Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This annual report describes progress in studies on hprt mutations induced by radon or Indium 111 along with the corresponding mutation frequency, cloning and molecular spectra in human T-lymphocytes. Parallel studies on the mutation susceptibility between individuals is being investigated by hprt mutation studies on ataxia telangiectasia and xeroderma pigmentosum.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a heterogeneous disease that is caused by defective complement regulation in over 50% of cases. Mutations have been identified in genes encoding both complement...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Although cellular immunity has a crucial role during cryptococcosis, several in vitro studies have pointed out the importance of IgG anti-Cryptococcus neoformans antibodies and complement components...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Chlorazole fast pink 2BL inhibited the classical complement pathway in rat serum both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro potency of chlorazole fast pink against the alternative pathway could not be...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We sought to determine whether the third component of complement (C3) is localized in ischemic baboon myocardium after coronary artery ligation. Furthermore, we assessed the effects of prior C3 depletion...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Endogenous immune complexes present in sera from 10 different patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an active phase were allowed to bind to Raji cells; the ability of intact complement...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

In three calves experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense the amounts of IgG1 and IgG2 were little changed and similar to those of normal animals. IgM increased in amount early in the infection and the amount of the increase appeared related to the parasite burden. The amounts of IgA and IgE were both much decreased and this also appeared related to the numbers of parasites in the blood. There was a decrease in the amounts of total haemolytic complement and complement components C1, C1q and C3 in the infected calves. Furthermore the amounts of properdin fluctuated with the cyclical changes in numbers of T. congolense parasites in the individual calves. No significant change in the amount of C8 was observed. It is considered that activation of both the alternative and the classical complement pathways occurs in trypanosome infected animals but that neither pathway goes to its terminal stages.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Effect of single and chronic irradiation on factors of hamsters natural immunity such as complement, lysozyme and antibodies in norm and in the cestode invasion has been investigated. Significant phase changes in the complement activity level, lysozyme content and specific antibodies tite have been shown to occur in hamster blood under the influence of ionizing radiation. Cestode invasion in irradiated host organism increases the negative effect of ionizing radiation on the hamster immyne system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is still a vision at the time being, but wind power and electric cars may complement each other efficiently: Batteries are charged when the power demand of the grid has been saturated. In case of sudden demand peaks, the stored power is transmitted back into the grid. (orig.)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Glycoprotein 60 (gp60) is a normal plasma protein (mean concentration in normal serum 34 micrograms/ml) that is present in increased levels (mean concentration 97 micrograms/ml) in the sera of patients...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Synaptic gain control and information storage in neural networks are mediated by alterations in synaptic transmission, such as in long-term potentiation (LTP). Here, we show using both in...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The C1 fixation test is widely used for the study of the interaction between immunoglobulins, their fragments and the complement system. Some factors influencing the apparent extent of the C1 fixation...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The most characteristic features of the Lyme disease pathogens, the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) group, are their ability to invade tissues and to circumvent the immune defenses...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper the authors prove a uniqueness theorem for the electric detection of cavities in a three dimensional solid from Cauchy data measured on the surface. The cavities, finite in number, are assumed to be insulating. The surfaces of the cavities are assumed to be smooth on the complement of a set that is, in some sense, negligible. (orig.)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Twenty-four patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are described, fourteen with Staph. aureus and ten with other organisms. Despite the acute nature of the infection, ten of the fourteen with Staph....Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The GSD must be considered as a quantity by means of which the risk in a given population can be described exclusively in terms of genetic risk. In cases of a simultaneous increase in the rate of examinations, the GSD may lead to a misinterpretation of the population exposure, suggesting a decreasing trend, although there is an actual increase in the somatic radiation exposure. It is recommended to indicate not only the GSD but also the amount of somatic radiation exposure of the population for each specific source when comparing and evaluating radiation exposures from different sources. Although the somatically significant dose formally would be suited as a complement to the GSD, it is recommended to use the effective per caput dose equivalent. It must be pointed out that the application of the concept of effective dose equivalent is only appropriate for comparative evaluations of the population exposure to different sources of radiation. (orig./HP).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We investigated gathering and cultivating practices and how they complement each other in a rural population of Northwestern Patagonia. We analyzed plant diversity, species similarity, biogeographic origin, and plant use by means of semi-structured interviews and field visits. Pichi Leufu inhabitants used 173 species: 138 cultivated plants, mainly for edible purposes, and 45 wild species principally for medicinal use. Most cultivated species were exotic (91.3%), whereas gathered plants were both native and exotic. While locals maintained vegetable gardens, the adoption of greenhouses improved conditions for certain crops. The integration of novel practices with ancestral knowledge suggests resilient processes in this community, probably reflected in the dynamics of current horticultural an...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A joint experimental and theoretical analyses based on the grounds of DFT anharmonic potential and the use of a variational method allow us to revisit and assign the gas phase spectra of vinylarsine in the mid-IR area until 6300cm-1. Several weak and very weak bands corresponding to overtones and combinations are newly observed and assigned in complement to the fundamental bands.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The second in a series of flights to assemble the Japanese segment of the International Space Station saw the mammoth Kibo module delivered to the complex complements of Discovery and its crew on the STS-124 mission. Kibo, the Japanese word for u201chopeu201d would house dozens of experiments and serve as a platform for external payloads brought to the complex on subsequent Shuttle flights and the Japanese u201cKounotoriu201d H-2 Transfer Vehicle cargo ship.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The baryogenesis process in the early hot universe is investigated by means of relativistic kinetic theory. An exact solution to the kinetic equations for supermassive bosons serves to refine previous results: the optimum baryon-production domain is now complemented by bosons of low mass, thus removing the cosmological lower bound that had limited the mass of superheavy bosons. 14 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Magnetic resonance imaging can be used in the trauma setting to detect fractures and associated soft tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Magnetic resonance imaging complements plain radiography and CT for evaluating cancellous bone, cartilage and growth-plate injuries, and intra- and extraarticular supporting soft tissue structures. This review outlines typical applications and imaging consideration for injuries of the pelvis and lower extremity. (orig.) With 12 figs., 78 refs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACTThe immune response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae is poorly understood, but its extensive antigenic variability and resistance to complement are thought to allow it...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Loss-of-function mutations in the regulatory gene areA of Aspergillus nidulans prevent the utilization of a wide variety of nitrogen sources. The phenotypes of nit-2 mutants of Neurospora crassa suggest...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samples from 314 broiler chickens at 2 months age were analyzed for blood serum level of lysozyme and 311 of them were analyzed also for activity of alternative path-way of complement activity (APCA). Chickens were hatched from eggs, irradiated immediately before incubation with different doses of gamma-rays using Rocus M device - group 1 - control (non irradiated), and groups 2, 3 and 4 - irradiated with doses of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 Gy, respectively. Lysozyme concentration was highest for the control group, and for the experimental ones it was lower (p<0.001) which is an indication of the strongly negative effect of gamma-rays on this indicator. For APCA the oppsite relationship was observed - increasing of its activity with increasing of irradiation dose (from p<0.05 to p<0.001) which gave reason to suggest that this phenomenon is due to the irradiation. 12 refs., 2 tabs. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Human complement protein C9 is shown to be a metalloprotein that binds 1 mol of Ca"2"+/mol of C9 with a dissociation constant of 3 #mu#m as measured by equilibrium dialysis. Incubation with EDTA removes the bound calcium, resulting in a apoprotein with decreased thermal stability. This loss in stability leads to aggregation and, therefore, to loss of hemolytic activity upon heating to a few degrees above the physiological temperature. Heat-induced aggregation of apoC9 can be prevented by salts that stabilize proteins according to the Hofmeister series of lyotropic ions, suggesting that the ion in native C9 may ligand with more than one structural element of domain of the protein. Ligand blotting indicates that the calcium binding site is located in the amino-terminal half of the protein. Removal of calcium by inclusion of EDTA in assay mixtures has no effect on the hemolytic activity of C9, and its capacity to bind to C8 in solution, or to small unilamellar lipid ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Event-based biosurveillance is a scientific discipline in which diverse streams of data, available from the Internet, are characterized prospectively to provide information on infectious disease events. Biosurveillance complements traditional public health surveillance to provide both early warning of infectious disease events as well as situational awareness. The Global Health Security Action Group (GHSAG) of the Global Health Security Initiative is developing a biosurveillance capability that integrates and leverages component systems from member nations. This work discusses these biosurveillance systems and identifies needed future studies.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Metalloid cluster compounds of group 14 of the general formulae EnRm with n > m (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; R = ligand), where naked as well as ligand bound tetrel atoms are present, represent a novel class of cluster compounds in group 14 chemistry and can be seen as intermediates on the way to the elemental state. Therefore, interesting properties are expected for these compounds, which might complement results from nanotechnology. In this article, first results for germanium are discussed, together with novel build-up reactions on the way to novel materials based on metalloid cluster compounds. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT[image omitted

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A #gamma##gamma# collider would extend and complement the physics capability of a linear collider; e.g. it would be suitable for direct measurement of the partial decay width of a Higgs boson into two gamma quanta. This paper discusses choice of laser parameters, luminosity optimization, electron and laser parameters for a gamma- gamma collider as a second interaction region for the Next Linear Collider, laser path, and the lasers. It is concluded that a gamma- gamma collider is technically feasible; however it will require a significant investment in preparatory R ampersand D.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbon steel, copper, zinc and aluminium samples were exposed in different sizes with known ambient parameters in Gran Canaria Island and atmospheric corrosion was investigated. Weight-loss measurements used to determine corrosion damage were complemented with metallographic and XP S determination in order to characterize the structure and morphology of surface corrosion products. The ambient aggressiveness could be well evaluated from meteorological and pollution data. All atmospheric corrosion and environmental data were statistically processed for establishing general corrosion damage functions for carbon steel, copper, aluminium and zinc in terms of Gran Canaria extreme meteorological and pollution parameters. (Author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present study analyzes argument in jury deliberations by using the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme (CACS) and the content of juror argument using Subject Matter Argument Assessment (SMAA) (Pettus, 1990). The main purpose is to illustrate how the two coding schemes can complement each other to provide rich yet systematic characterization of argument in jury deliberation. Jury deliberations drawn from In the Jury Room, a televised news series on jury deliberation, are coded and analyzed using CACS and SMAA. The researchers found that using two argument coding schemes is beneficial in learning about the types of arguments jurors make and the subject matter about which they argue. The study results are compared with findings from previous studies of juror argument behavior, suggestin...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

'Glass Earth' represents a number of current and planned projects within CSIRO aimed at making 'transparent' the top 1000 m of the Earth's crust It builds upon current technologies developed within a number of CSIRO divisions as well as the Australian Mineral Exploration Technologies CRC (AMET CRC), the Australian Geodynamics CRC (AG CRC) and the CRC for Landscape Evolution and Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME). New geophysical and geochemical technologies will be developed to complement these, together with new capabilities in modelling, data integration and visualisation, including hydrogeochemistry, hydrogeology, surface geochemistry and isotope geochemistry, modelling of chemical, fluid and heat flows in rock and regolith, advanced visualisation and data fusion. This paper describes some recent work in the field of isotope geochemistry, with the principal aim of 'seeing through' cover to understand basement geology and detect hidden ore systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lung cancer staging according to the TNM system is based on morphological assessment of the primary cancer, lymph nodes and metastases. All aspects of this important oncological classification are measurable with MRI. Pulmonary nodules can be detected at the clinically relevant size of 4-5 mm in diameter. The extent of mediastinal, hilar and supraclavicular lymph node affection can be assessed at the same time. The predominant metastatic spread to the adrenal glands and spine can be detected in coronal orientation during dedicated MRI of the lungs. Search focused whole body MRI completes the staging. Various additional MR imaging techniques provide further functional and clinically relevant information during a single examination. In the oncological context the most important techniques are imaging of perfusion and tumor motion. Functional MRI of the lungs complements the pure staging and improves surgical approaches and radiotherapy planning. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of the strain-relaxation processes on the leakage current of embedded SiGe S/D junctions. Current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics were measured to further investigate the relaxation degree of embedded SiGe S/D junctions in the regime where partial relaxation by misfits dislocations is assumed, yielding a reduction of the leakage current density. Further, the impact of the ion implantation-related defects on the electrical performance is discussed. The analysis is complemented with structural characterization based on High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Nomarski microscopy. (copyright 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Model of Acidification of Groundwaters in Catchments (MAGIC) was used to simulate the impact of acidifying deposition and future recovery at the Gaardsjoen Covered Catchment Experiment, at a number of hypothetical stations defined by statistical variation of the Gaardsjoen data and at 20 forest monitoring sites in Southern Sweden. For the future predictions a decrease of sulphur deposition of more than 70% was assumed. This assumption is based on a full implementation of the agreements made under the second sulphur protocol from 1994. The modelled impact of reduced deposition on the soils and on the runoff waters was discussed. To complement the discussion on long-term trends in future run-off chemistry, data from Gaardsjoen has been used to asses the risk for short-term acid runoff episodes 26 refs, 23 figs, 7 tabs

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Males and females display differences in physiology, behaviour and susceptibility to many diseases. Genome-wide transcription profiling studies have uncovered large-scale sex differences in autosomal gene expression in somatic tissues that are thought to underlie such 'sexual dimorphisms'. Because males and females differ genetically mainly in their sex chromosome complement, most sex differences can be traced back to the X and Y chromosomes. Although sex hormones are usually considered the main architects of sexual dimorphisms, recent studies have demonstrated that sex chromosomes can also induce sex differences in somatic gene expression in the absence of hormonal differences. The recent discovery of epigenetic sex differences that are not hormone-induced brings us closer to understandin...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study estimates the electricity demand function for the residential sector of South Korea with the aim of examining the effects of improved energy efficiency, structural factors and household lifestyles on electricity consumption. In the study, time series data for the period from 1973 to 2007 is used in a structural time series model to estimate the long-term price and income elasticities and annual growth of underlying energy demand trend (UEDT) at the end of the estimation period. The result shows a long-term income elasticity of 1.33 and a long-term price elasticity of -0.27% with -0.93% as the percentage growth of UEDT at the end of the estimation period. This result suggests that, in order to encourage energy efficiency in the residential sector, the government should complement the market based pricing policies with non-market policies such as minimum energy efficiency standards and public enlightenment.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study estimates the electricity demand function for the residential sector of South Korea with the aim of examining the effects of improved energy efficiency, structural factors and household lifestyles on electricity consumption. In the study, time series data for the period from 1973 to 2007 is used in a structural time series model to estimate the long-term price and income elasticities and annual growth of underlying energy demand trend (UEDT) at the end of the estimation period. The result shows a long-term income elasticity of 1.33 and a long-term price elasticity of -0.27% with -0.93% as the percentage growth of UEDT at the end of the estimation period. This result suggests that, in order to encourage energy efficiency in the residential sector, the government should complement...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A three-component seismic line acquired over the Zamora gas field, northern Sacramento Valley, California, displays conventional (P-P) and converted-wave (P-SV) seismic anomalies. Well log and seismic modeling results indicate that bright-spot reflection strengths are related to variations in fluid saturation and lithology. The P-SV reflection strengths and interval velocities provide valuable information that complements more conventional strategies such as amplitude with offset and polarity analysis. This integrated strategy can improve risk evaluation and well-site selection in areas where rapid changes in reservoir quality impact resource evaluation.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We show that the HACCP system is not fully applicable at the primary production level, and that food safety is obtained through the careful implementation of good hygiene practice (GHP) at the farm. Guides to GHP intended at primary productions cover one activity, such as cattle rearing or corn production. Yet most farms have more than one activity. Hazards from one activity can be transferred to another activity, and in general this is not considered in one-activity guides. There is a need therefore for farmers to be able to detect and control such transfers. We suggest a horizontal complement to the Guides to GHP that would consider only the application of the Step 6 and Principle 1 of the HACCP system amended as follows: ''List all potential hazards transferred from one activity to anot...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Gelatinization temperature (GT) is an important parameter in evaluating the cooking and eating quality of rice. Indeed, the phenotype, biochemistry and inheritance of GT have been widely studied in recent times. Previous map-based cloning revealed that GT was controlled by ALK gene, which encodes a putative soluble starch synthase II-3. Complementation vector and RNAi vector were constructed and transformed into Nipponbare mediated by Agrobacterium. Phenotypic and molecular analyses of transgenic lines provided direct evidence for ALK as a key gene for GT. Meanwhile, amylose content, gel consistency and pasting properties were also affected in transgenic lines. Two of four nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in coding sequence of ALK were identified as essential for GT. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is a reference guide to the Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator, and is a companion document to the Xyce Users Guide. The focus of this document is (to the extent possible) exhaustively list device parameters, solver options, parser options, and other usage details of Xyce. This document is not intended to be a tutorial. Users who are new to circuit simulation are better served by the Xyce Users Guide. The Xyce Parallel Electronic Simulator has been written to support, in a rigorous manner, the simulation needs of the Sandia National Laboratories electrical designers. It is targeted specifically to run on large-scale parallel computing platforms but also runs well on a variety of architectures including single processor workstations. It also aims to support a variety of devices and models specific to Sandia needs. This document is intended to complement the Xyce Users Guide. It contains comprehensive, detailed information about a number of topics ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the framework of the RIM (Russian Italian mission) program, PAMELA is the experiment devoted to the accurate measurement of the positron and antiproton spectra from the very low energy thresh-old of 100 MeV up to more than 50 GeV, and to hunt antinuclei with sensitivity better than 10{sup -7} in the helium/helium ratio. A permanent magnet equipped by microstrip silicon sensors, measures the particle momentum with MDR=400 GV/c on GF=25 cm{sup 2} sr. An accurate ToF system, a 19 X{sub o} deep imaging calorimeter, an aerogel Cherenkov counter and a TRD detector complement the spectrometer in order an efficient e{sup +-}/p{sup +-} separation and some light isotope identification capability. The PAMELA experiment will be carried out on a 700 km high polar orbit, on board of the Earth-observation meteor-3A satellite, to be launched at the end of 1988.

CERN Document Server

We report on recent inter-calibration studies featuring Swift's Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) and Fermi's Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) based upon correlated observations of GRBs 080804 and 080810, via their resultant joint spectral analysis. Swift's intrinsic multi-wavelength instrumentation and dynamical response complement Fermi's superior energy range. The addition of BAT's spectral response will (i) facilitate in-orbit GBM detector response calibration, (ii) augment Fermi's low energy sensitivity, (iii) enable ground-based follow-up efforts of Fermi GRBs, and (iv) help identify a subset of GRBs discovered via off-line GBM data analysis, for an annual estimate of ~30 GRBs. The synergy of BAT and GBM augments previous successful joint spectral fit efforts by enabling the study of peak photon energies (Epeak), while leveraging the over eleven energy decades afforded by Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT), in conjunction with Swift's X-Ray (XRT) and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In two pilot projects Maingas AG has complemented an existing marketing mix with a telephone marketing segment. One of these telephone marketing campaigns was conducted for the purpose of `Intensification`, the other for `Activation of Unused Mains Connections`. The aim was to provide professional support to canvassing campaigns in their various phases in order to minimise diffusion losses and increase the probability of winning new customers. The slogan chosen for the drive was therefore: `Its no good being present unless one`s efficient in the preparation, execution, and revision of a campaign`. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Maingas AG hat in zwei Pilotprojekten das bestehende Marketing-Mix durch das Segment Telefonmarketing ergaenzt. Es wurde eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Verdichtung` und eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Aktivierung Inaktive Hausanschluesse` durchgefuehrt. Ziel war es, durch einen professionellen flankierenden Service in den ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research highlights: ? Correlations between microstructure and internal stress during Ti anodising are established. ? Large internal compressive stresses are accumulated in the film during anodising upto 12 V. ?A transition from compressive to tensile stress is observed when the cell voltage exceeds 12 V. ? At 40 V, the oxide films consist of two regions with different compositions and microstructures. Crystallisation of amorphous to anatase TiO2 contributes to the compressive stress relaxation. - Abstract: The relationship between the microstructural and internal stress evolution during Ti anodising is discussed. Samples anodised galvanostatically to 12 V and 40 V, corresponding to different stages of the internal stress evolution, were examined by in-plane and cross-section transmission electron microscopy. Electron diffraction patterns have been complemented with stoichiometry data obtained from energy loss near edge structure spectra. The sample anodised to 40 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This third conference on small-satellite applications has combined a number of significant and timely presentations on the status, in the US and on the international front, of this emerging industry. Presentations by all of the major Department of Defense activities in this field, including an overview of the ARPA CAMEO multispectral remote sensing satellite program, space activities at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory, and a space systems capabilities overview of the Naval Research Laboratory, are complemented by presentations from several international activities on their accomplishments and progress in the development of remote sensing satellite programs. For example: Spar Aerospace of Canada presented an overview of the progress they have made in establishing a space program through the use of small satellites, and the University of Surrey and Spar Aerospace provided an overview of the application of image compression schemes to imagery obtained from their ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This supplement is published once a year as a complement to the Short- Term Energy Outlook, Quarterly Projections. The purpose of the Supplement is to review the accuracy of the forecasts published in the Outlook, make comparisons with other independent energy forecasts, and examine current energy topics that affect the forecasts. Chap. 2 analyzes the response of the US petroleum industry to the recent four Federal environmental rules on motor gasoline. Chap. 3 compares the EIA base or mid case energy projections for 1995 and 1996 (as published in the first quarter 1995 Outlook) with recent projections made by four other major forecasting groups. Chap. 4 evaluates the overall accuracy. Chap. 5 presents the methology used in the Short- Term Integrated Forecasting Model for oxygenate supply/demand balances. Chap. 6 reports theoretical and empirical results from a study of non-transportation energy demand by sector. The empirical analysis involves the short-run energy ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The loss of #alpha#-globin gene transcriptional activity rarely occurs as an acquired abnormality during the evolution of myeloproliferative disease or preleukemia. To test whether the mutation responsible for the loss of #alpha#-globin gene expression (hemoglobin H disease) in these patients is linked with the #alpha#-globin genes on chromosome 16, the authors transferred chromosome 16 from preleukemic patients with acquired hemoglobin H disease to mouse erythroleukemia cells and measured the transcriptional activity of the human #alpha#-globin genes. After transfer to mouse erythroleukemia cells, the expression of human #alpha#-globin genes from the peripheral blood or marrow cells of preleukemic patients with acquired hemoglobin H disease was similar to that of human #alpha#-globin genes transferred to mouse erythroleukemia cells from normal donors. These data showed that factor(s) in the mouse erythroleukemia cell can genetically complement the #alpha#-globin ...

Science.gov (United States)

A rickettsia related to but distinct from the spotted fever agent, Rickettsia rickettsii, has been detected in 167 (18.9%) of 884 Rhipicephalus sanguineus taken off dogs in central and northern Mississippi. The organisms could readily be isolated in male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), where it produced massive infections in the tissues of tunica vaginalis. It was practically nonpathogenic for male guinea pigs, although inoculation of these animals with infected tunica vaginalis of voles afforded in 30 of 38 instances solid immunity to challenge with virulent R. rickettsii. The Rhipicephalus rickettsia grew well in monolayers of chicken embryo fibroblast, Vero, mouse L, and HeLa cells. Cytopathogenic effects were minimal unless large concentrations of rickettsiae were used as inocula. It also could be established in embryonated hen eggs but only after injection of massive doses of L cell-propagated organisms. Serological tests (complement fixation, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Annex XIII on 'Fuel Cell Vehicles' of the Implementing Agreement Hybrid and Electric Vehicles of the International Energy Agency has been operating since 2006, complementing the ongoing activities on battery and hybrid electric vehicles within this group. This paper provides an overview of the Annex XIII final report for 2010, compiling an up-to-date, neutral, and comprehensive assessment of current trends in fuel cell vehicle technology and related policy. The technological description includes trends in system configuration as well as a review of the most relevant components including the fuel cell stack, batteries, and hydrogen storage. Results from fuel cell vehicle demonstration projects around the world and an overview of the successful implementation of fuel cells in specific transport niche markets will also be discussed. The final section of this report provides a detailed description of national research, development, and demonstration ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In consistency with the increasing requests from Member States for establishing radiotherapy programmes, an IAEA Technical Co-operation project was initiated in Latin America aimed at improving the physical aspects (as a complement to the clinical issues) of quality assurance in radiotherapy; this ARCAL XXX project (RLA/6/032) was classified as a Model Project of the IAEA. Among the important outcomes of the project were (i) the training of a considerable number of medical physicists in hospitals of the region, (ii) the development of a protocol for quality control procedures, and (iii) the organization of quality audit site visits (to the participant countries) where the implementation in hospitals of the developed quality control procedures is verified. The present publication is the protocol for quality control of the physical aspects of radiotherapy. It contains detailed procedures on what should be measured by a medical physicist in a radiotherapy treatment ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important tool in the radiologic diagnosis of diseases of the brain as it measures molecular motion of water that characterizes the microstructure of tissues. Its most important clinical use to date is the early detection of cerebral ischemia by revealing the ischemic injury shortly after vessel occlusion and simultaneously providing therapy-relevant information on the tissue at risk. Furthermore, diffusion MRI is diagnostically promising in other diseases of the brain and is thus increasingly becoming part of routine clinical protocols in the diagnosis of tumors, inflammation, trauma, demyelination, dysmyelination and neurodegeneration. Although abnormalities of diffusion are generally not pathognomonic, diffusion MRI affords information about tissue changes for specific disorders that complements information obtained with standard MR techniques and frequently shows pathology earlier. In addition, diffusion ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The National Survey and Cadastre - Denmark (KMS) has for several years produced gravity anomaly maps over the oceans derived from satellite altimetry. During the last four years, KMS has also conducted airborne gravity surveys along the coast of Greenland dedicated to complement the existing onshore gravity coverage and fill in new data in the very-near coastal area, where altimetry data may contain gross errors. The airborne surveys extend from the coastline to approximately 100 km offshore, along 6000 km of coastline. An adequate merging of these different data sources is important for the use of gravity data especially, when computing geoid models in coastal regions. The presence of reliable marine gravity data for independent control offers an opportunity to study procedures for the merging of airborne and satellite data around Greenland. Two different merging techniques, both based on collocation, are investigated in this paper. Collocation offers a way of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To systematically analyze the dynamical implications of the matter content in cosmology, we generalize earlier dynamical systems approaches so that perfect fluids with a general barotropic equation of state can be treated. We focus on locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type IX and Kantowski-Sachs orthogonal perfect fluid models, since such models exhibit a particularly rich dynamical structure and also illustrate typical features of more general cases. For these models, we recast Einstein's field equations into a regular system on a compact state space, which is the basis for our analysis. We prove that models expand from a singularity and recollapse to a singularity when the perfect fluid satisfies the strong energy condition. When the matter source admits Einstein's static model, we present a comprehensive dynamical description, which includes the qualitative asymptotic behavior, of models in the neighborhood of the Einstein model; the results refute earlier claims about ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lyophilized human whole blood control material containing lead was prepared for internal and external quality assurance to evaluate and improve the analytical performance of lead. The samples were prepared in four different concentrations from outdated human whole blood stabilized with glucose and a citrate/phosphate buffer and provided under clean room conditions to avoid contamination. The lyophilized samples are easy to reconstitute with water. The materials were evaluated according to a statistical model. The lead concentrations in the specimens are close to blood lead levels usually following environmental and industrial exposure, particular in occupational health to the control of lead exposure at work regulations. The materials are available to the commercial as well as the scientific community. The Danish External Quality Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) for lead in blood is intended to complement the internal quality control for the Danish laboratories assaying ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Despite their high medical relevance, the principles of lubrication in natural joints are still unclear. It is generally accepted, that the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA), the main component of the synovial liquid, plays an important role for the low friction observed. Furthermore, it is assumed that surface active lipids participate in the lubrication. Using a model system of lipid bilayers deposited on a polyelectrolyte (PE) cushion and in contact with HA solution, we started to investigate the effects of pressure and shear forces, as experienced by natural joints, on the internal structure of the SiO{sub 2}/PE/lipid/HA interface and the bulk HA solution by neutron reflectometry (NR), complemented by in situ ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) measurements. Only on positively charged polyelectrolyte surfaces, the successful build-up of the model system could be demonstrated. By NR, the existence of an irreversibly absorbed, highly hydrated HA ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Recent technological developments have facilitated intensified searches for genetic markers under selection in nonmodel species. Here, we present an approach for the identification of candidate gene variation in nonmodel organisms. We report on the characterization of 82 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and on the development of a specific genotyping assay for 30 SNPs in 18 candidate genes for growth and reproduction in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). These markers can be used for scanning natural populations for signatures of selection in both contemporary and archived historical samples, for example in retrospective studies assessing the effects of environmental changes, such as increasing temperatures, and selection imposed by high fishing pressure. Furthermore, these gene markers may be of interest to aquaculture, serving as a starting point for linking phenotypic traits important for productivity with genotypes and potentially be of use for marker-assisted selection in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A review of energy use in Haiti, aimed at identifying possible projects to complement current A.I.D. support for institution building and energy planning within the Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources (MMRE), is presented. Key findings are that: (1) the sugar and manufacturing industries rely heavily on biomass fuels - wood, charcoal, and bagasse (sugar cane residue); and (2) demand for commercial energy and for electricity is growing rapidly despite supply constraints. The report calls for A.I.D. to: initiate a program to reduce biomass consumption (which is causing severe soil erosion and deforestation), especially in the small distilleries called guildives; collaborate with MMRE and the World Bank to develop a detailed workplan to promote energy efficiency in the guildives, focusing on technology development; help MMRE and the private sector to project Haiti's industrial energy and electricity needs through the year 2000; and sponsor a program of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Private transfers of capital from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to developing countries are intended to complement private transfers from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) by tapping the emerging capital markets in the Middle East. Developing countries will be able to diversify their borrowing and gain additional financing. The long-term investment of oil-producing countries will benefit and the pressures on the banking institutions to recycle funds will lessen. Middle East capital markets include international loans and international bonds. The history of the Kuwaiti dinar (KD) bond market, with its advantages for both investors and borrowers, illustrates the successful development of a capital market. Financial intermediation needs to be improved, however, if the Middle East is to become efficient enough to compete with the Euromarkets. Efficiency will require different measures and should reflect ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Synthesis genes encoding the human #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides have been expressed from a single operon in Escherichia coli. The #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides associate into soluble tetramers, incorporate heme, and accumulate to >5% of the total cellular protein. Purified recombinant hemoglobin has the correct stoichiometry of #alpha#- and #beta#-globin chains and contains a full complement of heme. Each globin chain also contains an additional methionine as an extension to the amino terminus. The recombinant hemoglobin has a C_4 reversed-phase HPLC profile essentially identical to that of human hemoglobin A_0 and comigrates with hemoglobin A_0 on SDS/PAGE. The visible spectrum and oxygen affinity are similar to that of native human hemoglobin A_0. The authors have also expressed the #alpha#- and #beta#-globin genes separately and found that the expression of the #alpha#-globin gene alone results in a marked decrease in the accumulation of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A study has been performed for the development and assessment of a subchannel analysis code which is purposed to be used for the analysis of advanced reactor conditions with various configurations of reactor core and several kinds of reactor coolant fluids. The subchannel analysis code was developed on the basis of MATRA code which is being developed at KAERI. A GUI (Graphic User Interface) system was adopted in order to reduce input error and to enhance user convenience. The subchannel code was complemented in the property calculation modules by including various fluids such as heavy liquid metal, gas, refrigerant,and supercritical water. The subchannel code was applied to calculate the local thermal hydraulic conditions inside the non-square test bundles which was employed for the analysis of CHF. The applicability of the subchannel code was evaluated for a high temperature gas cooled reactor condition and supercritical pressure conditions with water and Freon. A ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For a better understanding of sulphidation mechanisms, some alloys (alloy 600, alloy 800, Uranus S, iron-chromium-aluminium-alloy) and metals (iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, titanium) were tested at 773, 873, 1 073 K in gaseous sulphur dioxide. Total pressure was 760 torrs. Sulphur dioxide pressure was 760, 100 and 10 torrs. Argon, oxygen, water vapor were used, successively, as pressure complement. Oxygen supply, generally speaking cause decay of corrosion resistance in SO/sub 2/ atmospheres especially at 1 073 K with low ratio p/sub O2//P/sub SO/sub 2//. Water vapor supply act similarly. Temperature laws and pressure laws do not give monotonous rise of corrosion values. There are maximas suggesting corrosion products undertaking a volatilization process. According to test conditions, Uranus S, chromium, alloy 800 (and titanium at some extent) showed good corrosion resistance. That results are supporting those obtained by JRC Ispra team, working with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The heterokaryotic and vegetative diploid phases of Magnaporthe grisea, a fungal pathogen of grasses, have been characterized. Hyphal tip cells and conidia (vegetative spores) taken from these heterokaryons are auxotrophs with phenotypes identical to one or the other of the parents. M. grisea heterokaryons have completely septate hyphae with a single nucleus per cell. Heterokaryons have been utilized for complementation and dominance testing of mutations that affect nutritional characteristics of the fungus. Heterokaryons growing on minimal medium spontaneously give rise to fast-growing sectors that have the genetic properties expected of unstable heterozygous diploids. In fast-growing sectors, most hyphal tip cells are unstable prototrophs. The conidia collected from fast-growing sectors include stable and unstable prototrophs, as well as auxotrophs that exhibit a wide range of phenotypes, including many recombinant classes. Genetic linkage in meiosis has been ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biocatalytic Desulfurization (BDS) represents an alternative approach to the reduction of sulfur in fossil fuels. The objective is to use bacteria to selectively remove sulfur from petroleum and middle distillate fractions, without the concomitant release of carbon. Recently, bacteria have been developed which have the ability to desulfurize dibenzothiophene (DBT) and other organosulfur molecules. These bacteria are being developed for use in a biocatalyst-based desulfurization process. Analysis of preliminary conceptual engineering designs has shown that this process has the potential to complement conventional technology as a method to temper the sulfur levels in crude oil, or remove the recalcitrant sulfur in middle distillates to achieve the deep desulfurization mandated by State and Federal regulations. This paper describes the results of initial feasibility studies, sensitivity analyses and conceptual design work. Feasibility studies with various crude oils ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The computer programme COMMIX-2 describes steady state and transient multidimensional single- and two-phase fluid flows with heat transfer in nuclear reactor components and multicomponent systems. Originally from the Argonne National Laboratory, the code has been further developed at the Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The original Point-SOR iterative method for the solution of a Poisson-like equation describing the pressure distribution in the fluid as well as the transport of enthalpy and turbulent quantities has been complemented with iterative and direct line- and block-methods. None of the newly implemented methods is original in itself but their implementation into the computer code, which can describe the most general shapes of definition domains, gave a code speed-up by a factor of 2-5, depending on the problem treated. The code capabilities are assessd by the calculation of a benchmark problem involving the numerical simulation of thermal buoyancy ...

CERN Document Server

We examine the accretion properties in a sample of 42 hard (3-60keV) X-ray selected nearby broad-line AGNs. The energy range in the sample is harder than that usually used in the similar previous studies. These AGNs are mainly complied from the RXTE All Sky Survey (XSS), and complemented by the released INTEGRAL AGN catalog. The black hole masses, bolometric luminosities of AGN, and Eddington ratios are derived from their optical spectra in terms of the broad H$\\beta$ emission line. The tight correlation between the hard X-ray (3-20keV) and bolometric/line luminosity is well identified in our sample. Also identified is a strong inverse Baldwin relationship of the H$\\beta$ emission line. In addition, all these hard X-ray AGNs are biased toward luminous objects with high Eddington ratio (mostly between 0.01 to 0.1) and low column density ($<10^{22} \\mathrm{cm^{-2}}$), which is most likely due to the selection effect of the surveys. The hard X-ray luminosity is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The combination of zero-valent iron (Fe0) and iron oxide-coated sand (IOCS) was used to remove Cr(VI) and As(V) from groundwater in this study. The efficiency and the removal mechanism of Cr(VI) and As(V) by using this combination, with the influence of humic acid (HA), were investigated using batch experiments. Results showed that, compared to using Fe0 or IOCS alone, the Fe0-IOCS can perform better on the removal of both Cr(VI) and As(V). Metal extraction studies showed that As(V) was mainly removed by IOCS and iron corrosion products while Cr(VI) was mainly removed by Fe0 and its corrosion products. Competition was found between Cr(VI) and As(V) for the adsorption sites on the iron corrosion products. HA had shown insignificant effects on Cr(VI) removal but some effects on As(V) removal kinetics. As(V) was adsorbed on IOCS at the earlier stage, but adsorbed/coprecipitated with the iron corrosion products at the later stage. - Research Highlights: ? Fe0-IOCS is better reactive media ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, which shows diverse clinical symptoms such as photosensitivity, severe mental retardation and developmental defects. CS cells are hypersensitive to killing by ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation and defective in transcription-coupled repair. Two genetic complementation groups in CS (CS-A and CS-B) have been identified. We analyzed mutations of the CSA gene in 5 CS-A patients and identified 3 types of mutations. Four unrelated CS-A patients (CS2OS, CS2AW, Nps2 and CS2SE) had a deletion including exon 4, suggesting that there is a founder effect on the CSA mutation in Japanese CS-A patients. Patient CS2SE was a compound heterozygote for this deletion and an amino acid substitution at the 106th glutamine to proline (Q106P) in the WD-40 repeat motif of the CSA protein, which resulted in a defective nucleotide excision repair. Patient Mps1 had a large deletion in the upstream region including exon 1 of the CSA gene. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have used polished stainless steel as a mirror substrate to provide focusing of soft x-rays in grazing incidence reflection. The substrate is bent to an elliptical shape with large curvature and high stresses in the substrate require a strong elastic material. Conventional material choices of silicon or of glass will not withstand the stress required. The use of steel allows the substrates to be polished and installed flat, using screws in tapped holes. The ultra-high-vacuum bender mechanism is motorized and computer controlled. These mirrors are used to deliver focused beams of soft x-rays onto the surface of a sample for experiments at the Advanced Light Source (ALS). They provide an illumination field that can be as small as the mirror demagnification allows, for localized study, and can be enlarged, under computer control,for survey measurements over areas of the surface up to several millimeters. The critical issue of the quality of the steel surface, polished and coated with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This User`s Guide has been prepared to provide recommendations for the selection and application of climatic scenarios in the Finnish Research Programme on Climate Change (SILMU). These scenarios are required for conducting impact studies in SILMU. They should reflect the current range of estimates of future climate in the Finnish region. In addition, they should be consistent with other projections of importance in impact studies, such as future atmospheric composition and sea level. Section 2 provides some background information about the types of scenarios required in SILMU and Section 3 offers a general description of the scenarios. In Section 4 there is some advice on applying sensitivity studies to complement the use of scenarios. Section 5 explains the installation of the SILMUSCEN program and Section 6 guides the user through some examples to illustrate how SILMUSCEN can be used. Section 7 offers some recommendations on which scenarios to adopt for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Global climate policy initiatives are now being proposed to compensate tropical forest nations for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). These proposals have the potential to include developing countries more actively in international greenhouse gas mitigation and to address a substantial share of the world's emissions which come from tropical deforestation. For such a policy to be viable it must have a credible benchmark against which emissions reduction can be calculated. This benchmark, sometimes termed a baseline or reference emissions scenario, can be based directly on historical emissions or can use historical emissions as input for business as usual projections. Here, we review existing data and methods that could be used to measure historical deforestation and forest degradation reference scenarios including FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) national statistics and various remote sensing sources. The freely ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The main objective of the present thesis was develop and get operational a real-time neutron radiography system, at the IPEN-CNEN/SP. This system is installed inside the shielding of an old facility, designed in 1988, for film radiography, which is installed at the beam-hole 08 of the 5 MW, IEA-R1 Nuclear Research Reactor. The most important modifications at the such facility were the increase of the #gamma#-radiation filter thickness, increase of the inner area of the shielding, design of a neutron collimator and a light tight box. The main characteristics of the neutron beam at the irradiation position are: flux: 1 x 10"6n/cm"2s, collimation ratio 70, effective energy 7 meV, diameter 20 cm, neutron/#gamma# ratio #approx# 10"6n/cm"2mrem. The real-time images have been obtained by means of an imaging system that consists of a screen scintillator, a light intensifier, a video camera, a digitizing frame grabber and a computer. The device composed by the scintillator and by the light ...

Science.gov (United States)

Four major natriuretic peptides have been isolated: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and Dendroaspis-type natriuretic peptide (DNP). Natriuretic peptides play an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis maintaining blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume. The classical endocrine effects of natriuretic peptides to modulate fluid and electrolyte balance and vascular smooth muscle tone are complemented by autocrine and paracrine actions that include regulation of coronary blood flow and, therefore, myocardial perfusion; modulation of proliferative responses during myocardial and vascular remodeling; and cytoprotective anti-ischemic effects. The actions of natriuretic peptides are mediated by the specific binding of these peptides to three cell surface receptors: type A natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A), type B natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-B), and type C natriuretic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Government facilities and services are often the largest energy users and major purchasers of energy-using equipment within a country. In developing as well as industrial countries, government ''leadership by example'' can be a powerful force to shift the market toward energy efficiency, complementing other elements of a national energy efficiency strategy. Benefits from more efficient energy management in government facilities and operations include lower government energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less demand on electric utility systems, and in many cases reduced dependence on imported oil. Even more significantly, the government sector's buying power and example to others can generate broader demand for energy-efficient products and services, creating entry markets for domestic suppliers and stimulating competition in providing high-efficiency products and services. Despite these benefits, with the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using Gammasphere data on prompt gamma rays from spontaneous fission of 252Cf, we propose energy-level schemes for 110,111,112, & 113Rh (Z=45). The fission-gamma data complement earlier studies of others on beta decay of fission products in that prompt fission gammas mainly populate yrast or near-yrast levels, while beta decay populates lower-spin levels. For the odd-A rhodium nuclei studied here, their ground bands and collective sidebands are compared with model calculations using triaxial-shaped nucleus with one odd quasi-proton. The energies and E2 transition rates are best fit by a shape slightly to the prolate side of maximum triaxiality, namely, gamma = 28 deg. The model calculations also show a K=1/2+ band with energies not in good agreement with a corresponding experimental band. The experimental 1/2+ band is regarded as an intruder band from a prolate-driving proton orbital 1/2[431] above the Z=50 closed shell. This intruder band, seen in other odd-A ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this paper is to analyse the role that the Japanese Government has played in the development of alternatives to conventional vehicles, the effect of government programmes, and the importance of technical flexibility in government support schemes. The focus is on battery-powered electric vehicles (BPEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles. The effects of government policy and the process of innovation are analysed from a systems approach drawing on the literature regarding technical change and innovation. The whole chain of government support, including the context in which these different policies have been implemented since the early 1970s, is studied. The Japanese Government has adopted a comprehensive strategy including R and D, demonstration programmes and market support guided by long-term strategic plans. The role of the Government has been that of a conductor in the development process supplying both R and D support and artificially ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There is renewed interest in the development of natural gas vehicles in response to the challenge to reduce urban air pollution and consumption of petroleum. The natural gas/diesel dual fuel engine is one way to apply natural gas to the conventional diesel engine. Dual fuel engines operating on natural gas and diesel emit less nitrogen oxides, and less carbon soot to the air compared to conventional diesel engines. The problem is that at light loads, fuel efficiency is reduced and emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are increased. This thesis focused on control methods for emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the dual fuel engine at light loads. This was done by developing a reverse flow catalytic converter to complement dual fuel engine exhaust characteristics. Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of reverse flow catalytic converters were conducted. Reverse flow creates a high reactor temperature even when the engine is run at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The DNA sequence motif ATTTGCAT (octamer) or its inverse complement has been identified as an evolutionarily conserved element in the promoter region of immunoglobulin genes. Two major DNA-binding proteins that bind in a sequence-specific manner to the octamer DNA sequence have been identified in mammalian species--a ubiquitously expressed protein (Oct-1) and a lymphoid-specific protein (Oct-2). During characterization of the promoter region of the chicken immunoglobulin light chain gene, the authors identified two homologous octamer-binding proteins in chicken B cells. when the cloning of the human gene for Oct-2 revealed it to be a member of a distinct family of homeobox genes, they sought to determine if the human Oct-2 cDNA could be used to identify homologous chicken homeobox genes. Using a human Oct-2 homeobox-specific DNA probe, they were able to identify 6-10 homeobox-containing genes in the chicken genome, demonstrating that the Oct-2-related subfamily of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A newly synthesized glycine derivative (termed GlyD), 2-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylamino)acetic acid hydrochloride, was used to inhibit uniform and pitting corrosion processes of Al in 0.50 M KSCN solutions (pH 6.8) at 25 "oC. For uniform corrosion inhibition study, Tafel extrapolation, linear polarization resistance and impedance methods were used, complemented with SEM examinations. An independent method of chemical analysis, namely ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) was also used to test validity of corrosion rate measured by Tafel extrapolation method. GlyD inhibited uniform corrosion, even at low concentrations, reaching a value of inhibition efficiency up to 97% at a concentration of 5 x 10"-"3 M. Results obtained from the different corrosion evaluation techniques were in good agreement. This new synthesized glycine derivative was also used to control pit nucleation and growth on the pitted Al surface based on cyclic polarization, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Most of the low-level liquid radioactive wastes generated from PWR plants are classified into high or low total suspended solid(HTDS or LTDS), radio-chemical waste and radioactive laundry waste. Although the evaporation process has a high decontamination ability, it has several problems such as corrosion, foaming, and congestion. A new liquid waste disposal process using the ion-exchange demineralizer(IED) has been introduced into the Yonggwang NPP 5 and 6 to complement the current evaporation process. To determine the differences, these two methods have been compared in this study. Those aspects compared here were the released radioactivity volume of the liquid radioactive wastes, The dose of off-site residents, the decontamination factor, and the amount of the solid radioactive wastes. While it was expected that the liquid radioactive waste volume in the evaporating system would be 20 percent higher than in the IED, the actual volume of the liquid radioactive ...

Science.gov (United States)

A facile solution chemistry is demonstrated to fabricate high-quality polycrystalline strontium ruthenium oxide (SrRuO{sub 3}) thin film electrodes on silicon substrates suppressing the formation of undesired ruthenium oxide (RuO{sub 2}) for the deposition of dielectric and ferroelectric materials like lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT). The robust, highly crystalline SrRuO{sub 3} film fabrication process does not favor the formation of RuO{sub 2} because of molecular level modification of the precursors possessing analogous melting points, yielding homogeneous films. This chemistry is further understood and complemented by kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the DTA data under nonisothermal conditions, with which the activation energies to form RuO{sub 2} and SrRuO{sub 3} were calculated to be 156 {+-} 17 and 96 {+-} 10 kJ/mol, respectively. The room-temperature resistivity of the SrRuO{sub 3} film was measured to be 850 {+-} 50 {mu}{Omega} cm on silicon ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The identification, and hence origin determination, of unknown nuclear material that might be found undeclared away from designated locations in the nuclear fuel cycle, is an important task in the frame of nuclear forensics. Material with forensic importance can be found at the microscopic level as particles in environmental samples indicating possible clandestine production of fissile material, and as bulky samples in the case of illicit trafficking of nuclear material. The objective of this work is to present, at a theoretical level, an isotopic finger-printing methodology which would determine the origin of unknown nuclear material with forensic importance. This is demonstrated for the case when the unknown nuclear material is spent nuclear fuel. The methodology is based on multivariate statistics, such as cluster and factor analysis, complemented by spent fuel isotopic composition simulations using the zero-dimensional depletion computer code ORIGEN2. A major ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A probabilistic precursor study provides a complement to the 'root cause' analysis approach by focusing on how an event might have developed adversely, and implies the mapping of an operational event on a probabilistic risk model of the plant in order to obtain a quantitative assessment of the safety significance of the event. In order to benefit from state-of-the-art PSA features but also to assure repeatability of the analysis, a comprehensive set of PSAEA guidelines was developed. This PSAEA procedure was established in 1996-1998 by Enconet Consulting in the framework of an international project on behalf of - and involving - the nuclear regulatory bodies from 6 countries: AECB (Canada), AVN (Belgium), CSN (Spain), HSK (Switzerland), NII (United Kingdom) and SKI (Sweden). The PSAEA procedure defines preliminary requirements for the PSA model and code, and identifies input requirements such as information on plant status, event sequence chronology and causes. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In 1998, EU legislation initiated a liberalisation process among European energy markets. The process of market opening has significantly changed the functioning of the markets and the competition conditions of the energy sector. At the same time, the industry witnessed a surge of mergers and far-reaching changes in the structure of German electricity and natural gas markets occurred. Against this background, the doctoral thesis at hand surveys the merger activities in the energy sector as well as the merger control policy of the German Federal Cartel Office during the first years of liberalisation. The study starts with a portrayal of the institutional framework of the German merger control regime and a survey of the relevant economic literature on horizontal and vertical mergers. Subsequent to the legal and theoretical considerations, the merger activities and the merger control policy of the German Federal Cartel Office are investigated empirically. The data set is based on ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To permit an assessment of the system presented in this paper the data collected up to this point should be complemented by further experience with its practical use in electromobiles and the recovery of zink and the electrolyte. To this end the system is to be tested in electromobiles in 1995 and 1996. If there are no serious problems in the course of these tests and the above-mentioned estimates on economic efficiency are confirmed, then there is much to be said for a large-scale trial of these battery systems in electromobiles in the framework of a pilot project in Karlsruhe. Because of the infrastructure required for recharging, such a project should first be carried out in cooperation with fleet operators. As the recharging technique employed is so simple as to require no great investment and cost-effectiveness should already be achievable with a few tens of vehicles, one can conceive of a whole variety of applications in cooperation with public utilities, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) program intends to develop new designs for automobiles that will reduce fuel consumption by two thirds but otherwise have price, comfort, safety, and other measures of performance similar to the typical automobile now on the market. PNGV vehicle designs are expected to substitute lightweight materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, carbon-reinforced polymer composites, glass-reinforced polymer composites, and ultra- light steel, for heavier materials such as steel and iron in automobile components. The target mass of a PNGV vehicle is 1,960 pounds, as compared to the average current vehicle that weights 3,240 pounds. Other changes could include the use of different ferrous alloys, engineering changes, or incorporation of advanced ceramic components. Widespread adoption of these vehicle designs would affect materials markets and require concurrent development and adoption of supporting technologies to supply the materials and to use ...