts of DOA and ATBC between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. Neither were differences observed between samples irradiated at 4 kGy and 9 kGy. This was supported by identical IR spectra recorded for irradiated and non-irradiated samples and leads to the conclusion that at such ...
In the field of reactor and fuel cycle physics, particle transport plays and important role. Neutronic design, operation and evaluation calculations of nuclear system make use of large and powerful computer codes. However, current limitations in terms of computer resources make it necessary to introduce simplifications and approximations in order to keep calculation time and cost within reasonable limits. Two different types of methods are available in these codes. The first one is the deterministic method, which is applicable in most practical cases but requires approximations. The other method is the Monte Carlo method, which does not make these approximations but which generally requires exceedingly long running times. The main motivation of this work is to investigate the possibility of a combined use of the two methods in such a way as to retain their advantages while avoiding their drawbacks. Our work has mainly focused on the speed-up of 3-D continuous energy Monte Carlo ...
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 measurement of decontamination factors of ...
The objective of the research was to develop a machine combination for harvesting of small wood, which carries out both the harvesting and forest haulage. The development was started in September 1995. The first prototype of the machine is ready. A Lokomo 910 forest tractor was acquired for the tests. The prototype has been mounted on the tractor, and the tests have been started in the beginning of March 1996. The reconstruction of the device will be made after the tests, as well as the description of different working praxis. Time consumption study and the analysis of it will be made after the equipment tests. The device consists of a grapple equipped with a guillotine cutting device mounted on the tractor. The actual felling is made stem by stem in the test phase. The stem can be forwarded directly into the load or it can be left aside, and new stems can be brought beside it and then all the stems can be taken together into load. The harvested stems can be ...
The Jurua gas field is the first important hydrocarbon accumulation found in the jungle-covered Solimoes basin. The tectonic framework in this area is characterized by a right-lateral transpressional zone (Jurua structural trend). Hydrocarbon traps are anticlines developed along the upthrown block of a reverse fault. The prospective 2,200-m-thick Paleozoic section is unconformably covered by a 2,800-m-thick pile of Mesozoic and Cenozoic continental sediments. Anomalous concentrations of hydrocarbons (C{sub 2}-C{sub 4}) in soil samples are concordantly aligned with the trace of the reverse fault crossing the gas field, indicating that this feature acted as a conduit for hydrocarbon microseepage. Gas-producing wells are located over a tabular watershed which coincides with the northeast-southwest Jurua structural trend. An unsupervised classification of Landsat MSS data over the gas field area reveals that one spectral class of vegetation is aligned with the Jurua structural trend. Field ...
Fermilab is the US Tier-1 Center for CMS data storage and analysis. End-2-End (E2E) circuits are utilized to support high impact data movement into and out of the Tier-1 Center. E2E circuits have been implemented to facilitate the movement of raw experiment data from the Tier-0 Center at CERN, as well as processed data to a number of the US Tier-2 sites. Troubleshooting and monitoring of those circuits presents a significant challenge, since the circuits typically cross multiple research & education networks, each with its own management domain and customized monitoring capabilities. The perfSONAR Monitoring Project was established to facilitate development and deployment of a common monitoring infrastructure across multiple network management domains. Fermilab has deployed perfSONAR across its E2E circuit infrastructure and enhanced the product with several tools that ease the monitoring and management of those circuits. This paper will present the current state of perfSONAR ...
An accident of misidentification has brought to light the interesting system HD 191588, a new RS CVn-type spectroscopic binary. A radial-velocity study of the primary star, the only seen component, carried out at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence with the Coravel instrument and subsequently at the Cambridge Observatories with a similar one, reveals two orbital motions: a short-period orbit (60 days) and a long-period one (about 4.5 years), so this star is a triple system. The following orbital elements are obtained: (1) for the long-period orbit P = 1667+/-17 days, T = 50901 +/-67 MJD, Gamma = +2.09 +/-0.07 km/s, K = 2.51 +/-0.13 km/s, e = 0.18 +/-0.04, omega = 228deg +/- 14 deg, a1 sin i = 56.7 +/- 3.0 Gm, f(m) = 0.0026 +/-0.0004 M_sun, and (2) for the short-period orbit P = 60.0269 +/-0.0016 days, T = 50482.6 +/-3.3 MJD, gamma is var., K = 24.03 +/- 0.09 km/s, e = 0.012 +/-0.004, omega = 233 deg +/-19deg, a1 sin i = 19.83 +/-0.07 Gm, f(m) = 0.0865 +/-0.0009 ...
AREVA is the world leader in the design and construction of nuclear power plants, the manufacture of heavy components, and the supply of nuclear fuel and nuclear services such as maintenance and inspection. The Equipment Division provides the widest range of nuclear components and equipment, manufactured at its two facilities in Jeumont, northern France, and St. Marcel, in Burgundy. The St. Marcel plant, set on 35 ha (87.5 acres) near Chalon-sur-Saone, was established in 1973 in a region with a long history of specialized metalworking and mechanical activities to meet the demand for non-military nuclear requirements in France. The site offers two advantages: - excellent facilities for loading and transporting heavy components on the Saone river, - it's proximity to other group sites. Since its completion in 1975, the Chalon/St. Marcel facility has manufactured all the heavy components for French pressurized water reactors (PWRs) ranging from 900 MW to 1500 MW. It has also ...
This third report covers the period October 1 to November 30, 1991. During this period the authors: (1) fabricated a test fixture for studying hybrid armature brush behavior, (2) reactivated a 140kJ, 1MA capacitor bank, (3) reactivated 25 channels digital data acquisition and reduction system and (4) concluded the use of a DNA funded railgun would serve as the most expedient means to acquire a railgun test bed. Fabrication of a plasma brush test fixture for studying the formation, evolution and stability of plasma brushes was completed. The fixture will serve to study plasma brush parameters, such as brush length and voltage drop, as a function of initial solid foil mass, gap size and current concentration. A 4OkV, 168{mu}f, 140kJ capacitor bank capable of providing more than 1MA of current was reactivated. (The LLNL bank had been developed for opening switch research which was successfully completed.) The bank will be used to power the test fixture with 10{mu}s, flat top current ...
In this report is described the work effort performed to provide NETL with VE-Suite based Virtual Engineering software and enhanced equipment models to support NETL's Advanced Process Engineering Co-simulation (APECS) framework for advanced power generation systems. Enhancements to the software framework facilitated an important link between APECS and the virtual engineering capabilities provided by VE-Suite (e.g., equipment and process visualization, information assimilation). Model enhancements focused on improving predictions for the performance of entrained flow coal gasifiers and important auxiliary equipment (e.g., Air Separation Units) used in coal gasification systems. In addition, a Reduced Order Model generation tool and software to provide a coupling between APECS/AspenPlus and the GE GateCycle simulation system were developed. CAPE-Open model interfaces were employed where needed. The improved simulation capability is demonstrated on selected test problems. As part ...
Over the last decade techniques such as confocal light microscopy, in combination with fluorescent labelling, have helped biologists and life scientists to study biological architectures at tissue and cell level in great detail. Meanwhile, obtaining information at very small length scales is possible with the combination of sample preparation techniques and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is well known for the determination of surface characteristics and morphology. However, the desire to understand the three dimensional relationships of meso-scale hierarchies has led to the development of advanced microscopy techniques, to give a further complementary approach. A focused ion beam (FIB) can be used as a nano-scalpel and hence allows us to reveal internal microstructure in a site-specific manner. Whilst FIB instruments have been used to study and verify the three-dimensional architecture of ...
As a central supervision authority the National Electrical Safety Board (Elsaekerhetsverket) has the main responsibility for the safety of high voltage power lines and other power electric equipment. It is therefore also responsible for questions concerning the effects of power frequency magnetic fields on the environment. According to the rules it is not allowed to draw overhead power lines with a voltage exceeding 1000 V above buildings. Their minimum distance to buildings must not be below 5 m. For regions comprised by rural development plans the directions prescribe a minimum distance of 10 m between buildings and high voltage transmission lines with a voltage of 55 kV or more. The publication of two large epidemiological studies about exposure to magnetic fields and cancer in Sweden in autumn 1992 has brought magnetic fields problems to general notice again. A statement on health risks form electromagnetic fields was issued by SSI in January 1993. SSI and ...
This ACDR was performed following completed of the Conceptual Design Report in July 1992; the work encompassed August 1992 to January 1994. Mission of the WRAP Module 2A facility is to receive, process, package, certify, and ship for permanent burial at the Hanford site disposal facilities the Category 1 and 3 contact handled low-level radioactive mixed wastes that are currently in retrievable storage at Hanford and are forecast to be generated over the next 30 years by Hanford, and waste to be shipped to Hanford from about DOE sites. This volume provides an introduction to the ACDR process and the scope of the task along with a project summary of the facility, treatment technologies, cost, and schedule. Major areas of departure from the CDR are highlighted. Descriptions of the facility layout and operations are included.
Difficulty in recalling the names of people is very common in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is not known whether the difficulty in naming people in MCI reflects problems associated with lexical access or with semantic access. The aims of the present study were to investigate semantic and phonological access to proper names by use of a Tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) task in individuals with multidomain amnestic MCI, individuals with amnestic MCI, and healthy controls, as well as to study the relationships between TOT production and performance in a free recall verbal memory test. In the individuals with multidomain amnestic MCI, the main process affected was phonological access; failures in phonological access were related to deficits i...
The Surry low power and shutdown probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) is an ongoing project at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to identify and quantify potential accident scenarios that may occur in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) during low power and shutdown. It was initiated as a result of various incidents and accidents that have occurred within the United States and overseas. The project involves review and evaluation of PWR experience at shutdown, identification of accident scenarios, determination of methods to mitigate the accidents, and performance a level 1 PRA. An evaluation of accident progression, source terms and consequences has also been initiated. The results will be used to address issues related to shutdown conditions. The objective of this paper is to provide a progress report on the project, and to present the approach used as well as the preliminary results of the ongoing and completed tasks.
Sleep after learning is often beneficial for memory. Reinstating an environmental context that was present at learning during subsequent retrieval also leads to superior declarative memory performance. This study examined how post-learning sleep, relative to wakefulness, impacts upon context-dependent memory effects. Thirty-two participants encoded word lists in each of two rooms (contexts), which were different in terms of size, odour and background music. Immediately after learning and following a night of sleep or a day of wakefulness, memory for all previously studied words was tested using a category-cued recall task in room one or two alone. Accordingly, a comparison could be made between words retrieved in an environmental context which was the same as, or different to, that of the ...
Energy savings from the use of daylighting in commercial buildings are realized through implementation of photoelectric lighting controls that dim electric lights when sufficient daylight is available to provide adequate workplane illumination. The dimming level of electric lighting is based on the signal of a photosensor. Current simulation approaches for such systems are based on the questionable assumption that the signal of the photosensor is proportional to the task illuminance. This paper presents a method that simulates the performance of photosensor controls considering the acceptance angle, angular sensitivity, placement of the photosensor within a space, and color correction filter. The method is based on the multiplication of two fisheye images: one generated from the angular sensitivity of the photosensor and the other from a 180- or 360-degree fisheye image of the space as ''seen'' by the photosensor. The paper includes a detailed description of the ...
With the advent of computer technology, researchers and instructors are attempting to devise computer support for effective collaborative technical writing. In this study, a computer-supported environment for collaborative technical writing was developed. This system (Process-Writing Wizard) provides process-oriented scaffolds and a synchronous online chat room to facilitate real-time collaborative writing practice. It allows multiple students to work synchronously on collaborative writing tasks via the Internet. It also helps develop collaborative writing strategies, such as creating team agendas, brainstorming, creating team outlines, and generating team articles. An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the system on EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students? collaborativ...
A large body of evidence indicates clear relationships between number and space processing in healthy and brain-damaged adults, as well as in children. The present paper addressed this issue regarding atypical math development. Adults with a diagnosis of dyscalculia (DYS) during childhood were compared to adults with average or high abilities in mathematics across two bisection tasks. Participants were presented with Arabic number triplets and had to judge either the number magnitude or the spatial location of the middle number relative to the two outer numbers. For the numerical judgment, adults with DYS were slower than both groups of control peers. They were also more strongly affected by the factors related to number magnitude such as the range of the triplets or the distance between t...
Moodle is an extended learning management system for developing learning units, including mathematically-based subjects. A wide variety of material can be developed in Moodle which contains facilities for forums, questionnaires, lessons, tasks, wikis, glossaries and chats. Therefore, the Moodle platform provides a meeting point for those working in a mathematics course. Mathematics requires special materials and activities: The material must include mathematical objects and the activities included in the virtual course must be able to do mathematical computations. WIRIS is a powerful software for educational environments. It has libraries for calculus, algebra, geometry and much more. In this article, examples showing the use of WIRIS in numerical methods and examples of using a new tool, ...
Several recent studies have documented that non-human primates can individuate objects according to property and/or kind information in much the same way as human infants do from around one year of age when they begin to acquire language. Some studies suggest, however, that only some properties are used for the individuation of food items: color, but not shape. The present study investigated whether these findings reveal a true competence problem with shape properties in the food domain or whether they merely reveal a performance problem (e.g., lack of attention to shapes). We tested 25 great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas) in two food individuation tasks. We manipulated subjects? experience with differences in color and shape properties of food items. Results indicated (i) that a...
The generation and control of quantum states of light constitute fundamental tasks in cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED). The superconducting realization of cavity QED, circuit QED, enables on-chip microwave photonics, where superconducting qubits control and measure individual photon states. A long-standing issue in cavity QED is the coherent transfer of photons between two or more resonators. Here, we use circuit QED to implement a three-resonator architecture on a single chip, where the resonators are interconnected by two superconducting phase qubits. We use this circuit to shuffle one- and two-photon Fock states between the three resonators, and demonstrate qubit-mediated vacuum Rabi swaps between two resonators. This illustrates the potential for using multi-resonator circuits as photon quantum registries and for creating multipartite entanglement between delocalized bosonic modes.
This task within the EU R and D for ITER was aimed at the development of basic manufacturing solutions for the high heat flux plasma facing components such as the divertor targets, the baffles and limiters. More than 50 representative small-scale mock-ups have been manufactured with beryllium, carbon and tungsten armour using various joining technologies. High heat flux testing of 20 of these mock-ups showed the carbon mono-blocks to be the most robust solution, surviving 2000 cycles at absorbed heat fluxes of up to 24 MW m{sup -2}. With flat armour tiles rapid joint failures occurred at 5-16 MW m{sup -2} depending on joining technology and armour material. These test results serve as a basis for the selection of manufacturing options and materials for the prototypes now being ordered. (orig.) 11 refs.
Petroleum, known to be a source of a vast variety of organic compounds, is also a depository of valuable mineral components. Vanadium and nickel are the most important metal components of crude petroleum, with their concentrations reaching a few tenths of a percent. Their percentage increases 2- to 5-fold in the hydrocarbon products. The vanadium content in processed petroleum products is given. Therefore, the extraction of metals from petroleum is becoming an increasing important task. At present, there is no petroleum processing technology aimed solely at obtaining organic components. The occurrence of metals and other trace elements in petroleum and hydrocarbon products is discussed on the basis of available literature and experimental data. Techniques for isolating metals from petroleum and hydrocarbon products and their quantitative determination are considered.
Recent work has been carried out on development of isotope wear analysis and optical and eddy current technologies to provide bearing wear measurements and real time monitoring of shaft speed, shaft axial displacement and shaft orbit of the Orbit Transfer Vehicle hydrostatic bearing tester. Results show shaft axial displacement can be optically measured (at the same time as shaft orbital motion and speed) to within 0.3 mils by two fiberoptic deflectometers. Evaluation of eddy current probes showed that, in addition to measuring shaft orbital motion, they can be used to measure shaft speed without having to machine grooves on the shaft surface as is the usual practice for turbomachinery. The interim results of this condition monitoring effort are presented.
The MCNPE-BO and MCNP4 Monte Carlo electron-photon codes were used to calculate the dose equivalent per unit fluence at various depths in tissue-equivalent slab phantoms for broad parallel beams of monoenergetic electrons with energies from 50 keV to 10 MeV. The study was carried out in the framework of the activities of a ICRP/ICRU Joint Task Group with the support of EURADOS WG4 (Numerical Dosimetry). Some preliminary results and comparisons as well as a general discussion on the performances of the codes are presented, demonstrating quite a satisfactory agreement among the results obtained using the two codes and those of other authors. (author).
In this contract, Laser-assisted processing techniques for producing high-quality solar cell metallization patterns are being investigated, developed, and characterized. The tasks comprising these investigations are outlined. Four new batches of solar cells were processed, in addition to several test runs on wafers, using the laser decomposition of spun-on silver neodecanoate to metallize cells. Decomposition of silver neodecanoate was carried out at different laser powers on different cells on a given wafer to determine whether this would have any effect on cell performance. A one watt laser power gave an electroplated linewidth of 50 ..mu..m, while at 8 watts the line width was 90 ..mu..m.
Ramjet burners are known to produce highly unsteady operating conditions with strong couplings between combustion, acoustics and flow dynamics. Predicting such operating limit-cycles still remains a difficult task for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) although recent use of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) clearly opens new possibilities. The main difficulties for LES are to properly address numerically specific flow features at the same time. For example, a proper representation of the acoustic ramjet eigenmodes necessitates for the solver to be able to treat shocks often present at the inflow conditions without interfering with the low Mach number flow in the region of combustion. Chemistry modelling is another difficulty and it is still not clear what level of description is sufficient to r...
Work on the coke oven gas cleaning demonstration project (CCT-11) this quarter has focused on Phase IIB tasks, and include engineering, construction, and training. Additionally, plans for changes in the operating schedule of the coke plant that affect the demonstration project are described. The project Milestone Schedule and Log is shown. Planned Baseline Supplemental Monitoring activities described in the Environmental Monitoring Plan were completed. Testing of the mechanical systems began in June, 1991. The cold commissioning date has been moved back from October 1, 1991 to November 1, 1991 to allow float for miscellaneous finish-up items beyond the electrical contractor`s projected completion date of October 31, 1991.
We propose a novel surveillance system that uses hybrid camera network. The system contains a panorama camera and PTZ cameras to take the wide range images and face images at high enough resolution for identification tasks. The robust human detection methods include robust background subtraction method (RRC), skin color segmentation and face tracking method. First, the system detects persons from a panorama image, and then the detailed face images are obtained with the PTZ cameras. The PTZ cameras can track the faces using the four directional features and the relaxation matching. In addition, the system has automatic camera position calibration feature. Thus, the user can use the system without any troublesome settings.
The recent literature in the field of supply chain management emphasizes the role of inter-organizational networks and the integration of vertical reproduction networks (supply chains) in particular as a key factor for value creation. However, the literature includes little empirical evidence. This situation suggests the need to appraise investments in such networks or supply chains carefully. How can a decision maker reliably assess the effect of investing in inter-organizational network arrangements on firm value? This article takes up this issue and suggests a framework consisting of five components to help answer the question. The task of the framework is to support the structuring and revelation of the causal chain between investments in the network on the one hand and the effect of t...
The automotive industry desires to optimize safety and lightweight construction for the production of cars and trucks. The resulting task for steel suppliers is to make steel grades available that can fulfil these requirements. Different projects have shown optimistic outlooks for optimization of safety and reduction of the weight of automobile bodies by using different high strength and ultra high strength steels. In the last group the dual phase steels play the lead. In recent years different steel grades have been developed and optimized for these applications. On one hand developing the mechanical properties as well as joining and forming of dual phase steels is one of the first steps. On the other hand different coated surfaces for various applications of dual phase steels is another step. Starting with characteristic production conditions for cold rolled hot dip galvanised dual phase steels, the mechanical properties for joining and forming will be deduced ...
The Gas Research Institute established the Gas Appliance Technology Center (GATC) in 1982 to develop improved gas appliances. Between 1986 and 1992, the scope of GATC activities at Battelle included technology transfer and overall industry support, residential appliances, commercial appliances, and residential space conditioning. The following tasks are representative of the GATC activities described in the report; gas burner technology, appliance venting, emissions, water heating, range/oven technology, self-powered appliances, commercial cooktop burners, reconstituting ovens, appliance reliability improvement, combination space-heating/water-heating systems, condensing heat exchangers, corrosion testing, and space heating technology. The report includes references to available sources for further reading.
Typically, point forecasting methods are compared and assessed by means of an error measure or scoring function, such as the absolute error or the squared error. The individual scores are then averaged over forecast cases, to result in a summary measure of the predictive performance, such as the mean absolute error or the (root) mean squared error. I demonstrate that this common practice can lead to grossly misguided inferences, unless the scoring function and the forecasting task are carefully matched. Effective point forecasting requires that the scoring function be specified ex ante, or that the forecaster receives a directive in the form of a statistical functional, such as the mean or a quantile of the predictive distribution. If the scoring function is specified ex ante, the forecaster can issue the optimal point forecast, namely, the Bayes rule. If the forecaster receives a directive in the form of a functional, it is critical that the scoring function be ...
The introduction of tolerance to radiation (''radiation-hardness'') into large electronic systems is one of the major tasks to which this Handbook will be put. The practices recommended here for inculcating radiation-tolerance in equipment require advanced physical modeling techniques, precise engineering procedures, and firm assurance procedures. The degree to which these procedures should be used in an equipment project can be measured by the severity of the raw radiation environment, the desired reliability of the system, and the requirement of that project for radiation-sensitive technologies. The balance of device/circuit design versus shielding will depend on whether the radiation is highly penetrating -- as in isotope handling or military environments -- or readily attenuated, as in space. In this chapter the authors have attempted to summarize the essential features of the radiation hardening of large assemblies of equipment and how effective control of ...
Six different groups of non-smoking young male subjects were studied separately for 18 consecutive days each in a closed controlled-environmental human exposure chamber. Each group was subjected to a 5-day control period in fresh air followed successively by an 8-day period of continuous exposure to 50 ppm, 15 ppm or 0 ppm (control) by volume of carbon monoxide (CO) in air, and a 5-day recovery period in fresh air. The subjects performed a 1-h auditory vigilance task every day at the same time of day in a fixed qualitative, quantitative, and temporal relationship with food intake, consumption of stimulating beverages, physical activity, and sleep. It was concluded that such CO exposure, involving the continuous carriage of carboxyhaemoglobin loads up to 7%, was without significant effect on auditory vigilance.
This report is to present the progress made on the project ''Establishment of an Environmental Control Technology Laboratory (ECTL) with a Circulating Fluidized-Bed Combustion (CFBC) System'' during the period October 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004. The following tasks have been completed. First, the renovation of the new Combustion Laboratory and the construction of the Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Combustor Building have proceeded well. Second, the detailed design of supporting and hanging structures for the CFBC was completed. Third, the laboratory-scale simulated fluidized-bed facility was modified after completing a series of pretests. The two problems identified during the pretest were solved. Fourth, the carbonization of chicken waste and coal was investigated in a tube furnace and a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The experimental results from this study are presented in this report. Finally, the proposed work for ...
This report is to present the progress made on the project ''Establishment of an Environmental Control Technology Laboratory (ECTL) with a Circulating Fluidized-Bed Combustion (CFBC) System'' during the period July 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. The following tasks have been completed. First, renovation of the new Combustion Laboratory and the construction of the Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Combustor Building have started. Second, the design if the component parts of the CFBC system have been reviewed and finalized so that the drawings may be released to the manufacturers during the next quarter. Third, the experiments for solid waste (chicken litter) incineration have been conducted using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). This is in preparation for testing in the simulated fluidized-bed combustor. The experimental results from this study are presented in this report. Finally, the proposed work for the next quarter has ...
Exposure control at the operating Nuclear Power Station is a major concern. The challenging task of meeting the International standards in the field of radiation protection is the calibration of the radiation monitoring instruments and interpretation of personnel and area monitoring results. Correct interpretation is based on accurate calibration of radiation measuring instruments. The reliability and accuracy of the measurements are also partly based on the procedures applied in calibration. Inadequate calibration can cause large errors in dose estimation in complete dose rate range and energy range. Semiautomatic calibration facility established at TAPS 3 and 4 for radiation monitoring instruments. Objective of calibration facility is (a) Ensure instruments are working properly (b) calibration adjustment and (c) in case without calibration adjustment to reveal the error involved. The calibration facility and calibration techniques established at TAPS 3 and 4 are ...
The following paragraphs summarize the progress of each research project funded under the WVU Cooperative Agreement during the third quarter of 1997 (July - September 1997). The projects are arranged according to their 1997 WVU task number. WVU Focus Area 1.0: Subsurface Contaminants, Containment and Remediation Task No. 1.1: Project discontinued. Task No. 1.2: Development of Standard Test Protocols and Barrier Design Models for Desiccation Barriers (K. Amininan & S. Ameri): A number of experiments were preformed this period to evaluate the ability of the dried sand-packs to act as a barrier to liquids. Water infiltration tests were done with a constant head, dispersing 80 ml of water, and by adding water in small increments. Results indicate that when the water is spilled over the sand-pack, it has the tendency to channel through the sand-pack, significantly reducing the capacity of the dried zone to retain liquid ...
This quarterly report, for the period April 1-June 30, 1982, summarizes Sandia's activities in coal liquefaction process research. The overall objectives of the program are to understand the mechanisms and determine the role of catalysts in the direct conversion of coal to liquids. Primary emphasis is being given to the Integrated Two-Stage Liquefaction (ITSL) process. Specific tasks include: short-contact time coal liquefaction, mineral matter effects and catalyst studies. During this period, work was done on: the characteristics of a Liquefaction (ITSL) facility at New Brunswick, NJ; the kinetics of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of pyrene and dihydropyrenes in batch microreactors; the impact of coal cleaning on the effectiveness of two types of slurry phase catalysts; the deactivation of aged catalyst samples obtained from the H-Coal PDU; and a catalyst deactivation model for the H-Coal PDU.
The task of designing high performance X-ray optical systemsrequires the development of sophisticated X-ray scattering calculationsbased on rigorous information about the optics. One of the mostinsightful approaches to these calculations is based on the powerspectral density (PSD) distribution of the surface height. The majorproblem of measurement of a PSD distribution with an interferometricand/or atomic force microscope arises due to the unknown ModulationTransfer Function (MTF) of the instruments. The MTF characterizes theperturbation of the PSD distribution at higher spatial frequencies. Here,we describe a new method and dedicated test surfaces for calibration ofthe MTF of a microscope. The method is based on use of a speciallydesigned Binary Pseudo-random (BPR) grating. Comparison of atheoretically calculated PSD spectrum of a BPR grating with a spectrummeasured with the grating provides the desired calibration of theinstrumental MTF. The theoretical ...
The major goal of this continuation project is to advance the utilization of heat transfer enhancement techniques in commercial heat exchange equipment. Thirteen heat transfer enhancement techniques have been identified as having potential for improving heat transfer coefficients in full-scale industrial equipment. The following tasks are part of this project, which was originally planned for three years: (1) expansion of technology information base; (2) evaluation of performance of enhanced surfaces and inserts; (3) correlation of data for spirally fluted surfaces; (4) study of structured surfaces in pool boiling; and (5) study of structured surface in spray film evaporation.
Driving is a complex task that can be a significant challenge for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A slight lapse in attention or inhibition while driving (not uncommon in individuals with ADHD) can result in hazardous consequences for these individuals and their families. This is also an interesting clinical scenario for the treating physician, who is always trying to optimize the various treatment options for the patient. Despite such potentially perilous consequences for society, this subject only recently has received researchers? attention. This review paper highlights the psychological differences between drivers with and without ADHD and examines differences between these groups in various driving simulation models. Research updates involving pharmac...
The author compares the UHF Follow-On and MILSTAR satellite communication systems. The comparison uses an analytical hierarchy process. Although the two systems have been tasked with different missions, a comparison of cost, capability, and orbit is conducted. UFO provides many of the same capabilities as MILSTAR, but on a smaller scale. Since UFO is also a new space system acquisition, it is used to compare dollars spent to field a viable communication system. A review of frequency bands, losses, and problems is conducted to establish the relationship. Cost data is provided to establish the major difference in the systems. While MILSTAR does possess more total capability than UFO, it is 10 times more costly. Additionally, UFO is a satellite that will evolve with new technology while MILSTAR is built to full capability immediately. In the author's opinion, the incremental performance of MILSTAR does not justify its incremental cost.
Human errors have been reported as one of the most significant causes of major events in nuclear power plants (NPPs). For example, Kim and Park found that about 23% of the major events that occurred at NPPs in Republic of Korea from 1986 to 2006 were caused by human errors. For this reason, a detailed analysis on human errors is an important task for increasing the safety of NPPs. Kim and Choi?2 analyzed 100 human-related unplanned reactor trip events in the Republic of Korea from 1986 to 2006 to consider the type of human errors based on the simple path model for human-induced unplanned reactor trips developed by Kim and Park. In this paper, we will investigate and perform a detailed analysis of the data to identify human-related unplanned reactor trip trends