Power-dependent dispersion in far-off-resonant raman scattering

We investigate the saturation effects of power broadening, Stark shifting, and population transfer on Stokes conversion in stimulated Raman scattering. We do not make the usual rotating wave approximation because the detuning from the next electronic state is assumed to be in the optical regime. Retaining the counter-rotating terms allows an exact determination of the pump and Stokes indexes of refraction. Steady-state solutions for the Stokes intensity and phase are obtained and the effects of making the rotating wave approximation (RWA) are discussed. Finally, we examine the behavior of these solutions for Stokes conversion in hydrogen gas when geometric propagation is appropriate.     

PCR-based procedures in detection and DNA-fingerprinting of Salmonella from samples of animal origin

The usefulness of selected PCR-protocols for the detection of Salmonella in 117 samples of animal origin (17 raw minced meat, 27 raw chicken meat, 8 raw sausages, and 25 egg samples, as well as 18 poultry faecal, and caecal swabs samples) and DNA-fingerprinting typing is shown. To establish an accurate PCR-procedure for Salmonella detection the following parameters were evaluated: two pre-PCR concentration procedures, centrifugation and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) using Dynabeads anti- Salmonella; the specificity and sensitivity of 10 sets of primers; and different conditions of the amplification reaction. In light of the results obtained from the use of PCR-based procedures alone or in combination with conventional methods, the following findings can be underlined: First, IMS is more efficient than centrifugation in the recovery of Salmonella. Second, the selected IMS/PCR-detection protocol is less time-consuming (45 h) than the IMS/culture procedure (90 h), and a good concordance between them was found when the Kappa coefficient was calculated (0·87). Third, PCR-ribotyping technique showed a very low discrimination power, being able to differentiate only three profiles. Fourth, RAPD technique using specific primers supports previous works in which it was proposed as a simple and useful tool for discriminating isolates between and within serotypes. Fifth, The efficiency, rapidity, and flexibility of the PCR-protocols applied were high, and they can be performed using two PCR-programs and the same basic equipment.     

Prestressed concrete containment of nuclear power station with PWR

The initial steps of the development of prestressed concrete containment (PCC) for nuclear power plant (NPP) with pressurized water reactors (PWR) in the former USSR are analyzed. The constructive and technological decisions, accepted for primary PCC of Novovoronez NPP, such as the positioning of reinforcement elements and seaths in cylindrical wall and dome of the containment, the anchorage of reinforcement element ends, the technological aspects of concrete works, system and technology of a high level of biaxial pressing on a thin-wall structure at large wrapping angles of power reinforcing strands and etc. are observed. Experience won through the construction and operation of the primary PCC served as a basis for development of a new generation of improved unified PCC (IUPCC) for serial NPP, equipped with PWR of capacity of 1000 MW. The IUPCC is actually a cylinder 45 m in diameter and 54-m high covered with a gently sloping spherical dome. Thickness of cylinder wall is 1200 mm and that of dome wall is 1100 mm. The principle novelty of this PCC is the type and positioning of reinforcement strands. The paper describes strand arrangement and their anchorage in IUPCC. In the vertical part of PCC, strands are arranged on a helical-loop scheme and both strand ends are firmly anchored at the ring girder. Each strand is bended at the bottom of the containment. In the dome, strands are grouped on the orthogonal-loop scheme with the anchorage on one side and with bend of loop on the opposite side of the ring girder. To prevent the leakage of gases and to ensure tightness of the IUPCC an inner metal 8-mm liner with special anti-corrosion coating is designed. Monitoring and checking the stress and strain state of IUPCC is possible during the building, testing as well as operating periods. If any defects or decreased prestress of concrete are detected it is possible to tighten or replace the strands. It is noted that the more than 20 IUPCCs are in-service in Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria where NPP with PWR of capacity of 1000 MW were constructed.     

Mechanisms of Active Fuzzy Expertise

Consideration was given to the decision making procedures based on the fuzzy messages of experts whose preferences on the set of collective decisions can also be fuzzy.     

Measurements of neutron induced nucleation

The paper describes new experimental evidence on the effects of fast neutron irradiation on the nucleation of bubbles in superheated demineralized water during sudden depressurization. The experimental range covered strating pressures of (0.33–6.0) MPa. It was shown that fast neutron irradiation causes significant increases in the bubble formation for specified conditions of pressure, temperature and rate of blowdown. A mechanistic interpretation of the measurements based on a thermodynamic model was included, and comparison was made, in terms of void fraction, with the experimental results.