Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for assessing foams generated from liquids. Existing methods are slow and labor intensive. The new methods involve generating foams from liquids and optically obtaining information to enable parameters relating to the generated foam to be measured. Although single samples of liquids may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to foams at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the foams.

Abstract: A solar receiver unit comprises a generally tubular body having an internal passage for conducting a heat-transfer fluid, and an inlet chamber for receiving concentrated sunlight from a solar reflector when in use. The inlet chamber is shaped to direct reflection of concentrated sunlight at least one time in a direction that provides the reflected sunlight with an additional opportunity to heat the heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, determining properties relating to multi-phase systems are provided. In the method, an array of sample tubes each containing a sample of a multi-phase system is formed. An iterative process is used to generate at least two data sets of transmitted and/or backscattered values for each sample and the data sets for each sample are processed to determine at least one property of the sample. The apparatus has a support on which an array of sample tubes each containing a sample of a multi-phase system may be assembled. It also has a wave source and at least one wave detector for detecting transmitted and/or backscattered values for each sample and computer means for iteratively operating said wave source and said at least one detector to generate data sets of transmitted and/or backscattered values for each sample and for processing the data sets for each sample to determine at least one property of the sample.

Abstract: A method to determine corrective actions of a nuclear steam generator, having the steps of modeling of steam generator tube and deposit heat transfer characteristics by analytically deriving specific deposit characteristics and descriptive model parameters, wherein the modeling uses historical thermodynamic data for an operating plant under evaluation, identifying a set of one of preventive and corrective maintenance alternatives to accomplish steam generator deposit objectives, determining through the modeling a power production impact of each of the set of one of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives to determine an economic cost for each of the set of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives, and initiating a maintenance alternative with a lowest economic cost as compared to the maintenance evaluation alternatives with higher economic costs.

Abstract: A method to determine corrective actions of a nuclear steam generator, having the steps of modeling of steam generator tube and deposit heat transfer characteristics by analytically deriving specific deposit characteristics and descriptive model parameters, wherein the modeling uses historical thermodynamic data for an operating plant under evaluation, identifying a set of one of preventive and corrective maintenance alternatives to accomplish steam generator deposit objectives, determining through the modeling a power production impact of each of the set of one of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives to determine an economic cost for each of the set of preventative and corrective maintenance alternatives, and initiating a maintenance alternative with a lowest economic cost as compared to the maintenance evaluation alternatives with higher economic costs.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for testing a material are described. The testing involves providing a material across a region of a support member which is arranged to define an opening which is closed by a plug means having a surface in contact with the material that is substantially coplanar with the region. The material is adhered to the region of the support member. A force applying means is moved relative to the material to apply a force to said material through the intermediary of the plug means, which does not substantially deform under the application of the force.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.

Abstract: A method to characterize the power transfer of a nuclear component is provided including the steps of obtaining a sample of a deposit layer on a side of a nuclear component, obtaining a scanning electron microscope image of an outside surface of the sample, obtaining a scanning electron microscope image of an inside surface of the sample, analyzing the scanning electron microscope images of the outside and inside surfaces of the sample for a presence of capillaries and steam chimneys, and calculating the power transfer of the component based on a number of steam chimneys in the deposit layer.

Abstract: A method to characterize the power transfer of a nuclear component is provided including the steps of obtaining a sample of a deposit layer on a side of a nuclear component, obtaining a scanning electron microscope image of an outside surface of the sample, obtaining a scanning electron microscope image of an inside surface of the sample, analyzing the scanning electron microscope images of the outside and inside surfaces of the sample for a presence of capillaries and steam chimneys, and calculating the power transfer of the component based on a number of steam chimneys in the deposit layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.

Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for assessing sediments generated in liquid-based systems. The methods involve optically obtaining information to enable height and, thus, volume data relating to sediments to be measured. Although single samples of liquid-based systems may be processed the methods are particularly suited to processing multiple samples to obtain data relating to sediments at a high rate. The apparatus includes automated handling equipment to enable samples to be moved between workstations and relative to associated optical equipment that is used to obtain information relating to the sediments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for predicting the likely causes of service outages using only time information, and for predicting and the likely costs of service outages. The likely causes are found by defining a narrow likely cause window around an outage based on service quality and/or service usage data, and correlating service events to the likely cause window in the time domain to find a probability distribution for the events. The likely costs are found by measuring usage loss and duration for a given point during an outage and using cost component functions of the time and usage to extrapolate over the outage. These cause and cost predictions supply service administrators with tools for making more informed decisions about allocation of resources in preventing and correcting service outages.

Abstract: A method for making isolongifolenone involving reaction (?)-isolongifolene with chromium hexacarbonyl and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Also the use of isolongifolenone to repel arthropods by treating an object or area with an arthropod repelling effective amount of isolongifolenone (and optionally a carrier or carrier material).

Abstract: A method for determining the inner surface and an outer surface of a sample flake through the use of digital image photography wherein digital images of a sample flake first surface and second surface are compared to a known inner surface and known outer surface of a reference flake.

Abstract: A pump component is removed from a port of a suction-side fluid cavity of a high-pressure fluid pump. The pump component performs a pump function for the high-pressure fluid pump. A primary coupler connects to the port. The pump component connects to the primary coupler. A diverter fluid passage diverts a low-pressure fluid from the primary coupler to an auxiliary fluid delivery system. The primary coupler communicates the low-pressure fluid through the pump component and primary coupler to the port.