Geothermal drilling technology update

Sandia National Laboratories conducts a comprehensive geothermal drilling research program for the US Department of Energy, Office of Geothermal Technologies. The program currently includes seven areas: lost circulation technology, hard-rock drill bit technology, high-temperature instrumentation, wireless data telemetry, slimhole drilling technology, Geothermal Drilling Organization (GDO) projects, and drilling systems studies. This paper describes the current status of the projects under way in each of these program areas

Criopreservação de sêmen de Jundiá, Rhamdia voulezi e r. branneri (Siluriformes: heptapteridae) utilizando diferentes crioprotetores

The species of catfish Rhamdia branneri and R. voulezi are endemic to the Iguaçu River Basin and have favorable characteristics which are interesting for fish farming. Semen cryopreservation technology has been widely used in aquaculture, especially in breeding and genetic conservation of endangered species. For these species had not yet studies on the subject. Thus, the objective was to conduct studies in order to compare different intracellular and extracellular cryoprotectants in semen cryopreservation catfish R. branneri and R. voulezi. Four cryoprotectant solution containing 10% of anhydrous glucose were tested (C6H12O6) as diluent. Solutions: 1 - DMSO (C2H6OS) and 10% egg yolk; 2 - methanol (CH3OH) 10% and 5% powdered milk; 3 - glycerol (C3H8O3) and 10% egg yolk and 4 - 10% glycerol and 5% milk powder, respectively intra and extracellular protector. Semen was collected and each species motility test performed for each sample, resulting in higher motility than 30 seconds considering just viable cryopreservation. Was performed semen pool of three males of R. voulezi and two males of R. branneri before submitting freezing, the solutions were tested ensuring the non-occurrence of activation by the extender solution. The activator solution was tested distilled water. The solution 1, containing DMSO was not effective for both species, showing no sperm motility after activation. For the motility time of R. voulezi the cryoprotectant solutions methanol + milk and glycerol + egg were similar to each other and higher glycerol + milk (P0.05) for the time variable motility. Assessing the motility intensity scale, the best result was obtained by glycerol + egg solution to R. branneri and equating to the glycerol + milk to R. voulezi. The semen R. branneri and R. voulezi can be cryopreserved with the solutions presented except the use of DMSO. The best extender solution in sperm motility for these species is glycerol + egg.As espécies de jundiá Rhamdia branneri e R. voulezi são endêmicas à Bacia do Rio Iguaçu e possuem características favoráveis que despertam interesse para a piscicultura. A tecnologia de criopreservação de sêmen vem sendo muito utilizada na aquicultura, principalmente no melhoramento genético e na conservação genética de espécies ameaçadas. Para estas espécies ainda não se tinham estudos relativos ao tema. Desta forma, objetivou-se realizar estudos a fim de comparar diferentes crioprotetores intra e extracelulares na criopreservação de sêmen de jundiá R. branneri e R. voulezi. Foram testadas quatro soluções crioprotetoras contendo 10% de glicose anidra (C6H12O6) como diluidor. Soluções: 1 - DMSO (C2H6OS) 10% e gema de ovo; 2 - metanol (CH3OH)10% e leite em pó 5%; 3 - glicerol (C3H8O3) 10% e gema de ovo e 4 - glicerol 10% e leite em pó 5%, respectivamente protetor intra e extracelular. Foi coletado sêmen de cada espécie e realizado teste de motilidade para cada amostra, obtendo-se motilidade superior a 30 segundos considerando assim, viáveis para criopreservação. Foi realizado pool do sêmen de três machos de R. voulezi e dois machos de R. branneri e antes de efetuar o congelamento, as soluções foram testadas garantindo a não ocorrência de ativação por parte da solução crioprotetora. A solução ativadora testada foi água destilada. A solução 1, contendo DMSO não foi eficaz para ambas espécies, não apresentando motilidade espermática após tentativa de ativação. Para o tempo de motilidade de R. voulezi as soluções crioprotetoras metanol+leite e glicerol+ovo foram similares entre si e superiores a glicerol+leite (P0,05) para a variável tempo de motilidade. Avaliando a escala de intensidade de motilidade, o melhor resultado foi obtido através da solução glicerol+ovo para R. branneri e igualando-se à glicerol+leite para R. voulezi. O sêmen de R. branneri e R. voulezi pode ser criopreservado com as soluções apresentadas excetuando a utilização de DMSO. A melhor solução crioprotetora na motilidade espermática para estas espécies é o conjunto glicerol+ovo

Produ??o e Comercializa??o de pescado no munic?pio de Laranjeiras do Sul, PR

The production of aquatic organisms has been increasingly prominent due to the demand for fish and the limited natural stocks tending to exhaustion. Among the various obstacles that exist for the activity to reach the objectives and bring income to the producer is the commercialization. In the municipality of Laranjeiras do Sul-PR, this aspect is aggravated because the sources of data and information of production and commercialization are mismatched. In this sense, the objective of this work was to diagnose the production and commercialization of the fish in Laranjeiras do Sul - PR, in order to generate information to subsidize the policies of expansion of the local fish farming. It was visited initially 74 possible points of commercialization, and monthly for eight months those establishments that commercialize the fish in its different forms. Mapping marketing channels showed that, except for fish traded at the fish fair and sport fishing, all the rest marketed in supermarkets or markets, restaurants or bars, fish shops, or through intermediaries comes from other municipalities, states and even countries. Twenty five suppliers were identified. It was also observed that in all the center-south region of Paran? there are no fish slaughterhouses, making this also an obstacle to increase the production, commercialization and consumption of the fish. We identified 32 commercialized species with 30 in the markets, 16 in the restaurants and only 10 in the sport fishing. The most traded species in all types of establishments is tilapia (34 tons), representing more than 75% of all fish traded in the municipality during the analyzed period, and with average fillet price of R$33.97 kg-1. The information obtained demonstrates the need for greater dissemination, expansion of marketing channels and public policies to foster activity in the municipality and region.A cria??o de organismos aqu?ticos tem se destacado de forma crescente devido ? demanda por pescado ter aumentado e as fontes naturais possu?rem estoques limitados com tend?ncia ao esgotamento. Dentre os diversos obst?culos existentes para que a atividade atinja os objetivos e traga renda ao produtor est? a comercializa??o. No munic?pio de Laranjeiras do Sul-PR este aspecto se agrava, pois as fontes de dados e informa??es de produ??o e comercializa??o s?o desencontradas. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi diagnosticar a produ??o e comercializa??o do pescado em Laranjeiras do Sul ? PR, de forma a gerar informa??es para subsidiar as pol?ticas de expans?o da piscicultura local. Foram visitados inicialmente 74 poss?veis pontos de comercializa??o, e mensalmente durante oito meses aqueles estabelecimentos que comercializam o pescado sob suas diferentes formas. O mapeamento dos canais de comercializa??o mostrou que, exceto o pescado comercializado na feira do peixe vivo e nos pesque-pague, todo o restante comercializado em supermercados ou mercados, restaurantes ou lanchonetes, peixaria, ou atrav?s de intermedi?rios no munic?pio prov?m de outros munic?pios, estados e at? pa?ses. Foram identificados 25 fornecedores. Tamb?m foi constatado que em toda regi?o centro-sul do Paran? n?o existem abatedouros ou frigor?ficos de peixes, tornando este tamb?m um entrave para o aumento da produ??o, comercializa??o e consumo do pescado. Foram identificadas 32 esp?cies comercializadas sendo30 identificadas nos mercados, 16 nos restaurantes e apenas 10 nos pesque-pague. A esp?cie mais comercializada em todos os tipos de estabelecimentos ? a til?pia (34 toneladas), representando mais de 75pescado comercializado no munic?pio durante o per?odo analisado, e com pre?o m?dio do fil? em R$ 33,97 kg-1. As informa??es obtidas demonstram a necessidade de maior divulga??o, amplia??o dos canais de comercializa??o e pol?ticas p?blicas para fomentar a atividade no munic?pio e regi?o

Microstructure analysis of equiatomic multi-component ni20ti20ta20co20cu20 alloy

An equiatomic multi-component alloy Ni20Ti20Ta20Co20Cu20 (at. %) was obtained using vacuum arc melting. In order to characterize such an alloy, microstructure analysis has been performed using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, Electron Backscattered Diffraction, X-ray Diffraction and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy techniques. Microstructure analysis revealed the presence of one rhombohedral and two cubic phases. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy measurements revealed that both observed phases include five chemical elements in the structure. Using Rietveld refinement approach the lattice parameters were refined for the observed phases

DOE lost circulation technology development

Lost circulation is a problem common in both the geothermal and the solution mining industries. In both cases, drilling is on a relatively large scale (geothermal holes can be as large as 26 inches). Lost circulation technology development for geothermal drilling has been in progress at Sandia National Laboratories for more than 15 years. The initial work centered on lost circulation materials, but testing and modeling indicated that if the aperture of a loss zone is very large (larger than the drill bit nozzles) it cannot be plugged by simply adding materials to the drilling fluid. Thus, the lost circulation work evolved to include: (1) Development of metering techniques that accurately measure and characterize drilling fluid inflow and outflow for rapid diagnosis of los circulation and/or fluid balance while drilling. (2) Construction of a laboratory facility for testing drillable straddle packers (to improve the plugging efficiency of cementing operations) and the actual testing of components of the straddle packer. (3) Construction of a laboratory facility for the testing of candidate porous fabrics as a part of a program to develop a porous packer that places polyurethane foam into a loss zone. (4) Implementing (with Halliburton and CalEnergy Company), a program to test cementitious lost circulation material as an alternative to Portland cement

Microstructure of multi-component ni35ti35ta10co10cu10 alloy

A new NiTi-based multi-component Ni35Ti35Ta10Co10Cu10 (at.%) alloy was obtained by vacuum arc melting. The microstructure of the alloy has been studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, backscatter electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction techniques. The performed measurements showed presence of two cubic and one tetragonal phases. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed that all the observed phases contained all five principal elements

Produção e comercialização de pescado no município de Laranjeiras do Sul, Paraná

A criação de organismos aquáticos tem crescido devido a uma maior demanda por pescado e as fontes naturais possuírem estoques limitados com tendência ao esgotamento. A comercialização, no entanto, é um dos obstáculos para que a atividade se consolide e gere maiores rendimentos aos produtores. No município de Laranjeiras do Sul, no Estado do Paraná este aspecto se agrava devido à falta de informação de produção e comercialização. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi gerar e analisar informações referentes à venda e criação de pescado em Laranjeiras do Sul para subsidiar as políticas de expansão da piscicultura local. Por meio do mapeamento dos canais de comercialização através de entrevistas mensais com os diferentes comerciantes de pescado e por meio de pesquisas junto aos dados das instituições responsáveis (Emater, Seab, Ibge) foi possível constatar que, exceto o pescado comercializado na feira do peixe vivo e nos pesque-pague, o comercializado em supermercados ou mercados, restaurantes ou lanchonetes, peixaria, ou por intermediários é oriundo de outros municípios, estados e até países. Também foi constatado que na região centro-sul do Paraná não existem abatedouros ou frigoríficos de peixes, tornando-se este um entrave para o aumento da produção, comercialização e consumo do pescado. Foram identificadas 32 espécies comercializadas sendo 30 nos mercados, 16 nos restaurantes e 10 em pesque-pague. A espécie mais comercializada em todos os estabelecimentos é a tilápia (34 toneladas), representando mais de 75% das espécies comercializadas durante o período pesquisado, com preço médio do filé em R$ 33,97 kg-1. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a necessidade de maior ampliação dos canais de comercialização e políticas públicas para fomentar a atividade no município e região

The Nature of Movement Symmetry: Implications for Function and Injury Risk

Human movement requires an equipoise of mobility, strength, and neuromuscular control for optimal performance and injury protection. When certain movement asymmetries are present they create functional impairments that can negatively impact an individual’s performance and increase the likelihood for injury. This results in decreased quality of life due to missed time from work, sport, or social interaction and increased financial burden. There is limited evidence addressing what degree of asymmetry impacts functional performance or increases injury risk. Some activities such as throwing are naturally asymmetrical, thus asymmetry of the upper extremity may be beneficial in specific occupations or sporting professions. However, literature regarding asymmetries impact on injury risk in these populations is currently lacking. In sports such as basketball or soccer literature suggests that asymmetry may decrease performance and increase risk for injury. Current literature frequently cites an asymmetry of 10% or more as the predictor of increased injury risk. The purpose of this literature review is to identify movement asymmetries that warrant physical therapy intervention in an effort to improve functional performance and minimize injury risk. Movement asymmetries during functional activities can present in various ways, including range of motion, neuromuscular control or force production differences between limbs or within muscle groups. A review of the literature was completed to identify the implications for various movement asymmetries. Excluded were studies of leg length discrepancies, structural spinal conditions, or neurological conditions, as well as studies that included prepubescent children. Emerging literature trends suggest lower extremity symmetry is important for function and reducing injury risk. Movement asymmetries are most significant for tasks that demand bilateral weightbearing or for identifying readiness for return to sport. Asymmetry in the upper extremity has less of an impact on function or injury risk and appears to be acceptable when a task requires asymmetrical patterns or the demand remains within tissue tolerance