Influence of corona on the voltages induced by nearby lightning onoverhead distribution lines

A model for the calculation of lightning-induced voltages is presented with the aim of assessing the effect of corona when power distribution lines are illuminated by lightning electromagnetic fields. Corona is taken into account by means of dynamic capacitance describing a charge-voltage diagram. Such an equivalent capacitance is then introduced in a model which describes a line illuminated by a lightning electromagnetic field. It is first concluded that the influence of corona on lightning induced overvoltages is of importance only for particularly severe strokes. It is also found that corona acts to increase the magnitude of these overvoltages, contrary to the case of voltages due to direct strokes, which are attenuated by corona. A theoretical explanation of such an amplitude increase is presented. The effect of the ground resistivity is also taken into account in the calculations. The results show that such an effect is in general as important as the effect of corona. This is different from the direct-strike behavior, where corona, when present, affects the surge propagation more than the ground resistivity. This is due to the fact that for the case of induced-voltages, the ground resistivity may affect more strongly the lightning-radiated fields rather than the surge propagation along the line, while corona affects only surge propagation. The need for experimental results to test the theoretical finding of the paper is stressed and some indication is given. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the induced voltages as a function of the charge-voltage diagram adopted to model corona is also performed     

Intentional and unintentional contributions of nonspecific preparation during reaction time foreperiods.

The nonspecific preparation that follows a warning stimulus (WS) to speed responding to an impending imperative stimulus (IS) is generally viewed as a strategic, intentional process. An alternative view holds that WS acts as a conditioned stimulus that unintentionally elicits a tendency to respond at the moment of IS presentation as a result of a process of trace conditioning. These views were contrasted as explanatory frameworks for classical effects on reaction time of the duration and intertrial variability of the foreperiod, the interval between WS and IS. It is shown that the conditioning view accounts for the available data at least as well as the strategic view. In addition, the results of 3 experiments provide support for the conditioning view by showing that unintentional contributions to nonspecific preparation can be dissociated from intentional contributions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modulation of magnetic and structural properties of cobalt thin films by means of electrodeposition

Cobalt electrodeposits were prepared from an electrolytic bath containing cobalt perchlorate. The effect of different species, organic (thiourea and sodium gluconate) and inorganic (boric acid), on the crystallographic structure, morphology, magnetic properties and electrochemical behaviour of cobalt electrodeposits was investigated. Amorphous cobalt, hcp cobalt and a non-usual primitive cubic cobalt phase were observed depending on the bath composition. Depending on the structure, different morphologies and magnetic properties were found. Coercivity values of the cobalt coatings ranged from around 15 Oe for amorphous, nodular deposits to 380 Oe for cobalt coatings showing acicular morphology and hcp structure with a (002) preferred orientation. Knowledge of the influence of the species on the properties of cobalt makes it possible to obtain tailored cobalt films.     

Design Recommendations for a FRP Bridge Deck Supported on Steel Superstructure

No appropriate provisions from either AASHTO Standard (2002) or AASHTO LRFD (2004) bridge design specifications are available for the design of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges. In this research, a parametric study using the finite-element method (FEM) is conducted to examine two design issues concerning the design of FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges, namely deck relative deflection and load distribution factor (LDF). Results show that the strip method specified in AASHTO LRFD specification as an approximate method of analysis, can also be applied to FRP decks as a practical method. However, different strip width equations have to be determined by either FEM or experimental methods for different types of FRP decks. In this study, one such equation has been derived for the Strongwell deck. In addition, both FEM results and experimental measurements show that the AASHTO LDF equations for glued laminated timber decks on steel stringers provide good estimations of LDF for FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges. Finally, it is found that the lever rule can be used as an appropriately conservative design method to predict the LDF of FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of Olea europaea L. leaves sprayed with different copper formulations

Olive trees (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) from the northeast of Portugal were sprayed with three different copper formulations [bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate + calcium hydroxide − 20% Cu), copper hydroxide (40% Cu) and copper oxychloride (50% Cu)] to control olive fungal diseases. The residues of copper in olive leaves, harvested at different times, were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. At all the collection times, treated olive leaves had significantly higher copper contents, compared to the control. The different copper amounts in pesticide formulations lowered the leaves contents in total phenols and hence their antioxidant properties. Olive leaves sprayed with copper oxychloride possessed the highest copper levels and the lowest content in phenols, which influenced its antioxidant activity (higher EC₅₀ values for reducing power, scavenging effect on DPPH radicals and inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis). Leaves without copper residues proved to be a good natural source of antioxidants, giving values comparable to the reference compounds.     

Citrus flavonoids: Molecular structure,biological activity and nutritional properties: A review

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between dietary flavonoid intakes and cardiovascular diseases. Citrus fruits are the main winter fruits consumed in the Mediterranean diet, so they are the main source of dietary flavonoids. The possible beneficial effects are due, not only to the high amounts of vitamins and minerals, but also to the antioxidant properties of their flavonoids. Dietary flavonoids may help to supplement the body antioxidant defences against free radicals. These compounds’ possible beneficial effects are due to their antioxidant activity, which is related to the development of atherosclerosis and cancer, and to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. The present review summarizes the existing bibliography on biological and pharmacological studies of Citrus flavonoids, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Determination of methotrexate in untreated body fluids by micellar liquid chromatography

A fast and sensitive method for determination of the antineoplastic drug methotrexate in untreated serum and urine is described. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar mobile phase has been used with direct sample injection. Changes in mobile phase variables such as SDS concentration and/or pH profoundly affected drug retention. Recovery was quantitative and the detection limit (90 nM for a 20 microL sample size) was below the range normally monitored. Multichannel UV detection provided strong evidence regarding peak purity and peak identity.     

Recent results of fracture experiments on carbon steel welded pipes

Several pipe fracture experiments were conducted with circumferential cracks in the center of ferritic nuclear pipe welds. These experiments involved either submerged arc or shielded metal arc welds with either through-wall cracks or internal surface cracks. The pipe diameters varied from 940 mm (37 inches) to 152 mm (6 inches), and thickness from 10·9 mm (0·43 inches) to 86·6 mm (3·41 inches). Some of the through-wall and surface-cracked pipe experiments were conducted under constant internal pressure and four-point bending. The test temperature was 288°C (550°F). The results of these experiments are compared with limit-load analyses, the ASME, Section XI, article IWB-3650 criterion, and more elaborate elastic-plastic fracture mechanical analysis.     

Programme of meetings — 1989 NATO international scientific exchange programme

Programme of meetings — 1989 NATO international scientific exchange programmeEngineering, materials and systems sciences