Demand driven salt clean-up in a molten salt fast reactor – Defining a priority list

<div><p>The PUREX technology based on aqueous processes is currently the leading reprocessing technology in nuclear energy systems. It seems to be the most developed and established process for light water reactor fuel and the use of solid fuel. However, demand driven development of the nuclear system opens the way to liquid fuelled reactors, and disruptive technology development through the application of an integrated fuel cycle with a direct link to reactor operation. The possibilities of this new concept for innovative reprocessing technology development are analysed, the boundary conditions are discussed, and the economic as well as the neutron physical optimization parameters of the process are elucidated. Reactor physical knowledge of the influence of different elements on the neutron economy of the reactor is required. Using an innovative study approach, an element priority list for the salt clean-up is developed, which indicates that separation of Neodymium and Caesium is desirable, as they contribute almost 50% to the loss of criticality. Separating Zirconium and Samarium in addition from the fuel salt would remove nearly 80% of the loss of criticality due to fission products. The theoretical study is followed by a qualitative discussion of the different, demand driven optimization strategies which could satisfy the conflicting interests of sustainable reactor operation, efficient chemical processing for the salt clean-up, and the related economic as well as chemical engineering consequences. A new, innovative approach of balancing the throughput through salt processing based on a low number of separation process steps is developed. Next steps for the development of an economically viable salt clean-up process are identified.</p></div

Branching ratio measurements of BsB_s decays

We have just entered an era of precision measurements for

Формирование и совершенствование оплаты труда на предприятии ООО «Томскнефтехим»

Объект исследования - предприятие ООО «Томскнефтехим». Предметом исследования является формирование оплаты труда на данном предприятии. Цель работы – исследование вопросов формирования и совершенствования оплаты труда на предприятии. В процессе исследования применялись научные и специальные методы экономических исследований, а именно диалектический метод, системный и процессный подходы, анализ литературных данных, обобщения, описания, расчетно – аналитический подход и сравнительно – сопоставительный методы. В качестве рекомендации предприятию в отношении экономических методов организации работы специалистов и руководителей и ее эффективности можно предложить ввести систему KPI (ключевых показателей эффективности) оценку способностей и качества работы персонала. Оценка результатов выступает основой для выплаты регулярных премий, то есть у сотрудников появляются возможности зарабатывать больше, а также оценка квалификации и потенциала работника может стать основой для принятия решений по его обучению, карьерному перемещению и эффективной работе на предприятии.The object of study - the enterprise of OOO "Tomskneftekhim". The subject of research is the formation of wage in the enterprise. The aim of this work is the study of questions of formation and improvement of labor payment at the enterprise. In the process of research used scientific and special methods of economic researches, namely the dialectical method, system and process approaches, the literary data analysis, generalization, description, analytical approach and comparative methods. As a recommendation to the enterprise in respect of economic methods of organization of work of specialists and managers and its effectiveness can introduce the KPI system (key performance indicators) the ability and quality of staff. Evaluation of results is the basis for the payment of regular premiums, then the employees have opportunities to earn more, as well as the qualification and potential of the employee can be the basis for decision-making in his training, career displacement and effective work at the enterprise

Machine learning based brain signal decoding for intelligent adaptive deep brain stimulation

Sensing enabled implantable devices and next-generation neurotechnology allow real-time adjustments of invasive neuromodulation. The identification of symptom and disease-specific biomarkers in invasive brain signal recordings has inspired the idea of demand dependent adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS). Expanding the clinical utility of aDBS with machine learning may hold the potential for the next breakthrough in the therapeutic success of clinical brain computer interfaces. To this end, sophisticated machine learning algorithms optimized for decoding of brain states from neural time-series must be developed. To support this venture, this review summarizes the current state of machine learning studies for invasive neurophysiology. After a brief introduction to the machine learning terminology, the transformation of brain recordings into meaningful features for decoding of symptoms and behavior is described. Commonly used machine learning models are explained and analyzed from the perspective of utility for aDBS. This is followed by a critical review on good practices for training and testing to ensure conceptual and practical generalizability for real-time adaptation in clinical settings. Finally, first studies combining machine learning with aDBS are highlighted. This review takes a glimpse into the promising future of intelligent adaptive DBS (iDBS) and concludes by identifying four key ingredients on the road for successful clinical adoption: i) multidisciplinary research teams, ii) publicly available datasets, iii) open-source algorithmic solutions and iv) strong world-wide research collaborations.Fil: Merk, Timon. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Peterson, Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Köhler, Richard. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Haufe, Stefan. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Richardson, R. Mark. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Neumann, Wolf Julian. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Alemani

PEEK Primary Crowns with Cobalt-Chromium, Zirconia and Galvanic Secondary Crowns with Different Tapers-A Comparison of Retention Forces

In prosthetic dentistry, double crown systems have proved their suitability as retainers for removable partial dentures. However, investigations in this context, regarding polyetheretherketone, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the retention force (RF) between polyetheretherketone (PEEK) primary and cobalt-chromium (CoCr), zirconia (ZrO2) and galvanic (GAL) secondary crowns with three different tapers. Primary PEEK-crowns were milled with the tapers 0 degrees, 1 degrees, and 2 degrees (n = 10/taper, respectively). Afterwards, 90 secondary crowns were fabricated: (i) 30 CoCr-crowns milled from Ceramill Sintron (AmannGirrbach, Koblach, Austria) (n = 10/taper), (ii) 30 ZrO2-crowns milled from Ceramill ZI (AmannGirrbach, Koblach, Austria) (n = 10/taper), and (iii) 30 GAL-crowns made using electroforming (n = 10/taper). RF was measured in a pull-off test (20 pull-offs/specimen) and data were analyzed using 2-/1-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey-Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test and linear regression analyses (p 0.141). At 0 degrees taper, no differences in retention forces between GAL, CrCr, and ZrO2 crowns were found (p = 0.075). However, at 1 degrees and 2 degrees taper, lower RF for GAL-crowns were observed (p < 0.009, p < 0.001, respectively). According to this laboratory study, PEEK might be a suitable material for primary crowns, regardless of the taper and the material of secondary crown. Long-term results, however, are still necessary

Multiple Cytochrome P450 Isozymes in Murine Skin: Induction of P450 1A, 2B, 2E, and 3A by Dexamethasone

Cytochrome P450s (P450s) are a supergene family of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of a wide range of endogenous and foreign compounds. P450 isozymes possess overlapping substrate specificity. Systemic administration of dexamethasone, a widely used topical agent in dermatologic practice, to animals is known to result in the induction of multiple P450 isozymes in liver. In this study the effect of topical application of dexamethasone to mice on P450-dependent monooxygenase activities, expression of P450 isozymes, and P450 mRNA levels in skin was assessed. The treatment of mice with dexamethasone resulted in significant induction of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (2.3 times), 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (19.2 times), para-nitrophenol hydroxylase (7.5 times), and erythromycin N-demethylase (2.2 times) activities; the monooxygenases catalyzed preferentially by P450 isozymes 1A1, 2B1, 2E1, and 3A, respectively. Immunoblot analysis of cutaneous microsomes, employing antibodies directed against purified P450s 1A1/2, 2B1/2, 2E1, and 3A, showed that dexamethasone treatment results in an increased immunoreactivity (1.8 – 13.9 times). In immunohistochemical staining of skin with antibody against P4502B1/2, topical application of dexamethasone resulted in an increased reactivity towards microsomal protein in the suprabasal layer of the epidermis and with the cells of the hair follicles. Whereas constitutive expression of mRNAs for CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 was evident in murine skin, any change in the levels of these mRNAs following treatment with dexamethasone was not apparent. The results of our study indicate that the application of dexamethasone to murine skin results in the induction of several families of P450 isozymes, suggesting that murine skin contains multiple inducible P450 isozymes capable of participating in the metabolism of a wide range of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds

Retention Load Values of Telescopic Crowns Made of Y-TZP and CoCr with Y-TZP Secondary Crowns: Impact of Different Taper Angles

This study aimed to examine and compare the retention load values (RL) of different telescopic crown assemblies (Y-TZP and CoCr primary crowns with electroformed and Y-TZP secondary crowns each) with three different taper angles (0 degrees, 1 degrees and 2 degrees). Thirty Y-TZP primary crowns with electroformed gold copings (Z/G group) and Y-TZP secondary crowns (Z/Z group) and 30 CoCr primary crowns with electroformed gold copings (C/G group) and Y-TZP secondary crowns (C/Z group), each with taper angles of 0 degrees, 1 degrees and 2 degrees, were fabricated, respectively. With the exception of the electroformed gold copings, all specimens were Computer-Aided-Design/Computer-Aided-Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-milled, then sintered and afterwards manually adapted. In order to stabilize the gold copings, they were fixed in a tertiary structure. The secondary crowns were constructed with a hook, which ensured self-alignment with an upper chain. Afterwards, 20 pull-off test cycles were performed in a universal testing machine under artificial saliva and after weighing the secondary crowns with a 5 kg object for 20 s. Data were analyzed by one-way and two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). C/Z with 1 degrees showed higher (p = 0.009) RL than 0 degrees and 2 degrees tapers. C/G at 1 degrees also showed higher (p = 0.001) RL than at tapers of 0 degrees and 2 degrees. Z/G and C/G at 0 degrees showed lower RL than Z/Z and C/Z (p < 0.001). Primary crowns had no impact on the 0 degrees group. Z/G showed lower RL as compared to C/Z within the 1 degrees group (p = 0.007) and Z/Z in the 2 degrees group (p = 0.006). The primary crown material had no influence on RL. Electroformed copings showed lower RL. Further investigations for 1 degrees as well as for the long-term performance after thermomechanical aging are necessary

Rheology of different hydrocolloids-rice starch blends. Effect of successive heating-cooling cycles

10 pages, 3 figures, 5 tables.-- Available online 25 November 2010.Hydrocolloids are frequently used for modifying starch functionality. In the present study the possible interaction of three different hydrocolloids – guar gum, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and xanthan gum – with rice starch was explored by determining the pasting, viscoelastic and swelling properties of the rice starch–hydrocolloids mixtures. The impact of successive heating–cooling cycles on the pasting, viscoelasticity and swelling was also determined. Hydrocolloids tested in the range 0.2–0.8% (w/w) significantly modified the pasting, viscoelastic and swelling properties of rice starch–hydrocolloid pastes (8%, w/w) and the extent of the effect was dependent on hydrocolloid concentration. Guar and xanthan gum mixtures with rice starch had the greatest effect on the pasting properties, whereas HPMC mixtures only changed the viscosity during cooling. The starch–hydrocolloids pastes formed weaker gels compared to those of the starch alone. Rheological results suggested the formation of composite network structures with high frequency dependence. Successive multiple-heating cycles allowed the gel to rearrange resulting in altered gel viscoelasticity and release of water soluble compounds that favour phase separation at the highest hydrocolloid level tested.Financial support from University of California-Davis, Ministry of Education and Science, Spanish Research National Council (CSIC) and Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Project AGL2008-00092/ALI) is gratefully acknowledged. Dr. Rosell thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science for her grant.Peer reviewe

First Observation of the Decays (B)over-bar(0) -&gt; D+K-pi(+)pi(-) and B- -&gt; (DK-)-K-0 pi(+)pi(-)

First observations of the Cabibbo-suppressed decays B¯0 → D+K-π+π- and B- → D0K-π+π- are reported using 35 pB-1 of data collected with the LHCb detector. Their branching fractions are measured with respect to the corresponding Cabibbo-favored decays, from which we obtain B(B¯0→ D+K-π+π-)/B(B¯0→D+π-π+π-)=(5.9±1.1±0.5)×10-2 and B(B-→D0K-π+π-)/B(B-→ D0π-π+π-)=(9.4±1.3±0.9)×10-2, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The B- → D0K-π+π- decay is particularly interesting, as it can be used in a similar way to B- → D0K- to measure the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase γ. © 2012 CERN