The main topic of this thesis concerns efficient algorithms for the calculation of determinants of the kind of matrix typically encountered in lattice QCD. In particular an efficient method for calculating the fermion determinant is described. Such a calculation is useful to illustrate the effects of light dynamical (virtual) quarks. The methods employed in this thesis are stochastic methods, based on the Lanczos algorithm, which is used for the solution of large, sparse matrix problems via a partial tridiagonalisation of the matrix. Here an implementation is explored which requires less exhaustive treatment of the matrix than previous Lanczos methods. This technique exploits the analogy between the Lanczos tridiagonalisation algorithm and Gaussian quadrature in order to calculate the fermion determinant. A technique for determining a number of the eigenvalues of the matrix is also presented. A demonstration is then given of how one can improve ...
A revision of some basic concepts related to the analysis of variance of repeated measures is presented within an ecological context topics such as the types of experiments in which the technique is applicable, the hypotheses of interest, and its preference over other traditional techniques such as regression and conventional analysis of variance, are discussed. As an example, the technique was successfully applied to an experiment carried out at Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia, in which the concentration of cadmium #mu#g/g in leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans was measured in several monitoring stations and throughout several sampling intervals representing seasons.
This paper studies the pricing of variance swap derivatives with stochastic volatility by the control variate method. A closed form solution is derived for the approximate model with deterministic volatility, which plays the key role in the paper, and an efficient control variate technique is therefore proposed when the volatility obeys the log-normal process. By the analysis of moments for the underlying processes, the optimal volatility function in the approximate model is constructed. The numerical results show the high efficiency of our method; the results coincide with the theoretical results. The idea in the paper is also applicable for the valuation of other types of variance swap, options with stochastic volatility and other financial derivatives with multi-factor models.
This report describes the method of Allan variance and its application to the characterization of a Ring Laser Gyro`s (RLG) performance. Allan variance, a time domain analysis technique, is an accepted IEEE standard for gyro specifications. The method was initially developed by David Allan of the National Bureau of Standards to quantify the error statistics of a Cesium beam frequency standard employed as the US Frequency Standards in 1960`s. The method can, in general, be applied to analyze the error characteristics of any precision measurement instrument. The key attribute of the method is that it allows for a finer, easier characterization and identification of error sources and their contribution to the overall noise statistics. This report presents an overview of the method, explains the relationship between Allan variance and power spectral density distribution of underlying noise sources, ...
The Feynmann and other fluctuation techniques have been shown to be useful for determining the multiplication of subcritical systems. The moments of the counting distribution from neutron detectors is analyzed to yield the multiplication value. We present the methodology and some selected applications and results and comparisons with Monte Carlo calculations.
Methodology based on probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is finding increasing acceptability in demonstrating safety of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) piping. In PFM, the methods of fracture mechanics and reliability theory are combined for assessing the reliability of components, which contain cracks. In this work, reliability assessment of Tarapur Atomic Power Plant (TAPP) 3-4 Primary Heat Transport (PHT) piping is done using PFM. Monte Carlo simulation with stratified sampling is used as a variancereductiontechnique. PFM model assumes a pre-existing circumferential surface crack before the start of plant operation. The crack grows in size during the lifetime of the plant due to the fatigue loading. This part-through wall crack having escaped hydro-test and pre-service inspection, may result in either a through wall flaw (leak) or may lead to the rupture of the piping. R6 method is used as failure criteria. Steam ...
This paper reports on three-dimensional continuous-energy coupled neutron-gamma Monte Carlo models of the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS) final preconceptual and conceptual reference core designs developed using the Monte Carlo Neutron and Photon transport code (MCNP) Version 3b. These models contain the reactor core with control rods, the heavy water reflector tank with shutdown rods and some beam tubes, and the outer light water pool. Eighty homogenized fuel zones per fuel element are used to represent the radial and axial {sup 235}U fuel distribution. These models are the most sophisticated, physically accurate reactor physics models of the ANS currently available. The use of MCNP methods and applications to the ANS are demonstrated. Beam tube studies, coolant voiding studies, and many criticality studies have already been performed, as have studies with variancereductiontechniques. In comparison with deterministic ...
Multiple receivers can be utilized to enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of MRI by employing the parallel imaging technique. Previously, we have reported the L-curve Tikhonov regularization technique to mitigate noise amplification resulting from the geometrical correlations between channels in a coil array. Nevertheless, one major disadvantage of regularized image reconstruction is lengthy computational time in regularization parameter estimation. At a fixed noise level, L-curve regularization parameter estimation was also found not to be robust across repetitive measurements, particularly for low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) acquisitions. Here we report a computationally efficient and robust method to estimate the regularization parameter by partitioning the variance of the noise-white...
During the last few decades, accuracy in photon and electron radiotherapy has increased substantially. This is partly due to enhanced linear accelerator technology, providing more flexibility in field definition (e.g. the usage of computer-controlled dynamic multileaf collimators), which led to intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Important improvements have also been made in the treatment planning process, more specifically in the dose calculations. Originally, dose calculations relied heavily on analytic, semi-analytic and empirical algorithms. The more accurate convolution/superposition codes use pre-calculated Monte Carlo dose 'kernels' partly accounting for tissue density heterogeneities. It is generally recognized that the Monte Carlo method is able to increase accuracy even further. Since the second half of the 1990s, several Monte Carlo dose engines for radiotherapy treatment planning have been introduced. To enable the use of a Monte Carlo treatment planning (MCTP) dose ...
This paper illustrates how the techniques developed by the authors for capital cost targeting of mass exchange networks can be applied to determination of capital investment targets for reduction in effluent for existing systems involving mass exchange. The results is an impact diagram which shows the relationship between effluent reduction and capital investment, indicating a region of limiting return on investment as well as the maximum possible reduction in effluent. (au)
A robust adaptive Power System Stabilizer algorithm using a Generalized Multivariable Pole Shifting (GMPS) technique is presented in this paper. The algorithm handles systems with equal or unequal numbers of inputs and outputs, therefore both shaft speed as well as the generator power are used to derive the stabilizing control. The technique also provides a simple scheme of on-line self-searching pole shifting factor to meet the excitation control limits. The application of the proposed stabilizer to a simulated generator excitation control under a wide range of operating and disturbance conditions demonstrates that the new control strategy is superior to conventional Power System Stabilizer (PSS) and the widely accepted Minimum Variance Self-Tuning Controller (MVSTC).
A multivariate adaptive power system stabilizer is proposed. The advantages of using coordinated governor and excitation control are discussed, and the problems associated with constant parameter power system stabilizers (CPSS) are highlighted. The proposed multi-input multi-output (MIMO) power system stabilizer can coordinate the governor and excitation control and can overcome the problems associated with CPSS in power system stabilization. Selective multivariable state modelling, identification and control methods are investigated and the MIMO least squares technique with variable forgetting factor is used for system identification, guaranteeing good parameter tracking after a disturbance. Two multivariable self-tuning algorithms are investigated, the generalized minimum variance control and pole-shifting control algorithms. The multivariable self-searching pole-shifting algorithm is developed. Models of a single machine connected to an ...
Constrained least-squares techniques have been used to produce a well known class of image restoration algorithms. These techniques typically involve minimizing a linear operator on a vector representation of an image, subject to a constraint. For cases where an equality constraint is appropriate the method of Lagrange multipliers can be used to produce a restored image. In this work a fractal textural model, fractional Brownian motion, is used to represent images of interest. Using a variance fractal dimension estimator a non-linear operator, that represents the squared difference between the fractal dimension of the restored image and on a priori value is minimized, subject to the constraint that the norm of the residual between the restored image and available measurement equal the norm of the additive noise.
Summary The aroma impact volatiles of twenty-four pine honey samples produced in Marmaris, Data and Fethiye regions of Turkey were evaluated by solid phase micro extraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MS) technique and the results were evaluated by using the analysis of variance and Duncan tests. A total of eight common volatiles nonanal, nonanol, decanal, octanal, 16-oxosalutaridine, dodecanal, nonadecane and pentadecane were detected in three regions. The total area of the common volatiles were 73.01%, 78.10% and 73.91% in Marmaris, Data, and Fethiye regions, respectively. There were not significant differences (P-<-0.05) between the common volatiles detected in pine honey samples from three different regions. The major contributers to the pine honey aroma seems to be nonanal (...
A power system stabilizer based on GMV (Generalized Minimum Variance), one of the adaptive control techniques, is developed to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The stabilizer consists of two parts. One part is Inverse Dynamics Neural Networks (IDNN), which is trained to identify the inverse dynamics of controlled plant and used as a one-step ahead controller, or inverse controller. The other part is Adaptive Reference Model (ARM), which prevents excessive controller output. The ARM produces the modified reference value by minimizing a cost function recursively on the assumption that the IDNN perfectly identifies the controlled plant. The IDNN is used in the minimization procedure to calculate the sensitivities. The proposed controller is simulated in a typical one-machine-infinite-bus power system to show its effectiveness to damp sustained low frequency oscillation. (author)
This study evaluated whether differences in design of 3-dimensional polylactic acid barriers (EPi-Guide and Guidor) would influence hard tissue results in the treatment of Grade II furcations in humans. A multicenter study was conducted, using 40 patients with moderate to advanced bilateral chronic adult periodontitis of the mandibular first or second molars. After flap access, debridement, and root preparation, surgical bone level measurements were taken and membranes were placed on a random basis. Surgical reentry occurred at 1 year. Data collected from all 3 investigative centers were pooled and analyzed using an analysis of variance appropriate for a counterbalancing design. Both barrier materials resulted in significant gains of attachment level and defect reduction. The composite reduction in the vertical component of the osseous defects was greater in the sites treated with Epi-Guide as compared to those treated with ...
We consider the exact path sampling of the squared Bessel process and some other continuous-time Markov processes, such as the CIR model, constant elasticity of variance diffusion model, and hypergeometric diffusions, which can all be obtained from a squared Bessel process by using a change of variable, time and scale transformation, and/or change of measure. All these diffusions are broadly used in mathematical finance for modelling asset prices, market indices, and interest rates. We show how the probability distributions of a squared Bessel bridge and a squared Bessel process with or without absorption at zero are reduced to randomized gamma distributions. Moreover, for absorbing stochastic processes, we develop a new bridge sampling technique based on conditioning on the first hitting time at zero. Such an approach allows us to simplify simulation schemes. New methods are illustrated with pricing path-dependent options.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques coupled with multivariate data analysis were used to conduct monitoring of biochemical changes of black raspberry fruits at different stages of maturation and under various extraction and NMR dissolution solvent conditions: extraction with 50% methanol and D"2O as an NMR dissolution solvent, extraction with 50% methanol and 50% methanol-d"4 as an NMR dissolution solvent, and extraction with 100% ethyl acetate and 100% methanol-d"4 as an NMR dissolution solvent. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis reliably distinguished black raspberry fruits according to the maturation stage, whereby the relative levels of various compounds such as amino acids, organic acids, sugars and phenolic compounds were compared using analysis of variance. Sucrose ...
A simple and efficient method for characterization of multidimensional Gaussian states is suggested and experimentally demonstrated. Our scheme shows analogies with tomography of finite dimensional quantum states, with the covariance matrix playing the role of the density matrix and homodyne detection providing Stern-Gerlach-like projections. The major difference stems from a different character of relevant noises: while the statistics of Stern-Gerlach-like measurements is governed by binomial statistics, the detection of quadrature variances correspond to chi-square statistics. For Gaussian and near Gaussian states the suggested method provides, compared to standard tomography techniques, more stable and reliable reconstructions. In addition, by putting together reconstruction methods for Gaussian and arbitrary states, we obtain a tool to detect the non-Gaussian character of optical signals.
Microarray is a powerful tool for genome-wide gene expression analysis. In microarray expression data, often mean and variance have certain relationships. We present a non-parametric mean-variance smoothing...Full Text Available
Vibration signature analysis has been commonly used for the machine condition monitoring and the control of errors. However, it has been rarely employed for the analysis of the precision instruments such as an atomic force microscope (AFM). In this work, an AFM was used to collect vibration data from a sample positioning stage under different suspension and support conditions. Certain structural characteristics of the sample positioning stage show up as a result of the vibration signature analysis of the surface height images measured using an AFM. It is important to understand these vibration characteristics in order to reduce vibrational uncertainty, improve the damping and structural design, and to eliminate the imaging imperfections. The choice of method applied for vibration analysis may affect the results. Two methods, the data dependent systems (DDS) analysis and the Welch`s periodogram averaging method were investigated for application to this problem. Both ...
Varying load can cause changes in a measured gearbox vibration signal. However, conventional techniques for fault diagnosis are based on the assumption that changes in vibration signal are only caused by deterioration of the gearbox. There is a need to develop a technique to provide accurate state indicator of gearbox under fluctuating load conditions. This paper presents an approach to gear fault diagnosis based on complex Morlet continuous wavelet transform under this condition. Gear motion residual signal, which represents the departure of time synchronously averaged signal from the average tooth-meshing vibration, is analyzed as source data due to its lower sensitiveness to the alternating load condition. A fault growth parameter based on the amplitude of wavelet transform is proposed to evaluate gear fault advancement quantitatively. We found that this parameter is insensitive to varying load and can correctly indicate early gear fault. ...
This article describes the techniques for monitoring electric power transformers applied by the Light to select and recover critical unities. The plan involved 20 and 40 MV A equipment and, as a reflex of the technique application, presented a substantial failure reduction.
Land surface parameterization schemes such as the Simple Biosphere Model (SiB2) have found considerable use in climate simulation models, where they provide lower boundary conditions in the form of surface sensible and latent heat fluxes. A methodology is described to apply models of this type at high resolution, using data from the Department of Energy{close_quote}s Cloud and Radiation Testbed in Oklahoma and Kansas, to determine the spatial variations of heat fluxes over the domain and to determine area-weighted flux averages for use in single-column model studies. Data from a dense array of meteorological instruments are interpolated to provide the wind, temperature, vapor pressure, radiation, and precipitation values needed by SiB2. The state of the vegetation is characterized through the use of the normalized difference vegetation index determined from satellites. The performance of the SiB2 model is evaluated by comparing its predictions with flux data from seven Bowen ratio ...
Data generated in the fields of science, technology, business and in many other fields of research are increasing in an exponential rate. The way to extract knowledge from a huge set of data is a challenging task. This paper aims to propose a hybrid and viable method to deal with an information system in data mining, using topological techniques and the significance of the attributes measured using rough set theory, to compute the reduct, This will reduce the randomness in the process of elimination of redundant attributes, which, in turn, will reduce the complexity of the computation of reducts of an information system where a large amount of data have to be processed.
The mechanism by which mechanical force regulates the kinetics of a chemical reaction is unknown. Here, we use single-molecule force–clamp spectroscopy and protein engineering to study the effect...Full Text Available
Objective. For the multislice CT (MSCT) systems with a larger number of detector rows, it is essential to employ dose-reductiontechniques. As...Full Text Available
and a flyby of the asteroid Ida, the enhanced filter is shown to substantially improve the ... twoway range, and ADOR data points acquired at S-band frequencies. .... The result of this fit and its l-sigma uncertainty ellipse is ...
The present state of knowledge on the influence of stray radiation on image quality and its physical description and quantification is summarized. Experimental results on the influence of physical parameters on the fraction of scattered radiation and the effect of scatter reduction by air gap technique and secondary radiation grids are committed. Open theoretical and practical problems and the limitations of common methods of scatter reduction are pointed out. (author).
The use of a selective epitaxial growth technique for fabricating YBCO thin-film microstructures is described. No film post-deposition processing is required; hence damage to the structure is minimized. The technique is compatible with a passivation process to protect the structure without exposure to air. The microbridges, Josephson junctions and rf SQUIDs protected by an amorphous YBCO passivation have long lifetime even after severe accelerated aging tests. Rf SQUIDs fabricated by this technique show a significant reduction of low-frequency noise when operating in weak magnetic fields compared with SQUIDs fabricated by the conventional ion beam etching technique. (author)
Mobility reduction induced by the growth and metabolism of bacteria in high-permeability layers of heterogeneous reservoirs is an economically attractive technique to improve sweep efficiency. This paper describes an experimental study conducted in sandpacks using an injected bacterium to investigate the strength and stability of microbial plugs in porous media. Successful convective transport of bacteria is important for achieving sufficient initial bacteria distribution. The chemotactic and diffusive fluxes are probably not significant even under static conditions. Mobility reduction depends upon the initial cell concentrations and increase in cell mass. For single or multiple static or dynamic growth techniques, permeability reduction was approximately 70% of the original permeability. The stability of these microbial plugs to increases in pressure gradient and changes in cell ...
In order to understand the detail transient two-phase flow structure, more advanced two-phase flow instrumentation is required. One advanced technique for flow visualization is real-time neutron radiography. Reconstruction method of visualized radiographic image of liquid metal two-phase flow generated by the real-time neutron radiography system is proposed in this paper. Image processing techniques for noise reduction and image enhancement are discussed in detail. (author).
In order to understand the detail transient two-phase flow structure, more advanced two-phase flow instrumentation is required. One advanced technique for flow visualization is real-time neutron radiography. Reconstruction method of visualized radiographic image of liquid metal two-phase flow generated by the real-time neutron radiography system is proposed in this paper. Image processing techniques for noise reduction and image enhancement are discussed in detail. (author).
A method for simulating power law noise in clocks and oscillators is presented based on modification of the spectrum of white phase noise, then Fourier transforming to the time domain. Symmetric real matrices are introduced whose traces--the sums of their eigenvalues--are equal to the Allan variances, in overlapping or non-overlapping forms, as well as for the corresponding forms of the modified Allan variance. Diagonalization of these matrices leads to expressions for the probability distributions for observing a variance at an arbitrary value of the sampling or averaging interval $\\tau$, and hence for estimating confidence in the measurements. A number of applications are presented for the common power-law noises.
verified via high-resolution spectral density measurements using the Hadamard Variance. .... spectral density measurements were made with the HF5390 ...
The cathodic electrode process of Y(3+) ions on the Mo electrode in the LICl-KCl molten salt with YCl3(3wt%) in the temperature range of 450 - 530 deg. C has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. The convolution technique has been applied to the treatment of cyclic voltammogram. The results show that the reduction mechanism of Y(3+) ion is Y(3+) + 3e = Y, a simple one-step process. The cathodic process is very close to a reversible process under lower scanning rates, and is diffusion-controlled. The cathodic product is an insoluble product.
We consider dimensional reductiontechniques for the Liouville-von Neumann equation for the evaluation of the expectation values in a mixed quantum system. In applications such as nuclear spin dynamics the main goal for simulations is being able to simulate a system with as many spins as possible, for this reason it is very important to have an efficient method that scales well with respect to particle numbers. We describe several existing methods that have appeared in the literature, pointing out their limitations particularly in the setting of large systems. We introduce a method for direct computation of expectations via Chebyshev polynomials (DEC) based on evaluation of a trace formula combined with expansion in modified Chebyshev polynomials. This reduction is highly efficient and does not destroy any information. We demonstrate the practical application of the scheme for a nuclear spin system and compare with several ...
There is tremendous growth in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Remote Sensing, Satellite Communication, and Modeling & Simulation techniques. These tools and techniques helps significantly in characterizing infrastructure, risk area and disaster zones, planning and implementation of hazards reduction measures etc. Communication satellites becomes vital for providing emergency communication and timely relief measures. Integration of space technology inputs into natural disaster monitoring and mitigation mechanisms is critical for hazard reduction. This paper mainly focused on all the issues described above. Major emphasis had been given to the recent developments in information & communication technology enabled tools and their applications ...
Bone images obtained by single exposure dual energy subtraction with computed radiography, a new image processing method, were evaluated for the detectability of calcification in lung nodules in both phantom and clinical studies. In the phantom study, five simulated nodules containing known and uniformly distributed amounts of calcium hydroxide were placed in a human chest phantom and images were obtained the following five techniques: (1) conventional radiography (CXR), (2) low kV conventional radiography (Low), (3) Fuji computed radiography (FCR), (4) bone images with conventional singles exposure energy subtraction (ES) and (5) bone image with fine single exposure energy subtraction (FES). The detectability of calcification in the simulated nodules was evaluated by six radiologists using ROC analysis and two-way analysis of variance. In the clinical study, images of 42 lung nodules (21 calcified lung nodules and 21 non-calcified nodules), in ...
Bone images obtained by single exposure dual energy subtraction with computed radiography, a new image processing method, were evaluated for the detectability of calcification in lung nodules in both phantom and clinical studies. In the phantom study, five simulated nodules containing known and uniformly distributed amounts of calcium hydroxide were placed in a human chest phantom and images were obtained the following five techniques: 1) conventional radiography (CXR), 2) low kV conventional radiography (Low), 3) Fuji computed radiography (FCR), 4) bone images with conventional singles exposure energy subtraction (ES) and 5) bone image with fine single exposure energy subtraction (FES). The detectability of calcification in the simulated nodules was evaluated by six radiologists using ROC analysis and two-way analysis of variance. In the clinical study, images of 42 lung nodules (21 calcified lung nodules and 21 non-calcified nodules), in ...
The advent of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) technique has led to new aspects of dose reduction, especially for the dedicated use of MSCT in children. Optimizing pediatric MSCT protocols according to the clinical problem allows reduction of radiation exposure to a minimum without loss of diagnostic quality. The different parameters that influence the degree of dose reduction, like tube current-time product (mAs), tube voltage (kV), collimation and pitch, are discussed in context with previously published data and our own experience in nearly 200 pediatric CT examinations. In our department, the effective mAs is calculated for a pediatric chest MSCT by multiplication of the body weight in kilogram with a factor of 1 to 1.5 and for a pediatric abdominal MSCT by multiplication with a factor of 2 to 2.5. To calculate the equivalent effective dose for a contrast media-enhanced 80 kV protocol, the effective mAs ...
NO[sub x] emission legislation requirements for large-bore internal combustion engines have required engine manufacturers to continue to develop and improve techniques for exhaust emission reduction. This paper describes the development of the Cooper-Bessemer Clean Burn gas-diesel (dual-fuel) engine that results in NO[sub x] reductions of up to 92 percent as compared with an uncontrolled gas-diesel engine. Historically, the gas-diesel and diesel engine combustion systems have not responded to similar techniques of NO[sub x] reduction that have been successful on straight spark-ignited natural gas burning engines. NO[sub x] levels of a nominal 1.0 g/BHP-h, equal to the spark-ignited natural gas fueled engine, have been achieved for the gas-diesel and are described. In addition, the higher opacity exhaust plume characteristic of gas-diesel combustion is significantly reduced or ...
The radiation burden of the people of the GDR in relation to biomedical radiography altogether as well as organ doses, gonad doses and genetically significant doses in detail are outlined. The concepts of radiation protection and standards of radiographic examination are demonstrated. Possibilities of influencing radiation exposure by scientifically based indication of X-ray examination, application of new and improvement of usual examination techniques are discussed with regard to quality assurance and control. Proposals concerning the reduction of radiation exposure of the GDR population are presented.
This report discusses the following topics: Prompt fission neutron energy spectra for {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu; Two-parameter measurement of nuclear lifetimes; ``Black`` neutron detector; Data reductiontechniques for neutron scattering experiments; Inelastic neutron scattering studies in {sup 197}Au; Elastic and inelastic scattering studies in {sup 239}Pu; and neutron induced defects in silicon dioxide MOS structures.
We examine moving average (MA) filters for estimating the integrated variance (IV) of a financial asset price in a framework where high-frequency price data are contaminated with market microstructure noise. We show that the sum of squared MA residuals must be scaled to enable a suitable estimator of IV. The scaled estimator is shown to be consistent, first-order efficient, and asymptotically Gaussian distributed about the integrated variance under restrictive assumptions. Under more plausible assumptions, such as time-varying volatility, the MA model is misspecified. This motivates an extensive simulation study of the merits of the MA-based estimator under misspecification. Specifically, we consider nonconstant volatility combined with rounding errors and various forms of dependence between the noise and efficient returns. We benchmark the scaled MA-based estimator to subsample and realized kernel estimators and find that the MA-based ...
Three in vivo assays were used to measure the immunocompetence of chickens in two generations of a selection experiment. The obtained data were used to estimate the variance components for sire and dam for antibody production to Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccines, for T-cell-mediated immunity evaluated by a phytohemagglutinin wing web assay, and for clearance of foreign particles from the circulatory system. Heritabilities of and genetic correlations among these immunological traits were calculated from the sire variance components. Heritability estimates of the immunological traits based on the sire component of variance ranged from .06 to .53, and genetic correlations among immunological traits were generally negative. PMID:1956847
The initial management of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFAs) is usually surgery; however, a significant proportion of NFAs may require further treatment. Radiotherapy is currently used in patients with residual tumour and achieves excellent long-term control, but there are concerns about potential late toxicity. Stereotactic radiotherapy, both in the form of radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, has been developed as a more accurate technique of irradiation with more precise tumour localization and consequently a reduction in the volume of normal tissue, particularly the brain, irradiated to high radiation doses. A review of the literature suggests that new radiation techniques offer safe and effective treatment for recurrent or residual pituitary adenomas; how...
A novel PCR based assay was devised to specifically detect contamination of any Salmonella serovar in milk, fruit juice and ice-cream without pre-enrichment. This method utilizes primers against hilA gene which is conserved in all Salmonella serovars and absent from the close relatives of Salmonella. An optimized protocol, in terms time and money, is provided for the reduction of PCR contaminants from milk, ice-cream and juice through the use of routine laboratory chemicals. The simplicity, efficiency (time taken 3-4 h) and sensitivity (to about 5-10 CFU/ml) of this technique confers a unique advantage over other previously used time consuming detection techniques. This technique does not involve pre-enrichment of the samples or extensive sample processing, which was a pre-requisite in mos...
Our purpose in this work was to develop an automatic boundary detection method for mammographic masses and to rigorously test this method via statistical analysis. The segmentation method utilized a steepest change analysis technique for determining the mass boundaries based on a composed probability density cost function. Previous investigators have shown that this function can be utilized to determine the border of the mass body. We have further analyzed this method and have discovered that the steepest changes in this function can produce mass delineations that include extended projections. The method was tested on 124 digitized mammograms selected from the University of South Florida's Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). The segmentation results were validated using overlap, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity statistics, where the gold standards were manual traces provided by two expert radiologists. We have concluded that the best intensity ...
The precedence effect (PE) is thought to be beneficial for proper localization and perception of sounds. The majority of recent physiological studies focus on the neural discharges correlated with PE in the inferior colliculus (IC). Pentobarbital anesthesia is widely used in physiological studies. However, little is known of the effect of pentobarbital on the discharge of neurons in PE. Neuronal responses in the IC from 23 male SD rats were recorded by standard extracellular recording techniques following presentation of 4 ms white noise bursts, presented from either or both of two loud speakers, at different interstimulus delays (ISDs). The neural responses were recorded for off-line analysis before or after intraperitoneal administration of pentobarbital at a loading or maintenance dose. Data were assessed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance and pairwise comparisons. When the ipsilateral stimuli were leading, pentobarbital at a ...
It is urged that the lesson of gauge invariance in quantum electrodynamics implies the irrelevance of `Schwinger term` difficulties in current algebra. The divergence equations of Veltman form the basis of a gauge-variation formalism in which these questions are avoided. (author). 9 refs.
A generalized Fisher equation (GFE) relates the time derivative of the average of the intrinsic rate of growth to its variance. The GFE is an exact mathematical result that has been widely used in population...Full Text Available
In Pakistan, the agricultural sector is the largest water user with 95%, leaving only marginal quantities for households and industry. On one hand, agriculture is a very important sector in Pakistan's economic development, contributing about 23 % to the national GDP -but industry contributes slightly more using only about 2 % of the available water resources. As Pakistan faces a growing problem of water shortage, significant achievements in water conservation have to be materialized, predominantly on the agricultural sector. There is scope for a higher degree of efficiency in water use, as water losses, namely in irrigation, are still rather high. There is another good reason for water conservation in agriculture: Over-irrigation results in rising water tables and increased soil salinity, which has reduced Pakistan's agricultural output during the last 2 decades by nearly 25%. Water conservation measures can be divided into (1) measures which are only applicable under rain-fed ...
The influence of selenium dioxide (SeO2) on the microstructure and electrodeposition of manganese coatings obtained from a sulfate based neutral solution was investigated by material characterization methods and electrochemical techniques. The crystal structure and surface morphology of these coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), respectively. The SEM and XRD data showed that SeO2 could effectively accelerate phase transformation, and facilitate leveled and fine grain growth. The electrochemical results indicated that SeO2 could inhibit hydrogen evolution reaction and promote manganese deposition. The action of selenium dioxide in manganese deposition was found to be a reduction and adsorption mechanism. The process cou...
Reactions of reducing species from acetonitrile media with silver iodide particles (#approx#25-angstrom diameter) have been investigated by pulse radiolysis techniques. Injection of electrons into these ultrasmall particles leads to transient bleaching of the adsorption of AgI at wavelengths close to the onset of absorption (#approx#400 nm) with the concomitant reduction of AgI to metallic silver. The reduction of Ag"+ ions and formation of silver atoms and/or dimeric Ag_2 molecules on three different size AgI particles (#approx#100, 35, and #approx#25 angstrom) have also been examined by picosecond laser spectroscopy.
The reduction of oxygen was studied in 0.1 M KCl at 70 deg. C using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique on platinum and electrodeposited ZnO thin film electrodes deposited on platinum substrates. In the absence of Zn{sup 2+} ions in solution, a Tafel slope of 139 mV dec{sup -1} was obtained, a value close to that measured on bare platinum electrode (133 mV dec{sup -1}) and ascribed to the limitation of the reaction rate by the first electron transfer. The main difference between the noble metal and the oxide electrode was a shift of the curves towards more negative potentials. In the presence of Zn{sup 2+} ions, the current density decreased significantly and the Tafel slope was measured at 282 mV dec{sup -1} showing that the electrode was partially blocked by zinc oxide formation reaction intermediates.
The effect of water shortage on growth and gas exchange of maize grown on sandy soil (SS) and clay soil was studied. The lower soil water content in the SS during vegetative growth stages did not affect plant height, above-ground biomass, and leaf area index (LAI). LAI reduction was observed on the SS during the reproductive stage due to early leaf senescence. Canopy and leaf gas exchanges, measured by eddy correlation technique and by a portable photosynthetic system, respectively, were affected by water stress and a greater reduction in net photosynthetic rate (A N) and stomatal conductance (g s) was observed on SS. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content was not affected by water shortage in either condition. Results support two main conclusions: (1) leaf photosynthetic capacity was unaffec...
Surface oxide films were grown on 99.99% copper and brass (copper-zinc alloy, Cu77Zn21Al2) in 0.1 mol L{sup -1} borax solution at open circuit potential and were characterized using various experimental techniques. The composition of the passive films formed in situ on the different materials was studied using differential reflectance spectroscopy. The thickness of the oxide layers on copper and brass was compared by chronopotentiometric curves and potentiodynamic reductions. The electrical properties of each oxide were analyzed by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Their influence on the oxygen reduction reaction was also investigated using voltammetry hydrodynamic tools such as the rotating disk electrode. The results show that the incorporation of Zn to Cu in brass changes the composition and the thickness of the surface film. The films grown on brass tend to be thicker but less resistive and Zn compounds ...
There has been a good deal of interest in the sialon system of ceramics in recent years due to their combination of important engineering properties #beta# including strength, hardness, low thermal expansion and good thermal shock resistance. #beta#-sialon (Si_6_-_zAl_zO_zN_8_-_z ;0reduction and nitridation. The process presents an attractive and potentially cost efficient route for the manufacture of sialons. Brown coal from the Loy Yang deposits of Victoria's La Trobe Valley provided a novel and reactive source of carbon for the current investigation. This paper looks at the mechanisms of formation of #beta#-sialon via the carbothermal reduction route and reports specifically on the utilisation of "2"9Si and "2"7Al solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques in determining the nature of intermediate phases which occur. 9 refs., 1 tab., 1 ...
There is a great demand for the reduction of specific fuel consumption in diesel engines, and also of NO/sub x/ emission in especially those designed for use on land. However, while improving combustion, a problem arises in trying to reduce both simultaneously because the techniques required are contradictory. This series of experiments was done to study the correlation between specific fuel consumption and NO/sub x/ emission. The research was conducted under variations in engine parameters and operating conditions. The variations studied included effects of pressure, temperature and humidity of the charging air, temperature of the cooling water, timing and rate of fuel injection, fuel injection nozzle, EGR and water-emulsified fuel. The results of the tests clarified the characteristics of the specific fuel consumption and NO/sub x/ emission and indicated that the most-effective measures for the reduction of specific fuel ...
This thesis is in the field of gas emission control from automobile and stationary sources. Out of the possible approaches to the elimination of pollutant gases, such as nitrogen oxides (NO{sub x}), one consists in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of these NO{sub x} on a suitable heterogeneous catalyst. Ammonia or hydrocarbons are employed as reducing agents. The most important catalysts active in the SCR of NO{sub x} are based on ions of transition metal either supported on several oxides or dispersed in zeolites. The catalysts have been characterized by electron magnetic resonance techniques (EPR, ENDOR, ESEEM) and the interaction of catalysts with nitrogen oxides, with reducing and poisoned agents have been followed with the same techniques. Copper dispersed on alumina and its interaction with both NO and ammonia has been investigated. Also the interaction between both water and ammonia with copper dispersed in ...
The first study in this dissertation describes the development of a suppressed ion chromatographic (SIC) technique for the direct, simultaneous determination of the As and Se oxyanions in soil solution. Baseline resolution of 1 mg L[sup [minus]1] each of arsenite, arsenate, selenite, and selenate was achieved in the presence of 50 mg L[sup [minus]1] each of F, Cl, NO[sub 3]-N, SO[sub 4]-S, and PO[sub 4]-P. Detection limits ranged from 0.026 mg L[sup [minus]1] for selenite to 0.120 mg L[sup [minus]1] for arsenate. The accuracy of the SIC technique was verified by comparison to spectroscopic methods. The second study investigated the suitability of linear-plateau regression analysis for statistical evaluation of As adsorption data. The time required to reach the adsorption plateau depended on soil characteristics and As species. Identification of the adsorption plateau by the linear-plateau model allowed comparison of adsorption rates and maxima ...
This dissertation deals with both the theoretical and the technological aspects of monolithic tunable lasers, and the experimental techniques for opto-electronic integration. In the theoretical part, the principles and limitations of wavelength tuning and spectral linewidth reduction in monolithic semiconductor lasers are described, with coupled distributed feedback-Fabry Perot (DFB-FP) lasers and long DFB lasers as examples. Stepwise tuning of wavelength over tens of nanometers and continuous tuning over the range of a mode spacing are shown to be possible. Spatial hole burning is found to affect the spectral linewidth of lasers involving strong active gratings. On the technological side, one of the major issues is the fabrication of flexible gratings. Direct-writing techniques, such as focused ion beam (FIB) implantation and e-beam lithography, provide the resolution, flexibility and accuracy that conventional holographic ...
The studies using phantoms confirmed that the reduction of electron beam energy and minimization of X-ray contamination could be achieved when electron beam was interposed by an acrylic plate placed 20 cm anterior to a patient. Four patients of mycosis fungoides were treated with 8 MeV electron beam of a linear accelerator at UOEH Hospital from October 1981 to December 1986. Two of them were treated with this technique by placing 2 cm thick acrylic plate anterior to the patients and satisfactory results were obtained. Cutaneous lesions subsided remarkably with the dosage of 2000 cGy given in 2 months. Leucopenia due to bone marrow suppression was mild and the patients tolerated the treatment well.
The objective of this paper is to give an overview on the seismic evaluation and retrofitting procedures of reinforced concrete buildings within JICA technical cooperation project in Romania. The content of the paper covers a) an outline of the seismic evaluation; history and comparison of Romanian seismic design codes with the Japanese seismic evaluation guidelines, b) an outline of the retrofitting techniques which were transferred from Japan to Romania and structural tests for retrofitting techniques employed in Romania and c) retrofitting details that were used by JICA/NCSRR in the retrofitting design of two vulnerable buildings in Bucharest. The above-mentioned retrofitting projects are now under development of detailed design and therefore, in the near future, refining and improvement of solutions will be performed. (authors)
This paper assesses farming eco-efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. Eco-efficiency scores at both farm and environmental pressure-specific levels are computed for a sample of Spanish farmers operating in the rain-fed agricultural system of Campos County. The determinants of eco-efficiency are then studied using truncated regression and bootstrapping techniques. We contribute to previous literature in this field of research by including information on slacks in the assessment of the potential environmental pressure reductions in a DEA framework. Our results reveal that farmers are quite eco-inefficient, with very few differences emerging among specific environmental pressures. Moreover, eco-inefficiency is closely related to technical inefficiencies in the managemen...
In this paper we study the metastable behavior of one of the simplest disordered spin system, the random field Curie-Weiss model. We will show how the potential theoretic approach can be used to prove sharp estimates on capacities and metastable exit times also in the case when the distribution of the random field is continuous. Previous work was restricted to the case when the random field takes only finitely many values, which allowed the reduction to a finite dimensional problem using lumping techniques. Here we produce the first genuine sharp estimates in a context where entropy is important.
Many mobile ad hoc network protocols use simple flooding, in order to adapt to changes in time varying network topology. Most of the times, a network-wide flood results in redundant packets and increases network congestion, probability of packet collision, low utilization of available bandwidth, and most important, higher power consumption. In this paper, we propose a new cross-layer broadcast scheme to minimize broadcast traffic in mobile ad hoc networks. Our scheme is based on use of received signal strength indicator, RSSI, value to reduce the number of broadcast packets. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is verified using simulations.
Oxyanions of uranium, selenium, chromium, arsenic, technetium, and chlorine (as perchlorate) are frequently found as contaminants on many DOE sites, and in other areas of the U.S.. A potential remediation method is to react the contaminated water with zero-valent iron (ZVI). We are performing fundamental investigations of the interactions of the relevant compounds with Fe filings and single- and poly-crystalline surfaces. The aim of this work is to develop the physical and chemical understanding that is necessary for the development of cleanup techniques and procedures.
Focussed ion beam (FIB) technology has the advantage of being a maskless process compatible with UHV processing. This makes it attractive for use in in situ processing and has been applied to the fabrication of various mesoscopic structures. The present paper reviews these results whilst putting emphasis on in situ processing by a combined FIB and molecular beam epitaxy system. The typical performance of present FIB systems is also presented. In order to utilize the potential advantages of FIB processing, reduction of damage and improvement of throughput are important, and much effort has been devoted to developing processing techniques which require a reduced dose. The importance of low-energy FIB is discussed. (author).
Focussed ion beam (FIB) technology has the advantage of being a maskless process compatible with UHV processing. This makes it attractive for use in in situ processing and has been applied to the fabrication of various mesoscopic structures. The present paper reviews these results whilst putting emphasis on in situ processing by a combined FIB and molecular beam epitaxy system. The typical performance of present FIB systems is also presented. In order to utilize the potential advantages of FIB processing, reduction of damage and improvement of throughput are important, and much effort has been devoted to developing processing techniques which require a reduced dose. The importance of low-energy FIB is discussed. (author).
The underlying theory and model of capacitive voltage substations and its associated problems are described. This system is intended to supply electricity to rural communities directly from high-voltage transmission lines. This technique leads to important cost reductions when compared with conventional alternatives. However, in several transient cases, some problems such as ferroresonance and overvoltages could occur in these substations. Using a developed capacitive substation model these transient cases are simulated. A suitable filter is designed to damp overvoltages clue to ferroresonance. Analytical aspects of filter design are presented and some computer simulation tests are provided to highlight the usefulness of the proposed filter. (author)
Objective of the project is characterization of electrode reactions in molten salt by using metal oxides and silica-based electrode. The scope of project are characterization of metal oxide properties in molten salt and miniaturization of 3-electrode electrochemical test cell. Electrochemical micro-cell for actinide-LiCl-KCl molten salt was newly designed. Electroless and electrochemical deposition technique was applied to Mo coating on quartz tube. From the design of electrode and 3-electrode electrochemical cell suitable for the tests in molten salt electrolyte, so it is anticipated to get the information on the electrochemical behavior of metallic electrode in molten salt and to secure the information on oxidation/reduction behavior of actinide
The influence of material configuration and impact parameters on the damage tolerance characteristics of sandwich composites comprised of carbon-epoxy woven fabric facesheets and Nomex honeycomb cores was investigated using empirically based response surfaces. A series of carefully selected tests were used to isolate the coupled influence of various combinations of the number of facesheet plies, core density, core thickness, impact energy, impactor diameter, and impact velocity on the damage formation and residual strength degradation due to normal impact. The ranges of selected material parameters were typical of those found in common aircraft applications. The diameter of the planar damage area associated with Through Transmission Ultrasonic C-scan measurements and the peak residual facesheet indentation depth were used to describe the extent of internal and detectable surface damage, respectively. Standard analysis of variancetechniques ...
A model that fully describes the response properties of visual neurons must be able to predict their activity during natural vision. While many models have been proposed for the visual system, few have ever been tested against this criterion. To address this issue, we have developed a general framework for fitting and validating nonlinear models of visual neurons using natural visual stimuli. Our approach derives from linear spatiotemporal receptive field (STRF) analysis, which has frequently been used to study the visual system. However, prior to the linear filtering stage typical of STRFs, a linearizing transformation is applied to the stimulus to account for nonlinear response properties. We used this approach to compare two models for neurons in primary visual cortex: a nonlinear Fourier power model, which accounts for spatial phase invariant tuning, and a traditional linear model. We characterized prediction accuracy in terms of the total explainable variance, ...
In this work we present the electrical characterization of non self-aligned p-channel thin film transistors fabricated by using laser doping technique for source/drain contact formation and gate oxide deposited at room temperature by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. These techniques are suitable for a very low temperature process for TFT fabrication. The output characteristics show a current increase at high drain voltage ('kink' effect) rather moderate, if compared to self aligned polysilicon TFTs, probably due to the gradual doping profile induced by laser doping process. After bias stress at low gate voltage and high drain voltage condition a strong reduction of kink current has been observed in the output characteristics at high drain voltage, whereas minor changes has been observed in the transfer characteristics. This behaviour is similar to what observed in ...
In this work we present the electrical characterization of non self-aligned p-channel thin film transistors fabricated by using laser doping technique for source/drain contact formation and gate oxide deposited at room temperature by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. These techniques are suitable for a very low temperature process for TFT fabrication. The output characteristics show a current increase at high drain voltage ('kink' effect) rather moderate, if compared to self aligned polysilicon TFTs, probably due to the gradual doping profile induced by laser doping process. After bias stress at low gate voltage and high drain voltage condition a strong reduction of kink current has been observed in the output characteristics at high drain voltage, whereas minor changes has been observed in the transfer characteristics. This behaviour is similar to what observed in n-channel Gate ...
Preparation of a uranous nitrate solution from the reduction process of a uranyl nitrate solution by using electrodialysis technique with a cation exchange membrane has been studied. Uranyl ions were reduced into uranous ions in a nitric acid solution stabilized by hydrazine sulfate in a two-compartment electrolytic cell made from flexiglass. Platinum and carbon or stainless steel were used as anode and cathode, respectively. The electrodialysis process was carried out at room temperature. A piece of cation exchange membrane was inserted between the two compartments and the distance between electrode and membrane was 1.5 cm and this was kept constant throughout the experiment. A 100 ml of a nitric acid 1.4 M solution was in the anode chamber as analyte, whilst a 100 ml of a uranyl nitrate solution with the uranium concentration of 23.97 g/l was in the cathode chamber containing hydrazine sulfate. The parameters tasted were ...
Promoting the exchange of information related to implementation of the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) philosophy is a continuing objective for the Department of Energy (DOE). This report was prepared by the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) ALARA Center for the DOE Office of Health. It contains the fifth in a series of bibliographies on dose reduction at DOE facilities. The BNL ALARA Center was originally established in 1983 under the sponsorship of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to monitor dose-reduction research and ALARA activities at nuclear power plants. This effort was expanded in 1988 by the DOE`s Office of Environment, Safety and Health, to include DOE nuclear facilities. This bibliography contains abstracts relating to various aspects of ALARA program implementation and dose-reduction activities, with a specific focus on DOE facilities. Abstracts included in this bibliography were selected from ...
The reduction of CO{sub 2} concentration in a gas stream containing 500ppm of CO{sub 2} by a technique combining chemical absorption with Higee (high gravity) was investigated in this study. Using a 2.0L aqueous amine-based solution to treat the feed gas with a flow rate which varied from 12.9 to 20.6Lmin{sup -1}, piperazine (PZ) was found to be more effective than 2-(2-aminoethylamino) ethanol (AEEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) for reducing the CO{sub 2} concentration to a level below 20ppm. The effects of temperature, rotating speed, amine solution flow rate, and gas flow rate on the removal efficiency of CO{sub 2} were systematically examined. The results indicated that the proposed compact device could effectively reduce CO{sub 2} to a level below 20ppm, as required by a zinc/air battery, for a long period of time using PZ and its mixture with AEEA and MEA as the absorbents. (author)
The hydro-generators suffer during its operative useful life a combination of stresses of nature thermal, electric, mechanics and environmental. With the time, they are going losing the capacity to support those stresses and the power plants suffer, more and more frequently, undesirable stops for repair services and maintenance. In function of the high costs incurred with these stopped, the operation of the power plant can be economically impracticable. That unavailability of the generation for the electric system, it results in reduction of the reliability, burdening the politics of load ruling. The re-potentiation is a proposal that seeks to extend the useful life of hydro-generators, at the same time that it try to rescue the reliability and the readiness of the plant, with larger power. The power increase is usually made possible, or for the surplus of the hydro resources in excess, or for the reduction of the losses of all the components ...
The transients involved in the reaction of tetracycline (TC) with reducing radicals such as e{sub aq}{sup -}, (CH{sub 3}){sub 2}COH and CO{sub 2}{sup .-}have been characterized by the pulse radiolysis technique. The semi-reduced species formed ({lambda}{sub max} = 630 nm, {epsilon} 3.4 x 10{sup 3} dm{sup 3} mol{sup -1} cm{sup -1}) has been found to be a strong reductant with reduction potential lying in the range -0.450 to -1.40 V vs NHE. TC reacts with e{sub aq}{sup -} at diffusion-controlled rates and the rate constant, depending upon the ionic form of TC existing at a particular pH, varies from 1.2 x 10{sup 10} to 2.8 x 10{sup 10} dm{sup 3} mol{sup -1} s{sup -1}. Based on these results a plausible site of electron addition has been suggested. Reaction of H atoms with TC gives rise to a transient which exhibits spectral and kinetic features different from that of semi-reduced species. (author).
First, attention is paid to the development and use of new construction techniques, including the use of new building materials, e.g. synthetic materials and the so-called steel frame method. Next, the reduction of the energy consumption during the service life of a house is discussed. The reduction can be realized by means of passive methods, e.g. improved windows, thermal insulation and design, or by means of active methods, e.g. electric load monitoring. The information in this article mainly concerns the housing construction in the USA and Canada. The purpose of this article to contribute to the discussion in the Netherlands on innovation in the building technology, e.g. formulated in the report `Bouwvisie 2010` (Vision on Buildings for the year 2010) of the Dutch Advisory Board Technology Policy for the Building Industry (ARTB, abbreviated in Dutch) and the building technology policy of the Dutch Ministry of Economic ...
An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of three different oxygenated compounds, diglyme, diethyl maleate and dibutyl maleate, on emissions from a Volkswagen 1.9 litre, turbocharged, direct injection diesel engine. Sampling was performed using a mini-dilution tunnel technique to obtain particulate matter and a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for gaseous emissions. The particulate samples were analysed using thermal analysis and Soxhlet extraction to determine the fraction of volatile and soluble organic material respectively. All three oxygenated compounds were found to be effective at reducing particulate emissions, with the maleate compounds being more effective overall than the diglyme. Analysis of the relative contributions of changes in the soot and soluble organic fraction (SOF) to the reduction of particulate matter indicated that, for diethyl maleate and diglyme, reductions ...
The authors describe the application of an approximate fuzzy C-means (AFCM) clustering algorithm as a data dimension reduction approach to medical magnetic resonance images (MRI). Image data consisted of one T1-weighted, two T2-weighted, and one T2*-weighted (magnetic susceptibility) image for each cranial study and a matrix of 10 images generated from 10 combinations of TE and TR for each body lymphoma study. All images were obtained with a 1.5 Tesla imaging system (GE Signa). Analyses were performed on over 100 MR image sets with a variety of pathologies. The cluster analysis was operated in an unsupervised mode and computational overhead was minimized by utilizing a table look-up approach without adversely affecting accuracy. Image data were first segmented into 2 coarse clusters, each of which was then subdivided into 16 fine clusters. The final tissue classifications were presented as color-coded anatomically-mapped images and as two and three dimensional ...
We present a modification of the closed-loop state space model for AO control which allows delays that are a non-integer multiple of the system frame rate. We derive the new forms of the Predictive Fourier Control Kalman filters for arbitrary delays and show that they are linear combinations of the whole-frame delay terms. This structure of the controller is independent of the delay. System stability margins and residual error variance both transition gracefully between integer-frame delays.
Data from 52 litters farrowed in two seasons of a cross-fostering experiment were analyzed to estimate variances and covariances for additive direct and maternal genetic effects on immune response to pseudorabies virus and B. bronchiseptica vaccine. Twenty purebred boars and 44 sows of the Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds were used. Immune response was measured after vaccine challenge. A modified-live pseudorabies (PR) vaccine was administered to piglets at 28 d of age; response was measured by log2 serum neutralization titers at 56 d. An inactivated B. bronchiseptica bacterin was administered at 28, 42 and 112 d. Antibody levels were measured relative to positive and negative controls at 28, 56 and 119 d by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results from this study for heritability were .18 +/- .09 for PR titer and .15 +/- .07 and .52 +/- .15 for 56- and 119-d ELISA values, respectively. The variability due to nurse environment (maternal ...
Literature references related to definition, generation, and use of evaluated cross section uncertainty (variance-covariance) files are listed with comments intended primarily to guide the reader toward materials of immediate interest. Papers are also cited that cover covariance information for individual experiments and that relate to production and use of multigroup covariance matrices. Titles are divided among several major categories.
The studies using phantoms confirmed that the reduction of electron beam energy and minimization of X-ray contamination could be achieved when electron beam was interposed by an acrylic plate placed 20 cm anterior to a patient. Four patients of mycosis fungoides were treated with 8 MeV electron beam of a linear accelerator at UOEH Hospital from October 1981 to December 1986. Two of them were treated with this technique by placing 2 cm thick acrylic plate anterior to the patients and satisfactory results were obtained. Cutaneous lesions subsided remarkably with the dosage of 2000 cGy given in 2 months. Leucopenia due to bone marrow suppression was mild and the patients tolerated the treatment well. (author).
In this work, a new sol-gel auto-combustion method has been performed to synthesize single phase nickel ferrite nanocrystalline powders by using n-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, as a cationic surfactant. The gels were prepared from ferric and nickel nitrates and citric acid. Ammonia was used as pH adjusting agent as well. The effects of the surfactant on the after combustion calcination process and the reduction of the resulting powder crystallite size which affects the magnetic properties of the material were investigated by XRD and DTA/TGA techniques. The results showed that the ignition of the gels in air have a self-propagating behavior. Addition of surfactant to the starting solution affected the crystallite size of the synthesized powders and their phase constitution. The crystallit...
The growth of an oxide interfacial layer was recently found to increase the open-circuit voltage (OCV) and efficiency by up to 60 per cent in GaAs metal-semiconductor solar cells. Details of oxidation techniques to provide the necessary oxide thickness and chemical structure and using ozone, water-vapor-saturated oxygen, or oxygen gas discharges are described, as well as apparent crystallographic orientation effects. Preliminary results of the oxide chemistry obtained from X-ray, photoelectron spectroscopy are given. Ratios of arsenic oxide to gallium oxide of unity or less seem to be preferable. Samples with the highest OVC predominantly have As(+3) in the arsenic oxide rather than As(+5). A major difficulty at this time is a reduction in OCV by 100-200 mV when the antireflection coating is vacuum deposited.
The new generation of performing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (``rocking-chair``-type) are penalized by important self-output phenomena linked with the use of highly oxidizing positive electrodes. In order to limit this problem in LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/C batteries, two different passivation techniques were used in order to limit the surface contact between the positive electrode and the electrolyte. Thanks to these treatments, a significant reduction of the percentage of irreversible capacity losses is effectively observed. (J.S.) 3 refs.
Remote detection of chemicals using LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) utilizing DIAL (Differential Absorption LIDAR) is now a standard detection technique for both military and civilian activities. We have developed a novel nonlinear optical phase conjugation system that can reduce the effects of speckle noise and atmospheric turbulence on DIAL remote detection systems. We have shown numerically and experimentally that it is possible to increase the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for LIDAR systems under certain conditions using optical phase conjugation. This increase in S/N can result in more accurate detection of chemical effluents while simultaneously reducing the time necessary to acquire this information.
ObjectivesFor thermoelectricity both low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity are required. High electrical conductivity should be established via a high carriers concentration and a high mobility.~%~The aim of this feasibility study is to investigate a method of modulation doping of Si nanowires in order to generate high carrier concentrations without the need for impurity doping, thus retaining high mobilities.~%~~%~The objectives are (in chronological order):~%~- reduction of the wire [continued...]DescriptionIn recent years, the increasing dependence of society on fossil fuels for socio-economical development has become a cause of great concern. The possibility of a reduced availability of fossil fuels, and the effect of these fuels on climate change, have encouraged research into alternative energy sources. Many of these alternatives are old ideas, implemented using modern techniques. This proposal plans ...
Significant research has been carried out in the recent years for generating systems exhibiting intelligence for realizing optimized routing in networks. In this paper, a grade based twolevel based node selection method along with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique is proposed. It assumes that the nodes are intelligent and there exist a knowledge base about the environment in their local memory. There are two levels for approaching the effective route selection process through grading. At the first level, grade based selection is applied and at the second level, the optimum path is explored using PSO. The simulation has been carried out on different topological structures and it is observed that a graded network produces a significant reduction in number of iteration to arrive at the optimal path selection.
Independent component analysis (ICA), an efficient higher order statistics (HOS) based blind source separation technique, has been successfully applied in various fields. In this paper, we provide an overview of the applications of ICA in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, and introduce some of the important issues surrounding them. First, we present an ICA based blind equalization scheme for MIMO orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, with linear precoding for ambiguity elimination. Second, we discuss three peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction schemes, which do not introduce any spectral overhead. Third, we investigate the application of ICA to blind compensation for inphase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance in MIMO OFDM systems. Fin...
Experiences with the model parameter identification of the excitation system (EXS) and the power system stabilizer (PSS) for Mingtan{number_sign}6 pumped storage generation unit of Taiwan Power System are presented in this paper. The input-output data corresponding to each block of the EXS and PSS were obtained when the finalization tests of this unit were performed. The generalized least squares (GLS) approach is introduced and employed to identify the desired parameters of the noisy excitation system and PSS models. In this method, the reductiontechnique of biased estimates due to the non-white (correlated) identification residual is also applied to improve the accuracy of identification. The results of the parameter estimation are satisfactory. The GLS parameter identification method using the measured data at finalization tests is then suggested from the viewpoint of economy and engineering.
The nuclear energy cycle requires the recycling of nuclear fuel, water, chemical reagents, and the volume reduction of radioactive liquid wastes. A fundamental technique for continuous recovery of water using a thin-film evaporator was examined. Appropriate recovery measurements were: an evaporator heat temperature of 323 K, a feed rate of 0.23 cm"3 x s"-"1, a vacuum pressure of 15 mmHg (2 kPa), and impeller rotational speeds of 500#approx#600 rpm (min"-"1). The concentration of trace technetium and rhenium in aqueous solutions was also studied. A decontamination factor of 10"5 for rhenium was obtained. (author)
The electrochemical behavior of Sb(III) ions was investigated in LiCl-KCl molten salt at 673K. The reaction mechanism and transport parameters of electroactive species were determined by transient electrochemical techniques (such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry) at a molybdenum electrode. The results showed that electrochemical reduction of Sb(III) in LiCl-KCl melts occurred in a reaction step with an exchange of three electrons. A voltammogram with a different scan rate in LiCl-KCl containing 1.45x10^-^4molcm^-^3 SbCl3 showed that the deposition/dissolution reaction of Sb(III) ions was not completely reversible. The diffusion coefficient of Sb(III) ions was 1.65(+/-0.01)x10^-^5cm^-^2s^-^1 at 673K. The electroreduction of Sb(III) io...
As the main forestry species in the Canary Islands (Spain), Pinus canariensis is frequently used in afforestation programs. Several nursery techniques are commonly employed to modify its morphology and physiology with the aim of improving post-planting survival and growth. In this work, we studied how fertilization and light regime treatments applied during the nursery period modify biomass allocation patterns and produce effects in gas exchange and root hydraulic conductance. Seedlings were grown for a 6-month period in the nursery under two light regimes (full sunlight and 40% PAR reduction), and three fertilization levels were applied in each light regime. Morphology, biomass allocation patterns, leaf gas exchange and hydraulic conductance of the whole root system were evaluated. Fertil...
Under operational conditions in nuclear power plants, the carbon steel components of the primary and secondary circuits react with high temperature cooling agent forming several iron oxides and oxyhydroxides. These deposits can result in tubes' constrictions, pitting and intergranular corrosion and finally to heat transfer reducing and increasing of radiation fields around the circuits, as well. The descaling process involves the chemical dissolution of the corrosion deposits by means of diluted organic acidic solutions containing usually a carboxylic acid, a reductant and one or more corrosion inhibitors. To evaluate the removing rates of these superficial films two types of methods were used, the gravimetric and potentiodynamic techniques. By correlating the experimental results, we established the chemical composition of descaling solution and two models of mechanisms applicable to our specific conditions. (authors)
The North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) approach to removing NO{sub x} from flue gas emitted by coal-fired utility boilers or for the control of NO{sub x} formation by advanced combustion techniques involves the development of a catalytic fabric filter (CFF) for simultaneous NO{sub x} and particulate control. The NO{sub x}is removed by catalytic reduction with ammonia to form nitrogen and water. Bench-scale experimental results have shown that over 90% NO{sub x} removal can be achieved. This report details the strengths and areas for for development in this project.
Industrial solid wastes (fly ash and red mud, a by-product of the aluminium industry) have been employed as supports for preparation of Ru-based catalysts. Physical and chemical treatments on red mud were conducted and these modified supports were also used for preparation of Ru-based catalysts. Those Ru catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as N2 adsorption, H{sub 2} adsorption, XRD, XPS, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and were then tested for catalytic ammonia decomposition to hydrogen. It was found that red-mud-supported Ru catalyst exhibits higher ammonia conversion and hydrogen production than fly-ash-supported catalyst. Heat and chemical treatments of the red mud greatly improve the catalytic activity. Moreover, a combination of acid and heat treatments produces the highest catalytic conversion of ammonia. 35 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.
Poplar breeding in Europe is in a more advanced state than breeding programmes of other species. In Europe, poplars are part of the scenery and are integrated in the economy. Traditionally poplar stands are established in lowland areas. But an increasing interest in their use moved them to upland sites. Poplar uses are multiple: lumber, industrial wood, wind-breaks and landscape plantations, etc. Selection characteristics are classified in different groups: vegetative propagation ability, vigor, adaptation to sites and climate, resistance to diseases and insect pests, wood quality, and coppicing ability. Strategies have improved with time. The most efficient strategies for the long term involve constitution of base populations, selection of parents for intra- and interspecific hybridizations, selection within the progenies, and vegetative propagation. Short term strategies are also applied simultaneously. Advanced breeding techniques with poplars include: haploidy, ...
The colonization of an implant surface by bacteria is an extremely important medical problem, which often leads to the failure of medical devices. Modern surface modification techniques, such as ion implantation, can confer to the surfaces very different properties from those of the bulk underlying material. In this work, austenitic stainless steel 316 LVM has been superficially modified by Si^+ ion implantation. The effect of surface modification on the biocompatibility and bacterial adhesion to 316 LVM stainless steel has been investigated. To this aim, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), as precursor of osteoblastic cells, and bacterial strains relevant in infections related to orthopedic implants, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, have been assayed. For the ...
Kawasaki Steel started the construction of an automatic steel strip coil transportation system in the 1980's. Presently, most of the in-plant transportation of hot-rolled or cold-rolled coils are automated. For establishing the automatic transportation, there were developed various technologies, such as, the optimum handling technology using artificial intelligence, the technology of preventing additional piling of coils on existing coils by using an ultrasonic wave and a laser beam. Through the improvements of these technologies, a full-automated transportation system has been achieved and the system has contributed substantially toward product quality assurance and cost reduction. This paper gives the changes in the automation technology of coil transportation in the automation of No. 3 finishing hot rolling mill, now having the latest automatic system, in Chiba Works. (author)
This paper presents an application of the state of the art and new trends for risk management of safety-related control and monitoring systems, currently applied in the industry. These techniques not only enable to manage safety and reliability issues but they also help in the control of quality and economic factors affected by the availability and maintenance of the system. The method includes an unambiguous definition of the system in terms of functions and a systematic analysis of hazardous situations, undesired events and possible malfunctions. It also includes the identification and quantification of the risk associated to the system. The required risk reduction is specified in terms of safety integrity levels. The safety integrity level results in requirements, preventive measures, possible improvements and recommendations to assure the satisfactory management of the risk.
This paper presents a technique for speed control three-phase induction motor using the pulse width modulation (PWM), in open loop while maintaining the tension for constant frequency. The technique is adapted from a thesis entitled 'Control of the three-phase induction motor, using discrete PWM generation, optimized and synchronized', where studies are presented aimed at their application in home appliances, to eliminate mechanical parts, replaced by low cost electronic control, thus having a significant reduction in power consumption. Initially the experiment was done with the Intel 80C31 micro controller. In this paper, the PWM modulation is implemented using a PIC micro controller, and the speed control kept a low profile, based on tables, synchronized with transitions and reduced generation of harmonics in the network. Confirmations were made using the same process of building tables, but takes ...
Validation of nuclear power reactor signals is often performed by comparing signal prototypes with the actual reactor signals. The signal prototypes are often computed based on empirical data. The implementation of an estimation algorithm which can make predictions on limited data is an important issue. A new machine learning algorithm called support vector machines (SVMS) recently developed by Vladimir Vapnik and his coworkers enables a high level of generalization with finite high-dimensional data. The improved generalization in comparison with standard methods like neural networks is due mainly to the following characteristics of the method. The input data space is transformed into a high-dimensional feature space using a kernel function, and the learning problem is formulated as a convex quadratic programming problem with a unique solution. In this paper the authors have applied the SVM method for data-based state estimation in nuclear power reactors. In particular, they ...
This paper deals with the characterization of passive films formed on stainless steel (26% Cr and 0 to 3%Mo). The influence of the applied passivation potential and the effect of molybdenum additions to steel upon the composition profiles of passive films formed in an aqueous NaCl solution (3.5% at pH 2.5) are studied. The technique involved is Auger electron spectroscopy combined with ion sputtering. Some electrochemical techniques have been used in conjunction. A quantitative approach of the Auger spectra during the progressive removal of the passive film is described. The peak-to-peak height of the Auger lines are treated in order to yield the atomic fraction of the various elements present in a given subsurface layer. The analytical study of the film by electron spectroscopy indicates that molybdenum plays a part at the metal-oxide interface where this element acts on the chromium diffusion process. This phenomenon, which depends on the ...
Liquid pipeline codes generally stipulate placement of block valves along liquid transmission pipelines such as on each side of major river crossings where environmental hazards could cause or are foreseen to potentially cause serious consequences. Codes, however, do not stipulate any requirement for block valve spacing for low vapour pressure petroleum transportation, nor for remote pipeline valve operations to reduce spills. A review of pipeline codes for valve requirement and spill limitation in high consequence areas is thus presented along with a criteria for an acceptable spill volume that could be caused by pipeline leak/full rupture. A technique for deciding economically and technically effective pipeline block valve automation for remote operation to reduce oil spilled and control of hazards is also provided. In this review, industry practice is highlighted and application of the criteria for maximum permissible oil spill and the ...
When a rotary excavator is operated at locations where there is artesian water, the aquiclude is fractured under pressure of the artesian water upon the penetration of the pile tip through the aquiclude. Since the equipment is provided with a gap for the reduction of friction between the casing and the excavation face, soil and sand near the pile tip burst forth out of the ground together with underground water through the casing or along the outer circumference of the casing. The newly contrived method introduced here is a double pipe process, in which a large casing (2.0m in diameter) is driven until it lands on the aquiclude, water is injected into the casing for the creation of equilibrium between the artesian head and the head in the casing, and finally a casing as large as the pile (1m in diameter) to be installed is used for the excavation of the artesian water section. Since February, 1996, 4 systems/16 legs have been operated for the installation of 96 ...
Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) offer excellent thermal resistance properties that can enhance the energy efficiency of insulating systems, save space and contribute to energy consumption reductions. However, VIPs are not used much in Canada, and new commitments to carbon dioxide reductions has created the need to study the prospect of using VIPs in various components of a building envelope. For that reason, assessment methods for the applicability and sustainability of VIPs for use in building envelope construction were developed. There are practical aspects regarding the long-term performance and application of VIPs in building construction. Air molecules and water molecules can permeate through the foil and seams of the VIPs, causing a reduction in thermal resistance. This paper addresses some of the test methods that may accelerate long term changes in thermal resistance. Results were presented from tests using elevated ...
We investigate the efficacy of mitigating radiation-based single event effects (SEE) within circuits incorporating SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) built with an N-Ring, a transistor-level layout-based radiation hardened by design (RHBD) technique. Previous work of single-device ion-beam induced charge collection (IBICC) studies has demonstrated significant reductions in peak collector charge collection and sensitive area for charge collection; however, few circuit studies using this technique have been performed. Transient studies performed with Sandia National Laboratory's (SNL) 36 MeV 16O microbeam on voltage references built with N-Ring SiGe HBTs have shown mixed results, with reductions in the number of large voltage disruptions in addition to new sensitive areas of low-level output voltage disturbances. Similar discrepancies between device-level IBICC results and circuit measurements ...
Aqueous solutions (mixed waste) generated from various LLNL operations, such as debris washing, sample preparation and analysis, and equipment maintenance and cleanout, were combined for storage in the B695 tank farm. Prior to combination the individual waste streams had different codes depending on the particular generating process and waste characteristics. The largest streams were CWC 132, 791, 134, 792. Several smaller waste streams were also included. This combined waste stream was treated at LLNL's waste treatment facility using a vacuum filtration and cool vapor evaporation process in preparation for discharge to sanitary sewer. Prior to discharge, the treated waste stream was sampled and the results were reviewed by LLNL's water monitoring specialists. The treated solution was discharged following confirmation that it met the discharge criteria. A major source, accounting for 50% for this waste stream, is metal machining, cutting and grinding operations in the ...
One of the key issues in safety assessment of high-level nuclear waste disposal is evaluating the effects of uncertainty inherent in radionuclide migration parameter values. In this paper, radionuclide transport parameter values and error variances (uncertainties) from in-situ tracer experiments, carried out in a single fracture at the Aespoe Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL) in Sweden, are identified by solving the inverse problem in a framework of the maximum likelihood theory. From the results, it is found that the parameter value uncertainty caused by a conceptual model of radionuclide migration is greater than that caused by a fluctuation in the observed breakthrough curve data. (author)
We give a general local central limit theorem for the sum of two independent random variables, one of which satisfies a central limit theorem while the other satisfies a local central limit theorem with the same order variance. We apply this result to various quantities arising in stochastic geometry, including: size of the largest component for percolation on a box; number of components, number of edges, or number of isolated points, for random geometric graphs; covered volume for germ-grain coverage models; number of accepted points for finite-input random sequential adsorption; sum of nearest-neighbour distances for a random sample from a continuous multidimensional distribution.
This paper introduces a new parsimonious structure for mixture of autoregressive models. the weighting coefficients are determined through latent random variables, following a hidden Markov model. We propose a dynamic programming algorithm for the application of forecasting. We also derive the limiting behavior of unconditional first moment of the process and an appropriate upper bound for the limiting value of the variance. This can be considered as long run behavior of the process. Finally we show convergence and stability of the second moment. Further, we illustrate the efficacy of the proposed model by simulation and forecasting.
The reasons for including variance-covariance information in evaluated nuclear data files are reviewed. Accomplihments and obstacles in meeting these needs are identified. The capability to develop and utilize evaluated cross-section covariance files has been largely demonstrated, but comprehensive files of soundly based covariance data remain to be evaluated and not all types of cross-section data have yet been included. The status of the ENDF-VI covariance formats is discussed. Priorities are suggested for further development. Most effort should be concentrated to fully develop the capability to estimate the nuclear data uncertainties in quantities calculated for a broad energy spectrum. 12 refs.
Let Y be a nonnegative random variable with mean?? and finite positive variance ? 2, and let Y s , defined on the same space as Y, have the Y size-biased distribution, characterized by Formula Not Shown Under a variety of conditions on Y and the coupling of Y and Y s , including combinations of boundedness and monotonicity, one sided concentration of measure inequalities such as Formula Not Shown hold for some explicit A and B. The theorem is applied to the number of bulbs switched on at the terminal time in the so called lightbulb process of Rao et?al. (Sankhy? 69:137?161, 2007).
Source-term codes to predict the release of radionuclides from nuclear waste packages have been developed and implemented worldwide. A survey and initial comparison of the attributes and capabilities of 13 international source-term codes was recently completed. This preliminary analysis focused on comparison of transport factors/processes and solution methods. This initial comparison is a necessary first step in a properly-conceived, systematic benchmarking of source-term codes. Advantages of such a comparison include assurance of the mathematical correctness of implemented models, comparison and quantification of variances introduced by different types of simplifications, and identification and quantification of the impact of near-field processes.
This paper describes the unique challenges involved in achieving compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Public Law 94-580) Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) treatment standards for four types of mixed wastes generated throughout the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex: (1) radioactively contaminated lead acid batteries; (2) radioactively contaminated cadmium-, mercury-, and silver-containing batteries; (3) mercury-bearing mixed wastes; and (4) radioactive lead solids. For each of these mixed waste types, the paper identifies the strategy pursued by DOE's Office of Pollution Prevention and Resource Conservation Policy and Guidance (EH-43) in coordination with other DOE elements and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet the compliance challenge. Specifically, a regulatory interpretation was obtained from EPA agreeing that the LDR treatment standard for wastes in the D008 'Radioactive Lead Solids' sub-category applies to radioactively contaminated ...
The first volume of the report covers the state of implementation of primary and secondary measures for SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} control applied in the most important industrial sectors in Germany. Integrated pollution abatement techniques, called primary measures in this report, such as process integrated measures and low emission processes, have gained increased importance in recent years. The end-of-pipe processes, described here as secondary measures, are generally highly effective. They represent mature technologies, which are capable of achieving significant reductions in SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} emissions, and which have been used in particular for retrofitting existing plants. At first, an overview is given regarding the development of SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} emissions in selected European countries during the last 20 years and in Europe. Current national and European emission limits and emission guidelines on SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} ...
Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations can be accurate but are also computationally intensive. In contrast, convolution superposition (CS) offers faster and smoother results but by making approximations. We investigated MC denoising techniques, which use available convolution superposition results and new noise filtering methods to guide and accelerate MC calculations. Two main approaches were developed to combine CS information with MC denoising. In the first approach, the denoising result is iteratively updated by adding the denoised residual difference between the result and the MC image. Multi-scale methods were used (wavelets or contourlets) for denoising the residual. The iterations are initialized by the CS data. In the second approach, we used a frequency splitting technique by quadrature filtering to combine low frequency components derived from MC simulations with high frequency components derived from CS components. The rationale is to ...
Failure of multiple components due to a common cause represents one of the most important issues in evaluation of system reliability or unavailability. The frequency of such events has relatively low expectancy, when compared to random failures, which affect individual components. However, in many cases the consequence is a direct loss of safety system or mitigative safety function. For this reason, the modeling of a common cause failure (CCF) and its presentation in fault tree structure is of the uttermost importance in probabilistic safety analyses (PSA). Amongst the different techniques available to reduce the impact of common cause failures, the most important operations related technique, is that of staggered testing. In the TAPP 3,4 Level-1 PSA it was found that the contribution of Common Cause Failures to the Core Damage Frequency (CDF) was significant. The Common Cause Failures were modeled using the Alpha Factor Model. This model is ...
Development of food preservation and processing techniques by radiation was performed. Gamma irradiation at 2-10 kGy is considered to be an effective method to control pathogenic bacteria in species including Escherichia coli O157:H7. Gamma irradiation at 5 kGy completely eliminated pathogenic bacteria in beef. Gamma irradiation at such doses and subsequent storage at less than 4 deg C could ensure hygienic quality and prolong the microbiological shelf-life resulting from the reduction of spoilage microorganisms. Gamma irradiation on pre-rigor beef shortens the aging-period, improves tenderness and enhances the beef quality. And, a new beef processing method using gamma irradiation, such as in the low salt sausage and hygienic beef patty was developed. Safety tests of gamma-irradiated meats(beefs: 0-5 kGy; porks: 0-30 kGy) in areas such as genotoxicity, acute toxicity, four-week oral toxicity, rat hepato carcinogenesis and the anti oxidative ...
A high-voltage cathode initiates an electron emission, resulting in a reduction in the carbon dioxide concentration in exhaust gas from the burning of hydrocarbon fuel. Assuming that the observed carbon dioxide reduction is originated from the molecular decomposition, the energy needed for the endothermic reaction of this carbon dioxide reduction may stem primarily from the internal energy reduction in the exhaust gas in accordance of the first law of the thermodynamics. An oxygen increase due to the reduction in carbon dioxide in a discharge gas was observed in real time.
Woolfolk, C. A. (University of Washington, Seattle). Reduction of inorganic compounds with molecular hydrogen by Micrococcus lactilyticus. II. Stoichiometry with inorganic...Full Text Available
High-spatial-resolution microfocus-based X-ray imaging technology, both real-time and film, has been used to study the thickness variation that occurs in the oxide core of silver-sheathed BSCCO ribbons produced by the powder-in-tube method. This thickness variation (also called ``sausaging``) occurs during incremental rolling and degrades the critical current densities of the ribbons. Using X-ray image data the authors determined the onset and severity of sausaging. Onset occurred at a ribbon thickness of 203 {micro}m, and the severity increased with subsequent rolling reductions. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the X-ray image data. X-ray imaging provides several advantages over more traditional methods for characterizing the superconductors such as optical or scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray imaging provides nondestructive information about the entire width of the ribbon, with far greater speed, lower cost, and more flexibility than the ...
The carbothermal reduction of clay minerals in a nitrogen atmosphere is a well established method for producing #beta#'-sialon. There has been some debate within the literature concerning the role that Fe plays in the formation of the #beta#'-sialon phase. However, most workers accept that Fe is able to either catalyze or promote the formation of #beta#'-sialon although some workers have indicated that the function of the Fe is controlled by gas flow rate and there is evidence that Fe also promotes formation of additional phases. The aim of the present study was to characterize the behaviour of Fe within the #beta#'-sialon synthesis. "5"7Fe Moessbauer spectroscopy was employed for the study because this technique is specific to Fe and does not suffer interference from other elements. Moreover, both the coordination and oxidation state and the relative abundances of the various Fe-containing phases are able to be monitored. A previous Moessbauer ...
ObjectivesThe overall objective is to establish rigorous and verified means of deploying FACTS devices as damping controllers so that stability limits of a congested grid can be expanded, with confidence, toward to the thermal limits. A key to this is to ensure that damping of oscillatory modes of the system are robust to the acknowledged variations of the system.~%~~%~The goals are:~%~~%~a) to apply model order reductiontechniques to realistic grid systems and verify modes are adequately expressed,~%~~% [continued...]DescriptionTraditionally, the phenomena of inter-area oscillation between generation groups, e.g. England and Scotland, has been avoided through operating point constraints on tie-lines and acceptance of operation at less than thermal capacity. The need to support long distance trading makes such constraints unacceptable. Stability problems can be solved dynamically, rather ...
Subtractive imaging in confocal fluorescence light microscopy is based on the subtraction of a suitably weighted widefield image from a confocal image. An approximation to a widefield image can be obtained by detection with an opened confocal pinhole. The subtraction of images enhances the resolution in-plane as well as along the optic axis. Due to the linearity of the approach, the effect of subtractive imaging in Fourier-space corresponds to a reduction of low spatial frequency contributions leading to a relative enhancement of the high frequencies. Along the direction of the optic axis this also results in an improved sectioning. Image processing can achieve a similar effect. However, a 3D volume dataset must be acquired and processed, yielding a result essentially identical to subtractive imaging but superior in signal-to-noise ratio. The latter can be increased further with the technique of weighted averaging in Fourier-space. A comparison ...
An assay method for ATP sulfurylase is presented which employs Na/sub 2/(35)SO/sub 4/ as a substrate and measures the production of labeled adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate by low-voltage, hanging paper strip electrophoresis. The method is applicable to crude bacterial or mammalian extracts and accurately measures picomole amounts of product(s). Na/sub 2/(/sup 75/)SeO/sub 4/ can also be employed as a substrate, if the unstable radioactive product, adenosine 5'-phosphoselenate, is converted to elemental /sup 75/Se degrees by inclusion of reduced glutathione in the reaction mixture. The same paper strip electrophoretic technique can then be used to separate /sup 75/Se degrees from the radiolabeled substrate. The method also has utility for measuring any direct reduction by crude microbial extracts of radioactive selenate to selenite, independent of ATP sulfurylase.
The aim of this study as to determine the mechanisms involved in using ammonium fluoborate as a reducing atmosphere when preheating a high magnesium content aluminium alloy. Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) has been the major technique used in the analysis of samples, it revealed significant reduction in both the diffusion of magnesium to the surface and the calculated oxide thickness in the presence of NH{sub 4}BF{sub 4}. At temperatures above 500 deg C in air, SEM images revealed depressions and voids due to incipient melting at various stages, around the grain boundaries. Grain boundaries effectively acted as pipes aiding the diffusion of magnesium to the surface. These results have been verified through compositional analysis with both RBS and auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Results from NH{sub 4}BF{sub 4} atmosphere preheat conditions showed significant improvements. It was verified experimentally that above 500 deg C , AA5182 alloys ...
Digital imaging techniques such as Digital Image Intensifier Radiography and Digital Storage Phosphor (Selenium) Radiography are replacing conventional film-screen radiography more and more. The aim of this development is the extension of diagnostic capabilities and the reduction of side effects such as radiation dose. Conventional film-screen radiography and digital radiography are very different ways of imaging. For digital radiography specific post-processing is the link between imaging conditions and film documentation. Optimisation of the images includes new possibilities of post-processing and a broad range for variation of the dose. Especially in fluoroscopy, dose can be reduced significantly by new technical features like pulsed fluoroscopy. For digital radiography the European guidelines on quality criteria have to be applied to projection radiography, digital subtraction radiography and to fluoroscopy. Further work should lead to a ...
Digital imaging techniques such as Digital Image Intensifier Radiography and Digital Storage Phosphor (Selenium) Radiography are replacing conventional film-screen radiography more and more. The aim of this development is the extension of diagnostic capabilities and the reduction of side effects such as radiation dose. Conventional film-screen radiography and digital radiography are very different ways of imaging. For digital radiography specific post-processing is the link between imaging conditions and film documentation. Optimisation of the images includes new possibilities of post-processing and a broad range for variation of the dose. Especially in fluoroscopy, dose can be reduced significantly by new technical features like pulsed fluoroscopy. For digital radiography the European guidelines on quality criteria have to be applied to projection radiography, digital subtraction radiography and to fluoroscopy. Further work should lead to a ...
SummaryIntended Outputs: Documentation demonstrating an improved biophysical understanding of the role of forests on low flows in the arid zone regions of India through the development and outputs from hydrological models such as Hyluc and SWAT.A documented analysis of the impacts on the poor of historical and current water management policies, including the investigation through PRA techniques of people's perceptions and beliefs of land-use/hydrological interactions, and the implications o [continued...]ObjectivesTo establish a better understanding of forest impacts on low flows and the social impact of water resources management in arid zone regions of India, and to develop tools which allow this improved understanding to be disseminated directly to stakeholders.DescriptionProject Background: Reducing river flows and groundwater tables, especially during the dry season, constitutes a major problem causing great hardship to large numbers of rural and urban poor ...
Context. The I(15.01 A)/I(16.78 A) emission line intensity ratio in Fe XVII has been reported to deviate from its theoretical value in solar and stellar X-ray spectra. This is attributed to opacity in the 15.01 A line, leading to a reduction in its intensity, and was interpreted in terms of a geometry in which the emitters and absorbers are spatially distinct. Aims. We study the I(15.01 A)/I(16.78 A) intensity ratio for the active cool dwarf EV Lac, in both flare and quiescent spectra. Methods. The observations were obtained with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on the XMM-Newton satellite. The emission measure distribution versus temperature reconstruction technique is used for our analysis. Results. We find that the 15.01 A line exhibits a significant enhancement in intensity over the optically thin value. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an enhancement has been detected on such a sound statistical basis. We interpret ...
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company`s Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline ``as-found`` configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company's Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline as-found'' configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
In an effort to develop cost-efficient techniques for remediating uranium contaminated groundwater at DOE Uranium Mill Tailing Remedial Action (UMTRA) sites nationwide, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) deployed a pilot scale research project at an UMTRA site in Durango, CO. Implementation included design, construction, and subsequent monitoring of an in situ passive reactive barrier to remove Uranium from the tailings pile effluent. A reactive subsurface barrier is produced by emplacing a reactant material (in this experiment various forms of metallic iron) in the flow path of the contaminated groundwater. Conceptually the iron media reduces and/or adsorbs uranium in situ to acceptable regulatory levels. In addition, other metals such as Se, Mo, and As have been removed by the reductive/adsorptive process. The primary objective of the experiment was to eliminate the need for surface treatment of tailing pile effluent. Experimental design, and ...
The possible contribution of short rotation cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations was investigated using the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technique. Three poplar species were grown in an SRC plantation for three growing seasons. Above-ground and below-ground biomass increased by 15 to 27 per cent and by 22 to 38 per cent, respectively; light-efficiency also increased as a result. Depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil increased after three growing seasons at elevated carbon dioxide levels, but carbon dioxide showed no effect on stem wood density. Stem wood density also differed significantly from species to species. These results confirmed inter-specific differences in biomass production in poplar, and demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide enhanced biomass productivity and light-use efficiency of a poplar short rotation cultivation ecosystem without changing biomass allocation. The ...
The possible contribution of short rotation cultures (SRC) to carbon sequestration in both current and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations was investigated using the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technique. Three poplar species were grown in an SRC plantation for three growing seasons. Above-ground and below-ground biomass increased by 15 to 27 per cent and by 22 to 38 per cent, respectively; light-efficiency also increased as a result. Depletion of inorganic nitrogen from the soil increased after three growing seasons at elevated carbon dioxide levels, but carbon dioxide showed no effect on stem wood density. Stem wood density also differed significantly from species to species. These results confirmed inter-specific differences in biomass production in poplar, and demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide enhanced biomass productivity and light-use efficiency of a poplar short rotation cultivation ecosystem without changing biomass allocation. The ...
The electroreduction process of Zr(IV) was studied at molybdenum electrode in LiCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 molten salt. The transient electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry and chronopotenimetry were used. The experimental results showed that the electrochemical reduction of Zr(II)/Zr and Zr(IV)/Zr(II) were both diffusion-controlled process. In the 773-973K range, the diffusion coefficients of Zr(ii) and Zr(IV) were determined: DZr(II)=0.15567exp{-69.65x10^3RT(K)}cm^2/s, DZr(IV)=1.09x10^-^4exp{-44.39x10^3RT(K)}cm^2/s. The activation energy values for the diffusion process were 69.65kJ/mol and 44.39kJ/mol, respectively.
For ages, herbs have been used as medicine and food. Nowadays, the interest in phytotherapeutics is increasing as well as the consumer attention. Some biochemical compounds synthesized by plants as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, essential oils, tannins and vitamins, influence the composition of these plant pharmacologicals, which may produce various reactions in the human body. The microbial contamination in these raw plant materials is common, and the radiation processing is one appropriate technique for the reduction of microorganism. In herbs used as food products, the changes in total #beta#-carotene and flavonoids upon the radiation treatment were tested. The powdered and dehydrated herbs were irradiated with "6"0Co gamma rays applying doses of 0, 10, 20 and 30 kGy. The botanical species investigated were rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linne), watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br), artichoke (Cynara scolymus Linne) and sweet basil ...
Local blood flow in the thigh was measured with /sup 133/Xe clearance technique in eight male distance runners after compression with a foam rubber compress and a standard elastic bandage. Two degrees of compression were tested, and an initial experiment with rested subjects was followed by a similar experiment immediately after running. Maximum compression exerted a cutaneous pressure of 85 (+/- 8) mm Hg and caused an immediate cessation of intra-muscular blood flow in the compressed area. Moderate compression gave a cutaneous pressure of 40 (+/- 5) mm Hg and resulted in a reduction of blood flow by approximately 50%. During compression, there were no significant differences in the blood flow of rested subjects compared to subjects immediately after running. In acute soft tissue injuries, a maximum compression bandage should effectively reduce or eliminate the formation of an intra-muscular hematoma, and an additive effect on blood flow of ice ...
The image quality of digital luminescent radiography (DLR) is sufficient for routine biplane chest radiography and for follow-up studies of heart size, pulmonary congestion, coin lesions, infiltrations, atelectasis, pleural effusions, and mediastinal and hilar lymph node enlargement. Chest radiography in the intensive care unit may in most cases be performed using the DLR technique. there is no need for repeat shots because of incorrect exposure, and the position of catheters, tubes, pacemakers, drains and artificial heart valves, the mediastinum, and the retrocardiac areas of the left lung are more confidently assessed on the edge-enhanced DLR films than on conventional films. Nevertheless, DLR is somewhat inferior to conventional film-screen radiography of the chest as it can demonstrate or rule out subtle pulmonary interstitial disease less confidently. There is no reduction of radiation exposure of the chest in DLR compared with modern ...
The heavy dependence on nuclear power eventually raise the issues of an efficient utilization of uranium resources, which Korea presently imports from abroad, end of a spent fuel storage. From the viewpoint that sodium-cooled fast Reactors (SFRs) have the potential of an enhanced safety by utilizing inherent safety characteristics, trans-uranics (TRU) reduction and resolving the spent fuel storage problems through a proliferation-resistant actinide recycling. SFRs are sure to be most promising nuclear power operation. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has been developing SFR design technologies since 1997. And nowadays, the preliminary heat balance of the demonstration SFR is calculated. However, in order to verify design condition of the NSSS, it is necessary to set the heat balance and the conceptual design for BOP of the SFR as a part of the SFR design technique development business. Moreover, in order to confirm whether the ...
In the present investigation the performance of digital data acquisition (DA) and analogue data acquisition (AA) systems are compared in neutron-induced fission experiments. The DA results are practically identical to the AA results in terms of angular-, energy- and mass-resolution, and both compare very well with literature data. However, major advantages were found with the digital techniques. DA allows for a very efficient #alpha#-particle pile-up correction. This is important when considering the accurate measurement of fission-fragment characteristics of highly #alpha#-active actinide isotopes relevant for the safe operation of Generation IV reactors and the successful reduction of long-lived radioactive nuclear waste. In case of a strong #alpha#-emitter, when applying the #alpha#-particle pile-up correction, the peak-to-valley ratio of the energy distribution was significantly improved. In addition, DA offers a very flexible expanded ...
The goal of this project is to develop a bench-scale procedure to produce clean, desulfurized, premium-quality chars from the Illinois basin coals. This goal is achieved by utilizing the effective capabilty of smectites in combination with methane to manipulate the char yields. The major objectives are: to determine the optimum water- ground particle size for the maximum reduction of pyrite and minerals by the selective-bitumen agglomeration process; to evaluate the type of smectite and its interlamellar cation which enhances the premium-quality char yields; to find the mode of dispersion of smectites in clean coal which retards the agglomeration of char during mild gasification; to probe the conditions that maximize the desulfurized clean-char yields under a combination of methane+oxygen or helium+oxygen; to characterize and accomplish a material balance of chars, liquids, and gases produced during mild gasification; to identify the conditions which reject ...
The goal of this project is to develop a bench-scale procedure to produce clean, desulfurized, premium-quality chars from the Illinois basin coals. This goal is achieved by utilizing the effective capabilty of smectites in combination with methane to manipulate the char yields. The major objectives are: to determine the optimum water- ground particle size for the maximum reduction of pyrite and minerals by the selective-bitumen agglomeration process; to evaluate the type of smectite and its interlamellar cation which enhances the premium-quality char yields; to find the mode of dispersion of smectites in clean coal which retards the agglomeration of char during mild gasification; to probe the conditions that maximize the desulfurized clean-char yields under a combination of methane+oxygen or helium+oxygen; to characterize and accomplish a material balance of chars, liquids, and gases produced during mild gasification; to identify the conditions which reject ...
We present space-based photometry of the transiting exoplanetary system HD 209458 obtained with the MOST (Microvariablity and Oscillations of STars) satellite, spanning 14 days and covering 4 transits and 4 secondary eclipses. The HD 209458 photometry was obtained in MOST's lower-precision Direct Imaging mode, which is used for targets in the brightness range $6.5 < V < 13$. We describe the photometric reductiontechniques for this mode of observing, in particular the corrections for stray Earthshine. We do not detect the secondary eclipse in the MOST data, to a limit in depth of 0.053 mmag (1 \\sigma). We set a 1 \\sigma upper limit on the planet-star flux ratio of 4.88 x 10^-5 corresponding to a geometric albedo upper limit in the MOST bandpass (400 to 700 nm) of 0.25. The corresponding numbers at the 3 \\sigma level are 1.34 x 10^-4 and 0.68 respectively. HD 209458b is half as bright as Jupiter in the MOST bandpass. This low geometric ...
Studies of the effectiveness of operant, relaxation, cognitive, and multimodal behavioural approaches to the treatment of chronic benign pain other than headache were evaluated. In general, the quality of the studies was poor, and most investigations lacked appropriate and adequate control conditions, outcome measures, and/or follow-ups. While outcome reports for all four behavioural treatments have been mainly positive, few data were found which conclusively demonstrate that any of the approaches are effective or that they are the treatment of choice. The data do, however, imply that behavioural approaches may help patients lead more normal and productive lives. Specifically, the literature suggests that: (1) the operant method leads to increased activity levels and decreased pain and drug intake, (2) the relaxation approach results in decreased EMG levels and some pain reductions, (3) the cognitive techniques are speculative at this time, and ...
Studies were conducted of the bifunctional oxygen electrode. The development of a rechargeable metal-oxygen (air) cell has been hampered to a great extent by the lack of a stable and cost effective oxygen electrode capable of use during both charge and discharge. The first type of bifunctional electrode consists of two distinct catalytifc layers. The oxygen reduction catalyst layer containing a supported gold catalyst is in contact with a hydrophilic nickel layer in which evolution of oxygen takes place. Loadings of gold from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/cm/sup 2/ were investigated; carbon, graphite, metal, and spinel oxides were evaluated as substrates. The second part of the research effort was centered on developing a reversible oxygen electrode containing only one catalytic layer for both reduction and evolution of oxygen. The work was directed specifically to the study of perovskite type of oxides with the composition AA/sup 1/BO/sub 3/ where A is an ...
Finding innovative ways to reduce waste streams generated at US Department of Energy (DOE) sites by 50% by the year 2000 is a challenge for DOE`s waste minimization efforts. A team composed of members from several DOE facilities used the quality tool known as benchmarking to improve waste minimization efforts. First the team examined office waste generation and handling processes at their sites. Then team members developed telephone and written questionnaires to help identify potential ``best-in-class`` industry partners willing to share information about their best waste minimization techniques and technologies. The team identified two benchmarking partners, NIKE, Inc., in Beaverton, Oregon, and Microsoft, Inc., in Redmond, Washington. Both companies have proactive, employee-driven environmental issues programs. Both companies report strong employee involvement, management commitment, and readily available markets for recyclable materials such as white paper and ...
An experimental technique has been developed to examine the interaction between deformation and the exposure of certain high temperature structural alloys to oxidizing molten salt environments. The experimental program involved performing a series of long-term tensile tests over a wide range of strain rates. Fracture strain reduction in area and ultimate strength (UTS) were monitored as parameters indicative of an alloy's susceptibility to environmental degradation. For Incoloy Alloy 800 tested at 600/sup 0/C in the salt medium and at initial strain rates between 2 x 10/sup -7/ sec/sup -1/ and 1 x 10/sup -5/ sec/sup -/1 no appreciable loss of ductility, as measured by reduction in area, was observed relative to control specimens tested in air at the same temperature and strain rates. Similarly, fracture strain and UTS were essentially unaffected by exposure to the oxidizing environment. The structure of the oxide ...
This bibliography contains abstracts relating to various aspects of ALARA program implementation and dose reduction activities, with a focus on DOE facilities. Abstracts included in this bibliography were selected from proceedings of technical meetings, journals, research reports, searches of the DOE Energy, Science and Technology Database (in general, the citation and abstract information is presented as obtained from this database), and reprints of published articles provided by the authors. Facility types and activities covered in the scope of this report include: radioactive waste, uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage and reprocessing, facility decommissioning, hot laboratories, tritium production, research, test and production reactors, weapons fabrication and testing, fusion, uranium and plutonium processing, radiography, and aocelerators. Information on improved shielding design, decontamination, containments, robotics, source prevention ...
The CANDU-type nuclear fuel localization project started in 1981, and mass-production system completed in 1987 through the pilot scale demonstration of fuel manufacturing. Since the completion of the mass-production system, about 24,000 fuel bundles (450 ton-U) had been delivered to Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant by the end of 1992, according to the fuel supply contracts with KEPCO. The superiority of KAERI-made nuclear fuel has been demonstrated by having achieved the highest utilization factor in the world in 1992. In 1993, as contracted, 4,824 fuel bundles well fabricated and delivered to Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant. The process improvement, quality control, safety management, safeguards of nuclear materials and various kinds of audits have also been performed in the course for fuel manufacturing. Especially in 1993, the difficulties of the reduction of participating work-force were overcome by improving the manufacturing techniques, and ...
Full text of publication follows: Energy and environment are two major concerns in our modern society due to the coming shortage in fossil energy sources and the growing of greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the coming years is to discover new energy resources and to develop devices that are compatible with a sustainable development and generate few (or zero) emission. One of these devices is the fuel cell feed by hydrogen, whose application fields are very large. In particular, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the most realistic device for automotive application. However, hydrogen storage remains one of the most important challenges regarding its development. Although different techniques are available for storing hydrogen, no ideal solution has been found yet. Compression needs elaborated tanks in shape for supporting high pressures, liquefaction requires an expensive hydrogen cooling and adapted tanks. Chemical storage by hydrides ...
Full text of publication follows: Energy and environment are two major concerns in our modern society due to the coming shortage in fossil energy sources and the growing of greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the coming years is to discover new energy resources and to develop devices that are compatible with a sustainable development and generate few (or zero) emission. One of these devices is the fuel cell feed by hydrogen, whose application fields are very large. In particular, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the most realistic device for automotive application. However, hydrogen storage remains one of the most important challenges regarding its development. Although different techniques are available for storing hydrogen, no ideal solution has been found yet. Compression needs elaborated tanks in shape for supporting high pressures, liquefaction requires an expensive hydrogen cooling and adapted tanks. Chemical storage by hydrides ...
The costs of greenhouse gas emission-reductions vary among countries depending on emission levels, technologies used, past emission-reduction achievements, path of economic development, fuel mix, and initial endowment of hydrocarbon resources. The criterion of cost-effectiveness therefore suggests that the ways should be found to encourage emission reductions in the countries where the required costs of reduction of additional unit of emissions are the lowest. These countries usually face crucial capital constraints and have other development priorities than investing in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries could invest their resources in the former Soviet Union and the east European countries to achieve the same level of reduction of greenhouse gases with lower costs than they could in their own countries.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the liposome encaged with vinorelbine (VNB) and "1"1"1In-oxine on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) using HT-29/luc mouse xenografts. HT-29 cells stably transfected with plasmid vectors containing luciferase gene (luc) were transplanted subcutaneously into the male NOD/SCID mice. Biodistribution of the drug was performed when tumor size reached 500-600 mm"3. The uptakes of "1"1"1In-VNB-liposome in tumor and normal tissues/organs at various time points postinjection were assayed. Multimodalities, including gamma scintigraphy, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and whole-body autoradiography (WBAR), were applied for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy when tumor size was about 100 mm"3. The tumor/blood ratios of "1"1"1In-VNB-liposome were 0.044, 0.058, 2.690, 20.628 and 24.327, respectively, at 1, 4, 24, 48 and 72 h postinjection. Gamma scinitigraphy showed that the tumor/muscle ratios were 2.04, 2.25 and 4.39, ...
This Dissertation presents the author's investigation and development of a systematic method for evaluating the aerodynamic performance of Vertical Axis Wind Energy Capture Systems (WECS) apart from their electrical generation capability. The current standard method for specifying a wind energy machine is to discuss its rated power in kilowatts (or megawatts when capacity exceeds 100 kW). While this holistic method is effective for comparing machines it does not reveal the essential characteristics necessary for optimization of individual machine components. The method developed herein separates the performance characteristics of the WECS from the generation characteristics and isolates them for benchmarking and optimization. In order to develop an evaluation criterion, it was essential to evaluate and benchmark the current state of the art for wind energy capture. A thorough history of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) development and technology transfer, a standardized set of VAWT ...
Abstract In this paper, the effect of several turbulence parameters during various flow conditions in Owens Valley, educed from coherent Doppler lidar data have been studied. Radial velocity structure functions are processed to estimate the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate, integral length scale and velocity variance, assuming a theoretical model for isotropic wind fields. Corrections for turbulence measurements have been considered to address the complications due to inherent volumetric averaging of radial velocity over each range gate, noise of the lidar data, and the assumptions required to estimate effects of smaller scales of motion on turbulence quantities. Using data from the Terrain-induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) in April-May 2006, vertical profiles of wind and tur...
This article presents a hands-on web-based activity motivated by the relation between human health and ozone pollution in California. This case study is based on multivariate data collected monthly at 20 locations in California between 1980 and 2006. Several strategies and tools for data interrogation and exploratory data analysis, model fitting and statistical inference on these data are presented. All components of this case study (data, tools, activity) are freely available online at: http://wiki.stat.ucla.edu/socr/index.php/SOCR_MotionCharts_CAOzoneData. Several types of exploratory (motion charts, box-and-whisker plots, spider charts) and quantitative (inference, regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA)) data analyses tools are demonstrated. Two specific human health related questions...
Purpose - Under the pressure of competition from non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) since the Renovation in 1986, the Government of Vietnam has sought to reform state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in order to improve their productivity and efficiency. Whilst the theoretical efficiency benefits from the SOE reform have interested many, this study seeks to add empirical insights to this debate using Williamson's transaction cost economics (TCE). Design/methodology/approach - Organizational integration and transaction costs - two dimensions of firm efficiency - were compared between SOEs and non-SOEs using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA). The analysis was conducted in the context of the within-firm logistics processes of international multimodal transport (IMT) in Vietnam. Findings ...
Abstract We analyse extinction maps of nearby giant molecular clouds to forge a link between driving processes of turbulence and modes of star formation. Our investigation focuses on cloud structure in the column density range above the self-shielding threshold of 1-mag AV and below the star formation threshold - the regime in which turbulence is expected to dominate. We identify clouds with shallow mass distributions as cluster forming. Clouds that form stars in a less clustered or isolated mode show a steeper mass distribution. Structure functions prove inadequate to distinguish between clouds of different star formation mode. They may, however, suggest that the turbulence in the average cloud is governed by solenoidal forcing. The same is found using the -variance analysis which also in...
We provide a quantitative assessment of the probability distribution function of the concentration parameter of galaxy clusters. We do so by using the probability distribution function of halo formation times, calculated by means of the excursion set formalism, and a formation redshift-concentration scaling derived from results of N-body simulations. Our results suggest that the observed high concentrations of several clusters are quite unlikely in the standard Lambda CDM cosmological model, but that due to various inherent uncertainties, the statistical range of the predicted distribution may be significantly wider than commonly acknowledged. In addition, the probability distribution function of the Einstein radius of A1689 is evaluated, confirming that the observed value of ~45" +/- 5" is very improbable in the currently favoured cosmological model. If, however, a variance of ~20% in the theoretically predicted value of the virial radius is assumed, than the ...
Various statistical methods for the estimation of the mean lifetimes of charmed particles have been considered. It is shown that the usual estimates of the maximum likelihood in some cases do not exist or may have rather great positive bias, if the statistics are low. Alternative estimates of the mean lifetime tau are discussed. Among them the 'jackknife' estimate of tau is considered. The minimum variance unbiased estimates of the average rate of decay 1/tau have been derived for some particular cases. It is also shown that the usual estimate of the ratio of the mean lifetimes of different kinds of particles may also have a bias when the statistics are poor. Two methods of reducing this bias have been proposed.
In production systems where high-resolution harvest data are unavailable there is often a reliance on ancillary information to generate potential management units. In these situations correct identification of relevant sources of data is important to minimize cost to the grower. For three fields in a sweet corn production system in central NSW, Australia, several sets of high-resolution data were obtained using soil and crop canopy sensors. Management units were derived by k-means classification for 2?5 classes using three approaches: (1) with soil data, (2) with crop data and (3) a combination of both soil and crop data. Crop quantity and quality were sampled manually, and the sample data were related to the different management units using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The ...
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
Roads function as prime habitats and corridors for invasive plant species. Yet despite the diversity of road types, there is little research on the influence of these types on the spread of invaders. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a plant producing large amounts of allergenic pollen, was selected as a species model for examining the impact of road type on the spread of invasive plants. We examined this relationship in an agricultural region of Quebec, Canada. We mapped plant distribution along different road types, and constructed a model of species presence. Common ragweed was found in almost all sampling sites located along regional (97%) and local paved (81%) roads. However, verges of unpaved local roads were rarely (13%) colonized by the plant. A model (53% of variance expla...
Various statistical methods for the estimation of the mean lifetimes of charmed particles have been considered. It is shown that the usual estimates of the maximum likelihood in some cases do not exist or may have rather great positive bias, if the statistics are low. Alternative estimates of the mean lifetime tau are discussed. Among them the 'jackknife' estimate of tau is considered. The minimum variance unbiased estimates of the average rate of decay 1/tau have been derived for some particular cases. It is also shown that the usual estimate of the ratio of the mean lifetimes of different kinds of particles may alos have a bias when the statistics are poor. Two methods of reducing this bias have been proposed. (orig.).
Abstract In this paper we propose a smooth transition tree model for both the conditional mean and variance of the short-term interest rate process. The estimation of such models is addressed and the asymptotic properties of the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator are derived. Model specification is also discussed. When the model is applied to the US short-term interest rate we find: (1) leading indicators for inflation and real activity are the most relevant predictors in characterizing the multiple regimes' structure; (2) the optimal model has three limiting regimes. Moreover, we provide empirical evidence of the power of the model in forecasting the first two conditional moments when it is used in connection with bootstrap aggregation (bagging). Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction data show that rapid thermal anneals of SrS:Ce thin films enhance grain size and reduce crystalline defects. Electron paramagnetic resonance results suggest that these anneals lead to less variance in the crystal field environments at the nearly cubic Ce"3"+ sites along with the formation of another type of Ce"3"+ site believed to involve a nearby Sr vacancy. We suggest that the association of Ce"3"+ sites with V_S_r shifts the electroluminescence towards larger wavelengths as the symmetry of the activator site is lowered. copyright 1997 American Institute of Physics.
We discuss theoretically and numerically the intramolecular form factor $F(q)$ in dense polymer systems. Following Flory's ideality hypothesis, chains in the melt adopt Gaussian configurations and their form factor is supposed to be given by Debye's formula. At striking variance to this, we obtain noticeable (up to 20%) non-monotonic deviations which can be traced back to the incompressibility of dense polymer solutions beyond a local scale. The Kratky plot ($q^2F(q)$ {\\it vs.} wavevector $q$) does not exhibit the plateau expected for Gaussian chains in the intermediate $q$-range. One rather finds a significant decrease according to the correction $\\delta(F^{-1}(q)) = q^3/32\\rho$ that only depends on the concentration $\\rho$ of the solution, but neither on the persistence length or the interaction strength.
The need to evolve with our ever-changing student bodies has never been as great as it is today, particularly given the advanced technological aptitude of today's students. This retrospective study evaluates student outcomes as they relate to overall course score and composite quiz and examination scores from a basic pharmacology course taught over three separate semesters using three different lecture delivery modalities: traditional in-class; blended; and online-only. A total of 48 students from a US university's health sciences bachelor degree programme enrolled in one of these three sections between 2009 and 2010. A one-way analysis of variance test with Tukey's honestly significant difference post hoc testing was utilized to determine if any statistical difference existed between the ...
The research and development of a new type of high damping rubber damper for high rise buildings/structures to mitigate earthquake or wind-induced structural response is described in this paper. The static tests were carried out to investigate restoring force characteristics using scale model of high damping rubber damper. The repetitive tests and the temperature dependency tests were carried out to investigate variance of performance of energy absorption. It is confirmed that the damping force characteristics of the damper can be considered as that of linear viscous damping and the damper sufficiently dissipates energy for vibrations of mm order to that of generating 200% shear strain. The design methods, based on assuming linear viscous damping for the damper, has been developed. The designed values such as stiffness and damping coefficient of the damper agree well with the experimental results. (author)
Gravitational lensing distorts the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization fields and encodes valuable information on distances and growth rates at intermediate redshifts into the lensed power spectra. The non-Gaussian bandpower covariance induced by the lenses is negligible to l=2000 for all but the B polarization field where it increases the net variance by up to a factor of 10 and favors an observing strategy with 3 times more area than if it were Gaussian. To quantify the cosmological information, we introduce two lensing observables, characterizing nearly all of the information, which simplify the study of non-Gaussian impact, parameter degeneracies, dark energy models, and complementarity with other cosmological probes. Information on the intermediate redshift parameters rapidly becomes limited by constraints on the cold dark matter density and initial amplitude of fluctuations as observations improve. Extraction of this information ...
In the present study, surfaces of cylinder head, piston, exhaust and inlet valve of a four-stroke, direct injection, single cylinder diesel engine were coated with molybdenum (Mo) by plasma spray method. Thus, thermal barrier characteristic was brought to these parts. Variances in performance and emission values of cotton methyl ester and 2D fuel mixtures were studied in the ceramic coated and uncoated engines under the same running conditions. Performance (6.0% for specific fuel consumption) and emission values (up to 18.0% for CO, 8.0% for smoke density) of the test fuel were improved in the coated engine compared with the uncoated engine. NO_x increase (4.5%) with the increased temperatures expected in the coated engine.
Proper balance control is a key aspect of acitivities of daily living. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of body weight to predict balance stability. The balance stability of 59 male subjects with BMI ranging from 17.4 to 63.8kg/m2 was assessed using a force platform. The subjects were tested with and without vision. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent effect of body weight, age, body height and foot length on balance stability (i.e., mean speed of the center of foot pressure). With vision, the stepwise multiple regression revealed that body weight accounted for 52% of the variance of balance stability. The addition of age contributed a further 3% to explain balance control. Without vision, body weight accounted for 54% of the...
This study looks for the presence of rational speculative bubbles in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) using unit-root, variance ratio, duration dependence and regime switching regression tests. The regime switching method provides weak evidence of speculative bubble behaviour in both the mortgage and hybrid REITs sectors even though traditional econometric bubble tests do not provide evidence of rational speculative bubbles in all REIT markets. Findings suggest that price movement in mortgage and hybrid REITs may be induced by bubble-like behaviour of investors. This behaviour may be traced to the real estate market bubble. Our results provide evidence that the real estate bubble that started in early 2000 was transmitted into securitized real estate markets. A regime switching model ...
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Engineering Directorate has two primary discretionary avenues for its investment in technologies: the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program and the ''Tech Base'' program. This volume summarizes progress on the projects funded for technology-base efforts in FY2004. The Engineering Technical Reports exemplify Engineering's more than 50-year history of researching and developing (LDRD), and reducing to practice (technology-base) the engineering technologies needed to support the Laboratory's missions. Engineering has been a partner in every major program and project at the Laboratory throughout its existence, and has prepared for this role with a skilled workforce and technical resources. This accomplishment is well summarized by Engineering's mission: ''Enable program success today and ensure the Laboratory's vitality ...
A study was undertaken to examine the uptake, distribution, and interaction of five activation products (Co-57, Be-7, Cs-134, Rb-83, and Mn-54) within the biotic and abiotic components surrounding the waste treatment lagoons of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). The study attempted to ascertain where, and what specific interactions were taking place among the isotopes and the biotic/abiotic components. A statistical approach, utilizing Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), was conducted testing the radioisotopic concentrations by (1) the trophic levels (TROPLVL) in each position sampled on the grid, (2) where sampled on the grid (TRAN), (3) where sampled with-in each grid line (PLOT), and (4) the side with which sampled (SIDE). This provided both the dependent and independent variables that would be tested. The Null Hypothesis (Ho) tested the difference in the mean values of the isotopes within/between each of the four independent variables. The ...
A study was undertaken to examine the uptake, distribution, and interaction of five activation products (Co-57, Be-7, Cs-134, Rb-83, and Mn-54) within the biotic and abiotic components surrounding the waste treatment lagoons of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). The study attempted to ascertain where, and what specific interactions were taking place among the isotopes and the biotic/abiotic components. A statistical approach, utilizing Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), was conducted testing the radioisotopic concentrations by (1) the trophic levels (TROPLVL) in each position sampled on the grid, (2) where sampled on the grid (TRAN), (3) where sampled with-in each grid line (PLOT), and (4) the side with which sampled (SIDE). This provided both the dependent and independent variables that would be tested. The Null Hypothesis (Ho) tested the difference in the mean values of the isotopes within/between each of the four independent variables. The ...
Computational transport models are described with applications in three problem areas related to unsaturated zone moisture movement beneath Area G. These studies may be used to support the ongoing maintenance of the site Performance Assessment. The three areas include: a 1-D transient analysis with average tuff hydraulic properties in the near surface region with computed results compared to field data; the influence on near surface transient moisture percolation due to realistic distributions in hydraulic properties derived statistically from the observed variance in the field data; and the west to east moisture flow in a 2-D steady geometry approximation of the Pajarito Plateau. Results indicate that a simple transient model for transport of moisture volume fraction fits field data well compared to a moisture pulse observed in the active disposal unit, pit 37. Using realistic infiltration boundary conditions for summer showers and for spring snow melt conditions, ...
This paper explores effects of differential diffusion in nonpremixed turbulent jet flames. Pulsed Raman scattering spectroscopy is used to measure temperature and species concentrations in chemically reacting jets of H{sub 2}/CO{sub 2} into air, over a range of jet Reynolds numbers from 1,000 to 30,000 based on cold jet fluid properties. Results show significant effects of differential diffusion at all jet Reynolds numbers considered. Differential diffusion between H{sub 2} and C0{sub 2} produces differences between the hydrogen element mixture fraction ({xi}{sub H}) and the carbon element mixture fraction ({xi}{sub c}). The greatest effects occur on the rich side of stoichiometric, where {xi}{sub H} is observed to be smaller than {xi}{sub C} at all Reynolds numbers. Differential diffusion between H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O creates a net flux of hydrogen element toward the stoichiometric contour and causes a local maximum in {xi}H that occurs near the stoichiometric condition. A ...
A general space- and energy-dependent formalism is developed in order to analyze zero-power neutron noise experiments in fast reactor systems. A generalized dispersion equation is combined with theoretical expressions for the experimentally measured power spectral density and variance-to-mean ratio which makes it possible to express these quantities in terms of a double moment of the Laplace and Fourier transformed Green's function of a slowing-down operator rather than those of the full Boltzmann operator. Several spatial approximations are analyzed in the context of the general formalism. In each case, the power spectral density and variance-to-mean ratio are written in terms of an appropriate fast reactor dispersion law for the medium which can be calculated from the solution to a simple slowing-down equation. The resultant expression for the power spectral density are analyzed for various combinations of neutron migration ...
The transport of radon in concrete takes place through the complicated network of interconnected pores that is, at any time, the result of the process of hydration of cement and of moisture distribution and transport. Initially the microstructure of concrete depends on the mix proportions and curing conditions, its time-evolution being conditioned by its surrounding environment. Radon transport will be consequently a function of time, as it is influenced by the changing microstructure (total porosity and its distribution) and by the amount and distribution of the moisture contained in the pore system. A selection of information from the large amount of literature available on concrete is presented in chapter 2. A model that describes the process of hydration, of microstructure development and of moisture transport is presented in chapter 3. The physics of radon diffusion in homogeneous porous materials is outlined in chapter 4. The coupling of the numerical implementation of the ...
The transport of radon in concrete takes place through the complicated network of interconnected pores that is, at any time, the result of the process of hydration of cement and of moisture distribution and transport. Initially the microstructure of concrete depends on the mix proportions and curing conditions, its time-evolution being conditioned by its surrounding environment. Radon transport will be consequently a function of time, as it is influenced by the changing microstructure (total porosity and its distribution) and by the amount and distribution of the moisture contained in the pore system. A selection of information from the large amount of literature available on concrete is presented in chapter 2. A model that describes the process of hydration, of microstructure development and of moisture transport is presented in chapter 3. The physics of radon diffusion in homogeneous porous materials is outlined in chapter 4. The coupling of the numerical implementation of the ...
This final scientific report documents the Industrial Technology Program (ITP) Stage 2 Concept Development effort on Data Center Energy Reduction and Management Through Real-Time Optimal Control (RTOC). Society is becoming increasingly dependent on information technology systems, driving exponential growth in demand for data center processing and an insatiable appetite for energy. David Raths noted, 'A 50,000-square-foot data center uses approximately 4 megawatts of power, or the equivalent of 57 barrels of oil a day1.' The problem has become so severe that in some cases, users are giving up raw performance for a better balance between performance and energy efficiency. Historically, power systems for data centers were crudely sized to meet maximum demand. Since many servers operate at 60%-90% of maximum power while only utilizing an average of 5% to 15% of their capability, there are huge inefficiencies in the consumption and delivery of power in ...
The design characteristic of the autocontrol technique of the combined centrifuge is introduced. Digital technique, vary structure control and interface technique, graphical display techniques, digital communication technique as well as electronic technique are applied in the course of research. Automation in the operation of large scale combined centrifuges and the course of combined test has been realized and it can coordinate with other systems of status monitoring, data collecting and centrifugal force-aerodynamic force matched load automatically
The design and material characteristics of garter spring were summarized and Nondestructive detection techniques of garter spring were also described. In particular, Eddy current testing of loose type garter spring was used in Wolsung unit 1 and was described in detail. The inspection technique of tight type garter spring has not been established and all candidated techniques were investigated in order to choose the possible detection technique. Candidated nondestructive techniques including RFEC, PEC, Magnetic technique using GMR sensor, AE, Guided Wave technique, and high frequency ultrasonic technique, are summarized for evaluating the detectability of tight garter spring.
In this report, I surveyed the cognitive radio technique in wireless networks. Researched several kinds of cognitive techniques about their advantages and disadvantages.
An overview of different Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) techniques is given. Examples of applications of the PIXE techniques to various types of samples are presented. (author)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether resistance exercise training-induced reductions in inflammation are mediated via melanocortin 3 receptor expression in obese (BMI 32.7 ± 3.7)...Full Text Available
Objectives To evaluate the extent to which intensive care units participating in the initial Keystone ICU project sustained reductions in rates of catheter related bloodstream infections.Design...Full Text Available
BackgroundLung volume reduction surgery is effective at improving lung function, quality of life, and mortality in carefully selected individuals with advanced emphysema. Recently,...Full Text Available
Nitrate reduction was studied as a function of carbohydrate concentration in detached primary leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Numar) seedlings under aerobic conditions in light...Full Text Available
Charge reduction electrospray mass spectrometry (CREMS) reduces the charge states of electrospray-generated ions, which concentrates the ions from a protein into fewer peaks spread over a larger...Full Text Available
Nitrogenase activity was measured by the C2H2reduction method in large soil cores (29 cm in diameter by 20 cm in depth) of maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum...Full Text Available
We proposed a faster pedigree-based generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction algorithm, called PedG-MDR II (PII), to detect gene-gene interactions underlying complex traits. Inherited...Full Text Available
... operation, experimental data reduction, and application of PES results to studies related to estuarine and coastal sediment transport problems are ...
This work deals with kinetic description of carbothermic reduction of iron oxides using microwaves as power source. Previous researches show that it is possible to conduct this kind of process successfully, but real kinetic comparisons between conventional and microwaves procedure have been presented partially. The aim of this work is to describe reduction kinetics, taking into account how the iron oxide is reduced by microwaves compared with conventional energy supply. In this study the authors used iron ore in pellet shape and dust. They found that both, pellet and dust reduction stops when it reaches approximately 40%, even at whole power.
... is to develop a systematic program of energy consumption reductions in compliance with the stated goals of the Army Facilities Energy Plan (AFEP ...
... projects that will result in the reduction of energy consumption in compliance with the objectives set forth in the Army Facilities Energy Plan, without ...
... be easily replaceable, and its compartment or container ... in a simple, efficient manner for storage or disposal. ... and enters the reactor at approximatel ...
A transient flow reduction burnout experiment was conducted with water in a uniformly heated, vertically oriented tube. Test pressures ranged from 0.5 to 3.9 MPa. An analytical method was developed to obtain transient burnout conditions at the exit. A simple correlation to predict the deviation of the transient burnout mass velocity at the tube exit from the steady state mass velocity obtained as a function of steam-water density ratio and flow reduction rate. The correlation was also compared with the other data. (author).
The effects of bivalent cations on cytochrome b5 reduction by NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase and NADPH:cytochrome c reductase were studied with the proteinase-solubilized enzymes. Cytochrome b5 reduction...Full Text Available
DescriptionIn young pigs the post-weaning period is generally characterised by a marked reduction in voluntary feed intake, poor growth and development, and diarrhoea. The associated reduction in digestive and absorptive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract decreases the overall efficiency of nutrient capture and utilisation, thereby causing an increase in nutrient loading to the environment. The reduction in digestive and absorptive efficiency after weaning has implications for lifetime performance be [continued...
The degradation of chlorinated solvents by reduction at the surface of zero-valent metals and bimetallic systems has emerged as an important approach to the in-situ remediation of ground water. Reduction by iron metal was studied in batch and column systems to develop a mechanistic understanding of the reaction chemistry and to determine the factors that affect dechlorination rate and long term performance in field applications.
Ultrafine grained steels with different carbon contents were produced through warm caliber rolling and evaluated for their stress-strain behavior along with the reduction in area. It was found that the reduction in area-tensile strength balance is far better than the conventional ferrite+pearlite steels and even superior to bainitic steels for all materials tested in the present study.
The catalytic properties of molybdena-alumina catalysts reduced in hydrogen were studied in the function of the reduction temperature, i.e. in the function of the extent of reduction. The deuterium exchange reaction of benzene was used as model catalytic reaction. It was concluded that the reaction rate constant and the multiplicity factor decreased with the extent of reduction parallel with the change in the extent of dehydroxylation of the catalysts. (orig.)
Classical beam line ion implantation is limited to low energies and cannot achieve P+/N junctions requested for <45nm ITRS node. RTA (rapid thermal annealing) needs to be improved for dopants activation and damage reductions. Spike annealing process also induces a large diffusion mainly due to TED (transient enhanced diffusion). Compared to conventional beam line ion implantation limited to a minimum energy implantation of 200eV, plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) is an emerging technique to get ultimate shallow profiles (as-implanted) due to no lower limitation of energy and high dose rate. On the another hand, laser thermal processing (LTP) allows to obtain very shallow junction with no TED, abrupt profile and activated depth control. In this paper, we show the implementation of the BF_3 PIII associated with the LTP. Ions from BF_3"+ plasma have been implanted in 200mm n-type silicon wafers with energies from 100eV to 1keV and doses ...
This report describes the progress of the Dutch RAS programme on `Recycling and Transmutation of Actinides and Fission Products` over the year 1995, which is the second year of the 4-year programme 1994-1997. An extensive listing of reports and publications from 1991 to 1995 is given. Highlights in 1995 were: -The completion of the European Strategy Study on Nuclear Waste Transmutation as a result of which the understanding of transmutation of plutonium, minor actinides and long-lived fission products in thermal and fast reactors has been increased significantly. Important ECN contributions were given on Am, {sup 99}Tc and {sup 129}I transmutation options. Follow-up contracts have been obtained for the study of 100% MOX cores and accelerator-based transmutation. - Important progress in the evaluation of CANDU reactors for burning very large amounts of transuranium mixtures in inert matrices. - The first RAS irradiation experiment in the HFR, in which the transmutation of technetium and ...
Intensification of forest management and harvesting will lead to increased pressures on relatively infertile forest soils with possible reductions in levels of nitrogen and organic matter. It will be necessary for foresters to manage the soils, along with trees, if they wish to maintain site productivity. Nitrogen fixation should be considered as a supplementary or alternative soil amendment method. Free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria appear to contribute minor amounts of combined nitrogen to forest soils, but it is possible that this contribution has been underestimated. The nitrogen-fixing symbioses of higher plants with bacteria contribute up to 300 kg year of nitrogen, more than sufficient to replace potential losses of nitrogen in intensive forestry. The nitrogen-fixing process, however, requires sufficient supplies of certain elements and is sensitive to environmental factors. There are numerous examples of nitogen-fixing symbioses improving tree growth and ...
In a 70kg adult man, artemether is given at a total dosage of 480mg for five days in the treatment of malarial. Using t-test analysis technique at 95% confidence interval i.e t < 0.05 and P - value = 2.26, no significant difference was observed between the average brain and cerebellar weight, the average width of cerebellar cortical layers, the density and the average size of Purkinje Cells in the control groups C1 and C2 and the experimental group E. In the present study, there were no gross or morphological differences between the two groups of animals (control and experimental groups) on day 7 at the completion of experimental procedure. A significant statistical increase in average body weight was observed in the control groups C1 (which received only standard diet and water) and C2 (which received 1.23mg/kg body weight of normal saline intramuscularly in addition to standard diet and water) from 140 + 19.65g on day 1 to 146 + 19.90g on day 7 and 151 + 12.0g ...
Sulfur poisoning from engine fuel and lube is one of the most recognizable degradation mechanisms of a NOx adsorber catalyst system for diesel emission reduction. Even with the availability of 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, NOx adsorber will be deactivated without an effective sulfur management. Two general pathways are currently being explored for sulfur management: (1) the use of a disposable SOx trap that can be replaced or rejuvenated offline periodically, and (2) the use of diesel fuel injection in the exhaust and high temperature de-sulfation approach to remove the sulfur poisons to recover the NOx trapping efficiency. The major concern of the de-sulfation process is the many prolonged high temperature rich cycles that catalyst will encounter during its useful life. It is shown that NOx adsorber catalyst suffers some loss of its trapping capacity upon high temperature lean-rich exposure. With the use of a disposable SOx trap to remove large portion of the sulfur ...
Amorphization and a dual implant technique have been used to manipulate residual defects that persist following implantation and post-implant thermal treatments. Residual defects can often be attributed to ion-induced defect excesses. A defect is considered to be excess when it occurs in a localized region at a concentration greater than its complement. Sources of excess defects include spatially separated Frenkel pairs, excess interstitials resulting from the implanted atoms, and sputtering. Preamorphizing prior to dopant implantation has been proposed to eliminate dopant broadening due to ion channeling as well as dopant diffusion during subsequent annealing. However, transient-enhanced diffusion (TED) of implanted boron has been observed in pre-amorphized Si. The defects driving this enhanced boron diffusion are thought to be the extended interstitial-type defects that form below the amorphous-crystalline interface during implantation. A dual implantation ...
Amorphization and a dual implant technique have been used to manipulate residual defects that persist following implantation and post-implant thermal treatments. Residual defects can often be attributed to ion-induced defect excesses. A defect is considered to be excess when it occurs in a localized region at a concentration greater than its complement. Sources of excess defects include spatially separated Frenkel pairs, excess interstitials resulting from the implanted atoms, and sputtering. Preamorphizing prior to dopant implantation has been proposed to eliminate dopant broadening due to ion channeling as well as dopant diffusion during subsequent annealing. However, transient-enhanced diffusion (TED) of implanted boron has been observed in pre-amorphized Si. The defects driving this enhanced boron diffusion are thought to be the extended interstitial-type defects that form below the amorphous-crystalline interface during implantation. A dual implantation ...
The availability of polysilicon feedstock has become a major issue for the photovoltaic (PV) industry in recent years. Most of the current polysilicon feedstock is derived from rejected material from the semiconductor industry. However, the reject material can become scarce and more expensive during periods of expansion in the integrated-circuit industry. Continued rapid expansion of the PV crystalline-silicon industry will eventually require a dedicated supply of polysilicon feedstock to produce solar cells at lower costs. The photovoltaic industry can accept a lower purity polysilicon feedstock (solar-grade) compared to the semiconductor industry. The purity requirements and potential production techniques for solar-grade polysilicon have been reviewed. One interesting process from previous research involves reactive gas blowing of the molten silicon charge. As an example, Dosaj et all reported a reduction of metal and boron impurities from ...
Reinforcement of the legislation concerning the emission of atmospheric pollutants, aerosols, refrigerants, solvents etc and the reduction of the greenhouse effect, has led to the development of performing instruments for the survey and control of ambient air quality and for the limitation of exhaust gases, combustion products, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulates and noxious compounds in the atmosphere. This study is divided in 4 main parts. The first part describes the context of the air quality control: the problems linked with the environment and health, the pollutants characteristics, the pollution levels and the detection sensitivity of instruments according to the different type of pollutants (petroleum products, VOCs, ozone compounds, particulates, smells..), the protocols of air pollution measurements and their application (chimney smokes, industrial volatile compounds, indoor and ambient air quality, exhaust gases from automobiles), and the ...
This paper presents the present status of R and D activities on plasma facing components for fusion reactors, such as International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and fusion demonstration reactor (DEMO). The plasma facing components (PFCs) as typified by divertor and first wall components are subjected to high heat flux and particle flux from fusion plasma. It is essential for these components to have sufficient heat removal capability and robust structure against those loadings. JAEA has been carried out to develop the ITER-PFCs which consist of copper alloys and armor materials with high thermal conductivity, such as carbon fiber composites, tungsten and beryllium. The demonstration of the thermomechanical performance of the ITER-PFCs by using mock-ups has successfully been made under close mutual cooperation between the participant countries of ITER. Currently, the activity on the development of the ITER-PFCs is in a qualification phase prior to the bulk production for ...
The abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions is a huge technical and economical challenge. Fossil fuels, which represent 88% of the world primary energy consumption, are the main source of the 25 billions of CO{sub 2} released each year in the atmosphere. The mastery of CO{sub 2} emissions cannot come from a single technology but must result from the simultaneous implementation of several means, like the development of carbon-free energies and the mastery of fossil fuel emissions. The opportunities of progress are numerous and compatible with the economic development. This document presents, first, the different greenhouse gases, the CO{sub 2} emissions per country and the main sources of CO{sub 2} emissions (power and heat generation, transports). Then it presents different ways of abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions: clean coal technologies, gas combined cycles, CO{sub 2} sequestration, reduction of fuel consumption in transports, development of carbon-free energies: wind ...
Experiments are reported in which a methane plasma is created, and the methyl ions and hydrogen ions are accelerated within a microchannel array so that they interact with neutral methane molecules on the inside surfaces of the microchannels. No catalysts are used, and the device operates at room temperature. Impact energies of the ions are in the range of 10 eV to greater than 100 eV, and the energy delivered in the interaction at the surfaces causes the production of larger hydrocarbon molecules, such as C{sub 2}H{sub 2}, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, and C{sub 2}H{sub 6}, along with C{sub 3}, C{sub 4}, C{sub 5}m C{sub 6}, C{sub 7}m and C{sub 8} molecules. There is a decreasing percentage of larger molecules produced, in comparison with the C{sub 2} and C{sub 3} types. Conversion effectiveness is greater at higher pressure, due to the increased ionic activity. The yield of the higher hydrocarbons depends upon the external voltage used, and voltage can be used as a control parameter to adjust the ...
An abundance of waste corn, a key food of many wildlife species, has helped make possible the widespread success of wildlife management in the United States over the past half century. We found waste corn post harvest in Nebraska declined by 47% from 1978 to 1998 due primarily to improvements in combine headers resulting in a marked decline in ear loss. The reduction in waste coincided with major declines in fat storage by sandhill cranes and white-fronted geese during spring migration. Sandhill cranes, northern pintails, white-fronted geese, and lesser snow geese avoided soybeans while staging in spring in the Rainwater Basin Area and Central Platte River Valley. These findings and other literature suggest soybeans are a marginal food for wildlife particularly during periods of high energy requirements. Soybean acreage has increased by 600% in the United States since 1950 and now comprises nearly one-quarter of the nation>'s cropland. With over 80% of the ...
'Improvement in understanding of the deposition of ambient dust particles on ECAM (Environmental Continuous Air Monitor) filters, reduction of the alpha-particle interference of radon progeny and other radioactive aerosols in different particle size ranges on filters, and development of ECAM''s with increased sensitivity under dusty outdoor conditions. As of May 1, 1998 (1/2 year into the project) the research-prototype 30-cm pulsed ionization chamber (PIC) is assembled and operational with an alpha particle energy resolution of better than 45 keV for 5-MeV alpha particles. Measurements of spectral resolution for alpha particles from radon decay products have been made as a function of filter type and dust loading conditions. So far, a study of ten filter types has found that the best combination of resolution and throughput is obtained with 3.0 \\265m Millipore fluoropore and 1.0 \\265m Corning FNMB filters. Experiments with gypsum and ...
The fundamentals and the technical application methods of the imaging procedures are discussed in detail with regard to their application in medicine. The development of the X-ray contrast media has led to a better tolerance and a significant reduction of risks. Problems relating to radiation protection and radiation exposure are discussed critically. The general point gives an overview of the radiological examination methods and is meant to deepen the understanding of the special techniques and their rationally determined application. The following special part deals with diagnosing of organs in the region of the neck and the thorax. The general basis is the conventional radiological examination. The great increase in information achieved by means of the new imaging methods becomes clear if we look at the diagnostics of the soft tissue of the neck. Computerized tomography and NMR imaging open the view at the fine structures of the mediastinum. ...
Asynchronous Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells treated with conditioning hyperthermia (10 min at 45/sup 0/C) followed immediately by x irradiation with 4 Gy at room temperature display a decreased radiation response when either irradiated, or heated and irradiated again 24 h later. In addition, conditioning by 4 Gy of x radiation alone followed at 24 h by the combined heat and radiation treatment als resulted in a larger radiation D/sub 0/. Since the differential cell-cycle responses to heat- and x-ray-induced lethality are well established for CHO cells, the potential role of cell-cycle redistribution in the observed radiation desensitization was investigated by flow cytometry. At 24 h after the combined treatment, the fraction of the cells found in the G/sub 2/ + M portion of the DNA histograms was about three times that of the controls and there was a concomitant reduction in both the G/sub 1/ and S fractions. Similar observations were made after the ...
Concern for the environment and cost reduction are driving forces for a broad effort in government and the private sector to develop new, more cost-effective technologies for characterizing, monitoring and remediating environmental sites. Secondary goals of the characterization, monitoring and remediation (CMR) activity are: minimize secondary waste generation, minimize site impact, protect water tables, and develop methods/strategies to apply new technologies. The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) project in directional boring for CMR of waste sites with enhanced machinery from the underground utility installation industry was initiated in 1990. The project has tested a variety of prototype machinery and hardware built by the industrial partner, Charles Machine Works (CMW), and SNL at several sites (Savannah River Site (SRS), Hanford, SNL, Kirtland AFB (KAFB), CMW), successfully installed usable horizontal environmental test wells at SRS and SNL/KAFB, and ...
Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of ultra-low-dose scanning for multislice CT colonography in the detection of colorectal lesions. Twenty-seven patients (14 men, 13 women) with clinical indication for conventional colonoscopy were recruited. Multislice spiral CT (Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom, Siemens, Germany) examinations were performed after standard oral colonoscopic preparation and colonic distension with room air. Images were acquired using 2.5-mm collimation, 3.0-mm slice thickness, standard reconstruction kernel, 140 kVp, and 10 mAs. Supine and prone acquisitions were obtained in all patients. Images were analyzed on a workstation by two gastrointestinal radiologists. Conventional colonoscopy was performed on the same day in all patients and represented the standard of reference. Total radiation exposure was also calculated. All colorectal cancers were correctly identified at CT colonography (9 of 9, sensitivity 100%). The CT colonography also detected 10 of 12 polyps ...
The aim of this paper is to investigate the fluid dynamic behaviour of a commercial hydraulic proportional valve in order to evaluate and justify its global performances and, in particular, to analyze the effects of some additional design features on the reduction of the force required to maintain the valve open. The proposed analysis has been performed by applying the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, Fluent, to the solution of the three dimensional turbulent flow field through a circumferential sector of the entire valve for different spool strokes. The reliability of the employed modelization is demonstrated by the comparison between the computed flow rate curve and the corresponding experimental data provided by the manufacturer. With regard to the metering edge design, it is shown that the cylindrical hole provided on the top of the hemi-spherical notch to improve metering at small valve openings has no influence on the flow force balance. ...
Because of the chaotic nature of the corrosion process and the complexity of the electrochemical noise signals that are generated, there is no generally accepted method of measuring and interpreting these signals that allows the consistent detection and identification of sustained localized pitting (SLP) as compared to general corrosion. We have reexamined electrochemical noise analysis (ENA) of localized corrosion using different hardware, signal collection, and signal processing designs than those used in conventional ENA techniques. The new data acquisition system was designed to identify and monitor the progress of SLP by analyzing the power spectral density (PSD) of the trend of the corrosion current noise level (CNL) and potential noise level (PNL). Each CNL and PNL data point was calculated from the root-mean- square value of the ac components of current and potential fluctuation signals, which were measured simultaneously during a short time period. The PSD ...
Background. In multiple myeloma 5 different infiltration patterns can be differentiated: 1. Normal appearance of bone marrow, 2. focal involvement, 3. homogeneous diffuse infiltration, 4. combined diffuse and focal infiltration, 5. 'salt-and pepper' pattern with inhomogeneous bone marrow with interposition of fat islands. Methods. For the fast and total acquisition of all patterns a combination of a T1-weighted spin echo sequence and a fat suppression technique is superior. The focal involvement is clearly demonstrated as areas of high signal intensity on e.g. STIR images. Diffuse involvement can be quantified objectively by calculation of the percentage of signal intensity increase after contrast material injection. MRI is superior to X-ray in focal and diffuse involvement. With ultrafast sequences a 'screening' of the whole red bone marrow as for myeloma infiltration is possible. Prognosis. In prognosis studies diffuse infiltration is inferior to focal ...
In Japan, the development of next-generation Light Water Reactor has been launched since April 2008. The development program will be completed in 2015. The purpose of development is to cope with the replacement for existing nuclear power plants after 2030 in Japan and the expanding demand for nuclear power in the world; 'Nuclear Renaissance.' The reactor also aims to be global standard at around 2030. The requirements for global standard and domestic users have been investigated through the feasibility study of past 2 years, 2006-2007, and six innovative features or 'Core-Concepts' were established as follows. A) Reactor core system with uranium enrichment above 5% for significant decrease of spent fuel discharge and prominent higher availability B) Long-life materials and innovative water chemistry technologies for 80 years plant lifetime and significant reduction of occupational dose C) Seismic isolation technologies to standardize plant design independent from ...
The beneficial effect of compost application to the sandy soil on dry matter production of shoots and fruits as well as its effect on l5N-uptake and nitrogen utilization percent of cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) were studied under field conditions. Two types of natural compost (i.e. sugar cane bagasse (SC) and beet compost (BC)) with three levels (2, 4, 6 ton/fed) in addition to check treatment for each kind of compost (sheep manure with rate of 20 in/fed) combined with three rates of nitrogen fertilizer rates (50, 75, 100% from the recommended rate, i.e. 75 kg /fed) were used. The bagasse compost in both seasons gave a significantly higher response than the beet compost. There was a greet reduction in cucumber dry weight, N yield, Ndff%, FN yield and N utilization % of shoots and fruits as the level of compost application decreased. However, cucumber plants grown on high compost application level (6 ton/fed) were similar in their responses to plants grown on ...
A high resolution Compton telescope has been identified by the Gamma Ray Astronomy Program Working Group (GRAPWG) as the highest priority major mission in gamma ray astrophysics following GLAST. This mission should provide 25-100 times improved sensitivity, relative to CGRO and INTEGRAL, for MeV gamma ray lines. It must have good performance for narrow and broad lines and for discrete and diffuse emissions. Several instrumental approaches are being pursued to achieve these goals. We discuss issues relating to this mission including alternative detector concepts, instrumental configurations, and background reductiontechniques. We have pursued the development of position-sensitive solid-state detectors (Ge, Si) for a high spectral resolution Compton telescope mission. A #approx#1 m2 germanium Compton telescope of position-sensitive germanium detectors was the basis for one of the GRAPWG concepts. Preliminary Monte Carlo estimates for the ...
Computerized tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is a technique for relieving abdominal cancer pain; the goal is the alcoholic neurolytic interruption of the sensitive structures in retroperitoneal space. Computerized tomography yields accurate anatomical detailing and the course for needle placement and alcohol spread. January, 1993, to July, 1996, twenty-one bilateral splanchnic nerve blocks were performed through the posterior access. Forty-eight hours after alcoholism. 14 patients (66%) had complete pain regression; 52% of the patients needed no analgesics for 6 to 54 days and only 9 patients (42%) needed another low opioid therapy. Complications included hypotension and diarrhea in all cases. One had a cardiac arrest and diet 8 days after the procedure. There were no other complications. The whole procedure usually lasted 60 min (range: 45 to 90 min). Splanchnic nerve neurolysis is a useful treatment in the patients with severe chronic ...
Global environment problems have become more and more serious in recent years, and reduction of greenhouse gas emission based on Kyoto Protocol adopted at the 3rd conference of the parties of the United nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3); securement of primary energy source and development of clean and renewable energy sources have been pressingly needed in consideration of the predicted depletion of fossil fuel in the future. In this study, we explore the use of a solidified biomass-derived fuel, having the maximum compressive strength of 100MPa and calorific value of 21MJ/kg, in iron-casting or iron-making processes as an alternative fuel to be mixed with coal coke. This study, carried out for internal observation using a quick-freeze technique, observed an actual working cupola furnace under the 20% alternative coal coke operation condition. After quick freeze of the cupola furnace, the solidified biomass fuel was found ...
Plasma-deposited thin films prepared at room temperature, ranging from 46 to 250 A of PdAu on #approx#45-50 A Si-oxide and Si-oxynitride films grown on Si wafers were studied. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, and XPS depth profile techniques were used to characterize the thin films. A reactive interface involving Pd- and Au-silicides is formed, linking the thin film to the Si-oxide and Si-oxynitride films: a small fraction of Pd and Au atoms from PdAu migrate into the Si substrate, first penetrating the oxide layer, and the small fraction of Si atoms from the oxide layer migrate into the PdAu film and form a silicide interlayer consisting of a reactive interface made up of mixtures of Au- and Pd-silicides interspersed within the matrix of PdAu and substrate. The concentration profiles of these silicides have a maximum at the interface with decay on both sides. The density and the face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice parameter of the film are ...
Aerodynamic sound derived from bluff bodies can be considerably reduced by flow control. In this paper, the authors propose a new method in which porous material covers a body surface as one of the flow control methods. From wind tunnel tests on flows around a bare cylinder and a cylinder with porous material, it has been clarified that the application of porous materials is effective in reducing aerodynamic sound. Correlation between aerodynamic sound and aerodynamic force fluctuation, and a surface pressure distribution of cylinders are measured to investigate a mechanism of aerodynamic sound reduction. As a result, the correlation between aerodynamic sound and aerodynamic force fluctuation exists in the flow around the bare cylinder and disappears in the flow around the cylinder with porous material. Moreover, the aerodynamic force fluctuation of the cylinder with porous material is less than that of the bare cylinder. The surface pressure distribution of the ...
The overall objective of this project was to develop a new approach for the direct liquefaction of coal to produce an all-distillate product slate at a sizable cost reduction over current technology. The approach integrated coal selection, pretreatment, coal swelling with catalyst impregnation, liquefaction, product recovery with characterization, alternate bottoms processing, and a technical assessment including an economic evaluation. Heterofunctional solvents were the most effective in swelling coals. Also solvent blends such as isopropanol/water were more effective than pure solvents alone. Impregnating slurry catalysts simultaneously during coal swelling showed that better uptake was achieved with nonswelling solvent and higher impregnation temperature. Some enhancement in initial coal conversion was seen liquefying SO{sub 2}-treated Black Thunder coal with slurry catalysts, and also when hydrogen donor liquefaction solvents were used. Noncatalytic reactions ...
Full text: The transmutation of nuclear waste to reduce the burden on a geological repository is a relevant topic within the Program of Nuclear Safety Research of the Research Centre Karlsruhe. Several studies have confirmed that a high efficiency of transmutation of actinides is reached in fast neutron spectrum reactor system. Therefore, an important effort is dedicated to the study of transmutation strategies with different fast reactors and their associated technologies. Moreover, in international contexts as Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), fast reactors are considered in the frame of sustainable development of nuclear energy and reduction of waste. The systems that are currently under investigation, in the frame of the different fuel cycle scenarios, are liquid metal cooled and gas cooled fast reactors as well as Accelerator Driven Sub-critical Transmutation devices (ADS). These innovative ...
In this paper, four different types of pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe are designed and their performance of detecting wall thickness reduction is compared. By using the backward difference method in time and the finite element method in space, PEC signals from various thickness and materials are numerically calculated and three features of the signal are selected. Since PEC signals and features are obtained by various types and sizes of probe, the comparison is made through the normalized features which reflect the sensitivity of the feature to thickness reduction. The normalized features indicate that the shielded reflection probe provides the best sensitivity to wall thickness reduction for all three signal features. Results show that the best sensitivity to thickness reduction is achieved by the peak value, but also suggest that the time to peak can be a good candidate because of its linear ...
Motivation is given for a technique to more thoroughly test semiconductor equipment control systems. A description is given of a simulator-based control system testing technique. Potential benefits that could be realized by using this technique in the semiconductor industry as well as benefits documented by using this technique in other industries are described. Specific requirements for using the technique in the semiconductor industry are outlined. A summary of a survey of nine commercial simulation systems is given. Finally, the outcome of the survey is compared with the requirements for using the technique.
Previous studies have documented dissimilatory growth of bacteria on solid Mn{sup 4+} oxide, but Mn{sup 3+} oxides have not been previously studied; here the authors have demonstrated for the first time the bacterial reduction of manganite. Strain MR-4 of Shewanella putrefaciens was able to grow on and rapidly reduce insoluble needle-shaped crystals of synthetic manganite (MnOOH), converting them to soluble Mn{sup 2+} in the process. The rate of Mn{sup 3+} reduction was optimal at pH of 7.0 and 26 C consistent with an enzymatic reaction. In addition the rates of reduction were in proportion to the amount of manganite added, but nearly independent of the cell concentration present (e.g., cell number had only a small effect on the rate of Mn{sup 3+} reduction at early stages of growth) suggesting that surface properties were dictating the rates of metal reduction. This thesis was ...
TiO{sub 2} is a vital material in several technologies including, photocatalysis, gas sensing, biomaterials and optical coatings. Among the several crystal structures of this oxide, rutile has the highest density and microhardness, the highest index of refraction and the highest temperature stability. The processing of dense polycrystalline materials often includes the addition of a liquid-forming phase at higher temperatures. This technique is known as liquid-phase sintering and has been studied extensively. Rutile boundaries containing an amorphous phase have been used to study boundary migration and grain-boundary grooving. Visible-light (VLM), scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in addition to electron-backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and a focused-ion beam (FIB) tool were used to characterize boundary migration in rutile. EBSD analysis was carried out on a Philips XL30 FEG SEM equipped with a DigiView 1612 high-resolution, ...
Purpose: In the present study the reduction of artifacts using an extended CT scale technique was examined in 5 vitallium and 5 titanium-aluminium-vanadium tumor prostheses. Methods: 5 titanium-aluminium-vanadium and 5 vitallium distal femur Mutars {sup trademark} tumor prostheses (Mutars {sup trademark} - Modular Universal Tumor And Revision System) were implanted in 10 human femur specimens. 110 artifical drill hole lesions of 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm and 8 mm diameter were placed in the bone around the hexagonal stem of the tumor prosthesis and furthermore in the proximal part of the femur. All specimens were examined using conventional CT and an extended CT scale technique in a slice thickness of 3 mm. Results: In the proximal part of the femur all drill holes could be detected using 3 mm slices, no artefacts were observed. Along the hexagonal stem smooth lines arising from each hexagonal plane could be observed. This ...
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Department of Energy-National Energy Technologies Laboratory (DOE-NETL) are evaluating and demonstrating integration of terrestrial carbon sequestration techniques at a coal-fired electric power plant through the use of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) system gypsum as a soil amendment and mulch, and coal fly ash pond process water for periodic irrigation. From January to March 2002, the Project Team initiated the construction of a 40 ha Carbon Capture and Water Emissions Treatment System (CCWESTRS) near TVA's Paradise Fossil Plant on marginally reclaimed surface coal mine lands in Kentucky. The CCWESTRS is growing commercial grade trees and cover crops and is expected to sequester 1.5-2.0 MT/ha carbon per year over a 20-year period. The concept could be used to meet a portion of the timber industry's needs while simultaneously sequestering carbon in lands ...
We present an alternative, Bayesian method for large-scale reconstruction from observed peculiar velocity data. The method stresses a rigorous treatment of the random errors and it allows extrapolation into poorly sampled regions in real space or in k-space. A likelihood analysis is used to determine the fluctuation power spectrum, followed by a Wiener Filter (WF) analysis to obtain the minimum-variance mean fields of velocity and mass density. Constrained Realizations (CR) are then used to sample the statistical scatter about the WF mean field. The WF/CR method is applied as a demonstration to the Mark III data with 1200 km/s, 900 km/s, and 500 km/s resolutions. The main reconstructed structures are consistent with those extracted by the POTENT method. A comparison with the structures in the distribution of IRAS 1.2Jy galaxies yields a general agreement. The reconstructed velocity field is decomposed into its divergent and tidal components relative to a cube of ...
Expressions for the spatial moments and macrodispersion tensor for sorbing solutes in heterogeneous formations were presented using a probabilistic model of a fluid residence time coupled with the particle position analysis. The fluid residence time was defined as a fraction of the actual time during which the particle stayed in the mobile fluid phase of the aquifer. The fluid residence time is a random variable whose variability comes as a result of the non-equilibrium sorption properties. The sorbing solute was assumed to be governed with first-order linear kinetics. The closed-form expressions were based on the stationarity in the kinetic process and on the first-order approximation in the hydraulic conductivity field and in the fluid residence time. The non-equilibrium effects were presented as a function of the spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity and temporal variability in the fluid residence time. The importance of the non-equilibrium processes in the field scale was ...
Discussed in this report is a wavefield simulation in the 3-dimensional seismic survey. With the level of the object of exploration growing deeper and the object more complicated in structure, the survey method is now turning 3-dimensional. There are several modelling methods for numerical calculation of 3-dimensional wavefields, such as the difference method, pseudospectral method, and the like, all of which demand an exorbitantly large memory and long calculation time, and are costly. Such methods have of late become feasible, however, thanks to the advent of the parallel computer. As compared with the difference method, the pseudospectral method requires a smaller computer memory and shorter computation time, and is more flexible in accepting models. It outputs the result in fullwave just like the difference method, and does not cause wavefield numerical variance. As the computation platform, the parallel computer nCUBE-2S is used. The object domain is divided ...
As a parameter for execution control of confirming a bearing stratum, which is most important in a bored precast pile method, discussions were made on the relativity between the product AT'' of a load current value A'' in an electric motor driving an auger used to drill pit holes with an excavation time T'' and a value N,'' a result of the standard penetration test of the ground. As a result, although the relativity of the N'' value has some variance in the ground of diluvial clay, they correspond well to each other in other kinds of ground. In pile bearing strata in particular, they correspond very well to each other regardless of soil textures of the ground, proving clearly that the AT'' value can be used as an effective parameter for confirmation of and penetration into the bearing stratum. Therefore, tips of all the piles used in one construction site can ...
Weak lensing measurements are entering a precision era to statistically map the distribution of matter in the universe. The most common measurement has been of the variance of the projected surface density of matter, which corresponds to the induced correlation in alignments of background galaxies. This measurement of the fluctuations is insensitive to the total mass content, like using waves on the ocean to measure its depths. But when the depth is shallow as happens near a beach, waves become skewed. Similarly, a measurement of skewness in the projected matter distribution directly measures the total matter content of the universe. While skewness has already been convincingly detected, its constraint on cosmology is still weak. We address optimal analyses for the CFHT Legacy Survey in the presence of noise. We show that a compensated Gaussian filter with a width of 2.5 arc minutes optimizes the cosmological constraint, yielding $\\Delta \\Omega_m/\\Omega_m\\sim ...
Two headed motor proteins, such as kinesin and dynein, hidrolyze environmental ATP in order to propel unidirectionally along cytoskeletal filaments such as microtubules. In the case of kinesin, protein heads bind primarily on the alpha tubulin site of asymmetric alpha-beta 8nm-long tubulin dimers that constitute the microtubular protofilaments. Kinesin dimers overcome local binding forces up to 5pN and are known to move on protofilaments with ATP concentration-dependent speeds while hydrolizing on average one ATP molecule per 8nm step. The salient features of protein trajectories are the distinct abrupt usually 8nm-long steps from one tubulin dimer to the next interlaced with long quiescent binding periods at a tubulin site. Discrete walks of this type are characterized by substantially reduced variances compared to pure biased random walks, and as a result rule out flashing-type ratchet models as possible mechanisms for motor movement. On the other hand, simple ...
The morphological development of larval cobia Rachycentron canadum from 3 days post hatch (dph) until weaning (27 dph) was examined using S.E.M. Two groups of fish were studied: a control group (CF), reared under standard feeding protocol, and a group in which prey items were enriched with supplemental taurine (4 g l-1 day-1; TF). TF fish grew faster (P < 0001), attained greater size (mean s.e. 551 15 v. 339 10 mm total length) and had better survival (mean s.e. 293 04 v. 71 12 %) than CF fish. Canonical variance analysis confirmed findings with respect to differences in growth between the treatment groups with separation being explained by two cranial measurements. S.E.M. revealed that 3 dph larvae of R. canadum (in both groups) possess preopercular spines, superficial neuromasts on the h...
Pollution abatement measures against impulsive low frequency noises including mine blasting noise require precise measurement of sound waveforms, but no instruments have been designed for that purpose, nor commercially available. This paper describes investigations on such instruments as noise level meters currently available commercially on their instrumental characteristics using indoor experiments and field measurements. The following matters were clarified: An instrument combining a microphone with an amplifier can not determine the response from the measuring system from the respective frequency characteristics alone, and requires a discussion on the overall response from the measuring system. A preferred noise level meter would be an instrument that has the lower limit for the frequency characteristics of the microphone extended to several hertz, and measures noises without passing through a filter to interrupt frequencies lower than 20 Hz. A mine blasting noise, of which ...
We have exploited {open_quotes}progeny testing{close_quotes} to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the genetic variation of milk production in a selected dairy cattle population. A total of 1,518 sires, with progeny tests based on the milking performances of >150,000 daughters jointly, was genotyped for 159 autosomal microsatellites bracketing 1645 centimorgan or approximately two thirds of the bovine genome. Using a maximum likelihood multilocus linkage analysis accounting for variance heterogeneity of the phenotypes, we identified five chromosomes giving very strong evidence (LOD score {ge} 3) for the presence of a QTL controlling milk production: chromosomes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 20. These findings demonstrate that loci with considerable effects on milk production are still segregating in highly selected populations and pave the way toward marker-assisted selection in dairy cattle breeding. 44 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.
Anti-proton and positron Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) spectra are among the key targets for indirect detection of dark matter (DM). The boost factors, corresponding to an enhancement of the signal|linked to the clumpiness properties of the dark matter distribution|, have been taken as high as thousands in the past. The dramatic impact of these boost factors for indirect detection of antiparticles, for instance with the PAMELA satellite or the coming AMS-02 experiment, asks for their detailed calculation. We take into account the state-of-the-art results of high resolution N-body dark matter simulations to calculate the most likely energy dependent boost factors|linked to the GCR propagation properties|, for anti-protons and positrons. The results from extreme, but still possible, configurations of the clumpy dark matter component is also discussed. Starting from the mass and space distributions of sub-halos, the anti-proton and positron propagators are used to calculate the mean value and ...
A method has been developed for calibration of CT-numbers to volumetric electron density distributions using tissue substitutes of known elemental composition and experimentally determined electron density. This information have been used in a dose calculation method based on photon and electron interaction processes. The method utilizes a convolution integral between the photon fluence matrix and dose distribution kernels. Inhomogeneous media are accounted for using the theorems of Fano and O'Connor for scaling dose distribution kernels in proportion to electron density. For clinical application of a calculated dose plan, a method for prediction of accelerator output have been developed. The methods gives the number of monitor units that has to be given to obtain a certain absorbed dose to a point inside an irregular, inhomogeneous object. The method for verification of dose distributions outlined in this study makes it possible to exclude the treatment related ...
Biomonitoring of human populations for exposure to genotoxic/clastogenic agents in the environment or the workplace must depend upon statistical tests for elevations in the frequencies of the biological endpoints being monitored, usually chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN), or sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Statistical tests are based, in turn, upon certain assumptions regarding the distribution of the test statistic. When they are often not recognized as such, tests of significance can be in error, and any conclusion drawn that there is or is not a statistically significant difference between one population sample and another maybe erroneous. In population monitoring this means either false negatives or false positives can result and it is hard to know which is worse. Furthermore, even the intelligent design of studies whose object is to test for an elevated level in an exposed population must depend upon prior knowledge of the nature of ...
AIM: To define the value of digital radiography with a clinical flat panel detector system for evaluation of wrist fractures in comparison with state of the art storage phosphor radiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hard copy images of 26 fractured wrist specimens were acquired with the same exposure dose on a state of the art storage phosphor radiography system and a clinical flat panel detector. Image features like cortical bone surface, trabecular bone, soft tissues and fracture delineation were independently analysed by 4 observers using a standardised protocol. Image quality ratings were evaluated with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Flat panel detector radiographs were rated superior with respect to cortical and trabecular bone representation as well as fracture evaluation, while storage phosphor radiographs produced better soft tissue detail. CONCLUSION: In some of the observed image quality aspects, the performance of caesium iodide/amorphous silicon ...
AIM: To define the value of digital radiography with a clinical flat panel detector system for evaluation of wrist fractures in comparison with state of the art storage phosphor radiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hard copy images of 26 fractured wrist specimens were acquired with the same exposure dose on a state of the art storage phosphor radiography system and a clinical flat panel detector. Image features like cortical bone surface, trabecular bone, soft tissues and fracture delineation were independently analysed by 4 observers using a standardised protocol. Image quality ratings were evaluated with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Flat panel detector radiographs were rated superior with respect to cortical and trabecular bone representation as well as fracture evaluation, while storage phosphor radiographs produced better soft tissue detail. CONCLUSION: In some of the observed image quality aspects, the performance of caesium iodide/amorphous silicon ...
In this study, adjoint sensitivity theory is developed for equations of two-dimensional steady-state flow in a confined aquifer. Both the primary flow equation and the adjoint sensitivity equation are solved using the Galerkin finite element method. The developed computer code is used to investigate the regional flow parameters of the Leadville Formation of the Paradox Basin in Utah and the Wolcamp carbonate/sandstone aquifer of the Palo Duro Basin in the Texas Panhandle. Two performance measures are evaluated, local heads and velocity in the vicinity of potential high-level nuclear waste repositories. The results illustrate the sensitivity of calculated local heads to the boundary conditions. Local velocity-related performance measures are more sensitive to hydraulic conductivities. The uncertainty in the performance measure is a function of the parameter sensitivity, parameter variance and the correlation between parameters. Given a parameter covariance matrix, ...
Kerf geometry, kerf wall features, and cutting front characteristics of an Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) machined Graphite/Epoxy (Gr/Ep) laminate were studied. A macroscopic analyses suggests that geometrical features associated with AWJ machining of Gr/Ep laminates are influenced by three macro regions along the cutting depth. The presence of these regions, including initial damage at jet entry, smooth cutting, and rough cutting near the jet exit, depends on the operating conditions. Design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to determine the effect of cutting parameters on kerf characteristics and to develop empirical models for kerf profile and features of the three distinct macroscopic regions. Cutting front analysis revealed that the mechanisms of material removal in AWJ machining of Gr/Ep do not change over the jet penetration depth. In general, high quality uniform cuts may be obtained by minimizing initial damage at the jet entry and by extending ...
The social work literature is replete with studies evaluating social workers' direct practice interventions, but strikingly few have assessed how well social workers are faring in the political arena. This study tests a major theoretical model, the civic voluntarism model, developed to explain why some citizens become involved in politics, whereas others do not. The study sample consisted of 396 randomly selected social workers licensed in 11 states, all of whom completed a 25-minute telephone survey. Social workers were surveyed to determine the role of the following variables in explaining social workers' political activity levels--resources needed to participate, psychological engagement, and attachment to recruitment networks. The results indicate that the civic voluntarism model was significant and accounted for 42 percent of the variance. The strongest predictors of social workers' political activity were NASW membership and political interest. This study ...
Various volume-reduction methods are discussed and their capabilities evaluated. The following volume-reduction methods have the greatest potential at this time: forced-circulation evaporator/crystallizer; incinerator (conventional type); compactor; fluidized-bed calciner/incinerator; fluidized-bed dryer/incinerator; thin-film evaporator; extruder/evaporator; drum mixer; ribbon blender; inert-carrier evaporative process; molten-glass incinerator. The first eight system types listed above have been improved to the point of commercial viability.
The authors continued their efforts in studying the mechanism of carbalkoxylation of {sigma}-vinyls bound to platinum(II). In this work, the focus was specifically on the reductive elimination of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated carboxylic esters form the carbonylated, alkoylated intermediates. Crystal structures of the carbonylated (12) and alkoxylated (13) intermediates were reported. Kinetic and NMR studies indicate that reductive elimination proceeds via a preequilibration involving phosphine dissociation, followed by a rate-determining trans-cis isomerization. 35 refs., 3 figs., 5 tabs.
The Savannah River Site (SRS) is a key installation for the production and research of nuclear materials for national defense and peace time applications and has been operating a full nuclear fuel cycle since the early 1950s. Wastes generated include high level radioactive, transuranic, low level radioactive, hazardous, mixed, sanitary, and aqueous wastes. Much progress has been made during the last several years to reduce these wastes including management systems, characterization, and technology programs. The reduction of wastes generated and the proper handling of the wastes have always been a part of the Site's operation. This paper summarizes the current status and future plans with respect to waste reduction to waste reduction and reviews some specific examples of successful activities.
The Savannah River Site (SRS) is a key installation for the production and research of nuclear materials for national defense and peace time applications and has been operating a full nuclear fuel cycle since the early 1950s. Wastes generated include high level radioactive, transuranic, low level radioactive, hazardous, mixed, sanitary, and aqueous wastes. Much progress has been made during the last several years to reduce these wastes including management systems, characterization, and technology programs. The reduction of wastes generated and the proper handling of the wastes have always been a part of the Site`s operation. This paper summarizes the current status and future plans with respect to waste reduction to waste reduction and reviews some specific examples of successful activities.
The 6n-dimensional phase space of the planetary (1+n)-body problem (after the classical reduction of the total linear momentum) is shown to be foliated by symplectic leaves of dimension (6n?2) invariant for the planetary Hamiltonian Formula Not Shown . Such foliation is described by means of a new global set of Darboux coordinates related to a symplectic (partial) reduction of rotations. On each symplectic leaf Formula Not Shown has the same form and it is shown to preserve classical symmetries. Further sets of Darboux coordinates may be introduced on the symplectic leaves so as to achieve a complete (total) reduction of rotations. Next, by explicit computations, it is shown that, in the reduced settings, certain degeneracies are removed. In particular, full torsion is checked both in the ...
curves are also directly translatable to metal-matrix composites. ..... 4~f4'4 ..... result of learning curve. The most important reduction in cost as a ...
Purpose PR-104, a bioreductive prodrug in clinical trial, is a phosphate ester which is rapidly metabolized to the corresponding alcohol PR-104A. This dinitrobenzamide mustard is activated by reduction to hydroxylamine (PR-104H) and amine (PR-104M) metabolites selectively in hypoxic cells, and also independently of hypoxia by aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 in some tumors. Here, we evaluate reductive metabolism of PR-104A in mice and its significance for host toxicity. Methods The pharmacokinetics of PR-104, PR-104A and its reduced metabolites were investigated in plasma and tissues of mice (with and without SiHa or H460 tumor xenografts) and effects of potential oxidoreductase inhibitors were evaluated. Results Pharmacokinetic studies identified extensive non-tumor reduction of PR-104A to t...
This paper summarizes the main features of four current REDD proposals: Compensated Reduction, Papua New Guinea et al; Joint Research Center; and Brazil. ... ...
The objective of this project was to develop new photocatalytic or other innovative process chemistry for the treatment of pink water and related contaminated water.
Lifespan can be extended by reduction of dietary intake. This practice is referred to as dietary restriction (DR), and extension of lifespan by DR is evolutionarily conserved in taxonomically diverse...Full Text Available
A modest reduction in body temperature prolongs longevity and possibly retards aging in both poikilotherm and homeotherm animals. Some of the possible mechanisms mediating these effects are...Full Text Available
INTRODUCTIONInformatics and automation are important tools for the reduction of work, errors and costs in a hospital pharmacy.OBJECTIVESTo describe...Full Text Available
New methods for the reduction and remediation of hazardous wastes like carcinogenic organic solvents, toxic materials, and nuclear contamination are vital to environmental health. Procedures for effective...Full Text Available
The study of SO{sub 2} reduction in non-aqueous solvent can help to understand the functioning of Li/SO{sub 2} batteries and to find a simpler way for the synthesis of Li{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 4} dithionite. This paper presents the results of electrochemical studies (cycle volt-amperometry in semi-infinite and thin film diffusion conditions, visible spectro-electrochemistry) and spectroscopic studies (UV, visible and RPE) performed on SO{sub 2} solutions. A mechanism of SO{sub 2} reduction is proposed and discussed. (J.S.) 18 refs.
Feature selection refers to the problem of selecting relevant features which produce the most predictive outcome. In particular, feature selection task is involved in datasets containing huge number of features. Rough set theory has been one of the most successful methods used for feature selection. However, this method is still not able to find optimal subsets. This paper proposes a new feature selection method based on Rough set theory hybrid with Bee Colony Optimization (BCO) in an attempt to combat this. This proposed work is applied in the medical domain to find the minimal reducts and experimentally compared with the Quick Reduct, Entropy Based Reduct, and other hybrid Rough Set methods such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO).
... this correction results In only a email error, since the isothoraal tests wore run at roon tomporcturo, -nd simplifies the reduction of isotherme! ...
The amdlib AMBER data reduction software is meant to produce AMBER data products from the raw data files that are sent to the PIs of different proposals or that can be found in the ESO data archive. The way defined by ESO to calibrate the data is to calibrate one science data file with a calibration one, observed as close in time as possible. Therefore, this scheme does not take into account instrumental drifts, atmospheric variations or visibility-loss corrections, in the current AMBER data processing software, amdlib. In this article, we present our approach to complement this default calibration scheme, to perform the final steps of data reduction, and to produce fully calibrated AMBER data products. These additional steps include: an overnight view of the data structure and data quality, the production of night transfer functions from the calibration stars observed during the night, the correction of additional effects not taken into ...
A discussion of historical techniques and future programs dealing with camouflage in urban warfare. The report emphasizes current capabilities in camouflage and deception and concludes that camouflage and deception techniques when used properly can provid...
The aim of the paper is to review the role of interventional radiology in the management of hemodialysis vascular access and complications in renal transplantation. The evaluation of patients with hemodialysis vascular access is complex. It includes the radiology/ultrasound (US) evaluation of the peripheral veins of the upper extremities with venous mapping and the evaluation of the central vein prior to the access placement and radiological detection and treatment of the stenosis and thrombosis in misfunctional dialysis fistulas. Preoperative screening enables the identification of a suitable vessel to create a hemodynamically-sound dialysis fistula. Clinical and radiological detection of the hemodynamically significant stenosis or occlusion demands fistulography and endovascular treatment. Endovascular prophylactic dilatation of stenosis greater than 50% with associated clinical abnormalities such as flow-rate reduction is warranted to prolong access patency. The ...
We describe the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) Early Release Science (ERS) observations in the GOODS-South field. The new WFC3 ERS data provide calibrated, drizzled mosaics with FHWM=0.07--0.15" in the near-UV (filters F225W, F275W, and F336W) and near-IR (F098W, F125W, and F160W) in typically 2 orbits per filter. Together with the existing HST/ACS GOODS-S mosaics in the BVi'z' filters, the 10-band ERS data cover 40-50 sq. arcmin to AB=26-27.0 mag (10-sigma for point sources). In this poster, we describe the: (1) scientific rationale, data taking and reduction procedures of the WFC3 ERS mosaics; (2) object cataloging and star-galaxy separation techniques used in these 10 different filters; (3) reliability and completeness of the 10-band object catalogs from the ERS mosaics; (4) object counts in 10 different filters from 0.2-1.7 microns to AB=26.0-27.0 mag; and (5) the full-color 10-band ERS images. We discuss the ...
Low-cost titanium alloy components are getting increasing attention in aerospace applications. Cost reductions are possible in the alloys themselves and in the production techniques. The former aspect is less promising as titanium alloys are costly to produce. Of course, there are some new developments like the (alpha plus beta) alloy Ti-6 Al-2 Fe-0.2 Si (TIMETAL 62S) and the beta-alloy Ti-6.8 Mo-4.5 Fe-1.5 Al (TIMETAL LCB), in which low-cost iron replaces costly beta alloying elements like vanadium or molybdenum, but these will be used mainly on the mass production markets, e.g. motor car construction. In consequence, optimisation of production methods is the more promising option. Near net shape processes will reduce the production cost and improve the fly-to-buy ratio. Some of these production processes are explained. [Deutsch] Die Herstellung preiswerter Bauteile aus Titanlegierungen gewinnt auch in der Luft- und Raumfahrt zunehmend an ...
This report describes work accomplished in the project, titled ''Development of Appropriate Resistance Spot Welding Practice for Transformation-Hardened Steels.'' The Phase 1 of the program involved development of in-situ temper diagrams for two gauges of representative dual-phase and martensitic grades of steels. The results showed that tempering is an effective way of reducing hold-time sensitivity (HTS) in hardenable high-strength sheet steels. In Phase 2, post-weld cooling rate techniques, incorporating tempering, were evaluated to reduce HTS for the same four steels. Three alternative methods, viz., post-heating, downsloping, and spike tempering, for HTS reduction were investigated. Downsloping was selected for detailed additional study, as it appeared to be the most promising of the cooling rate control methods. The downsloping maps for each of the candidate steels were used to locate the conditions ...
Heat transfer augmentation has developed into a major specialty area in heat transfer research and development. A bibliography of world literature on augmentation is presented. The literature is classified into passive augmentation techniques, which require no external power, and active techniques, which do require external power. The fourteen techniques are grouped in terms of their application to the various modes of heat transfer. Mass transfer is included for completeness. Key words are included with each citation for technique/mode identification. The total number of publications cited is 1,967, including 75 surveys of various techniques and 42 papers on performance evaluation of passive techniques. Patents are not included as they will be the subject of a future topical report.
We present a technique for identifying the amino acids responsible for a loss of immunoreactivity in response to treating an antigen with a chemical modifier. This is of particular interest...Full Text Available
...Site Home About The Project Advisory Board Advisory Board Kenneth Geiser Omar Friella Darryl Young Jennie Curtis Michael Maniates Stuart Baker Beverly Thorpe Erica Priggen Kenneth Geiser is Professor of Work Environment and Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Ken is one of the authors of the landmark Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act and served as Director of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction ...
The authors study the general features of the dimensional reduction scheme for multi-dimensional spaces of the type M/sup 4/ x S/R, S/R being a symmetric coset space. The properties of the scalar potentials of the reduced theories are investigated and an effective method of explicit calculation of these potentials is elaborated. They consider also a wide class of embeddings of Lie subalgebras into simple Lie algebras resulting in reduced theories of physical interest.
Reduction of wavefunction which transforms as scalar field imaginary mass system has been derived in terms of irreducible representation of proper, orthochronous, inhomogeneous Lorentz group and it has been shown that only transformation properties of wavefunction are needed in the derivation while the reality condition and wave equations only restrict the number of independent representations. The properties of energy and momentum of tachyons have been analysed and it has been shown that the tachyons are unidirectional in space. (author).
The reduction of four-vector and electromagnetic fields produced by spin-1 tachyons has been derived in terms of standard helicity representations of inhomogeneous Lorentz group, and the conditions for these superluminal electromagnetic fields to satisfy the Maxwell's field equations have been derived. 16 refs.
The use of low rank coal leads to a reduction of the coke strength because of the reduction of the caking property of coking coal. The authors have tried to understand this mechanism by extracting and analyzing the caking component of low rank coal and coking coal. It was found that the caking component is decreased by radical attack from the low rank coal, and thus the caking property is reduced. 11 figs., 3 tabs.
The W_3"2 algebra is deduced by the Marsden-Ratiu reduction in the bi-Hamiltonian framework proposed by Magri et al and compared with the usual derivations via the Drinfeld-Sokolov formalism. It is observed that the choice of A in the first Poisson tensor must be different for W_3"2 algebra. (orig.).
An IR spectroscopic study of the reduction of copper-exchanged Linde Na-Y zeolite with hydrogen or carbon monoxide and oxidation with oxygen or oxygen-18 showed that copper(I) and AlO(+1) are formed during reduction, and that oxidation generates copper(II) ions but does not change the aluminum species. Trigonally coordinated aluminum was not detected.
The electrochemical intercalation of non-solvated lithium in different graphited materials has been performed in LiClO{sub 4}-ethylene carbonate (EC) medium. The irreversible capacity observed during the first output is mainly due to the formation of a passivation layer made of electrolyte reduction products. These products have been characterized for different electrode reduction potentials using transmission electron microscopy (image, diffraction) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). EC reduction on the electrode surface in presence of LiClO{sub 4} leads to the formation of Li{sub 2}CO{sub 3} for potentials close to 0.8 V vs Li{sup +}/Li. For lower potentials, the electrolyte reduction reaction goes on with the formation of different lithium alkyl-carbonates. In LiClO{sub 4}-propylene carbonate (PC) medium, the interface phenomena are different. The reduction of a ...
This paper describes a process for the direct production of a superconductive niobium-titanium alloy during reduction of niobium pentoxide. It comprises: mixing at least one of titanium metal powder and titanium dioxide powder with niobium pentoxide powder and aluminum powder; heating the resulting mixture to form a niobium-titanium alloy and a slag consisting essentially of aluminum oxide; and separating the alloy and the slag.
Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a worsening global health problem. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is currently considered to be the “gold standard” to characterize...Full Text Available
Constraining the SL(3) WZW-model we construct a reduced theory which is invariant with respect to the new chiral algebra W_3"2. This symmetry is generated by the stress-energy tensor, two bosonic currents with spins 3/2 and the U(1) current. We conjecture a Kac formula that describes the highly reducible representation for this algebra. We also discuss the quantum Hamiltonian reduction for the general type of constraints that leads to the new extended conformal algebras. (orig.).
Cathodic reduction of non-terminal vinylaxides on Hg cathodes in the presence of electrophiles gives reasonable yields of N-acylated enamines in an electrochemically totally irreversible reaction. In the presence of added H-donors rather high selectivity for formation of saturated amides is achieveable. The influence of reaction conditions on product distribution is discussed.
This report reviews Nova Scotia's initiatives in support of the Canada-Nova Scotia Acid Rain Reduction Agreement. In addition to discussing sodium dioxide emmisions and potential impacts, the report comments on new developments and initiatives to address other emerging air quality issues.
A model designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the use of robotics and remote tooling in achieving reduction of occupational exposure at nuclear installations is presented. The operational cost saving of implementing dose reduction action is introduced as a key parameter. Through specific example, a partial demonstration of the model is given. (author).
Simple hydroxamic acids have been shown to have useful applications in an Advanced Purex process for the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel. They are especially suited to the separation of neptunium (IV) from uranium (VI) by the selective formation of a hydrophilic complex with Np(IV). U(VI) extraction in to 30% tributyl phosphate is unaffected. However, they have also been shown to be very fast reducing agents for Np(VI). The timescales of the reduction have been defined under a range of typical Purex Process conditions although the accurate determination of the reaction kinetics was not possible due to the rapidity of the reaction. U(VI) was shown not to be reduced. Therefore, Np(VI) can be efficiently reductively stripped when solvent phase (30% tributyl phosphate in odourless kerosene) solutions of Np(VI) and U(VI) are contacted with aqueous phase hydroxamic acid solutions. The slow reduction of plutonium (IV) to ...
A thermal analyzer-differential scanning calorimeter-mass spectrometer (TG-DSC-MS) was used to study oxygen carriers (OC) for their potential use for the application of chemical looping combustion (CLC) to solid fuels. Reaction rates, changes in reaction rates with repeated oxidation-reductions, exothermic heats during oxidation, and the effect of changing reduction gas compositions were studied. Oxidation rates were greater than reduction rates and reaction rates were reproducible through multiple oxidation-reduction cycles except where agglomeration occurred with powders. Iron oxide (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder) and iron-based catalysts were found suitable for CLC of solid fuels having rapid reduction rates which increased with higher reducing gas concentrations. Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder was used to oxidize a high carbon coal char in an inert gas removing 88% of the carbon from the ...
In the 5th year of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Technical Cooperation Project 'Seismic Risk Reduction for Buildings and Structures in Romania', the implementing agency - National Center for Seismic Risk Reduction (NCSRR) and JICA jointly organized the International Symposium on Seismic Risk Reduction (ISSRR-2007) held in Bucharest at the Romanian Academy Library in the period April 26-27, 2007. The present volume contains the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Seismic Risk Reduction, ISSRR-2007. The Proceedings are organized in three parts: (I) keynote lectures, (II) papers on the results of JICA Project in Romania and (III) contributions from authors. Eight keynote lectures by specialists from Japan, USA, France and Greece, and fourteen papers on the results of JICA Project are included. The contributions from authors are divided in five sections: (i) Seismicity, Seismic ...
The design boron concentration of the Boron Injection Tank (BIT) in Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station is 21000 #mu#g/g. The BIT should operate under high temperature to avoid boron crystallization, causing higher evaporation, frequent water makeup, higher deposition and pipe blockage to decrease the operability of the safety injection system. The author proposes to decrease the boron concentration in BIT from 21000 #mu#g/g to 7000 #mu#g/g to solve the existing problem. The safety analyses (core DNBR and containment response) are conducted and other impacts are evaluated for the BIT reduction. The analysis results show that the core DNBR meets the safety criterion and the containment pressure is within the design value for the steam line rupture accident after the BIT reduction. The feasibility study report of Daya bay BIT reduction has been approved by NNSA. The site implementation of BIT reduction has ...
In the early sixties it was decided to investigate salt formations on its suitability to host heat generating radioactive waste in Germany. In the reference repository concept consequently the emplacement of vitrified waste canisters in deep vertical boreholes inside a salt mine was considered whereas spent fuel should be disposed of in self shielding casks (type POLLUX) in horizontal drifts. The POLLUX casks, 65 t heavy carbon steel casks, will be laid down on the floor of a horizontal drift in one of the disposal zones to be constructed in the salt dome at the 870 m level. The space between casks and drift walls will be backfilled with crushed salt. The transport, the handling und the emplacement of POLLUX casks were subject of successfully performed demonstration and in situ tests in the nineties and resulted in an adjustment of the atomic law. The borehole disposal concept comprises the emplacement of unshielded canisters with vitrified HLW in boreholes with a diameter of 60 cm and ...
Various diagnostics techniques for condition monitoring and life prediction of fluid power components and system are discussed. Though some of the techniques are very promising but may not be accepted because of increase in the instrumentation, it is planned to implement these techniques on various circuits of Fluid Power Lab for further improving and developing these for direct implementation in various fluid power circuits of power reactors. (author). 6 figs.
Attention is given to recent research on gear fault diagnostic techniques. A mathematic model for vibration signals of defective gears is presented. Novel methods of gear fault diagnosis, such as zoom complex envelope analysis, wideband demodulation techniques, bispectrum analysis, correlation spectrum analysis, and maximum entropy spectrum analysis, are demonstrated. The wide-band demodulation technique is found to exhibit a high SNR. Bispectrum and correlation spectrum are excellent for some mechanical fault forms.
Focuses on the application of remote sensing techniques to the study of coal waste mounds. The situation at the coal waste mounds in Fukuoka, Japan is cited. Guidelines on film parameters, photographic keys and tasks required to inventory, monitor and manage coal waste mounds in Japan are addressed. Application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, aerial photography and satellite imagery techniques in monitoring spoil banks is reviewed. Applicability of the techniques is discussed. 24 refs.
In this paper, we show how to improve and extend the integration by fractional expansion technique (IBFE) by applying it to certain families of scalar massive Feynman diagrams. The strategy is based on combining this method together with the integration by parts technique. In particular, we want to calculate certain Feynman diagrams which have a triangle loop as a subgraph. The main idea is to use the integration by parts technique in this subgraph in order to simplify the topology of the original diagram in which it is immersed, using then, in a second step, the IBFE technique. The result we have obtained, after the application of both techniques, represents a simplification in the complexity of the solution, compared with having used only the IBFE technique.
Three different techniques for pitting corrosion potential measurement on austenitic stainless steel (Fe18Cr10Ni) were compared: conventional polarization method, a new Avesta electrochemical corrosion measurement cell and a scratch technique. Special attention was paid to the effects of crevice corrosion during pitting corrosion potential measurement and to their elimination. Development of a rapid test technique for reliable pitting corrosion potential determination was aimed at and resulted from comparison of the different techniques.
In this study, considering that Hg(2+) in wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems can easily be reduced and then released into atmosphere, causing secondary pollution, the researches about Hg(2+) reduction and Hg(0) re-emission mechanism were carried out. The effects of several experimental parameters on the reduction were studied, including initial pH, temperature, and concentrations of Cl(-) and S(IV). Our experimental results indicated that Cl(-) had a restraining effect on the Hg(2+) reduction and Hg(0) re-emission, after 24h reaction, only 20.5% of Hg(2+) was reduced with 100mM Cl(-) in simulated desulfurization solution. Cl(-) can slow Hg(2+) reduction and Hg(0) re-emissions dramatically through changing reaction mechanism, with formation of new intermediate: ClHgSO(3)(-), which can decompose to Hg(0), but much more slowly than Hg(SO(3))(2)(2-) or HgSO(3). Simulating the conditions of the ...
Water chemistry of nuclear power plants has played an important role in reduction of personnel doses, structural materials and fuel integrity assurance, and reduction of radioactive wastes production. Further contributions are requested for advanced utilization of the LWR, advanced fuels and aging management of plants. Since water chemistry has an effect on all structure and materials immersed and at the same time affected by them, the optimum control not sticking to specific issues and covering the whole plant is required for these requests. Taking account of roles and activities of the industry, governmental institutes and academia, road maps on research and development plans for water chemistry were compiled into identified eleven items with targets and counter measures taken, such as common basic technologies, dose reduction, SCC mitigation, fuel cans corrosion/hydrogen absorption mitigation, condition based maintenance ...
Consideration is given to the process of the formation of a titanium sponge alloyed with niobium or tantalum, in the joint metallic reduction of titanium, niobium and tantanum chlorides. A percentage composition of the phases observed and the structure of the alloyed sponge have been studied. It is shown that after one remelting operation of the alloyed sponge the alloys of titanium with niobium and tantalum have a uniform component distribution. At the stage of chloride reduction there appear solid solutions based on titanium and an alloying component. The stage of vacuum separation of the reaction mass is associated with a mutual dissolution of the primary phases and the formation of the solid solutions of the alloyed titanium sponge, which, by their composition, are close to the desired alloy composition. The principal features of the formation of a titanium sponge alloyed with niobium and tantalum are in a perfect agreemet with those ...
This illustrated final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) presents the results of a project concerning a new, highly active oxygen reduction electrode for PEM fuel cell and zinc/air battery applications. The goal of this project was, according to the authors, to increase the efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction by lowering the activation polarisation through the right choice of catalyst and by lowering the concentration polarisation. In this work, carbon nanotubes are used as support material. The use of these nanotubes grown on perovskites is discussed. Theoretical considerations regarding activation polarisation are discussed and alternatives to the use of platinum are examined. The results of experiments carried out are presented in graphical and tabular form. The paper is completed with a comprehensive list of references.
This study characterized selected commercial volume reduction technologies as to performance and associated costs. VR facility designs were developed for each of the reference VR technologies. Associated on-site storage requirements and cost were also determined. Eight VR technologies were selected for consideration: improved compactor; high pressure compactor (supercompactor); incinerator; fluid bed dryer and incinerator; evaporator crystallizer; evaporator extruder; mobile incinerator; and mobile thin-film evaporator. A representative facility design was developed for each VR technology and for several combinations of technologies. Thirteen separate cases are noted in the following table when retrofit and new facilities are considered.
In this paper we prove the existence of isomorphisms between certain non-commutative algebras that are interesting from representation theoretic perspective and arise as quantizations of certain Poisson algebras. We show that quantizations of Kleinian resolutions obtained by three different constructions are isomorphic to each other. The constructions are via symplectic reflection algebras, quantum Hamiltonian reduction, and W-algebras. Next, we prove that parabolic W-algebras in type A are isomorphic to quantum Hamiltonian reductions associated to quivers of type A. Finally, we show that the symplectic reflection algebras for wreath-products of the symmetric group and a Kleinian group are isomorphic to certain quantum Hamiltonian reductions. Our results involving W-algebras are new, while for those dealing with symplectic reflection algebras we just give new proofs. A key ingredient in our proofs is the study of ...
Using the method of statistic planning of an experiment, the SrSO_4 desulfurization process has been studied in the case of reductive roasting of celestine with the use blast-furnace coke. The main factors that determine the rate of the SrSO_4 desulfurization are the roasting temperature and charge components dispersity. The desulfurization rate increases proportionally to the increase in the roasting temperature and dispersity of the reaction mixture components. To decrease the SrSO_4 desulfurization and the concentration of sulfur-containing components in gases released at rather a high celestine reduction rate, the roasting is recommended to proceed at the temperature of 1100 to 1150 deg, in this case it is necessary to limit the content of small (less than 3.2 mm) fractions of reagents.
A reduction of the mass of the \\eta'(958) meson may indicate the restoration of the UA(1) symmetry in a hot and dense hadronic matter, corresponding to the return of the 9th, "prodigal" Goldstone boson. We report on an analysis of a combined PHENIX and STAR data set on the intercept parameter of the two-pion Bose-Einstein correlation functions, as measuremed in \\sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. To describe this combined PHENIX and STAR dataset, an in-medium \\eta' mass reduction of at least 200 MeV is needed, at the 99.9 % confidence level in a broad model class of resonance multiplicities. Energy, system size and centrality dependence of the observed effect is also discussed.
Efforts in industry concerning pollution abatement up to nowadays were aimed at: solid particles contained in gaseous effluents, SO_2 effluent reduction, nitrogen oxide effluent limitation through combustion technology enhancement. Various CO_2 emission scenarios with different energy production means (same or increased nuclear plant number, energy consumption reduction) show that energy conservation schemes for the developed countries are the best solution to CO_2 control. Different solutions for greenhouse gas abatement from industrial plant are reviewed: effluent processing, burner technological enhancement, heat transfer optimization on industrial processes, computer assisted management for industrial processes, plasma technic for refining, substitution of gas to oil in chemistry, etc.
In 1980 through 1982 a Basewide Energy Systems Plan (BESP) was developed under the direction of the Corps of Engineers at Ft. McClellan to assist the installation in meeting the requirements of the Army Facilities Energy Plan and the ten (10) year Energy Use Reduction Goal. Some of the energy saving projects recommended by the BESP have been implemented. In FY 1977, the total base energy consumption was 1,105,221 MBtu (Million British thermal units). By FY 1987, this had been reduced to 870,900 MBtu, a reduction of twenty-one percent (21%). This resulted in a cost avoidance for FY 1987 over base year FY 1977 of $2,960,986, or a thirty-two percent (32%) reduction.
The development of an electrolytic reduction technology for spent fuels in the form of oxide is of essence to introduce LWR SFs to a pyroprocessing. In this research, the technology was investigated to scale a reactor up, the electrochemical behaviors of FPs were studied to understand the process and a reaction rate data by using U{sub 3}O{sub 8} was obtained with a bench scale reactor. In a scale of 20 kgHM/batch reactor, U{sub 3}O{sub 8} and Simfuel were successfully reduced into metals. Electrochemical characteristics of LiBr, LiI and Li{sub 2}Se were measured in a bench scale reactor and an electrolytic reduction cell was modeled by a computational tool.
In this, the last of a series of three papers, we discuss a method of forming iron phosphate ceramics by a reduction process. We report the formation of iron oxide ceramics by reducing hematite with iron in a phosphoric acid solution. The reaction results in a rapid-setting ceramic (at room temperature) with a compressive strength of 3700 psi and a density of 1.7 g/cm{sup 3}. Although the exact mineral form of the binder is difficult to determine because it is mostly amorphous and hence is not amenable to X-ray diffraction analyses, this material is expected to consist of iron hydrophosphates. The reduction process is very useful in recycling several industrial wastes that are rich in hematite, including iron mine tailings, red mud (a caustic waste from the alumina industry), and machining swarfs. Formation of ceramics with red mud and swarfs is also discussed.
We perform a recursive reduction of one-loop n-point rank R tensor Feynman integrals [in short: (n,R)-integrals] for n{<=}6 with R{<=}n by representing (n,R)-integrals in terms of (n,R-1)- and (n-1,R-1)-integrals. We use the known representation of tensor integrals in terms of scalar integrals in higher dimension, which are then reduced by recurrence relations to integrals in generic dimension. With a systematic application of metric tensor representations in terms of chords, and by decomposing and recombining these representations, we find the recursive reduction for the tensors. The procedure represents a compact, sequential algorithm for numerical evaluations of tensor Feynman integrals appearing in next-to-leading order contributions to massless and massive three- and four-particle production at LHC and ILC, as well as at meson factories. (orig.)
[sup 123]I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 20 diabetic patients (NIDDM) and 8 control subjects to investigate the association between clinical autonomic nerve dysfunction and myocardial accumulation of MIBG. We used coefficient variance of R-R interval (CV[sub R-R]) as a index of the autonomic neuropathy and categorized diabetes into two groups (CV[sub R-R][>=]2.0: non-autonomic neuropathy. CV[sub R-R]<2.0: autonomic neuropathy). In planar imaging studies, heart to mediastinum MIBG uptake ratio (H/M) was calculated on both early and delayed images. The washout ratio of [sup 123]I-MIBG in the heart (%WR) was also obtained using myocardial tracer activity on the both images. Mean value of these indices in diabetic group did not reveal any significant difference with the value in the control group. On the SPECT images, low uptake was observed in the posterior-inferior wall with normal uptake of [sup 201]Tl in diabetic ...
Performance assessments for the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site on the Nevada Test Site have used three different mathematical models to estimate Rn-222 flux density. This study describes the performance, uncertainty, and sensitivity of the three models which include the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 3.64 analytical method and two numerical methods. The uncertainty of each model was determined by Monte Carlo simulation using Latin hypercube sampling. The global sensitivity was investigated using Morris one-at-time screening method, sample-based correlation and regression methods, the variance-based extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test, and Sobol's sensitivity indices. The models were found to produce similar estimates of the mean and median flux density, but to have different uncertainties and sensitivities. When the Rn-222 effective diffusion coefficient was estimated using five different published predictive models, ...
This study focuses on a series of Pt{sup II}(L-L{prime})(dppm){sup n+} complexes, where dppm is bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and L-L{prime} are C(caret)C{prime} (n = 0), C(caret)N (n = 1), and N(caret)N{prime} (n = 2) aromatic ligands. Structural characteristics are reported. Structural features indicate that the Pt-C bond distance is shorter than the Pt-N bond distance in symmetrical complexes and that the Pt-P bond distance trans to N is shorter than the Pt-P bond trans to C. This is consistent with the {sup 31}P NMR spectra where the chemical shift of the P trans to C is {approximately}10 ppm less than found for P trans to N. The energy maxima of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band for the complexes containing various L-L{prime} ligands occur in the near-UV region of the spectrum and fall into the energy series bpy > bph > phen > 2-phpy > 2-ptpy > 2-phq > 7,9-bzq, where bpy is 2,2{prime}-bipyridine, 2-phpy is 2-phenylpyridine, 2-ptpy ...
The Oligocene Kishenehn Formation of northwest Montana and southeast British Columbia consists of fluvial and lacustrine sediments (marlstones, lignites and oil shales) deposited in an elongate, intermontane half-graben. The petroleum source rock potential and steroidal hydrocarbon distribution of selected shales of the Kishenehn Formation were examined. Several steroidal hydrocarbon series were documented, including 4-desmethylsteranes, 4-methylsteranes, sterenes, diasterenes, spirosterenes, C-ring monoaromatic steroids and B-ring monoaromatic anthrasteroids. Non-steroid hydrocarbons present include hopenes, ..beta beta..-hopanes, moretanes, perylene, botryococcane, a series of alkylcyclohexanes, and a fused-ring aromatic tentatively identified as a tetrahydrochrysene. Source rock analysis indicates that the Kishenehn Formation possesses excellent petroleum source potential. Conventional thermal maturity parameters, as well as maturity parameters derived from molecular parameters ...
Twenty-two landrace-derived inbred lines from the Spanish Barley Core Collection (SBCC) were found to display high levels of resistance to a panel of 27 isolates of the fungus Blumeria graminis that exhibit a wide variety of virulences. Among these lines, SBCC145 showed high overall resistance and a distinctive spectrum of resistance compared with the other lines. Against this background, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the genetic basis underlying such resistance using a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between SBCC145 and the elite spring cultivar Beatrix. The population was genotyped with the 1,536-SNP Illumina GoldenGate Oligonucleotide Pool Assay (Barley OPA-1 or BOPA1 for short), whereas phenotypic analysis was performed using two B. graminis isolates. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to both isolates was identified on the long arm of chromosome 6H (6HL) and accounted for ca. 60% of the phenotypic ...
TransCanada Pipelines Limited submitted an application to the National Energy Board for new facilities to increase natural gas deliveries to its domestic and export markets. The proposed facilities consist of 1,590 km of pipeline, 21 new compressor units and two new compressor stations. The total cost of the facilities was estimated at $2,408 million. The Board considered at the hearing 15 applications made pursuant to Part IV of the National Energy Board Act for gas exports at existing delivery points at Emerson and Niagra Falls as well as at proposed new delivery points at Chippawa and Iroquois, Ontario. Twelve of these applications were filed in support of TransCanada's facilities application. Five applications were also filed pursuant to section 71 of the National Energy Board Act for orders requiring TransCanada to receive, transport and deliver natural gas offered by the applicants and to provide adequate and suitable facilities to do so. A public hearing was conducted ...
TransCanada Pipelines Limited submitted an application to the National Energy Board for new facilities to increase natural gas deliveries to its domestic and export markets. The proposed facilities consist of 1,590 km of pipeline, 21 new compressor units and two new compressor stations. The total cost of the facilities was estimated at $2,408 million. The Board considered at the hearing 15 applications made pursuant to Part IV of the National Energy Board Act for gas exports at existing delivery points at Emerson and Niagra Falls as well as at proposed new delivery points at Chippawa and Iroquois, Ontario. Twelve of these applications were filed in support of TransCanada's facilities application. Five applications were also filed pursuant to section 71 of the National Energy Board Act for orders requiring TransCanada to receive, transport and deliver natural gas offered by the applicants and to provide adequate and suitable facilities to do so. A public hearing was conducted ...
We report an analysis of four strains of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using biocavity laser spectroscopy. The four strains are grouped in two pairs (wild type and altered), in which one strain differs genetically at a single locus, affecting mitochondrial function. In one pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho0 strain differ by complete removal of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In the second pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho- strain differ by knock-out of the nuclear gene encoding Cox4, an essential subunit of cytochrome c oxidase. The biocavity laser is used to measure the biophysical optic parameter Deltalambda, a laser wavelength shift relating to the optical density of cell or mitochondria that uniquely reflects its size and biomolecular composition. As such, Deltalambda is a powerful parameter that rapidly interrogates the biomolecular state of single cells and mitochondria. Wild-type cells and mitochondria produce Gaussian-like distributions with a single peak. In ...
Objectives: To minimize movement artifacts during tracer imaging studies, the animals are generally sedated. Although many reports describe the effect of barbiturates on brain function, less is published about the general impact on the extracerebral metabolism and tracer biodistribution. This report describes the influence of pentobarbital on tumor uptake of ["1"2"3I]-2-iodo-L-phenylalanine (["1"2"3I]-2I-L-PA) using dissection and nuclear imaging. Methods: R1M tumor-bearing athymic mice were divided into two populations: untreated and pentobarbital-treated. Each group was subjected to dynamic and static planar imaging and organ dissection after ["1"2"3I]-2I-L-PA injection. Two-compartment blood modeling was performed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test and clustered boxplot analyses were used to compare the results between the treatment groups and between the data acquisition methods. Results: Two-compartment blood modeling demonstrated that pentobarbital ...
In dynamic cardiac SPECT estimates of kinetic parameters ofa one-compartment perfusion model are usually obtained in a two stepprocess: 1) first a MAP iterative algorithm, which properly models thePoisson statistics and the physics of the data acquisition, reconstructsa sequence of dynamic reconstructions, 2) then kinetic parameters areestimated from time activity curves generated from the dynamicreconstructions. This paper provides a method for calculating thecovariance matrix of the kinetic parameters, which are determined usingweighted least squares fitting that incorporates the estimated varianceand covariance of the dynamic reconstructions. For each transaxial slicesets of sequential tomographic projections are reconstructed into asequence of transaxial reconstructions usingfor each reconstruction inthe time sequence an iterative MAP reconstruction to calculate themaximum a priori reconstructed estimate. Time-activity curves for a sumof activity in a blood region inside the left ...
The Department of Energy's National Solar Data Program established solar energy systems in residential and commercial buildings across the United States. These solar sites are linked to Vitro Laboratories Division's computer in the National Solar Data Network (NSDN). Vitro collects and analyzes data from this network to determine the thermal performance of each of the solar systems. The network consists of: (1) sensors which measure key performance parameters at a selected site; (2) a Site Data Acquisition Subsystem (SDAS); (3) telephone transmission circuits; and (4) a Central Data Processing System (CDPS). For the majority of parameters, raw data is collected approximately every five minutes. Solar insolation and certain other parameters, which are subject to rapid variance, are sampled every 32 seconds. Environmental information collected at the sites for the reporting month are presented. The environmental data for the NSDN are presented in ...
In the field of reactor and fuel cycle physics, particle transport plays and important role. Neutronic design, operation and evaluation calculations of nuclear system make use of large and powerful computer codes. However, current limitations in terms of computer resources make it necessary to introduce simplifications and approximations in order to keep calculation time and cost within reasonable limits. Two different types of methods are available in these codes. The first one is the deterministic method, which is applicable in most practical cases but requires approximations. The other method is the Monte Carlo method, which does not make these approximations but which generally requires exceedingly long running times. The main motivation of this work is to investigate the possibility of a combined use of the two methods in such a way as to retain their advantages while avoiding their drawbacks. Our work has mainly focused on the speed-up of 3-D continuous energy Monte Carlo ...
A simple and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the four major Cinchona alkaloids and their dihydroderivatives and pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B_6) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (#lambda#_e_m=420 nm with #lambda#_e_x=330 nm). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Phenomenex Prodigy ODS column (5 #mu#m, 250 mmx3.2 mm i.d.), recommended for basic compounds, under isocratic reversed-phase conditions. The method allowed a good peak shape and an effective resolution of the tested compounds. The extraction of alkaloids from the Cinchona succirubra bark was carried out in mild and fast conditions (ambient temperature, 20 min) by ultrasonication. The procedure showed to be advantageous respect to a reference method, which involved Soxhlet extraction. The results were compared statistically by means of the Student's t-test and the variance ratio F-test; no significant ...
Medetomidine and fentanyl-droperidol (Innovar-vet) were assessed over a three hour period in 80 healthy dogs. Following physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), arterial blood sample analysis, and dynamometer pressure threshold (analgesia score), the dogs were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: Miv--medetomidine (750 micrograms/M2) administered intravenously (IV), Mim--medetomidine (1000 micrograms/M2) administered intramuscularly (IM), Iiv--Innovar-vet IV (0.05 mL/kg) or Iim--Innovar-vet IM (0.1 mL/kg). All assessments were carried out by a single individual unaware of the treatment used. Objective assessments included temperature, heart and respiratory rates, analgesia score, arterial blood gases, acid-base and lactate levels. Subjective evaluation included degree of sedation, response to various clinical procedures, noise responsiveness, posture, and the incidence of side effects. Onset and duration of effect were also recorded. The ECG strips were assessed for ...
The samples comprise the foliage of four pteridosperm-medullosalean plant fossil species of differing preservation states and one of a cordaitean species from two Canadian Maritime sub-basins of Carboniferous age (300 Ma; Sydney and Stellarton coalfields, Nova Scotia, respectively). Included in the sample set were some coal samples from Sydney Coalfield, along with published data for coal macerals for comparison. By applying Schulze's maceration process to the fossil foliage to obtain the cuticles, five sample forms evolved, viz. compressions, cuticles and fossilized cuticles, and acidic and alkaline solutions from Schulze's process, to which was added the Sydney coal samples as the sixth form. Area integration of the absorbance spectra from solid and liquid state Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, produced functional chemical parameters which were organized into a data matrix of eight variables and 62 samples (8 x 62 matrix). Principal components were ...
A geochemical survey to assess and evaluate the Devonian oil shale resources of north Alabama, northwest Georgia, and south-central Tennessee has been performed. Information is provided on the location and extent of the more favorable kerogen-bearing Devonian shale, oil and uranium content of the shale, trace metal and standard rock analyses for shale, data on the physical properties of the shale rock, mineralogy of the shale, chemical properties of the oil, and other pertinent data deemed necessary for resource development. The results indicate that the oil yield from areas underlain by Chattanooga Shale can be divided into areas having greater than 7 g/t and areas having less than 7 g/t. In general, the oil yield by Fischer assay of samples from the folded Appalachian Valley and Ridge and the Appalachian Plateaus provinces is poor, all having less than 5 g/t and most samples closer to 0 g/t. The extreme variance of Fischer assay values in the Chattanooga Shale ...
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 ...
Benchmark calculations for radiation transport coupled to a material temperature equation in a 1-D slab and 1-D spherical geometry binary random media are presented. The mixing statistics are taken to be homogeneous Markov statistics in the 1-D slab but only approximately Markov statistics in the 1-D sphere. The material chunk sizes are described by Poisson distribution functions. The material opacities are first taken to be constant and then allowed to vary as a strong function of material temperature. Benchmark values and variances for time evolution of the ensemble average of material temperature energy density and radiation transmission are computed via a Monte Carlo type method. These benchmarks are used as a basis for comparison with three other approximate methods of solution. One of these approximate methods is simple atomic mix. The second approximate model is an adaptation of what is commonly called the Levermore-Pomraning model and which is referred to ...
Subcritical experiments using californium source-driven noise analysis (CSDNA) and Feynman variance-to-mean methods were performed with an alpha-phase plutonium sphere reflected by nickel shells, up to a maximum thickness of 7.62 cm. Both methods provide means of determining the subcritical multiplication of a system containing nuclear material. A benchmark analysis of the experiments was performed for inclusion in the 2010 edition of the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. Benchmark models have been developed that represent these subcritical experiments. An analysis of the computed eigenvalues and the uncertainty in the experiment and methods was performed. The eigenvalues computed using the CSDNA method were very close to those calculated using MCNP5; however, computed eigenvalues are used in the analysis of the CSDNA method. Independent calculations using KENO-VI provided similar eigenvalues to those determined using the ...
Cassava chips (cassava balls, and cassava pellets) are derived cassava products traditionally produced by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa following fermentation, and drying of fresh roots of cassava, and are widely consumed in Cameroon. Once produced, this food commodity can be stored for more than two months and contaminated by a wide array of harmful microbes. In order to assess persistence of toxigenic fungi in cassava chips, aflatoxin-producing fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nomius, and Aspergillus parasiticus) and aflatoxins were contrasted at regular intervals in home-stored cassava chips collected in two locations of southern Cameroon throughout a two-month monitoring period. Three hundred and forty-six isolates of aflatoxin-producing fungi were found to be associated with all samples. A. flavus contaminated more samples in both types of chips (267 isolates in 53 samples), followed by A. nomius (58 isolates in 15 samples), whereas A. parasiticus was rarest. A direct ...
The effect of aerosol on clouds poses one of the largest uncertainties in estimating the anthropogenic contribution to climate change. Small human-induced perturbations to cloud characteristics via aerosol pathways can create a change in the top-of-atmosphere radiative forcing of hundreds of Wm-2. Here we focus on links between aerosol and deep convective clouds of the Atlantic and Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zones, noting that the aerosol environment in each region is entirely different. The tops of these vertically developed clouds consisting of mostly ice can reach high levels of the atmosphere, overshooting the lower stratosphere and reaching altitudes greater than 16 km. We show a link between aerosol, clouds and the free atmosphere wind profile that can change the magnitude and sign of the overall climate radiative forcing. We find that increased aerosol loading is associated with taller cloud towers and anvils. The taller clouds reach levels of enhanced wind speeds that ...
{sup 60}Co is produced as an activation product and is present in the low-level aqueous radioactive waste released from the La Hague plant. At present, the concentration in the sea (non filtered at 0.45 {mu}m) at the Goury site are close to or even below, the detection limit: 0.2 mBq.l{sup -1}. The {sup 60}Co speciation depends on the type of effluent considered: in the effluent A ('active'), the cobalt is in the form of a stable trivalent complex; in the effluent V (to be checked), the cobalt is in majority (50% of the activity release) in the form of particles (>0.45 {mu}m), and then in the form of two soluble species: ionic divalent (Co{sup 2+}) and some stable complexes. The evolution of the reprocessing techniques used does not affect the speciation. So, since the nuclear reprocessing plant started at the La Hague plant in 1966, the chemical species discharged in the sea shows time variation related to the evolution of the type of ...
Background. In multiple myeloma 5 different infiltration patterns can be differentiated: 1. Normal appearance of bone marrow, 2. focal involvement, 3. homogeneous diffuse infiltration, 4. combined diffuse and focal infiltration, 5. 'salt-and pepper' pattern with inhomogeneous bone marrow with interposition of fat islands. Methods. For the fast and total acquisition of all patterns a combination of a T1-weighted spin echo sequence and a fat suppression technique is superior. The focal involvement is clearly demonstrated as areas of high signal intensity on e.g. STIR images. Diffuse involvement can be quantified objectively by calculation of the percentage of signal intensity increase after contrast material injection. MRI is superior to X-ray in focal and diffuse involvement. With ultrafast sequences a 'screening' of the whole red bone marrow as for myeloma infiltration is possible. Prognosis. In prognosis studies diffuse ...
Waveform correlation detectors compare a signal template with successive windows of a continuous data stream and report a detection when the correlation coefficient, or some comparable detection statistic, exceeds a specified threshold. Since correlation detectors exploit the fine structure of the full waveform, they are exquisitely sensitive when compared to power (STA/LTA) detectors. The drawback of correlation detectors is that they require complete knowledge of the signal to be detected, which limits such methods to instances of seismicity in which a very similar signal has already been observed by every station used. Such instances include earthquake swarms, aftershock sequences, repeating industrial seismicity, and many other forms of controlled explosions. The reduction in the detection threshold is even greater when the techniques are applied to arrays since stacking can be performed on the individual channel correlation traces to ...
The increasing number of aspect mining techniques proposed in literature calls for a methodological way of comparing and combining them in order to assess, and improve on, their quality. This paper addresses this situation by proposing a common framework based on crosscutting concern sorts which allows for consistent assessment, comparison and combination of aspect mining techniques. The framework identifies a set of requirements that ensure homogeneity in formulating the mining goals, presenting the results and assessing their quality. We demonstrate feasibility of the approach by retrofitting an existing aspect mining technique to the framework, and by using it to design and implement two new mining techniques. We apply the three techniques to a known aspect mining benchmark and show how they can be consistently assessed and combined to increase the quality of the results. The ...
The techniques in order to measure the depth of defect in weldment and structure accurately have been developed. Many researches have made efforts to develop the methods for the accurate depth sizing of defect. TOFD is known as the most accurate method of various methods for measuring depth sizing. However, there is a possibility to miss defects because of the limitation of beam coverage for the ultrasound incident angle. In this study, the results for detectability and depth sizing using phased array ultrasonic technique for thick body were compared with those of conventional TOFD technique. It was experimentally confirmed that the phased array ultrasonic TOFD technique gives good detectability and accurate depth measurement for the various types of defects. The phased array ultrasonic TOFD technique developed in this study will contribute to increase the inspection reliability in ...
Using {gamma}-irradiation-induced reduction in the field of a {sup 60}Co {gamma}-ray source, colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles were prepared from their corresponding metal salts in aqueous solution and compared with those by chemical reduction. The radiation-based method provided silver nanoparticles with higher concentration and narrower size distribution than those obtained by chemical reduction method while there was no significant difference between the two strategies for the preparation of gold nanoparticles. {gamma}-Irradiation of 1.0 x 10{sup -3} M AgNO{sub 3} solution resulted in nearly 100 times more highly concentrated silver colloids than those by citrate reduction. Furthermore, the radiation method could lead to more highly concentrated silver colloids by simply increasing the concentration of AgNO{sub 3} solution up to 2.0 x 10{sup -2} M. The two metal nanoparticles prepared by the ...
...5 kg or less) to less than 10 percent; (c) Reduction of iron deficiency anemia in women by one-third of the 1990 levels; (d) Virtual elimination of iodine deficiency disorders; (e) Virtual elimination of vitamin A deficiency and its consequences, including blindness; (...
This 2-page fact sheet gives statistics on routine waste generation and projected reduction by waste type, and 1994 pollution prevention and recycling accomplishments at ORNL.
It is estimated that approximately a quarter of patients undergoing coronary intervention may have significant post-procedural creatinine (CK)/creatinine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) elevations and...Full Text Available
Research reported here reveals that the reduction of CO{sub 2} emissions into the atmosphere, is mainly dependent on the decrease of the use of fossil fuels, but also on the development of environment-friendly technology and greening of the environment. 2 refs.
1. An enzyme from Escherichia coli 9723 that reduces adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-sulphatophosphate to inorganic sulphite is described. Extracts of E. coli...Full Text Available
The cattle industry in Canada has changed greatly over the past several decades. Size of the national dairy herd has reduced steadily but this reduction has been more than offset by an increase in...Full Text Available
The effects of the structure of a carboxylic acid on the processes of oxidation and reduction of iron ions in irradiated aqueous solutions were directly observed during irradiation. The solutions contained the mono- or dicarboxylic acid, H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, Fe(NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/(SO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/. Th e ferrous oxidation was rather independent of the acid and its concentration, but the reduction of ferric was possible in the presence of formic, oxalic, or valeric acid only. The radical formed from the valeric acid acts similar to those formed from hydrocarbons. The G-values of oxidation and reduction of the iron ions were established. The molar extinction coefficients for oxalic and malonic complexes of ferric ions were determined. (auth)
The advanced technologies of Ka-Band systems such as high gain spot .... sometimes used based on link requirements for a specific application. .... received at NASA LeRC from a Ku-band satellite and retransmitted to the USAT at Ka-Band. .... and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project ...
Describes laboratory and industrial tests on the use of lowasash sulphurous petroleum coke during reduction of barite. Shows the potential of substituting blast furnace coke with petroleum/coke fines in this process.
Several dissimilatory, sulfate-reducing bacteria were isolated from the rumen fluid of sheep fed purified diets containing sulfate. One isolate, strain D, was selected for characterization. This organism...Full Text Available
Phenylpropenes, a large group of plant volatile compounds that serve in multiple roles in defense and pollinator attraction, contain a propenyl side chain. Eugenol synthase (EGS) catalyzes the reductive...Full Text Available
The patterns of nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in the leaves (in vivo assay) and root nodule nitrogenase activity (C2H2reduction) were investigated throughout...Full Text Available
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the strongest reducers of nitrate in the genus Mycobacterium. Under microaerobic conditions, whole cells exhibit upregulation of...Full Text Available
Reliable characterization of locomotor dynamics of human walking is vital to understanding the neuromuscular control of human locomotion and disease diagnosis. However, the inherent oscillation and...Full Text Available
Since a Diesel engine can only be operated always in the condition thinner than the theoretical mixing ratio, a catalytic converter rhodium cannot be used, hence it is impossible to oxidate the portion of incomplete combustion and resolve nitrogen oxides using the catalytic converter rhodium as a spark ignition engine. Also since its combustion is mainly diffusion combustion, the amount of generated soot and fine particles is as much as several times to ten times more than that of a spark ignition engine. Also since no after treatment of exhaust has been established for a Diesel engine, it is necessary to cope with the combustion process which is the source of generating pollutant in order to promote reduction of such pollutant. In this article, awaring of the above, the difficulty of achieving both reduction of fine partiicles and reduction of NO {sub x} at the same time is explained in detail, and having done so, the ...
A mild reduction in mitochondrial respiration extends the life span of many species, including C. elegans. We recently showed that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is required for...Full Text Available
The control of nitrogen oxides (NO{sub x}) emissions will become a major challenge in the forthcoming years, in the domain of automotive industry or industrial burners. Pulsed combustion offers an imaginative solution which does not affect the combustion efficiency. In this paper, the efficiency of this method is demonstrated using the burner of a 20 kW domestic boiler. The actuator is simply installed on the air intake. Two types of actuators have been tested successfully: a loudspeaker and a rotative valve. Both can produce 100 to 1000 Hz frequencies and can lead to a reduction of 20% of NO{sub x} emissions. The feasibility of the concept is also demonstrated on a 840 kW liquid fuel-oil burner. The mechanisms involved during an excitation are explained using the CH{sup *} radical imaging. Results show an important reorganization of the flow and of the flame structure. During each excitation cycle, an annular swirl occurs at the leading edge of the flame catching ...
BackgroundPresumptive treatment of all febrile patients with anti-malarials leads to massive over-treatment. The aim was to assess the effect of implementing malaria rapid diagnostic...Full Text Available
Washed cell suspensions of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans subsp. aestuarii were capable of reducing nanomolar levels of selenate to selenide as well as sulfate to sulfide....Full Text Available
The nitrite-reducing activity of the normal susceptible biotype of lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) was strongly inhibited by atrazine in the assay medium, both in the case of the...Full Text Available
The neonatal Fc receptor FcRn provides IgG molecules with their characteristically long half-lives in vivo by protecting them from intracellular catabolism and then returning them to...Full Text Available
Although myo-inositol is included in media for the successful growth of plant tissues, the actual requirement of most tissues, including soybean (Glycine max) callus in suspension culture, for myo-inositol...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE--To examine the effect of a reduced sodium and increased potassium and magnesium intake on blood pressure. DESIGN--Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING--General population...Full Text Available
Exact anatomic knowledge about the location of the gonads and the application of corresponding measures of radiation protection are the preconditions for an efficient reduction of the danger of a possible genetic damage as a result of radiation exposition during X-ray examination of the hip joint of newborns. (VJ).
Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen, occurs in a variety of clinical and environmental situations. Hypoxic exposure is associated with decreased muscle mass and a concomitant reduction in exercise capacity,...Full Text Available
Airborne pollutants can cause failures in switching and computing equipment. This paper focuses on a subset of such pollutants - airborne fine particles (<2.5 [mu]m diameter). It begins by examining the extent to which different improvements in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems reduce indoor concentrations of fine particles. For each modification, the consequent reduction in soiling rate is derived. The concomitant increase in operating costs is also calculated. These costs are then compared with the costs of failures in telephone switching offices, leading to estimates of failure rate reductions that would make improvements cost-effective. Finally, the reduction in failures required to offset the costs of the improvements are compared with documented differences in failure rates between unimproved and improved environments. This study suggests that, in many telephone switching offices, the added ...
Experience with visual objects leads to later improvements in identification speed and accuracy (“repetition priming”), but generally leads to reductions in neural activity in single-cell...Full Text Available
Nitrogenase-dependent acetylene reduction, nodule function, and nodule regrowth were studied during vegetative regrowth of harvested (detopped) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings...Full Text Available
The uptake of nitrite into intact pea chloroplasts was observed and its relationship with internal nitrite reduction was assessed. Net nitrite uptake exhibited saturation kinetics and an alkaline pH...Full Text Available
Studies were conducted with 9 to 12 day-old soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv. Williams) seedlings to determine the contribution of roots to whole plant NO3−...Full Text Available
Briefing Note November 2009 The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme: UPDATE ...What is the CRC? ... The CRC is a mandatory emissions trading scheme that aims to deliver energy (and so
Benzidine-based azo dyes are proven mutagens and have been linked to bladder cancer. Previous studies have indicated that their initial reduction is the result of the azo reductase activity of the intestinal...Full Text Available
In this paper, we report a method of precise in situ x-ray scattering measurements on protein solutions using small stationary sample cells. Although reduction in the radiation damage...Full Text Available
The ability of both human and hen egg white lysozymes to lyse Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 was investigated. Lysis was followed optically at 540 nm by measuring the percent reduction in turbidity...Full Text Available
Protoplasts were isolated from the leaves of nitrate-cultured wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Frederick) seedlings. When incubated in the dark, protoplasts accumulated nitrite under...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial changes have been described in muscle tissue in acquired hypothyroidism. Among the molecular mechanisms by which thyroid hormones regulate expression of nuclear genes encoding...Full Text Available
Previous studies have documented diagnostic bias and noted that its reduction could eliminate misdiagnosis and improve mental health service delivery. Few studies have investigated clinicians'...Full Text Available
Protected areas (PAs) dominate conservation efforts. They will probably play a role in future climate policies too, as global payments may reward local reductions of loss of natural land cover. We estimate...Full Text Available
BackgroundExpansion of aquaculture is seriously limited by reductions in fish oil (FO) supply for aquafeeds. Terrestrial alternatives such as vegetable oils (VO) have been investigated...Full Text Available
Free radical formation has been implicated in the toxicity of a wide range of xenobiotics. In recent years, particular interest has been paid to compounds which can undergo a one electron reduction...Full Text Available
The thiadiazinon derivative EMD 57033 has been found previously in cardiac muscle to increase isometric force generation without a proportional increase in fiber ATPase, thus causing a reduction in...Full Text Available
The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) is a global partnership of business, civil society and government working for sustained reduction of road accidents in developing and transition countries. GRSP, which started operations in 1999, has a global secr...
Phenylpropenes such as chavicol, t-anol, eugenol, and isoeugenol are produced by plants as defense compounds against animals and microorganisms and as floral attractants of pollinators....Full Text Available
This paper summarizes the current scientific and technological knowledge about greenhouse gas emissions from various agricultural practices and the manufacturing of food. The study also provides estimates that compare agriculture-related alternatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Artifacts in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) caused by the presence of salts in isoelectric focusing (IEF) have been previously described as a result of increasing conductivity and inducing electroosmosis....Full Text Available
Historically, the bulk production of electricity has been achieved by burning fossil fuels, with unavoidable gaseous emissions, including large quantities of carbon dioxide: an average-sized modern coal-burning power station is responsible for more than 10 Mt of CO{sub 2} each year. This paper details typical emissions from present-day power stations and discusses the options for their reduction. Acknowledging that the cuts achieved in the past decade in the UK CO{sub 2} emissions have been achieved largely by fuel switching, the remaining possibilities offered by this method are discussed. Switching to less-polluting fossil fuels will achieve some measure of reduction, but the basic problem of CO{sub 2} emissions continues. Of the alternatives to fossil fuels, only nuclear power represents a zero-carbon large-scale energy source. Unfortunately, public concerns over safety and radioactive waste have still to be assuaged. Other approaches ...
Background: Intramedullary fixation of midclavicular fractures may be a better option than non-operative treatment for high performance/professional athletes because of the potential reduction...Full Text Available
The effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the chemical looping combustion of coal-derived synthesis gas with bentonite-supported metal oxidesssuch as iron oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, and copper oxideswas investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). During the reaction with synthesis gas containing H2S, metal-oxide oxygen carriers were first reduced by carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and then interacted with H2S to form metal sulfide, which resulted in a weight gain during the reduction/sulfidation step. The reduced/sulfurized compounds could be regenerated to form sulfur dioxide and oxides during the oxidation reaction with air. The reduction/oxidation capacities of iron oxide and nickel oxide were not affected by the presence of H2S, but both manganese oxide and copper oxide showed decreased reduction/oxidation capacities. However, the rates of ...
Present methods for planning reliability improvement of launch vehicles are reviewed. A theoretical criterion for optimum allocation of resources for reliability improvement exists that requires equal marginal failure reduction for all elements to be impr...
disposal through HC, and the effects of kerbside collection (KC) of recyclable materials, by measuring ...waste equivalent to 12 % could be attributed to HC and KC.Comparisons between the residual weight data for ...Control showed that the contributions of HC and KC to the overall reduction in residual waste were
A paradoxical metabolic imbalance in inorganic phosphate occurs from the early onset of diabetes and may lead to a reduction of high energy phosphates and tissue hypoxia. These changes take place in...Full Text Available
Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum MS-1 grew microaerobically but not anaerobically with NO3− or NH4+ as the sole nitrogen source. Nevertheless,...Full Text Available
Mineral scale formation in water distribution piping impedes flow, resulting in pressure and volume reduction and increasing operational costs. Chemical cleaning is both costly and time consuming, and there are health concerns when chemically cleaning pot...
Reversible protein glutathionylation plays a key role in cellular regulation and cell signaling and protects protein thiols from hyperoxidation. Sulfiredoxin (Srx), an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction...Full Text Available
Recently reported technologies for DNA-directed organic synthesis and for DNA computing rely on routing DNA populations through complex networks. The reduction of these ideas to practice has been limited...Full Text Available
Invasive species pose serious threats to community structure and ecosystem function worldwide. The impacts of invasive species can be more pervasive than simple reduction of species numbers. By using...Full Text Available
Coke consumption may be cut as much as fifty percent using a coal reactor to furnish carbon monoxide for ore reduction in a blast furnace while lowering the sulfur content of pig iron accompanied by a smaller slag volume.
Sphingomonas (formerly Pseudomonas) paucimobilis UT26 utilizes γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), a halogenated organic insecticide,...Full Text Available
This report documents the operation, maintenance, calibration, data acquisition and data reduction at the Chalk Point Meteorological Station for the period November 15, 1978 through November 15, 1979. Climatological data summaries for each month and calib...
High and volatile natural gas prices have increasingly led to calls for investments in renewable energy. One line of argument is that deployment of these resources may lead to reductions in the demand for and price of natural gas. Many recent US-based modeling studies have demonstrated that this effect could provide significant consumer savings. In this article we evaluate these studies, and benchmark their findings against economic theory, other modeling results, and a limited empirical literature. We find that many uncertainties remain regarding the absolute magnitude of this effect, and that the reduction in natural gas prices may not represent an increase in aggregate economic wealth. Nonetheless, we conclude that many of the studies of the impact of renewable energy on natural gas prices appear to have represented this effect within reason, given current knowledge. These studies specifically suggest that a 1% reduction ...
High and volatile natural gas prices have increasingly led to calls for investments in renewable energy. One line of argument is that deployment of these resources may lead to reductions in the demand for and price of natural gas. Many recent US-based modeling studies have demonstrated that this effect could provide significant consumer savings. In this article we evaluate these studies, and benchmark their findings against economic theory, other modeling results, and a limited empirical literature. We find that many uncertainties remain regarding the absolute magnitude of this effect, and that the reduction in natural gas prices may not represent an increase in aggregate economic wealth. Nonetheless, we conclude that many of the studies of the impact of renewable energy on natural gas prices appear to have represented this effect within reason, given current knowledge. These studies specifically suggest that a 1% reduction ...
Suspensions of denitrifying cells of Pseudomonas perfectomarinus reduced nitrate and nitrate as expected to dinitrogen; but, in the presence of acetylene, nitrous oxide accumulated when nitrate or nitrate...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the failure of trials (<50% pain reduction in pain for trial period) to improve success rate of spinal...Full Text Available
US Army casualty deaths in the Republic of Vietnam were analyzed to provide information on wound ballistics that may be used by interested branches of the services on the subjects of casualty reduction, wounding, mechanisms, and evaluation of hostile weap...
We apply the group theory to Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-Burgers (KPBII) equation which is a natural model for the propagation of the two-dimensional damped waves. In correspondence with the generators of the symmetry group allowed by the equation, new types of symmetry reductions are performed. Some new exact solutions are obtained, which can be in the form of solitary waves and periodic waves. Specially, our solutions indicate that the equation may have time-dependent nonlinear shears. Such exact explicit solutions and symmetry reductions are important in both applications and the theory of nonlinear science.
Chemical and phase homogeneity of titanium-niobium sponge, produced by a combined magnesium-thermic reduction of niobium pentachloride and titanium tetrachloride mixtures, is investigated. It is ascertained that a sponge consists of spherical shape particles and has a large number of pores. Particle sizes are reduced with niobium being substituted for titanium from 50-500 #mu#m for titanium sponge to 1-40 #mu#m for niobium one, which testifies to the bormation in a titanium-niobium sponge of an alloy and not a mechanical mixture. A number of solid solutions is detected by X-ray phase analysis. Lattice parameters are determined.
In this paper, probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) of the station blackout (SBO) and 5th emergency diesel in Daya Bay NPP has been carried out, the calculation method of non-recover factors of power supplies is given, and sensitivity analysis on the connection duration of 5th emergency diesel has been executed. It is concluded that the core damage frequency (CDF) induced by SBO is relatively large, the addition of 5th emergency diesel is very helpful for the CDF reduction, and the connection duration of this diesel has great effect on the CDF reduction
Partial oxidation of 2-propanol was carried out on AB{sub 1-x}B`{sub x}O{sub 3} (A=Ba, B=Pb, Ce, Ti; B`=Bi, Sb and Cu) type perovskite oxides. Acetone was the major product observed on all the catalysts. All the catalysts underwent partial reduction during the reaction depending on the composition of the reactant, nature of the B site cation and the extent of substitution at B site. The catalytic activity has been correlated with the reducibility of the perovskite oxides determined from Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) studies. (orig.)
A few industry-derived and conventional building materials have above acceptable radioactivity. An examination of some materials presently used, or with a potential for use, has shown that in phosphogypsum, fly ash, zircon kyanite tailings, red mud and brickmaking clay, the radium equivalent activities of the finer fractions (<53 #mu#) are higher than those of the larger fractions. Consequently, the radioactivity of these materials could be reduced by dry-sieving and discarding the fines. In blast furnace slag and dissociated zircon, no such reduction would occur since the radioactivity is evenly distributed in all sized fractions.
A low power polychromatic beam of microwaves is used to diagnose the behavior of turbulent fluctuations in the core of the JT-60U tokamak during the evolution of the internal transport barrier. A continuous reduction in the size of turbulent structures is observed concomitant with the reduction of the density scale length during the evolution of the internal transport barrier. The density correlation length decreases to the order of the ion gyroradius, in contrast to the much longer scale lengths observed earlier in the discharge, while the density fluctuation level remain similar to the level before transport barrier formation.
Lithium storage metals and alloys can be suitable high-capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, when the morphology is specifically designed. Here, we compare three different Sn/SnSb multiphase anode materials in powder form, which have been prepared in aqueous and organic solution by chemical precipitation using NaBH{sub 4} or Zn as reductive agents. The obtained morphologies, chemical compositions, and the electrochemical performance will be comparatively discussed. The variety of synthesis parameters which have an effect on the morphology of the obtained anode materials will be particularly highlighted.
Studies on pupal irradiation of Earias vittella Fabricius, were undertaken to determine the optimum dose for sterile and competitive adults. Late pupae were irradiated with gamma radiation doses ranging from 150 to 300 Gy. Emerging adults were normal and without malformation. When males that emerged from irradiated pupae were crossed with normal female, fecundity as well as longevity was comparable to control, but there was drastic reduction in percent egg hatch in all the treatments. However, when females emerging from irradiated pupae were crossed with normal male, there was reduction in the fecundity as well as fertility and this effect was dose dependent. (author).
The geothermal well-cost model developed by Sandia National Laboratories is being used to analyze the sensitivity of well costs to improvements in geothermal drilling technology. Three interim results from this modeling effort are discussed. The sensitivity of well costs to bit parameters, rig parameters, and material costs; an analysis of the cost reduction potential of an advanced bit; and a consideration of breakeven costs for new cementing technology. All three results illustrate that the well-cost savings arising from any new technology will be highly site-dependent but that in specific wells the advances considered can result in significant cost reductions.
The mechanistic aspects of electrochemical reductions of U"V"IO_2(acac)_2dmso(acac=acetylacetonate, dmso=dimethyl sulfoxide) complex with bidentate ligand(acac) in DMSO were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, normal pulse voltammetry, and spectrophotometer equipped with an optical transparent thin layer electrode cell. It is concluded that the uranyl complexes with bidentate ligands at the equatorial plane form stable U(V) complexes by the electrochemical reduction and that their molar extinction coefficients in the visible region are very small. (J.P.N.).
A temperature gradient across a thick ({ge}.1mm) film selective emitter will produce a significant reduction in the spectral emittance from the no temperature gradient case. Thick film selective emitters of rare earth doped host materials such as yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) are examples where temperature gradient effects are important. In this paper a model is developed for the spectral emittance assuming a linear temperature gradient across the film. Results of the model indicate that temperature gradients will result in reductions the order of 20{percent} or more in the spectral emittance. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
It is known that in size reduction of the granular structure of ferrite and ferrite-pearlite steels the temperature of the transformation from ductile to brittle condition is lowered. This effect can also be caused by an increase in the dispersity of intragrain and intergrain segregations (sulfides, carbonitrides, and segregations of impurity atoms), which accompanies grain size reduction and promotes initiation and propagation of cracks. In order to clarify the mechanism of fracture of steel in the region of the ductile-brittle transition steel 45 with different grain sizes and pearlite morphologies has been investigated.
Uranium has varying degrees of oxidation (+4 and +6) and is responsive to changes in the redox potential of the environment. It is deposited at the reduction barrier with the participation of biota and at the sorption barrier under oxidative conditions. Iron (hydr)oxides are the strongest sorbents of uranium. Uranium, being an element of medium biological absorption, can accumulate (relative to thorium) in the humus horizons of some soils. The high content of uranium in uncontaminated soils is most frequently inherited from the parent rocks in the regions of positive U anomalies: in the soils developed on oil shales and in the marginal zone of bogs at the reduction barrier. The development of nuclear and coal-fired power engineering resulted in the environmental contamination with uranium....
Environmental considerations have led the Italian electric utility, ENEL, to use an advanced compact design for the reconstruction of a 60kV power line on the outskirts of Rome. This solution has achieved the following aims: minimisation of the visual impact by reducing the size of the supports; reduction of the occupation of the area especially during construction; reduction of damage due to the degree of penetration into the soil. The use of one stem tubular supports and bored pile foundations is described. The scheme has been shown to be viable in terms of planning and low environmental impact and also cost-effective and is likely to be adopted by ENEL in other situations. (UK)
We perform a complete analytical reduction of general one-loop Feynman integrals with five and six external legs for tensors up to rank R=3 and 4, respectively. An elegant formalism with extensive use of signed minors is developed for the cancellation of inverse Gram determinants. The 6-point tensor functions of rank R are expressed in terms of 5-point tensor functions of rank R-1, and the latter are reduced to scalar four-, three-, and two-point functions. The resulting compact formulae allow both for a study of analytical properties and for efficient numerical programming. They are implemented in Fortran and Mathematica. (orig.)
Grain refinement behavior of copper alloys cast in permanent molds was investigated. This is one of the least studied subjects in copper alloy castings. Grain refinement is not widely practiced for leaded copper alloys cast in sand molds. Aluminum bronzes and high strength yellow brasses, cast in sand and permanent molds, were usually fine grained due to the presence of more than 2% iron. Grain refinement of the most common permanent mold casting alloys, leaded yellow brass and its lead-free replacement EnviroBrass III, is not universally accepted due to the perceived problem of hard spots in finished castings and for the same reason these alloys contain very low amounts of iron. The yellow brasses and Cu-Si alloys are gaining popularity in North America due to their low lead content and amenability for permanent mold casting. These alloys are prone to hot tearing in permanent mold casting. Grain refinement is one of the solutions for reducing this problem. However, to use this ...
This study presents and applies a coherent methodological framework to compare biomass cascading chains, i.e. the subsequent use of biomass for materials, recycling and energy recovery, considering land use, CO2 emission reduction and economic performance. Example cascading chains of short rotation poplar wood are compared with each other on the basis of literature data. Results for these chains vary strongly, namely, from CO2 mitigation benefits of 200 euro/Mg CO2 to CO2 mitigation costs of 2200 euro/Mg CO2, and from net CO2 emission reductions per hectare of biomass production of 28 Mg CO2/(ha yr) to net CO2 emissions of 8 Mg CO2/(ha yr). Using a present-value approach to determine CO2 emissions and costs affects the performance of long-term cascading chains significantly, i.e. cost and CO2 emission reduction are decreased. In general, cascading has the potential to improve both CO2 emission reduction ...
This paper reviews three key initiatives undertaken in the historical city of Oxford to bring about reductions in energy-related CO_2 emissions on a city-wide scale. The author has been part of all the three initiatives. In 2002, a collaborative partnership between academia, industry and city council started the Oxford Solar Initiative (OSI) which uses a community-based approach to help households and organisations in Oxford, financially and technically, to install solar energy systems and energy efficiency measures in buildings. So far OSI has facilitated the installation of 80 active solar systems, over 450 energy efficiency measures and 3,000 low energy bulbs. The scientific basis of OSI is a GIS-based DECoRuM model which estimates and maps baseline energy use and CO_2 emissions on a house-by house level, identifies 'pollution' hotspots, predicts the potential for reductions in CO_2 emissions and monitors reductions ...
Experimental results are presented for a new and unique heat transfer augmentation technique in tubes. The technique consists of inserting a porous mesh structure into the flow passage of the tube. Due to the increased degree of turbulence, both the singl...
This investigation will explore the effect that current timber extraction techniques have on plethadontid salamander populations in ... group selection, and two-age harvest. Broad scale timber extraction can d...
A robust technique for determining the principal axes of a 3D shape represented by a point set, possibly with noise, is presented. We use techniques from robust statistics to guide the classical...Full Text Available
We have used the two-electrode voltage clamp technique and the patch clamp technique to investigate the regulation of ROMK1 channels by protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein-tyrosine...Full Text Available
The paper is concerned with the economic operation of power systems comprising pumped storage and thermal plants. In power systems, pumped storage plants may receive the energy required for pumping water either from the system in which they are integrated or from a neighbouring system. Therefore, two mathematical formulations of the problem are presented depending on the source of energy during pumping. In both cases, the problem is reduced to a non linear optimization problem. Two numerical techniques are suggested for the solution of this optimization problem, namely the Lagrangian Multipliers technique and the Rosen Gradient Projection technique. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the techniques. Although the Lagrangian Multipliers technique has the advantage of being a well known technique, however, computer wise, the Rosen Gradient Projection ...
For aerodynamic force measurement in the ISL shock tunnel, the authors have developed a novel measurement technique. Its key feature is a mounting support, which releases the test model and tightens it again after a free flight duration of 10 to 15 millis...
Since its establishment in 1945, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) has predominately adhered to a Diversified model of chiropractic technique in the core curriculum; however, many students...Full Text Available
A technique is described for displaying distinct tissue layers of large blood vessel walls as well as measuring their mechanical strain. The technique is based on deuterium double-quantum-filtered (DQF)...Full Text Available
BackgroundA wide range of techniques is now available for analyzing regulatory networks. Nonetheless, most of these techniques fail to interpret large-scale transcriptional data...Full Text Available
The indications, contra-indications and technique of caudal epidural injections in the treatment of low back pain and sciatica are described. Of 201 patients treated by epidural injection, about 56%...Full Text Available
This dissertation presents the development of the novel mechanical testing technique of in situ nanoindentation in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This technique makes it possible to simultaneously observe and quantify the mechanical behavior of nano-scale volumes of solids.
Scraped-surface heat transfer augmentation is proposed as a possible technique for use in improved air-cooling designs. Although it has been in common use with liquids, the technique has apparently never been used with gases. An experimental investigation...
BackgroundThe purpose of our investigation was to compare a digital templating system to conventional templating techniques when preoperatively planning for total hip arthroplasty.MethodsWe...Full Text Available
This study assessed the feasibility of measuring tiludronate in horses using a minimally invasive bone biopsy technique. Eight horses were treated with intravenous (IV) tiludronate [1 mg/kg bodyweight...Full Text Available
Adaptive image processing is one of the most important techniques in visual information processing, especially in early vision such as image restoration, filtering, enhancement, and segmentation. This work focuses on applications of advanced CI techniques in image processing applications
Crockford, G. W., Crowder, M., and Prestidge, S. P. (1972).Brit. J. industr. Med.,29, 378-386. A trace gas technique for measuring clothing microclimate...Full Text Available
PURPOSETo compare hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and pure laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy techniques in live donor nephrectomy.METHODSIn...Full Text Available