Investigation of the behavior of platinum-group elements during vitrification of model high-level wastes in application to an induction melter with a cold crucible

Conclusions In the process of vitrification of high-level wastes the platinum-group elements form at the calcination stage phases which have a limited solubility in the glass melts. If the dissolved part of the platinum-group elements, which at 1200–1300°C does not form more than 30% of their total concentration in the melt [3], is neglected, then apparently it can be assumed that the behavior of the dispersed particles of the platinum-group elements is determined by their thermodynamic stability, interaction with one another, and sedimentation, and the melts of the phosphate and borosilicate glasses play the role of an inert medium. Ruthenium dioxide and the solid solutions based on it, which contain up to 1.5% Ru, Rh, and Pd, are stable up to 1500°C. In the temperature range 1050–1200°C rhodium oxide and the solid solutions based on it, decompose and form metallic rhodium. Metallic palladium apparently forms at 800–900°C. In ceramic melters the temperature of the glass melt is equal to the temperature of the dispersed particles and the composition of the heterogeneous phase based on the platinum-group elements will be determined by the temperature chosen for performing the vitrification process. Induction heating results in local overheating of the electrically conducting dispersed particles by the high-frequency field and, irrespective of the process temperature, in the melt it forms alloys based on platinum-group elements. In summary, the local temperature of the dispersed particles will determine their phase composition, their density, and ultimately their rate of sedimentation and accumulation at the bottom of the melters. State Science Center of the Russian Federation A. A. Bochvar All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Standardization in Machine Engineering. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 79, No. 1, pp. 34–37, July, 1995.     

Effect of neutron radiation on the structure and properties of uranium monosilicide

A. A. Bochvar All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Standardization in Machine Engineering. Moscow Engineering Physics Institute. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 77, No. 2, pp. 123–129, August, 1994.     

Dynamic analysis of the NPP pressure sensor system

The aim of the work was to develop on-line methods of control and diagnostics of pressure sensors at a NPP. The analysis was carried out along two lines:

1. i) The detection system including the sensor itself was modeled theoretically to obtain and study its transfer function, and to establish correspondence between the spectral characteristics of the pressure signal.

2. ii) The numerical processing of the signal using the AR technique to reconstruct the transfer function and evaluate the system's response, to a step impulse, as well as the spectral analysis. The hydraulic model presented indicate that the spectral lines observed at 10 Hz are due to longitu-dinal oscillations of water in the system branches, while the response time of the detection system is effectively the time of signal retardation in the porous ceramic diaphragms of the δ-cell of the sensor itself.

     

Generating topological structures for surface models

Rapid prototyping has imposed new requirements on the processing of CAD models. To manufacture an object directly, the model must correspond to a real object and thus represent a closed volume. Its boundary must be continuous and closed, and no cracks or improper intersections are allowed. CAD models cannot always meet these requirements, especially when they are constructed by a surface modeler. The algorithm discussed analyzes surface models and generates a topological structure for them that meets rapid prototyping requirements for a closed volume with a continuous, closed boundary     

Shear bond strength of amalgam adhesives to dentin

Recent studies have suggested that failure of pentamidine prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) may be due to reduced deposition of pentamidine in the upper lobes. In this study, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage from the apical segment of the upper lobe and the middle lobe in 51 HIV-positive patients, all of whom were receiving prophylaxis with aerosolized pentamidine, who had presented with acute respiratory symptoms. Lavage fluid from each lobe was assayed for pentamidine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The number of clusters of P carinii were counted after staining with a Wright-Giemsa stain. The patients were subclassified as PCP-positive (32 patients) and PCP-negative (19 patients) on the basis of the presence/absence of P carinii clusters in their BAL fluid. The concentration of pentamidine in the upper lobe compared with the middle lobe was no different (using paired Student's t tests) for either PCP-positive patients or PCP-negative patients. In comparing the positive with the negative subjects, using unpaired Student's t test, there was no difference in the concentration of pentamidine in the upper lobe or the middle lobe. For PCP-positive patients, the numbers of P carinii clusters were on average higher in the upper lobes (mean +/- SD: upper = 14.9 +/- 16.6, middle 7.5 +/- 10.8, p = 0.013, paired Student's t test), but there was no correlation between lobar P carinii cluster counts and pentamidine levels. We conclude that the absence of a relationship between cluster count and pentamidine level, the similarity in regional pentamidine levels between upper and middle lobes, as well as the similarity in pentamidine levels between the PCP-positive and PCP-negative groups indicate that the regional dose of pentamidine is not the determining factor as to whether aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis will succeed or fail.     

Effect of cisplatin and c-myb antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides combination on a human colon carcinoma cell line in vitro and in vivo

We investigated the effect of c-myb antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides [(S)ODNs] and cisplatin (CDDP) combination on the human colon carcinoma cell line LoVo Dx both in vitro and in nude mice bearing LoVo Dx solid tumour. We show that antisense (S)ODN treatment decreases c-myb mRNA and protein expression, induces growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and inhibits cell proliferation. In vivo treatment with c-myb antisense (S)ODNs results in a reduction in tumour growth. A greater inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro and a higher increase of tumour growth inhibition and growth delay in vivo were obtained with the combination of (S)ODNs and CDDP than when the two agents were administered separately. This comparative study, using the same tumour cell line in vitro and in vivo, suggests that c-myb antisense (S)ODNs might be useful in the therapy of colon cancer in combination with antineoplastic drugs.     

The new Eurotransplant Kidney Allocation System: report one year after implementation. Eurotransplant International Foundation

BACKGROUND: Upon the availability of a cadaveric donor kidney, a delicate allocation process precedes every transplantation. A remodeled Eurotransplant Kidney Allocation System (ETKAS)-derived from simulation studies-was installed in March 1996. The purpose was to adjust long waiting times and international exchange balances, while aiming at an optimal HLA-mismatch distribution. The new ETKAS consisted of a point-score system that was 100% patient oriented. METHODS: The impact of the new ETKAS on the composition of the waiting list, and the outcome of the allocation procedures during its first year, were evaluated and compared with the results obtained in 1995. RESULTS: The percentage of long-waiting patients and of patients with poorly matchable HLA phenotype increased significantly, from 9% to 19% and from 19% to 29%, respectively. Zero HLA-A-, HLA-B-, HLA-DR-mismatched patients still comprised 23% of the kidney transplant activity. The kidney exchange of the different Eurotransplant countries became balanced within 4 months; this persisted during the rest of the year. Pediatric patients had a high transplantation rate due to an assignment of extra points. The composition of the waiting list showed, after 1 year, fewer long-waiting patients and fewer patients with rare HLA phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The new ETKAS was able in its first year to meet the goals set at its introduction. In comparison with the old ETKAS, there was a better trade-off between HLA matching and waiting time. The value of computer simulation studies has been demonstrated impressively in the context of organ allocation.