PEN as self-vetoing structural Material

Polyethylene Naphtalate (PEN) is a mechanically very favorable polymer. Earlier it was found that thin foils made from PEN can have very high radio-purity compared to other commercially available foils. In fact, PEN is already in use for low background signal transmission applications (cables). Recently it has been realized that PEN also has favorable scintillating properties. In combination, this makes PEN a very promising candidate as a self-vetoing structural material in low background experiments. Components instrumented with light detectors could be built from PEN. This includes detector holders, detector containments, signal transmission links, etc. The current R\&D towards qualification of PEN as a self-vetoing low background structural material is be presented.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, contribution to Proceedings of the sixth workshop on Low Radioactivity Techniques 2017, 23-27 May 2017 Seoul, to be published at AIP, editor: D. Leonar

Traffic volume and waiting time influence on gap acceptance of selected change direction U-turn opening

The vehicles moving on change direction U-turn opening have to spend some time while the acceptable headway provided on conflicting main traffic flow. The present paper investigated the effect of waiting time and traffic volume increasing on gap acceptance behavior, critical gap limit, and U-turn capacity. The data were collected at selected change direction U-turn in Najaf city (center city of the Najaf governorate located approximately 160 km south of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq) within Najaf city highways network. The study concentrated on the passenger cars driver movement at change direction U-turn openings. The analysis approach depended on evaluating these parameters and their degree of influence on U-turn capacity is statistical analysis. statistical analysis established that, when waiting time fall in a range between 21- 30 sec, driver enforced to accept gap size less than that fall in the range of 11 to 20 sec at a confidence interval of 95%. On the other hand, there is a slightly different in mean gap acceptance between an interval of (1-10) and (11-20) sec) at the same confidence interval. Results showed the studied U- turn change direction median critical gap equal to 3.75 sec. and follow-up time was 1.1 seconds. According to Siegloch’s formula the maximum capacity of 3273pcu/ hr. At level of confidence of 95%, the mean value of the highest wait time group interval is lower than the critical gap. Therefore, the studied change direction U-turn might be hazard location and it is important to control and manage at the median opening

Does a Non-verifiable Imperfect Informative Binary Signal Always a Strictly Positive Value?

Owing to the difference between the status quo utility levels of a good agent and a bad agent, we find that a firm adopting a non-verifiable imperfect informative binary signal does not necessarily change its action (on trading off output efficiency against rent extraction). Hence, the signal does not always a strictly positive value for the firm.Ex Ante Non-verifiable Informative Signals Type-Dependent Status Quo Rent Extraction-Efficiency Trade-Off.

Radiation Damage and Recovery Properties of Common Plastics PEN (Polyethylene Naphthalate) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Using a 137Cs Gamma Ray Source Up To 1 MRad and 10 MRad

Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) are cheap and common polyester plastics used throughout the world in the manufacturing of bottled drinks, containers for foodstuffs, and fibers used in clothing. These plastics are also known organic scintillators with very good scintillation properties. As particle physics experiments increase in energy and particle flux density, so does radiation exposure to detector materials. It is therefore important that scintillators be tested for radiation tolerance at these generally unheard of doses. We tested samples of PEN and PET using laser stimulated emission on separate tiles exposed to 1 MRad and 10 MRad gamma rays with a 137Cs source. PEN exposed to 1 MRad and 10 MRad emit 71.4% and 46.7% of the light of an undamaged tile, respectively, and maximally recover to 85.9% and 79.5% after 5 and 9 days, respectively. PET exposed to 1 MRad and 10 MRad emit 35.0% and 12.2% light, respectively, and maximally recover to 93.5% and 80.0% after 22 and 60 days, respectively

Bedding material in dirt-floor pens reduces heat

Weather-related stressors are a well-recognized opponent to animal welfare and can have important ramifications for animal performance. Sound animal husbandry practices historically have attempted to diminish the effects of deleterious environmental factors. Providing aid to animals when temperatures are above or below their thermal neutral zone (TNZ) can improve animal welfare and/or performance. Because most breeds of cattle are not well equipped to deal with heat, the temperatures at which heat stress can begin to affect cattle can be surprisingly low. The onset of mild heat stress can occur at a temperature humidity index (THI1) value of 75, which can correspond to an ambient temperature as low as 78°F. Aside from food, water, and shelter, arguably the most widely used intervention to counteract the elements is the provision of bedding material during times of cold weather or during events for which the stress of cold may prove too difficult for animals to compensate (i.e., calving, illness, etc.). By providing a layer of insulation as bedding for animals, heat exchange via conduction from their body to the earth is decreased, allowing them to maintain body temperature at a much lower cost to their metabolism. This basic principle of insulation also may be applied in times of heat stress. In an attempt to decrease the effects of heat stress in feedlot cattle, some producers apply wheat straw or grass hay as bedding material, hypothesizing that bedding acts as an insulator from the pen floor, which otherwise serves as a reservoir and conductor of heat. Bedding materials normally are lighter in color than the pen surface, and therefore have less solar heat gain. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been conducted to examine the effects of these bedding materials on the temperature of the pen surface. Additionally, determining the effects of varying thicknesses of manure on pen surface temperatures may provide useful information for management decisions regarding pen cleaning and maintenance

U-Module and readpen

U-Module and ReadPen is a combination of module with read pen which is meant for university students to read book/ module anytime with a built in speaker on the pen. U-Module and ReadPen provides definition (synonym) and also translation of the sentences into several languages. For example, from English to Malay. The most interesting part of U-Module and ReadPen is that it starts the narration audio and translation from anywhere the consumer want, by just pointing the pen on any sentences in the textbook

Deformation and stress analysis of a U-shaped pipe compensator using a 3D scanner

The paper shows a comparison of the three different methods to determine stress and strain in a U-shaped pipe compensator which is used to decrease stress in long pipes due to the constrained temperature dilatations. The stress and strain are analyzed analytically first with some parts of the analytical solution obtained numerically, such as integrals with no analytical solution in a closed form, i.e., functional series can be involved as a tool to solve those integrals. The pipe is analyzed as a beam or a planar frame using the Castigliano's method to determine displacements. Since there are curved parts of the U compensator, the curved beam theory is applied. The alternative method to determine the strains and stresses along the pipe is shown using the numerical simulations in SolidWorks. The results are compared with the analytical solution. Finally, the experimental method using a 3D scanner is involved for a comparison to check the applied conditions in the analytical and the simulation model

Open to the Public: Speaking Out on "No Child Left Behind", A Report from 2004 Public Hearings - California

Shortly after NCLB was passed in 2001, Public Education Network (PEN) began an intensive examination of the law to determine the rights and privileges it accords to parents and community members. Approximately 10,000 print copies of the resulting publication, "Using NCLB to Improve Student Achievement: An Action Guide for Community and Parent Leaders", have been requested by organizations throughout the country, with more than 40,000 copies downloaded from the PEN website. In addition, a series of NCLB action briefs, developed by PEN in partnership with the National Coalition for Parent Involvement In Education, have been downloaded more than 25,000 times.With this demand for information on NCLB as background, PEN held a series of state hearings to give the public a structured way to enter the debate on the pros and cons of NCLB and the effects, both positive and negative, the law is having on schools and students. Nine hearings took place in eight states over a five-month period. Each state hearing was conducted in partnership with local organizations and presided over by a panel of state and national hearing officers.PEN hopes these forums broadened the public debate about NCLB and provided policymakers with information on how their work encourages or discourages quality education for children. The findings from PEN's NCLB hearings were transmitted to decision makers at the national, state, and local levels to help them determine which aspects of NCLB the public supports, what are the primary concerns, and what mid-course corrections are needed to achieve the most beneficial results for all students