The NREL Sensitized Solar Cell (SSC) Core Program supports the Solar America Initiative by: (1) targeting new devices and processes for commercialization by 2015 that are less expensive, more efficient, highly reliable, and environmentally benign; (2) collaborating with DOE OS/BES to conduct basic research targeting breakthroughs in key areas, such as ultra-high efficiency and/or ultra-low cost materials and devices.
When searching for anisotropies in the arrival directions of UltraHigh Energy Cosmic Rays, one must estimate the number of events expected in each direction of the sky in the case of a perfect isotropy. We present in this article a new method, developed for the Auger Observatory, based on a smooth estimate of the zenith angle distribution obtained from the data itself (which is essentially unchanged in the case of the presence of a large scale anisotropy pattern). We also study the sensitivity of several methods to detect large-scale anisotropies in the cosmic ray arrival direction distribution : Rayleigh analysis, dipole fitting and angular power spectrum estimation.
After irradiation at 254nm of aqueous solutions of the antipsychotic drug flupentixol, the structures of the photodegradation products were determined by ultrahigh performance liquid-chromatography linked to mass spectrometry. Fragmentation patterns of the parent ions were established on a hybrid linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometer allowing accurate mass measurements of both parent and daughter ions. This allowed to propose plausible structures for the main photolysis products of flupentixol. A total of nine photoproducts were detected after irradiation of the drug. The main photoproduct is generated following the addition of a hydroxyl group on the double bond adjacent to the thioxanthene ring. Secondary photoproducts were also observed.
Protein motions on all timescales faster than molecular tumbling are encoded in the spectral density. The dissection of complex protein dynamics is typically performed using relaxation rates determined at high and ultra-high field. Here we expand this range of the spectral density to low fields through field cycling using the nucleocapsid protein of the SARS coronavirus as a model system. The field-cycling approach enables site-specific measurements of R{sub 1} at low fields with the sensitivity and resolution of a high-field magnet. These data, together with high-field relaxation and heteronuclear NOE, provide evidence for correlated rigid-body motions of the entire {beta}-hairpin, and corresponding motions of adjacent loops with a time constant of 0.8 ns (mesodynamics). MD simulations substantiate these findings and provide direct verification of the time scale and collective nature of these motions.
Negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled with high field Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) allows for the direct detection of acidic NSO compounds in petroleum. The technique requires no chromatographic separation, is able to distinguish 18 different compound classes (e.g., neutral nitrogen, carboxylic acids and oxygenates), and can identify {approx}14,000 distinct masses by ultra-highmass resolution and mass accuracy. We previously studied three crude oils from different geological origins [Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002b) 743-759]. Here, we expand our research by comparing two source-equivalent Smackover oils of different levels of thermal maturity. We observe clear differences in the distribution of NSO compound classes, types (number of rings plus double bonds within a class), and number of alkyl carbons. With increasing thermal ...
A procedure was developed for separating rubidium from irradiated aluminum encapsulated uranium. The separations procedure produces a final ultra-high purity RbCl product for subsequent high performance mass spectrometric analysis. The procedure involves first removing most of the macro-components and fission products by strong base anion exchange using, first, concentrated HCl, then oxalic acid media and second, selectively separating rubidium from alkaline-earth ions and other alkali-metal ions, including cesium, using Bio-Rex-40 cation-exchange resin. The resultant RbCl is then put through a final vacuum sublimation step. Ultra-pure reagents and specially clean glassware are used throughout the procedure to minimize contamination by naturally-occurring rubidium.
A procedure was developed for separating rubidium from irradiated aluminum encapsulated uranium. The separations procedure produces a final ultra-high purity RbCl product for subsequent high performance mass spectrometric analysis. The procedure involves first removing most of the macro-components and fission products by strong base anion exchange using, first, concentrated HCl, then oxalic acid media and second, selectively separating rubidium from alkaline-earth ions and other alkali-metal ions, including cesium, using Bio-Rex-40 cation-exchange resin. The resultant RbCl is then put through a final vacuum sublimation step. Ultra-pure reagents and specially clean glassware are used throughout the procedure to minimize contamination by naturally-occurring rubidium.
A qualitative method, involving supported liquid?liquid extraction (SLE) and ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS?MS), was developed for the rapid tentative identification of various drugs of abuse in urine. In this study, 28 drugs and metabolites were covered by the screening procedure. Before analysis, urine samples were extracted by SLE and good extraction recoveries were obtained for most investigated compounds. The UHPLC strategy was then selected for the rapid separation of amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and related compounds in urine. Using columns packed with sub-2??m particles, analysis time was reduced down to 2?min, while maintaining acceptable performance. Finally, the detection was by tandem MS operating in the single reaction...
Full text. Here we present a status report of the Schenberg antenna, which started commissioning runs in September 2006 under the full support of FAPESP. In its first commissioning runs we tested three preliminary parametric transducer systems, which did not achieve a high enough performance for placing the antenna sensitivity in the range of the calibrator capacitor. Instead of improving the calibrator, making it capable of introducing a larger input force, we decided to go to a radical upgrading operation: replacing the three transducers for a complete set of six transducers, with better sensitivity and arranged according to the truncated icosahedron configuration, plus two extra ones; starting to install the dilution refrigerator; installing wires, cables, and amplifiers for the complete set of transducer circuits; and a new suspension and vibration isolation system for the cabling and microstrip antennas. We also have been developing a new ...
Research and development has been performed on photochromic materials expected to be used in ultra-high density recording, high resolution indication and photoswitches. With regard to molecular orientation in the ternary system mixed LB film, the result of structural analysis by XPM spectrum revealed that the acceptor constituent in the LB film is so structured that it is separated and laminated with two other constituents, and that the sensitizer constituent and the donor constituent are not recognized of being separated definitely. Regarding the electron movement reaction in the solid phase system, a photo-current measuring experiment was carried out on the laminated film which is vacuum-deposited with the ternary system comprising of the donor, sensitizer, and acceptor. It was concluded that the observed photo-current reflects the electron movement reaction in the solid phase as it is. For the photo-current in the LB ...
Typical beam lines are comprised of an assembly of vacuum valves and shutters referred to as a ''front end'', optical elements to monochromatize, focus and split the photon beam, and an experimental area where a target sample is placed into the photon beam and data from the interaction is detected and recorded. Windows are used to separate sections of beam lines that are not compatible with storage ring ultrahigh vacuum. Some experimental beam lines share a common vacuum with storage rings. Sections of beam lines are only allowed to vent up to atmospheric pressure using pure nitrogen gas after a vacuum barrier is established to protect ring vacuum. The front end may only be bled up when there is no current in the machine. This is especially true on the VUV storage ring where for most experiments, windows are not used. For the shorter wavelength, more energetic photons of the x-ray ring, beryllium windows are ...
Improved NMR detection of mass limited samples can be obtained by taking advantage of the masssensitivity of microcoil NMR, while throughput issues can be addressed using multiple, parallel...Full Text Available
We present numerical calculations for cesium and mercury to estimate the sensitivity of the scattering length to the variation of the fine structure constant alpha. The method used follows ideas Chin and Flambaum [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 230801 (2006)], where the sensitivity to the variation of the electron to proton mass ratio, beta, was considered. We demonstrate that for heavy systems, the sensitivity to variation of alpha is of the same order of magnitude as to variation of beta. Near narrow Feshbach resonances the enhancement of the sensitivity may exceed nine orders of magnitude.
A network of second-generation low-temperature gravitational radiation detectors is nearing completion. These detectors, sensitive to mechanical strains of order 10"-"1"8, are possible because of a variety of technical innovations that have been made in cryogenics, low-noise superconducting instrumentation, and vibration isolation techniques. Another five orders of magnitude improvement in energy sensitivity of resonant-mass detectors is possible before the linear amplifier quantum limit is encountered. 33 references, 3 figures, 1 table.
Understanding human brain function, brain development and brain dysfunction is one of the great challenges of the twenty first century. Biomedical imaging has now run up against a number of technical constraints that are exposing limits to its potential. In order to overcome the current limits to high-field magnetic resonance cerebral imaging (MRI) and unleash its fullest potential, the Cea has built NeuroSpin, an ultra-high-field neuroimaging facility at its Saclay centre (in the Essonne). NeuroSpin already boasts three fully operational MRI systems. The first is a 3-tesla high-field system and the second is a very-high-field 7-tesla system, both of which are dedicated to clinical studies and investigations in humans, while the third is an ultra-high-field 17.65-tesla system designed for studies on small animals. In 2011, NeuroSpin will be commissioning an 11.7-tesla ultra-high-field system of unprecedented power that is ...
Isotopic analyses of radioactive materials such as irradiated nuclear fuel are of major importance for the optimization of the nuclear fuel cycle and for safeguard aspects. Among the mass-spectrometric techniques available, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry are the most frequently applied methods for nuclear applications. Because of the low detection limits, the ability to analyze the isotopic composition of the elements and the applicability of the techniques for measuring stable as well as radioactive nuclides with similar sensitivity, both mass-spectrometric techniques are an excellent amendment to classical radioactivity counting methods. The paper describes selected applications of multicollector ICP-MS in combination with c...
A fast and sensitive LC-ESI-MS method is described for the comparative quantification of 16 estrogen metabolites based on the derivatization of estrogens with a novel derivatizing reagent, N-methyl-nicotinic...Full Text Available
The ultra-high pressure waterjet technology was being evaluated at Florida International University (FIU) as a baseline technology. In conjunction with FIU's evaluation of efficiency and cost, this report covers the evaluation conducted for safety and health issues. It is a commercially available technology and has been used for various projects at locations throughout the country. The ultra-high pressure waterjet technology acts as a cutting tool for the removal of surface substrates. The Husky trademark pump feeds water to a lance that directs the high pressure water at the surface to be removed. The safety and health evaluation during the testing demonstration focused on two main areas of exposure. These were dust and noise. The dust exposure was found to be minimal, which would be expected due to the wet environment inherent in the technology, but noise exposure was at a significant level. Further testing for noise is recommended because of ...
A railgun has an armature driven between two rail-like conductors. In other words, it is a linear drive device system that drives airframes by using the Lorentz`s force. The system is expected as a next-generation high-speed transport means, or as a means to create such ultimate fields as ultra-high pressures, ultra-high temperatures, and ultra-ferromagnetic fields. This paper is a report on investigations on the relevant technological trends as surveyed by the investigation committee at the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan using research reports published inside and outside the country. The reported themes cover explanations from the construction to the pulse power supply that forms the core of the technology, problems in switching, recent status of research and development, and to application fields. Compatibility in the high-level electrical and mechanical performances demanded in the railgun is not as easy as has been anticipated ...
Ultra-high resolution radiographs can be obtained using synchrotron X-rays. A collaboration team consisting of K-JIST, POSTECH and YUMC has recently commissioned a new beamline (5C1) at Pohang Light Source (PLS) in Korea for medical applications using phase contrast radiology. Relatively simple image acquisition systems were set up on 5C1 beamline, and imaging studies were performed for resolution test patterns, mammographic phantom, and animals. Resolution test patterns and mammographic phantom images showed much better image resolution and quality with the 5C1 imaging system than the mammography system. Both fish and mouse images with 5C1 imaging system also showed much better image resolution with great details of organs and anatomy compared to those obtained with a conventional mammography system. A simple and inexpensive ultra-high resolution imaging system on 5C1 beamline was successfully implemented. The authors were able to acquire ...
Tailor die quenching in the hot stamping of quenchable steel sheets was developed to produce ultra-high strength steel formed parts having strength distribution. Local portions of the heated sheet were quenched by holding grooved tools at the bottom dead centre during the stamping. Non-contact portions were generated in the sheet by grooving the tools, and thus the strength in the contact portions is high owing to the quenching and that in the non-contact portions is low owing to the lack of the quenching. Hat-shaped products having a tensile strength of approximately 1.5GPa only at four corners were formed.
Mechanical properties of P-LDHA and V-ROL N steels of the Czech production are compared with other ultra-high strength steels produced in the world. The most important results can be summarized into following points: 1. Optimally heat treated P-LDHA steel exhibits substantially better strength characteristics then the V-ROL N steel. 2. Optimal tempering temperature of the P-LDHA steel is 300 C. 3. Basic mechanical properties of P-LDHA steel belong to the top of the UHS steels ranking and are well comparable with those of American 300 M steel. 4. In the low-cycle fatigue region, the P-LDHA steel exhibits slightly better fatigue resistance then the 300 M steel. On the other hand, the high-cycle fatigue resistance of 300 M steel is slightly better then that of the P-LDHA steel. (orig.)
This paper describes how hydrogen transport affects the severity of hydrogen embrittlement in 300 M and AerMet100 ultrahigh strength steels. Slow strain rate tests were carried out on specimens coated with electrodeposited cadmium and aluminium-based SermeTel 1140/962. Hydrogen diffusivities were measured using two-cell permeation and galvanostatic charging methods and values of 8.0 x 10{sup -8} and 1.0 x 10{sup -9} cm{sup 2} s{sup -1} were obtained for 300 M and AerMet100, respectively. A two-dimensional diffusion model was used to predict the hydrogen distributions in the SSR specimens at the time of failure. The superior embrittlement resistance of AerMet100 was attributed to reverted austenite forming around martensite laths during tempering.
A large area Bragg curve spectroscopy (BCS) detector and a position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter have been developed to study heavy ion reactions, such as inelastic excitations and few nucleon transfer reactions near the Coulomb barrier. Reasonably good resolutions have been achieved for energy, atomic number and angle. A theoretical investigation on the mass dependence of the Bragg peak signal from the BCS detector, shows that there is a negligible mass dependence related to the geometry of the detector. The mass number of the heavy ions which cannot be obtained by the above method, has been identified by detecting the corresponding characteristic gamma rays from the product nuclei with two large solid angle gamma ray detectors. (orig.)
A large area Bragg curve spectroscopy (BCS) detector and a position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter have been developed to study heavy ion reactions, such as inelastic excitations and few nucleon transfer reactions near the Coulomb barrier. Reasonably good resolutions have been achieved for energy, atomic number and angle. A theoretical investigation on the mass dependence of the Bragg peak signal from the BCS detector, shows that there is a negligible mass dependence related to the geometry of the detector. The mass number of the heavy ions which cannot be obtained by the above method, has been identified by detecting the corresponding characteristic gamma rays from the product nuclei with two large solid angle gamma ray detectors. (orig.).
We review recent development in separations and mass spectrometric instrumentation for sensitive and high-throughput proteomic analyses. These efforts have been primarily focused on the development of high-efficiency (separation peak capacity of ~103) nanoscale liquid chromatography (nanoLC; e.g., flow rates extending down to ~20 nL/min at optimal separation linear velocities through narrow packed capillaries) in combination with advanced mass spectrometry (MS), including high sensitivity and high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) MS. This technology enables MS analysis of low nanogram-level proteomic samples (i.e., nanoscale proteomics) with individual protein identification sensitivity at the low zeptomole-level. The resultant protein measurement dynamic range can reach 106 for nanogram-sized proteomic samples, while more abundant proteins can be ...
SummaryThis paper examines the sensitivity and uncertainty of evaporation estimates from Nasser Lake, south of Egypt using data collected at the floating station Raft, 2km upstream of the Aswan High Dam, and 12 evaporation models. Based on their approach the evaporation models were ranked in five classes, respectively the Bowen ratio energy budget (BREB) approach, three energy-aerodynamic based methods, a mass transfer method, two temperature and five solar radiation-temperature approaches. State dependent parameter models were used to estimate the sensitivity indices of the different evaporation estimation methods at daily and monthly frequencies. A drastic reduction in the cost of the sensitivity analysis was obtained when coupled with efficient sampling methods, producing quasi-Monte Ca...
High and ultra-high strength steels for pipelines are produced by properly handling the steel microstructure. The metallurgical principles involved in the microstructure control are presented, with emphasis on TMCP processing, that comprises conventional controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling. (author)
Overcoming the limiting constraints of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and stimulated Brilluoin scattering (SBS) poses serious fibre design challenges for increasing the output power of optical amplifiers and lasers. New fibre amplifier designs are proposed to break out of these limitations to reach several kWs CW powers. (Author)
The use of radiochemical detectors in the A approx. = 90 mass region to measure 14 MeV neutron fluences is investigated from the standpoint of cross section sensitivities. Specifically, /sup 90/Zr and /sup 89/Y neutron-induced cascades leading to the production of /sup 89/Zr, /sup 88/Zr, /sup 88/Y, and /sup 87/Y are studied in a one-energy-group approximation, and the sensitivities of the measured ratios R/sub Z/ = /sup 88/Zr//sup 89/Zr and R/sub Y/ = /sup 87/Y//sup 88/Y to the input cross sections are delineated. The most sensitive cross section in each cascade is the cross section that dominates the production of the final isotope in the chain. Only one of the isomeric levels in /sup 90/Zr contributes importantly to the Zr cascade. Burnback (n,..gamma..) and burnup (n,p) reactions are also considered. The (n,..gamma..) effects are small, but (n,p) effects can be substantial due to low energy ...
The proposed Sudbury Neutrino Observatory is based on a Cherenkov detector which has a total of 1000 tonne of heavy water and 1800 tonne of light water for its sensitive volume. The detector is optimized for the measurement of extra-terrestrial low energy electron neutrinos and electron antineutrinos spectra as well as the total neutrino flux independent of neutrino flavours. It will delineate the Standard Solar Model and neutrino propagation aspects of the solar neutrino problem, provide detailed information on the dynamics of stellar collapse and measure neutrino masses and oscillation parameters with high sensitivity.
We have studied the signals for a heavy Higgs boson in the processes {gamma}{gamma}{yields}WWWW, and {gamma}{gamma}{yields}WWZZ at a photon linear collider. The results are based on the first complete tree-level calculation for these reactions. We show that, with a forward ``spectator`` W tag, and a central ``spectator`` W veto to suppress backgrounds from transverse W, Z production, the invariant mass spectrum of central WW, ZZ pairs is sensitive to Higgs bosons with a mass up to 1 TeV in a 2-TeV linear collider. ((orig.)).
Mass spectrometry was instrumental in the discovery of the fullerenes and the characterization of their special structure (truncated icosahedron). High resolution and high sensitivitymass spectrometry in combination with a crossed molecular beam/electron beam ion source is used here to study a further, very unique property of singly and multiply charged fullerene ions (up to Z=7), i.e. their strong resilience towards decomposition via sequential C_2 evaporation and via Coulomb explosion, respectively. (author).
The in situ assembly states of the glucose transport carrier protein in the plasma membrane and in the intracellular (microsomal) storage pool of rat adipocytes were assessed by studying radiation-induced inactivation of the D-glucose-sensitive cytochalasin B binding activities. High energy radiation inactivated the glucose-sensitive cytochalasin B binding of each of these membrane preparations by reducing the total number of the binding sites without affecting the dissociation constant. The reduction in total number of binding sites was analyzed as a function of radiation dose based on target theory, from which a radiation-sensitivemass (target size) was calculated. When the plasma membranes of insulin-treated adipocytes were used, a target size of approximately 58,000 daltons was obtained. For adipocyte microsomal membranes, we obtained target sizes of approximately 112,000 and 109,000 daltons prior ...
A simple, sensitive and rapid method for analysis of granisetron in human plasma, utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), has been developed and validated to satisfy FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods. The analyte and internal standard (IS) were isolated from 100ml plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). A Varian 1200l tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 313.4/138 for granisetron and m/z 270/201 for the IS used for quantitation. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.02-20ng/ml for granisetron in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02ng/ml with a relative standard deviati...
Photoelectron resonance capture ionization (PERCI) is a soft and sensitive ionization method, based on the attachment of low-energy (<1 eV) photoelectrons to organic analyte molecules. PERCI has been developed in our laboratory for the real-time analysis of organic particles by mass spectrometry, and is employed here to monitor the heterogeneous reaction of ozone with oleic acid. Simplified identification of the reaction products is possible as a result of the soft nature of PERCI, giving predominantly the [M--H](-) ions. The major particle-phase products are identified as: 1-nonanal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxononanoic acid, and azelaic acid, consistent with proposed mechanisms. New insight into this well-studied heterogeneous reaction is gained as additional minor particle-phase products, consistent with the Criegee mechanism, are readily detected. PMID:15468105
Nitrogen oxides (NOx=NO+NO2), total reactive nitrogen NOy, ozone (O_3), JNO_2 and volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured for 10 weeks during spring and summer 1998 in the highly polluted Milan agglomeration. The concentrations during the episode of June 19 to 21 are analysed. During this period ozone peaks at 160 ppb, NOy at 36 ppb. The high NOz/NOy-ratio in the afternoon indicates aged air masses reaching the station. We refer to NOz as the difference between NOy and NOx. It stands for NOx consumed during the photochemical aging of the air mass. Depending on the origin of the air mass the limitation of the ozone production shifts between VOC- and NOx-sensitivity. (Author)
The neutrino mixing angle #theta#13 is currently known to be small but had not been determined. The value of #theta#13 is vital to resolving the neutrino mass heirarchy as well as future investigation of CP violation in the lepton sector. The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is designed to reach a sensitivity of 0.01 or better in sin22#theta#13 via an electron antineutrino disappearance signature.
Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum.
The capacity of bones to adjust their mass and architecture to withstand the loads of everyday activity derives from the ability of their resident cells to respond appropriately to the strains engendered....Full Text Available
Conversion electron studies of medium-heavy to heavy nuclear mass systems are important where the internal conversion process begins to dominate over gamma-ray emission. The use of a segmented detector array sensitive to conversion electrons has been used to study multiple conversion electron cascades from nuclear transitions. The application of the silicon array for conversion electron detection (SACRED) for in-beam measurements has successfully been implemented. (orig.). With 2 figs.
Results are described of the study of the analytical applicability of a highly efficient ion source developed for a mass spectrometer. Its ionizer is in the form of a partially closed cavity with a small aperture for leading out ions, heated to a high temperature. The new ion source increases the sensitivity of the apparatus in operations with transuranium elements by almost two orders of magnitude. It is possible to perform isotopic analyses with a high salt content in the sample, and to study the characteristics of nuclear fuel, even without chemical separation of the sample elements.
Using high resolution and high sensitivity IRAS data at 12 and 25 microns low mass stars were studied which have recently formed in the Ophiuchus, Corona Australis, and IC1396 dark clouds. The successful application of these techniques to the Rho Ophiuchi infrared cluster is briefly described. The status of research performed is also presented.
A heavy ion gas detector system consisting of a Bragg-curve spectroscopy ionization chamber for particle identification and a multiwire proportional chamber as position sensitive fast trigger device is described. The Bragg IC has been tested with several beams up to Z=36 to investigate some aspects of the BCS method. Results are reported on energy resolution and linearity, Z resolving power and masssensitivity. The energy resolution is well below 1%. The Bragg-peak amplitude is fairly independent of the energy in a wide energy range and single elements are identified up to Z=38 with a resolving power Z/..delta..Zproportional50-80. Isotope identification by range measurement is limited by the straggling in the ionization process and the mass resolving power is M/..delta..Mproportional20-26 for S and Si isotopes. The MWPC allows subnanosecond time resolution and position identification along the in-plane ...
A heavy ion gas detector system consisting of a Bragg-curve spectroscopy ionization chamber for particle identification and a multiwire proportional chamber as position sensitive fast trigger device is described. The Bragg IC has been tested with several beams up to Z=36 to investigate some aspects of the BCS method. Results are reported on energy resolution and linearity, Z resolving power and masssensitivity. The energy resolution is well below 1%. The Bragg-peak amplitude is fairly independent of the energy in a wide energy range and single elements are identified up to Z=38 with a resolving power Z/#DELTA#Zproportional50-80. Isotope identification by range measurement is limited by the straggling in the ionization process and the mass resolving power is M/#DELTA#Mproportional20-26 for S and Si isotopes. The MWPC allows subnanosecond time resolution and position identification along the in-plane ...
To assess the clinical and pathologic features of each type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, which is divided into three types according to gross appearance, and to determine the efficacy of CT in detecting this tumor. The pathologic and CT features of 53 surgically proven cases of intrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma were reviewed. On the basis of their gross appearance, the tumors were divided into three types, as follows : mass forming (n=33), periductal infiltrating (n=6), and intraductal growth type (n=14). CT scans were analyzed for sensitivity of detection and correlation between a tumors appearance and its histopathology. The most common histopathologic feature of mass forming and periductal infiltrating type was tubular adenocarcinoma, while in the intraductal growth type, papillary adenocarcinoma (100%) was common. With regard to pattern of tumor spread, intrahepatic and lymph node metastasis were more common in ...
We discuss the impact for light neutralinos in an effective Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model of the recent results presented by the CMS and ATLAS Collaborations at the CERN Large Hadron Collider for a search of supersymmetry in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 35 inverse pb. We find that, in the specific case of light neutralinos, efficiencies for the specific signature searched by ATLAS (jets+missing transverse energy and an isolated lepton) imply a lower sensitivity compared to CMS (which searches for jets +missing transverse energy). Focusing on the CMS bound, if squark soft masses of the three families are assumed to be degenerate, the combination of the ensuing constraint on squark and gluino masses with the experimental limit on the b to s + gamma decay imply a lower bound on the neutralino mass ...
In an attempt to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of the high temperature superconducting oxides, high T(sub c) composites were prepared composed of the 123 compounds and AgO. The presence of extra oxygen due to the decomposition of AgO at high temperature is found to stabilize the superconducting 123 phase. Ag is found to serve as clean flux for grain growth and precipitates as pinning center. Consequently, almost two orders of magnitude enhancement in critical current densities were also observed in these composites. In addition, these composites also show much improvement in workability and shape formation. On the other hand, proper oxygen treatment of Y5Ba6Cu11Oy was found to possibly stabilize superconducting phase with T(sub c) near 250 K. I-V, ac susceptibility, and electrical resistivity measurements indicate the existence of this ultrahigh T(sub c) phase in this compound. Detailed structure, microstructure, electrical, ...
Gamma-ray burst (GRB) is one of the candidates of high-energy cosmic-ray acceleration sites. They may be also ultra-high-energy (above 3 EeV) cosmic-ray (UHECR) sources. In this paper, we discuss possibilities and implications of high-energy cosmic-ray acceleration in GRBs. (1) First, we show that not only protons but also heavier nuclei can be accelerated up to ultra-high energies in both usual high-luminosity (HL) and low-luminosity (LL) GRBs by using the Geant4. LL GRBs may also make a significant contribution to the observed UHECR flux if they form a distinct population, and we investigate cosmic-ray acceleration in LL GRBs in detail. (2) Second, we discuss implications of the GRB-UHECR hypothesis (and Hypernova-UHECR hypothesis) to cosmic-ray astronomy. HL GRBs and LL GRBs will lead to different source number densities as UHECR sources, so that the determination of the number density of UHECR sources and strength of the mean extragalactic ...
The object of this research is the evaluation of the performance of ultrahigh speed relays (UHSR's) used for protection of a-c transmission lines. For purposes of this report, these are relays whose response time is less than a quarter of a cycle of the 60 Hz wave (i.e. 4.167 ms.). To identify relaying schemes that may comply with this definition, a literature survey was undertaken. The selected relays were studied in detail and modeled on a digital computer. A theoretical description of these relays is presented. Records of real transient data as well as of simulated data were used as input to the digital models of relays. The real data were recorded by means of monitoring stations connected to the Florida Power and Light Company transmission lines. The simulated data were obtained by modeling the relevant parts of the utility's transmission system using a University of British Columbia simplified version of the well known ...
We study the sensitivity to neutrino masses of a Galactic supernova neutrino signal as could be measured with the detectors presently in operation and with future large volume water \\v{C}erencov and scintillator detectors. The analysis uses the full statistics of neutrino events. The method proposed uses the principles of Bayesian inference reasoning and has shown a remarkably independence of astrophysical assumptions. We show that, after accounting for the uncertainties in the detailed astrophysical description of the neutrino signal and taking into account the effects of neutrino oscillations in the supernova mantle, detectors presently in operation can have enough sensitivity to reveal a neutrino mass (or to set upper limits) at the level of 1 eV. This is sensibly better than present results from tritium $\\beta$-decay experiments, competitive with the most conservative limits from neutrinoless ...
We are investigating a novel insulator concept which involves the use of alternating layers of conductors and insulators with periods less than 1 mm. These structures perform many times better (about 1.5 to 4 times higher breakdown electric field) than conventional insulators in long pulse, short pulse, and alternating polarity applications. We present our ongoing studies investigating the degradation of the breakdown electric field resulting from surface roughness, the effect of gas pressure, and the performance of the insulator structure under bi-polar stress. Further, we present our initial modeling studies.
In this paper it is described how a martensitic steel sheet with tensile strength of 1400 MPa is heat treated locally. The sheet is then formed in the heat treated regions in a way that would be impossible with the untreated material. Mechanical properties and forming limit diagrams of the heat treated material are determined and the forming operations are simulated, which shows that the method can be used by designers. Although the method has been known for decades, it remains to be industrialised and the work presented here is to be seen as a contribution to this development. (orig.)
UltraHigh Vacuum (UHV) test setup for electron gun testing has been developed. The development of next generation light sources and accelerators require development of klystron as a radio frequency power source, and in turn electron gun. This UHV electron gun test setup can be used to test the electron guns ranging from high average current, quasi-continuous wave to high peak current, single pulse etc. An electron gun has been designed, fabricated, assembled and tested for insulation up to 80 kV under the programme to develop high power klystron for future accelerators. Further testing includes the electron emission parameters characterization of the cathode, as it determines the development of a reliable and efficient electron gun with high electron emission current and high life time as well. This needs a clean ultrahigh vacuum to study these parameters particularly at high emission current. The ...
The {sup 252}Cf-source-driven frequency analysis method can be used for measuring the subcritical neutron multiplication factor of arrays of LWR fuel and as little as a single PWR fuel assembly. These measurements can be used to verify the criticality safety margins of spent LWR fuel configurations and thus could be a means of obtaining the information to justify burnup credit for spent LWR transportation/storage casks. In addition, the data can be used to validate calculational methods for criticality safety. These measurements provide parameters that have a higher sensitivity to changes in fissile mass than neutron multiplication factor and thus serve as a better test of calculational methods. The analysis have also shown that measurement of the cross power spectral density (CPSD) between detectors on one side of a single fuel assembly and an internal or external {sup 252}Cf source driving the fission chain multiplication process can be used ...
Many nondestructive beam position monitors are known. However, these devices can not be used for DC particle beam diagnostics. We investigated a method of beam diagnostics applicable for the operative control of DC high power e-beam inside closed waveguide. A design of the detector for determination of{open_quote} center of mass {close_quote} position of DC particle beam was developed. It was shown that the monitor can be used as a nondestructive method for the beam position control in resonators. Magnetic field of the particle beam outside a resonator is used. The detector consists of the steel yokes and magnetic field sensors. The sensors measure magnetic fluxes in the steel yokes fixed outside the resonator. When the particle beam changes its position, these magnetic fluxes also change. Beam displacement sensitivity of the monitor depends on the steel yoke dimensions. The detector sensitivity is equal to 1 Gauss/mm for ...
We propose an X-ray mission called Xenia to search for decaying superweakly interacting Dark Matter particles (super-WIMP) with a mass in the keV range. The mission and its observation plan are capable of providing a major break through in our understanding of the nature of Dark Matter (DM). It will confirm, or reject, predictions of a number of particle physics models by increasing the sensitivity of the search for decaying DM by about two orders of magnitude through a wide-field imaging X-ray spectrometer in combination with a dedicated observation program. The proposed mission will provide unique limits on the mixing angle and mass of neutral leptons, right handed partners of neutrinos, which are important Dark Matter candidates. The existence of these particles is strongly motivated by observed neutrino flavor oscillations and the problem of baryon asymmetry of the Universe. In super-WIMP models, the details of the ...
The Galactic Exoplanet Survey Telescope (GEST) will observe a 2 square degree field in the Galactic bulge to search for extra-solar planets using a gravitational lensing technique. This gravitational lensing technique is the only method employing currently available technology that can detect Earth-mass planets at high signal-to-noise, and can measure the frequency of terrestrial planets as a function of Galactic position. GEST's sensitivity extends down to the mass of Mars, and it can detect hundreds of terrestrial planets with semi-major axes ranging from 0.7 AU to infinity. GEST will be the first truly comprehensive survey of the Galaxy for planets like those in our own Solar System.
A high-precision Li isotope analysis was developed for determining the Li"+ ion emitted from lithium phosphate as an ion source material by a Re double-filament ionization method in the thermal ionization mass spectrometry. In this method, Li isotopic fractionation is distinctly less sensitive to the filament temperature than those in the previous methods, and stable and high ion beam intensity of more than 8 x 10"-"1"1 A for "7Li is obtained. These advantages in determining the "7Li/"6Li ratio result in the analytical reproducibility of 0.26 per mille (1#sigma#). Furthermore, the sample preparation is simple and the low temperature (850degC) required by this method ensures the analysis of the isotopic composition of small amounts of Li with less influence of Li contamination to the sample, compared with the previous methods. (author).
This book applies the Los Alamos Solar Load Ratio (SLR) method to the design of passive solar heating systems, with an emphasis on the average annual heating energy consumption. Recommendations are given on minimizing heating energy consumption by appropriate choices of conservation level and solar system parameters. Analytical methods and supporting tables are presented which enable simple, fast estimates of the heating energy consumption as part of the design process. Topics considered include SLR correlations, the load collector ratio (LCR) method, sensitivity data, cooling considerations, conservation formulas, design procedure, life-cycle costs, high-mass direct gain buildings, low-mass sun-tempered buildings, sunspaces, off-reference night insulation, correlation equations, and mixed systems.
This report presents the results of an experimental programme to determine the mass transfer and sorptive properties of selected glacial sand and clays from the Drigg Disposal Site operated by British Nuclear Fuels plc. The hydraulic conductivity of both the sand and clay has been determined and the sensitivity of this parameter to changing water chemistry investigated. The hydrodynamic dispersion properties of the glacial sand were measured in order to aid the interpretation of column sorption experiments. The sorption of strontium and uranium from groundwater onto clay and sand samples has been studied using through-diffusion, column and batch techniques. Employing the batch technique, the effect of a series of humic acid concentrations on distribution ratios for uranium and plutonium has also been investigated. Groundwater and trench leachate were used with both clay and sand. (author).
This work describes how a general, process-based mass-balance model (CoastMab) for phosphorus for coastal areas may be used as a tool to estimate realistic values of "natural" or preindustrial reference levels of key bioindicators in coastal science, including the Secchi depth, a standard measure of water clarity, the chlorophyll-a concentration, an operational measure of phytoplankton biomass and the concentration of cyanobacteria, a measure of the concentration of harmful algae. The CoastMab-model is an ecosystem model giving monthly predictions to achieve seasonal variations of basin-wide properties. The selected case-study area, the Gulf of Riga, is sensitive to nutrient loading because of its shallowness and low openness towards the Baltic Proper. The morphometry of any coastal area, ...
A new focal plane detector for an Enge split pole spectrograph has been developed which is able to resolve individual elements and isotopes up to the mass 100 region. It consists of a 60 cm long position sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter backed by a large Bragg curve detector. Compared with other position sensitive focal plane counters the new detector system has a very good time resolution (less than 300 ps) and can be operated at much higher counting rates (up to 25 kHz). The intrinsic resolution of the position detector is less than 1 mm. In addition to the energy and the nuclear charge signal obtained from the Bragg curve detector the angle of incidence into the detector can be measured with an accuracy of better than 1/sup 0/. The detector has already been used in a variety of experiments where good timing, counting rate behavior, and excellent mass resolution over a large energy range ...
We propose a novel method for ultrasensitive isotope analysis that combines magnetic mass selection, resonant charge-exchange neutralization, and resonant laser ionizaion. Our method attains high isotopic abundance selectivity by means of continuous multistage separation of ions stored in a small ring. For the environmentally interesting case of /sup 90/Sr versus /sup 88/Sr we estimate that sensitivity better than 10/sup -15/ for a throughput of 10/sup 13/ atoms/sec and an efficiency (after the ion source) greater than 10% are readily achievable.
This paper presents a systematic study on the stability of a two-dimensional vibration isolation floating raft system with a time-delayed feedback control. Based on the generalized Sturm criterion, the critical control gain for the delay-independent stability region and critical time delays for the stability switches are derived. The critical conditions can provide a theoretical guidance of chaotification design for line spectra reduction. Numerical simulations verify the correctness of the approach. Bifurcation analyses reveal that chaotification is more likely to occur in unstable region defined by these critical conditions, and the stiffness of the floating raft and mass ratio are the sensitive parameters to reduce critical control gain.
The subband structure and optical properties of a cylindrical quantum well wire under intense non-resonant laser field are investigated by taking into account the correct dressing effect for the confinement potential. The energy levels and wave functions are calculated within the effective mass- approximation using a finite element method. It is found that the absorption coefficient and the saturation intensity are strongly affected by the laser amplitude and frequency as well as by the incident light polarization. As a key result, a large anisotropy in the linear and nonlinear optical absorptions for very intense laser field is predicted. These effects can be useful for the design of polarization sensitive devices.
Alpha particles, tritons, deuterons and protons accompanying /sup 252/Cf fission were registered in coincidence with both fission fragments by means of a system containing two-dimensional position-sensitive silicon detectors. Angular distributions, kinetic energy spectra of light charged particles as well as mass distributions of fission fragments in coincidence with light charged particles were measured. The experimental results are compared with some theoretical models.
A complete heavy ion identification system in heavy ion reaction studies consists, in general, of: 1) a position sensitive avalanche counter, and 2) ionization chamber to obtain total energy as well as a heavy ion identifier signal (such as the E#DELTA#E signal from a E-#DELTA#E type detector or the height of the Bragg peak that scales as Z of the heavy ion in a Bragg curve ionization chamber). In addition, a time-of-flight information may be needed to resolve the masses of the ions. With this motivation in mind, a composite detector system consisting of a Bragg curve spectroscopy ionization chamber (BCS-IC) and a one dimensional position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter (XPS-PGAC) has been developed and used successfully at the BARC-TIFR pelletron accelerator facility. The design and performance of this gas detector system are reported. (author). 4 refs., 2 figs.
This research focuses on the development and application of high order statistical analyses applied to measurements performed with subcritical fissile systems driven by an introduced neutron source. The signatures presented are derived from counting statistics of the introduced source and radiation detectors that observe the response of the fissile system. It is demonstrated that successively higher order counting statistics possess progressively higher sensitivity to reactivity. Consequently, these signatures are more sensitive to changes in the composition, fissile mass, and configuration of the fissile assembly. Furthermore, it is shown that these techniques are capable of distinguishing the response of the fissile system to the introduced source from its response to any internal or inherent sources. This ability combined with the enhanced sensitivity of higher order signatures indicates that these ...
This report describes measurements performed with annular uranium metal castings of different enrichments to investigate the use of {sup 252}Cf-source-driven noise analysis measurements as a means to quantify the amount of special nuclear material (SNM) in the casting. This work in FY 97 was sponsored by the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant and the DOE Office of Technology Development Programs. Previous measurements and calculational studies have shown that many of the signatures obtained from the source-driven measurement are very sensitive to fissile mass. Measurements were performed to assess the applicability of this method to standard annular uranium metal castings at the Oak Ridge Y-12 plant under verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) using the Nuclear Weapons Identification System (NWIS) processor. Before the measurements with different enrichments, a limited study of source-detector-casting moderator configurations was ...
This paper addresses the quantification of human exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC's) as a result of mass transfer from tap water to indoor air. A three-compartment model is developed and used to simulate the 24-h concentration profile within the shower, bathroom, and remaining household volumes of a dwelling. Mass transfers from water to air are derived from measured data for radon and adjusted to account for the difference in mass-transfer properties for VOC's. A preliminary data base for household parameters is used to calculate a range of concentrations and human exposures in U.S. dwellings. The model is used to estimate exposure factors for seven compounds-chloroform, ethylene dibromide, dibromo-chloropropane, methylchloroform, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride. The calculated ratio of indoor-air exposure to tap water concentration is compared to measured values for one of the ...
Faserbewehrter Beton wird heute zunehmend auch bei Tunnelbauwerken (Tunnelinnenschalen, Tubbinge) eingesetzt. Wesentliche Vorteile sind das hohe Tragvermogen, das daraus entstehende Einsparungspotential an herkommlicher stabformiger Bewehrung (Biegebewehrung, Bugelbewehrung in der Randzone), die Aufnahme von Spaltzugbeanspruchungen durch die Fasern, Rissbreitenbegrenzung, erhohte Dauerhaftigkeit, verbesserter Brandwiderstand (insbesondere bei Verwendung von Kunststofffasern), Optimierung der Arbeitsablaufe etc. Neue Entwicklungen in der Betontechnologie haben in den letzten Jahrzehnten den faserbewehrten ultrahochfesten Beton (engl. UHPFRC - UltraHigh Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete) hervorgebracht. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird der Einsatz des ultrahochfesten, stahlfaserbewehrten Be...
A new high strength titanium alloy has been developed primarily intended for fastener applications. While Ti-6Al-4V is used extensively as a fastener alloy in the aerospace industry, its shear strength allowable is limited to 655 MPa (95 ksi). For higher shear strength requirements, various steels or nickel-based alloys are used (up to 860 MPa (125 ksi)), but with the attendant density penalty. This new alloy is intended to provide the 860 MPa shear strength at roughly a 40% weight savings. After screening various alloy systems, the optimum chemistry has been selected as follows: Ti-6.0V-6.2Mo-5.7Fe-3Al. In light of its 125 ksi shear strength goal, the alloy has been designated TIMETAL reg-sign 125.
The goal of this research program is to determine whether pulsed laser deposition is an effective alternative method for growing TiCN thin films. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is chosen because of its well-documented capability for growing uniform, stoichiometric films in ultra-high vacuum or gaseous environments. Processing of thin films by PLD is also achieved at relatively low temperatures compared with CVD processing. Given these attributes, the primary objectives in this article are to determine whether nitrogen may be readily incorporated into films resulting from the laser-ablation of TiC in an N{sub 2} environment, determine what effect nitrogen has on mechanical properties, and determine whether nitrogen incorporation is strongly influenced by processes unrelated to laser deposition (e.g., thermally-activated surface reactions).
The automotive industry desires to optimize safety and lightweight construction for the production of cars and trucks. The resulting task for steel suppliers is to make steel grades available that can fulfil these requirements. Different projects have shown optimistic outlooks for optimization of safety and reduction of the weight of automobile bodies by using different high strength and ultrahigh strength steels. In the last group the dual phase steels play the lead. In recent years different steel grades have been developed and optimized for these applications. On one hand developing the mechanical properties as well as joining and forming of dual phase steels is one of the first steps. On the other hand different coated surfaces for various applications of dual phase steels is another step. Starting with characteristic production conditions for cold rolled hot dip galvanised dual phase steels, the mechanical properties for joining and ...
In this book over 250 alloys are organized by AISI number into 10 major sections: Irons, Carbon Steels, Alloy Steels, Low Alloy Constructional Steels, UltraHigh Strength Steels, Tool Steels, Maraging Steels, Wrought Stainless Steels, Heat Resistnat Casting Alloys, and Iron Based Rought Superalloys. Each alloy record lists the designation, specifications, UNS number, composition, product forms and a comment on the high-temperature properties and applications. Referenced data is then given for physical properties such as density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, Poisson's ratio, moduli of elasticity and rigidity, etc. Mechanical properties follow, and include tensile properties, shearing and bearing properties, impact properties, creep, stress rupture and stress relaxation and fatigue properties. The last part of the alloy record gives other effects of temperature, such as hot hardness, ...
Using ultra-high-frequency data extracted from the order flows of 23 stocks traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, we study the empirical regularities of order placement in the opening call auction, cool period and continuous auction. The distributions of relative logarithmic prices against reference prices in the three time periods are qualitatively the same with quantitative discrepancies. The order placement behavior is asymmetric between buyers and sellers and between the inside-the-book orders and outside-the-book orders. In addition, the conditional distributions of relative prices in the continuous auction are independent of the bid-ask spread and volatility. These findings are crucial to build an empirical behavioral microscopic model based on order flows for Chinese stocks.
Development of a front end system for a high energy proton accelerator is in progress at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) for basic science and industrial applications. The proper vacuum components has been installed and operated successfully between ion source and RFQ. The reliable operation of the accelerator has been completed at vacuum system in the high and ultrahigh vacuum range under operating conditions. Proper control system for the vacuum instruments, based on PC operated by Windows, has been designed and constructed by control group at PAL. As PC operated by windows with inherent instability does not proper, embedded system can be replaced for reliable operation system, such as VME system operated by vxWorks.
Protocol changes and options contained within US Environmental Protection Agency whole effluent toxicity tests represent variables that have the potential to affect bioassay performance and interpretation of results. Variables evaluated in this study include: the change in allowable age in the Pimephales promelas acute bioassay from up to 90 d to a maximum of 14 d, age-specific acute responses of P. promelas among the allowable ages of 1 to 14 d, change in the chronic growth endpoint definition from final mass to biomass, differences between hemacytometer and fluorometer measurements in the Selenastrum capricornutum protocol, and options for statistical interpretation of species sensitivity in multiple test/species screening bioassays. Clear age-related sensitivity and precision differences were observed in acute responses of P. promelas. Results obtained using the younger age classes were typically more variable in studies ...
Our purpose in this work was to develop an automatic boundary detection method for mammographic masses and to rigorously test this method via statistical analysis. The segmentation method utilized a steepest change analysis technique for determining the mass boundaries based on a composed probability density cost function. Previous investigators have shown that this function can be utilized to determine the border of the mass body. We have further analyzed this method and have discovered that the steepest changes in this function can produce mass delineations that include extended projections. The method was tested on 124 digitized mammograms selected from the University of South Florida's Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). The segmentation results were validated using overlap, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity statistics, where the gold standards were manual ...
The development of new steels is always a challenge for the manufacturer of filler metals. In many cases it is obvious that some properties of the base metal cannot be fulfilled with matching filler metals. In some cases, dissimilar filler metals can solve the problem in some cases, there is no chance to meet the requirements of the base metal (for example yield strengths of new ultrahigh strength steels). This paper deals with different kinds of new steels and the requirements for the weld metal with examples from motor car industry (Mangan Austenite), crane (Ultrahigh strength steels), earthmoving machinery (Wear-resistant steels) and offshore (Supermartensitic steels). Specific problems will be discussed and best solutions will be highlighted. These examples make clear that the success of new kinds of steels in the market depends on solving the joining problems of these steels. (Abstract Copyright ...
A sodium-water reaction drove from the single tube break in steam generator of FBR might overheat labor tubes rapidly under internal pressure loadings. If the temperature of tube wall becomes too high, it has to be evaluated that the stress of tube does not exceed the material strength limit to prevent the propagation of tube rupture. This study clarified the tensile and creep properties of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel at ultra-high temperature which will be used in evaluation of the tube burst by sodium-water reaction. The strain rates for tensile test are from 10%/min to 10%/sec, and creep-rupture time is maximum 277sec. The range of test temperature is 700degC to 1300degC. The main results obtained were as follows; (1) The evaluation data on the relationship between tensile strength and strain rate and creep-rupture strength in shorter time on Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel were acquired. (2) Short-term mechanical properties of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel were evaluated based on the results of ...
The high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steels developed and produced by Thyssen Krupp Stahl make a major contribution to automotive lightweighting. Proven and newly-developed coatings are used to meet increasingly important corrosion protection requirements. Design for materials, optimized forming and joining processes and the use of modern simulation techniques help to exploit the potential of the new steels. Future development work will focus on reducing the density of steels without compromising their well-known advantages - in particular their strength. The use of high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steels in the automotive industry is on the increase. Steel will remain the material of choice for auto manufacture, above all due to its potential for cost-efficient lightweight construction and its full recyclability. (orig.) [German] Einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum Leichtbau im Automobil leisten ...
The steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, also known as NR5A1) is a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Whereas most of the members of this family have been extensively characterized, the therapeutic potential and pharmacology of SF-1 still remains elusive. Described here is the identification and characterization of selective inhibitory chemical probes of SF-1 by a rational ultra-high-throughput screening (uHTS) strategy. A set of 64,908 compounds from the National Institute of Health's Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository was screened in a transactivation cell-based assay employing a chimeric SF-1 construct. Two analogous isoquinolinones, ethyl 2-[2-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-7-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate (SID7969543) and ethyl 2-[2-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate and (SID7970631), were identified as potent submicromolar inhibitors, yielding ...
The WEGA stellarator is used to confine low temperature, overdense (densities exceeding the cut-off density of the heating wave) plasmas by magnetic fields in the range of B=50-500 mT. Microwave heating systems are used to ignite gas discharges using hydrogen, helium, neon or argon as working gases. The produced plasmas have been analyzed using Langmuir and emissive probes, a single-channel interferometer and ultra-high resolution Doppler spectroscopy. For a typical argon discharge in the low field operation, B=56 mT, the maximum electron density is n{sub e}{proportional_to}10{sup 18} m{sup -3} with temperatures in the range of T=4-12 eV. The plasma parameters are determined by using Langmuir probes and are cross-checked with interferometry. It is demonstrated within this work that the joint use of emissive probes and ultra-high resolution Doppler spectroscopy allows a precise measurement of the radial electric field. The focus of this work is ...
The theoretical analysis of a partially-ionized hydrogen gas flow (gas temperatures of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 K) through a particular class of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators and the preliminary design of these MHD generators as open cycle, electric power supplies are performed. Analysis of the gas flow through these ultra-high temperature MHD generators requires a coupled gas dynamics/radiative heat transfer solution. Gas dynamics are modeled by a set of quasi-one-dimensional, nonlinear differential equations which account for friction, convective and radiative heat transfer and the interaction between the ionized gas and applied magnetic field. Radiative heat transfer is modeled using non-gray, absorbing-emitting two- and three-dimensional P-1 approximations which permit an arbitrary variation of the spectral absorption coefficient with frequency. Gas dynamics and radiative heat transfer are coupled through the energy equation, and through the ...
Understanding risks from exposures to carcinogens and other chemicals depends upon measurement of their dose to target tissues and their reactivity with critical macromolecules. The authors have used AMS detection of radio-isotopes to assess doses and reactivities at low, environmentally relevant doses. Several biomedical investigations show the effectiveness of quantification of biologically important events at extremely high sensitivity with AMS. Specifically, they have measured the addition of environmental carcinogens such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoaxaline (MelQx), a chemical found in cooked food, to DNA at concentrations relevant to human exposure. Other low level detection problems in biology, such as immunoassay assessment of small environmental chemicals, is being developed with attomole sensitivity. AMS also aids the assessment of genotoxic risks from chemicals by quantifying the binding of labeled chemicals to DNA. ...
In this paper, we first calculate the realistic Earth matter effects on the detection of type II supernova neutrinos at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment which is currently under construction. It is found that the Earth matter effects depend on the neutrino incident angle \\theta, the neutrino mass hierarchy \\Delta m_{31}^{2}, the crossing probability at the high resonance region inside the supernova, P_H, the neutrino temperature, T_{\\alpha}, and the pinching parameter in the neutrino spectrum, \\eta_{\\alpha}. We give the expression for the dependence of P_H on the neutrino mixing angle \\theta_{13}. With this we obtain the relations between \\theta_{13} and the event numbers for various reaction channels of supernova neutrinos. Using these relations, we propose a possible way to measure \\theta_{13} smaller than 1.5^\\circ. Such a sensitivity cannot be achieved by the Daya Bay neutrino experiment (the ...
Twenty-two patients, all with surgically proven primary hyperparathyroidism, were studied by TI-201 thallous chloride and Tc-99m pertechnetate subtraction imaging. Fifteen parathyroid adenomata and one hyperplastic gland between 0.33 and 14.8 g were correctly localized in 16 patients. Two adenomata and seven hyperplastic or histologically normal parathyroids between 0.1 g and 1.4 g in seven patients were not localized. One patient had a correctly localized 13.0-g adenoma with a nonlocalized 0.3 g hyperplastic parathyroid gland and there were two false positive localizations. Sensitivity was 64% (glands), and 73% (patients). There was only fair correlation with parathormone (PTH) levels, but these were elevated in all but four of the patients with correctly localized parathyroids. The authors conclude that the imaging procedure is useful but its sensitivity is limited by difficulty in localizing correctly small glands, particularly those of less ...
This study evaluates the effect of gamma radiation on the viability of fungi and actinomycetes that contaminate medicinal plants. The relationship between the total lipids of some fungi and actinomycetes and their sensitivity to gamma radiation is also investigated. The data reveal that the viable counts of these florae decrease approximately exponentially with the radiation dose, the effective dose for the elimination of these microorganisms being about 5 kGy for all the medicinal plants under study. Response of pure cultures of fungi and actinomycetes isolated from medicinal plants to increasing absorbed doses of gamma radiation indicate that an increase in radioresistance is in the following order: Streptomyces rimosus, Fusarium solani, Nocardia kuroishii. F. oxysporum, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. ochraceus. The total lipid contents of molds and actinomycetes have been reported to be increased by increasing the radio-resistance of ...
A water trap system based on a thermoelectric cooling device is employed to remove a major fraction of the water from air samples, prior to analysis of these samples for chemical composition, by a variety of analytical techniques where water vapor interferes with the measurement process. These analytical techniques include infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry and gas chromatography. The thermoelectric system for trapping water present in air samples can substantially improve detection sensitivity in these analytical techniques when it is necessary to measure trace analytes with concentrations in the ppm (parts per million) or ppb (parts per billion) partial pressure range. The thermoelectric trap design is compact and amenable to use in a portable gas monitoring instrumentation.
Background Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can help diagnose benign adrenal adenomas, but prior studies rely on nonoperative follow-up as proof of a lesion?s benign nature. We examined adrenalectomy tissues to determine if imaging characteristics correlate with histopathologic findings. Methods We retrieved data for 196 consecutive adrenalectomies in 192 patients from 2000 to 2008. Imaging results were considered to signify benign adrenal adenoma if one or more of the following was present: Hounsfield units 60% or relative contrast washout of >40%, or MR with chemical-shift imaging demonstrating loss of signal intensity on out-of-phase images. Results The sensitivity and specif...
A segmented focal plane detector for an Enge split-pole spectrograph has been developed for the study of breakup reactions at very low relative energies. It consists of a 61 cm long segmented position-sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter backed by a large Bragg curve detector. A segmented plastic scintillator is mounted behind the anode of the Bragg curve detector and is used for particle identification of low-ionizing particles. The dead space between the two sections of the focal plane detector is 2.5 mm. The intrinsic position resolution of the detector is 1 mm. The intrinsic energy resolution depends on the energy of the incident ion and can be as good as 0.55%. The nuclear charge and mass resolutions are 0.3 e and 0.3 u, respectively. (orig.).
The existence of a cosmic neutrino background - the analogue of the cosmic microwave background - is a fundamental prediction of standard big bang cosmology. Up to now, the observational evidence for its existence is rather indirect and rests entirely on cosmological observations of, e.g., the light elemental abundances, the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background, and the large scale distribution of matter. Here, we review more direct, weak interaction based detection techniques for the cosmic neutrino background in the present epoch and in our local neighbourhood. We show that, with current technology, all proposals are still off by some orders of magnitude in sensitivity to lead to a guaranteed detection of the relic neutrinos. The most promising laboratory search, based on neutrino capture on beta decaying nuclei, may be done in future experiments designed to measure the neutrino mass through decay kinematics. (orig.)
Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) represents a powerful technique for the detection of long-lived radionuclides through ultra-low isotope ratio measurements. In many cases, counting atoms rather than decays yields much higher sensitivities. The potential of AMS will be demonstrated on typical radionuclides of interest with half-lives between some tens of years up to a hundred million years. The precise measurement of the 27Al(n,2n)26Al excitation function will be exemplified. Lack of information exists for a list of nuclides as pointed out by nuclear data requests. A brief overview on detection limits and some applications for selected long-lived radionuclides is given.
Discovery of better biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy-response prediction is the most critical task of a scientific quest aimed at developing newly designed, tailor-made therapies for patients with cancer. Consequently, a proteome wide analysis, in addition to genomic studies, is an absolute requirement for a complete functional understanding of tumor biology. Ultra-sensitive, high-performance Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS) currently holds an important role in fulfilling the demands of biomarker discovery. In this review, we describe the applicability of FTICR MS for breast cancer proteomics, particularly for the analysis of complex protein mixtures obtained from a limited number of cells typically available from clinical specimens.
339 CT und 95 MRT examinations in 210 partients were evaluated retrospectively to determine the value of CT and MRT for follow-up of head and neck tumors and for diagnosing recurrences. Semi-quantitative evaluation of tumor extent during and after radiotherapy showed advantages for MRT since changes induced by treatment, particularly oedema, produced less contrast loss in the images. CT had a sensitivity of 81% for the recognition of recurrences; this was 92% for MRT. Specificity for CT was 76% and for MRT 86%. Concerning the reliability of individual diagnostic criteria, space occupying lesions were the most valuable in CT diagnosis. For MRT, space occupying lesions and infiltration into neighbouring structures were of equal value. Because of differences in the nature of the signals, MRT proved better than CT in characterising recurrent masses and this improved the differentiation between scarring and local tumour recurrence. (orig.).
A compact and supersensitive device that can rapidly detect minute trace vapors from concealed explosives has been developed by scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The new explosives sensor can detect and chemically identify organic nitrogen-oxygen compounds which are the building blocks of explosives such as TNT, plastiques, and nitroglycerine. The device could be used to scan persons entering airport terminals, nuclear power plants, defense installations, or other sensitive locations, providing greater security against potential terrorism. This device works on a glow discharge principle, and is more specifically called an ''Atmospheric Sampling Glow Discharge Ionization'' (ASGDI) source. The new detector is a highly automated, miniaturized version of research mass spectrometers widely used to trace constituents of chemical mixtures. Detail of this device's construction and ...
Neutron stars are sensitive laboratories for testing general relativity, especially when considering deviations where velocities are relativistic and gravitational fields are strong. One such deviation is described by dynamical, Chern-Simons modified gravity, where the Einstein-Hilbert action is modified through the addition of the gravitational parity-violating Pontryagin density coupled to a field. This four-dimensional effective theory arises naturally both in perturbative and non-perturbative string theory, loop quantum gravity, and generic effective field theory expansions. We calculate here Chern-Simons modifications to the properties and gravitational fields of slowly spinning neutron stars. We find that the Chern-Simons correction affects only the gravitomagnetic sector of the metric to leading order, thus introducing modifications to the moment of inertia but not to the mass-radius relation. We show that an observational determination ...
Although experimental results so far agree with predictions of the standard model, it is widely felt to be incomplete. Many prospective theories beyond the standard model predict extra neutral gauge bosons, denoted by Z', which might be light enough to be accessible at the LHC. Observables sensitive to the properties of these extra gauge bosons might be used to discriminate between the different theories beyond the standard model. In the present work several of these observables (total decay width, leptonic cross-section and forward-backward asymmetries) are studied at generation level and with a full simulation in the ATLAS detector. The Z' {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -} decay channel was chosen and 2 values for the mass of Z': 1.5 TeV and 4 TeV. Background is studied as well and it is confirmed that a Z' boson could easily be discovered at the chosen masses. It is shown that even in full ...
Cisplatin (cis-diaminedichloroplatinum [II] is a coordination compound, used in the treatment of several solid tumors. Cisplatin and its hydrolysis products exhibit a great pharmacological effect but are very toxic and probably carcinogenic. The present review summarizes the most important advances in the last years in the techniques employed for the detection and quantification of cisplatin and its hydrolysis products and in the different matrixes studied. The new emerging techniques and their modifications recently developed, fundamentally the combined use of detection and separation techniques for the analysis of platinum species and their impact on the speed, sensitivity and specificity of the analytical determination, with regard to the techniques used in the last century are discussed. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Electrophoresis, coupled with detection methods such as Mass Spectrometry, Inductively Coupled ...
We investigate monoenergetic gamma-ray signatures of Z^1 dark matter annihilations in a non-minimal Universal Extra Dimensions model. The self-interactions of the non-Abelian Z^1 gauge boson give rise to a large number of contributing Feynman diagrams that do not exist for annihilations of the Abelian gauge boson B^1, which is the standard Kaluza-Klein dark matter candidate. We find that the annihilation rate is indeed considerably larger for the Z^1 than for the B^1. Even though relic density calculations indicate that the mass of the Z^1 should be larger than the mass of the B^1, the predicted fluxes are of the same order of magnitude. We compare our results to existing experimental limits, as well as to future sensitivities, for image air Cherenkov telescopes, and we find that the limits are reached already with a moderately large boost factor. However, the realistic prospects for detection depend on the energy ...
A search for the doubly charged Higgs boson, a member of $SU(2)_L$ scalar triplet $\\Phi$ participating in the seesaw mechanism of type II, in $pp$ collisions at $\\sqrt{s}=7$~TeV is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36 $\\text{pb}^{-1}$ collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The inclusive search is performed in events with three and four isolated charged leptons of all flavours originating from the decays of pair produced triplet components $\\Phi^{++}\\Phi^{--}$ and $\\Phi^{++}\\Phi^{-}.$ With the present collected luminosity the CMS experiment is sensitive to the $\\Phi$ mass range in which the possible decays $\\Phi^{++}\\to W^{+}W^{+}$ are forbidden kinematically. No signal excess is observed and lower limits at the 95\\% confidence level are set on the $\\Phi^{++}$ mass of 156\\GeV in the $\\mu\\mu$ channel, $154\\GeV$ in e$\\mu$ channel, of $144\\GeV$ in $ee$ channel and between ...
Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) offers high sensitivity and high accuracy in quantitative measurements of chemical compositions and mass coverages. Owing to the low detection limits of the wavelength-dispersive technique, monolayers with mass coverages of about 0.05 pg cm z can be detected. Assuming a density of 5 g cm--3 this corresponds to a thickness of 0.1 nm. With these advantages in mind, EPMA was extended to depth profile analysis in the sub-micron range using a surface removal technique. The present paper shows how depth profile analysis can be improved by combining EPMA and the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. The focused ion beam system uses a Ga+ ion beam. The ion beam allows the milling of defined geometries on the nanometer scale, so that very shallow bevels with exactly defined angles in relation to the surface can be obtained. Low surface damage is expected due to low sputtering effects. Calibrated WDX ...
Non-axisymmetric forces are presented for 107 spiral galaxies using the 2 Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) images. We apply both Cartesian integration and a polar grid integration utilizing a limited number of azimuthal Fourier components of density. We found that bar strength is independent of the method used to evaluate the gravitational potential. However, the polar method is more suitable for weak and noisy images. Bar strength was found to be sensitive to the Hubble-type dependent scale height of the disk, which has been ignored in the previous studies. On the other hand, the method is rather insensitive to the vertical model of the disk, as long as a same vertical dispersion is assumed, or to the boxy/peanut shaped structure, studied in terms of non-constant vertical scale height along the disk. In the near-IR most galaxies in our sample show non-axisymmetric forces in some level, and 40 percent of them have bars in a sense that they have ...
Pipeline leak detection technologies can be classified according to their specificity, such as their application to offshore or onshore installations or to multi-phase or single-phase flow regimes. They can also be classified according to the technology on which they are based. Available technologies can be categorized into the following 4 groups: (1) compensated mass balance, solving steady state equations which model a specific pipeline, known as real time mode (RTM), (2) the same as group 1, but solving transient equations, known as real time transient model (RTTM), (3) pressure wave behavior, and (4) statistical modeling. Hybrids schemes can also be found. Effective leak detection systems are needed to address the increasing transformation of very large crude cargo (VLCC) ships into floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) systems. These operations make use of short and large diameters exporting lines, and often involve the use of hoses instead of ...
The purpose of this study was to assess experimentally and clinically the usefulness of Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) in angiographic examinations. FCR had a spatial resolution with much lower X-ray exposure doses, although the resolution of FCR was generally inferior to conventional films. When a contrast medium of 1% iodine concentration was used, FCR pinpointed a mass 1.5 mm in diameter; and conventional film could detect a mass 2.2 mm in diameter. The contrast of iodine in FCR examinations was stable. A high sensitivity of imaging plate allowed a wide range of visualization. In 148 selective angiographic examinatinons for 138 patients, FCR-subtraction images were superior to conventional film angiography for contrast resolution; it had a high sensitivity in detecting areas, such as the mediastimun and left lobe of the liver, and tumor stains in capillary phase. The capability of FCR arteriogram ...
The purpose of this study was to assess experimentally and clinically the usefulness of Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) in angiographic examinations. FCR had a spatial resolution with much lower X-ray exposure doses, although the resolution of FCR was generally inferior to conventional films. When a contrast medium of 1% iodine concentration was used, FCR pinpointed a mass 1.5 mm in diameter; and conventional film could detect a mass 2.2 mm in diameter. The contrast of iodine in FCR examinations was stable. A high sensitivity of imaging plate allowed a wide range of visualization. In 148 selective angiographic examinatinons for 138 patients, FCR-subtraction images were superior to conventional film angiography for contrast resolution; it had a high sensitivity in detecting areas, such as the mediastimun and left lobe of the liver, and tumor stains in capillary phase. The capability of FCR arteriogram ...
'Full text:' The use of fuel cell technology in military applications will depend on safe, high energy density systems being developed. An important part of using this technology is also the development of alternative hydrogen producing fuels with high energy densities and are easy to transport. Fuel cells are now a very large R and D effort for several military applications around the world. The major reason is because of the high power demands needed requires electrical energy sources that far exceed the capabilities of batteries currently being fielded for portable applications. Fuel cells are regarded as highly efficient, tactical energy converters that can be adapted for wide range of power requirements. They are potentially the lowest weight power source when coupled with batteries or capacitors to form hybrid systems. Generally electrical power is needed to support a number of applications from ultra-high power for electrical pulses (radios, sensors) to ...
A 2-stage cold (non-tritium) PMR system was tested with the ITER mix in61 days of continuous operation. No decrease in performance was observed over the duration of the test. Decontamination factor (DF) was found to increase with decreasing inlet rate. Decontamination factors in excess of 1.4 {times} 10{sup 5} were obtained, but the exact value of the highest DF could not be determined because of analysis limitations. Results of the 61-day test were used to design a 2-stage PMR system for use in tritium testing. The PMR system was scaled up by a factor of 6 and built into a glovebox in the Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This system is approximately 1/5th of the expected full ITER scale. The ITER mix was injected into the PMR system for 31 hours, during which 4.5 g of tritium were processed. The 1st stage had DF = 200 and the 2nd stage had DF = 2.9 {times} 10{sup 6}. The overall DF = 5.8 {times} 10{sup 8}, which is greater than ITER ...
A 2-stage cold (non-tritium) PMR system was tested with the ITER mix in 61 days of continuous operation. No decrease in performance was observed over the duration of the test. Decontamination factor (DF) was found to increase with decreasing inlet rate. Decontamination factors in excess of 1.4x10"5 were obtained, but the exact value of the highest DF could not be determined because of analysis limitations. Results of the 61-day test were used to design a 2-stage PMR system for use in tritium testing. The PMR system was scaled up by a factor of 6 and built into a glovebox in the Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This system is approximately 1/5"t"h of the expected full ITER scale. The ITER mix was injected into the PMR system for 31 hours, during which 4.5 g of tritium were processed. The 1"s"t stage had DF =200 and the 2"n"d stage had DF=2.9x10"6. The overall DF=5.8x10"8, which is greater than ITER requirements. 3 refs., 10 figs.
The B-Factory which is constructed by National Laboratory for High Energy Physics is the device for elucidating the breakdown of symmetry of matter and antimatter by studying the behavior of B mesons which are generated in large quantity when the electrons and the positrons which are accelerated to light velocity level are collided. In order to maintain electron beam-positron beam bunch circling the ring at light velocity stably, the instability of the coupled bunch must be overcome. For this purpose, the ultrahigh speed beam position digital feedback control system was developed. This system is composed of the high speed input-output substrate using GaAs LSI, the feedback computation substrate using complementary metal oxide semiconductor and the memory mounted on it, and the real time operation device. The development of both substrates and their functions are explained. The real time data collection and the change of computation parameters for specific bunch in the real time ...
This paper describes an investigation of electrodeposited Zn-14% Ni and aluminium-based SermeTel 1140/962 coatings as possible replacements for cadmium. Slow strain rate tests were performed to measure the extent of direct hydrogen embrittlement of a high strength steel substrate as a result of the coating process and of hydrogen re-embrittlement caused by coating corrosion. The level of re-embrittlement was shown to depend on both the electrochemical potential of the coating and its barrier properties. Zn-14% Ni coatings caused the most re-embrittlement as they had the most active potential and contained through-thickness defects which left the steel exposed to hydrogen uptake. The microstructure of the high strength steel was also shown to be an important factor affecting the extent of embrittlement. AerMet 100 steel was more resistant than 300M steel and this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite surrounding the martensite laths in AerMet 100, which trapped absorbed ...
The 10.3-h /sup 165/Er, decaying by electron capture to stable /sup 165/Ho, offers an excellent promise for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine, especially in conjuction with multiwire proportional-counter cameras. Using an ultra-high-resolution Si(Li) photon spectrometer, L and K x-ray photon yields in /sup 165/Er decay have been measured. The ratio P/sub L//P/sub K/ of electron-capture probabilities in L and K shells is determined to be 0.196 +- 0.030, in good agreement with theory. Estimates of Auger electron yields and yields of very-low-energy electrons from Coster--Kronig transitions are presented. Levels of /sup 169/Er and /sup 171/Er radioactive impurities in the reactor-produced /sup 165/Er sample are experimentally determined. Whole-body dose estimates for /sup 165/Er are given. These compare favorably with /sup 99/Tc dose.
The 10.3-h "1"6"5Er, decaying by electron capture to stable "1"6"5Ho, offers an excellent promise for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine, especially in conjuction with multiwire proportional-counter cameras. Using an ultra-high-resolution Si(Li) photon spectrometer, L and K x-ray photon yields in "1"6"5Er decay have been measured. The ratio P/sub L//P/sub K/ of electron-capture probabilities in L and K shells is determined to be 0.196 +- 0.030, in good agreement with theory. Estimates of Auger electron yields and yields of very-low-energy electrons from Coster--Kronig transitions are presented. Levels of "1"6"9Er and "1"7"1Er radioactive impurities in the reactor-produced "1"6"5Er sample are experimentally determined. Whole-body dose estimates for "1"6"5Er are given. These compare favorably with "9"9Tc dose.
A new industrial process allowing to reach very high cooling rates in the cooling section after soaking of a continuous annealing line for steel sheets is presented. This process constitutes the successful conclusion of a long term research programme, jointly carried out at CRM and Arcelor Cockerill-Sambre for three years, including laboratory experiments, pilot scale trials and several industrial campaigns. It is running on from developments performed in the framework of the HOWAQ (Hot Water Quench) process. The process successively combines a moderate cooling step (600 deg C/s for 0.8 mm thick strips), in boiling water, and a faster cooling step (above 700 deg C/s), by impinging turbulent cold water in a box. Its main features are simplicity, resulting from advanced developments, soundness, flexibility and cooling homogeneity. As treated steel products are characterized by improved mechanical properties, outstanding surface quality (corrosion resistance) and exceptional flatness. The ...
Samples of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and nylon 66, of grades suitable for use in medical prostheses, were subjected to irradiation using a /sup 60/Co source. The effects of a 10 Mrad dose on percentage crystallinity, tensile behaviour and dynamic mechanical response were established 3 days after irradiation at intervals over a one year period. Crystallinity in UHMWPE was found to increase progressively during this period with consequent changes in mechanical behaviour. It is proposed that the observed ageing process arises from the breakdown of metastable groups in the polymer, which are formed on irradiation, with consequent release of long inter-lamella tie chains. This removes an inhibition to crystal perfection processes, which can occur at room temperature in polyethylene. Infra-red spectroscopic evidence supports the proposal that the metastable species is peroxy or hydroperoxy and that this decomposes on ageing to a carbonyl group, ...
Fe-Ni-Mn martensitic steels are one of the major groups of ultra-high strength steels that have good mechanical properties and ductility in as annealed condition but they suffer from severe inter-granular embitterment after aging. In this paper, the effect of heavy shaped cold rolling and wire drawing on the mechanical properties of Fe-Ni-Mn steel was investigated. This process could provide a large strain deformation in this alloy. The total strain was {epsilon} {approx}7. Aging behavior and tensile properties of Fe-10Ni-7Mn were studied after aging at 753 K. The results showed that the ultimate tensile strength and ductility after cold rolling, wire drawing and aging increased up to 2540 MPa and 7.1 %, respectively, while the conventional steels show a premature fracture stress of 830 MPa with about zero ductility after aging.
Fe-Ni-Mn martensitic steels are one of the major groups of ultra-high strength steels that have good mechanical properties and ductility in as annealed condition but they suffer from severe inter-granular embitterment after aging. In this paper, the effect of heavy shaped cold rolling and wire drawing on the mechanical properties of Fe-Ni-Mn steel was investigated. This process could provide a large strain deformation in this alloy. The total strain was #epsilon# #approx#7. Aging behavior and tensile properties of Fe-10Ni-7Mn were studied after aging at 753 K. The results showed that the ultimate tensile strength and ductility after cold rolling, wire drawing and aging increased up to 2540 MPa and 7.1 %, respectively, while the conventional steels show a premature fracture stress of 830 MPa with about zero ductility after aging.
In the advance of fuel cell electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) can contribute to reduced emissions and energy consumption of personal cars as a short term solution. Trade-offs reveal better emission control for series hybrid vehicles, while parallel hybrid vehicles with different drive trains may significantly reduce fuel consumption as well. At present, costs and marketing considerations favor parallel hybrid vehicles making use of small, high power batteries. With ultrahigh power density cells in development, exceeding 1 kW/kg, high power batteries can be provided by adapting a technology closely related to consumer cell production. Energy consumption and emissions may benefit from regenerative braking and smoothing of the internal combustion engine (ICE) response as well, with limited additional battery weight. High power supercapacitors may assist the achievement of this goal. Problems to be solved in practice comprise ...
Infrared astronomical instruments require absorptive coatings on internal surfaces to trap scattered and stray photons. This is typically accomplished with any one of a number of black paints. Although inexpensive and simple to apply, paint has several disadvantages. Painted surfaces can be fragile, prone to shedding particles, and difficult to clean. Most importantly, the vacuum performance is poor. Recently a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process was developed to apply thick (30 {micro}m) diamond-like carbon (DLC) based protective coatings to the interior of oil pipelines. These DLC coatings show much promise as an infrared black for an ultrahigh vacuum environment. The coatings are very robust with excellent cryogenic adhesion. Their total infrared reflectivity of < 10% at normal incidence approaches that of black paints. We measured outgas rates of <10{sup -12} Torr liter/sec cm{sup 2}, comparable to bare ...
Present and future ultra-high-energy-cosmic-ray facilities (e.g., the Pierre Auger Observatory with South and North components) and TeV-gamma-ray telescope arrays (e.g., HESS/VERITAS and CTA) have the potential to set stringent indirect bounds on the nine Lorentz-violating parameters of nonbirefringent modified Maxwell theory minimally coupled to standard Dirac theory. Theoretically, the most interesting case is isotropic Lorentz violation, which is described by a single parameter [taken to vanish for the case of the standard Lorentz-invariant theory]. It appears possible to obtain in the future an upper (lower) indirect bound on this single isotropic Lorentz-violating parameter at the +10^{-21} (-10^{-17}) level. Comparison is made with existing and future direct bounds from laboratory experiments. The possible physics implications of upper bounds at the 10^{-21} level are also briefly discussed.
The UTST (University of Tokyo Spherical Tokamak) device was constructed for the purpose of exploring the formation of ultra-high beta ST (Spherical Tokamak) plasma using the double null plasma merging method. When two plasmas merge together to form a single plasma, magnetic field lines reconnect, and the magnetic field energy is converted to the plasma kinetic energy, increasing the plasma beta. The merging start-up has been demonstrated in the TS-3/4, START and MAST devices using coils inside the vacuum vessel and TS-3 plasma obtained 50% beta. In order to demonstrate the start-up in a more reactor relevant situation, UTST has all poloidal field coils outside the vacuum vessel. The first plasma experiment on the UTST was performed from December, 2007. In the result, the plasma obtained 10 kA by using only outer PF coils and single ST was generated at the lower area (z=-0.3 - -1.0[m]) close to a washer gun. This result suggests that another washer gun on the top of ...
We present an approach for fabrication of intentionally positioned epitaxial InAs QDs in a micron sized light emitting diode. For site-selective growth, a combination of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and focused ion beam (FIB) implantation technology in an all-ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) setup has been employed. Single dot occupancy of almost 55 % on FIB patterned nano-depressions was successfully achieved. Thereafter, carrier injection and subsequent radiative recombination from the positioned InAs/GaAs self-assembled QDs was investigated by embedding these QDs in the intrinsic part of a GaAs-based micron sized p-i-n junction device. Few or single dot are expected to be electrically addressed in these devices. We report results from electroluminescence (EL) measurement which proves the single dot characteristics of our device. The EL spectra consist of sharp emission lines and their dependence on injection current shows linear behavior for exciton and quadratic ...
CuAg core-shell nanoparticles are synthesized by ultra-high vacuum thermal evaporation. We show on this system how the Energy-Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy (EFTEM) technique allows one to improve the characterization by precisely pointing out the formation of core-shell arrangements in bimetallic nanoparticle assemblies. A criterion to measure the shell thickness from EFTEM images on unique core-shell nanoparticles is defined, that can be used for core-shell nanoparticles of any sizes, with shell thicknesses over 1 nm. It is based on the intensity variation along a line drawn across a core-shell nanoparticle on a EFTEM image. This criterion has been validated by a close comparison of the shell thickness measurements performed in this work and the ones obtained by acoustic micro-Raman spectroscopy. Using this criterion, we report a strong correlation between the size of the Cu cores and the formation of the core-shell arrangements in the nanoparticle ...
Safety-technical factors related to spontaneous ignition and dust explosions of biomasses were investigated. Parametres of dust explosions and effect of inertisation on the maximum pressure (pmax) and the maximum rate of pressure rise (Kstmax) were studied at elevated initial pressure (1-9 bar). The level of inertisation required to prevent dust explosions totally was determined at different initial pressures. The sensitivity of fuels to spontaneous ignition and the effect of pressure on the sensitivity to and temperature of spontaneous ignition were studied on a pressurised dynamic self-ignition equipment. The effect of inertisation on the self-ignition temperature and alternatives of preventing spontaneous ignition by effective inertisation in the pressure ranges of 1 and 25 bar were investigated. As an example of application, results obtained with the laboratory test equipment were extrapolated to bin sizes used in practice. As a factor ...
The Helium and Lead Observatory (HALO) is a supernova neutrino detector under development for construction at SNOLAB. It is intended to fulfill a niche as a long term, low cost, high livetime, and low maintenance, dedicated supernova detector. It will be constructed from 80 tonnes of lead, from the decommissioning of the Deep River Cosmic Ray Station, and instrumented with approximately 384 meters of {sup 3}He neutron detectors from the final phase of the SNO experiment. Charged- and Neutral-Current neutrino interactions in lead expel neutrons from the lead nuclei making a burst of detected neutrons the signature for the detection of a supernova. Existing neutrino detectors are mostly of the water Cerenkov and liquid scintillator types, which are primarily sensitive to electron anti-neutrinos via charged-current interactions on the hydrogen nuclei in these materials. By contrast, the large neutron excess of a heavy nucleus like Pb acts to Pauli-block p)n ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. The suitability of ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. The suitability of ...
Syntheses are described for tetra and pentadeutero indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) labeled in positions 4,5,6,7 or 2,4,5,6,7 of the indole moiety. Polydeuterated IAA is proposed as an internal standard for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of IAA by selected ion monitoring. Nanogram amounts of IAA may be assayed by monitoring the base peak of IAA at m/z = 130 (134 for d/sub 4/-IAA) and the molecular ion of the methyl ester of IAA at 189 (193 for d/sub 4/-IAA). Deuterium in positions 4,5,6, and 7 and, to only a slightly lesser extent, that in position 2 of IAA is retained during alkali treatment, thus permitting use of these compounds as internal standards for assay of IAA released by alkaline hydrolysis of ester and amide conjugates. The use of polydeutero internal standards separates the standards from the isotope cluster caused by the normal abundance of heavy isotopes and also permits use of reduced mass resolution, thus leading to ...
The electromagnetic properties of the baryon decuplet are calculated in quenched QCD on a 20{sup 3}x40 lattice with a lattice spacing of 0.128 fm using the fat-link irrelevant clover fermion action with quark masses providing a pion mass as low as 300 MeV. Magnetic moments and charge radii are extracted from the electric and magnetic form factors for each individual quark sector. From these, the corresponding baryon properties are constructed. We present results for the higher-order moments of the spin-3/2 baryons, including the electric-quadrupole moment E2 and the magnetic-octupole moment M3. The world's first determination of a nonzero M3 form factor for the {delta} baryon is presented. With these results we provide a conclusive analysis which shows that decuplet baryons are deformed. We compare the decuplet-baryon results from a similar lattice calculation of the octet baryons. We establish that the environment ...
NO{sub x} compounds, specifically NO and NO{sub 2}, are pollutants and potent greenhouse gases. Compact and inexpensive NO{sub x} sensors are necessary in the next generation of diesel (CIDI) automobiles to meet government emission requirements and enable the more rapid introduction of more efficient, higher fuel economy CIDI vehicles. Because the need for a NO{sub x} sensor is recent and the performance requirements are extremely challenging, most are still in the development phase. Currently, there is only one type of NO{sub x} sensor that is sold commercially, and it seems unlikely to meet more stringent future emission requirements. Automotive exhaust sensor development has focused on solid-state electrochemical technology, which has proven to be robust for in-situ operation in harsh, high-temperature environments (e.g., the oxygen stoichiometric sensor). Solid-state sensors typically rely on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxygen-ion conducting electrolyte and then target ...
Our group is interested in evaluating early effects of dietary interventions on bone loss. Postmenopausal women lose bone following reduction in estrogen which leads to increased risk of fracture. Traditional means of monitoring bone loss and effectiveness of treatments include changes in bone density, which takes 6 months to years to observe effects, and changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover, which are highly variable and lack specificity. Prelabeling bone with {sup 41}Ca and measuring urinary {sup 41}Ca excretion with accelerator mass spectrometry provides a sensitive, specific, and rapid approach to evaluating effectiveness of treatment. To better understand {sup 41}Ca technology as a tool for measuring effective treatments on reducing bone resorption, we perturbed bone resorption by manipulating dietary calcium in rats. We used {sup 3}H-tetracycline ({sup 3}H-TC) as a proxy for {sup 41}Ca and found that a single dose is feasible ...
Experiments with fresh PWR fuel assemblies were performed to assess the {sup 252}Cf-source-driven frequency analysis method for measuring the subcriticality of spent fuel. The measurements at the Babcox and Wilcox Critical Experiments Facility mocked up between 17x17 fuel pins (single assembly) and a full array of 4961 fuel pins (about 17 fuel assemblies) in borated water with a fixed B concentration. For the full array, the B content of the water was varied from 1511 at delayed criticality to 4303 ppM. Measurements were done for various source-detector-fuel pin configurations; they showed high sensitivity of frequency analysis parameters to B content and fissile mass. Parameters such as auto and cross power spectral densities can be calculated directly by a more general model of the Monte Carlo code (MCNP-DSP). Calculation-measurement comparisons are presented. This model permits the validation of neutron and gamma ray transport calculational ...
In this report, the concept of exergy and the general methodology of the exergetic analysis and the thermoeconomic (combined exergetic and economic) analysis of energy conversion systems are presented. The THESIS (THermodynamic and Economc SImulation System) computer program used for these analyses is briefly described. Detailed mass, energy, exergy and money balances for a reference steam power plant (Harry Allen Station) are shown. The effect of the most important process parameters on the overall efficiency is investigated. A year-by-year and a levelized revenue requirement analysis are presented. The costs of exergy losses are compared with the capital costs and other expenses due to owning and operating each particular plant component. The question whether it is profitable to reduce the exergy losses by increasing these costs and vice versa is investigated. A cost sensitivity analysis including the effect of coal price and average annual ...
The performance of a geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste will be influenced to a large degree by thermohydrologic phenomena created by the emplacement of heat-generating radioactive waste. The importance of these phenomena is manifest in that they can greatly affect the movement of moisture and the resulting transport of radionuclides from the repository. Thus, these phenomena must be well understood prior to a definitive assessment of a potential repository site. An investigation has been undertaken along three separate avenues of analysis: (i) laboratory experiments, (ii) mathematical models, and (iii) similitude analysis. A summary of accomplishments to date is as follows. (1) A review of the literature on the theory of heat and mass transfer in partially saturated porous medium. (2) A development of the governing conservation and constitutive equations. (3) A development of a dimensionless form of the governing equations. (4) A numerical study of ...
We investigate the $D\\bar{D}$ production in $e^+e^-$ annihilations near threshold in an effective Lagrangian approach. It shows that the lineshape of the cross section near threshold is sensitive to the contributions from the $\\psi^\\prime$ though it is below the $D\\bar{D}$ threshold. The recent experimental data from BES and Belle collaborations allow us to determine the $\\psi^\\prime D\\bar{D}$ coupling constant which appears to be consistent with other theoretical studies. As a consequence, the $\\psi^\\prime$-$\\psi(3770)$ mixing parameter can be extracted around the $\\psi(3770)$ mass region. Resonance parameters for $\\psi(3770)$, X(3900), $\\psi(4040)$ and $\\psi(4160)$ are also investigated. The X(3900) appears as an enhancement at around 3.9 GeV in the Belle data. In addition to treating it as a resonance, we also study the mechanism that the enhancement is produced by the $D\\bar{D^*}+c.c.$ open channel effects. Our result shows ...
We present a spectroscopic catalog of 70,841 visually inspected M dwarfs from the seventh data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). For each spectrum, we provide measurements of the spectral type, a number of molecular bandheads, and the H-alpha, H-beta, H-gamma, H-delta and Ca II K emission lines. In addition, we calculate the metallicity-sensitive parameter zeta and identify a relationship between zeta and the g-r and r-z colors of M dwarfs. We assess the precision of our spectral types (which were assigned by individual examination), review the bulk attributes of the sample, and examine the magnetic activity properties of M dwarfs, in particular those traced by the higher order Balmer transitions. Our catalog is cross-matched to Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) infrared data, and contains photometric distances for each star. Lastly, we identify eight new late-type M dwarfs that are possibly within 25 pc of the Sun. Future studies ...
Attention was focused on the fission process in light nuclear systems. A model calculation based on the transition-state model of nuclear fission was applied to [sup 47]V fission as populated through multiple entrance channels and to fusion-fission cross sections for production of [sup 28]Al through three different entrance channels. Angular distributions are shown for different mass channels of the [sup 29]Si+[sup 27]Al reaction at E[sub lab] = 125 MeV. Pronounced structure is seen in the symmetric and near-symmetric fission channels from the [sup 24]Mg+[sup 24]Mg reaction; cross sections for binary fragment emission are shown for E[sub lab] = 90 MeV. A large Bragg-curve detector was used in this experiment. Ways to optimize detector response were studied; in addition, the Bragg detector was instrumented with an internal position-sensitive multiwire proportional counter.
Attention was focused on the fission process in light nuclear systems. A model calculation based on the transition-state model of nuclear fission was applied to {sup 47}V fission as populated through multiple entrance channels and to fusion-fission cross sections for production of {sup 28}Al through three different entrance channels. Angular distributions are shown for different mass channels of the {sup 29}Si+{sup 27}Al reaction at E{sub lab} = 125 MeV. Pronounced structure is seen in the symmetric and near-symmetric fission channels from the {sup 24}Mg+{sup 24}Mg reaction; cross sections for binary fragment emission are shown for E{sub lab} = 90 MeV. A large Bragg-curve detector was used in this experiment. Ways to optimize detector response were studied; in addition, the Bragg detector was instrumented with an internal position-sensitive multiwire proportional counter.
The overall goal of this work is to design and optimize a biodiesel production process from soybean oil. To achieve this goal, several inter-connected activities were undertaken. First, an initial flowsheet for the process was synthesized. The performance of this flowsheet along with the key design and operating criteria were identified by conducting computer-aided simulation using ASPEN Plus. Various scenarios were simulated to provide sufficient understanding and insights and to select a base-case flowsheet. Next, mass and energy integration studies were performed to reduce the consumption of material and energy utilities, improve environmental impact, and enhance profitability. Capital cost estimation was carried out using the ICARUS Process Evaluator computer-aided tool linked to the results of the ASPEN Plus simulation. The operating cost of the process was estimated using the key information on process operation such as raw materials, utilities, and labor. A ...
Precise measurements of the single spin asymmetry AN, and the double spin asymmetry ANN, in proton-proton (pp) elastic scattering in the region of four-momentum transfer squared 0.0012 have been performed using a polarized atomic hydrogen gas jet target and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) polarized proton beam. We present measurements of AN and ANN at center-of-mass energies ?(s)=6.8 and 13.7 GeV. These spin-dependent observables are sensitive to the poorly known hadronic spin-dependent amplitudes. Comparing AN at different energies, a ?(s) dependence of the hadronic single spin-flip amplitude is suggested. A hadronic double spin-flip amplitude from the ANN data is consistent with zero within a 2-? level. We also present ??T, estimated from the measured ANN data. The results for ??T are consistent with zero. Our results provide significant constraints toward a comprehensive understanding of the reaction mechanism for pp elastic ...
The detection limit of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), about a few microgram per kg, is not sufficient to determine iridium concentrations in most geological samples. Use of the coincidence counting of the 316 and 468 keV gamma-rays emitted during the decay of {sup 192}Ir, improved the sensitivity (0.01 microgram per kg). The high iridium content of the clay layers from the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition (KTB) has been considered as an evidence of the extra-terrestrial origin of the KTB mass extinction. However some results indicate that a significant part of the iridium content in sediments has a volcanic origin. Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis (RNAA) in some KTB samples and in basic and ultra-basic rocks show that, unlike in volcanic products, no PGE (platinoids) fractionation appears in KTB samples. The nearby chondritic PGE pattern supports an extra-terrestrial origin for the KTB iridium anomaly. 2 figs., 2 tabs., ...
The present volume on energy and the environment discusses space power requirements, space power systems, space power systems hardware, space radioisotope systems, space solar arrays, space solar cells, space station power, and terrestrial applications of aerospace technology. Attention is given to NASA future space power requirements and issues, the design of a battery charger for the NASA EOS Space Platform, in situ carbon dioxide fixation on Mars, and a preliminary design update of the CRAF/Cassini Power Subsystem. Topics addressed include concentrator testing using projected images, solar power satellites and demonstraton platforms from nonterrestrial materials, a masssensitivity analysis of lunar orbiting beam power systems, and a power-beaming-based infrastructure for space power. Also discussed are fiber-optic sensors for aerospace electrical measurements, the preliminary design of a mobile lunar power supply, advanced power systems for ...
Selecting an appropriate matrix solution is one of the most effective means of increasing the ionization efficiency of phosphopeptides in matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In this study, we systematically assessed matrix combinations of 2, 6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and diammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC), and demonstrated that the low ratio DHAP/DAHC matrix was more effective in enhancing the ionization of phosphopeptides. Low femtomole level of phosphopeptides from the tryptic digests of ?-casein and ?-casein was readily detected by MALDI-TOF-MS in both positive and negative ion mode without desalination or phosphopeptide enrichment. Compared with the DHB/PA matrix, the optimized DHAP/DAHC matrix yielded superior sample homogeneity and higher phosphopeptide measurement sensitivity, particularly when multiple phosphorylated peptides were assessed. Finally, the DHAP/DAHC matrix was ...
The work reported is to evaluate two alternative resource recovery systems which would produce a fuel or an energy product (steam) for sale to an industrial plant. The first alternative is a refuse derived fuel (RDF) production facility which would process waste to produce fuel for sale to the plant. The RDF would be co-fired with coal in new boilers. The second alternative is a mass burn steam generation facility which would produce high pressure superheated steam for sale. The steam would be used by the plant to cogenerate electricity and for the process. Conceptual designs are developed for each alternative to form the basis of estimates of capital and operating costs and potential energy revenues. Operating requirements are developed for both alternatives. An assessment is made of the impact of both alternatives on the environment, and it is concluded that the impact of either alternative will be negligible. Order of magnitude estimates are made of capital and ...
The concept of relative permeability is the key concept in extending Darcy's law for single phase flow through porous media to the two-phase flow regime. Relative permeability functions are needed for simulation studies of two-phase geothermal reservoirs. These are poorly known inspite of considerable theoretical and experimental investigations during the last decade. Since no conclusive results exist, many investigators use ad hoc parametrization, or adopt results obtined from flow of oil and gas (Corey, 1954). It has been shown by Reda and Eaton (1980) that this can lead to serious deficiencies. Sensitivity of the relative permeability curves for prediction of mass flow rate and flowing enthalpy into geothermal wells has been studied by many investigators (e.g. Eaton and Reda (1980), Bodvarsson et al (1980), Sun and Ershagi (1979) etc.). It can be concluded from these studies that the beehavior of a two-phase steam/water reservoir ...
Special T-shaped feedwater distribution pipes were installed in steam generators at the Loviisa (Finland) and Rovno (Russia) nuclear power plants. The new shape was tested in an extensive testing programme. Since the tubes frequently suffer from corrosion damage, large-scale water hammer experiments were performed on a model facility in 1996. The main objectives of the water hammer experiments were to find out the prevailing parameters leading to water hammers, as well as the sensitivity of hammering to boundary conditions. A water hammer may occur when the mass flow rate into the steam generator exceeds 6 kg/s and the temperature difference between steam generator and feedwater exceeds 100 degC. Visual experiments and stress analyses of the pipe were also carried out. The weakest part, the T-joint, may hold against such water hammers only for a limited time of the order of few minutes. (M.D.).
The purpose of this research is to develop a technically and economically feasible process for biologically producing H(sub 2) from synthesis gas while, at the same time, removing harmful sulfur gas compounds. Six major tasks are being studied: 1. Culture development, where the best cultures are selected and conditions optimized for simultaneous hydrogen production and sulfur gas removal; 2. Mass transfer and kinetic studies in which equations necessary for process design are developed; 3. Bioreactor design studies, where the cultures chosen in Task 1 are utilized in continuous reaction vessels to demonstrate process feasibility and define operating conditions; 4. Evaluation of biological synthetic gas conversion under limiting conditions in preparation for industrial demonstration studies; 5. Process scale-up where laboratory data are scaled to larger-size units in preparation for process demonstration in a pilot-scale unit; and 6. Economic evaluation, where ...
This paper presents a comprehensive study of pesticide levels and bio-accumulation characteristics in human adipose tissues among residents of Southeast China. A large number of adipose samples (n=633) were selected for 58 pesticides and were analyzed by high sensitive Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The results showed that POPs pesticides were frequently detected, including 2,4prime-DDD, 2,4prime-DDE, 2,4prime-DDT, 4,4prime-DDD, 4,4prime-DDE, 4,4prime-DDT, a-HCH, b-HCH, g-HCH, d-HCH, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and mirex. Other detected pesticide species were dicofol, methamidophos and chlordimeform, which have rarely been reported. Comparing to different countries, the concentrations of total DDT and HCH in these three Chinese southeastern sites were in the middle ra...
Full text of publication follows: As the coolant experiences no phase change in the core, SCWRs, unlike LWRs, cannot use design criteria based on the critical heat flux concept. The commonly accepted practice in SCWRs is to specify cladding temperature limits that must be met during transient and accident events. Therefore for the design of the SCWR, it is very important to predict the heat transfer coefficient to the supercritical water coolant with great accuracy. Our recent study focuses on the critical issue of measuring heat transfer to supercritical water at prototypical SCWR conditions and to develop the tools to predict the SCWR thermal behavior. A heat transfer test loop using a surrogate fluids, CO_2, is under construction. The reason of using CO_2 instead of water is that (i) valuable insight of the physical phenomena can be obtained with this fluid, and (ii) some existing facilities already used surrogate fluids, which in general have lower critical pressure and ...
By catalyzing the rate-limiting step in adipose tissue lipolysis, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is an important regulator of energy homeostasis. The role and importance of HSL in tissues other than adipose are poorly understood. We report here the cloning and expression of a testicular isoform, designated HSL{sub tes}. Due to an addition of amino acids at the NH{sub 2}-termini, rat and human HSL{sub tes} consist of 1068 and 1076 amino acids, respectively, compared to the 768 and 775 amino acids, respectively, of the adipocyte isoform (HSL{sub adi}). A novel exon of 1.2 kb, encoding the human testis-specific amino acids, was isolated and mapped to the HSL gene, 16 kb upstream of the exons encoding HSL{sub adi}. The transcribed mRNA of 3.9 kb was specifically expressed in testis. No significant similarity with other known proteins was found for the testis-specific sequence. The amino acid composition differs from the HSL{sub adi} sequence, with a notable hydrophilic ...
"1"8F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography (PET) scan has been found to reflect tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in various types of cancer. However, pattern of FDG uptake in biliary malignancies and its clinical significance have not been studied well. The purpose of this study was to assess the additional value of "1"8F-FDG PET in differential diagnosis and prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) according to the tumor location and tumor morphology. From April 2005 to May 2008, eighty two patients (M:F=55:27, age 66.2#+-#9.6 yrs) with CC underwent "1"8F-FDG PET. For semiquantitative analysis, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_m_a_x) was obtained from the primary tumor. The difference of SUV_m_a_x according to the tumor location and tumor growth pattern, such as scirrhous type, nodular type, polypoid type were compared. Overall sensitivity of PET scan was 81.7% in CC. SUV_m_a_x on PET scan in intrahepatic CC was significantly ...
The potential for detoxification and deodorization of sulfide-laden water (sour water) by microbial treatment was evaluated at a petroleum production site under field conditions. A sulfide-tolerant strain of the chemautotroph and facultative anaerobe, Thiobacillus denitrificans, was introduced into an oil-skimming pit of the Amoco Production Company LACT 10 Unit of the Salt Creek Field, Wyoming. Field-produced water enters this pit from the oil/water separation treatment train at an average flowrate of 5,000 bbl/D (795 m{sup 3}/D) with a potential maximum of 98,000 bbl/D (15,580 m{sup 3}/D). Water conditions at the pit inlet are 4,800 mg/l TDS, 100 mg/l sulfide, pH 7.8, and 107{degrees}F. To this water an aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate and diphosphorous pentoxide was added to provide required nutrients for the bacteria. The first 20% of the pit was aerated to a maximum depth of 5 ft (1.5 m) to facilitate the aerobic oxidation of sulfide. No provisions for pH control or biomass ...
In order to investigate the systematics of the loop expansion in high temperature gauge theories beyond the leading order hard thermal loop (HTL) approximation, we calculate the two-loop electron proper self-energy #SIGMA# in high temperature QED. The two-loop bubble diagram of #SIGMA# contains a linear infrared divergence. Even if regulated with a nonzero photon mass M of order of the Debye mass, this infrared sensitivity implies that the two-loop self-energy contributes terms to the fermion dispersion relation that are comparable to or even larger than the next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions of the one-loop #SIGMA#. Additional evidence for the necessity of a systematic restructuring of the loop expansion comes from the explicit gauge-parameter dependence of the fermion damping rate at both one and two loops. The leading terms in the high temperature expansion of the two-loop self-energy for all topologies arise from ...
During earlier work rapid and highly sensitive Jet-REMPI (resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization) mass spectrometry was applied for monitoring the effluent from thermal treatment of a filter dust during a de novo test under laboratory conditions. The sample, from ESP-Field 2 of an iron ore sintering plant, was already loaded with dioxins ({sigma}PCDD/F = 132 ng/g), their precursors (PCBz, PCPh) and other products of incomplete combustion. Heating filter dust in a temperature window 200-350 C under a flow of air results in further formation of these pollutants. As described elsewhere, on-line detection was mostly carried out using a non-selective ionization mode, to measure a wide range of compounds simultaneously. The changes of output suggest that the reaction products increase in chlorination level with time. Another explanation is that higherchlorinated compounds appear later as a consequence of lower volatility and stronger adsorption. ...
We evaluate the neutrino fluxes to be expected from neutralino lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) annihilations inside the Sun, within the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model with supersymmetry-breaking scalar and gaugino masses constrained to be universal at the grand unified theory scale [the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM)]. We find that there are large regions of typical CMSSM (m_1_/_2,m_0) planes where the LSP density inside the Sun is not in equilibrium, so that the annihilation rate may be far below the capture rate. We show that neutrino fluxes are dependent on the solar model at the 20% level, and adopt the AGSS09 model of Serenelli et al. for our detailed studies. We find that there are large regions of the CMSSM (m_1_/_2,m_0) planes where the capture rate is not dominated by spin-dependent LSP-proton scattering, e.g., at large m_1_/_2 along the CMSSM coannihilation strip. We calculate neutrino fluxes above ...
Thromboxane A2, the predominant product of arachidonic acid metabolism in the blood platelet, is a potent vasoconstrictor and platelet agonist. During its biosynthesis from cyclic endoperoxide, 12(S)-hydroxy-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) is formed in equal amounts. The further metabolism of HHT, catalyzed by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, leads to 12-oxo-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid (Oxo-HT). Sample workup procedures are described which allow for the sensitive and reproducible determination of these two arachidonic acid metabolites in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the presence of deuterated analogues as internal standards. HHT is derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl ester tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether. In order to enable quantification of low concentrations of about 10 pg/ml in nonstimulated human plasma, the samples have to be purified by HPLC. Oxo-HT is derivatized to the pentafluorobenzyl ester, ...
Motivated by the strong discrepancy between the main-sequence turnoff age and the white dwarf cooling age in the metal-rich open cluster NGC 6791, we compute a grid of white dwarf evolutionary sequences that incorporates for the first time the energy released by the processes of "2"2Ne sedimentation and of carbon/oxygen phase separation upon crystallization. The grid covers the mass range from 0.52 to 1.0 M _s_u_n, and is appropriate for the study of white dwarfs in metal-rich clusters. The evolutionary calculations are based on a detailed and self-consistent treatment of the energy released from these two processes, as well as on the employment of realistic carbon/oxygen profiles, of relevance for an accurate evaluation of the energy released by carbon/oxygen phase separation. We find that "2"2Ne sedimentation strongly delays the cooling rate of white dwarfs stemming from progenitors with high metallicities at moderate luminosities, while carbon/oxygen phase ...
Probabilistic sensitivities using the score function method are developed for a lifing analysis of an alpha + beta titanium alloy in a round bar under axial fatigue load. Sensitivities with respect to the statistical inputs of the crack initiation size (a...
Two complementary computer programs have been developed for forecasting the demands and evaluating the costs of proposed radiographic facilities. The models are employed here in analyses of the sensitivity...Full Text Available
An approach to the ductile fracture of ultrahigh strength steels has been evaluated. According to this approach the critical crack tip opening, delta/sub IC/, will scale with X/sub 0/(R/sub V//R/sub I/vertical bar/sub R//sub 0/. X/sub 0/ is an average inclusion spacing and (R/sub V/R/sub I/)vertical bar/sub R//sub 0/ is the void radius divided by the radius of the inclusion nucleating the void evaluated at the average inclusion size. AF1410 was selected to test this approach because it has exceptionally high fracture toughness on aging at 510/sup 0/C and because its toughness varies markedly with aging temperature. The results from this and earlier work showed a linear relationship exists between delta/sub IC/ and X/sub 0/(R/sub V//R/sub I/)vertical bar /sub R//sub 0/ for values of delta/sub IC/ ranging from about 8 ..mu..m to 60 ..mu..m. The values of (R/sub V//R/sub I/)vertical bar /sub R//sub 0/ for AF1410 aged at 425/sup 0/C and 510/sup ...
We have used polished stainless steel as a mirror substrate to provide focusing of soft x-rays in grazing incidence reflection. The substrate is bent to an elliptical shape with large curvature and high stresses in the substrate require a strong elastic material. Conventional material choices of silicon or of glass will not withstand the stress required. The use of steel allows the substrates to be polished and installed flat, using screws in tapped holes. The ultra-high-vacuum bender mechanism is motorized and computer controlled. These mirrors are used to deliver focused beams of soft x-rays onto the surface of a sample for experiments at the Advanced Light Source (ALS). They provide an illumination field that can be as small as the mirror demagnification allows, for localized study, and can be enlarged, under computer control,for survey measurements over areas of the surface up to several millimeters. The critical issue of the quality of the steel surface, ...
Scanning ion microscopy with polarization analysis (SIMPA) is used to study the spin-resolved surface magnetic structure of nano-sized magnetic systems. SIMPA is utilized for in situ topographic and spin-resolved magnetic domain imaging as well as for focused ion beam (FIB) etching of desired structures in magnetic or non-magnetic systems. Ultra-thin Co films are deposited on surfaces of Si(1 0 0) substrates, and ultra-thin, tri-layered, bct Fe(1 0 0)/Mn/bct Fe(1 0 0) wedged magnetic structures are deposited on fcc Pd(1 0 0) substrates. SIMPA experiments clearly show that ion-induced electrons emitted from magnetic surfaces exhibit non-zero electron spin polarization (ESP), whereas electrons emitted from non-magnetic surfaces such as Si and Pd exhibit zero ESP, which can be used to calibrate sputtering rates in situ. We report on new, spin-resolved magnetic microstructures, such as magnetic 'C' states and magnetic vortices, found at surfaces of FIB patterned magnetic elements. It is ...
The Segmented Rail Phased Induction Motor (SERAPHIM) is a compact, pulsed linear induction motor (LIM) offering a unique capability for very high speed train propulsion. It uses technology developed for the Sandia coilgun, an electromagnetic launcher designed to accelerate projectiles to several kilometers per second. Both aluminum cylinders and plates were accelerated to a kilometer per second (Mach 3) by passing through a sequence of coils which were energized at the appropriate time. Although this technology was developed for ultra-high velocity, it can be readily adapted to train propulsion for which, at sea level, the power required to overcome air resistance limits the operational speed to a more modest 300 mph. Here, the geometry is reversed. The coils are on the vehicle and the ``projectiles`` are fixed along the roadbed. SERAPHIM operates not by embedding flux in a conductor, but by excluding it. In this propulsion scheme, pairs of closely spaced coils on ...
MATRIX, a participating research team of Midwest x-ray scattering specialists, continues to operate beam line X-18A at NSLS. Operations of this line now provides state-of-the-art capabilities to a wide range of people in the Materials Science and Engineering research community. Improvements of the beam line continue to be a focus of MATRIX. Throughout this past year the emphasis has been shifting towards improvement in ``user friendly`` aspects. Simplified control operations and a shift to single-user personal computer has been a major part of the effort. Over the past year the full 242 operational days were utilized. Beam line test and evaluation consumed 21 days with eight MATRIX groups combining to use 170 days. General user demand for use of the beam line continues to be strong and three groups were provided 51 operating days. Research production has been growing as NSLS and the beam line become a more stable type of operation. For 1990 the MATRIX group published nine articles. To ...
A major obstacle prohibiting the use of microwaves for soil disinfection and disinfestation is the large amount of energy required to obtain sufficient results. The present work presents an experimental study of the effect of initial soil temperature and soil moisture on energy consumption by application of microwaves for soil disinfection. All experiments were carried out by using a microwave generator of a nominal power output of 900 W. The ultra-high-frequency field (2450{+-}2 MHZ) was produced by a magnetron tube and channelled through a metal waveguide. The output opening of the waveguide was placed directly on the soil surface. It was found that a soil with 15% moisture content (w.b.) and an initial temperature of 20degC requires energy to be heated at a depth of 10 cm up to 61degC which is 3.2 times more than the energy required to heat the soil up to 5 cm depth at the same initial temperature. In general, the conversion of electric energy to useful ...
This chapter consists of some points including an introduction, the basic parts of mass spectroscope device, sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma, pneumatic nebuliser, ultrasonic nebuliser, dry gas cloud system, laser ablation unit, inductively coupled plasma-ion source, extraction of ions from ion source, mass analysis, quad-polar mass spectrometer, dual assembly mass spectrometer, mass spectrometer by calculation of time of flight, ion interferences and the ability of resolution, ion counter, working conditions of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope device, efficiency of ion transportation in an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope device and applications of analysis using mass spectroscope of induced plasma including nuclear, industrial, geological, environmental and archaeological ...
A large double-focusing mass spectrometer was used to obtain new values for the masses of Sr/sup 86/, Sr/sup 88/, and Zr/sup 90/. Mass differences calculated from these values are found to be in better agreement with nuclear transmutation information than were previous mass spectroscopically derived values. (auth)
Results are presented of an empirical analysis of the global thermodynamical requirements of the winds in the outer atmospheres of a representative sample of red giant stars of low- and intermediate-mass range. Results indicate that the mass-loss rates in these stars are not strongly dependent on the actual physical processes driving the winds. It is suggested that nonlinear processes act to regulate wind energy fluxes. Possible mechanisms responsible for the chromospheric heating and the mass loss in the low- and intermediate-mass giant stars are discussed. 151 refs.
An unsymmetrical squaraine dye which contains an arylamino group was synthesized and used in dye-sensitized solar cells. The molar extinction coefficient of the dye is 77793 M-1 cm-1. Because our synthesized molecule may have no diradical character or the contribution of the diradicaloid component to resonance is quite small, the newly designed squaraine dye has a maximum absorption at 546 nm in the visible region compared with the NIR squaraine sensitizers. Cyclic voltammetry and time dependent density function theory calculation were accomplished to scrutinize the sensitized performance of the dye. Meanwhile, the novel sensitizer has been used to sensitize nanocrystalline TiO2-based solar cell. Under standard global AM 1.5 solar conditions, the squaraine dye-sensitized cell gives a short...
The application of the large-bore direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (LB-DIHEN) for the determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. The LB-DIHEN is compared with the standard method using a concentric pneumatic nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber. In addition to the toxicological significance of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, these elements represent a cross-section of analytical issues including spectral interferences (e.g., {sup 40}Ar{sup 35}Cl{sup +} on {sup 75}As{sup +} and {sup 98}Mo{sup 16}O{sup +} on {sup 114}Cd{sup +}) and memory effects (Hg). In this study, the low sample consumption of the LB-DIHEN is used to reduce the volume of urine needed for analysis, and to reduce the volume of final diluted sample required for analysis. Eliminating the spray chamber and reducing the dead volume of the nebulizer reduces memory effects, especially for analytes ...
A theoretical derivation of the intershell mass--core mass relation of Paczynski is attempted. Formulae developed by Sugimoto and Fujimoto are extended to less massive (m/sub c/< or approx. =1) cores.
A theoretical model was developed to simulate this phenomenon, under some specific assumptions. The model simulates: the generation and decay of radon within the soil; its transport throughout the soil due to diffusion and convection induced by the pressure disturbance applied at a crack in the basement; its entrance into the house through the crack; and the resultant indoor radon concentration. The most important assumptions adopted in the model were: a steady-state condition; a house with a basement; a geometrically well-defined crack at the wall-floor joint in the basement; and a constant negative pressure applied at the crack in relation to the outside atmospheric pressure. Two three-dimensional finite-difference computer programs were written to solve the mathematical equations of the model. The first program, called PRESSU, was used to calculate: the pressure distribution within the soil as a result of the applied disturbance pressure at the crack; and the resultant velocity ...
Thirty-two asthmatic volunteers 8 to 16 yr of age, recruited through local schools and private physicians, were exposed in a chamber to clean air (control condition) and to sulfuric acid aerosol at a low concentration (46 +/- 11 micrograms/m3; mean +/- SD) and at a high concentration (127 +/- 21 micrograms/m3). Acid aerosols had mass median aerodynamic diameters near 0.5 microns with geometric standard deviations near 1.9. Temperature was 21 degrees C, and relative humidity was near 50%. Subjects were exposed with unencumbered oronasal breathing for 30 min at rest plus 10 min at moderate exercise (ventilation rate approximately 20 L/min/m2 of body surface). A subgroup (21 subjects) were exposed similarly to clean air and to high acid (134 +/- 20 micrograms/m3) with 100% oral breathing. Increased symptoms and bronchoconstriction were found after exercise under all exposure conditions. For the group, symptom and lung function responses were not statistically ...
This short survey focuses on the main radiation-induced base lesions that have been identified within cellular DNA. For this purpose, sensitive assays that are aimed at measuring a few modifications per 10{sup 7} normal bases were set-up. In that respect high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (CLHP-MS/MS) was found to be able to single out the formation of 9 oxidized nucleosides and two modified nucleo-bases out of the 70 oxidative base lesions that have been identified in model systems. As a striking result, it was found that in the DNA of {gamma}-irradiated human monocytes, the formamide-pyrimidine derivative of guanine is produced in a higher yield than the ubiquitous 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine damage, both arising from the same radical precursor. However, relatively high doses of ionizing radiation (> 20 Gy) have to be applied in order to detect an increase in the level of the damage. This is due to the low ...
The wavefunction of a particle extends into the classically forbidden barrier region of the potential energy surface. The consequence of this partial delocalisation is the phenomenon of quantum tunnelling, an effect which enables a particle to penetrate a potential barrier of magnitude greater than the energy of the particle. The tunnelling probability is an exponential function of the particle mass. The effect is therefore an important contribution to the behaviour of light atoms, in particular the proton. The hydrogen bond has long been appreciated to be an essential component of many biological and chemical systems, and the proton transfer reaction in the hydrogen bond is fundamental to many of these processes. The proton behaviour in the hydrogen bonds of benzoic acid, acetylacetone and calix-4-arene has been studied. A variety of techniques, both experimental and computational, were adopted for the study of the three hydrogen bonded systems. The complementary ...
The work presented in this report is a continuation and expansion of a previous study. The aim of the work is to provide background information about pitting corrosion of copper for a safety analysis of copper canisters for final deposition of radioactive waste. A mathematical model for the propagation of corrosion pits is used to estimate the conditions required for stationary propagation of a localised anodic corrosion process. The model uses equilibrium data for copper and its corrosion products and parameters for the aqueous mass transport of dissolved species. In the present work we have, in the model, used a more extensive set of aqueous and solid compounds and equilibrium data from a different source. The potential dependence of pitting in waters with different compositions is studied in greater detail. More waters have been studied and single parameter variations in the composition of the water have been studied over wider ranges of concentration. The ...
The development of the spatial N export and retention model N{sub E}XRET for large river basins is presented, utilizing remote-sensing-based land use and forest classification. Export coefficients describing the contribution from agriculture, forestry and peat harvesting were estimated based on empirical studies. Representativeness of forest treatment coefficients have been evaluated by use of data from a small, well-documented test catchment. Simulation results from the application of the model to the Oulujoki river basin (22,840 km{sup 2} ) are discussed. Model estimated N fluxes were compared with measured N fluxes in separate points of the river basin. Based on source apportionment, agriculture contributes 17% of the total export, varying between 8% in the uppermost subbasin and 38% in the lowermost subbasin close to the sea. Forestry contributes almost as much, 16%, with less pronounced variation (11-24%) between the different subbasins. In the separate subbasins, 7-37% of the ...
If geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are to make a significant mark in the market, we believe that it will be through energy service pricing contracts offered by retailcos. The benefits of GHPs are ideally suited to energy service pricing (ESP) contractual arrangements; however, few retailcos are thoroughly familiar with the benefits of GHPs. Many of the same barriers that have prevented GHPs from reaching their full potential in the current market environment remain in place for retailcos. A lack of awareness, concerns over the actual efficiencies of GHPs, perceptions of extremely high first costs, unknown records for maintenance costs, etc. have all contributed to limited adoption of GHP technology. These same factors are of concern to retailcos as they contemplate long term customer contracts. The central focus of this project was the creation of models, using actual GHP operating data and the experience of seasoned professionals, to simulate the financial performance of GHPs in ...
The feasibility was evaluated using MCNP-DSP, an analog Monte Carlo transport cod to simulate source-driven measurements. Models of an isolated Westinghouse 17x17 PWR fuel assembly in a 1500-ppM borated water storage pool were used. In the models, the fuel burnup profile was represented using seven axial burnup zones, each with isotopics estimated by the PDQ code. Four different fuel assemblies with average burnups from fresh to 32 GWd/MTU were modeled and analyzed. Analysis of the fuel assemblies was simulated by inducing fission in the fuel using a {sup 252}Cf source adjacent to the assembly and correlating source fissions with the response of a bank of {sup 3}He detectors adjacent to the assembly opposite the source. This analysis was performed at 7 different axial positions on each of the 4 assemblies, and the source-detector cross-spectrum signature was calculated for each of these 28 simulated measurements. The magnitude of the cross-spectrum signature follows a smooth upward ...
The suitability of the sunflower for biodiesel production was discussed in terms of the reference values on carbon dioxide equivalents (CO{sub 2eq}) emissions for every phase of the biofuels chain as indicated in the European Union (EU) Directive on renewable energies. A life cycle analysis performed on the agricultural phase of the sunflower showed that CO{sub 2eq} emissions from the cultivation phase exceeded the EU reference value. This paper highlighted the relevance of allocation methods to spread out energy consumption and CO{sub 2eq} emissions among sunflower biodiesel and oilcake. Allocation was made according to the principles of mass content, energy content and the economic value of co-products. The CO{sub 2eq} reductions obtained with the 3 methods were approximately 60, 50 and 25 per cent, respectively when compared to a case without allocation. Since these methods did not distinguish the different functionality of co-products in relation to their real ...
The principles of modern pesticide residue chemistry were articulated in the 1950s. Early authors pointed out the advantages of systematizing and standardizing analytical methods for pesticides so that they could be widely practiced and the results could be reproduced from one laboratory to the next. The availability of improved methods has led to a much more complete understanding of pesticide behavior and fate in foods and the environment. Using methods based largely upon gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled increasingly with mass spectrometry (MS) and MS(n) as the detection tool, residues can be measured at parts per billion levels and below in a variety of food and environmental matrices. Development of efficient extraction and cleanup methods, techniques such as ELISA, efficient sample preparation techniques such as QuEChERS, and automated laboratory and field instrumentation has also contributed to the tools ...
The obligations of organisations associated with policy formation and implementation of international mass public health programmes are explored. Lines of responsibility are considered to become unclear...Full Text Available
We discuss first the flavor mixing of the quarks, using the texture zero mass matrices. Then we study a similar model for the mass matrices of the leptons. We are able to relate the mass eigenvalues of the charged leptons and of the neutrinos to the mixing angles and can predict the masses of the neutrinos. We find a normal hierarchy - the masses are 0.004 eV, 0.01 eV and 0.05 eV. The atmospheric mixing angle is given by the mass ratios of the charged leptons and the neutrinos. we find about 40 degrees, consistent with the experiments. The mixing element, connecting the first neutrino wit the electron, is predicted to be 0.05. This prediction can soon be checked by the Daya Bay experiment.
An IAEA databank lists a number of reported cases of illicitly trafficked nuclear or other radioactive materials. Apart from the traditional concern with nuclear proliferation, the post September 11th public is now wary of a possible attack by terrorists with a nuclear or radiation dispersion device (RDD). Until now, the seized quantities have not been sufficient to manufacture a nuclear explosive device, but they might be enough to construct an RDD. Recognizing the latent global challenge to public health and safety, the G8 States (Japan, USA, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Canada, and Russia) have called for 'joint international efforts to identify and suppress illicit supply' of, and demand for, nuclear material and to deter potential traffickers. One measure gaining in significance is to identify seized material and trace it back to its origin the objective of an emerging science known as nuclear forensics. Repeatedly nuclear or other radioactive material of unknown origin are ...
We report for the first time about a micromachined mass flow sensor directly integrated between the double guidance and the needle seat into the body of a Common Rail (CR) injection nozzle. The thermal measurement principle was chosen because gaseous as well as liquid mass flows can be determined fast and precisely. Additionally, with glass-ceramic materials fabricated in a low cost batch process, a high temperature and especially pressure stable substrate can be used. The flow sensitive thin film is realized by an e-beam evaporated 110 nm thick molybdenum (Mo) layer. The latter is electrically characterized by the resistivity of {rho} = 8.2 x 10{sup -7} {omega} m ({+-}2%) at room temperature as well as by the first {alpha}=4.5 x 10{sup -4} K{sup -1} ({+-}5%) and second {beta}=3.0 x 10{sup -6} K{sup -2} ({+-}12%) temperature coefficients of resistance up to 300 C. The static temperature field at and around the thin film ...
The masses of the proton-rich nuclides {sup 85,86,87}Mo and {sup 87}Tc have been measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP at GSI. The measured mass excesses of these nuclei deviate from the values of the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003 by up to 1.6 MeV, indicating a systematic shift of the mass surface in this region compared to previous measurements. A local mass extrapolation based on the new results has been made for the mass range A=80-95. Measured and extrapolated mass values and the derived separation energies have been compared to theoretical mass models. Taking into account the new mass excess values, rp-process network calculations have been performed. Preliminary results show changes in the final abundances for A=86-92 by up to a factor of 30. Results of ...
The masses of the proton-rich nuclides "8"5","8"6","8"7Mo and "8"7Tc have been measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP at GSI. The measured mass excesses of these nuclei deviate from the values of the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003 by up to 1.6 MeV, indicating a systematic shift of the mass surface in this region compared to previous measurements. A local mass extrapolation based on the new results has been made for the mass range A=80-95. Measured and extrapolated mass values and the derived separation energies have been compared to theoretical mass models. Taking into account the new mass excess values, rp-process network calculations have been performed. Preliminary results show changes in the final abundances for A=86-92 by up to a factor of 30. Results of ...
The masses of proton rich nuclides in the vicinity of N=Z=43 were measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP at GSI. These nuclei were produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction {sup 36}Ar+{sup 54}Fe at energies of 5.0 and 5.9 MeV/u and separated at the velocity filter SHIP. The data are of astrophysical interest since these nuclei are believed to be a part of the rp and {nu}p process paths. The masses of {sup 85}Mo and {sup 87}Tc were measured for the first time. The masses of another two nuclides, {sup 86,87}Mo, were determined for the first time in a direct mass measurement. For these nuclides the mass excess deviates from values of the 2003 Atomic Mass Evaluation by up to 1.5 MeV, indicating a systematic shift of the mass surface in this region of the nuclear chart. Additionally, the ...
The masses of proton rich nuclides in the vicinity of N=Z=43 were measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP at GSI. These nuclei were produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction "3"6Ar+"5"4Fe at energies of 5.0 and 5.9 MeV/u and separated at the velocity filter SHIP. The data are of astrophysical interest since these nuclei are believed to be a part of the rp and #nu#p process paths. The masses of "8"5Mo and "8"7Tc were measured for the first time. The masses of another two nuclides, "8"6","8"7Mo, were determined for the first time in a direct mass measurement. For these nuclides the mass excess deviates from values of the 2003 Atomic Mass Evaluation by up to 1.5 MeV, indicating a systematic shift of the mass surface in this region of the nuclear chart. Additionally, the masses of ...
Interest to thin film of metals' silicides first of all is conditioned intrinsic al them unique physical properties. On their basis of it is possible to produce extremely sophisticated devices of solid-state electronics, production which needs the controlled change of physics, chemical and electrical properties with high-level of accuracy. On the present time most are in detail investigated composition, structure and properties of three-dimensional samples of metals' silicides. In the last years the intensive are led to researches in the direction of creation and study of physical-chemical properties thin (500-1000 Angstroms) and ultrafine (100-120 Angstroms) films silicides. It has information about composition, morphology of surface and emission of properties of thin film of silicides of barium, of cobalt and of palladium, was obtained in conditions of ultra-high vacuum. Low energy ion implantation and further annealing on composition, electronic and crystalline ...
Bremstrahlung Isochromat Spectroscopy (BIS). The XES spectra were collected using a Specs electron gun for the excitation and the XES 350 grating monochromator and channel plate system from Scienta as the photon detection. Spectra were collected in 'normal mode,' where the electron gun kinetic energy (KE) and the energy position of the center of the channel plate were both fixed and the energy distribution in the photon (hv) spectrum was derived from the intensities distributed across the channel plate detector in the energy dispersal direction. The polycrystalline Ce sample was oxidized by exposure to air at ambient pressures. After introduction to the ultra-high vacuum system, the oxidized sample was bombarded with Ar, to clean the topmost surface region and stabilize the surface and near surface regions. Although CeO{sub 2} would be the thermodynamically preferred composition in an oxygen rich environment, the combination of a vacuum ...
Some hypo-stoichiometric Zr-based Laves phase alloys were prepared and studied from a viewpoint of discharge capacity for electrochemical application. After careful alloy design of ZrMn{sub 2}-based hydrogen storage alloys through changing their stoichiometry while substituting or adding some alloying elements, the Zr(Mn{sub 0.2}V{sub 0.2}Ni{sub 0.6}){sub 1.8} alloy reveals relatively good properties with regard to hydrogen storage capacity, hydrogen equilibrium pressure and electrochemical discharge capacity. In order to improve the discharge capacity and rate-capability, Zr is partially replaced by Ti. The discharge capacity of Zr{sub 1-x}Ti{sub x}(Mn{sub 0.2}V{sub 0.2}Ni{sub 0.6}){sub 1.8} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6) alloy electrodes at 30 C reaches a maximum value and decreases as the Ti fraction increases. In view of electrochemical and thermodynamic characteristics, the occurrence of a maximal phenomenon of the electrochemical discharge capacity of the alloy is attributed to a ...
To understand the evolution of giant stars, it is important to pin down the masses for Cepheids. The 7- to 10-day bump Cepheids imply lower than evolutionary mass (60%). Recent theoretical work, though, indicates that for Cepheids with periods of 15 to 16 days, the best understanding of the light curves results from using evolutionary masses.
The mass-energy spectra of the fragments of thermal fission of {sup 242m}Am are measured using the time-of-flight technique. The resulting mass-yield curve and peak-to-valley ratio agree with radiochemical data. The parameters of the kinetic energy distribution of the fragments are determined for the first time. Data on the fine structure of mass spectra in the region of cold fragmentation are presented. 15 refs., 4 figs.
BackgroundChanges in ionic concentration have a fundamental effect on numerous physiological processes. For example, IP3-gated thapsigargin sensitive intracellular calcium...Full Text Available
Exercise promotes weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating its beneficial effects are not fully understood. Obesity correlates with increased production...Full Text Available
Purpose: This paper reviews and reassesses the internationally accepted niches or ‘targets’ in bone marrow that are sensitive to the induction of leukaemia and primary...Full Text Available
The in vivo sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine was evaluated in children under 5 years of age in two areas of southern Nigeria in 1987. A modification...Full Text Available
G-protein-coupled receptor signalling has been suggested to be voltage dependent in a number of cell types; however, the limits of sensitivity of this potentially important phenomenon are unknown. Using...Full Text Available
Skin sensitization is the most commonly reported occupational illness, causing much suffering to a wide range of people. Identification and labeling of environmental allergens is urgently required to...Full Text Available
PurposeTo assess the relationship between low-grade inflammation, measured as basal high sensitivity (hs)-CRP, and IVF outcome.MethodsWe recruited...Full Text Available
There is increasing consensus that the uterotrophic estrogenicity assay should be coupled with other morphometric or molecular end points that might enhance its sensitivity. We have previously shown...Full Text Available
Increased sensitivity to light-induced melatonin suppression characterizes some, but not all, patients with bipolar illness or seasonal affective disorder. The aim of this study was to test...Full Text Available
The reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), the reactive upper airways dysfunction syndrome (RUDS), the sick building syndrome (SBS), and the multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCS) are overlapping...Full Text Available
Not all detectable differences between face images correspond to a change in identity. Here we measure both sensitivity to change and the criterion difference that is perceived as a change in identity....Full Text Available
A monensin-sensitive ruminal peptostreptococcus was able to grow rapidly (growth rate of 0.5/h) on an enzymatic hydrolysate of casein, but less than 23% of the amino acid nitrogen was ever utilized....Full Text Available
1. Sensory fibres innervate the adrenal medulla but their function is not known. In this paper we have studied the effect of capsaicin-sensitive sensory fibres on the adrenal catecholamine (CA) response...Full Text Available
This study examined the genetic basis of hypertension and renal disease in Dahl SS/Mcwi (Dahl Salt-Sensitive) rats using a complete chromosome substitution panel of consomic rats in which each of the...Full Text Available
PurposeTo establish normative values for macular light sensitivity and to determine the intrasession fluctuation of perimetric responses using the OPKO/OTI microperimeter.Full Text Available
Heavy ion tests of a switching converter using power MOSFETs have allowed us to identify the main parameters which affect the burnout sensitivity of these components. The differences between static and dynamic conditions are clarified in this paper. (author). 7 refs., 16 figs., 3 tabs.
The sensitivities to cefuroxime and cephradine of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated in two British general hospitals comprising 900 beds have been assessed. In a three-month period 2537 strains...Full Text Available
Sensitivity and specificity measure inherent validity of a diagnostic test against a gold standard. Researchers develop new diagnostic methods to reduce the cost, risk, invasiveness, and time. Adequate...Full Text Available
Seven mutants of Escherichia coli were isolated that are sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate but not to UV light. They exhibited decreased host cell reactivation capacity for methyl methane sulfonate-treated...Full Text Available
BackgroundFor the detection of allergen-specific IgE in sera, solid-phase IgE-binding assays like the CAP test are commonly used. Although such immunochemical methods are very sensitive,...Full Text Available
Detection and quantification of prion infectivity is a crucial step for various fundamental and applied aspects of prion research. Identification of cell lines highly sensitive to prion infection led...Full Text Available
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 ...
Acoustic metamaterials with negative effective mass below a cut-off frequency are studied. An equivalent mass-spring structure is firstly proposed for such metamaterials, the effective mass is found to follow the Drude model: being negative below a specific frequency. The peculiar behavior is then verified by transmission experiments operating in the low-frequency regime. Inspired by the mass-spring model, we investigate the two-dimensional elastic waveguide with clamped boundaries and attribute the bandgap occurring below a critical frequency to negative effective mass density. The finding helps us to design a new acoustic Drude metamaterial, which enables shearing and bending deformations, in contrast to the membrane-type ones. Both simulation and experimental results show that the proposed metamaterial exhibits negative effective mass below 1200 Hz, thus ...
The thesis deals with measurement of the mass of the W boson at LEP2, based on the direct reconstruction of its decay products in the hadronic channel. A set of procedures necessary for the extraction of the W mass from the experimental data collected with the DELPHI detector in 1997 was developed (search of optimal variables for the event selection, development of a special method of kinematical reconstruction). The measured value of the mass was interpreted in the framework of the Standard Model, allowing to constrain the mass of the Higgs boson. A substantial part of the work is devoted to systematic effects due to the interactions between the hadronic decay products of the W bosons (colour reconnection and Bose-Einstein correlations), which may significantly influence the measurement of their mass. (author) 53 refs., 104 figs., 33 tabs.
High purity Fe-50mass%Cr alloys containing (C+N) in the range of 30 to 500 mass ppm were prepared and their corrosion resistance was investigated. Pitting potential in a 3.5mass%NaCl solution at 343K rose with reducing (C+N) content. Alloys containing (C+N) at less than 100 mass ppm did not sustain pitting corrosion. However, alloys containing 500 mass ppm (C+N) corroded severely in 6%FeCl_3+1/20N HCl solutions. Heat treatment at 923K was recognized as influencing corrosion resistance due to precipitation of carbonitrides only in the case of the alloy containing 500 mass ppm (C+N). (orig.).
Least-squares analyses were performed on a set of atomic masses using standard and generalized senaiempirical mass laws. Presumably because of errors in the assured form of the standand mass law, its least-squares coefficients can be determined at best to an accuracy of about 10%, and masses are predicted with an uncertainty of several Mev/c/sup 2/. The standard mass law was generalized by addition of shell effect and deformation terms. While the least-squares fitting of the generalized mass law is better than for the standard mass law, it is still not possible to predict atomic masses to an accuracy better than a few Mev/c/sup 2/. The nuclear deformations and the well depth . of the nuclear interaction obtained from the additional mass-law terms are in reasonable agreement ...
We present new results from accurate and fully general-relativistic simulations of the coalescence of unmagnetized binary neutron stars with various mass ratios. The evolution of the stars is followed through the inspiral phase, the merger and prompt collapse to a black hole, up until the appearance of a thick accretion disk, which is studied as it enters and remains in a regime of quasi-steady accretion. Although a simple ideal-fluid equation of state with \\Gamma=2 is used, this work presents a systematic study within a fully general relativistic framework of the properties of the resulting black-hole--torus system produced by the merger of unequal-mass binaries. More specifically, we show that: (1) The mass of the torus increases considerably with the mass asymmetry and equal-mass binaries do not produce significant tori if they have a total baryonic mass ...
... comparative analysis is made of the sensitivity of two types of spectrometers: instruments employing coherent spontaneous radiation, and classical ...
... sensitive and classified US Government information, a notable recent example being the unlawful release of classified US documents by WikiLeaks ...
... significant change of spontaneous radiation intensity. It is very sensitive technique allowing the observation of small changes of light absorption. ...
A metamaterial that is composed of solid viscoelastic elements with controllable properties is proposed in this Letter. This enables an adaptable and general acoustic metamaterial to be practically realised. An array of masses with a single elastic connection to a supporting viscoelastic structure, such as one that is dynamically equivalent to an array of Helmholtz resonators, only provides a system with negative effective mass. A local active control scheme applied to each of these masses can emulate additional elastic connections to the supporting structure. An array of masses with a suitable local control scheme can provide both the negative effective stiffness and mass required for negative refraction. The tuneable feedback control parameters determine the characteristics of the region...
Nucleon and meson effective masses in the nonlinear relativistic mean-field theory introducing a nonlinear {omega}-{rho} and {sigma} coupling motivated by the quark-meson coupling model is explored. It is shown that, in contrast to the usual Walecka model, not only the effective nucleon mass m{sub eff,N} but also the effective {sigma},{rho} meson masses (m{sub eff{sigma}},m{sub eff,{rho}}) and the effective {omega} meson mass m{sub eff,{omega}} are nucleon density dependent. (author)
Nucleon and meson effective masses in the nonlinear relativistic mean-field theory introducing a nonlinear #omega#-#rho# and #sigma# coupling motivated by the quark-meson coupling model is explored. It is shown that, in contrast to the usual Walecka model, not only the effective nucleon mass m_e_f_f_,_N but also the effective #sigma#,#rho# meson masses (m_e_f_f_#sigma#,m_e_f_f_,_#rho#) and the effective #omega# meson mass m_e_f_f_,_#omega# are nucleon density dependent. (author)
Recent developments in the analysis of Mira atmosphere, the determination of the pulsation mode, the problem of mass loss, and the evolution of the Mira variables are covered. Model atmospheres for Mira variables, including the opacities of the molecules expected in very late M-type atmospheres are discussed. The pulsation constant for Omicron Ceti is evaluated using T(eff) = 2900 + or - 200 K, and it is concluded that Miras are fundamental mode pulsators. The importance of molecular opacity to the driving of mass loss is evaluated, and it is pointed out that the radiation pressure on molecules is not a major factor in driving mass loss from Mira. Mass loss is considered as a factor in the calculations of the periods for Mira variables. 30 refs.
The mass of the nucleon is studied in a chiral quark-diquark model. Both scalar and axial-vector diquarks are taken into account for the construction of the nucleon state. After the hadronization procedure is used to obtain an effective meson-baryon Lagrangian, the quark-diquark self-energy is calculated to generate the baryon kinetic term as well as determine the mass of the nucleon. It turns out that both the scalar and axial-vector parts of the self-energy are attractive for the mass of the nucleon. We investigate the range of parameters that can reproduce the mass of the nucleon.
Mass distribution in 28.5 MeV alpha particle induced fission of "2"3"2Th has been determined using gamma spectrometric technique. The chain yields of 24 different fission products covering both symmetric and asymmetric mass divisions were determined. The mass distribution was found to be asymmetric with peak positions at mass numbers 96 and 136 respectively while the peak to valley ratio was 3.86. The results are compared with the available literature on 14 MeV neutron induced fission of "2"3"5U. (orig.).
Mass distribution in 28.5 MeV alpha particle induced fission of {sup 232}Th has been determined using gamma spectrometric technique. The chain yields of 24 different fission products covering both symmetric and asymmetric mass divisions were determined. The mass distribution was found to be asymmetric with peak positions at mass numbers 96 and 136 respectively while the peak to valley ratio was 3.86. The results are compared with the available literature on 14 MeV neutron induced fission of {sup 235}U. (orig.).
The acoustic hyperlens can be realized by an alternating layered structure of water and fluid with negative mass density. Based on this alternating layered principle, we propose that an acoustic metamaterial consisting of three layers in water background can be designed to replace the fluid with negative mass density. The effective mass density and bulk modulus of the system which is composed of acoustic metamaterial and water are functions of the frequency. The effective mass density of such a system is close to the negative mass density of the fluid at a specific frequency; thus an acoustic metamaterial hyperlens can be achieved.
Comparison of the embryolethality of monomeric "2"3"9Pu injected at 9 days of gestation demonstrated that the sensitivity of Charles River CD strain was greater than that of Hilltop Wistar rats. Subsequent comparisons showed that rats derived from the Hilltop Fischer strain were more sensitive than the Wistar and, although not directly compared, more sensitive than the CD.
Spontaneous and ultraviolet-induced changeabilities of wine yeasts from the killer state to sensitive one have been studied. Observed often spontaneous changes of killer and neutral phenotypes under laboratory store conditions as well as high mutation frequency of genetic elements responsible for the killer indication on ultraviolet irradiation testify that often encounterability in nature and in the production of sensitive yeasts is attributed to high frequency of mutation changes of the killer and neutral phenotypes to the sensitive state.
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The aim of the work in this thesis is to investigate the convective and diffusive transport in the TM chemistry transport model, and to investigate some aspects of the consequences for NOx. The large inaccuracy and uncertainty in the description of processes like convection and turbulent diffusion, the strong dependence of the radiative forcing of ozone on its vertical distribution, and the strong dependence of the ozone production on the distribution of NOx, are the main motivation. The availability of the ERA-40 data, where convective data and vertical diffusion coefficients are archived, allows a study of the effect of different convective mass flux sets, and different vertical diffusion coefficients on the model-simulated distribution of tracers. In this thesis the following questions are addressed : (1) How large is the sensitivity of the (model simulated) distribution of ozone and nitrogen oxides on (the) convection (parameterisation)?; ...
The work presented here demonstrates the ability of proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) to perform fast-response measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (including methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, PAN-type compounds, alpha- and beta-pinene, nopinone and pinonaldehyde) at the pptv level and its versatile applicability in the field of environmental trace gas analysis. Laboratory and field experiments including various calibration techniques and intercomparisons with other measurement techniques such as gas chromatography, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy were performed providing a first characterization of the PTR-MS instrument performance (sensitivity, detection limit, precision, accuracy). Typically a detection limit (S/N=2) of 50 pptv for a 10 s signal integration time, a precision of 5 % and an accuracy in the range between 10 and 25 % were ...
The efficiency of electric power generation by dye-sensitized mesoscopic photovoltaic cells has been progressing steadily over the last years reaching now 11% in full sunlight. An important question for practical applications concerns the stability of these devices under prolonged exposure to light or heat. Strikingly stable operation can be obtained by judicious selection of the sensitizer, electrolyte and sealant rendering feasible a service life of at least 20 years under normal outdoor conditions. The sensitizer playing a central role in the light energy conversion process, we analyze the kinetic requirements for it to sustain the required one hundred million turnovers. We also review recent results on the use of self-assembled monolayers of amphiphilic sensitizers and co-adsorbents to enhance the thermal robustness of the device. (author)
The quantum nature of the electromagnetic field imposes a fundamental limit on the sensitivity of optical precision measurements such as spectroscopy, microscopy, and interferometry. The so-called quantum limit is set by the zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, which constrain the precision with which optical signals can be measured. In the world of precision measurement, laser-interferometric gravitational wave (GW) detectors are the most sensitive position meters ever operated, capable of measuring distance changes on the order of 10^-18 m RMS over kilometer separations caused by GWs from astronomical sources. The sensitivity of currently operational and future GW detectors is limited by quantum optical noise. Here we demonstrate a 44% improvement in displacement sensitivity of a prototype GW detector with suspended quasi-free mirrors at frequencies where the ...
Determining the type of matter that is inside a neutron star (NS) has been a long-standing goal of astrophysics. Despite this, most of the NS equations of state (EOS) that predict maximum masses in the range 1.4-2.8 solar masses are still viable. Most of the precise NS mass measurements that have been made to date show values close to 1.4 solar masses, but a reliable measurement of an over-massive NS would constrain the EOS possibilities. Here, we investigate how optical astrometry at the microarcsecond level can be used to map out the orbits of High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), leading to tight constraints on NS masses. While previous studies by Unwin and co-workers and Tomsick and co-workers discuss the fact that the future Space Interferometry Mission should be capable of making such measurements, the current work describes detailed simulations for 6 HMXB ...
The paper reports on the results of hydrodynamical simulations of the late phase of the common envelope stage of a binary consisting of a 2-solar mass red giant and a 1-solar mass main-sequence companion. The numerical results demonstrate that sufficient energy is released from the orbit to eject the mass within the common envelope without requiring the main-sequence companion to spiral into the white dwarf core of the red giant star. At the end of the simulation the orbital decay time scale increases rapidly to more than 160 yr. The long decay time scale reflects the removal of mass from the common envelope and its subsequent spin-up to near corotation. The ratio of the orbital decay time scale to the mass-loss time scale from the common envelope increases to more than 700, and the mass contained within the common envelope decreases to about 0.01 solar ...
Particulate Reinforced Titanium matrix composites (PRTi) exhibit some improved specific mechanical properties in comparison with those of unreinforced titanium alloys as a result of the combination of the high strength and stiffness of ceramic particles with the toughness and damage tolerance provided by the metal matrix. The poor tribological properties of the titanium exclude titanium alloys from applications where wear resistance is required (brakes, rotating parts, sliding parts). The addition of ceramic particles improves the tribological properties of metals sensitive to adhesive and /or abrasive wear significantly. In this work, the wear resistance and the friction coefficient of Ti6Al-6V-2Sn reinforced with TiC particles and Ti6Al-4V reinforced with SiC particles (prototype material) are compared with the unreinforced alloys. Pin on disc and pin on ring tests were carried out against standard steel (100Cr6) as a function of pressure, speed and temperature. ...
Full text: The isotopic assay instrument under development at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is capable of rapid prescreening to detect small and rare particles containing high concentrations of uranium in a heterogeneous sample. The isotopic measurement concept is based on laser vaporization of solid samples followed by sensitive isotope-specific detection using either uranium atomic fluorescence emission or uranium atomic absorbance. Both isotopes are measured concurrently, following a single ablation laser pulse using two external-cavity violet diode lasers. The simultaneous measurement of both isotopes enables the correlation of the fluorescence and absorbance signals on a shot-to-shot basis. This measurement approach demonstrated negligible channel crosstalk between isotopes. Scanning the heterogeneous samples provides high-resolution imagery of sample isotopic fluorescence and absorbance. Isotopically selective excitation of uranium vapor also ...
The Fermi National Laboratory (Fermilab) operates the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider at a center-of-mass energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, the is therefore the only collider which is today able to produce the heaviest known particle, the top quark. The top quark was discovered at the Tevatron by the CDF and D0 collaborations in 1995. At the Tevatron, most top quarks are produced via the strong interaction, whereby quark-antiquark annihilation dominates with 85%, and gluon fusion contributes with 15%. Considering next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions in the cross section of top-antitop quark production, leads to a slight positive asymmetry in the differential distribution of the production angle {alpha} of the top quarks. This asymmetry is due to the interference of certain NLO contributions. The charge asymmetry A in the cosine of {alpha} is predicted [14] to amount to 4-6%. Information about the partonic rest frame, necessary for a measurement of A in the ...
Hydroperoxides are important atmospheric oxidants. They are responsible for most of the oxidation of aqueous-phase SO(sub 2) to sulfate in the northeastern United States, resulting in the formation of acid precipitation and visibility-reducing sulfate aerosol (Penkett et al., 1979; Lind et al., 1987; Madronich and Calvert, 1990; Tanner and Schorran, 1995). Atmospheric hydrogen peroxide (H(sub 2)O(sub 2) or HP) is produced by the self-reaction of hydroperoxyl radicals (HO(sub 2)); higher organic peroxides are produced by reaction of HO(sub 2) with alkylperoxyl radicals (RO(sub 2)). Peroxyl radicals, along with OH, are chain carriers in the complex photochemical process that produces tropospheric ozone. Thus, concentrations of peroxides and their free radical precursors depend on solar intensity and ambient concentrations of water vapor, ozone, NO(sub x) (NO+ NO(sub 2)), and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Several investigators have demonstrated that HP and hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide ...
Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a model environmental organism that possesses diverse respiratory capacities, including the ability to reduce soluble Cr(VI) to sparingly soluble, less toxic Cr(III). Effective bioremediation of Cr-contaminated sites requires knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of heavy metal resistance and biotransformation by dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria. Towards this goal, our ERSP-funded work is focused on the identification and functional analysis of genes/proteins comprising the response pathways for chromate detoxification and/or reduction. Previous transcriptomic profiling and whole-cell proteomic analyses implicated the involvement of a functionally undefined DNA-binding response regulator (SO2426) and a putative azoreductase (SO3585) in the chromate stress response of MR-1. Here we describe a detailed functional analysis of SO2426 and SO3585 in order to begin to understand the role of these proteins in the cellular response to chromate. ...
Purpose/Objective: With the advent of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the three dimensional representation of the patient anatomy has become an invaluable resource for better diagnosis and delineation of the target volume and sensitive structures in radiation therapy. Although the therapeutic linear accelerator industry has made available highly sophisticated equipment, the aggressiveness in dose prescription and delivery has to be complimented by accurate dose computation methods. We have adopted a convolution/superposition algorithm for the calculation of absolute dose that fully accounts for the external shape and internal structure of the patient for photon treatment radiotherapy. In this paper, we will discuss the principles of the convolution algorithm and we will show how the computed dose compares to clinically relevant treatment techniques. Materials and Methods: A computer controlled data acquisition system and a water tank where used ...
The basis of assessment for particulate exhaust emissions is the gravimetric analysis of the particle concentration of diluted exhaust gases at temperatures below 52 C. This is very time consuming and takes sufficient sensitivity at low particulate emission rates like downstream of particle filters. For this reason the C/S-method, based on the thermographic analysis of carbon and sulfur, has been developed as an alternative to the gravimetric anallysis. This method yields particle mass as well as the main particle compounds. Comparisons between both methods have been carried out for heavy duty and automobile diesel engines as well as road vehicles and large diesel engines. The tests were conducted with commercial diesel fuel and also with other fuels, such as heavy oils. It could be shown that the C/S-procedure yields the same results as the gravimetric procedure independent of engine, engine mode and kind of fuel. The analysis of all important ...
Indoline dye sensitizers were designed and studied theoretically to increase molar extinction coefficients in the visible to near infrared region for solar-cell devices. To gain insight into dye sensitizers' structural, electronic, and optical properties, DFT/TDDFT calculations were performed on a series of dye sensitizers derived from the D149. The good agreement between the experimental and TDDFT calculated absorption spectra of the D149 sensitizer allowed us to provide a detailed assessment of the main spectral features of a series of dye sensitizers. Increase in the conjugation length resulted in a more red-shifted spectral response and less positive oxidation potential than that of the D149. The dye with the dimethylfluorene group showed stronger absorption bands due to a large dipole moment. The calculated dipoles for the dye series correlate well with the observed strong ...
Skin sensitization is the most commonly reported occupational illness, causing much suffering to a wide range of people. Identification and labeling of environmental allergens is urgently required to protect people from skin sensitization. The guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) and murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) are the two most important in vivo models for identification of skin sensitizers. In order to reduce the number of animal tests, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) are strongly encouraged in the assessment of skin sensitization of chemicals. This paper has investigated the skin sensitization potential of 162 compounds with LLNA results and 92 compounds with GPMT results using a support vector machine. A particle swarm optimization algorithm was implemented for feature selection from a large number of molecular descriptors calculated by Dragon. For ...
The aim of the present study is to identify and characterize the antimalrial agents from traitional Sudanese medicinal plants. 49 plants parts representing 26 species from 15 families were extracted and screened for their in vitro antimalrial activity using P. falciparum strain 3D7 which is chloroquine sensitive and Dd2 strain which is chloroquine resistant and pyrimethamine sensitive.The plant species investigated exhibited diverse botanical families. They includes Annonaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae, Balantiaceae, Caesalpiniceae, Celasteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Graminae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Polygonaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, and simaroubaceae. The evaluation of these plants for their antimalarial activity and their effect on lymphocyte proliferation was carried out. 57 extracts were tested on the chloroquine sensitive strain (3D7). Where 34 extracts (59%) exhibited significant activity against 3D7 with ...
A two-dimensional (2D) lattice model with anisotropic resonant microstructures is found to provide an anisotropic band gap structure. A 2D continuum with anisotropic effective mass density is introduced to represent this lattice system. Two methods are proposed to derive the equivalent continuum. In the first method, the effective mass density of the equivalent continuum is obtained by matching the dispersion relations for harmonic waves propagating in the principal directions. The second approach employs an approximate estimation of the effective mass density by volume-averaging an effective mass that represents the resonant microstructure. For both equivalent continuum models, the effective mass density is frequency-dependent and may become negative in certain frequency ranges. Subsequen...
The mass asymmetry of fragments from nuclear fission of heavy nuclei is reviewed. While mass asymmetry is a common and well-known phenomenon for low-energy fission of the lighter actinides, more recent experiments have demonstrated that, for the heaviest actinides, the mass distribution switches to a symmetric one. On the other hand, it has been discovered that, though for fissioning nuclei with mass numbers A< or [approx]225 the mass distribution is basically symmetric, an asymmetric component is clearly to be identified for nuclei down to the Pb-region. In the absence of a generally accepted dynamical theory of fission, the above experimental findings are discussed in terms of static energy considerations. Triggered from the outset by the structure of the potential energy surface at the saddlepoint, the energy balance at the scission point between the available energy (Q-value) ...
The mass asymmetry of fragments from nuclear fission of heavy nuclei is reviewed. While mass asymmetry is a common and well-known phenomenon for low-energy fission of the lighter actinides, more recent experiments have demonstrated that, for the heaviest actinides, the mass distribution switches to a symmetric one. On the other hand, it has been discovered that, though for fissioning nuclei with mass numbers A< or #approx#225 the mass distribution is basically symmetric, an asymmetric component is clearly to be identified for nuclei down to the Pb-region. In the absence of a generally accepted dynamical theory of fission, the above experimental findings are discussed in terms of static energy considerations. Triggered from the outset by the structure of the potential energy surface at the saddlepoint, the energy balance at the scission point between the available energy (Q-value) ...
In nuclear fuel, in approximately one quarter of the fissions, one of the two formed fission products is gaseous. These are mainly the noble gases xenon and krypton with isotopes of xenon contributing up to 90% of the product gases. These noble fission gases do not combine with other species, and have a low solubility in the normally used uranium oxide matrix. They can be dissolved in the fuel matrix or precipitate in nanometer-sized bubbles within the fuel grain, in micrometer-sized bubbles at the grain boundaries, and a fraction also precipitates in fuel pores, coming from fuel fabrication. A fraction of the gas can also be released into the plenum of the fuel rod. With increasing fission, and therefore burn-up, the ceramic fuel material experiences a transformation of its structure in the 'cooler' rim region of the fuel. A subdivision occurs of the original fuel grains of few microns size into thousands of small grains of sub-micron sizes. Additionally, larger ...
Several low-mass models with an inhomogeneous radiative core and a convective envelope are investigated, the entire core or its upper portion being treated as a zone of neutral stability. Mixing by convective overshoot will then give rise to unstable structure.
The scaling of reproductive parameters to body size is important for understanding ecological and evolutionary patterns. Here, we derived allometric relationships for the number and mass of seeds, eggs...Full Text Available
We calculate the light `glueball' mass spectrum in N_f=2 lattice QCD using a fermion action that is non--perturbatively O(a) improved. We work at lattice spacings a~0.1 fm and with quark masses that range down to about half the strange quark mass. We find the statistical errors to be moderate and under control on relatively small ensembles. We compare our mass spectrum to that of quenched QCD at the same value of a. Whilst the tensor mass is the same (within errors), the scalar mass is significantly lighter in the dynamical lattice theory, by a factor of ~0.84 +/- 0.03. We discuss what the observed m_q dependence of this suppression tells us about the dynamics of glueballs in QCD. We also calculate the masses of flux tubes that wind around the spatial torus, and extract the string tension from these. As we decrease the quark ...
This paper describes a system for fast mass spectrometric characterization of high-temperature outgassing measurements and measuring the total quantity of gas evolved for boron nitride. 2 references, 1 figure, 2 tables.
BackgroundMass treatment to trachoma endemic communities is a critical part of the World Health Organization SAFE strategy. However, non-participation may not be at random, affecting...Full Text Available
Mass Balance and Present-day Antarctic Rebound and Gravity Change. Erik R. Ivins , Eric Rignot, Xiaoping Wu, Carol A. Raymond (JPLKaltech, 300-233,4800 Oak ...
We have developed a method for dissecting single neurons from the nematode Ascaris suum, in order to determine their peptide content by mass spectrometry (MS). In this paper,...Full Text Available
Three-flavor lattice QCD simulations and two-loop perturbation theory are used to make the most precise determination to date of the strange-, up-, and down-quark masses, $m_s$, $m_u$, and $m_d$, respectively. Perturbative matching is required in order to connect the lattice-regularized bare- quark masses to the masses as defined in the \\msbar scheme, and this is done here for the first time at next-to-next-to leading (or two-loop) order. The bare-quark masses required as input come from simulations by the MILC collaboration of a highly-efficient formalism (using so-called ``staggered'' quarks), with three flavors of light quarks in the Dirac sea; these simulations were previously analyzed in a joint study by the HPQCD and MILC collaborations, using degenerate $u$ and $d$ quarks, with masses as low as $m_s/8$, and two values of the lattice spacing, with chiral ...
The first cell lineage specification in mouse embryo development is the formation of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst. This article is to review and discuss the...Full Text Available
A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed for the quantitative determination of salirasib (S-trans, trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid,...Full Text Available
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) has been explored widely for DNA sequencing. The major requirement for this method is that the DNA sequencing fragments...Full Text Available
Charge reduction electrospray mass spectrometry (CREMS) reduces the charge states of electrospray-generated ions, which concentrates the ions from a protein into fewer peaks spread over a larger...Full Text Available
The binding mode of telomestatin to G-quadruplex DNA has been investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry, by detecting the intact complexes formed in ammonium acetate. The mass measurements show...Full Text Available
The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in several patterns of thoracic and abdominal fatty masses, has been examined. In selected cases our findings overlap the features of the recent literature. The possibility of surgical therapy in peculiar cases of adipose deposits, commonly esteemed benign, is considered.
Discrete masses are commonly detected during mammographic screening and most such lesions are benign. For lesions without pathognomonically benign imaging features that are still regarded likely to...Full Text Available
Validation of body-mass relationships requires a careful statistical analysis of data of normal weight individuals. BMI (ratio between body mass and square of body height) and BSI values (ratio between...Full Text Available
The validation parameters for pharmaceutical analyses were examined for the accelerator mass spectrometry measurement of 14C/C ratio, independent of chemical separation procedures....Full Text Available
Derivations are made for the mass and the mass-turnover time scale of an accretion disk as a function of the accretion rate, the observed disk radius, the non-viscous disk radius, and two parameters. These parameters depend on the effectiveness of viscosity and tidal angular momentum loss. Application is made to DQ Herculis.
We explore the structure of a new family gauge symmetry U(3) and show its experimental signatures to search for. U(3) gauge bosons obviate an unwelcome deviation of the charged lepton mass formula with the running masses from that with the pole masses. The current structure of this model leads to flavor number violations via exchange of extra gauge bosons. We obtain bounds on the masses of the gauge bosons from rare kaon decay searches and muonium-antimuonium oscillation searches. We propose attractive signatures at LHC and lepton colliders and discuss feasibility of their discovery.
After presenting a general account of the observed global properties of single stars of low, intermediate, and high mass, together with their theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram evolution, attention is given to the observed properties of various evolved close binaries and to an assessment of the value of comparisons between observation and crude theory in characterizing the physics of mass transfer within interacting binary systems. Detailed consideration is then undertaken of such topics as stellar evolution in globular clusters, interior star changes due to nucleosynthesis and mixing, asymptotic giant branch stars of intermediate mass, the response of white dwarfs in binary systems to mass accretion, and scenarios for binary star evolution tending toward close white dwarf pairs.
We investigate several varying-mass dark-matter particle models in the framework of phantom cosmology. We examine whether there exist late-time cosmological solutions, corresponding to an accelerating universe and possessing dark energy and dark matter densities of the same order. Imposing exponential or power-law potentials and exponential or power-law mass dependence, we conclude that the coincidence problem cannot be solved or even alleviated. Thus, if dark energy is attributed to the phantom paradigm, varying-mass dark matter models cannot fulfill the basic requirement that led to their construction.
Energy level schemes are derived from gamma spectroscopy of several medium-mass deformed nuclei by studying the decay or proton and #alpha# nuclear spectroscopic data. Some new isomeric studies are established among which is the 31 y "1"7"8Hf isomeric state for which Isup(#pi#), K was determined to be 16"+, 16. A four quasi-particle configuration was assigned to this state at 2447.5 +- 2.5 KeV. Atomic masses have been calculated from various measurements and, on the basis of mass formulae extrapolated to neighboring mass regions.
The mass distribution of the Sombrero Galaxy, NGC 4594, is calculated in order to investigate the suspicion that the rotational velocity of the galactic gas does not measure the circular velocity in the galaxy. It is shown that the H II rotation velocities are much less than circular in the central 35 arcsec of the galaxy, and that the suspicion is correct. Thus, the H II rotation velocities cannot be used to measure the mass distribution. The absorption-line rotation curve is used to derive the mass distribution, and it is found that the M/L ratio is nearly constant. It is concluded that the visible matter is self-gravitating at least in the central 180 arcsec. 44 references.
The measurements of the nuclear decay of actinide isotopes and the evaluation of the radioactive properties of nuclide with the mass 242 is discussed in this paper.
Using the finite-range regularisation (FRR) of chiral effective field theory, the chiral extrapolation formula for the vector meson mass is derived for the case of partially-quenched QCD. We re-analyse the dynamical fermion QCD data for the vector meson mass from the CP-PACS collaboration. A global fit, including finite lattice spacing effects, of all 16 of their ensembles is performed. We study the FRR method together with a naive polynomial approach and find excellent agreement ~1% with the experimental value of M_rho from the former approach. These results are extended to the case of the nucleon mass.
... analyzer section for angle resolved measurements, and a thin film evaporator with a quartz crystal microbalance to measure the mass deposition. ...
The method of spectral disentangling has now created the opportunity for studying the chemical composition in previously inaccessible components of binary and multiple stars. This in turn makes it possible to trace their chemical evolution, a vital aspect in understanding the evolution of stellar systems. We review different ways to reconstruct individual spectra from eclipsing and non-eclipsing systems, and then concentrate on some recent applications to detached binaries with high-mass and intermediate-mass stars, and Algol-type mass-transfer systems.
Isospin-breaking effects in the baryonic sector are studied in the framework of a medium-modified Skyrme model. The neutron-proton mass difference in infinite, asymmetric nuclear matter is discussed. In order to describe the influence of the nuclear environment on the skyrmions, we include energy-dependent charged and neutral pion optical potentials in the s- and p-wave channels. The present approach predicts that the neutron-proton mass difference is mainly dictated by its strong part and that it strongly decreases in neutron matter. (orig.)
In our previous theoretical analyses, solubility-limited mass transfer from waste solids applies if a species is at a constant elemental concentration in liquid at the waste surface. For an element with isotopes that decay appreciably during the time of interest, a solubility boundary condition results in a time-dependent boundary concentration of each isotope. Here we present mass-transfer equations that include the effects of isotopic decay boundary conditions. 9 refs., 1 fig.
The influence of rigid-body and differential rotation and of a fine-scale chaotic magnetic field and a poloidal magnetic field on the minimum mass of a main-sequence star is investigated. It is shown that rotation and a magnetic field with an energy equal to 10--20% of the star's gravitational energy increase the minimum mass of a main-sequence star by 1.5--2 times.
Analytical solutions are derived for a flow in a semi-infinite vertical porous medium with heat and mass transfer. When the temperature and mass concentration are uniform a constant pressure is possible and sustains a fully developed flow. Thereafter there is a small perturbation on the wall temperature and concentration and the subsequent two-dimensional problem is tackled for a large Prandtl number, free convection parameters and small Reynolds number. The heat transfer rate at the wall is discussed quantitatively.
The "texture zero mass matrices" for the quarks and leptons describe very well the flavor mixing of the quarks and leptons. We can calculate the angles of the unitarity triangle. We expect the angle alpha of the unitarity triangle to be 90 degrees. The masses of the neutrinos can be calculated - they are very small, the largest neutrino mass is 0.05 eV. We calculated the matrix element of the mixing matrix, relevant for the reactor mixing angle. It can be measured in the near future in the DAYA BAY experiment.
This paper illustrates how the techniques developed by the authors for capital cost targeting of mass exchange networks can be applied to determination of capital investment targets for reduction in effluent for existing systems involving mass exchange. The results is an impact diagram which shows the relationship between effluent reduction and capital investment, indicating a region of limiting return on investment as well as the maximum possible reduction in effluent. (au)
The U.S. Department of Energy`s (DOE) Environmental Management Office of Science and Technology (EM-50) authorized studies on alternative systems for treating contact-handled DOE mixed low-level radioactive waste (MLLW). The on-going Integrated Thermal Treatment Systems` (ITTS) and the Integrated Nonthermal Treatment Systems` (INTS) studies satisfy this request. EM-50 further authorized supporting studies including this technology and subsystem cost sensitivity analysis. This analysis identifies areas where technology development could have the greatest impact on total life cycle system costs. These areas are determined by evaluating the sensitivity of system life cycle costs relative to changes in life cycle component or phase costs, subsystem costs, contingency allowance, facility capacity, operating life, and disposal costs. For all treatment systems, the most cost sensitive life cycle phase is the operations and ...
Ten different alloys of zirconium have been tested with regard to the effect of irradiation on their mechanical properties and their sensitivity to environmentally induced failure. Two different environments were used: iodine vapour and liquid cesium with an addition of 2% cadmium. The neutron dose was 10"2"1n/cm"2 (E>1MeV) and the irradiation temperature was about 300 degrees C. All alloy additions increased the irradiation hardening. Especially notable was the large effect of titanium and tin on irradiation hardening. A limited amount of transmission electron microscopy was carried out in order to find an explanation to the effects. The testing in different environments showed that there is no clear correlation between environmental sensitivity and yield stress. For materials of similar yield stress an alloyed material tends to be more sensitive to environmental cracking than a material which only contains oxygen as an ...
In this study, adjoint sensitivity theory is developed for equations of two-dimensional steady-state flow in a confined aquifer. Both the primary flow equation and the adjoint sensitivity equation are solved using the Galerkin finite element method. The developed computer code is used to investigate the regional flow parameters of the Leadville Formation of the Paradox Basin in Utah and the Wolcamp carbonate/sandstone aquifer of the Palo Duro Basin in the Texas Panhandle. Two performance measures are evaluated, local heads and velocity in the vicinity of potential high-level nuclear waste repositories. The results illustrate the sensitivity of calculated local heads to the boundary conditions. Local velocity-related performance measures are more sensitive to hydraulic conductivities. The uncertainty in the performance measure is a function of the parameter sensitivity, parameter ...
The microstructures of magnesium AZ31 are examined following hot compression testing and annealing. The grain size, fraction dynamically recrystallized and, in a couple of cases, the crystallographic texture are reported. It was found that the progress of dynamic recrystallization is strongly sensitive to processing conditions but that the dynamically recrystallized grain size was less sensitive to stress than in other metals. It was also found that, for structures containing between 80 and 95% dynamic recrystallization, abnormal grain growth occurs during annealing. The crystallographic texture produced is also sensitive to the deformation conditions. (orig.)
Yucca Mountain, Nevada is a potential site for a high-level radioactive-waste repository. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate critical factors in the performance of the site with respect to a criterion in terms of pre-waste-emplacement ground-water travel time. The degree of failure in the analytical model to meet the criterion is sensitive to the estimate of fracture porosity in the upper welded unit of the problem domain. Fracture porosity is derived from a number of more fundamental measurements including fracture frequency, fracture orientation, and the moisture-retention characteristic inferred for the fracture domain.
The geothermal well-cost model developed by Sandia National Laboratories is being used to analyze the sensitivity of well costs to improvements in geothermal drilling technology. Three interim results from this modeling effort are discussed. The sensitivity of well costs to bit parameters, rig parameters, and material costs; an analysis of the cost reduction potential of an advanced bit; and a consideration of breakeven costs for new cementing technology. All three results illustrate that the well-cost savings arising from any new technology will be highly site-dependent but that in specific wells the advances considered can result in significant cost reductions.
The marine environment is becoming increasingly contaminated by environmental pollutants with the potential to damage DNA, with marine sediments acting as a sink for many of these contaminants. Understanding genotoxic responses in sediment-dwelling marine organisms, such as polychaetes, is therefore of increasing importance. This study is an exploration of species-specific and cell-specific differences in cell sensitivities to DNA-damaging agents in polychaete worms, aimed at increasing fundamental knowledge of their responses to genotoxic damage. The sensitivities of coelomocytes from three polychaetes species of high ecological relevance, i.e. the lugworm Arenicola marina, the harbour ragworm Nereis diversicolor and the king ragworm Nereis virens to genotoxic damage are compared, and dif...
The sensitivity of the primary circuit material was examined at the Mochovce and Dukovany NPPs. No significant sensitivity of the base material or the weld metal to the initiation of corrosion cracking was observed. Thermal aging was found to accelerate significantly the corrosion fatigue kinetics in the material of the heat affected zone. The threshold values of the double amplitudes of the stress intensity factor were below 8 MPa/m"2 for the materials examined, with a cycle asymmetry coefficient of 0.65. The tests revealed no appreciable sensitivity to general corrosion, pitting, or intergranular corrosion. (J.B.). 7 tabs., 26 figs., 11 refs.
BACKGROUNDColorectal cancer (CRC) screening can be administered through tests with varied characteristics and is a preference-sensitive decision.OBJECTIVETo...Full Text Available
Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are sequences that are identical between reference genomes of distantly related species. As they are under negative selection and enriched near or in specific classes...Full Text Available
... Special Purpse Lead Azide Lot #I3A-4-62 ... Standard X-ray techniques are not sufficiently sensitive ... the National Bureau of Standards, and examined ...
Federal regulators were set to vote on a plan to protect deep water corals and other sensitive fish habitats that will likely include a permanent ban on ...
For some neurotoxic chemicals, neurobehavioral effects are now considered to be among the most sensitive end points yet detected, particularly if exposures occur during critical windows of vulnerability....Full Text Available
Direct radiological measurements of the mineral content of femoral bone were performed in 13 patients on maintenance dialysis. They were found to be sufficiently sensitive to be used for monitoring,...Full Text Available
Aug. 24, 1965. L. V. BALDWIN ETAL. 3202915. PARTICLE BEAM MEASUREMENT APPARATUS USING BEAM KINETIC. ENERGY TO CHANGE TIIE HEAT SENSITIVE RESISTANCE OF ...
All treatments for obesity, including dietary restriction of carbohydrates, have a goal of reducing the storage of fat in adipocytes. The chief enzyme responsible for the mobilization of FFA from adipose...Full Text Available
A growing number of environmental toxicants found in pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents are believed to have deleterious effects on development by disrupting hormone-sensitive processes....Full Text Available
A sensitivity study that used the particle tracking code PARMELA was performed on the Advanced Free-Electron Laser (AFEL). The tolerances on the alignment of the beam-line elements and the magnetic-field strengths were examined. Two base-line configurations were determined at the beginning of the study. The electron beam was then matched into the wiggler. The optimized beam-line parameters were varied independently and their sensitivities were judged with the criterion that the free-electron laser (FEL) effective-detuning parameter should not fluctuate more than 10%. The results of this study set the specifications for the alignment, for the sensitivity of the steering magnets, and for the accuracy of the magnetic field in the quadrupoles and dipoles. 5 figs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
Previous studies indicate that the hatching success of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) cysts is surprisingly sensitive to ambient metal concentrations. These studies estimated median effective concentrations (EC50s) of 7, 5, and 28??g l?1 for Cd, Cu, and Zn, suggesting that the hatching end point for A. franciscana is the most sensitive tested to date for Cd and Zn in saline environments and comparable in sensitivity with the most sensitive tested to date for Cu. Furthermore, these data suggest that brine shrimp are at significant risk from Cu and Zn in Great Salt Lake (GSL), UT, where ambient concentrations as high as 10 and 14??g l?1, respectively, have been measured. Given that brine shrimp appear to be successfully reproducing in GSL, we hypothesized that these toxicity values were ...
Perfect single-crystal neutron interferometers are adversely sensitive to environmental disturbances, particularly mechanical vibrations. The sensitivity to vibrations results from the slow velocity of thermal neutrons and the long measurement time that are encountered in a typical experiment. Consequently, to achieve a good interference solutions for reducing vibration other than those normally used in optical experiments must be explored. Here we introduce a geometry for a neutron interferometer that is less sensitive to low-frequency vibrations. This design may be compared with both dynamical decoupling methods and decoherence-free subspaces that are described in quantum information processing. By removing the need for bulky vibration isolation setups, this design will make it easier to adopt neutron interferometry to a wide range of applications and increase its sensitivity.
Purpose To investigate the influence of timolol maleate 0.5% gel-forming solution and brinzolamide 1% ophthalmic suspension on contrast sensitivity, ocular higher-order aberration (HOA), and corneal surface light scattering. Design Prospective, comparative study. Participants Forty normal volunteers were enrolled in this study. Methods We evaluated contrast sensitivity, ocular HOA, and corneal light scattering before and 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after instillation of antiglaucoma eyedrops. Contrast sensitivity function was assessed with the CSV-1000RN chart (Vector Vision Co., Greenville, OH). Higher-order aberration was measured for a 4-mm pupil using the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer (KR-9000PW; Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Corneal surface light scattering was quantitatively evaluated by using th...
BackgroundAutofluorescence bronchoscopy is more sensitive than conventional bronchoscopy for detecting early airway mucosal lesions. Decreased specificity can lead...Full Text Available
Chemoreceptors are crucial components in the bacterial sensory systems that mediate chemotaxis. Chemotactic responses exhibit exquisite sensitivity, extensive dynamic range and precise adaptation....Full Text Available
Most commercially based activated charcoal radon collectors were designed for use in indoor environments. However, at present, they are often used for research in radon surveys in unique environments, such as in the bathrooms, underground areas, mines, caves and tunnels. In these environments, the relative humidity would be around 100%, and a change in the sensitivity of cpm(Bq m{sup -3}){sup -1}(radon) would occur. For this study, the reduction in the sensitivity of activated charcoal radon collector due to environmental humidity was investigated, and the data correction was discussed. Here, ST-100 (Pico-Rad) was selected as an example of a familiar activated charcoal radon collector. According to our performance test, the humidity of 90% (20 deg. C) resulted in a 15% reduction of the sensitivity for 24 h collection. The ST-100 user should discuss the necessity of data correction by comparing the change of ...
mulation, with flow quantities stored at the grid vertices. OVERFLOW ..... attack: a separation bubble near the trailing edge of the ..... AGARD CP-429, Jul. 1988. ...
We present a technique for identifying the amino acids responsible for a loss of immunoreactivity in response to treating an antigen with a chemical modifier. This is of particular interest...Full Text Available
The near-threshold enhancement in the ppbar invariant mass spectrum from the B^+ -> K^+ ppbar decay reported recently by the BaBar Collaboration is studied within the J\\"ulich NNbar model. We illustrate that the invariant mass dependence of the ppbar spectrum close to the threshold can be reproduced by the final state interactions. This explanation is in line with our previous analysis of the ppbar invariant mass spectrum from the J/Psi -> gamma ppbar decay measured by the BES Collaboration. We also comment on a structure found recently in the pi^+ pi^- eta' mass spectrum of the radiative J/Psi decay by the BES Collaboration. In particular we argue that one should be rather cautions in bringing this structure in connection with the enhancement found in the ppbar invariant mass spectrum or with the existence of NNbar bound states.
We address the deviations of the scaling relations of elliptical galaxies from the expectations based on the virial theorem and homology, including the "tilt" of the "fundamental plane" and the steep decline of density with mass. We show that such tilts result from dissipative major mergers once the gas fraction available for dissipation declines with progenitor mass, and derive the scaling properties of the progenitors. We use hydrodynamical simulations to quantify the effects of major mergers with different gas fractions on the structural properties of galaxies. The tilts are driven by the differential shrinkage of the effective stellar radius as a function of dissipation in the merger, while the correlated smaller enhancements in internal velocity and stellar mass keep the slope of the velocity-stellar mass relation near V \\pr M_*^{1/4}. The progenitors match a straightforward model of disc ...
The Los Alamos Nuclear Material Accounting and Safeguards System (MASS) is a near-real-time accountability system for bulk materials, discrete items, and material undergoing dynamic processing. MASS has evolved from an eighty-column card based process control system to a very sophisticated computer system. The security of the MASS computer system is provide through various access controls. There are two kinds of access control to be addressed. They are physical access control to the hardware which make up the system, and access control to the software. There are many features which provide a measure of security to the hardware that will be discussed. Access to the software is controlled by a security password. Access to various transaction activities in the system is controlled through the level of MASS user privilege. Details of MASS user privilege will be discussed.
The authors search Z{prime} bosons in dielectron events produced in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, using a 0.45 fb{sup -1} dataset accumulated with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. To identify the Z{prime} {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -} signal, both the dielectron invariant mass distribution and the angular distribution of the electron pair are used. No evidence of a signal is found, and 95% confidence level lower limits are set on the Z{prime} mass for several models. Limits are also placed on the mass and gauge coupling of a generic Z{prime}, as well as on the contact interaction mass scales for different helicity structure scenarios.
The difficulty and unstability of the parameter estimation of mass action model for radioimmunoassay are the major obstacles to its application in routine work. A unique robust curve fitting method for the mass action model was introduced. large numbers of simulated data were generated with Monte Carlo method to compare the accuracy and robustness of the robust fitting and the least squre fitting (Marquardt method) of the mass action model. The results demonstrated that the new robusst method significantly increased the accuracy and reliability of data processing with the mass action model. It also markedly reduced the influence of outliers in the fitting of RIA data, and it was always 'convergent'. This robust method could also be applied to other mathematical models which can be transformed into high degree equations and no initial estimates are needed for curve fitting.
A study of elliptical flow is carried out for different mass asymmetries of colliding nuclei using the reactions of Formula Not Shown ( Formula Not Shown ), Formula Not Shown ( Formula Not Shown ) and Formula Not Shown ( Formula Not Shown ). The present reactions are simulated at incident energies between 50 and 250 MeV/nucleon within the framework of isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model. For the present analysis, total mass of colliding pairs is kept fixed and mass asymmetry is varied between 0.3 and 0.7. The elliptical flow shows a transition from in-plane to out-of-plane in the mid rapidity region with incident energy. The transition energy is found to increase with the mass asymmetry for light charged particles. A good agreement is obtained with experimental measurements.
Abstract A large number of massive stars are known to rotate rapidly, resulting in a significant distortion and variation in surface temperature from the pole to the equator. Radiatively driven mass-loss is temperature-dependent, so rapid rotation produces a variation in the mass-loss and angular momentum loss rates across the surface of the star, which is expected to affect the evolution of rapidly rotating massive stars. In this work, we use zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) stellar models to investigate the two-dimensional effects of rotation on stellar mass-loss, using two common prescriptions for radiatively driven mass-loss. The associated loss of angular momentum from these models is also considered. Using 2D stellar models, which give the variation in surface parameters as a function o...
Mass transfer to a wall of a horizontal rectangular channel reactor was investigated by the limiting current technique for Reynolds numbers ranging from 200 to 32000. Overall mass transfer coefficients at various mass transfer surface angles were obtained while the reactor was operated under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Dimensionless correlations were developed for isothermal flows from 25 to 55{sup o}C and for non-isothermal flows with applied temperature differences up to 30{sup o}C. In the laminar flow range natural convection dominated, but under turbulent conditions combined natural and forced convection prevailed. Mass transfer was approximately doubled under optimum selection of channel surface rotation, temperature gradient and flow rate. (author)
Mass transfer to a wall of a horizontal rectangular channel reactor was investigated by the limiting current technique for Reynolds numbers ranging from 200 to 32000. Overall mass transfer coefficients at various mass transfer surface angles were obtained while the reactor was operated under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Dimensionless correlations were developed for isothermal flows from 25 to 55"oC and for non-isothermal flows with applied temperature differences up to 30"oC. In the laminar flow range natural convection dominated, but under turbulent conditions combined natural and forced convection prevailed. Mass transfer was approximately doubled under optimum selection of channel surface rotation, temperature gradient and flow rate. (author)
Changes in mass density of amorphous Pd{sub 80}Si{sub 20} were monitored in situ during irradiation with He{sup 2+} and H{sup +} ions at temperatures below 100 K and during subsequent thermal treatment. The mass density decreased with increasing ion fluence and exponentially approached a saturation value of -1.2%, corresponding to a recombination volume of 190 atomic volumes. The initial swelling rate was 2.3 atomic volumes/displaced atom. The mass density of the irradiated material increased during subsequent thermal treatment, and the irradiation-induced decrease of the mass density recovered completely at room temperature.
An experimental and theoretical study of heat and mass transfer analogy and a comparison of that to a binary liquid mixture evaporation is presented. Common organic solvents, ethanol and n-heptane, were used to form an alcohol - hydrocarbon mixture. Studies were carried out in a horizontal rectangular channel having air flow velocities of 0.2 - 0.9 m/s. Heat transfer coefficients were measured with a copper plate resistor and mass transfer coefficients with a square pool. The heat and mass transfer analogy is presented for a system having two evaporating compounds with a fixed value of air flow and verified by measuring and comparing mass transfer coefficients for distilled water with air flow velocities of 0.2 - 0.9 m/s. An illustrative example of the use of the theory for industrial ventilation is presented. (author)
We consider typeIIA supergravity solution of D2-branes and D3-branes localized within D6-branes in the near-core region of D6-branes. With these solutions we can calculate the spectrum of the glueball mass in QCD3 and QCD4. The equation of motion describing the dilaton has the same eigenvalues and the same glueball masses in QCD3 and QCD4. Glueball mass spectrum is the same in the near core region of D6-branes of their M-theory counterpart is KK monopole. We conclude that the glueball mass spectrum is the same in QCD3 and QCD4 by considering the `near-core' limit of D6-branes of which M-theory counterpart (KK monopole background) becomes an ALE space with an $A_{N-1}$ singularity times 7 dimensional Minkowski space $M^{(6,1)}$.
This paper discusses the results of the absorption-line spectroscopy carried out with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on the prototypical Sa galaxy NGC 4594 (the Sombrero galaxy). Two conclusions were derived concerning this galaxy. First, at the values of r less than 10 arcsec, there is a well-defined nuclear disk of stars which is not obviously connected to the main disk at larger radii. Second, the mass-to-light ratio, M/L(V), of the galaxy rises abruptly at r values less than 1 arcsec to values of M/L(V) greater than 50, which is at least 10 times as large as the mass-to-light ratios at r values above 2 arcsec. This implies the presence of a central dark mass of a magnitude between 10 to the 8.5th and 10 to the 9.5th solar masses. 54 references.
A new technique has been developed for the measurement of steam mass flowrate, water mass flowrate and total enthalpy of two-phase fluids produced from geothermal wells. The method involves precisely metered injection of liquid and vapor phase tracers into the two-phase production pipeline and concurrent sampling of each phase downstream of the injection point. Subsequent chemical analysis of the steam and water samples for tracer content enables the calculation of mass flowrate for each phase given the known mass injection rates of tracer. This technique has now been used extensively at the Coso geothermal project, owned and operated by California Energy Company. Initial validation of the method was performed at the Roosevelt Hot Springs geothermal project on wells producing to individual production separators equipped with orificeplate flowmeters for each phase.
The electroweak radiative correction, which turned out to be marginal within the standard electroweak model having the minimal Higgs sector in view of the present experimental information, fits well the experiment when the Higgs sector is extended to have two Higgs doublets. We predict the range where the charged and CP odd Higgs boson masses would lie, taking the two CP even neutral Higgs boson masses to be degenerate which makes the analysis in multiparameter space feasible. It is shown that the mass of neutral Higgs doublet boson can arbitrarily be large consistently with the $W$ mass, if the charged Higgs boson is present and it's mass lies in some appropriate ranges.
We have obtained radial velocities for 69 stars in the globular cluster M2 (NGC 7089). M2's rotation axis is, within sizeable uncertainties, perpendicular to the major axis determined by the flattening. The ratio of rotational to random kinetic energy agrees with that predicted from the ellipticity assuming an oblate figure and an isotropic velocity-dispersion tensor. We have fitted King-Michie models to determine M2's mass, the exponent of an assumed power-law mass function, and the anisotropy radius. The most significant sources of uncertainty in the modeling are the velocity dispersion, the distance, and the mass-luminosity relation for the cluster stars. The models favor mass functions similar to or shallower than the Salpeter initial-mass function and a moderate amount of velocity anisotropy.
We compare the metallicities of stars with radial velocity planets to the metallicity of a sample of field dwarfs. We confirm recent work indicating that the stars-with-planet sample as a whole is iron rich. However, the lowest mass stars tend to be iron poor, with several having [Fe/H]0.48) that contributes to but does not explain the mass-metallicity trend in the stars-with-planets sample. We use Monte Carlo models to show that adding an average of 6.5 Earth masses of iron to each star can explain both the mass-metallicity and the age-metallicity relations of the stars-with-planets sample. However, for at least one star, HD 38529, there is good evidence that the bulk metallicity is high. We conclude that the observed metallicities and metallicity trends are the result of the interaction of three effects; accretion of about 6 Earth masses of iron rich material, selection effects, ...
Theoretical prediction of nuclear masses is analyzed as a pattern recognition problem on the N-Z plane. A global pattern is observed by plotting the differences between measured masses and Liquid Drop Model (LDM) predictions. After unfolding the data by removing the smooth LDM mass contributions, the remaining microscopic effects have proved difficult to model, although they display a striking pattern. These deviations carry information related to shell closures, nuc]ear deformation and the residual nuclear interactions. In the present work the more than 2000 known nuclear masses are studied as an array in the N-Z plane viewed through a mask, behind which the approximately 7000 unknown unstable nuclei that can exist between the proton and neutron drip lines are hidden. We show here that employing a Fourier transform deconvolution method these by masses can be predicted with similar ...
Theoretical prediction of nuclear masses is analyzed as a pattern recognition problem on the N-Z plane. A global pattern is observed by plotting the differences between measured masses and Liquid Drop Model (LDM) predictions. After unfolding the data by removing the smooth LDM mass contributions, the remaining microscopic effects have proved difficult to model, although they display a striking pattern. These deviations carry information related to shell closures, nuc]ear deformation and the residual nuclear interactions. In the present work the more than 2000 known nuclear masses are studied as an array in the N-Z plane viewed through a mask, behind which the approximately 7000 unknown unstable nuclei that can exist between the proton and neutron drip lines are hidden. We show here that employing a Fourier transform deconvolution method these by masses can be predicted with similar ...
We calculate the masses of the resonances D{sub s0}{sup *}(2317) and D{sub s1}(2460) as well as their bottom partners as bound states of a kaon and a D{sup (*)} - and B{sup (*)} -meson, respectively, in unitarized chiral perturbation theory at next-to-leading order. After fixing the parameters in the D{sub s0}{sup *}(2317) channel, the calculated mass for the D{sub s1}(2460) is found in excellent agreement with experiment. The masses for the analogous states with a bottom quark are predicted to be M{sub B{sup *}{sub s0}}=(5696{+-}40) MeV and M{sub B{sub s1}}=(5742{+-}40) MeV in reasonable agreement with previous analyses. In particular, we predict M{sub B{sub s1}}-M{sub B{sub s0}}{sup *}=46{+-}1 MeV. We also explore the dependence of the states on the pion and kaon masses. We argue that the kaon mass dependence of a kaonic bound state should be almost linear with slope about unity. ...
Performance assessments for the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site on the Nevada Test Site have used three different mathematical models to estimate Rn-222 flux density. This study describes the performance, uncertainty, and sensitivity of the three models which include the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 3.64 analytical method and two numerical methods. The uncertainty of each model was determined by Monte Carlo simulation using Latin hypercube sampling. The global sensitivity was investigated using Morris one-at-time screening method, sample-based correlation and regression methods, the variance-based extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test, and Sobol's sensitivity indices. The models were found to produce similar estimates of the mean and median flux density, but to have different uncertainties and sensitivities. When the Rn-222 effective ...
To analyse the thermal noise of the pendulum mode of a suspended mirror, we interferometrically detect the differential movement of two mirrors suspended as multiple-stage pendulums. We present the set-up of this experiment and the current sensitivity, and also the different steps that we took in the past to increase the sensitivity, which include an auto alignment of the laser beam into the resonator eigenmode, changes of the seismic isolation system to more damping stages and higher moments of inertia and an intensive noise hunting.
Using a sensitive optical wavelength modulation technique the surface-plasmon excited on a gold grating surface immersed in sulfuric acid is studied at the same time as cyclic voltammetry is undertaken. Because of the optical sensitivity of the modulation technique significant optical effects are observed at potentials well below those at which any gross oxidation effects occur.
1. We studied the effects of flash photolysis on the novel enantiomeric cardiac inotropes EMD 57033 (a calcium sensitizer) and EMD 57439 (a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor) in rat isolated ventricular...Full Text Available
The neutron detector is cased in a metal envelop and has one detector with a very sensitive fission chamber and a second detector with a fission chamber less sensitive that the first one and a boron coated ionisation chamber for reducing gamma radiation detection.
This comprehensive, critical review summarizes the use of nanoparticles in enhanced and amplified chemiluminescence detection, illustrated by different reaction strategies, electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensors, immunoassay or hybridization labels and electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay or hybridization sensors. We discuss the analytical applications on the basis of validity, range and sensitivity, and draw some useful conclusions about the most sensitive approach in each type of application.
The results show that the SQUID device eddy current testing system is a suitable tool for NDE. Due to the high low-frequency sensitivity of the SQUID sensor, the SQUID device eddy current testing system permits lower examination frequencies than the conventional eddy current probe system. The SQUID system enhances fault detection in even deeper materials layers. (orig./MM).
The sensitivity and specificity of the MGIT TBc identification (TBc ID) test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) detection in positive Bactec MGIT cultures were 95.2% and 99.2%, respectively. When MTC-positive results obtained from two additional molecular methods were included, the sensitivity of the MGIT TBc ID test was 85.4%, while that of culture was 95.7%. PMID:21450949
The effect of the polyamine oxidase (PAO)-polyamine system on some helminths was examined in vitro. Both Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula and Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae were highly sensitive...Full Text Available
Design of a beam position monitor (BPM) which is sensitive to low velo charged particle beams is considered. Quantitative estimates are made for the corrections to the conventional approximations to solutions of the Laplace Equation in two-dimensions when a BPM is used to measure to position of low velocity (low-[beta]) beams. (AIP)
Temperature-sensitive mutants defective in 60S ribosomal subunit protein L16 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated through hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the RPL16B gene and plasmid shuffling. Two...Full Text Available
In clinical situations where a diagnostic real-time PCR assay is not sensitive enough, leading to low or falsely negative results, or where detection earlier in a disease progression would benefit the...Full Text Available
Penning trap mass spectrometry is presented as a complementary tool to nuclear spectroscopy experiments for the study of nuclear structure in the vicinity of N=40, Z=28. High-precision mass measurements of the "6"3"-"6"6Fe and "6"4"-"6"7Co isotopes have been carried out with the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) Penning trap mass spectrometer. The newly obtained mass values for "6"6Fe and "6"7Co are presented, together with the previously reported LEBIT mass measurements in this region. In the case of "6"5Fe the existence of a new isomer is reported, and an isomer recently discovered by decay spectroscopy in "6"7Co is confirmed. Relative mass uncertainties as low as 4x10"-"8 are obtained. All mass values are found to be in good agreement with previous experimental results with the exception of "6"4Co, where a 5#sigma# deviation is ...
The object and the purpose of the present work was to develop, to assemble and to start running a new TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer for imaging SNMS analytic which is optimized for the analysis of highly molecular secondary ions. The most important purpose was the characterization of the TOF mass spectrometer. The obtained mass spectra of indium, tantalum and silver clusters reflect the excellent properties of the TOF mass spectrometer for the detection of large clusters with good detection efficiency up to masses of 16000 amu. The possibility of the deflection of selected saturated atom and cluster peaks serves for further improvement of the detection efficiency for large molecules. The accessible mass resolution was determined to be of the order of m/{delta}m=1000 in the high mass region. Numerous measurements were carried out to ...
We consider the most general supersymmetric model with minimal particle content and an additional discrete Z_3 symmetry (instead of R-parity), which allows lepton number violating terms and results in non-zero Majorana neutrino masses. We investigate whether the currently measured values for lepton masses and mixing can be reproduced. We set up a framework in which Lagrangian parameters can be initialised without recourse to assumptions concerning trilinear or bilinear superpotential terms, CP-conservation or intergenerational mixing and analyse in detail the one loop corrections to the neutrino masses. We present scenarios in which the experimental data are reproduced and show the effect varying lepton number violating couplings has on the predicted atmospheric and solar mass^2 differences. We find that with bilinear lepton number violating couplings in the superpotential of the order 1 MeV the ...
The recent development of matrix-assisted UV laser desorption (LD) mass spectrometry has made possible the ionization and detection of extremely large molecules (with molecular weights exceeding 100,000 Daltons). This technique has generated enormous interest in the biological community for the direct examination of large peptides and oligonucleotides. Although this matrix-assisted ionization method has been developed and used almost exclusively with time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers, research is currently in progress to demonstrate this technique with trapped ion mass spectrometers, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTMS). The potential capabilities of FTMS for wide mass range, high resolution measurement, and ion trapping experiments suggest that this instrumental technique should be useful for the detailed structural characterization of ...
The properties of the mass-metallicity relation among dwarf spheroidal galaxies are discussed in terms of a model which assumes that the internal chemical evolution of the dwarf spheroidals was promoted by supernova activity. The model can be used to explain the observed dwarf spheroidal mass-metallicity relation assuming the present mass of these systems M sub s is proportional to their initial masses M as M sub s varies according to a power-law index of exp 7/4. It is inferred from the power-law dependence of M on the proto-cloud radius that the most massive dwarf spheroids were formed from the densest clouds. The observed slope of the mass-metallicity relation for dwarf spheroidal galaxies is found to be significantly different from theoretical estimates of this slope for elliptical galaxies. It is suggested that the difference may imply that spheroidal dwarfs and elliptical ...
Mass density of a composite is generally taken as the volume-averaged value of components' densities. Moreover, the same volume-averaged mass density is usually used to calculate the wave speed in the long-wavelength limit, i.e., where the wavelength is much larger than the size of the inhomogeneities. In this paper, we show via rigorous derivation that the dynamic mass density used in the calculation of (long-wavelength) wave speed can differ significantly from the static volume-averaged value. This recognition is shown to yield an excellent account of some recent experimental data, as well as to make possible the realization of acoustic metamaterials. Physical reason for the difference between two mass densities is attributed to the relative motion between the components. That is, the implicit assumption-that all components in a composite must move uniformly in the long-wavelength limit-can ...
We study the evolution of the cold gas content of galaxies by splitting the interstellar medium into its atomic and molecular hydrogen components, using the galaxy formation model GALFORM in the LCDM framework. We calculate the molecular-to-atomic hydrogen mass ratio, H2/HI, in each galaxy using two different approaches; the pressure-based empirical relation of Blitz & Rosolowsky and the theoretical model of Krumholz, McKeee & Tumlinson, and apply them to consistently calculate the star formation rates of galaxies. We find that the model based on the Blitz & Rosolowsky law predicts an HI mass function, CO(1-0) luminosity function, correlations between the H2/HI ratio and stellar and cold gas mass, and infrared-CO luminosity relation in good agreement with local and high redshift observations. The HI mass function evolves weakly with redshift, with the number density of high ...
We have developed a new method for calculating common envelope (CE) events based on explicit consideration of the donor star's structural response to adiabatic mass loss. In contrast to existing CE prescriptions, which specify a priori the donor's remnant mass, we determine this quantity self-consistently and find that it depends on binary and CE parameters. This aspect of our model is particularly important to realistic modeling for upper main-sequence star donors without strongly degenerate cores (and hence without a clear core/envelope boundary). We illustrate the central features of our method by considering CE events involving 10 M_s_u_n donors on or before their red giant branch. For such donors, the remnant core mass can be as much as 30% larger than the star's He-core mass. Applied across a population of such binaries, our methodology results in a significantly broader remnant ...
Most of the presently identified exoplanets have masses similar to that of Jupiter and therefore are assumed to be gaseous objects. With the ever-increasing interest in discovering lower-mass planets, several of the so-called super-Earths (i.e., with masses in the interval 1 M_earth < M < 10 M_earth), which are predicted to be rocky, have already been found. Here we report the possible discovery of a planet around the M-type star GJ 436 with a minimum mass of 4.8+/-0.6 M_earth and a true mass of ~5 M_earth, which makes it the least massive planet around a main-sequence star found to date. In contrast with other discoveries, the planet is identified from its perturbations on an inner Neptune-mass transiting planet (GJ 436b), by pumping eccentricity and producing secular variations in the orbital inclination. Analysis of published radial velocity ...
We consider non-relativistic systems in quantum mechanics interacting through the Coulomb potential, and discuss the existence of bound states which are stable against spontaneous dissociation into smaller atoms or ions. We review the studies that have been made of specific mass configurations and also the properties of the domain of stability in the space of masses or inverse masses. These rigorous results are supplemented by numerical investigations using accurate variational methods. A section is devoted to systems of three arbitrary charges and another to molecules in a world with two space-dimensions.
Mass distributions of fragments in the low-energy fission of nuclei from "1"8"7Ir to "2"1"3At have been analysed. This analysis has shown that shell effects in symmetric-mode fragment mass yields from the fission of pre-actinide nuclei could be described if one assumes the existence of two strongly deformed neutron shells in the arising fragments with neutron numbers N_1#approx#52 and N_2#approx#68. A new method has been proposed for quantitatively describing the mass distributions of the symmetric fission mode for pre-actinides with A#approx#180-220. (orig.)
Investigations were conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory to quantify the extent of migration of depleted uranium away from firing sites. Extensive sampling of air particles, soil, sediment, and water was conducted to establish the magnitude of uranium contamination throughout one watershed. The uranium source term was estimated, and mass balance calculations were performed to compare the percentage of migrated uranium with original expenditures. Mass balance calculations can be powerful in identification of the extent of waste migration and used as an aid in planning future waste investigations.
Geochemical model is a kind of concept model which describes geochemical processes by means of chemical reaction equations and mathematical formula, and the software based on the concept model are called geochemical modeling code. Geochemical modeling codes can be divided into three categories: mass equilibrium, mass transfer and mass transport code. The major functions of geochemical codes include the calculation of forms of occurrence of elements, the prediction of direction of various geochemical reaction, the dissolution and precipitation of elements, the pH and Eh value, the rate and path of geochemical reaction in aqueous solution.
By using a model independent Monte Carlo approach, we study the possible structure of charged and neutral lepton mass matrices, under the assumption of an U(2) horizontal symmetry (additional to the usual Standard Model ones) involving the light fermion generations. We assume the most general Majorana mass matrix for neutrinos. We update the results of our previous similar study, by inserting in the analysis the recent KamLAND data, that contributed to find a final solution to the Solar neutrino problem. The introduction of the new experimental data reduce the allowed regions in the nine dimensional space parameters, and show that our procedure gives stable solutions.
The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the mass range from 35 to 45 have been measured using a direct time of flight technique following the fragmentation of a {sup 48}Ca beam at 60 MeV/nucleon. The masses of {sup 35,36}Mg, {sup 38}Al, {sup 39,40}Si, {sup 42,43}P and {sup 43,44}S are reported for the first time. Preliminary analysis shows that the N=28 shell closure persists, even if weakened by the large neutron excess.
The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the mass range from 35 to 45 have been measured using a direct time of flight technique following the fragmentation of a "4"8Ca beam at 60 MeV/nucleon. The masses of "3"5","3"6Mg, "3"8Al, "3"9","4"0Si, "4"2","4"3P and "4"3","4"4S are reported for the first time. Preliminary analysis shows that the N=28 shell closure persists, even if weakened by the large neutron excess.
This paper discusses the mass spectrometric system that has been developed at the ICPP (Idaho Chemical Processing Plant) to meet the multiple constraints of U accountability, high sample load, and plant process control. The measurement system must produce high-quality accountability results while maintaining high sample throughput and reasonable turnaround time. The mass spectrometric system that has evolved to meet these demands includes extensive operator training, routine quality control checks, and continuing review of performance. 7 refs.
We present the efficient technique to extract the signal of the intermediate mass Higgs boson from the backgrounds at future {gamma}{gamma} colliders. For a clear Higgs detection, it is important to fit the original electron accelerator energy depending on the Higgs mass, to set the polarization of the photon beams and to apply the efficient b quark tagging method. we demonstrate the extraction of information of Higgs parameters and the new physics from the observable physical quantities. It is clearly shown that a future {gamma}{gamma} collider will have a rich potential for study on the new physics, as well as the Higgs physics. (author).
We present the efficient technique to extract the signal of the intermediate mass Higgs boson from the backgrounds at future #gamma##gamma# colliders. For a clear Higgs detection, it is important to fit the original electron accelerator energy depending on the Higgs mass, to set the polarization of the photon beams and to apply the efficient b quark tagging method. we demonstrate the extraction of information of Higgs parameters and the new physics from the observable physical quantities. It is clearly shown that a future #gamma##gamma# collider will have a rich potential for study on the new physics, as well as the Higgs physics. (author).
We discuss the inclusive production of D{sup *{+-}} mesons in {gamma}p collisions at DESY HERA, based on a calculation at next-to-leading order in the general-mass variable-flavor-number scheme. In this approach, MS subtraction is applied in such a way that large logarithmic corrections are resummed in universal parton distribution and fragmentation functions and finite mass terms are taken into account. We present detailed numerical results for a comparison with data obtained at HERA and discuss various sources of theoretical uncertainties. (orig.)
Analytical solutions are derived for a flow in a semi-infinite vertical porous medium with heat and mass transfer. When the temperature and mass concentration are uniform a constant pressure is possible and sustains a fully developed flow. Thereafter there is a small perturbation on the wall temperature and concentration and the subsequent two-dimensional problem is tackled for a large Prandtl number, free convection parameters and small Reynolds number. The heat transfer rate at the wall is discussed quantitatively. (author). 4 refs.
In order to improve the capacity and service life of cathodes, the effect of carboxy-methyl cellulose, soot, silica gel and fibres was examined. Structural tests and electrical and electro-chemical measurements are used for this. The additives can affect crystallization in the manufacturing stage of the electrodes and can increase the storage capacity for water and the electronic conductivity. They act to stabilize the mass in cyclic operation. Soot additive has little effect on the properties of the electrode, but the other substances increase the service life or the use of the mass. (LU).
We show that specially designed two-dimensional arrangements of full elastic cylinders embedded in a nonviscous fluid or gas define (in the homogenization limit) a new class of acoustic metamaterials characterized by a dynamical effective mass density that is anisotropic. Here, analytic expressions for the dynamical mass density and the effective sound velocity tensors are derived in the long wavelength limit. Both show an explicit dependence on the lattice filling fraction, the elastic properties of cylinders relative to the background, their positions in the unit cell, and their multiple scattering interactions. Several examples of these metamaterials are reported and discussed.
The humidification?dehumidification process is an interesting technique that has been adapted for water desalination. Previous works experimentally investigated desalination processes in the shell and tube columns, where the humidification and dehumidification were thermally coupled and simultaneously performed at the tube and shell sides, respectively. In this work, a comprehensive steady-state mathematical model was developed for such a humidification?dehumidification desalination process by taking into account the heat and mass balances on both sides of the desalting column, the mass transfer rate at the humidification side, and the heat transfer rate between the dehumidification side and humidification side. Meanwhile, the mass transfer coefficient at the humidification side and the to...
Chiral symmetry in QCD can be simultaneously in Wigner and Goldstone modes, depending on the part of the spectrum examined. The transition regime between both, exploiting for example the onset of parity doubling in the high baryon spectrum, can be used to probe the running quark mass in the mid-IR power-law regime. In passing we also argue that three-quark states naturally group into same-flavor quartets, split into two parity doublets, all splittings decreasing high in the spectrum. We propose that a measurement of masses of high-partial wave Delta* resonances should be sufficient to unambiguously establish the approximate degeneracy and see the quark mass running. We test these concepts with the first computation of the spectrum of high-J excited baryons in a chiral-invariant quark model.
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.
We investigate the solar neutrino problem in the scenario of three generation neutrino oscillation hypothesis, taking into account other phenomenological constraints to the neutrino mixing and mass parameters.
The Bragg-curve detector of the parallel plate ionization chamber type generates a signal that is a distorted replica of the original Bragg-curve. In result of this distortion, the signal peak height is not only a function of the atomic number of the heavy ion, as it is often stated, but also of the particle mass. This mass effect was studied with the aid of computer simulation, and it was found to be dependent on the Frisch grid to anode gap width and on the detector gas. The charge resolution of the detector is affected very significantly by this mass dependence of the signal peak height. Therefore, a careful selection of the detector gas and the grid to anode gap width is necessary, if good charge resolution over a wide range of heavy ions is required. (orig.).
A theory for the mass transfer process was developed. It was assumed that the largest convective motions in the flow control the rate of mass transfer. Measurements of mass transfer coefficients for the absorption of oxygen by water films were made for concurrent flows in a horizontal rectangular channel, and for concurrent and free-falling downflow in a one-inch pipe. The measured values of the Sherwood number for concurrent flows were up to three times as great as would be predicted from this relation. This increase in Sherwood number was correlated with a dimensionless group similar to a Martinelli parameter which is characteristic of two phase flows. An explanation for this effect is given in terms of the way that the scales of the convective motions are related to bulk flow parameters.
IntroductionThe outbreak of cholera in Zimbabwe intensified interest in the control and prevention of cholera. While there is agreement that safe water, sanitation, and personal...Full Text Available
15 to 75% of the gun barrel diameter. Similarly, model masses typically vary from 0.01 to 100 .... taining acceptable levels of gun barrel erosion. The ...
The Nobel lecture of Chandrasekhar is printed in which he describes the basic processes that determine the life history of a star with particular emphasis on the roles of stellar mass and radiation pressure. (AIP)
We report a 55-year-old woman with coccydynia due to a sacral mass. The histological diagnosis was haemangioma. The MRI findings and the unusual location of this lesion are discussed. (orig.)
We study the renormalization group running of the tri-bimaximal mixing predicted by the two typical $S_4$ flavor models at leading order. Although the textures of the mass matrices are completely different, the evolution of neutrino mass and mixing parameters is found to display approximately the same pattern. For both normal hierarchy and inverted hierarchy spectrum, the quantum corrections to both atmospheric and reactor neutrino mixing angles are so small that can be neglected. The evolution of solar mixing angle $\\theta_{12}$ depends on $\\tan\\beta$ and mass spectrum, the deviation from its tri-bimaximal value could be large. Taking into account the renormalization group running effect, the neutrino spectrum is constrained by experimental data on $\\theta_{12}$ and the inverted hierarchy spectrum is disfavored for large $\\tan\\beta$. The evolution of light neutrino masses is approximately ...
sive star evolution based on our new calculations of this pulsational instability, where the initial mass of SNe progenitors increases according to the ...
... mass of gray gas by thermal radiation; An experimental study of the turbulent wake behind a cone at M = 5; Heat transfer augmentation by steady ...
We complete the effective potential calculation of the two-loop, top/bottom Yukawa corrections to the Higgs boson masses in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, by computing the O(at^2 + at*ab + ab^2) contributions for arbitrary values of the bottom Yukawa coupling. We also compute the corrections to the minimization conditions of the effective potential at the same perturbative order. Our results extend the existing O(at^2) calculation, and are relevant in regions of the parameter space corresponding to tan(beta) >> 1. We extend to the Yukawa corrections a convenient renormalization scheme, previously proposed for the O(ab*as) corrections, that avoids unphysically large threshold effects associated with the bottom mass and absorbs the bulk of the corrections into the one-loop expression. For large values of tan(beta), the new contributions can account for a variation of several GeV in the lightest Higgs boson ...
The disrupted magnetic braking theory for the period gap of cataclysmic variable systems is used to study the binary evolution of low-mass main-sequence-like stars with white dwarf companions. The model is able to reproduce the observed location and width of the gap provided that the average mass transfer rates above the upper edge of the gap are greater than about 1.9 x 10 to the -9th solar masses/yr. For the case of angular momentum loss by magnetic braking, the slope of the mass transfer rate with respect to orbital period is shown to range from 3.4 to 3.7. For the evolutionary sequences considered, the He-3 abundance at the surface of the secondary exceeds 0.0015 after the complete mixing phase, resulting in modifications in the nuclear burning development of nova explosions. 31 refs.
The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=242 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated. Adopted data, levels, spin and parity assignments are given.
Detailed level and decay schemes are presented for the nuclei of the A = 101 mass chain. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
Detailed level and decay schemes are presented for the nuclei of the A = 101 mass chain. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
NEWTON's first law prohibits the coupling of free tachyons to ordinary matter, if it is interpreted as selection rule interdicting emission without change of the rest-mass of the emitting system.
... and regional land, sea, air, and space-based systems, and ... means of delivery of weapons where such ... a separable and divisible part of the weapon. ...
coupled heat/mass transfer Stefan problem. Taking the diffusion coefficient of Bi as a free parameter, the best fit was observed for the published value, ...
The Bragg-curve detector of the parallel plate ionization chamber type generates a signal that is a distorted replica of the original Bragg-curve. In result of this distortion, the signal peak height is not only a function of the atomic number of the heavy ion, as it is often stated, but also of the particle mass. This mass effect was studied with the aid of computer simulation, and it was found to be dependent on the Frisch grid to anode gap width and on the detector gas. The charge resolution of the detector is affected very significantly by this mass dependence of the signal peak height. Therefore, a careful selection of the detector gas and the grid to anode gap width is necessary, if good charge resolution over a wide range of heavy ions is required.
Commercial rolled magnesium sheets of alloys AZ31 (Mg-3 mass%Al-1 mass%Zn) and ZE10 (Mg-1 mass% Zn-<1 mass% Rare Earths) in O-temper condition were used for blanking experiments near room temperature. A serrated fracture surface can be observed in case of AZ31 but not in case of ZE10. During the shearing process of the AZ31 sheet, many micro cracks parallel to the sheet plane are generated in the shearing zone. These micro cracks lead to the formation of loose particles during the shearing operation, which interfere with further processing of the part and incur additional costs by increasing the scrap rate. It is found that the strong basal texture of this alloy is an important reason for the generation of such serrated cracks. In this paper a new method of selective texture modification i...
The UW-Penning Trap Mass Spectrometer (PTMs) is ideally suited for high precision measurements of atomic masses throughout the periodic table upon using highly-stripped ions. However, at the present time, this device has been applied extensively to the light elements ("1H, "2H, "3H, "3He, "4He, "1"2C, "1"3C, "1"4N, "1"6O) due to their fundamental importance. Atomic masses follow immediately from a comparison with some multiply-charged carbon ion, after correcting for the lost electrons and their corresponding binding energies. For instance, the most recent C"5"+/C"6"+ comparison yielded a discrepancy of -0.30(33) ppb, limited only by the magnetic field instability for a 40-h run. The initial emphasis on hydrogen has now produced a 1-ppb value for the proton's atomic mass and similar work with deuterium has yielded a 2.5-ppb value for the neutron's atomic mass. However, the most ...
Development of the Technology and Control of Electron-Beam Welding Procedure and Production of Full Scale Sector of Endcap CMS Hadron Calorimeter. Preparation for Mass Production.
Many methods have been proposed for the determination of the corrosion current density from polarization curves; the two most commonly used ones are the three-point method and the curve-fitting method. The basis of these methods is a polarization equation that was derived for the complete absence of mass-transport effect or considers the cathodic partial reaction to be under complete mass-transport control. The mixed-control case has been much less investigated, even though this case may quite frequently reflect practical situations. A completely generalized polarization equation is proposed that can be used as a basis for curve-fitting data evaluation under any conditions. This equation was used to determine the error caused by the neglect of mass-transport effect in conventional data evaluation.
... assets, particularly against ballistic missiles with weapons of mass ... more con- ventional missile and gun weapon systems. ... Similarly, space-based ...
BACKGROUND: Cuba's response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has been to conduct mass testing of the population to ascertain seroprevalence, to enforce mandatory relative quarantine...Full Text Available
This is the first text and reference book to be devoted completely to the very important and timely subject of heat transfer augmentation. This book is of equal appeal to both researchers and designers of heat transfer equipment.
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is the analytical technique of choice for the detection of long-lived radionuclides which cannot be practically analysed with decay counting or conventional mass spectrometry. The main use of AMS has been in the analysis of radiocarbon and other cosmogenic radionuclides for archaeological, geological and environmental applications. In addition, AMS has been recently applied in biomedicine to study exposure of human tissues to chemicals and biomolecules at attomole levels. There is also a world-wide effort to analyse rare nuclides of heavier masses, such as long-lived actinides, with important applications in safeguards and nuclear waste disposal. The use of AMS is limited by the expensive accelerator technology required and there are several attempts to develop smaller and cheaper AMS spectrometers. 5 refs.
Apr 23, 2009 ... Wolf-Rayet stars have over 20 times the mass of the Sun and are thought to be in a brief, pre-supernova phase of massive star evolution. ...
We describe a method of determining the system parameters in non-eclipsing interacting binaries. We find that the extent to which an observer sees the shape of the Roche-lobe of the secondary star governs the amount of distortion of the absorption line profiles. The width and degree of asymmetry of the phase-resolved absorption line profiles show a characteristic shape, which depends primarily on the binary inclination and gravity darkening exponent. We show that, in principle, by obtaining high spectral and time resolution spectra of quiescent cataclysmic variables or low mass X-ray binaries in which the mass-losing star is visible, fitting the shape of absorption line profiles will allow one to determine not only the mass function of the binary, but also the binary inclination and hence the mass of the binary components.
In this model, without dark matter, the flat rotation curves of galaxies and the mass-to-light ratios of clusters of galaxies are described quantitatively. The hypothesis is that the agent of gravitational...Full Text Available
BackgroundAdnexal masses are not uncommon in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer and ovarian malignancies are known to be associated. In patients with breast cancer and co-existing...Full Text Available
In the fields of medical imaging, geophysical well logging, and industrial radiography, it is often of interest to characterize the spatially distributed sensitivities of neutron and gamma-ray measurement devices to the physical properties of the materials being examined. For instance, one may wish to know how the count rate in a detector varies in response to small changes in the local density of the irradiated object as a function of position. Experimental determination of such sensitivity functions is often impractical. Consequently, we have developed a general three-dimensional Monte Carlo numerical technique that allows us to directly compute the differential sensitivity of an arbitrary integral response parameter, such as a time- or energy-discriminated count rate, with respect to the spatial distribution of macroscopic cross sections and sources in the irradiated medium. Sensitivities to object ...
The adjoint of an ocean general circulation model is used as a tool for investigating the causes of changes in ENSO SST indices. We identify adjoint Kelvin and Rossby waves in the sensitivities to sea level and wind stress at earlier times, which can be traced back for more than a year through western and weak eastern boundary reflections. Depending on the thermocline depth the first and second baroclinic modes are excited. The sensitivities to the heat flux and SST are local and decay in about a month. The sensitivities to the fluxes are converted into the influence of SST using the adjoint of a statistical atmosphere model. Focusing on SST perturbations in the index region itself, we recover, up to a scale factor, the delayed oscillator concept.
The properties of individual radioactive particles present in a sample, such as a swipe, are more interesting than bulk properties of the sample. The present work focuses on instrumentation that provides position-sensitive spectral information non-destructively from the sample. The experimental part of the work was realized using a device called PANDA (Particles And Non-Destructive Analysis). The detector setup used in the study contains a broad-energy HPGe gamma-ray detector and a position-sensitive alpha detector. Both detectors are connected to a time-stamping event-mode data acquisition system. The method is shown to locate particles with sub-millimetre accuracy and distinguish the interesting particles from non-interesting ones. (author)
An imaging position sensitive detector for charged particles, neutrons, X-and gamma rays has been developed. The novel feature of this scintillation imaging radiation detector is its ability to detect individual nuclear particle scintillations with a h igh degree of spatial resolution. The key elements of this detector system are a high gain, low noise image intensifier tube, a CCD camera and commercially available image processing hardware and software. This detector system is highly effective for applications such as low fluence and real time neutron radiography, mapping of radioactive contamination in nuclear reactor fuel rods, X-ray diffraction imaging, high speed autoradiography and in general position sensitive detection of nuclear radiation. Results of some of the exploratory experiments carried out using this detector system are presented in this paper. (orig.).
In this paper, four different types of pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe are designed and their performance of detecting wall thickness reduction is compared. By using the backward difference method in time and the finite element method in space, PEC signals from various thickness and materials are numerically calculated and three features of the signal are selected. Since PEC signals and features are obtained by various types and sizes of probe, the comparison is made through the normalized features which reflect the sensitivity of the feature to thickness reduction. The normalized features indicate that the shielded reflection probe provides the best sensitivity to wall thickness reduction for all three signal features. Results show that the best sensitivity to thickness reduction is achieved by the peak value, but also suggest that the time to peak can be a good candidate because of its linear relationship with the ...
The authors have shown that toxicity of paraquat for Escherichia coli is increased over 1-fold in strains defective in the biosynthesis of spermidine compared to isogenic strains containing spermidine. The increased sensitivity of these spermidine-deficient mutants to paraquat is eliminated by growth in medium containing spermidine or by endogenous supplementation of spermidine by the use of a speE"+D"+ plasmid. No paraquat toxicity is seen in the absence of oxygen, even in amine-deficient strains, indicating that superoxide is the agent responsible for the increased toxicity. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for the increased paraquat toxicity in the spermidine-deficient mutants remain to be determined. The marked sensitivity to paraquat of E. coli deficient in spermidine is of particular interest, since such mutants have no other phenotypic properties that can be easily assayed. This increased sensitivity has ...
The response regulator protein is a core element of two-component signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated functions of BRRG-1 of Botrytis cinerea, a gene that encodes a putative response regulator protein, which is homologous to Rrg-1 in Neurospora crassa. The BRRG-1 gene deletion mutant ?Brrg1-62 was unable to produce conidia. The mutant showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress mediated by NaCl and KCl, and to oxidative stress generated by H2O2. Additionally, the mutant was more sensitive to the fungicides iprodione, fludioxonil, and triadimefon than the parental strain. Western-blot analysis showed that the Bos-2 protein, the putative downstream component of Brrg-1, was not phosphorylated in the ?Brrg1-62. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays showed that expression ...
The electrochemical behaviour and fracture morphology of homogenized and sensitized type SAE 304 stainless steel U bent specimens, in 3% NaCl solution, at pH=2.0 and pH=7.0 both at room temperature and 100"0C was studied. Polarization curves, galvanostatic and potentiostatic experiments were run. It could be observed that high temperature and low pH favour transgranular cracking and longer sensitization times lower fracture time and tend to give rise to intergranular fracture. Light sensitization can produce transgranular cracking even at room temperature, when the homogenized alloy does not present stress-corrosion cracking for the same condition. (Author).
Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) is a valuable method for the detection of somatostatin receptor-positive lesions. Most gastrinomas (over-)express the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 which can be targeted by In-111 labeled Octreotide. Different studies show a high sensitivity of SRS for the localization and staging of gastrinomas. SRS seems to be superior to other non-invasive imaging modalities and has been proven to significantly contribute to patient management. However, the sensitivity depends on the size and exact localization of the tumors. Smaller lesions and lesions located in the duodenum show a significantly lower sensitivity. In any case, SRS belongs to the routine imaging procedure for gastrinomas for localization and staging and can also be used for evaluation of the tumor progression. (author)
Abstract Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a serious but treatable disease. The diagnosis of LNB poses a challenge to clinicians, and improved tests are needed. The C6-peptide ELISA is frequently used on serum but not on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Data on the sensitivity of the C6-peptide ELISA in CSF in patients suffering from LNB have been conflicting. Serum-CSF pairs from 59 LNB patients, 36 Lyme non-neuroborreliosis cases, 69 infectious meningitis/encephalitis controls and 74 neurological controls were tested in a C6-peptide ELISA. With the optimal cut-off of 1.1, the sensitivity of the C6-peptide ELISA for LNB patients in CSF was 95%, and the specificity was 83% in the Lyme non-neuroborreliosis patients, 96% in the infectious controls, and 97% in the neurological controls. These results ...
A sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor was fabricated based on graphene-Pt (GN-Pt) nanocomposite. The GN-Pt was synthesized by photochemical reduction of K2PtCl4 on GNs, and characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical investigations indicated that the GN-Pt exhibited a high peak current and low overpotential towards the reduction of H2O2. The GN-Pt modified glass carbon electrode displayed a wide linear range (2-710mM), low limit of detection (0.5mM) and good selectivity for detection of H2O2 with a much higher sensitivity than that of Pt nanoparticles or graphene modified electrode.
Background: Quantifying HIV levels in mucosal secretions is essential to study compartmentalized expression of HIV and facilitate development of intervention strategies to prevent disease progression and transmission. Objectives: To develop a sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective technique to quantify HIV from blood and vaginal secretions that is compatible with efficient implementation in clinical research environments. Study design: A sensitive, reliable, internally-controlled real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR assay, which uses the HIV-1 pol gene as a target (Hpol assay) was developed to quantify HIV levels in plasma and genital secretions, and compared to the widely used Roche Amplicor(TM) HIV-1 Monitor assay. In addition, a simplified method of sample collection and processing...
The authors have developed a high-sensitivity real-time neutron radiography (NR) system by the use of the low power reactor of Kinki University. The system was constructed with a high efficiency neutron-photon converter, an image intensifier and a SIT TELEVISION camera. Some digital image processing techniques were applied for improving the quality of the real-time neutron images. By the use of this system, dynamic neutron imaging was performed successfully under the condition of a weak neutron field that was about two orders of magnitude lower than that of the standard NR system. The neutron flux, calculated from the fluctuation of the neutron response of the images, was nearly equal to the value measured by the foil activation method. From this fact, the efficiency for the neutron detection of the imaging system was estimated to be almost 100%. For the purpose of developing a system with higher sensitivity, consideration of neutron statistics ...
The authors have developed a high-sensitivity real-time neutron radiography (NR) system by the use of the low power reactor of Kinki University. The system was constructed with a high efficiency neutron-photon converter, an image intensifier and a SIT TELEVISION camera. Some digital image processing techniques were applied for improving the quality of the real-time neutron images. By the use of this system, dynamic neutron imaging was performed successfully under the condition of a weak neutron field that was about two orders of magnitude lower than that of the standard NR system. The neutron flux, calculated from the fluctuation of the neutron response of the images, was nearly equal to the value measured by the foil activation method. From this fact, the efficiency for the neutron detection of the imaging system was estimated to be almost 100%. For the purpose of developing a system with higher sensitivity, consideration of neutron statistics ...
In order to develop a numerical tool for the fast evaluation of CANDU refuelling schemes, a Linear Sensitivity Matrix method (LSM) is developed. It assumes that all the effects caused by various perturbations to the core state are independent to each other and the core response to a perturbation is proportional to its magnitude. In this way, the main core parameters of a refuelling scheme can be derived by simple algebraic operations with the use of pre-calculated sensitivity matrices, without resorting to the complicated and time-consuming 3D core calculation. Verification against the Qinshan CANDU reactor operation history demonstrates that LSM is capable of generating accurate results and running very fast for evaluating a refuelling scheme. (authors)
A high sensitivity, high bandwidth, two-color interferometer (1064 and 532 nm) has been tested on the Hawk pulsed power generator at the Naval Research Laboratory. The phase resolution is 10"-"5 waves with a rise time of 3 ns, a new capability for diagnosing plasmas, and neutrals in pulsed power experiments. The two-color feature is used to distinguish phase shifts from free (plasma) electrons and bound (neutral and ion) electrons. Simultaneous electron and neutral density measurements were demonstrated in a plasma opening switch (POS) experiment. The ability to measure small phase shifts with fast rise time were demonstrated in a plasma filled diode experiment. The high sensitivity and vibration isolation enable neutral gas distribution measurements from supersonic nozzles used in plasma radiation source experiments. Examples of these measurements and future applications are described. copyright 1997 American Institute of Physics.
A transient flow reduction burnout experiment was conducted with water in a uniformly heated, vertically oriented tube. Test pressures ranged from 0.5 to 3.9 MPa. An analytical method was developed to obtain transient burnout conditions at the exit. A simple correlation to predict the deviation of the transient burnout mass velocity at the tube exit from the steady state mass velocity obtained as a function of steam-water density ratio and flow reduction rate. The correlation was also compared with the other data. (author).
We investigate theoretically subwavelength imaging by acoustic metamaterial slabs immersed in the liquid matrix. A near-field subwavelength image formed by evanescent waves is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with negative mass density and positive modulus. A subwavelength real image is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with simultaneously negative mass density and modulus. These results are expected to shed some lights on designing novel devices of acoustic metamaterials.
Using a simple model for soft self-consistent nonperturbative string fragmentation-recombination loops, we find that, in an open-string theory, ground-state particles necessary for the standard model either become tachyons or acquire large (Planck-scale) masses, making them unacceptable for sub-Planck-scale phenomenology. No comparable difficulties are evident for closed-string theories.
The Klein-Gordan equation in the background of the Schwarzschild curved space-time is considered and the scattering of radial tardyons and tachyons from a black hole is studied. It is shown that black holes of mass below 7x10/sup 14/g may contain bound states of tardyons of pion mass which will be unstable on account of the presence of an attractive r/sup -4/ term.
The Klein-Gordan equation in the background of the Schwarzschild curved space-time is considered and the scattering of radial tardyons and tachyons from a black hole is studied. It is shown that black holes of mass below 7x10"1"4g may contain bound states of tardyons of pion mass which will be unstable on account of the presence of an attractive r"-"4 term. (author).
The wave equation of a spinless tachyon is studied in Schwarzschild space-time. In contrast to earlier approaches to the problem, it is shown that tachyonic static solutions satisfy a simple second-order linear differential equation regardless of the mass of the black hole and the mass parameter of the tachyon. Physical implication of the present approach is discussed. Using Langer modification of the WKB (Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin) boundary condition an expression similar to the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition is derived.
The numerical modelling of gravity changes resulting from the simultaneous effects of mass relocation and rock deformation is described. The method is supported by FEMMA (Finite Element Method for Multipurpose Applications) software, and has been used for modelling expected gravity changes in a large open pit coal mine in Poland. The results are in good agreement with conventional calculations of gravity changes for a simple geometry of relocated mass. 10 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
This paper describes a method for preparing the sample handling and inlet system of a mass spectrometer for analysis of a subsequent sample following analysis of a previous sample comprising the flushing of the system interior with supercritical CO{sub 2} and venting the interior. The method eliminates the effect of system ``memory`` on the subsequent analysis, especially following persistent samples such as xenon and krypton.
The added incentive to modify electric use under hourly versus monthly market-based pricing is small for most mass market customers in Upstate New York. If the ultimate policy goal of demand-response programs is to reduce peak load, then promoting conservation measures under monthly market-based pricing holds more promise. (author)
The tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides infects man worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. Rarely, the central nervous system is involved; such a case is presented here. In the total of 12 reported cases, including the case described, the worm presented clinically as a mass suspicious for neoplasm or chronic abscess cavity. Surgical removal was invariably curative in each case. Although infrequent, the possibility of tapeworm infection should be entertained in the evaluation of intracranial masses in patients who have visited exotic locales. PMID:2191089