We have studied the impact of overexpression of an intracellular signaling protein, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), on the survival and function of encapsulated islet tissue used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The dimensions of the encapsulated tissue can impact the stresses placed on the tissue and ILK overexpression shows the ability to extend function of dissociated cells as well as intact islets. These results suggest that lost cell-extracellular matrix interactions in cell encapsulation systems can lead to decreased insulin secretion and ILK signaling is a target to overcome this phenomenon. (communication)
Macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) belongs to #beta#_2 subfamily of integrins that mediate important cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Biochemical studies have indicated that Mac-1 is a constitutive heterodimer in vitro. Here, we detected the heterodimerization of Mac-1 subunits in living cells by means of two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques (fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy) and our results demonstrated that there is constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits and this constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits is cell-type independent. Through FRET imaging, we found that heterodimers of Mac-1 mainly localized in plasma membrane, perinuclear, and Golgi area in living cells. Furthermore, through analysis of the estimated physical distances between cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fused ...
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of meningitis in newborn infants. Bacterial cell surface appendages, known as pili, have been recently described in streptococcal pathogens, including GBS. The pilus tip adhesin, PilA, contributes to GBS adherence to blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelium; however, the host receptor and the contribution of PilA in central nervous system (CNS) disease pathogenesis are unknown. Here we show that PilA binds collagen, which promotes GBS interaction with the ?(2)?(1) integrin resulting in activation of host chemokine expression and neutrophil recruitment during infection. Mice infected with the PilA-deficient mutant exhibit delayed mortality, a decrease in neutrophil infiltration and bacterial CNS dissemination. We find that PilA-mediated virulence is dependent on neutrophil influx as neutrophil depletion results in a decrease in BBB permeability and GBS-BBB penetration. Our results suggest that the ...
β2integrins are of critical importance for leukocyte extravasation through vascular endothelia and for T cell activation. To elucidate the role of β2integrins...Full Text Available
Human parechovirus (HPEV) infections are very common in early childhood and can be severe in neonates. It has been shown that integrins are important for cellular infectivity of HPEV1 through experiments...Full Text Available
The International Index of Erectile Function is a well-worded and psychometrically valid self-report questionnaire widely used as the standard for the evaluation of male sexual function. However, some conceptual and statistical problems arise when using the measure with men who are not sexually active. These problems are illustrated using 2 empirical examples, and the authors provide recommended solutions to further strengthen the efficacy and validity of this measure.
SummaryIn vivo tumor cell migration through integrin-dependent pathways is key to the metastatic behavior of malignant cells. Using quantitative in vivo...Full Text Available
... The basal markers CK5, alpha 6 integrin (CD49f), CD44, and p63 were strongly expressed by the majority of sphere-forming cells. ... p63 p63 PSCA ...
Restenosis remains the main complication of balloon angioplasty and/or stent implantation. Preclinical testing of new pharmacologic agents preventing restenosis largely rely on porcine models, where...Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the Arabic translation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) among a sample of male Muslim prisoners (N = 107) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a two-factor model to be the best fit of the data. Good internal reliability (a =.91) and predictive validity were also observed. While the limitations of the study are observed, these promising results suggest that the Arabic version of the AUDIT is a reliable and sound measure of alcohol use disorders among prisoners in the UAE.
In 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) began using a Flow Duration Analysis (FDA) methodology to assess headwater benefits in river basins where use of the Headwater Benefits Energy Gains (HWBEG) model may not result in significant improvements in modeling accuracy. The purpose of this study is to validate the accuracy and appropriateness of the FDA method for determining energy gains in less complex basins. This report presents the results of Oak Ridge National Laboratory`s (ORNL`s) validation of the FDA method. The validation is based on a comparison of energy gains using the FDA method with energy gains calculated using the MWBEG model. Comparisons of energy gains are made on a daily and monthly basis for a complex river basin (the Alabama River Basin) and a basin that is considered relatively simple hydrologically (the Stanislaus River Basin). In addition to validating the FDA ...
In this paper, we intend to formulate a new metaheuristic algorithm, called Cuckoo Search (CS), for solving optimization problems. This algorithm is based on the obligate brood parasitic behaviour of some cuckoo species in combination with the Levy flight behaviour of some birds and fruit flies. We validate the proposed algorithm against test functions and then compare its performance with those of genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization. Finally, we discuss the implication of the results and suggestion for further research.
Three studies were conducted on the validity of instruments adopted for student assessment in problem-based learning at the Maastricht School of Economics and Business Administration (the Netherlands). Results with 109 students suggest the importance of the breadth and depth of the student's knowledge profile and the extent to which the knowledge is usable. (SLD)
Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) is a coreceptor for vascular endothelial growth factor A165 (VEGF-A165, VEGF-A164 in mice) and semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A). Nevertheless, Nrp1 null embryos display vascular...Full Text Available
A distributed watershed hydrologic model soil and water assessment tool (SWAT, 2000 Version) was applied to simulate stream flow and nutrient loadings (including total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)) in Gucheng Lake Basin, which is located in the lower reach of Yangtze River Basin. Model parameters related to stream flow and nutrient loadings were calibrated and validated by the observed value, and the simulation showed that the simulated values were reasonably comparable to the observed data, suggesting the validity of SWAT model. The simulated surface runoff and nutrient yield between two stages, viz. 1981-2000 and 1951-1960, were compared, basically considering land reclamation in the mid-1970s. The result indicated that, the average annual runoff and output of TN and TP in 198...
Verification, calibration, and validation (VCV) of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes is an essential element of the code development process. The exact manner in which code VCV activities are planned and conducted, however, is critically important. It is suggested that the way in which code validation, in particular, is often conducted--by comparison to published experimental data obtained for other purposes--is in general difficult and unsatisfactory, and that a different approach is required. This paper describes a proposed methodology for CFD code VCV that meets the technical requirements and is philosophically consistent with code development needs. The proposed methodology stresses teamwork and cooperation between code developers and experimentalists throughout the VCV process, and takes advantage of certain synergisms between CFD and experiment. A novel approach to uncertainty analysis is described which can ...
Seeing convolved two-dimensional de Vaucouleurs profiles have been fitted to digital images of the brightest elliptical galaxies in two nearby groups of galaxies and three clusters of galaxies with redshifts in the range 0.06 to 0.15. The digital images were created by scanning electronographic plates obtained by the use of several versions of the RGO electronographic camera. The linear relation between effective surface brightness #mu#/sub e/ and the logarithm of the effective radius r/sub e/, first discovered by Kormendy to be valid for nearby elliptical galaxies, is found to be equally valid for the largest and brightest galaxies in rich clusters of galaxies. The apparent universal nature of that relation indicates that the same type of processes might have been involved during the formation of all ellipticals from cD galaxies in clusters to fainter ellipticals in small groups. It is suggested that the (I/sub e/,r/sub ...
A common practice of electric utilities experiencing transmission and distribution (T and D) system overloads is to expand the substation, add lines, or upgrade equipment, all of which are capital intensive options. In 1988, it was hypothesized that strategically sited photovoltaics (PV) could benefit parts of T and D systems near or at overloaded conditions. An evaluation methodology was developed and applied to a test case (Kerman Substation near Fresno, California). Analytical results suggested that the value of PV to the T and D system could substantially exceed its energy and generation capacity value. The importance of this finding indicated the need for empirical validation. This led to the construction of a 0.5 MW PV demonstration plant by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG and E) at Kerman, California as part of the PVUSA (PV for Utility Scale Applications) project. PVUSA is a national public-private partnership that is assessing and ...
The operation of steam turbines is technically controllable. The manufacturers specify reliable operating ranges as well as demands on the implementation of steam turbines into the power plant process for the respective steam turbines. The VGB guidelines describe the generally valid procedures for the operation of steam turbines in detail. Important insights at some steam turbines are not or only insufficiently converted nevertheless. Damage and extended downtimes at revisions are the result. The author of the contribution under consideration describes some more and more occurring problems. Recommendations and suggestions are given with respect to the avoidance of such findings.
Various schemes of cooling have been investigated for the purpose of assessing potential benefits on the operational characteristics of the Syrian MNSR reactor. A detailed thermal hydraulic model for the analysis of MNSR has been developed. The analysis shows that an auxiliary cooling system, installed in the pool which surrounds the lower section of the reactor vessel, will significantly offset the consumption of excess reactivity due to the negative reactivity temperature coefficient, Hence, the maximum operating time of the reactor is extended. Compared with experimental data, the suggested model proves to be valid for the analysis of MNSR behavior under both steady state and transient conditions. (author)
The aims of the study were to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Thai Family Health Routines (TFHR) scale, a 70-item self-report questionnaire used to measure the health of Thai families through their routine behaviors in daily life. Development of the TFHR was based on the structural domains of Denham's Family Health Model. The TFHR scale was initially composed of 85 items and tested on 1,040 families living in the central region of Thailand. The confirmatory factor analysis, with an acceptable factor structure model, yielded 70 items aligned with six factors: self-care, safety and prevention, mental health behavior, family care, family caregiving, and illness care routines. The preliminary psychometric properties demonstrated that the TFHR scale had satisfactory internal consistency, criterion validity, and construct validity. The test results suggested that the TFHR scale has potential benefits for ...
In this work, we query the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii copper regulon at a whole-genome level. Our RNA-Seq data simulation and analysis pipeline validated a 2-fold cutoff and 10 RPKM (reads per kilobase of mappable length per million mapped reads) (~1 mRNA per cell) to reveal 63 CRR1 targets plus another 86 copper-responsive genes. Proteomic and immunoblot analyses captured 25% of the corresponding proteins, whose abundance was also dependent on copper nutrition, validating transcriptional regulation as a major control mechanism for copper signaling in Chlamydomonas. The impact of copper deficiency on the expression of several O2-dependent enzymes included steps in lipid modification pathways. Quantitative lipid profiles indicated increased polyunsaturation of fatty acids on thylakoid membrane digalactosyldiglycerides, indicating a global impact of copper deficiency on the photosynthetic apparatus. Discovery of a putative plastid copper chaperone ...
Four-enzyme section of the shikimate pathway (Aro B, D, E, and K) of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been studied. Kinetic properties of the individual enzymes and three- and four-enzyme linked reactions have been characterized in vitro. On the basis of the data measured in spectrophotometric and LC-MS experiments, kinetic mechanisms of the enzymes have been suggested and all kinetic parameters have been identified. Kinetic models for these three- and four-enzyme sections of the shikimate pathway have been constructed and validated. The model of the four-enzyme section of shikimate pathway has been employed to design an inhibition-sensitive reconstituted pathway for a high-throughput screening effort on the shikimate pathway. It was demonstrated that using the model it was possible to optimize this reconstituted pathway in such a way to provide equal sensitivity of the enzymes to inhibition. PMID:16921527
In spite of the improved imaging techniques currently available, mortality for pancreatic cancer is still high, and pancreatics is often diagnosed only in its advanced stages. The authors investigated the value of different imaging techniques - i.e., US, CT, and ERCP - for an early diagnosis, when a more effective (curative?) treatment can be suggested. Fifty-six cases of pancreatic cancer and 36 cases of chronic pancreatitis were evaluated. The results indicate that ERCP, with the help of statistical methods, is superior to US and CT not only in evaluating early neoplastic or inflammatory lesions, but also for their differential diagnosis. In the letter case, ERCP can sometimes be used as a valid alternative to fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Eight selected sulfonamide drugs were investigated as inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). The investigation included simulated docking experiments to fit the selected compounds within the binding pocket of Hsp90. The selected molecules were found to readily fit within the ATP-binding pocket of Hsp90 in low-energy poses. The sulfonamides torsemide, sulfathiazole, and sulfadiazine were found to inhibit the ATPase activity of Hsp90 with IC50 values of 1.0, 2.6, and 1.5 mM, respectively. Our results suggest that these well-established sulfonamides can be good leads for subsequent optimization into potent Hsp90 inhibitors.
Recently it was demonstrated that long-lived quantum coherence exists during excitation energy transport in photosynthesis. It is a valid question up to which length, time and mass scales quantum coherence may extend, how one may detect this coherence and what, if any, role it plays in the dynamics of the system. Here we suggest that the selectivity filter of ion channels may exhibit quantum coherence, which might be relevant for the process of ion selectivity and conduction. We show that quantum resonances could provide an alternative approach to ultrafast two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy to probe these quantum coherences. We demonstrate that the emergence of resonances in the conduction of ion channels that are modulated periodically by time-dependent external electric fields can serve as signatures of quantum coherence in such a system. Assessments of experimental feasibility and specific paths towards the experimental realization of such ...
In this article, we propose a model selection method, the Bayesian composite model space approach, to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a half-sib population for continuous and binary traits. In our method, the identity-by-descent-based variance component model is used. To demonstrate the performance of this model, the method was applied to map QTL underlying production traits on BTA6 in a Chinese half-sib dairy cattle population. A total of four QTLs were detected, whereas only one QTL was identified using the traditional least square (LS) method. We also conducted two simulation experiments to validate the efficiency of our method. The results suggest that the proposed method based on a multiple-QTL model is efficient in mapping multiple QTL for an outbred half-sib population and is more powerful than the LS method based on a single-QTL model. PMID:21487433
Up to now, P diffusion in Ge is modeled with an effective diffusivity involving at most a quadratic dependence with the free electron concentration (n). However, recent theoretical studies suggest the existence of a triply negatively charged state for the free vacancy in germanium and experimental data indicate that the E center (PV pair) in Ge has a double acceptor state. These two facts would be consistent with a diffusivity model involving a cubic dependence with n. In this paper the validity of this approach is checked for both pure thermal diffusion (intrinsic and extrinsic) and implanted phosphorus, using either our own experiments or other data available from the literature. Although some discrepancies still exist in some cases for the redistribution of implanted P, it is shown that the introduction of this cubic dependence significantly improves the overall agreement as compared with the usual model.
Although the radioreceptor method is widely used for estrogen receptor assay in human tissue, it has several limitations and a number of alternative methods are being explored. An immunohistochemical method of estrogen receptor assay using a specific antibody to estradiol has been proposed as a suitable alternative. The present study was designed to evaluate the validity of this method in detecting true estrogen receptors in human tumor tissue. Using radioiodinated antibody to estrogen, we have demonstrated that the estrogen antibody can detect the estrogen when it is bound to 4S type receptor but is unable to bind to estrogen when the hormone is bound to 8S type receptor. Our observations suggest that the immunohistochemical method of detection of intracellular cytosolic receptor for estrogen is not a suitable alternative to the currently used radioreceptor method.
Abstract The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Paleoclimatic models have predicted two large stability regions in its northern and central parts, whereas southern regions might have suffered strong instability during Pleistocene glaciations. Molecular phylogeographic and endemism studies show, nevertheless, contradictory results: although some results validate these predictions, other data suggest that paleoclimatic models fail to predict stable rainforest areas in the south. Most studies, however, have surveyed species with relatively high dispersal rates whereas taxa with lower dispersion capabilities should be better predictors of habitat stability. Here, we have used two land planarian species as model organisms to analyse the patterns ...
This study validates a research model that examines usage of instant messaging (IM) from the aspect of online social support. Drawing on the social capital theory, this study postulates that IM usage is indirectly affected by social support via the mediation of the following six dimensions of social capital: commitment, reciprocity, shared codes and language, shared narratives, centrality, and network ties. The model tests data obtained from business organizations in Taiwan, and the results suggest that the indirect influence of social support on IM usage through shared codes and language is significant, and the indirect influence of social support on IM usage through centrality is also significant. Managerial implications and limitations of the empirical findings are provided.
The groundwater flow and transport model of the Faultless underground nuclear test conducted at the Central Nevada Test Area (CNTA) was accepted by the state regulator and the environmental remediation efforts at the site have progressed to the stages of model validation and long-term monitoring design. This report discusses the long-term monitoring strategy developed for CNTA. Subsurface monitoring is an expensive and time-consuming process, and the design approach should be based on a solid foundation. As such, a thorough literature review of monitoring network design is first presented. Monitoring well networks can be designed for a number of objectives including aquifer characterization, parameter estimation, compliance monitoring, detection monitoring, ambient monitoring, and research monitoring, to name a few. Design methodologies also range from simple hydrogeologic intuition-based tools to sophisticated statistical- and optimization-based tools. When ...
Many aspects of cellular motility and mechanics are cyclic in nature such as the extension and retraction of lamellipodia or filopodia. Inherent to the cycles of extension and retraction that test the environment is the production of mechano-chemical signals that can alter long-term cell behavior, transcription patterns, and cell fate. We are just starting to define such cycles in several aspects of cell motility, including periodic contractions, integrin cycles of binding and release as well as the normal oscillations in motile activity. Cycles of local cell contraction and release are directly coupled to cycles of stressing and releasing extracellular contacts (matrix or cells) as well as cytoplasmic mechanotransducers. Stretching can alter external physical properties or sites exposed b...
A new model for fuel spray penetration (location of spray tip) is suggested and validated against available experimental data. Simple analytical expressions for fuel spray penetration are derived in two limiting cases: the initial stage and the two-phase flow regime. At the initial stage, the effects of droplet drag and entrainment of air are accounted for. In the case of the two-phase flow, it is assumed that the spray droplets have the same velocities as the entrained air. The characteristic time of droplet break-up in the spray is estimated for both bag and stripping break-up mechanisms. For realistic diesel spray parameters, the droplet break-up takes place almost immediately after the droplets leave the nozzle. This leads to a considerable shortening of the initial stage and a rapid conversion of the flow to the two-phase stage. This allows the analysis to be restricted to the two-phase flow approximation for this type of spray. The ...
ObjectiveIn the context of the importance of valid self-report measures to research and evidence-based practice in social work, an argument-based approach to validity...Full Text Available
The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their validity...Full Text Available
... Standards Validation Group National Computer Systems Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology ... STANDARD. ... (See test Ci )i3A. ...
This research validates a novel approach for source tracking based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of DNA extracted from Escherichia coli isolates. Escherichia coli from different animal sources and from river samples upstream from, at, and downstream of a combined sewer overflow were subjected to DGGE to determine sequence variations within the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the rrnB ribosomal operon. The ISR was analyzed to determine if E. coli isolates from various animal sources could be differentiated from each other. DNA isolated from the E. coli animal sources was PCR amplified to isolate the rrnB operon. To prevent amplification of all 7 E. coli ribosomal operons by PCR amplification using universal primers, sequence-specific primers were utilized for the rrnB operon. Another primer set was then used to prepare samples of the 16S-23S ISR for DGGE. Comparison of PCR-DGGE results between human and animal sources revealed ...
The epidermal compartment is complex and organized into several strata composed of keratinocytes (KCs), including basal, spinous, granular, and cornified layers. The continuous process of self-renewal and barrier formation is dependent on a homeostatic balance achieved amongst KCs involving proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. To determine genes responsible for initiating and maintaining a cornified epidermis, organotypic cultures comprised entirely of stratified KCs creating epidermal equivalents (EE) were raised from a submerged state to an air/liquid (A/L) interface. Compared to the array profile of submerged cultures containing KCs predominantly in a proliferative (relatively undifferentiated) state, EEs raised to an A/L interface displayed a remarkably consistent and distinct profile of mRNAs. Cultures lifted to an A/L interface triggered the induction of gene groups that regulate proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Next, differentially expressed microRNAs ...
Non-first order (FO) kinetics models are of three types; second order (SO), general order (GO) and mixed order (MO). It is shown that all three of these have constraints in their energy level schemes and their applicable parameter values. In nature such restrictions are not expected to exist. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks produced by these models shift their position and change their shape as the trap occupancies change. Such characteristics are very unlike those found in samples of real materials. In these models, in general, retrapping predominates over recombination. It is shown that the quasi-equilibrium (QE) assumption implied in the derivation of the TL equation of these models is quite valid, thus disproving earlier workers' conclusion that QE cannot be held under retrapping dominant conditions. However notwithstanding their validity, they suffer from the shortcomings as stated above and have certain lacunae. For ...
In this article, we describe the development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO), a semistructured interview designed for the dimensional assessment of identity, primitive defenses, and reality testing, the three primary content domains in the model of personality health and disorder elaborated by Kernberg (1984; Kernberg & Caligor, 2005). Results of this investigation, conducted in a clinical sample representing a broad range of personality pathology, indicate that identity and primitive defenses as operationalized in the STIPO are internally consistent and that interrater reliability for all 3 content domains is adequate. Validity findings suggest that the assessment of one's sense of self and significant others (Identity) is predictive of measures of positive and negative affect, whereas the maladaptive ways in which the subject uses his or her objects for purposes of ...
With using artificial neural networks (ANNs), an analytical study related to the heated length effect on critical heat flux (CHF) has been carried out to make an improvement of the CHF prediction accuracy based on local condition correlations or table. It has been carried out to suggest a feasible criterion of the threshold length-to-diameter (L/D) value in which heated length could affect CHF. And within the criterion, a L/D correction factor has been developed through conventional regression. In order to validate the developed L/D correction factor, CHF experiments for various heated lengths have been carried out under low and intermediate pressure conditions. The developed threshold L/D correlation provides a new feasible criterion of L/D threshold value. The developed correction factor gives a reasonable accuracy for the original database, showing the error of -2.18% for average and 27.75% for RMS, and promising results for new experimental ...
The plasma plume generated by a new type of high energy Janitor known as the railplug, is examined. The railplug is a miniaturized railgun that has the potential for improving ignition characteristics of combustible mixtures in engines. The objective of the study is to gain an uderstanding of the characteristics of the plasma created by a transparent railplug, and to validate a multidimensional computer simulation of the plasma and shock fronts. The nature of the plume emitted by the railplug was examined for three levels of electrical energy while firing into air at a pressure of 1 atm. The computer model is to be used to predict trends in railplug performance for various railplug designs, energies, and ambient conditions. The velocity of the plasma movement inside a transparent railplug was measured, as well as the velocity of the plume ejected from the cavity. A shock is produced at the initiation point of the arc and propagates down the cavity, eventually ...
Radon exposure assessment in case-control studies on radon and lung cancer is generally based on contemporary radon concentration measurements, which can be affected by significant changes in the building structures or in living habits. Another method to estimate the radon exposure of the subjects is the recently developed retrospective dosimetry technique based on the {sup 210}Po surface activity from glass objects. In order to compare the results obtained by the two methods, a study has been carried out in a sample of 26 dwellings in Rome, with radon concentration values ranging from 28 to 623 Bq m{sup -3}. Retrospective detectors based on CR-39 and LR 115 were exposed on 50 glass objects in bedrooms and living rooms. The correlation factor between the two sets of data, after removing six extreme values, is 0.67, which is similar to results obtained in other validation studies of similar sample size. The correlation increases to 0.83 if the 21 objects exposed in ...
Abstract in english The tegument surface of the adult schistosome, bounded by a normal plasma membrane overlain by a secreted membranocalyx, holds the key to understanding how schistosomes evade host immune responses. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS), and the sequencing of the Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome/genome, have facilitated schistosome proteomics. We detached the tegument from the worm body and enriched its surface membranes by differential extraction, before subjecting t (more) he preparation to liquid chromatography-based proteomics to identify its constituents. The most exposed proteins on live worms were labelled with impearmeant biotinylation reagents, and we also developed methods to isolate the membranocalyx for analysis. We identified transporters for sugars, amino acids, inorganic ions and water, which confirm the importance of the tegument plasma membrane in nutrient acquisition and solute balance. Enzymes, including phosphohydrolases, esterases and ...
Because every cell within the body has the same genetic information, a significant problem in biology is to understand how cells within a tissue express genes selectively. A sophisticated network of physical and biochemical signals converge in a highly orchestrated manner to bring about the exquisite regulation that governs gene expression in diverse tissues. Thus, the ultimate decision of a cell to proliferate, express tissue-specific genes, or apoptose must be a coordinated response to its adhesive, growth factor, and hormonal milieu. The unifying hypothesis examined in this overview is that the unit of function in higher organisms is neither the genome nor the cell alone but the complex, three-dimensional tissue. This is because there are bidirectional connections between the components of the cellular microenvironment (growth factors, hormones, and extracellular matrix) and the nucl2048 These connections are made via membrane-bound receptors and transmitted to the nucleus, where ...
Planning is an important part of computational model verification and validation (V&V) and the requisite planning document is vital for effectively executing the plan. The document provides a means of communicating intent to the typically large group of people, from program management to analysts to test engineers, who must work together to complete the validation activities. This report provides guidelines for writing a validation plan. It describes the components of such a plan and includes important references and resources. While the initial target audience is the DART Full System Model teams in the nuclear weapons program, the guidelines are generally applicable to other modeling efforts. Our goal in writing this document is to provide a framework for consistency in validation plans across weapon systems, different types of models, and different scenarios. Specific details contained in any ...
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to develop and validate a daily electronic Endometriosis Pain and Bleeding Diary (EPBD) for assessing treatment-related changes in endometriosis...Full Text Available
The identification and validation of biomarkers for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are increasingly important. To date, ELISA measurement of β-amyloid(1–42),...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
The thesis gives an overview of the validation process for thermal-hydraulic system codes and it presents in more detail the assessment and validation of the French code CATHARE for VVER calculations. Three assessment cases are presented: loop seal clearing, core reflooding and flow in a horizontal steam generator. The experience gained during these assessment and validation calculations has been used to analyze the behavior of the horizontal steam generator and the natural circulation in the geometry of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Large part of the work has been performed in cooperation with the CATHARE-team in Grenoble, France. (41 refs., 11 figs., 8 tabs.).
Sida rhomboidea. Roxb leaf extract (SRLE) is being used by the populace of North-East India to alleviate symptoms of diabetes and obesity. We have previously reported its hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we report the effect of SRLE on (i) in vivo modulation of genes controlling high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and (ii) in vitro 3T3L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation and leptin release. Supplementation with SRLE significantly prevented HFD induced increment in bodyweight, plasma lipids and leptin, visceral adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy. Also, SRLE supplementation reduced food intake, down regulated PPAR?2, SREBP1c, FAS and LEP expressions and up-regulated CPT-1 in epididymal adipose tissue compared to obese mice. In vitro adipogenesis of 3T3L1 pre-adipocytes was significantly retarded in the presence of SRLE extract. Also decreased triglyceride accumulation, leptin release and glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate dehydrogenase activity along with higher glycerol ...
Coronary angiography provides anatomical information whereas thellium myocardial scintigraphy measures resistive tissue perfusion. Because of this fundamental difference. The authors question the validity of using coronary angiography as the gold standard to judge thellium myocardial scintigraphy. The authors studied 20 patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary angioplasty who fulfilled the following criteria: (1) history of chest pain; (2) angiographically significant single vessel disease (>50% stenosis); (3) no prior myocardial infarction. All patients underwent maximal exercise thallium single photon emission computed tomography (T1-SPECT). Tl-SPECT was scored visually according to a 0 to 3 scale (0=absent uptake; 1=markedly decreased uptake; 2=minimally decreased uptake; 3=normal uptake). Translesional gradient and percent stenosis were measured before and after angioplasty. The authors found that significant linear relationship exists between ...
In response to a request from DOE-SR, the current state of knowledge of the reactions between TBP and aqueous nitrate solutions is critically reviewed, and recommendations are made for the safe operation of SRS separations equipment in which this combination of chemicals may be present. The existing limits for evaporation are validated. Guidelines are presented for cases in which general limits do not apply. The rate of reaction between nitric acid and TBP appears to be controlled by the rate of TBP hydrolysis. The hydrolysis reaction produces dibutyl phosphate and n-butanol. The hydrolysis rate is a strong function of temperature, and becomes very fast at temperatures in the range 130{degrees} to 150{degrees}C. The resulting n-butanol is volatile at high temperatures, boiling at 117.5{degrees}C, but is also subject to exothermic oxidation by nitric acid or nitrates. If oxidation occurs before the n-butanol evaporates, the heat of oxidation may exceed local cooling ...
Full text: The general population is daily exposed to chronic, low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) from both natural and artificial sources. The biological consequences of acute, high dose IR exposure can be readily determined; however, the nature and significance of low dose, low dose-rate IR effects are still the subject of debate. Confounding the issue, are the phenomena collectively referred to as the Radiation-induced Bystander Effect (RIBE). The RIBE describes a collection of in vitro observations that suggest the presence of a soluble, transmissible factor(s) released from irradiated cells that can induce a biological response in un-irradiated cells. The induction, nature and magnitude of the RIBE varies between cell culture systems, radiation sources and end-points measured. Efforts to confirm the presence of the RIBE in vivo have been confined to in vivo-like culture systems and limited work with tumour and bone-marrow transplantation models. ...
The objective of this work group was to identify obstacles to the development of better risk management practices and performance standards in the pipeline industry. An outline of developments in pipeline risk assesment management was presented, including an update of the Risk Based Design and Assessment annex and other CSA Z662 code developments. It was suggested that progress in risk management require that acceptable levels of risk and reliability need to be defined. Environmental and safety consequence analysis was recommended, as well as failure frequency estimation and assessment of distribution systems. Guidelines for Integrity Management Programs (IMPs) were reviewed. It was noted that CSA Z662 will become mandatory for sour gas in 2005 and may become mandatory for all onshore pipelines in 2007. Operating company procedures in relation to hazards with significant consequences were discussed. It was noted that companies should assess risks associated with ...
Sixty-Hz magnetic field exposures were measured for 45 adult residents of Maine. Thirty of the subjects resided near rights-of-way (ROWs) with either 345- and 115-kV transmission lines, or ROWs with only 115-kV transmission lines; fifteen resided far from any transmission lines. Personal exposure data for a single 24-hour period was acquired with the EMDEX. The EMDEX's event-marker button was used to partition exposures into Home and Away components. Also, three area measurements were taken for each subject during the personal exposure measurement period: (1) 24-hr fixed-site bedroom measurement with a second EMDEX; (2) Spot measurements in at least three rooms of every residence; and (3) Spot measurements outside each residence. Residence near transmission lines highly loaded during the measurement period was associated with increased Home and Total exposure relative to a far-away population. Average exposure level while away from home was uniform (at about 2 mG) throughout ...
The detailed sequence stratigraphic analysis of the siliciclastic-dominated Late Cretaceous sediments (Aren Sandstone and Garumnian red beds, south central Pyrenees, Spain) reveals the repeating disposition of critical elements and controlling mechanisms of cycles and sequences. Our approach integrates (a) hierarchy of unconformity-bounded units, (b) physical expression of boundaries traceable from the continent to the basin, (c) featuring facies and depositional systems, (d) well log and seismic expression, and (e) driving basing-filling mechanisms. A comparison to other active basins is suggested in order to prove the validity beyond the regional scale. Four basin-wide transgressive facies cycles were identified and interpreted as third-order units. The transgressive phase of each cycle is represented by mixed shelf deposits, while regressive periods consists of complex delta systems. The cycles are composed within their regressive phase of ...
Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy has been used for the determination of the line strengths of 41 CO and CO[sub 2] absorption lines at temperatures between 295 and 1250 K. The CO vibrational-rotational lines were from the [ital P] branch of the fundamental absorption band (2150--1950 cm[sup [minus]1]) while the CO[sub 2] vibrational-rotational lines were from the far wing of the [ital R] branch of the [nu][sub 3] fundamental band (2395--2380 cm[sup [minus]1]). The intensities of the lines were measured from absorption spectra recorded in a high-temperature gas cell containing known concentrations of CO/CO[sub 2]/N[sub 2] gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure. Absorption spectra were recorded through the cell with the use of a moderate-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The absorption spectra were mathematically corrected for distortions resulting from the finite resolution of the spectrometer and for peak overlap. Line strength measurements were made ...
Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy has been used for the determination of the line strengths of 41 CO and CO_2 absorption lines at temperatures between 295 and 1250 K. The CO vibrational-rotational lines were from the P branch of the fundamental absorption band (2150--1950 cm"-"1) while the CO_2 vibrational-rotational lines were from the far wing of the R branch of the #nu#_3 fundamental band (2395--2380 cm"-"1). The intensities of the lines were measured from absorption spectra recorded in a high-temperature gas cell containing known concentrations of CO/CO_2/N_2 gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure. Absorption spectra were recorded through the cell with the use of a moderate-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The absorption spectra were mathematically corrected for distortions resulting from the finite resolution of the spectrometer and for peak overlap. Line strength measurements were made from the corrected peaks by using the Bouguer-Lambert law and ...
Aim: To investigate interpretative accuracy and reporting time for radiologists performing computed tomography (CT) colonography in day-to-day non-academic clinical practice. Materials and methods: Thirteen radiologists from seven centres, who were reporting CT colonography in non-academic daily clinical practice, interpreted a dataset of 15 colonoscopically validated cases in a controlled environment. Ten cases had either a cancer or polyp >10 mm; one case had a medium polyp and four were normal. Correct case categorization and interpretation times were compared using analysis of variance to aggregated results obtained from both experienced observers and observers recently trained using 50 cases, working in an academic environment. The effect of experience was determined using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: Individual accuracy was highly variable, range 53% (95% CI 27-79%) to 93% (95% CI 68-100%). Mean accuracy overall was significantly ...
Understanding prostate stem cells may provide insight into the origin of prostate cancer. Primary cells have been cultured from human prostate tissue but they usually survive only 15-20 population doublings before undergoing senescence. We report here that RC-170N/h/clone 7 cells, a clonal cell line from hTERT-immortalized primary non-malignant tissue-derived human prostate epithelial cell line (RC170N/h), retain multipotent stem cell properties. The RC-170N/h/clone 7 cells expressed a human embryonic stem cell marker, Oct-4, and potential prostate epithelial stem cell markers, CD133, integrin #alpha#2#beta#1"h"i and CD44. The RC-170N/h/clone 7 cells proliferated in KGM and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 5 #mu#g/ml insulin (DMEM + 10% FBS + Ins.) medium, and differentiated into epithelial stem cells that expressed epithelial cell markers, including CK5/14, CD44, p63 and cytokeratin 18 (CK18); as well as the mesenchymal cell ...
Outbreaks of disease attributable to human error or natural causes can provide unique opportunities to gain new information about host-pathogen interactions and new leads for pathogenesis research. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), a sequela of infection with pathogenic streptococci, is a common cause of preventable kidney disease worldwide. Although PSGN usually occurs after infection with group A streptococci, organisms of Lancefield group C and G also can be responsible. Despite decades of study, the molecular pathogenesis of PSGN is poorly understood. As a first step toward gaining new information about PSGN pathogenesis, we sequenced the genome of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus strain MGCS10565, a group C organism that caused a very large and unusually severe epidemic of nephritis in Brazil. The genome is a circular chromosome of 2,024,171 bp. The genome shares extensive gene content, including many virulence factors, with genetically related group A ...
Background: Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) controls platelet integrin function, tissue-factor (TF) activation, and concentrates at fibrin and thrombus formation sites of vascular injury. Objective: We investigated involvement of surface thiol isomerases and especially PDI, in thrombin-mediated thrombin amplification on human platelets. Methods/Results: Using a new developed thrombin-dependent platelet thrombin generation assay we observed that the feedback activation of thrombin generation on the platelet surface does not depend on TF, as anti-TF antibodies inhibiting TF-induced thrombin formation in platelet-depleted plasma had no effect compared to vehicle-treated controls. Feedback activation of thrombin generation in the presence of platelets was significantly diminished by membrane impermeant thiol blockers or by the thiol isomerase-inhibitors bacitracin and anti-PDI antibody RL90, respectively. Platelet thrombin formation depends on binding of coagulation ...
Background:The validity of dementia diagnoses in the Danish nationwide hospital registers was evaluated to determine the value of these registers in epidemiological research about dementia. Methods: Two hundred patients were randomly selected from 4,682 patients registered for the first time with a dementia diagnosis in the last 6 months of 2003. The patients' medical journals were reviewed to evaluate if they fulfilled ICD-10 and/or DSM-IV criteria for dementia and specific dementia subtypes. The patients who were still alive in 2006 were invited to an interview. Results: One hundred and ninety-seven journals were available for review and 51 patients were interviewed. A registered diagnosis of dementia was found to be correct in 169 (85.8%) cases. Regarding dementia subtypes, the degree of agreement between the registers and the results of the validating process was low with a kappa of 0.36 (95% CI 0.24-0.48). Conclusion: The ...
For models with several time-dependent components, generalized entropies can be defined. This is shown for the Bianchi type IX model. We first derive the Cardy-Verlinde formula under the assumption that the first law of thermodynamics is valid. This leads to an explicit expression of the total entropy associated with this type of universe. Assuming the validity of the Cardy entropy formula, we obtain expressions for the corresponding Bekenstein, Bekenstein-Hawking and Hubble entropies. We discuss the validity of the Cardy-Verlinde formula and possible extensions of the outlined procedure to other time-dependent models.
Typing Workshop": [Introductions] [Intro, DNA Basics, and Historical Perspective] [DNA Extraction] [Validation and QA/QC] [DNA Quantitation] [PCR Amplification] [STR Loci and Kits]...
BACKGROUND:In adults, it is well known that high levels of pain catastrophizing are related to increased pain and disability as well as to heightened anxiety and depression. However,...Full Text Available
PURPOSE.- The study aims to clinically validate the defining characteristics (DCs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) of Activity Intolerance for patients with ischemic heart disease and refractory angina. METHODS.- Cross-sectional study was used, involving 22 patients with ND of Activity Intolerance. The Fehring method was used to validate the ND. FINDINGS.- Most DCs presented reliability indexes between 0.5 and 0.79. Three DCs presented reliability indexes - 0.8. CONCLUSION.- All DCs were validated, and electrocardiographic changes indicating ischemia, verbal report of fatigue, and abnormal rate response to activity were considered as DC major. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.- This study is relevant in daily nursing practice for guidance in establishing the care plan and describing the ass...
SynopsisAttention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a valid and impairing psychological disorder that persists into adulthood in a majority of cases and is associated...Full Text Available
measure meteorological variables and bulk water temper- ature. The locations of the buoys are given in Table 1. TB2 and TB3 were moved slightly farther south ...
Inferring cluster structure in microarray datasets is a fundamental task for the -omic sciences. A fundamental question in Statistics, Data Analysis and Classification, is the prediction of the number of clusters in a dataset, usually established via internal validation measures. Despite the wealth of internal measures available in the literature, new ones have been recently proposed, some of them specifically for microarray data. In this dissertation, a study of internal validation measures is given, paying particular attention to the stability based ones. Indeed, this class of measures is particularly prominent and promising in order to have a reliable estimate the number of clusters in a dataset. For those measures, a new general algorithmic paradigm is proposed here that highlights the richness of measures in this class and accounts for the ones already available in the literature. Moreover, some of the most representative ...
BackgroundThe evaluation of interventions and policies designed to promote resilience, and research to understand the determinants and associations, require reliable and valid measures...Full Text Available
BackgroundAdequate pain assessment is critical for evaluating the efficacy of analgesic treatment in clinical practice and during the development of new therapies. Yet the currently...Full Text Available
Lipids in the stratum corneum (SC) are of major importance for the skin barrier function. Many different methods have been used for the collection of SC for the analysis of SC lipids. The objective of the present study was to validate the cyanoacrylate method for the collection of SC in relation to lipid analysis.
2D simulation modeling of a river basin is based on notion of a River Basin as an opened non equilibrium nature system. All components of the system (elevation, water, soil properties and others) are linked to single multi - functional model. The objective of flood simulation is one the model functions. The objectives of the paper are as follows: a mean scale basin floods computing and the model validation; a large scale basin simulation and demands for its validation; results and demands for flood hazard assessment. (orig.)
Most of the tissue banks in the Asia Pacific region have been using ionising radiation at 25 kGy to sterilise human tissues for save clinical usage. Under tissue banking quality system, any dose employed for sterilisation has to be validated and the validation exercise has to be a part of quality document. Tissue grafts, unlike medical items, are not produced in large number per each processing batch and tissues relatively have a different microbial population. A Code of Practice established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2004 offers several validation methods using smaller number of samples compared to ISO 11137 (1995), which is meant for medical products. The methods emphasise on bioburden determination, followed by sterility test on samples after they were exposed to verification dose for attaining of sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10{sup -1}. This paper describes our experience in using the IAEA ...
Piping in nuclear power plants is vital to the proper operation and safety of these facilities. To assure safety in the unlikely event of a pipe break, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences from the resulting whipping pipe on neighboring components and structures. Numerical simulations allow for rapid evaluation of these consequences. Before simulations can be accepted, however, the methodology and computer codes must be validated against experimental results. This paper uses a probabilistic approach to validate pipe whip simulations against limited experimental results. Probabilistic analysis software was developed and coupled to existing deterministic finite element software. An example of a whipping pipe impacting against a reinforced concrete slab was simulated. The described probabilistic approach was used to validate the numerical simulations. The conclusions obtained were that the numerical simulations of ...
Two studies (N = 420) were conducted to develop and validate the instructional dissent scale (IDS) for use in the college classroom. Participants in study 1 were 210 students who completed the IDS pilot inventory which was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis yielding three distinct factors of dissent (i.e., expressive, rhetorical, vengeful). Concurrent validity support was provided as perceived teacher misbehaviors were associated positively with students' likelihood of engaging in dissent and students reported fewer learning outcomes when they dissented. Participants in study 2 were from a different sample of 210 students who completed the IDS along with measures of classroom justice and student challenge behavior. A confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the hypothesiz...
Three adolescents (ages 14-17) with emotional and behavioral disorders displayed chronic disruptive behavior in their self-contained classrooms at a self-contained alternative school. A descriptive functional behavioral assessment was conducted for each student. Data from file review, structured interviews, and direct observations were used to identify the functions of their disruptive behaviors. Then, function-based interventions were systematically constructed for each student and implemented for an extended period (nearly 6 weeks) within the most problematic situation in their classrooms. The interventions improved each student's behavior and the effects maintained during follow-up and generalized to instruction in a nonintervention classroom. Social validity data comparing the interventions to baseline practices revealed the function-based intervention had moderately higher social validity among teachers and substantially higher social ...
Sandia National Laboratories has erected a research oriented, 34- meter diameter, Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine near Bushland, Texas. This machine, designated the Sandia 34-m VAWT Test Bed, is equipped with a large array of strain gauges that have been placed at critical positions about the blades. This manuscript details a series of four-point bend experiments that were conducted to validate the output of the blade strain gauge circuits. The output of a particular gauge circuit is validated by comparing its output to equivalent gauge circuits (in this stress state) and to theoretical predictions. With only a few exceptions, the difference between measured and predicted strain values for a gauge circuit was found to be of the order of the estimated repeatability for the measurement system.
Purpose To examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and to investigate the agreement between child self-reported fatigue and parent proxy-reported fatigue. Methods The Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale was administered to 652 preschoolers and schoolchildren aged 5?12 and their parents, and to 91 parents of preschool children aged 1?4. Results Internal consistency reliability was 0.62?0.87 for children and 0.81?0.93 for parents. Known-group validity was examined between a group of healthy samples (n?=?530) and chronic condition sample (n?=?102); the chronically ill group reported a significantly higher perceived fatigue problem. Correlations between child self- and parent proxy r...
The aim of this work is the development and experimental validation of a detailed dynamic fuel cell model using the gPROMS modeling environment. The model is oriented towards optimization and control and it relies on material and energy balances as well as electrochemical equations including semi-empirical equations. For the experimental validation of the model a fully automated and integrated hydrogen fuel cell testing unit was used. The predictive power of the model has been compared with the data obtained during load change experiments. A sensitivity analysis has been employed to reveal the most critical empirical model parameters that should be estimated using a systematic estimation procedure. Model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data under a wide range of operati...
This paper details the design of a premixed, swirl-stabilized combustor that was designed and built for the express purpose of obtaining validation-quality data for the development of large eddy simulations (LES) of gas turbine combustors. The combustor features nonambiguous boundary conditions, a geometrically simple design that retains the essential fluid dynamics and thermochemical processes that occur in actual gas turbine combustors, and unrestrictive access for laser and optical diagnostic measurements. After discussing the design detail, a preliminary investigation of the performance and operating envelope of the combustor is presented. With the combustor operating on premixed methane/air, both the equivalence ratio and the inlet velocity were systematically varied and the flame structure was recorded via digital photography. Interesting lean flame blowout and resonance characteristics were observed. In addition, the combustor exhibited a large region of ...
RELAP5/MOD3 code was developed for western type power water reactors with vertical steam generators. Thus, this code should be validated also for VVER design with horizontal steam generators. The validation work, which has been started in Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), has already shown some weaknesses of the code. For example the flow inside a steam generator horizontal tube in some accident cases is not correctly modelled by the code. It may be the result of erroneous prediction of the flow regime. The aim of the study is the attempt of verification of the flow regime map, which is used in the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code for two-phase flow in horizontal tubes. (18 refs.).
As part of the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP), food composition data for vitamin D in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference are being updated and expanded, focusing on high priority foods and validated analytical methodology. A lack of certified reference materials and analytical methods validated for these key foods required the development of five matrix-specific control composite materials (CC) (canned salmon and vitamin D3 fortified cereal, orange juice, milk, and cheese). Each of six experienced laboratories (research and commercial) analyzed vitamin D3 in five subsamples of each CC in five separate analytical batches, with one subsample of each material in each run. Research laboratories perform...
Research on the emotion of shame has increased significantly in recent years. However, there remains a need for more psychometrically sound measures of shame, including measures of shame in response to specific, idiographic experiences. The Shame Inventory was developed in order to assess both global feelings of shame as well as shame in response to specific life events or personal characteristics. Two studies were conducted to determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Shame Inventory. Across both studies, results indicate that the inventory has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. The Shame Inventory holds promise as a new measure designed to assess both global feelings of shame as well as specific shame-eliciting ...
Piping in nuclear power plants is vital to the proper operation and safety of these facilities. To assure safety in the unlikely event of a pipe break, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences from the resulting whipping pipe on neighboring components and structures. Numerical simulations allow for rapid evaluation of these consequences. Before simulations can be accepted, however, the methodology and computer codes must be validated against experimental results. This paper uses a probabilistic approach to validate pipe whip simulations against limited experimental results. Probabilistic analysis software was developed and coupled to existing deterministic finite element software. An example of a whipping pipe impacting against a reinforced concrete slab was simulated. The described pr...
Studies in our wound ballistics laboratory have shown that excellent healing can occur in complicated assault rifle wounds that are free of tension and well drained. A conservative approach to debridement and excision of tissue in uncomplicated extremity wounds may be a valid and resource-saving technique. PMID:2366941
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention...Full Text Available
BackgroundStrategies to accurately identify the occurrence of specific health care events in administrative data is central to many quality improvement and research efforts. Many...Full Text Available
An important component of the overall program to validate WIMS-AECL for use with RFSP in the analysis of CANDU-6 reactors for design and safety analysis calculations is the validation of calculations of incremental cross sections used to represent reactivity devices. A method has been developed for the calculation of the three-dimensional neutron flux distribution in and around CANDU reactor fuel channels and reactivity control devices. The methods is based on one- and two dimensional transport calculations with the WIMS-AECL lattice cell code, SPH homogenization, and three-dimensional flux calculations with finite-difference diffusion theory using the MULTICELL code. Simulations of Wolsung 1 Phase-B commissioning measurements and Point Lepreau restart tests have been performed, as a part of the program to validate WIMS-AECL lattice cell calculations for application to CANDU reactor simulations in RFSP. The incremental ...
Borrelial infection may manifest with a wide range of clinical signs, and in many cases, microbiological findings are essential for a proper diagnosis. This study included 48 patients with a working...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this study is to validate the questionnaire ECOS-16 (Assessment of health related quality of life in osteoporosis) for the evaluation of health related quality...Full Text Available
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is one of the most important prognostic and predictive factors for breast cancer patients. Recently, serum HER2...Full Text Available
Sexual pressure among young urban women represents adherence to gender stereotypical expectations to engage in sex. Revision of the original 5-factor Sexual Pressure Scale was undertaken in...Full Text Available
Lifetime exposure to physical activity is an important construct for evaluating associations between physical activity and disease outcomes, given the long induction periods in many chronic diseases....Full Text Available
Dippold, V., S. Mohler , Validation of the Wind-US Unstructured Flow Solver .... Hamed, A. and A. Mohamed, Assessment of Shock Induced Flow Separation and ...... Nozzles for Hypersonic Propulsion, NASA CR 185197, AGARD Symposium ...
Although the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) was a potential instrument for cross cultural research of midlife women, little information is available on its reliability and validity among...Full Text Available
BackgroundTissue microarray (TMA) data are commonly used to validate the prognostic accuracy of tumor markers. For example, breast cancer TMA data have led to the identification...Full Text Available
We have developed and validated a microporous poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane-based indirect co-culture system for human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) propagation, which allows real-time...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare and to validate different dose calculation algorithms for the use in radiation therapy of small lung lesions and to optimize the treatment...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to determine whether an index for measuring quality of care for psychiatric emergencies is reliable and valid. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING. The study used primary...Full Text Available
AIMS—(1) To validate a leg to leg bioimpedance analysis (BIA) device in the measurement of body composition in children by assessment of its agreement with dual energy x...Full Text Available
NUPEC has carried out hydrogen mixing tests to investigate hydrogen distribution behavior within a model containment and to provide a set of experimental data for validation of severe accident analysis codes.
The biological accumulation of heavy metals and cesium, strontium, and uranium in plants is discussed. The role of nutrient deficiencies and foliar treatments of manganese and iron compounds is described.
ObjectiveTo examine the validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire - 2 (PHQ-2), a 2-item depression screening scale among adolescents.Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE--To develop, test, and validate an algorithm for diagnosing disease in neonates during an over the telephone referral to a specialist cardiac centre. DESIGN--A draft algorithm requiring only...Full Text Available
Purpose:To investigate the clinical usage of dose verification of Helical Tomotherapy plans by using 2D-array ion chambers, and to develop an efficient way to validate the dose delivered...Full Text Available
The use of digital wound images would allow remote consultation between patients, physicians, or other caregivers over the Internet. To evaluate the efficacy and validity of digital images for assessment...Full Text Available
Attention has shifted from the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) to chemoprevention using aspirin and folic acid as agents capable of preventing the onset of colon cancer. However, no sensitive...Full Text Available
PurposeTo develop a generic instrument for measuring short-term health status in the recovery period among patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic surgery.Full Text Available
BackgroundMany health care professionals use spinal palpatory exams as a primary and well-accepted part of the evaluation of spinal pathology. However, few studies have explored...Full Text Available
Mass balance relations, valid for any counterflow system, are derived and applied to a central core model of the renal medulla, in which descending Henle's limbs (DHL), ascending Henle's limbs (AHL),...Full Text Available
All microRNA (miRNA) target—finder algorithms return lists of candidate target genes. How valid is that output in a biological setting? Transcriptome analysis has proven to be a useful approach...Full Text Available
Objective:To estimate the prevalence of insulin resistant syndrome (IRS) among newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes and to test their validity against two indices...Full Text Available
A nucleic acid extraction system that can handle small numbers of specimens with a short test turnaround time and short hands-on time is desirable for emergent testing. We performed a comparative validation...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a well recognized and validated triage system that prioritizes patient care by severity of illness....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
include modeling geometric complexities, coupling between the flow and the .... noted that the AGARD 445.6 wing data set, which has been widely used for .... higher-level computational aeroelastic code validations at transonic flow separation ...
OBJECTIVE—To validate the accuracy of the prognostic significance of non-invasive clinical diagnostic indices as predictors of sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT) or fibrillation...Full Text Available
Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity is determined by two distinct genes, NAT1 and NAT2, and the classical acetylation polymorphism in NAT2 has been associated with a variety of disorders,...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
Large-scale cancer genome projects will soon be able to sequence many cancer genomes to comprehensively identify genetic changes in human cancer. Genome-wide association studies have also identified...Full Text Available
The purpose of this report is to describe the sampling approaches, modifications made to the 100 Area and 300 Area component of the RCBRA Sampling and Analysis Plan, summarize validation efforts, and provide sample identification numbers.
A rigorous mathematical model is developed to describe chemical absorption of carbon dioxide in a falling-film micro-contactor. Contrary to previous models described in literature, hydrodynamics in both phases is accurately captured by the Navier-Stokes equations. By this means, backmixing effects can be accounted for. Furthermore, the interface position is determined directly using the level-set method. The developed model is validated with experimental data obtained from literature and a good agreement is established. With the validated model, detailed studies are performed to investigate the impact of process parameters.
The radiative transport problem is cast in integral form using a transport kernel. The transport kernel has an explicit representation in terms of a Feynman Path Integral over all paths between selected points in a volume. This representation is setup in detail. Numerical evaluation of this Path Integral is formulated with a Frenet-Serret based procedure for generating valid random paths, and with a numerical evaluation of the weight for each valid path. Very early sanity checks of a numerical implementation are reported. Approaches to optimization are identified. (authors)
One year of research on validating the performance of the Cable Monitoring and Rating System (CMARS) is reported. The performance testing was conducted on underground 230-kV and 345-kV pipe type cable circuits owned by the New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Co. Laser temperature monitoring systems and a data acquisition system were installed. Software installation and development is discussed. The CMARS testing program is described. (LCL)
This executive summary presents the motivation, structure, objectives, methodologies and results of the first stage of the international DECOVALEX project - DECOVALEX I (1992-1995). The acronym stands for Development of Coupled Models and their Validation against Experiment in Nuclear Waste Isolation, and the project is an international effort to develop mathematical models, numerical methods and computer codes for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks and buffer materials for geological isolation of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive wastes, and validate them against laboratory and field experiments. 24 refs.
Crack arrest of fast running cracks is an important issue for the safety of steel structures. Crack arrest design can prevent fatal damage of large structures by restricting the influence of the incidents. Therefore crack arrest design is important especially for very large structure, where accidents may cause huge economical and social losses. Propagating shear fracture, long running ductile crack propagation in pipelines and brittle crack propagation in heavy thick shipbuilding steels have been investigated. For the propagating shear fracture issue, a new HLP simulation model, applicable to various backfill conditions, including underwater backfill, was developed. The proposed backfill model can be applied to the prediction of the crack arrest of propagating shear fracture under various backfill conditions. The new HLP simulation was successful in estimating full-scale burst tests with various backfill depths. The new HLP simulation for underwater pipelines indicated that propagating ...
BACKGROUND: The experience from general practice fundholding suggests that financial incentives may influence prescribing; guidelines and hospital prescribing are two other suggested influences. AIM:...Full Text Available
As a maintenance optimization project to improve the safety of Wolsung NPP (Nuclear Power Plant), reliability of diesel generators are estimated based on the operating experience, and improvement options are suggested. A reliability measure is suggested for the estimation of reliability for standby safety systems to reflect availability. It is assessed that the reliability of diesel generators can be mush improved if the suggested improvement options are implemented. (Author) 6 refs., 1 tab.
As a maintenance optimization project to improve the safety of Wolsung NPP (Nuclear Power Plant), reliability of diesel generators are estimated based on the operating experience, and improvement options are suggested. A reliability measure is suggested for the estimation of reliability for standby safety systems to reflect availability. It is assessed that the reliability of diesel generators can be much improved if the suggested improvement options are implemented.
Abstract in english The aim of this study was to verify validity and reliability of the scores for physical exercise in leisure (PEL), leisure and locomotion activities (LLA), and total score (TS) of the Baecke habitual physical activity questionnaire in adult males. Twenty-one students of Physical Education were evaluated. For validation, the maximum oxygen uptake (O2max) and the decrease of the heart rate in percentile (%DH (more) R) were measured through the Cooper's 12-minute walk or run test, and an annual index of physical exercise (IPE), and a week index of locomotion activities (ILA). The reliability was verified through test-retest with interval of 45 days. The Pearson correlation coefficient, and partial correlation adjusted for age and body mass index were used for validation. The intraclass correlation and paired t-test were used for reliability. The results indicated that %DHR was correlated with LLA and TS (r ...
In July 2005 a new algorithm was released by Varian Medical Systems for the Eclipse planning system and installed in our institute. It is the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) for photon dose calculations, a convolution/superposition model for the first time implemented in a Varian planning system. It was therefore necessary to perform validation studies at different levels with a wide investigation approach. To validate the basic performances of the AAA, a detailed analysis of data computed by the AAA configuration algorithm was carried out and data were compared against measurements. To better appraise the performance of AAA and the capability of its configuration to tailor machine-specific characteristics, data obtained from the pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm implemented in Eclipse were also added in the comparison. Since the purpose of the paper is to address the basic performances of the AAA and of its configuration ...
A CANDU nuclear reactor was shut down for over one year because steam generator (SG) tubes had failed with outer diameter stress-corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in the U-bend section. Novel, single-pass eddy current transmit-receive probes, denoted as C3, were successful in detecting all significant cracks so that the cracked tubes could be plugged and the unit restarted. Significant numbers of tubes with SCC were removed from a SG in order to validate the results of the new probe. Results from metallurgical examinations were used to obtain probability-of-detection (POD) and sizing accuracy plots to quantify the performance of this new inspection technique. Though effective, the above approach of relying on tubes removed from a reactor is expensive, in terms of both economic and radiation-exposure costs. This led to a search for more affordable methods to validate inspection techniques and procedures. Methods are presented for calculating POD curves ...
A CANDU nuclear reactor was shut down for over one year because steam generator (SG) tubes had failed with outer diameter stress-corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in the U-bend section. Novel, single-pass eddy current transmit-receive probes, denoted as C3, were successful in detecting all significant cracks so that the cracked tubes could be plugged and the unit restarted. Significant numbers of tubes with SCC were removed from a SG in order to validate the results of the new probe. Results from metallurgical examinations were used to obtain probability-of-detection (POD) and sizing accuracy plots to quantify the performance of this new inspection technique. Though effective, the above approach of relying on tubes removed from a reactor is expensive, in terms of both economic and radiation-exposure costs. This led to a search for more affordable methods to validate inspection techniques and procedures. Methods are presented for calculating POD curves ...
One approach to validate nuclear power plant (NPP) signals makes use of pattern recognition techniques. This approach often assumes that there is a set of signal prototypes that are continuously compared with the actual sensor signals. These signal prototypes are often computed based on empirical models with little or no knowledge about physical processes. A common problem of all data-based models is their limited ability to make predictions on the basis of available training data. Another problem is related to suboptimal training algorithms. Both of these potential shortcomings with conventional approaches to signal validation and sensor operability validation are successfully resolved by adopting a recently proposed learning paradigm called the support vector machine (SVM). The work presented here is a novel application of SVM for data-based modeling of system state variables in an NPP, integrated with a nonlinear, ...
INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a prominent symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has distinctive features; however, there is a need for a robust scale to measure fatigue in COPD. METHODS: At baseline, 122 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 52%, women 38%, mean age 66 years) completed a pilot fatigue scale covering a pool of 57 items and underwent a range of tests, including indicators of mood and a short general fatigue questionnaire. All patients responded to the 57-item scale and it was readministered to a subset of 30 patients. The pilot scale was first subjected to constructive validated shortening steps and then to a principal components analysis. RESULTS: The Manchester COPD fatigue scale (MCFS) consists of 27 items, loading into three dimensions: physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97) and test-retest repeatability (r = 0.97, por=16 scores in the Center for ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of ...
The most important commercialized methods of attenuation correction in SPECT are based on attenuation coefficient map from a transmission imaging method. The transmission imaging system can be the linear source of radioelement or a X-ray CT system. The image of transmission imaging system is not useful unless to replacement of the attenuation coefficient or CT number with the attenuation coefficient in SPECT energy. In this paper we essay to evaluate the validity and estimate the error of the most used method of this transformation. The final result shows that the methods which use a linear or multi-linear curve accept a error in their estimation. The value of mA is not important but the patient thickness is very important and it can introduce a error more than 10 percent in the final result.
In this work it is intended a methodology to validate a new version of the software used for monitoring the reactor core, which requires of the evaluation of the thermal limits settled down in the Operation Technical Specifications, for the Unit 2 of Laguna Verde with ARTS (improvements to the APRMs, Rod Block Monitor and Technical specifications). According to the proposed methodology, those are shown differences found in the thermal limits determined with the new versions and previous of the core monitoring software. Author)
The purposes of this report are (1) to perform a Verification and Validation (V and V) test for the VIPEX(Vital-area Identification Package EXpert) software and (2) to improve a software quality through the V and V test. The VIPEX was developed in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) for the Vital Area Identification (VAI) of nuclear power plants. The version of the VIPEX which was distributed is 3.2.0.0. The VIPEX was revised based on the first V and V test and the second V and V test was performed. We have performed the following tasks for the V and V test on Windows XP and VISTA operating systems: ? Testing basic functions including fault tree editing ? Testing all kind of functions ? Research for update from Visual BASIC 6.0 to Visual BASIC 2008
The purpose of this study is to examine the cross-ethnic measurement equivalence of the "Child Behavior Checklist" (CBCL) for 6- to 18-year-olds (2001, parent version) using a sample of African American special needs adopted children, along with a comparison group of Caucasian American special needs adopted children. Reliability and multiple sources of postdictive criterion-related validity were analyzed, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the CBCL within and between participating groups was performed. The results indicate that for practical purposes, the CBCL items appear reliable but not valid in terms of assessing the mental health profiles of both African American and Caucasian youth. These findings are significant because they have important implications for the practical utility of the CBCL in the field for adopted youth. (Contains 6 tables.)
The Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Survey (QMCS) is a 12-question survey of students' conceptual understanding of quantum mechanics. It is intended to be used to measure the relative effectiveness of different instructional methods in modern physics courses. In this paper we describe the design and validation of the survey, a process that included observations of students, a review of previous literature and textbooks and syllabi, faculty and student interviews, and statistical analysis. We also discuss issues in the development of specific questions, which may be useful both for instructors who wish to use the QMCS in their classes and for researchers who wish to conduct further research of student understanding of quantum mechanics. The QMCS has been most thoroughly tested in, and is most appropriate for assessment of (as a posttest only), sophomore-level modern physics courses. We also describe testing with students in junior quantum courses and graduate quantum ...
The objective of this study is to test the validity of sex determination in children and adolescents using lateral radiographic cephalometry and discriminant function analysis. Fifty male and 50 female cephalograms of Taiwanese children were used (males and females with mean age of 15.52???1.38 and 15.67???1.54?years, respectively). Twenty-two cephalometric measurements were performed using computerized cephalometry. Statistical analysis shows that all measurements were sexually dimorphic (p?0.05). Nine measurements, statistically validated and clinically relevant, were used for discriminant function analysis. A stepwise discriminant procedure selected seven of the nine variables, producing 95% accuracy in sex determination. Resubstitution classification reveals the same discriminant rat...
We propose a quantum secure direct communication scheme based on non-orthogonal entangled pairs and local measurement. In this scheme, we use eight non-orthogonal entangled pairs to act as quantum channels. Due to the non-orthogonality of the quantum channels, the present protocol can availably prohibit from all kinds of valid eavesdropping and acquire a secure quantum channel. By local measurement, the sender acquires a secret random sequence. The process of encoding on the random sequence is identical to the one in one-time-pad. So the present protocol is secure. Even for a highly lossy channel, our scheme is also valid. The scheme is feasible with present-day techniques.
The non-perturbative validity of covariant BRST-quantization of gauge theories on compact Euclidean space-time manifolds is reviewed. BRST-quantization is related to the construction of a Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) of Witten type on the gauge group. The criterion for the non-perturbative validity of the quantization is that the partition function of the corresponding TQFT does not vanish and that its (equi-variant) BRST-algebra is free of anomalies. I sketch the construction of a TQFT whose partition function is proportional to the generalized Euler-characteristic of the coset space S U (n){sub gauge} / SU(n){sub global} with an associated equi-variant BRST-algebra that manifestly preserves translational symmetry. Some non-perturbative consequences of this approach are discussed. (author)
The validity is given to the newly proposed two weighting {delta}f scheme (Wang et al., Research Report of National Institute for Fusion Science NIFS-588, 1999) for collisional or neoclassical transport calculations, which can solve the drift kinetic equation taking account of effects of steep plasma gradients, large radial electric field, finite banana width, and the non-standard orbit topology near the axis. The marker density functions in weight equations are successively solved by using the idea of {delta}f method and a hierarchy of equations for weight and marker density functions is obtained. These hierarchy equations are solved by choosing an appropriate source function for each marker density. Thus the validity of the two weighting {delta}f scheme is mathematically proved. (author)
The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed
The dogmatic and constitutional basis as well as points of definition concerning the Technical Code Clean Air (TA Luft) are explained at first, followed by an assessment of the air pollution concentrations within the overall complex of the air pollution abatement measures, and an analyses of air pollution concentrations as a concretization of the state-of-the-art. In connection with the differentiation of the various applicability levels of TA Luft, the inhouse validy for authorities, the importance for law courts and, finally, the external binding effect for plant operators and possible third parties are discussed. At the center of attention are questions concerning validity claims and validity possibilities. (HSCH).
This document reproduces the final project of David San Fabian Ayuso, presented on May 26, 2005, for the obtention of the engineer degree of the Carlos III University of Madrid. A single-phase, isothermal model, including both electron and proton transport, is introduced for the simulation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEM). The model is implemented in the commercial code Fluent 6.0, through the use of UDFs (User Defined Functions). In order to validate the model, a single canal of a PEM monocell is simulated in three dimensions. The obtained result are qualitatively satisfactory. It is observed that it is not essential to solve the current collectors when a monocell is considered (and not a stack). in the present study, the number of nodes is the computational grid appears to be too low in the membrane zone in order to make a complete validation of the model. (Author) 20 refs.
This study deals with the neutronics analysis of the current core configuration of a 3MW TRIGA Mark-II research reactor at Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh and validation of the results by benchmarking with the experimental, operational and available Safety Analysis Report (SAR) values. The comprehensive neutronics code system SRAC was used to develop a versatile and accurate full-core model of the TRIGA core. The model represents in detail all components of the core with literally no physical approximation. All fresh fuel and control elements as well as the vicinity of the core were precisely described. Cross-section data library generated from JENDL-3.2 were used. The validation of the model against benchmark experimental results is presented. The SRA...
A novel approach to fault diagnosis is proposed using multiscale morphology analysis to extract impulsive features from the signals with strong background noise. Multiscale morphology is applied to one-dimensional signal by defining both the length and height scales of structuring elements (SEs). A local-peak-value based adaptive algorithm is also introduced. The new approach makes the selection of SEs more transparent and is independent of empirical rules. Both simulated impulsive and vibration signals of two defective roller bearings are employed to validate the proposed algorithm. The roller bearing faults presented in the validation include both inner and outer race faults. The test results show that the multiscale morphology analysis is effective and robust to extract morphological features.
Monte Carlo neutron transport methods can be used to verify the applicability of point kinetics for safety analysis of nuclear reactors. KENO-NR was used to obtain the transfer function of the Advanced Neutron Source reactor and the time delay between the core power production and the external detectors, a parameter of interest to the safety systems design. The good agreement between the Monte Carlo generated transfer function and the point kinetics transfer function validates that the uncommon ANS geometry does not preclude the use of point kinetics in the frequency range that was investigated. Various features of the power spectral densities also demonstrated the applicability of point kinetics. The time delay was obtained from the cross-power spectral density (CPSD) and is {approximately}15 ms. These analyses show that frequency analysis can be used experimentally to investigate the validity of the use of point kinetics models in critical ...
BackgroundPeritoneal metastasis occurs in up to 30% of patients with gastric cancer. The aim of this experimental study is to develop and validate a novel ex vivo model of the human peritoneum to better identify factors involved in the development of peritoneal metastasis in order to improve its management and prognosis. MethodsPeritoneal discs harvested from hernia sacs obtained at inguinal hernia surgery were suspended in media using Teflon rings. Viability of the tissue was investigated using MTS assay, light and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM) over 72 h. To assess validity of the model, phenotypic changes in tumor cells were investigated. Changes in matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 activities in HGC and AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells after co-culture were investigat...
Even if there have been efforts to validate remote-sensing-based energy balance models, which provide evapotranspiration (ET) maps over a large spatial scale, few studies have been conducted to validate their performance in Korea. In this study, surface energy balance fluxes including ET were estimated and inter-compared with two different models using the Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) image over a watershed scale in Korea. While there were larger spatial discrepancies for net radiation, soil heat and sensible heat fluxes on a pixel-by-pixel basis between the two models, relatively smaller spatial discrepancies for the latent heat flux and daily ET were detected. The spatial discrepancies for the daily ET were larger in low topography and dense vegetation ranges. Despite the different par...
Academic, government, and industrial field researchers have generated a significant database of field studies of the volatility of soil applied fumigants. However, limited work exists in validating physical models against field volatility data sets and fully exploring the volatility parametric response surface. Field studies quantifying atmospheric flux for soil fumigants 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin are validated against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA Salinity Laboratory) soil physics model CHAIN_2D that was modified specifically for agronomic uses of soil fumigants. Comparison between model predictions and field observations for six unique field trials in five different states indicate that CHAIN_2D effectively captures the magnitude and duration of fumigant em...
In this paper, the moisture buffering capacity of spruce plywood is measured by recording the change in mass of a test specimen when the air relative humidity (RH) is changed between 33% RH and 75% RH. The aim is to represent diurnal cycles in indoor humidity with 33% RH maintained for 16 h and 75% RH maintained for 8 h. Measurements are taken using two different apparatuses, which provide different convective transfer coefficients between the air and the plywood, and the results are compared to a numerical model for validation. The validated numerical model is then used to investigate the effect of initial conditions, boundary conditions and thickness on the moisture buffering capacity of plywood. The results show that the buffering capacity of plywood depends on the initial conditions and thickness of the plywood as well as the surface film coefficient and humidity cycle. (author)
A mathematical model was developed to predict a moisture content profile during the thick layer re-wetting process of brown rice unpackaged and packaged with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) films. Model validation was carried out by comparing predicted with measured moisture content derived from relative humidity data obtained from the brown rice re-wetting test for 6days at 25degreeC and 90% RH. The moisture standard errors of the model validation for brown rice packaged in LDPE and PBT films were 0.08% wet basis (wb) and 0.11%wb, respectively. It was concluded that the proposed re-wetting model could successfully describe the thick layer re-wetting of brown rice under the experimental conditions. Using this model, re-wetting simulations were carried o...
The objective of this project is to develop multi-dimensional computational models in order to improve the operation of uranium electrorefiners currently used in pyroprocessing technology. These 2-D (US) and 3-D (ROK) mathematical models are based on the fundamental physical and chemical properties of the electrorefiner processes. The validated models by compiled and evaluated experimental data could provide better information for developing advanced electrorefiners for uranium recovery. The research results in this period are as follows: - Successfully assessed a common computational platform for the modeling work and identify spatial characterization requirements. - Successfully developed a 3-D electro-fluid dynamic electrorefiner model. - Successfully validated and benchmarked the two multi-dimensional models with compiled experimental data sets
The conceptual design for MCP to be installed in the integral reactor SMART was carried out. Canned motor pump was adopted in the conceptual design of MCP. Three-dimensional modeling was performed to visualize the conceptual design of the MCP and to check interferences between the parts. The theoretical design procedure for the impeller was developed. The procedures for the flow field and structural analysis of impeller was also developed to assess the design validity and to verify its structural integrity. A computer program to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the rotor shaft of MCP was developed. The rotational speed sensor was designed and its performance test was conducted to verify the possibility of operation. A prototypes of the canned motor was manufactured and tested to confirm the validity of the design concept. The MCP design concept was also investigated for fabricability by establishing the manufacturing procedures. 41 refs., ...
Mechanobiological theories have been introduced to illustrate the interaction between biology and the local mechanical environment during bone healing. Although several theories have been proposed, a quantitative validation using histomorphometric data is still missing. In this study, in vivo histological data based on an ovine animal experiment was quantified and used to validate bone healing simulations focussing on the endochondral ossification process. The bone formation at different callus regions (periosteal and endosteal bone at the medial and lateral side) was analyzed from in vivo data and quantitatively compared with in silico results. A histomorphometric difference was found in medial and lateral hard callus formation 3 weeks after osteotomy. However, the same amount of new bone...
SummaryBackground Persistent Lyme Disease Symptoms (PLDS) have included fatigue, headaches, poor concentration and memory, lightheadedness, joint pain, and mood disturbances. Evidence-based guidelines committees disagree over the severity of PLDS. The 2004 International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) concluded that PLDS are severe. The 2006 Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines committee concluded that PLDS are nothing more than the "aches and pains of daily living" and an ad hoc International Lyme group concluded that PLDS are "symptoms common in persons who have never had Lyme disease." Hypothesis Clinical trials validate the severity of persistent Lyme disease symptoms. Evaluation of the Hypothesis There are 22 standardized instruments used to measure the...
Bioremediation of land crude oil and lube oil spills is an effective and economical option. Other options include road spreading (where permitted), thermal desorption, and off-site disposal. The challenge for environment and operations managers is to select the best approach for each remediation site. Costs and liability for off-site disposal are ever increasing. Kerr-McGee`s extensive field research in eastern and western Texas provides the data to support bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical, bioremediation also offers a lower risk of, for example, Superfund clean-up exposure than off-site disposal.
This paper gives a concise overview of evolutionary algorithms for multiobjective optimization. A substantial number of evolutionary computation methods for multiobjective problem solving has been proposed so far, and an attempt of unifying existing approaches is here presented. Based on a fine-grained decomposition and following the main issues of fitness assignment, diversity preservation and elitism, a conceptual global model is proposed and is validated by regarding a number of state-of-the-art algorithms as simple variants of the same structure. The presented model is then incorporated into a general-purpose software framework dedicated to the design and the implementation of evolutionary multiobjective optimization techniques: ParadisEO-MOEO. This package has proven its validity and flexibility by enabling the resolution of many real-world and hard multiobjective optimization problems.
The real parts of the optical model potentials for 104 MeV alpha-particle and 156 MeV "6Li ion scattering from "4"0,"4"8Ca are calculated in terms of folding model approaches. The validity of different procedures is tested by comparing the differential cross section predictions with experimental data measured with high angular accuracy. It is found that a refined folding potential accounting for density dependence of an effective nucleon-nucleon interaction is appropriate for alpha particle scattering without any parameter adjustment. However, for "6Li ion scattering renormalization of the depth of the real potentials is necessary. (orig.).
BackgroundComplaints of arm, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) affects millions of computer office workers. However its prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries...Full Text Available
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must account for legally protected and endangered species. Uncertainties relating to the validity and sensitivity of EIA arise from predictions and valuation of effects on these species. This paper presents a validity and sensitivity analysis of a model (BIO-SAFE) for assessment of impacts of land use changes and physical reconstruction measures on legally protected and endangered river species. The assessment is based on links between species (higher plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and dragon- and damselflies) and ecotopes (landscape ecological units, e.g., river dune, soft wood alluvial forests), and on value assignment to protected and endangered species using different valuation criteria (i.e., EU Habitats and Birds directive, Conventions of Bern and Bonn and Red Lists). The validity of BIO-SAFE has been tested by comparing predicted effects of landscape ...
Regularly considered as the 'success story' of the world environmental policy, the regulation relative to ozone destructive products should allow a recovery of the ozone layer around the middle of the 21. century. This article analyzes how, two decades after the signature of the Montreal protocol, such forecasts are still valid and how new parameters, like the increase of the greenhouse effect, will influence this recovery. (J.S.)
We present a general procedure to construct the first law of thermodynamics on the apparent horizon and illustrate its validity by examining it in some extended gravity theories. Applying this procedure, we can describe the thermodynamics on the apparent horizon in Randall-Sundrum braneworld imbedded in a nontrivial bulk. We discuss the mass-like function which was used to link Friedmann equation to the first law of thermodynamics and obtain its special case which gives the generalized Misner-Sharp mass in Lovelock gravity.
The authors solve the two-dimensional stefan problem of solidification in a half-space, where the heat flux at the wall is a slightly varying function of positioning along the wall, by means of a large Stefan number approximation (which turns out to be equivalent to a small time solution), and then by means of the Heat Balance Integral Method, which is valid for all time, and which agrees with the large Stefan number solution for small times. A representative solution is given for a particular form of the heat flux perturbation.
Current European and the US experiences in waste management are reviewed in the perspective of sustainable development. This publication questions the validity of the current approach taken by the Germany at ``closing the loop`` based on the example of packaging and packaging waste. The product item focus of current German legislation is compared with Danish and US approaches that are based on an integrated policy which covers the whole of waste generation and handling and is not product/item oriented. 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Ultrasound tomography is an attractive imaging method for the detection of breast cancer. The complex anatomy of the breast with its different spatial scales and material property contrasts make accurate reconstructions very challenging. This paper proposes a hybrid approach whereby Travel-of-Flight and Diffraction Tomography are combined together to achieve high-resolution and high-accuracy sound-speed reconstructions. The method is validated with several numerical phantoms.
This study examined preliminary psychometric properties of the Teaching Practices Observation Scale (TPOS), a newly developed observational taxonomy for assessing teacher behaviors during free play with young children. Behaviors of 42 child caregivers and junior kindergarten teachers were coded using a combination of time-sampling, event-sampling, and behavior ratings. Findings support the validity of observational coding scheme. (Author/KB)
Power system components, especially components failure, can significantly affect the reliability of a power system. Data about failure rate in electrical products were obtained from products life testing and analyzed in order to predict reliability. The distribution curve fitting method was used to estimate failure probability. Ten relays of different life times have been used to illustrate the validity of this analytical technique. 3 refs., 3 tabs.
With the aim of an experimental check on the validity of the theory of molecular recognition, the authors have carried out the chemical-enzymatic synthesis and cloning of the gene of human calcitonin and also of the genes of antisense polypeptides to human calcitonin and miniproinsulin. It has been shown that recombinant plasmids obtained on the basis of these synthetic genes are capable of ensuring the biosynthesis of the given polypeptides in E. coli cells as hybrid proteins with the IgG-binding domain of staphylococcal protein A.
2D MEDICI simulator is used to investigate hardening solutions to single-event burnout (SEB). SEB parametric dependencies such as carrier lifetime reduction, base enlargement, and emitter doping decrease have been verified and a p"+ plug modification approach for SEB hardening of power MOSFETs is validated with simulations on actual device structures.
Certification as applied to existing computer codes includes the verification and validation process, placing the code in configuration control, establishing user qualification standards and training requirements. All software intended for use in critical calculations must be certified. This report is intended to fulfill the requirements for the certification of the SHIELD, SHLDED, GEDIT, GENPRT, FIPROD, FPCALC, and PROCES modules of the SHIELD system built February, 1992, by W.S. Parks. These modules are used for burnup, cooling, separate, and edit calculations.
The requirements are given as placed on the development, procurement, maintenance, and application of software for the creation or processing of data during the design, construction, operation, repair, maintenance and safety-related upgrading of nuclear power plants. The verification and validation processes are highlighted, and the requirements put on the software documentation are outlined. The general quality assurance principles applied to safety analyses are characterized. (J.B.). 1 ref.
Performance predictions have been made for attached-sunspace types of passively solar heated buildings. The predictions are based on hour-by-hour computer simulations using computer models developed in the framework of PASOLE, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) passive solar energy simulation program. The models have been validated by detailed comparison with actual hourly temperature measurements taken in attached-sunspace test rooms at LASL.
All over the world the implementation of energy efficient and clean technologies can be hardly considered without opening the way to competition and the involvement of private investment. If such terms are valid for reach countries there are even more adequate for economies in transition like Romania's, which inherited and obsolete productive equipment, can mobilize insufficient resources for development-modernization and exhibits a quasi-unanimous option of adhering at European Union. (author). 3 tabs., 11 refs.
This paper presents results of solid-liquid phase change, driven by volumetric energy generation, in a vertical cylinder. We show excellent agreement between a quasi-static, approximate analytical solution valid for Stefan numbers less than one, and a computational model solved using the CFD code FLUENT®. A computational study also shows the effect that the volumetric energy generation has on both the mushy zone thickness and convection in the melt during phase change.
We extend the analysis of a previous paper to the bosonic case and find the one-derivative effective action valid in the vicinity of rolling tachyons with an energy not larger than that of the original D-brane. For on-shell tachyons rolling down the well-behaved side of the potential in this theory, the energy is conserved and the pressure eventually decreases exponentially. For tachyons rolling down the 'wrong' side, the pressure instead blows up in a finite time. (author)
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.
Monte Carlo calculations performed to validate observed capture reaction rates of "1"2"9I and "2"3"7Np were in a reasonable agreement with experimental data obtained by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The most significant discrepancy between the measurements and calculations (within a factor of 3) was observed for the NpO_2 sample and Pb target at 3.7 GeV proton energy
Abstract An analytical model is developed to predict transient discharge flow into a tunnel drilled at various speeds through a heterogeneous formation. This model relies on simplifying assumptions commonly enforced in hydrogeologic engineering, and combines the convolution and superposition principles to account for composite sections with arbitrary parametric contrasts. An application to the data monitored during the exploratory drilling of an Alpine tunnel confirms the validity of the approach.
Nov 16, 2010 ... In situ observations are usually made point-wise and the problem in using ...... also discussion of adaptive filtering in Section 4.1.2 of the L4_SM ...... L2-SR -265 SMAP shall provide a Level 1C radar sigma-0 product ...
The management procedure of a large PRISE (Primary-to-Secondary) leakage accident at Loviisa nuclear power plant taking into account the plant modifications which are expected to be realized during 1995-96 is described. The management procedure has been validated by performing thermal hydraulic analyses with the computer code RELAP5/MOD3 and the results from these analyses are also shortly discussed. (4 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.).
A formula is obtained which describes the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening caused by creation of dislocation loops of interstitial type during irradiation. The radiation hardening of aluminum and vanadium is estimated using this formula and results of experiments on studying processes of nucleation and growth of interstitial dislocation loops in these materials by transparent electron microscopy. It is shown that the proposed formula is valid for description of the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening.
The European Research and Development Program on decay heat removal by natural convection for the European Fast Reactor (EFR) covers the calculational methods and the model experiments performed for code validation. The studies concentrate on important physical effects of the cooling modes within the primary system and the direct reactor cooling circuits and include fundamental tests as well as reactor experiments. (author)
Hydrology and hydrogeochemical are auxiliary techniques to valid conceptual hydrogeology an recharge models. Stable isotopes from water trace sources and path flow and Tritium indicates age. This paper is about the use of D 18, D2H y 3H to study the aquifer system on Bajo Cauca antioqueno.
The results of the development work to improve the horizontal steam generator modelling using the CATHARE code as well as the results of the steady-state and the steam-line break calculations are presented. Also the results of the steady-state calculations are compared to the measurements performed in operating VVER power plants. (9 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.).
The results of the development work to improve the horizontal steam generator modelling using the CATHARE code as well as the results of the steady-state and the steam-line break calculations are presented. Also the results of the steady-state calculations are compared to the measurements performed in operating VVER power plants. (9 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.).
The glacial deposits of the West Tensleep Basin in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming are mapped and a relative chromology established. The deposits are correlated with the regional model as defined in the Wind River Mountains. A statistical analysis is performed on the density and weathering characteristics of the surficial boulders to determine their validity as indicators of relative age. (ACR)
A correlation was developed for laminar film condensation on vertical fluted surfaces. The theoretical analysis of Panchal and Bell was used for defining important physical property groups. The experimental data of Combs et al. were used to validate the proposed correlation. The experimental database used in the present study included four flute geometries that could be approximated to cosine-type flutes and seven fluids. The resulting correlation can predict the average condensate heat transfer coefficient within {+-}20%.
The paper considered the vibration signals of rotating equipment as cyclo stationary signals through analyzing the features of this kind of signals. Based on the analytic method of cyclic spectrum density, the paper pointed out that the impact frequency could be extracted effectively with the help of scanning cyclic frequency domain. The validity of the method of cyclic spectrum density is proved by simulating signals and the method is applied to the diagnosis of rolling bearings. (authors)
For the sugar industry, a new system of multiple-effect evaporation consuming minimal steam has been designed by means of a mathematical model and its advantages and characteristics are analysed. A way is found to overcome difficulty in operation and instability of the amount of steam consumed. Statistical data obtained using the new system are compared with the old system and show an economic profit as well as confirming the validity of the model. (author)
Two sets of analytical correlations describing transitions between two-phase flow regimes are reviewed and discussed. One, the T-D set, is based on mechanistic models; the other, the Weisman set, on experimental correlations. The T-D set is preferred for horizontal flow, whereas the Weisman set seems preferrable for vertical flow. A computer code (FLOP) based on the T-D theory is described and applied to validate the theory.
A non-recursive model is proposed and empirically tested with data of opponents of nuclear power. In explaining conventional and unconventional participation the theory of collective action is applied and modified in two respects: the perceived influence on the elimination of collective evils are taken into account; the selective incentives considered are non-material ones. These modifications proved to be valid: the collective good variables and non-material incentives were important determinants for the two forms of participation. Another result was that there is a reciprocal causal relationship between conventional and unconventional participation.
Considering the fact that more than 40% of all household wastes are organic wastes composting could be an excellent relief and complement to other waste disposal methods (e.g. combustion or direct landfills). Provided the right conditions household wastes could be composted together with sewage sludges and manures. The paper discusses the legal aspects, quantitative evaluations, conveying systems, as well as the compost utilization and marketing aspects valid for the Federal Republic of Germany.
The applicability of conventional strength hypotheses in the long-term creep range was examined by means of multiaxial loaded small and large-scale specimens of 1% CrMoNiV-steel at 550deg C. The experimentally determined deformation behaviour in the primary and secondary creep range was simulated by means of a finite element analysis. The creep deformation capacity is influenced by the degree of multiaxiality. The validity of a strength hypothesis depends on the type of load and on deformation resp. failure criteria. (orig.).
This paper mainly considers the asymptotic stability of interval neutral delay-differential systems, which corrects a technical error in the proof given in [Applied Math. Letters, 16(2003) 1063-1068] by a linear fractional transformation of an interconnection matrix with structured real parametric uncertainties. In addition, a new condition, in terms of the structured singular value, is provided to ensure the stability of the interval system. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the validity of our criteria.
Microscopy and chemotaxonomy from HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments initiated in 2003 suggest that Noctiluca miliaris blooms are becoming more intense ...
A new estimator of the local density of dark energy is suggested which comes from the virial theorem for non-relativistic gravitating systems embedded in the uniform dark energy background.
The unparticle stuff which is described by the theory with notrivial IR fixed point is recently suggested to exist in our world by Georgi. We illustrate its physical effects in deep inelastic scattering process in this letter.
BackgroundProfessionalism is a critical quality for physicians to possess. Physician professionalism has received increased attention in recent years, with many authorities suggesting...Full Text Available
Increasing evidence suggests that sex differences exist in the etiology, presentation, treatment, and outcome from stroke. The reasons for these sex disparities are becoming increasingly explored, but...Full Text Available
BackgroundNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat postoperative and chronic pain. Animal studies suggest these drugs act in part by blocking...Full Text Available
Endogenous opioid peptides are substances involved in cell communication. They are present in various organs and tissues of the male and female reproductive tract, suggesting that they may regulate...Full Text Available
A prediction of delayed neutron yields for actinides which are important in the nuclear energy field is given. The prediction is based on a correlation related to a suggested cluster structure of the nucleus. (author).
BackgroundStatistical autoregressive analyses of direct and delayed density dependence are widespread in ecological research. The models suggest that changes in ecological factors...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and prematurity but this finding has not been consistently observed.MethodsCase...Full Text Available
In this paper, we suggest that perception could be modeled by assuming that sensory input is generated by a hierarchy of attractors in a dynamic system. We describe a mathematical model which exploits...Full Text Available
Monitoring describes the prospective supervision, observation, and testing of an ongoing process. The result of monitoring provides reassurance that the goal has been or will be achieved, or suggests...Full Text Available
While the etiology of Parkinson's disease remains largely elusive, there is accumulating evidence suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs prior to the onset of symptoms in Parkinson's disease....Full Text Available
Many mutations associated with retinal degeneration lead to the production of misfolded proteins by cells of the retina. Emerging evidence suggests that these abnormal proteins cause cell death...Full Text Available
There is considerable evidence to suggest that the identification and treatment of dyslipidaemia will reduce the risk of premature CHD, i.e. before the age of 65. Diagnosis of the cause of raised plasma...Full Text Available
Nov 12, 2010 ... The adaptive, nonparametric matched filter algorithm suggested by Kay ... For the point design of a 4 sigma single event SNR the combined NR ...
SYNOPSISPreterm infants are at risk for both iron deficiency and iron overload. The role of iron in multiple organ functions suggests that iron supplementation is essential for...Full Text Available
Three patients are described with foveal lesions resembling minute holes following trauma. The similarity of the lesions to foveomacular retinitis and solar retinopathy suggests that all these conditions...Full Text Available
Specialized olfactory lobe glomeruli relating to sexual or caste differences have been observed in at least five orders of insects, suggesting an early appearance of this trait in insect evolution....Full Text Available
Epizootics of neoplasms in freshwater fish species are considered in relation to circumstantial and experimental evidence that suggest that some epizootics of neoplasia of hepatocellular, cholangiocellular,...Full Text Available
has been generally related to magnetic forming. One of the methods suggested was the following: A "pancake" magnetic coil is placed over a thin aluminum ...
Context: Some studies suggest altered pituitary functioning and TSH production with aging.Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that less TSH production...Full Text Available
Global angular momentum balance suggests that the neutron stars in Be/X-ray binaries are not spinning in equilibrium. This requires an X-ray lifetime ''approx <'' 10"5 yr, and suggests that there are many 'dead' Be/X-ray binaries in the Galaxy. Some of these may be turned up as millisecond radio pulsars with Be star companions. (author).
Design layout of horizontal steam generator (SJ) with a special feedwater heating surface (by a surface water economizer), designated for NPPs with WWER-1000 reactors, is suggested. The design enables to decrease sharply the difference between the temperatures of saturation and feedwater. Blowdown outlet is organized against PG face, which increases the efficiency of flowing. The suggested layout enables to decrease thermal stresses in structural units and PG metal content, as compared to the PGV-1000 steam generator.
Analytical expression of the dependence of freezing temperature of electrolyte (CdCl_2, CdSO_4, BeSO_4) aqueous solutions on their composition was found. Three different methods were suggested were suggested for calculation of water activity in multicomponent solution. It was established that sublinear extrapolation of freezing temperature of salt aqueous solutions was possible not up to -5 deg C, but up to -15 deg C, independently of their composition. 6 refs.; 2 figs.
Recent developments in the knowledge of Delta Scuti stars in relation to stellar evolution are reviewed. The stability of periods and amplitudes is examined, and a working hypothesis suggested. Furthermore, the systematics of the observed long-term period changes are compared with the computed evolutionary tracks, suggesting a severe disagreement for the evolved stars if the period changes are caused by radius changes resulting from stellar evolution. 30 refs.
This paper is concerned with the validation of the 3D deterministic neutral-particle transport theory code EVENT for shielding applications. The code is based on the finite element-spherical harmonics (FE-P{sub N}) method which has been extensively developed over the last decade. A general multi-group, anisotropic scattering formalism enables the code to address realistic steady state and time dependent, multi-dimensional coupled neutron/gamma radiation transport problems involving high scattering and deep penetration alike. The powerful geometrical flexibility and competitive computational effort makes the code an attractive tool for shielding applications. In recognition of this, EVENT is currently in the process of being adopted by the UK nuclear industry. The theory behind EVENT is described and its numerical implementation is outlined. Numerical results obtained by the code are compared with predictions of the Monte Carlo code MCBEND and also with the results ...
The process of ensuring the quality of computer codes can be very time consuming and expensive. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Monte Carlo codes all predate the existence of quality assurance (QA) standards and configuration control. The number of person-years and the amount of money spent on code development make it impossible to adhere strictly to all the current requirements. At ORNL, the Nuclear Engineering Applications Section of the Computing Applications Division is responsible for the development, maintenance, and application of the Monte Carlo codes MORSE and KENO. The KENO code is used for doing criticality analyses; the MORSE code, which has two official versions, CGA and SGC, is used for radiation transport analyses. Because KENO and MORSE were very thoroughly checked out over the many years of extensive use both in the United States and in the international community, the existing codes were open-quotes baselined.close quotes This means that the versions existing ...
The Accelerator Transmutation Waste System is under development at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The goal is to perform an independent verification of the feasibility of actinide and long-lived fission product burning in this system. The authors' work is divided into five tasks: (a) production of an actinide and long-lived fission product cross section library from JEF 2.2; (b) simulation using MCNP and KENO IV Monte Carlo codes, of the Accelerator Transmutation Waste System configurations existing in literature; (c) validation of HETC Monte Carlo code (production of spallation source); (d) validation of the cross sections by comparison of Keff and reaction rate results, calculated with MNCP and KENO IV, with experimental benchmarks and intercomparison between the authors' calculations of a PWR unit cell and the computations carried out with various codes and cross section libraries (NEACRP critically group data); and (e) simulation of ...
Sediment transport over wave-induced ripples is a very complex phenomenon where available models fail to provide accurate predictions. For coastal engineering applications, the 1-DV advection-diffusion equation could be used with an additional parameter {\\alpha} related to the process of vortex shedding above ripples (Absi, 2010). The aim of this study is to provide simple practical analytical tools. An analytical eddy viscosity profile was validated by DNS data of turbulent channel flows (Absi et al., 2011). In this study, we will show that: (1) the period-averaged eddy viscosity in oscillatory boundary layers could be described by this simple analytical formulation; (2) The shape of the vertical profile is validated by period-averaged eddy viscosity of baseline (BSL) k-{\\omega} model (Suntoyo and Tanaka, 2009) for sinusoidal and asymmetric waves; (3) The vertical eddy viscosity profile depends on the wave non-linearity parameter and ...
The 540 MWe PHWR has two fully independent shutdown systems. The first shutdown system (SDS-1) comprises of 28 spring assisted, vertical gravity drop shut-off rods, each consisting of a cadmium absorber sandwiched between stainless steel tubes. The second shutdown system (SDS-2) constitutes six poison tanks connected to respective zircaloy injection tubes. This system is capable of high speed injection of gadolinium nitrate solution (in D2O) into the moderator through these tubes. Theoretical estimation was carried out at different injection pressures and different concentration of gadolinium nitrate solution to arrive at the limiting value of these parameters from reactivity consideration point of view. The plant measurements of SDS-2 actuations at 60 and 80 Kg/cm2 pressure of helium was used to validate and upgrade the estimation model. The paper gives the details of the validation details of SDS-2 actuation. (author)
Precondition for the low-NO operation of gas turbine burners is the generation of as homogeneous as possible a gaseous fuel/air mixture. Such a burner behavior can be achieved by selective adaptation of the flow and injection. A computing model is introduced that calculates the dynamically balanced GASs/droplet flow through numerical solution of the transport equations in a curved orthogonal coordinate system. The feedback reaction of the fuel droplets to the gas phase is considered by source terms and/or sink terms. Test computations were carried out for comparison with analytical solutions from the flow mechanics and validated by comparison with measurement results. Droplet motion and evaporation were checked by means of published experimental results on single droplets. For the validation of the developed computing technique, model tests were carried out with water in place of fuel. It is pointed out that the choice of different parameters ...
Essential to today's modern refineries and the gasoline production process are fluidized catalytic cracking units. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code developed at Argonne National Laboratory to simulate the riser, parametric and sensitivity studies were performed to determine the effect of catalyst inlet conditions on the riser hydrodynamics and on the product yields. Simulations were created on the basis of a general riser configuration and operating conditions. The results of this work are indications of riser operating conditions that will maximize specific product yields. The CFD code is a three-dimensional, multiphase, turbulent, reacting flow code with phenomenological models for particle-solid interactions, droplet evaporation, and chemical kinetics. The code has been validated against pressure, particle loading, and product yield measurements. After validation of the code, parametric studies were performed on ...
There are very few examples of audio-based computerized tests, but for many disciplines, such as foreign language and music, there appear to be many benefits to this type of testing. The purpose of the present study was to develop and compare computer-delivered and audiocassette/paper-and-pencil versions of a listening test. The test was a measure of progress achievement of academic listening comprehension and vocabulary for high-intermediate level students of English as a Second Language (ESL) at a university-affiliated institute. The underlying assumption investigated was that the use of computer and audio technology for classroom progress tests would provide benefits of convenience and improved sound quality while providing measurement quality and validity that were at least comparable to the paper form of such tests. Results with 28 students indicate that the computerized test performed at least as well as the paper-and-pencil version, with generally ...
There is increasing evidence that chemicals/test substances cannot only have adverse effects, but that there are many substances that can (also) have a beneficial effect on health. As this journal regularly publishes papers in this area and has every intention in continuing to do so in the near future, it has become essential that studies reported in this journal reflect an adequate level of scientific scrutiny. Therefore a set of essential characteristics of studies has been defined. These basic requirements are default properties rather than non-negotiables: deviations are possible and useful, provided they can be justified on scientific grounds. The 10 basic requirements for a scientific paper reporting antioxidant, antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic potential of test substances in in vitro experiments and animal studies in vivo concern the following areas: (1) Hypothesis-driven study design; (2) The nature of the test substance; (3) Valid and invalid test ...
Based on an multivariate statistical evaluation of binary and metric data relating to the soil cover of the European Community five regionally representative reference soils (EURO-Soils) have been identified for chemicals testing in the EC. The soil material sampled at representative localities in Italy, Greece, Great Britain, France and Germany was treated and prepared according to OECD Test Guideline 106 and analysed in detail. The homogenised specimens were subject to an EC-wide ring test to evaluate the feasibility of the modified guideline and to validate the physical-chemical amenability of the reference soils for sorption tests. The results proved the validity of the soils selected for assessing the potential behaviour of new chemicals in soil on the basis of a comparative evaluation of the individual test results obtained. In the light of this parametric assessment potential test soils were subsequently identified in the individual EC ...
A spectral element method embodying Large Eddy Simulation based on Re- Normalization Group theory for simulating Sub Grid Scale viscosity was chosen for this work. This method is embodied in a computer code called NEKTON. NEKTON solves the unsteady, 2D or 3D,incompressible Navier Stokes equations by a spectral element method. The code was later extended to include the variable density and multiple reactive species effects at low Mach numbers, and to compute transport of large particles governed by inertia. Transport of small particles is computed by treating them as trace species. Code computations were performed for a number of test conditions typical of flow past a deep tube bank in a boiler. Results indicate qualitatively correct behavior. Predictions of deposition rates and deposit shape evolution also show correct qualitative behavior. These simulations are the first attempts to compute flow field results at realistic flow Reynolds numbers of the order of 10{sup 4}. Code ...
The aim of this work is the evaluation of biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of a cocaine analog, the N-(3-iodo-prop-2E-enyl)-2beta-carbo-methoxy-3beta-(4-methyl-phenyl) nor-tropane (PE2I), labeled with carbon 11 ([{sup 11}C]PE2I). The [{sup 11}C]PE2I is a selective radioligand for imaging neuronal dopamine transporter (DAT) with positron emission tomography (PET). The DAT is a membrane-bound pre synaptically located protein that regulates the concentration of dopamine at nerve terminals. DAT radioligands are often used to evaluate the progression of Parkinson's disease or the efficiency of neuro-protective therapeutics and, typically, these studies required several successive PET scans. (author)
Squeeze film dampers (SFD) are devices utilized to control vibrations of the shafts of high-speed rotating machinery. The SFD - squirrel cage combination is probably the most used system for tuning the stiffness and damping of the supports for rotors installed on ball bearings. Squeeze film dampers are essentially hydrodynamic bearings which contain the ball bearings housings of ball-bearings supported shafts. Consequently, the oil film within the SFD are influenced only by the precession and nutation of the shaft, that is the flow of the oil within the damper is not directly influenced by the spin of the rotor. However, in the classical theory, the flow in the thin film is also governed by the Reynolds equation. In this paper, some of the limits of the classical theory of the SFD are discussed and theoretical and experimental studies, which illustrate the ideas presented herein, are presented as well. The orbits of an unbalanced rotor that is supported by a ...
The admissibility of nuclear forensics measurements and opinions derived from them in US Federal and State courts are based on criteria established by the US Supreme Court in the case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow and the 2000 Amendment of Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. These criteria are being addressed by new efforts that include the development of certified reference materials (CRMs) to provide the basis for analytical method development, optimization, calibration, validation, quality control, testing, readiness, and declaration of measurement uncertainties. Quality data is crucial for all stages of the program, from R and D, and database development, to actual casework. Weakness at any point in the program can propagate to reduce the confidence of final conclusions. The new certified reference materials will provide the necessary means to demonstrate a high level of metrological rigor for nuclear forensics evidence and will form a foundation for legally ...
The GeoSAR (geographic synthetic aperture radar) program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sponsored program organized in cooperation with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Department of Conservation. Some aspects of the program have been existent for almost two years. The technical goal of the program has been the development of rapid-mapping radar technologies, and has now, as its principal challenge, the development of a capability for terrain mapping under foliage. In this paper, we discuss validation of current technology and examine the utility of data products currently produced by the Environmental Research Institute of MIchigan's (ERIM) IFSARE, JPL's TOPSAR, and JPL's AIRSAR. We find that ERIM's X-band IFSARE system produces elevation maps to better than 2-m accuracy. Based on this we determine that TOPSAR elevation maps are accurate to at least 5 m. We also demonstrate the utility of JPL's AIRSAR's L-band radar ...
This report describes in detail the First Generation Duct Injection Model developed for the analysis of the fundamental processes of flue gas desulfurization by sorbent injection. The model is a two- and three-dimensional, multiphase reacting flow analyzer using computational fluid dynamics methods. The gaseous phase is solved in an Eulerian frame while the droplets or particles are tracked in a Lagrangian frame. The model has an associated preprocessor which allow easy problem set up by the use without in-depth knowledge of computational fluid dynamics. The aerodynamics of the First Generation Duct Injection Model have been successfully validated with a number of test cases for which experimental data are available. Data from the Meredosia pilot plant humidification tests have been used to validate the gas and droplet dynamics of the model with good agreement. Comparison of SO{sub 2} removal results using the present model (with one injector) ...
The Melt Vessel Interaction (MVI) project is concerned with the consequences of the interactions that a core melt, generated during a postulated severe accident in a light water reactor, may have with the pressure vessel. In particular, the issues concerned with the failure of the vessel bottom head are the focus of the research. The specific objectives of the project are to obtain data and develop validated models, which could be applied to prototypic plants, and accident conditions, for resolution of issues related to the melt vessel interactions. The project work has been performed by nine partners having varied responsibility. The work included a large number of experiments, with simulant materials, whose observations and results are employed, respectively, to understand the physical mechanisms and to develop validated models. Applications to the prototypic geometry and conditions have also been performed. This report is volume 1 of the ...
The objective of this project was to develop a explosion suppression system capable to confine and extinguish gas explosions of the type produced in sub level caving faces when blasting to the coal pillar. Existing systems, such as triggered barriers, were considered not to be valid because of size, weight, cost, and other operational constraints. The research activities have been focused in the development of a mixed water/air spray system that should be manually activated some second before blasting. Two prototypes have been developed and tested, the first one using nozzle operating at the standard ranges of pressure that are normally available in underground coal mines, and a second one based in high-pressure nozzles. In this case, bottles containing a pressurized air/water mixtures are required. The works carried out included theoretical studies, hydraulic nozzles characterization, and modelling of the explosion phenomena using the AutoReaGas code. Besides, ...
The PERMCAT process chosen for the final clean-up stage of the Tokamak Exhaust Processing system of the ITER tritium plant combines in a single component a catalytic reactor and a permeator using Pd/Ag membranes. This study covers the mechanical behaviour of a Pd/Ag membrane under different operating conditions. The consequences of hydrogen uptake by the membrane during nominal operation but also during off-normal events are presented. Depending on the operating conditions, expansions around 2% and significant deformations are observed. Different mechanical designs of PERMCAT reactors are then discussed. The first generation comprises finger-type membranes and two new mechanical designs use either additional edge welded bellows or a special corrugated Pd/Ag membrane. These upgraded designs improve the robustness and simplify the geometry of the component. The experimental validation of these new units has been carried out based on the measurements of the processing ...
The PERMCAT process chosen for the final clean-up stage of the Tokamak Exhaust Processing system of the ITER tritium plant combines in a single component a catalytic reactor and a permeator using Pd/Ag membranes. This study covers the mechanical behaviour of a Pd/Ag membrane under different operating conditions. The consequences of hydrogen uptake by the membrane during nominal operation but also during off-normal events are presented. Depending on the operating conditions, expansions around 2% and significant deformations are observed. Different mechanical designs of PERMCAT reactors are then discussed. The first generation comprises finger-type membranes and two new mechanical designs use either additional edge welded bellows or a special corrugated Pd/Ag membrane. These upgraded designs improve the robustness and simplify the geometry of the component. The experimental validation of these new units has been carried out based on the measurements of the processing ...
The thermal contact resistance between balls and inner and outer rings of thermally steady space-use deep groove ball bearings was studied experimentally to verify the validity of the previously proposed calculation method for the resistance. The 440C stainless steel single row bearing was used for measuring its steady state temperature distributions in a vacuum environment under axial, radial and combined load conditions. As a result, the experimental results of the resistance well agreed with calculated ones under each load condition resulting in the sufficient validity at nearly the same surface roughness. It was necessary to apply a static equivalent radial load to calculation under the combined load that a contact angle is larger than the angle of resultant force dependent on both load components. In experiments under only radial load, measurement of outer ring temperatures was necessary at some points with no contact with balls to avoid ...
On November 2, 1974, Skelly and Loy submitted recommendations to the United States Environmental Protection Agency concerning establishment of effluent limitations for the Coal Mining Point Source Category, culminating an exhaustive study of water treatment technology within the coal industry. Members of the National Coal Association alleged that the efficiency of acid mine drainage treatment plants and settling basins is seriously reduced during winter and spring seasons. The original study was conducted during the summer months, and review of historical seasonal effluent data indicated there may be validity to this claim. To validate and confirm the conclusions and proposed effluent limitations established in part from this historical data, a further sampling program was conducted during the winter and spring of 1975. This report presents the findings of that sampling program, and correlates previously collected sample data into a ...
As part of a larger elastic numerical modeling project, we have been investigating how energy reflected from steeply dipping interfaces is recorded using typical multicomponent acquisition geometries. Specifically, we have been interpreting how rcflection events from the flanks of salt dome structures are distributed on 3C and 4C phones for vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) and ocean bottom seismic (OBS) or land surface surveys. The ultimate goal of this investigation is to improve the structural imaging of steeply dipping interfaces and eventually to evaluate the usc of the recorded elastic wavefield for fluid description near these interfaces. In the current work, we focus on a common assumption used when processing converted wave reflection seismic data that most PP energy is recorded on the vertical geophone and/or the hydrophone and that most PS energy is recorded on the horizontal geophones. This is a useful assumption when it is valid, because it eliminates ...
We have developed a transportable container based direct detection Doppler lidar based on the double-edge molecular technique. The pulsed solid state system was built at the University of Geneva. It was used to make range resolved measurements of the atmospheric wind field as part of the VALID campaign at the Observatoire de Haute Provence in Provence, France in July 1999. Comparison of our lidar wind measurements, which were analyzed without knowledge of the results of rawinsonde measurements made under the supervision of ESA, show good agreement with these rawinsondes. These are the first Doppler lidar field measurements made with an eyesafe direct detection molecular-based system at 355 nm and serve as a demonstrator for future spaceborne direct detection wind systems such as the Atmospheric Dynamics mission. Winds are an important contributor to sea surface temperature measurements made with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and also affect the ...
The thermal performance monitoring and optimization system TEMPO is developed at the OECD Halden Reactor Project. The system supports staff of nuclear power plants in identification and correction of problems, which cause small decreases in plant efficiency but which may lead to significant economical losses. The system-wide physical model consists of mathematical description of individual components, such as the reactor, the pumps, the heat exchangers, or the turbines, etc. TEMPO code has recently been extended with new steam generator (SG) models. The present paper summarizes the thermal-hydraulic modelling aspects of the vertical and the horizontal SG. The heat balance equations and their solution are shown with the appropriate initial and boundary conditions. The method of the calculation of the pressure losses are also introduced. The vertical SG model is based on a U-tube structure and treated as a 1D flow channel. The horizontal approach is a superposition of individually ...
This paper deals with an industrial application of the foam decontamination process applied to large volume components. The work presented below was achieved within the context of a CEC contract. The objective of this 4-year programme was to study, develop and demonstrate an effective in-situ decontamination process using foams containing suitable chemical reagents. Laboratory tests were first performed to optimize the chemical formulation of the foams. Pilot tests were then conducted to study the hydrodynamic features of the fluids and to adapt a technique of permanent foam circulation. With these tests completed, it was essential to validate the foam process on an industrial scale and on a representative nuclear component. The objective was successfully achieved. The process was effectively validated during the decontamination of a graphite-gas cooler representing a developed area of 1000 m{sup 2}. Results were quite convincing since the ...
The SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) which is a 330 MWt advanced integral PWR was developed by the KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Institute) for electricity generation and seawater desalination. A thermal hydraulic evaluation and analysis of the SMART is performed by the TASS /SMR-S (Transient And Setpoint Simulation/System integrated Modular Reactor-Safety). The TASS/SMR-S code has various models reflecting the design features of the SMART such as the drift flux model, the core models (core power and core heat transfer model), the component models, and the specific models. One of the core models is the core heat transfer model. The role of this model is to calculate the heat flux and radial temperature profiles at a fuel rod surface using the relevant heat transfer correlations for all of the heat transfer modes. Also it is modeled to meet the requirements of the 10 CFR 50 appendix K EM model for the CHF (Critical Heat Flux) and post CHF conditions. In this paper, the ...
The feasibility study on conceptual design methodology for accelerator-driven sodium-cooled sub-critical transmutation reactors has been conducted to optimize the design parameters from the scale laws and validates the reactor performance with the integrated code system. A 1000 MWth sodium-cooled sub-critical transmutation reactor has been scaled and verified through the methodology in this paper, which is referred to Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor (ALMR). A Pb-Bi target material and a partitioned fuel are the liquid phases, and they are cooled by the circulation of secondary Pb-Bi coolant and by primary sodium coolant, respectively. Overall key design parameters are generated from the scale laws and they are improved and validated by the integrated code system. Integrated Code System (ICS) consists of LAHET, HMCNP, ORIGEN2, and COMMIX codes and some files. Through ICS the target region, the core region, and thermal-hydraulic related regions are ...
Some diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), including the Gamma Reaction History (GRH) diagnostic, require multiple channels of data to achieve the required dynamic range. These channels need to be stitched together into a single time series, and they may have non-uniform and redundant time samples. We chose to apply the popular cubic smoothing spline technique to our stitching problem because we needed a general non-parametric method. We adapted one of the algorithms in the literature, by Hutchinson and deHoog, to our needs. The modified algorithm and the resulting code perform a cubic smoothing spline fit to multiple data channels with redundant time samples and missing data points. The data channels can have different, time-varying, zero-mean white noise characteristics. The method we employ automatically determines an optimal smoothing level by minimizing the Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) score. In order to automatically ...
In rare instances, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in houses can reach dangerously high concentrations, causing adverse health effects ranging from mild headaches to, under extreme conditions, death. Hundreds of fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur each year primarily due to the indoor operation of motor vehicles, the indoor use of charcoal for cooking, the operation of malfunctioning vented and unvented combustion appliances, and the misuse combustion appliances. Because there is a lack of simple, inexpensive, and accurate field sampling instrumentation, it is difficult for gas utilities and researchers to conduct field research studies designed to quantify the concentrations of CO in residences. Determining the concentration of CO in residences is the first step towards identifying the high risk appliances and high-CO environments which pose health risks. Thus, there exists an urgent need to develop and field-validate a CO-quantifying technique suitable ...
The authors discuss radioimmunoassays (RIAs) for eicosanoids widely used in the field of experimental, clinical and pharmacological research. The main drawback of RIAs is the possibility of low specificity. This was clearly demonstrated during the controversy on plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1 #alpha#, the stable hydrolysis product of PGI_2. When extensive purification including reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) was performed prior to the RIA for 6-keto-PGF_1 #alpha# the levels were at least one order of magnitude less than previously claimed, and did not support the so-called circulating hormone hypothesis.
Using standards on phenol-formaldehyde resin base for assaying-activation analysis of geological specimens for gold and silver has bee the advantage of uniformly distributing Au and Ag in spesimens and possible preparing tablets of practically any form or size. The validity and accuracy of these standards have been studied for the cases of short irradiation. Conventional point standards were used as reference standards. The experiments carried out have shown that tablet resol standards are suitable for a mass assaying-activation analysis for gold and silver at practically any concentrations.
Two avowable quantum communication schemes are proposed. One is an avowable teleportation protocol based on the quantum cryptography. In this protocol one teleports a set of one-particle states based on the availability of an honest arbitrator, the keys and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen pairs shared by the communication parties and the arbitrator. The key point is that the fact of the teleportation can neither be disavowed by the sender nor be denied by the receiver. Another is an avowable quantum secure direct communication scheme. A one-way Hash function chosen by the communication parties helps the receiver to validate the truth of the information and to avoid disavowing for the sender.
Two avowable quantum communication schemes are proposed. One is an avowable teleportation protocol based on the quantum cryptography. In this protocol one teleports a set of one-particle states based on the availability of an honest arbitrator, the keys and the Einstein Podolsky Rosen pairs shared by the communication parties and the arbitrator. The key point is that the fact of the teleportation can neither be disavowed by the sender nor be denied by the receiver. Another is an avowable quantum secure direct communication scheme. A one-way Hash function chosen by the communication parties helps the receiver to validate the truth of the information and to avoid disavowing for the sender.
Current projections of the response of the biosphere to global climatic change indicate as much as 50% to 90% spatial displacement of extratropical biomes. The mechanism of spatial shift could be dominated by either (1) competitive displacement of northern biomes by southern biomes, or (2) drought-induced dieback of areas susceptible to change. The current suite of global biosphere models cannot distinguish between these two processes, thus determining the need for a mechanistically based biome model. The model is in an early stage of development and will require several enhancements, including explicit simulation of potential evapotranspiration, extension to boreal and tropical biomes, a shift from steady-state to transient dynamics, and validation on other continents.
The thermal modeling of electrochemical batteries is today an integral part of the design and validation operations of new products. The Li-ion pair allows to increase the power density of batteries but leads to higher heat fluxes during charging-output cycles. Thus, the thermal control has become more crucial and requires the use of modeling. SAFT and TSR companies are involved in this approach and use the ESACAP software. This paper presents this software which uses a nodal method for the modeling of the coupled thermal and electrical processes that take place inside elementary cells and batteries. (J.S.)
Snapping or grating scapula is a condition of the shoulder girdle in which the patient complains of pain and an audible snapping sound which may be associated with pain. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the computed tomography (CT) scans using the clinical diagnosis of a grating scapula as the gold standard. This retrospective study reports the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and receiver operator characteristic curve for the CT scans and the k value as a measure of the interobserver agreement. None of the parameters validated the examination. We therefore concluded that CT scans are inappropriate for differentiation between a grating scapula and a normally functioning shoulder except in cases where bony abnormalities are present. (orig.)
The Dynamic Analog Scale (DAS) is introduced as a technique for generating single-item measures of personality traits. The DAS is comprised of extensive trait definitions and an analog scale on which respondents simultaneously rate themselves and others. In two studies the Big Five personality traits were assessed with the DAS and compared to a multiple-item questionnaire that measured the same traits. Statistical analysis supported the validity of the DAS for predicting self-reported behavioral acts, drinking behaviors, affect, and religiosity in ways similar to the multiple-item questionnaire. Consistent with previous research, both studies supported the viability of measuring personality traits with single items.
As the cost of developing completely new computer codes becomes prohibitive, designers of nuclear facilities are turning to more cost-effective approaches for meeting increasingly strict regulatory requirements applied to safety-related analysis. For designing and licensing the MAPLE family of research reactors, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) is employing the strategy of adapting major existing codes by linking them together within networks of custom-built interface software. This approach builds on the international investment in developing, maintaining, and verifying existing primary codes and focuses on the less onerous development of interface codes. The resultant code systems are then validated for the new applications of interest.
This report has been prepared in support of the industry effort to standardize nuclear plant designs. This document describes the Combustion Engineering, Inc. System 80+trademark Standard Design. This volume contain Chapter 18 -- Human Factors Engineering. Topics covered include: design team organization and responsibilities; design goals and design bases; design process and application to human factors engineering; functional task analysis; control room configuration; information presentation and panel layout evaluation; control and monitoring outside the main control room; and verification and validation.
Enhanced recovery by chemical flooding using surfactant and/or polymers simultaneously implies the following: (1) a fundamental knowledge of the physical chemistry of micellar systems and interfaces; (2) the proper formulation of mathematic models handling the basic mechanisms of oil recovery; and (3) the use of field-scale pilot units to test the validity of the models and to acquire technical knowledge. Efforts have been made by the French in these directions, and the main results are described. Special attention is paid to the search for new products and the improvement of manufacturing processes. 10 references.
The LHC is designed to provide proton beams of 7 TeV and nominal luminosity of 10**34 cm**-2s**-1. This objective is achieved at an affordable cost by pushing all major collider components to the limits of technology, by upgrading the existing CERN accelerators and infrastructure, and by involving the technical expertise, resources and dedication of accelerator laboratories world-wide. Following a decade of intensive R&D and technical validation of major collider systems, the LHC construction is now fully underway. Major industrial contracts have been awarded and are in execution for the procurement of the magnet, cryogenics and other systems. In this report, the status of the design and construction of the major LHC systems is presented.
Seeking effective methods is one of the most important goals in machinery fault diagnosis. The effective methods for gear fault diagnosis have been successively developed in our Institute. This paper is a comprehensive treatise based on our research work of recent years. A mathematical model of vibration signals for defective gears is physically described. Five effective new methods for gear fault diagnosis, such as zoom complex envelope analysis, wideband demodulation technique, bispectrum analysis, correlative spectrum analysis, and maximum entropy spectrum analysis for phase modulated signals, are summarily presented. The listed illustrations prove sufficiently the validation of these methods.
The second international conference on containment design and operation included sessions on the following topics: performance and regulatory requirements; radionuclide behaviour; severe accident design and analysis; operation, maintenance, leaking and aging of containment systems; thermal hydraulic behaviour of containment systems; hydrogen mixing and mitigation; design methods and concepts; code validation; structural analysis and response tests; passive safety systems; aerosol behaviour; containment reliability, integrity, and risk assessment; hydrogen deflagration and detonation. Due prominence was given to CANDU and other PHWR reactors. The individual papers have been abstracted separately.
The present paper is concerned with the prediction method for the motions and tensions of mooring lines on slack-moored floating oceanic architectural building in coastal zone. The motions and the tensions of mooring lines were estimated by the time domain numerical simulation in the present method. The present method includes the nonlinearity of mooring system, slow varying wave drift force. The authors performed a time domain numerical simulation for motions and the tensions of mooring lines on floating barge in two component waves. Also, the results obtained by numerical simulation were compared with the experimental results. The validity of the present method was confirmed.
Transplantation has emerged as the therapy of choice for many patients with end organ failure. One of the major goals is to tailor immunosuppressive therapy to the individual needs of every patient to balance the risk for rejection and over-immunosuppression. This will require diagnostic tools that can detect harmful processes in the allograft early, and that can be measured repeatedly. This review will consider recent advances in our understanding of the molecular nature of these processes and how this information is being utilized to design novel diagnostic assays to non-invasively monitor allografts. Highlighted is the need for large-scale prospective multi-centre studies to validate assays that show early promise in single centre studies.
It is both experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that ion flow velocity at an arbitrary angle with respect to the magnetic field can be measured with a directional Langmuir probe. Based on the symmetry argument, we show that the effect of magnetic field on directional probe current is exactly canceled in determining the ion flow velocity, and obtain the generalized relation between flow velocity and directional probe currents valid for any flowing direction. The absolute value of the flow velocity is determined by an in situ calibration method of the probe. The applicability limit of the present method to a strongly ion-magnetized plasma is experimentally examined. (author)
The Stefan problem involving a source term is considered in this technical note. As an example, planar solidification with time-dependent heat generation in a semi-infinite plane is solved by use of a perturbation technique. The perturbation solution is validated by reducing the problem to the case without heat generation whose exact solution is available. An application to the case with constant heat generation is presented, for which a closed-form solution is obtained. The effects of heat generation and Stefan number on the evolution of solidification are examined using the perturbation solution.
Periosteal Ewing's sarcoma is an uncommon, but well documented origin of this malignant condition with radiography signs, different from intramedullary growing tumours. Imaging modalities like CT or MRI supply proof of macroscopically intact endosteal cortical surface and free medullary cavity in long bones affected by this periosteal type of malignancy. Definite confirmation is valid after a careful microscopic investigation of the resected specimen. The prognosis of this type of Ewing's sarcoma may be favourable than that of the central type. Early diagnosis and therapy are thus essential. A clinical survey of six observations is given. (orig.).
The average single-particle field shows a very small pseudo-spin-orbit splitting in the pseudo-spin representation. If this splitting is neglected, pseudo-spin becomes a good quantum number and the resulting scheme (the pseudo-Nilsson model) has a very simple interpretation. The pseudo-spin symmetry embodied in the realistic deformed average field is explored by comparing the single-particle energies and wave functions of the deformed Woods-Saxon model with the corresponding results of the pseudo-Nilsson model. The scheme is used to calculate the magnetic moments of deformed odd-A nuclei of the rare-earth region. (orig.).
The validation of the forecast model for early emergency response to nuclear accidents is evaluated by trace tests in atmosphere in Daya Bay nuclear power site. The simulation experiment of the Daya Bay nuclear power site shows that the particle spreading image and the time-integrated concentration distribution given by plume concentration prediction model can perform the variation of pathway of the pollutant transport, as well as the effects of topography on transport and diffusion of pollutants. The simulation of five trace tests in field shows that 59.1% of ratios between predicted results and observed results are within the range of 10, and 41% of ratios are within the range of 5 approximately. (authors)
This paper presents fundamental researches based on the electronic structure calculations and X absorption spectroscopy, allowing the knowledge on nuclear fuels at an atomic scale. They bring a better understanding of these material behavior to accurate the macroscopic simulation. The calculation methods, the experimental techniques of validation and the ab initio calculations results are detailed. (A.L.B.)
Neutron spectra measured in the FFTF In-Reactor Thimble (IRT) by proton recoil proportional counters, proton recoil emulsions, and passive dosimeters have been evaluated and compared with each other and with three-dimensionl diffusion theory calculated spectra for the purpose of validating the passive dosimeter spectrum adjustment technique. The least squares data adjustment code, FERRET, was used to combine measured reaction rates, calculated spectra, and dosimeter cross sections, resulting in adjusted spectra and cross sections with uncertainties and correlations that properly account for uncertainties and correlations on the input parameters.
There is proposed the nonlinear model of dose dependence saturation of the yield strength on the base of the vacancy and interstitial barrier interaction in this work. Processes of mutual recombination of vacancy and interstitial barriers and formation of vacancy and interstitial clusters are taken into consideration. In the framework of the model, the analytical equations corresponding to the evolution of the barrier densities and yield strength are obtained. It is shown that the yield strength of irradiated materials decreases with the increasing intensity of barrier recombination processes, the dependence being nonlinear. Also it is shown that the model is valid both for low doses and large doses on the stage of radiation hardening.
A detailed examination of the aging processes that may take place in solid-dielectric extruded-type high voltage transmission cables under dry conditions is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the aging process as affected by the separate and simultaneous action of four main aging factors, namely the electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses, and the physical and chemical environment. A number of pertinent aging models are considered and their validity and applicability to accelerated aging tests on solid-type transmission cables are discussed.
A Monte Carlo method called transient curve fitting method was developed to calculate a eigenvalues by first simulating the existing neutrons and precursors in the system, then calculating the Eigen-distribution of neutron flux and calculating the a eigenvalues using the transient results based on the Eigen-distribution by the code TMCC. The results of this method are tested by calculating Godiva Benchmark problems and they agree well with the benchmark results. Then the reasonable results of Subcritical Facility in Tsinghua University are given by TMCC, and the results are compared with the experimental results measured by Rossi-a method. Even in the deep subcritical cases, the method can give results consistent with experimental results. (authors)
A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45({plus minus}5)% and 90({plus minus}5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).
A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45(#+-#5)% and 90(#+-#5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).
Life management system is based on the valid nowadays in Estonian power plants regulation documentation. The system allows to estimate stress distribution in components, find computational assessment of cumulated creep damage, determine when and where it is necessary to cut off the particular number of microsamples or take replicas. Finally, the real metal condition may be assessed on the basis of metallographic specimen research and reasonable 3-R decision - run, repair, replacement - made on further component use. (orig.) 6 refs.
We have developed a novel laser ray-tracing method to measure aberrations in optical systems. It consists of delivering narrow laser pencils (by a laser scanner), recording the spots that are formed on the image plane (with a CCD camera), and computing the position of each centroid. This approach could be considered an experimental (approximate) implementation of standard numerical ray tracing. Several tests and experiments, including a direct comparison with a Hartmann-Shack wave-front sensor, provided highly satisfactory results that confirmed the validity of the method and revealed potential advantages. PMID:18073906
In the framework of the negotiations on the climatic changes, beginning at Rio in 1992, the France received an UN conference from the 4 to 15 of september 2000. This conference determined the necessary actions for the Kyoto protocol validation. This document presents in two part the program of these days. The first part is devoted to the world government policy and the second part defines the french actions decided to fight against the climatic change. A glossary of the main terms adapted to the climatic change domain, is also provided. (A.L.B.)
This paper focuses on a theoretical model that predicts the temperature increase of Magneto-rheological (MR) fluid dampers experiencing a sinusoidal input motion. A theoretical model is developed to estimate the temperature rise based on the non-linear behavior of the MR fluid damper. This model is solved numerically, and the numerical solution is compared with a known linear solution and experimental result in order to validate the accuracy of the model. Also, a non-dimensional form of the governing equations are developed to examine the key parameters. The non-dimensional terms show the effect of external and internal parameters on the trends of heat dissipation as well as heat generation within the MR fluid damper.
This study presents a theoretical analysis of heat generation and dissipation of field-controllable magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) shock absorbers. Since MRF dampers are energy- dissipating devices, the issues of heat generation and dissipation are important in predicting their performance. A theoretical model is developed based on Bingham plastic model to estimate temperature history of the MRF dampers. The governing equation includes the MRF viscosity as a function of the temperature. The numerical solutions are compared with experimental results in order to validate the accuracy of the model, and excellent agreements are obtained.
Tube failures due to excessive flow-induced vibration must be avoided to assure the reliable performance of heat exchangers. Such components must be thoroughly analysed for vibration at the design stage. Several flow-induced vibration mechanisms are possible. In this paper, particular attention is given to fluidelastic instability of tube bundles subjected to liquid and two-phase cross-flow. The performance of ten operating heat exchanger components is reviewed to validate our recommended vibration analysis guidelines. Both tube failure histories and satisfactory performances are considered. The results show that a fluidelastic instability constant K=3.3 is a reasonable design criterion. (auth).
The present paper dealt with the extension of tendon friction coefficient correlation as a function of loading end load and circumferential angle, proposed in the former paper. The extended correlation further included the effects of the number of strands contacted with sheath, tendon diameter, politicization of tendon and tendon local curvature. The validity of the correlation was confirmed by several published measured data. The structural analysis of middle cylinder part of 1/4 PCCV (Prestressed Concrete Containment Vessel) model was conducted using the present friction coefficient correlation. The results were compared with the analysis using constant friction coefficient, focused on the tendon tension force distribution. (author)
The usefulness of the mouse, rat, and Syrian golden hamster as experimental models for studies of the development of respiratory tract cancer is considered. Three different application methods for examining the effects of environmental chemicals on the respiratory tract in these species are discussed: implantation, intratracheal instillation, and inhalation. The results of various investigations are presented to demonstrate that each particular method has both advantages and disadvantages. The techniques are also considered in comparison with the human situation and in the light of obtaining the most valid data for extrapolation to man. Brief attention is paid to the relevance to respiratory tract carcinogenesis of more recently developed organ and cell culture systems.
A simple closed-form equation to calculate the envelope correlation between any two receiver or transmitter antennas in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system of an arbitrary number of elements is derived. The equation uses the scattering parameters obtained at the antenna feed point to calculate the envelope correlation coefficient. This approach has the advantage that it does not require knowledge of the antenna radiation pattern. Numerical data that include conductor and permittivity loss are shown to validate the approach. Using the scattering parameters for calculating the envelope correlation is less laborious and relatively cheaper, as compared to the radiation pattern approach.
The paper presents an integrated approach to the problem of electron temperature diagnostics of the plasma in a reversed field pinch. Three different methods, sampling different portions of the electron distribution function, are adopted, namely Thomson scattering, soft X-ray spectroscopy by pulse-height analysis and filtered soft X-ray intensity ratio. A careful analysis of the different sources of systematic errors is performed and a novel statistical approach is adopted to mutually validate the three independent measurements. A satisfactory agreement is obtained over a large range of experimental conditions, indicating that in the plasma core the energy distribution function is well represented by a maxwellian. (author)
Neutron deficient nuclei with mass numbers A {approx} 90 and 40 {<=} Z {<=} 44 have been studied making use of the Osiris and Nordball spectrometers. The high spin states of these nuclei and their electromagnetic decay properties are compared to shell model calculations based on the core {sup 88}Sr and using different parametrizations of the residual interaction. The dependence of the mean square deviations of experimental and theoretical level energies, branching ratios, and transition probabilities on the neutron numbers N = 46-50 and the validity of seniority as a good quantum number are discussed. (orig.).
Nonparabolicity of the heavy hole band in diamond-like semiconductors, which occurs within the framework of the three band model with the perturbation from the other bands taken into account according to the Loewdin procedure, is studied. A direct dependence of nonparabolicity on the band anisotropy (caused by the different effect of Gamma/sub 15c/ and Gamma/sub 12c/ bands) and the inverse dependence on the magnitude of the spin-orbit splittiing is established. A connection between the effective mass of heavy holes and their energy is obtained, which is valid for the majority of diamond-like semiconductors, except for materials with a very strong nonparabolicity of the band of silicon type
Nonparabolicity of the heavy hole band in diamond-like semiconductors, which occurs within the framework of the three band model with the perturbation from the other bands taken into account according to the Loewdin procedure, is studied. A direct dependence of nonparabolicity on the band anisotropy (caused by the different effect of Gamma/sub 15c/ and Gamma/sub 12c/ bands) and the inverse dependence on the magnitude of the spin-orbit splittiing is established. A connection between the effective mass of heavy holes and their energy is obtained, which is valid for the majority of diamond-like semiconductors, except for materials with a very strong nonparabolicity of the band of silicon type.
The E1 and E3 transition operators in the sdf-IBA model are discussed. An effective E1 operator containing one- and two-body terms explains very well the E1 data in transitional and rotational nuclei. The E1 parameters for rotational nuclei are obtained by imposing a constraint on the IBA model namely, the validity of Alaga rules for ``pure K`` states. The systematic behavior of the octupole strength is well reproduced using a one-body octupole operator. The anomalously large fragmentation of the low-energy octupole strength in non-rotational nuclei is shown to be a signature of the O(6) dynamical symmetry.
We propose unsteady-state reverse osmosis cell modelling in two dimensions. The convection-diffusion equation describing the concentration of the relevant chemical species is solved by a finite difference technique, while the velocity field is described by empirical expressions for spiral-wound membrane cells. A non-constant permeability is introduced to take into account the effects of membrane compaction at high operating pressures. The role of concentration polarization is discussed for different values of the parameters describing the global process. Finally, the model is applied to predict the effects of a pulsating flow where a cyclic pressure feed is adopted to enhance the permeate flux. In this context, an experimental validation of the model is proposed.
The Purex process and the fluorescence spectrometry are first recalled, then uranyl fluorescence is studied in a pure nitric medium without other elements to establish a theoretical model, allowing the description of uranium fluorescence signal with a general equation. The influence of different parameters (temperature, inhibitors, dynamic quenching of iron and cerium) is investigated to develop the model. A quantitative analysis method without addition of reagents is proposed to validate the model.
The three determination methods of alpha activity ration are described, namely geometric progression method, extrapolation method and curve fitting method. The validity of the geometric progression method is demonstrated in the present work. The "2"3"8Pu/("2"3"9Pu + "2"4"0Pu) evaluated by extrapolation method is compared with that by geometric progression method. Also, the "2"3"8Pu/("2"3"9Pu + "2"4"0Pu)evaluated by curve fitting method is compared with that by geometric progression.
The development of detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms for analysis of autoignition and knocking of hydrocarbon fuels is described. In particular, kinetic processes of concern for the oxidation of complex hydrocarbon fuel molecules are emphasized. The wide ranges of temperature and pressure which are encountered by end gases in automobile engine combustion chambers result in extreme demands on reaction mechanisms which are intended to describe knocking conditions and predict rates of combustion and ignition. The reactions and chemical species which are most important in each temperature and pressure regime are discussed, and the validation of these reaction mechanisms through comparison with idealized experimental results is described. 53 refs., 8 figs., 5 tabs.
It is possible to create nomographs similar to Fig. 2.10 to characterise damage potential of candidate time histories, provided there exists extensive records of earlier time-histories and the damage that they have caused. Thus in order to create such nomographs, one needs the correlated documentation between the input to the structure and the resulting damage. In order to use the Response-Spectra approach, one needs good statistical description of the input to the system. Extensive literature exists on both these methods. The MAC method that has being developed for the present research has yet to be validated. However, if it is successful, it would provide a valuable link between the SEA method and the rational method.
The cubature Kalman filter (CKF) is a relatively new addition to derivative-free approximate Bayesian filters built under the Gaussian assumption. This paper extends the CKF theory to address nonlinear smoothing problems; the resulting state estimator is named the fixed-interval cubature Kalman smoother (FI-CKS). Moreover, the FI-CKS is reformulated to propagate the square-root error covariances. Although algebraically equivalent to the FI-CKS, the square-root variant ensures reliable implementation when committed to embedded systems with fixed precision or when the inference problem itself is ill-conditioned. Finally, to validate the formulation, the square-root FI-CKS is applied to track a ballistic target on reentry.
The validity is given to the newly proposed two {delta}f method for neoclassical transport calculation, which can be solve the drift kinetic equation considering effects of steep plasma gradients, large radial electric field, finite banana width, and an orbit topology near the axis. The new method is applied to the study of ion transport with steep plasma gradients. It is found that the ion thermal diffusivity decreases as the scale length of density gradient decreases, while the ion particle flux due to ion-ion self collisions increases with increasing gradient. (author)
Analytical and numerical calculations are presented for a reflexing electron beam type of collective ion accelerator. These results are then compared to those obtained through experiment. By constraining one free parameter to experimental conditions, the self-similar solution of the ion energy distribution agrees closely with the experimental distribution. Hence the reflexing beam model appears to be a valid model for explaining the experimental data. Simulation shows in addition to the agreement with the experimental ion distribution that synchronization between accelerated ions and electric field is phase unstable. This instability seems to further restrict the maximum ion energy to several times the electron energy.
Equipment Qualification technology for I and C system on nuclear grade have been approved with accurate and safe for verifying and validation. It contributes to acknowledge of reliability and to review of user approval. Also it did not completely satisfied the requirement of Russia, it can be satisfied by bit of modification on design. It is expected to support the export of safety PLC to nuclear power plant. Proven EQ technology is required on the further markets of nuclear. Therefore, comparison test with foreign country is necessary to support the mutual accreditation of EQ for export of domestic products.
The goal of this work is to present a systematic Monte Carlo validation study on the clinical implementation of the enhanced dynamic wedges (EDWs) into the Pinnacle"3 (Philips Medical Systems, Fitchburg, WI) treatment planning system (TPS) and QA procedures for patient plan verification treated with EDWs. Modeling of EDW beams in the Pinnacle"3 TPS, which employs a collapsed-cone convolution superposition (CCCS) dose model, was based on a combination of measured open-beam data and the 'Golden Segmented Treatment Table' (GSTT) provided by Varian for each photon beam energy. To validate EDW models, dose profiles of 6 and 10 MV photon beams from a Clinac 2100 C/D were measured in virtual water at depths from near-surface to 30 cm for a wide range of field sizes and wedge angles using the Profiler 2 (Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL) diode array system. The EDW output factors (EDWOFs) for square fields from 4 to 20 cm wide were measured in ...
An apparatus was designed and built for the purpose of exposing samples of solid polymers to varying temperatures, atmospheres and stress levels while quantitatively recording the resulting chemiluminescence. Preliminary data were acquired with this apparatus that show a correlation between an enhanced chemiluminescence signal at a low level of applied stress and a decrease in tensile strength for the most commonly used epoxy resin in high performance fiber composites, TGMDA DDS. The studies with cellular silicone cushions (which are used to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction) have defined the temperature regimes in which accelerated aging tests are valid for extrapolation to ambient temperature. Preliminary data on Kevlar fibers is also discussed.
The validity of the Big Bang theory is evaluated. The basis of the Big Band theory and the supercluster observations of Tully, which conflict with the Big Band theory, are discussed. Various explanations for the existence of supercluster observations are proposed. The cosmic background explorer (COBE) is being utilized to detect energetic processes. The COBE contains a far IR absolute spectrometer, a differential microwave radiometer, and a diffuse IR background experiment. The hypothesis of the evolution of the universe of Hannes Alfven, which emphasizes the importance of electricity and magnetism, is presented and research illustrating the importance of electric currents and magnetic fields in space is examined.
The objectives of this paper are to document the physicochemical and aquatic toxicological quality of a beneficial-use produced-water discharge and its effect on a receiving stream in Wyoming. Fish and water-flea survival, growth, and reproduction tests indicated that the discharge and all other sampling stations passed the state effluent biomonitoring acute toxicity testing endpoints. while benthic macroinvertebrates were absent at the discharge point designated by the Natl. Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), productive and reproducing populations were present at all other downstream and mixing-zone stations. This investigation confirmed the validity of the beneficial-use subcategory for this oilfield discharge.
The increasing sophistication of modern cars and todays tendency of developing compact vehicles more adapted to urban traffic have led to increased performance requirements from alternators and their bearings. This paper describes todays criteria for the design of alternators and of their bearings (improvement of tightness, design of race, grease, specific steels) and the final validation of the products. The last part of the paper describes the new CARB toroidal roller bearing developed by SKF which can support misalignments and internal axial displacements under high rotation speeds. (J.S.)
Longitudinal space charge (LSC) force can be a main effect driving the microbunching instability in the linac for an x-ray free-electron laser (FEL). In this paper, the LSC-induced beam modulation is studied using an integral equation approach that takes into account the transverse (radial) variation of LSC field for both the coasting beam limit and bunched beam. Changes of beam energy and the transverse beam size can be also incorporated. We discuss the validity of this approach and compare it with other analyses as well as numerical simulations.
It is important to accurately estimate the effects of strong earthquake motions on the basemat uplift behavior and structural responses for the seismic design of nuclear power plant buildings. In this paper, an analysis model which describes the soil part using the 3 dimensional FEM was proposed to be used when the ground contact ratio is low, and the validity of this model was confirmed. Furthermore, investigations using the model were carried out where the attaching force under the basemat was taken into account, in order to more realistically estimate the basemat uplift behavior. The effects in the case of the building being embedded were also investigated.
It is important to accurately estimate the effects of strong earthquake motions on the basemat uplift behavior and structural responses for the seismic design of nuclear power plant buildings. In this paper, an analysis model which describes the soil part using the 3 dimensional FEM was proposed to be used when the ground contact ratio is low, and the validity of this model was confirmed. Furthermore, investigations using the model were carried out where the attaching force under the basemat was taken into account, in order to more realistically estimate the basemat uplift behavior. The effects in the case of the building being embedded were also investigated.
Radiology departments often underestimate the importance of protecting medical data during transmission, including the precautions taken to ensure data protection. In teleradiology, transmitted as well as stored patient data have to be signed digitally according to the currently valid regulation (Roentgenverordnung, RoeV). The DICOM standard facilitates a digital signature. So far, medical image manufacturers only announced to support this security feature. We introduce a solution that extends the feature of digital signing to older modalities. (orig.)
Supplementing the collection of artificial neural network methodologies devised for monitoring energy producing installations, a general regression artificial neural network is proposed for the identification of the two-phase flow that occurs in the coolant channels of boiling water reactors. The utilization of a limited number of image features derived from radiography images affords the proposed approach with efficiency and non-invasiveness. Additionally, the application of counter-clustering to the input patterns prior to training accomplishes an 80% reduction in network size as well as in training and test time. Cross-validation tests confirm accurate on-line flow regime identification.
Supplementing the collection of artificial neural network methodologies devised for monitoring energy producing installations, a general regression artificial neural network is proposed for the identification of the two-phase flow that occurs in the coolant channels of boiling water reactors. The utilization of a limited number of image features derived from radiography images affords the proposed approach with efficiency and non-invasiveness. Additionally, the application of counter-clustering to the input patterns prior to training accomplishes an 80% reduction in network size as well as in training and test time. Cross-validation tests confirm accurate on-line flow regime identification.
Organizational risk indicators are proposed as a tool for risk control during operation of offshore installations, as a complement to QRA-based indicators. An organizational factor framework is developed based on a review of existing organizational factor frameworks, research on safety performance indicators, and previous work on QRA-based indicators. The results comprise a qualitative organizational model, proposed organizational risk indicators, and a quantification methodology for assessing the impact of the organization on risk. The risk indicators, when validated, will aid in a frequent control of the risk in the periods between the updating of the quantitative risk assessments.
We study the well-posedness of the initial value problem for a wide class of singular evolution equations. We prove a general well-posedness theorem under three assumptions easy to check: the first controls the singular part of the equation, the second the behavior of the nonlinearities, and the third one assumes that an energy estimate can be found for the linearized system. We allow losses of derivatives in this energy estimate and therefore construct a solution by a Nash-Moser iterative scheme. As an application to this general theorem, we prove the well-posedness of the Serre and Green-Naghdi equation and discuss the problem of their validity as asymptotic models for the water-waves equations.
Abstract Telecare has become an increasingly common medical service in recent years. However, new service must be close to the market and be market-driven to have a high likelihood of success. This article analyzes the business model of a telecardiology service managed by a general hospital. The methodology of the article is as follows: (1) initially it describes the elements of the service based on the ontology of the business model, (2) then it transfers these elements into the choices for business model dynamic loops and examines their validity, and (3) finally provides an empirical financial analysis of the service to assess the profit-making possibilities.
We consider the alternating sign matrices of the odd order that have some kind of central symmetry. Namely, we deal with matrices invariant under the half-turn, quarter-turn and flips in both diagonals. In all these cases, there are two natural structures in the centre of the matrix. For example, for the matrices invariant under the half-turn the central element is equal $\\pm 1$. It was recently found that $A^+_{HT}(2m+1)/A^-_{HT}(2m+1)$=(m+1)/m. We conjecture that similar very simple relations are valid in the two remaining cases.
AECL is undertaking the validation of ADDAM, an atmospheric dispersion and dose code based on the Canadian Standards Association model CSA N288.2. The key component of the validation program involves the comparison of air concentrations predicted by the model with measured values. Measurements are available from field studies at two Canadian reactor sites and from a wind tunnel study of the CANDU site at Wol song, Korea. The measurements were obtained close enough to the release points to test the model for exclusion area boundaries as small as 500 m. Model predictions were higher than the observations almost 75 percent of the time and the magnitude of the over predictions was typically much larger than the magnitude of the under predictions. The effect of the topography at the Wol song site was limited to small changes in plume trajectory due to channeling in valleys and a small reduction in the lateral spread of the plume. The terrain did not ...
During the last years, boron dilution events with the potential of reactivity transients were an important issue of German PWR safety analyses. A coolant with a low-boron concentration could be collected in localized areas of the reactor coolant system, e.g., by separation of a borated reactor coolant into highly concentrated and diluted fractions (inherent dilution) which can occur during reflux-condenser heat transfer after a small break loss of coolant accident with a limited availability of the emergency core cooling systems. During the course of follower core assessments, TUV NORD SysTec appraises safety analyses of boron dilution events presented by the utilities. These analyses are based on the simulation of boron dilution and transport processes in conjunction with a number of dedicated experiments. The analyses demonstrate that boron dilution events cannot lead to recriticality of the core. Hence, the boron concentration at the core inlet has to be determined. TUV NORD SysTec ...
Assessment of the immune system's capability to respond to antigens with the generation of specific antibodies, whilst under the influence of a test article, is required in toxicity tests according to the European guideline for repeated dose toxicity testing of medicinal products. The purpose of this study in rats was to validate methodology for the determination of Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin (KLH)-specific antibodies under the influence of an immunologically active compound. The immunosuppressant FK506, commercially available as Prograf, was administered orally (gavage) to five rats per sex per group at dosages of 0.5mg/kg per day or 3mg/kg per day, for a period of 4 weeks. On days 14 and 22, KLH was administered subcutaneously, with an adjuvant (AluGel), to the two treated groups and a control (i.e. without FK506 treatment) approximately 1h following administration of FK506. Terminal investigations included haematology parameters, titration of KLH-specific ...
The implementation of wind energy conversion systems in the built environment renewed the interest and the research on Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), which in this application present several advantages over Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT). The VAWT has an inherent unsteady aerodynamic behavior due to the variation of angle of attack with the angle of rotation, perceived velocity and consequentially Reynolds number. The phenomenon of dynamic stall is then an intrinsic effect of the operation of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine at low tip speed ratios, having a significant impact in both loads and power. The complexity of the unsteady aerodynamics of the VAWT makes it extremely attractive to be analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, where an approximation of the continuity and momentum equations of the Navier-Stokes equations set is solved. The complexity of the problem and the need for new design approaches for VAWT for the built environment has driven the ...
Field data for validating plume models were collected in and around the Bull Run Steam Plant during two four-week periods between July and October, 1982. The field measurements were the second phase of the Plume Model Validation and Development (PMV and D) program. The Bull Run Steam Plant is located near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the area is described as the ''Moderately Complex Site'' to distinguish it from the ''Plains Site'' in eastern Illinois, which was the scene of the first phase of the PMV and D study conducted in 1980-81. The measurement program consisted of a set of meteorological, source, aerometric, and tracer measurements to track and characterize the plume. The tracer measurements constituted the largest portion of the total effort, and it involved the release of SF/sub 6/ tracer gas from the stack, and the sampling and analysis of nearly 64,000 air samples ...
Abstract The recent paper by Heyer et al. indicates that observations of size, linewidth and column density of interstellar clouds do not agree with simple virial equilibrium (SVE) as a balance between gravitational and kinetic energies in the sense that the clouds either have too much kinetic energy or too little mass to be bound. This may be explained by violation of SVE as suggested by Dobbs et al., by observational underestimation of the masses as suggested by Heyer et al. or by an external pressure acting as an additional confining force as suggested earlier by Heyer et al. The data of Heyer et al. cannot be explained with a single value for the external pressure, but if different clouds in the sample have different external pressures in the range of Pe/k= 104-107 cm-3-K, then most of...
Automatic segmentation of anatomical structures in medical images is a valuable tool for efficient computer-aided radiotherapy and surgery planning and an enabling technology for dynamic adaptive radiotherapy. This paper presents the design, algorithms and validation of new software for the automatic segmentation of CT images used for radiotherapy treatment planning. A coarse to fine approach is followed that consists of presegmentation, anatomic orientation and structure segmentation. No user input or a priori information about the image content is required. In presegmentation, the body outline, the bones and lung equivalent tissue are detected. Anatomic orientation recognizes the patient's position, orientation and gender and creates an elastic mapping of the slice positions to a reference scale. Structure segmentation is divided into localization, outlining and refinement, performed by procedures with implicit anatomic knowledge using standard image ...
Growing evidence suggests the Wnt family of secreted glycoproteins and their associated signaling pathways, linked to development, are recapitulated during wound repair and regeneration events. However,...Full Text Available
Sunlight exposure has been suggested as a cause of AMD. To examine this, we collected detailed histories of ocular sun exposure in 838 watermen who work on the Chesapeake Bay. The presence and severity...Full Text Available
BackgroundMicroarray studies can supplement QTL studies by suggesting potential candidate genes in the QTL regions, which by themselves are too large to provide a limited selection...Full Text Available
Background:Several studies suggest transient ischemic attack (TIA) may be neuroprotective against ischemic stroke analogous to preinfarction angina's protection against...Full Text Available
Several years of research on seven different plants (five terrestrial and two aquatic species) suggest that the beneficial effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment may be divided into three...Full Text Available
The temperature dependence of the dislocation mobility threshold is investigated on the basis of a dislocation model suggested by Frenkel-Kontorova. The critical value is obtained for the stress/temperature, corresponding to the dislocation depinning from its equilibrium position. The universal behaviour of a barrier height at finite stress and temperature is revealed and investigated.
BackgroundAnterior knee pain (AKP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint. It has been suggested that one factor that may contribute to the presence of AKP is a delay in the recruitment...Full Text Available
BackgroundResponse shift theory suggests that improvements in health lead patients to change their internal standards and re-assess former health states as worse than initially rated...Full Text Available
Eukaryotic genome size varies over five orders of magnitude; however, the distribution is strongly skewed toward small values. Genome size is highly correlated to a number of phenotypic traits, suggesting...Full Text Available
It has been suggested for quality assurance purposes that linac output variations for helical tomotherapy (HT) be within ±2% of the long-term average. Due to cancellation of systematic...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe pathogenesis of visceral hypersensitivity, a characteristic pathophysiological feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), remains elusive. Recent studies suggest a...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVESAlthough several studies suggest that slow gait speed is a predictor of falls, it may also be a protective mechanism to prevent falls. Further, fast walking...Full Text Available
Background and AimsTrade-offs are fundamental to life-history theory, and the leaf size vs. number trade-off has recently been suggested to be of importance to our understanding...Full Text Available
The C-C chemokine receptor 5, 32 base-pair deletion (CCR5-Δ32) allele confers strong resistance to infection by the AIDS virus HIV. Previous studies have suggested...Full Text Available
AbstractBackgroundGender concordance between patients and their physicians is related to prevention screening and other quality indicators. Research suggests female...Full Text Available
Electrophysiological events are of central importance during the phagocyte respiratory burst, because NADPH oxidase is electrogenic and voltage sensitive. We investigated the recent suggestion that...Full Text Available
Recent studies suggest that TJ-41, a herbal drug, possesses chemotherapeutic effects. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate the anticarcinogenic effects of TJ-41 on human breast cancer...Full Text Available
Previous work has provided evidence that plants may require boron to maintain adequate levels of pyrimidine nucleotides, suggesting that the state of boron deficiency may actually be one of pyrimidine...Full Text Available
There is ample evidence suggesting that superantigens may act as a triggering factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether superantigen could activate T cells in...Full Text Available
Comparative studies of flocculent and grand-design spirals suggest that density waves are not the predominant trigger of star formation in most galaxies. Implications for chemical evolution are profound. It may be possible to ignore the details of the spiral-wave phenomenon in research aimed at unifying the chemical properties of spiral disks. 16 references.
Current concepts of the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis suggest that the expanded numbers of activated T-helper/inducer cells at sites of disease activity result, at least in part, from their proliferation...Full Text Available
BackgroundPeroxiredoxins (Prxs) have recently been suggested to have a role in tumorigenesis.MethodsWe studied the expression of Prx I-VI and their...Full Text Available
Recent histological studies suggest relatively rapid growth in dinosaurs. However, the timing of reproductive maturity (RM) in dinosaurs is poorly known because unambiguous indicators of RM are rare....Full Text Available
BackgroundRecent evidence suggests that some sex differences in brain and behavior might result from direct genetic effects, and not solely the result of the organizational effects...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
Accumulated lines of evidence suggest that hyperimmune responses to periodontal bacteria result in the destruction of periodontal connective tissue and alveolar bone. The etiological roles of periodontal...Full Text Available
BackgroundSome epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between electromagnetic field exposure induced by high voltage power lines and childhood leukemia, but null results...Full Text Available
The anatomical basis for the concept of meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved. This paper reviews the evidence supporting a relationship between acupuncture points/meridians...Full Text Available
It has been suggested that individual recognition based on song may be constrained by repertoire size in songbirds with very large song repertoires. This hypothesis has been difficult to test...Full Text Available
A structurally conserved element, the trigger loop, has been suggested to play a key role in substrate selection and catalysis of RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription elongation. Recently resolved...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn cancer research, the association between a gene and clinical outcome suggests the underlying etiology of the disease and consequently can motivate further studies. The...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlthough some previous studies have suggested that posttraumatic growth (PTG) is comprised of several factors with different properties, few have examined both the association...Full Text Available
Recent reports suggested that phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL)-3 might be involved in colorectal carcinoma metastasis with an unknown mechanism. Here we demonstrated that PRL-3 expression was...Full Text Available
Inferences concerning the lives of extinct animals are difficult to obtain from the fossil record. Here we present a novel approach to the study of extinct carnivores, using a comparison between fossil...Full Text Available
Estimates of global warming during the mid-Piacenzian Age of the Pliocene Epoch suggest temperatures were 2 degrees C greater than today. ... million years approaches this level of warming. PRISM/Global Warmin...
The looming potential of deformable alignment tools to play an integral role in adaptive radiotherapy suggests a need for objective assessment of these complex algorithms. Previous studies in this area...Full Text Available
The search for liability genes of the world's 2 major psychotic disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder I (BP-I), has been extremely difficult even though evidence suggests that both are highly...Full Text Available
Some laboratory experiments have suggested that power-frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF) may be capable of influencing calcium efflux from cell membranes, pineal function, and circadian rhythms....Full Text Available
BackgroundThe long-term neurotoxicity risks caused by prenatal exposures to pesticides are unclear, but a previous pilot study of Ecuadorian school children suggested that blood...Full Text Available
SUMMARYTwo abundant classes of mobile elements, namely Alu and L1 elements, continue to generate new retrotransposon insertions in human genomes. Estimates suggest that these...Full Text Available
Centrioles are intriguing cylindrical organelles composed of triplet microtubules. Proteomic data suggest that a large number of proteins besides tubulin are necessary for the formation and maintenance...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere are no drugs presently available to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI). A variety of single drugs have failed clinical trials suggesting a role for drug combinations....Full Text Available
Previous physiological studies suggest that avian pulmonary capillaries behave like almost rigid tubes. We made morphometric measurements to determine the diameter of the capillaries in chicken...Full Text Available
Method for description of X-ray radiation dose distribution based on semiempirical description of dose fields is suggested. At that dose field description parameters can be easily individualized for concrete X-ray device.
An analytic model of magnetic torques applied to an accreting neutron star is employed to evaluate the magnetic dipole moments of x-ray pulsars. A new type of close binary system containing a neutron star is suggested.
An influential neural model of face perception suggests that the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) is sensitive to those aspects of faces that produce transient visual changes, including facial...Full Text Available
Red cell transfusions are associated with the development of acute lung injury in the critically ill. Recent evidence suggests that storage induced alterations of the red blood cell (RBC) collectively...Full Text Available
A growing number of studies suggest that the development of compulsive drug seeking and taking depends on dorsostriatal mechanisms. We previously observed that ex vivo acute...Full Text Available
Oryza sativa or Asian cultivated rice is one of the major cereal grass species domesticated for human food use during the Neolithic. Domestication of this species from the wild grass...Full Text Available
Rationale: Human data suggest that the incidence of acute lung injury is reduced in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes confers protection...Full Text Available
The case of an unusual late metastasis of neuroblastoma to the calcaneum, appearing as a sole recurrence 9 years after surgery, is reported. The radiographic features of the osseous lesion were very suggestive of primary bone malignancy, Ewing's sarcoma as the first option, with extraosseous spread to the soft tissues. (orig.).
Analytical method of theoretical simulation of collective hydrodynamic instabilities of intensive flows of discrete radiators, interacting with each other only through the coherent fields of their spontaneous radiation in corresponding media was suggested...
Since a large body of data has suggested a significant role for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the regulation of the immune response at a number of levels, we examined the possibility of a specific receptor...Full Text Available
Dyslexia (or reading disability) and specific language impairment (or SLI) are common childhood disorders that show considerable co-morbidity and diagnostic overlaps and have been suggested to share...Full Text Available
The effectiveness of chemotherapy in human schistosomiasis varies from one area to another, and limited data from experimentally infected animals suggest inherent differences in the susceptibility...Full Text Available
For many years one of us has cooked on an induction cooktop and been impressed by its efficiency, cleanliness, and responsiveness. The commercial name ``induction'' cooktop suggests that we have here an application of Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction since the cooktop produces an oscillating magnetic field.
BackgroundClinical studies suggest that local wall shear stress (WSS) patterns modulate the site and the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)...Full Text Available
PurposePrevious studies suggest that some common medications alter prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. It remains unclear whether these reported medication effects are due to...Full Text Available
IntroductionPrevious observations suggest that active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is associated with a prominent erythropoiesis gene-expression signature. The aim...Full Text Available
Environmental chemicals that function as estrogens have been suggested to be associated with an increase in disease and dysfunctions in animals and humans. To characterize chemicals that may act as...Full Text Available
Calorie restriction (CR) induces a metabolic shift towards mitochondrial respiration; however, molecular mechanisms underlying CR remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that CR-induced mitochondrial...Full Text Available
BackgroundASCL1 role in pancreatic endocrine tumourigenesis has not been established. Recently it was suggested that ASCL1 negatively controls expression of the...Full Text Available
IL-4 and IL-13 are up-regulated during in vivo responses to many nematode parasites, but increasing evidence suggests that increases in IL-13 can also occur independently of...Full Text Available
Numerous studies have noted that the evolution of new enzymatic specificities is accompanied by loss of the protein's thermodynamic stability (ΔΔG), thus suggesting...Full Text Available
Describes the light construction curriculum offered at Carteret Technical College, NC, in terms of course offerings, program finances, problems, and the establishment of tax-exempt endowment corporation through which the program was funded. Concludes with suggestions for organizing a construction program. (AYC)
High-resolution near-infrared and far-infrared observations are presented of the southeastern molecular cloud fragment in the IC 5146 dark cloud. These observations rule out earlier suggestions for the formation of massive stars in this fragment.
High rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among jail and prison inmates suggest that HIV prevention efforts should focus on incarcerated populations. Overcrowding, the high prevalence...Full Text Available
Hydrogen cyanide polymerizes readily under a variety of conditions and significant prebiotic roles have been suggested for these polymers due to the abundance of HCN in universe. However, the structures...Full Text Available
Despite their status as the most speciose group of terrestrial vertebrates, birds exhibit the smallest and least variable genome sizes among tetrapods. It has been suggested that this is because powered...Full Text Available
Available in vitro and animal studies have shown cancer protective effects of tea polyphenols. Recent study suggests a greater protective effect of green tea intake on breast cancer...Full Text Available
BackgroundBerberine is a plant alkaloid that is widely used as an anti-infective in traditional medicine. Escherichia coli exposed to berberine form filaments, suggesting...Full Text Available
Studies in mammals have led to the suggestion that hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are important factors both in aging and in the development of cancer. It is possible that the life-prolonging effects...Full Text Available
Forest research on fast growing Eucalyptus hybrids in the Congo, using coppice shoots for propagation, is described. The hybrids can grow 20 ft in 15 months and it is suggested that the application of such methods in Britain may increase the growth rates of hardwoods such as oak or walnut.
Severance of the ureter beyond the renal papilla causes a fall in urinary osmolality, which suggests that exchange of water or solute between urine and renal parenchyma normally occurs in the intact...Full Text Available
The method of linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) was used to quantify the views concerning day care which were held by patients attending a geriatric day hospital. The results suggest that day hospitals...Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether genetically determined properties of muscle metabolism contribute to the exceptional physical endurance of world-class distance runners. ATP, phosphocreatine,...Full Text Available
Recent studies have suggested that intrauterine undernutrition is closely associated with the pathogenesis of diseases after birth. Perinatal undernutrition is known to disturb the development of reproductive...Full Text Available
Background/Objective:Reports in the literature suggest that administration of intrathecal baclofen to control spasticity may have deleterious effects on erectile function...Full Text Available
Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated as a causative pathogen in periodontitis. Immunotherapeutic approaches have recently been suggested to aid in the clearance of P....Full Text Available
BackgroundSupplementation of nutritional deficiencies helps to improve immune function and resistance to infections in malnourished subjects. However, the suggested benefits of dietary...Full Text Available
Small RAC/ROP-family G proteins regulate development and stress responses in plants. Transient overexpression and RNA interference experiments suggested that the barley (Hordeum vulgare)...Full Text Available
... In recent years workers in this field have focused on nucleation by nano-porous materials . This was in part motivated by a theoretical study by Page and Sear (2006) who proposed a two step model for nucleation in pores which suggest that there is ...
Social stress is prevalent in many facets of modern society. Epidemiological data suggest that stress is linked to the development of overweight, obesity and metabolic disease. Although there...Full Text Available
During asymmetric mitosis, both in male Drosophila germline stem cells and in mouse embryo neural progenitors, the mother centrosome is retained by the self-renewed cell; hence suggesting...Full Text Available
Double cones (DCs) are the most common cone types in fish, reptiles and birds. It has been suggested that DCs are used for achromatic tasks such as luminance, motion and polarization vision. Here we...Full Text Available
The Calorie (kcal) of present U.S. food labels is similar to the original French definition of 1825. The original published source (now available on the internet) defined the Calorie as the quantity...Full Text Available
The hepatic uptake rate for certain albumin-bound drugs and metabolites correlates poorly with their equilibrium unbound concentration in the plasma, suggesting that binding equilibrium may not always...Full Text Available
Extensive gene expression during meiosis is a hallmark of spermatogenesis. Although it was generally accepted that RNA transcription ceases during meiosis, recent observations suggest that some transcription...Full Text Available
Various physico-chemical tissue optical clearing (TOC) methods have been suggested to maximize photon density in tissue. In order to enhance photon density, a compression-controlled low-level...Full Text Available
The primary mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori, a human pathogen carried by more than half the population worldwide, is still unresolved. Some epidemiological data suggest...Full Text Available
Recent preclinical and clinical data suggest that TP53 status and TP53 mutations may be important in determining tumour aggressiveness and therapy response. In this study we investigate the feasibility...Full Text Available
DNA replication in Escherichia coli cells lacking protein HU was studied. HU has been suggested to be involved in the initiation of replication from in vitro studies. The isolated HU mutants, however,...Full Text Available
A strain from human diarrhea originally identified as Campylobacter mucosalis (NCTC 12408) was examined by using 64 phenotypic characters. The similarity of this strain to 297 isolates of Campylobacter,...Full Text Available
BackgroundPlastid genome content and protein sequence are highly conserved across land plants and their closest algal relatives. Parasitic plants, which obtain some or all of their...Full Text Available
BackgroundInterest in lycopene metabolism and regulation is growing rapidly because accumulative studies have suggested an important role for lycopene in human health promotion....Full Text Available
Present investigations suggest that approximately 30% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases arise on the basis of inherited factors. We hypothesize that the majority of inherited factors are moderately...Full Text Available
We extend Winger's work on the wave equations for integer-spin particles to the spinorial case. A recent suggestion that the neutrino might be a fermionic tachyon is examined. We point out that a four-component Dirac equation cannot describe fermionic tachyon. (orig.).
As many as 59% of the transcription factors in Escherichia coli regulate the transcription rate of their own genes. This suggests that auto-regulation has one or more important...Full Text Available
Background/AimsThe findings of several recent studies suggest that antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are frequently detected in patients with acute hepatitis A (AHA). However, the clinical...Full Text Available
The regulation of gene expression in the brain reward regions is known to contribute to the pathogenesis and persistence of drug addiction. Increasing evidence suggests that the regulation of gene transcription...Full Text Available
Evidence suggests that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are hyper-responsive to environmental, physical, and visceral stimuli. IBS patients also frequently report poor sleep quality....Full Text Available
Enzyme kinetic studies from this laboratory (M. Dobersen and S. Greer, Biochemistry 17:920-928, 1978) suggested that deoxycytidine could antagonize the toxicity of 5-halogenated analogs of deoxycytidine...Full Text Available
Recent evidence suggests a role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the regulation of pair bonding in prairie voles. We have previously shown that monogamous and non-monogamous vole...Full Text Available
Previous work has implicated prefrontal cortices in selecting among and retrieving conceptual information stored elsewhere. However, recent neurophysiological work in monkeys suggests that prefrontal...Full Text Available
Tachyons fired into and absorbed by rotating black holes can violate the second and third laws of black hole physics. It is suggested that apparent break-downs of these laws in astrophysical black holes can indicate the existence of cosmic tachyons. (author).
Recent studies suggest that calcium influx via L-type calcium channels is necessary for psychostimulant-induced behavioral sensitization. In addition, chronic amphetamine upregulates subtype...Full Text Available
IntroductionTransfusion is a common treatment in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Studies in adults suggest that prolonged storage of red blood cell units is associated with...Full Text Available
Several investigations suggested abnormalities in circadian rhythms are related to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. Recently, orphan nuclear receptor rev-erb alpha...Full Text Available
Chronic arsenic exposure has been suggested to contribute to diabetes development. We performed a systematic review of the experimental and epidemiologic evidence on the association of arsenic and type...Full Text Available
A survey of theoretical research on acoustic plasmons is given and prospects for the observation of these elusive modes are examined. Possible acoustic plasmon contributions to the transition temperatures of the superconducting A-15 compounds are considered. Directions for future experiments and theory are suggested.
BackgroundIn vitro data suggest that changes in myocardial substrate metabolism may contribute to impaired myocardial function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM)....Full Text Available
Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a molecular chaperone for the free α chains of hemoglobin. Evidence strongly suggests...Full Text Available
We offer a plausible interpretation of some experiments on the reversal of neoplastic transformations in plants. We suggest that normal cells and tumorous cells represent multiple stable-steady states...Full Text Available
Search engine researchers typically depict search as the solitary activity of an individual searcher. In contrast, results from our critical-incident survey of 150 users on Amazon's Mechanical Turk service suggest that social interactions play an important role throughout the search process. Our main contribution is that we have integrated models from previous work in sensemaking and information seeking behavior to present a canonical social model of user activities before, during, and after search, suggesting where in the search process even implicitly shared information may be valuable to individual searchers.
Anxiety disorders are a highly prevalent and disabling class of psychiatric disorders. This review focuses on new directions in neurobiological research and implications for the development of novel psychopharmacological treatments. Neuroanatomical and neuroimaging research in anxiety disorders has centered on the role of the amygdala, reciprocal connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, and, most recently, alterations in interoceptive processing by the anterior insula. Anxiety disorders are characterized by alterations in a diverse range of neurochemical systems, suggesting ample novel targets for drug therapies. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) concentrations are elevated in a subset of anxiety disorders, which suggests the potential utility of CRF receptor antagoni...
Choosing a medical device is complex and requires a transparent process based on reason, evidence and assessment of prioritized public health needs. Poor choices lead to inappropriate use or non-use of medical devices and a waste of resources.This report suggests how an agenda to improve access to appropriate medical devices could be devised from applying the crucial 4 components - Availability, Accessibility, Appropriateness, and Affordability, to the 15 global high-burden diseases and some cross-cutting issues. The results of this exercise suggest several areas of research necessary to help
The fusion breeder is a fusion reactor designed with special blankets to maximize the transmutation by 14 MeV neutrons of uranium-238 to plutonium or thorium to uranium-233 for use as a fuel for fission reactors. Breeding fissile fuels has not been a goal of the US fusion energy program. This paper suggests it is time for a policy change to make the fusion breeder a goal of the US fusion program and the US nuclear energy program. The purpose of this paper is to suggest this policy change be made and tell why it should be made, and to outline specific research and development goals so that the fusion breeder will be developed in time to meet fissile fuel needs.
We present a method for the analysis of singularities of Feynman amplitudes based on the Speer sector decomposition of the Schwinger parametric integrals combined with the Mellin-Barnes transform. The sector decomposition method is described in some details. We suggest the idea of applying the method to the analysis of collinear singularities in inclusive QCD cross sections in the mass-less limit regularizing the forward amplitudes by an off-shell choice of the initial particle momenta. It is shown how the suggested strategy works in the well known case of the one loop corrections to Deep Inelastic Scattering.
This paper describes an effective unsupervised speaker indexing approach. We suggest a two stage algorithm to speed-up the state-of-the-art algorithm based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). In the first stage of the merging process a computationally cheap method based on the vector quantization (VQ) is used. Then in the second stage a more computational expensive technique based on the BIC is applied. In the speaker indexing task a turning parameter or a threshold is used. We suggest an on-line procedure to define the value of a turning parameter without using development data. The results are evaluated using 10 hours of audio data.
In summary, a scaling analysis of a water-cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) system was performed based on generic information on the RCCS design of PBMR. The analysis demonstrates that the water-cooled RCCS can be simulated at the ANL NSTF facility at a prototypic scale in the lateral direction and about half scale in the vertical direction. Because, by necessity, the scaling is based on a number of approximations, and because no analytical information is available on the performance of a reference water-cooled RCCS, the scaling analysis presented here needs to be 'validated' by analysis of the steady state and transient performance of a reference water-cooled RCCS design. The analysis of the RCCS performance by CFD and system codes presents a number of challenges including: strong 3-D effects in the cavity and the RCCS tubes; simulation of turbulence in flows characterized by natural circulation, high Rayleigh numbers and low Reynolds numbers; ...
The radionuclide characteristics of light-water-reactor (LWR) spent fuel play key roles in the design and licensing activities for radioactive waste transportation systems, interim storage facilities, and the final repository site. Several areas of analysis require detailed information concerning the time-dependent behavior of radioactive nuclides including (1) neutron/gamma-ray sources for shielding studies, (2) fissile/absorber concentrations for criticality safety determinations, (3) residual decay heat predictions for thermal considerations, and (4) curie and/or radiological toxicity levels for materials assumed to be released into the ground/environment after long periods of time. The crucial nature of the radionuclide predictions over both short and long periods of time has resulted in an increased emphasis on thorough validation for radionuclide generation/depletion codes. Current radionuclide generation/depletion codes have the capability to follow the ...
The MISR instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite participated in the UAE-2 campaign, August-October 2004. This campaign represented a unique opportunity to study the complex aerosol situation in the Arabian Gulf region, in the context of a first-rate collection of aircraft and surface-based instruments, giving us the opportunity to do some groundbreaking satellite aerosol validation work. We aimed (1) to validate MISR aerosol retrieval results for dust and pollution particles over dark and light surfaces, and (2) to contribute regional maps of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and particle micro-physical properties, giving spatial context to the field-instrument measurements, and moving toward a satellite-based regional aerosol climatology. The validation effort benefited from the combination of an instrumented aircraft and a regional network of surface-based sun photometers. We obtained high-quality sub-orbital data ...
MR images of steady and pulsatile disturbed flow, obtained with use of flow-compensated spin-echo (SE) and cine pulse sequences, revealed excellent flow visualization in three dimensions. Phantoms, built from molds of actual blood vessels, reproduced laminar, disturbed, or turbulent flow. Video recording (VR), performed under conditions equivalent to those of the MR experiments, showed separation zones identical to those seen on SE images. Pulsatile flow studies showed complex patterns of vortical flow on cine images and VR. Varying pulse sequence details changed contrast but not flow patterns. The validation of MR observations by VR has implications for clinical cine imaging and low abnormal signals observed on MR angiograms.
A computer method that calculates tracheal cross-sectional area by compensating for partial volume averaging was developed and validated in a study with phantoms. The program was then used to determine the tracheal cross-sectional area of 30 normal children who ranged in age from four months to 18 years. CT-derived cross sections were correlated with age, height, weight, and body-surface area, and they were compared with findings of published clinical and post-mortem studies. CT cross-sectional areas ranged from 20 to 275 mm/sup 2/, varied by as much as 22% at the three different tracheal levels studied, and appeared to correlate most closely with body height. CT-derived tracheal cross-sectional areas are quite similar to those in published reports of postmortem and clinical studies. Measurements of tracheal cross section by CT may prove useful in quantitating tracheal compromise by intrinsic or extrinsic causes.
Although incompressible fluid flows can be regarded as a particular case of a general problem, numerical methods and the mathematical formulation aimed to solve compressible and incompressible flows have their own peculiarities, in such a way, that it is generally not possible to attain both regimes with a single approach. In this work, we start from a typically compressible formulation, slightly modified to make use of pressure variables and, through augmenting the stabilising parameters, we end up with a simplified model which is able to deal with a wide range of flow regimes, from supersonic to low speed gas flows. The resulting methodology is flexible enough to allow for the simulation of liquid flows as well. Examples using conservative and pressure variables are shown and the results are compared to those published in the literature, in order to validate the method. (author)
Two analytical methods were proposed in this research, coupled electro-thermal finite element (FE) analysis and thermal-mechanical FE analysis, to analyze the mechanical behavior of bonding wire of power module under cyclic power loads, and the International Electrotechnical Commission standard is adopted in conducting a power cycling test. The exterior temperature distribution was measured by an infrared thermometer. Moreover, the junction temperature is calculated from the given thermal impedance of the semiconductor chip, chip power loss, and case temperature. Subsequently, the simulated temperature distribution via electro-thermal FE analysis is compared with experimental results to validate the methodology used in the aforementioned analysis. The analysis shows compressive stress at t...
A new process for the removal of tar from biosyngas, OLGA (Oil and Gas Washer), is presented. This gas cleaning technology is based on physical principles and is designed to eliminate tar problems that relate to fouling and er pollution. The applied principles are confirmed by experimental validation. OLGA can be operated without suffering from harmful effects on important gasification characteristics as cold gas efficiency, gasifier simplicity, and feedstock flexibility. Some fundamental considerations in the development of OLGA are discussed. Amongst these is a different approach to the tar problem. This approach does not consider the total tar content as decisive in the evaluation of gas cleaning equipment. Instead, evaluation is focussed on whether tar properties as condensation behaviour and water solubility can still occur. A biosyngas free of tar should therefore be synonymous to a biosyngas that is free of tar related problems.
A standard of "2"1"0Pb in solution was produced at the National Physical Laboratory by a novel technique combining Cerenkov counting with the established liquid scintillation efficiency tracing technique known as the CIEMAT/NIST method. Coincidence counting was applied in order to validate the measurements and the activity concentrations of the solution determined with each technique are shown to be in agreement. Radiochemical separation of the "2"1"0Pb from its daughters was also necessary and the scheme for the separation is described. After performing this two-stage standardisation, the uncertainty was successfully lowered to 0.66% (k=1). This uncertainty is approximately a factor of four lower than previously achieved at NPL by the classical method of standardisation of radionuclides, i.e. coincidence counting.
Women treated of localised stages of cervix cancer have a very good prognosis. But do health care professionals have a tendency to underestimate the potential need for rehabilitation of this group? To be able to answer this question this study aimed to develop knowledge concerning these women's own perception of their health during a long period after surgical cancer treatment. A total of 398 women who underwent radical hysterectomy in the period from the 1 January 1983 to 31 December 2000 participated in the study at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby in Denmark 2001-2003. All patients initially filled in an internally validated questionnaire. Subsequently a sample of 100 women filled in the questionnaires Short Form -36 and Sense of Coherence to evaluate their self-reported health. Analy...
The book presents a very good account of all aspects of protection from ionizing radiation. The quantities and units are given and defined used in nuclear physics and dosimetry. The effects of ionizing radiation on cells and on man are described. The principles are presented of radiation protection including limits and valid regulations and decrees. Also discussed is internal irradiation and its modelling. A great part of the book is devoted to aspects of monitoring persons, the living and working environment and to the determination of internal contamination. The system of radiation protection in Czechoslovakia is described and some practical questions are discussed of protection during radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy, in the nuclear fuel cycle, in the operation of nuclear power installations and in crack detection. In conclusion a survey is given of the population exposure from various natural and artificial sources. (M.D.). 57 figs., 34 tabs., 138 refs.
This paper investigates the phase change behavior of 65 mol% capric acid and 35 mol% lauric acid, calcium chloride hexahydrate, n-octadecane, n-hexadecane, and n-eicosane inside spherical enclosures to identify a suitable heat storage material. Analytical models are developed for solidification and melting of sphere with conduction, natural convection, and heat generation. Both the models are validated with previous experimental studies. Good agreement was found between the analytical predictions and experimental study and the deviations were lesser than 20%. Heat flux release at the wall, cumulative energy release to the external fluid, are revealed for the best PCM. The influence of the size of encapsulation, initial temperature of the PCM, the external fluid temperature on solidified and molten mass fraction, and the total phase change time are also investigated. (author)
The study investigates the possibility of enhancing crop water productivity in the parts of Northwest India where groundwater quality is marginal and canal water supply is severely scarce. Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Plant (SWAP) model was calibrated and validated in three farmers' fields with varying canal water availability and groundwater quality in the Kaithal Irrigation Circle of the Bhakra Canal system, Haryana. On the basis of predicted and observed soil water content, pressure heads, salt concentration at 2 week intervals and crop yields, the model was found suitable for use in the region. A few nomographs were prepared to provide a graphical method to predict the effect of different combinations of water quality and depth of water application on crop yield and soil salinity and to...
The offshore and inshore wave energy resource in Asturias (N Spain) is studied using wave buoy data and a hindcast dataset spanning 44 years (1958-2001). Offshore average wave power and annual wave energy values are found to exceed 30 kW/m and 250 MWh/m, respectively, at 7 of the 11 study sites. This substantial resource is characterised in terms of the sea states involved. Most of the energy is provided by IV quadrant waves with significant wave heights between 2 m and 5 m and energy periods between 11 s and 13 s. After analysing the offshore resource, numerical modelling is used to investigate the inshore wave patterns. A coastal wave model is validated with wave buoy data and applied to three case studies representative of storm, winter and summer conditions. Inshore wave energy concent...
In this paper we describe a modelling project to improve a nuclear waste management program in charge of the creation of a new system for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste. SADT (Structural Analysis and Design Technique) is used in order to provide a work-flow description of the functions to be performed by the waste management program. This description is then translated into a number of Coloured Petri Nets (CPN or CP-nets) corresponding to different program functions where additional behavioural inscriptions provide basis for simulation. Each of these CP-nets is simulated to produce timed event charts that are useful for understanding the behaviour of the program functions under different scenarios. Then all the CPN models are linked together to form a single stand-alone application that is useful for validating the interaction and cooperation between the different program functions. A technique for linking executable CPN models is developed for supporting ...
This study describes the construction of a simple mathematical model its validation through the simulation in transient state of a real cycle performed by a solar refrigerator based on physical adsorption using an activated carbon/methanol pair. The deviation from experimental results was 4% for the cycled mass of methanol, 2.2 % for maximum collector average temperature, and 3 x 10{sup -3} for the theoretical cycle coefficient of performance. Additional simulations of the same cycle inputting values representing different types and larger amounts of activated carbon showed the possibility of increasing the cycled methanol mass up to about 150%. (author) 26 refs., 16 figs., 9 tabs.
In this paper linear and nonlinear models of spacecraft attitude dynamics equations and gravity gradient moments are investigated. In addition, effects of gravity gradient moments on attitude dynamics of the satellite are studied. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between nonlinear and linear models of spacecraft attitude dynamics and gravity gradient moments in order to determine divergence of linear approximation from the nonlinear model. Simulation results indicate that designer of spacecraft attitude control subsystem should be meticulous in applying linear approximation of equations especially in low earth orbits. Consequently, finding an upper bound for small angle to keep the linear model valid and precise enough would be a vital part of using linear approximation...
Aims and objectives.- To investigate infant well-being as measured by feeding and sleeping and parental support following discharge from the NICU in infants following major cardiac surgery. Background.- Infant feeding and sleeping have been identified as two of the most important concerns reported by parents. These concerns have been reported anecdotally for infants who have undergone cardiac surgery in the neonatal period. Design.- A prospective study using questionnaires and phone interviews followed a cohort of parents of neonates who underwent surgery in the neonatal period for congenital heart disease. Methods.- The study was conducted using validated questionnaires and phone interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered prior to discharge from ...
Introduction: Academic research has made a significant advancement in understanding the viral causes of cervical cancer and generating the technology for prevention, both at the primary and secondary levels. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been recognized as the first necessary cause of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Areas covered: This paper reviews the epidemiological evidence of the causality of HPV in relation to cervical cancer, other genital tract cancers and some cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The review also covers HPV DNA testing as a screening tool. DNA probes of high-risk HPV types in different formats have been fully validated as primary screening tests, as secondary triage tests and as a prognostic marker following treatment o...
The postulate that negative-energy particles do not exist (travelling forward in time) leads automatically to the 'Reinterpretation Principle' by Stueckelberg and by Feynman. It has been already shown that such a 'principle', assumed as the Third postulate of special relativity, ensures the validity of the law of (retarded) casuality both in standard relativity and in (extended) relativity with tachyons and with Superluminal inertial frames. Our Thir postulate, moreover, allows predicting antiparticle existence in a purely relativistic context. In this paper it is shown that the Third postulate is enough to implement the law of casuality even in macrophysics, when usual macro-objects interact with micro-tachyons and macrotachyons. To that aim, some tachyon kinematics is further developed, which can be useful even in understanding elementary-particle interactions (and may be hadron structure). Many other related problems are discussed.
A one-dimensional thermal model is derived to describe the temperature field around a vertical borehole heat exchanger (BHEx) for a geothermal heat pump. The inlet and outlet pipe flows are modeled as one, and an effective heat capacity is added to model the heat storage in the fluid and pipes. Parameter estimation techniques are then used to estimate various parameters associated with the model, including the thermal conductivity of the soil and of the grout which fills the borehole and surrounds the u-tube. The model is validated using test data from an experimental rig containing sand with known thermal conductivity. The estimates of the sand thermal conductivity derived from the model are found to be in good agreement with independent measurements.
A one-dimensional thermal model is derived to describe the temperature field around a vertical borehole heat exchanger (BHEX) for a geothermal heat pump. The inlet and outlet pipe flows are modeled as one, and an effective heat capacity is added to model the heat storage in the fluid and pipes. Parameter estimation techniques are then used to estimate various parameters associated with the model, including the thermal conductivity of the soil and the grout that fills the borehole and surrounds the U-tube. The model is validated using test data from an experimental rig containing sand with known thermal conductivity. The estimates of the sand's thermal conductivity derived from the model are found to be in good agreement with independent measurements.
A detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism is developed for primary reference fuel mixtures of n-hexadecane and 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethyl nonane for diesel cetane ratings. The mechanisms are constructed using existing rules for reaction pathways and rate expressions developed previously for the primary reference fuels for gasoline octane ratings, n-heptane and iso-octane. These reaction mechanisms are validated by comparisons between computed and experimental results for shock tube ignition and for oxidation under jet-stirred reactor conditions. The combined kinetic reaction mechanism contains the submechanisms for the primary reference fuels for diesel cetane ratings and submechanisms for the primary reference fuels for gasoline octane ratings, all in one integrated large kinetic reac...
This paper describes the study of particles' dispersion in an isotropic turbulent flow. The particle's motion and the turbulent flow characteristics are calculated independently. While the particles' displacement is computed by the author's code, the flow is simulated with a commercial code : PowerFLOW. The particles and the flow are coupled through the relative velocity component of the aerodynamic force. When the simulated flow is turbulent, a turbulence regeneration model is used in order to get the flow instantaneous velocity. Validation of the method is done by comparing the particles' dispersion obtained with experimental results from literature and with the results calculated by FLUENT. Good accordance is found between numerical studies and experimental results. However, comparison between results of PowerFLOW coupled to the author's code and results from FLUENT shows differences when the particle's path goes through the turbulent boundary layer. (author)
Application of the Geographic Information System (GIS) with a statistical model to evaluate the magnetic field exposure of a population from high-voltage transmission lines near residential areas is discussed, focusing on the interaction of the GIS with the statistical model. In an effort to validate the model measurements of the magnetic field, profiles were taken at two sites and these profiles have been compared with calculated values. Two conclusions have been drawn from the results: (1) the statistical model linked with the GIS is a very powerful tool for the evaluation of exposure of a population to magnetic fields, and (2) success depends on the presence of other sources of magnetic fields and on the exactness of the data used in the model. 4 refs., 5 figs.
A brief survey of present air pollution abatement requirements relevant to domestic heating systems is followed by a comparative evaluation of the latest results worked out on the part of boiler and burner manufacturers, and the legal requirements and existing regulations. Details are given on the limiting values required by law, the regulations valid for domestic heating systems, and the values fixed according to scientific knowledge and research results (development of NO{sub x} and CO, flame temperature dependence, table comparing CO and NO{sub x} limiting values for different types of burners and boilers). Access is given to primary air pollution abatement measures (cooling of flames, absorber rods, influence of mixing pressure), modern burner and boiler systems, and secondary measures suited for smaller boilers. (HWJ).
In the absence of empirical outdoor thermal comfort studies it has been widely assumed that indoor thermal comfort theory generalises to outdoor settings without modification. Many indoor models were developed to describe thermal discomfort, not stress, therefore their relevance to conditions that vary greatly from neutrality, as many outdoor climatic conditions do, has not been critically validated in the field to date. The thermal comfort of 1018 subjects in outdoor and semi-outdoor locations in subtropical Sydney was investigated by a questionnaire and a comprehensive package of micro-meteorological instruments. The thermal neutrality in terms of the thermal comfort index OUT{sub S}ET* of 26.2 {sup o}C was significantly higher than the indoor SET* counterpart of 24{sup o}C (ASHRAE Trans. 92 (1986) 709). (author)