Relationship between platelet cyclooxygenase pathway and plasma malondialdehyde-like material

Thrombin-induced platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and plasma malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) were evaluated in 12 healthy subjects before and after 1 and 7 days from aspirin (1 g) ingestion. 24 hr after aspirin administration, platelet MDA was almost abolished while MDA-LM showed a 23% decrease. Platelet MDA and plasma MDA-LM returned to baseline values 7 days after aspirin ingestion. These data suggest that platelet cyclooxygenase pathway affects only in part plasma MDA-LM. The evaluation of plasma MDA-LM before and after aspirin could be useful for evaluating in vivo platelet cyclooxygenase activation.     

Frequency response algorithms for H∞optimization with time domain constraints

A very broad framework for control system design is considered that encompasses frequency-response methodologies for H_∞ optimization that solve various aspects of the control design problem and that are less well known that state-space methods. The focus is on linear programming, Lawson's algorithm, and Trefethen's algorithm. A modified Lawson's algorithm is proposed and related to Trefethan's method. The modified algorithm is shown to be significantly faster than linear programming and Lawson's algorithm. It is also shown how to extend the modified Lawson's algorithm so as to handle time-domain constraints in addition to frequency-domain specifications, which distinguishes it from other H_∞ optimization methods. Some steps are taken toward dealing with time domain constraints within an H_∞ optimization framework     

Fast integration of reactor-kinetic equations in problems with large perturbations of the reactivity

Conclusions The method proposed for integrating the point-kinetics equations of a reactor, has a series of positive qualities ensuring its effective application in problems of the numerical analysis of the emergency dynamics of nuclear-power plants with deep perturbations of the reactivity. Its advantages include:simplicity of the programs executing the computational algorithms (the calculation is based on explicit formulas);the presence of an automatic regulator of the computation step;high speed (the number of operations in calculations at the step is comparable with the analogous characteristic of the Euler method).Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 67, No. 4, pp. 246–251, October, 1989.     

Acoustic emission technique for leak detection in an end shield of a pressurised heavy water reactor

This paper discusses the successful application of the Acoustic Emission Technique (AET) for detection and location of leak paths present on the inaccessible side of an end shield of a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). The methodology was based on the fact that air and water leak AE signals have different characteristic features. Baseline data was generated from a sound end-shield of a PHWR for characterizing the background noise. A mock up end-shield system with saw cut leak paths was used to verify the validity of the methodology. It was found that air leak signals under pressurisation (as low as 3 psi) could be detected by frequency domain analysis. Signals due to air leaks from various locations of a defective end-shield were acquired and analysed. It was possible to detect and locate leak paths. Presence of detected leak paths were further confirmed by alternate test.     

On ochratoxin A and fungal flora in Polish cereals from conventional and ecological farms. Part 2: occurrence of ochratoxin A and fungi in cereals in 1998.

Over 200 samples of Polish cereal grain from the 1998 harvest obtained from conventional and ecological farms were investigated for the presence of ochratoxin A and for contamination by microscopic fungi. The frequency of contamination of rye and barley grains from conventional and ecological farms was similar in most cases; it varied from nearly 5 to 12%, respectively, for both types of farming. However, in samples from ecological farms, higher maximum concentrations of ochratoxin A were observed (35 micro g kg(-1), overall range 1.4-35.3 micro g kg(-1)) for both cereals rye and barley in comparison with rye and barley from conventional farms (maximum levels of 8.8 and 9.7 micro g kg(-1), respectively). However, wheat grain from the conventional farms showed ochratoxin A concentrations in a very wide range from 0.6 to 1024 micro g kg(-1) and the average frequency of contaminated samples was about 48%. In contrast, in wheat samples from ecological farming, the presence of ochratoxin A ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 micro g kg(-1) (mean 1.2 micro g kg(-1)) and the frequency of contamination was 23%. From samples containing detectable amounts of ochratoxin A, fungi producing ochratoxin A under laboratory conditions were isolated. They were classified as belonging to the species Penicillium cyclopium, P. viridicatum, Aspergillus ochraceus group, A. glaucus and A. versicolor. Penicillium strains-species known to be producers of ochratoxin A-were isolated from 71% of the samples; in 28% of samples, only Aspergillus strains (species known to be producers of this mycotoxin) were noted. These results have been compared with those obtained in 1997.