bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Rates of Delayed Hydride Cracking (DHC) in Zr-2.5Nb Alloys—An IAEA Coordinated Research Project
Authors: Coleman Christopher E. , Inozemtsev Victor V. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Values of DHC rates in Zr alloys are sensitive to measurement procedures. A standard method has been developed at the laboratories of AECL and evaluated in a round-robin involving ten IAEA member states. Two test materials were used—Zr-2.5Nb pressure tubes in the cold-worked (CANDU™) and heat-treated (RBMK) conditions. Cracks were grown from fatigued starter cracks in the axial direction on the axial-radial plane of the original tubes. To obtain the maximum value of Vc, specimens were heated to dissolve all their hydrogen, then cooled at 1 to 3°C/min to the test temperature before loading at 15 MPa√m. Although the start of cracking was detected by potential drop, the extent of cracking was measured directly on the crack faces. The values of incubation time to the start of cracking were highly variable but Vc was well behaved. The values of Vc were normally distributed with a range varying from a factor of 1.2 to 5.2. At 250°C the mean value of Vc from 80 specimens of cold-worked material was 8.9(±1.12)×10-8 m/s and from 41 specimens of heat-treated material the mean value of Vc was 3.3(±0.64)×10-8 m/s. Tests were also done at six other temperatures between 144 and 283°C, using up to 22 specimens at each temperature. Both materials had an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence, Vc= A exp(-Q/RT). The use of strictly defined and coordinated experimental procedures gave a consistent set of Vc values, allowing effective comparison of results obtained in different national laboratories and resulting in good correlations between the DHC velocity values and differences in strength, crystallographic texture, and distribution of β-phase in the test materials.
Effects of Pt Surface Coverage on Oxidation of Zr and Other Materials
Authors: Anghel Clara , Hultquist Gunnar , Limbäck Magnus , Szakalos Peter 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Certain elements, including noble metals, are identified to influence corrosion behavior of many metals in high-temperature water/steam and O2. We have previously reported effects of porous Pt coatings on the thermal oxidation of Zr, Fe, Ni, Cr, and GaAs in O2. Effects of Pt on oxidation of Zircaloy-2 in H2O have also been observed at temperatures near 400°C. An enhanced oxidation rate is observed in all of the studied systems upon a sufficiently high surface Pt-particle density. Even more interesting, low Pt-particle density in most cases leads to a decreased oxidation rate. In the case of Zr and Zircaloy-2 the beneficial effect of Pt is stronger when hydrogen is present in the metal substrate and in the oxide layer. From 18O/SIMS experiments it is concluded that, for a sufficiently high Pt-particle density on the surface, enhanced transport of dissociated oxygen, On− (n=0; 2), towards the oxide/metal interface occurs in all of the studied systems. An oxygen spillover from Pt particles to the adjacent surface is a known phenomenon in catalysis and partly explains the results observed also in the current study of oxidation of Zr-based materials. Such a spillover involves a high surface diffusivity of dissociated oxygen, On−, which results in an increased gradient of On− across the oxide scale. In turn, the high oxygen gradient enhances the transport of oxygen towards the substrate/oxide-interface. This shows that not only diffusivity but also an effective activity of dissociated oxygen at the external oxide surface influences the oxidation rate. Naturally, the effects of Pt are maximized when small (nm-sized) and evenly distributed Pt particles are present on the surface. In our presentation a summary of obtained results of Pt additions on different materials will be given with suggested interpretations. Especially, the observed beneficial combination of Pt and hydrogen in the oxidation of Zr-based materials is discussed with a possible mechanistic explanation. Parallels are also drawn to the potential effect of Noble Metal Chemical Application (NMCA), used in a large fraction of the U.S. BWRs, on the corrosion resistance of Zr-based claddings.
Electrochemical Techniques in Corrosion: Status, Limitations, and Needs
Authors: Frankel Gerald S. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The corrosion of metals occurs primarily by electrochemical processes involving metal oxidation and simultaneous reduction of some other species. The fundamental understanding of these processes has allowed the development of a number of electrochemical techniques for the study of the corrosion phenomena and assessment of the corrosion rate. In fact, electrochemical techniques are so ingrained in the field that many practitioners think of corrosion rates first in terms of current density rather than thickness or mass loss per unit time. Standard approaches for electrochemical corrosion rate determination are commonly used in the field for on-line monitoring of systems and facilities. Electrochemistry also provides powerful tools for developing fundamental understanding of corrosion phenomena. However, there are some limitations to the abilities of current electrochemical techniques and some needs for the future. This paper describes the status of electrochemical techniques, their limitations, where non-electrochemical methods are required, and future needs in the field.
Medical Costs of Cigarette Smoking among Employees in a Company
Authors: Osaki Yoneatsu , Anada Kimiko , Minowa Masumi 
Published: February 2008

Medical Costs of Cigarette Smoking among Employees in a Company: Yoneatsu Osaki, et at. Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health—We analyzed the association between smoking status and medical costs for employees in a company to determine the direct influence of smoking on medical costs. Data on smoking status and cigarette consumption per day were linked to data on individual medical costs. Data for 1,381 persons out of 1,531 employees in a given age group were analyzed. The age range and mean age of the subjects were 30‐75 and 41.5 + 7.4 years old, respectively.The proportion of employees who received any medical care was not significantly different among smokers, ex‐smokers, and non‐smokers. Although the average per capita costs (hereafter referred to as population average costs) by age group were not significantly different by smoking status, the medical costs for smokers tended to be lower than those of ex‐smokers and non‐smokers. When the medical costs per employee who received any medical care were compared among the three smoking status groups, a similar association was observed. No significant dose‐response relationship between cigarette consumption and medical costs was observed statistically.These results indicate that medical costs for smokers are not higher than those for other smoking status groups. These results do not support antismoking measures in the workplace, but may be due to a small sample size, because no cases of death or malignant respiratory disease with the accompanying higher medical costs were observed during the study. A large sample study observing a direct relationship between smoking status and medical costs is therefore required for a more appropriate example of the harmfulness of smoking in the workplace.
Trends in Major Occupational Injuries in Different Industrial Divisions in Taiwan during 1983‐1993
Authors: Chang Yu‐Chen , Wang Jung‐Der 
Published: February 2008

Trends in Major Occupational Injuries in Different Industrial Divisions in Taiwan during 1983‐1993: Yu‐Chen Chang, et al. Department of Family Medicine, Tainan Municipal HospitalObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the time trend in occupational injuries in main industrial divisions in Taiwan from 1983 through 1993 with newly developed quantification methods.MethodsData concerning deaths and permanent disabilities caused by occupational injuries were retrieved from the computer files of Taiwan's Labor Insurance Bureau and statistical analyses were performed by using the indices of the cumulative injury rate for from 1 5 to 64 years of age (CIR15_64), modified severity index (MSI), proportion of potential workdays lost (PPWDL) and foregone earnings lost.ResultsMining and quarrying was the most risky industry, when expressed in both frequency and severity. The mean rates over the 1 1 year period were as follows: disabling frequency rate, 24.0; incidence rate, 0.012 (yr −1); CIR15_64, 0.491; disabling severity rate, 7,591.7; modified severity index, 22.5; and the PPWDL, 3.72 (10−3). In terms of frequency, incidence rate and CIR15‐64, manufacturing was second and agriculture third. With regard to severity, MSI and PPWDL, agriculture ranked second and construction ranked third. The overall trend in occupational injuries in Taiwan has steadily improved in the past decade. All indicators of human capital loss in 1993 were nearly down to one third of those reported in 1983. The estimated potential salary lost in all industries of 1993 was 584.6 million US dollars.ConclusionsMining and quarrying was still ranked the most risky industry during 1983‐93. We have demonstrated that CIR15_64, MSI, PPWDL and foregone earnings lost supplemented disabling frequency and severity rates in the aspect of human capital loss. There was a consistently improved trend in occupational injuries in Taiwan during 1983‐93.
Integrated Operations—Observations From More Than 40 Field Evaluations
Authors: Steinsbø Marianne , Bøe Arild , Høydalsvik Hallvard , Nordtvedt Jan-Erik 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Integrated Operations (IO) have provided increased value to the oil industry in recent years and several fields have documented beneficial results from ongoing IO initiatives. Each field has various challenges related to optimising the field management, but there are also similarities. To clarify where the potential of increased values are, numerous field evaluations have been conducted. The background from more than 40 of field evaluations has lead to some interesting observations. This paper will describe the procedure in a field evaluation and how the key aspects are identified. Five central observations will be discussed in detail.
An Investigation of Two-Phase Oil/Water Paraffin Deposition
Authors: Couto G. H. , Chen Hong , Dellecase Emmanuel , Sarica Cem , Volk Michael 
Published: February 2008

Summary
Paraffin deposition is a very complex phenomenon. Whenever paraffinic oil comes in contact with a cold pipe wall that is below the wax appearance temperature (WAT) of the oil, solid paraffin crystals can precipitate and deposit on the pipe surface. This may significantly reduce or even block the area open to flow.
Most oil fields produce water along with the oil, and the deposition process is not well understood for oil/water flow conditions. Very few studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of water on the deposition process.
The objective of this study is to investigate paraffin deposition under different oil/water conditions. The tests were conducted using a cold-finger device and a crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico. Emulsions were created with both fresh water and brine. A simple oil/water wax-deposition model was developed by modifying the current University of Tulsa single-phase deposition model for solubility and physical properties of the mixture as a function of water content.
Soil Quality Assessment in Rice Production Systems: Establishing a Minimum Data Set
Authors: de Lima Ana Cláudia Rodrigues , Hoogmoed Willem , Brussaard Lijbert 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSoil quality, as a measure of the soil's capacity to function, can be assessed by indicators based on physical, chemical, and biological properties. Here we report on the assessment of soil quality in 21 rice (Oryza sativa) fields under three rice production systems (semi‐direct, pre‐germinated, and conventional) on four soil textural classes in the Camaquã region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The objectives of our study were: (i) to identify soil quality indicators that discriminate both management systems and soil textural classes, (ii) to establish a minimum data set of soil quality indicators and (iii) to test whether this minimum data set is correlated with yield. Twenty‐nine soil biological, chemical, and physical properties were evaluated to characterize regional soil quality. Soil quality assessment was based on factor and discriminant analysis. Bulk density, available water, and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, and Mn) were the most powerful soil properties in distinguishing among different soil textural classes. Organic matter, earthworms, micronutrients (Cu and Mn), and mean weight diameter were the most powerful soil properties in assessing differences in soil quality among the rice management systems. Manganese was the property most strongly correlated with yield (adjusted r2 = 0.365, P = 0.001). The merits of sub‐dividing samples according to texture and the linkage between soil quality indicators, soil functioning, plant performance, and soil management options are discussed in particular.
Near‐Field Dust Exposure from Cotton Field Tilling and Harvesting
Authors: Hiscox April L. , Miller David R. , Holmén Britt A. , Yang Wenli , Wang Junming 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe frequency and intensities of dust exposures in and near farm fields, which potentially contribute to high intensity human exposure events, are undocumented due to the transient nature of local dust plumes and the difficulties of making accurate concentration measurements. The objective of this study is to measure near‐field spatial concentrations of the dust plumes emitted during tilling and harvesting of an irrigated cotton field outside of Las Cruces, NM (soil class: fine‐loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Typic Calciargid). A comparison of remote lidar measurements of plumes emitted from cotton field operations with in situ samplers shows a strong agreement between the two techniques: r2 = 0.79 for total suspended particulates (TSP) and r2 = 0.61 for particulate matter with diameter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM10). Plume movement was dependent on the short‐term wind field and atmospheric stability. Horizontal spread rate of the plumes, determined from lidar measured Gaussian dispersion parameters, was less than expected by a factor of 7. Thus, in‐plume downwind concentrations were higher than expected. Vertical dispersion was dependent on the rise of “cells” of warm air convecting off the soil surface. On a windy day, discing the field showed TSP and PM10 concentrations at the source itself of up to 176 μg m−3 and 120 μg m−3, respectively. These resulted in in‐plume peak TSP concentrations of about 1.22 μg m−3 at 10 m downwind and 0.33 μg m−3 at 100 m downwind. The measured concentrations highlight a potential exposure risk to people in and around farming operations.
Development of a Dynamic Model to Predict PM10 Emissions from Swine Houses
Authors: Haeussermann Angelika , Costa Annamaria , Aerts Jean‐Marie , Hartung Eberhard , Jungbluth Thomas , Guarino Marcella , Berckmans Daniel 
Published: February 2008

AbstractInfluences on dust emissions from livestock operations are number, weight, and kind of animals and characteristics of the housing system. Differences between facilities cannot be explained solely by mechanistic input variables. The objective of this study was to characterize the main input variables for modeling emissions of particulate matter with a mass median diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) from swine facilities using a data‐based model. Investigations were performed in mechanically ventilated facilities for weaning, growing‐finishing, and sows in Italy and Germany. The measurements included inside and outside concentration of airborne PM10 particles (scatter light photometry), ventilation rate (calibrated measuring fans), indoor air climate at a measuring frequency of 60 s, feeding times, and animal‐related data such as weight and animal activity. Dust concentration and emission were simulated using a dynamic transfer function. The results indicated that the average PM10 emission rate was influenced considerably by housing system. The simulation of the PM10 emission rate resulted in a mean percentage error per data set of 21 to 39%, whereas the average simulated and measured emission rate per data set differed by about 4 to 19%. High prediction errors occurred especially during situations in which the absolute level and spatial location of the measured activity peaks did not correspond with the measured dust peaks. Further recommendations of the study were to improve continuous and accurate measurements of input variables, such as the activity level in animal houses, and to optimize the amount of measuring days in relation to the model accuracy.
In Situ Transmissiometer Measurements for Real‐Time Monitoring of Dust Discharge during Orchard Nut Harvesting
Authors: Downey D. , Giles D. K. , Thompson J.F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRapid assessments of operating conditions and field preparation on dust discharge from nut harvesters are needed to guide improved equipment design and grower practices for dust reduction. An industrial opacity sensor, typically used for industrial stack monitoring, was adapted for use on a nut harvester to measure relative dust intensity during nut pick‐up operations in almond orchards. Due to the high volume of discharge air and the presence of large debris such as leaves, additional components were coupled with the sensor to enable subsampling of the air. Pre‐harvest windrow preparation conditions were evaluated. Results indicated that relative dust intensity decreased by 32% during harvest activities after windrow preparation with proper nut sweeper adjustment. Conventional harvesting results indicated that under typical operating conditions, reducing the separation fan speed could reduce relative dust intensity by 54%. Ground speed also had a strong effect; reducing speed from 4.8 to 2.4 km h−1 reduced opacity of discharged air by 50%. The measurement system was also mounted on a separate vehicle and used as a tool for comparing modifications in harvest machine designs where direct measurement of discharge may not be feasible due to mechanical constraints. A comparison between a conventional harvester and one modification in the harvester design found that the machine modification decreased relative dust intensity by 73%. The measurement tools described in this work can be used to provide rapid feedback on harvester operating conditions, orchard cultural practices, and machine design modifications.
Carbon Monoxide from Composting due to Thermal Oxidation of Biomass
Authors: Hellebrand H.J. , Schade G.W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEmissions of carbon monoxide (CO) were observed from decomposing organic wastes and litter under laboratory, pilot composting plant, and natural conditions. Field studies included air from inside a compost heap of about 200 m3, emissions from composting of livestock wastes at a biologically operating farm, and leaf litter pile air samples. The concentration of CO was up to 120 μmol mol−1 in the compost piles of green waste, and up to 10 μmol mol−1 in flux chambers above livestock waste windrow composts. The mean CO flux rates were approximately 20 mg CO m−2 h−1 for compost heaps of green waste, and varied from 30 to 100 mg CO m−2 h−1 for fresh dung windrows. Laboratory studies using a temperature and ventilation‐controlled substrate container were performed to elucidate the origin of CO, and included hay samples of fixed moisture content at temperatures between 5 and 65°C, including nonsterilized as well as sterilized samples. The concentration of CO was up to 160 μmol mol−1 in these experiments, and Arrhenius‐type plot analyses resulted in activation energies of 65 kJ mol−1 for thermochemically produced CO from the nonsterilized compost substrate. Sterilized samples showed dramatically reduced CO2 but virtually unchanged CO emissions, albeit at a slightly lower activation energy, likely a result of the high‐temperature sterilization. Though globally and regionally these CO emissions are only a minor source, thermochemically produced CO emissions might affect local air quality in and near composting facilities.
Nitrogen Loss through Lateral Seepage in Near‐Trench Paddy Fields
Authors: Liang Xin‐Qiang , Li Hua , Chen Ying‐Xu , He Miao‐Miao , Tian Guang‐Ming , Zhang Zhi‐Jian 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA near‐trench paddy field experiment with five urea application rates (0–360 kg N ha−1 in 90‐kg increments) was conducted on a paddy soil in the Taihu Lake Region of China to elucidate N losses through lateral seepage during three rice (Oryza sativa L.) growing seasons. The total N (Nt), NH4+–N, and NO3−‐N concentrations in the lateral seepage water increased with increasing N rates. The seasonal Nt fluxes by lateral seepage varied from 6.8 to 25.6 kg N ha−1 for urea application rates of 90 to 360 kg N ha−1 Lateral seepage accounted for 4.7 to 6.6% of the Nt applied, implying that lateral seepage was an important pathway of N loss from near‐trench paddy fields. The cumulative N loss via lateral seepage was significantly related to N fertilization rate (P = 0.05). Floodwater level was also identified as a main factor affecting N losses via lateral seepage from paddy fields, as indicated by a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.43) between floodwater level and daily lateral flow during the flooded period (P = 0.05). Under the conditions of these experiments, a shallow floodwater depth of 50 mm, urea application rates of 90 kg N ha−1 or less, and no rainfall within 1 wk after N application reduced N losses by lateral seepage from paddy fields.
Adsorption–Desorption Characteristics of Mercury in Paddy Soils of China
Authors: Jing Y. D. , He Z. L. , Yang X. E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMercury (Hg) has received considerable attention because of its association with various human health problems. Adsorption–desorption behavior of Hg at contaminated levels in two paddy soils was investigated. The two representative soils for rice production in China, locally referred to as a yellowish red soil (YRS) and silty loam soil (SLS) and classified as Gleyi‐Stagnic Anthrosols in FAO/UNESCO nomenclature, were respectively collected from Jiaxin County and Xiasha District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The YRS adsorbed more Hg2+ than the SLS. The characteristics of Hg adsorption could be described by the simple Langmuir adsorption equation (r2 = 0.999 and 0.999, P < 0.01, respectively, for the SLS and YRS). The maximum adsorption values (Xm) that were obtained from the simple Langmuir model were 111 and 213 mg Hg2+ kg−1 soil, respectively, for the SLS and YRS. Adsorption of Hg2+ decreased soil pH by 0.75 unit for the SLS soil and 0.91 unit for the YRS soil at the highest loading. The distribution coefficient (kd) of Hg in the soil decreased exponentially with increasing Hg2+ loading. After five successive desorptions with 0.01 mol L−1 KCl solution (pH 5.4), 0 to 24.4% of the total adsorbed Hg2+ in the SLS soil was desorbed and the corresponding value of the YRS soil was 0 to 14.4%, indicating that the SLS soil had a lower affinity for Hg2+ than the YRS soil at the same Hg2+ loading. Different mechanisms are likely involved in Hg2+ adsorption–desorption at different levels of Hg2+ loading and between the two soils.