Science.gov (United States)

Lumbar epidural anesthesia is useful in a variety of chronic benign pain syndromes, including lumbar radiculopathy, low back pain syndrome, spinal stenosis, and vertebral compression fractures. Given the increased number of epidural nerve blocks being performed, some have reported unexplained complications of a transient or permanent nature and with varying degrees of severity. However, no case has been reported of a broken epidural needle tip retained in the lumbar facet joint area. This represents the first reported case presentation of foraminal stenosis developing in a patient after a retained epidural needle tip. PMID:21286465

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo determine the effects of age on global and sectoral peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular thicknesses and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bone metastases at the thoracic and lumbar segment of the spine are usually presented with painful sensation and medullar compression. The treatment is based on the clinical and neurological conditions of the patient and the degree of tumor invasion. In the present study, 32 patients with spinal metastasis of thoracic and lumbar segment were prospectively analyzed. These patients were treated by decompression and internal stabilization followed by radiotherapy or irradiation with external immobilization. The election of the groups was in accordance with the tumor radiotherapy sensitivity, clinical conditions, spinal stability, medullar or nerve compression and patient's decision. The Frankel scale and pain visual test were applied at the moment of diagnosis and after 1 and 6 months. The surgical group had better results with preserving the ambulation longer and significant reduction of pain.(author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We have developed a chitosan/polyglycolic acid (PGA) artificial nerve graft which was previously used for bridge implantation of dog sciatic nerves across 30-mm long defects. Here we describe a clinical trial of this graft for repairing a 35-mm-long median nerve defect at elbow of a human patient. During the 3-year follow-up period, functional recovery of the injured median nerve was assessed by pinch gauge test, hydraulic hand dynamometry, static two-point discrimination and touch test with monofilaments, in couple with electrophysiological examinations. The motor and sensory function of the median nerve demonstrated an ongoing recovery postimplantation, reaching M4 and S3+ levels during the follow-up period. The results indicate that the chitosan/PGA artificial nerve graft could be used ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Raeder described five patients with mixed features of trigeminal nerve pathology and oculosympathetic impairment, with or without other cranial nerve lesions. This constellation of clinical features...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:18454211

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The central nervous system regulates peripheral immune responses via the vagus nerve, the primary neural component of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Electrical stimulation of the...Full Text Available

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We have investigated the properties of nerve cell precursors in hydra by analyzing the differentiation and proliferation capacity of interstitial cells in the peduncle of Hydra oligactis, which is a region of active nerve cell differentiation. Our results indicate that about 50% of the interstitial cells in the peduncle can grow rapidly and also give rise to nematocyte precursors when transplanted into a gastric environment. If these cells were committed nerve cell precursors, one would not expect them to differentiate into nematocytes nor to proliferate apparently without limit. Therefore we conclude that cycling interstitial cells in peduncles are not intermediates in the nerve cell differentiation pathway but are stem cells. The remaining interstitial cells in the peduncle are in G1 and have the properties of committed nerve cell precursors. Thus, the interstitial cell population ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundNew technology allows more precise definition of structural alterations of all retinal layers although it has not been used previously in cases of optic...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Aims:To investigate the relationship between the duration of comatose state, severity of rhabdomyolysis and frequency of peripheral nerve injury (PNI) in patients following...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... Arsenal, Colorado, are presented. The effluent was emitted in the demilitarization process of GB nerve gas. Since the effluent ...

Science.gov (United States)

... interactive surfaces and interfaces, and 3) the more complex a ... carbonate or calcium phosphate with a thin interface ... diameter) for nerve prosthesis. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper introduces in detail the compression performance of biogas, the application of compressed biogas to the compression-ignition engine and the possibility as well as the necessity of using compressed biogas. Moreover, the paper also goes further into some problems about the power increasing, efficiency raising and their social, economic and ecological beneficial results, when the compressed biogas is used in the compression ignition-dual fuel engine.

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The effect of experimental diabetes on the phosphorylation of proteins in the rat sciatic nerve was studied. Nerves from animals made diabetic with streptozocin were incubated in vitro with (/sup 32/P)orthophosphate and divided into segments from the proximal to the distal end, and proteins from each segment were then separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The principal labeled species were the major myelin proteins, P0, and the basic proteins. After 6 wk of diabetes, the incorporation of isotope into these proteins rose as a function of distance along the nerve in a proximal to distal direction and was significantly higher at the distal end compared with incorporation into nerves from age-matched controls. The overall level of isotope uptake was similar in nerves from diabetic animals and weight-matched controls. The distribution of /sup 32/P among ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Science.gov (United States)

... Coupon 119 * 52 Probability of Survival Versus Ultimate Compressive Strength for Un-notched Laminate 1 Coupon ipn ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A 3"1/_2-year-old child developed unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after chest drain insertion. Plain chest X-ray demonstrated paravertebral positioning of the chest-tube tip, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed hematomas in the region of the chest-tube tip and the phrenic nerve fibers. The trauma to the phrenic nerve was apparently secondary to malposition of the chest tube. This is a rare complication and has been reported mainly in neonates. Radiologists should notify the treating physicians that the correct position of a chest drain tip is at least 2 cm distant from the vertebrae. (orig.)

Science.gov (United States)

... Secondly, the electrode- tissue interface may have ... stimulation of the optic nerve in a ... Ocular Electronic Vision Prosthesis, Australasian Ophthalmic ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cryoanalgesia, the local application of extreme cold to nerves to produce analgesia, has been used to treat patients with intractable perineal pain. The cryoprobe was inserted percutaneously through...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... in MEDCAP "the level of interface was left up ... of these patients had peripheral nerve injuries, head ... with poorly constructed prosthesis or waiting for ...

Science.gov (United States)

A population-based, cohort study was conducted to determine the importance of Gulf War deployment to Southwest Asia, from 1 August 1990 to 31 December 1991, in explaining neurologic mortality and peripheral nerve disease among United States military worki...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate 22 histological proven peripheral nerve sheath tumors, approximately two-thirds of which arose in the lower extremity. The histologic distribution was as follows: 12 schwannomas, 7 neurofibromas, and 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (2 of which occurred in patients with neurofibromatosis). Most lesions demonstrated an intermediate to moderately bright signal on T_1-weighted images and were minimally inhomogeneous. All lesions were moderately bright on T_2-weighted images, again with variable inhomogeneity. The extent of the tumor was best assessed on proton-density- and T_2-weighted images. Smooth margins were noted in 19 lesions. Of the 3 remaining lesions, 2 were malignant (but had been subjected to biopsy prior to MRI), and the other lesion was a plexiform neurofibroma. MRI accurately determined the relationship between the lesions and the adjacent neurovascular structures and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45(#+-#5)% and 90(#+-#5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper is based on research on the combustion ignition dual-fuel engine conducted at the Zhejiang Agricultural University. The properties of compressed biogas, its performance characteristics in the compression ignited dual-fuel engine as well as the possibilities and needs for its use are discussed. Using information derived from experimental data compiled by the laboratory, analyses and comparisons have been made between high- and low-pressure biogas used in the compression ignition dual-fuel engine with respect to variation of power and the corresponding characteristic curve of the engine. The economic effects of utilizing compressed biogas are also discussed. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

... 28 Thickness vs Ultimate Compressive Strength for LM-833 Magnesia. ... Ultimate Tensile Stress (S) = 0. 112 * 0. 012 Ultimate Compressive Strength ...

Science.gov (United States)

Ultimate compressive strength in the longitudinal direction. (3. Ultimate tensile strength in the transverse direction. U'. Ultimate compressive strength in ...

Science.gov (United States)

... been demonstrated in steady compressible flows. ... steady Compressible Flow on an Oscillating Airfoil ... of Oscillating Airfoils", AGARD-CP-552, Aug. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Abstract : The ultimate compressive strength of Conolon 506 increases from 39,200 psi at +78F to 57,100 psi at -320F. ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeWe evaluated the effects of surgery for rectal cancer on postoperative voiding and sexual function over the course of time.Materials and MethodsData...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system regulates glial proliferation after sciatic nerve injury. Here, we investigated its role in cell proliferation following...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. Miniature end-plate potentials (m.e.p.p.s) were intra- and extracellularly recorded from neuromuscular junctions in rat phrenic nerve—diaphragm preparations in vitro....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) has been implicated in inhibition of nerve regeneration in the CNS. This results from interactions between MAG and the Nogo receptor and gangliosides on...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

In mammals and insects, paracellular blood barriers isolate the nervous system from the rest of the animal. Glia and accessory cells of the nervous system use pumps, channels, cotransporters, and exchangers collectively to maintain the extracellular ion environment and osmotic balance in the nervous system. At present, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process remain unclear. In humans, loss of extracellular ion and volume regulation in the nervous system poses serious health threats. Drosophila is a model genetic organism with a proven track record for uncovering molecular mechanisms relevant to human health and disease. Here, we review what is known about extracellular ion and volume regulation in larval abdominal nerves, present some new data about the impact of neural activity on the extracellular environment, and relate the findings to mammalian systems. Homologies have been found at the level of morphology, physiology, molecular mechanisms, and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Fish retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can survive and regrow their axons after optic nerve injury. Injured RGCs express anti-apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2, after nerve injury; however, upstream effectors of this anti-apoptotic protein are not yet fully understood. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a crucial role in cell survival against various stress conditions. In this study, we focused on HSP70 expression in the zebrafish retina after optic nerve injury. HSP70 mRNA and protein levels increased rapidly 2.3-fold in RGCs by 1-6 h after injury and returned to control levels by 1-3 days. HSP70 transcription is regulated by heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). HSF1 mRNA and phosphorylated-HSF1 protein rapidly increased by 2.2-fold in RGCs 0.5-6 h after injury. Intraocular injection of HSP inhibitor I s...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. The effects of 1 mg/ml whole Naja nivea (Cape cobra) venom, and of three different toxins isolated from it, on spinal reflex excitability and cardiac and skeletal muscle activity...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We study the integration of multisensory and central input at the level of an identified fly motoneuron, the ventral cervical nerve motoneuron (VCNM) cell, which controls head movements of the animal....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Motor function requires that motor axons extend from the spinal cord at regular intervals and that they are myelinated by Schwann cells. Little attention has been given to another cellular structure,...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The purpose of this study is to clarify the confusing nomenclature and pathogenesis of Developmental Facial Paralysis, and how it can be differentiated from other causes of facial paralysis present at birth. Differentiating developmental from traumatic facial paralysis noted at birth is important for determining prognosis, but also for medicolegal reasons. Given the dramatic presentation of this condition, accurate and reliable guidelines are necessary in order to facilitate early diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy, while providing support and counselling to the family. The 30 years experience of our center in the management of developmental facial paralysis is dependent upon a thorough understanding of facial nerve embryology, anatomy, nerve physiology, and an appreciation of well...

Science.gov (United States)

... and testing of unidirectional composites, there are serious doubts about the possibility of obtaining a true ultimate compressive strength for this kind ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:9189200

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Improvement of Methods of Automatic Self-Compression Argon Arc Welding for Pipelines

Science.gov (United States)

PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide) is widely distributed neuropeptide acting via three subtypes of receptors, PAC(1), VPAC(1) and VPAC(2). Here we examined the localisation and nature of PACAP-immunoreactive nerves in the rat thyroid and parathyroid glands and defined the distribution of PAC(1), VPAC(1) and VPAC(2) receptor mRNA's. In the parathyroid gland a large number of nerve fibres displaying PACAP-immunoreactivity were distributed beneath the capsule, around blood vessels and close to glandular cells. Most of the PACAP-nerves were sensory, since they co-stored CGRP (calcitonin-gene-related peptide) and were sensitive to capsaicin-treatment. mRNA's for PAC(1) and VPAC(2) receptors occurred in the parathyroid gland, mainly located in the glandular cells. In the thyroid gland PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibres were associated with blood vessels, thyroid follicles and ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Chest compression-only (CC-only) is now incorporated in the Norwegian protocol for dispatch guided CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac aetiology.We present...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Longitudinal compression of space-charge dominated beams can be achieved by imposing a head-to-tail velocity tilt on the beam. This tilt has to be carefully tailored, such that it is removed by the longitudinal space-charge repulsion by the time the beam reaches the end of the drift compression section. The transverse focusing lattice should be designed such that all parts of the beam stay approximately matched, while the beam smoothly expands transversely to the larger beam radius needed in the final focus system following drift compression. In this thesis, several drift compression systems were designed within these constraints, based on a given desired pulse shape at the end of drift compression systems were designed within these constraints, based on a given desired pulse shape at the end of drift compression. The occurrence of mismatches due to a rapidly ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Various physico-chemical tissue optical clearing (TOC) methods have been suggested to maximize photon density in tissue. In order to enhance photon density, a compression-controlled low-level...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Bladder perforation due to the obturator nerve reflex (ONR) is a serious complication during TUR of bladder tumor using the conventional TUR system; requiring monopolar electrocautery and non-conductive solution as perfusate. Recently, the TURis system, which employs bipolar electrocautery and physiological saline as perfusate, has been developed. Electrical resistance of physiological saline and human tissues are approximately 40 and 500 omega, respectively. Thus, theoretically, electrical current flows between the resection loop and the recovery electrode integrated in the outer sleeve of the endoscope, without forming electrical circuit in the patient's body; suggesting possible elimination of the ONR. Here we describe a case of bladder perforation during surgery using the TURis system; the ONR was exaggerated during the procedure to stop bleeding at the lateral wall using bipolar electrocautery. In addition to this case, there have been a few reports of the ONR ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When total mesorectal excision (TME) is accurately performed, dysfunction, theoretically, does not occur. However, there are differences among individuals in the running patterns and the volumes of nerve fibers, and if obesity or a narrow pelvis is present, nerve identification is difficult. Currently, the rate of urinary dysfunction after rectal surgery ranges from 33% to 70%. Many factors other than nerve preservation play a role in minor incontinence. Male sexual function shows impotence rates ranging from 20% to 46%, while 20%-60% of potent patients are unable to ejaculate. In women, information on sexual function is not easily obtained, and there are more unknown aspects than in men. As urinary, sexual, and defecation dysfunction due to adjuvant radiotherapy have been reported to occur at a high frequency, the creation of a protocol that enables analysis of long-term functional outcome will be essential for future ...

Science.gov (United States)

... The ultimate compressive strength was measured, and values for Young's modulus were calculated from the linear portion of the test curve. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... hydrostatic pressures up to 700 MPa. The effect of pressure on the ultimate compressive strength is shown. The effect of size on ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The compressive and torsional buckling behavior of carbon nanotube bundles at room temperature is examined with classical molecular dynamics simulation. The critical compressive load and stiffness of a single carbon nanotube in the bundle are found to be similar to those of individual carbon nanotubes. However, the critical torsional moment and stiffness of a single carbon nanotube in the bundle are found to be higher than those of individual carbon nanotubes. In addition, this study demonstrates that van der Waals interactions between the nanotubes in the bundle significantly affect the critical compressive load of the nanotube bundle.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Equations are derived to permit calculation of the work required for the isentropic compression of a two phase fuel-air mixture. Methanol evaporation during compression is shown to substantially reduce compression work and thereby improve cycle efficiency and maximum power. Effects of evaporative cooling in the intake manifold are calculated. 14 refs.

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The temperature rise induced by shock compression of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was determined from measurements of the electrical resistivity of embedded copper foils. The temperature of the copper was determined from the observed foil resistance and known values of the change in copper resistivity with temperature and shock compression. Temperature values obtained over a stress range from 0.9 to 6.0 GPa are in good agreement with thermocouple measurements reported previously.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The yellow Iranian scorpion Odontobuthus doriae can cause fatal envenoming, but its mechanism of action is unclear. One of the reported manifestations of envenoming is moderate to severe involuntary tremor of skeletal muscle. In order to understand better the mechanism of action of this venom on skeletal muscle function, we examined the effects of the venom in vitro on chick biventer cervicis (CBC) and mouse hemidiaphragm (MHD) nerve muscle preparations. O. doriae venom (0.3-10mg/ml) initially increased and then decreased twitch height. The venom also caused contracture in both preparations. In mouse triangularis sterni preparations, used for all intracellular recording techniques, the venom enhanced the release of acetylcholine and induced repetitive firing of nerve action potentials and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract. The pathogenesis of normal (intraocular) pressure glaucoma has remained unclear so far. As hospital-based studies showed an association of normal-pressure glaucoma with low systemic blood pressure, particularly at night, and with vasospastic symptoms, it has been hypothesized that a vascular factor may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of normal-pressure glaucoma. That assumption may, however, be contradicted by the morphology of the optic nerve head. Eyes with normal-pressure glaucoma and glaucomatous eyes with high-intraocular pressure can show a strikingly similar appearance of the optic nerve head, including a loss of neuroretinal rim, a deepening of the optic cup, and an enlargement of parapapillary atrophy. These features, however, are not found in any (other) vascula...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Despite reduced sympathetic activity below the level of a spinal cord injury (SCI), venoconstriction during autonomic dysreflexia increases venous return to the heart. Here, contractions of isometrically mounted tail veins from rats with spinal transection at T4 performed 8???10 weeks earlier are compared with those from sham-operated rats. After SCI, lumen diameter was reduced by ?30% and the contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the perivascular axons were larger than control. This augmentation of neurovascular transmission was not associated with enhanced sensitivity to ?-adrenoceptor agonists or to adenosine-5?-triphosphate (ATP) although contractions to depolarization with K+ were larger after SCI. The percentage reduction in nerve-evoked contraction after SCI prod...

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Material test results are presented for the mechanical behavior of Nylon 66 in compression. Static compression modes include direct compression, stress relaxation and creep. Dynamic direct compression results are included. Tests are performed at atmospheric pressure; strain rates range from 10/sup /minus/4/sec to 10/sup 2/sec; temperatures are 20, 65, 110, 150 and 200/degree/C; moisture levels are 0% (dry), 2% and 6% (saturated); true strains to /minus/0.25 are imposed. Our empirical Temperature-Moisture equivalence of 14/degree/C per 1% moisture is discussed with respect to the /open quotes/free volume/close quotes/ concept.

Science.gov (United States)

Internet bandwidth is in high demand, and one way that web sites lower the amount of bandwidth they use is by compressing their site's images. This lowers the amount of bandwidth used, and makes the site load much faster. There are of course many other useful applications for compressed images. Bit Plane Complexity Segmentation (BPCS) digital picture steganography is a technique to hide data inside an image file. BPCS achieves high embedding rates with low distortion based on the theory that noise-like regions in a bit-plane can be replaced with noise-like secret data without discernible loss in image quality. This is possible because the human eye, while very good at distinguishing anomalies in areas of homogenous texture, is bad at distinguishing anomalies in visually complex areas. However, BPCS is not a robust embedding scheme, and any lossy compression usually destroys the data. Wavelet image ...

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The feasibility of using hydrogen as the sole fuel in a direct injection diesel engine was investigated. An air cooled single cylinder Lister ST1 diesel engine was modified to operate as a low-heat-rejection engine for this study. Partially stabilized zirconia ceramic parts were used to shield the combustion space of the engine. Using a compression ratio of 17.9:1 and motoring the test engine at 21000 rpm, a maximum compression temperature of approximately 900 K was achieved. Under these operating conditions, all lubricants tested were found to burn. Lowering the speed to 1450 rpm and the compression ratio to 17.1, lubricant combustion and hot spots were successfully eliminated. The maximum compression temperature, when compression ignition of hydrogen was tried, was in the 800 K range. The corresponding ceramic surface temperature was estimated to reach 600-700 K. Only sporadic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We reported three cases of acute intracranial tuberculosis including miliary tuberculosis, basal meningitis, tuberculomas and neuritis of cranial nerves. All patients had native and contrast enhanced CT and MRI scans. MRI revealed more granulomas and a better imaging contrast in the detection of basal meningitis. Neuritis was diagnosed only with the MRI. MRI scans should be prefered as the imaging procedure in clinically presumed intracranial tuberculosis. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Computerized tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is a technique for relieving abdominal cancer pain; the goal is the alcoholic neurolytic interruption of the sensitive structures in retroperitoneal space. Computerized tomography yields accurate anatomical detailing and the course for needle placement and alcohol spread. January, 1993, to July, 1996, twenty-one bilateral splanchnic nerve blocks were performed through the posterior access. Forty-eight hours after alcoholism. 14 patients (66%) had complete pain regression; 52% of the patients needed no analgesics for 6 to 54 days and only 9 patients (42%) needed another low opioid therapy. Complications included hypotension and diarrhea in all cases. One had a cardiac arrest and diet 8 days after the procedure. There were no other complications. The whole procedure usually lasted 60 min (range: 45 to 90 min). Splanchnic nerve neurolysis is a useful treatment in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis enters the field of highly compressed materials equation of state studies. In particular, it focuses on the case of laser shock compressed iron. This work indeed aims at getting to the conditions of the earth's core, comprising a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The understanding of phenomena governing the core's thermodynamics and the geodynamic process requires the knowledge of iron melting line locus around the solid-liquid interface at 3.3 Mbar. Several experiments were performed to that extent. First, an absolute measurement of iron Hugoniot was obtained. Following is a study of partially released states of iron into a window material: lithium fluoride (LiF). This configuration enables direct access to compressed iron optical properties such as reflectivity and self-emission. Interface velocity measurement is dominated by compressed LiF optical properties and ...

Science.gov (United States)

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Measurements on laser shock compressed aluminium using the EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) technique on the Al K-edge are described. Two methods of analysis of this data were used for the determination of density: the standard EXAFS technique using Fourier transforms and curve fitting, and a method based on a bandstructure calculation of the absorption spectra as a function of compression. These two techniques give results which are in fairly good agreement with each other and also with a hydrodynamic simulation of the experiment. The ion correlation parameter is estimated and shows that two-sided laser irradiation of aluminium foils produces a dense plasma which is strongly coupled. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Back pain from osteoporosis is commonly related to compression fractures. The patient with vertebral compression fractures additionally suffers from an ongoing risk of recurrent fractures and postural abnormalities that can result in impaired respiratory function, leading to increased risk of morbidity. Weakened back muscles, especially the back extensor group, are felt to contribute significantly to this risk. The combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, through physical activity, exercise, and modalities, are potential interventions that could be used to help reduce the pain of osteoporotic compression fractures as well as potentially reducing recurrent fracture rates.

Science.gov (United States)

Ultimate Compressive Strength = 3000.0 psi. 3.0 Failure Criteria. The structural criteria used to evaluate the combustor components was chosen ...

Science.gov (United States)

... by the boron doping in most of the alloys except for Al66Mn9Zr25 + 50 ppm B alloy; permanent deformation at ultimate compressive strength is not ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Nutcracker phenomenon refers to compression of the left renal vein, most commonly between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, with impaired blood outflow often accompanied by distention...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... AGARD AR-319, Volume 2. Knight, D., Zhou ... a Turbulent Boundary Layer in a Supersonic Flow. ... of Development of Separated Flows in Compression ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A long-term follow-up of a patient with beta thalassaemia with intra- and extraspinal extramedullary haematopoietic tissue compressing the spinal cord is presented. Extramedullary haematopoietic nodules are a rare cause of spinal cord compression and should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in patients from Mediterranean countries. Treatment with radiation therapy solely failed, giving rise to the need of surgical intervention. Surgical decompression of the spine and the removal of the culprit lesion compressing the spine were performed. Postinterventional radiation therapy was applied to the spine. A relapse had to be treated again by surgical means combined with postinterventional radiation therapy. A complete relief of the symptoms and control of the lesion could be obtained.

Science.gov (United States)

Turbine Afterword The SHARP cannon. Hydrogen is compressed in the tube on top, the gun barrel is on bottom. When Jules Verne wrote in 1865 "From Earth to the Moon" he envisioned...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Heat transfer through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is a key process in the design and operation of a PEM fuel cell. The analysis of this process requires the determination of the effective thermal conductivity as well as the thermal contact resistance between the GDL and adjacent surfaces/layers. The Part 1 companion paper describes an experimental procedure and a test bed devised to allow separation of the effective thermal conductivity and thermal contact resistance, and presents measurements under a range of static compressive loads. In practice, during operation of a fuel cell stack, the compressive load on the GDL changes. In the present study, experiments are performed on Toray carbon papers with 78% porosity and 5% PTFE under a cyclic compressive load. Results show a significant hy...

Science.gov (United States)

... kg/m3 density. The Rohacell foam displayed an average ultimate compressive strength of 1546 kPa. The maximum load ...

Science.gov (United States)

Traditional composite sandwich panels are composed of inner and outer facesheets separated by a core material such as balsa wood, polymeric foam, ...

Science.gov (United States)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation - adult; Rescue breathing and chest compressions - adult; Resuscitation - cardiopulmonary - adult ... CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best performed by those who have been trained in an ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents extensive non-linear finite element (FE) analysis and formulation development work carried out on the ultimate compressive strength of plates and stiffened panels of ship structures. A review of contemporary designs for large ships was carried out. The existing formulae for plate ultimate compressive strength were reviewed and compared with non-linear FE analysis results. A semi-analytical formula for ultimate compressive strength assessments of stiffened panels was proposed and is described. The developed formula was verified against results using ABAQUS non-linear FE software for a series of 61 stiffened panels and a good agreement between the proposed formula and FE results were achieved. The method was verified against a large number of published FE results and was ...

Science.gov (United States)

reaching their ultimate compressive strength. Thus, when applying a lamina stress analysis in conjunction with a failure model, one must ...

Science.gov (United States)

Current antidotal regimens for organophosphorus compound (OP) poisoning consist of a combination of pretreatment with a spontaneously reactivating AChE inhibitor such as pyridostigmine bromide, and postexposure therapy with anticholinergic drugs such as atropine sulfate and oximes such as 2-PAM chloride (Gray, 1984). Although these antidotal regimens are effective in preventing lethality of animals from OP poisoning, they do not prevent postexposure incapacitation, convulsions, performance deficits, or, in many cases, permanent brain damage (Dunn and Sidell, 1989). These problems stimulated the development of enzyme bioscavengers as a pretreatment to sequester highly toxic OPs before they reach their physiological targets. Several studies over the last two decades have demonstrated that exogenously administered human serum butyrylcholinesterase (Hu BChE) can be used successfully as a safe, efficacious, and single prophylactic treatment to counteract the toxicity of OPs. It also has ...

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The central nervous system is involved in 10-20% of cases in Lyme disease. The neurological symptoms, time course of the disease and imaging findings are multifaceted. We report two patients with cervical radiculitis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed strong enhancement of the cervical nerve roots on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. These imaging patterns of borrelia-associated radiculitis have not been reported before. Knowledge of these imaging features may help to diagnose neuroborreliosis, which presents with non-specific symptoms. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a chemical simulant of the nerve gas GB, was decontaminated with a nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma. The decontamination efficiency was measured qualitatively by means of Fourier transform spectroscopy and quantitatively by means of gas chromatography. With helium gas only, 10g/m2 of DMMP on an aluminum surface was 99.9% decontaminated in 2min, furthermore, with the addition of 5% of oxygen gas, it was 99.99% decontaminated in 10min. Given the low input power (<100W) and temperature (<75degreeC), this plasma is eligible for nondestructive decontamination of almost all material surfaces.

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In this paper structure and mechanical properties of PBZT and PBO fibers are briefly discussed. One limitation of the high-modulus polymeric fibers and ultrahigh-modulus carbon fibers in reinforced composites is their poor compressive strength. Issues related to the compressive strength of polymeric and carbon fibers are considered. 62 references, 7 figures, 4 tables.

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Desiccants have been used in many applications to provide dehumidification. This paper describes an application of desiccants which provide both dehumidification and sensible cooling, with little or no use of conventional vapour-compression refrigeration plant. Through a parametric study, the energy consumption and costs of a desiccant cooling system are compared with those of a conventional vapour-compression refrigeration-based air-conditioning system. (author)

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Since the most efficient way to improve fuel economy in the part-load range is to increase the compression ratio, emphasis is placed on combustion chambers allowing high compression ratios combined with low octane requirements. According to Porsche experience, many demands can be met in the simplest manner by locating the combustion chamber in the piston crown. This configuration offers various advantages over its counterpart installed in the cylinder head. 24 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the distal tissues in a newt limb stump is completely reorganized in the 2-3-week period following amputation. In view of numerous in vitro studies showing that extracellular material influences cellular migration and proliferation, it is likely that the changes in the limb's ECM are important activities in the process leading to regeneration of such limbs. Using biochemical, autoradiographic, and histochemical techniques we studied temporal and spatial differences in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) during the early, nerve-dependent phase of limb regeneration. Hyaluronic acid synthesis began with the onset of tissue dedifferentiation, became maximal within 1 weeks, and continued throughout the period of active cell proliferation. Chondroitin sulfate synthesis began somewhat later, increased steadily, and reached very high levels during chondrogenesis. During the first 10 days after amputation, distributions of sulfated ...

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The high insulating strength of certain gases, such as sulfur hexafluoride, when used at high pressure, suggests that there may be advantages to compressed gases as the insulating fluid in power transformers. However, simply exchanging the oil for compressed gas in an otherwise conventional transformer design will not yield a significant overall advantage. Compressed gases present the engineer with properties which are quite different from mineral oil. If gases are to be used as the major insulating fluid in power transformers, then virtually all aspects of the insulation and cooling of the apparatus must be reconsidered, affording an opportunity to introduce new design concepts, new materials, and new construction techniques. In this program, the feasibility of using the following principal design concepts has been explored: sheet conductors for the windings; a system of sealed, self-contained, annular cooling ducts ...

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The influences of compressive stress on the dielectric properties of (1 - x)Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-xPbTiO{sub 3} (x = 0.1-0.5) ceramics was investigated in this study. The dielectric properties were measured under compressive stress applied parallel and perpendicular to electric field. The results clearly showed that the superimposed compression stress had pronounced effects on the dielectric properties of PIN-PT ceramics. In general, with increasing compressive stress the dielectric constant of the ceramics increased and decreased when the stress was applied parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the electric field direction. The dielectric loss tangent, however, decreased in both stress cases. The observations were mainly interpreted in terms of competing influences of the domain switching through non-180 deg. domain walls, clamping of domain walls, de-ageing and the stress-induced ...

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Chest computed tomography (CT) was valuable in detecting extrinsic tracheal compression by mediastinal masses in two pediatric patients. This prompted an independent evaluation by CT of 14 children with masses involving the middle mediastinum and possible intrathoracic tracheal narrowing. Computer programs permit precise calculation of tracheal cross-sectional areas. Any apparent decrease in tracheal area may be compared with CT-derived data in normal children. Chest CT not only demonstrates the presence of extrinsic airway compression in pediatric patients with mediastinal masses, but also is capable of precisely measuring the extent of this narrowing. This method identifies children at potential risk for respiratory compromise and may aid in subsequent therapy.

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Although incompressible fluid flows can be regarded as a particular case of a general problem, numerical methods and the mathematical formulation aimed to solve compressible and incompressible flows have their own peculiarities, in such a way, that it is generally not possible to attain both regimes with a single approach. In this work, we start from a typically compressible formulation, slightly modified to make use of pressure variables and, through augmenting the stabilising parameters, we end up with a simplified model which is able to deal with a wide range of flow regimes, from supersonic to low speed gas flows. The resulting methodology is flexible enough to allow for the simulation of liquid flows as well. Examples using conservative and pressure variables are shown and the results are compared to those published in the literature, in order to validate the method. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this study polycrystalline specimens of as-cast DyCu with B2 crystal structure were compressed to different strains at room temperature to test if stress-induced phase transformation and twinning occur during deformation. In these tests DyCu exhibited high ductility with plastic strain as high as 35% and ultimate compressive strength of ~790MPa. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed no indications that DyCu had undergone stress-induced phase transformation or twinning. -type dislocations have been observed to play an important role for imparting the ductile behavior. TEM analyses showed the presence of second phases, Dy2O3 and DyCu2 within the DyCu. The mechanisms of ductility and impurity phase formation are discussed.

CERN Document Server

We investigate the influence of the turbulence forcing on the mass distributions of gravitationally unstable cores by postprocessing data from simulations of non-selfgravitating isothermal supersonic turbulence with varying resolution. In one set of simulations solenoidal forcing is applied, while the second set uses purely compressive forcing to excite turbulent motions. From the resulting density field, we compute the mass distribution of gravitationally unstable cores by means of a clump-finding algorithm. Using the time-averaged probability density functions of the mass density, semi-analytic mass distributions are calculated from analytical theories. We apply stability criteria that are based on the Bonnor-Ebert mass resulting from the thermal pressure and from the sum of thermal and turbulent pressure. Although there are uncertainties in the application of the clump-finding algorithm, we find systematic differences in the mass distributions obtained from ...

Science.gov (United States)

A method for determining the critical debond size between the facesheet and the core in composite sandwich panels under in-plane compression is described. The approach uses fracture mechanics together with a buckling criterion for a debonded faceskin. The technique yields predictions for the critical in-plane compressive load for debond propagation as a function of core-to-faceskin debond size, faceskin thickness, lay-up, composite material properties, and honeycomb properties and geometry. A computer program, developed in this work, calculates the critical buckling load and facesheet deformed shape by solving an eigenvalue problem. The output predicts, for several cases, critical initial debond lengths comparable to those that have been observed on tests on sandwich panels.

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A burner system particularly useful for downhole deployment includes a tubular combustion chamber unit housed within a tubular coolant jacket assembly. The combustion chamber unit includes a monolithic tube of refractory material whose inner surface defines the combustion zone. A metal reinforcing sleeve surrounds and extends the length of the refractory tube. The inner surface of the coolant jacket assembly and outer surface of the combustion chamber unit are dimensioned so that those surfaces are close to one another in standby condition so that the combustion chamber unit has limited freedom to expand with that expansion being stabilized by the coolant jacket assembly so that compression forces in the refractory tube do not exceed about one-half the safe compressive stress of the material; and the materials of the combustion chamber unit are selected to establish thermal gradient parameters across the combustion chamber unit to maintain the ...

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Investigations of superdense compression touch on such problems as ultrahigh-frequency oscillations of matter in the generation of gravitational waves, the powerful pumping of hard coherent radiation, and the laboratory simulation of stellar interiors. This paper reviews the theory of supercompression and discusses some experiments involving multifoil collision supercompression.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare cause of acute spinal cord compression. A 25-year-old male presented with a history of sudden onset of complete quadriplegia with sensory loss below the...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have studied both theoretically and experimentally a new scheme of active pulse compression in a free electron laser (FEL) amplifier. The pulse compression scheme presented here is the following. A frequency-chirped pulse is injected into the FEL interaction region. Because of the high gain and narrow bandwidth of the FEL interaction, only the resonant frequency band of the pulse is actively amplified, resulting in a short pulse of high power coherent radiation at the output of the laser. For our experimental parameters (beam voltage #approx =# 150 kV, current #approx =# 5.0 A, wiggler period #approx =# 3.5 cm and gain #approx =# 10 dB), pulses of a few nanoseconds were generated at #approx =# 10 GHz after an interaction length of 2.30 m, in good agreement with theoretical expectations. For the same input pulses (width > 100 ns, frequency chirp #alpha#/2#pi# #approx =# 5 MHz/ns), the obtention of such compression ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AbstractListeners show remarkable flexibility in processing variation in speech signal. One striking example is the ease with which they adapt to novel speech distortions such as listening...Full Text Available

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A case of {beta}-thalassemia intermedia with spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis, which was successfully treated by blood transfusion, is presented. Emphasis was made on the MRI appearance of extramedullary hematopoiesis on different pulse sequences. The theories that aimed to explain the involvement of the epidural space by extramedullary hematopoiesis are discussed.

Science.gov (United States)

The goal of this study was to evaluate topics used to troubleshoot circuit boards with known or suspected thermally intermittent components. Failure modes for thermally intermittent components are typically mechanical defects, such as cracks in solder paths or joints, or broken b...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A natural gas and diesel dual-fuel turbocharged compression ignition (CI) engine is developed to reduce emissions of a heavy-duty diesel engine. The compressed natural gas (CNG) pressure regulator is specially designed to feed back the boost pressure to simplify the fuel metering system. The natural gas bypass improves the engine response to acceleration. The modes of diesel injection are set according to the engine operating conditions. The application of honeycomb mixers changes the flowrate shape of natural gas and reduces hydrocarbon (HC) emission under low-load and lowspeed conditions. The cylinder pressures of a CI engine fuelled with diesel and dual fuel are analysed. The introduction of natural gas makes the ignition delay change with engine load. Under the same operating conditions, the emissions of smoke and NO{sub x} from the dual-fuel engine are both reduced. The HC and CO emissions for the dual-fuel engine remain within the range ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundLignocellulosic biomass such as wood is an attractive material for fuel ethanol production. Pretreatment technologies that increase the digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... yourself to call 911 until you have performed CPR for about 2 minutes. 3. Carefully place the ... more breaths. The chest should rise. 9. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then ...

Science.gov (United States)

The bone mineral areal content and the ultimate compressive strength were determined in 109 lumbar vertebrae from 36 subjects. The bone mineral areal content was related to the number, shape, and localization of the Schmorl's nodes detected in the x-rayed and sectioned vertebral bodies. One type of node, irregular in shape and localization, occurred only in the vertebrae with low bone mineral areal content values and thus in vertebrae with relatively low compressive strength. A second type of Schmorl's nodes, regular in shape and localization, did not reflect any general weakness of the vertebral bodies. PMID:6623194

CERN Document Server

The phase transition is a performance measure of the sparsity-undersampling tradeoff in compressed sensing (CS). This letter reports, for the first time, the existence of an exact phase transition for the $\\ell_1$ minimization approach to the complex valued CS problem. This discovery is not only a complementary result to the known phase transition of the real valued CS but also shows considerable superiority of the phase transition of complex valued CS over that of the real valued CS. The results are obtained by extending the recently developed ONE-L1 algorithms to complex valued CS and applying their optimal and iterative solutions to empirically evaluate the phase transition.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The method of syndrome coding for data compression read out from multiwire proportional chambers that has been previously proposed is generalized in case of its application to registration of the coordinates of events detected. The questions of execution of arithmetic and algebraic operations on the Galois field elements and their hardware implementation are considered. The method of computation is presented of a specialized processor for parallel computing the coordinates of three sparks. The estimate of its speed is equal to 185 ns. Data compression, data selection and coordinate calculations are performed without use of memory elements and timing pulses.

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A method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine having a cylinder wall, a piston, and a head defining a combustion chamber. The method and apparatus includes delivering fuel substantially uniformly into the combustion chamber, the fuel being dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and spaced from the cylinder wall, delivering an oxidant into the combustion chamber sufficient to support combustion at a first predetermined combustion duration, and delivering a diluent into the combustion chamber sufficient to change the first predetermined combustion duration to a second predetermined combustion duration different from the first predetermined combustion duration.

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The increase of the compression ratio of Otto carburator engines up to epsilon = 14 was investigated by Audi in its research department at Neckarsulm. The results are presented in three partial reports. Part one describes the Audi fuel method and demonstrates the effects of the main parameters. Part two shows the influence of the current on the combustion by the help of a new measuring method developed by the Institut fuer Physikalische Elektronik at Stuttgart University. Part three provides a theoretical analysis of the data gained in the investigations.

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Micro-compression specimens, 1O-15{mu}m in diameter by 20-30{mu}m in height, were produced from individual parent grains in a polycrystalline U-13at%Nb shape-memory alloy using the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. The specimens were tested in a nanoindentation instrument with a flat diamond tip to investigate stress-strain behavior as a function of crystallographic orientation. The results are in qualitative agreement with a single-crystal accommodation strain (Bain strain) model of the shape-memory effect for this alloy.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Heavy-Ion Fusion Sciences Virtual National Laboratory is pursuing an approach to target heating experiments in the Warm Dense Matter regime, using spacecharge-dominated ion beams that are simultaneously longitudinally bunched and transversely focused. Longitudinal beam compression by large factors has beendemonstrated in the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment (NDCX) with controlledramps and forced neutralization. Using an injected 30-mA K+ ion beam with initialkinetic energy 0.3 MeV, axial compression leading to ~;;50-fold current amplification andsimultaneous radial focusing to beam radii of a few mm have led to encouraging energy deposition approaching the intensities required for eV-range target heating experiments. We discuss the status of several improvements to our Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment and associated beam diagnostics that are under development to reach the necessary ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background. To determine total upper limb function following selective neck dissection over a mean follow-up of 1.6 years. Methods. A retrospective questionnaire study in a tertiary head and neck surgical unit. One hundred forty-eight patients who underwent selective neck dissection for head and neck cancer from January 2000 to December 2005 were invited to participate. The main outcome measure was ipsilateral upper limb dysfunction as measured by the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Results. Sixty-five patients responded to the invitation to join the study from 148 invited. Despite accessory nerve conserving surgery for all the selective neck dissections studied, 23% reported no upper limb dysfunction, 54% reported mild upper limb dysfunction, 15% reported modera...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE To present our initial experience of thulium laser resection via a flexible cystoscope for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (ThuRBT), as transurethral resection for bladder tumour (TURBT) is regarded as the reference standard for treating this disease, but alternative laser resection or ablation is suitable especially for recurrent tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2005 to October 2005, 32 patients with early recurrent bladder tumour (recurrent within a year after TURBT) were treated with ThuRBT via a flexible cystoscope. The follow-up included urine analysis, ultrasonography and cystoscopy every 3 months. RESULTS All patients were treated successfully with ThuRBT in one session, with no bladder haemorrhage, obturator nerve reflex or vesicle perforation. Rand...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

a-Dystroglycan is an extracellular adhesion protein that is known to interact with different ligands. The interaction is thought to stabilize the integrity of the plasma membrane. The N-terminal part of a-dystroglycan may be proteolytically processed to generate a small 38kDa protein (a-DG-N). The physiological significance of a-DG-N is unclear but has been suggested to be involved in nerve regeneration and myelination and to function as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. In this report we show that a-DG-N is released into different body fluids, such as lachrimal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine and plasma. To investigate the significance of a-DG-N in CSF we examined the levels of a-DG-N and known neurodegenerative markers in CSF from patients di...

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The effects of repeated low-level nerve agent exposure on animal performance and lethality are a major concern of USAF Medical Research. This concern has generated interest in the role that pretreatment drugs such as pyridostigmine may play during simultaneous exposure to soman. This role was investigated by recording lethality, weights, symptoms, and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition in rats chronically exposed to 4 levels of soman (32, 39, 48 or 59 micrograms/kg/day) while simultaneously receiving 10.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, 1.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, or vehicle via an osmotic pump. No effect (either protective or detractive) was found in the soman-poisoned animals due to the presence or absence of pyridostigmine. However, rat blood biochemistry is different from that of the primate, warranting further study in the primate before extrapolation to man.

Science.gov (United States)

Penile rehabilitation therapy following radical prostatectomy is a much debated topic. Erectile dysfunction is still a significant contributor to postoperative morbidity following radical prostatectomy, despite meticulous nerve-sparing technique. Secondary smooth muscle changes in the penis have been identified as the underlying causes of penile atrophy, veno-occlusive dysfunction, and fibrosis. Initial observations that intracavernous injection therapies used on a regular basis postoperatively resulted in improvements in the return of spontaneous erectile function led to the development of penile rehabilitation protocols. Chronic dosing of PDE-V inhibitors is now commonly used by urologists after radical prostatectomy. Despite the current enthusiasm of penile rehabilitation therapy, current scientific evidence with clinical trials is still limited. PMID:19255627

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT Introduction. Postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a serious quality-of-life issue. Recent advances in the understanding of the mechanism of postprostatectomy ED have stimulated great attention toward penile rehabilitation. Aim. This review presents and analyzes a contemporary series of the recent medical literature pertaining to penile rehabilitation therapy after radical prostatectomy (RP). Main Outcome Measures. The laboratory and clinical studies related to penile rehabilitation are analyzed. The validity of the methodology and the conclusion of the findings from each study are determined. Methods. The published and presented reports dealing with penile rehabilitation following RP in human and cavernous nerve injury in animal models are reviewed. Results. Exciti...

Science.gov (United States)

Summaries are included of research contracts which expired prior to Dec. 31, 1960. The contracts were concerned with investigations of: electrophysiological responses of biological systems in nerve cells to irradiation with small doses of ionizing radiations; the mode of the protective action of certain sulfhydryl compounds against radiation effects on the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid, using tritium-labeled thymidine; development of a bubble chamber method of monitoring and dosimetry for Low fast neutron fluxes; effects of incorporated radioisotopes on the stability of genetic materials; interrelation of root and leaf absorption of radioisotopes in herbaceous plants; uptake of radioactive wastes by lowland rice from soils contaminated by irrigation water, and decontamination of the rice; and comparison between mutation rates induced by acute and chronic gamma irradiations. (B.O.G.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

"Pillar pain" is a relatively frequent complication after surgical release of the median nerve at the wrist. Its etiology still remains unknown although several studies highlight a neurogenic inflammation as a possible cause. Pillar pain treatment usually includes rest, bracing and physiotherapy, although a significant number of patients still complain of painful symptoms two or even three years after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of low-energy, flux density-focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of pillar pain. We treated 40 consecutive patients with ESWT who had pillar pain for at least six months after carpal tunnel release surgery, and to our knowledge, this is the first study that describes the use of ESWT for treating this c...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and Hashimotos thyroiditis (HT) are autoimmune disorders caused by impaired self-tolerance mechanisms triggered by interaction between genetic and environmental factors. ITP is an immune-mediated destruction of platelets resulting in mucocutaneous bleeding, GBS is an ascending motor paralysis caused by an inflammatory demyelination of peripheral nerves, and HT is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of the thyroid gland. The concurrent development of ITP and GBS has only rarely been reported in the literature, and GBS itself rarely occurs with other autoimmune disorders. We present a 21 year-old patient with known Hashimotos hypothyroidism that simultaneously developed GBS and ITP after an upper respiratory t...

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[sup 123]I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 20 diabetic patients (NIDDM) and 8 control subjects to investigate the association between clinical autonomic nerve dysfunction and myocardial accumulation of MIBG. We used coefficient variance of R-R interval (CV[sub R-R]) as a index of the autonomic neuropathy and categorized diabetes into two groups (CV[sub R-R][>=]2.0: non-autonomic neuropathy. CV[sub R-R]<2.0: autonomic neuropathy). In planar imaging studies, heart to mediastinum MIBG uptake ratio (H/M) was calculated on both early and delayed images. The washout ratio of [sup 123]I-MIBG in the heart (%WR) was also obtained using myocardial tracer activity on the both images. Mean value of these indices in diabetic group did not reveal any significant difference with the value in the control group. On the SPECT images, low uptake was observed in the posterior-inferior wall with normal uptake of [sup 201]Tl in diabetic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

[3H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to rat brain muscarinic receptors decreased after repeated exposure to soman, a potent organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitor. The topographical distribution of this decrement was analyzed by quantitative receptor autoradiography. After 4 weeks of soman, three times a week, quinuclidinyl benzilate binding decreased to 67 to 80% of control in frontal and parietal cortex, caudate-putamen, lateral septum, hippocampal body, dentate gyrus, superior colliculus, nucleus of the fifth nerve, and central grey. Minor or no decreases were observed in thalamic or hypothalamic nuclei, reticular formation, pontine nuclei, inferior colliculus, nucleus of the seventh nerve, and cerebellum. Scatchard analyses of saturation curves using frontal cortex sections from soman-treated rats revealed a decrease in maximal quinuclidinyl benzilate binding from that in control rats and a return toward control levels by 24 days without ...

Science.gov (United States)

The cause of the Gulf War Syndrome may be related to soldiers being exposed to insecticides (e.g., permethrin (P)), insect repellents (e.g., N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)), an organophosphate nerve agent simulant (e.g., diisopropyl fluorpohosphate (DFP)), and/or prophylactic treatment (e.g., pyridostigmine bromide (PB)) against potential nerve gas attacks. The purpose of this study was to assess the dermal disposition of [14C]permethrin in ethanol or ethanol:water (3:2) in the isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) model with simultaneous dermal exposure to DEET or DFP. These IPPSFs were also simultaneously perfused arterially with or without PB, DFP, or DFP + PB. The results indicated that DFP + PB significantly increased [14C]permethrin absorption compared to controls (1.06% dose vs 0.14% dose). PB significantly increased [14C]permethrin disposition in the stratum corneum (SC) in aqueous mixtures only (9.40 vs 3.35% dose), while topical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors investigate the feasibility of constructing walls and partitions with enhanced heat storage capability from cement blocks permeated with an organic phase change material (pressed stearic acid). The blocks are lightweight, easy to produce and are cured in the same way as cement or concrete. The ratio of components (cement, stearic acid (SA) and water) was optimized with respect to compressive strength. With normal portland cement, the best compressive strength 2.2 MPa was obtained with a ratio C:SA:W of 1:0.8:0.65 (i.e. 32% stearic acid) after 28 days of curing. This was increased to 4.4 MPa when high early strength cement was used, about as strong as Sipporex, lightweight concrete or lightweight clay bricks. As expected, the compressive strength decreased linearly with temperature between 25/sup 0/C and 100/sup 0/C, at a rate of 15 kPa//sup 0/C. The drying shrinkage of the modules was found to be 50% greater ...

Science.gov (United States)

The ability to mechanically reinforce an osteoporotic vertebral body could impede spinal compression fracture and the associated pain and complications. Previous studies have shown that reinforcement of fractured vertebrae with conventional acrylic cement can relieve symptoms and avoid further collapse. In this study, we explored the use of a carbonated apatite cement combined with a minimally invasive injection technique to improve the compressive mechanical properties of cadaveric vertebral bodies. After establishing the biomechanical characteristics of cement formulations intended to have appropriate viscosities, we evaluated the infiltration of the cements into thoracic vertebral bodies using a combined suction-injection technique. The energy-absorption capabilities of the reinforced vertebral bodies were then measured during axial compressive tests and compared with those of nonreinforced vertebrae. The ultimate ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uniaxial low-cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue tests have been carried out on hollow alloy 800 specimens that were filled with steam. Two testing temperatures were employed, each with its own steam condition. These temperatures and steam conditions were 650/sup 0/F with saturated steam (5% liquid, 95% vapor) and 1200/sup 0/F with superheated steam at 2200 psi. The low-cycle fatigue tests were carried out at both 650/sup 0/F and 1200/sup 0/F by cycling the strain between equal tensile and compressive magnitudes until specimen failure or until it was no longer practical to continue the test. The creep-fatigue tests were carried out to failure by cycling the strain in the same fashion as in the low-cycle fatigue tests but with holds imposed at either the peak tensile strain or the peak compressive strain or at both peak tensile and compressive strains in each loading cycle.

Science.gov (United States)

The ultimate compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of femoral cortical bone from adult geese (Anser anser), were determined by sex and by quadrant by compressing small right circular cylinders which were 2.4 mm in height and 0.8 mm in diameter. The average ultimate compressive strength was 183 +/- 29 MPa. The average modulus of elasticity was 13.2 +/- 3.4 GPa. The bending strength and bending modulus of elasticity were determined by a three point bend test on rectangular prisms which had the approximate dimensions 0.75 mm X 0.75 mm X 25 mm. The average bending strength was 263 +/- 44 MPa while the average bending modulus was 19.6 +/- 3.1 GPa. The calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and no correlation was found with the mechanical properties. The histology of the cortical bone was examined both quantitatively and qualitatively. A unique type of Haversian bone is described. Goose ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present work focuses on the transformation of high-purity Ni powder blends of controlled volume fractions (40 and 60 %) of nanometre-sized (100 nm) and micrometre-sized (544 nm) particles into bulk samples as part of a strategy for producing ultrafine-grained materials usefully exhibiting both strength and ductility. The process involved cold isostatic pressing at 1.5 GPa and sintering. The resulting bulk samples had relative densities near 95 %, were texture-free, and exhibited two different grain size distributions with an average value of 600 #+-# 30 nm. The mechanical properties were investigated by compression and microhardness tests, both at room temperature, and compared to the behaviour of a sample processed from micrometre-sized powder only. Samples prepared from the blends exhibited high yield stresses of 440 and 550 MPa after compression, and they did sustain work hardening. Tests conducted before and after ...

CERN Document Server

Future High Energy Physics experiments will produce unprecedented data volumes (up to 1 GB/s [1]). In most cases it will be impossible to analyse these data in real time and they will have to be stored on durable mostly magnetic linear media (e.g. tapes) for later analysis. This threatens to become a major cost factor for the running of these experiments. Here we present some ideas developed together with the Institute of Computer Graphics, Department for Algorithms and Programming on how this volume and the related cost can be reduced significantly. The algorithms presented are not general ones but aimed in particular to physics experiments data. Taking advantage of the knowledge of the data they are highly superior to general ones (Huffman, LZW, arithmetic coding) both in compression rate but more importantly in speed as to keep up with the output rate to modern tape drives. Above standard algorithms are, however, used after the data have been transferred in a ...

CERN Document Server

Counting is among the most fundamental operations in computing. For example, counting the pth frequency moment has been a very active area of research, in theoretical computer science, databases, and data mining. When p=1, the task (i.e., counting the sum) can be accomplished using a simple counter. Compressed Counting (CC) is proposed for efficiently computing the pth frequency moment of a data stream signal A_t, where 0= 0, which includes the strict Turnstile model as a special case. For natural data streams encountered in practice, this restriction is minor. The underly technique for CC is what we call skewed stable random projections, which captures the intuition that, when p=1 a simple counter suffices, and when p = 1+/\\Delta with small \\Delta, the sample complexity of a counter system should be low (continuously as a function of \\Delta). We show at small \\Delta the sample complexity (number of projections) k = O(1/\\epsilon) instead of O(1/\\epsilon^2). ...

Science.gov (United States)

A method of producing blast furnace coke from bituminous coals, particularly coals having poor coking capacities in which the coal to be carbonized is ground, predried or preheated, mixed with binders, compressed or formed into briquets having small mechanical resistances and charged into oven chambers, is characterized by fine coals or fine coal mixtures having a swelling index in mixture according to DIN 51741, smaller than 7, and preferably, below 6, and comprising more than 50% of poorly or non-baking coal having a content of volatile matter in excess of 30% or less than 20% which coals or coal mixtures are ground up to attain a surface per unit mass, according to DIN 66145, of from 400 cm/sup 2/ to 1200 cm/sup 2/ per gram, with from 3% to 8% by weight of organic binders, compressing the mixture to form it into a briquet at a temperature range of from 70/sup 0/C to 300/sup 0/C and charging the compressed briquet into ...

Science.gov (United States)

A control group of geese (Anser anser) on a normal calcium diet for egg laying poultry was compared to egg laying geese on a calcium deficient diet. The ultimate compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of femoral cortical bone from each group were determined by compressing right circular cylinders which were 2.4 mm in height and 0.8 mm in diameter. The bending strength and bending modulus of elasticity of tibial cortical bone were determined by three point bend tests on rectangular prisms which were approximately 25 mm by 0.8 mm by 0.8 mm. Bone calcium content and eggshell calcium content were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood samples were analyzed for free calcium ion concentration. Histological observations included studies of cross-sectional microradiographs, examinations of cross sections stained by a modified Masson's technique, and a determination of fractional area of voids by quantitative microscopy. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The refrigerant two-phase flows in a capillary tube and a distributor used in a compression-type refrigerator were visualized by real-time neutron radiography. The thermal neutron radiography system of JRR-3M at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute was used. In the visualization experiments of the two-phase flow in the capillary tube of 2 mm I.D., a cooled CCD camera was used, and the axial one-dimensional distributions of void fraction were measured. For the distributor, a high sensitivity video camera with a silicone intensified target tube was used. From the visualized images, the refrigerant behaviors in the distributor were clearly shown, and the liquid fraction in each tube was measured. As a result, it was shown that the refrigerant behaviors in the distributor effected the distributing performance of the refrigerant flow.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hydrostatic weighing was used to measure the pre-melt density of crystalline eutectic mixtures of alkaline metal chlorides of the compositions (mole fractions): 0.605 LiCl + 0.395 CsCl, 0.585 LiCl + 0.415 KCl, 0.297 NaCl + 0.246 KCl + 0.457 CsCl, and 0.348 NaCl + 0.652 CsCl with melting points 598, 628, 753, 763 K, respectively, as a function of temperature. In the same temperature ranges, the compressibility and molar volume of eutectics as well as their sudden change upon melting were estimated. Unusual variations of these properties were revealed near the crystal/liquid phase transition, which were related to local disordering of particle configuration

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The ever increasing fossil fuel usage and cost, environmental concern has forced the world to look for alternatives. Straight vegetable oils in compression ignition engine are a ready solution available, however, with certain limitations and with some advantages as reported by many researchers. A comprehensive and critical review is presented specifically pertaining to straight vegetable oils usage in diesel engine. A detailed record of historical events described. Research carried out specifically under Indian conditions and international research work on the usage of straight vegetable oils in the diesel engine is separately reviewed. Many researchers have reported that straight vegetable oils in small percentage blends with diesel when used lower capacity diesel engines have shown great...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Noninvasive prediction of vertebral body strength under compressive loading condition is a valuable tool for the assessment of clinical fractures. This paper presents an effective specimen-specific approach for noninvasive prediction of human vertebral strength using a nonlinear finite element (FE) model and an image based parameter based on the quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Nine thoracolumbar vertebrae excised from three cadavers with an average age of 42 years old were used as the samples. The samples were scanned using the QCT. Then, a segmentation technique was performed on each QCT sectional image. The segmented images were then converted into three-dimensional FE models for linear and nonlinear analyses. A new material model was implemented in our nonlinear model being more...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In a seeded high-gain free-electron laser (FEL), where a coherent laser pulse interacts with an ultrarelativistic electron beam, the seed laser pulse can be frequency chirped, and the electron beam can be energy chirped. Besides these two chirps, the FEL interaction introduces an intrinsic frequency chirp in the FEL even if the above-mentioned two chirps are absent. We examine the interplay of these three chirps. The problem is formulated as an initial value problem and solved via a Green function approach. Besides the chirp evolution, we also give analytical expressions for the pulse duration and bandwidth of the FEL, which remains fully longitudinally coherent in the high-gain exponential growth regime. Because the chirps are normally introduced for a final compression of the FEL pulse, some conceptual issues are discussed. We show that to get a short pulse duration, an energy chirp in the electron beam is important.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The LCLS, a Free-Electron Laser (FEL) designed for operation at a first harmonic energy of 300 eV ({lambda} {congruent} 40{Angstrom}) in the Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) regime, will utilize electron bunches compressed down to durations of <0.5ps, or lengths of <150 {mu}. It is natural to inquire whether coherent radiation of this (and longer) wavelength will constitute a significant component of the total coherent output of the FEL. In this paper a determination of a simple upper bound on the IR that can be generated by the compressed bunches is outlines. Under the assumed operating parameters of the LCLS undulator, it is shown that that IR component of the coherent output should be strongly dominated by the x-ray component.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, we develop a batch fuzzy learning vector quantization algorithm that attempts to solve certain problems related to the implementation of fuzzy clustering in image compression. The algorithm's structure encompasses two basic components. First, a modified objective function of the fuzzy c-means method is reformulated and then is minimized by means of an iterative gradient-descent procedure. Second, the overall training procedure is equipped with a systematic strategy for the transition from fuzzy mode, where each training vector is assigned to more than one codebook vectors, to crisp mode, where each training vector is assigned to only one codebook vector. The algorithm is fast and easy to implement. Finally, the simulation results show that the method is efficient and appears...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We demonstrate experimentally that the route to a jammed state for a set of bi-dispersed frictional disks, subjected to uni-axial compression from a random initial unjammed state, consists of a consolidation state, a fragile jammed state, and finally a rigid jammed state. In the consolidation regime, the pressure on the sides increases very slowly with the packing fraction {phi} and there are no detectable stress chains. In the fragile jammed state, stress chains are visible, the pressure increases exponentially with {phi}, and the fraction of moving disks drops exponentially. Eventually, a final regime where particle displacements are below our resolution and the pressure varies approximately linearly with {phi} is reached. We argue that this scenario is generic for ather mal frictional compressed particles.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We present the recent results of our research on the high power ultra-fast silicon RF switches. This switch is composed of a group of PIN diodes on a high purity silicon wafer. The wafer is inserted into a cylindrical waveguide under TE{sub 01} mode, performing switching by injecting carriers into the bulk silicon. Our current design uses a CMOS compatible process and the device was fabricated at SNF (Stanford Nanofabrication Facility). 300 ns switching time has been observed, while the switching speed can be improved further with 3-D device structure and faster driving circuit. Power handling capacity of the switch is at the level of 10 MW. The switch was designed for active X-band RF pulse compression systems--especially for NLC, but it is also possible to be modified for other applications and other frequencies.

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Flywheels containing fiber-reinforced composite materials have attributes suitable for vehicular propulsion, indicating the need for rotor designs which are easily manufactured and low in cost. This development goal was pursued in a cooperative effort between Owens-Corning Fiberglas and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory which investigated flywheels made from compression-molded sheet molding compound (SMC). The design resulted from a Lawrence Livermore analysis, with successful fabrication achieved using a procedure developed by Owens-Corning. Details concerning materials selection, rotor fabrication, and testing are discussed. Owens-Corning subsequently initiated a technical/marketing survey to determine current industrial interests in a low-cost flywheel design; precursory information, pertaining to composite flywheels in particular, is described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experimental investigation has been carried out to examine for the first time the performance and combustion noise of an indirect injection diesel engine running with new fuel derived from pure jojoba oil, jojoba methyl ester, and its blends with gas oil. A Ricardo E6 compression swirl diesel engine was fully instrumented for the measurement of combustion pressure and its rise rate and other operating parameters. Test parameters included the percentage of jojoba methyl ester in the blend, engine speed, load, injection timing and engine compression ratio. Results showed that the new fuel derived from jojoba is generally comparable and a good replacement to gas oil in diesel engine at most engine operating conditions, in terms of performance parameters and combustion noise produced. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tridimensional localization of bone and soft tissue injuries in complex facial trauma is fundamental for treatment. The face can be conceptualized as 3 groups of interconnected osseous struts that are oriented in the horizontal, sagittal and coronal planes. Each group of struts is closely related to specific soft tissue structures that are susceptible to injury. Any single CT section in the coronal plane or in the axial plane contains parts of one or more these struts. Facial CT in biplane were performed in 32 patients of facial trauma. The most common site of facial fractures is found in middle part of horizontal struts, geometrically in anteromedial portion of the inferior orbital fissure of the face. The most common soft tissue injury combined with facial fracture is hematoma and/or herniated orbital contents into the maxillary sinus. The serious combined soft tissue injuries were ocular rupture, retroorbital hematoma and optic nerve injury resulting blindness. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this work is the evaluation of biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of a cocaine analog, the N-(3-iodo-prop-2E-enyl)-2beta-carbo-methoxy-3beta-(4-methyl-phenyl) nor-tropane (PE2I), labeled with carbon 11 ([{sup 11}C]PE2I). The [{sup 11}C]PE2I is a selective radioligand for imaging neuronal dopamine transporter (DAT) with positron emission tomography (PET). The DAT is a membrane-bound pre synaptically located protein that regulates the concentration of dopamine at nerve terminals. DAT radioligands are often used to evaluate the progression of Parkinson's disease or the efficiency of neuro-protective therapeutics and, typically, these studies required several successive PET scans. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We reported three cases of acute intracranial tuberculosis including miliary tuberculosis, basal meningitis, tuberculomas and neuritis of cranial nerves. All patients had native and contrast enhanced CT and MRI scans. MRI revealed more granulomas and a better imaging contrast in the detection of basal meningitis. Neuritis was diagnosed only with the MRI. MRI scans should be prefered as the imaging procedure in clinically presumed intracranial tuberculosis. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Befunde von drei Patienten mit intrakranieller Tuberkulose (intrakranielle Miliartuberkulose, Meningitis tuberculosa, Neuritis und Tuberkulome) in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) wurden mit der Computertomographie (CT) verglichen. Sowohl die MRT als auch die CT wurden nativ und nach Kontrastmittelgabe durchgefuehrt. Die MRT zeigte sich im Nachweis von Granulomen insbesondere im Bereich des Hirnstamms ueberlegen. Ebenso wurde ein hoeherer Bildkontrast bei der Darstellung der Meningitis ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thirty-five patients with temporal bone fractures were examined; the fractures were sometimes associated with dislocation of the assicular chain caused by road fatalities. Computed Tomography (CT) was performed either because of the presence of clinical symptoms associated with trauma of the temporal bone, because of a hemotympanum discovered during a CT scan of the brain. Thirty-three fractures were detected: 19 longitudinal, 6 transverse, and 8 complex. An incudostapedial dislocation was also detected, together with a displacement of a stapedial prosthesis from the lenticular process of incus, and 3 incus-malleus dislocation associated with fractures. High resolution CT allows the precise definition of the course of the fractures, of the associated dislocation of the ossicular chain, and of facial nerve lesion, thus allowing a more accurate surgical intervention. In the examination of the temporal bone, high resolution CT is preferible to pluridirectional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blood flow changes in the periodontal ligament (PDL) were measured indirectly by monitoring the local clearance of /sup 125/I/sup -/ during electric sympathetic nerve stimulation or close intra-arterial infusions of either noradrenaline (NA) or adrenaline (ADR) before and after administration of phentolamine (PA), phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) or Idazoxan (RX). At the doses used in the present study, PA was the only antagonist that significantly reduced the blood flow decrease seen on activation of sympathetic fibers, although PBZ also reduced this response. Idazoxan, however, did not induce the consistent effect on blood flow decreases seen on sympathetic activation. All three ..cap alpha..-adrenoceptor antagonists almost abolished the effects of exogenously administered NA and ADR. The results suggest the presence of functional post-junctional adrenoceptors of both the ..cap alpha.. 1 and ..cap alpha.. 2 subtypes in the sympathetic regulation of the blood flow in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Olfactory tract has been demonstrated to be an important portal for inhaled solid nanoparticle transportation into the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously demonstrated that intranasally instilled Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles could transport into the CNS via olfactory pathway. In this study, we investigated the neurotoxicity and size effect of repeatedly low-dose (130 #mu#g) intranasal exposure of nano- and submicron-sized Fe_2O_3 particles (21 nm and 280 nm) to mice. The biomarkers of oxidative stress, activity of nitric oxide synthases and release of monoamine neurotransmitter in the brain were studied. Our results showed that significant oxidative stress was induced by the two sizes of Fe_2O_3 particles. The activities of GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD, and cNOS significantly elevated and the total GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio significantly decreased in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus after the nano- and submicron-sized Fe_2O_3 particle treatment (p < 0.05). The nano-sized Fe_2O_3 generally ...

Science.gov (United States)

The pressure of a 6:12 fluid is obtained from the Percus-Yevick theory at the temperature kT/? = 1.35. The energy equation results are in excellent agreement with machine calculation results in contrast to the pressure and compressibility equation results. Present address: Diffusion Research Unit, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

CERN Document Server

It is shown that the interpretation of the experimental results reported in the publication "Storage of Light in Atomic Vapor" by D.F.Phillips et al., Phys. Rev.Lett. 86, 783 (2001) [quant-ph/0012138] is incorrect. The experimental observation of this paper can be consistently explained in the framework of standard concepts of the physics of optical pumping and has nothing to do with "storage of light", or "dynamic reduction of the group velocity", or "light pulse compression".

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wood/polymer composites (WPC) have been prepared from pinewood with different compounds using gamma irradiation: butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, styrene, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and unsaturated polyester styrene resin. The polymer loading was determined with respect to the compound concentration and the irradiation dose. The polymer loading increases generally with increase in the monomer or polymer concentration. Tensile and compression strength have been improved in the four cases, but no improvement was observed using unsaturated polyester styrene resin or acrylamide.

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

We present a monolithic, self-starting, all-PM, stabilized Yb-fiber laser, pulse-compressed in a hollow-core PM photonic crystal fiber, providing the 370 fs pulses of 4 nJ energy with high mode quality.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A mathematical model is proposed for three-phase filtering which is a particular case of a more general model of filtering multiple component mixtures and makes it possible to describe three-phase filtering flows under conditions where the pressure of saturation is variable in time and in space. In the proposed model, the system of unknown functions is selected so that it makes it possible to trace fairly simply the pressure of saturation and to compute the corresponding equation coefficients.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluated the performance of diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and hybrid electric (equipped with BAE Systems? HybriDrive propulsion system) transit buses at New York City Transit (NYCT). CNG, Gen I and Gen II hybrid electric propulsion systems were compared on fuel economy, maintenance and operating costs per mile, and reliability.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A massively-parallel ab initio computer code, which uses Gaussian bases, pseudopotentials, and the local density approximation, permits the study of transition-metal systems with literally hundreds of atoms. We present total energies and relaxed geometries for Ru, Pd, and Ag clusters with N = 55, 135, and 140 atoms; we also used the DMOL code to study 13-atom Pd and Cu clusters, with and without hydrogen. The N = 55 and 135 clusters were chosen because of simultaneous cubo-octahedral (fcc) and icosahedral (icos) sub-shell closings, and we find icos geometries are preferred. Remarkably large compressions of the central atoms are observed for the icos structures (up to 6% compared with bulk interatomic spacings), while small core compressions ({approx} 1 %) are found for the fcc geometry. In contrast, large surface compressive relaxations are found for the fcc clusters ({approx} 2-3% in average nearest neighbor spacing), ...

Science.gov (United States)

The report describes tests to demonstrate the feasibility of using a vertical-tube, falling-film, vapor-compression evaporator to concentrate waste water from a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process. Tests showed that waste water from the Chiyoda FGD process can be concentrated ...

Science.gov (United States)

The reconstruction of segmental defect in long bone is a clinical challenge. Multiple surgeries are typically required to restore the structure and function of the affected defect site. In order to overcome this defect a biodegradable bone tissue engineering scaffold is used. This scaffold acts as a carrier of proteins and growth factors, while also supporting the load that the bone would normally sustain, until the natural bone can regenerate in its place. Work was done to optimize an existing solid free-form scaffold design. The goal of the optimization was to increase the porosity of the scaffold while maintaining the strength of a previously-tested prototype design. With this in mind, eight new designs were created. These designs were drawn using CAD software and then through the use of finite element analysis the theoretical ultimate compressive strength of each design was obtained. Each scaffold design was constructed by casting a thermal-curable ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of the work described in this dissertation is to increase the understanding of injection-pultrusion process. Three major substudies related to injection-pultrusion have been completed: measurement of the compressibility of fiber reinforcements, measurement of in-plane and transverse resin flow through fiber reinforcements, and development of a resin flow model. This dissertation also presents results of an experimental and analytical investigation of in-plane and transverse resin flow through fiber reinforcements.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors present design methodology and initial experimental results for a high power microwave switch. The switch is designed for application to the pulse compression system associated with the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA). The switch is based on the excitation of a plasma layer within a silicon wafer by either a laser or an electron beam. They investigate problems associated with high power operation of such a switch. They explore solutions to the problems of thermal runaway, avalanche breakdown, photo-emission, and secondary emission.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Numerical simulations of compressible flows are commonly based on the Euler equations when effects of viscosity are thought to be negligible. These equations admit singular solutions, even in cases where the initial and boundary conditions are smooth. So-called ''Euler solvers'' rely on numerical dissipation, explicitly or implicitly present in the scheme, to regularize the problem, such that physical solutions are selected.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this work, densities #rho#, speeds of sound u, and viscosities #eta#, have been measured over the whole composition range for the binary mixtures of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DEGMME), CH_3(OCH_2CH_2)_2OH with 1-hexanol, CH_3(CH_2)_5OH, 1-octanol, CH_3(CH_2)_7OH, and 1-decanol, CH_3(CH_2)_9OH at T = (293.15, 298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K along with the properties of the pure components. By using the experimental values of #rho#, u, and #eta#, excess molar volume, V_m"E, deviations in viscosity, #DELTA##eta#, isentropic compressibility #kappa#_S, deviations in isentropic compressibility #DELTA##kappa#_S, deviations of the speed of sound #DELTA#u, have been calculated. The viscosity results have also been analysed in terms of some semi-empirical equations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Molar excess volumes, V{sup E}, molar excess enthalpies, H{sup E}, and speeds of sound, u, of o-toluidine (i) + cyclohexane or n-hexane or n-heptane (j) binary mixtures have been determined over entire range of composition at 308.15 K. Speeds of sound data have been utilized to predict isentropic compressibility changes of mixing, {kappa}{sub S}{sup E} of (i + j) mixtures. The observed V{sup E}, H{sup E} and {kappa}{sub S}{sup E} data have been analyzed in terms of Graph theory. The analysis of V{sup E} data by Graph theory reveals that o-toluidine exists as an associated molecular entity and (i + j) mixtures contain 1:1 molecular complex. It has been observed that V{sup E}, H{sup E} and {kappa}{sub S}{sup E} values calculated by Graph theory compare well with their corresponding experimental values. The observed data have also been analyzed in term of Flory theory.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a simple deformable phantom as a QA tool for testing and validation of deformable image registration algorithms. A diagnostic thoracic imaging phantom with a deformable foam insert was used in this study. Small plastic markers were distributed through the foam to create a lattice with a measurable deformation as the ground truth data for all comparisons. The foam was compressed in the superior-inferior direction using a one-dimensional drive stage pushing a flat 'diaphragm' to create deformations similar to those from inhale and exhale states. Images were acquired at different compressions of the foam and the location of every marker was manually identified on each image volume to establish a known deformation field with a known accuracy. The markers were removed digitally from corresponding images prior to registration. Different image registration algorithms were tested using ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sodium nitrate waste has been successfully solidified in two types of polymeric materials: polyethylene, a thermoplastic material, and polyester styrene (PES), a thermosetting material. Waste form property evaluation tests such as ANS 16.1 leaching test and compressive strength measurements were performed on the waste forms containing various amounts of sodium nitrate. A single-screw extruder was employed for incorporating dry waste into polyethylene at its melt temperature of 120/sup 0/C to produce a homogenous mixture. Results of the leaching test for polyethylene waste forms containing 30, 50, 60 and 70 wt% sodium nitrate are presented as cumulative fraction leached and leaching indices ranging from 11 to 7.8. Two PES systems are discussed. The first is for solidification of dry salt wastes and the second is a water extendible system that is compatible with wet waste streams. Leaching data for PES and water extendible PES waste forms containing 30 wt% sodium ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Combustion noise, knock and ignition limits data are measured and presented for a dual fuel engine running on dual fuels of Diesel and three gaseous fuels separately. The gaseous fuels used are liquefied petroleum gas, pure methane and compressed natural gas mixture. The maximum pressure rise rate during combustion is presented as a measure of combustion noise, and the knocking and ignition limits are presented as torque output at the onset of knocking and ignition failure. Experimental investigation on the dual fuel engine revealed the noise generated from combustion, knocking and ignition limits for all gases at different design and operating conditions. A Ricardo E6 Diesel version engine is converted to run on dual fuel of Diesel and the tested gaseous fuel and is used throughout the work. The engine is fully computerized, and the cylinder pressure data, crank angle data and engine operating variables are stored in a PC for off line analysis. The effects of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since the first round of conceptual fusion reactor designs in 1973 - 1974, there has been considerable progress in design improvement. Two recent tokamak designs of the Wisconsin and Culham groups, with increased plasma beta and wall loading (power density), lead to more compact reactors with easier maintenance. The Reference Theta-Pinch Reactor has undergone considerable upgrading in the design of the first wall insulator and blanket. In addition, a conceptual homopolar energy storage and transfer system has been designed. In the case of the mirror reactor, there are design changes toward improved modular construction and ease of handling, as well as improved direct converters. Conceptual designs of toroidal-multiple-mirror, liner-compression, and reverse-field pinch reactors are also discussed. A design is presented of a toroidal multiple-mirror reactor that combines the advantages of steady-state operation and high-aspect ratio. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A portable X-ray image system is described comprising: (a) a base assembly including panels and hinges joining the panels together along edges, and compression stops for biasing the hinges to compensate for the weight of payload when mounted on the base assembly, the compression stops being located for interaction with the hinges for biasing the panels to exhibit upward bowing when laid upon a flat surface prior to loading, and to provide resiliency for facilitating the base assembly assuming a substantially flat configuration when a predetermined payload is placed upon the base assembly; (b) an X-ray member; (c) apparatus for detachably mounting a table member to the base assembly to hold the table member at a location above the base; (d) an X-ray source; (e) means for sensing X-rays to form an image; (f) means for mounting the X-ray source and the X-ray sensing means on opposite sides relative to the table member and supported by the base ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On-board reforming of liquid fuels to hydrogen for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) has been the subject of numerous investigations. In many respects, liquid fuels represent a more attractive method of carrying hydrogen than compressed hydrogen itself, promising greater vehicle range, shorter refilling times, increased safety, and perhaps most importantly, utilization of the current fuel distribution infrastructure. The drawbacks of on-board reformers include their inherent complexity [for example a POX reactor includes: a fuel vaporizer, a reformer, water-gas shift reactors, a preferential oxidation (PROX) unit for CO cleanup, heat exchangers for thermal integration, sensors and controls, etc.], weight, and expense relative to compressed H{sub 2}, as well as degraded fuel cell performance due to the presence of inert gases and impurities in the reformate. Partial oxidation (POX) of automotive fuels is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This guide explained the requirements for Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Emission Regulations established under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The regulations are enforced by Environment Canada, which authorizes and monitors the use of the national emissions mark. The regulations prescribe standards for off-road engines that operate as reciprocating, internal combustion engines, other than those that operate under characteristics similar to the Otto combustion cycle and that use a spark plug or other sparking device. The regulations apply to engines that are typically diesel-fuelled and found in construction, mining, farming and forestry machines such as tractors, excavators and log skidders. Four different types of persons are potentially affected by the regulations: Canadian engine manufacturers; distributors of Canadian engines or machines containing Canadian engines; importers of engines or machines for the purpose of sale; and persons not in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A boron containing cement, which can be used as nuclear shielding material, is produced at pilot plant scale applying two different methods. In the first method, the raw mixture of a normal portland cement is mixed with pre-calcined colemanite, a calcium borate mineral, and clinkerized in a rotary kiln (borated-clinker). In the second method, the colemanite is mixed with an admixture, which contains mainly limestone and marl, and burnt in the rotary kiln to obtain a borated-lime composite. The borated-lime composite is then added to the normal portland cement clinker up to 2% B_2O_3 content for shielding purpose. The results have shown that the borated-clinker contained untolerable amount of free lime resulting in a decrease in compressive strength. The addition of the borated-lime composite to the normal portland cement clinker up to 1% B_2O_3 content did not alter the setting time and the volume expansion properties. The reduction in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The first equipment installed at KfK-HDB was a system with a thin-film evaporator. This was later replaced by two vapor compression evaporating units with forced circulation, for evaporation of liquid LAW, and a steam-heated natural circulation evaporator, for evaporation of liquid MAW. Nuclear activities of the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center phasing out, the liquid radwaste quantities to be treated have been shrinking accordingly, so that the current system is planned to be replaced by a smaller system with a thin-film evaporator. (orig./HP) [Deutsch] Im Laufe der Jahre wurde die Anlage mit Duennschichtverdampfer durch zwei Bruedenkompressionsverdampfer mit Zwangsumwaelzung fuer die Eindampfung leicht aktiver waessriger Abfaelle und einem dampfbeheizten Naturumlaufverdampfer fuer die Eindampfung mittelaktiver waessriger Abfaelle ersetzt. Mittlerweile sinkt der Abwasseranfall seit Jahren stetig aufgrund der sinkenden Aktivitaeten des Zentrums auf dem Gebiet der ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) generates large volumes of a low level aqueous waste stream high in nitrate salts. The aqueous waste is concentrated by evaporation and then mixed with Portland cement prior to transport and disposal. Planned process upgrades include a new horizontal thin film evaporator. Temperature of brine at discharge end of the new evaporator will be near boiling point. Introduction of hot water to cement can degrade the monolithic waste form. However, the RFP salt waste contains high concentrations of compounds known to retard hydration. This paper discusses impact of introducing high temperature waste to cement. The study evaluated three waste compositions: (1) highest probable nitrate composition, (2) highest probable chloride composition, and (3) current composition. Results showed that compressive strength of final waste form increased with brine temperature, and waste forms from brine at the boiling point exhibited a near doubling of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Conventional gas-filled high voltage circuit breakers have the disadvantages of needing means to compress the arc-extinguishing gas and means for storing a significant amount of energy for operating the breaker. This invention has the object of providing a circuit breaker which does not need a gas compression means and whose energy of operation is very low. The principle of operation used in this circuit breaker consists of creating an arc voltage higher than that of the network. The difficulty of creating a high enough arc voltage in the SF{sub 6} gas normally used in a circuit breaker is resolved according to the invention by dividing the initial arc into a large number of elementary arcs by means of metal plates. The arc voltage of each elementary arc is from 20 to 40 volts, depending on the type of metal used. In a particular embodiment, the circuit breaker contains means for displacing the arc and giving it a solenoidal form. 11 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Red mud is a by-product of the alkaline extraction of aluminum from the bauxite and represents a renewed environmental problem due the significant annual throughput by the plants. In the present work, the pozzolanic properties of Brazilian red mud fired at 600, 700, 800 and 900 deg C were investigated by monitoring lime consumption using DTA analysis and Brazilian standard methodology NBR 5772 (1992). Products and kinetics of hydration were determined in cement pastes produced with 5 and 15% red mud using x-ray diffraction and DTA analysis. Compressive strength and capillary absorption tests were realized on mortars constituted by 5, 10 and 15% red mud in replacement of cement. When calcined at 600 deg C, the red mud develops good pozzolanic properties, and the compressive strength of mortars produced with this waste meet values in accordance with regulatory standard. These results shown than red mud can be used, in partial replacement of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes results from emissions testing of a prototype diesel engine, developed by Volvo Truck Corporation of Sweden, which uses pilot injection of diesel fuel for compression ignition of alcohol fuel injection for main combustion. In addition to this dual-fuel engine, emission testing was also conducted on a heavy-duty diesel engine of similar design. Both engines were tested over the 1979 13-mode FTP, or shorter versions of this modal test, and over the 1984 Transient FTP as well as an experimental bus cycle. The dual-fuel engine was characterized with methanol, ethanol and ethanol with 30 percent water (wt %). An oxidation catalyst was also used with methanol and ethanol. Emission characterization included regulated emissions (HC, CO, and NOX) along with total particulate, unburned alcohols, individual hydrocarbons, aldehydes, phenols, and odor. The particulate matter was characterized in terms of particle size distribution, sulfate content, C, H, ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report describes an investigation of the factors affecting disintegration time in the mouth (DTM) of rapidly disintegrating tablets. The relation between DTM and stationary time of upper punch displacement (STP) was examined using a tableting process analyzer (TabAll). Results indicated that the bulk density of mixed excipient powder used for tablet preparation affects both DTM and STP. As the value of bulk density increased, STP became longer and DTM shorter. The results of a combination of granules and powder with or without a drug showed liner relation between apparent volume (reciprocal of bulk density) and DTM (r(2)=0.7332). For a DTM less than 60 s, a formulation with a bulk density greater 0.5 g/mL should be chosen with a compression force of 5 kN. The hardness of tablets could be greater than 3 kg if at least one high-compressibility excipient was used in the formulation. PMID:18804156

CERN Document Server

This paper studies neighbor discovery problem in wireless networks. A novel scheme, called compressed neighbor discovery is proposed, which assigns each node a unique signature and let nodes simultaneously transmit their signatures during the discovery period. The query node then determines, based on the superposition of the signatures, a small number of nodes as its neighbors, out of a large number of nodes in the network. This is fundamentally a sparse recovery problem. Using the proposed scheme, a single frame time suffices to achieve reliable discovery for large networks. This is in contrast to conventional schemes, where each node repeatedly transmits its identity with random delay, so that a receiver can identify each neighbor at least once without collision. Two practical, low-complexity discovery schemes are studied. The first scheme assigns sparse pseudo-random on-off signatures to the nodes, so that each node can listen to the channel during its own ...

Science.gov (United States)

A detection theory is developed for point-contact metal-oxide-metal (MOM) systems. A system with heterogeneous oxide strongly bonded to the substrate is considered. It is shown that the form of the functional connection between the barrier heights and the ultimate compressive strength of the oxide has no substantial influence on the voltage-current characteristics of the system. Quantitative analysis indicates that a MOM system can behave as a tunnel diode and as a diode with a Schottky barrier. The model permits the determination of the optimum construction of long-life detectors based on MOM point-contacts.-

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A report is given of investigations into the possibility of utilizing red mud from the Bayer process for producing Ferrari cements. On repeated burning at 1450deg C suitable mixtures of red mud with silica and lime form a clinker with a low free lime content from which Ferrari cement can be produced. The average 28-day compressive strengths of cements produced from this clinker are so encouraging that further investigations are appropriate. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is postulated that a break of a thin-walled pipe does not cause a subsequent break in the pipe in the vicinity of a plastic hinge even when the wall is weakened by a 60 circumferential crack of a depth of 30% of the wall thickness on the tension side. This pipe behavior is the result of plastic buckling in the compression side and applies to pipes of diameter-to-thickness ratio larger than 20. For this type of pipe, the axial strains decrease with increasing diameter-to-thickness ratio in the tension side. As the pipe is only loaded in one direction, there is no cyclic behavior that can trigger a subsequent break. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes initial work on the development of solidification systems for sodium nitrate waste and compacted waste. Sodium nitrate waste has been solidified in three types of materials: polyethylene, polyester-styrene (PES), and latex cement. Evaluations of the properties of the waste form, such as the ANS 16.1 leaching test, water immersion test and compressive strength measurements were performed on the waste forms containing various amounts of sodium nitrate. 9 refs., 9 figs., 7 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Residual stresses are present in engineering components as an unintended consequence of manufacturing processes, but they are also deliberately introduced to beneficial effect during surface engineering procedures. Plasma nitriding is a process of particular importance for forming tools and dies, giving significant advantages in wear, and fatigue resistance through the generation of near-surface compressive residual stresses. A precise knowledge of the level and distribution of residual stresses that exist in engineering components is necessary for an accurate design and prediction of a component's fatigue resistance. However, measurement of residual stresses is not always possible, which is especially true for forming tools. Therefore, other methods for residual stress evaluation and pred...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The integrity of helium circulation loop flanged joints has been attracting recent attention as a design problem, in the development of high-temperature facilities incorporating helium loops (e.g., the VRG-50 pilot nuclear facility). Elevated temperatures and pressures, and the radiation environment, impose additional requirements on sealant materials. This applies first and foremost to rubber seals, which have found widespread favor on account of its excellent elasticity, its ability to spontaneously conform to possible changes in the clearance in the seal assembly, and the low compressive stresses developed in the flange joint assembly.

Science.gov (United States)

nsive neutron-absorbing bricks from commercially available CaB/sub 6/ powder. The bricks are 2 x 3 x 5 in., and are strong enough to withstand normal handling. They last indefinitely; the ones described are now 7 years old, used and stored under normal room temperatures and humidities. The procedure is to make a thick, dry mud with the powder and water, followed by compression in a mold at pressures of about 1 ton/in./sup 2/ or more. The bricks are then baked for 2 hours or longer at a temperature of about 750 deg C. (auth)

Science.gov (United States)

Novel lightweight bricks have been produced by sintering mixes of dried water treatment sludge and rice husk. Samples containing up to 20 wt.% rice husk have been fired using a heating schedule that allowed effective organic burn-out. Rice husk addition increased the porosity of sintered samples and higher sintering temperatures increased compressive strengths. Materials containing 15 wt.% rice husk that were sintered at 1100 degrees C produced low bulk density and relatively high strength materials that were compliant with relevant Taiwan standards for use as lightweight bricks. PMID:19596512

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Full text of publication follows: Energy and environment are two major concerns in our modern society due to the coming shortage in fossil energy sources and the growing of greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the coming years is to discover new energy resources and to develop devices that are compatible with a sustainable development and generate few (or zero) emission. One of these devices is the fuel cell feed by hydrogen, whose application fields are very large. In particular, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the most realistic device for automotive application. However, hydrogen storage remains one of the most important challenges regarding its development. Although different techniques are available for storing hydrogen, no ideal solution has been found yet. Compression needs elaborated tanks in shape for supporting high pressures, liquefaction requires an expensive hydrogen cooling and adapted tanks. Chemical storage by hydrides ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wood-plastic composites (WPC) have been prepared with five low-grade woods, native to Syria, using three monomer systems; acrylamide, butylmethacrylate, and styrene, with methanol as the swelling solvent. Polymerization was induced at various radiation doses (10, 20, and 30 kGy) at a dose rate of 3.5 kGy/h using a {sup 60}Co gamma radiation source. Some physical properties of WPC, namely polymer loading and compression strength have been measured. The polymer loading decreases approximately with increasing density of the wood species used.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wood-plastic composites (WPC) have been prepared with five low-grade woods, native to Syria, using three monomer systems; acrylamide, butylmethacrylate, and styrene, with methanol as the swelling solvent. Polymerization was induced at various radiation doses (10, 20, and 30 kGy) at a dose rate of 3.5 kGy/h using a "6"0Co gamma radiation source. Some physical properties of WPC, namely polymer loading and compression strength have been measured. The polymer loading decreases approximately with increasing density of the wood species used. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author describes feasibility study on the scheme of disposing spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power plant, including scheme selection, packing cask design, disposal operation and technological process, budget estimation and safety evaluation. The research results show that the new scheme is feasible on technology, and reasonable on budget. If the scheme is adopted to dispose the spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power station, it can not only save large funds, but also accumulate experience on disposing non-compressible low and intermediate level solid radioactive wastes produced at nuclear power station for the country

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A software called KEPCO RCM workstation (KRCM) has been developed to optimize the maintenance strategies of Korean nuclear power plants. The program modules of the KRCM were designed in a manner that combines EPRI methodologies and KEPRI analysis technique. The KRCM is being applied to the three pilot system, chemical and volume control system, main steam system, and compressed air system of Yonggwang Units 1 and 2. In addition, the KRCM can be utilized as a tool to meet a part of the requirements of maintenance rule (MR) imposed by U.S. NRC. 3 refs., 4 figs. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors present design methodology for high power microwave switches. Among all possible applications for such a switch they emphasize the design parameters for application to the pulse compression system associated with the Next Linear Collider (NLC). The switch is based on the excitation of a plasma layer within a silicon wafer by either a laser or an electron beam. They investigate problems associated with high power operation of such a switch. Mainly, they explore solutions to the problems of thermal runaway, avalanche breakdown, photo-emission, and secondary emission. Different design methodologies are presented.

Wastenet

... Biogas: The green gas? | EurActiv Biogas has become an attractive alternative source of energy in Europe as the renewable fuel ...Graduate Programme Research Analyst Junior Consultant Training Coordinator Post an EU job Biogas: The green gas? Published: 09 April 2010 |...Updated: 06 July 2010 Biogas has become an attractive alternative source of energy in Europe as the renewable fuel serves several policy priorities, ranging from ... Policy Summary Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be used for heating or electricity production. If compressed, it can ...