Sample records for exceeded control values

  1. Reconfiguring redundancy management

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gelderloos, H. J. C. (Inventor)

    1982-01-01

    A redundancy management system is described wherein input signals from a sensor are provided redundantly in parallel so that a primary control signal may be selected. Median value signals for groups of three sensors are detected in median value selectors of selection filter. The detected median value signals are then also compared in a subtractor/comparator to determine whether any of them exceed the others by an amount greater than the signal level for a failed sensor. If so, the exceeding detected medium value signal is sent to a control computer as the primary control signal. If not, the lowest level detected medium value signal is sent as the primary control signal.

  2. 15 CFR 740.3 - Shipments of limited value (LVS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... included in the same order and controlled under the same ECCN entry on the CCL does not exceed the amount... the same ultimate or intermediate consignee of commodities classified under a single ECCN may not exceed 12 times the LVS value limit for that ECCN; however, there is no restriction on the number of...

  3. 15 CFR 740.3 - Shipments of limited value (LVS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... included in the same order and controlled under the same ECCN entry on the CCL does not exceed the amount... the same ultimate or intermediate consignee of commodities classified under a single ECCN may not exceed 12 times the LVS value limit for that ECCN; however, there is no restriction on the number of...

  4. 15 CFR 740.3 - Shipments of limited value (LVS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... included in the same order and controlled under the same ECCN entry on the CCL does not exceed the amount... the same ultimate or intermediate consignee of commodities classified under a single ECCN may not exceed 12 times the LVS value limit for that ECCN; however, there is no restriction on the number of...

  5. 15 CFR 740.3 - Shipments of limited value (LVS).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... included in the same order and controlled under the same ECCN entry on the CCL does not exceed the amount... the same ultimate or intermediate consignee of commodities classified under a single ECCN may not exceed 12 times the LVS value limit for that ECCN; however, there is no restriction on the number of...

  6. 47 CFR 74.636 - Power limitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP), as referenced to an isotropic radiator, exceed the values... renewal. (b) The EIRP of transmitters that use Automatic Transmitter Power Control (ATPC) shall not exceed the EIRP specified on the station authorization. The EIRP of non-ATPC transmitters shall be maintained...

  7. 47 CFR 74.636 - Power limitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP), as referenced to an isotropic radiator, exceed the values... renewal. (b) The EIRP of transmitters that use Automatic Transmitter Power Control (ATPC) shall not exceed the EIRP specified on the station authorization. The EIRP of non-ATPC transmitters shall be maintained...

  8. [An investigation of ionizing radiation dose in a manufacturing enterprise of ion-absorbing type rare earth ore].

    PubMed

    Zhang, W F; Tang, S H; Tan, Q; Liu, Y M

    2016-08-20

    Objective: To investigate radioactive source term dose monitoring and estimation results in a manufacturing enterprise of ion-absorbing type rare earth ore and the possible ionizing radiation dose received by its workers. Methods: Ionizing radiation monitoring data of the posts in the control area and supervised area of workplace were collected, and the annual average effective dose directly estimated or estimated using formulas was evaluated and analyzed. Results: In the control area and supervised area of the workplace for this rare earth ore, α surface contamination activity had a maximum value of 0.35 Bq/cm 2 and a minimum value of 0.01 Bq/cm 2 ; β radioactive surface contamination activity had a maximum value of 18.8 Bq/cm 2 and a minimum value of 0.22 Bq/cm 2 . In 14 monitoring points in the workplace, the maximum value of the annual average effective dose of occupational exposure was 1.641 mSv/a, which did not exceed the authorized limit for workers (5 mSv/a) , but exceeded the authorized limit for general personnel (0.25 mSv/a) . The radionuclide specific activity of ionic mixed rare earth oxides was determined to be 0.9. Conclusion: The annual average effective dose of occupational exposure in this enterprise does not exceed the authorized limit for workers, but it exceeds the authorized limit for general personnel. We should pay attention to the focus of the radiation process, especially for public works radiation.

  9. Fatigue and Fracture-Toughness Characterization of SAW and SMA A537 Class I Ship-Steel Weldments.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-12-01

    Charpy criterion and proposed NDT-DT criterion of Rolfe . Recommendations are made and further research is suggested to help clarify the assessment of...acceptable performance at -60aF. Likewise, at -60OF the NDT and DT data for these weldments marginally exceed the criteria proposed by Rolfe when the...exceed the CVN values equivalent to the 5/8 DT values required by Rolfe . The 5/8-inch dynamic-tear specimen is not recommended as a quality-control test

  10. Altitude training causes haematological fluctuations with relevance for the Athlete Biological Passport.

    PubMed

    Bonne, Thomas Christian; Lundby, Carsten; Lundby, Anne Kristine; Sander, Mikael; Bejder, Jacob; Nordsborg, Nikolai Baastrup

    2015-08-01

    The impact of altitude training on haematological parameters and the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was evaluated in international-level elite athletes. One group of swimmers lived high and trained high (LHTH, n = 10) for three to four weeks at 2130 m or higher whereas a control group (n = 10) completed a three-week training camp at sea-level. Haematological parameters were determined weekly three times before and four times after the training camps. ABP thresholds for haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), reticulocyte percentage (RET%), OFF score and the abnormal blood profile score (ABPS) were calculated using the Bayesian model. After altitude training, six swimmers exceeded the 99% ABP thresholds: two swimmers exceeded the OFF score thresholds at day +7; one swimmer exceeded the OFF score threshold at day +28; one swimmer exceeded the threshold for RET% at day +14; and one swimmer surpassed the ABPS threshold at day +14. In the control group, no values exceeded the individual ABP reference range. In conclusion, LHTH induces haematological changes in Olympic-level elite athletes which can exceed the individually generated references in the ABP. Training at altitude should be considered a confounding factor for ABP interpretation for up to four weeks after altitude exposure but does not consistently cause abnormal values in the ABP. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  11. Fecal hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventists, control subjects, and bowel cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Macdonald, I A; Webb, G R; Mahony, D E

    1978-10-01

    Cell-free extracts were prepared from mixed fecal anaerobic bacteria grown from stools of 14 vegetarian Seventh-Day Adventists, 16 omnivorous control subjects, and eight patients recently diagnosed with cancer of the large bowel. Preparations were assayed for NAD- and NADP-dependent 3alpha-, 7alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases with bile salts and androsterone as substrates (eight substrate-cofactor combinations were tested). A significant intergroup difference was observed in the amounts of NAD- and NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase produced: bowel cancer patients exceeded controls, and controls exceeded Seventh-Day Adventists. Other enzyme activity comparisons were not significant. The pH values of the stools were significantly higher in cancer patients compared to Seventh-Day Adventists; values were 7.03 +/- 0.60 and 6.46 +/- 0.58 respectively. The pH value for controls was 6.66 +/- 0.62. A plot of pH value versus NADP-dependent 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase tended to separate the cancer patients from the other groups. Comparative data suggest that much of the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase active against bile salt is also active against androsterone.

  12. 10 CFR 835.1102 - Control of areas.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Radioactive Contamination Control § 835.1102 Control... transfer of removable contamination to locations outside of radiological areas under normal operating conditions. (b) Any area in which contamination levels exceed the values specified in appendix D of this part...

  13. 75 FR 78808 - Agency Information Collection (VA Request for Determination of Reasonable Value) Activity Under...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-16

    ... Request for Determination of Reasonable Value) Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY: Veterans Benefits... Determination of Reasonable Value VA Form 26- 1805 and 26-1805-1. OMB Control Number: 2900-0045. Type of Review... alterations does not exceed the reasonable value; or if the loan is for repair, alteration, or improvements of...

  14. An objective method and measuring equipment for noise control and acoustic diagnostics of motorcars. [acoustic diagnostics on automobile engines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kacprowski, J.; Motylewski, J.; Miazga, J.

    1974-01-01

    An objective method and apparatus for noise control and acoustic diagnostics of motorcar engines are reported. The method and apparatus let us know whether the noisiness of the vehicle under test exceeds the admissible threshold levels given by appropriate standards and if so what is the main source of the excessive noise. The method consists in measuring both the overall noise level and the sound pressure levels in definite frequency bands while the engine speed is controlled as well and may be fixed at prescribed values. Whenever the individually adjusted threshold level has been exceeded in any frequency band, a self-sustaining control signal is sent.

  15. 31 CFR 594.509 - Transactions related to mail authorized.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... (Continued) OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY GLOBAL TERRORISM SANCTIONS... communications not involving a transfer of anything of value and not exceeding 12 ounces in weight. ...

  16. 14 CFR 170.23 - LORAN-C establishment criteria.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (CONTINUED) NAVIGATIONAL FACILITIES ESTABLISHMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE CRITERIA FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL...-cost ratio equals or exceeds one). As defined in § 170.3 of this part, the benefit-cost ratio is the ratio of the present value of the LORAN-C life-cycle benefits (PVB) to the present value of LORAN-C life...

  17. Persistence analysis of extreme CO, NO2 and O3 concentrations in ambient air of Delhi

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chelani, Asha B.

    2012-05-01

    Persistence analysis of air pollutant concentration and corresponding exceedance time series is carried out to examine for temporal evolution. For this purpose, air pollutant concentrations, namely, CO, NO2 and O3 observed during 2000-2009 at a traffic site in Delhi are analyzed using detrended fluctuation analysis. Two types of extreme values are analyzed; exceeded concentrations to a threshold provided by national pollution controlling agency and time interval between two exceedances. The time series of three pollutants is observed to possess persistence property whereas the extreme value time series of only primary pollutant concentrations is found to be persistent. Two time scaling regions are observed to be significant in extreme time series of CO and NO2, mainly attributed to implementation of CNG in vehicles. The presence of persistence in three pollutant concentration time series is linked to the property of self-organized criticality. The observed persistence in the time interval between two exceeded levels is a matter of concern as persistent high concentrations can trigger health problems.

  18. Validation of MIL-F-9490D - General Specification for Flight Control System for Piloted Military Aircraft. Volume II. YF-17 Lightweight Fighter Validation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-04-01

    Leakage current shall not exceed 10 milliamps when a dielectric stress voltage of 1,200 volts, 60 liz, is applied for 1 minute between insulated...include requirements which eqtial or exceed requirements of this paragraph. However, lower values for dielectric stress voltage and insulation...resistance were specified for solid state elec- tronic assemblies. Northrop’s requirement for dielectric strenirth specifies a test voltage of 300 volts RMS

  19. Spacecraft momentum unloading using controlled magnetic torques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Linder, David M. (Inventor); Goodzeit, Neil E. (Inventor); Schwarzschild, Marc (Inventor)

    1992-01-01

    A method for maintaining the attitude of a three-axis controlled satellite by use of magnetic torquers includes using magnetometers for measuring the direction of the ambient geomagnetic field. The direction of the net reaction wheel momentum is also determined. The angle between the direction of the geomagnetic field and the net reaction wheel momentum is determined. The angle is compared with a threshold value. Magnetic torquer power consumption is reduced by operating the magnetic torquers only when the angle exceeds the threshold value.

  20. 41 CFR 102-73.40 - What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? 102-73.40 Section 102-73.40 Public... § 102-73.40 What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? Projects... the prospectus threshold. To obtain this approval, the Administrator of General Services will transmit...

  1. 41 CFR 102-73.40 - What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? 102-73.40 Section 102-73.40 Public... § 102-73.40 What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? Projects... the prospectus threshold. To obtain this approval, the Administrator of General Services will transmit...

  2. 41 CFR 102-73.40 - What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? 102-73.40 Section 102-73.40 Public... § 102-73.40 What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? Projects... the prospectus threshold. To obtain this approval, the Administrator of General Services will transmit...

  3. 40 CFR 421.306 - Pretreatment standards for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... exceed the following values: (a) Chlorination off-gas wet air pollution control. PSNS for the Primary and... average mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of TiCl4 produced Chromium (total) 0.346 0.140 Lead 0.262 0.122 Nickel 0.515 0.346 Titanium 0.496 0.215 (b) Chlorination area-vent wet air pollution control. PSNS for...

  4. 40 CFR 421.306 - Pretreatment standards for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... exceed the following values: (a) Chlorination off-gas wet air pollution control. PSNS for the Primary and... average mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of TiCl4 produced Chromium (total) 0.346 0.140 Lead 0.262 0.122 Nickel 0.515 0.346 Titanium 0.496 0.215 (b) Chlorination area-vent wet air pollution control. PSNS for...

  5. CONTROL LIMITER DEVICE

    DOEpatents

    DeShong, J.A.

    1960-03-01

    A control-limiting device for monltoring a control system is described. The system comprises a conditionsensing device, a condition-varying device exerting a control over the condition, and a control means to actuate the condition-varying device. A control-limiting device integrates the total movement or other change of the condition-varying device over any interval of time during a continuum of overlapping periods of time, and if the tothl movement or change of the condition-varying device exceeds a preset value, the control- limiting device will switch the control of the operated apparatus from automatic to manual control.

  6. Effective control measures at high particulate pollution areas : analysis of data from the 2000 Phoenix Greenwood study

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2005-02-01

    Annual average PM10 concentrations at the Greenwood monitoring station in western Phoenix have : exceeded EPAs annual average air quality standard and are higher on average than values observed at the : West Phoenix monitor, which is located just ...

  7. 40 CFR 421.86 - Pretreatment standards for new sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS NONFERROUS METALS MANUFACTURING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Primary Zinc Subcategory § 421... pollutants in primary zinc process wastewaters introduced into a POTW shall not exceed the following values: (a) Subpart H—Zinc Reduction Furnace Wet Air Pollution Control. PSNS Pollutant or pollutant property...

  8. 14 CFR 25.1127 - Exhaust driven turbo-superchargers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... flexibility between exhaust conduits and the turbine. (b) There must be provisions for lubricating the turbine and for cooling turbine parts where temperatures are critical. (c) If the normal turbo-supercharger control system malfunctions, the turbine speed may not exceed its maximum allowable value. Except for the...

  9. 14 CFR 25.1127 - Exhaust driven turbo-superchargers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... flexibility between exhaust conduits and the turbine. (b) There must be provisions for lubricating the turbine and for cooling turbine parts where temperatures are critical. (c) If the normal turbo-supercharger control system malfunctions, the turbine speed may not exceed its maximum allowable value. Except for the...

  10. 14 CFR 25.1127 - Exhaust driven turbo-superchargers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... flexibility between exhaust conduits and the turbine. (b) There must be provisions for lubricating the turbine and for cooling turbine parts where temperatures are critical. (c) If the normal turbo-supercharger control system malfunctions, the turbine speed may not exceed its maximum allowable value. Except for the...

  11. 21 CFR 1403.33 - Supplies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 9 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Supplies. 1403.33 Section 1403.33 Food and Drugs OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award...

  12. 21 CFR 1403.33 - Supplies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 9 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Supplies. 1403.33 Section 1403.33 Food and Drugs OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE... supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the award...

  13. 28 CFR 66.33 - Supplies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... is a residual inventory of unused supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Supplies. 66.33 Section 66.33 Judicial... Supplies. (a) The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended, Public Law 90-351...

  14. Radiofrequency Exposures of Workers on Low-Power FM Radio Transmitters.

    PubMed

    Valic, Blaž; Kos, Bor; Gajšek, Peter

    2017-05-01

    Low-power radio transmitters are one of the most common radio frequency sources and the exposure limit values (ELVs) for occupational exposure may be exceeded close to them. Therefore, a detailed analysis and assessment of occupational exposure in their vicinity is presented in the paper. For 20 different exposure scenarios, electric field strength and specific absorption rate (SAR) values were computed to determine whether the action levels (ALs) and ELVs of the European directive 2013/35/EU are exceeded for different 500 W radio transmitters. The results show that the ALs are very conservative for such exposure situations. Even when the ALs are greatly exceeded, the SAR values are not necessarily above the limit. However, in some situations, the ELVs were also exceeded. The local 10 g averaged value of the SAR can be exceeded if the worker is grounded (in direct contact with the steel structure), while the whole body ELVs can be exceeded for exposures at distances of <1 m from the transmitting dipole array antennas. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

  15. Space Shuttle hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flight research and the comparison to ground test results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Iliff, Kenneth W.; Shafer, Mary F.

    1993-01-01

    Aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic comparisons between flight and ground test for the Space Shuttle at hypersonic speeds are discussed. All of the comparisons are taken from papers published by researchers active in the Space Shuttle program. The aerodynamic comparisons include stability and control derivatives, center-of-pressure location, and reaction control jet interaction. Comparisons are also discussed for various forms of heating, including catalytic, boundary layer, top centerline, side fuselage, OMS pod, wing leading edge, and shock interaction. The jet interaction and center-of-pressure location flight values exceeded not only the predictions but also the uncertainties of the predictions. Predictions were significantly exceeded for the heating caused by the vortex impingement on the OMS pods and for heating caused by the wing leading-edge shock interaction.

  16. [Mapping Critical Loads of Heavy Metals for Soil Based on Different Environmental Effects].

    PubMed

    Shi, Ya-xing; Wu, Shao-hua; Zhou, Sheng-lu; Wang, Chun-hui; Chen, Hao

    2015-12-01

    China's rapid development of industrialization and urbanization causes the growing problem of heavy metal pollution of soil, threatening environment and human health. Therefore, prevention and management of heavy metal pollution become particularly important. Critical loads of heavy metals are an important management tool that can be utilized to prevent the occurrence of heavy metal pollution. Our study was based on three cases: status balance, water environmental effects and health risks. We used the steady-state mass balance equation to calculate the critical loads of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn at different effect levels and analyze the values and spatial variation of critical loads. In addition, we used the annual input fluxes of heavy metals of the agro-ecosystem in the Yangtze River delta and China to estimate the proportion of area with exceedance of critical loads. The results demonstrated that the critical load value of Cd was the minimum, and the values of Cu and Zn were lager. There were spatial differences among the critical loads of four elements in the study area, lower critical loads areas mainly occurred in woodland and high value areas distributed in the east and southwest of the study area, while median values and the medium high areas mainly occurred in farmland. Comparing the input fluxes of heavy metals, we found that Pb and Zn in more than 90% of the area exceeded the critical loads under different environmental effects in the study area. The critical load exceedance of Cd mainly occurred under the status balance and the water environmental effect, while Cu under the status balance and water environmental effect with a higher proportion of exceeded areas. Critical loads of heavy metals at different effect levels in this study could serve as a reference from effective control of the emissions of heavy metals and to prevent the occurrence of heavy metal pollution.

  17. Experimental and analytical studies on multiple tuned mass dampers for seismic protection of porcelain electrical equipment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bai, Wen; Dai, Junwu; Zhou, Huimeng; Yang, Yongqiang; Ning, Xiaoqing

    2017-10-01

    Porcelain electrical equipment (PEE), such as current transformers, is critical to power supply systems, but its seismic performance during past earthquakes has not been satisfactory. This paper studies the seismic performance of two typical types of PEE and proposes a damping method for PEE based on multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD). An MTMD damping device involving three mass units, named a triple tuned mass damper (TTMD), is designed and manufactured. Through shake table tests and finite element analysis, the dynamic characteristics of the PEE are studied and the effectiveness of the MTMD damping method is verified. The adverse influence of MTMD redundant mass to damping efficiency is studied and relevant equations are derived. MTMD robustness is verified through adjusting TTMD control frequencies. The damping effectiveness of TTMD, when the peak ground acceleration far exceeds the design value, is studied. Both shake table tests and finite element analysis indicate that MTMD is effective and robust in attenuating PEE seismic responses. TTMD remains effective when the PGA far exceeds the design value and when control deviations are considered.

  18. Fuel cell stack monitoring and system control

    DOEpatents

    Keskula, Donald H.; Doan, Tien M.; Clingerman, Bruce J.

    2004-02-17

    A control method for monitoring a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system in which the actual voltage and actual current from the fuel cell stack are monitored. A preestablished relationship between voltage and current over the operating range of the fuel cell is established. A variance value between the actual measured voltage and the expected voltage magnitude for a given actual measured current is calculated and compared with a predetermined allowable variance. An output is generated if the calculated variance value exceeds the predetermined variance. The predetermined voltage-current for the fuel cell is symbolized as a polarization curve at given operating conditions of the fuel cell.

  19. Risk assessment of water quality in three North Carolina, USA, streams supporting federally endangered freshwater mussels (Unionidae)

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Ward, S.; Augspurger, T.; Dwyer, F.J.; Kane, C.; Ingersoll, C.G.

    2007-01-01

    Water quality data were collected from three drainages supporting the endangered Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) and dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) to determine the potential for impaired water quality to limit the recovery of these freshwater mussels in North Carolina, USA. Total recoverable copper, total residual chlorine, and total ammonia nitrogen were measured every two months for approximately a year at sites bracketing wastewater sources and mussel habitat. These data and state monitoring datasets were compared with ecological screening values, including estimates of chemical concentrations likely to be protective of mussels, and federal ambient water quality criteria to assess site risks following a hazard quotient approach. In one drainage, the site-specific ammonia ecological screening value for acute exposures was exceeded in 6% of the samples, and 15% of samples exceeded the chronic ecological screening value; however, ammonia concentrations were generally below levels of concern in other drainages. In all drainages, copper concentrations were higher than ecological screening values most frequently (exceeding the ecological screening values for acute exposures in 65-94% of the samples). Chlorine concentrations exceeding the acute water quality criterion were observed in 14 and 35% of samples in two of three drainages. The ecological screening values were exceeded most frequently in Goose Creek and the Upper Tar River drainages; concentrations rarely exceeded ecological screening values in the Swift Creek drainage except for copper. The site-specific risk assessment approach provides valuable information (including site-specific risk estimates and ecological screening values for protection) that can be applied through regulatory and nonregulatory means to improve water quality for mussels where risks are indicated and pollutant threats persist. ?? 2007 SETAC.

  20. Robot gripper

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Webb, Winston S. (Inventor)

    1987-01-01

    An electronic force-detecting robot gripper for gripping objects and attaching to an external robot arm is disclosed. The gripper comprises motor apparatus, gripper jaws, and electrical circuits for driving the gripper motor and sensing the amount of force applied by the jaws. The force applied by the jaws is proportional to a threshold value of the motor current. When the motor current exceeds the threshold value, the electrical circuits supply a feedback signal to the electrical control circuit which, in turn, stops the gripper motor.

  1. 40 CFR Table Hh-1 to Subpart Hh of... - Emissions Factors, Oxidation Factors and Methods

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... value when the potential evapotranspiration rate exceeds the mean annual precipitation rate plus recirculated leachate. Use the greater value when the potential evapotranspiration rate does not exceed the... recirculation can elect to use the greater value rather than assessing the potential evapotranspiration rate or...

  2. 49 CFR 228.107 - Action on petition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., concerning the processing of requests for special approvals. (b) In considering a petition for approval filed... and in light of other relevant safety factors; and (2) Interior noise levels in the facility. (c) The... interior noise levels due to noise under the control of the railroad to exceed an Leq(8) value of 55dB(A...

  3. 49 CFR 571.126 - Standard No. 126; Electronic stability control systems.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... counterclockwise steering, and the other series uses clockwise steering. The maximum time permitted between each... or side slip derivative with respect to time; (4) That has a means to monitor driver steering inputs... dwell steering input (time T0 + 1 in Figure 1) must not exceed 35 percent of the first peak value of yaw...

  4. 49 CFR 571.126 - Standard No. 126; Electronic stability control systems.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... counterclockwise steering, and the other series uses clockwise steering. The maximum time permitted between each... or side slip derivative with respect to time; (4) That has a means to monitor driver steering inputs... dwell steering input (time T0 + 1 in Figure 1) must not exceed 35 percent of the first peak value of yaw...

  5. Research in Stochastic Processes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-08-31

    stationary sequence, Stochastic Proc. Appl. 29, 1988, 155-169 T. Hsing, J. Husler and M.R. Leadbetter, On the exceedance point process for a stationary...Nandagopalan, On exceedance point processes for "regular" sample functions, Proc. Volume, Oberxolfach Conf. on Extreme Value Theory, J. Husler and R. Reiss...exceedance point processes for stationary sequences under mild oscillation restrictions, Apr. 88. Obermotfach Conf. on Extremal Value Theory. Ed. J. HUsler

  6. Neuropathological evaluation of monkeys exposed to body-alone X-radiation.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haymaker, W.; Sturrock, D.; Kirk, J. H.; Casey, H. W.; Call, N. A.

    1972-01-01

    Investigation of the problem of whether morphological changes occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) following whole-body irradiation are attributable in part to abscopal factors. The 12 monkeys irradiated and the 6 that served as controls were chosen from a pool of 25 young monkeys. Over the postirradiation survival period of 14 days the hematocrit and hemoglobin values varied only slightly from the baseline values and from the values in the 6 control animals. White cell fractions were reduced in quantity but tended to recover relatively soon after irradiation. The design of this experiment was regarded as adequate to allow a conclusion whether pathological changes in the CNS of the irradiated animals differed from or exceeded those observed in the control animals. That such occurred on both counts in 3 of the 12 irradiated animals was evident. It appears that all the lesions must have been abscopally induced.

  7. Exercise training improves autonomic profiles in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

    PubMed

    El Mhandi, Lhassan; Pichot, Vincent; Calmels, Paul; Gautheron, Vincent; Roche, Frédéric; Féasson, Léonard

    2011-11-01

    The effect of an interval exercise training (ITE) program on heart rate variability (HRV) was studied in 8 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and 8 healthy controls. At baseline, all subjects underwent ambulatory 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring to evaluate HRV. HRV analysis was repeated on CMT patients after they completed a 24-week ITE program on a cycle ergometer. Before exercise, all HRV indices were lower in patients compared with controls, and the difference reached statistical significance for pNN50 (percent of differences between adjacent R-R intervals exceeding 50 ms). After ITE, time- and frequency-domain indices were significantly improved, particularly at night (+8% mean R-R interval, +95% pNN50, 52% reduction in low/high-frequency ratio). We observed significant increases in some of the time and frequency parameters, and values sometimes exceeded those of controls at baseline. Our results suggest that ITE improves HRV modulation in CMT patients by enhancing parasympathetic activity. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Intelligent control system for continuous technological process of alkylation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gebel, E. S.; Hakimov, R. A.

    2018-01-01

    Relevance of intelligent control for complex dynamic objects and processes are shown in this paper. The model of a virtual analyzer based on a neural network is proposed. Comparative analysis of mathematical models implemented in MathLab software showed that the most effective from the point of view of the reproducibility of the result is the model with seven neurons in the hidden layer, the training of which was performed using the method of scaled coupled gradients. Comparison of the data from the laboratory analysis and the theoretical model are showed that the root-mean-square error does not exceed 3.5, and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient corresponds to a "strong" connection between the values.

  9. Effects of 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic discs in male rats.

    PubMed

    Kimball, F A; Frielink, R D; Porteus, S E

    1978-01-01

    Silicone rubber discs containing 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha ester (15-Me-PGF2 alpha) in the matrix were implanted in the left side of the scrotums of Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of 1% and 2% drug concentration was examined for 10, 20, or 28 days and compared with the effects of Silastic discs containing no prostaglandin. The discs containing prostaglandin reduced mean testicular and accessory gland weights. Histologically the testes and epididymides showed decreased or absent spermatogenic elements and hypertrophy of the interstitial cell masses in comparison with other cells. Implanted prostaglandin significantly depressed serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations when 15-Me-PGF2 alpha plasma concentrations exceeded 2 ng/ml. Hormone concentrations returned to control values as drug concentrations declined. FSH concentrations significantly exceeded control values 10 and 20 days after implantation, when prostaglandin concentration was nondetectable. The acute suppression of all three hormones suggest that 15-Me-PGF2 alpha either may act directly on the tests to suppress testosterone production or may suppress testosterone production or may suppress gonadotropin secretion, resulting in depressed testosterone output.

  10. Numerical modeling of the transmission dynamics of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant HSV-2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gumel, A. B.

    2001-03-01

    A competitive finite-difference method will be constructed and used to solve a modified deterministic model for the spread of herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) within a given population. The model monitors the transmission dynamics and control of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant HSV-2. Unlike the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method (RK4), which fails when the discretization parameters exceed certain values, the novel numerical method to be developed in this paper gives convergent results for all parameter values.

  11. Past, present and future concentrations of ground-level ozone and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health in northern Europe.

    PubMed

    Karlsson, Per Erik; Klingberg, Jenny; Engardt, Magnuz; Andersson, Camilla; Langner, Joakim; Karlsson, Gunilla Pihl; Pleijel, Håkan

    2017-01-15

    This review summarizes new information on the current status of ground-level ozone in Europe north of the Alps. There has been a re-distribution in the hourly ozone concentrations in northern Europe during 1990-2015. The highest concentrations during summer daytime hours have decreased while the summer night-time and winter day- and night-time concentrations have increased. The yearly maximum 8-h mean concentrations ([O 3 ] 8h,max ), a metric used to assess ozone impacts on human health, have decreased significantly during 1990-2015 at four out of eight studied sites in Fennoscandia and northern UK. Also the annual number of days when the yearly [O 3 ] 8h,max exceeded the EU Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) target value of 60ppb has decreased. In contrast, the number of days per year when the yearly [O 3 ] 8h,max exceeded 35ppb has increased significantly at two sites, while it decreased at one far northern site. [O 3 ] 8h,max is predicted not to exceed 60ppb in northern UK and Fennoscandia after 2020. However, the WHO EQS target value of 50ppb will still be exceeded. The AOT40 May-July and AOT40 April-September metrics, used for the protection of vegetation, have decreased significantly at three and four sites, respectively. The EQS for the protection of forests, AOT40 April-September 5000ppbh, is projected to no longer be exceeded for most of northern Europe sometime before the time period 2040-2059. However, if the EQS is based on Phytotoxic Ozone Dose (POD), POD 1 , it may still be exceeded by 2050. The increasing trend for low and medium range ozone concentrations in combination with a decrease in high concentrations indicate that a new control strategy, with a larger geographical scale than Europe and including methane, is needed for ozone abatement in northern Europe. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. 26 CFR 1.1374-3 - Net unrealized built-in gain.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ..., the amount by which the fair market value of the Y stock exceeded its adjusted basis as of January 1... basis of the Y stock exceeded its fair market value as of January 1, 2005. Accordingly, for taxable... first pool of assets is all of the outstanding stock of Y, a C corporation, with a fair market value of...

  13. Radioactive anomaly discrimination from spectral ratios

    DOEpatents

    Maniscalco, James; Sjoden, Glenn; Chapman, Mac Clements

    2013-08-20

    A method for discriminating a radioactive anomaly from naturally occurring radioactive materials includes detecting a first number of gamma photons having energies in a first range of energy values within a predetermined period of time and detecting a second number of gamma photons having energies in a second range of energy values within the predetermined period of time. The method further includes determining, in a controller, a ratio of the first number of gamma photons having energies in the first range and the second number of gamma photons having energies in the second range, and determining that a radioactive anomaly is present when the ratio exceeds a threshold value.

  14. Storm Water Data 10-27-2016 for Upload to State Database.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holland, Robert C.

    In the California Industrial General Permit (IGP) 2014-0057-DWQ for storm water monitoring, effective July 1, 2015, there are 21 contaminants that have been assigned NAL (Numeric Action Level) values, both annual and instantaneous. For annual NALs, an exceedance occurs when the average of all analytical results from all samples taken at a facility during a reporting year for a given parameter exceeds an annual NAL value listed in Table 2 of the General Permit. For instantaneous maximum NALs, an exceedance occurs when two or more analytical results from samples taken for any parameter within a reporting year exceed the instantaneousmore » maximum NAL value (for TSS and O&G), or are outside of the instantaneous maximum NAL range (for pH) listed in Table 2. Table 2 is attached here for your review.« less

  15. Influence of Contact Angle, Growth Angle and Melt Surface Tension on Detached Solidification of InSb

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wang, Yazhen; Regel, Liya L.; Wilcox, William R.

    2000-01-01

    We extended the previous analysis of detached solidification of InSb based on the moving meniscus model. We found that for steady detached solidification to occur in a sealed ampoule in zero gravity, it is necessary for the growth angle to exceed a critical value, the contact angle for the melt on the ampoule wall to exceed a critical value, and the melt-gas surface tension to be below a critical value. These critical values would depend on the material properties and the growth parameters. For the conditions examined here, the sum of the growth angle and the contact angle must exceed approximately 130, which is significantly less than required if both ends of the ampoule are open.

  16. Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of two alternating current (AC) machines

    DOEpatents

    Gallegos-Lopez, Gabriel [Torrance, CA; Nagashima, James M [Cerritos, CA; Perisic, Milun [Torrance, CA; Hiti, Silva [Redondo Beach, CA

    2012-02-14

    A system is provided for controlling two AC machines. The system comprises a DC input voltage source that provides a DC input voltage, a voltage boost command control module (VBCCM), a five-phase PWM inverter module coupled to the two AC machines, and a boost converter coupled to the inverter module and the DC input voltage source. The boost converter is designed to supply a new DC input voltage to the inverter module having a value that is greater than or equal to a value of the DC input voltage. The VBCCM generates a boost command signal (BCS) based on modulation indexes from the two AC machines. The BCS controls the boost converter such that the boost converter generates the new DC input voltage in response to the BCS. When the two AC machines require additional voltage that exceeds the DC input voltage required to meet a combined target mechanical power required by the two AC machines, the BCS controls the boost converter to drive the new DC input voltage generated by the boost converter to a value greater than the DC input voltage.

  17. SU-C-BRD-03: Analysis of Accelerator Generated Text Logs for Preemptive Maintenance

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Able, CM; Baydush, AH; Nguyen, C

    2014-06-15

    Purpose: To develop a model to analyze medical accelerator generated parameter and performance data that will provide an early warning of performance degradation and impending component failure. Methods: A robust 6 MV VMAT quality assurance treatment delivery was used to test the constancy of accelerator performance. The generated text log files were decoded and analyzed using statistical process control (SPC) methodology. The text file data is a single snapshot of energy specific and overall systems parameters. A total of 36 system parameters were monitored which include RF generation, electron gun control, energy control, beam uniformity control, DC voltage generation, andmore » cooling systems. The parameters were analyzed using Individual and Moving Range (I/MR) charts. The chart limits were calculated using a hybrid technique that included the use of the standard 3σ limits and the parameter/system specification. Synthetic errors/changes were introduced to determine the initial effectiveness of I/MR charts in detecting relevant changes in operating parameters. The magnitude of the synthetic errors/changes was based on: the value of 1 standard deviation from the mean operating parameter of 483 TB systems, a small fraction (≤ 5%) of the operating range, or a fraction of the minor fault deviation. Results: There were 34 parameters in which synthetic errors were introduced. There were 2 parameters (radial position steering coil, and positive 24V DC) in which the errors did not exceed the limit of the I/MR chart. The I chart limit was exceeded for all of the remaining parameters (94.2%). The MR chart limit was exceeded in 29 of the 32 parameters (85.3%) in which the I chart limit was exceeded. Conclusion: Statistical process control I/MR evaluation of text log file parameters may be effective in providing an early warning of performance degradation or component failure for digital medical accelerator systems. Research is Supported by Varian Medical Systems, Inc.« less

  18. Evaluating links between forest harvest and stream temperature threshold exceedances: the value of spatial and temporal data

    Treesearch

    Jeremiah D. Groom; Sherri L. Johnson; Joshua D. Seeds; George G. Ice

    2017-01-01

    We present the results of a replicated before-after-control-impact study on 33 streams to test the effectiveness of riparian rules for private and State forests at meeting temperature criteria in streams in western Oregon. Many states have established regulatory temperature thresholds, referred to as numeric criteria, to protect cold-water fishes such as salmon and...

  19. A Bayesian predictive two-stage design for phase II clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Sambucini, Valeria

    2008-04-15

    In this paper, we propose a Bayesian two-stage design for phase II clinical trials, which represents a predictive version of the single threshold design (STD) recently introduced by Tan and Machin. The STD two-stage sample sizes are determined specifying a minimum threshold for the posterior probability that the true response rate exceeds a pre-specified target value and assuming that the observed response rate is slightly higher than the target. Unlike the STD, we do not refer to a fixed experimental outcome, but take into account the uncertainty about future data. In both stages, the design aims to control the probability of getting a large posterior probability that the true response rate exceeds the target value. Such a probability is expressed in terms of prior predictive distributions of the data. The performance of the design is based on the distinction between analysis and design priors, recently introduced in the literature. The properties of the method are studied when all the design parameters vary.

  20. Automatic thermal control switches. [for use in Space Shuttle borne Get Away Special container

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wing, L. D.

    1982-01-01

    Two automatic, flexible connection thermal control switches have been designed and tested in a thermal vacuum facility and in the Get Away Special (GAS) container flown on the third Shuttle flight. The switches are complementary in that one switch passes heat when the plate on which it is mounted exceeds some selected temperature and the other switch will pass heat only when the mounting plate temperature is below the selected value. Both switches are driven and controlled by phase-change capsule motors and require no other power source or thermal sensors.

  1. Defense Contracting: Key Data Not Routinely Used in Progress Payment Reviews

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-01-14

    the amount of pay- By .ments based on the fair value of undelivered work. Contractors may Distibtion ] submit requests for progress payments monthly and...exceed the Federal Acquisition Regulation limitations. These checks are based on contractor data and include the fair value and the loss ratio tests. The... fair value test is intended to ensure that progress payments for work in process do not exceed the value of that work. The loss ratio test is intended

  2. Particle swarm optimization algorithm based parameters estimation and control of epileptiform spikes in a neural mass model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shan, Bonan; Wang, Jiang; Deng, Bin; Wei, Xile; Yu, Haitao; Zhang, Zhen; Li, Huiyan

    2016-07-01

    This paper proposes an epilepsy detection and closed-loop control strategy based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The proposed strategy can effectively suppress the epileptic spikes in neural mass models, where the epileptiform spikes are recognized as the biomarkers of transitions from the normal (interictal) activity to the seizure (ictal) activity. In addition, the PSO algorithm shows capabilities of accurate estimation for the time evolution of key model parameters and practical detection for all the epileptic spikes. The estimation effects of unmeasurable parameters are improved significantly compared with unscented Kalman filter. When the estimated excitatory-inhibitory ratio exceeds a threshold value, the epileptiform spikes can be inhibited immediately by adopting the proportion-integration controller. Besides, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method as well as the potential value for the model-based early seizure detection and closed-loop control treatment design.

  3. 40 CFR Table Hh-1 to Subpart Hh of... - Emissions Factors, Oxidation Factors and Methods

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... evapotranspiration rate exceeds the mean annual precipitation rate plus recirculated leachate. Use the greater value when the potential evapotranspiration rate does not exceed the mean annual precipitation rate plus... value rather than assessing the potential evapotranspiration rate or recirculated leachate rate. [75 FR...

  4. 40 CFR Table Hh-1 to Subpart Hh of... - Emissions Factors, Oxidation Factors and Methods

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... evapotranspiration rate exceeds the mean annual precipitation rate plus recirculated leachate. Use the greater value when the potential evapotranspiration rate does not exceed the mean annual precipitation rate plus... value rather than assessing the potential evapotranspiration rate or recirculated leachate rate. [75 FR...

  5. 40 CFR Table Hh-1 to Subpart Hh of... - Emissions Factors, Oxidation Factors and Methods

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... evapotranspiration rate exceeds the mean annual precipitation rate plus recirculated leachate. Use the greater value when the potential evapotranspiration rate does not exceed the mean annual precipitation rate plus... value rather than assessing the potential evapotranspiration rate or recirculated leachate rate. [75 FR...

  6. Handling of induced hypercalcaemia in hyperthyroidism

    PubMed Central

    Lim, P.; Jacob, E.; Khoo, O. T.

    1969-01-01

    The mean serum calcium of 13 hyperthyroid patients was found to be significantly higher than that of controls matched for sex and age, though none of the patients' values were outside the normal range. Nevertheless, these patients responded very promptly to hypercalcaemia (induced by an intravenous calcium load), and their serum calcium returned to normal much more rapidly compared with the matched controls. There was also increased retention of intravenous calcium load, possibly owing to increased calcitonin production. Calcium infusion may be useful in treating bone diseases in which increased bone resorption exceeds bone accretion. PMID:5354875

  7. Assessment of Changes in Cloud Microphysical Properties and Rainfall in the Southeast Atlantic During the ORACLES 2016 Deployment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Diamond, M. S.; Dzambo, A.; L'Ecuyer, T.; Wood, R.; Durden, S. L.; Sy, O. O.; Tanelli, S.; Freitag, S.; Howell, S. G.; Smirnow, N.; Small Griswold, J. D.; Heikkila, A.

    2017-12-01

    Complex interactions between aerosol particles and clouds are the largest source of uncertainty in present-day radiative forcing and future projections of anthropogenic climate change. Unlike that of well-mixed greenhouse gases, the pattern of forcing for aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI) is regionally heterogeneous; one region of particular interest is the southeast Atlantic Ocean (SEA) off the western coast of Africa. During the southern African biomass burning (BB) season from July to October, a persistent layer of BB aerosol has been observed overlying one of the world's three semi-permanent stratocumulus (Sc) cloud decks. The vertical distribution of smoke over the SEA region remains poorly understood, particularly how much BB aerosol mixes into the Sc deck, which alters the clouds' microphysical properties. To investigate the effects of BB aerosols over the SEA Sc deck, we utilize data from the Airborne Third Generation Precipitation Radar (APR-3), an assortment of cloud probes, the Hawaii Group for Environmental Aerosol Research (HIGEAR) nephelometer, and other in-situ instruments on the P-3 aircraft during NASA's ObseRvations of Aerosols above CLouds and their intEractionS (ORACLES) 2016 campaign. Nearly all clouds observed in this experiment have a cloud top altitude of 1.5 km or less, with cloud top reflectivities rarely exceeding -15 dBZ. Two representative flights, the Aug. 31 and Sept. 6 missions, have cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) values approximately between 250 and 350 per cubic centimeter (cc), with values exceeding 400/cc near the coast. Retrieved rainfall estimates suggest intermittent drizzle production occurs but rarely exceeds 0.1 mm h-1 further into the BB layer, and any drizzle production corresponds to CDNC values of approximately 300/cc or less. These two particular flights show that, when CDNC exceeds 400/cc, clouds drizzle less than 1% of the time. The distance between the Sc deck and BB layer is computed. Although a majority of cases show the Sc deck and BB layer are in contact, CDNC is not primarily controlled by this "gap" distance, suggesting that BB layer-Sc deck contact is not sufficient enough to explain cloud microphysical variability in the SEA region. Trajectory analyses of air masses are also presented to highlight underlying meteorological controls.

  8. The value of conflict in stable social networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pramukkul, Pensri; Svenkeson, Adam; West, Bruce J.; Grigolini, Paolo

    2015-09-01

    A cooperative network model of sociological interest is examined to determine the sensitivity of the global dynamics to having a fraction of the members behaving uncooperatively, that is, being in conflict with the majority. We study a condition where in the absence of these uncooperative individuals, the contrarians, the control parameter exceeds a critical value and the network is frozen in a state of consensus. The network dynamics change with variations in the percentage of contrarians, resulting in a balance between the value of the control parameter and the percentage of those in conflict with the majority. We show that, as a finite-size effect, the transmission of information from a network B to a network A, with a small fraction of lookout members in A who adopt the behavior of B, becomes maximal when both networks are assigned the same critical percentage of contrarians.

  9. Control of Heat and Charge Transport in Nanostructured Hybrid Materials

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-21

    measurements in our groups have yielded device ZT values of 0.4 on thermoelectric modules consisting of vertically oriented silicon nanowires . This is... nanowires with aspect ratio’s exceeding 10,000. Temperature differences as high as 800 °C are achievable for both types. The bulk nanostructured...thermal conductivity of the silicon nanostructures. Specifically, experiments on an array of 20 nm diameter vertically oriented silicon nanowires have

  10. Simulating extreme environments: Ergonomic evaluation of Chinese pilot performance and heat stress tolerance.

    PubMed

    Li, Jing; Tian, Yinsheng; Ding, Li; Zou, Huijuan; Ren, Zhaosheng; Shi, Liyong; Feathers, David; Wang, Ning

    2015-06-05

    High-temperatures in the cockpit environment can adversely influence pilot behavior and performance. To investigate the impact of high thermal environments on Chinese pilot performance in a simulated cockpit environment. Ten subjects volunteered to participate in the tests under 40°C and 45°C high-temperature simulations in an environmentally controlled chamber. Measures such as grip strength, perception, dexterity, somatic sense reaction, and analytical reasoning were taken. The results were compared to the Combined Index of Heat Stress (CIHS). CIHS exceeded the heat stress safety limit after 45 min under 40°C, grip strength decreased by 12% and somatic perception became 2.89 times larger than the initial value. In the case of 45°C, CIHS exceeded the safety limit after only 20 min, while the grip strength decreased just by 3.2% and somatic perception increased to 4.36 times larger than the initial value. Reaction and finger dexterity were not statistically different from baseline measurements, but the error rate of analytical reasoning test rose remarkably. Somatic perception was the most sensitive index to high-temperature, followed by grip strength. Results of this paper may help to improve environmental control design of new fighter cockpit and for pilot physiology and cockpit environment ergonomics research for Chinese pilots.

  11. Electronic control of different generation regimes in mode-locked all-fibre F8 laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kobtsev, Sergey; Ivanenko, Aleksey; Kokhanovskiy, Alexey; Smirnov, Sergey

    2018-04-01

    We demonstrate for the first time an electronically controlled realisation of markedly different generation regimes in a mode-locked all-fibre figure-eight (F8) Yb-doped laser. Electronic adjustment of the ratio of pumping powers of two amplification stages in a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror enables the establishment of stable pulse generation regimes with different degrees of coherence and control over their parameters within relatively broad limits, with the pulse duration range exceeding a factor of two in the picosecond domain for coherent and incoherent pulses, the energy range exceeding an order of magnitude for incoherent pulses (2.2-24.8 nJ) and over a factor of 8 for coherent pulses (1.9-16.2 nJ). Adjustment of the pumping powers allows one to maintain the duration of the coherent pulses and to set their peak power in the range of 32.5-292.5 W. The proposed configuration of electronic control over the radiation parameters of a mode-locked all-fibre F8 laser enables reproducible generation of pulses of different types with specified parameters within a broad range of values.

  12. Permeability and Strength Measurements on Sintered, Porous, Hollow Turbine Blades Made by the American Electro Metal Corporation under Office of Naval Research Contract N-ONR-295 (01)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richards, Hadley T.; Livingood, N.B.

    1954-01-01

    An experimental investigation was made to determine the permeability and strength characteristics of a number of sintered, porous, hollow turbine rotor blades and to determine the effectiveness of the blade fabrication method on permeability control. The test blades were fabricated by the American Electro Metal Corporation under a contract with the Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, and were submitted to the NACA for testing. Of the 22 test blades submitted, ten were sintered but not coined, five were sintered and coined, and seven were sintered and not coined but contained perforated reinforcements integral with the blade shells. Representative samples of each group of blades were tested. Large variations in permeability in both chordwise and spanwise directions were found. Local deviations as large as 155 to -85 percent from prescribed values were found in chordwise permeability. Only one blade, an uncoined one, had a chordwise permeability variations which reasonably approached that specified. Even for this blade, local deviations exceeded 10 percent. Spanwise permeability, specified to be held constant, varied as much as 50 percent from root to tip for both an uncoined and a coined blade. Previous NACA analyses have shown that in order to maintain proper control of blade wall temperatures, permeability variations must not exceed plus or minus 10 percent. Satisfactory control of permeability in either the chordwise or the spanwise direction was not achieved in the blades tested. Spin tests made at room temperature for six blades revealed the highest material rupture strength to be 8926 pounds per square inch. This value is about one third the strength required for rotor blades in present-day turbojet engines. The lowest value of blade strength was 1436 pounds per square inch.

  13. Effect of various infection-control methods for light-cure units on the cure of composite resins.

    PubMed

    Chong, S L; Lam, Y K; Lee, F K; Ramalingam, L; Yeo, A C; Lim, C C

    1998-01-01

    This study (1) compared the curing-light intensity with various barrier infection-control methods used to prevent cross contamination, (2) compared the Knoop hardness value of cured composite resin when various barrier control methods were used, and (3) correlated the hardness of the composite resin with the light-intensity output when different infection-control methods were used. The light-cure unit tips were covered with barriers, such as cellophane wrap, plastic gloves, Steri-shields, and finger cots. The control group had no barrier. Composite resins were then cured for each of the five groups, and their Knoop hardness values recorded. The results showed that there was significant statistical difference in the light-intensity output among the five groups. However, there was no significant statistical difference in the Knoop hardness values among any of the groups. There was also no correlation between the Knoop hardness value of the composite resin with the light-intensity output and the different infection-control methods. Therefore, any of the five infection-control methods could be used as barriers for preventing cross-contamination of the light-cure unit tip, for the light-intensity output for all five groups exceeded the recommended value of 300 W/m2. However, to allow a greater margin of error in clinical situations, the authors recommend that the plastic glove or the cellophane wrap be used to wrap the light-cure tip, since these barriers allowed the highest light-intensity output.

  14. 29 CFR 4043.31 - Extraordinary dividend or stock redemption.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... value of assets transferred by the person making the distribution, reduced by the fair market value of..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the...

  15. 29 CFR 4043.31 - Extraordinary dividend or stock redemption.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... value of assets transferred by the person making the distribution, reduced by the fair market value of..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the...

  16. 29 CFR 4043.31 - Extraordinary dividend or stock redemption.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... value of assets transferred by the person making the distribution, reduced by the fair market value of..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the...

  17. 29 CFR 4043.31 - Extraordinary dividend or stock redemption.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... value of assets transferred by the person making the distribution, reduced by the fair market value of..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the..., exceeds the adjusted net income (as defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section) of the person making the...

  18. 26 CFR 1.817-3 - Gain on property held on December 31, 1958, and certain substituted property acquired after 1958.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED... (iii) The fair market value of the property on December 31, 1958, exceeds the adjusted basis for... regard to section 817(b)(1)) exceeds the difference between fair market value of such property on...

  19. 26 CFR 1.817-3 - Gain on property held on December 31, 1958, and certain substituted property acquired after 1958.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED... (iii) The fair market value of the property on December 31, 1958, exceeds the adjusted basis for... regard to section 817(b)(1)) exceeds the difference between fair market value of such property on...

  20. Integrating spread dynamics and economics of timber production to manage Chinese tallow invasions in southern U.S. forestlands.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hsiao-Hsuan; Grant, William E; Gan, Jianbang; Rogers, William E; Swannack, Todd M; Koralewski, Tomasz E; Miller, James H; Taylor, John W

    2012-01-01

    Economic costs associated with the invasion of nonnative species are of global concern. We estimated expected costs of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) invasions related to timber production in southern U.S. forestlands under different management strategies. Expected costs were confined to the value of timber production losses plus costs for search and control. We simulated management strategies including (1) no control (NC), and control beginning as soon as the percentage of invaded forest land exceeded (2) 60 (Low Control), (3) 25 (Medium Control), or (4) 0 (High Control) using a spatially-explicit, stochastic, bioeconomic model. With NC, simulated invasions spread northward and westward into Arkansas and along the Gulf of Mexico to occupy ≈1.2 million hectares within 20 years, with associated expected total costs increasing exponentially to ≈$300 million. With LC, MC, and HC, invaded areas reached ≈275, 34, and 2 thousand hectares after 20 years, respectively, with associated expected costs reaching ≈$400, $230, and $200 million. Complete eradication would not be cost-effective; the minimum expected total cost was achieved when control began as soon as the percentage of invaded land exceeded 5%. These results suggest the importance of early detection and control of Chinese tallow, and emphasize the importance of integrating spread dynamics and economics to manage invasive species.

  1. Integrating Spread Dynamics and Economics of Timber Production to Manage Chinese Tallow Invasions in Southern U.S. Forestlands

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Hsiao-Hsuan; Grant, William E.; Gan, Jianbang; Rogers, William E.; Swannack, Todd M.; Koralewski, Tomasz E.; Miller, James H.; Taylor, John W.

    2012-01-01

    Economic costs associated with the invasion of nonnative species are of global concern. We estimated expected costs of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) invasions related to timber production in southern U.S. forestlands under different management strategies. Expected costs were confined to the value of timber production losses plus costs for search and control. We simulated management strategies including (1) no control (NC), and control beginning as soon as the percentage of invaded forest land exceeded (2) 60 (Low Control), (3) 25 (Medium Control), or (4) 0 (High Control) using a spatially-explicit, stochastic, bioeconomic model. With NC, simulated invasions spread northward and westward into Arkansas and along the Gulf of Mexico to occupy ≈1.2 million hectares within 20 years, with associated expected total costs increasing exponentially to ≈$300 million. With LC, MC, and HC, invaded areas reached ≈275, 34, and 2 thousand hectares after 20 years, respectively, with associated expected costs reaching ≈$400, $230, and $200 million. Complete eradication would not be cost-effective; the minimum expected total cost was achieved when control began as soon as the percentage of invaded land exceeded 5%. These results suggest the importance of early detection and control of Chinese tallow, and emphasize the importance of integrating spread dynamics and economics to manage invasive species. PMID:22442731

  2. Fuel cell stack monitoring and system control

    DOEpatents

    Keskula, Donald H.; Doan, Tien M.; Clingerman, Bruce J.

    2005-01-25

    A control method for monitoring a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system in which the actual voltage and actual current from the fuel cell stack are monitored. A preestablished relationship between voltage and current over the operating range of the fuel cell is established. A variance value between the actual measured voltage and the expected voltage magnitude for a given actual measured current is calculated and compared with a predetermined allowable variance. An output is generated if the calculated variance value exceeds the predetermined variance. The predetermined voltage-current for the fuel cell is symbolized as a polarization curve at given operating conditions of the fuel cell. Other polarization curves may be generated and used for fuel cell stack monitoring based on different operating pressures, temperatures, hydrogen quantities.

  3. Costs and benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Farias, Catharinne C; Resqueti, Vanessa; Dias, Fernando A L; Borghi-Silva, Audrey; Arena, Ross; Fregonezi, Guilherme A F

    2014-01-01

    The current study evaluated the costs and benefits of a simple aerobic walking program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This was a blinded randomized controlled clinical trial that recruited 72 patients diagnosed with COPD, 40 of whom were included in the study and divided into two groups [control group (CG) and pulmonary rehabilitation group (GPR)]. We assessed pulmonary function, distance covered during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), body composition, and level of activities of daily living (ADLs) before and after an 8-week walking program. The financial costs were calculated according to the pricing table of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Only 34 of the 40 patients remained in the final sample; 16 in the CG and 18 in the GPR (FEV1: 50.9 ± 14% predicted and FEV1: 56 ± 0.5% predicted, respectively). The intervention group exhibited improvements in the 6MWT, sensation of dyspnea and fatigue, work performed, BODE index (p<0.01), HRQOL, ADL level (p<0.001), and lower limb strength (p<0.05). The final mean cost per patient for the GPR was R$ 148.75 (~US$ 75.00) and no patient significantly exceeded this value. However, 2 patients in the CG did exceed this value, incurring a cost of R$ 689.15 (~US$ 345.00). Aerobic walking demonstrated significant clinical benefits in a cost-efficient manner in patients with COPD.

  4. Apparatus and method for processing Korotkov sounds. [for blood pressure measurement

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Golden, D. P., Jr.; Hoffler, G. W.; Wolthuis, R. A. (Inventor)

    1974-01-01

    A Korotkov sound processor, used in a noninvasive automatic blood measuring system where the brachial artery is occluded by an inflatable cuff, is disclosed. The Korotkoff sound associated with the systolic event is determined when the ratio of the absolute value of a voltage signal, representing Korotkov sounds in the range of 18 to 26 Hz to a maximum absolute peak value of the unfiltered signals, first equals or exceeds a value of 0.45. Korotkov sound associated with the diastolic event is determined when a ratio of the voltage signal of the Korotkov sounds in the range of 40 to 60 Hz to the absolute peak value of such signals within a single measurement cycle first falls below a value of 0.17. The processor signals the occurrence of the systolic and diastolic events and these signals can be used to control a recorder to record pressure values for these events.

  5. 46 CFR 151.10-20 - Hull construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... reactions (if applicable) shall be determined. The hull bending stress shall not exceed the applicable... hull. In such case, the hull stress shall not exceed either 50 percent of the minimum ultimate tensile... such case, the hull stress shall not exceed the percentage stress values prescribed in § 151.10-20(b)(2...

  6. 46 CFR 151.10-20 - Hull construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... reactions (if applicable) shall be determined. The hull bending stress shall not exceed the applicable... hull. In such case, the hull stress shall not exceed either 50 percent of the minimum ultimate tensile... such case, the hull stress shall not exceed the percentage stress values prescribed in § 151.10-20(b)(2...

  7. 26 CFR 1.817-3 - Gain on property held on December 31, 1958, and certain substituted property acquired after 1958.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Miscellaneous...) The fair market value of the property on December 31, 1958, exceeds the adjusted basis for determining... section 817(b)(1)) exceeds the difference between fair market value of such property on December 31, 1958...

  8. 41 CFR 102-73.40 - What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? 102-73.40 Section 102-73.40 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION REAL PROPERTY 73-REAL ESTATE...

  9. 41 CFR 102-73.40 - What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false What happens if the dollar value of the project exceeds the prospectus threshold? 102-73.40 Section 102-73.40 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION REAL PROPERTY 73-REAL ESTATE...

  10. Occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during work tasks at 110 kV substations in the Tampere region.

    PubMed

    Korpinen, Leena H; Pääkkönen, Rauno J

    2010-04-01

    The occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during various work tasks at seven 110 kV substations in Finland's Tampere region was studied. The aim was to investigate if the action values (10 kV/m for the E-field and 500 microT for the B-field) of the EU Directive 2004/40/EC were exceeded. Electric and magnetic fields were measured during the following work tasks: (1) walking or operating devices on the ground; (2) working from a service platform; (3) working around the power transformer on the ground or using a ladder; and (4) changing a bulb from a man hoist. In work task 2 "working from a service platform" the measured electric field (maximum value 16.6 kV/m) exceeded 10 kV/m in three cases. In the future it is important to study if the limit value (10 mA/m(2)) of Directive 2004/40/EC is exceeded at 110 kV substations. The occupational 500 microT action value of the magnetic flux density field (B-field) was not exceeded in any working situation.

  11. On evaluating compliance with air pollution levels not to be exceeded more than once per year

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Neustadter, H. E.; Sidik, S. M.

    1974-01-01

    The adequacy is considered of currently practiced monitoring and data reduction techniques for assessing compliance with 24-hour Air Quality Standards (AQS) not to be exceeded more than once per year. The present situation for suspended particulates is discussed. The following conclusions are reached: (1) For typical less than daily sampling (i.e., 60 to 120 24-hour samples per year) the deviation from independence of the data set should not be substantial. (2) The interchange of exponentiation and expectation operations in the EPA data reduction model, underestimates the second highest level by about 4 to 8 percent for typical sigma values. (3) Estimates of the second highest pollution level have associated with them a large statistical variability arising from the finite size of the sample. The 0.95 confidence interval ranges from + or - 40 percent for 120 samples per year to + or - 84 percent for 30 samples per year. (4) The design value suggested by EPA for abatement and/or control planning purposes typically gives a margin of safety of 60 to 120 percent.

  12. Spillway sizing of large dams in Austria

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reszler, Ch.; Gutknecht, D.; Blöschl, G.

    2003-04-01

    This paper discusses the basic philosophy of defining and calculating design floods for large dams in Austria, both for the construction of new dams and for a re-assessment of the safety of existing dams. Currently the consensus is to choose flood peak values corresponding to a probability of exceedance of 2*10-4 for a given year. A two step procedure is proposed to estimate the design flood discharges - a rapid assessment and a detailed assessment. In the rapid assessment the design discharge is chosen as a constant multiple of flood values read from a map of regionalised floods. The safety factor or multiplier takes care of the uncertainties of the local estimation and the regionalisation procedure. If the current design level of a spillway exceeds the value so estimated, no further calculations are needed. Otherwise (and for new dams) a detailed assessment is required. The idea of the detailed assessment is to draw upon all existing sources of information to constrain the uncertainties. The three main sources are local flood frequency analysis, where flood data are available; regional flood estimation from hydrologically similar catchments; and rainfall-runoff modelling using design storms as inputs. The three values obtained by these methods are then assessed and weighted in terms of their reliability to facilitate selection of the design flood. The uncertainty assessment of the various methods is based on confidence intervals, estimates of regional heterogeneity, data availability and sensitivity analyses of the rainfall-runoff model. As the definition of the design floods discussed above is based on probability concepts it is also important to examine the excess risk, i.e. the possibility of the occurrence of a flood exceeding the design levels. The excess risk is evaluated based on a so called Safety Check Flood (SCF), similar to the existing practice in other countries in Europe. The SCF is a vehicle to analyse the damage potential of an event of this magnitude. This is to provide guidance for protective measures to dealing with very extreme floods. The SCF is used to check the vulnerability of the system with regard to structural stability, morphological effects, etc., and to develop alarm plans and disaster mitigation procedures. The basis for estimating the SCF are the uncertainty assessments of the design flood values estimated by the three methods including unlikely combinations of the controlling factors and attending uncertainties. Finally we discuss the impact on the downstream valley of floods exceeding the design values and of smaller floods and illustrate the basic concepts by examples from the recent flood in August 2002.

  13. 40 CFR 98.348 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... OX 0.1 DE 0.99 a Use the lesser value when the potential evapotranspiration rate exceeds the mean... potential evapotranspiration rate does not exceed the mean annual precipitation rate or when leachate...

  14. Cyclic control stick

    DOEpatents

    Whitaker, Charles N.; Zimmermann, Richard E.

    1989-01-01

    A cyclic control stick of the type used in helicopters for reducing the safety hazards associated with such a mechanism in the event of a crewman being thrown violently into contact with the cyclic control stick resulting from a crash or the like. The cyclic control stick is configured to break away upon the exertion of an impact force which exceeds a predetermined value and/or is exerted for more than a momentary time duration. The cyclic control stick is also configured to be adjustable so as to locate the grip thereof as far away from the crewman as possible for safety reasons without comprising the comfort of the crewman or the use of the control stick, and a crushable pad is provided on the top of the grip for impact energy absorbing purposes.

  15. Adiabatic pulse propagation in a dispersion-increasing fiber for spectral compression exceeding the fiber dispersion ratio limitation.

    PubMed

    Chao, Wan-Tien; Lin, Yuan-Yao; Peng, Jin-Long; Huang, Chen-Bin

    2014-02-15

    Adiabatic soliton spectral compression in a dispersion-increasing fiber (DIF) with a linear dispersion ramp is studied both numerically and experimentally. The anticipated maximum spectral compression ratio (SCR) would be limited by the ratio of the DIF output to the input dispersion values. However, our numerical analyses indicate that SCR greater than the DIF dispersion ratio is feasible, provided the input pulse duration is shorter than a threshold value along with adequate pulse energy control. Experimentally, a SCR of 28.6 is achieved in a 1 km DIF with a dispersion ratio of 22.5.

  16. Use of Frontal Lobe Hemodynamics as Reinforcement Signals to an Adaptive Controller

    PubMed Central

    DiStasio, Marcello M.; Francis, Joseph T.

    2013-01-01

    Decision-making ability in the frontal lobe (among other brain structures) relies on the assignment of value to states of the animal and its environment. Then higher valued states can be pursued and lower (or negative) valued states avoided. The same principle forms the basis for computational reinforcement learning controllers, which have been fruitfully applied both as models of value estimation in the brain, and as artificial controllers in their own right. This work shows how state desirability signals decoded from frontal lobe hemodynamics, as measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), can be applied as reinforcers to an adaptable artificial learning agent in order to guide its acquisition of skills. A set of experiments carried out on an alert macaque demonstrate that both oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations in the frontal lobe show differences in response to both primarily and secondarily desirable (versus undesirable) stimuli. This difference allows a NIRS signal classifier to serve successfully as a reinforcer for an adaptive controller performing a virtual tool-retrieval task. The agent's adaptability allows its performance to exceed the limits of the NIRS classifier decoding accuracy. We also show that decoding state desirabilities is more accurate when using relative concentrations of both oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, rather than either species alone. PMID:23894500

  17. Urinary metabolite levels and symptoms in Filipino workers using organic solvents.

    PubMed

    Cucueco, M T; Espinosa, N C; Villanueva, M B; Castro, F T; Sison, S Y; Ortega, V S; Hisanaga, N

    1993-01-01

    To compare symptoms with urinary metabolite levels, 900 workers from 7 organic solvent-using industries were studied. Urinary metabolites were determined using a high performance liquid chromatograph. Urinary hippuric acid concentrations exceeding the reference value (2.5 g/g creatinine) were found in 78 (8.7%) workers. However, only 3 (0.3%) and 1 (0.1%) of the participants exceeded the reference value for mandelic (0.8 g/g creatinine) and total methylhippuric acid (1.5 g/g creatinine), respectively. The sum of the values of the ratio of measured urinary metabolite concentration to the corresponding ACGIH's biological exposure indices (BEI) [(HA/BEI of HA + MHA/BEI of MHA + MA/BEI of MA)] exceeded 1.0 in 166 (18.4%) workers. Majority of them were from the footwear manufacturing industry (63/129 or 49.2%). Questionnaire interviews were also administered to determine the prevalence of symptoms while at work (acute symptoms) or within the past 6 months (chronic symptoms). Urinary metabolite levels of individual and mixed solvents were compared with the symptoms of all workers. Analysis using Spearman's rank correlation showed in workers whose urinary hippuric acid exceeded 3.75 g/g creatine (1.5 x BEI), significant correlation between their hippuric acid levels and subjective complaints. Workers whose sum of the values of the ratio of measured urinary metabolite concentration to corresponding BEI exceeded 1.5 were selected and comparing this level with their symptoms, significant correlation was also noted in some complaints.

  18. Separation of solids by varying the bulk density of a fluid separating medium

    DOEpatents

    Peterson, Palmer L.; Duffy, James B.; Tokarz, Richard D.

    1978-01-01

    A method and apparatus for separating objects having a density greater than a selected density value from objects having a density less than said selected density value. The method typically comprises: (a) providing a separation vessel having an upper and lower portion, said vessel containing a liquid having a density exceeding said selected density value; (b) reducing the apparent density of the liquid to said selected density value by introducing solid, bubble-like bodies having a density less than that of the liquid into the lower portion of the vessel and permitting them to rise therethrough; (c) introducing the objects to be separated into the separation vessel and permitting the objects having a density greater than the apparent density of the liquid to sink to the lower portion of the vessel, while the objects having a density less than said selected density value float in the upper portion of the vessel; and (d) separately removing the higher density objects in the lower portion and the lower density objects in the upper portion from the separation vessel. The apparatus typically comprises: (a) a vessel containing a liquid having a density such that at least part of said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value will float therein; (b) means to place said objects into said vessel; (c) means to reduce the effective density of at least a portion of said liquid to said selected density value, whereby said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value sink into said liquid and said objects having a density less than said selected density value remain afloat, said means to adjust the effective density comprising solid, bubble-like bodies having a density less than said selected density value and means for introducing said bodies into said liquid; and (d) means for separately removing said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value and said objects having a density less than said selected density value from said vessel.

  19. Assessing the features of extreme smog in China and the differentiated treatment strategy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Lu; Zhang, Zhengjun

    2018-01-01

    Extreme smog can have potentially harmful effects on human health, the economy and daily life. However, the average (mean) values do not provide strategically useful information on the hazard analysis and control of extreme smog. This article investigates China's smog extremes by applying extreme value analysis to hourly PM2.5 data from 2014 to 2016 obtained from monitoring stations across China. By fitting a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to exceedances over a station-specific extreme smog level at each monitoring location, all study stations are grouped into eight different categories based on the estimated mean and shape parameter values of fitted GEV distributions. The extreme features characterized by the mean of the fitted extreme value distribution, the maximum frequency and the tail index of extreme smog at each location are analysed. These features can provide useful information for central/local government to conduct differentiated treatments in cities within different categories and conduct similar prevention goals and control strategies among those cities belonging to the same category in a range of areas. Furthermore, hazardous hours, breaking probability and the 1-year return level of each station are demonstrated by category, based on which the future control and reduction targets of extreme smog are proposed for the cities of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei as an example.

  20. Corneal curvature, pachymetry, and endothelial cell density in Marfan syndrome.

    PubMed

    Konradsen, Tiina R; Koivula, Annemari; Kugelberg, Maria; Zetterström, Charlotta

    2012-06-01

    To evaluate corneal curvature, pachymetry, and endothelial cell density (ECD) in Marfan syndrome (MFS). A case-control study in which K values, pachymetry, and ECD were compared in 39 MFS eyes and 40 control eyes matched for age and refraction was conducted. MFS eyes with lens subluxation also were compared with eyes without subluxation. The mean K(med) value in MFS eyes was lower than in the control eyes, 42.2 ± 1.9 versus 43.4 ± 1.4 dioptres (D), respectively (p = 0.02). Fifteen MFS eyes (38%) and three control eyes (8%) had K(med) values below 41.5 D (p = 0.0012). MFS eyes had generally more corneal astigmatism than control eyes, 1.1 ± 0.9 versus 0.8 ± 0.4 D (p = 0.035), and MFS eyes with lens subluxation had more corneal astigmatism than those without, 1.6 ± 1.1 versus 0.6 ± 0.3 D (p = 0.0002). Nine MFS eyes with corneal astigmatism exceeding 1.5 D also had a subluxated lens. No eyes had keratoconus. The mean pachymetry value was lower in MFS eyes compared to the controls, 485 ± 54.5 versus 514 ± 37.3 μm (p = 0.007); 24 MFS eyes (62%) and 10 control eyes (25%) had measurements below 500 μm (p = 0.01). The mean ECD values were similar in MFS and control eyes, 2815 ± 430 versus 2858 ± 458 cells/mm(2) (p = 0.66). The mean K value, pachymetry, and ECD values did not differ between MFS eyes with and without lens subluxation. Decreased K values and pachymetry could indicate MFS regardless of subluxation. High corneal astigmatism is associated with subluxation in MFS. Subluxation should be identified in MFS eyes with high corneal astigmatism. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Acta Ophthalmol.

  1. Monitoring of occupational exposure in manufacturing of stainless steel constructions. Part I: Chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium in the workplace air of stainless steel welders.

    PubMed

    Kucera, J; Bencko, V; Pápayová, A; Saligová, D; Tejral, J; Borská, L

    2001-11-01

    Exposure to workplace airborne pollutants was examined in a group of 20 workers dealing mainly with welding, polishing, drilling and assembling of stainless steel constructions. Airborne particulate matter (APM) collected using both personal and stationary samplers was analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality assurance procedures of both sampling and analytical stages are described. Of the elements determined, results are presented for chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium. The median values of element concentrations exceeded the maximum admissible limits for workplace pollutants only for chromium, while for nickel the limit was exceeded in several individual cases. Sampling of hair, nails, blood, urine and saliva to be used for biological monitoring of the exposed and control groups is also described.

  2. Hierarchical Control Scheme for Improving Transient Voltage Recovery of a DFIG-Based WPP

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Jinho; Muljadi, Eduard; Kang, Yong Cheol

    Modern grid codes require that wind power plants (WPPs) inject reactive power according to the voltage dip at a point of interconnection (POI). This requirement helps to support a POI voltage during a fault. However, if a fault is cleared, the POI and wind turbine generator (WTG) voltages are likely to exceed acceptable levels unless the WPP reduces the injected reactive power quickly. This might deteriorate the stability of a grid by allowing the disconnection of WTGs to avoid any damage. This paper proposes a hierarchical control scheme of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WPP. The proposed scheme aims tomore » improve the reactive power injecting capability during the fault and suppress the overvoltage after the fault clearance. To achieve the former, an adaptive reactive power-to-voltage scheme is implemented in each DFIG controller so that a DFIG with a larger reactive power capability will inject more reactive power. To achieve the latter, a washout filter is used to capture a high frequency component contained in the WPP voltage, which is used to remove the accumulated values in the proportional-integral controllers. Test results indicate that the scheme successfully supports the grid voltage during the fault, and recovers WPP voltages without exceeding the limit after the fault clearance.« less

  3. Australia 31-GHz brightness temperature exceedance statistics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gary, B. L.

    1988-01-01

    Water vapor radiometer measurements were made at DSS 43 during an 18 month period. Brightness temperatures at 31 GHz were subjected to a statistical analysis which included correction for the effects of occasional water on the radiometer radome. An exceedance plot was constructed, and the 1 percent exceedance statistics occurs at 120 K. The 5 percent exceedance statistics occurs at 70 K, compared with 75 K in Spain. These values are valid for all of the three month groupings that were studied.

  4. Applications of Extreme Value Theory in Public Health.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Maud; Lemaitre, Magali; Wilson, Mark L; Viboud, Cécile; Yordanov, Youri; Wackernagel, Hans; Carrat, Fabrice

    2016-01-01

    We present how Extreme Value Theory (EVT) can be used in public health to predict future extreme events. We applied EVT to weekly rates of Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) deaths over 1979-2011. We further explored the daily number of emergency department visits in a network of 37 hospitals over 2004-2014. Maxima of grouped consecutive observations were fitted to a generalized extreme value distribution. The distribution was used to estimate the probability of extreme values in specified time periods. An annual P&I death rate of 12 per 100,000 (the highest maximum observed) should be exceeded once over the next 30 years and each year, there should be a 3% risk that the P&I death rate will exceed this value. Over the past 10 years, the observed maximum increase in the daily number of visits from the same weekday between two consecutive weeks was 1133. We estimated at 0.37% the probability of exceeding a daily increase of 1000 on each month. The EVT method can be applied to various topics in epidemiology thus contributing to public health planning for extreme events.

  5. Research in Stochastic Processes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-10-10

    To appear in Proceedings Volume, Oberwolfach Conf. on Extremal Value Theory, Ed. J. HUsler and R. Reiss, Springer. 4. M.R. Leadbetter. The exceedance...Hsing, J. Husler and M.R. Leadbetter, On the exceedance point process for a stationary sequence, Probability Theor. Rel. Fields, 20, 1988, 97-112 Z.J...Oberwotfach Conf. on Extreme Value Theory. J. Husler and R. Reiss. eds.. Springer. to appear V. Mandrekar, On a limit theorem and invariance

  6. Contaminant concentrations in sport fish from San Francisco Bay, 1997.

    PubMed

    Davis, Jay A; May, Michael D; Greenfield, Ben K; Fairey, Russell; Roberts, Cassandra; Ichikawa, Gary; Stoelting, Matt S; Becker, Jonathan S; Tjeerdema, Ronald S

    2002-10-01

    In 1997, seven sport fish species were sampled from seven popular fishing areas in San Francisco Bay. Mercury exceeded a human health screening value in 44 of 84 (52%) samples. All collected samples of leopard shark and striped bass exceeded the mercury screening value of 0.23 microg/g wet weight. PCBs exceeded the screening value in 51 of 72 (71%) samples. DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin, had lower numbers of samples above screening values: 16 of 72 (22%) for DDT, 11 of 72 (15%) for chlordanes, and 27 of 72 (37%) for dieldrin. Concentrations of PCBs and other trace organics were highest in white croaker and shiner surfperch, the two species with the highest fat content in their muscle tissue. Fish from one location, Oakland Harbor, had significantly elevated wet weight concentrations of mercury, PCBs, DDTs, and chlordanes compared to other locations. Removal of skin from white croaker fillets reduced lipid concentrations by 27-49% and concentrations of trace organics by 33-40%.

  7. Control Performance of General Electric Fuel and Torque Regulator Operating on T31-3 Turbine-Propeller Engine in Sea-Level Test Stand

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oppenheimer, Frank L.; Lazar, James

    1951-01-01

    A .General Electric fuel and torque regulator was tested in conjunction with a T31-3 turbine-propeller engine in the sea-level static test stand at the NACA Lewis laboratory. The engine and control were operated over the entire speed range: 11,000 rpm, nominal flight idle, to 13,000 rpm, full power. Steady-state and transient data were recorded and are presented with a description of the four control loops being used in the system. Results of this investigation indicated that single-lever control operation was satisfactory under conditions of test. Transient data presented showed that turbine-outlet temperature did overshoot maximum operating value on acceleration but that the time duration of overshoot did not exceed approximately 1 second. This temperature limiting resulted from a control on fuel flow as a function of engine speed. Speed and torque first reached their desired values 0.4 second from the time of change in power-setting lever position. Maximum speed overshoot was 3 percent.

  8. Simultaneous control of apparent extract and volatile compounds concentrations in low-malt beer fermentation.

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Michiko; Nagahisa, Keisuke; Shimizu, Hiroshi; Shioya, Suteaki

    2006-12-01

    Volatile compounds cause undesirable flavor when their concentrations exceed threshold values in beer fermentation. The objective of this study is to develop a system for controlling apparent extract concentration, which indicates the fermentation degree and which should be decreased below a targeted value at a fixed time under a constraint of tolerable amounts of volatile compounds. In beer fermentation, even though the production of volatile compounds is suppressed by maintaining a low fermentation temperature, a low temperature causes a delay in the control of apparent extract concentration. Volatile compound concentration was estimated on-line, and the simulation of apparent extract consumption and volatile compound production was performed. To formulate various beer tastes and conserve energy for attemperation, optimal temperature profiles were determined using a genetic algorithm (GA). The developed feedback control of the brewing temperature profile was successfully applied, and apparent extract and volatile compound concentrations at a fixed time reached their target concentrations. Additionally, the control technique developed in this study enables us to brew a wide variety of beers with different tastes.

  9. Costs and benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a randomized controlled trial

    PubMed Central

    Farias, Catharinne C.; Resqueti, Vanessa; Dias, Fernando A. L.; Borghi-Silva, Audrey; Arena, Ross; Fregonezi, Guilherme A. F.

    2014-01-01

    Objective The current study evaluated the costs and benefits of a simple aerobic walking program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method This was a blinded randomized controlled clinical trial that recruited 72 patients diagnosed with COPD, 40 of whom were included in the study and divided into two groups [control group (CG) and pulmonary rehabilitation group (GPR)]. We assessed pulmonary function, distance covered during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), body composition, and level of activities of daily living (ADLs) before and after an 8-week walking program. The financial costs were calculated according to the pricing table of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Results Only 34 of the 40 patients remained in the final sample; 16 in the CG and 18 in the GPR (FEV1: 50.9±14% predicted and FEV1: 56±0.5% predicted, respectively). The intervention group exhibited improvements in the 6MWT, sensation of dyspnea and fatigue, work performed, BODE index (p<0.01), HRQOL, ADL level (p<0.001), and lower limb strength (p<0.05). The final mean cost per patient for the GPR was R$ 148.75 (~US$ 75.00) and no patient significantly exceeded this value. However, 2 patients in the CG did exceed this value, incurring a cost of R$ 689.15 (~US$ 345.00). Conclusion Aerobic walking demonstrated significant clinical benefits in a cost-efficient manner in patients with COPD. PMID:24838809

  10. Assessment of dust exposure in a steel plant in the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Nurul, Ainun Hamzah; Shamsul, Bahri Mohd Tamrin; Noor Hassim, Ismail

    2016-11-22

    Steel manufacturing produces dust, fumes, and pollutant gases that may give adverse health effects to the respiratory function of workers. Improper occupational hygiene practice in the workplace will affect both workers wellbeing and productivity. To assess the level of particulate matter [(PM2.5, PM10, and Total Particulate Matter (TPM)], and trace metal dust concentrations in different sections of a steel plant and compare with the occupational exposure values. The work environmental parameters of the particulate matters were evaluated using Indoor Air Quality, while metal dust concentrations were measured using portable personal air sampler. A total of 184 personal samples were randomly collected from workers in three major sections; steel making plant, direct reduced plant, and support group. Trace metal dust concentrations were subjected to wet mineral acid mixture digestion and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The overall average PM2.5 concentration observed was varied according to the section: steel making plant was 0.18 mg/m3, direct reduced iron plant was 0.05 mg/m3, and support plant was 0.05 mg/m3. Average PM 10 concentration in steel making shop (SMS) plant, direct reduced (DR) plant, and support plant were 0.70 mg/m3, 0.84 mg/m3, and 0.58 mg/m3, respectively. The average TWA8 of trace metal dusts (cobalt and chromium) in all the sections exceeded 1 to 3 times the ACGIH prescribed values, OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs as well as USECHH OSHA, whereas TWA8 concentration of nickel for each section did not exceed the occupational exposure values. The average PM2.5, PM10 and TPM did not exceed the prescribed values, while average trace metal dust concentration TWA8 for cobalt and chromium in all plants exceeded occupational exposure prescribed values. However, the nickel found did not exceed the prescribed values in all the plants except for NIOSH RELs.

  11. [Biochemical measurements of glucose metabolism in relation to cause of death and postmortem effects].

    PubMed

    Kernbach, G; Püschel, K; Brinkmann, B

    1986-01-01

    This study was performed to examine the relationship between postmortem biochemical values and cause of death. The follow samples were taken from 399 corpses: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; n = 376, suboccipital), blood (n = 158, femoral vein), and urine (n = 101, at autopsy). (See Table 1 for causes of death) All samples were stored at -80 degrees C. A further 100 samples of blood were later taken and stored at +4 degrees C before testing. Biochemical determinations made were: glucose in CSF, blood, and urine (hexokinase method); lactate (LDH/GPT) and free acetone (HS-gas chromatography) in CSF; hemoglobin A1 in blood (microcolumn technique). In 34 cases fatal diabetic coma was considered verified by morphological and chemical findings. One hundred cases of sudden cardiac death were chosen as the main control group. In 32 of the 34 cases defined above, the value of the formula of Traub (glucose + lactate in CSF) exceeded 415 mg/dl. It is not influenced significantly by hyperglycemia or hyperlactatemia due to factors other than diabetes (i.e., carbon monoxide, asphyxia). After death the value rose till the 30th hpm, then remained stable for at least 1 week. Fatal coma was defined as the ketoacidotic form if free acetone in CSF ranged above 21 mg/l. In these cases, CSF glucose and free acetone correlated positively. Hemoglobin A1 remained stable after death. Its amount was independent from postmortem blood glucose, postmortem interval and total hemoglobin. Furthermore, the manner of storage (-80 degrees or +4 degrees C) had no significant influence on its values. In 29 of 34 cases of fatal coma, Hb A1 exceeded 12.1%. Analysis of urine glucose showed elevated levels (over 500 mg/dl) in diabetic comas. On conclusion, fatal diabetic coma seems indicated as the cause of death if measured values of postmortem biochemistry exceed the following limits: CSF-Traub 415 mg/dl, free acetone (CSF) 21 mg/l; Hb A1 12.1%; urine glucose 500 mg/dl. Most important are the Traub formula and hemoglobin A1. Usually, in fatal coma both values are elevated. If both of them are normal, diabetic coma can nearly be excluded. Combined evaluation of all values is absolutely necessary. Morphology must also always be taken into account. Consequently, a diagnosis of fatal coma can be obtained by a process of elimination.

  12. Microstructured Optical Fiber Sensors Embedded in a Laminate Composite for Smart Material Applications

    PubMed Central

    Sonnenfeld, Camille; Sulejmani, Sanne; Geernaert, Thomas; Eve, Sophie; Lammens, Nicolas; Luyckx, Geert; Voet, Eli; Degrieck, Joris; Urbanczyk, Waclaw; Mergo, Pawel; Becker, Martin; Bartelt, Hartmut; Berghmans, Francis; Thienpont, Hugo

    2011-01-01

    Fiber Bragg gratings written in highly birefringent microstructured optical fiber with a dedicated design are embedded in a composite fiber-reinforced polymer. The Bragg peak wavelength shifts are measured under controlled axial and transversal strain and during thermal cycling of the composite sample. We obtain a sensitivity to transversal strain that exceeds values reported earlier in literature by one order of magnitude. Our results evidence the relevance of using microstructured optical fibers for structural integrity monitoring of composite material structures. PMID:22163755

  13. Direct URCA process in neutron stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lattimer, James M.; Prakash, Madappa; Pethick, C. J.; Haensel, Pawel

    1991-01-01

    It is shown that the direct URCA process can occur in neutron stars if the proton concentration exceeds some critical value in the range 11-15 percent. The proton concentration, which is determined by the poorly known symmetry energy of matter above nuclear density, exceeds the critical value in many current calculations. If it occurs, the direct URCA process enhances neutrino emission and neutron star cooling rates by a large factor compared to any process considered previously.

  14. Statistical transformation and the interpretation of inpatient glucose control data from the intensive care unit.

    PubMed

    Saulnier, George E; Castro, Janna C; Cook, Curtiss B

    2014-05-01

    Glucose control can be problematic in critically ill patients. We evaluated the impact of statistical transformation on interpretation of intensive care unit inpatient glucose control data. Point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) data derived from patients in the intensive care unit for 2011 was obtained. Box-Cox transformation of POC-BG measurements was performed, and distribution of data was determined before and after transformation. Different data subsets were used to establish statistical upper and lower control limits. Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts constructed from April, October, and November data determined whether out-of-control events could be identified differently in transformed versus nontransformed data. A total of 8679 POC-BG values were analyzed. POC-BG distributions in nontransformed data were skewed but approached normality after transformation. EWMA control charts revealed differences in projected detection of out-of-control events. In April, an out-of-control process resulting in the lower control limit being exceeded was identified at sample 116 in nontransformed data but not in transformed data. October transformed data detected an out-of-control process exceeding the upper control limit at sample 27 that was not detected in nontransformed data. Nontransformed November results remained in control, but transformation identified an out-of-control event less than 10 samples into the observation period. Using statistical methods to assess population-based glucose control in the intensive care unit could alter conclusions about the effectiveness of care processes for managing hyperglycemia. Further study is required to determine whether transformed versus nontransformed data change clinical decisions about the interpretation of care or intervention results. © 2014 Diabetes Technology Society.

  15. Statistical Transformation and the Interpretation of Inpatient Glucose Control Data From the Intensive Care Unit

    PubMed Central

    Saulnier, George E.; Castro, Janna C.

    2014-01-01

    Glucose control can be problematic in critically ill patients. We evaluated the impact of statistical transformation on interpretation of intensive care unit inpatient glucose control data. Point-of-care blood glucose (POC-BG) data derived from patients in the intensive care unit for 2011 was obtained. Box–Cox transformation of POC-BG measurements was performed, and distribution of data was determined before and after transformation. Different data subsets were used to establish statistical upper and lower control limits. Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts constructed from April, October, and November data determined whether out-of-control events could be identified differently in transformed versus nontransformed data. A total of 8679 POC-BG values were analyzed. POC-BG distributions in nontransformed data were skewed but approached normality after transformation. EWMA control charts revealed differences in projected detection of out-of-control events. In April, an out-of-control process resulting in the lower control limit being exceeded was identified at sample 116 in nontransformed data but not in transformed data. October transformed data detected an out-of-control process exceeding the upper control limit at sample 27 that was not detected in nontransformed data. Nontransformed November results remained in control, but transformation identified an out-of-control event less than 10 samples into the observation period. Using statistical methods to assess population-based glucose control in the intensive care unit could alter conclusions about the effectiveness of care processes for managing hyperglycemia. Further study is required to determine whether transformed versus nontransformed data change clinical decisions about the interpretation of care or intervention results. PMID:24876620

  16. Relationship between surface and free tropospheric ozone in the Western U.S.

    PubMed

    Jaffe, Dan

    2011-01-15

    Ozone is an important air pollutant that affects lung function. In the U.S., the EPA has reduced the allowable O(3) concentrations several times over the last few decades. This puts greater emphasis on understanding the interannual variability and the contributions to surface O(3) from all sources. We have examined O(3) data from 11 rural CASTNET sites in the western US for the period 1995-2009. The 11 surface sites show a similar seasonal cycle and generally a good correlation in the deseasonalized monthly means, indicating that there are large scale influences on O(3) that operate across the entire western US. These sites also show a good correlation between site elevation and annual mean O(3), indicating a significant contribution from the free troposphere. We examined the number of exceedance days for each site, defined as a day when the Maximum Daily 8-h Average (MDA8) exceeds a threshold value. Over this time period, more than half of these sites exceeded an MDA8 threshold of 70 ppbv at least 4 times per year, and all sites exceeded a threshold value of 65 ppbv at least 4 times per year. The transition to lower threshold values increases substantially the number of exceedance days, especially during spring, reflecting the fact that background O(3) peaks during spring. We next examined the correlation between surface O(3) and free tropospheric O(3) in the same region, as measured by routine balloon launches from Boulder, CO. Using ozone measured by the balloon sensor in the range of 3-6 km above sea level we find statistically significant correlations between surface and free tropospheric O(3) in spring and summer months using both monthly means, daily MDA8 values, and the number of surface exceedance days. We suggest that during spring this correlation reflects variations in the flux of O(3) transport from the free troposphere to the surface. In summer, free tropospheric and surface concentrations of O(3) and the number of exceedance days are all significantly correlated with emissions from biomass burning in the western US. This indicates that wildfires significantly increase the number of exceedance days across the western U.S.

  17. Differences between emissions measured in urban driving and certification testing of heavy-duty diesel engines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dixit, Poornima; Miller, J. Wayne; Cocker, David R.; Oshinuga, Adewale; Jiang, Yu; Durbin, Thomas D.; Johnson, Kent C.

    2017-10-01

    Emissions from eight heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs) equipped with three different exhaust aftertreatment systems (ATS) for controlling nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were quantified on a chassis dynamometer using driving schedules representative of stop-and-go and free-flow driving in metropolitan areas. The three control technologies were: 1) cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) plus a diesel particulate filter (DPF); 2) CEGR and DPF plus advanced engine controls; and 3) CEGR and DPF plus selective catalytic reduction with ammonia (SCR). Results for all control technologies and driving conditions showed PM emission factors were less than the standard, while selected non-regulated emissions (ammonia, carbonyls, and C4-C12 hydrocarbons) and a greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide) were at measurement detection limits. However, NOx emission factors depended on the control technology, engine calibration, and driving mode. For example, emissions from engines with cooled-exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) were 239% higher for stop-and-go driving as compared with free-flow. For CEGR plus selective catalytic reduction (SCR), the ratio was 450%. A deeper analysis was carried out with the assumption that emissions measured for a drive cycle on either the chassis or in-use driving would be similar. Applying the same NTE rules to the chassis data showed emissions during stop-and-go driving often exceeded the certification standard and >90% of the driving did not fall within the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) control area suggesting the NTE requirements do not provide sufficient emissions control under in-use conditions. On-road measurement of emissions using the same mobile lab while the vehicle followed a free-flow driving schedule verified the chassis results. These results have implications for scientists who build inventories using certification values instead of real world emission values and for metropolitan populations, who are exposed to elevated emissions. The differences in values between real world emissions and certification cycles should be narrowed. For example, one might use a different mix of cold and hot start testing to greater emphasize low temperature/load operation, a separate cycle to specifically characterize low-load operation, or broaden the in-use compliance testing requirements and associated conformity factors to incorporate a wider envelope of vehicle operation, especially at low load conditions. .

  18. Novel threshold pressure sensors based on nonlinear dynamics of MEMS resonators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hasan, Mohammad H.; Alsaleem, Fadi M.; Ouakad, Hassen M.

    2018-06-01

    Triggering an alarm in a car for low air-pressure in the tire or tripping an HVAC compressor if the refrigerant pressure is lower than a threshold value are examples for applications where measuring the amount of pressure is not as important as determining if the pressure has exceeded a threshold value for an action to occur. Unfortunately, current technology still relies on analog pressure sensors to perform this functionality by adding a complex interface (extra circuitry, controllers, and/or decision units). In this paper, we demonstrate two new smart tunable-threshold pressure switch concepts that can reduce the complexity of a threshold pressure sensor. The first concept is based on the nonlinear subharmonic resonance of a straight double cantilever microbeam with a proof mass and the other concept is based on the snap-through bi-stability of a clamped-clamped MEMS shallow arch. In both designs, the sensor operation concept is simple. Any actuation performed at a certain pressure lower than a threshold value will activate a nonlinear dynamic behavior (subharmonic resonance or snap-through bi-stability) yielding a large output that would be interpreted as a logic value of ONE, or ON. Once the pressure exceeds the threshold value, the nonlinear response ceases to exist, yielding a small output that would be interpreted as a logic value of ZERO, or OFF. A lumped, single degree of freedom model for the double cantilever beam, that is validated using experimental data, and a continuous beam model for the arch beam, are used to simulate the operation range of the proposed sensors by identifying the relationship between the excitation signal and the critical cut-off pressure.

  19. Homeostatic enhancement of active mechanotransduction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milewski, Andrew; O'Maoiléidigh, Dáibhid; Hudspeth, A. J.

    2018-05-01

    Our sense of hearing boasts exquisite sensitivity to periodic signals. Experiments and modeling imply, however, that the auditory system achieves this performance for only a narrow range of parameter values. As a result, small changes in these values could compromise the ability of the mechanosensory hair cells to detect stimuli. We propose that, rather than exerting tight control over parameters, the auditory system employs a homeostatic mechanism that ensures the robustness of its operation to variation in parameter values. Through analytical techniques and computer simulations we investigate whether a homeostatic mechanism renders the hair bundle's signal-detection ability more robust to alterations in experimentally accessible parameters. When homeostasis is enforced, the range of values for which the bundle's sensitivity exceeds a threshold can increase by more than an order of magnitude. The robustness of cochlear function based on somatic motility or hair bundle motility may be achieved by employing the approach we describe here.

  20. 7 CFR 1980.391 - Equity sharing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements. (i) Market value. Market value of the... amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or... exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added...

  1. 7 CFR 1980.391 - Equity sharing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements. (i) Market value. Market value of the... amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or... exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added...

  2. 7 CFR 1980.391 - Equity sharing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements. (i) Market value. Market value of the... amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or... exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added...

  3. 7 CFR 1980.391 - Equity sharing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements. (i) Market value. Market value of the... amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or... exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added...

  4. 7 CFR 1980.391 - Equity sharing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements. (i) Market value. Market value of the... amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or... exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added...

  5. Grid regulation services for energy storage devices based on grid frequency

    DOEpatents

    Pratt, Richard M; Hammerstrom, Donald J; Kintner-Meyer, Michael C.W.; Tuffner, Francis K

    2013-07-02

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).

  6. Grid regulation services for energy storage devices based on grid frequency

    DOEpatents

    Pratt, Richard M.; Hammerstrom, Donald J.; Kintner-Meyer, Michael C. W.; Tuffner, Francis K.

    2017-09-05

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).

  7. Grid regulation services for energy storage devices based on grid frequency

    DOEpatents

    Pratt, Richard M; Hammerstrom, Donald J; Kintner-Meyer, Michael C.W.; Tuffner, Francis K

    2014-04-15

    Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for charging and discharging an energy storage device connected to an electrical power distribution system. In one exemplary embodiment, a controller monitors electrical characteristics of an electrical power distribution system and provides an output to a bi-directional charger causing the charger to charge or discharge an energy storage device (e.g., a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)). The controller can help stabilize the electrical power distribution system by increasing the charging rate when there is excess power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid exceeds an average value), or by discharging power from the energy storage device to stabilize the grid when there is a shortage of power in the electrical power distribution system (e.g., when the frequency of an AC power grid is below an average value).

  8. Pesticide Residue Monitoring on South African Fresh Produce Exported over a 6-Year Period.

    PubMed

    Mutengwe, M T; Chidamba, L; Korsten, L

    2016-10-01

    Six years of pesticide residue data from fresh produce destined for the export market were analyzed for the period 2009 to 2014. A total of 37,838 fruit (99.27%) and vegetable (0.73%) data sets analyzed for the presence of 73 pesticides were compared. Pesticides were detected on 56.46% of samples, of which 0.78% had multiple residues. Noncompliances detected were because of the use of unregistered pesticides (0.73%), values that exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs) (0.32%), or the combination of values that exceeded MRLs and the use of unregistered pesticide residues (0.003%). The most commonly detected pesticides that exceeded established MRLs were imazalil (37.71%), prochloraz (28.69%), and iprodione (5.74%). The unregistered pesticide most often found on grapes and avocados was also imazalil (62.23%) and, on nectarines and avocados, diphenylamine (11.15%). Exceedances of MRL values were mostly associated with oranges (43.44%), avocados (27.87%), grapefruits (7.38%), and lemons (6.56%). Residual pesticide monitoring on fruits and vegetables is a key tool to ensure conformity with regulatory requirements and compliance with good agricultural practices and the trade requirements set by the importing country.

  9. Examination of marine and vegetable oil oxidation data from a multi-year, third-party database.

    PubMed

    De Boer, Anna A; Ismail, Adam; Marshall, Keri; Bannenberg, Gerard; Yan, Kevin L; Rowe, William J

    2018-07-15

    Fish oil (FO) products constitute good sources of omega-3 fats. Oxidation data from a large third-party database of 1900 + globally-sourced FO samples were assessed. In FO products, for peroxide value (PV), 13.9% exceeded 5 mEq O 2 /kg (2.2% >10); for acid value (AcV) 2.1% exceeded 3 mg KOH/g, while for p-anisidine value (pAV) in unflavoured oils, 6.1% exceeded 20, (3.8% >30), and 8.8% exceeded TOTOX limits (26). Additionally, we compared FO with other dietary oils. The FO median PV was similar to those of algal and sunflower oils, 4.8-fold greater than krill oil, and 5.2-fold less than extra-virgin olive oil. The median pAV differed non-significantly among oils. The FO median AcV was similar to those of algal and extra-virgin olive oils, 3.4-fold greater than sunflower oil, and 11.9-fold less than krill oil. This study has provided new insight that retail FO products predominantly meet regulatory guidelines and are comparable in oxidative status to other dietary oils. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  10. Climate vulnerabilities in the southern plains

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The value of agricultural production in the Southern Plains exceeded $59 bil (2012 Agricultural Census) with livestock accounting for 58% of total agricultural sales. Crop and livestock commodities exceeding $1 bil include wheat, corn, horticultural crops, cotton, hay and forages, sorghum, soybean, ...

  11. Multivariable control altitude demonstration on the F100 turbofan engine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lehtinen, B.; Dehoff, R. L.; Hackney, R. D.

    1979-01-01

    The F100 Multivariable control synthesis (MVCS) program, was aimed at demonstrating the benefits of LGR synthesis theory in the design of a multivariable engine control system for operation throughout the flight envelope. The advantages of such procedures include: (1) enhanced performance from cross-coupled controls, (2) maximum use of engine variable geometry, and (3) a systematic design procedure that can be applied efficiently to new engine systems. The control system designed, under the MVCS program, for the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine is described. Basic components of the control include: (1) a reference value generator for deriving a desired equilibrium state and an approximate control vector, (2) a transition model to produce compatible reference point trajectories during gross transients, (3) gain schedules for producing feedback terms appropriate to the flight condition, and (4) integral switching logic to produce acceptable steady-state performance without engine operating limit exceedance.

  12. Program, policy, and price interventions for tobacco control: quantifying the return on investment of a state tobacco control program.

    PubMed

    Dilley, Julia A; Harris, Jeffrey R; Boysun, Michael J; Reid, Terry R

    2012-02-01

    We examined health effects associated with 3 tobacco control interventions in Washington State: a comprehensive state program, a state policy banning smoking in public places, and price increases. We used linear regression models to predict changes in smoking prevalence and specific tobacco-related health conditions associated with the interventions. We estimated dollars saved over 10 years (2000-2009) by the value of hospitalizations prevented, discounting for national trends. Smoking declines in the state exceeded declines in the nation. Of the interventions, the state program had the most consistent and largest effect on trends for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Over 10 years, implementation of the program was associated with prevention of nearly 36,000 hospitalizations, at a value of about $1.5 billion. The return on investment for the state program was more than $5 to $1. The combined program, policy, and price interventions resulted in reductions in smoking and related health effects, while saving money. Public health and other leaders should continue to invest in tobacco control, including comprehensive programs.

  13. Design flow duration curves for environmental flows estimation in Damodar River Basin, India

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verma, Ravindra Kumar; Murthy, Shankar; Verma, Sangeeta; Mishra, Surendra Kumar

    2017-06-01

    In this study, environmental flows (EFs) are estimated for six watersheds of Damodar River Basin (DRB) using flow duration curve (FDC) derived using two approaches: (a) period of record and (b) stochastic approaches for daily, 7-, 30-, 60-day moving averages, and 7-daily mean annual flows observed at Tenughat dam, Konar dam, Maithon dam, Panchet dam, Damodar bridge, Burnpur during 1981-2010 and at Phusro during 1988-2010. For stochastic FDCs, 7-day FDCs for 10, 20-, 50- and 100-year return periods were derived for extraction of discharge values at every 5% probability of exceedance. FDCs derived using the first approach show high probability of exceedance (5-75%) for the same discharge values. Furthermore, discharge values of 60-day mean are higher than those derived using daily, 7-, and 30-day mean values. The discharge values of 95% probability of exceedance (Q95) derived from 7Q10 (ranges from 2.04 to 5.56 cumec) and 7Q100 (ranges from 3.4 to 31.48 cumec) FDCs using the second approach are found more appropriate as EFs during drought/low flow and normal precipitation years.

  14. The Salem Smart Power Center: An Assessment of Battery Performance and Economic Potential

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Balducci, Patrick J.; Alam, M. J.E.; Viswanathan, Vilayanur

    This paper presents an assessment of the economic potential of a 5 MW/1.25 MWh Energy Storage System (ESS) installed at the Salem Smart Power Center (SSPC), a smart grid technology demonstration facility owned and operated by Portland General Electric (PGE) in Salem, Oregon. The ESS and the grid conditions in which it operates were modeled using Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Battery Storage Evaluation Tool (BSET) to explore tradeoffs between services, and to develop optimal control strategies. This assessment monetized the value derived from nine services the SSPC could provide to PGE and the customers it serves. The ESS and themore » grid conditions in which it operates were modeled using PNNL’s in-house optimization tool BSET to explore tradeoffs between services, and to develop optimal control strategies. The analysis resulted in a number of lessons that provide crucial insights into the practical application of ESS, including; The SSPC, which was originally conceived as a research and test facility and built with the prevailing maturity technology level, was built at a cost ($20.4 million) that exceeds current day prices ($5.4 million) for a similarly designed and built 5 MW/1.25 MWh system; In terms of economic operation, the SSPC is currently underutilized, deployed only for primary frequency response. PNNL modeling indicates that optimal operation of the ESS could generate an additional value of $2.3 million over 20 years. It should also be noted that primary frequency response is the highest benefit application but requires a response from the SSPC only 17 hours each year. While optimally engaged, the ESS would provide arbitrage and ancillary services 78 percent of the time, but those services generate only 27 percent of the total value; Participation in Western EIM represents an interesting opportunity for PGE with a potential to generate $2.1 million value in PV terms over 20 years in the 5-min real-time market; With an energy to power ratio of only 0.25, the SSPC is not well suited to engage in most energy-intensive applications such as arbitrage or ancillary services. By upsizing the storage capacity to 5 MWh and 10MWh, the additional value allows the benefits ($13.3 million and 20.3 million, respectively) to exceed the system’s revenue requirements ($11.5 and $16.4 million, respectively). For the SSPC, ROI ratios exceeded 1.0 when the energy to power ratio fell between 0.5 and 3.5, and peaked at an energy to power ratio of 2.0. This report represents the output of the first of a two-phase effort. Phase II will involve the development of enhanced control strategies to assist PGE in realizing the benefits of energy storage in real-time.« less

  15. Overseas Surveys (1981-1983) for Insects to Control Hydrilla.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-12-01

    Economic Importance..........................8 raxonomy...............................9 Chemical Control...........................11 Mechanical Control...in depth. In very clear waters it can grow at depths exceeding 10 m. It tolerates moderate salinity , up to 33 percent of seawater (Mahler 1979). While...state of Florida alone on hydrilla control (Mahler 1979). With costs for chemical and mechanical control usually exceeding $200 per acre, and with

  16. EU Directive 2004/40: field measurements of a 1.5 T clinical MR scanner.

    PubMed

    Riches, S F; Collins, D J; Scuffham, J W; Leach, M O

    2007-06-01

    The European Union (EU) Physical Agents (EMF) Directive [1] must be incorporated into UK law in 2008. The directive, which applies to employees working in MRI, sets legal exposure limits for two of the three types of EMF exposure employed in MRI; time-varying gradient fields and radiofrequency (RF) fields. Limits on the static field are currently not included but may be added at a later date. Conservative action values have been set for all three types of exposure including the static field. The absolute exposure limits will exclude staff from the scanner bore and adjacent areas during scanning, impacting on many clinical activities such as anaesthetic monitoring during sedated scans, paediatric scanning and interventional MRI. When the legislation comes into force, NHS Trusts, scanner companies and academic institutions will be required to show compliance with the law. We present results of initial measurements performed on a 1.5 T clinical MRI scanner. For the static field, the proposed action value is exceeded at 40 cm from the scanner bore and would be exceeded when positioning a patient for scanning. For the RF field, the action values were only exceeded within the bore at distances of 40 cm from the scanner ends during a very RF intensive sequence; MRI employees are unlikely to be in the bore during an acquisition. For the time-varying gradient fields the action values were exceeded 52 cm out from the mouth of the bore during two clinical sequences, and estimated current densities show the exposure limit to be exceeded at 40 cm for frequencies above 333 Hz. Limiting employees to distances greater than these from the scanner during acquisition will have a severe impact on the future use and development of MRI.

  17. 14 CFR 23.221 - Spinning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... limit maneuvering load factor must not be exceeded; (ii) No control forces or characteristic encountered... reversal of control effect and without exceeding the temporary control forces specified by § 23.143(c); and... spin. (4) There must be no characteristics during the spin (such as excessive rates of rotation or...

  18. 14 CFR 23.221 - Spinning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... limit maneuvering load factor must not be exceeded; (ii) No control forces or characteristic encountered... reversal of control effect and without exceeding the temporary control forces specified by § 23.143(c); and... spin. (4) There must be no characteristics during the spin (such as excessive rates of rotation or...

  19. 14 CFR 23.221 - Spinning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... limit maneuvering load factor must not be exceeded; (ii) No control forces or characteristic encountered... reversal of control effect and without exceeding the temporary control forces specified by § 23.143(c); and... spin. (4) There must be no characteristics during the spin (such as excessive rates of rotation or...

  20. 14 CFR 23.221 - Spinning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... limit maneuvering load factor must not be exceeded; (ii) No control forces or characteristic encountered... reversal of control effect and without exceeding the temporary control forces specified by § 23.143(c); and... spin. (4) There must be no characteristics during the spin (such as excessive rates of rotation or...

  1. 14 CFR 23.221 - Spinning.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... limit maneuvering load factor must not be exceeded; (ii) No control forces or characteristic encountered... reversal of control effect and without exceeding the temporary control forces specified by § 23.143(c); and... spin. (4) There must be no characteristics during the spin (such as excessive rates of rotation or...

  2. A spatio-temporal model for probabilistic seismic hazard zonation of Tehran

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashemi, Mahdi; Alesheikh, Ali Asghar; Zolfaghari, Mohammad Reza

    2013-08-01

    A precondition for all disaster management steps, building damage prediction, and construction code developments is a hazard assessment that shows the exceedance probabilities of different ground motion levels at a site considering different near- and far-field earthquake sources. The seismic sources are usually categorized as time-independent area sources and time-dependent fault sources. While the earlier incorporates the small and medium events, the later takes into account only the large characteristic earthquakes. In this article, a probabilistic approach is proposed to aggregate the effects of time-dependent and time-independent sources on seismic hazard. The methodology is then applied to generate three probabilistic seismic hazard maps of Tehran for 10%, 5%, and 2% exceedance probabilities in 50 years. The results indicate an increase in peak ground acceleration (PGA) values toward the southeastern part of the study area and the PGA variations are mostly controlled by the shear wave velocities across the city. In addition, the implementation of the methodology takes advantage of GIS capabilities especially raster-based analyses and representations. During the estimation of the PGA exceedance rates, the emphasis has been placed on incorporating the effects of different attenuation relationships and seismic source models by using a logic tree.

  3. Justification of Natural Lighting Management for Workplaces with Displays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kudryashov, A. V.; Erunova, A. V.; Kalinina, A. S.

    2017-11-01

    The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the orientation of light apertures (windows) on the distribution of illumination in a room inside the workplaces equipped with displays. The measurements of natural light were carried out in two similar rooms, in the first room the windows are oriented to the north and in the second - to the south. The normative illumination value in a workplace equipped with a personal computer or display must be between 300 and 500 lux. However, during the daytime, the value of natural illumination at the workplace can exceed the normalized value by several times, and in the morning and evening hours is not sufficient. Such distribution of illumination involves the use a combined lighting control system (with daylight time control and switching on artificial lighting in the morning and evening hours). In the article it is justified that the orientation of the windows in the room does not have a significant effect on the distribution of illumination throughout the room which makes it possible not to take into account the restrictions concerning the orientation of the room’s light apertures when combined lighting control systems are used.

  4. 12 CFR 741.3 - Criteria.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... amount at least equal to the net excess of book value over current market value of the investments. If the market value cannot be determined, an amount equal to the full book value will be established... exceeds the difference between book value and market value, the board of directors may authorize the...

  5. 12 CFR 741.3 - Criteria.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... amount at least equal to the net excess of book value over current market value of the investments. If the market value cannot be determined, an amount equal to the full book value will be established... exceeds the difference between book value and market value, the board of directors may authorize the...

  6. The relationships between content of heavy metals in soil and in strawberries.

    PubMed

    Bystricka, Judita; Musilova, Janette; Trebichalsky, Pavol; Tomas, Jan; Stanovic, Radovan; Bajcan, Daniel; Kavalcova, Petra

    2016-01-01

    The work was aimed at assessment of quality of strawberry based on the contents of heavy metals as well as the possible correlations between selected heavy metals in soil and strawberries. The results revealed that from all observed metals in soil determined in aqua regia only in the case of cadmium the maximum permissible limit in comparison with the limit resulting from the Law No. 220/2004 as well as threshold values proposed by European Commission (EC) (2006) has been exceeded. In our paper the values of cadmium in the soil representing 1.86 to 2.41 times higher values than limit valid in the Slovak Republic (0.7 mg/kg) and 2.6 to 3.38 times higher in comparison to EC (0.5 mg/kg). In our study in 1 M NH4NO3 the values of lead ranged from 0.125 to 0.205 mg/kg representing values exceeded the limit valid in Slovak Republic (0.1 mg/kg) about 0.037-0.105 mg/kg. Despite exceeded values of heavy metals in soil, no values above the limit directly in strawberries when compared to Food Codex of Slovak Republic as well as to Commission Regulation 1881/2006 were recorded. Among the varieties statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in intake of heavy metals were found.

  7. Emergy and Nonmarket Value

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this study is to better understand the differences and similarities between emergy and nonmarket economic valuation, when both are applied to value the same policies or development alternatives. The emdollar value of a good or service often exceeds the market value...

  8. The Mixed Instrumental Controller: Using Value of Information to Combine Habitual Choice and Mental Simulation

    PubMed Central

    Pezzulo, Giovanni; Rigoli, Francesco; Chersi, Fabian

    2013-01-01

    Instrumental behavior depends on both goal-directed and habitual mechanisms of choice. Normative views cast these mechanisms in terms of model-free and model-based methods of reinforcement learning, respectively. An influential proposal hypothesizes that model-free and model-based mechanisms coexist and compete in the brain according to their relative uncertainty. In this paper we propose a novel view in which a single Mixed Instrumental Controller produces both goal-directed and habitual behavior by flexibly balancing and combining model-based and model-free computations. The Mixed Instrumental Controller performs a cost-benefits analysis to decide whether to chose an action immediately based on the available “cached” value of actions (linked to model-free mechanisms) or to improve value estimation by mentally simulating the expected outcome values (linked to model-based mechanisms). Since mental simulation entails cognitive effort and increases the reward delay, it is activated only when the associated “Value of Information” exceeds its costs. The model proposes a method to compute the Value of Information, based on the uncertainty of action values and on the distance of alternative cached action values. Overall, the model by default chooses on the basis of lighter model-free estimates, and integrates them with costly model-based predictions only when useful. Mental simulation uses a sampling method to produce reward expectancies, which are used to update the cached value of one or more actions; in turn, this updated value is used for the choice. The key predictions of the model are tested in different settings of a double T-maze scenario. Results are discussed in relation with neurobiological evidence on the hippocampus – ventral striatum circuit in rodents, which has been linked to goal-directed spatial navigation. PMID:23459512

  9. The mixed instrumental controller: using value of information to combine habitual choice and mental simulation.

    PubMed

    Pezzulo, Giovanni; Rigoli, Francesco; Chersi, Fabian

    2013-01-01

    Instrumental behavior depends on both goal-directed and habitual mechanisms of choice. Normative views cast these mechanisms in terms of model-free and model-based methods of reinforcement learning, respectively. An influential proposal hypothesizes that model-free and model-based mechanisms coexist and compete in the brain according to their relative uncertainty. In this paper we propose a novel view in which a single Mixed Instrumental Controller produces both goal-directed and habitual behavior by flexibly balancing and combining model-based and model-free computations. The Mixed Instrumental Controller performs a cost-benefits analysis to decide whether to chose an action immediately based on the available "cached" value of actions (linked to model-free mechanisms) or to improve value estimation by mentally simulating the expected outcome values (linked to model-based mechanisms). Since mental simulation entails cognitive effort and increases the reward delay, it is activated only when the associated "Value of Information" exceeds its costs. The model proposes a method to compute the Value of Information, based on the uncertainty of action values and on the distance of alternative cached action values. Overall, the model by default chooses on the basis of lighter model-free estimates, and integrates them with costly model-based predictions only when useful. Mental simulation uses a sampling method to produce reward expectancies, which are used to update the cached value of one or more actions; in turn, this updated value is used for the choice. The key predictions of the model are tested in different settings of a double T-maze scenario. Results are discussed in relation with neurobiological evidence on the hippocampus - ventral striatum circuit in rodents, which has been linked to goal-directed spatial navigation.

  10. Aerodynamic Heating Computations for Projectiles. Volume 1. In-Depth Heat Conduction Modifications to the ABRES Shape Change Code (BRLASCC)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-06-01

    preceding the corresponding pressure group of the surface thermochemistry deck as described below. The temperature entries within each section must be... pressure group the transfer coefficient values will be ordered. Within each transfer coefficient section, ablation rate entries need not he ordered in any...may not exceed 5 (and may be only I); the number of transfer coefficient values in each pressure group may not exceed 5 but may be only 1. If no

  11. Change in KOOS and WOMAC Scores in a Young Athletic Population With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

    PubMed

    Antosh, Ivan J; Svoboda, Steven J; Peck, Karen Y; Garcia, E'Stephan J; Cameron, Kenneth L

    2018-06-01

    Several studies have examined changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but no studies to date have prospectively evaluated changes from preinjury baseline through injury and follow-up among ACL-injured patients compared to the baseline and follow-up changes of uninjured patients. To examine changes in PROMs over time from preinjury baseline to at least 2 years after ACL reconstruction and to compare these changes with those of an uninjured control group having similar physical activity requirements. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study with a nested case-control analysis at a US service academy. All incoming first year students were recruited to participate in this study. Consenting participants completed a baseline questionnaire that included the KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), and MARS (Marx Activity Rating Scale). Participants who sustained a subsequent ACL injury completed assessments at the time of surgery and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Healthy participants were recruited to repeat the baseline assessments within 1 year of graduation. Inter- and intragroup differences at these time points were evaluated with dependent and independent t tests, respectively. We also compared these results with established minimum clinically important difference (MCID) values. Of 1268 first year students entering the academy, 1005 with no previous injuries consented to participate in this study (82% male, mean ± SD age 19 ± 1 years). Of those enrolled, 30 suffered an ACL injury and met the inclusion criteria for this study. Ninety uninjured control students who met the inclusion criteria completed follow-up assessments. There were statistically significant differences across all KOOS and WOMAC subscales between ACL-injured group and uninjured group at the time of the final follow-up assessment. Four KOOS subscales (Pain, Symptoms, Sports and Recreation Function, and Knee-Related Quality of Life) and the WOMAC Stiffness subscale demonstrated >8-point differences between groups, which exceeded the established MCID for these instruments. There were no significant differences between the ACL-injured group and uninjured groups noted for the MARS ( P = .635). At the time of final follow-up, the ACL-injured group also reported significant deficits on the WOMAC Stiffness subscale ( P = .032), the MARS ( P = .030), and all KOOS subscales, with the exception of Functional Activities of Daily Living, as compared with their preinjury baseline scores. These deficits exceeded the established MCID values for 3 KOOS subscales and the MARS. Patients with ACL injuries reported significant deficits on PROMs at least 2 years after surgical reconstruction in relation to preinjury baseline scores and an uninjured control group. Many of these deficits exceeded established MCID values.

  12. Membrane transport of amino acid enantiomers in protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda).

    PubMed

    Allen, J T; Arme, C

    1991-02-01

    Protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus absorb both L- and D-alanine. Concentration ratios exceed 1 with values for D-alanine exceeding those for the L-isomer, suggesting that both are absorbed by active mechanisms. Uptake of both isomers involves both diffusion and carrier-mediated components. Values for the diffusion component (Kd) for L- and D-alanine were 0.21 and 0.38 nmol mg-1 protein/1.5 min mM-1 respectively, and values for Kt, the transport constants, 0.17 mM and 0.21 mM respectively. Uptake of both isomers was inhibited competitively by a number of other amino acids.

  13. Sample size for positive and negative predictive value in diagnostic research using case–control designs

    PubMed Central

    Steinberg, David M.; Fine, Jason; Chappell, Rick

    2009-01-01

    Important properties of diagnostic methods are their sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). These methods are typically assessed via case–control samples, which include one cohort of cases known to have the disease and a second control cohort of disease-free subjects. Such studies give direct estimates of sensitivity and specificity but only indirect estimates of PPV and NPV, which also depend on the disease prevalence in the tested population. The motivating example arises in assay testing, where usage is contemplated in populations with known prevalences. Further instances include biomarker development, where subjects are selected from a population with known prevalence and assessment of PPV and NPV is crucial, and the assessment of diagnostic imaging procedures for rare diseases, where case–control studies may be the only feasible designs. We develop formulas for optimal allocation of the sample between the case and control cohorts and for computing sample size when the goal of the study is to prove that the test procedure exceeds pre-stated bounds for PPV and/or NPV. Surprisingly, the optimal sampling schemes for many purposes are highly unbalanced, even when information is desired on both PPV and NPV. PMID:18556677

  14. Development of quantitative analysis method for stereotactic brain image: assessment of reduced accumulation in extent and severity using anatomical segmentation.

    PubMed

    Mizumura, Sunao; Kumita, Shin-ichiro; Cho, Keiichi; Ishihara, Makiko; Nakajo, Hidenobu; Toba, Masahiro; Kumazaki, Tatsuo

    2003-06-01

    Through visual assessment by three-dimensional (3D) brain image analysis methods using stereotactic brain coordinates system, such as three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections and statistical parametric mapping, it is difficult to quantitatively assess anatomical information and the range of extent of an abnormal region. In this study, we devised a method to quantitatively assess local abnormal findings by segmenting a brain map according to anatomical structure. Through quantitative local abnormality assessment using this method, we studied the characteristics of distribution of reduced blood flow in cases with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Using twenty-five cases with DAT (mean age, 68.9 years old), all of whom were diagnosed as probable Alzheimer's disease based on NINCDS-ADRDA, we collected I-123 iodoamphetamine SPECT data. A 3D brain map using the 3D-SSP program was compared with the data of 20 cases in the control group, who age-matched the subject cases. To study local abnormalities on the 3D images, we divided the whole brain into 24 segments based on anatomical classification. We assessed the extent of an abnormal region in each segment (rate of the coordinates with a Z-value that exceeds the threshold value, in all coordinates within a segment), and severity (average Z-value of the coordinates with a Z-value that exceeds the threshold value). This method clarified orientation and expansion of reduced accumulation, through classifying stereotactic brain coordinates according to the anatomical structure. This method was considered useful for quantitatively grasping distribution abnormalities in the brain and changes in abnormality distribution.

  15. Do the pollution related to high-traffic roads in urbanised areas pose a significant threat to the local population?

    PubMed

    Kobza, Joanna; Geremek, Mariusz

    2017-01-01

    Many large neighbourhoods are located near heavy-traffic roads; therefore, it is necessary to control the levels of air pollution near road exposure. The primary air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles are CO, NO 2 and PM. Various investigations identify key health outcomes to be consistently associated with NO 2 and CO. The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether by high-traffic roads, such as motorways and express ways, and the concentrations of CO and NO 2 are within normal limits and do not pose threat to the local population. Average daily values (arithmetic values calculated for 1-h values within 24 h or less, depending on result availability) were measured for concentrations of NO 2 and CO by automatic stations belonging to the Voivodship Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Katowice, in areas with similar dominant source of pollutant emission. The measurements were made in three sites: near the motorway and expressway, where the average daily traffic intensity is 100983 and 35414 of vehicles relatively. No evidence was found of exceeding average daily values equal to the maximum allowable NO 2 concentration due to the protection of human health in the measurement area of the stations. No daily average values exceeding the admissible CO concentration (8-h moving average) were noted in the examined period. The results clearly show lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of CO and NO 2 compounds that are closely related to high intensity car traffic found on selected motorways and speedways located near the city centres.

  16. Risk assessment for pesticides' MRL non-compliances in Poland in the years 2011-2015.

    PubMed

    Struciński, Paweł; Ludwicki, Jan K; Góralczyk, Katarzyna; Czaja, Katarzyna; Hernik, Agnieszka; Liszewska, Monika

    2015-01-01

    Human exposure to trace levels of pesticide residues present in food of plant origin is inevitable as long as pesticides continue to be applied in agriculture. Since Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) are not toxicological endpoint values, their violation is not by default equivalent to health risk for consumers. However, its essential to provide a health- based risk assessment for each case of MRL non-compliance reported during monitoring and official control of foodstuffs. To assess the potential short-term risk associated with consumption of food products of plant origin containing pesticide residues above MRL values based on notifications forwarded by the National Contact Point for RASFF in Poland during 2011-2015. 115 notifications including 127 analytical results non-compliant with respective MRL values were forwarded to provide risk assessment. An internationally accepted deterministic approach based on conservative model assumptions for short-term exposure assessment was applied. The risk was characterized by comparing an estimated dietary intake with respective acute reference dose (ARfD). Black currant, tea, lettuce, Chinese cabbage and carrot were among the most frequently notified products in years 2011-2015. Among pesticides exceeding respective MRL values, over 90% belonged to fungicides and insecticides/acaricides such as acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, imidacloprid, dithiocarbamates and procymidone. For 15 and 6 results noncompliant with respective MRL value, a predicted short-term intake exceeded ARfD for children and adults, respectively. Residue levels that could potentially pose a health threat are found incidentally. The science-based and transparent risk assessment process with regard to the data, methods and assumptions that are applied is essential to risk management authorities. risk assessment, pesticide residues, MRL, dietary intake, RASFF, food safety.

  17. Lead (Pb) and other metals in New York City community garden soils: factors influencing contaminant distributions

    PubMed Central

    Mitchell, Rebecca G.; Spliethoff, Henry M.; Ribaudo, Lisa N.; Lopp, Donna M.; Shayler, Hannah A.; Marquez-Bravo, Lydia G.; Lambert, Veronique T.; Ferenz, Gretchen S.; Russell-Anelli, Jonathan M.; Stone, Edie B.; McBride, Murray B.

    2014-01-01

    Urban gardens provide affordable fresh produce to communities with limited access to healthy food but may also increase exposure to lead (Pb) and other soil contaminants. Metals analysis of 564 soil samples from 54 New York City (NYC) community gardens found at least one sample exceeding health-based guidance values in 70% of gardens. However, most samples (78%) did not exceed guidance values, and medians were generally below those reported in NYC soil and other urban gardening studies. Barium (Ba) and Pb most frequently exceeded guidance values and along with cadmium (Cd) were strongly correlated with zinc (Zn), a commonly measured nutrient. Principal component analysis suggested that contaminants varied independently from organic matter and geogenic metals. Contaminants were associated with visible debris and a lack of raised beds; management practices (e.g., importing uncontaminated soil) have likely reduced metals concentrations. Continued exposure reduction efforts would benefit communities already burdened by environmental exposures. PMID:24502997

  18. Lead (Pb) and other metals in New York City community garden soils: factors influencing contaminant distributions.

    PubMed

    Mitchell, Rebecca G; Spliethoff, Henry M; Ribaudo, Lisa N; Lopp, Donna M; Shayler, Hannah A; Marquez-Bravo, Lydia G; Lambert, Veronique T; Ferenz, Gretchen S; Russell-Anelli, Jonathan M; Stone, Edie B; McBride, Murray B

    2014-04-01

    Urban gardens provide affordable fresh produce to communities with limited access to healthy food but may also increase exposure to lead (Pb) and other soil contaminants. Metals analysis of 564 soil samples from 54 New York City (NYC) community gardens found at least one sample exceeding health-based guidance values in 70% of gardens. However, most samples (78%) did not exceed guidance values, and medians were generally below those reported in NYC soil and other urban gardening studies. Barium (Ba) and Pb most frequently exceeded guidance values and along with cadmium (Cd) were strongly correlated with zinc (Zn), a commonly measured nutrient. Principal component analysis suggested that contaminants varied independently from organic matter and geogenic metals. Contaminants were associated with visible debris and a lack of raised beds; management practices (e.g., importing uncontaminated soil) have likely reduced metals concentrations. Continued exposure reduction efforts would benefit communities already burdened by environmental exposures. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. 48 CFR 8.405-6 - Limiting sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... or BPA with an estimated value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold not placed or established in... Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole... order or BPA exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (2) Posting. (i) Within 14 days after...

  20. 48 CFR 8.405-6 - Limiting sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... or BPA with an estimated value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold not placed or established in... Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole... order or BPA exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (2) Posting. (i) Within 14 days after...

  1. 48 CFR 8.405-6 - Limiting sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... or BPA with an estimated value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold not placed or established in... Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole... order or BPA exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (2) Posting. (i) Within 14 days after...

  2. 48 CFR 8.405-6 - Limiting sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... or BPA with an estimated value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold not placed or established in... Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole... order or BPA exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (2) Posting. (i) Within 14 days after...

  3. 42 CFR 50.603 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... and dependent children. PHS means the Public Health Service, an operating division of the U.S... spouse and dependent children, meets both of the following tests: Does not exceed $10,000 in value as... children over the next twelve months, are not expected to exceed $10,000. Small Business Innovation...

  4. Tax Matters: IRS Cracking Down on Donations to Nonprofits.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lukaszewski, Thomas

    1990-01-01

    Reviews IRS regulation of day care center fund-raising activities. Contributions are not deductible when receipts exceed certain amounts, sales claim fair market value, or the cost of gift tokens exceeds a certain limit. Fund-raising violations can result in fines and extensive IRS investigations. (DG)

  5. REFLECTOR CONTROL OF A BOILING-WATER REACTOR

    DOEpatents

    Treshow, M.

    1962-05-22

    A line connecting the reactor with a spent steam condenser contains a valve set to open when the pressure in the reactor exceeds a predetermined value and an orifice on the upstream side of the valve. Another line connects the reflector with this line between the orifice and the valve. An excess steam pressure causes the valve to open and the flow of steam through the line draws water out of the reflector. Provision is also made for adding water to the reflector when the steam pressure drops. (AEC)

  6. Improving the indoor air quality of respiratory type of medical facility by zeolite filtering.

    PubMed

    Shen, Jyun-Hong; Wang, Yeoung-Sheng; Lin, Jhan-Ping; Wu, Sheng-Hung; Horng, Jao-Jia

    2014-01-01

    This study investigated the indoor air quality (IAQ) conditions of carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and bio-aerosols (bacteria and fungi) in a respiratory type of medical facility in Chia-Yi County in southern Taiwan. Among those IAQ conditions, the concentrations of CO, O3, and HCHO exceeded the regulation values of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) mostly in the morning. The concentrations of bacteria and fungi did not exceed the regulation values but still posed potential health and environment problems for workers, patients, and visitors. Therefore, self-made silver-coated zeolite (AgZ) was used as a filter material in air cleaners to remove bio-aerosols in the respiratory care ward (RCW), and the removals were still effective after 120 hr. The cumulative bio-aerosol removals for bacteria and fungi were 900 and 1,088 colony-forming units (CFU) g(-1) after 24 hr and were above 3,100 and 2,700 CFU g(-1) after 120 hr. From the research results, it is suggested that AgZ filtering could be used as a feasible engineering measure for hospitals to control their bacteria and fungi parameters in IAQ management. Hospitals should maintain their environmental management and monitoring programs and use different engineering measures to improve different IAQ parameters. This study investigated the IAQ conditions in the field at a hospital in Chia-Yi County in southern Taiwan. Although concentrations of most parameters were still within the regulation values, the concentrations of CO, O3, and HCHO were partially exceeded. We propose a method using an air cleaner with silver-coated zeolite (AgZ) as a possible engineering measure, and there were effective reductions of bacteria and fungi to lower levels with antibacterial effects after 120 hr. Furthermore, this study implies that hospitals should continuously maintain environmental monitoring programs and adopt optimal engineering measures for different needs.

  7. Evaluation of Shiryaev-Roberts Procedure for On-line Environmental Radiation Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watson, Mara Mae

    An on-line radiation monitoring system that simultaneously concentrates and detects radioactivity is needed to detect an accidental leakage from a nuclear waste disposal facility or clandestine nuclear activity. Previous studies have shown that classical control chart methods can be applied to on-line radiation monitoring data to quickly detect these events as they occur; however, Bayesian control chart methods were not included in these studies. This work will evaluate the performance of a Bayesian control chart method, the Shiryaev-Roberts (SR) procedure, compared to classical control chart methods, Shewhart 3-sigma and cumulative sum (CUSUM), for use in on-line radiation monitoring of 99Tc in water using extractive scintillating resin. Measurements were collected by pumping solutions containing 0.1-5 Bq/L of 99Tc, as 99T cO4-, through a flow cell packed with extractive scintillating resin coupled to a Beta-RAM Model 5 HPLC detector. While 99T cO4- accumulated on the resin, simultaneous measurements were acquired in 10-s intervals and then re-binned to 100-s intervals. The Bayesian statistical method, Shiryaev-Roberts procedure, and classical control chart methods, Shewhart 3-sigma and cumulative sum (CUSUM), were applied to the data using statistical algorithms developed in MATLAB RTM. Two SR control charts were constructed using Poisson distributions and Gaussian distributions to estimate the likelihood ratio, and are referred to as Poisson SR and Gaussian SR to indicate the distribution used to calculate the statistic. The Poisson and Gaussian SR methods required as little as 28.9 mL less solution at 5 Bq/L and as much as 170 mL less solution at 0.5 Bq/L to exceed the control limit than the Shewhart 3-sigma method. The Poisson SR method needed as little as 6.20 mL less solution at 5 Bq/L and up to 125 mL less solution at 0.5 Bq/L to exceed the control limit than the CUSUM method. The Gaussian SR and CUSUM method required comparable solution volumes for test solutions containing at least 1.5 Bq/L of 99T c. For activity concentrations less than 1.5 Bq/L, the Gaussian SR method required as much as 40.8 mL less solution at 0.5 Bq/L to exceed the control limit than the CUSUM method. Both SR methods were able to consistently detect test solutions containing 0.1 Bq/L, unlike the Shewhart 3-sigma and CUSUM methods. Although the Poisson SR method required as much as 178 mL less solution to exceed the control limit than the Gaussian SR method, the Gaussian SR false positive of 0% was much lower than the Poisson SR false positive rate of 1.14%. A lower false positive rate made it easier to differentiate between a false positive and an increase in mean count rate caused by activity accumulating on the resin. The SR procedure is thus the ideal tool for low-level on-line radiation monitoring using extractive scintillating resin, because it needed less volume in most cases to detect an upward shift in the mean count rate than the Shewhart 3-sigma and CUSUM methods and consistently detected lower activity concentrations. The desired results for the monitoring scheme, however, need to be considered prior to choosing between the Poisson and Gaussian distribution to estimate the likelihood ratio, because each was advantageous under different circumstances. Once the control limit was exceeded, activity concentrations were estimated from the SR control chart using the slope of the control chart on a semi-logarithmic plot. Five of nine test solutions for the Poisson SR control chart produced concentration estimates within 30% of the actual value, but the worst case was 263.2% different than the actual value. The estimations for the Gaussian SR control chart were much more precise, with six of eight solutions producing estimates within 30%. Although the activity concentrations estimations were only mediocre for the Poisson SR control chart and satisfactory for the Gaussian SR control chart, these results demonstrate that a relationship exists between activity concentration and the SR control chart magnitude that can be exploited to determine the activity concentration from the SR control chart. More complex methods should be investigated to improve activity concentration estimations from the SR control charts.

  8. Combined effect of MAP and thyme essential oil on the microbiological, chemical and sensory attributes of organically aquacultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets.

    PubMed

    Kostaki, Maria; Giatrakou, Vasiliki; Savvaidis, Ioannis N; Kontominas, Michael G

    2009-08-01

    The present study evaluated the combined effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) using two different gas mixtures (40% CO2/50% N2/10% O2; treatment M1, 60% CO2/30% N2/10% O2, treatment M2), and thyme oil (0.2% v/w, T) used as a natural preservative, on the quality and shelf life extension of fresh filleted sea bass, product of organic aquaculture, during refrigerated storage (4 +/- 0.5 degrees C), for a period of 21 days. Aerobically packaged sea bass fillets (A) were used as control samples. The dominant bacteria in the microflora of sea bass fillets, irrespective of treatment, were the pseudomonads and the H2S-producing bacteria while lactic acid bacteria were also part of the dominant microflora. Total viable counts for fresh sea bass fillets stored aerobically exceeded 7 log CFU/g after 7 days, while treatments A+T, M1, M2 and M2+T reached the same value on days 9, 10, 12 and 19, respectively. Among the chemical indices determined, TBA values were within the good quality limits (2-4 mg MDA/kg), during the sensory shelf lives of sea bass samples, irrespective of treatment. TVB-N proved to be a suitable index for the spoilage of sea bass fillets stored at 4 degrees C. Samples A and A+T, M1, M2, M2+T exceeded the proposed upper TVB-N acceptability limit (10 mg N/100 g) on days 6, 8, 9, 13 and 17 of storage respectively. TMA-N values of the samples A, A+T and M1, M2, M2+T exceeded the proposed limit (4 mg N/100 g) on days 6, 9, 9-10, 13 and 19 of storage, respectively, and correlated well with the microbiological data, indicating that along with TVB-N, TMA-N may serve as a useful index for sea bass fillets spoilage. As regards sensory evaluation, the presence of thyme oil proved to improve the sensory quality of sea bass fillets when used in combination with MAP2, providing a shelf life of 17 days as compared to 6 days of the control samples.

  9. 36 CFR 242.27 - Subsistence taking of fish.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... salmon, you may not use a gillnet exceeding 50 fathoms in length, unless otherwise specified in this...) Bristol Bay Fishery Management Area—The total cash value per household of salmon taken within Federal... not exceed $500.00 annually. (ii) Upper Copper River District—The total number of salmon per household...

  10. 50 CFR 100.27 - Subsistence taking of fish.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... subsistence fishing for salmon, you may not use a gillnet exceeding 50 fathoms in length, unless otherwise...) Bristol Bay Fishery Management Area—The total cash value per household of salmon taken within Federal... not exceed $500.00 annually. (ii) Upper Copper River District—The total number of salmon per household...

  11. Multiscale System for Environmentally-Driven Infectious Disease with Threshold Control Strategy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Xiaodan; Xiao, Yanni

    A multiscale system for environmentally-driven infectious disease is proposed, in which control measures at three different scales are implemented when the number of infected hosts exceeds a certain threshold. Our coupled model successfully describes the feedback mechanisms of between-host dynamics on within-host dynamics by employing one-scale variable guided enhancement of interventions on other scales. The modeling approach provides a novel idea of how to link the large-scale dynamics to small-scale dynamics. The dynamic behaviors of the multiscale system on two time-scales, i.e. fast system and slow system, are investigated. The slow system is further simplified to a two-dimensional Filippov system. For the Filippov system, we study the dynamics of its two subsystems (i.e. free-system and control-system), the sliding mode dynamics, the boundary equilibrium bifurcations, as well as the global behaviors. We prove that both subsystems may undergo backward bifurcations and the sliding domain exists. Meanwhile, it is possible that the pseudo-equilibrium exists and is globally stable, or the pseudo-equilibrium, the disease-free equilibrium and the real equilibrium are tri-stable, or the pseudo-equilibrium and the real equilibrium are bi-stable, or the pseudo-equilibrium and disease-free equilibrium are bi-stable, which depends on the threshold value and other parameter values. The global stability of the pseudo-equilibrium reveals that we may maintain the number of infected hosts at a previously given value. Moreover, the bi-stability and tri-stability indicate that whether the number of infected individuals tends to zero or a previously given value or other positive values depends on the parameter values and the initial states of the system. These results highlight the challenges in the control of environmentally-driven infectious disease.

  12. Toxicological benchmarks for screening potential contaminants of concern for effects on aquatic biota: 1994 Revision

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Suter, G.W. II; Mabrey, J.B.

    1994-07-01

    This report presents potential screening benchmarks for protection of aquatic life from contaminants in water. Because there is no guidance for screening benchmarks, a set of alternative benchmarks is presented herein. The alternative benchmarks are based on different conceptual approaches to estimating concentrations causing significant effects. For the upper screening benchmark, there are the acute National Ambient Water Quality Criteria (NAWQC) and the Secondary Acute Values (SAV). The SAV concentrations are values estimated with 80% confidence not to exceed the unknown acute NAWQC for those chemicals with no NAWQC. The alternative chronic benchmarks are the chronic NAWQC, the Secondary Chronicmore » Value (SCV), the lowest chronic values for fish and daphnids from chronic toxicity tests, the estimated EC20 for a sensitive species, and the concentration estimated to cause a 20% reduction in the recruit abundance of largemouth bass. It is recommended that ambient chemical concentrations be compared to all of these benchmarks. If NAWQC are exceeded, the chemicals must be contaminants of concern because the NAWQC are applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs). If NAWQC are not exceeded, but other benchmarks are, contaminants should be selected on the basis of the number of benchmarks exceeded and the conservatism of the particular benchmark values, as discussed in the text. To the extent that toxicity data are available, this report presents the alternative benchmarks for chemicals that have been detected on the Oak Ridge Reservation. It also presents the data used to calculate benchmarks and the sources of the data. It compares the benchmarks and discusses their relative conservatism and utility.« less

  13. 40 CFR 63.745 - Standards: Primer and topcoat application operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... system requirements. Each control system shall reduce the operation's organic HAP and VOC emissions to... control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 1 and 2 of this section and is... pollution control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 3 and 4 of this section...

  14. 40 CFR 63.745 - Standards: Primer and topcoat application operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... system requirements. Each control system shall reduce the operation's organic HAP and VOC emissions to... control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 1 and 2 of this section and is... pollution control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 3 and 4 of this section...

  15. 40 CFR 63.745 - Standards: Primer and topcoat application operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... system requirements. Each control system shall reduce the operation's organic HAP and VOC emissions to... control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 1 and 2 of this section and is... pollution control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 3 and 4 of this section...

  16. 40 CFR 63.745 - Standards: Primer and topcoat application operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... system requirements. Each control system shall reduce the operation's organic HAP and VOC emissions to... control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 1 and 2 of this section and is... pollution control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 3 and 4 of this section...

  17. 40 CFR 63.745 - Standards: Primer and topcoat application operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... system requirements. Each control system shall reduce the operation's organic HAP and VOC emissions to... control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 1 and 2 of this section and is... pollution control system that meets or exceeds the efficiency data points in Tables 3 and 4 of this section...

  18. Livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, and rangeland values

    Treesearch

    Paul R. Krausman; David E. Naugle; Michael R. Frisina; Rick Northrup; Vernon C. Bleich; William M. Block; Mark C. Wallace; Jeffrey D. Wright

    2009-01-01

    Livestock managers make and implement grazing management decisions to achieve a variety of objectives including livestock production, sustainable grazing, and wildlife habitat enhancement. Assessed values of grazing lands and ranches are often based on aesthetics and wildlife habitat or recreational values, which can exceed agricultural values, thus providing...

  19. Atmospheric deposition and ozone levels in Swiss forests: are critical values exceeded?

    PubMed

    Waldner, Peter; Schaub, Marcus; Graf Pannatier, Elisabeth; Schmitt, Maria; Thimonier, Anne; Walthert, Lorenz

    2007-05-01

    Air pollution affects forest health through atmospheric deposition of acidic and nitrogen compounds and elevated levels of tropospheric ozone (O3). In 1985, a monitoring network was established across Europe and various research efforts have since been undertaken to define critical values. We measured atmospheric deposition of acidity and nitrogen as well as ambient levels of O3 on 12, 13, and 14 plots, respectively, in the framework of the Swiss Long-Term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) in the period from 1995 to 2002. We estimated the critical loads of acidity and of nitrogen, using the steady state mass balance approach, and calculated the critical O3 levels using the AOT40 approach. The deposition of acidity exceeded the critical loads on 2 plots and almost reached them on 4 plots. The median of the measured molar ratio of base nutrient cations to total dissolved aluminium (Bc/Al) in the soil solution was higher than the critical value of 1 for all depths, and also at the plots with an exceedance of the critical load of acidity. For nitrogen, critical loads were exceeded on 8 plots and deposition likely represents a long-term ecological risk on 3 to 10 plots. For O3, exceedance of critical levels was recorded on 12 plots, and led to the development of typical O3-induced visible injury on trees and shrubs, but not for all plots due to (1) the site specific composition of O3 sensitive and tolerant plant species, and (2) the influence of microclimatic site conditions on the stomatal behaviour, i.e., O3 uptake.

  20. Sources of atmospheric aerosols controlling PM10 levels in Heraklion, Crete during winter time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalivitis, Nikolaos; Kouvarakis, Giorgos; Stavroulas, Iasonas; Kandilogiannaki, Maria; Vavadaki, Katerina; Mihalopoulos, Nikolaos

    2016-04-01

    High concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) in the atmosphere have negative impact to human health. Thresholds for ambient concentrations that are defined by the directive 2008/50/EC are frequently exceeded even at background conditions in the Mediterranean region as shown in earlier studies. The sources of atmospheric particles in the urban environment of a medium size city of eastern Mediterranean are studied in the present work in order to better understand the causes and characteristics of exceedances of the daily mean PM10limit value of 50 μg m-3. Measurements were performed at the atmospheric quality measurement station of the Region of Crete, at the Heraklion city center on Crete island, during the winter/spring period of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Special emphasis was given to the study of the contribution of Black Carbon (BC) to the levels of PM10. Continuous measurements were performed using a beta-attenuation PM10monitor and a 7-wavelength Aethalometer with a time resolution of 30 and 5 minutes respectively. For direct comparison to background regional conditions, concurrent routine measurements at the atmospheric research station of University of Crete at Finokalia were used as background reference. Analysis of exceedances in the daily PM10 mass concentration showed that the total of the exceedances was related to long range transport of Saharan dust rather than local sources. However, compared to the Finokalia station it was found that there were 20% more exceedances in Heraklion, the addition of transported dust on the local pollution was the reason for the additional exceedance days. Excluding dust events, it was found that the PM10variability was dependent on the BC abundance, traffic during rush hours in the morning and biomass burning for domestic heating in the evening contributed significantly to PM10levels in Heraklion.

  1. The Accuracy of Stated Energy Contents of Reduced-Energy, Commercially Prepared Foods

    PubMed Central

    Urban, Lorien E.; Dallal, Gerard E.; Robinson, Lisa M.; Ausman, Lynne M.; Saltzman, Edward; Roberts, Susan B.

    2010-01-01

    The accuracy of stated energy contents of reduced-energy restaurant foods and frozen meals purchased from supermarkets was evaluated. Measured energy values of 29 quick-serve and sit-down restaurant foods averaged 18% more than stated values, and measured energy values of 10 frozen meals purchased from supermarkets averaged 8% more than originally stated. These differences substantially exceeded laboratory measurement error but did not achieve statistical significance due to considerable variability in the degree of underreporting. Some individual restaurant items contained up to 200% of stated values and, in addition, free side dishes increased provided energy to an average of 245% of stated values for the entrees they accompanied. These findings suggest that stated energy contents of reduced-energy meals obtained from restaurants and supermarkets are not consistently accurate, and in this study averaged more than measured values, especially when free side dishes were taken into account. If widespread, this phenomenon could hamper efforts to self-monitor energy intake to control weight, and could also reduce the potential benefit of recent policy initiatives to disseminate information on food energy content at the point of purchase. PMID:20102837

  2. [Bread from the bioactivated wheat grain with the raised nutrition value].

    PubMed

    Ponomareva, E I; Alekhina, N N; Bakaeva, I A

    2016-01-01

    Bread from the bioactivated grain of wheat differs in high content of dietary fibers, minerals and vitamins compared to traditional types of bread, but, despite this, it has low protein and lysine content. The aim of the study was the development of bread with the raised nutritional value from the bioactivated wheat grain by use of flour from cake of wheat germ (6.5%). It has been established that the flour from wheat germ has protein biological value (77.4%) and the amino acid score according to lysine (100.3%) above 12 and 40.5%, respectively, compared with those from bioactivated wheat. During calculation of nutritive, biological and energy value of products from the bioactivated wheat grain it is revealed that the biological value of bread from wheat germ flour slightly exceeded the biological value of the bread without its addition and amounted to 70.80%, due to a high protein content and a balanced amino acid composition. The protein content in the test sample of bakery products was 19.0% higher than the control, phosphorus - 13.0%, zinc - 50.0%.

  3. 22 CFR 123.23 - Monetary value of shipments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Monetary value of shipments. 123.23 Section 123... EXPORT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES § 123.23 Monetary value of shipments. Port Directors of U.S. Customs and... value of the export does not exceed the aggregate monetary value (not quantity) stated on the license by...

  4. [An object-oriented intelligent engineering design approach for lake pollution control].

    PubMed

    Zou, Rui; Zhou, Jing; Liu, Yong; Zhu, Xiang; Zhao, Lei; Yang, Ping-Jian; Guo, Huai-Cheng

    2013-03-01

    Regarding the shortage and deficiency of traditional lake pollution control engineering techniques, a new lake pollution control engineering approach was proposed in this study, based on object-oriented intelligent design (OOID) from the perspective of intelligence. It can provide a new methodology and framework for effectively controlling lake pollution and improving water quality. The differences between the traditional engineering techniques and the OOID approach were compared. The key points for OOID were described as object perspective, cause and effect foundation, set points into surface, and temporal and spatial optimization. The blue algae control in lake was taken as an example in this study. The effect of algae control and water quality improvement were analyzed in details from the perspective of object-oriented intelligent design based on two engineering techniques (vertical hydrodynamic mixer and pumping algaecide recharge). The modeling results showed that the traditional engineering design paradigm cannot provide scientific and effective guidance for engineering design and decision-making regarding lake pollution. Intelligent design approach is based on the object perspective and quantitative causal analysis in this case. This approach identified that the efficiency of mixers was much higher than pumps in achieving the goal of low to moderate water quality improvement. However, when the objective of water quality exceeded a certain value (such as the control objective of peak Chla concentration exceeded 100 microg x L(-1) in this experimental water), the mixer cannot achieve this goal. The pump technique can achieve the goal but with higher cost. The efficiency of combining the two techniques was higher than using one of the two techniques alone. Moreover, the quantitative scale control of the two engineering techniques has a significant impact on the actual project benefits and costs.

  5. Multiparticle Solutions in 2+1 Gravity and Time Machines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Steif, Alan R.

    Multiparticle solutions for sources moving at the speed of light and corresponding to superpositions of single-particle plane-wave solutions are constructed in 2+1 gravity. It is shown that the two-particle spacetimes admit closed timelike curves provided the center-of-momentum energy exceeds a certain critical value. This occurs, however, at the cost of unphysical boundary conditions which are analogous to those affecting Gott’s time machine. As the energy exceeds the critical value, the closed timelike curves first occur at spatial infinity, then migrate inward as the energy is further increased. The total mass of the system also becomes imaginary for particle energies greater than the critical value.

  6. Organic contaminants, trace and major elements, and nutrients in water and sediment sampled in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Nowell, Lisa H.; Ludtke, Amy S.; Mueller, David K.; Scott, Jonathon C.

    2012-01-01

    Beach water and sediment samples were collected along the Gulf of Mexico coast to assess differences in contaminant concentrations before and after landfall of Macondo-1 well oil released into the Gulf of Mexico from the sinking of the British Petroleum Corporation's Deepwater Horizon drilling platform. Samples were collected at 70 coastal sites between May 7 and July 7, 2010, to document baseline, or "pre-landfall" conditions. A subset of 48 sites was resampled during October 4 to 14, 2010, after oil had made landfall on the Gulf of Mexico coast, called the "post-landfall" sampling period, to determine if actionable concentrations of oil were present along shorelines. Few organic contaminants were detected in water; their detection frequencies generally were low and similar in pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Only one organic contaminant--toluene--had significantly higher concentrations in post-landfall than pre-landfall water samples. No water samples exceeded any human-health benchmarks, and only one post-landfall water sample exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark--the toxic-unit benchmark for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) mixtures. In sediment, concentrations of 3 parent PAHs and 17 alkylated PAH groups were significantly higher in post-landfall samples than pre-landfall samples. One pre-landfall sample from Texas exceeded the sediment toxic-unit benchmark for PAH mixtures; this site was not sampled during the post-landfall period. Empirical upper screening-value benchmarks for PAHs in sediment were exceeded at 37 percent of post-landfall samples and 22 percent of pre-landfall samples, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of samples exceeding benchmarks between paired pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Seven sites had the largest concentration differences between post-landfall and pre-landfall samples for 15 alkylated PAHs. Five of these seven sites, located in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, had diagnostic geochemical evidence of Macondo-1 oil in post-landfall sediments and tarballs. For trace and major elements in water, analytical reporting levels for several elements were high and variable. No human-health benchmarks were exceeded, although these were available for only two elements. Aquatic-life benchmarks for trace elements were exceeded in 47 percent of water samples overall. The elements responsible for the most exceedances in post-landfall samples were boron, copper, and manganese. Benchmark exceedances in water could be substantially underestimated because some samples had reporting levels higher than the applicable benchmarks (such as cobalt, copper, lead and zinc) and some elements (such as boron and vanadium) were analyzed in samples from only one sampling period. For trace elements in whole sediment, empirical upper screening-value benchmarks were exceeded in 57 percent of post-landfall samples and 40 percent of pre-landfall samples, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of samples exceeding benchmarks between paired pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Benchmark exceedance frequencies could be conservatively high because they are based on measurements of total trace-element concentrations in sediment. In the less than 63-micrometer sediment fraction, one or more trace or major elements were anthropogenically enriched relative to national baseline values for U.S. streams for all sediment samples except one. Sixteen percent of sediment samples exceeded upper screening-value benchmarks for, and were enriched in, one or more of the following elements: barium, vanadium, aluminum, manganese, arsenic, chromium, and cobalt. These samples were evenly divided between the sampling periods. Aquatic-life benchmarks were frequently exceeded along the Gulf of Mexico coast by trace elements in both water and sediment and by PAHs in sediment. For the most part, however, significant differences between pre-landfall and post-landfall samples were limited to concentrations of PAHs in sediment. At five sites along the coast, the higher post-landfall concentrations of PAHs were associated with diagnostic geochemical evidence of Deepwater Horizon Macondo-1 oil.

  7. 49 CFR 192.631 - Control room management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... to exceed 15 months; and (5) Establish and implement procedures for when a different controller..., but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan; (5) Monitor the...) (regarding fatigue), (i) (regarding compliance validation), and (j) (regarding compliance and deviations) of...

  8. Critical evaluation of connectivity-based point of care testing systems of glucose in a hospital environment.

    PubMed

    Floré, Katelijne M J; Fiers, Tom; Delanghe, Joris R

    2008-01-01

    In recent years a number of point of care testing (POCT) glucometers were introduced on the market. We investigated the analytical variability (lot-to-lot variation, calibration error, inter-instrument and inter-operator variability) of glucose POCT systems in a university hospital environment and compared these results with the analytical needs required for tight glucose monitoring. The reference hexokinase method was compared to different POCT systems based on glucose oxidase (blood gas instruments) or glucose dehydrogenase (handheld glucometers). Based upon daily internal quality control data, total errors were calculated for the various glucose methods and the analytical variability of the glucometers was estimated. The total error of the glucometers exceeded by far the desirable analytical specifications (based on a biological variability model). Lot-to-lot variation, inter-instrument variation and inter-operator variability contributed approximately equally to total variance. As in a hospital environment, distribution of hematocrit values is broad, converting blood glucose into plasma values using a fixed factor further increases variance. The percentage of outliers exceeded the ISO 15197 criteria in a broad glucose concentration range. Total analytical variation of handheld glucometers is larger than expected. Clinicians should be aware that the variability of glucose measurements obtained by blood gas instruments is lower than results obtained with handheld glucometers on capillary blood.

  9. [Assessment of acoustic environment and its effect on hearing in jet engine technical personnel].

    PubMed

    Konopka, Wiesław; Pawlaczyk-Luszczyńska, Małgorzata; Straszyński, Piotr; Sliwińska-Kowalska, Mariola

    2004-01-01

    Noise produced by jet engines may be harmful to aircraft servicing personnel because of high levels of acoustic pressure. The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic environment of persons exposed to jet engine noise and its effect on hearing. Noise measurements were performed on three jet engines. During the target practice, the following parameters were measured: equivalent noise, pressure level A, maximum sound pressure level A, and peak sound pressure level C. The spectro-analysis covering the range from 0.1 to 20 kHz was conducted. Hearing was assessed in 50 noise-exposed men, aged 24-51 years (mean age, 35.5 years), using PTA, tympanometry and DPOAE. The control group consisted of 40 non-exposed persons with good hearing condition. Maximum levels of acoustic pressure exceeded Polish standards. Comparison between two groups showed that PTA was higher in the exposed persons by 6.3-6.8 dB on average and DPOAE was reduced in the group exposed to jet engine noise more than it could have been expected. Even during a single test, aircraft technical personnel was exposed to (audible) noise that significantly exceeded admissible values. The reduction in DPOAE values in persons exposed to noise of jet engines was incommensurably higher than changes in PTA.

  10. Evaluation of the COSHH Essentials Model with a Mixture of Organic Chemicals at a Medium-Sized Paint Producer

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Eun Gyung; Slaven, James; Bowen, Russell B.; Harper, Martin

    2011-01-01

    The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials model was evaluated using full-shift exposure measurements of five chemical components in a mixture [acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and xylenes] at a medium-sized plant producing paint materials. Two tasks, batch-making and bucket-washing, were examined. Varying levels of control were already established in both tasks and the average exposures of individual chemicals were considerably lower than the regulatory and advisory 8-h standards. The average exposure fractions using the additive mixture formula were also less than unity (batch-making: 0.25, bucket-washing: 0.56) indicating the mixture of chemicals did not exceed the combined occupational exposure limit (OEL). The paper version of the COSHH Essentials model was used to calculate a predicted exposure range (PER) for each chemical according to different levels of control. The estimated PERs of the tested chemicals for both tasks did not show consistent agreement with exposure measurements when the comparison was made for each control method and this is believed to be because of the considerably different volatilities of the chemicals. Given the combination of health hazard and exposure potential components, the COSHH Essentials model recommended a control approach ‘special advice’ for both tasks, based on the potential reproductive hazard ascribed to toluene. This would not have been the same conclusion if some other chemical had been substituted (for example styrene, which has the same threshold limit value as toluene). Nevertheless, it was special advice, which had led to the combination of hygienic procedures in place at this plant. The probability of the combined exposure fractions exceeding unity was 0.0002 for the batch-making task indicating that the employees performing this task were most likely well protected below the OELs. Although the employees involved in the bucket-washing task had greater potential to exceed the threshold limit value of the mixture (P > 1 = 0.2375), the expected personal exposure after adjusting for the assigned protection factor for the respirators in use would be considerably lower (P > 1 = 0.0161). Thus, our findings suggested that the COSHH essentials model worked reasonably well for the volatile organic chemicals at the plant. However, it was difficult to override the reproductive hazard even though it was meant to be possible in principle. Further, it became apparent that an input of existing controls, which is not possible in the web-based model, may have allowed the model be more widely applicable. The experience of using the web-based COSHH Essentials model generated some suggestions to provide a more user-friendly tool to the model users who do not have expertise in occupational hygiene. PMID:21047985

  11. Evaluation of the COSHH Essentials model with a mixture of organic chemicals at a medium-sized paint producer.

    PubMed

    Lee, Eun Gyung; Slaven, James; Bowen, Russell B; Harper, Martin

    2011-01-01

    The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials model was evaluated using full-shift exposure measurements of five chemical components in a mixture [acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and xylenes] at a medium-sized plant producing paint materials. Two tasks, batch-making and bucket-washing, were examined. Varying levels of control were already established in both tasks and the average exposures of individual chemicals were considerably lower than the regulatory and advisory 8-h standards. The average exposure fractions using the additive mixture formula were also less than unity (batch-making: 0.25, bucket-washing: 0.56) indicating the mixture of chemicals did not exceed the combined occupational exposure limit (OEL). The paper version of the COSHH Essentials model was used to calculate a predicted exposure range (PER) for each chemical according to different levels of control. The estimated PERs of the tested chemicals for both tasks did not show consistent agreement with exposure measurements when the comparison was made for each control method and this is believed to be because of the considerably different volatilities of the chemicals. Given the combination of health hazard and exposure potential components, the COSHH Essentials model recommended a control approach 'special advice' for both tasks, based on the potential reproductive hazard ascribed to toluene. This would not have been the same conclusion if some other chemical had been substituted (for example styrene, which has the same threshold limit value as toluene). Nevertheless, it was special advice, which had led to the combination of hygienic procedures in place at this plant. The probability of the combined exposure fractions exceeding unity was 0.0002 for the batch-making task indicating that the employees performing this task were most likely well protected below the OELs. Although the employees involved in the bucket-washing task had greater potential to exceed the threshold limit value of the mixture (P > 1 = 0.2375), the expected personal exposure after adjusting for the assigned protection factor for the respirators in use would be considerably lower (P > 1 = 0.0161). Thus, our findings suggested that the COSHH essentials model worked reasonably well for the volatile organic chemicals at the plant. However, it was difficult to override the reproductive hazard even though it was meant to be possible in principle. Further, it became apparent that an input of existing controls, which is not possible in the web-based model, may have allowed the model be more widely applicable. The experience of using the web-based COSHH Essentials model generated some suggestions to provide a more user-friendly tool to the model users who do not have expertise in occupational hygiene.

  12. 48 CFR 873.114 - Best value pool.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... value pool is expected to exceed the number at which an efficient, timely, and economical competition... that the best value pool can be limited for purposes of making an efficient, timely, and economical... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Best value pool. 873.114...

  13. Toxicological Benchmarks for Screening of Potential Contaminants of Concern for Effects on Aquatic Biota on the Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Suter, G.W., II

    1993-01-01

    One of the initial stages in ecological risk assessment of hazardous waste sites is the screening of contaminants to determine which, if any, of them are worthy of further consideration; this process is termed contaminant screening. Screening is performed by comparing concentrations in ambient media to benchmark concentrations that are either indicative of a high likelihood of significant effects (upper screening benchmarks) or of a very low likelihood of significant effects (lower screening benchmarks). Exceedance of an upper screening benchmark indicates that the chemical in question is clearly of concern and remedial actions are likely to be needed. Exceedance ofmore » a lower screening benchmark indicates that a contaminant is of concern unless other information indicates that the data are unreliable or the comparison is inappropriate. Chemicals with concentrations below the lower benchmark are not of concern if the ambient data are judged to be adequate. This report presents potential screening benchmarks for protection of aquatic life from contaminants in water. Because there is no guidance for screening benchmarks, a set of alternative benchmarks is presented herein. The alternative benchmarks are based on different conceptual approaches to estimating concentrations causing significant effects. For the upper screening benchmark, there are the acute National Ambient Water Quality Criteria (NAWQC) and the Secondary Acute Values (SAV). The SAV concentrations are values estimated with 80% confidence not to exceed the unknown acute NAWQC for those chemicals with no NAWQC. The alternative chronic benchmarks are the chronic NAWQC, the Secondary Chronic Value (SCV), the lowest chronic values for fish and daphnids, the lowest EC20 for fish and daphnids from chronic toxicity tests, the estimated EC20 for a sensitive species, and the concentration estimated to cause a 20% reduction in the recruit abundance of largemouth bass. It is recommended that ambient chemical concentrations be compared to all of these benchmarks. If NAWQC are exceeded, the chemicals must be contaminants of concern because the NAWQC are applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs). If NAWQC are not exceeded, but other benchmarks are, contaminants should be selected on the basis of the number of benchmarks exceeded and the conservatism of the particular benchmark values, as discussed in the text. To the extent that toxicity data are available, this report presents the alternative benchmarks for chemicals that have been detected on the Oak Ridge Reservation. It also presents the data used to calculate the benchmarks and the sources of the data. It compares the benchmarks and discusses their relative conservatism and utility. This report supersedes a prior aquatic benchmarks report (Suter and Mabrey 1994). It adds two new types of benchmarks. It also updates the benchmark values where appropriate, adds some new benchmark values, replaces secondary sources with primary sources, and provides more complete documentation of the sources and derivation of all values.« less

  14. Homeostatic enhancement of sensory transduction

    PubMed Central

    Milewski, Andrew R.; Ó Maoiléidigh, Dáibhid; Salvi, Joshua D.; Hudspeth, A. J.

    2017-01-01

    Our sense of hearing boasts exquisite sensitivity, precise frequency discrimination, and a broad dynamic range. Experiments and modeling imply, however, that the auditory system achieves this performance for only a narrow range of parameter values. Small changes in these values could compromise hair cells’ ability to detect stimuli. We propose that, rather than exerting tight control over parameters, the auditory system uses a homeostatic mechanism that increases the robustness of its operation to variation in parameter values. To slowly adjust the response to sinusoidal stimulation, the homeostatic mechanism feeds back a rectified version of the hair bundle’s displacement to its adaptation process. When homeostasis is enforced, the range of parameter values for which the sensitivity, tuning sharpness, and dynamic range exceed specified thresholds can increase by more than an order of magnitude. Signatures in the hair cell’s behavior provide a means to determine through experiment whether such a mechanism operates in the auditory system. Robustness of function through homeostasis may be ensured in any system through mechanisms similar to those that we describe here. PMID:28760949

  15. 46 CFR 56.50-15 - Steam and exhaust piping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... stress for the material shall not exceed that corresponding to the saturated steam temperature at drum... normal rated operating condition. In both cases, the value of allowable stress shall be selected using a... hot water for heating systems may not exceed 375 °F. (i) Where positive shutoff valves are fitted in...

  16. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-3 - Treatment of transfers of stock or securities to foreign corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ...) (i.e., there is no control group). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), any stock of the... for purposes of determining whether the 50-percent threshold is exceeded or whether a control group... under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is exceeded or whether a control group under paragraph (c)(1...

  17. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-3 - Treatment of transfers of stock or securities to foreign corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... control group). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), any stock of the transferee foreign corporation... for purposes of determining whether the 50-percent threshold is exceeded or whether a control group... under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is exceeded or whether a control group under paragraph (c)(1...

  18. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-3 - Treatment of transfers of stock or securities to foreign corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... control group). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), any stock of the transferee foreign corporation... for purposes of determining whether the 50-percent threshold is exceeded or whether a control group... under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is exceeded or whether a control group under paragraph (c)(1...

  19. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-3 - Treatment of transfers of stock or securities to foreign corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ...) (i.e., there is no control group). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), any stock of the... for purposes of determining whether the 50-percent threshold is exceeded or whether a control group... under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is exceeded or whether a control group under paragraph (c)(1...

  20. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-3 - Treatment of transfers of stock or securities to foreign corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... control group). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1)(ii), any stock of the transferee foreign corporation... for purposes of determining whether the 50-percent threshold is exceeded or whether a control group... under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section is exceeded or whether a control group under paragraph (c)(1...

  1. Program, Policy, and Price Interventions for Tobacco Control: Quantifying the Return on Investment of a State Tobacco Control Program

    PubMed Central

    Harris, Jeffrey R.; Boysun, Michael J.; Reid, Terry R.

    2012-01-01

    Objectives. We examined health effects associated with 3 tobacco control interventions in Washington State: a comprehensive state program, a state policy banning smoking in public places, and price increases. Methods. We used linear regression models to predict changes in smoking prevalence and specific tobacco-related health conditions associated with the interventions. We estimated dollars saved over 10 years (2000–2009) by the value of hospitalizations prevented, discounting for national trends. Results. Smoking declines in the state exceeded declines in the nation. Of the interventions, the state program had the most consistent and largest effect on trends for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Over 10 years, implementation of the program was associated with prevention of nearly 36 000 hospitalizations, at a value of about $1.5 billion. The return on investment for the state program was more than $5 to $1. Conclusions. The combined program, policy, and price interventions resulted in reductions in smoking and related health effects, while saving money. Public health and other leaders should continue to invest in tobacco control, including comprehensive programs. PMID:22390458

  2. Water and sediment quality assessment in the Colastiné-Corralito stream system (Santa Fe, Argentina): impact of industry and agriculture on aquatic ecosystems.

    PubMed

    Regaldo, Luciana; Gutierrez, María F; Reno, Ulises; Fernández, Viviana; Gervasio, Susana; Repetti, María R; Gagneten, Ana M

    2018-03-01

    The present study focuses on the evaluation of metal (chromium, copper, and lead), arsenic, and pesticide (atrazine and endosulfan) contamination in freshwater streams of one of the most important agricultural and industrial areas of central-eastern Argentina, which has not been reported earlier. The environmental fate of inorganic microcontaminants and pesticides was assessed. Samples were collected monthly for a year. Pesticide concentrations were measured in water; metal and arsenic concentrations were measured in water and sediments, and physicochemical variables were analyzed. In most cases, metals and arsenic in water exceeded the established guideline levels for the protection of aquatic biota: 98 and 56.25% of the samples showed higher levels of Cr and Pb, while 81.25 and 85% of the samples presented higher values for Cu and As, respectively. Cr, Pb, Cu, and As exceeded 181.5 times, 41.6 times, 57.5 times, and 12.9 times, respectively, the guideline level values. In sediment samples, permitted levels were also surpassed by 40% for Pb, 15% for As, 4% for Cu, and 2% for Cr. Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) demonstrated that most of the sediment samples were highly polluted by Cr and Cu and very seriously polluted by Pb, which indicates progressive deterioration of the sediment quality. Atrazine never exceeded them, but 27% of the 48 water samples contained total endosulfan that surpassed the guidelines. The findings of this study suggest risk to the freshwater biota over prolong periods and possible risk to humans if such type of contaminated water is employed for recreation or human use. Improper disposal of industrial effluents and agricultural runoffs need to be controlled, and proper treatment should be done before disposal to avoid further deterioration of the aquifers of this area.

  3. Using a statistical process control chart during the quality assessment of cancer registry data.

    PubMed

    Myles, Zachary M; German, Robert R; Wilson, Reda J; Wu, Manxia

    2011-01-01

    Statistical process control (SPC) charts may be used to detect acute variations in the data while simultaneously evaluating unforeseen aberrations that may warrant further investigation by the data user. Using cancer stage data captured by the Summary Stage 2000 (SS2000) variable, we sought to present a brief report highlighting the utility of the SPC chart during the quality assessment of cancer registry data. Using a county-level caseload for the diagnosis period of 2001-2004 (n=25,648), we found the overall variation of the SS2000 variable to be in control during diagnosis years of 2001 and 2002, exceeded the lower control limit (LCL) in 2003, and exceeded the upper control limit (UCL) in 2004; in situ/localized stages were in control throughout the diagnosis period, regional stage exceeded UCL in 2004, and distant stage exceeded the LCL in 2001 and the UCL in 2004. Our application of the SPC chart with cancer registry data illustrates that the SPC chart may serve as a readily available and timely tool for identifying areas of concern during the data collection and quality assessment of central cancer registry data.

  4. ICAM-1, ELAM-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in serum and blister liquid of pemphigus vulgaris patients.

    PubMed

    Alecu, M; Alecu, S; Coman, G; Gălăţescu, E; Ursaciuc, C

    1999-01-01

    The levels of ICAM-1, ELAM-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were determined in 12 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) both in serum and the blister liquid. As a control, the same parameters were determined in 7 patients with herpes zoster (HZ). The patients with PV presented significantly higher values of ICAM-1 in the blister liquid, as compared to the serum values. The values of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were increased both in serum and the blister liquid. The ELAM-1 values did not show significant differences between serum and the blister liquid. In HZ patients, the blister liquid values did not significantly exceed the serum values both for ICAM-1 and ELAM-1. TNF-alpha and IL-6 presented high values both in serum and the blister liquid. We consider that the high values of ICAM-1 in the blister liquid from PV patients suggest the involvement of this adhesion molecule in the PV pathogenic features. The implication of ICAM-1 could be nonspecific and limited, and could possibly represent a reaction to the destruction of the desmosomal bonds within keratinocytes.

  5. Saharan dust contributions to PM10 and TSP levels in Southern and Eastern Spain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodríguez, S.; Querol, X.; Alastuey, A.; Kallos, G.; Kakaliagou, O.

    The analysis of PM10 and TSP levels recorded in rural areas from Southern and Eastern Spain (1996-1999) shows that most of the PM10 and TSP peak events are simultaneously recorded at monitoring stations up to 1000 km apart. The study of the atmospheric dynamics by back-trajectory analysis and simulations with the SKIRON Forecast System show that these high PM10 and TSP events occur when high-dust Saharan air masses are transported over the Iberian Peninsula. In the January-June period, this dust transport is mainly caused by cyclonic activity over the West or South of Portugal, whereas in the summer period this is induced by anticyclonic activity over the East or Southeast Iberian Peninsula. Most of the Saharan intrusions which exert a major influence on the particulate levels occur from May to September (63%) and in January and October. In rural areas in Northeast Spain, where the PM10 annual mean is around 18 μg PM10 m -3, the Saharan dust accounts for 4-7 annual daily exceedances of the forthcoming PM10-EU limit value (50 μg PM10 m -3 daily mean). Higher PM10 background levels are recorded in Southern Spain (30 μg PM10 m -3 as annual mean for rural areas) and very similar values are recorded in industrial and urban areas. In rural areas in Southern Spain, the Saharan dust events accounts for 10-23 annual daily exceedances of the PM10 limit value, a high number when compared with the forthcoming EU standard, which states that the limit value cannot be exceeded more than 7 days per year. The proportion of Sahara-induced exceedances with respect to the total annual exceedances is discussed for rural, urban and industrial sites in Southern Spain.

  6. Photoluminescence Lifetimes Exceeding 8 μs and Quantum Yields Exceeding 30% in Hybrid Perovskite Thin Films by Ligand Passivation

    DOE PAGES

    deQuilettes, Dane W.; Koch, Susanne; Burke, Sven; ...

    2016-07-26

    We study the effects of a series of post-deposition ligand treatments on the photoluminescence (PL) of polycrystalline methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite thin films. We show that a variety of Lewis bases can improve the bulk PL quantum efficiency (PLQE) and extend the average PL lifetime, , with large enhancements concentrated at grain boundaries. Notably, we demonstrate thin-film PLQE as high as 35 ± 1% and as long as 8.82 ± 0.03 μs at solar equivalent carrier densities using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide-treated films. Using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we show that the ligands are incorporated primarilymore » at the film surface and are acting as electron donors. These results indicate it is possible to obtain thin-film PL lifetime and PLQE values that are comparable to those from single crystals by control over surface chemistry.« less

  7. Maximum Power Point tracking charge controllers for telecom applications -- Analysis and economics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wills, R.H.

    Simple charge controllers connect photovoltaic modules directly to the battery bank resulting in a significant power loss if the battery bank voltage differs greatly from the PV Maximum Power Point (MPP) voltage. Recent modeling work at AES has shown that dc-dc converter type MPP tracking charge controllers can deliver more than 30% more energy from PV modules to the battery when the PV modules are cool and the battery state of charge is low--this is typically both the worst case condition (i.e., winter) and also the design condition that determines the PV array size. Economic modeling, based on typical telecommore » system installed costs shows benefits of more than $3/Wp for MPPT over conventional charge controllers in this application--a value that greatly exceeds the additional cost of the dc-dc converter.« less

  8. 499 E Illinois, November 2012, Lindsay Light Radiological Survey

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Field gamma measurements did not exceed the respective field instrument threshold value previously stated andmaximum values observed at each lift ranged from approximately 10,700 to 12,600 cpm unshielded

  9. Is subjective hyperhidrosis assessment sufficient enough? prevalence of hyperhidrosis among young Polish adults.

    PubMed

    Stefaniak, Tomasz; Tomaszewski, Krzysztof A; Proczko-Markuszewska, Monika; Idestal, Anette; Royton, Anders; Abi-Khalil, Christian

    2013-10-01

    The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis among young Polish adults. Additionally, this work aimed at comparing the subjective and objective (gravimetric) method of hyperhidrosis assessment. Healthy medical students, volunteering to take part in this study, were included. The participants filled out a questionnaire assessing the occurrence and subjective intensity of hyperhidrosis in different areas of the body. Additionally, the students were subjected to gravimetric assessment in four localizations: the face, palms, axillae and abdomino-lumbar area. Two hundred and fifty-three students (102 males and 151 females, mean age 24.3 ± 3.21 years) were included in the study. Forty-two (16.7%) participants declared that they suffer from hyperhidrosis. Out of the 42 students declaring any type of hyperhidrosis, only 20 (47.6%) exceeded the gravimetric reference values. From among the students that exceeded the normative values for palmar hyperhidrosis, only 10 (55.6%) were aware of their hyperhidrosis. In the group of students that exceeded the normative values for axillary hyperhidrosis, 16 (39%) were aware of their hyperhidrosis. Subjectively declared hyperhidrosis incidence may significantly exceed the real-life occurrence of this disease. Basing studies solely on data gathered from questionnaires, may lead to false results. It is imperative, when assessing patients suffering from hyperhidrosis, to use both objective and subjective methods of evaluation. © 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.

  10. Water-quality investigations of the Jordan River, Salt Lake County, Utah, 1980-82

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Stephens, D.W.

    1984-01-01

    Water-quality studies were conducted on the Jordan River, Utah, to investigate specific problems: dissolved oxygen, toxic substances, sanitary quality, and turbidity and suspended sediment. The dissolved oxygen decreased from 8 milligrams per liter at the Jordan Narrows to less than 5 milligrams per liter at 500 North Street. Chemical oxygen demand increased about 23 percent and biochemical oxygen demand increased 90 percent. Nearly 78 percent of the water samples analyzed for total mercury exceeded the State intended-use standard of 0.05 microgram per liter. Concentrations of ammonia, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc exceeded the standards periodically. The pesticides DDD, DDE, DDT, dieldrin, methoxychlor, and 2,4-D were occasionally detected in bottom materials. Most were present in quantities of less than 15 micrograms per kilogram. Concentrations of three indicator bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus) increased in a downstream direction. Concentrations of total coliform bacteria often exceeded 5,000 colonies per 100 milliliters and concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria often exceeded 2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters. The primary sources of turbidity in the Jordan River are Utah Lake and discharges from the wastewater-treatment plants. Large values of turbidity were measured at the Jordan Narrows with a summer mean value of 88 nephelometer turbidity units (NTU) and a winter mean value of 43 NTU. (USGS)

  11. The Mine Safety and Health Administration's criterion threshold value policy increases miners' risk of pneumoconiosis.

    PubMed

    Weeks, James L

    2006-06-01

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposes to issue citations for non-compliance with the exposure limit for respirable coal mine dust when measured exposure exceeds the exposure limit with a "high degree of confidence." This criterion threshold value (CTV) is derived from the sampling and analytical error of the measurement method. This policy is based on a combination of statistical and legal reasoning: the one-tailed 95% confidence limit of the sampling method, the apparent principle of due process and a standard of proof analogous to "beyond a reasonable doubt." This policy raises the effective exposure limit, it is contrary to the precautionary principle, it is not a fair sharing of the burden of uncertainty, and it employs an inappropriate standard of proof. Its own advisory committee and NIOSH have advised against this policy. For longwall mining sections, it results in a failure to issue citations for approximately 36% of the measured values that exceed the statutory exposure limit. Citations for non-compliance with the respirable dust standard should be issued for any measure exposure that exceeds the exposure limit.

  12. Quality of storm-water runoff, Mililani Town, Oahu, Hawaii, 1980-84

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yamane, C.M.; Lum, M.G.

    1985-01-01

    The data included results from analyses of 300 samples of storm water runoff. Turbidity, suspended solids, Kjeldahl nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations exceeded the State of Hawaii Department of Health's streamwater standards in more than 50% of the samples. Mercury, lead, and fecal coliform bacteria levels exceeded the US EPAs recommended criteria for either freshwater aquatic life or shellfish harvesting waters in more than half the samples. Other constituents exceeding State or federal standards in at least one sample included pH, cadmium, nitrate plus nitrite, iron, alkalinity, manganese, chromium, copper, zinc, and the pesticides. No statistically significant relationships were found betweenmore » quantity of runoff and concentration of water quality constituents. A first flush effect was observed for chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, lead, nitrate plus nitrite, fecal coliform bacteria, dissolved solids, and mercury. There were significant differences between the two basins for values of discharge, turbidity, specific conductance, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, nitrate plus nitrite, phosphorus, lead, dissolved solids, and mercury. The larger basin had higher median and maximum values, and wider ranges of values. 28 refs., 10 figs., 7 tabs.« less

  13. Delineating high-density areas in spatial Poisson fields from strip-transect sampling using indicator geostatistics: application to unexploded ordnance removal.

    PubMed

    Saito, Hirotaka; McKenna, Sean A

    2007-07-01

    An approach for delineating high anomaly density areas within a mixture of two or more spatial Poisson fields based on limited sample data collected along strip transects was developed. All sampled anomalies were transformed to anomaly count data and indicator kriging was used to estimate the probability of exceeding a threshold value derived from the cdf of the background homogeneous Poisson field. The threshold value was determined so that the delineation of high-density areas was optimized. Additionally, a low-pass filter was applied to the transect data to enhance such segmentation. Example calculations were completed using a controlled military model site, in which accurate delineation of clusters of unexploded ordnance (UXO) was required for site cleanup.

  14. Thermometric MIP sensor for fructosyl valine.

    PubMed

    Rajkumar, Rajagopal; Katterle, Martin; Warsinke, Axel; Möhwald, Helmuth; Scheller, Frieder W

    2008-02-28

    Interactions of molecularly imprinted polymers containing phenyl boronic acid residues with fructosyl valine, fructose and pinacol, respectively are analysed in aqueous solution (pH 11.4) by using a flow calorimeter. The reversible formation of (two) cyclic boronic acid diesters per fructosyl molecule generates a 40-fold higher exothermic signal as compared to the control polymer. Whereas binding of pinacol to either the MIP or the control polymer generates a very small endothermic signal reflecting a negligible contribution of the esterification to the overall process. An "apparent imprinting factor" of 41 is found which exceeds the respective value of batch binding procedures by a factor of 30. Furthermore, the MIP sensor was used to characterise the crossreactivity. The influence of shape selective molecular recognition is discussed.

  15. 40 CFR 1045.107 - What are the not-to-exceed emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What are the not-to-exceed emission standards? 1045.107 Section 1045.107 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION MARINE ENGINES AND VESSELS...

  16. 40 CFR 1045.107 - What are the not-to-exceed emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What are the not-to-exceed emission standards? 1045.107 Section 1045.107 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION MARINE ENGINES AND VESSELS...

  17. 40 CFR 1045.107 - What are the not-to-exceed emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What are the not-to-exceed emission standards? 1045.107 Section 1045.107 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION MARINE ENGINES AND VESSELS...

  18. 40 CFR 1045.107 - What are the not-to-exceed emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What are the not-to-exceed emission standards? 1045.107 Section 1045.107 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION MARINE ENGINES AND VESSELS...

  19. 40 CFR 1045.107 - What are the not-to-exceed emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false What are the not-to-exceed emission standards? 1045.107 Section 1045.107 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION MARINE ENGINES AND VESSELS...

  20. 49 CFR 236.503 - Automatic brake application; initiation when predetermined rate of speed exceeded.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... predetermined rate of speed exceeded. 236.503 Section 236.503 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to... § 236.503 Automatic brake application; initiation when predetermined rate of speed exceeded. An automatic train control system shall operate to initiate an automatic brake application when the speed of...

  1. 49 CFR 236.503 - Automatic brake application; initiation when predetermined rate of speed exceeded.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... predetermined rate of speed exceeded. 236.503 Section 236.503 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to... § 236.503 Automatic brake application; initiation when predetermined rate of speed exceeded. An automatic train control system shall operate to initiate an automatic brake application when the speed of...

  2. PROUCL 4.0 SOFTWARE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Statistical inference, including both estimation and hypotheses testing approaches, is routinely used to: estimate environmental parameters of interest, such as exposure point concentration (EPC) terms, not-to-exceed values, and background level threshold values (BTVs) for contam...

  3. Carbonate Mineral Formation on Mars: Clues from Stable Isotope Variation Seen in Cryogenic Laboratory Studies of Carbonate Salts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Socki, Richard; Niles, Paul B.; Sun, Tao; Fu, Qi; Romanek, Christopher S.; Gibson, Everett K.

    2013-01-01

    The geologic history of water on the planet Mars is intimately connected to the formation of carbonate minerals through atmospheric CO2 and its control of the climate history of Mars. Carbonate mineral formation under modern martian atmospheric conditions could be a critical factor in controlling the martian climate in a means similar to the rock weathering cycle on Earth. The combination of evidence for liquid water on the martian surface and cold surface conditions suggest fluid freezing could be very common on the surface of Mars. Cryogenic calcite forms readily when a rise in pH occurs as a result of carbon dioxide degassing quickly from freezing Ca-bicarbonate-rich water solutions. This is a process that has been observed in some terrestrial settings such as arctic permafrost cave deposits, lakebeds of the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, and in aufeis (river icings) from rivers of N.E. Alaska. We report here the results of a series of laboratory experiments that were conducted to simulate potential cryogenic carbonate formation on the planet Mars. These results indicate that carbonates grown under martian conditions (controlled atmospheric pressure and temperature) show enrichments from starting bicarbonate fluids in both carbon and oxygen isotopes beyond equilibrium values with average delta13C(DIC-CARB) values of 20.5%0 which exceed the expected equilibrium fractionation factor of [10(sup 3) ln alpha = 13%0] at 0 degC. Oxygen isotopes showed a smaller enrichment with delta18O(H2O-CARB) values of 35.5%0, slightly exceeding the equilibrium fractionation factor of [10(sup 3) ln alpha = 34%0 ] at 0degC. Large kinetic carbon isotope effects during carbonate precipitation could substantially affect the carbon isotope evolution of CO2 on Mars allowing for more efficient removal of 13C from the Noachian atmosphere enriched by atmospheric loss. This mechanism would be consistent with the observations of large carbon isotope variations in martian materials despite the relative paucity of carbonate minerals in the martian crust.

  4. Effects of hemolysis and lipemia interference on kaolin-activated thromboelastography, and comparison with conventional coagulation tests.

    PubMed

    Tang, Ning; Jin, Xi; Sun, Ziyong; Jian, Cui

    2017-04-01

    The effects of hemolysis and lipemia on thromboelastography (TEG) analysis have been scarcely evaluated in human samples, and neglected in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the effects of in vitro mechanical hemolysis and lipemia on TEG analysis and conventional coagulation tests. Twenty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Besides the controls, three groups with slight, moderate and severe mechanical hemolysis were constituted according to free hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of 0.5-1.0, 2.0-6.0 and 7.0-13.0 g/L, respectively; and three groups with mild, moderate and high lipemia were established according to triglyceride concentrations of ∼6.0, ∼12.0, and ∼18.0 mmol/L, respectively. Four TEG parameters, reaction time (R), coagulation time (K), angle (α), and maximum amplitude (MA), were measured alongside conventional plasma tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB) by mechanical method, and platelet count by optical method. Results showed that the median R and MA values at moderate and severe hemolysis and K at severe hemolysis exceeded respective reference intervals, and were considered unacceptable. Median values of TEG parameters in lipemic samples were all within reference intervals. Bias values of conventional plasma tests PT, APTT and FIB in hemolyzed or lipemic samples were all lower than the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) allowable limits. Bias values of platelet count at moderate to severe hemolysis and lipemia exceeded the CLIA allowable limits. In conclusion, the detection of TEG was in general more affected by mechanical hemolysis than plasma coagulation tests. Pre-analytical variables should be taken into account when unexpected TEG results are obtained.

  5. Conservative Tests under Satisficing Models of Publication Bias.

    PubMed

    McCrary, Justin; Christensen, Garret; Fanelli, Daniele

    2016-01-01

    Publication bias leads consumers of research to observe a selected sample of statistical estimates calculated by producers of research. We calculate critical values for statistical significance that could help to adjust after the fact for the distortions created by this selection effect, assuming that the only source of publication bias is file drawer bias. These adjusted critical values are easy to calculate and differ from unadjusted critical values by approximately 50%-rather than rejecting a null hypothesis when the t-ratio exceeds 2, the analysis suggests rejecting a null hypothesis when the t-ratio exceeds 3. Samples of published social science research indicate that on average, across research fields, approximately 30% of published t-statistics fall between the standard and adjusted cutoffs.

  6. Conservative Tests under Satisficing Models of Publication Bias

    PubMed Central

    McCrary, Justin; Christensen, Garret; Fanelli, Daniele

    2016-01-01

    Publication bias leads consumers of research to observe a selected sample of statistical estimates calculated by producers of research. We calculate critical values for statistical significance that could help to adjust after the fact for the distortions created by this selection effect, assuming that the only source of publication bias is file drawer bias. These adjusted critical values are easy to calculate and differ from unadjusted critical values by approximately 50%—rather than rejecting a null hypothesis when the t-ratio exceeds 2, the analysis suggests rejecting a null hypothesis when the t-ratio exceeds 3. Samples of published social science research indicate that on average, across research fields, approximately 30% of published t-statistics fall between the standard and adjusted cutoffs. PMID:26901834

  7. Analysis of Meteorological Data Obtained During Flight in a Supercooled Stratiform Cloud of High Liquid-Water Content

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Perkins, Porter J.; Kline, Dwight B.

    1951-01-01

    Flight icing-rate data obtained in a dense and. abnormally deep supercooled stratiform cloud system indicated the existence of liquid-water contents generally exceeding values in amount and extent previously reported over the midwestern sections of the United States. Additional information obtained during descent through a part of the cloud system indicated liquid-water contents that significantly exceeded theoretical values, especially near the middle of the cloud layer.. The growth of cloud droplets to sizes that resulted in sedimentation from the upper portions of the cloud is considered to be a possible cause of the high water contents near the center of the cloud layer. Flight measurements of the vertical temperature distribution in the cloud layer indicated a rate of change of temperature with altitude exceeding that of the moist adiabatic lapse rate. This excessive rate of change is considered to have contributed to the severity of the condition.

  8. The wood household furniture and kitchen cabinet industries: a contrast in fortune

    Treesearch

    William G. Luppold; Matthew S. Bumgardner

    2009-01-01

    In 1977, the value of wood household furniture shipments from domestic manufacturers exceeded kitchen cabinet shipments by 170 percent; conversely, in 2006 shipments of cabinets exceeded shipments of furniture by 78 percent. The most apparent reason for the decrease in domestic furniture shipments is the increase in furniture imports, whereas cabinet demand has...

  9. 40 CFR 141.88 - Monitoring requirements for lead and copper in source water.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... the basis of tap samples collected in accordance with § 141.86 shall collect lead and copper source... value or be considered one-half the PQL. (b) Monitoring frequency after system exceeds tap water action level. Any system which exceeds the lead or copper action level at the tap shall collect one source...

  10. 10 CFR 26.169 - Reporting Results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... request. The laboratory shall routinely provide quantitative values for confirmatory opiate test results... requested quantitative values for the test result. (3) For a specimen that has an adulterated or substituted... of the standard curve, the laboratory may report to the MRO that the quantitative value “exceeds the...

  11. 10 CFR 26.169 - Reporting Results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... request. The laboratory shall routinely provide quantitative values for confirmatory opiate test results... requested quantitative values for the test result. (3) For a specimen that has an adulterated or substituted... of the standard curve, the laboratory may report to the MRO that the quantitative value “exceeds the...

  12. 10 CFR 26.169 - Reporting Results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... request. The laboratory shall routinely provide quantitative values for confirmatory opiate test results... requested quantitative values for the test result. (3) For a specimen that has an adulterated or substituted... of the standard curve, the laboratory may report to the MRO that the quantitative value “exceeds the...

  13. 10 CFR 26.169 - Reporting Results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... request. The laboratory shall routinely provide quantitative values for confirmatory opiate test results... requested quantitative values for the test result. (3) For a specimen that has an adulterated or substituted... of the standard curve, the laboratory may report to the MRO that the quantitative value “exceeds the...

  14. 10 CFR 26.169 - Reporting Results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... request. The laboratory shall routinely provide quantitative values for confirmatory opiate test results... requested quantitative values for the test result. (3) For a specimen that has an adulterated or substituted... of the standard curve, the laboratory may report to the MRO that the quantitative value “exceeds the...

  15. 40 CFR 60.276a - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... device, and continuous monitoring equipment; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment... at values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274a(c) or operation at flow...

  16. 40 CFR 60.276 - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment including other equipment or process(es... values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274(c) or operation at flow rates lower...

  17. 40 CFR 60.276 - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment including other equipment or process(es... values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274(c) or operation at flow rates lower...

  18. 40 CFR 60.276 - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment including other equipment or process(es... values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274(c) or operation at flow rates lower...

  19. 40 CFR 60.276a - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... device, and continuous monitoring equipment; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment... at values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274a(c) or operation at flow...

  20. 40 CFR 60.276a - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... device, and continuous monitoring equipment; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment... at values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274a(c) or operation at flow...

  1. 40 CFR 60.276a - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... device, and continuous monitoring equipment; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment... at values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274a(c) or operation at flow...

  2. 40 CFR 60.276 - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment including other equipment or process(es... values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274(c) or operation at flow rates lower...

  3. 40 CFR 60.276a - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... device, and continuous monitoring equipment; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment... at values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274a(c) or operation at flow...

  4. 40 CFR 60.276 - Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...; (4) Flow diagram of process and emission capture equipment including other equipment or process(es... values exceeding ±15 percent of the value established under § 60.274(c) or operation at flow rates lower...

  5. Physico-Chemical and Bacterial Evaluation of Packaged Drinking Water Marketed in Delhi - Potential Public Health Implications

    PubMed Central

    Singla, Ashish; Kundu, Hansa; P., Basavaraj; Singh, Shilpi; Singh, Khushboo; Jain, Swati

    2014-01-01

    Introduction: Quality of drinking water is a powerful environmental determinant of health. The main objective of introduction of bottled water in the society was its better safety, taste and convenience over tap water. The present study was conducted to assess physicochemical and bacterial qualities of bottled water and sachet water which were available in various markets of Delhi. Materials and Methods: Sixteen water bottles and four water sachets were selected through stratified random sampling from various public places in Delhi and their analysis was done at National Test House, Ghaziabad. Results were then compared with national (IS10500, IS14543) and international (WHO, FDA, USEPA) standards. Results: Bottled water showed better quality than sachet water. The mean value of copper (0.0746mg/l) in bottles exceeded the standard values of IS10500 and IS14543(0.05), while the mean value of lead (0.008mg/l) exceeded the FDA standard value (0.005). When the results of sachets were compared with those of standards, the mean values of selenium (0.1195mg/l) and lead (0.862mg/l) were found to exceed values of both Indian and International standards. For the biological parameter i.e. coliform count, the mean value for bottles was 0 (nil), whereas the mean value for sachets was 16.75, which showed the unhealthy nature of sachets. Conclusion: The parameters which were tested in the present study showed excess of various chemical and bacterial parameters in drinking water, which could pose serious threats to consumers. Thus, these results suggest a more stringent standardization of bottled water market with special attention to quality, identity and licensing by concerned authorities, to safeguard health of consumers. PMID:24783149

  6. Probability of Future Observations Exceeding One-Sided, Normal, Upper Tolerance Limits

    DOE PAGES

    Edwards, Timothy S.

    2014-10-29

    Normal tolerance limits are frequently used in dynamic environments specifications of aerospace systems as a method to account for aleatory variability in the environments. Upper tolerance limits, when used in this way, are computed from records of the environment and used to enforce conservatism in the specification by describing upper extreme values the environment may take in the future. Components and systems are designed to withstand these extreme loads to ensure they do not fail under normal use conditions. The degree of conservatism in the upper tolerance limits is controlled by specifying the coverage and confidence level (usually written inmore » “coverage/confidence” form). Moreover, in high-consequence systems it is common to specify tolerance limits at 95% or 99% coverage and confidence at the 50% or 90% level. Despite the ubiquity of upper tolerance limits in the aerospace community, analysts and decision-makers frequently misinterpret their meaning. The misinterpretation extends into the standards that govern much of the acceptance and qualification of commercial and government aerospace systems. As a result, the risk of a future observation of the environment exceeding the upper tolerance limit is sometimes significantly underestimated by decision makers. This note explains the meaning of upper tolerance limits and a related measure, the upper prediction limit. So, the objective of this work is to clarify the probability of exceeding these limits in flight so that decision-makers can better understand the risk associated with exceeding design and test levels during flight and balance the cost of design and development with that of mission failure.« less

  7. 49 CFR 229.59 - Leakage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square.... (b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute. (c) With a full service... pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes...

  8. 49 CFR 229.59 - Leakage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square.... (b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute. (c) With a full service... pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes...

  9. 49 CFR 229.59 - Leakage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square.... (b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute. (c) With a full service... pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes...

  10. 49 CFR 229.59 - Leakage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square.... (b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute. (c) With a full service... pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes...

  11. 49 CFR 229.59 - Leakage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square.... (b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute. (c) With a full service... pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes...

  12. 40 CFR 1045.515 - What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards? 1045.515 Section 1045.515 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

  13. 40 CFR 1045.515 - What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards? 1045.515 Section 1045.515 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

  14. 40 CFR 1045.515 - What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards? 1045.515 Section 1045.515 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

  15. 40 CFR 1045.515 - What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards? 1045.515 Section 1045.515 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

  16. 40 CFR 1045.515 - What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What are the test procedures related to not-to-exceed standards? 1045.515 Section 1045.515 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM SPARK-IGNITION PROPULSION...

  17. Analysis of Salmonella control performance in U.S. young chicken slaughter and pork slaughter establishments.

    PubMed

    Muth, Mary K; Fahimi, Mansour; Karns, Shawn A

    2009-01-01

    In the 1996 U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) "Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) Systems, Final Rule," Salmonella was selected for microbiological testing and monitoring. Using data from an FSIS-sponsored survey of meat and poultry slaughter establishments, inspection results, and other establishment characteristics, potential variables affecting pathogen control, as measured by Salmonella test results, were investigated. The analysis data sets included 153 federally inspected young chicken slaughter establishments, of which 111 exceeded half the Salmonella performance standard at least once from 2003 through 2005, and 121 federally inspected pork slaughter establishments, of which 28 exceeded half the Salmonella performance standard. Logistic regression results for young chicken slaughter establishments indicate they were more likely to exceed half the standard if they had higher inspection noncompliance rates (P = 0.10) and older production space (P = 0.10), and were less likely to exceed it if they used a higher percentage of raw poultry inputs purchased from outside sources (P = 0.10). Results for pork slaughter establishments indicate they were more likely to exceed half the standard if they had a higher rate of voluntary microbiological testing (P = 0.08), and were less likely to exceed it if they were larger (P = 0.08) and used a higher percentage of raw pork inputs purchased from outside sources (P = 0.02). In general, indicators of plant characteristics, food safety practices, and management philosophy are associated with different levels of pathogen control performance that vary by species slaughtered.

  18. Measurement of Lactate Content and Amide Proton Transfer Values in the Basal Ganglia of a Neonatal Piglet Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury Model Using MRI.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Y; Wang, X-M

    2017-04-01

    As amide proton transfer imaging is sensitive to protein content and intracellular pH, it has been widely used in the nervous system, including brain tumors and stroke. This work aimed to measure the lactate content and amide proton transfer values in the basal ganglia of a neonatal piglet hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model by using MR spectroscopy and amide proton transfer imaging. From 58 healthy neonatal piglets (3-5 days after birth; weight, 1-1.5 kg) selected initially, 9 piglets remained in the control group and 43 piglets, in the hypoxic-ischemic brain injury group. Single-section amide proton transfer imaging was performed at the coronal level of the basal ganglia. Amide proton transfer values of the bilateral basal ganglia were measured in all piglets. The ROI of MR spectroscopy imaging was the right basal ganglia, and the postprocessing was completed with LCModel software. After hypoxic-ischemic insult, the amide proton transfer values immediately decreased, and at 0-2 hours, they remained at their lowest level. Thereafter, they gradually increased and finally exceeded those of the control group at 48-72 hours. After hypoxic-ischemic insult, the lactate content increased immediately, was maximal at 2-6 hours, and then gradually decreased to the level of the control group. The amide proton transfer values were negatively correlated with lactate content ( r = -0.79, P < .05). This observation suggests that after hypoxic-ischemic insult, the recovery of pH was faster than that of lactate homeostasis. © 2017 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

  19. A Synthesis of the Economic Values of Wilderness

    Treesearch

    Tom Holmes; Michael Bowker; Jeffrey Englin; Evan Hjerpe; John B. Loomis; Spencer Phillips; Robert Richardson

    2015-01-01

    Early applications of wilderness economic research demonstrated that the values of natural amenities and commodities produced from natural areas could be measured in commensurate terms. To the surprise of many, the economic values of wilderness protection often exceeded the potential commercial values that might result from resource extraction. Here, the concepts and...

  20. 40 CFR Appendix IV to Part 265 - Tests for Significance

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... changes in the concentration or value of an indicator parameter in periodic ground-water samples when... then be compared to the value of the t-statistic found in a table for t-test of significance at the specified level of significance. A calculated value of t which exceeds the value of t found in the table...

  1. 40 CFR Appendix IV to Part 265 - Tests for Significance

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... changes in the concentration or value of an indicator parameter in periodic ground-water samples when... then be compared to the value of the t-statistic found in a table for t-test of significance at the specified level of significance. A calculated value of t which exceeds the value of t found in the table...

  2. 40 CFR Appendix IV to Part 265 - Tests for Significance

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... changes in the concentration or value of an indicator parameter in periodic ground-water samples when... then be compared to the value of the t-statistic found in a table for t-test of significance at the specified level of significance. A calculated value of t which exceeds the value of t found in the table...

  3. 40 CFR Appendix IV to Part 265 - Tests for Significance

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... changes in the concentration or value of an indicator parameter in periodic ground-water samples when... then be compared to the value of the t-statistic found in a table for t-test of significance at the specified level of significance. A calculated value of t which exceeds the value of t found in the table...

  4. Validation of spatial variability in downscaling results from the VALUE perfect predictor experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Widmann, Martin; Bedia, Joaquin; Gutiérrez, Jose Manuel; Maraun, Douglas; Huth, Radan; Fischer, Andreas; Keller, Denise; Hertig, Elke; Vrac, Mathieu; Wibig, Joanna; Pagé, Christian; Cardoso, Rita M.; Soares, Pedro MM; Bosshard, Thomas; Casado, Maria Jesus; Ramos, Petra

    2016-04-01

    VALUE is an open European network to validate and compare downscaling methods for climate change research. Within VALUE a systematic validation framework to enable the assessment and comparison of both dynamical and statistical downscaling methods has been developed. In the first validation experiment the downscaling methods are validated in a setup with perfect predictors taken from the ERA-interim reanalysis for the period 1997 - 2008. This allows to investigate the isolated skill of downscaling methods without further error contributions from the large-scale predictors. One aspect of the validation is the representation of spatial variability. As part of the VALUE validation we have compared various properties of the spatial variability of downscaled daily temperature and precipitation with the corresponding properties in observations. We have used two test validation datasets, one European-wide set of 86 stations, and one higher-density network of 50 stations in Germany. Here we present results based on three approaches, namely the analysis of i.) correlation matrices, ii.) pairwise joint threshold exceedances, and iii.) regions of similar variability. We summarise the information contained in correlation matrices by calculating the dependence of the correlations on distance and deriving decorrelation lengths, as well as by determining the independent degrees of freedom. Probabilities for joint threshold exceedances and (where appropriate) non-exceedances are calculated for various user-relevant thresholds related for instance to extreme precipitation or frost and heat days. The dependence of these probabilities on distance is again characterised by calculating typical length scales that separate dependent from independent exceedances. Regionalisation is based on rotated Principal Component Analysis. The results indicate which downscaling methods are preferable if the dependency of variability at different locations is relevant for the user.

  5. 26 CFR 1.856-3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... TAXES Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.856-3 Definitions. For purposes of the regulations under part II... trustees of the real estate investment trust. In the case of securities of other qualified real estate investment trusts, fair value shall not exceed market value or asset value, whichever is higher. (b) Real...

  6. 26 CFR 1.475(c)-2 - Definitions-security.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... paragraph (c)(1) if, on the date the taxpayer acquires the residual interest, the present value of the anticipated tax liabilities associated with holding the interest exceeds the sum of— (i) The present value of the expected future distributions on the interest; and (ii) The present value of the anticipated tax...

  7. 31 CFR 352.7 - Issues on exchange.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... redemption value exceeded, but was not an even multiple of $500, the owner had the option either: (1) To add... United States Savings Notes (Freedom Shares) at their current redemption values for Series HH bonds...) Computation of issue price. The total current redemption value of the eligible securities submitted for...

  8. 45 CFR 34.8 - Computation of award and settlement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... amount normally payable on property damaged beyond economical repair shall not exceed its depreciated value. If the cost of repairs is less than the depreciated value it shall be considered economically repairable and the costs of repairs shall be the amount payable. (b) Depreciation in value of an item shall...

  9. 45 CFR 34.8 - Computation of award and settlement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... amount normally payable on property damaged beyond economical repair shall not exceed its depreciated value. If the cost of repairs is less than the depreciated value it shall be considered economically repairable and the costs of repairs shall be the amount payable. (b) Depreciation in value of an item shall...

  10. 17 CFR 240.16a-6 - Small acquisitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... total of $10,000 in market value; and (2) The person making the acquisition does not within six months... issuer), not exceeding $10,000 in market value shall be reported on Form 5, subject to the following...

  11. ProUCL Version 4.0 Technical Guide

    EPA Science Inventory

    Statistical inference, including both estimation and hypotheses testing approaches, is routinely used to: estimate environmental parameters of interest, such as exposure point concentration (EPC) terms, not-to-exceed values, and background level threshold values (BTVs) for contam...

  12. Simple programmable voltage reference for low frequency noise measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivanov, V. E.; Chye, En Un

    2018-05-01

    The paper presents a circuit design of a low-noise voltage reference based on an electric double-layer capacitor, a microcontroller and a general purpose DAC. A large capacitance value (1F and more) makes it possible to create low-pass filter with a large time constant, effectively reducing low-frequency noise beyond its bandwidth. Choosing the optimum value of the resistor in the RC filter, one can achieve the best ratio between the transient time, the deviation of the output voltage from the set point and the minimum noise cut-off frequency. As experiments have shown, the spectral density of the voltage at a frequency of 1 kHz does not exceed 1.2 nV/√Hz the maximum deviation of the output voltage from the predetermined does not exceed 1.4 % and depends on the holding time of the previous value. Subsequently, this error is reduced to a constant value and can be compensated.

  13. [Microbial exposure in collection of residential garbage--results of field studies].

    PubMed

    Neumann, H D; Balfanz, J

    1999-01-01

    Since 1995 the communal accident insurance carrier of the county Wetfalen-Lippe conducts investigations into the exposure to biological agents related to refuse collection. Total fungal exposure during refuse collection turned out to range from 10,000 up to 750,000 colony forming units per cubic meter. Most of the measurement values exceeded the limit of 50,000. During hot periods in the summertime, the concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus increased up to 90,000 cfu/m3. The mean values of the bacterial concentrations ranged from 15,000 up to 50,000 cfu/m3, the endotoxin concentration from 12 up to 59 EU/m3. In the driver's cabin fungal exposure sometimes exceeded 10,000 cfu/m3 especially in autumn and winter. Maximum values were 5,000 cfu/m3 for bacteria and 15 EU/m3 for endotoxins. High values were measured irrespective of the kind of refuse.

  14. Correction of the lack of commutability between plasmid DNA and genomic DNA for quantification of genetically modified organisms using pBSTopas as a model.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Li; Wu, Yuhua; Wu, Gang; Cao, Yinglong; Lu, Changming

    2014-10-01

    Plasmid calibrators are increasingly applied for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To evaluate the commutability between plasmid DNA (pDNA) and genomic DNA (gDNA) as calibrators, a plasmid molecule, pBSTopas, was constructed, harboring a Topas 19/2 event-specific sequence and a partial sequence of the rapeseed reference gene CruA. Assays of the pDNA showed similar limits of detection (five copies for Topas 19/2 and CruA) and quantification (40 copies for Topas 19/2 and 20 for CruA) as those for the gDNA. Comparisons of plasmid and genomic standard curves indicated that the slopes, intercepts, and PCR efficiency for pBSTopas were significantly different from CRM Topas 19/2 gDNA for quantitative analysis of GMOs. Three correction methods were used to calibrate the quantitative analysis of control samples using pDNA as calibrators: model a, or coefficient value a (Cva); model b, or coefficient value b (Cvb); and the novel model c or coefficient formula (Cf). Cva and Cvb gave similar estimated values for the control samples, and the quantitative bias of the low concentration sample exceeded the acceptable range within ±25% in two of the four repeats. Using Cfs to normalize the Ct values of test samples, the estimated values were very close to the reference values (bias -13.27 to 13.05%). In the validation of control samples, model c was more appropriate than Cva or Cvb. The application of Cf allowed pBSTopas to substitute for Topas 19/2 gDNA as a calibrator to accurately quantify the GMO.

  15. 40 CFR 413.64 - Pretreatment standards for existing sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... days shall not exceed CN, T 1.9 1.0 Cu 4.5 2.7 Ni 4.1 2.6 Cr 7.0 4.0 Zn 4.2 2.6 Pb 0.6 0.4 Cd 1.2 0.7... of daily values for 4 consecutive monitoring days shall not exceed CN, T 74 39 Cu 176 105 Ni 160 100...

  16. 40 CFR 413.64 - Pretreatment standards for existing sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... days shall not exceed CN, T 1.9 1.0 Cu 4.5 2.7 Ni 4.1 2.6 Cr 7.0 4.0 Zn 4.2 2.6 Pb 0.6 0.4 Cd 1.2 0.7... of daily values for 4 consecutive monitoring days shall not exceed CN, T 74 39 Cu 176 105 Ni 160 100...

  17. 14 CFR 23.562 - Emergency landing dynamic conditions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... on the ATD's pelvis during the impact. (5) The results of the dynamic tests must show that the... acrobatic category airplanes need not exceed 5.0g. (2) The seat/restraint system test required by paragraph.../61)2 or gp=15.0 (VS0/61)2 (B) The peak deceleration need not exceed the value reached at a VS0 of 79...

  18. 14 CFR 23.562 - Emergency landing dynamic conditions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... on the ATD's pelvis during the impact. (5) The results of the dynamic tests must show that the... acrobatic category airplanes need not exceed 5.0g. (2) The seat/restraint system test required by paragraph.../61)2 or gp=15.0 (VS0/61)2 (B) The peak deceleration need not exceed the value reached at a VS0 of 79...

  19. Prediction Uncertainty and Groundwater Management: Approaches to get the Most out of Probabilistic Outputs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peeters, L. J.; Mallants, D.; Turnadge, C.

    2017-12-01

    Groundwater impact assessments are increasingly being undertaken in a probabilistic framework whereby various sources of uncertainty (model parameters, model structure, boundary conditions, and calibration data) are taken into account. This has resulted in groundwater impact metrics being presented as probability density functions and/or cumulative distribution functions, spatial maps displaying isolines of percentile values for specific metrics, etc. Groundwater management on the other hand typically uses single values (i.e., in a deterministic framework) to evaluate what decisions are required to protect groundwater resources. For instance, in New South Wales, Australia, a nominal drawdown value of two metres is specified by the NSW Aquifer Interference Policy as trigger-level threshold. In many cases, when drawdowns induced by groundwater extraction exceed two metres, "make-good" provisions are enacted (such as the surrendering of extraction licenses). The information obtained from a quantitative uncertainty analysis can be used to guide decision making in several ways. Two examples are discussed here: the first of which would not require modification of existing "deterministic" trigger or guideline values, whereas the second example assumes that the regulatory criteria are also expressed in probabilistic terms. The first example is a straightforward interpretation of calculated percentile values for specific impact metrics. The second examples goes a step further, as the previous deterministic thresholds do not currently allow for a probabilistic interpretation; e.g., there is no statement that "the probability of exceeding the threshold shall not be larger than 50%". It would indeed be sensible to have a set of thresholds with an associated acceptable probability of exceedance (or probability of not exceeding a threshold) that decreases as the impact increases. We here illustrate how both the prediction uncertainty and management rules can be expressed in a probabilistic framework, using groundwater metrics derived for a highly stressed groundwater system.

  20. The influence of maximum magnitude on seismic-hazard estimates in the Central and Eastern United States

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Mueller, C.S.

    2010-01-01

    I analyze the sensitivity of seismic-hazard estimates in the central and eastern United States (CEUS) to maximum magnitude (mmax) by exercising the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) probabilistic hazard model with several mmax alternatives. Seismicity-based sources control the hazard in most of the CEUS, but data seldom provide an objective basis for estimating mmax. The USGS uses preferred mmax values of moment magnitude 7.0 and 7.5 for the CEUS craton and extended margin, respectively, derived from data in stable continental regions worldwide. Other approaches, for example analysis of local seismicity or judgment about a source's seismogenic potential, often lead to much smaller mmax. Alternative models span the mmax ranges from the 1980s Electric Power Research Institute/Seismicity Owners Group (EPRI/SOG) analysis. Results are presented as haz-ard ratios relative to the USGS national seismic hazard maps. One alternative model specifies mmax equal to moment magnitude 5.0 and 5.5 for the craton and margin, respectively, similar to EPRI/SOG for some sources. For 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years (about 0.0004 annual probability), the strong mmax truncation produces hazard ratios equal to 0.35-0.60 for 0.2-sec spectral acceleration, and 0.15-0.35 for 1.0-sec spectral acceleration. Hazard-controlling earthquakes interact with mmax in complex ways. There is a relatively weak dependence on probability level: hazardratios increase 0-15% for 0.002 annual exceedance probability and decrease 5-25% for 0.00001 annual exceedance probability. Although differences at some sites are tempered when faults are added, mmax clearly accounts for some of the discrepancies that are seen in comparisons between USGS-based and EPRI/SOG-based hazard results.

  1. Pregnancy plasma glucose levels exceeding the American Diabetes Association thresholds, but below the National Diabetes Data Group thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus, are related to the risk of neonatal macrosomia, hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia.

    PubMed

    Ferrara, A; Weiss, N S; Hedderson, M M; Quesenberry, C P; Selby, J V; Ergas, I J; Peng, T; Escobar, G J; Pettitt, D J; Sacks, D A

    2007-02-01

    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for perinatal complications. In several countries, the criteria for the diagnosis of GDM have been in flux, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) thresholds recommended in 2000 being lower than those of the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) that have been in use since 1979. We sought to determine the extent to which infants of women meeting only the ADA criteria for GDM are at increased risk of neonatal complications. In a multiethnic cohort of 45,245 women who did not meet the NDDG criteria and were not treated for GDM, we conducted nested case-control studies of three complications of GDM that occurred in their infants: macrosomia (birthweight >4,500 g, n = 494); hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose <2.2 mmo/l, n = 488); and hyperbilirubinaemia (serum bilirubin > or =342 micromol/l (20 mg/dl), n = 578). We compared prenatal glucose levels of the mothers of these infants and mothers of 884 control infants. Women with GDM by ADA criteria only (two or more glucose values exceeding the threshold) had an increased risk of having an infant with macrosomia (odds ratio OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.55-7.43), hypoglycaemia (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 0.99-6.92) or hyperbilirubinaemia (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 0.98-5.04). Glucose levels 1 h after the 100-g glucose challenge that exceeded the ADA threshold were particularly strongly associated with each complication. These results lend support to the ADA recommendations and highlight the importance of the 1-h glucose measurement in a diagnostic test for GDM.

  2. Assessment of free-living nitrogen fixing microorganisms for commercial nitrogen fixation. [economic analysis of ammonia production

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stokes, B. O.; Wallace, C. J.

    1978-01-01

    Ammonia production by Klebsiella pneumoniae is not economical with present strains and improving nitrogen fixation to its theoretical limits in this organism is not sufficient to achieve economic viability. Because the value of both the hydrogen produced by this organism and the methane value of the carbon source required greatly exceed the value of the ammonia formed, ammonia (fixed nitrogen) should be considered the by-product. The production of hydrogen by KLEBSIELLA or other anaerobic nitrogen fixers should receive additional study, because the activity of nitrogenase offers a significant improvement in hydrogen production. The production of fixed nitrogen in the form of cell mass by Azotobacter is also uneconomical and the methane value of the carbon substrate exceeds the value of the nitrogen fixed. Parametric studies indicate that as efficiencies approach the theoretical limits the economics may become competitive. The use of nif-derepressed microorganisms, particularly blue-green algae, may have significant potential for in situ fertilization in the environment.

  3. Categorical Indicator Kriging for assessing the risk of groundwater nitrate pollution: the case of Vega de Granada aquifer (SE Spain).

    PubMed

    Chica-Olmo, Mario; Luque-Espinar, Juan Antonio; Rodriguez-Galiano, Victor; Pardo-Igúzquiza, Eulogio; Chica-Rivas, Lucía

    2014-02-01

    Groundwater nitrate pollution associated with agricultural activity is an important environmental problem in the management of this natural resource, as acknowledged by the European Water Framework Directive. Therefore, specific measures aimed to control the risk of water pollution by nitrates must be implemented to minimise its impact on the environment and potential risk to human health. The spatial probability distribution of nitrate contents exceeding a threshold or limit value, established within the quality standard, will be helpful to managers and decision-makers. A methodology based on non-parametric and non-linear methods of Indicator Kriging was used in the elaboration of a nitrate pollution categorical map for the aquifer of Vega de Granada (SE Spain). The map has been obtained from the local estimation of the probability that a nitrate content in an unsampled location belongs to one of the three categories established by the European Water Framework Directive: CL. 1 good quality [Min - 37.5 ppm], CL. 2 intermediate quality [37.5-50 ppm] and CL. 3 poor quality [50 ppm - Max]. The obtained results show that the areas exceeding nitrate concentrations of 50 ppm, poor quality waters, occupy more than 50% of the aquifer area. A great proportion of the area's municipalities are located in these poor quality water areas. The intermediate quality and good quality areas correspond to 21% and 28%, respectively, but with the highest population density. These results are coherent with the experimental data, which show an average nitrate concentration value of 72 ppm, significantly higher than the quality standard limit of 50 ppm. Consequently, the results suggest the importance of planning actions in order to control and monitor aquifer nitrate pollution. © 2013.

  4. Occurrence and hydrogeochemical characteristics of high-fluoride groundwater in Xiji County, southern part of Ningxia Province, China.

    PubMed

    Wei, Chao; Guo, Huaming; Zhang, Di; Wu, Yang; Han, Shuangbao; An, Yonghui; Zhang, Fucun

    2016-02-01

    High-F(-) groundwater is widely distributed in Xiji County, which endangers the safety of drinking water. In order to evaluate the key factors controlling the origin and geochemical mechanisms of F(-) enrichment in groundwater at Xiji County, one hundred and five groundwater samples and sixty-two sediment samples were collected. Fluoride concentration in the groundwater samples ranged from 0.2 to 3.01 mg/L (mean 1.13 mg/L), with 17 % exceeding the WHO drinking water guideline value of 1.5 mg/L and 48 % exceeding the Chinese drinking water guideline value of 1.0 mg/L. High-F(-) groundwaters were characterized by hydrochemical types of Na-HCO3 and Na-SO4·Cl, which were found in Quaternary sediment aquifer and in Tertiary clastic aquifer, respectively. Conditions favorable for F(-) enrichment in groundwater included weakly alkaline pH (7.2-8.9), low concentration of Ca(2+), and high concentrations of HCO3 (-) and Na(+). Calcite and fluorite were the main minerals controlling F(-) concentration in groundwaters. The hydrolysis of F-bearing minerals in aquifer sediments was the more important process for F(-) release in Tertiary clastic aquifer, which was facilitated by long residence time of groundwater, in comparison with Quaternary sediment aquifer. Cation exchange would also play important roles, which removed Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) and led to more free mobility of F(-) in groundwater and permitted dissolution of fluorite, especially in Tertiary clastic aquifer. However, evapotranspiration and competing adsorption of B and HCO3 (-) were the more important processes for F(-) enrichment in Quaternary groundwater. Groundwater in Lower Cretaceous aquifer had relatively low F(-) concentration, which was considered to be the potential drinking water resource.

  5. Comparison of gesture and conventional interaction techniques for interventional neuroradiology.

    PubMed

    Hettig, Julian; Saalfeld, Patrick; Luz, Maria; Becker, Mathias; Skalej, Martin; Hansen, Christian

    2017-09-01

    Interaction with radiological image data and volume renderings within a sterile environment is a challenging task. Clinically established methods such as joystick control and task delegation can be time-consuming and error-prone and interrupt the workflow. New touchless input modalities may have the potential to overcome these limitations, but their value compared to established methods is unclear. We present a comparative evaluation to analyze the value of two gesture input modalities (Myo Gesture Control Armband and Leap Motion Controller) versus two clinically established methods (task delegation and joystick control). A user study was conducted with ten experienced radiologists by simulating a diagnostic neuroradiological vascular treatment with two frequently used interaction tasks in an experimental operating room. The input modalities were assessed using task completion time, perceived task difficulty, and subjective workload. Overall, the clinically established method of task delegation performed best under the study conditions. In general, gesture control failed to exceed the clinical input approach. However, the Myo Gesture Control Armband showed a potential for simple image selection task. Novel input modalities have the potential to take over single tasks more efficiently than clinically established methods. The results of our user study show the relevance of task characteristics such as task complexity on performance with specific input modalities. Accordingly, future work should consider task characteristics to provide a useful gesture interface for a specific use case instead of an all-in-one solution.

  6. 31 CFR 406.5 - Forfeiture of gold valued in excess of $2,500.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... (Continued) SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF GOLD... value of the gold seized by the Secret Service exceeds $2,500, the seizing officer shall furnish a...

  7. 31 CFR 406.5 - Forfeiture of gold valued in excess of $2,500.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... (Continued) SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF GOLD... value of the gold seized by the Secret Service exceeds $2,500, the seizing officer shall furnish a...

  8. 31 CFR 406.5 - Forfeiture of gold valued in excess of $2,500.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... (Continued) SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF GOLD... value of the gold seized by the Secret Service exceeds $2,500, the seizing officer shall furnish a...

  9. 31 CFR 406.5 - Forfeiture of gold valued in excess of $2,500.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... (Continued) SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF GOLD... value of the gold seized by the Secret Service exceeds $2,500, the seizing officer shall furnish a...

  10. 31 CFR 406.5 - Forfeiture of gold valued in excess of $2,500.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... (Continued) SECRET SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF GOLD... value of the gold seized by the Secret Service exceeds $2,500, the seizing officer shall furnish a...

  11. A double-blind placebo controlled trial of medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyproterone acetate with seven pedophiles.

    PubMed

    Cooper, A J; Sandhu, S; Losztyn, S; Cernovsky, Z

    1992-12-01

    Seven of ten pedophiles in hospital completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled two-dose comparison of medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyproterone acetate. Sequential measures during the 28 week study were: patient self-reports, nurses' observations, phallometry, hormone levels and side-effects. The drugs, which performed equivalently, reduced sexual thoughts and fantasies, the frequency of early morning erections on awakening, the frequency and pleasure of masturbation, and level of sexual frustration. Penile responses were also reduced but to a lesser degree and were more variable. Serum testosterone FSH and LH all declined during drug administration, but by the end of the final placebo phase had essentially returned to (or exceeded) pre-drug values. Our experience suggests that only a minority of pedophiles are likely to accept libido-reducing drugs.

  12. Model of carbon nanofiber internal structure formation and instability of catalytic growth interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Merkulov, I. A.; Merkulov, V. I.; Melechko, A. V.; Klein, K. L.; Lowndes, D. H.; Simpson, M. L.

    2007-07-01

    It is well known that the internal structure determines the properties of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers. However, a fundamental understanding of the processes that drive structure formation is missing, hindering the development of controlled synthesis strategies. Here we use theoretical calculations to explore the time evolution of the shape of the interface between the catalyst nanoparticle and its associated graphitic nanofiber at the initial stages of growth. This phenomenological description of the behavior of the catalyst nanoparticle-graphite interface constructed with model parameters provides new understanding of the mechanisms that control the internal structure of carbon nanofibers. We show that if the magnitude of the interface curvature exceeds a critical value κcrit , the interface loses stability and a cavity forms in the center of the nanofiber.

  13. Factors controlling the structures of magma chambers in basaltic volcanoes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, L.; Head, James W.

    1991-01-01

    The depths, vertical extents, and lateral extents of magma chambers and their formation are discussed. The depth to the center of a magma chamber is most probably determined by the density structure of the lithosphere; this process is explained. It is commonly assumed that magma chambers grow until the stress on the roof, floor, and side-wall boundaries exceed the strength of the wall rocks. Attempts to grow further lead to dike propagation events which reduce the stresses below the critical values of rock failure. The tensile or compressive failure of the walls is discussed with respect to magma migration. The later growth of magma chambers is accomplished by lateral dike injection into the country rocks. The factors controlling the patterns of growth and cooling of such dikes are briefly mentioned.

  14. The relevance of the urinary concentration of ephedrines in anti-doping analysis: determination of pseudoephedrine, cathine, and ephedrine after administration of over-the-counter medicaments.

    PubMed

    Strano-Rossi, Sabina; Leone, Daniele; de la Torre, Xavier; Botrè, Francesco

    2009-08-01

    This article describes a method for the detection and quantitation of cathine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and methylephedrine in urine, using their deuterated analogues as internal standards and derivatization to form the corresponding trimethylsilyl derivatives after a simple liquid-liquid extraction. The study was designed to evaluate whether the urinary cutoff values set by the World Anti-Doping Agency for the banned ephedrines (cathine >5 microg/mL, ephedrine and methylephedrine >10 microg/mL) can be exceeded after the normal self-administration of common over-the-counter medicaments containing nonbanned ephedrines. The present method, after validation, has been applied on real urine samples obtained from 9 healthy volunteers taking different doses of over-the-counter preparations containing ephedrines. Results obtained from excretion studies show high interindividual differences in the urinary concentrations of both pseudoephedrine and cathine, not dependent on body weight or sex nor, in some instances, on the administered dose. The same typical therapeutic dose of pseudoephedrine (60 mg) produced a urinary concentration of more than 5 microg/mL for cathine and of more than 100 microg/mL for pseudoephedrine in 2 of 9 subjects only. When a dose of 120 mg was administered, cathine concentration exceeded 5 microg/mL in 4 of 7 subject, and also concentrations of pseudoephedrine above 100 microg/mL. After administration of 5 x 120 mg of pseudoephedrine (120 mg administered every 7 days for 5 weeks) to one of the subjects exceeding the urinary threshold values, the urinary concentration of cathine and pseudoephedrine exceeded 5 microg/mL (peak concentration 14.8 microg/mL) and 100 microg/mL (peak concentration 275 microg/mL), respectively. When the same subject took 180 mg of pseudoephedrine, the urinary concentration values were below 5 microg/mL for ephedrine and 100 microg/mL for pseudoephedrine. In the case of ephedrine administration in a sustained-release formulation containing 12 mg of ephedrine, 2 of 3 subjects exceeded the urinary cutoff value of 10 microg/mL. The high interindividual variability is still significant even if the urinary concentration values are adjusted by specific gravity and/or creatinine. These results confirm a high interindividual variability in the urinary concentration of ephedrines after the administration of the same therapeutic dose of a preparation.

  15. Genome-wide Association Study of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    PubMed Central

    Stewart, S Evelyn; Yu, Dongmei; Scharf, Jeremiah M; Neale, Benjamin M; Fagerness, Jesen A; Mathews, Carol A; Arnold, Paul D; Evans, Patrick D; Gamazon, Eric R; Osiecki, Lisa; McGrath, Lauren; Haddad, Stephen; Crane, Jacquelyn; Hezel, Dianne; Illman, Cornelia; Mayerfeld, Catherine; Konkashbaev, Anuar; Liu, Chunyu; Pluzhnikov, Anna; Tikhomirov, Anna; Edlund, Christopher K; Rauch, Scott L; Moessner, Rainald; Falkai, Peter; Maier, Wolfgang; Ruhrmann, Stephan; Grabe, Hans-Jörgen; Lennertz, Leonard; Wagner, Michael; Bellodi, Laura; Cavallini, Maria Cristina; Richter, Margaret A; Cook, Edwin H; Kennedy, James L; Rosenberg, David; Stein, Dan J; Hemmings, Sian MJ; Lochner, Christine; Azzam, Amin; Chavira, Denise A; Fournier, Eduardo; Garrido, Helena; Sheppard, Brooke; Umaña, Paul; Murphy, Dennis L; Wendland, Jens R; Veenstra-VanderWeele, Jeremy; Denys, Damiaan; Blom, Rianne; Deforce, Dieter; Van Nieuwerburgh, Filip; Westenberg, Herman GM; Walitza, Susanne; Egberts, Karin; Renner, Tobias; Miguel, Euripedes Constantino; Cappi, Carolina; Hounie, Ana G; Conceição do Rosário, Maria; Sampaio, Aline S; Vallada, Homero; Nicolini, Humberto; Lanzagorta, Nuria; Camarena, Beatriz; Delorme, Richard; Leboyer, Marion; Pato, Carlos N; Pato, Michele T; Voyiaziakis, Emanuel; Heutink, Peter; Cath, Danielle C; Posthuma, Danielle; Smit, Jan H; Samuels, Jack; Bienvenu, O Joseph; Cullen, Bernadette; Fyer, Abby J; Grados, Marco A; Greenberg, Benjamin D; McCracken, James T; Riddle, Mark A; Wang, Ying; Coric, Vladimir; Leckman, James F; Bloch, Michael; Pittenger, Christopher; Eapen, Valsamma; Black, Donald W; Ophoff, Roel A; Strengman, Eric; Cusi, Daniele; Turiel, Maurizio; Frau, Francesca; Macciardi, Fabio; Gibbs, J Raphael; Cookson, Mark R; Singleton, Andrew; Hardy, John; Crenshaw, Andrew T; Parkin, Melissa A; Mirel, Daniel B; Conti, David V; Purcell, Shaun; Nestadt, Gerald; Hanna, Gregory L; Jenike, Michael A; Knowles, James A; Cox, Nancy; Pauls, David L

    2014-01-01

    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, debilitating neuropsychiatric illness with complex genetic etiology. The International OCD Foundation Genetics Collaborative (IOCDF-GC) is a multi-national collaboration established to discover the genetic variation predisposing to OCD. A set of individuals affected with DSM-IV OCD, a subset of their parents, and unselected controls, were genotyped with several different Illumina SNP microarrays. After extensive data cleaning, 1,465 cases, 5,557 ancestry-matched controls and 400 complete trios remained, with a common set of 469,410 autosomal and 9,657 X-chromosome SNPs. Ancestry-stratified case-control association analyses were conducted for three genetically-defined subpopulations and combined in two meta-analyses, with and without the trio-based analysis. In the case-control analysis, the lowest two p-values were located within DLGAP1 (p=2.49×10-6 and p=3.44×10-6), a member of the neuronal postsynaptic density complex. In the trio analysis, rs6131295, near BTBD3, exceeded the genome-wide significance threshold with a p-value=3.84 × 10-8. However, when trios were meta-analyzed with the combined case-control samples, the p-value for this variant was 3.62×10-5, losing genome-wide significance. Although no SNPs were identified to be associated with OCD at a genome-wide significant level in the combined trio-case-control sample, a significant enrichment of methylation-QTLs (p<0.001) and frontal lobe eQTLs (p=0.001) was observed within the top-ranked SNPs (p<0.01) from the trio-case-control analysis, suggesting these top signals may have a broad role in gene expression in the brain, and possibly in the etiology of OCD. PMID:22889921

  16. New Markers of Inflammation and Tubular Damage in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease.

    PubMed

    Musiał, Kinga; Bargenda, Agnieszka; Drożdż, Dorota; Zwolińska, Danuta

    2017-01-01

    Monocyte chemoattractant protein- (MCP-) 1, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF), and neopterin are connected with monocyte migration and transition into macrophages, leading to fibrosis and tubular damage in the course of CKD. The aim of the study was to analyze the applicability of urinary fractional excretion (FE) of MCP1, MCSF, and neopterin, as markers of inflammation and tubular damage, in children with CKD. The study group consisted of 61 children with CKD stages 1-5 and 23 age-matched controls. The serum and urine concentrations of MCP1, MCSF, and neopterin were assessed by ELISA and then the fractional excretion (FE) was calculated. FE MCSF and neopterin values exceeded 1% already in controls. FE MCSF rose significantly since CKD stages 1-2, FE neopterin since CKD stages 3-5. FE MCP1 was below 1% in healthy controls and in CKD stages 1-2, then increased significantly in CKD stages 3-5. The FE MCP-1 values show that inflammation precedes the tubular dysfunction. FE MCSF and FE neopterin may be considered new markers of the renal parenchyma progressive damage. Fractional excretion may become a useful tool in the assessment of inflammation and tubular damage in children with CKD.

  17. Free-carrier mobility in GaN in the presence of dislocation walls

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farvacque, J.-L.; Bougrioua, Z.; Moerman, I.

    2001-03-01

    The free-carrier mobility versus carrier density in n-type GaN grown by low-pressure metal-organic vapor- phase epitaxy on a sapphire substrate experiences a particular behavior that consists of the appearance of a sharp transition separating a low- from a high-mobility regime. This separation appears as soon as the carrier density exceeds a critical value that depends on the growth process. Using low-field electrical transport simulations, we show that this particular mobility behavior cannot be simply interpreted in terms of dislocation scattering or trapping mechanisms, but that it is also controlled by the collective effect of dislocation walls (the columnar structure). As the free-carrier density increases, the more efficient screening properties result in the transition from a barrier-controlled mobility regime to a pure-diffusion-process-controlled mobility regime. The model permits us to reproduce the experimental mobility collapse quantitatively.

  18. Transient stability enhancement of electric power generating systems by 120-degree phase rotation

    DOEpatents

    Cresap, Richard L.; Taylor, Carson W.; Kreipe, Michael J.

    1982-01-01

    A method and system for enhancing the transient stability of an intertied three-phase electric power generating system. A set of power exporting generators (10) is connected to a set of power importing generators (20). When a transient cannot be controlled by conventional stability controls, and imminent loss of synchronism is detected (such as when the equivalent rotor angle difference between the two generator sets exceeds a predetermined value, such as 150 degrees), the intertie is disconnected by circuit breakers. Then a switch (30) having a 120-degree phase rotation, or a circuit breaker having a 120-degree phase rotation is placed in the intertie. The intertie is then reconnected. This results in a 120-degree reduction in the equivalent rotor angle difference between the two generator sets, making the system more stable and allowing more time for the conventional controls to stabilize the transient.

  19. Pebble abrasion during fluvial transport: Experimental results and implications for the evolution of the sediment load along rivers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Attal, Mikaël; Lavé, Jérôme

    2009-12-01

    In actively eroding landscapes, fluvial abrasion modifies the characteristics of the sediment carried by rivers and consequently has a direct impact on the ability of mountain rivers to erode their bedrock and on the characteristics and volume of the sediment exported from upland catchments. In this experimental study, we use a novel flume replicating hydrodynamic conditions prevailing in mountain rivers to investigate the role played by different controlling variables on pebble abrasion during fluvial transport. Lithology controls abrasion rates and processes, with differences in abrasion rates exceeding two orders of magnitude. Attrition as well as breaking and splitting are efficient processes in reducing particle size. Mass loss by attrition increases with particle velocity but is weakly dependent on particle size. Fragment production is enhanced by the use of large particles, high impact velocities and the presence of joints. Based on our experimental results, we extrapolate a preliminary generic relationship between pebble attrition rate and transport stage (τ*/τ*c), where τ* = fluvial Shields stress and τ*c = critical Shields stress for incipient pebble motion. This relationship predicts that attrition rates are independent of transport stage for (τ*/τ*c) ≤ 3 and increase linearly with transport stage beyond this value. We evaluate the extent to which abrasion rates control downstream fining in several different natural settings. A simplified model predicts that the most resistant lithologies control bed load flux and fining ratio and that the concavity of transport-limited river profiles should rarely exceed 0.25 in the absence of deposition and sorting.

  20. Modelling the Contribution of Long-range Transport of Ammonium Nitrates to Urban Air Pollution and Human Exposure in the United Kingdom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reis, S.; Vieno, M.; Beck, R.; Ots, R.; Moring, A.; Steinle, S.; Heal, M. R.; Doherty, R. M.

    2014-12-01

    Urban air pollution and its effects on human health remain to be a challenge in spite of substantial reductions in the emissions of air pollutants (e.g. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) over the past decades in Europe. While primary pollutants play a vital role in urban air pollution, recent model studies highlight and quantify the relevance of long-range transport of secondary pollution (e.g. secondary inorganic aerosols such as ammonium sulphates and nitrates, or ground level ozone) for the exceedance of local air quality limit values in urban areas across Europe. This contribution can be seen in recurring episodes, for instance in spring 2014, with very high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Paris, London and other European cities, as well as in elevated background levels throughout the year. While we will focus on the contribution to exceedances of PM2.5 limit values here, this transboundary transport has wider implications for the deposition of reactive nitrogen far from the source as well. As local authorities are tasked with ensuring the attainment of air quality limit values, exceedances caused by long-range transport, with emissions originating from sources outside of their jurisdiction present substantial challenges. Furthermore, while policy measures have successfully addressed emissions from large point sources in the past, and made progress towards reducing pollution from road vehicles, emissions of ammonia from agricultural sources - a key component for the long-range transport of secondary inorganic aerosols - have remained relatively stable in Europe. Using the example of Europe and the UK, we demonstrate in our presentation how atmospheric chemistry transport modelling across different scales (from regional to local) can provide vital insight in the mechanisms of and relative contributions to the formation of secondary inorganic aerosols. In addition, we illustrate how this modelling capability can inform the design of efficient control strategies by quantifying the effect of different policy measures targeted at specific source sectors, and highlight the role of transboundary air pollution to local air pollution challenges.

  1. 26 CFR 1.468A-8T - Special transfers to qualified funds pursuant to section 468A(f) (temporary).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... amount of cash and the fair market value of property transferred) may not exceed the present value of the... (see paragraph (c) of this section). (2) Pre-2005 nonqualifying amount. The present value of the pre... amount equal to the pre-2005 nonqualifying percentage of the present value of the estimated future...

  2. The Nitrogen Cycle During the Transition to Euxinia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meyer, K. M.; Kump, L. R.; Ridgwell, A.

    2008-12-01

    Nitrogen and phosphorous are essential to life, and their biological availability is hypothesized to regulate marine productivity on short and geologic timescales. The nature of primary production during recurrent intervals of Phanerozoic anoxia is of particular interest because of the redox control of nutrient and trace metal availability. Dissolved phosphate likely increased during transitions from oxic to euxinic marine conditions, while nitrogen availability may have decreased due to extensive denitrification as low-oxygen waters spread. Because nitrogen fixation is both metabolically and trace-metal intensive, a key question in the transition to euxinia is whether nitrogen fixation can "keep pace" with denitrification. If denitrification exceeds nitrogen fixation, diminished export production and oxygen demand in an N-limited ocean would pose a negative feedback that may prevent euxinia altogether or initiate the shift back to oxic conditions. Here we use the GENIE-1 Earth system model to address the biogeochemistry of the oxic-euxinic transition characteristic of some Phanerozoic oceanic anoxic events. As previously demonstrated with box models, phosphate accumulation stimulates both nitrogen fixation and denitrification. While there is an initial transient loss of total fixed nitrogen from the ocean, nitrogen inputs eventually exceed losses, and the marine nitrogen reservoir grows with that of phosphate to significantly exceed its modern value. Nitrogen buildup also corresponds with a shift in ecology of the surface ocean and the unexpected initiation of non-Redfieldian stoichiometry in the chemistry of the deep ocean.

  3. 30 CFR 206.152 - Valuation standards-unprocessed gas.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    .... Use the same value for volumes that exceed the over-delivery tolerances even if those volumes are... the value to be determined on the basis of a percentage of the purchaser's proceeds resulting from... section. (2) The value of production, for royalty purposes, of gas subject to this subpart shall be the...

  4. 7 CFR 781.4 - Assessment of penalties.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... following penalties: (1) Late-filed reports: One-tenth of one percent of the fair market value, as..., but the total penalty imposed shall not exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of the foreign... accurate information: 25 percent of the fair market value, as determined by the Farm Service Agency, of the...

  5. 26 CFR 1.165-3 - Demolition of buildings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... be allocated to the buildings shall not exceed the present value of the right to receive rentals from the buildings over the period of their intended use. The present value of such right shall be... or in the production of his income, the present value of such right shall be determined by reference...

  6. 26 CFR 1.165-3 - Demolition of buildings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... be allocated to the buildings shall not exceed the present value of the right to receive rentals from the buildings over the period of their intended use. The present value of such right shall be... or in the production of his income, the present value of such right shall be determined by reference...

  7. 26 CFR 1.165-3 - Demolition of buildings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... be allocated to the buildings shall not exceed the present value of the right to receive rentals from the buildings over the period of their intended use. The present value of such right shall be... or in the production of his income, the present value of such right shall be determined by reference...

  8. Variability in the chemistry of private drinking water supplies and the impact of domestic treatment systems on water quality.

    PubMed

    Ander, E L; Watts, M J; Smedley, P L; Hamilton, E M; Close, R; Crabbe, H; Fletcher, T; Rimell, A; Studden, M; Leonardi, G

    2016-12-01

    Tap water from 497 properties using private water supplies, in an area of metalliferous and arsenic mineralisation (Cornwall, UK), was measured to assess the extent of compliance with chemical drinking water quality standards, and how this is influenced by householder water treatment decisions. The proportion of analyses exceeding water quality standards were high, with 65 % of tap water samples exceeding one or more chemical standards. The highest exceedances for health-based standards were nitrate (11 %) and arsenic (5 %). Arsenic had a maximum observed concentration of 440 µg/L. Exceedances were also high for pH (47 %), manganese (12 %) and aluminium (7 %), for which standards are set primarily on aesthetic grounds. However, the highest observed concentrations of manganese and aluminium also exceeded relevant health-based guidelines. Significant reductions in concentrations of aluminium, cadmium, copper, lead and/or nickel were found in tap waters where households were successfully treating low-pH groundwaters, and similar adventitious results were found for arsenic and nickel where treatment was installed for iron and/or manganese removal, and successful treatment specifically to decrease tap water arsenic concentrations was observed at two properties where it was installed. However, 31 % of samples where pH treatment was reported had pH < 6.5 (the minimum value in the drinking water regulations), suggesting widespread problems with system maintenance. Other examples of ineffectual treatment are seen in failed responses post-treatment, including for nitrate. This demonstrates that even where the tap waters are considered to be treated, they may still fail one or more drinking water quality standards. We find that the degree of drinking water standard exceedances warrant further work to understand environmental controls and the location of high concentrations. We also found that residents were more willing to accept drinking water with high metal (iron and manganese) concentrations than international guidelines assume. These findings point to the need for regulators to reinforce the guidance on drinking water quality standards to private water supply users, and the benefits to long-term health of complying with these, even in areas where treated mains water is widely available.

  9. Estimating soil moisture exceedance probability from antecedent rainfall

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cronkite-Ratcliff, C.; Kalansky, J.; Stock, J. D.; Collins, B. D.

    2016-12-01

    The first storms of the rainy season in coastal California, USA, add moisture to soils but rarely trigger landslides. Previous workers proposed that antecedent rainfall, the cumulative seasonal rain from October 1 onwards, had to exceed specific amounts in order to trigger landsliding. Recent monitoring of soil moisture upslope of historic landslides in the San Francisco Bay Area shows that storms can cause positive pressure heads once soil moisture values exceed a threshold of volumetric water content (VWC). We propose that antecedent rainfall could be used to estimate the probability that VWC exceeds this threshold. A major challenge to estimating the probability of exceedance is that rain gauge records are frequently incomplete. We developed a stochastic model to impute (infill) missing hourly precipitation data. This model uses nearest neighbor-based conditional resampling of the gauge record using data from nearby rain gauges. Using co-located VWC measurements, imputed data can be used to estimate the probability that VWC exceeds a specific threshold for a given antecedent rainfall. The stochastic imputation model can also provide an estimate of uncertainty in the exceedance probability curve. Here we demonstrate the method using soil moisture and precipitation data from several sites located throughout Northern California. Results show a significant variability between sites in the sensitivity of VWC exceedance probability to antecedent rainfall.

  10. Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses.

    PubMed

    Woodward, Michelle C; Huff, Nan K; Garza, Frank; Keowen, Michael L; Kearney, Michael T; Andrews, Frank M

    2014-01-01

    The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stall-confined horses undergoing feed-deprivation. Nine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period one). In periods two and three, horses (n=6) were treated for an additional 7 days after feed-deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on day -1 (n=9), day 21 (n=9), day 28 (n=9) and day 35 (n=6). Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gas values were also measured. Gastric ulcers in control horses significantly decreased after 21 days, but there was no difference in ulcer scores when compared to the Egusin® treated horses. NG gastric ulcer scores significantly increased in E-250 and control horses on day 28 compared to day 21 as a result of intermittent feed-deprivation, but no treatment effect was observed. NG ulcer scores remained high in the control group but significantly decreased in the E-SLH- and E-250-treated horses by day 35. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable and no treatment effect was observed. Mean blood pCO2 values were significantly increased two hours after feeding in treated horses compared to controls, whereas mean blood TCO2 values increased in the 24 hour sample, but did not exceed 38 mmol/l. The feed-deprivation model increased NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses. However, by day 35, Egusin® treated horses had less severe NG gastric ulcers compared to untreated control horses. After 35 days, Egusin® products tested here ameliorate the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses after feed stress.

  11. Assessment of metal contamination in coastal sediments of Al-Khobar area, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alharbi, Talal; El-Sorogy, Abdelbaset

    2017-05-01

    An assessment of marine pollution due to heavy metals was made to coastal sediments collected from Al-Khobar coastline, in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia by analyzing of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Mo, Sr, Se, As, Fe, Co and Ni using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results indicated that the distribution of most metals was largely controlled by inputs of terrigenous material and most strongly associated with distribution of Al in sediments. In general Sr, Cr, Zn, Cu, V, Hg, Mo and Se show severe enrichment factors. Average values of Cu and Hg highly exceed the ERL and the Canadian ISQG values. Average Ni was higher than the ERL and the ERM values. The severe enrichment of some metals in the studied sediment could be partially attributed to anthropogenic activities, notably oil spills from exploration, transportation and from saline water desalination plants in Al-Khobar coast, and other industrial activities in the region.

  12. 14 CFR 23.562 - Emergency landing dynamic conditions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... on the ATD's pelvis during the impact. (5) The results of the dynamic tests must show that the... category airplanes need not exceed 5.0g. (2) The seat/restraint system test required by paragraph (b)(1) of.../61)2 or gp=15.0 (VS0/61)2 (B) The peak deceleration need not exceed the value reached at a VS0 of 79...

  13. Assessing relationships between red spruce radial growth and pollution critical load exceedance values

    Treesearch

    Benjamin J. Engel; Paul G. Schaberg; Gary J. Hawley; Shelly A. Rayback; Jennifer Pontius; Alexandra M. Kosiba; Eric K. Miller

    2016-01-01

    Acidic sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition depletes cations such as calcium (Ca) from forest soils and has been linked to increases in foliar winter injury that led to the decline of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in the northeastern United States. We used results from a 30 m resolution steady-state S and N critical load exceedance model for New...

  14. Financial effect of bovine Johne's disease in beef cattle herds in Australia.

    PubMed

    Webb Ware, J K; Larsen, J W A; Kluver, P

    2012-04-01

    To assess the financial effect of programs for controlling bovine Johne's disease (BJD) in beef herds. A spreadsheet simulation model of a self-replacing beef herd in south-eastern Australia selling 400-kg steers at 15 months old. The model calculated the monthly cash flow, and net present value (NPV) of cumulative cash flow, over 10 years. Four main control options were compared: (1) a base herd (no action to control the disease), (2) test and cull, and (3) partial and (4) total destocking. It was assumed that BJD was eradicated after 3 and 5 years with total and partial destocking, respectively, and not eradicated with a test and cull program. Scenarios were compared for both commercial and stud enterprises. If there was no discount on the sale price of cattle in commercial herds, deaths from BJD had to exceed 5% before the NPV of partial or total destocking was similar to taking no action to control the disease over a 10-year period. When cattle sales incurred a 10% discount, deaths had to exceed 1% before the destocking strategies would break even after 10 years. Control options for BJD should be carefully planned on an individual herd basis, as significant production and financial risks accompany destocking programs. Eradication will only be more profitable in the longer term, compared with living with the disease, when discounts on the sale of stock from infected herds are high. This can occur with the selling of store cattle or breeders. In stud herds, BJD will usually cause the total failure of the business. © 2012 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2012 Australian Veterinary Association.

  15. Characterization and data-gap analysis of surface-water quality data in the Piceance study area, western Colorado, 1959–2009

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Thomas, Judith C.; Moore, Jennifer L.; Schaffrath, Keelin R.; Dupree, Jean A.; Williams, Cory A.; Leib, Kenneth J.

    2013-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Federal, State, county, and industry partners, developed a Web-accessible common data repository to provide access to historical and current (as of August 2009) water-quality information (available on the Internet at http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/cwqdr/Piceance/index.shtml). Surface-water-quality data from public and private sources were compiled for the period 1931 to 2009 and loaded into the common data repository for the Piceance Basin. A subset of surface-water-quality data for 1959 to 2009 from the repository were compiled, reviewed, and checked for quality assurance for this report. This report contains data summaries, comparisons to water-quality standards, trend analyses, a generalized spatial analysis, and a data-gap analysis for select water-quality properties and constituents. Summary statistics and a comparison to standards were provided for 347 sites for 33 constituents including field properties, nutrients, major ions, trace elements, suspended sediment, Escherichia coli, and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene). When sufficient data were available, trends over time were analyzed and loads were calculated for those sites where there were also continuous streamflow data. The majority of sites had information on field properties. Water temperature data was available for 316 sites where data were collected between 1959 and 2009. The only trend that was detected in temperature was an upward trend at the Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colorado. There were 326 values out of a total of 32,006 values in the study area that exceeded the aquatic-life standard for daily maximum water temperature. For the entire study area, 196 sites had dissolved-oxygen data collected between 1970 and 2009, and median dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 6.8 to11.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L). There were 185 concentrations that exceeded the dissolved oxygen aquatic-life standard out of a total of 11,248 values. The pH data were available for 276 sites, and median pH values ranged from 7.5 to 9.0. There were 241 values that exceeded the high pH standard and 13 values that were less than the low pH standard of the 16,790 values in the study area. Nutrients within the study area were not well represented in each basin and were often not being sampled currently. For the entire study area, 62 sites had nitrate data collected between 1958 and 2009, and median nitrate concentrations ranged from less than detection to 3.72 mg/L as nitrogen. The maximum contaminant level for domestic water supply for nitrate is 10 mg/L and was exceeded once in 3,736 samples. Total phosphorus was collected at 113 sites between 1974 and 2009, and median total phosphorus concentrations ranged from less than detection to 5.04 mg/L. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendation for phosphorus is less than 0.1 mg/L, and 1,469 of 4,842 samples exceeded this recommended standard. An upward trend in both nitrate and total phosphorus was detected in the White River above Coal Creek near Meeker, Colo. Standards for major ions exist only for chloride and sulfate. For the entire study area, 118 sites had both chloride and sulfate concentration data collected between 1958 and 2009. Median chloride concentrations ranged from 0.085 mg/L to 280 mg/L. Median sulfate concentrations ranged from 4.57 mg/L to 15,000 mg/L. Both chloride and sulfate domestic water-supply standards are 250 mg/L. There were 120 chloride concentrations and 1,111 sulfate concentration samples that exceeded these standards. A downward trend in dissolved solids was detected at the Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah state border and could be a result of salinity control work near Grand Junction, Colo. Trace elements were relatively well represented both temporally and spatially in the study area though the number of trace element samples per site was not typically enough to compute trends or loads except for selenium. There were 127 sites that had dissolved iron concentration data collected between 1961 and 2009, and median iron concentrations ranged from less than detection to 1,100 micrograms per liter (µg/L). The 30-day drinking-water standard for iron is 300 µg/L, and 203 samples exceeded the standard. Selenium was the best represented trace element with selenium concentration data collected at 197 sites between 1973 and 2009, and median selenium concentrations range from less than detection to 181 µg/L. The chronic standard of 4.6 µg/L for selenium concentrations was exceeded in 899 samples, and the acute aquatic-life standard of 18.4 µg/ for selenium was exceeded in 629 samples. High concentrations of selenium are of concern in the Lower Gunnison River Basin because of the combination of geologic formations and land use. There were significant downward trends in selenium at both main-stem sites on the Gunnison River at Delta, Colo., and the Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colo. High selenium concentrations correlate with high salinity concentrations; thus, when salinity control efforts are conducted in selenium-rich areas in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, both salinity and selenium have the potential to decrease. Spatial, temporal, and analytical data gaps were identified in the study area. The spatial coverage of sampling sites could be expanded in the White River Basin by adding more tributary sites. No water-quality data exist for tributary streams in the area north of Rangely, Colo., where extensive energy development has occurred in a complex geologic setting. Douglas Creek has a drainage area of 425 square miles and has limited historic water-quality and water-quantity data. Limited data were available for field properties, major ions, nutrients, and trace elements on the main stem of the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Cameo, Colo. Nutrient data were minimally collected upstream from Colorado River at the Colorado-Utah state border and on the Gunnison River (major tributary in the reach). Approximately 30 percent of the samples for total phosphorus in the Lower Gunnison River Basin exceeded the recommended standard, yet there were insufficient data to do trends analysis in the Lower Gunnison River Basin except at the Gunnison near Grand Junction site. There is limited trace element data except for selenium in the Lower Gunnison River Basin. Additional sampling is necessary to understand the occurrence, concentrations, and loads of these constituents.

  16. Shifting the bell curve: the benefits and costs of raising student achievement.

    PubMed

    Yeh, Stuart S

    2009-02-01

    Benefit-cost analysis was conducted to estimate the increase in earnings, increased tax revenues, value of less crime, and reductions in welfare costs attributable to nationwide implementation of rapid assessment, a promising intervention for raising student achievement in math and reading. Results suggest that social benefits would exceed total social costs by a ratio of 28. Fiscal benefits to the federal government would exceed costs to the federal treasury by a ratio of 93. Social benefits would exceed costs to each state treasury by a ratio no lower than 286, and fiscal benefits would exceed costs to each state treasury by a ratio no lower than 5, for all but two state treasuries. Sensitivity analyses suggest that the findings are robust to a 5-fold change in the underlying parameters.

  17. Hexavalent chromium and isocyanate exposures during military aircraft painting under crossflow ventilation.

    PubMed

    Bennett, James S; Marlow, David A; Nourian, Fariba; Breay, James; Hammond, Duane

    2016-01-01

    Exposure control systems performance was investigated in an aircraft painting hangar. The ability of the ventilation system and respiratory protection program to limit worker exposures was examined through air sampling during painting of F/A-18C/D strike fighter aircraft, in four field surveys. Air velocities were measured across the supply filter, exhaust filter, and hangar midplane under crossflow ventilation. Air sampling conducted during painting process phases (wipe-down, primer spraying, and topcoat spraying) encompassed volatile organic compounds, total particulate matter, Cr[VI], metals, nitroethane, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, for two worker groups: sprayers and sprayer helpers ("hosemen"). One of six methyl ethyl ketone and two of six methyl isobutyl ketone samples exceeded the short term exposure limits of 300 and 75 ppm, with means 57 ppm and 63 ppm, respectively. All 12 Cr[VI] 8-hr time-weighted averages exceeded the recommended exposure limit of 1 µg/m3, 11 out of 12 exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 5 µg/m3, and 7 out of 12 exceeded the threshold limit value of 10 µg/m3, with means 38 µg/m3 for sprayers and 8.3 µg/m3 for hosemen. Hexamethylene diisocyanate means were 5.95 µg/m3 for sprayers and 0.645 µg/m3 for hosemen. Total reactive isocyanate group--the total of monomer and oligomer as NCO group mass--showed 6 of 15 personal samples exceeded the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive workplace exposure limit of 20 µg/m3, with means 50.9 µg/m3 for sprayers and 7.29 µg/m3 for hosemen. Several exposure limits were exceeded, reinforcing continued use of personal protective equipment. The supply rate, 94.4 m3/s (200,000 cfm), produced a velocity of 8.58 m/s (157 fpm) at the supply filter, while the exhaust rate, 68.7 m3/s (146,000 cfm), drew 1.34 m/s (264 fpm) at the exhaust filter. Midway between supply and exhaust locations, the velocity was 0.528 m/s (104 fpm). Supply rate exceeding exhaust rate created re-circulations, turbulence, and fugitive emissions, while wasting energy. Smoke releases showing more effective ventilation here than in other aircraft painting facilities carries technical feasibility relevance.

  18. Hexavalent Chromium and Isocyanate Exposures during Military Aircraft Painting under Crossflow Ventilation

    PubMed Central

    Bennett, James S.; Marlow, David A.; Nourian, Fariba; Breay, James; Hammond, Duane

    2016-01-01

    Exposure control systems performance was investigated in an aircraft painting hangar. The ability of the ventilation system and respiratory protection program to limit worker exposures was examined through air sampling during painting of F/A-18C/D strike fighter aircraft, in four field surveys. Air velocities were measured across the supply filter, exhaust filter, and hangar midplane under crossflow ventilation. Air sampling conducted during painting process phases (wipe-down, primer spraying, and topcoat spraying) encompassed volatile organic compounds, total particulate matter, Cr[VI], metals, nitroethane, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, for two worker groups: sprayers and sprayer helpers (“hosemen”). One of six methyl ethyl ketone and two of six methyl isobutyl ketone samples exceeded the short term exposure limits of 300 and 75 ppm, with means 57 ppm and 63 ppm, respectively. All 12 Cr[VI] 8-hr time-weighted averages exceeded the recommended exposure limit of 1 µg/m3, 11 out of 12 exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 5 µg/m3, and 7 out of 12 exceeded the threshold limit value of 10 µg/m3, with means 38 µg/m3 for sprayers and 8.3 µg/m3 for hosemen. Hexamethylene diisocyanate means were 5.95 µg/m3 for sprayers and 0.645 µg/m3 for hosemen. Total reactive isocyanate group—the total of monomer and oligomer as NCO group mass—showed six of 15 personal samples exceeded the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive workplace exposure limit of 20 µg/m3, with means 50.9 µg/m3 for sprayers and 7.29 µg/m3 for hosemen. Several exposure limits were exceeded, reinforcing continued use of personal protective equipment. The supply rate, 94.4 m3/s (200,000 cfm), produced a velocity of 8.58 m/s (157 fpm) at the supply filter, while the exhaust rate, 68.7 m3/s (146,000 cfm), drew 1.34 m/s (264 fpm) at the exhaust filter. Midway between supply and exhaust locations, the velocity was 0.528 m/s (104 fpm). Supply rate exceeding exhaust rate created re-circulations, turbulence, and fugitive emissions, while wasting energy. Smoke releases showing more effective ventilation here than in other aircraft painting facilities carries technical feasibility relevance. PMID:26698920

  19. System identification for modeling for control of flexible structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mettler, Edward; Milman, Mark

    1986-01-01

    The major components of a design and operational flight strategy for flexible structure control systems are presented. In this strategy an initial distributed parameter control design is developed and implemented from available ground test data and on-orbit identification using sophisticated modeling and synthesis techniques. The reliability of this high performance controller is directly linked to the accuracy of the parameters on which the design is based. Because uncertainties inevitably grow without system monitoring, maintaining the control system requires an active on-line system identification function to supply parameter updates and covariance information. Control laws can then be modified to improve performance when the error envelopes are decreased. In terms of system safety and stability the covariance information is of equal importance as the parameter values themselves. If the on-line system ID function detects an increase in parameter error covariances, then corresponding adjustments must be made in the control laws to increase robustness. If the error covariances exceed some threshold, an autonomous calibration sequence could be initiated to restore the error enveloped to an acceptable level.

  20. The influence of model grid resolution on estimation of national scale nitrogen deposition and exceedance of critical levels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dore, A. J.; Kryza, M.; Hall, J. R.; Hallsworth, S.; Keller, V. J. D.; Vieno, M.; Sutton, M. A.

    2011-12-01

    The Fine Resolution Atmospheric Multi-pollutant Exchange model (FRAME) has been applied to model the spatial distribution of nitrogen deposition and air concentration over the UK at a 1 km spatial resolution. The modelled deposition and concentration data were gridded at resolutions of 1 km, 5 km and 50 km to test the sensitivity of calculations of the exceedance of critical loads for nitrogen deposition to the deposition data resolution. The modelled concentrations of NO2 were validated by comparison with measurements from the rural sites in the national monitoring network and were found to achieve better agreement with the high resolution 1 km data. High resolution plots were found to represent a more physically realistic distribution of nitrogen air concentrations and deposition resulting from use of 1 km resolution precipitation and emissions data as compared to 5 km resolution data. Summary statistics for national scale exceedance of the critical load for nitrogen deposition were not highly sensitive to the grid resolution of the deposition data but did show greater area exceedance with coarser grid resolution due to spatial averaging of high nitrogen deposition hot spots. Local scale deposition at individual Sites of Special Scientific Interest and high precipitation upland sites was sensitive to choice of grid resolution of deposition data. Use of high resolution data tended to generate lower deposition values in sink areas for nitrogen dry deposition (Sites of Scientific Interest) and higher values in high precipitation upland areas. In areas with generally low exceedance (Scotland) and for certain vegetation types (montane), the exceedance statistics were more sensitive to model data resolution.

  1. The influence of model grid resolution on estimation of national scale nitrogen deposition and exceedance of critical loads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dore, A. J.; Kryza, M.; Hall, J. R.; Hallsworth, S.; Keller, V. J. D.; Vieno, M.; Sutton, M. A.

    2012-05-01

    The Fine Resolution Atmospheric Multi-pollutant Exchange model (FRAME) was applied to model the spatial distribution of reactive nitrogen deposition and air concentration over the United Kingdom at a 1 km spatial resolution. The modelled deposition and concentration data were gridded at resolutions of 1 km, 5 km and 50 km to test the sensitivity of calculations of the exceedance of critical loads for nitrogen deposition to the deposition data resolution. The modelled concentrations of NO2 were validated by comparison with measurements from the rural sites in the national monitoring network and were found to achieve better agreement with the high resolution 1 km data. High resolution plots were found to represent a more physically realistic distribution of reactive nitrogen air concentrations and deposition resulting from use of 1 km resolution precipitation and emissions data as compared to 5 km resolution data. Summary statistics for national scale exceedance of the critical load for nitrogen deposition were not highly sensitive to the grid resolution of the deposition data but did show greater area exceedance with coarser grid resolution due to spatial averaging of high nitrogen deposition hot spots. Local scale deposition at individual Sites of Special Scientific Interest and high precipitation upland sites was sensitive to choice of grid resolution of deposition data. Use of high resolution data tended to generate lower deposition values in sink areas for nitrogen dry deposition (Sites of Scientific Interest) and higher values in high precipitation upland areas. In areas with generally low exceedance (Scotland) and for certain vegetation types (montane), the exceedance statistics were more sensitive to model data resolution.

  2. Environmental contamination associated with a marine landfill ('seafill') beside a coral reef.

    PubMed

    Jones, Ross

    2010-11-01

    In Bermuda, bulk waste such as scrap metal, cars, etc., and blocks of cement-stabilized incinerator ash (produced from burning garbage) are disposed of in a foreshore reclamation site, i.e., a seafill. Chemical analyses show that seawater leaching out of the dump regularly exceeds water quality guidelines for Zn and Cu, and that the surrounding sediments are enriched in multiple contaminant classes (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and an organochlorine pesticide), i.e., there is a halo of contamination. When compared against biological effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), numerous sediment samples exceeded the low-range values (where biological effects become possible), and for Hg and Zn exceeded the mid-range value (where they become probable). A few metres away from the edge of the 25 acre dump lies a small coral patch reef, proposed here as most contaminated coral reef in the world. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Volume and intensity of Medicare physicians' services: An overview

    PubMed Central

    Kay, Terrence L.

    1990-01-01

    From 1978 to 1987, Medicare spending for physicians' services increased at annual compound rates of 16 percent, far exceeding increases expected based on inflation and increases in beneficiaries. As a result, Medicare spending for Part B physicians' services has attracted considerable attention. This article contains an overview of expenditure trends for Part B physicians' services, a summary of recent research findings on issues related to volume and intensity of physicians' services, and a discussion of options for controlling volume and intensity. The possible impact of the recently enacted relative-value-based fee schedule on volume and intensity of services is discussed briefly. PMID:10113398

  4. Degradation and annealing effects caused by oxygen in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, R.; Shen, X.; Chen, J.; Duan, G. X.; Zhang, E. X.; Fleetwood, D. M.; Schrimpf, R. D.; Kaun, S. W.; Kyle, E. C. H.; Speck, J. S.; Pantelides, S. T.

    2016-07-01

    Hot-carrier degradation and room-temperature annealing effects are investigated in unpassivated ammonia-rich AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors. Devices exhibit a fast recovery when annealed after hot carrier stress with all pins grounded. The recovered peak transconductance can exceed the original value, an effect that is not observed in control passivated samples. Density functional theory calculations suggest that dehydrogenation of pre-existing ON-H defects in AlGaN plays a significant role in the observed hot carrier degradation, and the resulting bare ON can naturally account for the "super-recovery" in the peak transconductance.

  5. Site specific risk assessment of an energy-from-waste/thermal treatment facility in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada. Part B: Ecological risk assessment.

    PubMed

    Ollson, Christopher A; Whitfield Aslund, Melissa L; Knopper, Loren D; Dan, Tereza

    2014-01-01

    The regions of Durham and York in Ontario, Canada have partnered to construct an energy-from-waste (EFW) thermal treatment facility as part of a long term strategy for the management of their municipal solid waste. In this paper we present the results of a comprehensive ecological risk assessment (ERA) for this planned facility, based on baseline sampling and site specific modeling to predict facility-related emissions, which was subsequently accepted by regulatory authorities. Emissions were estimated for both the approved initial operating design capacity of the facility (140,000 tonnes per year) and the maximum design capacity (400,000 tonnes per year). In general, calculated ecological hazard quotients (EHQs) and screening ratios (SRs) for receptors did not exceed the benchmark value (1.0). The only exceedances noted were generally due to existing baseline media concentrations, which did not differ from those expected for similar unimpacted sites in Ontario. This suggests that these exceedances reflect conservative assumptions applied in the risk assessment rather than actual potential risk. However, under predicted upset conditions at 400,000 tonnes per year (i.e., facility start-up, shutdown, and loss of air pollution control), a potential unacceptable risk was estimated for freshwater receptors with respect to benzo(g,h,i)perylene (SR=1.1), which could not be attributed to baseline conditions. Although this slight exceedance reflects a conservative worst-case scenario (upset conditions coinciding with worst-case meteorological conditions), further investigation of potential ecological risk should be performed if this facility is expanded to the maximum operating capacity in the future. © 2013.

  6. Copper mobilization affected by weather conditions in a stormwater detention system receiving runoff waters from vineyard soils (Champagne, France).

    PubMed

    Banas, D; Marin, B; Skraber, S; Chopin, E I B; Zanella, A

    2010-02-01

    Copper, a priority substance on the EU-Water Framework Directive list, is widely used to protect grapevines against fungus diseases. Many vineyards being located on steep slopes, large amounts of Cu could be discharged in downstream systems by runoff water. The efficiency of stormwater detention basins to retain copper in a vineyard catchment was estimated. Suspended solids, dissolved (Cu(diss)) and total Cu (Cu(tot)) concentrations were monitored in runoff water, upstream, into and downstream from a detention pond. Mean Cu(tot) concentrations in entering water was 53.6 microg/L whereas it never exceeded 2.4 microg/L in seepage. Cu(tot) concentrations in basin water (>100 microg/L in 24% of the samples) exceeded LC(50) values for several aquatic animals. Copper was principally sequestered by reduced compounds in the basin sediments (2/3 of Cu(tot)). Metal sequestration was reversible since sediment resuspension resulted in Cu remobilization. Wind velocity controlled resuspension, explained 70% of Cu(diss) variability and could help predicting Cu mobilization. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. A case study on co-exposure to a mixture of organic solvents in a Tunisian adhesive-producing company.

    PubMed

    Gargouri, Imed; Khadhraoui, Moncef; Nisse, Catherine; Leroyer, Ariane; Masmoudi, Mohamed L; Frimat, Paul; Marzin, Daniel; Elleuch, Boubaker; Zmirou-Navier, Denis

    2011-11-14

    to assess environmental and biological monitoring of exposure to organic solvents in a glue-manufacturing company in Sfax, Tunisia. Exposure of volunteer workers, in the solvented glue-work-stations, in the control laboratory and in the storage rooms of the finished products, was assessed through indoor-air and urine measurements. Informed consent of the workers was obtained. The exposure indexes were found with high values in the solvented workshop as well as in the control laboratory and were respectively, 8.40 and 3.12. These indexes were also correlated with hexane and toluene indoor air concentrations. As to urine, the obtained results for the 2,5-hexandione and hippuric acid, metabolites of hexane and toluene, respectively, were in accord with the indoor-air measurements, with an average of 0.46 mg/l and 1240 mg/g of creatinine. This study assessed for the first time biological exposure to organic solvents used in Tunisian adhesive industries. Although values are likely to underestimate true exposure levels, some figures exceed European and American occupational exposure guidelines.

  8. Controlling and prevention of surface wrinkling via size-dependent critical wrinkling strain.

    PubMed

    Han, Xue; Zhao, Yan; Cao, Yanping; Lu, Conghua

    2015-06-14

    Surface wrinkling may occur in a film-substrate system when the applied strain exceeds the critical value. However, the practically required strain for the onset of surface wrinkling can be different from the theoretically predicted value. Here we investigate the film size effect-dependent critical strain for the mechanical strain-induced surface wrinkling via a combination of experiments and theoretical analysis. In the poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based system fabricated by the smart combination of mechanical straining and selective O2 plasma (OP) exposure through Cu grids, the film size effect on the critical wrinkling strain is systematically studied by considering OP exposure duration, the mesh number and geometry of Cu grids. Meanwhile, a simple analytical solution revealing the film size effect is well established, which shows good consistency with the experimental results. This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for finely tuning the critical wrinkling strain in a simple and quantitative manner, which can find a wide range of applications in such fields as microelectronic circuits and optical devices, where controlling and/or prevention of surface wrinkling are of great importance.

  9. 40 CFR 63.2163 - If I monitor fermenter exhaust, what are my monitoring installation, operation, and maintenance...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-accuracy test PS 8 requires. (3) If you continuously monitor VOC emissions using gas chromatography, you... percent of the span value (or more than 10 percent of the calibration gas value if your CEMS is a gas... calibration drift exceeds 5 percent of the span value (or more than 20 percent of the calibration gas value...

  10. 40 CFR 63.2163 - If I monitor fermenter exhaust, what are my monitoring installation, operation, and maintenance...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-accuracy test PS 8 requires. (3) If you continuously monitor VOC emissions using gas chromatography, you... percent of the span value (or more than 10 percent of the calibration gas value if your CEMS is a gas... calibration drift exceeds 5 percent of the span value (or more than 20 percent of the calibration gas value...

  11. The preanalytical optimization of blood cultures: a review and the clinical importance of benchmarking in 5 Belgian hospitals.

    PubMed

    Willems, Elise; Smismans, Annick; Cartuyvels, Reinoud; Coppens, Guy; Van Vaerenbergh, Kristien; Van den Abeele, Anne-Marie; Frans, Johan

    2012-05-01

    Bloodstream infections remain a major challenge in medicine. Optimal detection of pathogens is only possible if the quality of preanalytical factors is thoroughly controlled. Since the laboratory is responsible for this preanalytical phase, the quality control of critical factors should be integrated in its quality control program. The numerous recommendations regarding blood culture collection contain controversies. Only an unambiguous guideline permits standardization and interlaboratory quality control. We present an evidence-based concise guideline of critical preanalytical determinants for blood culture collection and summarize key performance indicators with their concomitant target values. In an attempt to benchmark, we compared the true-positive rate, contamination rate, and collected blood volume of blood culture bottles in 5 Belgian hospital laboratories. The true-positive blood culture rate fell within previously defined acceptation criteria by Baron et al. (2005) in all 5 hospitals, whereas the contamination rate exceeded the target value in 4 locations. Most unexpected, in each of the 5 laboratories, more than one third of the blood culture bottles were incorrectly filled, irrespective of the manufacturer of the blood culture vials. As a consequence of this shortcoming, one manufacturer recently developed an automatic blood volume monitoring system. In conclusion, clear recommendations for standardized blood culture collection combined with quality control of critical factors of the preanalytical phase are essential for diagnostic blood culture improvement. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Statistical survey of XB-70 airplane responses and control usage with an illustration of the application to handling qualities criteria

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Powers, B. G.

    1972-01-01

    The magnitude and frequency of occurrence of aircraft responses and control inputs during 27 flights of the XB-70 airplane were measured. Exceedance curves are presented for the airplane responses and control usage. A technique is presented which makes use of these exceedance curves to establish or verify handling qualities criteria. This technique can provide a means of incorporating current operational experience in handling qualities requirements for future aircraft.

  13. Waterhammer Modeling for the Ares I Upper Stage Reaction Control System Cold Flow Development Test Article

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, Jonathan H.

    2010-01-01

    The Upper Stage Reaction Control System provides three-axis attitude control for the Ares I launch vehicle during active Upper Stage flight. The system design must accommodate rapid thruster firing to maintain the proper launch trajectory and thus allow for the possibility to pulse multiple thrusters simultaneously. Rapid thruster valve closure creates an increase in static pressure, known as waterhammer, which propagates throughout the propellant system at pressures exceeding nominal design values. A series of development tests conducted in the fall of 2009 at Marshall Space Flight Center were performed using a water-flow test article to better understand fluid performance characteristics of the Upper Stage Reaction Control System. A subset of the tests examined waterhammer along with the subsequent pressure and frequency response in the flight-representative system and provided data to anchor numerical models. This thesis presents a comparison of waterhammer test results with numerical model and analytical results. An overview of the flight system, test article, modeling and analysis are also provided.

  14. Waterhammer modeling for the Ares I Upper Stage Reaction Control System cold flow development test article

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Williams, Jonathan Hunter

    The Upper Stage Reaction Control System provides in-flight three-axis attitude control for the Ares I Upper Stage. The system design must accommodate rapid thruster firing to maintain proper launch trajectory and thus allow for the possibility to pulse multiple thrusters simultaneously. Rapid thruster valve closure creates an increase in static pressure, known as waterhammer, which propagates throughout the propellant system at pressures exceeding nominal design values. A series of development tests conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center in 2009 were performed using a water-flow test article to better understand fluid characteristics of the Upper Stage Reaction Control System. A subset of the tests examined the waterhammer pressure and frequency response in the flight-representative system and provided data to anchor numerical models. This thesis presents a comparison of waterhammer test results with numerical model and analytical results. An overview of the flight system, test article, modeling and analysis are also provided.

  15. Extreme-event geoelectric hazard maps: Chapter 9

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Love, Jeffrey J.; Bedrosian, Paul A.

    2018-01-01

    Maps of geoelectric amplitude covering about half the continental United States are presented that will be exceeded, on average, once per century in response to an extreme-intensity geomagnetic disturbance. These maps are constructed using an empirical parameterization of induction: convolving latitude-dependent statistical maps of extreme-value geomagnetic disturbances, obtained from decades of 1-minute magnetic observatory data, with local estimates of Earth-surface impedance obtained at discrete geographic sites from magnetotelluric surveys. Geoelectric amplitudes are estimated for geomagnetic waveforms having a 240-s (and 1200-s) sinusoidal period and amplitudes over 10 min (1 h) that exceed a once-per-century threshold. As a result of the combination of geographic differences in geomagnetic variation and Earth-surface impedance, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes span more than two orders of magnitude and are a highly granular function of location. Specifically for north-south 240-s induction, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes across large parts of the United States have a median value of 0.34 V/km; for east-west variation, they have a median value of 0.23 V/km. In Northern Minnesota, amplitudes exceed 14.00 V/km for north-south geomagnetic variation (23.34 V/km for east-west variation), while just over 100 km away, amplitudes are only 0.08 V/km (0.02 V/km). At some sites in the northern-central United States, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes exceed the 2 V/km realized in Québec during the March 1989 storm.

  16. The effect of home bleaching agents on the surface roughness of five different composite resins: A SEM evaluation.

    PubMed

    Cengiz, Esra; Kurtulmus-Yilmaz, Sevcan; Ulusoy, Nuran; Deniz, Sule Tugba; Yuksel-Devrim, Ece

    2016-05-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (HP) and carbamide peroxide (CP) on the surface roughness of five different composite resins using profilometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thirty-six specimens (1 mm thick, 10 mm in diameter) of five composite resins were fabricated. Each composite group was equally divided into three subgroups as control, CP and HP. In control group, specimens were stored in daily refreshed distilled water during the 14-day testing period. In other groups, 10% HP (Opalescence Treswhite) and 10% CP (Opalescence PF) were applied and surface roughness values (Ra) of each specimen were measured with a profilometer at the end of 14 days. Additionally, SEM analysis was performed to evaluate the surface deformations of composite resins. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Ra values of composite groups exposed to bleaching agents were statistically higher than control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between Ra values after HP and CP application within each composite group while SEM micrographs showed higher surface alterations at HP group compared to CP. Among the composite resins tested, Ceram-X Mono revealed the lowest Ra values after CP and HP applications as seen at SEM images. Home bleaching agents increased the surface roughness of all composites. Except CP applied Ceram-X mono specimens, Ra values of all composite resins evaluated in this study exceeded the critical limit of 0.2 μm. Ceram-X mono was the least affected composite material after bleaching application. SCANNING 38:277-283, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. 26 CFR 1.422-5 - Permissible provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... reference to the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise or to the option price. (d) Option... fair market value of the stock exceeds the exercise price of the option and the option is otherwise... disqualifying disposition of 75 shares is $1,500 (the difference between the fair market value of the stock on...

  18. 26 CFR 1.1060-1 - Special allocation rules for certain asset acquisitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ...) (relating to the allocation of adjusted grossed-up basis among the assets of the target corporation when a... of value. P is a company that designs, manufactures, and markets electronic components. It wants to... market value of the non-recognition assets transferred by one party exceeds the fair market value of the...

  19. Rainfall, streamflow, and water-quality data for five small watersheds, Nashville, Tennessee, 1990-92

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Outlaw, George S.; Hoos, Anne B.; Pankey, John T.

    1994-01-01

    Rainfall, streamflow, and water-quality data were collected furing storm conditions at five urban watersheds in Nashville, Tennessee. These data can be used to build a database for developing predictive models of the relations between storm- water quality and land use, storm characteristics, and seasonal variations. The primary land and mix of land uses was different for each watershed. Stormwater samples were collected during three storms at each watershed and analyzed for selected volatile, acidic and base/neutral organic compounds; organic pesticides; trace metals; conventional pollutants; and several physical properties. Storm loads were computed for all constituents and properties with event mean concentration above the minimum reporting level. None of the samples con- tained acidic organic compounds at concentrations above the minimum reporting levels. Several constituents in each of the other categories, however, were present at concentrations above the minimum reporting level. For 21 of these constituents, water-quality criteria have been pro- mulgated by the State of Tennessee. For only 8 of the 21 did the value exceed the most restrictive of the criteria: pyrene, dieldrin, and mercury concen- trations and counts of fecal coliform exceeded the criteria for recreational use, copper and zinc concentrations and pH value exceeded the criteria for fish and aquatic life, and lead concentrations exceeded the criteria for domestic supply.

  20. 40 CFR 52.1601 - Control strategy and regulations: Sulfur oxides.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... not be the cause for any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increment to be exceeded, then... quality standards or cause any PSD increment to be exceeded, then EPA shall so inform the State of its...

  1. 40 CFR 52.1601 - Control strategy and regulations: Sulfur oxides.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... not be the cause for any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increment to be exceeded, then... quality standards or cause any PSD increment to be exceeded, then EPA shall so inform the State of its...

  2. 40 CFR 52.1601 - Control strategy and regulations: Sulfur oxides.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... not be the cause for any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increment to be exceeded, then... quality standards or cause any PSD increment to be exceeded, then EPA shall so inform the State of its...

  3. 40 CFR 52.1601 - Control strategy and regulations: Sulfur oxides.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... not be the cause for any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increment to be exceeded, then... quality standards or cause any PSD increment to be exceeded, then EPA shall so inform the State of its...

  4. 40 CFR 52.1601 - Control strategy and regulations: Sulfur oxides.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... not be the cause for any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increment to be exceeded, then... quality standards or cause any PSD increment to be exceeded, then EPA shall so inform the State of its...

  5. Requirements of frictional debonding at fiber/matrix interfaces for tough ceramic composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsueh, Chun-Hway

    1992-11-01

    Optimum toughening of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites requires debonding at fiber/matrix interfaces and subsequent frictional sliding between the fibers and the matrix as the main crack extends through the composite. Criteria of both interfacial debonding vs fiber fracture, and frictional debonding vs frictionless debonding, are illustrated. To achieve interfacial debonding, the ratio of the fiber strength to the interfacial shear strength must exceed a critical value; to achieve a frictional interface after interfacial debonding, the ratio of the interfacial residual clamping stress to the interfacial shear strength must also exceed a critical value. While interfacial debonding is not sensitive to Poisson's effect, the frictional interface is sensitive to Poisson's effect.

  6. Survival analysis of the high energy channel of BATSE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balázs, L. G.; Bagoly, Z.; Horváth, I.; Mészáros, A.

    2004-06-01

    We used Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis to study the true distribution of high energy (F4) fluences on BATSE. The measured values were divided into two classes: A. if F4 exceeded the 3σ of the noise level we accepted the measured value as 'true event'. B. We treated 3σ as an upper bound if F4 did not exceeded it and identified those data as 'censored'. KM analysis were made for short (t90 < 2 s) and long (t90 > 2 s) bursts, separately. Comparison of the calculated probability distribution functions of the two groups indicated about an order of magnitude difference in the > 300 keV part of the energies released.

  7. [Assessment of occupational exposure of medical personnel to inhalatory anesthetics in Poland].

    PubMed

    Kucharska, Małgorzata; Wesołowski, Wiktor

    2014-01-01

    Despite common use of inhalatory anesthetics, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), halothane, sevoflurane, and the like, occupational exposure to these substances in operating theatres was not monitored in Poland until 2006. The situation changed when maximum admissible concentration (MAC) values for anesthetics used in Poland were established in 2005 for N2O, and in 2007 for sevoflurane, desflurane and isoflurane. The aim of this work was to assess occupational exposure in operating rooms on the basis of reliable and uniform analytical procedures. The method for the determination of all anesthetics used in Poland, i.e. nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, and halothane, was developed and validated. The measurements were performed in 2006-2010 in 31 hospitals countrywide. The study covered 117 operating rooms; air samples were collected from the breathing zone of 146 anesthesiologists, and 154 nurses, mostly anaesthetic. The measurements were carried out during various surgical operations, mostly on adult patients but also in hospitals for children. Time weighted average concentrations of the anesthetics varied considerably, and the greatest differences were noted for N2O (0.1-1438.5 mg/m3); 40% of the results exceeded the MAC value. Only 3% of halothane, and 2% of sevoflurane concentrations exceeded the respective MAC values. Working in operating theatres is dangerous to the health of the operating staff. The coefficient of combined exposure to anesthesiologists under study exceeded the admissible value in 130 cases, which makes over 40% of the whole study population. Most of the excessive exposure values were noted for nitrous oxide.

  8. [Microbial air monitoring in operating theatre: active and passive samplings].

    PubMed

    Pasquarella, C; Masia, M D; Nnanga, Nga; Sansebastiano, G E; Savino, A; Signorelli, C; Veronesi, L

    2004-01-01

    Microbial air contamination was evaluated in 11 operating theatres using active and passive samplings. SAS (Surface Air System) air sampling was used to evaluate cfu/m3 and settle plates were used to measure the index of microbial air contamination (IMA). Samplings were performed at the same time on three different days, at three different times (before, during and after the surgical activity). Two points were monitored (patient area and perimeter of the operating theatre). Moreover, the cfu/m3 were evaluated at the air inlet of the conditioner system. 74.7% of samplings performed at the air inlet and 66.7% of the samplings performed at the patient area before the beginning of the surgical activity (at rest) exceeded the 35 cfu/m3 used as threshold value. 100% of IMA values exceeded the threshold value of 5. Using both active and passive sampling, the microbial contamination was shown to increase significantly during activity. The cfu values were higher at the patient area than at the perimeter of the operating theatre. Mean values of the cfu/m3 during activity at the patient area ranged from a minimum of 61+/-41 cfu/m3 to a maximum of 242+/-136 cfu/m3; IMA values ranged from a minimum of 19+/-10 to a maximum of 129+/-60. 15.2% of samplings performed at the patient area using SAS and 75.8% of samplings performed using settle plates exceeded the threshold values of 180 cfu/m3 and 25 respectively, with a significant difference of the percentages. The highest values were found in the operating theatre with inadequate structural and managerial conditions. These findings confirm that the microbiological quality of air may be considered a mirror of the hygienic conditions of the operating theatre. Settle plates proved to be more sensitive in detecting the increase of microbial air contamination related to conditions that could compromise the quality of the air in operating theatres.

  9. Mitochondrial dysfunction in Gulf War illness revealed by 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Koslik, Hayley J; Hamilton, Gavin; Golomb, Beatrice A

    2014-01-01

    Approximately 1/3 of 1990-1 Gulf War veterans developed chronic multisymptom health problems. Implicated exposures bear mechanisms that adversely affect mitochondria. Symptoms emphasize fatigue, cognition and muscle (brain and muscle are aerobically demanding); with protean additional domains affected, compatible with mitochondrial impairment. Recent evidence supports treatments targeting cell bioenergetics (coenzyme10) to benefit Gulf War illness symptoms. However, no evidence has directly documented mitochondrial or bioenergetic impairment in Gulf War illness. We sought to objectively assess for mitochondrial dysfunction, examining post-exercise phosphocreatine-recovery time constant (PCr-R) using (31)Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS), in Gulf War veterans with Gulf War illness compared to matched healthy controls. PCr-R has been described as a "robust and practical" index of mitochondrial status. Case-control study from 2012-2013. Fourteen community-dwelling Gulf War veterans and matched controls from the San Diego area comprised 7 men meeting CDC and Kansas criteria for Gulf War illness, and 7 non-deployed healthy controls matched 1:1 to cases on age, sex, and ethnicity. Calf muscle phosphocreatine was evaluated by (31)P-MRS at rest, through 5 minutes of foot pedal depression exercise, and in recovery, to assess PCr-R. Paired t-tests compared cases to matched controls. PCr-R was significantly prolonged in Gulf War illness cases vs their matched controls: control values, mean ± SD, 29.0 ± 8.7 seconds; case values 46.1 ± 18.0 seconds; difference 17.1 ± 14.9 seconds; p = 0.023. PCr-R was longer for cases relative to their matched controls for all but one pair; moreover while values clustered under 31 seconds for all but one control, they exceeded 35 seconds (with a spread up to 70 seconds) for all but one case. These data provide the first direct evidence supporting mitochondrial dysfunction in Gulf War illness. Findings merit replication in a larger study and/or corroboration with additional mitochondrial assessment tools.

  10. 30 CFR 75.601-3 - Short circuit protection; dual element fuses; current ratings; maximum values.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... devices shall not exceed the maximum values specified in this section: Conductor size (AWG or MGM) Single conductor cable Ampacity Max. fuse rating Two conductor cable Ampacity Max. fuse rating 14 15 15 12 20 20 10...

  11. 47 CFR 74.661 - Frequency tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... pursuant to an application filed before March 17, 2005, for tolerance values exceeding those specified... 16, 2003, authorized via certification or verification before March 17, 2005, for tolerance values... 47 Telecommunication 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Frequency tolerance. 74.661 Section 74.661...

  12. 14 CFR 170.25 - LORAN-C discontinuance criteria.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Section 170.25 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION... nonprecision approach may be subject to discontinuance when the present value of the continued maintenance costs (PVCM) of the LORAN-C approach exceed the present value of its remaining life-cycle benefits (PVB...

  13. 24 CFR 2700.205 - Emergency assistance amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... principal, interest, taxes, ground rents, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums due under the..., including delinquent interest, of the delinquent mortgage when added to the other liens against the... under this part, exceeds the value of the mortgaged property. (In determining the value of the property...

  14. 24 CFR 2700.205 - Emergency assistance amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... principal, interest, taxes, ground rents, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums due under the..., including delinquent interest, of the delinquent mortgage when added to the other liens against the... under this part, exceeds the value of the mortgaged property. (In determining the value of the property...

  15. 24 CFR 2700.205 - Emergency assistance amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... principal, interest, taxes, ground rents, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums due under the..., including delinquent interest, of the delinquent mortgage when added to the other liens against the... under this part, exceeds the value of the mortgaged property. (In determining the value of the property...

  16. 24 CFR 2700.205 - Emergency assistance amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... principal, interest, taxes, ground rents, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums due under the..., including delinquent interest, of the delinquent mortgage when added to the other liens against the... under this part, exceeds the value of the mortgaged property. (In determining the value of the property...

  17. 23 CFR 635.122 - Participation in progress payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... OPERATIONS CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE Contract Procedures § 635.122 Participation in progress payments. (a..., based on a request for reimbursement submitted by State transportation departments. When the contract... value of the stockpiled material shall not exceed the appropriate portion of the value of the contract...

  18. 48 CFR 41.401 - Monthly and annual review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... values exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, on an annual basis. Annual reviews of accounts with annual values at or below the simplified acquisition threshold shall be conducted when deemed... services to each facility under the utility's most economical, applicable rate and to examine competitive...

  19. Geoelectric Hazard Maps for the Continental United States

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Love, Jeffrey J.; Pulkkinen, Antti; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Jonas, Seth; Kelbert, Anna; Rigler, Joshua E.; Finn, Carol A.; Balch, Christopher C.; Rutledge, Robert; Waggle, Richard M.

    2016-01-01

    In support of a multiagency project for assessing induction hazards, we present maps of extreme-value geoelectric amplitudes over about half of the continental United States. These maps are constructed using a parameterization of induction: estimates of Earth surface impedance, obtained at discrete geographic sites from magnetotelluric survey data, are convolved with latitude-dependent statistical maps of extreme-value geomagnetic activity, obtained from decades of magnetic observatory data. Geoelectric amplitudes are estimated for geomagnetic waveforms having 240 s sinusoidal period and amplitudes over 10 min that exceed a once-per-century threshold. As a result of the combination of geographic differences in geomagnetic activity and Earth surface impedance, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes span more than 2 orders of magnitude and are an intricate function of location. For north-south induction, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes across large parts of the United States have a median value of 0.26 Vkm; for east-west geomagnetic variation the median value is 0.23 Vkm. At some locations,once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes exceed 3 Vkm.

  20. Settling velocity of particulate pollutants from combined sewer wet weather discharges.

    PubMed

    Gromaire, M C; Kafi-Benyahia, M; Gasperi, J; Saad, M; Moilleron, R; Chebbo, G

    2008-01-01

    Settling velocities of TSS and of particulate pollutants (COP, PDCO, PTKN, PCu, PPb, PZn, PPAH) measured on a wide range of wet weather flow (WWF) samples collected at different levels of the Parisian combined sewer system are reported. The recorded V30 (0.01 to 0.1 mm s(-1)) and V50 (0.09 to 0.6 mm s(-1)) values exceed by a factor 10 those of dry weather sewage and also exceed the values measured for pavement runoff. These values lie however often below the 0.28 mm s(-1) reference value considered in France for the design of WWF settling facilities. A decrease in settleability is observed between a small upstream catchment and larger scaled downstream catchments. The settling behaviour of particulate pollutants varies depending on the considered parameter and can differ significantly from the TSS behaviour, due to a non homogeneous distribution of micropolluants over the different classes of particles. PZn and PTKN appear far less settleable than TSS, whereas PPAH show higher settleability. IWA Publishing 2008.

  1. The design of remote temperature monitoring system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Biqing; Li, Zhao; Wei, Liuren

    2017-08-01

    This design is made on the basis of the single-chip microcomputer remote temperature monitoring system. STC89C51RC is the main core part, this design use the sensor DHT11 of temperature or humidity and wireless transceiver NRF24L01 the temperature of the test site for long-range wireless measurement and monitoring. The design contains the main system and the small system, of which the main system can show the actual test site temperature and humidity values, voice broadcast, out of control and receive data alarm function; The small system has the function of temperature and humidity, temperature monitoring and sending data. After debugging, the user customizable alarm upper and lower temperature, when the temperature exceeds limit value, the main system of buzzer alarm immediately. The system has simple structure, complete functions and can alarm in time, it can be widely used remote temperature acquisition and monitoring of the site.

  2. Investigation of human body vibration exposures on haul trucks operating at U.S. surface mines/quarries relative to haul truck activity.

    PubMed

    Mayton, Alan G; Porter, William L; Xu, Xueyan S; Weston, Eric B; Rubenstein, Elaine N

    2018-03-01

    Workers who operate mine haul trucks are exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) on a routine basis. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) investigated WBV and hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposures for mine/quarry haul truck drivers in relation to the haul truck activities of dumping, loading, and traveling with and without a load. The findings show that WBV measures in weighted root-mean-square accelerations (a w ) and vibration dose value (VDV), when compared to the ISO/ANSI and European Directive 2002/44/EC standards, were mostly below the Exposure Action Value (EAV) identified by the health guidance caution zone (HGCZ). Nevertheless, instances were recorded where the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) was exceeded by more than 500 to 600 percent for VDV x and a wx , respectively. Researchers determined that these excessive levels occurred during the traveling empty activity, when the haul truck descended down grade into the pit loading area, sliding at times, on a wet and slippery road surface caused by rain and overwatering. WBV levels (not normalized to an 8-h shift) for the four haul truck activities showed mean a wz levels for five of the seven drivers exceeding the ISO/ANSI EAV by 9-53 percent for the traveling empty activity. Mean a wx and a wz levels were generally higher for traveling empty and traveling loaded and lower for loading/dumping activities. HAV for measures taken on the steering wheel and shifter were all below the HGCZ which indicates that HAV is not an issue for these drivers/operators when handling steering and shifting control devices.

  3. Investigation of human body vibration exposures on haul trucks operating at U.S. surface mines/quarries relative to haul truck activity

    PubMed Central

    Mayton, Alan G.; Porter, William L.; Xu, Xueyan S.; Weston, Eric B.; Rubenstein, Elaine N.

    2018-01-01

    Workers who operate mine haul trucks are exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) on a routine basis. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) investigated WBV and hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposures for mine/quarry haul truck drivers in relation to the haul truck activities of dumping, loading, and traveling with and without a load. The findings show that WBV measures in weighted root-mean-square accelerations (aw) and vibration dose value (VDV), when compared to the ISO/ANSI and European Directive 2002/44/EC standards, were mostly below the Exposure Action Value (EAV) identified by the health guidance caution zone (HGCZ). Nevertheless, instances were recorded where the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) was exceeded by more than 500 to 600 percent for VDVx and awx, respectively. Researchers determined that these excessive levels occurred during the traveling empty activity, when the haul truck descended down grade into the pit loading area, sliding at times, on a wet and slippery road surface caused by rain and overwatering. WBV levels (not normalized to an 8-h shift) for the four haul truck activities showed mean awz levels for five of the seven drivers exceeding the ISO/ANSI EAV by 9–53 percent for the traveling empty activity. Mean awx and awz levels were generally higher for traveling empty and traveling loaded and lower for loading/dumping activities. HAV for measures taken on the steering wheel and shifter were all below the HGCZ which indicates that HAV is not an issue for these drivers/operators when handling steering and shifting control devices. PMID:29725145

  4. Statistically based material properties: A military handbook-17 perspective

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Neal, Donald M.; Vangel, Mark G.

    1990-01-01

    The statistical procedures and their importance in obtaining composite material property values in designing structures for aircraft and military combat systems are described. The property value is such that the strength exceeds this value with a prescribed probability with 95 percent confidence in the assertion. The survival probabilities are the 99th percentile and 90th percentile for the A and B basis values respectively. The basis values for strain to failure measurements are defined in a similar manner. The B value is the primary concern.

  5. A study of aerodynamic heating distributions on a tip-fin controller installed on a Space Shuttle Orbiter model

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wittliff, C. E.

    1982-01-01

    The aerodynamic heating of a tip-fin controller mounted on a Space Shuttle Orbiter model was studied experimentally in the Calspan Advanced Technology Center 96 inch Hypersonic Shock Tunnel. A 0.0175 scale model was tested at Mach numbers from 10 to 17.5 at angles of attack typical of a shuttle entry. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase 1 testing a thermographic phosphor technique was used to qualitatively determine the areas of high heat-transfer rates. Based on the results of this phase, the model was instrumented with 40 thin-film resistance thermometers to obtain quantitative measurements of the aerodynamic heating. The results of the phase 2 testing indicate that the highest heating rates, which occur on the leading edge of the tip-fin controller, are very sensitive to angle of attack for alpha or = 30 deg. The shock wave from the leading edge of the orbiter wing impinges on the leading edge of the tip-fin controller resulting in peak values of h/h(Ref) in the range from 1.5 to 2.0. Away from the leading edge, the heat-transfer rates never exceed h/h(Ref) = 0.25 when the control surface, is not deflected. With the control surface deflected 20 deg, the heat-transfer rates had a maximum value of h/h(Ref) = 0.3. The heating rates are quite nonuniform over the outboard surface and are sensitive to angle of attack.

  6. Closed loop cavitation control - A step towards sonomechatronics.

    PubMed

    Saalbach, Kai-Alexander; Ohrdes, Hendrik; Twiefel, Jens

    2018-06-01

    In the field of sonochemistry, many processes are made possible by the generation of cavitation. This article is about closed loop control of ultrasound assisted processes with the aim of controlling the intensity of cavitation-based sonochemical processes. This is the basis for a new research field which the authors call "sonomechatronics". In order to apply closed loop control, a so called self-sensing technique is applied, which uses the ultrasound transducer's electrical signals to gain information about cavitation activity. Experiments are conducted to find out if this self-sensing technique is capable of determining the state and intensity of acoustic cavitation. A distinct frequency component in the transducer's current signal is found to be a good indicator for the onset and termination of transient cavitation. Measurements show that, depending on the boundary conditions, the onset and termination of transient cavitation occur at different thresholds, with the onset occurring at a higher value in most cases. This known hysteresis effect offers the additional possibility of achieving an energetic optimization by controlling cavitation generation. Using the cavitation indicator for the implementation of a double set point closed loop control, the mean driving current was reduced by approximately 15% compared to the value needed to exceed the transient cavitation threshold. The results presented show a great potential for the field of sonomechatronics. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary in order to design application-specific sonomechatronic processes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Seismic Hazard Analysis as a Controlling Technique of Induced Seismicity in Geothermal Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Convertito, V.; Sharma, N.; Maercklin, N.; Emolo, A.; Zollo, A.

    2011-12-01

    The effect of induced seismicity of geothermal systems during stimulation and fluid circulation can cover a wide range of values from light and unfelt to severe and damaging. If the design of a modern geothermal system requires the largest efficiency to be obtained from the social point of view it is required that the system could be managed in order to reduce possible impact in advance. In this framework, automatic control of the seismic response of the stimulated reservoir is nowadays mandatory, particularly in proximity of densely populated areas. Recently, techniques have been proposed for this purpose mainly based on the concept of the traffic light. This system provides a tool to decide the level of stimulation rate based on the real-time analysis of the induced seismicity and the ongoing ground motion values. However, in some cases the induced effect can be delayed with respect to the time when the reservoir is stimulated. Thus, a controlling system technique able to estimate the ground motion levels for different time scales can help to better control the geothermal system. Here we present an adaptation of the classical probabilistic seismic hazard analysis to the case where the seismicity rate as well as the propagation medium properties are not constant with time. We use a non-homogeneous seismicity model for modeling purposes, in which the seismicity rate and b-value of the recurrence relationship change with time. Additionally, as a further controlling procedure, we propose a moving time window analysis of the recorded peak ground-motion values aimed at monitoring the changes in the propagation medium. In fact, for the same set of magnitude values recorded at the same stations, we expect that on average peak ground motion values attenuate in same way. As a consequence, the residual differences can be reasonably ascribed to changes in medium properties. These changes can be modeled and directly introduced in the hazard integral. We applied the proposed technique to a training dataset of induced earthquakes recorded by Berkeley-Geysers network, which is installed in The Geysers geothermal area in Northern California. The reliability of the techniques is then tested by using a different dataset performing seismic hazard analysis in a time-evolving approach, which provides with ground-motion values having fixed probabilities of exceedence. Those values can be finally compared with the observations by using appropriate statistical tests.

  8. Enhancement of the Automated Quality Control Procedures for the International Soil Moisture Network

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heer, Elsa; Xaver, Angelika; Dorigo, Wouter; Messner, Romina

    2017-04-01

    In-situ soil moisture observations are still trusted to be the most reliable data to validate remotely sensed soil moisture products. Thus, the quality of in-situ soil moisture observations is of high importance. The International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN; http://ismn.geo.tuwien.ac.at/) provides in-situ soil moisture data from all around the world. The data is collected from individual networks and data providers, measured by different sensors in various depths. The data sets which are delivered in different units, time zones and data formats are then transformed into homogeneous data sets. An erroneous behavior of soil moisture data is very difficult to detect, due to annual and daily changes and most significantly the high influence of precipitation and snow melting processes. Only few of the network providers have a quality assessment for their data sets. Therefore, advanced quality control procedures have been developed for the ISMN (Dorigo et al. 2013). Three categories of quality checks were introduced: exceeding boundary values, geophysical consistency checks and a spectrum based approach. The spectrum based quality control algorithms aim to detect erroneous measurements which occur within plausible geophysical ranges, e.g. a sudden drop in soil moisture caused by a sensor malfunction. By defining several conditions which have to be met by the original soil moisture time series and their first and second derivative, such error types can be detected. Since the development of these sophisticated methods many more data providers shared their data with the ISMN and new types of erroneous measurements were identified. Thus, an enhancement of the automated quality control procedures became necessary. In the present work, we introduce enhancements of the existing quality control algorithms. Additionally, six completely new quality checks have been developed, e.g. detection of suspicious values before or after NAN-values, constant values and values that lie in a spectrum where a high majority of values before and after is flagged and therefore a sensor malfunction is certain. For the evaluation of the enhanced automated quality control system many test data sets were chosen, and manually validated to be compared to the existing quality control procedures and the new algorithms. Improvements will be shown that assure an appropriate assessment of the ISMN data sets, which are used for validations of soil moisture data retrieved by satellite data and are the foundation many other scientific publications.

  9. Probability Analysis of the Wave-Slamming Pressure Values of the Horizontal Deck with Elastic Support

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zuo, Weiguang; Liu, Ming; Fan, Tianhui; Wang, Pengtao

    2018-06-01

    This paper presents the probability distribution of the slamming pressure from an experimental study of regular wave slamming on an elastically supported horizontal deck. The time series of the slamming pressure during the wave impact were first obtained through statistical analyses on experimental data. The exceeding probability distribution of the maximum slamming pressure peak and distribution parameters were analyzed, and the results show that the exceeding probability distribution of the maximum slamming pressure peak accords with the three-parameter Weibull distribution. Furthermore, the range and relationships of the distribution parameters were studied. The sum of the location parameter D and the scale parameter L was approximately equal to 1.0, and the exceeding probability was more than 36.79% when the random peak was equal to the sample average during the wave impact. The variation of the distribution parameters and slamming pressure under different model conditions were comprehensively presented, and the parameter values of the Weibull distribution of wave-slamming pressure peaks were different due to different test models. The parameter values were found to decrease due to the increased stiffness of the elastic support. The damage criterion of the structure model caused by the wave impact was initially discussed, and the structure model was destroyed when the average slamming time was greater than a certain value during the duration of the wave impact. The conclusions of the experimental study were then described.

  10. 11 CFR 100.52 - Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... CFR 100.72 and 100.73), advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the... campaign if the value of the candidate's share of the property used as collateral equals or exceeds the... on demand. (d)(1) For purposes of this section, the term anything of value includes all in-kind...

  11. 11 CFR 100.52 - Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... CFR 100.72 and 100.73), advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the... campaign if the value of the candidate's share of the property used as collateral equals or exceeds the... on demand. (d)(1) For purposes of this section, the term anything of value includes all in-kind...

  12. Hair toxic and essential trace elements in children with autism spectrum disorder.

    PubMed

    Skalny, Anatoly V; Simashkova, Natalia V; Klyushnik, Tatiana P; Grabeklis, Andrei R; Bjørklund, Geir; Skalnaya, Margarita G; Nikonorov, Alexandr A; Tinkov, Alexey A

    2017-02-01

    The objective of the study was to investigate hair trace elements content in children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 74 ASD children and 74 sex- and age-matched controls divided into two age groups (2-4 and 5-9 years) were investigated. Hair trace elements content was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A general cohort of ASD children was characterized by 29 %, 41 %, and 24 % lower hair levels of chromium (Cr), iodine (I), and vanadium (V), respectively, whereas the level of selenium (Se) exceeded the respective control values by 31 %. In ASD children aged 2-4 years hair Cr, I and V content was 68 %, 36 % and 41 % lower than in the controls. Older ASD children were characterized by 45 % increase in hair Se levels. In a general cohort of ASD children hair beryllium (Be) and tin (Sn) levels were 50 % and 34 % lower than the control values. In the first age group (2-4 years) of ASD children 34 %, 42 %, and 73 % lower levels of arsenic (As), boron (B), and Be were detected. In the second age group of ASD children only a nearly significant 25 % decrease in hair lead (Pb) was detected. Surprisingly, no significant group difference in hair mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) content was detected. Generally, the results of the present study demonstrate that children with ASD are characterized by lower values in hair of not only essential but also toxic trace elements.

  13. Assessment of heavy metal pollution in Córdoba (Spain) by biomonitoring foraging honeybee.

    PubMed

    Gutiérrez, Miriam; Molero, Rafael; Gaju, Miquel; van der Steen, Josef; Porrini, Claudio; Ruiz, José Antonio

    2015-10-01

    Due to features that make them outstanding environmental bioindicator, colonies of Apis mellifera are being used to study environmental pollution. The primary objective of this research was to use honeybee colonies to identify heavy metals and determine their utility for environmental management. Five stations each with two A. mellifera hives were strategically located in urban, industrial, agricultural and forested areas within the municipality of Córdoba (Spain), and foraging bees were collected from April to December in 2007, 2009 and 2010 to analyse spatial and temporal variation in Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd pollution. Metal concentrations, in milligram per kilogram of honeybee, were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant differences in concentrations were found among the various locations and periods. The highest number of values exceeding the upper reference thresholds proposed for this study (Pb, 0.7 mg/kg; Cr, 0.12 mg/kg; Ni, 0.3 mg/kg; and Cd, 0.1 mg/kg) was observed for Pb and Cr (6.25% respectively), station S4 (13.22%), year 2007 (20.83%) and in months of May and July (11.90% each). Regarding the Cd, which was analysed only in 2010, the highest number of values exceeding the upper reference thresholds was 40%. Biomonitoring with colonies of A. mellifera could contribute to improved surveillance and control systems for atmospheric pollution by integrating qualitative and quantitative assessments, thus facilitating prevention and readiness in the event of environmental crises.

  14. Factors controlling tungsten concentrations in ground water, Carson Desert, Nevada

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Seiler, R.L.; Stollenwerk, K.G.; Garbarino, J.R.

    2005-01-01

    An investigation of a childhood leukemia cluster by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that residents of the Carson Desert, Nevada, are exposed to high levels of W and this prompted an investigation of W in aquifers used as drinking water sources. Tungsten concentrations in 100 ground water samples from all aquifers used as drinking water sources in the area ranged from 0.27 to 742 ??g/l. Ground water in which W concentrations exceed 50 ??g/l principally occurs SE of Fallon in a geothermal area. The principal sources of W in ground water are natural and include erosion of W-bearing mineral deposits in the Carson River watershed upstream of Fallon, and, possibly, upwelling geothermal waters. Ground water in the Fallon area is strongly reducing and reductive dissolution of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides may be releasing W; however, direct evidence that the metal oxides contain W is not available. Although W and Cl concentrations in the Carson River, a lake, and water from many wells, appear to be controlled by evaporative concentration, evaporation alone cannot explain the elevated W concentrations found in water from some of the wells. Concentrations of W exceeding 50 ??g/l are exclusively associated with Na-HCO3 and Na-Cl water types and pH > 8.0; in these waters, geochemical modeling indicates that W exhibits <10% adsorption. Tungsten concentrations are strongly and positively correlated with As, B, F, and P, indicating either common sources or common processes controlling their concentrations. Geochemical modeling indicates W concentrations are consistent with pH-controlled adsorption of W. The geochemical model PHREEQC was used to calculate IAP values, which were compared with published Ksp values for primary W minerals. FeWO4, MnWO4, Na2WO4, and MgWO4 were undersaturated and CaWO4 and SrWO 4 were approaching saturation. These conclusions are tentative because of uncertainty in the thermodynamic data. The similar behavior of As and W observed in this study suggests ground water in areas where elevated As concentrations are present also may contain elevated W concentrations, particularly if there is a mineral or geothermal source of W and reducing conditions develop in the aquifer.

  15. Groundwater quality and the relation between pH values and occurrence of trace elements and radionuclides in water samples collected from private wells in part of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Jurisdictional Area, central Oklahoma, 2011

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Becker, Carol J.

    2013-01-01

    From 1999 to 2007, the Indian Health Service reported that gross alpha-particle activities and concentrations of uranium exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels for public drinking-water supplies in water samples from six private wells and two test wells in a rural residential neighborhood in the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Jurisdictional Area, in central Oklahoma. Residents in this rural area use groundwater from Quaternary-aged terrace deposits and the Permian-aged Garber-Wellington aquifer for domestic purposes. Uranium and other trace elements, specifically arsenic, chromium, and selenium, occur naturally in rocks composing the Garber-Wellington aquifer and in low concentrations in groundwater throughout its extent. Previous studies have shown that pH values above 8.0 from cation-exchange processes in the aquifer cause selected metals such as arsenic, chromium, selenium, and uranium to desorb (if present) from mineral surfaces and become mobile in water. On the basis of this information, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, conducted a study in 2011 to describe the occurrence of selected trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater and to determine if pH could be used as a surrogate for laboratory analysis to quickly and inexpensively identify wells that might contain high concentrations of uranium and other trace elements. The pH and specific conductance of groundwater from 59 private wells were measured in the field in an area of about 18 square miles in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties. Twenty of the 59 wells also were sampled for dissolved concentrations of major ions, trace elements, gross alpha-particle and gross beta-particle activities, uranium, radium-226, radium-228, and radon-222 gas. Arsenic concentrations exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 micrograms per liter in one sample having a concentration of 24.7 micrograms per liter. Selenium concentrations exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level of 50 micrograms per liter in one sample having a concentration of 147 micrograms per liter. Both samples had alkaline pH values, 8.0 and 8.4, respectively. Uranium concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 383 micrograms per liter with 5 of 20 samples exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Level of 30 micrograms per liter; the five wells with uranium concentrations exceeding 30 micrograms per liter had pH values ranging from 8.0 to 8.5. Concentrations of uranium and radon-222 and gross alpha-particle activity showed a positive relation to pH, with the highest concentrations and activity in samples having pH values of 8.0 or above. The groundwater samples contained dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of bicarbonate; these characteristics are also factors in increasing uranium solubility. Concentrations of radium-226 and radium-228 (combined) ranged from 0.03 to 1.7 picocuries per liter, with a median concentration of 0.45 picocuries per liter for all samples. Radon-222 concentrations ranged from 95 to 3,600 picocuries per liter with a median concentration of 261 picocuries per liter. Eight samples having pH values ranging from 8.0 to 8.7 exceeded the proposed Maximum Contaminant Level of 300 picocuries per liter for radon-222. Eight samples exceeded the 15 picocuries per liter Maximum Contaminant Level for gross alpha-particle activity at 72 hours (after sample collection) and at 30 days (after the initial count); those samples had pH values ranging from 8.0 to 8.5. Gross beta-particle activity increased in 15 of 21 samples during the interval from 72 hours to 30 days. The increase in gross beta-particle activity over time probably was caused by the ingrowth and decay of uranium daughter products that emit beta particles. Water-quality data collected for this study indicate that pH values above 8.0 are associated with potentially high concentrations of uranium and radon-222 and high gross alpha-particle activity in the study area. High pH values also are associated with potentially high concentrations of arsenic, chromium, and selenium in groundwater when these elements occur in the aquifer matrix along groundwater-flow paths.

  16. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Edwards, Timothy S.

    Normal tolerance limits are frequently used in dynamic environments specifications of aerospace systems as a method to account for aleatory variability in the environments. Upper tolerance limits, when used in this way, are computed from records of the environment and used to enforce conservatism in the specification by describing upper extreme values the environment may take in the future. Components and systems are designed to withstand these extreme loads to ensure they do not fail under normal use conditions. The degree of conservatism in the upper tolerance limits is controlled by specifying the coverage and confidence level (usually written inmore » “coverage/confidence” form). Moreover, in high-consequence systems it is common to specify tolerance limits at 95% or 99% coverage and confidence at the 50% or 90% level. Despite the ubiquity of upper tolerance limits in the aerospace community, analysts and decision-makers frequently misinterpret their meaning. The misinterpretation extends into the standards that govern much of the acceptance and qualification of commercial and government aerospace systems. As a result, the risk of a future observation of the environment exceeding the upper tolerance limit is sometimes significantly underestimated by decision makers. This note explains the meaning of upper tolerance limits and a related measure, the upper prediction limit. So, the objective of this work is to clarify the probability of exceeding these limits in flight so that decision-makers can better understand the risk associated with exceeding design and test levels during flight and balance the cost of design and development with that of mission failure.« less

  17. Control device for prosthetic urinary sphincter cuff

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reinicke, Robert H. (Inventor)

    1983-01-01

    A device for controlling flow of fluid to and from a resilient inflatable cuff implanted about the urethra to control flow of urine therethrough. The device comprises a flexible bulb reservoir and a control unit that includes a manually operated valve that opens automatically when the bulb is squeezed to force fluid into the cuff for closing the urethra. The control unit also includes a movable valve seat member having a relatively large area exposed to pressure of fluid in a chamber that is connected to the cuff and which moves to a position in which the valve member is unseated by an abutment when fluid pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined value to thereby relieve excess fluid pressure in the cuff. The arrangement is such that the valve element is held closed against the seat member by the full differential in fluid pressures acting on both sides of the valve element until the seat member is moved away from the valve element to thus insure positive closing of the valve element until the seat member is moved out of engagement with the valve element by excess pressure differential.

  18. Ecological values of shallow-water habitats: Implications for the restoration of disturbed ecosystems

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lopez, C.B.; Cloern, J.E.; Schraga, T.S.; Little, A.J.; Lucas, L.V.; Thompson, J.K.; Burau, J.R.

    2006-01-01

    A presumed value of shallow-habitat enhanced pelagic productivity derives from the principle that in nutrient-rich aquatic systems phytoplankton growth rate is controlled by light availability, which varies inversely with habitat depth. We measured a set of biological indicators across the gradient of habitat depth within the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (California) to test the hypothesis that plankton biomass, production, and pelagic energy flow also vary systematically with habitat depth. Results showed that phytoplankton biomass and production were only weakly related to phytoplankton growth rates whereas other processes (transport, consumption) were important controls. Distribution of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea was patchy, and heavily colonized habitats all supported low phytoplankton biomass and production and functioned as food sinks. Surplus primary production in shallow, uncolonized habitats provided potential subsidies to neighboring recipient habitats. Zooplankton in deeper habitats, where grazing exceeded phytoplankton production, were likely supported by significant fluxes of phytoplankton biomass from connected donor habitats. Our results provide three important lessons for ecosystem science: (a) in the absence of process measurements, derived indices provide valuable information to improve our mechanistic understanding of ecosystem function and to benefit adaptive management strategies; (b) the benefits of some ecosystem functions are displaced by water movements, so the value of individual habitat types can only be revealed through a regional perspective that includes connectedness among habitats; and (c) invasive species can act as overriding controls of habitat function, adding to the uncertainty of management outcomes. ?? 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

  19. Defining in-situ stress magnitude and the responses of geology to stress anisotropy in heterogeneous lithologies for the United Kingdom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kingdon, A.; Fellgett, M. W.; Williams, J. D. O.

    2017-12-01

    Exploitation of shale gas in the USA has led to interest in similar UK deposits. After tremors at the Preese Hall well in 2011, the process of hydraulic fracturing has become contentious. In-situ stress orientation controls the direction that fractures propagate from a well. World Stress Map (WSM) data coverage for the UK has historically been sparse. Improvements to the stress orientations for the UK are vital for reducing risk levels of induced seismicity. In some offshore basins, maximum horizontal stress (SHMax) is sub-parallel to major inverted Permo-Triassic faults, episodically reactivated during the Cenozoic, indicating a degree of structural control. Understanding for UK stress magnitude has been poor. Data for Northern England has been augmented with new estimates of vertical stress (Sv), minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) and pore pressure, focussed on potentially prospective basins east and west of the Pennines. Calculated values combined with legacy hydraulic fracturing and overcoring data show vertical stress gradients vary from 23 to 26 MPa/Km-1. Cheshire and Scotland show higher Shmin values by 2 MPa/Km-1 compared to Yorkshire and South East England. SHMax values exceeds the Sv which in turn exceeds Shmin indicating a predominantly strike slip environment. Pore pressure appears to be uniformly hydrostatic across the studied regions. There is some evidence above 1200 m depth of reverse faulting in igneous rocks in Cornwall, Leicestershire and Cumbria. Analysis of borehole imaging for the lithologically heterogeneous Carboniferous Coal Measures, highlights variability failure modes over confined vertical intervals. Breakouts are disproportionately located in "seatearths", palaeosols located stratigraphically beneath coal seams. Drilling induced tensile fractures are located within close proximity in overbank silt/clay facies and relatively massive channel sands that typically over and underlie coal deposits. Strength tests show that breakouts occur in the "seatearth" facies because of high frequency pedogenic slickensides. Failure mode in response to stress, whilst consistent in orientation, are highly complex. Responses of individual facies are highly dependent upon the detailed lithology and diagenetic alteration of these materials.

  20. Dynamic analysis of a fibre-optic ring resonator excited by a sinewave-modulated laser diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandian, G. Soundra; Seraji, Faramarz

    1990-10-01

    The present theoretical dynamic analysis of a fiber-optic ring resonator upon excitation by a sinusoidally-modulated laser diode (LD) yields results for such resonator conditions as modulating frequency, amplitude-modulation index, coupler power-coupling coefficient, loop-delay time (tau), and the phase angle between the LD's AM and FM responses. It is found that when the modulation frequency f(m) exceeds a threshold value such that f(m)tau exceeds 0.0002, the output response diverges from steady state and engages in an oscillatory behavior characterized by overshoots. When f(m)tau exceeds 1.0, the output approximates the intensity modulation of the LD.

  1. Organochlorine compounds in streambed sediment and in biological tissue from streams and their relations to land use, central Arizona

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Gebler, Joseph B.

    2000-01-01

    Streambed-sediment samples from 13 sites and biological-tissue samples from 11 sites in the Gila River Basin in central Arizona were analyzed for 32 organochlorine compounds in streambed sediment and 28 compounds in biological tissue during 1996 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment program. The objectives of the study were to determine the occurrence and distribution of organochlorine compounds and their relation to land use. Sampling sites were categorized on the basis of major land uses in the basin or the source of water in the stream. Because land uses were mixed or had changed over time, some land-use categories were combined. Sites were categorized as forest/rangeland (6), forest/urban (1), urban (4), or agricultural/urban (2). Thirteen organochlorine compounds were detected in streambed-sediment samples, and 10 were detected in tissue samples. The number of compounds found in streambed-sediment samples from individual sites ranged from 0 to 10, and the range for individual tissue samples was 0 to 7. Comparison of the number of detections in streambed-sediment samples to the number of detections in tissue samples from particular sites where both were sampled yielded five instances where more compounds were detected in streambed sediment, six instances where more compounds were detected in tissue, and five instances where the number of detections in streambed sediment and tissue were equal. The frequency of detection of particular compounds for sites where both streambed sediment and tissue were sampled resulted in five compounds being detected more frequently in streambed sediment, five more frequently in tissue, and three compounds that were equally frequent in streambed sediment and in tissue. Few contaminants were detected in samples from the forest/rangeland sites; greater numbers of compounds were detected at the urban sites and at the forest/urban site. The greatest number of compounds and the highest concentrations of many contaminants were detected at agriculture/urban sites. The compound detected most frequently in streambed-sediment and tissue samples was p,p'-DDE. Streambed-sediment guideline values for the protection of aquatic life for p,p'-DDE and total DDT were exceeded at both agricultural/urban sites, The streambed-sediment guideline value for the protection of aquatic life for total chlordane was exceeded at one agricultural/urban site, one urban site, and the forest/urban site. The streambed-sediment guideline value for the protection of aquatic life for total PCB’s was exceeded at one agricultural/urban site. Guideline values for the protection of fish-eating wildlife for total DDT and for toxaphene were exceeded only in samples from the two agricultural/urban sites. The guideline value for the protection of fish-eating wildlife for total PCB’s was equaled or exceeded in samples from two sites—one urban and one agricultural/urban site. Screening values established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the protection of human health for edible portions of fish were exceeded by total DDT and by toxaphene in fish-tissue samples from both agricultural/urban sites. The human-health criterion for total PCB’s was exceeded in two fish-tissue samples from an agricultural site and from an urban site. Tissue samples analyzed in this study were for whole fish, and thus, concentration data are not entirely comparable to the screening values of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because these exceedences were an order of magnitude above the criteria, however, it is possible that concentrations in the edible portions of fish from these locations could present a human- health risk. Analyses of samples of edible portions of fish from these locations would be needed to adequately assess the presence or absence of a human-health risk. The similarity of the results of this study to the results of other studies of organochlorine compounds in the environment suggests that there is a correlation between contaminants in sediment and biological-tissue samples and land uses. As with other studies of the occurrence and distribution of organochlorine contaminants in streambed sediments and biological tissue, this study shows that many organochlorine compounds continue to persist in the environment and thus could pose a threat to aquatic life, fish-eating wildlife, and possibly to humans who consume contaminated fish.

  2. 12 CFR 614.4265 - Real property evaluations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Real property evaluations. 614.4265 Section 614... Collateral Evaluation Requirements § 614.4265 Real property evaluations. (a) Real estate shall be valued on... property and operation where the transaction value exceeds $250,000 and the real estate taken as collateral...

  3. 12 CFR 614.4265 - Real property evaluations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real property evaluations. 614.4265 Section 614... Collateral Evaluation Requirements § 614.4265 Real property evaluations. (a) Real estate shall be valued on... property and operation where the transaction value exceeds $250,000 and the real estate taken as collateral...

  4. 12 CFR 614.4265 - Real property evaluations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real property evaluations. 614.4265 Section 614... Collateral Evaluation Requirements § 614.4265 Real property evaluations. (a) Real estate shall be valued on... property and operation where the transaction value exceeds $250,000 and the real estate taken as collateral...

  5. 12 CFR 614.4265 - Real property evaluations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real property evaluations. 614.4265 Section 614... Collateral Evaluation Requirements § 614.4265 Real property evaluations. (a) Real estate shall be valued on... property and operation where the transaction value exceeds $250,000 and the real estate taken as collateral...

  6. 12 CFR 614.4265 - Real property evaluations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Real property evaluations. 614.4265 Section 614... Collateral Evaluation Requirements § 614.4265 Real property evaluations. (a) Real estate shall be valued on... property and operation where the transaction value exceeds $250,000 and the real estate taken as collateral...

  7. 49 CFR 230.24 - Maximum allowable stress.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Maximum allowable stress. 230.24 Section 230.24... Allowable Stress § 230.24 Maximum allowable stress. (a) Maximum allowable stress value. The maximum allowable stress value on any component of a steam locomotive boiler shall not exceed 1/4 of the ultimate...

  8. Voter-Weighted Environmental Preferences

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bell, Jason; Huber, Joel; Viscusi, W. Kip

    2009-01-01

    This article examines the political economy of preferences with respect to the environment using a new stated preference survey that presents the first benefit values for national water quality levels. The mean valuation greatly exceeds the median value, as the distribution of valuations is highly skewed. The study couples the survey valuations…

  9. 25 CFR 141.49 - Usury prohibited.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI... reservation business may take or receive money, goods, or other things of value for a loan or forbearance on a debt that exceeds in value the principal plus twenty-four percent (24 percent) per annum finance charge...

  10. 25 CFR 141.49 - Usury prohibited.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI... reservation business may take or receive money, goods, or other things of value for a loan or forbearance on a debt that exceeds in value the principal plus twenty-four percent (24 percent) per annum finance charge...

  11. 25 CFR 141.49 - Usury prohibited.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI... reservation business may take or receive money, goods, or other things of value for a loan or forbearance on a debt that exceeds in value the principal plus twenty-four percent (24 percent) per annum finance charge...

  12. 25 CFR 141.49 - Usury prohibited.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI... reservation business may take or receive money, goods, or other things of value for a loan or forbearance on a debt that exceeds in value the principal plus twenty-four percent (24 percent) per annum finance charge...

  13. 25 CFR 141.49 - Usury prohibited.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI... reservation business may take or receive money, goods, or other things of value for a loan or forbearance on a debt that exceeds in value the principal plus twenty-four percent (24 percent) per annum finance charge...

  14. 49 CFR 230.24 - Maximum allowable stress.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Maximum allowable stress. 230.24 Section 230.24... Allowable Stress § 230.24 Maximum allowable stress. (a) Maximum allowable stress value. The maximum allowable stress value on any component of a steam locomotive boiler shall not exceed 1/4 of the ultimate...

  15. 49 CFR 230.24 - Maximum allowable stress.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Maximum allowable stress. 230.24 Section 230.24... Allowable Stress § 230.24 Maximum allowable stress. (a) Maximum allowable stress value. The maximum allowable stress value on any component of a steam locomotive boiler shall not exceed 1/4 of the ultimate...

  16. 49 CFR 230.24 - Maximum allowable stress.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Maximum allowable stress. 230.24 Section 230.24... Allowable Stress § 230.24 Maximum allowable stress. (a) Maximum allowable stress value. The maximum allowable stress value on any component of a steam locomotive boiler shall not exceed 1/4 of the ultimate...

  17. Marketing Power Tools for Building Better Connections.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goldman, Karen Denard

    This paper proposes use of marketing methods to improve college health services and enhance their perceived value. Ten key marketing principles are defined: (1) value of the service as seen by the target population; (2) exchange clients perceive benefits received as exceeding perceived costs; (3) competition offering a better product than the…

  18. 7 CFR 3550.63 - Maximum loan amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... self-help housing will be calculated by adding the total of the market value of the lot (including... amount. Total secured indebtedness must not exceed the area loan limit or market value limitations... appraisal, tax monitoring fee, and the charge to establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance will...

  19. 7 CFR 3550.63 - Maximum loan amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... self-help housing will be calculated by adding the total of the market value of the lot (including... amount. Total secured indebtedness must not exceed the area loan limit or market value limitations... appraisal, tax monitoring fee, and the charge to establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance will...

  20. 7 CFR 3550.63 - Maximum loan amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... self-help housing will be calculated by adding the total of the market value of the lot (including... amount. Total secured indebtedness must not exceed the area loan limit or market value limitations... appraisal, tax monitoring fee, and the charge to establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance will...

  1. 7 CFR 3550.63 - Maximum loan amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... self-help housing will be calculated by adding the total of the market value of the lot (including... amount. Total secured indebtedness must not exceed the area loan limit or market value limitations... appraisal, tax monitoring fee, and the charge to establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance will...

  2. 7 CFR 3550.63 - Maximum loan amount.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... self-help housing will be calculated by adding the total of the market value of the lot (including... amount. Total secured indebtedness must not exceed the area loan limit or market value limitations... appraisal, tax monitoring fee, and the charge to establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance will...

  3. 49 CFR 230.24 - Maximum allowable stress.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Maximum allowable stress. 230.24 Section 230.24... Allowable Stress § 230.24 Maximum allowable stress. (a) Maximum allowable stress value. The maximum allowable stress value on any component of a steam locomotive boiler shall not exceed 1/4 of the ultimate...

  4. 14 CFR 399.43 - Treatment of leased aircraft.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... leased aircraft value (determined on a constructive depreciated basis) in relation to net book value of... aircraft, to the extent that such risks are not compensated by the return on investment. Such profit... exceeding depreciation plus return on investment computed as if the aircraft had been purchased by the...

  5. Extreme-event geoelectric hazard maps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Love, J. J.; Bedrosian, P.

    2017-12-01

    Maps covering about half of the continental United States are presented of geoelectric field amplitude that will be exceeded, on average, once per century in response to extreme-intensity geomagnetic disturbance. These maps are constructed using an empirical parameterization of induction: convolving latitude-dependent statistical maps of extreme-value geomagnetic disturbance, obtained from decades of 1-minute magnetic observatory data, with local estimates of Earth-surface impedance, obtained at discrete geographic sites from magnetotelluric surveys. Geoelectric amplitudes are estimated for geomagnetic waveforms having 240-s (and 1200-s) sinusoidal period and amplitudes over 10 minutes (1-hr) that exceed a once-per-century threshold. As a result of the combination of geographic differences in geomagnetic variation and Earth-surface impedance, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes span more than two orders of magnitude and are a highly granular function of location. Specifically: for north-south 240-s induction, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes across large parts of the United States have a median value of 0.34 V/km; for east-west variation, they have a median value of 0.23 V/km. In Northern Minnesota, amplitudes exceed 14.00 V/km for north-south geomagnetic variation (23.34 V/km for east-west variation), while just over 100 km away, amplitudes are only 0.08 V/km (0.02 V/km). At some sites in the Northern Central United States, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes exceed the 2 V/km realized in Quebec during the March 1989 storm. These hazard maps are incomplete over large parts of the United States, including major population centers in the southern United States, due to a lack of publically available impedance data.

  6. Behavior, distribution and variability of surface ozone at an arid region in the south of Iberian Peninsula (Seville, Spain).

    PubMed

    Adame, José A; Lozano, Antonio; Bolívar, Juan P; De la Morena, Benito A; Contreras, Juan; Godoy, Francisca

    2008-01-01

    In order to improve our knowledge of the surface ozone in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, annual, monthly, weekly and daily ozone concentrations have been closely monitored in the Seville metropolitan area highlighting those episodes that exceed the European Ozone Directive. A three-year period (2003-2005) and eight ozone stations were used; five of them located in the city's busiest areas and the rest in adjacent zones ( approximately 25km). In addition, the wind regime was also studied in order to understand the main characteristics of the surface atmospheric dynamics. The lowest ozone concentrations 17-33microgm(-3) took place in January while the highest 57-95microgm(-3) occurred in June. The ozone concentration week-weekend differences from May to September indicate that this phenomenon does not affect the ozone stations analysed. Daily cycles show minimum values between 7:00 and 8:00 UTC and maximum at noon, exceeding 90microgm(-3) during summer months. From March to October the ozone concentrations were above the target value for the protection of human health, especially during the summer months, with values up to 30% over the limit. The information threshold has been exceeded at all ozone stations studied but with greater frequency in the stations far from the city centre. In addition, at these latter stations the alert threshold was also exceeded on six occasions. This study in the city of Seville indicates that the high ozone levels are due to local atmospheric effects, mainly since the ozone air masses may undergo recirculation processes. The ozone is transported to the city from the S-SW, having a major impact in the NE areas.

  7. An Investigation of Landing-Contact Conditions for a Large Turbojet Transport During Routine Daylight Operations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stickle, Joseph W.; Silsby, Norman S.

    1960-01-01

    An investigation has been made by the NASA to obtain statistical measurements of landing-contact conditions for a large turbojet transport in commercial airline operations. The investigation was conducted at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. Measurements were taken photographically during routine daylight operations. The quantities determined were vertical velocity, horizontal velocity, rolling velocity, bank angle, and distance from runway threshold, just prior to ground contact. The results indicated that the mean vertical velocity for the turbojet-transport landings was 1.62 feet per second and that 1 landing out of 100 would be expected to equal or exceed about 4.0 feet per second. The mean airspeed at contact was 132.0 knots, with 1 landing in 100 likely to equal or exceed about 153.0 knots. The mean rolling velocity was about 1.6 deg per second. One lending in 100 would probably equal or exceed a rolling velocity of about 4.0 deg. per second in the direction of the first wheel to touch. The mean bank angle for the turbojet transports was 1.04 deg, and right and left angles of bank were about evenly divided. One lending in 100 would be likely to equal or exceed a bank angle of about 3.5 deg. The mean value of distance to touchdown from the runway threshold was 1,560 feet. One lending in 100 would be expected to touchdown at or beyond about 2,700 feet from the runway threshold. The mean values for vertical velocity, airspeed, and distance t o touch-down for the turbojet transports were somewhat higher than those found previously for piston-engine transports. No significant differences were found for values of rolling velocity and bank angle.

  8. Effect of exercise intensity on albuminuria in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Kornhauser, C; Malacara, J-M; Macías-Cervantes, M-H; Rivera-Cisneros, A-E

    2012-01-01

    Exercise may be useful to detect patients with diabetes prone to develop persistent microalbuminuria. We studied the relationship between exercise intensity, measured as maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max), and microalbuminuria in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. We studied 10 patients, age range 10-18 years, with Type 1 diabetes who were normotensive and normoalbuminuric, with less than 10 years since diagnosis. Patients had normal renal function, without infections or clinical evidence of complications. Metabolic control was intensively adjusted in all patients. They underwent three consecutive physical exercise tests, reaching 100, 80 and 60% of the maximal cardiac frequency response. Eight patients had adequate to regular metabolic control. All patients had lower than predicted VO(2)max values. At 60%, only three patients showed microalbuminuria in excess of 20 μg/min, two of them had inadequate metabolic control. Post-exercise microalbuminuria exceeded normal values in nine, seven and three patients when submitted to 100, 80 and 60% of exercise intensity, respectively. Microalbuminuria increased with exercise intensity. Sex, body composition and VO(2)max were the main factors associated with microalbuminuria. The prognostic significance of albuminuria induced by intense exercise in these subjects with Type 1 diabetes is not yet known. © 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2011 Diabetes UK.

  9. 21 CFR 106.100 - Records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... CONSUMPTION INFANT FORMULA QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES Records and Reports § 106.100 Records. (a) Every..., including tests conducted when nutrients exceed their expiration date or shelf life (retest date). (2) All... when nutrient premixes exceed their expiration date or shelf life (retest date). (e) The manufacturer...

  10. Galactic disks, infall, and the global value of Omega

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Toth, G.; Ostriker, J. P.

    1992-01-01

    Stringent limits on the current rate of infall of satellite systems onto spiral galaxies are set on the basis of the thinness and coldness of Galactic disks. For infalling satellites on isotropically oriented circular orbits, it is shown that, due to scattering, the thermal energy gain of the disk exceeds the satellite energy loss from dynamical friction by a factor of 1.6, with 25 percent deposited in z motion and 75 percent in planar motions. It is found that no more than 4 percent of the Galactic mass inside the solar radius can have accreted within the last 5 billion years, or else its scale and its Toomre Q-parameter would exceed observed values. In standard cold-dark-matter-dominated models for the growth of structure with Omega sub tot of 1, the mass accreted in dark matter lumps rises faster than t exp 2/3 and would exceed 28 percent in the last 5 Gyr. It is proposed that heating from satellite infall accounts for a substantial fraction of the increase of velocity dispersion and scale height with age that is observed in the Galaxy.

  11. Indoor Noise Loading in Residential Prefabricated Buildings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kraus, Michal; Juhásová Šenitková, Ingrid

    2017-10-01

    Quality on indoor environment is among others also defined by an acoustic comfort and noise emissions. The indoor noise loading in the residential prefabricated buildings is specific problem related to structural design of these buildings. Problems with noise level of sanitary systems are mostly associated with hydraulic shock such as water distribution and sewage drainage. Another very common cause of excessive noise is also flushing the toilet or water fall on enamelled steel (bath or shower). This paper aims to analyse the acoustic properties in the residential prefabricated buildings. Sanitary core of the assessed apartment is in original condition without any alterations. The sanitary core is based on a formica (high-pressure laminate). The study discusses the maximum sound levels in the three assessed rooms for the three different noise sources. The values of maximum noise level are measured for the corridor, bedroom and living room. Sources of noise are common activities relating to the operation of sanitary core - the toilet flush in the toilet, falling water from the shower in the bathroom and the water falling on the bottom of the kitchen sink in the kitchen. Other sources of noise are eliminated or minimized during the experiment. The digital sound level meter Testo 815 is used for measurements. The measured values of maximum sound level LA,max [dB] are adjusted by the correction coefficient. The obtained values are compared with the hygienic limits for day and night period. Night hygienic limit (30 dB) is exceeded in all the rooms for all noise sources. This limit is exceeded from 17 to 73%. The values in the bedroom and the living room meet the daily hygienic limit (40 dB). The daily limit is exceeded only in the corridor. The highest values of noise are identified for the toilet flushing.

  12. Acceptance test of a commercially available software for automatic image registration of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain images.

    PubMed

    Loi, Gianfranco; Dominietto, Marco; Manfredda, Irene; Mones, Eleonora; Carriero, Alessandro; Inglese, Eugenio; Krengli, Marco; Brambilla, Marco

    2008-09-01

    This note describes a method to characterize the performances of image fusion software (Syntegra) with respect to accuracy and robustness. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies were acquired from two phantoms and 10 patients. Image registration was performed independently by two couples composed of one radiotherapist and one physicist by means of superposition of anatomic landmarks. Each couple performed jointly and saved the registration. The two solutions were averaged to obtain the gold standard registration. A new set of estimators was defined to identify translation and rotation errors in the coordinate axes, independently from point position in image field of view (FOV). Algorithms evaluated were local correlation (LC) for CT-MRI, normalized mutual information (MI) for CT-MRI, and CT-SPECT registrations. To evaluate accuracy, estimator values were compared to limiting values for the algorithms employed, both in phantoms and in patients. To evaluate robustness, different alignments between images taken from a sample patient were produced and registration errors determined. LC algorithm resulted accurate in CT-MRI registrations in phantoms, but exceeded limiting values in 3 of 10 patients. MI algorithm resulted accurate in CT-MRI and CT-SPECT registrations in phantoms; limiting values were exceeded in one case in CT-MRI and never reached in CT-SPECT registrations. Thus, the evaluation of robustness was restricted to the algorithm of MI both for CT-MRI and CT-SPECT registrations. The algorithm of MI proved to be robust: limiting values were not exceeded with translation perturbations up to 2.5 cm, rotation perturbations up to 10 degrees and roto-translational perturbation up to 3 cm and 5 degrees.

  13. Generating circularly polarized radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range at the free-electron laser FLASH

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    von Korff Schmising, Clemens; Weder, David; Noll, Tino; Pfau, Bastian; Hennecke, Martin; Strüber, Christian; Radu, Ilie; Schneider, Michael; Staeck, Steffen; Günther, Christian M.; Lüning, Jan; Merhe, Alaa el dine; Buck, Jens; Hartmann, Gregor; Viefhaus, Jens; Treusch, Rolf; Eisebitt, Stefan

    2017-05-01

    A new device for polarization control at the free electron laser facility FLASH1 at DESY has been commissioned for user operation. The polarizer is based on phase retardation upon reflection off metallic mirrors. Its performance is characterized in three independent measurements and confirms the theoretical predictions of efficient and broadband generation of circularly polarized radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range from 35 eV to 90 eV. The degree of circular polarization reaches up to 90% while maintaining high total transmission values exceeding 30%. The simple design of the device allows straightforward alignment for user operation and rapid switching between left and right circularly polarized radiation.

  14. Magnetic Field Control of Cycloidal Domains and Electric Polarization in Multiferroic BiFeO3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bordács, S.; Farkas, D. G.; White, J. S.; Cubitt, R.; DeBeer-Schmitt, L.; Ito, T.; Kézsmárki, I.

    2018-04-01

    The magnetic field induced rearrangement of the cycloidal spin structure in ferroelectric monodomain single crystals of the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO3 is studied using small-angle neutron scattering. The cycloid propagation vectors are observed to rotate when magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the rhombohedral (polar) axis exceed a pinning threshold value of ˜5 T . In light of these experimental results, a phenomenological model is proposed that captures the rearrangement of the cycloidal domains, and we revisit the microscopic origin of the magnetoelectric effect. A new coupling between the magnetic anisotropy and the polarization is proposed that explains the recently discovered magnetoelectric polarization perpendicular to the rhombohedral axis.

  15. Degradation and annealing effects caused by oxygen in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jiang, R., E-mail: rong.jiang@vanderbilt.edu; Chen, J.; Duan, G. X.

    Hot-carrier degradation and room-temperature annealing effects are investigated in unpassivated ammonia-rich AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors. Devices exhibit a fast recovery when annealed after hot carrier stress with all pins grounded. The recovered peak transconductance can exceed the original value, an effect that is not observed in control passivated samples. Density functional theory calculations suggest that dehydrogenation of pre-existing O{sub N}-H defects in AlGaN plays a significant role in the observed hot carrier degradation, and the resulting bare O{sub N} can naturally account for the “super-recovery” in the peak transconductance.

  16. A survey of topsoil arsenic and mercury concentrations across France.

    PubMed

    Marchant, B P; Saby, N P A; Arrouays, D

    2017-08-01

    Even at low concentrations, the presence of arsenic and mercury in soils can lead to ecological and health impacts. The recent European-wide LUCAS Topsoil Survey found that the arsenic concentration of a large proportion of French soils exceeded a threshold which indicated that further investigation was required. A much smaller proportion of soils exceeded the corresponding threshold for mercury but the impacts of mining and industrial activities on mercury concentrations are not well understood. We use samples from the French national soil monitoring network (RMQS: Réseau de Mesures de la Qualité des Sols) to explore the variation of topsoil arsenic and mercury concentrations across mainland France at a finer spatial resolution than was reported by LUCAS Topsoil. We use geostatistical methods to map the expected concentrations of these elements in the topsoil and the probabilities that the legislative thresholds are exceeded. We find that, with the exception of some areas where the geogenic concentrations and soil adsorption capacities are very low, arsenic concentrations are generally larger than the threshold which indicates that further assessment of the area is required. The lower of two other guideline values indicating risks to ecology or health is exceeded in fewer than 5% of RMQS samples. These exceedances occur in localised hot-spots primarily associated with mining and mineralization. The probabilities of mercury concentrations exceeding the further assessment threshold value are everywhere less than 0.01 and none of the RMQS samples exceed either of the ecological and health risk thresholds. However, there are some regions with elevated concentrations which can be related to volcanic material, natural mineralizations and industrial contamination. These regions are more diffuse than the hot-spots of arsenic reflecting the greater volatility of mercury and therefore the greater ease with which it can be transported and redeposited. The maps provide a baseline against which future phases of the RMQS can be compared and highlight regions where the threat of soil contamination and its impacts should be more closely monitored. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Human dietary intake of organohalogen contaminants at e-waste recycling sites in Eastern China.

    PubMed

    Labunska, Iryna; Abdallah, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa; Eulaers, Igor; Covaci, Adrian; Tao, Fang; Wang, Mengjiao; Santillo, David; Johnston, Paul; Harrad, Stuart

    2015-01-01

    This study reports concentrations and human dietary intake of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as selected "novel" brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organochlorine pesticides, in ten staple food categories. Samples were sourced from areas in Taizhou City, eastern China, where rudimentary recycling and disposal of e-waste is commonplace, as well as from nearby non-e-waste impacted control areas. In most instances, concentrations in foods from e-waste recycling areas exceeded those from control locations. Concentrations of 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TBP) in samples from e-waste sites were 3.09-62.2ng/g and 0.81-16.3ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively; exceeding consistently those in foods acquired from control sites by an order of magnitude in many cases. In contrast, while concentrations of HBCD in some foods from e-waste impacted areas exceed those from control locations; concentrations in pork, shrimp, and duck liver are higher in control samples. This highlights the potential significance of non-e-waste sources of HBCD (e.g. building insulation foam) in our study areas. While concentrations of DDT in all foods examined except pork were higher in e-waste impacted samples than controls; our exposure estimates were well below the provisional tolerable daily intake of 0.01mg/kgbw/day derived by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. Concentrations of ΣPCBs resulted in exposures (650 and 2340ng/kgbw/day for adults and children respectively) that exceed substantially the Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) for ΣPCBs of 20ng/kgbw/day derived by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Moreover, when expressed in terms of dioxin-like toxicity equivalency based on the four dioxin-like PCBs monitored in this study (DL-PCBs) (PCB-105, 118, 156, and 167); concentrations in e-waste impacted foods exceed limits set by the European Union in 6 of the 8 food groups studied and result in dietary exposures for children (10.2pgTEQ/kgbw/day) that exceed the WHO tolerable daily intake of 1-4pgTEQ/kgbw/day. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Urban sprawl and air quality in large US cities.

    PubMed

    Stone, Brian

    2008-03-01

    This study presents the results of a paper of urban spatial structure and exceedances of the 8-h national ambient air quality standard for ozone in 45 large US metropolitan regions. Through the integration of a published index of sprawl with metropolitan level data on annual ozone exceedances, precursor emissions, and regional climate over a 13-year period, the association between the extent of urban decentralization and the average number of ozone exceedances per year, while controlling for precursor emissions and temperature, is measured. The results of this analysis support the hypothesis that large metropolitan regions ranking highly on a quantitative index of sprawl experience a greater number of ozone exceedances than more spatially compact metropolitan regions. Importantly, this relationship was found to hold when controlling for population size, average ozone season temperatures, and regional emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, suggesting that urban spatial structure may have effects on ozone formation that are independent of its effects on precursor emissions from transportation, industry, and power generation facilities.

  19. Crack propagation from a filled flaw in rocks considering the infill influences

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Xu; Deng, Yan; Li, Zhenhua; Wang, Shuren; Tang, C. A.

    2018-05-01

    This study presents a numerical and experimental study of the cracking behaviour of rock specimen containing a single filled flaw under compression. The primary aim is to investigate the influences of infill on crack patterns, load-displacement response and specimen strength. The numerical code RFPA2D (Rock Failure Process Analysis) featured by the capability of modeling heterogeneous materials is employed to develop the numerical model, which is further calibrated by physical tests. The results indicate that there exists a critical infill strength which controls crack patterns for a given flaw inclination angle. For case of infill strength lower than the critical value, the secondary or anti-cracks are disappeared by increasing the infill strength. If the infill strength is greater than the critical value, the filled flaw has little influence on the cracking path and the specimen fails by an inclined crack, as if there is no flaw. The load-displacement responses show specimen stiffness increases by increasing infill strength until the infill strength reaches its critical value. The specimen strength increases by increasing the infill strength and almost keeps constant as the infill strength exceeds its critical value.

  20. [Toxic heavy metals in foodstuffs (author's transl)].

    PubMed

    Käferstein, F K

    1980-09-01

    1. In the Federal Republic of Germany two staple foodstuffs, cereals and milk, are regularly checked by means of monitoring programmes for their content of heavy metals, this check being representative for the whole country. Other foodstuffs are analysed in the laboratories of the Food Control Authorities, but these inspections are carried out rather sporadically and are not yet of a "monitoring" nature. 2. The measured values from a number of laboratories are fed into a central data bank (Datenbank-ZEBS) at the Federal Health Office and are thus available for statistical and hygienic evaluation. 3. At present, information is available on the lead, cadmium and mercury content of foodstuffs which represent roughly 70 to 80 per cent of the food consumed by an average adult. The intake of lead, cadmium and mercury due to the consumption of these foodstuffs has been calculated and extrapolated to the complete food consumption. It was found that the value ascertained are clearly lower than the toxicological threshold values published by FAO/WHO. 4. Nevertheless, the intake needs to be limited, because the average heavy metal content of some foodstuffs has increased, probably because of anthropogenic reasons. This is especially likely to apply to the cadmium content of wheat. To attempt a restriction by regulation, is at present not considered in Germany to be the optimal solution. Instead, the Federal Health Office has published guidance values which contain an appeal to the foodstuff industry and food control authorities to investigate the causes, whenever these guidance values are approached or exceeded, with the objective of avoiding high levels.

  1. Evaluation of atmospheric nitrogen deposition model performance in the context of U.S. critical load assessments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Williams, Jason J.; Chung, Serena H.; Johansen, Anne M.; Lamb, Brian K.; Vaughan, Joseph K.; Beutel, Marc

    2017-02-01

    Air quality models are widely used to estimate pollutant deposition rates and thereby calculate critical loads and critical load exceedances (model deposition > critical load). However, model operational performance is not always quantified specifically to inform these applications. We developed a performance assessment approach designed to inform critical load and exceedance calculations, and applied it to the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. We quantified wet inorganic N deposition performance of several widely-used air quality models, including five different Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) simulations, the Tdep model, and 'PRISM x NTN' model. Modeled wet inorganic N deposition estimates were compared to wet inorganic N deposition measurements at 16 National Trends Network (NTN) monitoring sites, and to annual bulk inorganic N deposition measurements at Mount Rainier National Park. Model bias (model - observed) and error (|model - observed|) were expressed as a percentage of regional critical load values for diatoms and lichens. This novel approach demonstrated that wet inorganic N deposition bias in the Pacific Northwest approached or exceeded 100% of regional diatom and lichen critical load values at several individual monitoring sites, and approached or exceeded 50% of critical loads when averaged regionally. Even models that adjusted deposition estimates based on deposition measurements to reduce bias or that spatially-interpolated measurement data, had bias that approached or exceeded critical loads at some locations. While wet inorganic N deposition model bias is only one source of uncertainty that can affect critical load and exceedance calculations, results demonstrate expressing bias as a percentage of critical loads at a spatial scale consistent with calculations may be a useful exercise for those performing calculations. It may help decide if model performance is adequate for a particular calculation, help assess confidence in calculation results, and highlight cases where a non-deterministic approach may be needed.

  2. Assessment of ground water quality for drinking purpose, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.

    PubMed

    Jain, C K; Bandyopadhyay, A; Bhadra, A

    2010-07-01

    The ground water quality of District Nainital (Uttarakhand, India) has been assessed to see the suitability of ground water for drinking and irrigation applications. This is a two-part series paper and this paper examines the suitability of ground water including spring water for drinking purposes. Forty ground water samples (including 28 spring samples) were collected during pre- and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for various water quality constituents. The hydrochemical and bacteriological data was analyzed with reference to BIS and WHO standards and their hydrochemical facies were determined. The concentration of total dissolved solids exceeds the desirable limit of 500 mg/L in about 10% of the samples, alkalinity values exceed the desirable limit of 200 mg/L in about 30% of the samples, and total hardness values exceed the desirable limit of 300 mg/L in 15% of the samples. However, no sample crosses the maximum permissible limit for TDS, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and fluoride. The concentration of chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and fluoride are well within the desirable limit at all the locations. The bacteriological analysis of the samples does not show any sign of bacterial contamination in hand pump and tube-well water samples. However, in the case of spring water samples, six samples exceed the permissible limit of ten coliforms per 100 ml of sample. It is recommended that water drawn from such sources should be properly disinfected before being used for drinking and other domestic applications. Among the metal ions, the concentration of iron and lead exceeds the permissible limit at one location whereas the concentration of nickel exceeds the permissible limit in 60 and 32.5% of the samples during pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The grouping of samples according to their hydrochemical facies indicates that majority of the samples fall in Ca-Mg-HCO(3) hydrochemical facies.

  3. Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stall-confined horses undergoing feed-deprivation. Methods Nine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period one). In periods two and three, horses (n=6) were treated for an additional 7 days after feed-deprivation. Gastroscopies were performed on day -1 (n=9), day 21 (n=9), day 28 (n=9) and day 35 (n=6). Gastric juice pH was measured and gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gas values were also measured. Results Gastric ulcers in control horses significantly decreased after 21 days, but there was no difference in ulcer scores when compared to the Egusin® treated horses. NG gastric ulcer scores significantly increased in E-250 and control horses on day 28 compared to day 21 as a result of intermittent feed-deprivation, but no treatment effect was observed. NG ulcer scores remained high in the control group but significantly decreased in the E-SLH- and E-250-treated horses by day 35. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable and no treatment effect was observed. Mean blood pCO2 values were significantly increased two hours after feeding in treated horses compared to controls, whereas mean blood TCO2 values increased in the 24 hour sample, but did not exceed 38 mmol/l. Conclusions The feed-deprivation model increased NG gastric ulcer severity in the horses. However, by day 35, Egusin® treated horses had less severe NG gastric ulcers compared to untreated control horses. After 35 days, Egusin® products tested here ameliorate the severity of gastric ulcers in stall-confined horses after feed stress. PMID:25238454

  4. How well can we test probabilistic seismic hazard maps?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vanneste, Kris; Stein, Seth; Camelbeeck, Thierry; Vleminckx, Bart

    2017-04-01

    Recent large earthquakes that gave rise to shaking much stronger than shown in probabilistic seismic hazard (PSH) maps have stimulated discussion about how well these maps forecast future shaking. These discussions have brought home the fact that although the maps are designed to achieve certain goals, we know little about how well they actually perform. As for any other forecast, this question involves verification and validation. Verification involves assessing how well the algorithm used to produce hazard maps implements the conceptual PSH model ("have we built the model right?"). Validation asks how well the model forecasts the shaking that actually occurs ("have we built the right model?"). We explore the verification issue by simulating shaking histories for an area with assumed uniform distribution of earthquakes, Gutenberg-Richter magnitude-frequency relation, Poisson temporal occurrence model, and ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE). We compare the maximum simulated shaking at many sites over time with that predicted by a hazard map generated for the same set of parameters. The Poisson model predicts that the fraction of sites at which shaking will exceed that of the hazard map is p = 1 - exp(-t/T), where t is the duration of observations and T is the map's return period. Exceedance is typically associated with infrequent large earthquakes, as observed in real cases. The ensemble of simulated earthquake histories yields distributions of fractional exceedance with mean equal to the predicted value. Hence, the PSH algorithm appears to be internally consistent and can be regarded as verified for this set of simulations. However, simulated fractional exceedances show a large scatter about the mean value that decreases with increasing t/T, increasing observation time and increasing Gutenberg-Richter a-value (combining intrinsic activity rate and surface area), but is independent of GMPE uncertainty. This scatter is due to the variability of earthquake recurrence, and so decreases as the largest earthquakes occur in more simulations. Our results are important for evaluating the performance of a hazard map based on misfits in fractional exceedance, and for assessing whether such misfit arises by chance or reflects a bias in the map. More specifically, we determined for a broad range of Gutenberg-Richter a-values theoretical confidence intervals on allowed misfits in fractional exceedance and on the percentage of hazard-map bias that can thus be detected by comparison with observed shaking histories. Given that in the real world we only have one shaking history for an area, these results indicate that even if a hazard map does not fit the observations, it is very difficult to assess its veracity, especially for low-to-moderate-seismicity regions. Because our model is a simplified version of reality, any additional uncertainty or complexity will tend to widen these confidence intervals.

  5. Water quality of streams in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1970-2001

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Tornes, Lan H.

    2005-01-01

    Data for the Red River of the North (Red River) Basin in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota were analyzed to determine whether the water quality of streams in the basin is adequate to meet future needs. For the Red River at Emerson, Manitoba, site, pH values, water temperatures, and dissolved-oxygen concentrations generally were within the criteria established for the protection of aquatic life. Dissolved-solids concentrations ranged from 245 to 1,100 milligrams per liter. Maximum sulfate and chloride concentrations were near, but did not exceed, the established secondary maximum contaminant level. The trace elements considered potentially harmful generally were at concentrations that were less than the established guidelines, standards, and criteria. The concentrations of lead that were detected may have occurred as a result of sample contamination.  For the Red River upstream from Emerson, Manitoba, sites, pH and other field values rarely exceeded the criteria established for the protection of aquatic life. Many constituent concentrations for the Red River below Fargo, N. site exceeded water-quality guidelines, standards, and criteria. However, the trace-element exceedances could be natural or could be related to pollution or sample contamination. Many of the tributaries in the western part of the Red River Basin had median specific-conductance values that were greater than 1,000 microsiemens per centimeter. Sulfate concentrations occasionally exceeded the established drinking-water standard. Median arsenic concentrations were 6 micrograms per liter or less, and maximum concentrations rarely exceeded the 10-microgram-per-liter drinking-water standard that is scheduled to take effect in 2006. The small concentrations of lead, mercury, and selenium that occasionally were detected may have been a result of sample contamination or other factors. The tributaries in the eastern part of the Red River Basin had median specific-conductance values that were less than 1,000 microsiemens per centimeter.  Concentrations of pesticides that were detected and that had regulatory limits were less than the cited water-quality guidelines, standards, and criteria. Concentrations of compounds that were detected generally were less than the sediment- quality standards and criteria. The data considered in this report generally provide a good baseline from which to evaluate changes in water-quality conditions. However, because many of the trace elements detected, including lead and mercury, may have been the result of sample contamination, additional data are needed to confirm that trace-element concentrations generally are low. Concentrations of major ions, including sulfate, and specific conductance may continue to approach drinking-water standards during periods of low flow because the streams, particularly those in the western part of the basin, are sustained mostly by ground-water discharge that generally has large dissolved-solids concentrations.

  6. 14 CFR 35.24 - Strength.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS Design and Construction § 35.24 Strength. The maximum stresses developed in the propeller may not exceed values acceptable to the Administrator considering the particular form of...

  7. Comparative kinetic and energetic modelling of phyllosemiquinone oxidation in Photosystem I.

    PubMed

    Santabarbara, Stefano; Zucchelli, Giuseppe

    2016-04-14

    The oxidation kinetics of phyllo(semi)quinone (PhQ), which acts as an electron transfer (ET) intermediate in the Photosystem I reaction centre, are described by a minimum of two exponential phases, characterised by lifetimes in the 10-30 ns and 150-300 ns ranges. The fastest phase is considered to be dominated by the oxidation of the PhQ molecule coordinated by the PsaB reaction centre subunit (PhQB), and the slowest phase is dominated by the oxidation of the PsaA coordinated PhQ (PhQA). Testing different energetic schemes within a unified theory-based kinetic modelling approach provides reliable limit-values for some of the physical-chemical parameters controlling these ET reactions: (i) the value of ΔG(0) associated with PhQA oxidation is smaller than ∼+30 meV; (ii) the value of the total reorganisation energy (λt) likely exceeds 0.7 eV; (iii) different mean nuclear modes are coupled to PhQB and PhQA oxidation, the former being larger, and both being ≥100 cm(-1).

  8. The noise environment of a school classroom due to the operation of utility helicopters. [acoustic measurements of helicopter noise during flight over building

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hilton, D. A.; Pegg, R. J.

    1974-01-01

    Noise measurements under controlled conditions have been made inside and outside of a school building during flyover operations of four different helicopters. The helicopters were operated at a condition considered typical for a police patrol mission. Flyovers were made at an altitude of 500 ft and an airspeed of 45 miles per hour. During these operations acoustic measurements were made inside and outside of the school building with the windows closed and then open. The outside noise measurements during helicopter flyovers indicate that the outside db(A) levels were approximately the same for all test helicopters. For the windows closed case, significant reductions for the inside measured db(A) values were noted for all overflights. These reductions were approximately 20 db(A); similar reductions were noted in other subjective measuring units. The measured internal db(A) levels with the windows open exceeded published classroom noise criteria values; however, for the windows-closed case they are in general agreement with the criteria values.

  9. Airborne endotoxin in woodworking (joinery) shops.

    PubMed

    Harper, Martin; Andrew, Michael E

    2006-01-01

    Symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough have been noted in woodworking facilities even where wood dust itself is well-controlled. Suspicion has fallen on other possible contaminants in the workplace atmosphere, including bacterial endotoxin. A few studies have indicated potentially high endotoxin exposure with exposure to fresh wood in sawmills and in the production of fiberboard and chipboard, but fewer studies have been carried out on exposure to endotoxin in dry wood work, for example in joineries. A study of the endotoxin content of airborne wood dust samples from US woodworking facilities is presented, from the re-analysis of samples which previously had been taken to establish mass collection relationships between the IOM sampler, the closed-face 37 mm plastic cassette (CFC) sampler and the Button sampler. Endotoxin was strongly correlated with total dust, but the endotoxin content of a few fresh wood samples was found to be up to ten times higher per unit of wood dust than for dried-wood samples, and this difference was significant. No long-term time-weighted average sample exceeded the recommended limit value of 50 EU m(-3) (EU, endotoxin units)used in the Netherlands, although a number of the IOM samples came close (seven samples or 44% exceeded 20 EU m(-3)) and one short-term (48 minute) sample registered a high value of 73 EU m(-3). The geometric mean concentration from the IOM samples (11 EU m(-3)) is within the range of geometric means found from Australian joineries (3.7-60, combined: 24 EU m(-3)). In contrast, the corresponding values from the CFC (3.6 EU m(-3)), and the Button sampler (2.1 EU m(-3)) were much lower and no samples exceeded 20 EU m(-3). Endotoxin is likely only to be a significant problem in working with dried woods when associated with very high dust levels, where the wood dust itself is likely to be a cause for concern. The results from the few samples in this study where fresh wood was being worked were similar to results from other studies involving fresh woods. The agreement between these studies is encouraging given the difficulties of endotoxin analysis and the wide variation often expected between different laboratories.

  10. Study of inflammatory responses to crocidolite and basalt wool in the rat lung.

    PubMed

    Adamis, Z; Kerényi, T; Honma, K; Jäckel, M; Tátrai, E; Ungváry, G

    2001-03-09

    The subacute effects of crocidolite and basalt wool dusts were studied by nmeans of biochemical, morphological. and histological methods 1 and .3 mo after intrabronchial instillation. The cell count, protein and phospholipid contents, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Both types of fibers induced a prolonged inflammatory reaction in the lung. All the parameters studied in the experimental groups were more markedly elevated after 3 mo. Relative to the control, the protein and LDH values were increased three- to fivefold, the phospholipid content twofold, and the number of free cells in the BAL exceeded the control level up to ninefold. The inflammatory responses to crocidolite and basalt wool in the lung did not differ significantly. In spite of this, basalt wool is recoinmended as an asbestos substitute, as the use of this man-nade fiber may result in a significantly lower release of dust than that from crocidolite.

  11. New type of drift tubes for gas-discharge detectors operating in vacuum: Production technology and quality control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azorskii, N. I.; Gusakov, Yu. V.; Elsha, V. V.; Enik, T. L.; Ershov, Yu. V.; Kekelidze, V. D.; Kislov, E. M.; Kolesnikov, A. O.; Madigozhin, D. T.; Movchan, S. A.; Polenkevich, I. A.; Potrebenikov, Yu. K.; Samsonov, V. A.; Shkarovskiy, S. N.; Sotnikov, A. N.; Volkov, A. D.; Zinchenko, A. I.

    2017-01-01

    A device for fabricating thin-wall (straw) drift tubes using polyethylene terephthalate film 36 μm thick by ultrasonic welding is described together with the technique for controlling their quality. The joint width amounts to 0.4-1.0 mm. The joint breaking strength is 31.9 kg/mm2. The argon leakage from a tube of volume 188.6 cm3 under a pressure gradient of 1.0 atm does not exceed 0.3 × 10-3 cm3/min, which is mainly related to the absence of metallization in the joint vicinity. The high strength, the low tensile creep due to the absence of glued layers, the small value of gas leakage makes the new tubes capable of reliable and long-term operation in vacuum, which is confirmed by the operation of 7168 straw tubes for two years in the NA62 experiment.

  12. Single-photon routing with whispering-gallery resonators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Jin-Song; Zhang, Jia-Hao; Wei, L. F.

    2018-04-01

    Quantum routing of single photons in a system with two waveguides coupled to two whispering-gallery resonators (WGRs) are investigated theoretically. Using a real-space full quantum theory, photonic scattering amplitudes along four ports of the waveguide network are analytically obtained. It is shown that, by adjusting the geometric and physical parameters of the two-WGR configuration, the quantum routing properties of single photons along the present waveguide network can be controlled effectively. The routing capability from input waveguide to another one can significantly exceed 0.5 near the resonance point of scattering spectra, which can be achieved with only one resonator. By properly designing the distance between two WGRs and the waveguide-WGR coupling strengths, the transfer rate between the waveguides can also reach certain sufficiently high values even in the non-resonance regime. Moreover, Fano-like resonances in the scattering spectra are designable. The proposed system may provide a potential application in controlling single-photon quantum routing.

  13. 49 CFR 192.631 - Control room management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... at intervals not to exceed 15 months; and (5) Establish and implement procedures for when a different..., but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan; (5) Monitor the...) (regarding fatigue), (i) (regarding compliance validation), and (j) (regarding compliance and deviations) of...

  14. 49 CFR 192.631 - Control room management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... at intervals not to exceed 15 months; and (5) Establish and implement procedures for when a different..., but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan; (5) Monitor the...) (regarding fatigue), (i) (regarding compliance validation), and (j) (regarding compliance and deviations) of...

  15. 49 CFR 192.631 - Control room management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... at intervals not to exceed 15 months; and (5) Establish and implement procedures for when a different..., but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan; (5) Monitor the...) (regarding fatigue), (i) (regarding compliance validation), and (j) (regarding compliance and deviations) of...

  16. 49 CFR 192.631 - Control room management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... at intervals not to exceed 15 months; and (5) Establish and implement procedures for when a different..., but at intervals not exceeding 15 months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan; (5) Monitor the...) (regarding fatigue), (i) (regarding compliance validation), and (j) (regarding compliance and deviations) of...

  17. [Comparison of waste anesthetic gases in operating rooms with or without an scavenging system in a Brazilian University Hospital].

    PubMed

    Braz, Leandro Gobbo; Braz, José Reinaldo Cerqueira; Cavalcante, Guilherme Aparecido Silva; Souza, Kátina Meneghetti; Lucio, Lorena Mendes de Carvalho; Braz, Mariana Gobbo

    Occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases in operating room (OR) without active scavenging system has been associated with adverse health effects. Thus, this study aimed to compare the trace concentrations of the inhaled anesthetics isoflurane and sevoflurane in OR with and without central scavenging system. Waste concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane were measured by infrared analyzer at different locations (near the respiratory area of the assistant nurse and anesthesiologist and near the anesthesia station) and at two times (30 and 120minutes after the start of surgery) in both OR types. All isoflurane and sevoflurane concentrations in unscavenged OR were higher than the US recommended limit (2 parts per million), regardless of the location and time evaluated. In scavenged OR, the average concentrations of isoflurane were within the limit of exposure, except for the measurements near the anesthesia station, regardless of the measurement times. For sevoflurane, concentrations exceeded the limit value at all measurement locations and at both times. The exposure to both anesthetics exceeded the international limit in unscavenged OR. In scavenged OR, the concentrations of sevoflurane, and to a lesser extent those of isoflurane, exceeded the recommended limit value. Thus, the OR scavenging system analyzed in the present study decreased the anesthetic concentrations, although not to the internationally recommended values. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

  18. 26 CFR 25.2512-8 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... the value of the property transferred by the donor exceeds the value in money or money's worth of the... course of business (a transaction which is bona fide, at arm's length, and free from any donative intent), will be considered as made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. A...

  19. 26 CFR 25.2512-8 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... the value of the property transferred by the donor exceeds the value in money or money's worth of the... course of business (a transaction which is bona fide, at arm's length, and free from any donative intent), will be considered as made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. A...

  20. 26 CFR 25.2512-8 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... the value of the property transferred by the donor exceeds the value in money or money's worth of the... course of business (a transaction which is bona fide, at arm's length, and free from any donative intent), will be considered as made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. A...

  1. 26 CFR 25.2512-8 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... the value of the property transferred by the donor exceeds the value in money or money's worth of the... course of business (a transaction which is bona fide, at arm's length, and free from any donative intent), will be considered as made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. A...

  2. 26 CFR 25.2512-8 - Transfers for insufficient consideration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... the value of the property transferred by the donor exceeds the value in money or money's worth of the... course of business (a transaction which is bona fide, at arm's length, and free from any donative intent), will be considered as made for an adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth. A...

  3. 26 CFR 20.6018-1 - Returns.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... amounts includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 2107(b) are to be added to the value on... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES ESTATE TAX... resident of the United States whose gross estate exceeded $60,000 in value on the date of his death. The...

  4. 26 CFR 20.6018-1 - Returns.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... amounts includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 2107(b) are to be added to the value on... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES ESTATE TAX... resident of the United States whose gross estate exceeded $60,000 in value on the date of his death. The...

  5. 26 CFR 20.6018-1 - Returns.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... amounts includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 2107(b) are to be added to the value on... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES ESTATE TAX... resident of the United States whose gross estate exceeded $60,000 in value on the date of his death. The...

  6. 26 CFR 20.6018-1 - Returns.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... amounts includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 2107(b) are to be added to the value on... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES ESTATE TAX... resident of the United States whose gross estate exceeded $60,000 in value on the date of his death. The...

  7. 26 CFR 20.6018-1 - Returns.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... amounts includible in the decedent's gross estate under section 2107(b) are to be added to the value on... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES ESTATE TAX... resident of the United States whose gross estate exceeded $60,000 in value on the date of his death. The...

  8. Postsecondary Education Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual (FICM): 2006 Edition. NCES 2006-160

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cyros, Kreon L.; Korb, Roslyn

    2006-01-01

    Along with its human resources, financial assets, and intellectual cache, space is a primary resource of an educational institution. Indeed, the dollar value (initial cost, replacement cost, or market value) of a postsecondary education institution's buildings sometimes exceeds its annual operating budget and endowment. Without information on how…

  9. 12 CFR 308.505 - Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... submitted simultaneously, regardless of the amount of money, or the value of property or services, demanded... this section) the reviewing official determines that the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested does not exceed $150,000. (b) For the purposes of this section, a group of...

  10. 29 CFR 22.6 - Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... amount of money, or the value of property or services, demanded or requested. ... same time such claim is submitted (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section), the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested in violation of § 22.3(a) does not exceed $150...

  11. 14 CFR 1264.105 - Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested. ... same time such claim is submitted (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section), the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested in violation of § 1264.102(a) does not exceed...

  12. 9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

  13. 9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

  14. 9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

  15. 9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

  16. 9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

  17. 40 CFR 86.1323-84 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... calibrated, if the deviation from a least-squares best-fit straight line is within ±2 percent of the value at... exceeds these limits, then the best-fit non-linear equation which represents the data within these limits shall be used to determine concentration values. (c) The initial and periodic interference, system check...

  18. 40 CFR 86.1323-84 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer calibration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... calibrated, if the deviation from a least-squares best-fit straight line is within ±2 percent of the value at... exceeds these limits, then the best-fit non-linear equation which represents the data within these limits shall be used to determine concentration values. (c) The initial and periodic interference, system check...

  19. 26 CFR 25.2701-5 - Adjustments to mitigate double taxation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... time of the initial transfer (or the remaining portion thereof). (b) Amount of reduction. Except as...) duplicated in the transfer tax base at the time of the transfer of the section 2701 interest (the duplicated... tax value of the section 2701 interest at the time of the subsequent transfer exceeds the value of...

  20. 26 CFR 25.2701-5 - Adjustments to mitigate double taxation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... time of the initial transfer (or the remaining portion thereof). (b) Amount of reduction. Except as...) duplicated in the transfer tax base at the time of the transfer of the section 2701 interest (the duplicated... tax value of the section 2701 interest at the time of the subsequent transfer exceeds the value of...

  1. Ambient quality of ground water in the vicinity of Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Kitsap County, Washington, 1995

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Greene, Karen E.

    1997-01-01

    A study of the ambient ground-water quality in the vicinity of Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Bangor was conducted to provide the U.S. Navywith background levels of selected constituents.The Navy needs this information to plan and manage cleanup activities on the base. DuringMarch and April 1995, 136 water-supply wells were sampled for common ions, trace elements, and organic compounds; not all wells were sampled for all constituents. Man-made organic compounds were detected in only two of fifty wells, and the sources of these organic compounds were attributed to activities in the immediate vicinities of these off- base wells. Drinking water standards for trichloroethylene, iron, and manganese were exceeded in one of these wells, which was probablycontaminated by an old local (off-base) dump. Ground water from wells open to the following hydrogeologic units (in order from shallow to deep) was investigated: the Vashon till confining unit (Qvt, three wells); the Vashon aquifer (Qva, 54 wells); the Upper confining unit (QC1, 16 wells); the Permeable interbeds within QC1 (QC1pi, 34 wells); and the Sea-level aquifer (QA1, 29 wells).The 50th and 90th percentile ambient background levels of 35 inorganic constituents were determined for each hydrogeologic unit. At least tenmeasurements were required for a constituent in each hydro- geologic unit for determination of ambient background levels, and data for three wellsdetermined to be affected by localized activities were excluded from these analyses. The only drinking water standards exceeded by ambient background levels were secondary maximum contaminant levels for iron (300 micrograms per liter), in QC1 and QC1pi, and manganese (50 micrograms per liter), in all of the units. The 90th percentile values for arsenic in QC1pi, QA1, and for the entire study area are above 5 micrograms per liter, the Model Toxics Control Act Method A value for protecting drinking water, but well below the maximum contaminant level of 50 micrograms per liter for arsenic. The manganese standard was exceeded in 38 wells and the standard for iron was exceeded in 12 wells.Most of these wells were in QC1 or QC1pi and had dissolved oxygen concentrations of less than 1 milligram per liter and dissolved organic carbon concentrations greater than 1\\x11milligram per liter.The dissolved oxygen concentration is generally lower in the deeper units, while pH increases; the recommended pH range of 6.5-8.5 standard units was exceeded in 9 wells. The common-ion chemistry was similar for all of the units.

  2. Geoelectric hazard maps for the continental United States

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Love, Jeffrey J.; Pulkkinen, Antti; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Jonas, Seth; Kelbert, Anna; Rigler, E. Joshua; Finn, Carol A.; Balch, Christopher C.; Rutledge, Robert; Waggel, Richard M.; Sabata, Andrew T.; Kozyra, Janet U.; Black, Carrie E.

    2016-09-01

    In support of a multiagency project for assessing induction hazards, we present maps of extreme-value geoelectric amplitudes over about half of the continental United States. These maps are constructed using a parameterization of induction: estimates of Earth surface impedance, obtained at discrete geographic sites from magnetotelluric survey data, are convolved with latitude-dependent statistical maps of extreme-value geomagnetic activity, obtained from decades of magnetic observatory data. Geoelectric amplitudes are estimated for geomagnetic waveforms having 240 s sinusoidal period and amplitudes over 10 min that exceed a once-per-century threshold. As a result of the combination of geographic differences in geomagnetic activity and Earth surface impedance, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes span more than 2 orders of magnitude and are an intricate function of location. For north-south induction, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes across large parts of the United States have a median value of 0.26 V/km; for east-west geomagnetic variation the median value is 0.23 V/km. At some locations, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes exceed 3 V/km.

  3. Geoelectric hazard maps for the continental United States

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Love, Jeffrey J.; Pulkkinen, Antti; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Jonas, Seth; Kelbert, Anna; Rigler, Erin (Josh); Finn, Carol; Balch, Christopher; Rutledge, Robert; Waggel, Richard; Sabata, Andrew; Kozyra, Janet; Black, Carrie

    2016-01-01

    In support of a multiagency project for assessing induction hazards, we present maps of extreme-value geoelectric amplitudes over about half of the continental United States. These maps are constructed using a parameterization of induction: estimates of Earth surface impedance, obtained at discrete geographic sites from magnetotelluric survey data, are convolved with latitude-dependent statistical maps of extreme-value geomagnetic activity, obtained from decades of magnetic observatory data. Geoelectric amplitudes are estimated for geomagnetic waveforms having 240 s sinusoidal period and amplitudes over 10 min that exceed a once-per-century threshold. As a result of the combination of geographic differences in geomagnetic activity and Earth surface impedance, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes span more than 2 orders of magnitude and are an intricate function of location. For north-south induction, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes across large parts of the United States have a median value of 0.26 V/km; for east-west geomagnetic variation the median value is 0.23 V/km. At some locations, once-per-century geoelectric amplitudes exceed 3 V/km.

  4. Solar UV radiation exposure of seamen - Measurements, calibration and model calculations of erythemal irradiance along ship routes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Feister, Uwe; Meyer, Gabriele; Kirst, Ulrich

    2013-05-10

    Seamen working on vessels that go along tropical and subtropical routes are at risk to receive high doses of solar erythemal radiation. Due to small solar zenith angles and low ozone values, UV index and erythemal dose are much higher than at mid-and high latitudes. UV index values at tropical and subtropical Oceans can exceed UVI = 20, which is more than double of typical mid-latitude UV index values. Daily erythemal dose can exceed the 30-fold of typical midlatitude winter values. Measurements of erythemal exposure of different body parts on seamen have been performed along 4 routes of merchant vessels.more » The data base has been extended by two years of continuous solar irradiance measurements taken on the mast top of RV METEOR. Radiative transfer model calculations for clear sky along the ship routes have been performed that use satellite-based input for ozone and aerosols to provide maximum erythemal irradiance and dose. The whole data base is intended to be used to derive individual erythemal exposure of seamen during work-time.« less

  5. On the measurement of the crack tip stress field as a means of determining Delta K(sub eff) under conditions of fatigue crack closure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wallhead, Ian R.; Edwards, Lyndon; Poole, Peter

    1994-01-01

    The optical method of caustics has been successfully extended to enable stress intensity factors as low as 1MPa square root of m to be determined accurately for central fatigue cracks in 2024-T3 aluminium alloy test panels. The feasibility of using this technique to study crack closure, and to determine the effective stress intensity factor range, Delta K(sub eff), has been investigated. Comparisons have been made between the measured values of stress intensity factor, K(sub caus), and corresponding theoretical values, K(sub theo), for a range of fatigue cracks grown under different loading conditions. The values of K(sub caus) and K(sub theo) were in good agreement at maximum stress, where the cracks are fully open, while K(sub caus) exceeded K(sub theo) at minimum stress, due to crack closure. However, the levels of crack closure and values of Delta K(sub eff) obtained could not account for the variations of crack growth rate with loading conditions. It is concluded that the values of Delta K(sub eff), based on caustic measurements in a 1/square root of r stress field well outside the plastic zone, do not fully reflect local conditions which control crack tip behavior.

  6. The flexural properties of endodontic post materials.

    PubMed

    Stewardson, Dominic A; Shortall, Adrian C; Marquis, Peter M; Lumley, Philip J

    2010-08-01

    To measure the flexural strengths and moduli of endodontic post materials and to assess the effect on the calculated flexural properties of varying the diameter/length (D/L) ratio of three-point bend test samples. Three-point bend testing of samples of 2mm diameter metal and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) rods was carried out and the mechanical properties calculated at support widths of 16 mm, 32 mm and 64 mm. Weibull analysis was performed on the strength data. The flexural strengths of all the FRC post materials exceeded the yield strengths of the gold and stainless steel samples; the flexural strengths of two FRC materials were comparable with the yield strength of titanium. Stainless steel recorded the highest flexural modulus while the titanium and the two carbon fiber materials exhibited similar values just exceeding that of gold. The remaining glass fiber materials were of lower modulus within the range of 41-57 GPa. Weibull modulus values for the FRC materials ranged from 16.77 to 30.09. Decreasing the L/D ratio produced a marked decrease in flexural modulus for all materials. The flexural strengths of FRC endodontic post materials as new generally exceed the yield strengths of metals from which endodontic posts are made. The high Weibull modulus values suggest good clinical reliability of FRC posts. The flexural modulus values of the tested posts were from 2-6 times (FRC) to 4-10 times (metal) that of dentin. Valid measurement of flexural properties of endodontic post materials requires that test samples have appropriate L/D ratios. Copyright 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Ground-water monitoring plan, water quality, and variability of agricultural chemicals in the Missouri River alluvial aquifer near the City of Independence, Missouri, well field, 1998-2000

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kelly, Brian P.

    2002-01-01

    A detailed ground-water sampling plan was developed and executed for 64 monitoring wells in the city of Independence well field to characterize ground-water quality in the 10-year zone of contribution. Samples were collected from monitoring wells, combined Independence well field pumpage, and the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri, from 1998 through 2000. In 328 ground-water samples from the 64 monitoring wells and combined well field pumpage samples, specific conductance values ranged from 511 to 1,690 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, pH values ranged from 6.4 to 7.7, water temperature ranged from 11.3 to 23.6 degrees Celsius, and dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 0 to 3.3 milligrams per liter. In 12 samples from the combined well field pumpage samples, specific conductance values ranged from 558 to 856 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, pH values ranged from 6.9 to 7.7, water temperature ranged from 5.8 to 22.9 degrees Celsius, and dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 0 to 2.4 milligrams per liter. In 45 Missouri River samples, specific conductance values ranged from 531 to 830 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, pH ranged from 7.2 to 8.7, water temperature ranged from 0 to 30 degrees Celsius, and dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 5.0 to 17.6 milligrams per liter. The secondary maximum contaminant level for sulfate in drinking water was exceeded once in samples from two monitoring wells, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for antimony was exceeded once in a sample from one monitoring well, and the MCL for barium was exceeded once in a sample from one monitoring well. The MCL for iron was exceeded in samples from all monitoring wells except two. The MCL for manganese was exceeded in all samples from monitoring wells and combined well field pumpage. Enzyme linked immunoassay methods indicate total benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) was detected in samples from five wells. The highest total BTEX concentration was less than the MCL of toluene, ethyl benzene, or xylene but greater than the MCL for benzene. Total BTEX was not detected in samples from any well more than once. Atrazine was detected in samples from nine wells, and exceeded the MCL once in a sample from one well. Alachlor was detected in samples from 22 wells but the MCL was never exceeded in any sample. Samples from five wells analyzed for a large number of organic compounds indicate concentrations of volatile organic compounds did not exceed the MCL for drinking water. No semi-volatile organic compounds were detected; dieldrin was detected in one well sample, and no other pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls, or polychlorinated napthalenes were detected. Dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved orthophosphorus, alachlor, and atrazine analyses were used to determine the spatial and temporal variability of agricultural chemicals in ground water. Detection frequencies for dissolved ammonia increased with well depth, decreased with depth for dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and remained relatively constant with depth for dissolved orthophosphorus. Maximum concentrations of dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and dissolved orthophosphorus were largest in the shallowest wells and decreased with depth, which may indicate the land surface as the source. However, median concentrations increased with depth for dissolved ammonia, were less than the detection limit for dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and decreased with depth for dissolved orthophosphorus. This pattern does not indicate a well-defined single source for these constituents. Dissolved orthophosphorus median concentrations were similar, but decreased slightly with depth, and may indicate the land surface as the source. Seasonal variability of dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, a

  8. Two Degrees of Separation: Abrupt Climate Change and the Adverse Impact to US National Security

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-04-01

    concentrations of CO2 , CH4 and N2O have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values...determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of years. The atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and CH4 in 2005 exceed by far the natural range over the...last 650,000 years. Global increases in CO2 concentrations are due primarily to fossil fuel use, with land-use change providing another significant

  9. Oil Characteristics of Four Palestinian Olive Varieties.

    PubMed

    Lodolini, Enrico Maria; Polverigiani, Serena; Ali, Saed; Mutawea, Mohammed; Qutub, Mayyada; Arabasi, Taysir; Pierini, Fabio; Abed, Mohammed; Neri, Davide

    2017-05-01

    Olive oil represents an important source of income for Palestinian farmers in local, national and international markets. Sometimes, olive oil produced in local climatic conditions, does not achieve the International Olive Council (IOC) trade standards so that international markets are precluded. The oil chemical composition and sensory profile of four Palestinian olive varieties (Nabali Baladi, Nabali Mohassan, Souri and K18) were characterized in 2010 throughout an in situ evaluation. Most of the physicchemical characteristics and the fatty acid composition of the varieties met the International Olive Council trade standards (IOC-TS) for extra virgin olive oils. Values of K 270 for Nabali Baladi and linolenic acid for Souri slightly exceeded the limit. Eicosanoic acid exceeded the IOC-TS limits in the oils of all considered varieties. Among the sterols, the Δ-7-stigmastenol resulted too high for Nabali Baladi and Souri. Sensory profile for the tested varieties showed a reminiscence of tomato or artichoke and light to medium bitter and pungent sensations. Results represent an important baseline reference for further studies about oil composition and quality of the main Palestinian olive germplasm and provide indication of potential critical points to be controlled in order to ensure the full achievement of IOC-TS and access international markets.

  10. Patulin in apple-based foods: occurrence and safety evaluation.

    PubMed

    Beretta, B; Gaiaschi, A; Galli, C L; Restani, P

    2000-05-01

    Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by certain species of Penicillium and Aspergillus, often detectable in mouldy fruits and their derivatives. On the basis of a PMTDI of 0.4 microgram/kg bw, limit values of 50 micrograms/kg or 50 micrograms/l of patulin have been set in fruit derivatives. To estimate the quantity of patulin that can be taken in with the diet, we analysed by HPLC samples of apples and apple derivatives which are most likely to be contaminated with patulin. In apple juices and in homogenized baby-foods, the mycotoxin concentration was always below the established limits, while in some samples of juice with pulp the mycotoxin content exceeded the safe levels. In rotten apples, not only was the amount of patulin extraordinarily high in the rotten area, but the mycotoxin had also spread to the part unaffected by mould. The data presented in this study indicate that the intake of patulin with apple derivatives is usually below the tolerable level of 0.4 microgram/kg bw/day, but since the patulin content in apples can vary considerably, the quality of fruits used in the production of apple derivatives should be strictly controlled in order not to exceed the safe limits.

  11. Does citrus leaf miner impair hydraulics and fitness of citrus host plants?

    PubMed

    Raimondo, Fabio; Trifilò, Patrizia; Gullo, Maria A Lo

    2013-12-01

    Gas exchange and hydraulic features were measured in leaves of three different Citrus species (Citrus aurantium L., Citrus limon L., Citrus  ×  paradisii Macfad) infested by Phyllocnistis citrella Staiton, with the aim to quantify the impact of this pest on leaf hydraulics and, ultimately, on plant fitness. Infested leaves were characterized by the presence on the leaf blade of typical snake-shaped mines and, in some cases, of a crumpled leaf blade. Light microscopy showed that leaf crumpling was induced by damage to the cuticular layer. In all three Citrus species examined: (a) the degree of infestation did not exceed 10% of the total surface area of infested plants; (b) control and infested leaves showed similar values of minimum diurnal leaf water potential, leaf hydraulic conductance and functional vein density; and (c) maximum diurnal values of stomatal conductance to water vapour, transpiration rate and photosynthetic rate (An) were similar in both control leaves and the green areas of infested leaves. A strong reduction of An was recorded only in mined leaf areas. Our data suggest that infestation with P. citrella does not cause conspicuous plant productivity reductions in young Citrus plants, at least not in the three Citrus species studied here.

  12. 14 CFR 25.693 - Joints.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Design and Construction Control Systems § 25.693 Joints. Control... in cable control systems. For ball or roller bearings, the approved ratings may not be exceeded...

  13. 14 CFR 25.693 - Joints.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Design and Construction Control Systems § 25.693 Joints. Control... in cable control systems. For ball or roller bearings, the approved ratings may not be exceeded...

  14. 14 CFR 25.693 - Joints.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Design and Construction Control Systems § 25.693 Joints. Control... in cable control systems. For ball or roller bearings, the approved ratings may not be exceeded...

  15. 14 CFR 25.693 - Joints.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Design and Construction Control Systems § 25.693 Joints. Control... in cable control systems. For ball or roller bearings, the approved ratings may not be exceeded...

  16. 26 CFR 1.1015-5 - Increased basis for gift tax paid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... market value of $53,000 and a basis in the hands of G of $20,000. G paid gift tax of $5,250 on the..., 1958, and the gift tax paid on the transfer to J did not exceed $43,000 ($63,000, fair market value of... in this paragraph, the values to be used are those finally determined for purposes of the gift tax...

  17. 26 CFR 1.1015-5 - Increased basis for gift tax paid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... market value of $53,000 and a basis in the hands of G of $20,000. G paid gift tax of $5,250 on the..., 1958, and the gift tax paid on the transfer to J did not exceed $43,000 ($63,000, fair market value of... in this paragraph, the values to be used are those finally determined for purposes of the gift tax...

  18. 26 CFR 1.1015-5 - Increased basis for gift tax paid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... market value of $53,000 and a basis in the hands of G of $20,000. G paid gift tax of $5,250 on the..., 1958, and the gift tax paid on the transfer to J did not exceed $43,000 ($63,000, fair market value of... in this paragraph, the values to be used are those finally determined for purposes of the gift tax...

  19. 26 CFR 1.1015-5 - Increased basis for gift tax paid.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... market value of $53,000 and a basis in the hands of G of $20,000. G paid gift tax of $5,250 on the..., 1958, and the gift tax paid on the transfer to J did not exceed $43,000 ($63,000, fair market value of... in this paragraph, the values to be used are those finally determined for purposes of the gift tax...

  20. Administration of Progress Payments at Defense Contract Management District-West

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-08-05

    the progress payment is calculated from the contractor’s incurred cost, the actual amount payable is always limited by the fair value of the...progress payments exceed the fair value of undelivered work. In addition to assessing the validity of the EAC relative to the progress payment request...were overpaid because Air Force Plant Representative Offices incorrectly calculated progress payment reductions for fair value of remaining work

  1. Evaluation of Biomonitoring Data from the CDC National ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    BACKGROUND: Biomonitoring data reported in the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (NER) provide information on the presence and concentrations of more than 400 chemicals in human blood and urine. Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs) and other risk assessment-based values now allow interpretation of these biomonitoring data in a public health risk context. OBJECTIVES: Compare the measured biomarker concentrations in the NER with BEs and similar risk assessment values to provide an across-chemical risk assessment perspective on the measured levels for approximately 130 analytes in the NER. METHODS: Available risk assessment-based biomarker screening values, including BEs and Human Biomonitoring-I (HBM-I) values from the German Human Biomonitoring Commission, were identified. Geometric mean and 95th percentile population biomarker concentrations from the NER were compared to the available screening values to generate chemical-specific hazard quotients (HQ) or cancer risk estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Several analytes in the NER approach or exceed HQ values of 1 or cancer risks greater than 1x 10-4 at the geometric mean or 95th percentile, suggesting exposure levels exceed what is considered safe in a large fraction of the population. Analytes of concern include acrylamide, dioxin-like chemicals, benzene, xylene, several metals, di-2(ethylhexyl)phthalate, and some legacy organochlorine pesticides. This analysis provides for the first time a mean

  2. Turbo FRMAC 2011

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fulton, John; Gallagher, Linda K.; Whitener, Dustin

    The Turbo FRMAC (TF) software automates the calculations described in volumes 1-3 of "The Federal Manual for Assessing Environmental Data During a Radiological Emergency" (2010 version). This software automates the process of assessing radiological data during a Federal Radiological Emergency. The manual upon which the software is based is unclassified and freely available on the Internet. TF takes values generated by field samples or computer dispersion models and assesses the data in a way which is meaningful to a decision maker at a radiological emergency; such as, do radiation values exceed city, state, or federal limits; should the crops bemore » destroyed or can they be utilized; do residents need to be evacuated, sheltered in place, or should another action taken. The software also uses formulas generated by the EPA, FDA, and other federal agencies to generate field observable values specific to the radiological event that can be used to determine where regulatory limit values are exceeded. In addition to these calculations, TF calculates values which indicate how long an emergency worker can work in the contaminated area during a radiological emergency, the dose received from drinking contaminated water or milk, the dose from eating contaminated food, the does expected down or upwind of a given field sample, along with a significant number of other similar radiological health values.« less

  3. Exposures to quartz, diesel, dust, and welding fumes during heavy and highway construction.

    PubMed

    Woskie, Susan R; Kalil, Andrew; Bello, Dhimiter; Virji, M Abbas

    2002-01-01

    Personal samples for exposure to dust, diesel exhaust, quartz, and welding fume were collected on heavy and highway construction workers. The respirable, thoracic, and inhalable fractions of dust and quartz exposures were estimated from 260 personal impactor samples. Respirable quartz exposures exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL) in 7-31% of cases for the trades sampled. More than 50% of the samples in the installation of drop ceilings and wall tiles and concrete finish operations exceeded the NIOSH REL for quartz. Thoracic exposures to quartz and dust exceeded respirable exposures by a factor of 4.5 and 2.8, respectively. Inhalable exposures to quartz and dust exceeded respirable exposures by a factor of 25.6 and 9.3, respectively. These findings are important due to the identification of quartz as a carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Fourteen percent of the personal samples for EC (n = 261), collected as a marker for diesel exhaust, exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for diesel exhaust. Seventeen of the 22 (77%) samples taken during a partially enclosed welding operation reached or exceeded the ACGIH TLV of 5 mg/m3 for welding fume.

  4. Novel single skeletal muscle fiber analysis reveals a fiber type-selective effect of acute exercise on glucose uptake.

    PubMed

    Cartee, Gregory D; Arias, Edward B; Yu, Carmen S; Pataky, Mark W

    2016-11-01

    One exercise session can induce subsequently elevated insulin sensitivity that is largely attributable to greater insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Because skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue comprised of diverse fiber types, our primary aim was to determine exercise effects on insulin-independent and insulin-dependent glucose uptake by single fibers of different fiber types. We hypothesized that each fiber type featuring elevated insulin-independent glucose uptake immediately postexercise (IPEX) would be characterized by increased insulin-dependent glucose uptake at 3.5 h postexercise (3.5hPEX). Rat epitrochlearis muscles were isolated and incubated with 2-[ 3 H]deoxyglucose. Muscles from IPEX and sedentary (SED) controls were incubated without insulin. Muscles from 3.5hPEX and SED controls were incubated ± insulin. Glucose uptake (2-[ 3 H]deoxyglucose accumulation) and fiber type (myosin heavy chain isoform expression) were determined for single fibers dissected from the muscles. Major new findings included the following: 1) insulin-independent glucose uptake was increased IPEX in single fibers of each fiber type (types I, IIA, IIB, IIBX, and IIX), 2) glucose uptake values from insulin-stimulated type I and IIA fibers exceeded the values for the other fiber types, 3) insulin-stimulated glucose uptake for type IIX exceeded IIB fibers, and 4) the 3.5hPEX group vs. SED had greater insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in type I, IIA, IIB, and IIBX but not type IIX fibers. Insulin-dependent glucose uptake was increased at 3.5hPEX in each fiber type except for IIX fibers, although insulin-independent glucose uptake was increased IPEX in all fiber types (including type IIX). Single fiber analysis enabled the discovery of this fiber type-related difference for postexercise, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  5. Mobilisation of toxic trace elements under various beach nourishments.

    PubMed

    Pit, Iris R; Dekker, Stefan C; Kanters, Tobias J; Wassen, Martin J; Griffioen, Jasper

    2017-12-01

    To enhance protection and maintain wide beaches for recreation, beaches are replenished with sand: so-called beach nourishments. We compared four sites: two traditional beach nourishments, a mega beach nourishment and a reference without beach nourishment. Two sites contain calcareous-rich sand, whereas the other two sites have calcareous-poor sand. We aimed to understand hydrogeochemical processes to indicate factors critical for the mobility of trace elements at nourishments. We therefore analysed the chemical characteristics of sediment and pore water to ascertain the main drivers that mobilise toxic trace elements. With Dutch Quality Standards for soil and groundwater, the characteristics of sediment and pore water were compared to Target Values (the values at which there is a sustainable soil quality) and Intervention Values (the threshold above which the soil's functions are at risk). The pore water characteristics revealed that Target Values were regularly exceeded, especially for the nourishment sites and mainly for Mo (78%), Ni (24%), Cr (55%), and As (21%); Intervention Values for shallow groundwater were occasionally exceeded for As (2%), Cr (2%) and Zn (2%). The sediment characteristics did not exceed the Target Values and showed that trace elements were mainly present in the fine fraction of <150 μm. The oxidation of sulphide minerals such as pyrite resulted into the elevated concentration for all nourishment sites, especially when an unsaturated zone was present and influence of rainwater was apparent. To prevent trace metal mobility at a mega beach nourishment it is important to retain seawater influences and limit oxidation processes. In this respect, a shoreface nourishment is recommended rather than a mega beach nourishment with a thick unsaturated zone. Consequently, we conclude that whether a site is carbonate-rich or carbonate-poor is unimportant, as the influence of seawater will prevent decalcification, creating a low risk of mobilisation of trace elements. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  6. Forecasting impact injuries of unrestrained occupants in railway vehicle passenger compartments.

    PubMed

    Xie, Suchao; Zhou, Hui

    2014-01-01

    In order to predict the injury parameters of the occupants corresponding to different experimental parameters and to determine impact injury indices conveniently and efficiently, a model forecasting occupant impact injury was established in this work. The work was based on finite experimental observation values obtained by numerical simulation. First, the various factors influencing the impact injuries caused by the interaction between unrestrained occupants and the compartment's internal structures were collated and the most vulnerable regions of the occupant's body were analyzed. Then, the forecast model was set up based on a genetic algorithm-back propagation (GA-BP) hybrid algorithm, which unified the individual characteristics of the back propagation-artificial neural network (BP-ANN) model and the genetic algorithm (GA). The model was well suited to studies of occupant impact injuries and allowed multiple-parameter forecasts of the occupant impact injuries to be realized assuming values for various influencing factors. Finally, the forecast results for three types of secondary collision were analyzed using forecasting accuracy evaluation methods. All of the results showed the ideal accuracy of the forecast model. When an occupant faced a table, the relative errors between the predicted and experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within ± 6.0 percent and the average relative error (ARE) values did not exceed 3.0 percent. When an occupant faced a seat, the relative errors between the predicted and experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within ± 5.2 percent and the ARE values did not exceed 3.1 percent. When the occupant faced another occupant, the relative errors between the predicted and experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within ± 6.3 percent and the ARE values did not exceed 3.8 percent. The injury forecast model established in this article reduced repeat experiment times and improved the design efficiency of the internal compartment's structure parameters, and it provided a new way for assessing the safety performance of the interior structural parameters in existing, and newly designed, railway vehicle compartments.

  7. 30 CFR 250.516 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and BOP system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the...-control procedure that indicates how the annular preventer will be utilized, and the pressure limitations...

  8. 30 CFR 250.516 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and BOP system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the...-control procedure that indicates how the annular preventer will be utilized, and the pressure limitations...

  9. 30 CFR 250.616 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the... pressure limitations that will be applied during each mode of pressure control. (b) The minimum BOP system...

  10. 30 CFR 250.616 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the... pressure limitations that will be applied during each mode of pressure control. (b) The minimum BOP system...

  11. 30 CFR 250.615 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the... pressure limitations that will be applied during each mode of pressure control. (b) The minimum BOP system...

  12. 30 CFR 250.515 - Blowout prevention equipment.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... pressure rating of the BOP system and BOP system components shall exceed the expected surface pressure to which they may be subjected. If the expected surface pressure exceeds the rated working pressure of the...-control procedure that indicates how the annular preventer will be utilized, and the pressure limitations...

  13. Genetic-economic evaluation of traits in a goose meat enterprise.

    PubMed

    Shalev, B A; Pasternak, H

    1999-05-01

    1. Goose can be considered as an additional and inexpensive meat source, provided that the marketing age does not exceed 8 weeks. Using the ability of geese to eat grass may reduce the intake of concentrated food up to 30%. 2. According to an equation developed, growth rate accounts for about 58% of the annual breeding gains, egg number 28%, feather yield 10%, fertility and mortality about 2%. These values are about the same for a wide range of food prices. 3. Employing realistic values for expected annual genetic gains reveals that the customary practice of keeping breeders for 5 to 6 years should be replaced by a much shorter cycle of 3 years because the economic gain from the shorter generation interval of selection exceeds the replacement costs.

  14. Statistics of the radiated field of a space-to-earth microwave power transfer system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stevens, G. H.; Leininger, G.

    1976-01-01

    Statistics such as average power density pattern, variance of the power density pattern and variance of the beam pointing error are related to hardware parameters such as transmitter rms phase error and rms amplitude error. Also a limitation on spectral width of the phase reference for phase control was established. A 1 km diameter transmitter appears feasible provided the total rms insertion phase errors of the phase control modules does not exceed 10 deg, amplitude errors do not exceed 10% rms, and the phase reference spectral width does not exceed approximately 3 kHz. With these conditions the expected radiation pattern is virtually the same as the error free pattern, and the rms beam pointing error would be insignificant (approximately 10 meters).

  15. Lead identification in soil surrounding a used lead acid battery smelter area in Banten, Indonesia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adventini, N.; Santoso, M.; Lestiani, D. D.; Syahfitri, W. Y. N.; Rixson, L.

    2017-06-01

    A used lead acid battery smelter generates particulates containing lead that can contaminate the surrounding environment area. Lead is a heavy metal which is harmful to health if it enters the human body through soil, air, or water. An identification of lead in soil samples surrounding formal and informal used lead acid battery smelters area in Banten, Indonesia using EDXRF has been carried out. The EDXRF accuracy and precision evaluated from marine sediment IAEA 457 gave a good agreement to the certified value. A number of 16 soil samples from formal and informal areas and 2 soil samples from control area were taken from surface and subsurface soils. The highest lead concentrations from both lead smelter were approximately 9 folds and 11 folds higher than the reference and control samples. The assessment of lead contamination in soils described in Cf index was in category: moderately and strongly polluted by lead for formal and informal lead smelter. Daily lead intake of children in this study from all sites had exceeded the recommended dietary allowance. The HI values for adults and children living near both lead smelter areas were greater than the value of safety threshold 1. This study finding confirmed that there is a potential health risk for inhabitants surrounding the used lead acid battery smelter areas in Banten, Indonesia.

  16. Analysis of Hair Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication Disorders.

    PubMed

    Skalny, Anatoly V; Simashkova, Natalia V; Klyushnik, Tatiana P; Grabeklis, Andrei R; Radysh, Ivan V; Skalnaya, Margarita G; Tinkov, Alexey A

    2017-06-01

    The primary objective of the present study is analysis of hair trace elements content in children with communication disorder (CD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 99 children from control, CD, and ASD groups (n = 33) were examined. All children were additionally divided into two subgroups according to age. Hair levels of trace elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The difference was considered significant at p < 0.01. The obtained data demonstrate that children with CD are characterized by significantly increased hair lithium (Li) (96 %; p = 0.008), selenium (Se) (66 %; p < 0.001), arsenic (As) (96 %; p = 0.005), beryllium (Be) (150 %; p < 0.001), and cadmium (Cd) (72 %; p = 0.007) content, being higher than the respective control values. In the ASD group, hair copper (Cu), iodine (I), and Be levels tended to be lower than the control values. In turn, the scalp hair content of Se significantly exceeded the control values (33 %; p = 0.004), whereas the level of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) tended to increase. After gradation for age, the most prominent differences in children with CD were detected in the elder group (5-8 years), whereas in the case of ASD-in the younger group (3-4 years old). Taking into account the role of hair as excretory mechanism for certain elements including the toxic ones, it can be proposed that children suffering from ASD are characterized by more profound alteration of metal handling and excretion in comparison to CD.

  17. Employee-Organization Pro-environmental Values Fit and Pro-environmental Behavior: The Role of Supervisors' Personal Values.

    PubMed

    Lu, Hui; Liu, Xia; Chen, Hong; Long, Ruyin

    2017-12-18

    This study examines the relationship among the employees-organization pro-environmental values fit (E-O PEVs fit), supervisors' PEVs and employees' pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). Informed by the PEB, organizational values and employee-organization fit literature, we propose and test hypotheses that under egoistic, altruistic and biosphere-value orientations, E-O PEVs fit versus non-fit have significant effects on employees' private-sphere PEB and public-sphere PEB, identifying supervisors' PEVs as a moderator. An empirical investigation indicates that the effect of E-O PEVs fit on employees' private-sphere PEB and public-sphere PEB varies as the value orientation differs. More specifically, under the context of altruistic and biosphere-value orientations, if the organizational PEVs do not match the employees' PEVs, especially when the former exceeds the latter, employees' PEB will rise as the organizational PEVs increase. As for egoistic value orientation, when organizational PEVs exceed employees' PEVs, not only will public-sphere PEB stop decreasing and tend to stabilize, but also private-sphere PEB will rise to a slight degree. Furthermore, compared with altruistic and biospheric values dimensions, supervisors who promote egoistic PEVs will have a more significant effect on the relationship between global E-O PEVs fit and employees' PEB. Finally, we suggest that the goals of an organization and its supervisors need to be combined within the actual situation of Chinese corporations to truly implement corporate green practices by balancing the profit goal and the environmental goal.

  18. Soil contamination in landfills: a case study of a landfill in Czech Republic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adamcová, D.; Vaverková, M. D.; Bartoň, S.; Havlíček, Z.; Břoušková, E.

    2016-02-01

    A phytotoxicity test was determined to assess ecotoxicity of landfill soil. Sinapis alba L. was used as a bioindicator of heavy metals. Soil samples 1-8, which were taken from the landfill body, edge of the landfill body, and its vicinity meet the limits for heavy metals Co, Cd, Pb, and Zn specified in the applicable legislation. Hg and Mn threshold values are not established in legislation, but values have been determined for the needs of the landfill operator. For heavy metals Cr, Cu, and Ni sample 2 exceeded the threshold values, which attained the highest values of all the samples tested for Cr, Cu, and Ni. For Cr and Ni the values were several times higher than values of the other samples. The second highest values for Cr, Cu, and Ni showed sample 6 and 7. Both samples exceeded the set limits. An increase in plant biomass was observed in plants growing on plates with soil samples, but no changes in appearance, slow growth, or necrotic lesions appeared. Ecotoxicity tests show that tested soils (concentration of 50 %) collected from the landfill body, edge of the landfill body, and its vicinity reach high percentage values of germination capacity of seeds of Sinapis alba L. (101-137 %). At a concentration of 25 %, tested soil samples exhibit lower values of germination capacity - in particular samples 3 to 8 - yet the seed germination capacity in all eight samples of tested soils ranges between 86 and 137 %.

  19. Soil contaminations in landfill: a case study of the landfill in Czech Republic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adamcová, D.; Vaverková, M. D.; Bartoň, S.; Havlíček, Z.; Břoušková, E.

    2015-10-01

    Phytotoxicity test was determined to assess ecotoxicity of landfill soil. Sinapis alba L. was used as heavy metals bioindicator. Soil samples 1-8, which were taken from the landfill body, edge of the landfill body and its vicinity meet the limits for heavy metals Co, Cd, Pb, and Zn specified in the applicable legislation. Hg and Mn threshold values are not established in legislation, but values have been determined for the needs of the landfill operator. For heavy metals Cr, Cu, and Ni sample 2 exceeded the threshold values, which attained the highest values of all the samples tested for Cr, Cu and Ni. For Cr and Ni the values were several times higher than values of the other samples. The second highest values for Cr, Cu, and Ni showed sample 6 and 7. Both samples exceeded the set limits. An increase in plant biomass was observed in plants growing on plates with soil samples, but no changes in appearance, slow growth or necrotic lesions appeared. Ecotoxicity tests show that tested soils (concentration of 50 %) collected from the landfill body, edge of the landfill body and its vicinity reach high percentage values of germination capacity of seeds of Sinapis alba L. (101-137 %). At a concentration of 25 %, tested soil samples exhibit lower values of germination capacity; in particular samples 3 to 8, yet the seed germination capacity in all 8 samples of tested soils range between 86 and 137 %.

  20. A quantile-based Time at Risk: A new approach for assessing risk in financial markets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bolgorian, Meysam; Raei, Reza

    2013-11-01

    In this paper, we provide a new measure for evaluation of risk in financial markets. This measure is based on the return interval of critical events in financial markets or other investment situations. Our main goal was to devise a model like Value at Risk (VaR). As VaR, for a given financial asset, probability level and time horizon, gives a critical value such that the likelihood of loss on the asset over the time horizon exceeds this value is equal to the given probability level, our concept of Time at Risk (TaR), using a probability distribution function of return intervals, provides a critical time such that the probability that the return interval of a critical event exceeds this time equals the given probability level. As an empirical application, we applied our model to data from the Tehran Stock Exchange Price Index (TEPIX) as a financial asset (market portfolio) and reported the results.

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