An LNG release, transport, and fate model system for marine spills

LNGMAP, a fully integrated, geographic information based modular system, has been developed to predict the fate and transport of marine spills of LNG. The model is organized as a discrete set of linked algorithms that represent the processes (time dependent release rate, spreading, transport on the water surface, evaporation from the water surface, transport and dispersion in the atmosphere, and, if ignited, burning and associated radiated heat fields) affecting LNG once it is released into the environment. A particle-based approach is employed in which discrete masses of LNG released from the source are modeled as individual masses of LNG or spillets. The model is designed to predict the gas mass balance as a function of time and to display the spatial and temporal evolution of the gas (and radiated energy field).

LNGMAP has been validated by comparisons to predictions of models developed by ABS Consulting and Sandia for time dependent point releases from a draining tank, with and without burning. Simulations were in excellent agreement with those performed by ABS Consulting and consistent with Sandia's steady state results.

To illustrate the model predictive capability for realistic emergency scenarios, simulations were performed for a tanker entering Block Island Sound. Three hypothetical cases were studied: the first assumes the vessel continues on course after the spill starts, the second that the vessel stops as soon as practical after the release begins (3 min), and the third that the vessel grounds at the closest site practical. The model shows that the areas of the surface pool and the incident thermal radiation field (with burning) are minimized and dispersed vapor cloud area (without burning) maximized if the vessel continues on course. For this case the surface pool area, with burning, is substantially smaller than for the without burning case because of the higher mass loss rate from the surface pool due to burning. Since the vessel speed substantially exceeds the spill spreading rate, both the thermal radiation fields and surface pool trail the vessel. The relative directions and speeds of the wind and vessel movement govern the orientation of the dispersed plume.

If the vessel stops, the areas of the surface pool and incident radiation field (with burning) are maximized and the dispersed cloud area (without burning) minimized. The longer the delay in stopping the vessel, the smaller the peak values are for the pool area and the size of the thermal radiation field. Once the vessel stops, the spill pool is adjacent to the vessel and moving down current. The thermal radiation field is oriented similarly. These results may be particularly useful in contingency planning for underway vessels.     

Generalizacion de un S-Juego estrategias finitamente aditivas

Sumario En la primera parte de este trabajo, se estudia la existencia de estrategias óptimas, en el modelo teórico (P_a F, ρ (P_a,f)) (ref. 3), generalización de un S-juego, dondeP _a es un conjunto de probabilidades finitamente aditivas, yF un subconjunto convexo de funciones reales acotadas. A continuación se analizan las clases de estrategias y se obtiene una clase de estrategiasp _a-Bayes, más amplia que la de Bayes β, y Bayes extendida β_o, que tiene la propiedad de contener siempre a la clase de estrategias admisibles. Se demuestra su completitud con hipótesis adicionales, y se obtienen resultados relativos a estrategias σ-aditivas, como casos particulares. Trabajo realizado con la beca March de Matemáticas, convocatoria 1973–74.     

Poisoning and conditioned drinking.

Produced conditioned drinking in 73 male Sprague-Dawley albino rats by conditioned stimuli paired with hypertonic procaine, isotonic procaine, and hypertonic saline, in that order of effectiveness. When these solutions were paired with the taste of saccharin, they produced taste aversions in the same order of effectiveness. Lithium chloride, a well-known poison, produced taste aversions but, in contrast, conditioned decreases in drinking. Like taste aversions which develop after 1 trial, conditioned drinking also developed in 1 trial. Results suggest that procaine and hypertonic saline may be poisons, since the malaise they produce is relieved by drinking, can be classically conditioned, and is indexed by conditioned drinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanical properties of human saphenous veins from normotensive and hypertensive patients

The three-dimensional structure of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the putative transmembrane segment M3 (amino acid residues 277-301) of the alpha subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica has been studied by means of two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy in a chloroform/methanol (1:1) mixture containing 0.1 M LiClO4. Complete resonance assignment has been performed using double-quantum-filtered COSY (DQF-COSY), TOCSY and NOESY spectra. The spatial structure has been calculated using the Diana program on the basis of integrated intensities of NOESY spectra. HN-C(alpha)H and HC(alpha)-C(beta)H spin-spin coupling constants. Residues 279-297 of M3 form a right-handed helix (root mean square deviation is 0.032 nm for backbone atoms and 0.088 nm for all heavy atoms). The conformations of the 17 side chains have been unambiguously determined. The obtained structure is in accord with the photolabeling pattern of the membrane nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) which suggests alpha-helical structure of M3 in the labeled portion [Blanton, M. P. & Cohen, J. B. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 2859-2872].     

Testicular tumors: clinically relevant histological findings

Testicular germ cell neoplasms affect young men in the prime of life. Although the overwhelming majority are malignant, they are curable. In addition to the stage of the disease and the presence of serum markers, there are important pathological changes that have clinical significance. These include (1) the cell type, (2) the amount of the component, and (3) the presence or absence of vascular invasion. Pure embryonal carcinoma or embryonal carcinoma in excess of 80% in a mixed tumor and vascular/lymphatic invasion are high-risk factors as they are predictors of relapse. These factors should be recognized by the pathologist and should be taken into account by the oncologist when selecting the management of a patient with a germ cell tumor of the testis.     

Effects of interactive imagery on learning: Application to advertising.

Studied the effect of type of picture accompanying word paired associates on recall. 48 brand and product pairs with their accompanying pictures were drawn from the Yellow Pages of a local telephone directory. 72 undergraduates were placed into a 4-group design consisting of 2 control and 2 experimental groups. The 2 experimental groups were shown either interactive or noninteractive pictures with each word pair. The 2 control groups were shown only the word pairs. The group receiving the interactive imagery remembered more brand names than the noninteractive imagery group (p?     

Microgenetic analysis of first steps in children's acquisition of expertise on shorebirds.

A microgenetic analysis of the earliest steps in acquiring beginning levels of expertise on shorebirds was conducted. In Exp 1, 16 5-yr-old girls were given information about the names and attributes of 14 shorebirds during 4 sessions. Knowledge of names and attributes increased over time, and production of attributes surpassed production of names. Discrepancies between results from direct and indirect tests of attribute knowledge suggested a transitional period in the early development of expertise. Exp 2 involved a case analysis of a 4-yr-old boy who was an expert on other kinds of birds. Both experiments revealed the importance of individual characteristics to rate of expertise acquisition: children with higher levels of general intelligence and greater levels of domain-related knowledge acquire expertise faster. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)