Microwave beam imaging by recombination continuum from the positive column of gas discharge in a cesium vapor-xenon mixture

A new sensitive method for imaging of the spatial distribution of microwave intensity is proposed. The method is based on the imaging of the 6P-recombination continuum of cesium, emitted from a nonequilibrium plasma of the positive column of gas discharge in a cesium vapor-xenon mixture. It is demonstrated that the spatial distribution of intensity of 35-GHz microwave radiation measured by this method in a focal plane of a lens well coincides with the pattern obtained with the aid of a movable microwave detector. The time resolution of the proposed microwave imaging system reaches 1 ms.     

Analytic Methods of Calculation of the Contact Interaction of Thin-Walled Structural Elements (Review)

We describe main models and methods for the calculation of contact rigidity and wear resistance of friction couples using thin-walled structural elements such as beams, plates, or shells. We analyze certain specific features of their contact interaction on the basis of theories describing stress-strain state. We also consider mathematical models of the wear of junctions that take into account the frictional heating of contacting surfaces and anisotropy of their properties. A series of theoretical calculations is corroborated experimentally.     

The role of hydrodynamic stress on the phenotypic characteristics of single and binary biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

This study investigates the phenotype of turbulent (Re = 5,200) and laminar (Re = 2,000) flow-generated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms. Three P. fluorescens strains, the type strain ATCC 13525 and two strains isolated from an industrial processing plant, D3-348 and D3-350, were used throughout this study. The isolated strains were used to form single and binary biofilms. The biofilm physiology (metabolic activity, cellular density, mass, extracellular polymeric substances, structural characteristics and outer membrane proteins [OMP] expression) was compared. The results indicate that, for every situation, turbulent flow-generated biofilms were more active (p < 0.05), had more mass per cm(2) (p < 0.05), a higher cellular density (p < 0.05), distinct morphology, similar matrix proteins (p > 0.1) and identical (isolated strains -single and binary biofilms) and higher (type strain) matrix polysaccharides contents (p < 0.05) than laminar flow-generated biofilms. Flow-generated biofilms formed by the type strain revealed a considerably higher cellular density and amount of matrix polysaccharides than single and binary biofilms formed by the isolated strains (p < 0.05). Similar OMP expression was detected for the several single strains and for the binary situation, not dependent on the hydrodynamic conditions. Binary biofilms revealed an equal coexistence of the isolated strains with apparent neutral interactions. In summary, the biofilms formed by the type strain represent, apparently, the worst situation in a context of control. The results obtained clearly illustrate the importance of considering strain variation and hydrodynamics in biofilm development, and complement previous studies which have focused on physical aspects of structural and density differences.     

Error of measurement of coolant temperature in VVÉR-440 reactor

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 67, No. 5, pp. 358–359, November, 1989.     

Features of the photoconductivity of iodine-doped cotton fibers illuminated in the fundamental absorption range

The photoelectric properties of cotton fibers treated with iodine were studied in the fundamental absorption range. The samples exhibit a sublinear illumination-current characteristic and a long-term relaxation of photoconductivity (PC) after UV irradiation (hν=5 eV) of the iodine-doped fibers. A PC mechanism is proposed which explains both the nonlinear variation of photocurrent with illumination intensity and the PC decay according to a bimolecular recombination law after UV irradiation of the iodine-doped fiber in the fundamental absorption range.     

Investigation of the initial stage of borating tantalum

The results of investigation of initial stage of the tantalum borating as well as the effect of oxygen and hydrogen on it are presented. The scheme of the initial stage of tantalum boron saturation is proposed.     

New high-efficiency low-waste technology at the Vyksa Metallurgical Plant for operating metallurgical equipment with the use of Kompaks® monitoring systems

Introduction of the BER? KOMPAKS® automated system at the Vyksa Metallurgical Plant to safely and efficiently manage the operation of the plant’s equipment has allowed the facility to begin operating that equipment based on real-time evaluations of its actual physical condition. Introduction of the new system has also allowed better coordination of repair-scheduling with ongoing production operations, significantly improved the reliability and readiness of the equipment for operation at 100% capacity, completely eliminated the human factor from the process of monitoring the condition of equipment, and made it possible to check the quality and timeliness of equipment maintenance and repair work so as to ensure safe, efficient operation of the entire production complex.     

Temperature effects on the mass flow rate in the SBI and similar heat‐release rate test equipment

In various medium‐to‐large‐scale fire test equipments like the ISO room corner test (RC), and more recently, the single burning item test (SBI) the mass flow rate measurement of the combustion gases plays a key role in the determination of the heat‐release rate and smoke‐production rate. With the knowledge of the velocity profile and the temperature of the flow, the mass flow rate is obtained by measuring the velocity on the axis of the duct. This is done by means of a bi‐directional probe based on the pitot principle. However, due to the variation of the mean temperature and the temperature gradient in any cross section of the duct, introduced by ever changing combustion gas temperatures, the velocity nor the density profile are constant in time. This paper examines the resulting uncertainty on the mass flow rate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.