No abstract available

[en] OOQP is an object-oriented software package for solving convex quadratic programming problems (QP). We describe the design of OOQP, and document how to use OOQP in its default configuration. We further describe OOQP as a development framework, and outline how to develop custom solvers that solve QPs with exploitable structure or use specialized linear algebra

[en] It is argued that in the UK there is a lack of appreciation of the potential of solar energy at both government and public level. It is claimed that the government has made insufficient effort to stimulate the solar energy sector and provided little support for research: the UK solar market is therefore underdeveloped and systems are expensive. A survey to identify the reasons for the lack of awareness of solar potential, and how this might be rectified was carried out. The survey identified four particular points: (i) how to make solar energy more attractive to consumers, (ii) initiatives for Local Authorities, (iii) availability and quality of information from Energy Advice Centres and Local Authorities and (iv) actions to make Local Authorities more pro-active

[en] The preferred orientation of crystal grains within a manufactured part is described most fully by its orientation distribution function (ODF), which is a mapping of the probability of each of the possible grain orientations with respect to the exterior dimensions. Traditionally, an ODF is determined from pole figures for a relatively small number of reflections. These pole figures are measured with x-rays or neutrons using short detector scans over the center of an individual diffraction peak for a large number of different sample orientations. This is efficient if the selected diffraction peaks are reasonably strong (relative to background) and well separated, such as in pure fcc and bcc metals. It is also appropriate for constant wavelength sources where collection of individual diffraction peak intensities is a reasonably efficient use of the source. However, the traditional method is not very efficient for neutron diffraction at a spallation source such as LANSCE where the entire diffraction pattern is accessible for each sample setting. Moreover, a different approach is necessary for complicated diffraction patterns, such as from composite materials, intermetallic compounds, high T_c ceramics, polyphasic minerals and polymers where there is expected to be heavy overlap of adjacent diffraction peaks. In addition, the large number of settings normally collected for an individual pole figure may not be necessary, since the entire pattern is obtained at each setting. Thus, a new method of ODF analysis needs to be developed to handle the more complex diffraction patterns obtained from modern technological materials as well as take advantage of the particular characteristics of spallation neutron sources. This project sought to develop the experimental procedures and the mathematical treatment needed to produce an orientation distribution function (ODF) directly from full diffraction patterns from a sample in a limited number of orientations

[en] We study pseudoscalar and scalar mesons using a practical and symmetry preserving truncation of QCD's Dyson-Schwinger equations. We investigate and compare properties of ground and radially excited meson states. In addition to exact results for radial meson excitations we also present results for meson masses and decay constants from the chiral limit up to the charm-quark mass, e.g., the mass of the χ_c0(2P) meson

[en] This paper discusses the development of a fission gas and volatile release-venting model for space nuclear reactors. The model is applied to the heat pipe space nuclear reactor (HPSNR) design of Los Alamos National Laboratory in order to investigate the consequences of a partial or complete plugging of its venting system. Calculations show that if the venting system were plugged, the pressure buildup in the core due to the accumulation of fission gases could fail the core can and/or partially damage the multifoil thermal insulation wrapped around the can. Such damage could cause overheating of the reflector, or perhaps the control drums and the radiation shield. However, adequate venting of fission gases into space can be sustained with only one vent channel (∼2.5 mm in diameter) open. 10 refs., 10 figs

[en] A full-scale technology demonstration of a polyethylene encapsulation process, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Development, was held at the Environmental and Waste Technology Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in September 1994. Polyethylene encapsulation has been developed and tested at BNL as an alternative solidification technology for improved treatment of low-level radioactive (LLW), hazardous, and mixed wastes. Although originally developed for treatment of DOE-generated wastes through waste management and environmental restoration activities, polyethylene encapsulation has application within the commercial sector. A fully equipped, production-scale system, capable of processing over 900 kg/hr (2000 lb/hr), has been installed at BNL. The demonstration covered all facets of the integrated processing system including pre-treatment of aqueous wastes, precise feed metering, extrusion processing, on-line quality control monitoring, and process control. Following the demonstration, waste-form testing was conducted to confirm performance of the final waste form. 10 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab

[en] A concept is outlined of applying the critical load methodology within radiation protection for the rapid identification of areas which may be vulnerable to the deposition of ¹³⁷Cs following an accident. This vulnerability can be defined in terms of elevated levels in food products or elevated fluxes. The rates of uptake of radiocesium from soils are lower for soils with a high clay content than for soils with a coarser textural composition and a high organic matter content. Tag values were therefore collated from the literature into a database and allocated to one of four soil groups reflecting differences in radiocesium soil-to-plant transfer. The collated tag values were used to estimate representative transfer values for each of the four soil groups. The critical load methodology is based upon the principle that if the sensitivity of an ecosystem to a pollutant is known, it is possible to determine the critical load - the maximum pollutant load that will not cause long-term damage. The spatial variation in critical load across an area can be compared to pollutant deposition data to identify areas where the deposition load exceeds the critical load. Adopting this approach within radiation protection could provide rapid assessment of the potential effects of deposition resulting from nuclear releases. The potential of such an approach is illustrated using the example of ¹³⁷Cs contamination of cow milk in Western Europe following a hypothetical nuclear accident. A Geographical Information System (GIS) is used to integrate the spatial variation in deposition, transfer and production. Critical loads are developed in terms of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in cow milk and the ¹³⁷Cs flux from an area. These highlight the relative simplicity of the methodology for the rapid identification of vulnerable areas, which could also be adopted as a useful modelling tool allowing a consideration of different contamination and response scenarios

[en] Different approaches at organization of training of nuclear power plants personnel are discussed. 1 fig

[en] Using everted sac technique we demonstrated the transfer of ¹²⁵I-mEGF across the jejunal and ileal walls of suckling, weanling and adult rats. The transfer by the suckling rat jejunum and ileum was significantly inhibited by the presence of dinitrophenol and sodium azide or by the replacement of sodium with potassium or choline, RP-HPLC analysis detected carboxy-terminal processing of ¹²⁵I-mEGF in suckling and adult rat jejunum and ileum. Suckling rat jejunum produced ¹²⁵I-des(53)mEGF and ¹²⁵I-des(49-53)mEGF, whereas ¹²⁵I-des(48-53)mEGF was detected in suckling rat ileum or adult rat jejunum and ileum. All three forms of ¹²⁵I-mEGF bound to anti-EGF antibody and EGF receptors. The receptor binding of ¹²⁵I-des(53)mEGF was higher than that of ¹²⁵I-mEGF, but those of ¹²⁵I-des(49-53)mEGF and ¹²⁵I-des(48-53)mEGF were greatly diminished. Results indicate a carboxy-terminal processing of mouse EGF during uptake and transfer in the small intestine of developing and adult rats, and the resulting products showed altered receptor binding. An identical amino acid sequence of the C-terminal pentapeptide of eGF from mouse, human and possibly rat may suggest a biological significance of C-terminal processing of EGF in the small intestine