Dispersion of vapor from LNG spills at Energy Terminal Service Corporation: simulation on a wind tunnel

Prepared for Energy Terminal Services Corporation.CER80-81KMK-RNM59.Includes bibliographical references

Accelerated dilution of liquefied natural gas plumes with fences and vortex generators: final report, August 1981-May 1982

May 1982.Includes bibliographical references.Report No. GRI-81/0074.CER81-82KMK-RNM79.A wind-tunnel test program was conducted on a 1:250 scale model to determine the effects of fences and vortex generators on the dispersion of LNG plumes. The tests were conducted simulating continuous LNG boil-off rates of 20, 30 and 40 m3/min; 4, 7, 9 and 12 m/sec wind speed for fence data and 4, 7 and 9 m/sec wind speed for vortex generator data; six configurations; and two heights of fences and vortex generators. Plots of ground-level mean concentration contours were constructed. The highest concentrations were observed for the case of no fences and vortex generators. Fences and vortex generators created higher turbulence intensity in the wake and resulted into enhanced mixing thus reducing the ground-level hazards of LNG plumes. In general, the lower wind speed gave the higher ground-level concentration when fence or vortex generator interacted with the LNG plume. However, for the case of no fence or vortex generator the higher concentration persisted for longer downwind distances for 7 m/sec wind speed. As expected, the ground-level concentrations were increased with an increase in LNG boil-off rate but decreased with the increase in the fence/vortex generator height. In general, the solid fences gave the lower ground-level concentration as compared with the vortex generator with identical conditions. The double fences or vortex generators gave the maximum LNG plume dilution. However, the single fence or vortex generator near the source gave approximately the same dilution and hence, it would not justify the additional expenses of having second fence or vortex generator. It was also observed that the maximum LNG plume dilution occurs when the fence or vortex generator is closest possible to the LNG spill area.For Gas Research Institute, Contract No. 5014-352-0203

Building effects on National Transonic Facility exhaust plume

December 1979.Prepared for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center.CER79-80KMK-RNM35.Includes bibliographical references

Native Plasmid-Encoded Mercury Resistance Genes Are Functional and Demonstrate Natural Transformation in Environmental Bacterial Isolates.

Plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driver of genetic diversity in bacteria. We experimentally validated the function of a putative mercury resistance operon present on an abundant 8-kbp native plasmid found in groundwater samples without detectable levels of mercury. Phylogenetic analyses of the plasmid-encoded mercury reductases from the studied groundwater site show them to be distinct from those reported in proximal metal-contaminated sites. We synthesized the entire native plasmid and demonstrated that the plasmid was sufficient to confer functional mercury resistance in Escherichia coli Given the possibility that natural transformation is a prevalent HGT mechanism in the low-cell-density environments of groundwaters, we also assayed bacterial strains from this environment for competence. We used the native plasmid-encoded metal resistance to design a screen and identified 17 strains positive for natural transformation. We selected 2 of the positive strains along with a model bacterium to fully confirm HGT via natural transformation. From an ecological perspective, the role of the native plasmid population in providing advantageous traits combined with the microbiome's capacity to take up environmental DNA enables rapid adaptation to environmental stresses.IMPORTANCE Horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements via natural transformation has been poorly understood in environmental microbes. Here, we confirm the functionality of a native plasmid-encoded mercury resistance operon in a model microbe and then query for the dissemination of this resistance trait via natural transformation into environmental bacterial isolates. We identified 17 strains including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to be naturally competent. These strains were able to successfully take up the plasmid DNA and obtain a clear growth advantage in the presence of mercury. Our study provides important insights into gene dissemination via natural transformation enabling rapid adaptation to dynamic stresses in groundwater environments

LNG plume interaction with surface obstacles: final report, September 1980-September 1982

September 1981.CER81-82KMK-RNM-DEN22.Includes bibliographical references.Prepared for Gas Research Institute, Contract No. 5014-352-0203

Behavior of LNG vapor clouds: tests to define the size, shape and structure of LNG vapor clouds

Annual report for 1979-1980.GRI 79/0073.July 1980.Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-37).A terraced 1:240 scale model of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center was constructed to a resolution of one foot vertical increments and placed in the wind tunnel to determine the distances of lower flammability limit (LFL) for 1980, 40 cubic meter spills of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) under 4 wind speeds, 5 wind directions, and neutral flow conditions. A set of 8 aspirated hot-wire katharometer probes were made to determine the transient concentration at various downwind locations. Measurements of mean velocities, turbulence intensities, velocity spectra and correlations were performed over the model in the wind tunnel capable of simulating atmospheric phenomena. Data analysis has produced peak concentrations, contours of LFL, and time progressions of the plume ground level LFL. The wind tunnel test should determine the locations of meteorological or concentration instruments set up for field tests. In addition, the expected distances to LFL are determined by wind tunnel tests, thus the field program has the prior knowledge of the distances up to which the measurements should be performed.For Gas Research Institute, contract no. 5014-352-0203

Search for TeV γ\gamma -rays from H1426+428 during 2004-07 with the TACTIC telescope

The BL Lac object H1426+428 ($z\equiv 0.129$) is an established source of TeV $\gamma$-rays and detections of these photons from this object also have important implications for estimating the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) in addition to the understanding of the particle acceleration and $\gamma$-ray production mechanisms in the AGN jets. We have observed this source for about 244h in 2004, 2006 and 2007 with the TACTIC $\gamma$-ray telescope located at Mt. Abu, India. Detailed analysis of these data do not indicate the presence of any statistically significant TeV $\gamma$-ray signal from the source direction. Accordingly, we have placed an upper limit of $\leq1.18\times10^{-12}$ $photons$ $cm^{-2}$ $s^{-1}$ on the integrated $\gamma$-ray flux at 3$\sigma$ significance level.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures accepted for publication in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physic

Evaluation of two mobile health apps in the context of smoking cessation: qualitative study of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus non-CBT-based digital solutions.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) apps can offer users numerous benefits, representing a feasible and acceptable means of administering health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is commonly used in the treatment of mental health conditions, where it has a strong evidence base, suggesting that it represents an effective method to elicit health behavior change. More importantly, CBT has proved to be effective in smoking cessation, in the context of smoking-related costs to the National Health Service (NHS) having been estimated to be as high as £2.6bn in 2015. Although the evidence base for computerized CBT in mental health is strong, there is limited literature on its use in smoking cessation. This, combined with the cost-effectiveness of mHealth interventions, advocates a need for research into the effectiveness of CBT-based smoking cessation apps. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was, first, to explore participants' perceptions of 2 mHealth apps, a CBT-based app, Quit Genius, and a non-CBT-based app, NHS Smokefree, over a variety of themes. Second, the study aimed to investigate the perceptions and health behavior of users of each app with respect to smoking cessation. METHODS: A qualitative short-term longitudinal study was conducted, using a sample of 29 smokers allocated to one of the 2 apps, Quit Genius or Smokefree. Each user underwent 2 one-to-one semistructured interviews, 1 week apart. Thematic analysis was carried out, and important themes were identified. Descriptive statistics regarding participants' perceptions and health behavior in relation to smoking cessation are also provided. RESULTS: The thematic analysis resulted in five higher themes and several subthemes. Participants were generally more positive about Quit Genius's features, as well as about its design and information engagement and quality. Quit Genius users reported increased motivation to quit smoking, as well as greater willingness to continue using their allocated app after 1 week. Moreover, these participants demonstrated preliminary changes in their smoking behavior, although this was in the context of our limited sample, not yet allowing for the finding to be generalizable. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the use of CBT in the context of mHealth apps as a feasible and potentially effective smoking cessation tool. mHealth apps must be well developed, preferably with an underlying behavioral change mechanism, to promote positive health behavior change. Digital CBT has the potential to become a powerful tool in overcoming current health care challenges. The present results should be replicated in a wider sample using the apps for a longer period so as to allow for generalizability. Further research is also needed to focus on the effect of greater personalization on behavioral change and on understanding the psychological barriers to the adoption of new mHealth solutions

Wake and diffusion structure behind a model industrial complex, The

CER81-82KMK-JAP-RNM19.November 1981.NRC FIN B5829.NUREG/CR-1473.Bibliography: pages 29-31.Prepared for Division of Health, Siting, and Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under contract no. NRC 04-76-236