The soil-isolated strain XP was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis. R. erythropolis XP could efficiently desulfurize benzonaphthothiophene, a complicated model sulfur compound that...Full Text Available
...furnished with commercial or military export packing. Military export packing, if offered, shall be in accordance with Mil-Std-2073-1 Level A or B as specified. If commercial export packing is offered, the offer or pricelist shall include...
Development of Scientific Foundations of the Technology of the Metal Matrix Packing of Leaky Unreprocessible Spent Nuclear Fuel of Different Purpose Reactors for a Long-term Environmentally Safe Storage.
NuEra Oilfield Services Inc. combines various technologies, including advanced bearing assemblies and compact wireless decoders that interface with downhole directional tools, to engineer unique, purpose-built measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool string packages. The 9-metre-long MWD tool string is lowered into the drill pipe from the surface. The directional module monitors the position of the drill bit, which the driller can monitor using an electronic drilling recorder at the surface. The directional drillstring uses a mud motor with adjustable bent housing to correct the direction of the well, as the system cannot steer while drilling. At bottomhole, mud circulation continues after the rotation of the drillstring has been stopped, driving the mud motor, which in turn drives the drill bit, permitting a new direction to be taken even though the drillstring is not turning. The operator points the bent housing in a new direction and slides the bit along before ...
The Zaafarana oilfield development, operated by Zaafarana Oil Co. (Zafco) presented a series of unique challenges, including redeployment of an internal-turret mooring system, use of a turret-based electrical-cable jumper system, and permanent use of cable-deployed electric submersible pumps in the gravel-pack well completions. Following a detailed three-dimensional (3D) seismic program, the field was discovered by the first well in December 1990. Four subsequent appraisal wells were drilled. The discovery well and two of the appraisal wells tested oil at rates ranging from 2,000 to 10,100 B/D. Initial development plans called for the use of two conventional platforms with a pipeline to a shore-based treatment and storage terminal. Data acquired from subsequent wells were incorporated into the mapping and reserve estimates resulting in a sharp downgrade of the estimated recoverable reserves. The reduced estimate, combined with a revised pricing scenario, ...
The following topics are discussed: insertion of incorrect bases in DNA; ability of DNA polymerase to copy uv-irradiated DNA; role of enzymes in repair of DNA; effects of uv radiation on molecular weight of DNA; photoreactivation; repair of DNA in Escherichia coli and xp cells following uv radiation; and synchrotron radiation studies on DNA repair. (HLW)
Information is presented concerning solute concentration in a porous layer; solute concentration in a packed crevice; corrosion of a packed carbon steel crevice in NaCl-O"2 solutions; and effect of copper on corrosion in NaCl-O"2 solutions.
A 300 W fuel cell power pack has been developed for educational purposes in close collaboration with the Fachhochschule Solothurn Nordwestschweiz. The project was initiated and financed by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The outlay and the performance of the power pack are described. (author) 3 figs.
As the amount of urban and industrial wastes is increasing more and more, recycling is very necessary. Daily, there are many news about packing, even more since European Union is getting ready a Directive that will propose and will impose the reuse and recycling of the materials used to produce the packs. This Directive will be followed by different national laws of the countries members of EU. This paper describes the increasing use of aluminium for packing, and particularly its use for beverage cans, its characteristic and applications.
2.1.1 Levels of preservation and packaging and the levels of packing to be applied selectively are defined in MIL-STD-2073-1 and are mandatory for use or ...
Useful bipolar transistor action over the full temperature range from 78 to 823K has been demonstrated for mesa-isolated, liquid-phase epitaxial n/sup +/npn, GaP/Al/sub 0/ /sub 35/Ga/sub 0/ /sub 65/P/GaP/GaP structures. This represents both the highest temperature and the widest temperature range (745K) over which useful solid-state transistor action has ever been demonstrated in any III-V compound semiconductor system. These results imply that the GaP/Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/P chemical system is an excellent materials candidate in which to base a technology for high-temperature electronics and the results also imply the very real possibility of functional solid-state devices and circuits at temperatures in excess of 500/sup 0/C.
The analytical treatment of the nonperturbative QCD dynamics is one of the main open questions of the strong interactions. Currently, it is only possible to get some qualitative information about this regime considering other QCD-like theories, as, for example, the N=4 super Yang-Mills theory, where one can perform calculations in the nonperturbative limit of large 't Hooft coupling using the anti-de Sitter space/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT). Recently, the high energy scattering amplitude was calculated in the AdS/CFT approach, applied to deep-inelastic scattering and confronted with the F_2 HERA data. In this work we extend the nonperturbative AdS/CFT inspired model for diffractive processes and compare its predictions with a perturbative approach based on the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation. We demonstrate that the AdS/CFT inspired model is not able to describe the current F_2"D"("3") HERA data and predicts a similar behavior to that from the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation in the range ...
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)
Study results on long-term thermal and corrosion resistance of packs with electro-insulation layer of aluminium nitride are presented. Structural changes of nitride ceramics and contact zones between metal and ceramics are considered. It is shown that multilayer metallo-ceramic packs, manufactured by gas-phase technology have high electro- and thermophysical properties, high thermal and corrosion resistance relative to cesium vapor, vacuum density as well as high thermo-resistance. 8 refs., 4 figs.
A nitrogen oxides decreasing combustion method comprising: mixing a fuel and air with each other; bringing the mixture obtained into contact with a packed catalyst; and adding a fresh supply of the fuel to the stream obtained to form a mixed gas and causing the mixed gas to undergo non-catalytic thermal combustion, characterized in that only a catalytic reaction or combustion occurs at the packed catalyst; the temperature of the packed catalyst is kept lower than the ignition temperature of the mixture; the adiabatic flame temperature which is reached by the non-catalytic thermal combustion of the mixed gas is lower than the temperature at which the nitrogen oxides occur. 39 figs.
Ribbon parachute fabrics were tested during development and production of a 24 ft parachute, and after 2.5 years ambient exposure at several storage sites. The effects of sewing, packing, and parachute deployment on material strength were obtained in the 1000 lb Kevlar ribbon after moisture exposure during packing, and when packed parachutes absorbed moisture or were thermal cycled. Individual yarn samples from the low strength ribbons exhibited little change in strength indicating that the material itself had not degraded. Factors leading to the change in ribbon strength are discussed. Considering all materials, there have been no indications to date of any uncontrollable changes in material strength that would limit the use of Kevlar in parachute applications.
D-11. The Contractor shall pack and mark all hardware deliverable under this ... Handling, and Transportation, and/or MIL-STD-2073-1 and MIL-STD 2073-2, ...
We investigate ordering properties of two-dimensional granular materials using several shapes created by welding ball bearings together. Ordered domains form much more easily in two than in three dimensions, even when configurations lack long-range order. The onset of ordered domains occurs near a packing density of 0.8, a phenomenon observed previously for disks. One of our shapes, the trapezoid, has packings that remain disordered and near the transition density even after annealing by shaking. Although random packings are unstable for disks and many other shapes in two dimensions, trapezoid packings provide an approach to studying two-dimensional randomness. We also find that the rotational symmetry of a shape is an excellent predictor of how easily it orders, and a potential guide to identifying two-dimensional shapes that remain random after annealing.
The oxygen production of a photosynthetic gas exchanger containing Chlorella pyrenoidosa (1% packed cell volume) was measured when various concentrations of carbon dioxide were present...Full Text Available
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient content and cost of home-packed lunches to nutrient standards and prices for reimbursable school lunches. Methods: Researchers observed food and beverage contents of 333 home packed lunches at four north Texas elementary schools. Nutritionist Pro was used to analyze lunches for calories, total fat, saturated fat, protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and sodium content. These values were then compared to National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards and other nutrient standards. Cost of each home-packed lunch was estimated based on food prices at three local supermarkets. A one-sample t-test (p = 0.05) was used to compare nutrient values of home packed lunches to National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards. A paired t-test was used to compare cost of home packed lunches to each school's full price ...
... Thus initiation will be from the shock generated from the front surface of the pellet after traversing the inert packing. Exploding bridgewire detonator ...
... directed the transformation of designated Service operational headquarters into effective and scalable Joint Task Force headquarters capable of ...
The purposes of this report are (1) to perform a Verification and Validation (V and V) test for the VIPEX(Vital-area Identification Package EXpert) software and (2) to improve a software quality through the V and V test. The VIPEX was developed in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) for the Vital Area Identification (VAI) of nuclear power plants. The version of the VIPEX which was distributed is 3.2.0.0. The VIPEX was revised based on the first V and V test and the second V and V test was performed. We have performed the following tasks for the V and V test on Windows XP and VISTA operating systems: ? Testing basic functions including fault tree editing ? Testing all kind of functions ? Research for update from Visual BASIC 6.0 to Visual BASIC 2008
We have obtained optically clear samples of LuAP:Ce from the Institute of Physical Research, Ashtarak, Armenia, measuring up to 5x5x40 mm{sup 3}. The photo electron yield for a number of theses samples was measured with a Philips XP2020Q photomultiplier tube, and 556 photo electrons per MeV was obtained for the best samples. This is comparable to what is obtained from BGO crystals under the same condition, but a factor of 5 less than what is obtained with an LSO sample of similar dimensions. The light in LuAP:Ce increases with cerium concentration between 0.13 and 0.47%.
The energy spectra and angular distributions of proton emission in a reaction of {sup nat}Fe(n,xp) at a neutron energy of 14.6 MeV are measured by the University of Science and Technology of China multitelescope system. The double-differential cross sections of 16 reaction angles from 25 to 164.5 deg are obtained in this measurement. The statistical errors are reduced largely because of the thick target used. The angular distributions show a slightly energy-dependent forward-backward asymmetry. The angle-integrated proton spectrum is compared with theoretical calculations and other results. The total proton-emission cross section is in fair agreement with the prediction and evaluation.
We present the effect of P2O5 addition on barium calcium aluminum borosilicate BCABS glasses of composition (mol %) 35BaO-15CaO-5Al2O3-(37-x)SiO2-8B2O3-xP2O5 (0?x?5). The incorporation of P2O5 increased network polymerization and crystallization tendency. However, addition of P2O5 leads to the formation of Cr2O3 at the interface, saturating it in the ions of the metal. This improves glass-to-metal bonding. (author)
Useful bipolar transistor action over the temperature range from -195 to 550 /sup 0/C has been demonstrated for heterojunction bipolar transistors in the GaP/AlGaP chemical system. This represents the highest temperature at which useful bipolar solid-state transistor action has ever been demonstrated in any material. Improvements in the materials technology and in the understanding of device characteristics at high temperatures were essential to the successful fabrication of these devices. These results demonstrate that the GaP/AlGaP heterojunction system is an excellent technology for active electronic components operated at high temperatures.
The low-power operation of a semiconductor buried-heterostructure Raman laser is reported. We are developing these devices for very wide-band optical communication in the terahertz frequency region. It has a structure with a GaP active layer and Al{sub {ital x}}Ga{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}P cladding layers, which are grown by the temperature-difference method under controlled vapor pressure. By making the stripe width 30--40 {mu}m, we have obtained a threshold pump power of 500 mW. A low-threshold semiconductor Raman laser can be pumped by semiconductor injection lasers. We have measured the optical loss of the waveguide and detected the contribution from scattering and leakage at heterointerfaces.
Using the example of perhydrophenanthrene, perhydroanthracene and cyclopentanodecalin isomers a possibility is shown to use packed capillary columns containing graphitized thermal carbon black for a complete separation of high-boiling mixtures of polycyclic saturated hydrocarbon isomers in accordance with the geometric structure of their molecules.
The concept of a multi-cavity volumetric solar receiver is very attractive for the profitability of certain of its characteristics such as high efficiency and economy. The absorber is based on a pack of small ceramic cavities which intercept and absorb the inherent high solar flux reflected from an array of mirrors. Atmospheric air acts as a coolant medium when it is drawn through the pack. A model for an overall heat transfer performance of the receiver is given and numerically solved.
(1) Most ancillary services needed for real-time control of the transmission grid and to meet operating criteria can be competitively supplied and competitively procured. (2) The independent service operator (ISO) must directly control the generators and loads, which supply ancillary services. (3) Comparability of access to ancillary services is achievable through the ISO-based competitive market structure.
The present study numerically investigates the enhancement of forced convective heat transfer from a single circular cylinder embedded in a packed bed of spherical particles confined by two impermeable parallel plates. The heat transfer results from the heated cylinder, with and without the presence of a porous medium, are compared. The results show that the presence of the porous particles enhances the heat transfer from the cylinder; however, the significant heat transfer augmentation is produced at high Re due to the effect of thermal dispersion. In addition, the effect of Re on Nut is much greater than that of kr and Bi in the porous channel. It is also found that the %?p is much higher than %HTE producing from packing the empty channel.
We aimed to investigate the effects of local anesthetics soaked in Merocel nasal packs on hemorrhage and pain after septoplasty. The methodology includes a prospective double-blind study that was conducted in patients undergoing septoplasty because of nasal septal deviation. The study included 143 patients. The patients were divided into four groups. Each group received 1% lidocaine?+?0.000625% adrenalin, 0.375% ropivacaine, 0.25% bupivacaine as study groups or 0.9% sodium chloride as a control group in their Merocel packs postoperatively. The local anesthetics or sodium chloride were reapplied at the eighth postoperative hour. Each patient was given a questionnaire where verbal analog score and amount of postoperative hemorrhage was noted. The statistical analysis was performed using two ...
Introduction: Selective dissemination of information (SDI) services regularly alert users to new information on their chosen topics. This type of service can increase a user's ability to...Full Text Available
BackgroundMany interventions found to be effective in health services research studies fail to translate into meaningful patient care outcomes across multiple contexts. Health services...Full Text Available
... 2010-10-01 false Child mental health. 1304.24 Section 1304.24 Public...HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE ADMINISTRATION...AGENCIES Early Childhood Development and Health Services § 1304.24 Child...
42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Health benefits plan: Supplemental health services. 417.102 Section 417.102 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF...
Abstract Telecare has become an increasingly common medical service in recent years. However, new service must be close to the market and be market-driven to have a high likelihood of success. This article analyzes the business model of a telecardiology service managed by a general hospital. The methodology of the article is as follows: (1) initially it describes the elements of the service based on the ontology of the business model, (2) then it transfers these elements into the choices for business model dynamic loops and examines their validity, and (3) finally provides an empirical financial analysis of the service to assess the profit-making possibilities.
... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service. ... US Military (ie, Army, Navy, Air Force) service publications ... Strike Group to Fight in the Joint Task Force. ...
... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service. ... ie, Army, Navy, Air Force) service publications ... The Case of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. ...
Currently many service providers offer their services on a private and proprietary hard- and software infrastructure. These infrastructures often share many similarities. Hence we believe a generic service management architecture, that allows service providers to offer a large array of different services on a single infrastructure or multiple providers to offer their services cooperatively, would provide many advantages over current silo-based approaches. Additionally, by allowing the distributed service management components to cooperate in a peer-to-peer overlay network, scalability and resilience of the system could be greatly improved. In this paper we propose an optimal algorithm, based on an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation, and several heuristics to support such a generi...
... Joint Meritorious Award to DLA," Dimnsions Vol. ... recently the Defense Finance Accounting Services (DFAS ... gmbAt Service SUoDort Field Manual. ...
In many online systems, individuals provide services for each other. Typically, the recipient of the service obtains a benefit while the provider of the service incurs a cost. Assuming that benefit exceeds cost, provision of the service increases social welfare and should therefore be encouraged -- but the individuals providing the service gain no (immediate) benefit from providing the service and hence have an incentive to withhold service. This paper studies the design of a system to encourage provision of service; the emphasis is on how the system designer should choose a protocol -- a supply of tokens and suggested strategies -- to maximize social welfare. In choosing this protocol, the system designer must take into account that agents are self-interested, and hence will comply with the protocol if and only if it is ...
May 25, 2007 ... This form will generate a bibliography of cost estimating references. The form will search the NASA Technical Report Service (NTRS) database ...
The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of consumer demand for patient-oriented pharmacy services. Data, collected via a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 300 households,...Full Text Available
18 months service for FERS; 60 months service for CSRS employees. the period covered by your accrued, donated, and advanced sick leave & accrued and ...
Web Services and mobile data services are the newest trends in information systems engineering in wired and wireless domains, respectively. Web Services have a broad range of service distributions while mobile phones have large and expanding user base. To address the confluence of Web Services and pervasive mobile devices and communication environments, a basic mobile Web Service provider was developed for smart phones. The performance of this Mobile Host was also analyzed in detail. Further analysis of the Mobile Host to provide proper QoS and to check Mobile Host's feasibility in the P2P networks, identified the necessity of a mediation framework. The paper describes the research conducted with the Mobile Host, identifies the tasks of the mediation framework and then discusses the feasible realization details of such a mobile Web Services ...
We use X-ray scattering and molecular simulations to investigate the structural properties of complexes of multivalent cationic lipids and DNA molecules. At low mole fraction of neutral lipids (NLs), $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$, the complexes show dramatic DNA compaction down to essentially close packed DNA arrays with a DNA interaxial spacing $d_{\\rm DNA}=25\\AA$. A gradual increase in $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$ does not lead to a continuous increase in $d_{\\rm DNA}$ as observed for DNA complexes of monovalent cationic lipids (CLs). Instead, distinct spacing regimes exist, with sharp transitions between them. Three packing states have been identified: (i) close packed, (ii) condensed, but not close packed, with $d_{\\rm DNA}=27-28\\AA$, and (iii) an expanded state, where $d_{\\rm DNA}$ increases gradually with $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$. Based on our experimental and computational results, we conclude that the DNA condensation ...
In a cross-over study, participants (n=59) were randomly assigned to receive either 100 kcal packs or standard size packages of snacks for 1-week. After a minimum of a 1-week washout period,...Full Text Available
Requirements for food packaging materials include whether there is any interaction between the food and the package during or after the irradiation, and whether as a result of the irradiation, volatile or leachable substances are released from the pack into the food. The performance of cellulose-based materials and plastic films under irradiation are discussed.
One of the important aspects in an absorption system is the effectiveness in which the gas and liquid phases come into contact with each other. An effective absorption process will provide sufficient contacting area for the gas and liquid phases to interact upon. With this in mind, work was conducted to evaluate carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) absorption into aqueous solutions of monoethanolamine (MEA) using two different types of contacting devices: gas absorption membrane (GAM) modules and traditional packed columns. The performance of these two absorption devices was compared to one another using the overall mass transfer coefficient (K{sub G}a{sub v}) as a basis. The GAM module contained microporous polypropylene hollow fibre membranes and the packed absorption column contained Sulzer DX structured packing. The results indicate that GAM modules tend to have slightly larger K{sub G}a{sub v} values, potentially opening the ...
Microbial population and moisture content of traditional herbal medicines contaminated with 3 kinds of aerobic microbes, packed in 5 kinds of plastic packaging materials, followed by irradiation at minimum dose of 5 kGy and stored for 6 months were investigated. The highest reduction of microbial counts during storage was observed on samples packed in polyethylene bags. All of packaging materials used were found to be impermeable to microbes and water vapour. Radiation and packaging materials used acted synergistically to inactivate microbes durind storage. The microbial counts decreased as much as 2 to 4 log cycles during storage. (author).
With the help of self-assembly, thermal sintering, selective etching techniques and sol-gel process, the non-close packed (ncp) face-centered cubic (fcc) photonic crystals of titanium dioxide (TiO2) hollow spheres connected by TiO2 cylindrical tubes have been fabricated using silica template. The photonic bandgap calculations indicate that the ncp structure of TiO2 hollow spheres was easier to open the pseudogaps than close packed system at the lowest energy. PMID:17097102
This patent describes a nitrogen oxides decreasing combustion method which comprises: a first step of mixing a fuel and air with each other; a second step of bringing the mixture obtained in the first step into contact with a packed catalyst such that only catalytic combustion occurs; and a third step of adding a fresh supply of the fuel to a stream obtained from the second step to form a mixed gas and causing the mixed gas to undergo non-catalytic thermal combustion. The temperature of the packed catalyst is lower than the ignition temperature of the mixture and the adiabatic flame temperature of the mixed gas is lower than a temperature at which the nitrogen oxides occur.
Development of surface monitoring of the quality of round rubber packing rings for well instruments is discussed. A method is shown for testing the rings under conditions which simulate the operating conditions. A method is proposed for rapid monitoring of the conditions for vulcanization of the rings by the method of determining the ''ring modulus.''
The foils of various materials were irradiated with "6"0Co with an activity of 11,538 TBq. The minimum radiation dose was 25 kGy. Changes in chemico-physical properties were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy and were not detected after irradiation with 25 kGy. Packing foils were subjected to the following tests: mechanical tests, tests of weld strength, tests of impact resistance, free fall tests, permeability tests for water vapour and microbiological tests. The results of all tests were tabulated. The tests showed that the foils are impermeable for microorganisms and provided the welds are airtight the packed products remain sterile. (J.P.).
Many important advances in the physics of strongly correlated electron systems have been driven by the development of new materials: for instance the filled skutterudites MT4X12 (M=alkali metal, alkaline earth, lanthanide, or actinide; T=Fe, Ru, or Os; X=P, As, or Sb), certain lanthanide and actinide intermetallic compounds such as URu2-xRexSi2 and CeTIn5 (T=Co, Rh, or Ir), and layered oxypnictides and related materials. These types of complex multinary d- and f-electron compounds have proven to be a vast reservoir of novel strongly correlated electron ground states and phenomena. In these materials, the occurrence of such a wide range of ground states and phenomena arises from a delicate interplay between competing interactions that can be tuned by partial or complete substitution of one element for another, as well as the application of pressure, and magnetic fields, resulting in rich and complex electronic phase diagrams in the hyperspace of temperature, ...
Radixin is a cytoskeletal protein that may be important in linking actin to the plasma membrane. Recent cloning of the murine and porcine radixin cDNAs revealed a protein highly homologous to ezrin and moesin. The authors have cloned and sequenced the human radixin cDNA and found the predicted amino acid sequence for the human protein to be nearly identical to those predicted for radixin in the two other species. By Southern analyses of Chinese hamster x human somatic cell hybrid DNA and of PCR products derived from hybrids, the coding gene (RDX) was mapped to 11q. Fluorescence chromosomal in situ hybridization with a cDNA plasmid further localized this gene to band 11q23. However, PCR amplification with [open quotes]radixin-specific[close quotes] primers on the hybrid DNA panel yielded an additional, very similar DNA sequence that was further characterized by direct sequencing of PCR products. This sequence represents a truncated version and the respective locus (RDXP2) was assigned ...
(Al{sub y}Ga{sub 1{minus}y}){sup 1{minus}x}In{sub x}P semiconductor alloys lattice-matched to GaAs are widely used in visible optoelectronic devices. One of the most recent developments in this area is the AlGaInP-based red vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). These lasers, which employ AlGaInP active regions and AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), have demonstrated continuous-wave (CW) lasing over the 630--690 nm region of the spectrum. Applications for these lasers include plastic fiber data communications, laser printing and bar code scanning. In this paper, the authors present an overview of recent developments in the processing and performance of AlGaInP based VCSELs. This overview will include a review of the general heterostructure designs that have been employed, as well as the performance of lasers fabricated by both ion implantation and selective oxidation.
A high power AlGaInP single quantum well graded index separate confinement heterostructure. It comprises a substrate and a multiplicity of layers deposited thereon comprising a single Ga{sub x}In{sub x}P quantum well where x has a value from about 0.4 to about 0.6; multiple graded index regions on both sides of the quantum well and cladding layers adjacent to each graded region of the well, the graded region comprising Al{sub y}(Ga{sub 1{minus}y}){sub 0.5}In{sub 0.5}P quaternary alloy; wherein the value of y in the graded region varies from about 0.2 at the quantum well/graded region interface to up to about 0.6 for the cladding layers/graded index regions; the heterostructure having a low broad area threshold current with pulsed thresholds in the range from about 1 to about 2 Amps/cm{sup 2} and a differential efficiency of from about 20 to about 60 percent.
This paper analyzes the diffusion of mobile telecommunications services in Vietnam and examines how telecommunications regulation and potential substitute/complement services affect the growth of the number of mobile telephone subscribers. Using a logistic diffusion model, it is found that fixed telephone services are a complement while data services have a negative relation to mobile telephone services in Vietnam. As for regulation, the policy of introducing competition has been found to be the most effective in influencing the adoption of mobile services. Another important result is that the estimated potential market is roughly 76% of the total population. The findings suggest that suitable regulation that guarantees competition in the mobile telecommunications market in a developing co...
Abstract We provide the first firm-level evidence of the impact of the trade in producer services (-offshoring-) on the labour market. Using a new data set from the UK that measures trade in services at the firm level, we find no evidence that importing intermediate services is associated with job losses or greater worker turnover. Using regression to control for observable differences between firms that import service inputs and those that do not, we show that firms that start importing intermediate services experience faster employment growth than equivalent firms that do not. This seems likely to be the result of positive demand shocks, which cause a simultaneous increase in employment, output, and use of imported service inputs.
First generation biofuels provide a number of ecosystem services (e.g., fuel, climate regulation) but they also compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services) which are of paramount value to human wellbeing. However, this knowledge is fragmented and little is known about how the ecosystem services provided and/or compromised by biofuels link to human wellbeing. In fact, whether biofuels production and use can have a negative or positive impact on the environment and society depends on several interconnected factors. This paper provides a critical review of the drivers, impacts and tradeoffs of biofuel production and use. In particular, it rationalizes the evidence coming from diverse academic disciplines and puts it into perspective by employing the ecosystem service...
The difficulty in information communication and sharing are major problems for forest fire monitoring and early warning in China. As authors, we applied web service technology to a personal digital assistant (PDA) forest fire monitoring system and propose the framework of a monitoring system based on service-oriented architecture (SOA). At the same time, we describe the composition and function of web services from a server side and a client side. The method for developing a web service invocation engine on the PDA is introduced in detail. Finally, an example of a fire danger rating and fire weather services system are established, based on the Beijing Forest Fire Control System. The results show that the PDA forest fire monitoring system based on web services can effectively take advantag...
LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level {alpha} solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination factor differs and depends on the ruthenium concentration, harmful ...
LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level #alpha# solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination factor differs and depends on the ruthenium concentration, harmful ...
Purpose - To study the optimization of a randomized control problem in an M/G/1 queue in which a removable and unreliable server may provide two phases of heterogeneous service to arriving customers. Design/methodology/approach - Arriving customers follow a Poisson process and require the first essential service (FES). As soon as FES of a customer is completed, the customer may leave the system or opt for the second optional service (SOS). The service times of FES channel and SOS channel are assumed to be general distribution functions. The server requires a startup time with random length before starting service. When the server is working, he may meet unpredictable breakdowns but is immediately repaired. The inter-breakdown time and repair time of the removable server are exponentially r...
Managing service quality is vital to retain customer satisfaction and augment revenues for any business organization. Often it is difficult to assess service quality due to lack of quantifiable measures and limited data. In this paper, we present a hybrid approach based on SERVQUAL and fuzzy TOPSIS for evaluating service quality of urban transportation systems. The proposed approach consists of three steps. The first step involves development of a SERVQUAL based questionnaire to collect data for measuring transportation service quality. The participants provide linguistic assessments to rate the service quality criteria and the alternatives. In step 2, the linguistic ratings are combined through fuzzy TOPSIS to generate an overall performance score for each alternative. The alternative wit...
Understanding Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) documentation and coding rules is challenging for most physicians. To accurately bill for clinical services, physicians must learn a system that may initially seem daunting, but is in fact governed by a small number of straightforward rules. The Evaluation and Management (E/M) guidelines for all service codes specify 3 components: history, examination, and medical decision-making, each with a defined set of elements or characteristics. Service coding is based on the level of care supported by the number of history and examination elements and the complexity of decision-making. This article will clarify the guidelines for outpatient clinical services and suggest a practical method of selecting appropriate E/M codes. Because physicians must often choose between billing codes 99213 and 99214 for a visit by an established ...
Theoretical assessment on the chromatographic {sup 99m}Tc generator preparation using (n, {gamma}) {sup 99}Mo produced ex-natural molybdenum was carried out. The relationship between the neutron flux for MoO{sub 3} target activation, Mo-content or Mo adsorption capacity of column packing material, {sup 99m}Tc pertechnetate concentration and/or {sup 99m}Tc radioactivity of eluate was established. The reasonably lower limit of neutron flux of reactor and Molybdenum content of column packing material were found out to estimate the production of portable chromatographic generators available for nuclear medicine application. The concentration of {sup 99m}Tc pertechnetate eluate of low {sup 99m}Tc concentration using the column elution technique was also evaluate theoretically and conducted successfully in practice. Three options of {sup 99m}Tc generator using Titanium-Molybdate, Zirconium-Molybdate and Zirconium Oxide as generator ...
Introduces three designs of development working protection recommended for immediate roof, basic roof and a coal seam of 1.5-2 m, 2.5-4 m and 0.7-1.1 m thickness respectively. The first design of roof control includes a dummy road with breaker props (cutting-off support) and pack, and reinforced concrete props. The second pattern comprises a breaking gate, two rows of cutting-off timber support, up to 10 m long pack and wood chocks. According to the third pattern a breaking road was executed 5.7-6 m away from the face end with breaker props at both its sides. Two rows of pack chocks were added to the dip. Advantages and drawbacks of the three patterns are pointed out. Stress distribution in rock is shown. Position of roof and support before and after roof settling is shown. The cost of the three methods is analyzed. Recommendations useful in application of the method are provided.
Cobalt-60 gamma radiation has been found to be an effective means of immobilizing stationary phases onto gas and liquid chromatographic supports. The ability of a phase to crosslink was determined to be highly dependent on its chemical structure. Gamma radiation was employed to immobilize Se-30, a methylsilicone, and 216 PS onto Chromosorb WHP for packed column chromatography. The resultant columns exhibited increased thermal stability and a high degree of efficiency. Several blended phases containing varying ratios of Se-30:216 PS were also immobilized onto chromatographic packings. This work was further extended to the immobilization of Se-30 and 216 PS onto fused silica capillaries via gamma radiation. Columns exhibited excellent efficiency and improved thermal stability. An investigation into the role of immobilization of polymeric phases for HPLC was undertaken. Results indicate that gamma radiation can immobilzied polyoctadecylsiloxane ...
Four materials, carbon felt cube (CFC), granular graphite (GG), granular activated carbon (GAC) and granular semicoke (GS) were tested as packed anodic materials to seek a potentially practical material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The microbial community and its correlation with the electricity generation performance of MFCs were explored. The maximum power density was found in GAC, followed by CFC, GG and GS. In GAC and CFC packed MFCs, Geobacter was the dominating genus, while Azospira was the most populous group in GG. Results further indicated that GAC was the most favorable for Geobacter adherence and growth, and the maximum power densities had positive correlation with the total biomass and the relative abundance of Geobacter, but without apparent correlation with the microbial diversity. Due to the low content of Geobacter in GS, power generated in this system may be attributed to other microorganisms such as Synergistes, ...
Available in abstract form only. Full text of publication follows: In this study. simulation of carbon dioxide absorption by Sodium Hydroxide solution in a packed bed has been investigated. At first, mass and energy balances were applied around a differential height of the bed. So, the governing equations were obtained. Surface renewal theory by Danckwerts was used to represent the mass transfer operation Finally, by changing the operating parameters like solvent temperature, inlet gas composition pressure and height of the bed, the effect of these parameters on the absorption and the composition of carbon dioxide in exit stream have been investigated. (authors)
The first part of the study contains a literature compilation of more than 50 original publications reporting the radiation induced effects in 17 different high polymer materials and glass which are relevant in the manufacturing of medical devices or packing materials. The results collected demonstrate that high energy radiation, i.e. gamma- or X-rays, causes various physical and chemical alterations in high polymer materials. A detailed summary and discussion of the results of the original publications is not included in the present report, it will be presented in the second part of the study. Furthermore, the second part of the study will refer to the aspect of wholesomeness of irradiated medical devices or packing materials in a more general manner of representation. (orig.).
Porous ?-SiAlON ceramics are synthesized by reaction bonded method using hollow alumina spheres (HASs) as both sintering aids and pore-forming agents. Both micropores and macropores, which are constructured by SiAlON grains with different morphologies, are formed in the final SiAlON samples. The micropores are three-dimentional, and are built by equiaxial grains. While the hollow macropores, which have the similar morphology to hollow alumina sphere, are packed by elongated grains. In the sintering process, the solid dissolution process takes place, giving rise to the different alumina concentration of liquid phase, and thus resulting in the formation of two kinds of grains, the equiaxial grain and the elongated grain.
Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO Expert Committee approved the use of radiation treatment of foods. Nowadays food packaging are mostly made of plastics, natural or synthetic, therefore effect of irradiation on these materials is crucial for packing engineering for food irradiation technology. By selecting the right polymer materials for food packaging it can be ensured that the critical elements of material and product performance are not compromised. When packaging materials are in contact with food at the time of irradiation that regulatory approvals sometimes apply. The review of the R-and-D and technical papers regarding material selection, testing and approval is presented in the report. The most information come from the USA where this subject is well elaborated, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports are reviewed as well. The report can be useful for scientists and food irradiation plants operators. (author)
The large amount of plastic products presently produced necessitates recycling and reuse of these non-biodegradable materials. However, the degradation in the mechanical properties of products made from recycled plastic is a major drawback that limits their use. This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of products made from recycled plastic by utilizing the Taguchi optimization method, instead of coupling the products with additives. By adopting L9 Taguchi OA, products made from various compositions of virgin and recycled plastic are produced by injection moulding. Four controllable factors (i.e., melt temperature, packing pressure, injection time, and packing time), each at three levels, are tested to determine the optimal combination of factors and levels in the manufacturing...
Herein, we demonstrate the structure of the PS colloidal crystals which were fabricated on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic Si wafers by a spin-coating technique. Monodisperse PS colloids are spin-coated onto self-assembled monolayers of 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and propyltrimethoxysilane coated Si wafers. PS spheres organized as ordered close-packed face-centered cubic structure with (111) planes on the hydrophilic surface while they gathered without the crystal structure on the hydrophobic surface. This paper also reports a simple and rapid method to fabricate the close-packed structure of hollow TiO2 spheres. The colloidal crystal of TiO2 hollow spheres was prepared using the PS sphere template on the hydrophobic surface. The mechanism for the growing multilayers of self-assembled PS p...
Continuing high rates of acidic deposition in the eastern United States may lead to long-term effects on stream communities, because sensitive catchments are continuing to lose anions and cations. A two-year study of the effects of pH and associated water chemistry variables on detrital processing in three streams with different bedrock geology in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia were investigated. Leaf pack processing rates and macroinvertebrate colonization and microbial biomass (ATP concentration) on the packs in the three stream were compared. It was found that macroinvertebrate and microbial communities differed both among streams that differed in their capacity to buffer the effects of acidic precipitation and among years in the same stream; these differences in biotic communities were not large enough to affect rates of leaf processing between the two years of the study, but they did significantly affect processing rates ...
OBJECTIVE: To use Medicaid claims data to construct patient origin-based market areas for dental services and compare constructed market areas with those based on the practice county. DATA SOURCES:...Full Text Available
BackgroundHIV/AIDS is a major public health concern in Uganda. There is widespread consensus that weak health systems hamper the effective provision of HIV/AIDS services. In recent...Full Text Available
Goals of workThe goal of this study was to evaluate, at a population level, the association between specialized palliative care services (SPCS) and short- and long-term caregiver...Full Text Available
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current fitness of an area ambulance service based in Belfast and to quantify the physiological demands of accident and emergency work. From a total...Full Text Available
BackgroundObtaining comprehensive health outcomes and health services utilization data on stroke patients has been difficult. This research grew out of a memorandum...Full Text Available
Officers receive service-specific education and undergo experiences within their components that provide the expert knowledge that enables them to operate in their respective military departments. Given the Department of Defense (DoD) emphasis on service ...
BackgroundRestrictions on the nonurgent use of hospital services were imposed in March 2003 to control an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto, Ont. We...Full Text Available
Distributed denial of service attacks are often considered a security problem. While this may be the way to view the problem with today's Internet, new network architectures attempting to address the issue should view it as a scalability problem. In addition, they need to address the problem based on a rigorous foundation.
The goal of community-based services for frail older patients is to help them achieve the greatest degree of functional ability and independence. The services available include case management, geriatric...Full Text Available
Scoping studies have been used across a range of disciplines for a wide variety of purposes. However, their value is increasingly limited by a lack of definition and clarity of purpose. The UK's Service...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the contribution of distance to hospitals with cardiac interventional services (CIS) to county age-adjusted myocardial infarction...Full Text Available
42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false 2-Health Professions Recruitment Program for Indians J Subdivision J Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...
... values and unless special precautions and equipment are used, it would be very difficult to service and maintain operational jet-fuel systems with ...
... If the terminal classes were to be information sources ... current credibility of inputs by classes of terminals; the most ... the stochastic queue lengths. ...
Repair and maintenance for equipment used in the Belchatow brown coal mine and organizational models of repair services in the mine are discussed. Maintenance of earthmoving equipment, spreaders, bucket wheel excavators, loaders and other coal handling equipment, belt conveyors and drive systems for belt conveyors is discussed. Repair shops in the mine also manufacture about 35% of spare parts and elements for equipment used in the mine. Reliability of mining equipment, repairs and repair capacity of the shops are discussed. Organizational models of repair services, equipment used by these services and repair personnel are described. Effects of repair services on operation of the mine are evaluated.
digital libraries, which was identified as a national challenge in the Information ... The linkages between the many digital libraries and information services are ...
However, market based pricing does not apply where the pricing requirements for specific services or .... Market based pricing only applies to the extent ...
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an in-depth discussion of the possible evolution of unbundling of services in a competitive environment. The author discusses unbundling from both a technical/engineering and an economic perspective. The main thrust of the talk is threefold: (a) that in the long run the potential for unbundling of services is extremely large from an engineering perspective; (b) that the form of the initial industry structure will have an important impact on the extent of service unbundling; and (c) that unbundling of wholesale related services is where most of the initial demand will be. (A) Engineering Perspectives on Unbundling: A large proportion of ancillary services can be provided in a competitive framework with current technologies. The author discusses those that current technologies may not facilitate such a decentralized approach. (B) The ...
By the year 2000, the Postal Service aims to reduce its diesel transport by around 15000 vehicles. The advisory service, Detecon, is reviewing alternatives for postal deliveries as part of the ''Post 2000'' initiative. One such system is an electric-powered vehicle with a zinc-air battery from the Israeli firm Electric Fluid Limited (EFL). (orig.)
A century of technical development put steam turbines on a high level regarding efficiency and reliability. This procedure is still ongoing. The technological-commercial point of view - influenced intensively by liberalisation of the energy-market - makes great demands on field services. Well suited concepts in service and modernization are the solutions, as shown in NPP Emsland upgrade.
This standard describes requirements and provides guidelines for the control of activities to be exercised during procurement of items and services which affect the quality of nuclear power plants. These requirements and guidelines apply to procurement activities for items and services such as designing, purchasing, fabricating, handling, shipping, storage, cleaning, constructing, erecting, installing, inspecting, testing, maintaining, repairing, initial fueling, refueling, and modifying.
Requirements and guidelines are provided for the control of activities to be exercised during procurement of items and services which affect the quality of nuclear facilities. These requirements and guidelines apply to procurement activities for items and services such as designing, purchasing, fabricating, handling, shipping, storing, cleaning, constructing, erecting, installing, inspecting, texting, maintaining and modifying.
The Health Physics, Safety and Medical Services Report for Harwell Laboratory for 1989 includes data on the monitoring of the working environment, personnel monitoring, radiological incidents, disposal of radioactive waste and protection of the public. Work on emergency planning, non-radiological health and safety, occupational hygiene, operations support is also discussed. Finally the medical services available and the medical examinations performed are described. (UK).
... Most of the received offers were ecolabelled cleaning products and were not more expensive than conventional products. Case 3: The procurement of sustainable cleaning services 104kB Eight cooperating municipalities in the Netherlands needed a new contractor for cleaning services. They wanted to use SPP criteria as well as finding a social employment organisation. SPP criteria for cleaning services were used to set minimum requirements in ...
42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Health benefits plan: Basic health services. 417.101 Section 417.101 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND...
The average angle of repose and the packing density of random planar heaps of hard disks falling ballistically onto a sticky base line, where the first layer of disks is quenched in random positions, are computed for heaps with a small fixed number of gaps in the base layer. The results we find appear to be almost independent of the size of the heap and they agree with those obtained from computer simulations of large systems.
This book includes the latest developments and covers pump performance, selection and operations, materials, seals and packings, effective fluid characteristics, filtration, piping systems, economics, valves, instrumentation, automatic controls, power transmission equipment, pump and pipeline heating, and more. An extensive data section contains formulas, charts, symbols, nomographs, and standard specification documents.
The wavefunction of a positron in ReO is calculated using the augmented-plane-wave method. Due to the loosely-packed structure of ReO_3, the ground-state GAMMA_1 wavefunction exhibits a marked anisotropy particularly around the oxygen ions, and a large fraction of a positron is distributed in the interstitial region. Experimental results of the positron annihilation 2#gamma#-correlations and the positron annihilation rates in ReO_3 are discussed based on the positron wavefunction. (orig.).
Phthalate esters (PE's) are plasticizers used to soften PVC-based medical devices. PE's are the most abundant man-made pollutants and increase the risk of developing an allergic respiratory disease...Full Text Available
New standardization techniques of samples in multielement instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA) of biological materials (BM) are considered. New methodical developments of sample preparation techniques, BM tableting, creation of comparison standards and standardization of packing material are suggested. Correlated data on concentration of different elements in standard specimens-comparison standards are presented for mass INAA, that is: for phenol-formaldehyde resin-base and human blood-base synthetic standards. 7 refs.; 3 tabs.
...Butley river and Ore estuary, Boyton Marshes attracts breeding wading birds in spring and ducks, geese and swans in winter. It's also ...The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh are packed with 130,000 breeding seabirds in the spring and summer, including guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. Freiston ...for its breeding avocets and terns, which can be seen throughout the spring and summer. Access is by boat only and the trip ... During spring and autumn, it is an ideal place to see migrant wading birds, gulls and terns. Leighton Moss Leighton ...
The electric power industry can use the carbon dioxide absorption process to capture carbon from high-volume flue gas. However, the current cost of the process is too high due to the approximation method used in process design. The absorption column is typically designed with parameters that are assumed to be constant over the whole length of the column, resulting in an oversized unit. This approximation method is no longer valid given new environmental and economic concerns. In order to develop an accurate column design for high-efficiency carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) capture, it is necessary to understand the phenomena taking place in the system. A mechanistic model is presented for a robust absorber design that takes into account mass-transfer and hydrodynamic behaviour within the CO{sub 2} absorption columns. The capture performance of a packed column under a wide range of design and operating conditions was determined using a model based on the kinetics and ...
In studying the absorption of carbon dioxide by absorbents impregnated with alkanol amines, researchers used a laboratory-scale packed column to determine the overall gas-phase mass-transfer coefficients and enhancement factors. A model derived for the mechanism of the chemical reaction taking place in the interfacial layer accounts for the effect of the reaction upon the absorption rate better than other models.
The hard-sphere radial distribution functions, g_H_S(r/d,#eta#), for the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed phases have been computed by the Monte Carlo method at nine values of the packing fraction, #eta#[=(#pi#/6)#rho#d"3], ranging from 4% below the melting density to 99% of the close-packed density. The Monte Carlo data are used to improve available analytic expressions for g_H_S(r/d,#eta#). By utilizing the new g_H_S(r/d,#eta#) in the Henderson and Grundke method [J. Chem. Phys. 63, 601 (1975)], we next derive an expression for y_H_S(r/d,#eta#) [=g_H_S(r/d)exp#left brace##beta#V_H_S(r)#right brace#] inside the hard-sphere diameter, d. These expressions are employed in a solid-state perturbation theory [J. Chem. Phys. 84, 4547 (1986)] to compute solid-state and melting properties of the Lennard-Jones and inverse-power potentials. Results are in close agreement with Monte Carlo and lattice-dynamics ...
The use of aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) for selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from acid gas streams has been studied in a 2 inch column packed with 1/4 inch ceramic Intalox saddles. The column was operated in a counter-current, steady state fashion. The feed gas composition varied between 1 and 5 mole % hydrogen sulfide and between 0 and 50 mole % carbon dioxide. In order to assist the development of packed column absorption models, the rate at which pure carbon dioxide absorbs into 2 M MDEA was measured as a function of pressure, liquid flow rate and packed bed length. The importance of end effects was carefully evaluated. In addition, draining and tracer methods were used to estimate the amount of static holdup present in the column. Using classical draining methods, as much as 50 % of the total holdup was found to be static. However, according to the step decrease in tracer method, less than 5 % of the total ...
In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the 1- and 5-site models of methane on the description of adsorption on graphite surfaces and in graphitic slit pores. These models have been known to perform well in the description of the fluid-phase behavior and vapor-liquid equilibria. Their performance in adsorption is evaluated in this work for nonporous graphitized thermal carbon black, and simulation results are compared with the experimental data of Avgul and Kiselev (Chemistry and Physics of Carbon; Dekker: New York, 1970; Vol. 6, p 1). On this nonporous surface, it is found that these models perform as well on isotherms at various temperatures as they do on the experimental isosteric heat for adsorption on a graphite surface. They are then tested for their performance in predicting the adsorption isotherms in graphitic slit pores, in which we would like to explore the effect of confinement on the molecule packing. Pore widths of 10 and 20 A are chosen in this ...
The purpose of this research was to investigate the de-entrainment of boron for evaporators used in nuclear power plants. The forced circulation and semi-continuous type evaporator was used in the experiment. Cyclone and glass-wool packed column which is supposed to provide good decontamination factor as well as easy maintenance, were selected as de-entrainment device to be used in the evaporation of radioactive liquid wastes. The de-entrainment device combined with cyclone and glass-wool column has shown overall DF more than 1000 for boron.
The rapid pace of competitive change in the generation sector has pushed electric utilities to rethink the concept of being obligated to serve all customers and with this change, the notion of measuring customer profitability is also being redefined. Traditionally, uniform services were provided to all customers. Rates were based on each customer classes` contribution to average costs, and consequently return was equally allocated across all customer segments. Profitability was defined strictly on an aggregate basis. The increasing demand for choice by electric customers will require electricity providers to redefine if not who they serve, than certainly how they provide differentiated services tailored to specific customer segments. Utilities are beginning to analyze the value, or profitability, of offering these services. Aggregate data no longer provides an accurate assessment of how resources should be allocated most ...
Single and binary metal molybdates of the formula AMoO{sub 4}, where A=Ni, Co, Mg,Mn and/or Zn, were investigated for the oxydehydrogenation of propane to propylene, as well as some ternary molybdates of the formula NiO{sub 0.45}Co{sub 0.45}X{sub 0.066}MoO{sub 4} where X=P, Bi, Fe, Cr, V and Ce. All catalysts were supported on SiO{sub 2} with an active phase/support ratio of 80/20 (wt%). The reaction is catalytic and not a gas phase initiated reaction. It is first order in propane, consistent with the abstraction of the methylene hydrogen being the rate limiting step. Propane conversions and propylene yields vary greatly depending on the metal of the molybdate and surface area of the catalyst. Highest propylene yields (16% at 26.6% propane conversion) are obtained with NiMoO{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2}. Conversion and yield are significantly influenced by the molybdenum content of the compositions. The effect is biggest in the nickel molybdate system. Its optimum activity ...
Many important advances in the physics of strongly correlated electron systems have been driven by the development of new materials: for instance the filled skutterudites MT{sub 4}X{sub 12} (M=alkali metal, alkaline earth, lanthanide, or actinide; T=Fe, Ru, or Os; X=P, As, or Sb), certain lanthanide and actinide intermetallic compounds such as URu{sub 2-x}Re{sub x}Si{sub 2} and CeTIn{sub 5} (T=Co, Rh, or Ir), and layered oxypnictides and related materials. These types of complex multinary d- and f-electron compounds have proven to be a vast reservoir of novel strongly correlated electron ground states and phenomena. In these materials, the occurrence of such a wide range of ground states and phenomena arises from a delicate interplay between competing interactions that can be tuned by partial or complete substitution of one element for another, as well as the application of pressure, and magnetic fields, resulting in rich and complex electronic phase diagrams in ...
Due to a leakage from a 12-inch pressurized diesel steel pipe four years ago, an area of approximately 30,000 square meters was contaminated. A pilot study applying the technology of in-situ enhanced bioremediation was conducted. In the study, a field test kit and on-site monitoring equipment were applied for site characterization and treatment verification. Physically, the enhanced bioremediation study consisted of an air extraction and air supply system, and a nutrition supply network. Certain consistent sampling methodology was employed. Progress was verified by daily monitoring and monthly verification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade the petroleum hydrocarbons with provision of oxygen and nutrients. Nine extraction wells and eight air sparging wells were installed. The air sparging wells injected the air into geoformation and the extraction wells provided the underground air circulation. The soil samples were ...
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects domestic and imported meat and poultry food products to assure the public that they are safe, wholesome, not economically adulterated and properly labeled. The Service also monitors the activities of meat and poultry plants and related activities in allied industries, and establishes standards and approves labels for meat and poultry products. As part of its responsibility, shortly after the Chernobyl accident occurred, FSIS developed a plan to assess this accident's impact on domestically produced and imported meat and poultry
We present the results obtained from tests and studies carried out on the model of tube bundles for a PGV-1000 horizontal steam generator that were conducted for experimentally substantiating the design service life of a steam generator tube bundle intended for use at new nuclear power stations equipped with a PGV-1000MKP steam generator. Measures taken to minimize the incipience and development of local corrosion damage to the heat-transfer tubes and ensure their design service life are substantiated and confirmed.
This document defines the services the Waste Sampling and Characterization Facility (WSCF) shall provide Effluent Monitoring (EM) throughout the calendar year for analysis. The internal memo contained in Appendix A identifies the samples Em plans to submit for analysis in CY-1995. Analysis of effluent (liquid and air discharges) and environmental (air, liquid, animal, and vegetative) samples is required using standard laboratory procedures, in accordance with regulatory and control requirements. This report describes regulatory reporting requirements and WSCF services and data quality objectives.
This student manual, part of a small-engine repair series on servicing fuel systems, is designed for use by special needs students in Texas. The manual explains in pictures and short sentences, written on a low reading level, the job of servicing two-piece flo-jet carburetors. Along with the steps of this repair job, specific safety and caution information is frequently noted. To reinforce consistency in material presented to the slow learners, the pictures and written words correspond exactly with the pictures and wording on a corresponding audiovisual presentation. A progress chart for rating the students is included in the manual. (KC)
The Dental Investigation Service, USAFSAM, Brooks AFB, has outlined the need for a vacuum unit to be used in the Air Force dental clinics. The unit must be capable of effectively picking up mercury and at the same time not redistribute mercury vapors throughout the dental clinic during normal operations or mercury-spill situations. The Dental Investigation Service selected the MRS-3, Minuteman Mercury Recovery System, product of American Cleaning Equipment Corporation as the mercury vacuum to be used for T E. The USAF OEHL/ECH was requested by the Dental Investigation Service to perform the T E on the MRS-3 for possible health hazards due to exposures of mercury vapors.
This article discusses the Daya Bay nuclear power plant in-core flux thimble tube in-service inspection method and strategy. High light of the multiple frequency eddy current technology adopted including frequency and probe choice, standard design, data acquisition process are involved. The wear defect-growing trends are studied on base of the history data, which contribute to the in-service inspection strategy decision. (authors)
Huntsville, Alabama Utilities has successfully provided services for over 53 years. However, the quality of service demands from customers are changing every day! Part of this demand is due to updated digital appliances, home and business computers, and automated systems. A quality program was initiated in 1992 as a result of an internal assessment. The Malcolm Baldrige approach was selected which includes seven areas: (1) Leadership; (2) Information and Analysis; (3) Strategic Planning; (4) Human Resource Utilization; (5) Quality Assurance of Products and Services: (6) Quality Results: (7) Customer Satisfaction. Training for and implementation of the Quality program is discussed in detail.
Results are summarized of a study on concrete component aging and its significance relative to continued service of nuclear power plants (NPPs) beyond the initial period for which they were granted operating licenses. Progress is presented of a second study being conducted to identify and provide acceptance criteria for structural safety issues which the USNRC staff will need to address when applications are submitted for continued service of NPPs. Major activities under this program include: development of a materials property data base, establishment of structural component assessment and repair procedures, and development of a methodology for determination of structural reliability. 19 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
Ubiquitous computing based on small mobile devices using wireless communication links is becoming very attractive. The computational power and storage capacities provided allow the execution of sophisticated applications. Due to the fact that sharing of information is a central problem for distributed applications, the development of self organizing middleware services providing high level interfaces for information managing is essential. ADS is a directory service for mobile ad-hoc networks dealing with local and nearby information as well as providing access to distant information. The approach discussed throughout this paper is based upon the concept of information markets.
If you are a FERS employee (the current retirement system), you lose your sick leave if you do not return to Federal service. If you separate from the Federal ...
Lake Unit AL-05P, for public review and comment. These four CBRS units are located in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama. We invite the public to review and comment on the draft...
As competition in the service industry grows, delivering high-quality service to meet customers' needs and expectations becomes paramount. In order to achieve a thorough understanding of customers, companies are increasingly adopting Customer Relationship Management (CRM) initiatives. However, CRM does not have the process vision necessary to cope with complex and cross-functional processes. This problem is better handled by Business Process Management (BPM) initiatives, which, by their turn, struggle to built-in customer intelligence in their systems. Based upon systems theory, we discuss the roles of CRM and BPM in an integrated approach to deliver customer fulfillment. As the evolution of service-oriented approaches requires us to consider both customer interactions and experiences as k...
Denturism, an organized movement by dental laboratory technicians to increase their control over the provision of denture services to the public, has generated a great deal of controversy among members...Full Text Available
This paper presents an innovative way in which university education can help pre-service teachers become better problem-solvers. The central idea is to use the ?Technology Fair?? as a means for promoting pre-service teachers pedagogical content knowledge about technological problem solving skills. This innovation is supported with results from a study carried out in autumn 2004. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of a procedure of working with primary school children to complete and present a technology fair project, on the educational value and meanings attached to problem solving skills by pre-service teachers. Pre-tests, mid-test and post-tests were administered to the pre-service teachers before, during, and after the preparation of the technology fair, respectiv...
... P ) FERS 4 ... i 25. Opportunity for better fringe benefits 1 outside of the Federal Sector (eg, sick leave, _ annual leave, health or life insurance) .... ...
The long-term health consequences of war service remain unclear, despite burgeoning scientific interest. A longitudinal cohort study of a random sample of Australian Vietnam veterans was designed to assess veterans' postwar physical and mental health 36 years after the war (2005-2006) and to examine its relation to Army service, combat, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed 14 years previously (1990-1993). Prevalences in veterans (n = 450) were compared with those in the Australian general population. Veterans' Army service and data from the first assessments were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression prediction modeling. Veterans' general health and some health risk factors were poorer and medical consultation rates were higher than Australian population expectatio...
... Title : The Numerical Weather Prediction System at the Italian Air Force Weather Service: Impact of Non-Conventional Observations and Increased ...
Applying for AAO scheduled time Applying for AAT service time Applying for Gemini Time Travel and Accommodation AAT Schedule UKST Schedule Instrument capabilities and...
The spectre of exclusionary medical service provision, restricted clinic access and physician targeting in sectarian-divided Iraq underscores the crucial and timely need for qualitative research into the inter-relationship between conflict, identity and health. In response, this paper provides a critical ethnography of obstetric service provision and patient access during Shia-Sunni hostilities in Gilgit Town, capital of Pakistans Northern Areas (2005). I analyse how services were embedded in and constrained by sectarian affiliation in ways that detrimentally impacted Sunni women patients and hospital staff, resulting in profoundly diminished clinic access, reduced physician coverage and a higher observed incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. The paper first situates obstetric med...
This paper addresses the unique structural requirements for successful conversion of tankers for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) or floating storage and offloading (FSO) service. A description is given of the steps undertaken during two recent and very different conversions of a highly optimized 1980s VLCC to FPSO service, and a typical robust 1970s ULCC to FSO service. The paper describes the steps needed for ensuring the FPSO or FSO requirements are successfully met during conversion of the two tankers - each having its own history, e.g. date of build, original design, material choices, class society, voyage history and repairs. Firstly, the paper describes the procedure and results of an early initial structural assessment procedure on the basis of an American Bureau o...
The purpose of this statement of work (SOW) is to establish laboratory analytical criteria and requirements for radioactive airborne emissions measurement sample and/or analysis activities.
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Four low activation alloy classes, two austenitic and two ferritic, have been incorporated into the MOTA-1B experiment in the FFTF reactor to provide an early assessment of the suitability of such alloys for reactor service.
Today, component oriented middlewares are used to design, develop and deploy easily distributed applications, by ensuring the heterogeneity, interoperability, and reuse of the software modules, and the separation between the business code encapsulated in the components and the system code managed by the containers. Several standards answer this definition such as: CCM (CORBA Component Model), EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) and .Net. However these standards offer a limited and fixed number of system services, removing any possibility to add system services or to reconfigure dynamically the middleware. Our works propose mechanisms to add and to adapt dynamically the system services, based on a reconfiguration language which is dynamically adaptable to the need of the reconfiguration, and on a tool of dynamic reconfiguration, a prototype was achieved for the OpenCCM platform, that is an implementation of the CCM specification. ...
Recent Reviews in Carcinogenesis is a service of the International Cancer Research Data Bank (ICRDB) Program of the National Cancer Institute, intended to facilitate and promote the exchange of information between cancer scientists. It contains abstracts ...
BackgroundHealth service databases of administrative type can be a useful tool for the study of progression of a disease, but the data reported in such sources could be affected...Full Text Available
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Divergence betyveen aircraft engine emission regulations pro- posed by EPA and ICAO is discussed Every engine, upon entering service, requires a certificate ...
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Mangroves are disappearing rapidly worldwide despite their well documented biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Failure to link ecological processes and their societal benefits has...Full Text Available
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MCrAlY coatings are widely used on hot section components of gas turbines to provide hot corrosion and/or oxidation protection by formation of an oxide layer on the surface. As the protective oxide scale exfoliates during service, aluminum from the coating diffuses outward for reformation of the protective scale. Aluminum may also diffuse inward due to the differences in composition between the coating and the substrate. Thus, the coatings degrade due to oxidation, oxide scale spallation, and inward and outward diffusion of aluminum. Service life of these coatings is controlled by the aluminum content in the coating, operating temperature and start- shutdown cycles. In-service degradation of CoCrAlY and CoNiCrAlY coatings is presented. A procedure to predict the remaining service life of coatings under oxidizing conditions is discussed. (orig.) 12 refs.
ObjectivesCoastal ecosystems in developing countries supply a diverse range of services to local communities and national economies, including fish production, protection against floods and storms and support to tourism. Multiple drivers of change are influencing the status of the ecosystems, most of which are anthropogenic (Brown et al., 2006). Managing coastal ecosystems requires recognition of the diverse range of uses and users, and coordination between structures and processes, many of which are curr [continued...]DescriptionCommitment to the management of coastal ecosystems through addressing both ecological and social objectives already exists in East and Southern Africa (Glavovic 2006; Gustavson et al. 2009). More understanding, however, of the ecosystem services of priority to the poor and to poverty alleviation would strengthen the capacity of these initiatives to deliver on poverty alleviation and resource sustainability. The coastal ...
pumped storage plants; but these must be built as well since there is no correspondence with the pump and turbine operating times governed by normal network ...
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Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade services designed to assist businesses to effectively operate in global markets, were described. The goal of the Department is to give strategic targeted information that extends beyond export opportunities to include market access, investment, strategic alliances, technology transfer and competitiveness issues. These services constitute the Department`s Trade Commissioner Service, a network of 600 officers, deployed in 128 embassies and consulates worldwide to support Canadian business development initiatives across 16 sectors of the government`s International Trade Business Plan (ITBP). The Trade Commissioner Service programs include the WIN exporters database, a trade inquiries sourcing team, International Financial Institutions (IFI) projects, and the Program for Export Market Development (PEMD). A series of Sectoral Advisory Groups on ...
This paper presents a new mathematical model for designing distribution networks in a supply chain system considering service level constraint optimizing strategic decisions (location), tactical decisions (inventory), and assigning decisions. In real-world cases, demand, traveling time or any parameters in classical models may change over the period of time. So, considering uncertainty yields more flexibility for the results and the proposed model. In our study, environmental uncertainty is described by discrete scenarios. In this model, we have service level constraint in order to prevent inventory lost in distribution centers (DCs). Also, we assume that customer's demand is stochastic with Poisson distribution function and DCs have coverage radius constraints thus any DC cannot service a...
The simultaneous biosorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) on free Rhizopus arrhizus in a packed column operated in the continuous mode was investigated and compared to the single metal ion situation. The breakthrough curves were measured as a function of feed flow rate, feed pH, and different combinations of metal ion concentrations in the feed solutions. Column competitive biosorption data were evaluated in terms of the maximum (equilibrium) capacity in the column, the amount of metal loading on the R. arrhizus surface, the adsorption yield, and the total adsorption yield. In the single-ion situation the adsorption isotherms were developed for optimum conditions, and it was seen that the adsorption equilibrium data fit the noncompetitive Freundlich model. For the multicomponent adsorption equilibrium the competitive adsorption isotherms were also developed. The competitive Freundlich model for binary metal mixtures represented most the column adsorption equilibrium data ...
This paper describes the effects of SiC coating on the oxidation resistance of C/C composites in combusting fields, which are expected to be applied to high temperature structural materials at over 1770K. The coating methods employed were CVD and pack cementation. The time changes in weight loss of the specimens were measured at temperatures of 1770K and 1900K under the equivalence ratio of 0.9 generated by methane-air combustion, and the surface of the specimens before and after the experiment was observed by SEM. Although the weight loss of the specimens coated by the CVD method was minimal, the coating layer was easily peeled off from the substrate. On the other hand, the layer of the specimens coated by the pack cementation method was stable and adhered to the substrate, but the substrate was degraded because of penetration of oxygen through the pores in the layer. To cover the pores, the specimens were additionally coated with glass ...
The Energy crisis happens to be one of the greatest challenges we are facing today. In this view, much effort has been made in developing new, cost effective, environmentally friendly energy conversion and storage devices. The performance of such devices is fundamentally related to material properties. Hence, innovative materials engineering is important in solving the energy crisis problem. One such innovation in materials engineering is porous materials for energy storage. Porous electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) offer a high degree of electrolyte-electrode wettability, thus enhancing the electrochemical activity within the material. Among the porous materials, mesoporous materials draw special attention, owing to shorter diffusion lengths for Li+ and electronic movement. Nanostructured mesoporous materials also offer better packing density compared to their nanostructured counterparts such as nanopowders, nanowires, nanotubes etc., thus ...
Power plants generate a great amount of ash during coal combustion. From this process two different kinds of ashes are extracted: fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA). In this work possible use of both fly and bottom ash as raw material for the ceramic industry is analyzed. The samples were formed by mechanical mixing of both kinds of ashes, and density evolution during conformation as structural ceramic (packing, pressing and sintering) was studied. It was verified that powders with larger fly ash content exhibited higher packing density resulting in compacts with improved green and sintered densities. Preheating treatments at temperatures above 600{sup o}C also increased the green and sintered densities. Dilatometric curves on compacts formed from FA and BA powders were run at constant heating rate and at isothermal cycles. From the analysis of these data it can be established that liquid-phase sintering is the densification mechanism present at ...
This paper reports that the co-deposition of chromium and silicon into a 2.25Cr-1.0Mo-0.15C steel, alloy 800, and type 304 stainless steel has been achieved using the pack cementation process. The ferritic coating produced on the 2.25 Cr-1.0Mo steel was approximately 225 {mu}m (9 mils) thick, whereas the inward diffusion of chromium and silicon produced a two-phase structure of ferrite and austenite for type 304. Chromium and silicon were incorporated into the austenitic solid solution upon diffusion into alloy 800. All coatings had approximately 25 to 35 wt% Cr and 2 to 3% Si at the surface. Cyclic oxidation testing in air of the coated 2.25Cr-1.0Mo steel (T = 700{degrees} C) and type 304 (T = 1035{degrees} C) showed a dramatic decrease in the oxidation kinetics compared to the original uncoated alloys. The cyclic oxidation of alloy 800 was also improved.
The objective of this report was to evaluate four possible alternative methods of preparing and packaging spent fuel assemblies for geologic disposal against the Reference Process of unmodified spent fuel. The four alternative processes were: (1) End fitting removal, (2) Fission gas venting and resealing, (3) Fuel bundle disassembly and close packing of fuel pins, and (4) Fuel shearing and immobilization. Systems analysis was used to develop a basis of comparison of the alternatives. Conceptual processes and facility layouts were devised for each of the alternatives, based on technology deemed feasible for the purpose. Assessments were made of 15 principal attributes from the technical, operational, safety/risk, and economic considerations related to each of the alternatives, including both the surface packaging and underground repository operations. Specific attributes of the alternative processes were evaluated by assigning a number for each that expressed its ...
In this paper we consider the adsorption of argon on the surface of graphitized thermal carbon black and in slit pores at temperatures ranging from subcritical to supercritical conditions by the method of grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation. Attention is paid to the variation of the adsorbed density when the temperature crosses the critical point. The behavior of the adsorbed density versus pressure (bulk density) shows interesting behavior at temperatures in the vicinity of and those above the critical point and also at extremely high pressures. Isotherms at temperatures greater than the critical temperature exhibit a clear maximum, and near the critical temperature this maximum is a very sharp spike. Under the supercritical conditions and very high pressure the excess of adsorbed density decreases towards zero value for a graphite surface, while for slit pores negative excess density is possible at extremely high pressures. For imperfect pores (defined as pores that cannot ...
The authors have presented results of an investigation of wettability of SiC particulates by liquid alloys of the Al-Si-Mg system. The evaluation of wetting has been carried out through the determination of the threshold pressure for infiltration of packed SiC particulates by the liquid alloy. The results indicate that whereas Si and Mg additions do not affect wetting, in the case of the ternary alloys the contact angle decreases in an amount proportional to the content of Mg[sub 2]Si.
A study of two forest areas in India investigated how much energy is wasted when high stumps are left after trees are cut to produce wooden boxes for packing the apple harvest. Measurements of the stumps determined the total wood pulp wasted, which was 1191 tons during 1981. The calorific value of the stumps would supply a year's cooking and heating fuels for 747 families of five. Additional fuel is wasted by abandoning the branches and tree tops which are unsuitable for box construction. 5 references, 4 tables.
We have continued to finish up our work on analyzing relationships between elastic properties and rock microstructure. We have worked on theoretical models for the effects of sorting and packing on elastic moduli and seismic velocities. After analyzing the scanning acoustic images of shales to quantify textures at different scales, we are now using theoretical inclusion models to quantify the elastic property variation with texture. In the closing phases of this project most of our efforts are now focused on writing up the results and preparing the final reports.
The authors report a novel configuration for a zinc-particle, packed-bed anode in which an open structure of high hydraulic permeability is maintained indefinitely in a cell with closely spaced walls by the formation of particle bridges and associated gaps. The configuration minimizes electrolyte pumping costs, allows rapid refueling and partial recharge, and provides for 100% zinc consumption. This approach benefits zinc/air fuel batteries by allowing nearly continuous operation and fuel recycle without commercial infrastructure; it benefits Zn/[Fe(CN){sub 6}]{sup {minus}3} batteries by eliminating shape-change and polarization problems found with planar anodes.
New technologies make multi-megajoule glass lasers economically feasible. Laser architectures using harmonic switchout, target plane holographic injection, phase conjugation, continuous apodization and higher amplifier efficiencies have been devised. A plan for a multi-megajoule laser which can be built for an acceptable cost relies on manufacturing economies of scale and the demonstration of the new technologies presented here. These include continuous pour glass production, rapid harmonic crystal growth, switching of large blocks of power using larger capcaitors packed more economically and by using large identical parts counts.
The marine ram-type blowout preventer deployed from an offshore drilling rig has one serious disadvantage, its inaccessibility. A development to promote reliability of the subsea ram-type preventer and reduce the excess running and pulling to charge out rams, is the variable bare ram (VBR). Unlike the standard ram, the VBR has the ability to pack off a range of pipe sizes. Interest in VBR's has been revived and research and development in this equipment goes on at each of three manufacturer's facilities in Houston.
Microporous membranes are suitable for the CO{sub 2}-MEA (monoethanolamine) system because the overall mass transfer coefficient K of the membrane is approximately 10 times larger than that of composite membranes consisting of microporous membranes and homogeneous membranes. The overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient K{center_dot} of the hollow-fiber contact is more than 5 times larger than that of a conventional packed bed, which suggests that adorption using the present method has the advantage of making the absorption more compact. 8 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.
The author describes feasibility study on the scheme of disposing spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power plant, including scheme selection, packing cask design, disposal operation and technological process, budget estimation and safety evaluation. The research results show that the new scheme is feasible on technology, and reasonable on budget. If the scheme is adopted to dispose the spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power station, it can not only save large funds, but also accumulate experience on disposing non-compressible low and intermediate level solid radioactive wastes produced at nuclear power station for the country
As a counter measure to protect against global warming, the development of CO{sub 2} recovery technology from fossil fuel power plant flue gas has continued. MEA processes are widely used for CO{sub 2} recovery from combustion flue gas in average use etc. However, if we consider power plant scale CO{sub 2} recovery, the biggest theme is the reduction of energy needed to recover CO{sub 2}. The paper focuses on sterically hindered amines and a new absorber packing. Also optimum steam system analysis results are indicated. 1 ref., 16 figs., 3 tabs.
A packed column was used for investigating the desorption rate of CO{sub 2} from aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and activated MDEA solutions. Experiments were conducted within the temperature range 30--70 C, the concentration of MDEA was 4.28 kmol/m{sup 3}, and the concentration of piperazine (PZ) was 0.10 kmol/m{sup 3} for aqueous activated MDEA solutions. Experimental data confirmed that the kinetics model of absorption CO{sub 2} into aqueous MDEA and activated MDEA solutions can be applicable to the situations in which desorption occurs, and the desorption rate of model predictions agree well with that of experimental determination.
The performance of a solar chemical heat pipe was studied using CO{sub 2}reforming of methane as the endothermic reaction. A directly heated vertical reactor, packed with a rhodium catalyst was used. The solar tests were carried out in the Schaeffer solar furnace of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The power absorbed was up to 6.3 KW, the maximal flow rates of the gases reached 11,000 1/h, and the methane conversions reached 85%. A computer model was developed to simulate the process. Agreement of the calculations with the experimental results was quite satisfactory.
... Focuses on distillation and packed towers, and presents the methods and fundamentals of plant design along with supplemental mechanical and related data, nomographs, data charts and heuristics. AU$223.45 ex-GST Terms and Conditions Microchemical Engineer... Provides the information chemists and engineers need to evaluate the use of microreactors, covering the technical, operational, and economic considerations for various applications. AU$136.36 ex-GST Terms and Conditions Perry's Chemical Engin... Was: $199.95 inc gst NOW: $129.95 Special Price ...
... Focuses on distillation and packed towers, and presents the methods and fundamentals of plant design along with supplemental mechanical and related data, nomographs, data charts and heuristics. AU$223.45 ex-GST Terms and Conditions CRC Handbook of Chemis... For almost a century this handbook has been updated annually, except for a few wartime years, and has served generations of engineers and scientists. Current daily price AU$209.09 ex-GST Terms and Conditions Perry's Chemical Engin... Was: $199.95 inc gst NOW: ...
Electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are being developed and commercialized around the world at a rate never before seen. These efforts are driven by the prospect of vehicles with lower emissions and higher fuel efficiencies. The widespread adaptation of such vehicles promises a cleaner environment and a reduction in the rate of accumulation of greenhouse gases, Critical to the success of this technology is the use of electrochemical power sources such as batteries and fuel cells, which can convert chemical energy to electrical energy more efficiently and quietly than internal combustion engines. This overview will concentrate on the work being conducted in the US to develop advanced propulsion systems for the electric and hybrid vehicles, This work is spearheaded by the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) for electric vehicles and the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicle (PNGV) for hybrid-electric vehicles, both of which can be read about on the world wide web ...
Modern high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) instruments, which are capable of a point-to-point resolution of better than 0.2 nm, have allowed atomic-scale observations of a variety of internal interfaces. The application of the HREM technique to fcc model systems for the purpose of addressing a number of interface issues will be examined in this paper. Atomic structure observations for heterophase interfaces of metal/metal and metal/metal-oxide systems as well as HREM studies of grain boundaries in NiO and Au will be discussed with emphasis on generic structural features and the role of the interface plane. Comparisons between observed interface structures and atomistic computer modeling results have shown agreements for some interfaces, as well as certain differences in others. A number of structural features are common to both metal and oxide grain boundaries, as well as certain heterophase boundaries. Of particular importance in close-packed solids appears ...
Cassava is cultivated almost all over the world and it is considered one of the most important nutritious sources of calories in the human diet. Cassava is a viable food against starvation in several poor areas of the world because it is an extremely resistant culture and may reach satisfactory economical yield. We utilized vacuum packed industrialized cassava irradiated with 0,1 kGy, 3kGy and 5kGy and stored under refrigeration for 1, 21, 30 and 50 days. Our objective was to analyse the synergistic effect of vacuum packing, irradiation and refrigeration on the preservation of minimally processed cassava. The samples were analyzed for pH, acidity, weight, humidity, texture and color. The irradiation did not affect the chemical characteristics of the cassava. Neither the pH nor the acidity, the most relevant variables to verify deterioration in cassava, presented significant alterations during the period of storage. Comparing the irradiated ...
While tritium exposure to the site-workers in Wolsung NPP is upto about 40 % of the total personnel exposure, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety has asked tritium removal facility, as one of the requirements for post reactor construction, after operation of four CANDU reactors in Wolsung site. For the purpose of essential removal of tritium from the heavy water system of the heavy water reactors, an experiment of Ar-N{sub 2} cryogenic distillation tower was carried out as a preliminary study for development of liquid-phase catalytic exchange - cryogenic hydrogen distillation process. The steady-state reached after 50 minutes under 90 K in the Ar-N{sub 2} distillation column (inner diameter 20 mm, height 500 mm) packed with Dixon ring ({phi} 3 mm x H 3 mm), and the ratios of Ar-concentration at the top and at the bottom measured by gas chromatography within {+-}1 % relative error was approximately 93 : 3. This value was distillation performances quite higher than ...
CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} catalysts are prepared by coprecipitation method, and the activity and stability in the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol are investigated in a batch reactor and packed-bed reactor. CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} mixed oxides show the higher activity than pure CeO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2}, and CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} 1/1 catalyst displays the highest activity in the CWAO of phenol. In a batch reactor, COD and TOC removals are about 100% and 77% after 120 min in the CWAO of phenol over CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} 1/1 catalyst at reaction temperature of 150 {sup o}C, the total pressure of 3 MPa, phenol concentration of 1000 mg/L, and catalyst dosage of 4 g/L. In a packed-bed reactor using CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} 1/1 particle catalyst, over 91% COD and 80% TOC removals are obtained at the reaction temperature of 140 {sup o}C, the air total pressure of 3.5 MPa, the phenol concentration of 1000 mg/L for 100 h continue reaction. Leaching ...
NIF target diagnostics are being developed to observe and measure the extreme physics of targets irradiated by the 192-beam laser. The response time of target materials can be on the order of 100ps--the time it takes light to travel 3 cm--temperatures more than 100 times hotter than the surface of the sun, and pressures that exceed 109 atmospheres. Optical and x-ray diagnostics were developed and fielded to observe and record the results of the first 4-beam experiments at NIF. Hard and soft x-ray spectra were measured, and time-integrated and gated x-ray images of hydrodynamics experiments were recorded. Optical diagnostics recorded backscatter from the target, and VISAR laser velocimetry measurements were taken of laser-shocked target surfaces. Additional diagnostics are being developed and commissioned to observe and diagnose ignition implosions, including various neutron and activation diagnostics. NIF's diagnostics are being developed at LLNL and with collaborators at ...
The report gives results of a second survey of the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system on Unit 1 of Arizona Public Service Co.'s Cholla Station. The FGD system, commercially available in December 1973, uses a limestone slurry in two parallel scrubbing m...
The transfer function concept is well known as an additional method to evaluate the impulse test of power transformers in the test laboratory. Another application for the transfer function method is monitoring of transformers in service. Thereby, Off-line and On-line monitoring can be realized. Both kinds of monitoring are demonstrated with on-site measurements on a power transformer in service.
meyer r.m. & o’brien-pallas l.l. (2010)Nursing services delivery theory: an open system approach. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(12), 2828–2838.AimThis...Full Text Available
... The structure comprises piled foundations supporting a steel frame, and is clad in both masonry and rainscreen cladding systems. The hotel is adjacent to the recently redeveloped bus station in the centre of Norwich. Related Services Structural Design Go View all Services Find Projects Sector All Sectors Buildings & Infrastructure Environment Natural Resources Transportation Sub Sector All Sub-Sectors Country All Countries Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina ...
... Further complications resulted from the requirement to use existing piled foundations and columns which had originally been designed to accommodate a six-storey office block. The hotel bedroom configurations and planning constraints were different from thos Related Services Structural Design Go View all Services Find Projects Sector All Sectors Buildings & Infrastructure Environment Natural Resources Transportation Sub Sector All Sub-Sectors Country All Countries Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Australia Azerbaijan ...
The concept of forestry-service enterprise used in the joint study (1997-7999) by the TTS-Institute and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) refers to enterprises and co-operatives (including forest workers operating as entrepreneurs) offering services in the fields of silviculture, basic forest improvement, planning and wood-harvesting sector. Companies practicing large-scale wood-conversion and traditional forestry-machine and road haulage contractors are not included in this approach. It can be estimated that there is a total of 450 such entrepreneurs in the country Those engaged in only a minor degree in providing forestry services are not included in the figure. The nation-wide research material was collected in the form of a mail questionnaire addressed to forestry-service entrepreneurs (n=320) in the spring of 1998. Almost all forestry-service entrepreneurs provide ...
Background:Timely access to publicly funded health services is a priority issue across the healthcare continuum in Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine wait list management...Full Text Available
BackgroundEffectiveness of services for patients diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI) may improve when treatment plans are needs based. A regional Cumulative Needs for Care...Full Text Available
Leveraging the potential power of even small handheld devices able to communicate wirelessly requires dedicated support. In particular, collaborative applications need sophisticated assistance in terms of querying and exchanging different kinds of data. Using a concrete example from the domain of mobile learning, the general need for information dissemination is motivated. Subsequently, and driven by infrastructural conditions, realization strategies of an appropriate middleware service are discussed.
Using histopathologic diagnoses made on necropsy material from 3,024 military working dogs (MWDs) who died from 1968 to 1973, we analyzed the effect of military service in the Republic of Vietnam on testicular pathology. Among 1,048 MWDs that died in Vietnam and had no reported developmental risk factors for testicular disease, significant excesses of testicular hemorrhage, epididymitis/orchitis, sperm granuloma, testicular degeneration, and seminoma were evident. Among 126 MWDs with prior Vietnam service who died at other duty stations outside Vietnam from 1968 to 1973, significant excesses of testicular degeneration and seminoma were likewise evident. Among 136 MWDs with prior Vietnam service that later died from 1974 to 1980, seminoma continued to be diagnosed in significant excess. In each instance, the odds ratio for the association between Vietnam service and seminoma was 2.0 or greater. Analysis ...
The following paragraphs summarize the progress of each research project funded under the WVU Cooperative Agreement during the third quarter of 1997 (July - September 1997). The projects are arranged according to their 1997 WVU task number. WVU Focus Area 1.0: Subsurface Contaminants, Containment and Remediation Task No. 1.1: Project discontinued. Task No. 1.2: Development of Standard Test Protocols and Barrier Design Models for Desiccation Barriers (K. Amininan & S. Ameri): A number of experiments were preformed this period to evaluate the ability of the dried sand-packs to act as a barrier to liquids. Water infiltration tests were done with a constant head, dispersing 80 ml of water, and by adding water in small increments. Results indicate that when the water is spilled over the sand-pack, it has the tendency to channel through the sand-pack, significantly reducing the capacity of the dried zone to retain liquid ...
The European Union (EU) market integration is leading to increasingly monopolistic electricity market infrastructures, which has opened a debate on the regulation of these so-called power exchanges. In this paper, we start by stating that there are two types of power exchanges in Europe, i.e. 'merchant' and 'cost-of-service regulated' power exchanges. We then discuss how regulation can be used to better align their incentives with the main power exchange tasks. We conclude that adopting the cost-of-service regulated model for all power exchanges in Europe could be counterproductive in the current context, but that regulation can help ensure that the benefits of the EU market integration materialize. Promising regulatory actions include tempering the reinforced market power of power exchanges, and quality-of-service regulation for the ongoing cooperation among power exchanges to organize trade across borders. - Research ...
We analyzed the effects of the Colorado Medicaid Capitation Program on the duration and services of over 21,000 outpatient mental health episodes for young children. The study spanned a three year period before and after capitation was implemented, and compared episodes of outpatient care for children from 14 capitated Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) with those from three CMHCs that remained fee-for-service. Proportional hazards regressions revealed that capitation resulted in an increase in outpatient episode duration, over and above similar effects for the comparison fee-for-service episodes. The hypothesis that there were longer capitated episodes for children who were hospitalized was not supported. Children with behavioral and anxiety disorders had longer capitated episodes. Service intensity decreased over time in the managed care sites. Changes in case mix may have had an impact on ...
The movement from traditional regulatory hearings to negotiated settlements represents both a departure from cost of service regulation and a relaxation of regulatory oversight. Under negotiation parties are able to renegotiate inclusions in their cost of service while simultaneously creating a profit margin for the regulated firm where none existed under the cost of service outcome of a traditional hearing. This paper constructs a model to illustrate the existence of positive gains to pipeline and shipper from the re-allocation of expenses through time in the regulated pipeline services market in Canada. Behaviour consistent with the model is observable in anecdotal and econometric evidence gathered from the library of the National Energy Board of Canada, responsible for pipeline toll regulation in Canada. Empirical investigation by into settlement procedures in the Florida electricity market reveals ...
ObjectivesThe expected result of the proposed research will be a complete technique for taking the decision maker through the complex process of determining what type types of flexibly delivered public transport service - if any - suits their requirements, and what service characteristics are best adapted to the constraints of their operating environment. To summarise, the objectives are to:~%~ Investigate the various factors which influence the development of an appropriate public transport system for ar [continued...]DescriptionCurrently, many statutory authorities and public transport operators are experimenting with or considering flexibly delivered public transport systems, now generally referred to as Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services, mainly with a view to improving social inclusion in rural and urban areas that are difficult to cover by conventional public transport. Statutory authorities may have some ...
We propose behavior-oriented services as a new paradigm of communication in mobile human networks. Our study is motivated by the tight user-network coupling in future mobile societies. In such a paradigm, messages are sent to inferred behavioral profiles, instead of explicit IDs. Our paper provides a systematic framework in providing such services. First, user behavioral profiles are constructed based on traces collected from two large wireless networks, and their spatio-temporal stability is analyzed. The implicit relationship discovered between mobile users could be utilized to provide a service for message delivery and discovery in various network environments. As an example application, we provide a detailed design of such a service in challenged opportunistic network architecture, named CSI. We provide a fully distributed solution using behavioral profile space gradients and small world structures. ...
As the Electric Power Industry is actively preparing for a restructured future where retail wheeling is practiced ideally and efficiently in a competitive market-based environment, concerns may arise legitimately on how system reliability and integrity can be ensured in an environment where markets have an enhanced role. As these concerns may be justified, at least for a transition period, this paper presents a proposal which outlines how the generally accepted requisite capacity, energy, and ancillary services standards may be satisfied through market reliance and minimal coordination by a Reliability Monitoring and Ancillary Services Managing Entity or Independent System Operator. A Strawman detailing one -- and by no means the only -- future scenario inspired by the recent NEPOOL restructuring discussions in New England is presented to demonstrate that market-based competition and flexibility are compatible with a reliable Power System.
In the insurance industry, spreadsheets have emerged as an invaluable tool to for product pricing, because it is relatively straightforward to create and maintain complex pricing models using Excel. In fact, Excel is often preferred to "hard-code" whenever there are frequent changes to the calculations and business logic which under-pin the pricing of an insurance product. However, problems arise as soon as spreadsheets are deployed to end-users: version control, security of intellectual property, and ensuring correct usage are obvious issues; frequently, integration with other systems is also a requirement. Zurich Financial Services Group is a leading financial services provider; several possible solutions to these problems have been evaluated, and EASA has been selected as the preferred technology. Other spreadsheet collaboration approaches which were considered include Excel Services, and/or custom-built software; ...
Purpose - The service-dominant (S-D) logic views supply chains as value co-creation networks. These networks promote knowledge growth amongst network members via resource deployment and coordination. The exchange of knowledge and utilization of operant resources among the network members leads to co-created service offerings and value proposals for the end-users, with the ultimate goal of transforming end-user experiences to perceptions of superior value-in-use. The purpose of this paper is to develop an illustration of the value co-creation concept and use this illustration as guide to examine the research gaps that are yet to be tapped in the area where supply chain networks and S-D logic intersects. Design/methodology/approach - The literature on S-D logic is reviewed and research gaps ...
A protocol adapter ideally suited to enable enterprises to gradually transition from SOAP Web Services to RESTful HTTP Web Services without impacting existing clients is presented in this paper. The inherent advantage of such a transition is the visibility of RESTful HTTP messages to Web intermediaries such as caches. In contrast, SOAP messages are opaque, which disables Web intermediaries. While both approaches can use HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for message transfer, the paradigms contrast sharply. SOAP uses an interface specific approach whereas RESTful HTTP uses a Uniform Interface approach. SOAP marks up its payload with eXtensible Markup Language (XML) whereas in certain situations RESTful HTTP requires no XML. We present the disadvantages of the SOAP approach and outline how ...
This report describes the status of nuclear safety and radiation protection in the facilities of the AREVA group and gives information on radiation protection in the service operations, as observed through the inspection programs and analyses carried out by the General Inspectorate in 2007. Having been submitted to the group's Supervisory Board, this report is sent to the bodies representing the personnel. Content: 1 - A look back at 2007 by the AREVA General Inspector: Visible progress in 2007, Implementation of the Nuclear Safety Charter, Notable events; 2 - Status of nuclear safety and radiation protection in the nuclear facilities and service operations: Personnel radiation protection, Event tracking, Service operations, Criticality control, Radioactive waste and effluent management; 3 - Performance improvement actions; 4 - Description of the General Inspectorate; 5 - Glossary.
Papers and presentations were made by all participating countries and provided a wide range of perspectives on the use of the ASSET methodology. Generally, the views expressed were positive, however, there were comments on areas were the service could be improved or enhanced. The workshop was divided into three task groups to analyze the self-assessments conducted at Krsko NPP, Slovenia; Dukovany NPP, Czech Republic; and Balakovo NPP, Russian Federation. In addition, they were asked to comment on the recommendations on the ASSET service made by the Consultants' Meeting of 26-30 August 1996 on ''Performance of the IAEA programme on Operational Safety Services''. A presentation was made by Mr. B. Thomas to remind delegates of the ASSET methodologies, and Mr. V. Sivokon demonstrated the latest developments of computer software available for assisting in the plant Self-Assessment process. Refs, figs, tabs.
This study aimed to explore the impact of perceived service quality and self-concept on consumer attitude and purchase process using channel type (physical and Internet) as a segmentation variable. From the perspective of consumer behaviour, this study attempted to estimate a relational model and perform an empirical validation using female cosmetics and skincare products as an example. It was discovered that the influence of perceived service quality and self-concept on consumer attitude, purchase intention and behaviour, satisfaction, and loyalty varied with channel type. The analysis result revealed that physical stores presented higher levels of agreement with all research perspectives than Internet stores. However, only two relational paths have a higher influencing effect in physical...
The tremendous growth of wireless technologies has introduced the potential of continuous service adaptation to the users' needs by giving them the ability to be able to select and access the proper network based on different criteria. Moreover, next generation wireless networks have been designed to provide support for multimedia services, with different traffic characteristics and different Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees. However, the expansion of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks poses new research era in the decision of the access network selection. In this paper, the existing access network selection schemes are classified into three categories: the network-centric, the user-centric and the collaborative sche...
Integrated femtocell/macrocell networks, comprising a conventional cellular network overlaid with femtocells, offer an economically appealing way to improve coverage, quality of service, and access network capacity. The key element to successful femtocells/macrocell integration lies in its self-organizing capability. Provisioning of quality of service is the main technical challenge of the femtocell/macrocell integrated networks, while the main administrative challenge is the choice of the proper evolutionary path from the existing macrocellular networks to the integrated network. In this article, we introduce three integrated network architectures which, while increasing the access capacity, they also reduce the deployment and operational costs. Then, we discuss a number of technical issues, which are key to making such integration a reality, and we offer possible approaches to their solution. These issues include efficient frequency and ...
Smart metering is required by the EU and will be implemented in Germany during the next few years, but customers are not much interested in ''intelligent meters''. Displays and information services may ensure higher acceptance and additional use and provide an incentive for saving energy. In a pilot programme in BAvaria, Eon tested the customers' reaction to such a system. Smart metering technology and long-wave services were combined into an overall system that helps customers save energy. (orig.)
ContextCost advantage has been one of the primary drivers of successful offshoring engagements of Indian software and services companies. However, the emphasis has shifted to the ability of the vendors to provide high quality over cost advantage in delivering software products and services. Meeting high quality requirements of the clients is a challenge due to the very nature of development and delivery of software through offshoring. ObjectiveThe objective of this research paper is to identify and evaluate the key determinants of quality in the case of software projects delivered through offshoring model. MethodA detailed survey was conducted among project managers/project leaders (leads) of a leading midsize Indian IT services company to evaluate the relationship of the determinants on t...
A growing concern about the consumer behavior in Internet economy has spurred the study of Material Flow, resulting in a unique type of consumer behavioral analysis. This research proposes an enhanced conceptual model for Personalized Material Flow Services for consumer behavior. In the era of Internet information technology, customer?s taste tends to be personalized for their market demand. It is observed that there are number of ?Long Tail? phenomena in several successful e-commerce business cases. However, the Long Tail phenomenon is an open question for our research in terms of its role in e-commerce marketing. In the proposed model-X-Party Personalized Material Flow Services, three elements are discussed. They are ?providing?, ?locating? and ?obtaining? based on X-Party Material Flow ...
Background: As the global population ages, support for family caregivers who provide the bulk of care to community-dwelling older people is becoming ever more important. However, in many countries, homecare-service practitioners currently do not follow a systematic approach to assessing and responding to caregiver needs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers and practitioners who took part in a field test of the Family Caregivers Support Agreement (FCSA) tool, a modified version of the Carers Outcome Agreement Tool (COAT) initially developed as the result of an Anglo-Swedish study. Both the COAT and the FCSA are designed to facilitate partnerships between caregivers and practitioners so that needs assessment and subsequent support services are negot...
In this review, we demonstrate the developmental appearance, structural features, and reorganization of transient cerebral zones and structures in the human fetal brain using a correlative histological and MRI analysis. The analysis of postmortem aldehyde-fixed specimens (age range: 10 postovulatory weeks to term) revealed that, at 10 postovulatory weeks, the cerebral wall already has a trilaminar appearance and consists of: (1) a ventricular zone of high cell-packing density; (2) an intermediate zone; (3) the cortical plate (in a stage of primary consolidation) with high MRI signal intensity. The anlage of the hippocampus is present as a prominent bulging in the thin limbic telencephalon. The early fetal telencephalon impar also contains the first commissural fibers and fornix bundles in the septal area. The ganglionic eminence is clearly visible as an expanded continuation of the proliferative ventricular zone. The basal ganglia showed an initial aggregation of ...
The objective of this work is to improve the process for CO{sub 2} capture by alkanolamine absorption/stripping by developing an alternative solvent, aqueous K{sub 2}CO3 promoted by piperazine (PZ). Pilot plant testing was performed in a 16.8-inch ID absorber and stripper with recirculation of air and CO{sub 2}. Three solvents (7 m MEA, 5 m K{sup +}/2.5 m PZ, and 6.4 m K{sup +}/1.6 m PZ) were tested in four campaigns with three different absorber packings. Pilot plant testing established that 5 m K{sup +}/2.5 m PZ requires two times less packing than 7 m MEA and three times less packing than 6.4 m K{sup +}/1.6 m PZ. A rigorous model of the thermodynamics and mass transfer was developed in the RateSep{trademark} block of AspenPlus{reg_sign}. The double matrix stripper reduces energy consumption by 5 to 15%. The best K{sup +}/PZ solvent, 4 m K{sup +}/4 m PZ, and the best process configuration, double matrix stripper with a ...
The Authenticated Tracking and Monitoring System (ATMS) has been designed to address the need for global monitoring of the status and location of proliferation-sensitive items. Conceived to utilize the proposed Global Verification and Location System (GVLS) satellite link, ATMS could use the existing International Maritime Satellite commercial communication system until GVLS is operational. The ATMS concept uses sensor packs to monitor items and environmental conditions, collects a variety of events data through a sensor processing unit, and transmits the data to a satellite, which then sends data to ground stations. Authentication and encryption algorithms will be used to secure the data. A typical ATMS application would be to track and monitor the safety and security of a number of items in transit along a scheduled shipping route. This paper also discusses a possible proof-of-concept system demonstration.
In this work, a mixed cationic--anionic [i.e. cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-sodium octyl sulphate] surfactant system was used to synthesize the magnetite particles. The loading content of iron ions (Fe{sup 3+} and Fe{sup 2+}) into the surfactant system was varied to study its effect on the formation of magnetite, magnetic and morphological properties of the magnetite particles encapsulated by the surfactant vesicles. It has been verified that the vesicle-encapsulated magnetite particles with sizes from 100 to 200 nm were formed, which were almost independent of the loading content of iron ions. However, the morphological structure of the magnetite particles was dependent on the loading content of iron ions and there existed an optimal loading content for a full packing of the surfactant vesicles with the magnetite particles.
In this work, a mixed cationic--anionic [i.e. cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-sodium octyl sulphate] surfactant system was used to synthesize the magnetite particles. The loading content of iron ions (Fe"3"+ and Fe"2"+) into the surfactant system was varied to study its effect on the formation of magnetite, magnetic and morphological properties of the magnetite particles encapsulated by the surfactant vesicles. It has been verified that the vesicle-encapsulated magnetite particles with sizes from 100 to 200 nm were formed, which were almost independent of the loading content of iron ions. However, the morphological structure of the magnetite particles was dependent on the loading content of iron ions and there existed an optimal loading content for a full packing of the surfactant vesicles with the magnetite particles.
Medicinal plants i.e. dried seeds of myristica argentea, myristica fragrans, coriandrum sativum and foeniculum vulgare were stored for 0 and 6 months, with and without gamma irradiation at 5 kGy. No detectable changes were seen in infrared and UV spectra, GLC chromatograms and refraction indices of steam distilled, essential oils from the irradiated medicinal plants. The same results were also obtained from irradiated samples stored for 6 months at ambient conditions. Storage for 6 months caused significant changes in the gas liquid chromatograms and UV spectra of all samples compared to non-stored samples. The moisture content of all samples packed in polyethylene bags seems to be constant after 6 months of storage. No measurable changes were found in the amount of essential oil content caused by irradiation.
Summary 1. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, bison Bison bison and elk Cervus canadensis nelsoni act as hosts for Brucella abortus. The presence of B. abortus within wildlife populations is an important conservation issue because of the risk of brucellosis transmission from wildlife to cattle. 2. We investigated conditions facilitating contact between bison (40-60% seroprevalence) and elk on a shared winter range in the Madison headwaters area of Yellowstone National Park. We evaluated the effects of snow pack, season, elk and bison population sizes, and wolf Canis lupus predation risk on the degree of spatial overlap between bison and elk from 1991 to 2006. 3. Sixty-eight per cent of 10 093 independent elk observations occurred within the known bison wintering range, 29% occurred with...
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As thin films become increasingly popular (for solar cells, LEDs, microelectronics, batteries), quantitative morphological information is needed to predict and optimize the film's electronic, optical and mechanical properties. This quantification can be obtained quickly and easily with X-ray diffraction using an area detector and synchrotron radiation in two simple geometries. In this paper, we describe a methodology for constructing complete pole figures for thin films with fiber texture (isotropic in-plane orientation). We demonstrate this technique on semicrystalline polymer films, self-assembled nanoparticle semiconductor films, and randomly-packed metallic nanoparticle films. This method can be immediately implemented to help understand the relationship between film processing and microstructure, enabling the development of better and less expensive electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Improved radionuclide generator include a substantially insoluble salt of a radioactive parent which may be directly packed in column for subsequent elution of the daughter radionuclide. An improved 188Re generator was prepared by reacting a radioactive tungsten (188W) as parent radionuclide incorporated with aluminum chloride to obtain an insoluble radioactive aluminum tungstate matrix. The investigated matrix was characterized on the basis of the chemical composition, IR, thermal analysis and mechanical stabilities. The factors affecting the elution performance were studied such as influence of pH, molar ratio and drying temperature. From the obtained data, the molar ratio W:Al was 1.5:1 at pH?=?4, the matrix dried at 105??C for 2 h. Chromatographic and multichannel analysis has been cur...
A detergent-containing radioactive liquid waste originating from atomic power plants is concentrated to have about 10 wt. % detergent concentration, then dried in a thin film evaporator, and converted into powder. Powdered activated carbon is added to the radioactive waste in advance to prevent the liquid waste from foaming in the evaporator by the action of surface active agents contained in the detergent. The activated carbon is added in accordance with the COD concentration of the radioactive liquid waste to be treated, and usually at a concentration 2-4 times as large as the COD concentration of the liquid waste to be treated. A powdery product having a moisture content of not more than 15 wt. % is obtained from the evaporator, and pelletized and then packed into drums to be stored for a predetermined period.
A detergent-containing radioactive liquid waste originating from atomic power plants is concentrated to have about 10 wt. % detergent concentration, then dried in a thin film evaporator, and converted into powder. Powdered activated carbon is added to the radioactive waste in advance to prevent the liquid waste from foaming in the evaporator by the action of surface active agents contained in the detergent. The activated carbon is added in accordance with the COD concentration of the radioactive liquid waste to be treated, and usually at a concentration 2-4 times as large as the COD concentration of the liquid waste to be treated. A powdery product having a moisture content of not more than 15 wt. % is obtained from the evaporator, and pelletized and then packed into drums to be stored for a predetermined period.
The relaxations of the Ti(0001) and Zr(0001) surfaces are studied using the plane-wave-basis pseudopotential method within the local-density approximation. We find that the first interlayer spacings of Ti(0001) and Zr(0001) are contracted with respect to the bulk spacings by 6.8% and 6.1%, respectively. Such large relaxations for the close-packed surfaces of Ti and Zr are in good agreement with recent linear-augmented-plane-wave calculations. In addition, we predict a weak vibrational effect on the surface relaxation of Zr(0001) by considering the free energy in the quasiharmonic approximation. This result can be attributed to a very strong bonding between the first- and second-layer Zr atoms as a consequence of the bond-order endash bond-length correlation. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society.
Photodestruction has received much attention in recent years. In particular, titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) and ozonolysis have attained a position of prominence. These technologies hold promise for the destruction of trace amounts of aqueous high explosives that are generated by load and pack operations, as well as demilitarization activities. Currently this water is treated by passing through a bed of activated carbon. The carbon is then steam regenerated and reused, thus creating a second waste stream which must be disposed of, or the carbon is burned directly. Recent trends in environmental regulation have shown that this may not be a viable option for process water remediation in the future. This talk will discuss efforts to employ alternate aqueous treatment techniques that not only remove the explosives compounds but are able to transform the parent compound into carbon dioxide and water. Titanium dioxide photocatalysis as well as UV-ozone photolysis will be ...
The development of central receiver technology for the production of electricity is reasonably well established. One possible direction for future research and development efforts funded by the Department of Energy is high-temperature, high-performance systems. In this paper, the performance of central receiver systems is investigated for a range of heliostat sizes, field configurations, plant sizes, and receiver temperatures. The maximum plant efficiency achievable in a central receiver system that uses simple cavity geometry is shown for a range of receiver temperatures. The impact of changes in heliostat size, field packing density, and canting and focusing strategies on system efficiency are investigated over a range of plant sizes. The results of the study underscore the importance of accommodating high absorber plane fluxes in order to efficiently produce working temperatures at or above 1200/sup 0/C.
A dense Pd-Ag membrane reactor (MR) with 100% hydrogen selectivity packed with either Rh/La2O3 or Rh/La2O3-SiO2 as catalysts was used to carry out the dry reforming of methane. The membrane reactor simulation was performed using a well-known reactor model. For this purpose, we employed the equations derived from complete kinetic studies of the dry reforming of methane reaction in connection with both catalysts. In addition, we developed the kinetic equation for the reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS). The combination of detailed kinetic studies with the measured permeation flux for the Pd-Ag membrane allowed a complete comparison between experimental and simulated operation variables. The variables studied for both catalysts were methane conversion and hydrogen permeation as a function...
Application of an optimization technique to extract the non-ideal parameters of gas absorption with chemical reactions process was described. The gas absorption was modeled using mass transfer theory to represent the realistic behaviors of an absorber. The model was a highly non-linear iterative model which correlated the overall rate of absorption as the function of unknown non-ideal parameters, including the physical liquid mass transfer coefficient and the wetted interfacial area of of packings. The optimization program was developed to minimize the sum of squares of relative errors between the model predictions and the experimental data. Four sets of experimental data (case studies) with different operating conditions were used for extracting parameters. Comparisons between predicted and experimental measured overall absorption rate were in good agreement, average absolute value of relative errors not exceeding 5.4 %. 18 refs., 3 tabs., 4 figs.
In 1934, Reinhardt asked for the centrally symmetric convex domain in the plane whose best lattice packing has the lowest density. He conjectured that the unique solution up to an affine transformation is the smoothed octagon (an octagon rounded at corners by arcs of hyperbolas). This article offers a detailed strategy of proof. In particular, we show that the problem is an instance of the classical problem of Bolza in the calculus of variations. A minimizing solution is known to exist. The boundary of every minimizer is a differentiable curve with Lipschitz continuous derivative. If a minimizer is piecewise analytic, then it is a smoothed polygon (a polygon rounded at corners by arcs of hyperbolas). To complete the proof of the Reinhardt conjecture, the assumption of piecewise analyticity must be removed, and the conclusion of smoothed polygon must be strengthened to smoothed octagon.
A mathematical model of multichannel radiometric inspection system was developed, in which the measurement results are reproduced in the form of a half-tone image equivalent to the radiation image of the irradiated object. The model makes the following assumptions: the beam of radiation is fan-shaped; the object of inspection is scanned discretely; the focal spot of the source is rectangular; the apertures of the detector are round, and the detectors themselves are equidistant from the sources, aimed at it, and form a close-packed array; the signals from the detectors are processed according to a time scheme; and the measurement results are corrected in a computer for normalizing the gains of the channels of the system. The mathematical model can serve as the basis for developing a method of calculating the optimal parameters of a multichannel radiometric system with visualization of the radiation images. 14 refs., 2 figs.
On efficient glass capillary columns packed with graphitized thermal carbon black (GTCB) the stereoisomers of aromatic and saturated tricyclic hydrocarbons are completely separated and identified. The Henry's adsorption constants of the individual isomers were determined from mixture at different temperatures. Five isomers of perhydroanthracene, five isomers of perhydrofluorene, two isomers of perhydrophenalene, four isomers of perhydroacenaphthene, as well as phenalene, dihydrophenalene, acenaphthene and acenaphthylene were investigated. The increase of the hydrogenization degree of unsaturated tricyclic hydrocarbons reduces the retention. Among the saturated tricyclic isomers the retention becomes shorter with the larger bending of the molecules, i.e. from the molecule having more equatorial bonds to the molecules having more axial connections. The experimentally determined Henry's constants were qualitatively compared with the structure of the ...
The microstructure and tensile properties of Ti-44Al-6V-3Nb-0.3Y (at.%) alloy after canned forging were investigated. SEM results showed that the TiAl pancake exhibits inhomogeneous microstructure, which can be ascribed to the temperature drop and friction between billet and outer pack during forging, as well as the intrinsic anisotropy of lamellar colony. By means of TEM observation and EBSD analysis, the microstructure in the dominant area of the pancake was further characterized. This deformation area consists of 87.7% content of g grains plus some refined lamellar colonies and the rest of B2 grains. The grain size ranges between 1mm and 8.5mm. High-angle boundaries dominate the deformation microstructure, several substructures and twins are observed as well. Additionally, current forge...
The separation and the mechanism of retention of ion associates of #alpha#-isomers of molybdic and tungstic heteropoly acids (HPA) of phosphorus(5), silicon(4), and germanium(4) with trioctylamine (TOA) on a column (80x3 mm) packed with Diasorb-130-CN (8 #mu#m) were studied in a flow of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran (THF) and chloroform-n-butanol-TOA mixtures with spectrophotometric detection at 320 nm. It is demonstrated that the adsorption of all the studied ion associates proceeds through the displacement THF molecule from the surface of the stationary phase and without the displacement of TOA molecules. Conditions for the separation of phospho- and silicomolybdic HPA and also phospho- and germanolybdic HPA were found. The chromatographic system using silica gel modified with nitrile groups as the stationary phase is of higher selective than that using ummodified silica gel.
Large-scale three dimensional molecular dynamics simulations of hopper flow are presented. The flow rate of the system is controlled by the width of the aperture at the bottom. As the steady-state flow rate is reduced, the force distribution P(f) changes only slightly, while there is a large change in the impulse distribution P(i). In both cases, the distributions show an increase in small forces or impulses as the systems approach jamming, the opposite of that seen in previous Lennard-Jones simulations. This occurs dynamically as well for a hopper that transitions from a flowing to a jammed state over time. The final jammed P(f) is quite distinct from a poured packing P(f) in the same geometry. The change in P(i) is a much stronger indicator of the approach to jamming. The formation of a peak or plateau in P(f) at the average force is not a general feature of the approach to jamming.
The losses of Hg from phenol formaldehyde resin - bound standards and hair samples in neutron activation analysis in case of their irradiation in the water filled nuclear reactor channel is studied. The mean losses of Hg during 20-30 hrs irradiation at (2-3)x10"1"8 n/cm"2 are 15-20% with their stopping at double Al-covers. The mean losses of Hg from standards at 200, 250 and 300 deg C are 30, 61 and 86% respectively and do not occur at 150 deg C after their 5 hour heating. The losses of Hg from hair samples packed in polyethylene tubes through the package walls in experimental conditions are not observed.
The development of a twinned microstructure in hexagonal close-packed rolled magnesium compressed in the in-plane direction has been monitored in situ with neutron diffraction. The continuous conversion of the parent to daughter microstructure is tracked through the variation of diffraction peak intensities corresponding to each. Approximately 80% of the parent microstructure twins by 8% compression. Elastic lattice strain measurements indicate that the stress in the newly formed twins (daughters) is relaxed relative to the stress field in the surrounding matrix. However, since the daughters are in a plastically 'hard' deformation orientation, they quickly accumulate elastic strain as surrounding grains deform plastically. Polycrystal modeling of the deformation process provides insight about the crystallographic deformation mechanism involved.
Soybean is one of the most economical and nutritious food packed with basic nutrients that combat diseases stemming from mal- and under-nutrition. Despite its rich nutritional profile, use of soybean in food has been limited because soybean proteins are often associated with compounds, which could exert a negative impact on the nutritional quality of the protein. Trypsin inhibitor (TI) is one of the important anti-nutritional factors that exert negative effect by causing growth inhibition. Soybean cultivar VLS-2 was irradiated with 250 Gy gamma rays in a gamma cell (200) with 60Co source installed at BARC to induce mutations for low trypsin inhibitor content. Three mutants with lower levels of TI content were identified and can be utilized for developing elite varieties of soybean. (author)
A qualitative method, involving supported liquid?liquid extraction (SLE) and ultra high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS?MS), was developed for the rapid tentative identification of various drugs of abuse in urine. In this study, 28 drugs and metabolites were covered by the screening procedure. Before analysis, urine samples were extracted by SLE and good extraction recoveries were obtained for most investigated compounds. The UHPLC strategy was then selected for the rapid separation of amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and related compounds in urine. Using columns packed with sub-2??m particles, analysis time was reduced down to 2?min, while maintaining acceptable performance. Finally, the detection was by tandem MS operating in the single reaction...
Presented in this report are the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the more than 5,800 applications of Grafoil on-plant. The subject all-graphite product was originally made by the Union Carbide Corporation. Its utilization in the forms of valve packing, gasketing and sealant tapes for leak repair and prevention on-plant since March 1970 is marked with typical zero-leak results. For all practical purposes, the successful results with Grafoil implementation indicate an unqualified control of leakage problems that began in 1967 with the V-11 and V-12 valves in the primary system of N Reactor. Meaningfully, the accruals of savings with existing and future applications shall continue to be incalculable in personnel exposure, maintenance, and capital. Inherent in the savings are the devised methodology and innovative developments coordinately employed in resolving the leak repair problems.
The possibility of employing a number of adsorbents (polyphenylquinoxaline, Tenax GC, Carbopak C, graphitized thermal carbon black, silica gels modified with pyrocarbon or hexamethyldisilazane) for the trapping of organic traces from air has been investigated. Adsorption capacities of these adsorbents with respect to a number of volatiles released from certain plastics used as building material (polyvinylchloride, Relin, Acronal, etc.) have been measured. A number of the volatiles were identified by gas chromatography - mass-spectrometry after trapping on the adsorbents investigated. Chromatographic separation after trapping on the adsorbents was carried out on wall-coated open-tubular capillary columns as well as in capillary columns packed with graphitized thermal carbon black.
We demonstrate experimentally that the route to a jammed state for a set of bi-dispersed frictional disks, subjected to uni-axial compression from a random initial unjammed state, consists of a consolidation state, a fragile jammed state, and finally a rigid jammed state. In the consolidation regime, the pressure on the sides increases very slowly with the packing fraction {phi} and there are no detectable stress chains. In the fragile jammed state, stress chains are visible, the pressure increases exponentially with {phi}, and the fraction of moving disks drops exponentially. Eventually, a final regime where particle displacements are below our resolution and the pressure varies approximately linearly with {phi} is reached. We argue that this scenario is generic for ather mal frictional compressed particles.
Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out of the radial distribution function of the hard sphere fluid for a range of densities in the equilibrium fluid and just into the metastable region. The first derivative of the hard-sphere radial distribution function at contact was computed and its density dependence fitted to a simple analytic form. Comparisons were made with semi-empirical formulae from the literature, and of these the formula proposed by Tao et al (1992 Phys. Rev. A 46 8007) was found to be in best agreement with the simulation data, although it slightly underestimates the derivative at the higher packing fractions in excess of about 0.45. Close to contact, within a few per cent of the particle diameter, the radial distribution function can be represented well by a second order polynomial. An exponential function, which has some useful analytic features, can also be applied in this region.
Abstract A series of studies performed at our center demonstrates that gaseous microemboli (GME) remain a challenge in cardiac surgical procedures. Evaluation of novel oxygenators must address hemodynamic parameters and microemboli capture capability. The objective of this study is to compare two neonatal membrane oxygenators, the Quadrox i (MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG, Hirrlingen, Germany) and the Capiox RX05 (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), with respect to GME capture and hemodynamic energy delivery. The experimental circuit included a Maquet HL 20 heart lung machine, a Heater Cooler Unit HCU 30 (MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG), a membrane oxygenator (Quadrox i Neonatal or Capiox RX05), and inch tubing from the COBE Heart/Lung Perfusion Pack (COBE Cardiovascular, Inc., Arvada, CO, USA). A Ca...
We investigate the limiting behavior of random tree growth in preferential attachment models. The tree stems from a root, and we add vertices to the system one-by-one at random, according to a rule which depends on the degree distribution of the already existing tree. The so-called weight function, in terms of which the rule of attachment is formulated, is such that each vertex in the tree can have at most K children. We define the concept of a certain random measure mu on the leaves of the limiting tree, which captures a global property of the tree growth in a natural way. We prove that the Hausdorff and the packing dimension of this limiting measure is equal and constant with probability one. Moreover, the local dimension of mu equals the Hausdorff dimension at mu-almost every point. We give an explicit formula for the dimension, given the rule of attachment.
This paper is concerned with the study of the Electrorheological RayleighTaylor instability (ERTI) at the interface between a densely packed saturated poorly conducting couple stress porous layer accelerated by a lighter poorly conducting couple stress fluid in a thin shell in the presence of a transverse electric field and laser radiation. A simple theory based on fully developed flow approximations is used to derive the dispersion relation for the growth rate of ERTI. The cutoff and the maximum wave numbers and the corresponding maximum frequencies are obtained. It is shown that the effects of couple stress parameter and the electric field reduce the growth rate considerably compared to a non-conducting fluid in the absence of an electric field. These are favorable to control the surface...
A systematic study of the effects of environmental factors on nylon 66 and Kevlar 29 strength degradation in parachute components is being conducted at Sandia National Laboratories. It includes: (1) accelerated aging studies in air, inert environments, humidity, ozone, and smog; (2) a 25-year surveillance program of parachutes in a variety of natural climatic environments; (3) moisture absorption as a function of humidity; (4) effects of surface coatings normally applied to parachutes; and (5) development of nondestructive evaluation techniques which can be used to map mechanical properties over the entire parachute surface. The accelerated aging and moisture absorption studies show that air, humidity, and smog contribute to degradation. Chemiluminescence, gas chromatographic pyrograms, and uv spectroscopy show promise as nondestructive evaluation techniques.
A study was undertaken to assess the effect of different storage temperatures on senescence and postharvest performance of isolated flowers of Ranunculus asiaticus L.. The main aim of the work was to develop a cost-effective storage protocol to reduce the postharvest losses and to bring out the transportation of cut flowers of R. Asiaticus. The flowers were subjected to two different storage treatments, dry storage and wet storage, and their postharvest performance was compared under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, the buds were harvested at 8:00 AM at loose bud stage (Stage II of flower development). The harvested buds were cut to a uniform size of 15 cm and processed for dry or wet storage. For dry storage, the buds were packed after wrapping them in moistened filter papers and ...
Tricking filters are a very promising alternative for the post treatment of effluents from UASB reactors treating domestic sewage,especially in developing countries. Although a fair amount of information is already available regarding organic mater removal in this combined system, very little is known in relation to nitrogen and surfactant removal in trickling filters post-UASB reactors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect evaluate and compare the effect of different application rates and packing media types on trickling filters applied to the post-treatment of effluents from UASB reactors, regarding the removal of ammonia nitrogen and surfactants. (Author)
The phase transformations and properties of a precipitation-hardened Ni-Cr-based alloy are investigated as a function of C, B, Nb, and Cr contents. It is found that the primary role of Nb consists in the formation of an independent phase, delta-Ni3Nb, a part of a gamma/gamma-prime-delta eutectoid (for high C and B concentrations) and in stimulating the gamma-sigma reaction consecutively with the gamma double prime-delta reaction (for low C and B concentrations). In both cases, the long-term strength characteristics of the Nb-alloyed system are relatively low. The substitution of boron for carbon contributes to a reduction in the number of nucleation sites for topologically close-packed phases and to the formation of more stable (with respect to excess compounds) M3B2 and MB2 borides. The high-boron material exhibits better properties and phase stability under mechanical and thermal loading. 13 references.
In this work AISI 1045 steel were duplex treated via plasma nitriding of chromized layer. Samples were pack chromized by using a powder mixture consisting of ferrochromium, ammonium chloride and alumina at 1273K for 5h. The samples were then plasma-nitrided for 5h at 803K and 823K, in a gas mixture of 75%N2+25%H2. The treated specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Vickers micro-hardness test. The thickness of chromized layer before nitriding was about 8mm and it was increased after plasma nitriding. According to XRD analysis, the chromized layer was composed of chromium and iron carbides. Plasma nitriding of chromized layer resulted in the formation of chromium and iron nitrides and carbides. The hardness of the duplex layer...
Injections of fuel-grade ethanol (95% v/v ethanol, 5% v/v hydrocarbon mixture as a denaturant) near the water table were conducted in two-dimensional physical models tightly packed with fine sands under varying water-table conditions. As the fuel migrated in the porous media following injection, the denaturant phase separated leaving a residual Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) phase that occupied a region with a volume similar to that of an equal-sized spill of 100% LNAPL without ethanol. When the water table was raised, as may be expected following a catastrophic release that reaches groundwater, most of the ethanol-fuel mixture was mobilized and the vertical distribution of the generated LNAPL was increased. The lower boundary of the residual LNAPL was established during the initia...
A parachute system was designed and prototypes built to deploy a telemetry package behind an earth-penetrating weapon just before impact. The parachute was designed to slow the 10 lb. telemetry package and wire connecting it to the penetrator to 50 fps before impact occurred. The parachute system was designed to utilize a 1.3-ft-dia cross pilot parachute and a 10.8-ft-dia main parachute. A computer code normally used to model the deployment of suspension lines from a packed parachute system was modified to model the deployment of wire from the weapon forebody. Results of the design calculations are presented. Two flight tests of the WBS were conducted, but initiation of parachute deployment did not occur in either of the tests due to difficulties with other components. Thus, the trajectory calculations could not be verified with data. Draft drawings of the major components of the parachute system are presented.
In the new system presented in this paper, the cement clinker is sintered, not in a rotary kiln, but in two different furnaces: a spouted bed kiln and a fluidized bed kiln. The heat generated in the process of cooling the cement clinker is recovered by a fluidized bed cooler and a packed bed cooler, which are more efficient than the conventional coolers. Compared with the rotary kiln system, the new technology significantly reduces NO{sub x} emissions, appreciably cuts energy consumption, and reduces CO{sub 2} emissions as well. Thus, the new system is an efficient cement sintering system that is friendly to the global environment. In this paper, we describe this new technology as one of the applied technologies at an industrial level that is being developed in the Clean Coal Technology Project, and we present the results from test operations at our pilot plant.
A distillation column with an adjustable slope horizontal rectification section was constructed. A rotating screw brush was inserted into the section, which could be rotated from 0 to 600 rpm with an external motor. Distillation experiments were carried out using the system cyclohexane-heptane at total reflux at slopes of 0(horizontal), 5 and 10 degrees. Separation efficiency for the horizontal column was the highest of the three orientations, and was obtained as HETP from 0.04 to 0.16 m at F-factor of 0.05 to 0.4 m/s(kg/m{sup 3}){sup 1/2} in the range of 100 to 600 rpm. The HETP for each slope was roughly constant at a rotation speed of more than 300 rpm. The values of the pressure drop were found to be equivalent to those of one seventh to one fifth of conventional packed columns. (author)
This paper presents a general high level estimation model of communication throughput for the implementation of a given communication protocol. The model, which is part of a larger model that includes component price, software driver object code size and hardware driver area, is intended to be general enough to be able to capture the characteristics of a wide range of communication protocols and yet to be sufficiently detailed as to allow the designer or design tool to efficiently explore tradeoffs between throughput, bus widths, burst/non-burst transfers and data packing strategies. Thus it provides a basis for decision making with respect to communication protocols/components and communication driver design in the initial design space exploration phase of a co-synthesis process where a large number of possibilities must be examined and where fast estimators are therefore necessary. The fill model allows for additional (money) cost, software code size and hardware ...
Recently, foods are often exposed to radiation under packed states with various wrapping materials. In this study, the effects of #gamma#-ray radiation were investigated on the additives in wrapping materials on the market. 10 - 50 kGy #gamma# radiation was irradiated to samples under sealed condition in a glass-ware. Polyethylene bag and wrapping film, polypropylene wrapping film, cup and sheet, and polystyrene cup were used as samples. And the additives in these materials were analyzed by GC/MS to evaluate the radiation effects on them. The irradiation was found to induce rapid degradation of antioxidants, especially, Irgafos 168. Some fatty acid amides used as a lubricant and a plasticizer, DBP were also reduced, but not aliphatic hydrocarbons. However, all polystyrene products used in this study included no additives. The contents of styrene dimer and trimer in those wrapping materials were not changed by #gamma#-irradiation. (M.N.)
This paper describes the development and testing of a system to provide isolated power to the cathode-subsystem electronics of an x-ray tube. These components are located at the cathode potential of several hundred kilovolts, requiring a supply of power isolated from this high voltage. In this design a fiber-optically connected photonic power system (PPS) is used to recharge a lithium-ion battery pack, which will subsequently supply power to the cathode-subsystem electronics. The suitability of the commercially available JDSU PPS for this application is evaluated. The output of the ppe converter is characterized. The technical aspects of its use for charging a variety of Li-Ion batteries are discussed. Battery charge protection requirements and safety concerns are also addressed.
The effect of air addition on biomass tar conversion in catalytic packed bed crackers was studied using both an isothermal micro reactor and a fluidised bed bench scale biomass gasification set up with down stream tar crackers. The micro reactor was applied for experiments with artificial biomass producer gas containing naphthalene as a model tar compound. Experiments were carried out with inert silica and catalytically active calcined dolomite bed material both with and without air addition. Experimental results with real tar from the fluidised bed bench scale gasification set up were in qualitative agreement with results from the micro reactor experiments. (author)
The total amount of uranium dissolved in seawater at a uniform concentration of 3 mg U/m{sup 3} in the world's oceans is 4.5 billion tons. An adsorption method using polymeric adsorbents capable of specifically recovering uranium from seawater is reported to be economically feasible. A uranium-specific nonwoven fabric was used as the adsorbent packed in an adsorption cage 16 m{sup 2} in cross-sectional area and 16 cm in height. We submerged three adsorption cages in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 20 m at 7 km offshore of Japan. The three adsorption cages consisted of stacks of 52 000 sheets of the uranium-specific non-woven fabric with a total mass of 350 kg. The total amount of uranium recovered by the nonwoven fabric was >1 kg in terms of yellow cake during a total submersion time of 240 days in the ocean.
The total amount of uranium dissolved in seawater at a uniform concentration of 3 mg U/m3 in the world's oceans is 4.5 billion tons. An adsorption method using polymeric adsorbents capable of specifically recovering uranium from seawater is reported to be economically feasible. A uranium-specific nonwoven fabric was used as the adsorbent packed in an adsorption cage 16 m2 in cross-sectional area and 16 cm in height. We submerged three adsorption cages in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 20 m at 7 km offshore of Japan. The three adsorption cages consisted of stacks of 52 000 sheets of the uranium-specific non-woven fabric with a total mass of 350 kg. The total amount of uranium recovered by the nonwoven fabric was >1 kg in terms of yellow cake during a total submersion time of 240 days in the ocean.
This study investigated the optimum polyphenol extraction conditions for two Nigerian green leafy vegetables, Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) that are widely used for food and medicinal purposes. Seven different solvents were used to extract the total phenolic contents of the leaves; 100% acetone, 80% acetone, 50% acetone, 100% ethanol, 70% ethanol, 100% methanol and 70% methanol and their total phenolic contents were determined. The results showed that the 80% acetone was significantly (p<0.05) the most effective for polyphenol extraction from the leaves and generally the acetone-containing solvents were more effective than alcohol-containing solvents. The 80% acetone extract was fractionated on a silicic acid-packed column to give two main fractions: acetone elute...
Novel and unprecedented ion exchange resin cleaning system, for use in BWR plants and featuring a vibration separator and basic design factors of Radiological Solutions, Inc., had been delivered to Tokai No. 2 Power Station, Japan Atomic Power Company, in October 2005. This compactly-designed system effectively separates crud and resin fines from ion exchange resins, with no clogging of separation screens. It generates minimized waste liquid and has a specially designed over-pack cleaning tank. The system has been in operation for about 2 years and half now and favorable operational data, such as crud and sulfate concentration decrease in feed water and reactor water respectively, and evaluation results have been reported from Japan Atomic Power Company and so on. (author)
In this study, sulfured orange peel (MOP) was used as adsorbent to investigate its adsorption behaviors of Pb^2^+ and Zn^2^+ from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution pH, adsorption time and metal ion concentration on adsorption were studied in batch experiments. Both adsorption kinetics of Pb^2^+ and Zn^2^+ proceeded rapidly and could be well described by pesudo-second-order equation. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities for Pb^2^+ and Zn^2^+ removal by MOP were evaluated as 164 and 80mg/g, respectively. A binary mixture of Pb^2^+ and Zn^2^+ was studied by using a packed column, suggesting that effective mutual separation and pre-concentration of Pb^2^+ away from Zn^2^+ using MOP could be satisfactory achieved. The results indicate that MOP could be employed as an effective lo...
Hydrogen molecule adsorption on the (0001) surface of double hexagonal closed packed americium has been studied in detail within the framework of density functional theory. Weak molecular hydrogen adsorptions were observed. The most stable configuration corresponded to a Hor2 approach molecular adsorption at the one-fold top site where the molecule's approach is perpendicular to a lattice vector. Adsorption energies and adsorption geometries for different adsorption sites will be discussed. The change in work functions, magnetic moments, partial charges inside muffin-tins, difference charge density distributions and density of states for the bare Am slab and the Am slab after adsorption of the hydrogen molecule will be discussed. Reaction barrier for the dissociation of hydrogen molecule will be presented. The implications of adsorption on Am 5f electron localization-delocalization will be summarized.
The authors describe a small doubly reflecting research furnace. Its optical components, a heliostat and a concentrating array of hexagonal-in-plan-form mirrors, focus sunlight at the aperture of a cavity receiver. A perfect paraboloid of revolution would have given higher concentration ratios. But large paraboloids are difficult to make and manipulate. Small hexagons are convenient and can be close packed. Spherical mirrors centered on a sphere simplified construction and were economical. In this note they use a simple model to describe the radial distribution of the normal flux at the focus of such an array. A schematic representation of a cross section of the concentrator mirror array in a plane which includes its axis is shown.
Highly water-repellent surfaces have been prepared from arrayed nanowires of zinc oxide (ZnO) by a treatment with stearic acid. The layers are electrochemically deposited on a nanocrystalline seed layer from an oxygenated aqueous zinc chloride solution. An advancing contact angle (CA) as high as 176{sup 0} is obtained with a very small hysteresis {approx}1{sup 0}. These results, supplemented by infrared spectroscopy, show that the stearic acid forms a very well-packed self-assembled monolayer. The CA measurements show a very good stability of the treated surface even when exposed to harsh conditions or long-term ambient illumination.
One of the requirements for a federated information system is interoperability, the ability of one computer system to access and use the resources of another system. This feature is particularly important in biomedical research systems, which need to coordinate a variety of disparate types of data. In order to meet this need, the National Cancer Institute Center for Bioinformatics (NCICB) has created the cancer Common Ontologic Representation Environment (caCORE), an interoperability infrastructure based on Model Driven Architecture. The caCORE infrastructure provides a mechanism to create interoperable biomedical information systems. Systems built using the caCORE paradigm address both aspects of interoperability: the ability to access data (syntactic interoperability) and understand the data once retrieved (semantic interoperability). This infrastructure consists of an integrated set of three major components: a controlled terminology service (Enterprise ...
One of the requirements for a federated information system is interoperability, the ability of one computer system to access and use the resources of another system. This feature is particularly...Full Text Available
are you exchanging data or metadata through specific agreements with a defined number of partners? or are you intending to make data or metadata available in a more "open" environment, with the expectation that it may be used by a potentially unlimited number of services? ...
This presentation outlined the corporate history of the Ohmega Group, a small company from Gaspe, Quebec which offers consulting services to the automation and telecommunication sector. It was created in 1982 and has been involved with the wind power industry since 1996. The main services provided by Ohmega Group include electrical and mechanical construction and maintenance services. This paper also reviewed the benefits of using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the wind power industry to monitor, control and collect data from wind turbines. The Ohmega Group has provided consulting services to Cartier Wind Energy Inc., a company that was awarded several wind turbine projects by Hydro-Quebec Distribution. The Ohmega Group applied the SCADA system at the Baie des Sables, Anse a Valleau and Carleton wind turbine arrays. The typical architecture of SCADA systems on a wind farm ...
PURPOSECost-sharing, intended to control the “over-use” of healthcare resources, may also reduce utilization of necessary services. The influence...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to define and characterize the costs associated with trauma care at a level I trauma center. Once the costs were identified, attending physician-led teams were designed...Full Text Available
Polyethylene gas piping is expected to be in service for times on the order of 50 years depending on service conditions. Therefore research research on piping materials and pipes has two principal objectives: (a) developing methods for predicting when a pipe will fail and (b) improving the material for piping. The prediction of long time failure hinges on the development of short time test methods which relate to long time failure. The improvement in the behavior of current materials also hinges on the use of test methods of short duration relative to the anticipated life time of the pipe in service. One of the primary criterion for an acceptable test method is that it produces the same type of failure as is observed after long time failure in service. It has been found that P.E. pipe material fails in a brittle mode after long periods of time. The failure mode is called brittle because there is little ...
BackgroundIn 1998, the U.K. National Health Service Information for Health Strategy proposed the implementation of a National electronic Library for Health...Full Text Available
BackgroundDespite having the largest population in Africa, Nigeria has no accurate population based data to plan and evaluate eye care services. A national survey was undertaken...Full Text Available
Objectives:The supermarket industry now services many customers through online food shopping over the Internet. The Internet shopping process offers a novel opportunity...Full Text Available
This Mini-Computer-Assisted Nursing Management System allows nursing to control staffing costs and more effectively relate staffing to patient care requirements. Nursing resources are prospectively...Full Text Available
BackgroundCharacterizing infectious disease burden in Africa is important for prioritizing and targeting limited resources for curative and preventive services and monitoring the...Full Text Available
A century of technical development put steam turbines on a high level regarding efficiency and reliability. This procedure is still ongoing. The technological-commercial point of view - influenced intensively by liberalisation of the energy-market - makes great demands on field services. Well suited concepts in service and modernization are the solutions, as shown in NPP Emsland upgrade. [German] Ein Jahrhundert technischer Entwick lung brachte Dampfturbinen auf ein hohes Niveau bezueglich Effizienz und Zuverlaessigkeit. Dieser Vorgang ist auch in der heutigen Zeit nicht ab geschlossen. Die technologisch-wirtschaftliche Betrachtungs weise '' von der Liberalisierung des Strommarktes intensiv beeinflusst '' stellt dementsprechend hohe Anforderungen auch an den Kraftwerksservice. Massgeschneiderte Modernisierungs- und Servicekonzepte sind die Antwort, wie das Beispiel Kernkraftwerk Emsland zeigt. (orig.)
The Space Task Group in its study of future directions in space, with ..... almost $6 billion and a peak civil service and contractor work force of 420000 people. ..... space organizations permitting assumptions of primary or joint responsibility for ...
A HydroSele S seal from James Walker has provided more than two years maintenance-free service at the large Entracque pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme in Italy.
For the last four years, scientists at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory have been searching for alternative soil and crop management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon and nitrogen sequestration. ¿If we can redu...
Over the past 10 years, the Peruvian National Tuberculosis (TB) Program, the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Socios en Salud, and US partners have worked to strengthen the national TB laboratory...Full Text Available
This issue of Barrages newsletter comprises three articles. The first article treats of the quality approach relative to the organization of the inspections of big and medium size dams. It summarizes the improvements of this approach added in 2003 after analysis of the experience feedback. The second article presents the conclusions of the decennial and annual inspections of dams in exploitation. Only the observations requiring a special follow-up are reported. The last article summarizes the activities of the control services for the third quarter of 2003: decennial and annual visits, important facts, administrative instructions, studies, projects and works, organization of services, technical studies etc.. (J.S.)
This document defines analytical services the Waste Sampling and Characterization Facility (WSCF) shall provide the Environmental Compliance Program (ECP) throughout calendar year (CY) 2000. Two organizations within ECP are responsible for monitoring liquid and gaseous effluents and the environment immediately around facilities that contain or may contain radioactive and hazardous materials. Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), of Fluor Hanford Environmental Services, is responsible for effluent monitoring data, and Environmental Monitoring & Investigations (EMI), of Waste Management Technical Services, Inc., for near-facility environmental monitoring data. These organizations serve numerous projects, some of which are managed by other companies such as CH2M HILL and Bechtel Hanford, Inc. Monitoring data are collected and evaluated to determine their state of compliance with applicable federal and state regulations ...
This paper examines the current military working dogs (MWD) program, its historical roots, and the possibility for expansion of the program. Current service MWD programs will be discussed, as well as possible models for change. The primary focus is on the...
ObjectivesTo examine the strength of the volume–outcome relationship among paramedics, a group of providers that has not been previously studied in this context. By identifying...Full Text Available
IntroductionResearch is an essential tool in facing the challenges of scaling up interventions and improving access to services. As in many other countries, the translation of research...Full Text Available
This document was requested by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Based on the State Underground Injection Control Program, as described in the Washington Administrative Code, French drains and reverse wells are being registered as Class V wells. Information on out-of-service French drains, out-of-service reverse wells, and out-of-service cribs that are deeper than their largest surface dimension is also provided. The data for this submittal were taken from the Waste Information Database System (WIDS) and the Hanford Environmental Compliance Record (HECR) database. The current definition used in WIDS for an ''inactive facility'' is one that either no longer receives waste or plans to in the future. The facilities listed in WIDS as inactive have all been listed as ''out-of-service.'' Information concerning the deactivation ...
Background In May 2000, AstraZeneca launched a Web service for asthma patients and health-care providers called LinkMedica, which includes an asthma diary for...Full Text Available
BackgroundQuality of Life measurements are necessary tools for effectively evaluating health services. In the population of patients afflicted with war-related blindness in Iran,...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe authors present an Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) server, designed and developed as a proof of concept of the revised prEN13606:2005 European standard concerning...Full Text Available
Prospects for using new structural materials instead of Grade 08Kh18N10T steel for making heat-transfer tubes for horizontal steam generators with the purpose to increase their service life from 30?40 to 60 or more years are considered.
This program focused on practice-level service change as a means of improving patient care and developing leadership skills of 19 general practitioners (GPs) and aimed to: promote and support change...Full Text Available
May 1, 2011 ... Onboard Systems Record Unique Videos of Space Missions ... Corporation, An artist's rendering of LCROSS launching toward the Moon .... Station (ISS) as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. ...
The evolution of drug resistant bacteria is a severe public health problem, both in hospitals and in the community. Currently, some countries aim at concentrating highly specialized services in large...Full Text Available
retirement of the Dean H. Mitchell Station Installation of three new flue gas desulfurization systems (FGD) at Schahfer 14, Schahfer 15, and Michigan City 12 Upgrades to...
This document is a biography of the renowned nuclear chemist, Glenn T. Seaborg. It covers his career over the presidential terms of Franklin Roosevelt through George Bush. It contains many personnel accounts of historic events. Photographs of Seaborg and the various Presidents are presented.
The 2010 leave year ends with pay period 201101 (ending January 1, 2011). ... The agencies must also ensure that FERS employees receive the appropriate Agency Automatic (1%) ... Voluntary Leave Transfer Program/Advance Sick Leave ...
Service, Alaska Regional Office Prince William Sound, photo: Mandy Lindeberg Office of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) Damage Assessment and Restoration About NOAA Fisheries' EVOS...
Jun 28, 2000 ... Right now, my biggest project is working with students. ... RE: [Joni- JoniHarbottle/stilwellMiddleSchool] I have 2 dogs, ... you have to go through the military or any other special services to be the payload scientist? ...
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This article explores the effects of reimbursement and utilization control policies on utilization patterns and spending for physician and hospital outpatient services under state Medicaid programs....Full Text Available
Background:The aim of present study is to determine the long-term results of patients who undergo pars plana vitrectomy after retained nucleus into the vitreous.Setting:Service...Full Text Available
This is a description of the preliminary local design specifications of the Central Computing Network Security Controller. The external interface to the Central Computing Network is not described, but the functions and services to be provided are included as justification for the local design.
Have a question about CPR? Click Here To Ask The Doctor Learn CPR is a free public service supported by the University of Washington School of Medicine . Learn the basics of CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The American Heart Association issued updated ...
RESUME: Cet article propose une tude du r le croissant que joue l valuation dans la gouvernance des services domicile en Europe. L introduction de quasi march s dans plusieurs pays europ ens va de pair avec un processus d autonomisation de la fonction d valuation qui devient un v ritable outil de r gulation de la concurrence. Une analyse compar e des situations en Belgique, France et Royaume Uni, tant de la demande que de l offre de services, met en vidence les tensions r currentes dans les objectifs de l valuation (qualit des services, ma trise des budgets sociaux, cr ation d emploi), la faible prise en compte de la qualit de l emploi ainsi que les limites des dispositifs standardis s d valuation au regard de la rh torique du libre choix de l usager (consommateur).
In the information age, information utilities like libraries are as sensitive to the stresses of change as any other organization. This article is a case study of a small, specialized medical library...Full Text Available
In this paper the authors show the means putting in place for examination of steam generators tubes. These means (eddy current probes, ultrasonic testing) associated with a knowledge on degradation phenomena allow mapping controlled tubes and limiting undesirable obturations.
BackgroundSurveillance data allow for analysis, providing public health officials and policy-makers with a basis for long-term priorities and timely information on possible outbreaks...Full Text Available
The Clinical Summary is a Web-based application for accessing the clinical database at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The application has been developed to give physicians in our health care community...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe Government has invested £7 million (approx. $11.5 million) to connect all Primary Care Practices in Scotland to the National Health Service...Full Text Available
BackgroundDuring the past 2 decades, there has been a rapid proliferation of "health examination center (HEC)" across China. The effects of their services on public's health have...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
Objectives. Thousands of Louisiana residents were asked to boil water because of widespread disruptions in electricity and natural gas services after Hurricane Rita. We sought to assess...Full Text Available
Between 50 and 70% of patients with a terminal illness indicate a preference to remain at home for as long as possible until their death. Nevertheless, a much smaller percentage actually die at home...Full Text Available
Special Operations Forces (SOF) within a Joint Task Force are controlled by a Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF). Presently, JSOTF headquarters are formed around the core of the Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), a service SOF headquarter...
The Fifteenmile Basin Habitat Improvement Project is an ongoing multi-agency effort to improve habitat in the Fifteenmile drainage and increase production of the depressed wild, winter steelhead run. Cooperating agencies include the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, USDA Forest Service. USDA Soil Conservation Service and Bonneville Power Administration. in consultation with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is administering project work on state and private lands and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service is administering project work on National Forest land. Project work on the Forest has been sub-divided into four components; (1) Ramsey Creek, (2) Eightmile Creek, (3) Fifteenmile Creek, and (4) Fivemile Creek. Forest Service activities in the Fifteenmile basin during 1988 involved habitat improvement work on Ramsey Creek, continuation of physical and ...
Presentation of electromagnetic sources constituted by various radio transmitters contributing to different radio communication services in the environment. Results of a measures campaign to assess the electromagnetic field in the close neighbourhood of various stations. Analysis by frequency domains. (author)
Recent years have seen closer links developing between general practitioners and mental health specialists. A study was undertaken in Manchester to determine the effects of a new community mental health...Full Text Available
Ever-changing audio technology requires that National Library Service NLS always be aware of developments and prepare carefully for any systematic changes that may be desired or required. Usefulness, cost effectiveness, thoughtful stewardship, and educate...
BackgroundChina has had no effective and systematic information system to provide guidance for strengthening PHC (Primary Health Care) or account to citizens on progress. We report...Full Text Available
Will the aging of Canada's population bankrupt the health care system? In this issue (see pages 1555 to 1560) Dr. Marie Demers reports that the increase in physician service costs for elderly people...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND. In recognition of the emotional problems which frequently underlie somatic complaints, practices increasingly offer counselling as part of their services to patients. In an inner city practice,...Full Text Available
This report consists of an executive summary; eight sections dealing with various processes for coal liquefaction and research and development engineering services; and a glossary. An abstract was prepared for each of the eight sections. (EJH)
You receive an annuity if eligible -- requires 18 months service for FERS; and 60 ... You may use up to 104 hours of your accrued sick leave to care for sick family ...
The changes envisaged in the Management's draft plan will focus the resources of the Laboratory on the LHC project and its completion. One of CERN's largest areas of spending is in Industrial Service Contracts, which currently amount to nearly 15% of the CERN budget. At present more than 2000 people have access to CERN through such contracts, although the nature of the contracts means that expenditure is not only on labour but also on materials. The revised cost to completion of the LHC has caused understandable concern that savings in Industrial Services will give rise to job losses at CERN, and rumours of '500 lay-offs' appeared in some newspaper reports. These reports were based on misunderstanding and speculation rather than the actual plan being prepared at CERN. The current proposal regarding expenditure on Industrial Services - which is supported by the findings of Task Force 3 - is to redirect about CHF170 M to the ...
This report describes Northern Indiana Public Service Co. project efforts to develop an automated energy distribution and reliability system. The purpose of this project was to implement a database-driven GIS solution that would manage all of the company's gas, electric, and landbase objects.
Public health activities, especially infectious disease control, depend on effective teamwork. We present the results of a pilot audit questionnaire aimed at assessing the quality of public health services...Full Text Available
The purpose of the study was to investigate the adequacy of educational services available for the implementation of the ideals of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Southern Nigeria. Using the multistage sampling technique, 800 primary school teachers were selected from the three geo political zones in Southern Nigeria as participants in the study. However, 1457 usable copies of the questionnaire administered to participants were used for the final study. The researchers collected and analyzed data to (1) Ascertain how free the UBE was in Southern Nigeria and (2) to determine if educational services were adequately provided for the implementation of the programme. Results of data analysis suggest that the UBE was not entirely free as parents still buy books and report cards for their children in primary schools. Also, educational services were not adequately provided in the schools. Recommendations were made to ...
Sep 9, 2009 ... You are here: GES DISC Home Geomorphology from Space By Location Landforms by Location: Asia. Info. Landforms by Location: Asia. KEY, ASIA ...
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...
BackgroundSocial isolation affects a significant proportion of older people and is associated with poor health outcomes. The current evidence base regarding the effectiveness of...Full Text Available
Geothermal energy is one of the more promising renewable energy technologies because it is environmentally benign and, unlike most renewable energy sources, can provide base power. This report provides an assessment of the research and development (R&D) work underway in geothermal energy in the following countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom. While the R&D work underway in the US exceeds the R&D efforts of the other countries, the lead is eroding. This erosion is due to reductions in federal government funding for geothermal energy R&D and the decline of the US petroleum industry. This erosion of R&D leadership is hindering commercialization of US geothermal energy products and services. In comparison, the study countries are promoting the commercialization of their geothermal energy products and services. As a result, some of these countries, in particular Japan, will probably ...
BackgroundErrors have been the concern of providers and consumers of health care services. However, consumers' perception of medical errors in developing countries is rarely explored....Full Text Available
Studies of the associations between air pollution and hospital admissions and emergency room use are reviewed, including studies of air pollution episodes, time-series analyses, and cross-sectional...Full Text Available
Most hospitals today are quickly developing special programs and services that are designed to compete for physicians and patients, and ultimately fill unoccupied beds. In an attempt to attract physicians...Full Text Available
separation and arrival planning to the Air Traffic Service Providers (ATSP). ... a safe, highly efficient flow of traffic from enroute into TRACON airspace that reliably ..... AGARD Lecture Series 200 Presentation, Madrid, Spain, Paris, France, and ...
...2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of Federal Supply Schedules. 8.404 Section 8.404 Federal...REGULATION ACQUISITION PLANNING REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Federal Supply Schedules 8.404 Use of Federal Supply...
...false Priorities for use of Government supply sources. 208.002 Section 208...ACQUISITION PLANNING REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES 208.002 Priorities for use of Government supply sources. (a)(1)(v)...
...8Eligibility Criteria: Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Guidance for Paragraph...at-risk for emotional/behavioral disorders and their parents to help...Evaluation Team for Emotional/behavioral Disorders: Psychologist,...
...2010-10-01 false Standards for health information technology to protect electronic health information...DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION...
...standards and implementation specifications for exchanging electronic health information. 170.205 Section 170.205 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY...
...false Additional requirements for health plans. 162.925 Section 162.925 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE...925 Additional requirements for health plans. (a) General rules....
...dates of the implementation of the standard unique health identifier for health care providers. 162.404 Section 162.404 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE DATA...
...2010-10-01 false Special rules relating to group health plans. 146.145 Section 146.145 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GROUP HEALTH...
...discrimination against participants and beneficiaries based on a health factor. 146.121 Section 146.121 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GROUP HEALTH...
42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false 8-Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship Program for Indians J Subdivision J Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF...
42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false 3-Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship Program for Indians J Subdivision J Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF...
The Atomic Energy commission of Syria (AECS) is nominated by Syrian legislation as the regulatory authority in respect of radiation protection and safety and security of radioactive sources. In addition AECS is providing a wide range of Technical Services (TS) through its various departments. In this paper, the cooperation and coordination between the regulatory authority and the providers of technical services in Syria are described. The adjustment of the regulatory programme as to make maximal use of the available technical resources is presented. It was shown that this relationship does not jeopardize the effective independency of the regulatory authority which is maintained by keeping the regulatory decisions based on pure regulatory considerations. (author)
The report gives results of an analysis of the effect of the availability of a flue gas desulfurization system on the ability of an individual power plant to generate electricity at its rated capacity. (The availability of anything is the fraction of time it is capable of service, whether or not it is actually in service.) Also analyzed are its effects on a power generating system (a group of several coal-, oil-, and gas- fired power plants plus nuclear and hydroelectric plants).
All sections of the third edition of this well-known textbook have been revised and enlarged in consequence of the change-over to SI units. Numerous examples and illustrations have been included or replaced by new ones. The book considers the latest research results as well as the constructive developments of industrial steam turbine construction. On a scientific basis, this plain book imparts basic knowledge of the design, calculation, execution, condensation and performance in service of steam turbines of all types. The well-founded introduction, together with many calculated examples addresses the student as well as the engineer.
This document defines the services the Waste Sampling and Characterization Facility (WSCF) shall provide the Effluent and Environmental Monitoring Program (EEM) throughout the calendar year for analysis. The purpose of the EEM Program is to monitor liquid and gaseous effluents, and the environment immediately around the facilities which may contain radioactive and hazardous materials. Monitoring data are collected, evaluated, and reported to determine their degree of compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and permits.
A self contained continuous power generation system as described at INTELEC 1979, was successfully commissioned and put into service in a major communications centre at Cardiff in Wales. The objective was to provide all telecommunications equipment and electrical building engineering services from a dual fuel enginegenerating plant, and to recover waste heat energy to heat or cool the building. The plant, which is fully automatic, comprises five 1300kW engines using natural gas or diesel oil, and associated waste heat boiler and chiller systems. This paper reviews the functioning of the plant during its first three years of operation.
The achievement of governmental transformation through the use of electronically delivered services is a worthy goal that requires significant planning and research to achieve. In order to reach transformational paradigm shifts in governmental operation, it will first be necessary to understand and optimize present governmental e-Service provisions. Of these, the revenue function of taxation is paramount. This paper describes factors related to the use and acceptance by accounting professionals of information technology intended to facilitate electronic tax filing systems. Though tested in the context of governmental tax management systems in Turkey, our findings on the use and acceptance of e-Tax systems are relevant and applicable to a great number of nations and contexts as the ongoing ...
Steam generator tube denting is primarily caused by build-up of corrosion products at the tubesheet and the tube support plates. The mechanism of dent growth and the identification of tubes which should be removed from service have been studied. The practical outcome has been to prevent in-service tube leaks and to avoid unnecessary plugging of large numbers of tubes. A finite element study of tubesheet deformation (of pulled leaking tubes from reactors) was undertaken. Profilometry results for characterizing dents are given. Although several modifications have been made the high resolution profilometry system performance and the results obtained have proved satisfactory. (U.K.).
The quality of the end product from andrology services continues to lack consistency and in some cases fails to meet the needs of the end users (patients or clinicians). Results of external quality assessment (EQA) schemes continue to show unacceptably wide variation for the results of a single specimen. Some laboratories are able to show that the results of semen analyses relate to both natural and assisted pregnancy and are therefore useful in the management of the infertile couple, whereas others claim that their value is limited to the identification of severe male factor infertility. With wide variation in standardisation of methodology, levels of staff training and quality assurance, it is entirely understandable that such discrepancies persist. The following article proposes that Qu...
This article examines the interplay between globalising and localising forces occurring in a child welfare reform project in South Korea. Focusing especially on care and education services for children and families provided by the Korean 'Dream Start' programme, which provides comprehensive health, parental involvement and welfare services to low-income children and their families, I discuss its involvement in the process of 'glocalisation'. Drawing on Foucaultian ideas, I conducted a critical discourse analysis of the policy documents of Dream Start. The article concludes by discussing local resistance to the creation of a cosmopolitan child and the dual qualities of inclusion/exclusion inscribed in the Dream Start project.
To support the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI), a study was performed to investigate power system alternatives for the rover vehicles and servicers that were subsequently generated for each of these rovers and servicers, candidate power sources incorporating various power generation and energy storage technologies were identified. The technologies were those believed most appropriate to the SEI missions, and included solar, electrochemical, and isotope systems. The candidates were characterized with respect to system mass, deployed area, and volume. For each of the missions a preliminary selection was made. Results of this study depict the available power sources in light of mission requirements as they are currently defined.
This document provides guidance for modeling and inspecting energy-efficient property in commercial buildings for certification of the energy and power cost savings related to Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code enacted in Section 1331 of the 2005 Energy Policy Act and noted in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2006-52. Specifically, Section 179D provides federal tax deductions for energy-efficient property related to a commercial building's envelope; interior lighting; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; and service hot water systems.
This document provides guidance for modeling and inspecting energy-efficient property in commercial buildings for certification of the energy and power cost savings related to Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code enacted in Section 1331 of the 2005 Energy Policy Act and noted in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2006-52. Specifically, Section 179D provides federal tax deductions for energy-efficient property related to a commercial building's envelope; interior lighting; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; and service hot water systems.
In order to improve the capacity and service life of cathodes, the effect of carboxy-methyl cellulose, soot, silica gel and fibres was examined. Structural tests and electrical and electro-chemical measurements are used for this. The additives can affect crystallization in the manufacturing stage of the electrodes and can increase the storage capacity for water and the electronic conductivity. They act to stabilize the mass in cyclic operation. Soot additive has little effect on the properties of the electrode, but the other substances increase the service life or the use of the mass. (LU).
Due mainly to competitive pressures, the practice of offering electric and telephone service under contracts or special tariffs negotiated individually between a utility and its customers has increased in importance in recent years. Moreover, the practice is likely to become still more widespread in the future. This creates questions of public policy that are of interest to regulators and ratepayers alike such as how to supervise the practice, how to encourage utilities to compete while preventing cross-subsidization and anticompetitive behavior, and how the practice will ultimately affect utilities and ratepayers. This report sheds light on the topic by describing approaches that have been taken by the various regulatory commissions and by providing a framework for analyzing such contractors.
The effect of aging on the microstructure and tensile properties of a type 316LN stainless steel/Alloy 800 joint, welded with 16-8-2 stainless steel consumable, has been studied to characterize and evaluate the joint for long-term elevated temperature service. The joint was subjected to accelerated againg heat treatments at 873 K up to 5000 h to simulate long-term service exposures. Analysis of the results from this investigation shows that this joint has adequate stability of microstructure and tensile properties even after prolonged exposure at elevated temperatures. (orig.)
Marketing-led enterprise change management initiated by a major UK contractor is explored in this paper as a contrast to procurement-led changes to projects driven by clients. Procurement-led initiatives try to induce changes to behaviour through market governance. Relationship marketing and management proactively change organizational behaviour, the enterprise taking responsibility for its own destiny. Investment and resource allocation, and organizational behaviour have posed constraints, particularly concerning service continuity in construction. Overcoming these constraints offers opportunities for delivering service improvements and adding value for clients and yielding further increases in repeat business and increasing profitability. Relationship marketing is the conceptual starting...
Although there is service experience of Alloy 800 as tubing for superheaters in conventional and nuclear (HTR) power stations and in PWR heat exchangers, there is no corresponding service experience in sodium-cooled fast reactor steam generators. However, some limited experimental studies have been made of corrosion behaviour, and of possible structure modifications and effects on mechanical properties which occur during exposure of this material to a high temperature sodium environment, and these are summarised in the paper. It is concluded that further work needs to be done before Alloy 800 can be confidently endorsed for use as tubing in fast reactor steam generators. (author).
With the prevalence and development of GNSS technologies, location-based vehicle services (LBVS) have experienced a rapid growth in recent years. However, location is a sensitive and private piece of information, so the design and development of such services just take the clients' privacy concerns into account. In this paper, we propose a new electronic toll pricing system based on group signatures, which provides a strong guarantee for the clients' anonymity within groups. Our system achieves a balance between privacy and the communication overhead imposed upon the users.
Since the first commercial operation in 1983, Wolsung unit 1 has experienced several aging phenomena, especially in pressure tubes and feeder pipes. In case of pressure tubes, in-service inspections (ISI) revealed that a major portion of inspected tubes was in contact with calandria tubes. The likelihood of blister formation was a safety concern because it is a potential threat to pressure tube integrity. Wolsung unit 1 was, therefore, subjected to the SLAR (Spacer Location And Reposition) work to separate the contacted pressure tubes from calandria tubes. In this paper, experience of in-service inspection to the pressure tubes will be discussed including the irradiation creep elongation and CIGAR (Channel Inspection and Gauging Apparatus for Reactors) examination of pressure tubes. On the other hand, the problem of wall thinning in the feeder pipes became of great concern since 1996. Inspections, in compliance with CSA N285.4, were conducted ...
Since the first commercial operation in 1983, Wolsung unit 1 has experienced several aging phenomena, especially in pressure tubes and feeder pipes. In case of pressure tubes, in-service inspections (ISI) revealed that a major portion of inspected tubes was in contact with calandria tubes. The likelihood of blister formation was a safety concern because it is a potential threat to pressure tube integrity. Wolsung unit 1 was, therefore, subjected to the SLAR (Spacer Location And Reposition) work to separate the contacted pressure tubes from calandria tubes. In this paper, experience of in-service inspection to the pressure tubes will be discussed including the irradiation creep elongation and CIGAR (Channel Inspection and Gauging Apparatus for Reactors) examination of pressure tubes. On the other hand, the problem of wall thinning in the feeder pipes became of great concern since 1996. Inspections, in compliance with CSA N285.4, were conducted ...
The Zap Xebra Electric Truck is fitted with 23 Li-Ion Cells from China providing a nominal voltage of 72V and a nominal capacity of 400AH. The Li-Ion cells weighing 13 kg each, making the total weight of the battery pack approx. 300 kg. A Battery Management System (BMS) from Lithium Balance is installed to ensure safe, reliable and maximum performance of the batteries. The testing of the Zap Xebra Electric Truck included two kinds of test, a Stop-and-Go test and a range test. Our Stop-and-Go test consists of accelerating the vehicle for 1 km (0.62mi), braking and then accelerate for 1 km(0.62mi), counting the number of stop-and-goes. Our range test is a real-world test including stops, accelerations, driving in the city and in the countryside, going uphill and downhill. This test shows the average range that the end user will experience. Looking at the results of both the tests and comparing them with the data of a Xebra with Pb-acid batteries, we can conclude that ...
Radioactive wastes are generally classified into 3 type depending on their physical property: liquid, solid and gaseous type. State-of -the art concerning liquid waste treatment has already been published; KAERI/TR-1315/99. Solid wastes classification package and treatment method will be studied to effectively manage them during the practical decommissioning work. All of the spent fuel produced during the operation of the TRIGA Mark-2 and 3 have been transported to the US last year, 1998, according to the spent fuel management strategy set-up by the US government for the non-proliferation of nuclear energy. Solid wastes are mainly all equipment existing inside of the reactors, activated concrete among the bio-shielded concrete, pipes, pimps, resin filter and it's housings, heat-exchangers, liquid waste storage tanks, to radioactive waste storage treatment facilities and so on. Solid wastes are generally low-level. They are classified according to the national regulation and ...
Fuel irradiation leads to a swelling resulting from the formation of gaseous (Kr, Xe) or solid fission products which are found either in solution or as solid inclusions in the matrix. This phenomena has to be evaluated to be taken into account in fuel cladding Interaction. Fuel swelling was studied as a function of burn up by measuring the corresponding cell constant evolution by X-Ray diffraction. This study was realized on Mixed Oxide Fuels (MOX) irradiated in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) at different burn-up for 3 initial Pu contents. Lattice parameter evolutions were followed as a function of burn-up for the irradiated fuel with and without an annealing thermal treatment. These experimental evolutions are compared to the theoretical evolutions calculated from the hard sphere model, using the fission product concentrations determined by the APPOLO computer code. Contribution of varying parameters influencing the unit cell value is discussed. Thermal treatment effects were ...
The design of separation devices, particularly for solvent-based selective removal of H{sub 2}S from CO{sub 2}, requires an accurate mathematical model. Unfortunately, this requirement for high accuracy is often in conflict with the need for efficient computation. The addition of more and more complicated analyses, such as a move from Henry's law to a method incorporating gas and liquid activities for computing vapor liquid equilibria, may give a more accurate solution, but only at the cost of decreased computational efficiency. The efforts in this work have been directed toward two goals. The first was to develop an accurate mathematical model for the aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) system. The steady-state packed column model developed in this work has been tested with data from Schubert (1988) to verify its accuracy. The second goal was to modify the model to improve its computational efficiency. Areas such as vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations, ...
Studies were made on different types of packaging materials used for packing dried fish in the Philippines with a view to finding a suitable packaging material for irradiated dried fish. Among these packaging materials (polyethylene, cello/polyethylene, polyester/polyethylene, Kraft paper, polypropylene and interwoven polypropylene sacks), polyester/polyethylene laminate was the most resistant material against penetration by Dermestes carnivorous. No insect damage occurred on the dried fish packed in interwoven polypropylene lined with polyester/polyethylene laminate. The cost per sack of such packaging material having a capacity of 50-80 kg is US$ 0.50. The sack lined with polyester/polyethylene proved to be durable for surface transportation from Bacolod City to Manila (approx. 360 miles). Radiation treatment at 225 krad was effective against bacterial contamination but not effective in inhibiting mould growth. Raw fish soaked in 25% salt for ...
The objective of the study was the kinetic modeling of the effect of storage temperature on the quality and shelf life of chilled fish, modified atmosphere-packed (MAP), and osmotically pretreated with the addition of nisin as antimicrobial agent. Fresh gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fillets were osmotically treated with 50% high dextrose equivalent maltodextrin (DE 47) plus 5% NaCl. Water loss, solid gain, salt content, and water activity were monitored throughout treatment and treatment conditions were selected for the shelf life study. Untreated and osmotically pretreated slices with and without nisin (2 x 10(4) IU/100 g osmotic solution), packed in air or modified atmosphere (50% CO(2)-50% air), and stored at controlled isothermal conditions (0, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C) were studied. Quality assessment and modeling were based on growth of several microbial indices, total volatile nitrogen, trimethylamine nitrogen, lipid oxidation ...
A combined application of several microtechniques is presented and discussed with the Ti/TiO_2 and Zr/ZrO_2-systems as an example. All measurements were carried out on single grains of technical materials in order to detect and quantify the effect of substrate microstructure on the properties of anodic passive films formed potentiodynamically in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 (dU/dt = 20 mVs"-"1). Anisotropy-micro-ellipsometry (AME) was employed to determine the crystallographic orientation of the substrate grains along with passive film thickness and crystallinity in dependence on the anodization potential. Both the isotropic (amorphous) TiO_2- and the anisotropic (crystalline) ZrO_2-films exhibit a systematic dependence of film thickness on the grain orientation. Local LASER-scanning photocurrent measurements (#lambda#=257 nm) on the same grains likewise show a heterogeneity of the photoelectrochemical reactivity in all cases. This is quantitatively explained by the results from local electrochemical ...
Prototype tests conducted during the winter of 1989/90 have successfully demonstrated an economical design for air stripping volatile hydrocarbons from oily tanker ballast water. The prototype air stripper, developed for Alyeska's Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) facility in Valdez, Alaska, ran continuously for three months with an average removal of 88% of the incoming volatile organics. Initially designed to remove oil and grease compounds from tanker ballast water, the BWT system has been upgraded to a three-step process to comply with new, stringent regulations. The BWT biological oxidation process enhances the growth of bacteria present in the incoming ballast water through nutrient addition, aeration, and recirculation within a complete-mixed bioreactor. The average removal of BETX is over 95%, however, occassional upsets required the placement of a polishing air stripper downstream of the aeration tanks. Packed-tower air stripping was investigated but ...
A system is described adapted for alternative use as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig and adapted for connection to a permanent housing attached to rig structural members beneath a drilling rig rotary table, the permanent housing having an outlet connectable to a rig fluid system flow line. The system consists of: a fluid flow controller having a controller housing with a lower cylindrical opening and an upper cylindrical opening and a vertical path therebetween and a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided in its wall, a packing element disposed within the controller housing, and annular piston means adapted for moving from a first position to a second position, whereby in the first position the piston means wall prevents interior fluid from communicating with the outlet passages in the controller housing wall and in the second position the piston means wall allows fluid communication of interior fluid with ...
A fast and simple flow-through optosensor was designed and characterized for the direct screening of four tetracycline (TCC) antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline) in water and bovine milk samples. The proposed optosensor provides rapid binary yes/no overall responses, being appropriate for the screening of this family of antibiotics above or below a pre-set concentration threshold. The experimental set-up is based on a flow-injection manifold coupled on-line to a phosphorescence detector. Aliquots of the samples are pretreated with Eu(III) to form room temperature phosphorescent metal chelates and injected in the flow manifold. Those chelates are then on-line retained on a conventional flow-cell (packed with polymeric Amberlite XAD-4 particles) which is placed inside the cell holder of the phosphorimeter. After the emission is registered, the antibiotic-metal complexes are eluted from the packed resin ...
The performance of intermolecular potential models on the adsorption of carbon tetrachloride on graphitized thermal carbon black at various temperatures is investigated. This is made possible with the extensive experimental data of Machin and Ross(1), Avgul et al.,(2) and Pierce(3) that cover a wide range of temperatures. The description of all experimental data is only possible with the allowance for the surface mediation. If this were ignored, the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation results would predict a two-dimensional (2D) transition even at high temperatures, while experimental data shows gradual change in adsorption density with pressure. In general, we find that the intermolecular interaction has to be reduced by 4% whenever particles are within the first layer close to the surface. We also find that this degree of surface mediation is independent of temperature. To understand the packing of carbon tetrachloride in slit pores, we compared the ...
Ab initio total energy calculations within the framework of density functional theory have been performed for water molecule adsorption on the (0001) surface of double hexagonal packed americium using a full-potential all-electron linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method (FP-L/APW+lo). Subsequent partial dissociation (OH+H) and complete dissociation (H+O+H) of the water molecule have been examined. The completely dissociated H+O+H configuration exhibit the strongest binding with the surface (3.35 eV), followed by partially dissociated species OH+H (2.23 eV), with all molecular H_2O configurations showing weak physisorption (0.366 eV). For molecular adsorptions, the flat lying orientation of the water molecule if found to be more favorable for majority of the cases. In the case of partial dissociation (OH+H), the vertical orientation of OH molecule with O facing the surface adsorbed at a h3 adsorption site and the H atom adsorbed at another ...
Ab initio total energy calculations within the framework of density functional theory have been performed for atomic hydrogen and oxygen chemisorption on the (0001) surface of double hexagonal packed (dhcp) americium using a full-potential all-electron linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method. Chemisorption energies were optimized with respect to the distance of the adatom from the relaxed surface for three adsorption sites, namely top, bridge, and hollow hcp sites, the ad-layer structure corresponding to the coverage of a 0.25 monolayer in all cases. Chemisorption energies were computed at the scalar-relativistic level (no spin-orbit coupling NSOC) and at the fully relativistic level (with spin-orbit coupling SOC). The two-fold bridge adsorption site was found to be the most stable site for O at both the NSOC and SOC theoretical levels with chemisorption energies of 8.204 eV and 8.368 eV respectively, while the three-fold hollow hcp adsorption ...
The study investigated the impact of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme on the phenomenon of female trafficking in South-South Nigeria. To this end, six research questions were raised. These revolved around: (i) resource situation and adequacy of training provided for repatriated trafficked victims in the service provider centre; (ii) efforts in the formal education sector of the UBE to curb female trafficking; and (iii) parents and female students' disposition toward female trafficking. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The sample was 420 female students and their parents as well as 100 teachers in the formal segment of the UBE programme and 130 repatriated trafficked victims in a service provider centre. Four sets of instruments were utilised to generate data for the study. The first was quantitative designed to elicit information on the resource situation of the service provider centre and the ...
The evaluation of possible manufacture-based defects in turbine shafts and housings for component serviceability relevance is of particular interest not only in post-manufacturing NDT but also in evaluation of NDT results obtained by in-service inspections of components with long service lives. The results discussed in the paper are summarized as follows: Most of the examined natural defects in the forgings and castings behave like cracks under the simulated operating conditions and hence may well be evaluated by fracture mechanical methods for their serviceability relevance determined by crack propagation under fatigue, creep and creep-fatigue stress. The empirical correlation of true defect size and US testing results (echo signal, echodynamics, attenuation) permits improved determination of true defect sizes in the turbine components. Care has to be taken to select the proper testing and evaluation ...
As a first step an attempt was made to integrate a personnel information facility into a system for optimising materials flow. The two systems developed did not reach a workable stage because the synthetic language would have required an input on the part of the personnel operating the system beyond what could reasonably be expected. The research in the second stage consisted in developing and testing a module with which language storage services could be built up on the basis of digitalised speech and controlled via the in-house telephone network. In language storage services users may feed in data or interrogate. Services of this kind can readily be integrated into available telephone installations working on the pulse selection principle. The low cost of the hardware involved means the system can be built up with modest investment while offering high effectiveness. 6 refs., 2 figs.
A procedure and correlations are presented for predicting Charpy-impact energy, tensile flow stress, fracture toughness J-R curve, and J{sub IC} of aged cast stainless steels from known material information. The ``saturation`` impact strength and fracture toughness of a specific cast stainless steel, i.e., the minimum value that would be achieved for the material after long-term service, is estimated from the chemical composition of the steel. Mechanical properties as a function of time and temperature of reactor service are estimated from impact energy and flow stress of the unaged material and the kinetics of embrittlement, which are also determined from chemical composition. The J{sub IC} values are determined from the estimated J-R curve and flow stress. Examples of estimating mechanical properties of cast stainless steel components during reactor service are presented. A common ``lower-bound`` J-R curve for cast ...
The UNITIL Companies have identified the need to undertake new economic development initiatives and to respond to an increasingly competitive energy marketplace. The economy of UNITIL`s service areas and New England generally have suffered from the perception that energy prices, and electricity prices in particular, are very high and non-competitive. However, opportunities now exist for more competitive priced electricity services to be made available to meet the needs of economic development. The introduction of Energy Bank{trademark} was designed to meet this objective through a competitively priced, market-based option for new or expanding industrial loads. The Energy Bank{trademark} is priced at about 5 cents/kWh, a rate 40% below the regional average industrial rate. As Energy Bank{trademark} grows, it will yield substantial benefits to all customers in UNITIL`s service areas, through increased local economic activity, ...
The structural acceptance criteria contained herein for the evaluation of existing underground double-shell waste storage tanks located at the Hanford Site is part of the Life Management/Aging Management Program of the Tank Waste Remediation System. The purpose of the overall life management program is to ensure that confinement of the waste is maintained over the required service life of the tanks. Characterization of the present condition of the tanks, understanding and characterization of potential degradation mechanisms, and development of tank structural acceptance criteria based on previous service and projected use are prerequisites to assessing tank integrity, to projecting the length of tank service, and to developing and applying prudent fixes or repairs. The criteria provided herein summarize the requirements for the analysis and structural qualification of the existing double-shell tanks for continued operation. ...
Steam generators (SG) are the weak link of nuclear power plants, their service life is shorter than the service life of other NPP components. This paper is dedicated to a statistical analysis of SG damages and failures. Heat exchanging tubes (HET) are the most damaged elements in SG, there are on average 286 plugged or repaired tubes in each operating SG. The usually mechanisms of tube failure are the following: denting, corrosion at tube outside, pitting, fretting, and circular crack propagation. Most of damages are located in the transition zone above a tube plate. This study shows that the factors that are involved in the SG HET fault probability are: - design features of SG and secondary equipment elements (high pressure feed heaters (HPFH), low pressure feed heater (LPFH)), - water chemistry at different points of condensate feed pipe, composition and density of deposits on HET surface, efficiency of mechanical and chemical washing, - the ...
Helically coiled tubes of steam generators (SG) in FBR are boundaries between sodium and water/steam. Therefore, to assure the integrity of tubes, it is necessary to inspect the tubes nondestructively for in service or after a sodium-water reaction accident. In order to make it possible to conduct in-service inspection of SG tubes, we have studied on eddy current probes and probe inserting methods. As for the probe inserting method, IHI designed a fluid driving type which consists of a model probe and signal cable with float balls and driven by air pressure force. Presented in this paper is the authors' report, which describes the fluid driving type as an effective method to insert an eddy current probe into helically coiled tubes. The outline of the test results is as follows: 1. It was possible to insert the probe into 65 meter length helically coiled tubes. 2. We could detected, as anticipated, a defect (outer circumferential wall thinning ...
This study examines, in general, the transformation of the role of the Brazilian state to intervener in supervisory of the services, through the delegation of responsibility for the exploitation of public services to private enterprise, and the creation of regulatory agencies. The study pointing to the necessity of a legal and regulatory stable scenario in the regulation of these services, as enables of private investment mechanisms and, as a consequence of sustainable economic development. The success of the neo liberal state model is examined, specifically in relation to the market of pipeline gas distribution, showing the environmental, economic and social benefits that brought in this sector, the private investment and stability so far reasonably observed in this segment. The work also indicating, in general, the risks and issues most relevant, from the investor and markets point of view, to attract and maintain ...
The insulating oil used in a transformer is a critical component, as its service life is typically 20 years with possibly little or no maintenance. Partial discharges (PD), thermal overloads and static discharges continually subject the oil to chemical deterioration during its operating life. To ensure equipment reliability during service, it is important that the initial quality of the new insulating oil should meet the required acceptance specifications and preferably be pre-tested before use. Accelerated aging tests have been devised to determine the life expectancy of oil in service by using forced air or oxygen flow into the oil, the presence of a copper catalyst, and at elevated temperatures. The more important standards relating to transformer application are discussed and highlights of the more important aspects of the oxidation chemistry of hydrocarbons are included. The ultimate aim of the project is the ...
Under severe operating conditions, such as starved lubrication, performance, service life, and reliability of rolling element bearings depend on the chemical and physical interactions between the contacting surfaces, the lubricant components, and the atmosphere. The IMKT{sup 1}, PI{sup 2}, and the imt{sup 3} have been cooperating on systematic investigations of interfacial interactions in high speed grease lubricated ball bearings. These include long time tests with complete bearings lubricated with greases of different composition under defined operating conditions, conducted at the IMKT, and chemical and physical characterizations of the running surfaces at the PI and imt. At the PI, in particular the chemical nature of the boundary layers has been investigated with time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The imt has been involved in the investigations by measuring the physical/mechanical properties of interacting surfaces at the ...
Previous laboratory tests of elastomer O-rings in coal liquefaction solvents conducted at L'Garde, Inc., indicated that certain ethylenepropylenediene monomer (EPDM) compounds provided the best performance when a backup ring was used to limit swelling. Before service testing in a pump at the Wilsonville, Alabama, Advanced Coal Liquefaction Research and Development Facility, tests of six selected elastomers in the appropriate Wilsonville-produced solvent were conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The ORNL tests measured the elastomers' changes in cross section, weight, density, and relative flexibility. Although two perfluoroelastomers showed less degradation of most properties during these tests, it was decided to proceed with service testing of two EPDM elastomers because of their much lower cost. 5 refs., 14 figs., 7 tabs.
In the present political climate, politicians are singling out children's programs and services for budget cuts. The need for teacher education programs to prepare early childhood teachers as children's advocates is becoming ever more evident. For years, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has called for greater involvement of early childhood educators as advocates for programs and services that promote children's health and education. In teacher education programs, however, this call has largely gone unheeded. The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of involving teacher candidates in advocacy activities and policy research, the obstacles that teacher educators can face when incorporating advocacy components into their teacher education courses and programs, and resources and strategies they can use. This discussion builds upon a motivation-obstacles-resources framework developed for adoption of ...
The CAMDU 6 reactor has an international reputation as one of the world's best performing and safe reactors. CANDU 6 reactors are consistently ranked in the world's top 10 for annual and lifetime performance. Six CANDU 6 units are currently in operation in four continents; in Quebec, New Brunswick, South Korea, Argentina and Romania. There are another two CANDU 6 units currently under construction at wolsong, in Korea which ore scheduled to go into service in 1998 and 1999 respectively. A second CANDU 6 unit is currently being considered for Romania. The construction of two CANDU 6 units at Qinshan, in China, is now underway. The performance of the four first-generation CANDU 6 plants, which have now been in service for 15 years, continue to show very good performance, with capacity factors on average since in-service of over 85%. The annual capacity factor of 10.21% during 1997 has been achieved by the Wolsong-1 unit in ...
This study is related to the use of thermoplastic liners to control corrosion of new and rehabilitated pipelines carrying aggressive hydrocarbon products. The aim is to investigate the technical and safety issues involved in introducing a thermoplastic liner into an existing carbon steel pipeline for aggressive hydrocarbon service at temperatures up to 150 C and internal pressures up to 34 MPa (5,000 psi). The principle objective is to provide design data for thermoplastic lined pipelines. The scope combines the use of liner insertion techniques with thermoplastic materials widely used in onshore pipelines and demonstrates the effectiveness of thermoplastic linings. The results indicate that thermoplastic liners can be used to control corrosion of pipelines in aggressive hydrocarbon environments.
Alloy 800 has been used for steam generator (SG) tubing for more than 30 years, primarily in CANDU reactors worldwide and in reactors in Germany. Extensive laboratory testing and in-service experience suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing has excellent resistance to corrosion-related degradation under appropriate operating conditions. In planning refurbishment of nuclear plants stations, a key concern is the longevity of existing SGs up to the 60-year lifetime of the refurbished plant. The paper reviews an existing methodology based on the concept of the improvement factor, and refines its estimation based on data specific to CANDU operating conditions. The paper presents a more advanced Bayesian probabilistic approach to estimate the degradation free lifetime distribution of Alloy 800 tubing, which is used to quantify the probability of degradation during the service life and to evaluate the impact of potential occurrences of degradation on ...
Alloy 800 has been used for steam generator (SG) tubing for more than 30 years, primarily in CANDU reactors worldwide and in reactors in Germany. Extensive laboratory testing and in-service experience suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing has excellent resistance to corrosion-related degradation under appropriate operating conditions. In planning refurbishment of nuclear plants stations, a key concern is the longevity of existing SGs up to the 60-year lifetime of the refurbished plant. The paper reviews an existing methodology based on the concept of the improvement factor, and refines its estimation based on data specific to CANDU operating conditions. The paper presents a more advanced Bayesian probabilistic approach to estimate the degradation free lifetime distribution of Alloy 800 tubing, which is used to quantify the probability of degradation during the service life and to evaluate the impact of potential occurrences of degradation on ...
In 1996 the actions of EDF in the domain of environment have recorded FF 4 billions (FF 3.5 billion in 1995), representing about 2% of the EDF's turnover. The EDF keeps on its efforts for reducing the impact of its activities upon environment. Several applications of an environment protective electricity generation are promoted by the company. The company brings services and technical solutions to its clients which meet their energy needs and conserving at the same time the life conditions. Furthermore, EDF participates in the activity of numerous national and international organisms, intervening in the environmental questions, in decision making, participating in studies and actions and following continually the direction of a durable economic and social development. The report is structured in three chapters: 1. an industrial responsibility; 2. services and techniques for environment; 3. action towards a durable development.
The long-term support required from Canada in the operation and maintenance of overseas CANDU nuclear generating stations after commercial operation has commenced is described, with reference entirely to the KANUPP reactor. This includes: technical support to station staff to increase plant reliability and maintainability; assistance with plant improvements; procurement of spares and consumables; and assistance with training programmes. This technical support may be provided by a small number of Canadian staff actually resident at the power station; by short-term visits of Canadian specialists to site and by technical and procurement services provided from Canada. Examples of technical problems experienced are given, showing typical services required from Canada.
It is concluded that the Department paid out over $16 million in the past two years for FTS service charges on telephone calls bearing no relationship to official Departmental business. When one adds in the costs of compensation paid to Departmental and contractor employees for the worktime spent making unauthorized FTS calls, the total costs to the Department due to FTS abuse exceeded $28 million for the fiscal years 1983 and 1984. These cost figures, moreover, fail to account for the effect of an annual loss of an estimated 40,000 man-days on the Department's productivity. It is recommended that the Assistant Secretary review the system to identify possible restrictions on usage of the lines by employees and to consider additional recording and accounting procedures to track FTS usage, especially when the lines are used for calls to telephones outside the FTS network.
An industrial design of turbodrill with oil-filled gear reducer has been made and has passed comprehensive field tests. In its energy characteristics, durability and operating properties, it is acceptable for broad introduction into drilling practice. In all regions of drilling, the use of the reducer increases the drilling per drill bit, and with sufficient depth, the run velocity of drilling. In certain regions (for example, West Siberia) it is possible to increase the mechanical velocity by high torque at the reducer outlet. The inter-repair service life of the oil-filled reducers for West Siberia and Tatariya exceeds on the average 100 hours. For wells with high face temperatures (over 1502)C) it reaches 42.6 hours. Further increase in the service life is associated with an increase in the thermoresistance, primarily, of the lubricator assembly. The design of the oil-filled reducer makes it possible to repair it in the existing turbine ...
To determine the proportion of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving preventive health care according to US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations compared with a community-based population sample, with emphasis on dyslipidemia testing, given the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in RA patients. Patients with RA (ICD-9 code 714.0 at ?2 office visits with a rheumatologist) and a primary care physician (PCP) at the Geisinger Health System (GHS) were identified through electronic health records. The records were searched back from 3/31/08 for the length of time required to satisfy each outcome measure. Percentages were compared with population testing rates using the Pearson Chi-square test. Eight hundred and thirty-one RA patients were compared to 169,476 subjects...
This paper analyzes the F-policy M/M/1/K queueing system with working vacation and an exponential startup time. The F-policy deals with the issue of controlling arrivals to a queueing system, and the server requires a startup time before allowing customers to enter the system. For the queueing systems with working vacation, the server can still provide service to customers rather than completely stop the service during a vacation period. The matrix-analytic method is applied to develop the steady-state probabilities, and then obtain several system characteristics. We construct the expected cost function and formulate an optimization problem to find the minimum cost. The direct search method and Quasi-Newton method are implemented to determine the optimal system capacity K, the optimal thre...
Details of a 1 day conference designed to create more efficient interactions between the gas supply and electricity systems in Ontario and new models for gas supply and the electricity system were presented. Market efficiency, generators' perspectives on critical gas issues, an overview of the North American gas and an outline of issues concerning Ontario were discussed. A natural gas industry forecast and issues concerning marketers and producers were presented. The terms on which gas is bought and sold were discussed. Regulatory tools, cost allocation and issues relating to unbundling were also presented. Infrastructure needs were reviewed, as well as basic market structures. It was suggested that appropriate commercial service options need to be developed and approved, including cross-utility services.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to interview Paula Kaufman, Dean of Libraries, to help better understand return on investment (ROI) and the increasing importance of demonstrating our value, as libraries, as librarians, indeed, as public service librarians. Design/methodology/approach - During 2007, a small project team was assembled to develop a model that would calculate a return on investment to an institution for its library. The team consisted of Chrysanne Lowe and Kira Cooper from Elsevier, Paula Kaufman from UIUC, Judy Luther of Informed Strategies, and Dr Carol Tenopir from the Center for Information and Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Findings - The results of this groundbreaking study were reported early this year in a white paper entitled, ...
A Health Care Establishment (HCE) is an establishment where medical services are rendered. The above services are provided by the health care personnel. The infrastructure of a HCE may include Information Technology (IT) equipment that stores and processes HC information. Previously, IT equipment consisted solely of stand-alone systems, whereas in recent years, the trend has been towards computer networks and distributed systems in HCEs. The spread of distributed information technology in HCEs have necessitated the implementation of Security in HCISs, to assure confidentiality, integrity and availability of HCE information. This paper discusses the issues of Security and Network Security in Health Care Information Systems (HCISs). It also suggests a method in establishing Network Security Guidelines and describes Principles for the provision of Network Security in HCEs. PMID:10163736
A Health Care Establishment (HCE) is an establishment where medical services are rendered. These services are provided by the health care personnel. The infrastructure of a HCE may include Information Technology (IT) equipment that stores and processes HC information. The spread of distributed information technology in HCEs have necessitated the implementation of Network Security in Health Care Information System (HCISs), to assure confidentiality, integrity and availability of HC information being transmitted across HC networks. This paper presents a road map in implementing Network Security guidelines for the provision of Network Security in HCEs, work carried out within the Secure Environment for Information Systems in Medicine (SEISMED) project under the Advanced Informatics in Medicine (AIM) programme. PMID:8591295
The document provides: An overview of CCS technology including what plant equipment is novel and what is currently in use within the CCS or other industries; An in depth guide to carbon dioxide to broaden the readers understanding of the material and its health and safety issues; Key design features of plant and pipelines for carbon dioxide service including experience gained from the industrial gases sector; and Key operational information for plant and pipelines for carbon dioxide service including experience gained from the industrial gases sector to ensure that your operating practices take into account the latest operational experiences from carbon dioxide plant. 45 figs., 18 tabs.
Objective: To reduce mental health symptoms and high-risk behaviors and increase social support and service utilization among street-living youth, the authors conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of the social enterprise intervention (SEI) at a homeless youth agency. Method: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 16 street-living youth from the agency. SEI participants received 7 months of vocational and small business training and service referrals. A comparison sample of 12 agency youth was used. Results: Findings from independent sample t tests demonstrate that SEI participants displayed significant improvements at 9 months in life satisfaction, family contact, peer support, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the SEI was feasible within the agency setting and associated with higher mental health and social outcomes. (Contains 3 figures and 3 tables.)
Purpose - Mobile phones have provided an opportunity for banking institutions to introduce new services to the public. The latest service, which is now available in Malaysian banking institutions, is the mobile phone credit card. The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary investigation of the factors that determine whether Malaysia's bank customers will use the new mobile phone credit card technology. Design/methodology/approach - This paper extends the applicability of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to mobile phone credit cards and includes "perceived credibility (PC)", the "amount of information about mobile phone credit cards (AIMCs)" and "perceived expressiveness (PE)", in addition to "perceived usefulness (PU)" and "perceived ease of use (PEOU)". Findings - The resul...
I. S. Kirbis, P. Maxwell, M. S. Flear, K. Miller and M. Ibrahim External quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples: a review of UK NEQAS ICC (cytology module) results Objective:- To date, external quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples is provided only by the United Kingdom national external quality assessment service for immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation (UK NEQAS ICC & ISH). For the purpose of this study a retrospective analysis of a comprehensive collection of quality-related data regarding immunocytochemistry on cytology samples collected through this service was analysed. Methods:- The quality of immunocytochemical reactions, using on-line collected data, was analysed for the last 23 UK NEQAS ICC cytology module external quality asses...
A continuous gas laser may be operated reliably with an increased pressure level and current level without significant cathode sputtering. This increases the service life and the specific power of the laser. The design eliminates the formation of arcs in operational conditions, which also has a positive influence on laser operation. The proposed laser is used successfully in modern interferometry, in geodesy and in materials analysis. The laser design is characterized by the presence of separation rings inside the coaxial cathode. The separation rings are fastened to the anode. The anode is a perforated tube that is connected to two final protective rings. Electrodes from the housing pass through the final rings. In order to increase laser power, two or more lasers of such design are used and are positioned on the same axis in a single housing.
The foundation conducts an environmental monitoring and surveillance program over an area covering much of the upper Snake River Plain and provide environmental education and support services related to INEL natural resource issues. Also, the foundation, with its university affiliates, conducts ecological and radioecological research on the Idaho National Environmental Research Park. This research benefits major DOE-ID programs including waste management, environmental restoration, spent nuclear fuels, and land management issues. Major accomplishments during CY1995 can be divided into five categories: environmental surveillance program, environmental education, environmental services and support, ecological risk assessment, and research benefitting the DOE-ID mission.
The potential material class for use at 600"0C and more, e.g. for steam turbines with improved thermal efficiency, are austenitic steels. Using these steels with welded joints, it is to be considered that, by superposition of weld residual stresses and service stresses, extensive creep strains - and in the worst case crack formation - can occur locally. To assess the influence of these effects on service behaviour, different material states of CrNi-steels and Incoloy 800 were investigated with respect to strength, ductility and, especially, to crack and creep crack growth in the temperature range around 600"0C. It is shown that creep embrittlement, not microstructural changes as effected by weld heat input, causes heat affected zone (HAZ)-reheat cracking. Creep embrittlement can be avoided by special design and fabrication rules. (orig.).
The ISI (In-Service Inspection) system has been developed so as to maintain the structural integrity of heat transfer tubes in the primary pressurized water cooler in the HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor). This system consists of eddy current probes, ultra-sonic probes, insertion and extraction units, positioning unit and so on. Verification and performance tests of the developed ISI system were carried out using mock-up heat transfer tubes in the primary pressurized water cooler. The constitution of the system, R and D results of the inspection probes, and verification and performance test results of the ISI system for heat transfer tubes are described in this paper. (author)
The ISI (In-Service Inspection) system has been developed so as to maintain the structural integrity of heat transfer tubes in the primary pressurized water cooler in the HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor). This system consists of eddy current probes, ultra-sonic probes, insertion and extraction units, positioning unit and so on. Verification and performance tests of the developed ISI system were carried out using mock-up heat transfer tubes in the primary pressurized water cooler. The constitution of the system, R and D results of the inspection probes, and verification and performance test results of the ISI system for heat transfer tubes are described in this paper. (author)
With the introduction of competition and diversification into retail utility services, rate-making methods are being rethought. Rates that are strictly cost-based may be too slow in responding to changes within the utility industry. And the advent of independent power production as a significant source of energy calls for greater flexibility in pricing of wholesale utility services as well. Various deregulation or reregulation plans have been formulated, including both price cap and price floor proposals. Some regulatory authorities have embraced market-based pricing over cost-based methods as the best solution to pricing problems. This article addresses Federal Energy Regulatory Commission response to market-based rates.
Purpose - The article discusses how care programmes and integrated care pathways can be linked, finding ways to improve healthcare process professional and logistical quality from a supply chain and a network point-of-view. Design/methodology/approach - The authors argue that owing to cost containment goals and increasing healthcare demand, healthcare services systems are challenged to improve service quality, whilst at the same time finding ways to improve delivery processes. It explores if the combination of two instruments, care programmes and integrated care pathways, can meet both goals. This combination is illustrated by an example from the Institute of Mental Health Care Eindhoven en de Kempen. Findings - Analysis suggests that care programmes can be combined with integrated care pa...
The marketing strategy developed for use in international markets by the S. M. Group International of Longueuil, Quebec, a company with interest and well-developed expertise in the environmental and energy sector, was described. The strategy is designed to aid in the selection of countries or regions of interest, in determining the sector of activity to be emphasized, in selecting a local partner or local business representatives, and in making contact locally with the people responsible for the development banks in the target countries in an effort to create awareness of the company. The company also tries, wherever possible, to promote its services to local governmental agencies through the industrial cooperation program of CIDA. Since development banks have a very conservative behaviour, past performances and constant provision of high quality services are of prime importance.
The primary goal of this study was to assess the association between the full birth weight distribution and prevalence of specific developmental disabilities and related measures of health and special education services utilization in US children. Using data from the 1997?2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Sample Child Core, we identified 87,578 children 3?17?years of age with parent-reported information on birth weight. We estimated the prevalences of DDs (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, learning disability without mental retardation, mental retardation, seizures, stuttering/stammering, and other developmental delay) and several indicators of health services utilization within a range of birth weight categories. We cal...
The high-nickel austenitic alloy 800 (in both the mill-annealed and the solution-treated grades) has several attractive properties that make it a good candidate for service attractive properties that make it a good candidate for service at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments. One such property is creep resistance. This report analyzes the elevated-temperature creep behavior of the mill-annealed grade, generally referred to simply as alloy 800. (The solution-treated grade is known as alloy 800H). Available data over the temperature range from 538 to 760/sup 0/C were collected and evaluated to yield mathematically approximations for creep-rupture and strain-time behavior for use in design calculations. However, the creep behavior of this material is extremely complex, and the analysis presented here contains substantial uncertainties. All results in this report should be considered preliminary because of limited data currently ...
Stemming from their unique combination of elevated strength, low density, and good overall corrosion resistance, beta titanium alloys have become attractive candidate materials for critical, high-stress, components in corrosive services. An overview of the comparative corrosion resistance of beta alloys to conventional alpha and alpha/beta titanium alloys in common industrial and aerospace service environments generally reveals attractive behavior depending on the environment and alloy composition and, in some cases, alloy condition. Expanded performance windows are especially noted for the molybdenum-rich beta alloys, particularly in regard to resisting reducing acids, stress corrosion, and high temperature localized chloride attack, along with hydrogen and oxidation resistance. Where applicable, implications of this enhanced corrosion performance on current and perspective beta alloy applications are also noted.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine potential new uses of return on investment (ROI) in alternative methods for library assessment and valuation. Design/methodology/approach - Uses examples of recent uses of ROI by libraries to identify potential new applications of ROI in library assessment and valuation. Findings - ROI investment has historically been used by libraries for the assessment of past performance of library organizations in a reactive/defensive nature or for assessing the value of customer services. ROI has not been widely used as a proactive assessment tool, to introspectively assess administrative or other internal services, or as an offensive assessment and valuation tool, especially for intangible performance assessment and valuation. Originality/value - New ...
We provide an efficient computational approach to solve the mixed integer programming (MIP) model developed by Tarim and Kingsman [8] for solving a stochastic lot-sizing problem with service level constraints under the static-dynamic uncertainty strategy. The effectiveness of the proposed method hinges on three novelties: (i) the proposed relaxation is computationally efficient and provides an optimal solution most of the time, (ii) if the relaxation produces an infeasible solution, then this solution yields a tight lower bound for the optimal cost, and (iii) it can be modified easily to obtain a feasible solution, which yields an upper bound. In case of infeasibility, the relaxation approach is implemented at each node of the search tree in a branch-and-bound procedure to efficiently sear...
Alloy 800 has been used for steam generator (SG) tubing for more than 30 years, primarily in CANDU reactors and in reactors in Germany. Extensive laboratory testing and in-service experience suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing has excellent resistance to corrosion-related degradation under specified and appropriate operating conditions. In planning refurbishment of CANDU stations, a key concern is the longevity of existing SGs up to the 60 year lifetime of the refurbished plant. The paper reviews an existing methodology based on the concept of the improvement factor, and estimates it based on experimental data specific to CANDU operating conditions. The paper presents a more advanced probabilistic approach to estimate the degradation free lifetime distribution of Alloy 800 tubing, which is used to quantify the probability of degradation during the service life and to evaluate the impact of potential occurrences of degradation on reliability of SG ...
Alloy 800 has been used for steam generator (SG) tubing for more than 30 years, primarily in CANDU reactors and in reactors in Germany. Extensive laboratory testing and in-service experience suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing has excellent resistance to corrosion-related degradation under specified and appropriate operating conditions. In planning refurbishment of CANDU stations, a key concern is the longevity of existing SGs up to the 60 year lifetime of the refurbished plant. The paper reviews an existing methodology based on the concept of the improvement factor, and estimates it based on experimental data specific to CANDU operating conditions. The paper presents a more advanced probabilistic approach to estimate the degradation free lifetime distribution of Alloy 800 tubing, which is used to quantify the probability of degradation during the service life and to evaluate the impact of potential occurrences of degradation on reliability of SG ...