[en] This paper describes the controversy surrounding the building of the Arun III dam in Nepal. Funded by foreign investment via the World Bank, this large scale project will generate 402 MW of hydroelectricity. The Nepal government and its foreign investors are determined to press ahead despite local criticism. Opponents, in this fledgling democracy, claim that the project will only benefit an urban elite, while displacing local people and devastating the environment around the dam site. It is also claimed that the scheme merely adds to Nepal's foreign debt while stifling the development of locally run, small-scale hydroelectric plants. (UK)

[en] This report provides general information and references useful for establishing or operating radiation safety training programs in plants that manufacture nuclear fuels, or process uranium compounds that are used in the manufacture of nuclear fuels. In addition to a brief summary of the principles of effective management of radiation safety training, the report also contains an appendix that provides a comprehensive checklist of scientific, safety, and management topics, from which appropriate topics may be selected in preparing training outlines for various job categories or tasks pertaining to the uranium nuclear fuels industry. The report is designed for use by radiation safety training professionals who have the experience to utilize the report to not only select the appropriate topics, but also to tailor the specific details and depth of coverage of each training session to match both employee and management needs of a particular industrial operation. 26 refs., 3 tabs

[en] AIM: To describe the sonographic appearances of the medial retinacular (MPFR) complex of the knee in patients with acute and recurrent patellar dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were scanned within 2-4 weeks of an acute episode of lateral patellar dislocation. Eleven gave a history of recurrent patellar dislocation. Ten patients had examination under anaesthesia with arthroscopy and repair of the injury. The sonographic and operative results were compared. RESULTS: The normal sonographic appearance of the MPFR is described. Of the 10 patients who underwent examination under anaesthesia, four patients had complete avulsion of the MPFR from the patella, two patients had avulsion of the MPFR from the adductor tubercle and four patients had avulsion of the MPFR from both the patella and adductor tubercle. There was complete correlation between the sonographic and operative findings for injuries of the MPFR. Other findings included partial retinacular tears, injury to the medial collateral ligament, haematoma within vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and bony avulsions from the patella and adductor tubercle. CONCLUSION: Sonography gives reliable information regarding the site of the injury and its extent thus helping to decide whether conservative or operative treatment is the most appropriate approach to management of the injury

[en] It has been suggested that ''flux adjustments'' in climate models suppress simulated temperature variability. If true, this might invalidate the conclusion that at least some of observed temperature increases since 1860 are anthropogenic, since this conclusion is based in part on estimates of natural temperature variability derived from flux-adjusted models. We assess variability of surface air temperatures in 17 simulations of internal temperature variability submitted to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. By comparing variability in flux-adjusted vs. non-flux adjusted simulations, we find no evidence that flux adjustments suppress temperature variability in climate models; other, largely unknown, factors are much more important in determining simulated temperature variability. Therefore the conclusion that at least some of observed temperature increases are anthropogenic cannot be questioned on the grounds that it is based in part on results of flux-adjusted models. Also, reducing or eliminating flux adjustments would probably do little to improve simulations of temperature variability

[en] The development of a shock-accelerated diffuse Helium cylindrical inhomogeneity is investigated using a new numerical method. The new algorithm is a higher-order Godunov implementation of the so-called multi-fluid equations. This system correctly models multiple component mixtures by accounting for differential compressibility effects. This base integrator is embedded in an implementation of adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) that allows efficient increase in resolution where the computational effort is concentrated where high accuracy, or increased resolution, are required. Qualitative and quantitative comparison with previous experimental data is excellent. The simulations show that counter-sign vortex blobs are deposited in the jet core by baroclinic generation of the curved shock wave as it traverses the jet. This vorticity deposition occurs over timescales that scale with the shock passage time (∼ 10μsec). Three phases of development are identified and characterized. The first is the weak deformation (WD) phase, where there is weak distortion of the Helium jet due to weak vorticity induced velocity effects. The second phase is the strong deformation (SD) phase where there is large distortion for the jet and the vortex blobs due to large induced velocity effects. The last is a relaxation/reorganization (RR) phase where the vorticity field reorganizes into point-like vortex pair

[en] The aim of this study has been to examine the trends in the average annual gonadal dose of ionising radiation in Britain, and the trends in childhood leukaemia rates, in relation to the hypothesis of induction of childhood leukaemia by parental germ-cell injury. It is concluded that the discrete increase in the gonadal dose subsequent to 1961/2 and a much larger increase in the leukaemia rates in male offspring some 15-20 years later is temporally consistent with the 'Gardner hypothesis', but the possibility of an association is weakened by: (i) the large increase in incidence compared with the 3% increase in gonadal dose; (ii) the increase in incidence occurring only in males; (iii) the incidence rates in other countries peaked at different times (1970 in Denmark, 1973 in USA, 1979-84 in Netherlands); (iv) no peak in incidence was observed in some countries (Sweden, Norway). (author)

[en] The measurement of the velocity of longitudinal and torsional waves in a solid rod enables the Young's and rigidity moduli to be determined. Rods out in various directions from a single crystal can give all the elastic constants of the material. These can be correlated directly with crystal structure. In an isotropic material such as glass or fused quartz the two velocities give a complete description of the elasticity of the material. In a polycrystalline material the velocity depends on the grain orientation as well as the crystalline properties. Even with randomly oriented grains it is difficult to give a full interpretation of results, especially if the material has a very anisotropic crystalline structure. As measured the elasticities are, of course, dynamic (adiabatic). To obtain static (isothermal) values a thermodynamic correction must be applied. This amounts to a few per cent for most metals. The pulse technique of measurement has been used to give results over a wide range of conditions. Its two particular advantages are: - 1. The specimen under test can be quite remote (a few feet) from the measuring apparatus. 2. Continuous measurements can be carried out as the velocity is determined by the equalising of two signals on a C.R.O. display. While complete interpretation is possible in only a few simple cases, results can be of great practical significance as the measurements are sensitive to a great many physical effects. Examples of these are change in crystalline state, the onset of melting in an alloy, the large effect of the absorption of water in graphite and crystal growth. Practically all physical changes that occur in a solid are mirrored in some elasticity change.

[en] In generating data to assess the migratory behaviour of radionuclides in groundwaters travelling through 'soil', it is necessary that laboratory experiments are designed to simulate field conditions as closely as possible. This paper aims to place in perspective the relative importance of test parameters, e.g. pH, temperature, groundwater composition, contact-time, which require definition in order to arrive at meaningful distribution coefficients. Experimental procedures are outlined and results for fission products, plutonium, uranium and thorium contacted with a variety of soil types are reported and discussed. 4 refs.; 6 figs.; 4 tabs

[en] The need for an exact formulation of the basic part of quantum mechanics is emphasized. Different approaches are reviewed. (K.A.)

[en] Intracranial arterial vasospasm resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. A new microballoon device has now been developed for intraluminal angioplasty, enabling these spastic vessels to be dilated. This balloon is composed of a new type of silicone elastomer that provides enhanced elongation while maintaining a soft low-tension shell. When inflated within blood vessel, it will elongate and conform to the vessel contour, without causing rupture. The authors have treated 36 vascular territories in 13 patients with this new balloon device. In each case, they have been able to dilate the blood vessel to normal luminal diameter, with angiographic evidence or improved perfusion. The indication, techniques, and results from angioplasty of spastic intracerebral arteries are presented