[en] Ethical committee and patient informed consent was obtained to conduct a Phase I study to determine a safe single dose of SR 2508 which may be combined with 0.75 g/m² or Ro 03-8799 (both misonidazole analogues). It was shown that a single dose of 3 g/m² SR 2508 can be combined with 0.75 g/m² Ro 03-8799, giving a clear potential for therapeutic advantage without increased toxicity. This is now being explored further using a multiple dose schedule. (U.K.)

[en] A new concept utilizing a sweep system in conjunction with stiff cylindrical brushes mounted on an endless chain has been developed for recovering heavy oils and emulsions from water surfaces. One such system, the LORI Side Collector system, was quantitatively tested in an indoor wave tank using diesel, crude oil, emulsified crude, and bunker oil. The skimmer was tested in 4 degree C water at current velocities in the 0.15-0.65 m/s range, in calm water conditions, and in waves of 5-7 cm height. The brush speed was varied between 6 and 30 cm/s. The skimmer was evaluated in terms of fluid recovery rate and oil recovery rate. The maximum capacity of the skimmer may not have been reached due to current velocity limitations of the tank. The effect of brush speed and oil encounter rate were determined. Skimmer performance increased with increasing oil viscosity. Higher current speeds and waves also enhanced recovery. Following the tank trials, the system was installed on a 8.5 m sea truck and trials were conducted on the St. Lawrence River. These tests assessed the stability, maneuverability, sea keeping, and operation of the system. Oil was not used in these tests, but the system was evaluated as to its ability to deal with debris and to direct an oil-substitute towards and into the skimmer entrance. In general, the skimmer did not adversely hamper the maneuverability of the sea truck. The oil-substitute was satisfactorily recovered at velocities up to 1.5-2 m/s. 13 figs., 4 tabs

[en] The Index Tests have been used for many years to obtain the optimized cam correlation between wicket gates and runner blades for double regulated turbines (Kaplan, bulb). The cam is based on homologous model tests and is verified by site measurements, as model tests generally do not reproduce the exact intake configuration. Index Tests have also a considerable importance for checking of the relative efficiency curve of all type of turbines and can demonstrate if the prototype efficiency curve at plant condition has the shape expected from the test of the homologues model. During the Index Tests measurements the influence of all losses at multiple points of turbine operation can be proved. This publication deals with an overview on the Index Tests made after modernization of large bulb units in Iron Gates II - Romania. These field tests, together with the comparative, fully homologous tests for the new hydraulic shape of the runner blades have confirmed the smooth operational behavior and the guaranteed performance. Over the whole 'guaranteed operating range' for H = 8m, the characteristic of the Kaplan curve (enveloping curve to the propeller curves), agreed very well to the predicted efficiency curve from the hydraulic prototype hill chart. The new cam correlation have been determined for different head and realised in the governor, normally based on model tests. The guaranteed, maximum turbine output for H = 7,8m is specified with 32, 5 MW. The maximum measured turbine output during the Index Tests on cam operation was 35,704 MW at the net head of 7,836 m. This corresponds to 35,458 MW for the specified head H= 7, 8 m. All these important improvements ensure a significant increase of annual energy production without any change of the civil construction and without increasing the runner diameter. Also the possibility to increase the turbine rated output is evident.

[en] Integrating technology aspects in instructional development might provide a proper learning source for 21st-century learning. Furthermore, this study aims to produce a valid and practical Introduction to Quantum Physics textbook using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based in the lesson of Spin Particles. Rowntree model is applied to produce this product—which consists of three stages; planning, developing, and evaluating stages. For evaluating phase, Tessmer formative evaluation is performed—involved of self-evaluation, expert review, one-to-one, small group, and field test. Due to the research limitation—develop a valid and practical instructional, the field test is not conducted in this research. Moreover, for collecting data, the adopted techniques use walkthrough and questionnaire. Regarding the result of this research, the developed textbook is valid and practical categorized through assessment according to experts and users. (paper)

[en] The field test of RIA BATAN counter for cow progesterone measurement in determination of artificial insemination time has been done. The test was conducted by comparing samples measuring result between using BATAN's RIA counter and using imported RIA counter. Cow milk samples was taken from 40 cows which were owned by farmer under KUD Bayongbong, Garut, management. The samples were taken at 0-, 11-, and 21-days after artificial insemination process was conducted. In this study, the test was carried out for two types of BATAN's IA counter (IP3 and IP8 types). Average deviation for BATAN's RIA counter type IP3 is 0.11%. While average deviation for BATAN's RIA counter type IP3 is 0.15%. From the above result could be concluded that counting results of BATAN's RIA counters are equal to the imported one. (author)

[en] Large-scale sea trials were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the aerial application of demulsifiers and the potential of this process in oil spill response. Preliminary tests were first conducted to verify the effectiveness of the Shell demulsifier LA 1834 diluted with Shell Surdyne X113 solvent and to determine the range of swath widths and discharge rates of the aerial spraying system. Four trials were carried out in the southern North Sea using either crude oil or medium fuel oil/gas oil mixes to simulate the oil spill. Infrared, ultraviolet, and video sensing data were obtained during all trials with emphasis on direct comparison between control slicks and slicks treated with aerially sprayed demulsifier. Results show that application of demulsifier solution has enhanced the natural dispersion of both fresh and emulsified oil to a greater degree than the adjacent control slicks. The demulsifier appeared to remain with the treated slicks after aerial application, influencing slick behavior for a considerable time. 5 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs

[en] The determination of soil moisture with the aid of neutron moisture meters requires calibrations under real conditions. Some efficient methods for calibrating moisture gauges under field conditions are described. The proposed procedure is illustrated with the aid of examples

[en] Andra is currently implementing the detailed engineering phase of the step-wise design development of Cigeo (the French HLW and IL-LLW Deep Geological Repository). Various technical issues are at stake, including the requirements linked to 'Reversibility / Retrievability', at different stages of the repository life cycle (from its construction start-up to its final closure and monitoring). These reversibility requirements have a significant impact on the way Cigeo is designed, will be progressively developed, operated, later closed and monitored. On a shorter term, one must demonstrate that the waste container retrieval operations are technically safe and feasible. In that sense, the structural dimensioning of the ramps and mains, as well as that of the IL-LLW disposal vaults, is critical, since the concrete liner supporting the rock walls must last over a period of some 100 to 150 years (lapse of time during which retrieval operations are likely to take place). The present paper starts with a description of the geomechanical conditions prevailing in the Callovo-Oxfordian (COX) clay-stone formation (aka the argillite). The structural dimensioning of the IL-LLW disposal vault liner, as calculated at the end of the basic engineering phase is indicated. The thickness values obtained so far have led to considering an alternative design in which a compressible material is positioned between the concrete liner intrados and the rock walls: in such situation, the 'creeping effect' of the rock is mitigated, for a time, by the compressible material (nearly a perfect elastoplastic material), hence reducing the stress level exerted inside the concrete liner. This situation enables to significantly reduce the liner thickness and provides potentially significant saving in the construction of the works concerned (preliminary sensitivity results are given). The following part of the paper is then focused on a practical case story: a technological demonstration (still ongoing) of a tunnel boring experiment, implemented underground (in a dedicated drift of the Meuse Haute Marne URL infrastructures, at scale 1:2 of the Cigeo drifts/vaults). In this excavation and construction experiment, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) lays (via an erector) 'classical' concrete arch segments (forming a ring) in a first portion of the drift and 'compressible' ones (the compressible material is positioned on their extrados) in a second portion of the drift. The technical demonstration objective is two-fold: the capacity to lay compressible arch segments with a TBM is checked, their structural behavior (with time) is compared with that of 'classical' ones. The way the compressible material is produced and then fixed on the arch concrete segment is also documented, c/w a description of the complementary testing campaign to be carried out on a test bench (on surface) of a concrete ring (at a scale 1:2 of Cigeo) formed of compressible arch segments. This paper concludes with a timeline of the experiment. Should the results obtained provide some perspectives of technical and economic improvement (i.e. saving vis-a-vis the 'classical' solution) a decision could be taken by Andra to incorporate this alternative solution in the 'design freeze' of Cigeo underground infrastructures. The positive outcomes of this technical test campaign would also pave the way for specifying the Cigeo TBM characteristics (dimensions and handling equipment), scheduled for manufacturing order around 2020. (authors)

[en] Trials were conducted on a sheltered beach in Brittany, France, in order to define a methodology to control and assess biotreatment of oil polluted shores. Six test plots of 3 m² each were prepared, each enclosed by a wall to protect the plot from extensive wave action. Light crude was applied to each plot at a total concentration of 5 l/m² in two consecutive applications. Four different bioremediation processes were evaluated, involving the application of microflora specifically adapted to oil degradation, adapted dehydrated bacteria, nutritive nitrogen and phosphorus, and chalk powder. The evaluation included microbiological analyses, measurements of oil concentration in the sediment, and qualitative analysis of the oil. Under the test conditions, the oil biodegradation in surface sediment took place very slowly and the disappearance of oil was mainly due to tidal and wave action. The main factor limiting biodegradation is the availability of nitrogen. Only the second and third of the above four processes were able to show a slight increase in oil biodegradation. The amount of oil biodegraded by those processes was estimated at about 20%. 9 refs., 11 figs., 5 tabs

[en] Communication distance and real-time monitoring are important performances of surface USV radio stations, which can better play the role of smooth communication information between surface USV and shore-based platform and real-time monitoring of USV dynamics, usually in the field. Test verification. This article analyzes the main problems in the field communication distance and real-time monitoring test of the surface unmanned boat radio station, introduces the evaluation method of the field wireless electromagnetic environment monitoring, designs the network environment of the shore-based computer and the surface unmanned boat industrial control computer, and designs the surface Field test plan for man- ship radio station. The test analysis shows that the design scheme is feasible and the communication between the surface unmanned boat and the shore-based platform is smooth, which can better monitor the dynamics of the surface unmanned boat, thereby improving the operation quality of the surface unmanned boat. (paper)