Optimization of hydrogen stations in Florida using the Flow-Refueling Location Model

This paper develops and applies a model that locates hydrogen stations to refuel the maximum volume of vehicle flows. Inputs to the model include a road network with average speeds; the origin–destination flow volumes between each origin and destination; a maximum driving range between refueling stops; and the number of stations to build. The Flow-Refueling Location Model maximizes the flow volumes that can be refueled, measured either in number of trips or vehicle-miles traveled. Geographic Information Systems and heuristic algorithms are integrated in a spatial decision support system that researchers can use to develop data, enter assumptions, analyze scenarios, evaluate tradeoffs, and map results. For the Florida Hydrogen Initiative, we used this model to investigate strategies for rolling out an initial refueling infrastructure in Florida at two different scales of analysis: metropolitan Orlando and statewide. By analyzing a variety of scenarios at both scales of analysis, we identify a robust set of stations that perform well under a variety of assumptions, and develop a strategy for phasing in clustered and connecting stations in several stages or tiers.     

Clay Bodies: Crafting the Future with 3D Printing

People have been using clay to make objects and shelters since time immemorial; but could it also be a key material of the future? San Francisco-based xyqmake-tank’ Emerging Objects has been experimenting with the use of clay in 3D printing, with sophisticated codes producing woven and textured forms and mixing different clays together. The studio's cofounders Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello here present these projects, as well as offering a potted history of clay's use and nature. Given its re-resistance and thermal qualities, the benefits of eventually applying such techniques on an architectural scale are clear.     

Low-temperature synthesis of silicon carbide inert matrix fuel through a polymer precursor route

A low temperature process of mixing different sizes of silicon carbide (SiC) particles with a polymer precursor was utilized to synthesize SiC pellets for potential use as inert matrix fuels (IMF) for light water reactors. The lower temperature process is required to prevent the reactions between SiC and the dispersed PuO₂ fuel material. The effect of the polymer content and the cold pressing pressure on the packing of SiC particles was investigated. The effect of mixing coarse and fine SiC particles on the density and the pore size distribution was also investigated. It was found that the density and pore size distribution can be tailored by controlling the SiC size compositions, polymer content and pressing pressure at room temperature. A possible mechanism has been proposed to explain the forming of the pores with respect to the geometric arrangement between SiC particles and the polymer precursor. SEM images showed that ceria (cerium oxide) which is a PuO₂ surrogate in this study, was well distributed in the pellet.     

Automatic correction of level set based subvoxel precise centerlines for virtual colonoscopy using the colon outer wall

Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is becoming a more prevalent method to detect and diagnose colorectal cancer. An essential component of using VC to detect cancerous polyps, especially in conjunction with computer-aided diagnosis, is the accurate calculation of the centerline of the colon. While the colon is often modeled as a simple cylinder, the amount of colonic distention may vary between patients and within the same patient often causing loops and multiple disconnected segments to be present in the colon segmentation. These variations have caused previous centerline algorithms to fail to capture a complete and accurate centerline for all colons. We have developed an automatic method to determine from a computed tomography (CT) VC a subvoxel precise centerline that is accurate even in cases of over-distended or under-distended colons. In this algorithm, the loops in the colon caused by over-distention are detected and removed when the centerline calculation is performed. Also, a newly developed method for the detection and segmentation of the outer wall of the colon is used to connect collapsed portions of the colon where the lumen segmentation fails to produce a continuous centerline. These two methods allow for a complete and accurate centerline to be calculated in uniformly distended colons as well as in colons containing segments which are over-distended and/or under-distended. We have demonstrated successfully the effectiveness of our algorithm on 50 cases, 25 of which resulted in erroneous solutions by previous centerline algorithms due to variability in the colon distention.     

Behavioral medicine: St. Louis style.

Describes a unique multidisciplinary division in which 8 clinical programs are all administered by psychologists working in a university medical center setting. The increasingly complex environment of a university medical center is discussed in terms of academic mission, competitiveness of health care, and professional roles. The development of this division is reviewed in relation to a number of critical issues, such as organizational structure, academic vs clinical demands, business operations, and 1 version of a scientist–practitioner model in practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Solid state magnetic resonance spectra of Illinois No. 6 coal and some reductive alkylation products

Illinois No. 6 coal and its reductive methylation and butylation products have been studied by magnetic resonance techniques. Conventional CP-MAS¹³Cn.m.r. spectroscopy indicates that 62% of the carbon atoms in the coal are aromatic and that about 6% of the carbon atoms are carbonyl. Esters are more abundant than carboxylic acids. The resonances of methoxy groups and other novel etheric carbon atoms are apparent in the high field region. Dipolar dephasing experiments suggest that methyl carbon atoms constitute no more than 16% of the carbon, methylene and methine carbon atoms about 14% and quaternary aliphatic carbon atoms about 2%. The dipolar dephasing experiments in conjunction with previous work also permit estimates of the hydrogen atom distribution. The THF-insoluble products obtained in the reductive alkylation reactions with¹³C-enriched alkylating agents contain paramagnetic and ferromagnetic substances that adversely influence the solid state n.m.r. spectra. However, good ¹³C n.m.r. spectra were obtained after these substances were extracted with aqueous hydrochloric acid. The O:C alkylation ratios are 1.2 and 1.0 for methylation and butylation, respectively. Dipolar dephasing experiments establish that the decay constants of functional groups in the whole coal and of C- and O-methyl-¹³C and C- and O-butyl-1 -¹³C nuclei in the labelled coal molecules are very similar to those of reference compounds. These findings suggest that the decay constants measured for the ¹³C nuclei in coals and coal-derived solids provide reliable information about their degree of substitution.     

EFFICIENT NEW SYNTHESES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON ORTHO-QUINONES AND THEIR 2′-DEOXYRIBONUCLEOSIDE ADDUCTS

Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain the carcinogenic activities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). On the basis of the nature of the active metabolites involved, they may be termed: the diol epoxide mechanism, the quinone mechanism, and the radical-cation mechanism. In connection with studies to evaluate the relative importance of these pathways, we required practical methods for the syntheses of the active PAH metabolites involved. We now report efficient new synthesis of the o-quinones of benzo[a]pyrene (BPQ), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBAQ), and benz[a]anthracene (BAQ). These quinones are convenient synthetic precursors of the related o-catechols, trans-dihydrodiols, and diol epoxides, as well as the stable adducts of the o-quinones with 2-deoxyadenosine and 2′-deoxyguanosine.     

Transport of Gellan Gum Microbeads in Soil Columns of Various Grain Size Distributions

The transport of gellan gum microbeads as potential cell carriers was investigated in horizontal columns packed with different grain size classes of gravel (2–16 mm) and sand (0.25–2 mm). A suspension of microbeads was pulsed into each column for 6 h, followed by injection of water for 42 h. In general, the total amount of microbeads travelling across a given section of the column increased with injection time but decreased towards the column outlet, varying as a direct function of grain size. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of the transport of gellan gum microbeads through medium sand to medium gravel across distances up to 110 cm.