Assessment of risks and costs associated with transportation of US Department of Energy radioactively contaminated carbon steel

This report provides a preliminary assessment of potential human health risks and develops unit risks and costs for transporting radioactively contaminated carbon steel (RCCS) scrap between U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites. The RCCS would be generated from DOE activities (current or future) and from decontamination and decommissioning of DOE facilities. The estimates of transportation system risk reflect preliminary information regarding the quantities of RCCS at some sites and the spectrum of activity in RCCS at various types of DOE facilities

Unit costs of waste management operations

This report provides estimates of generic costs for the management, disposal, and surveillance of various waste types, from the time they are generated to the end of their institutional control. Costs include monitoring and surveillance costs required after waste disposal. Available data on costs for the treatment, storage, disposal, and transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive, low-level radioactive, transuranic radioactive, hazardous, mixed (low-level radioactive plus hazardous), and sanitary wastes are presented. The costs cover all major elements that contribute to the total system life-cycle (i.e., ``cradle to grave``) cost for each waste type. This total cost is the sum of fixed and variable cost components. Variable costs are affected by operating rates and throughput capacities and vary in direct proportion to changes in the level of activity. Fixed costs remain constant regardless of changes in the amount of waste, operating rates, or throughput capacities. Key factors that influence cost, such as the size and throughput capacity of facilities, are identified. In many cases, ranges of values for the key variables are presented. For some waste types, the planned or estimated costs for storage and disposal, projected to the year 2000, are presented as graphics

Environmental impacts of options for disposal of depleted uranium tetrafluoride (UF{sub 4}).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) evaluated options for managing its depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF{sub 6}) inventory in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Long-Term Management and Use of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (PEIS) of April 1999. Along with the impacts from other management options, the PEIS discussed the environmental impacts from the disposal of depleted uranium oxide, which could result from the chemical conversion of depleted UF{sub 6}. It has been suggested that the depleted UF{sub 6} could also be converted to uranium tetrafluoride (UF{sub 4}) and disposed of. This report considers the potential environmental impacts from the disposal of DOE's depleted UF{sub 6} inventory after its conversion to UF{sub 4}. The impacts were evaluated for the same three disposal facility options that were considered in the PEIS for uranium oxide: shallow earthen structures, belowground vaults, and mines. They were evaluated for a dry environmental setting representative of the western United States. To facilitate comparisons and future decision making, the depleted UF{sub 4} disposal analyses performed and the results presented in this report are at the same level of detail as that in the PEIS

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

The usability of animal fat and plant-based biofuels, technical grade glycerin in particular, in power plant boilers

Rozpalanie kotłów energetycznych opalanych pyłem węglowym odbywa się z reguły przy pomocy paliw ciekłych spalanych przy pomocy palników olejowych różnych konstrukcji. Paliwo do palników doprowadzane jest przy pomocy instalacji zasilającej, wyposażonej w niezbędną armaturę i aparaturę kontrolno-pomiarową. Uruchomienie palnika olejowego realizowane jest za pomocą źródła energii o mocy zapewniającej pewny i skuteczny zapłon paliwa ciężkiego.Zapłon paliw ciekłych od iskry elektrycznej (220V) możliwy jest tylko wówczas, gdy zapewnione jest odpowiednie rozpylenie paliwa ciekłego. O efektywności rozpylania decydują głównie własności fizyczne rozpylonej cieczy, a przede wszystkim lepkość kinematyczna. Parametr ten jest bowiem cechą charakterystyczną, zarówno olei roślinnych, tłuszczy zwierzęcych, jak i gliceryny jako produktu odpadowego z przetwarzania olei roślinnych i tłuszczy zwierzęcych. Efekt stabilnego zapłonu i spalania biopaliw uzyskuje się po zapewnieniu niskiej lepkości kinematycznej rzędu 2÷5°E i odpowiedniej organizacji procesu rozpylania i mieszania z powietrzem na wylocie z dyszy palnika.Ignition in coal dust-fired power plant boilers usually takes place when liquid fuels are ignited by various kinds of oil burners. The fuel is supplied through feed pumps furnished with necessary fixtures, as well as control and measurement devices. To ensure that the burners work, a steady and effective source of energy must be provided that is powerful enough to ignite heavy fuel oils.Ignition of liquid fuels with an electric spark (220V) is possible only if they are atomized properly. The effectiveness of atomization depends primarily on the physical properties of the atomized fluid, in particular its kinematic viscosity, for this parameter is characteristic in animal fat and plant-based fuels, as well as in glycerin that is a byproduct of the processing of animal fat and plant-based fuels. A stable ignition and combustion of biofuels is achieved when the kinematic viscosity is low (that is 2÷5°E), the fuel is properly atomized and mixed with air in the outlet part of the burner nozzle

Comparison of echocardiographic linear dimensions for male and female child and adolescent athletes with published pediatric normative data.

BACKGROUND:Application of normative data for echocardiographic measurements to children practicing sports may lead to false positive findings. The aim of the study was to define the normative data of basic echocardiographic measurements for this group and to compare them to the previously published normative data for the pediatric population. METHODS:Parasternal long-axis 2D-guided echocardiographic measurements were obtained from a group of 791 child athletes (ages 5-18 years). According to the methodology presented previously by Pettersen et al. (2008), the regression equations for basic cardiac dimensions against body surface area were derived and individual Z-scores values were computed, using both Pettersen's equations and newly derived ones. RESULTS:Z-scores computed based on Pettersen's equations were found to differ significantly from those based on the new equations, for all the analyzed parameters (p<0.001). In agreement analysis, the most pronounced differences were found for the left atrium, interventricular septum and the left ventricular posterior wall. However, in most cases, the indications of abnormality were concordant (91.8%-97.6%); except for the left atrium, where there were 30.8% discordant results. CONCLUSION:The study presents normative data for basic echocardiographic cardiac measurements for children of both sexes practicing varying sporting disciplines and compares them with general pediatric population. Mean values of cardiac dimensions are higher in young athletes, particularly in relation to the left atrium and left ventricular muscle thickness. In most cases, the upper limit of normality observed in the young athletes is confined within the upper limit of the general pediatric population

Left ventricular mass is underestimated in overweight children because of incorrect body size variable chosen for normalization.

BackgroundLeft ventricular mass normalization for body size is recommended, but a question remains: what is the best body size variable for this normalization-body surface area, height or lean body mass computed based on a predictive equation? Since body surface area and computed lean body mass are derivatives of body mass, normalizing for them may result in underestimation of left ventricular mass in overweight children. The aim of this study is to indicate which of the body size variables normalize left ventricular mass without underestimating it in overweight children.MethodsLeft ventricular mass assessed by echocardiography, height and body mass were collected for 464 healthy boys, 5-18 years old. Lean body mass and body surface area were calculated. Left ventricular mass z-scores computed based on reference data, developed for height, body surface area and lean body mass, were compared between overweight and non-overweight children. The next step was a comparison of paired samples of expected left ventricular mass, estimated for each normalizing variable based on two allometric equations-the first developed for overweight children, the second for children of normal body mass.ResultsThe mean of left ventricular mass z-scores is higher in overweight children compared to non-overweight children for normative data based on height (0.36 vs. 0.00) and lower for normative data based on body surface area (-0.64 vs. 0.00). Left ventricular mass estimated normalizing for height, based on the equation for overweight children, is higher in overweight children (128.12 vs. 118.40); however, masses estimated normalizing for body surface area and lean body mass, based on equations for overweight children, are lower in overweight children (109.71 vs. 122.08 and 118.46 vs. 120.56, respectively).ConclusionNormalization for body surface area and for computed lean body mass, but not for height, underestimates left ventricular mass in overweight children

Left ventricular mass normalization in child and adolescent athletes must account for sex differences.

BackgroundTo assess left ventricular hypertrophy, actual left ventricular mass (LVM) normalized for body size has to be compared to the LVM normative data. However, only some published normative echocardiographic data have been produced separately for girls and boys; numerous normative data for the pediatric population are not sex-specific. Thus, this study aimed to assess whether the LVM normative data should be developed separately for girls and boys practicing sports.MethodsLeft ventricular mass was computed for 331 girls and 490 boys, 5-19 years old, based on echocardiography. The effect of sex on the relationship between LVM and body size was evaluated using a linear regression model. Seven sets of the LVM normative data were developed, using different methodologies, to test concordance between sex-specific and non-specific normative data. Every set consisted of normative data that was sex-specific and non-specific. Upon these normative data, for every study participant, seven pairs of LVM z-scores were calculated based on her/his actual LVM. Each pair consisted of z-scores computed based on sex-specific and non-specific normative data from the same set.ResultsThe regression lines fitted to the data points corresponding to LVM of boys had a higher slope than of girls, indicating that sex affects the relationship between LVM and body size. The mean differences between the paired LVM z-scores differed significantly from 0. The percentage of discordant indications, depending on the normalization method, ranged from 66.7% to 100% in girls and from 35.4% to 50% in boys. Application of the LVM normative data that were not sex-specific made relative LVM underestimated in girls and overestimated in boys.ConclusionThe LVM normative data should be developed separately for girls and boys practicing sports. Application of normative data that are not sex-specific results in an underestimation of relative LVM in girls and overestimation in boys

Analysis of accident sequences and source terms at treatment and storage facilities for waste generated by US Department of Energy waste management operations

This report documents the methodology, computational framework, and results of facility accident analyses performed for the US Department of Energy (DOE) Waste Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (WM PEIS). The accident sequences potentially important to human health risk are specified, their frequencies assessed, and the resultant radiological and chemical source terms evaluated. A personal-computer-based computational framework and database have been developed that provide these results as input to the WM PEIS for the calculation of human health risk impacts. The WM PEIS addresses management of five waste streams in the DOE complex: low-level waste (LLW), hazardous waste (HW), high-level waste (HLW), low-level mixed waste (LLMW), and transuranic waste (TRUW). Currently projected waste generation rates, storage inventories, and treatment process throughputs have been calculated for each of the waste streams. This report summarizes the accident analyses and aggregates the key results for each of the waste streams. Source terms are estimated, and results are presented for each of the major DOE sites and facilities by WM PEIS alternative for each waste stream. Key assumptions in the development of the source terms are identified. The appendices identify the potential atmospheric release of each toxic chemical or radionuclide for each accident scenario studied. They also discuss specific accident analysis data and guidance used or consulted in this report