Abstract: A nuclear fuel includes uranium(IV) oxide (UO2) and manganese (Mn) as a dopant. The Mn dopant may be present in the fuel in an amount up to the solubility limit for Mn under a given set of conditions, for example, about 0.01 wt % to about 1 wt %. The nuclear fuel is substantially free of aluminum (Al). The nuclear fuel exhibits enhanced grain size development during sintering temperatures as low at 1400 K due to an increase in uranium sub-lattice vacancies induced by dissolution of the Mn dopant at interstitial defect sites. The Mn-doped nuclear fuel exhibits improved grain sizes at lower temperatures compared to Cr-, Al-, and undoped UO2, and therefore desirably exhibits lower fission gas release and higher plasticity, reducing the chances of fuel rod failure.

Abstract: An off-line transit planning and management system is disclosed. The off-line transit planning and management system is to be integrated into an on-line transit and management planning system. The process disclosed includes logging timepoints and generating route, pattern, block, and schedule information therefrom to be supplied to a database that is connected to a real-time transit management system.

Abstract: An off-line transit planning and management system is disclosed. The off-line transit planning and management system is to be integrated into an on-line transit and management planning system. The process disclosed includes logging timepoints and generating route, pattern, block, and schedule information therefrom to be supplied to a database that is connected to a real-time transit management system.

Abstract: An agent for impregnating solid wood by the pressure process, based on a water-dilutable formulation of a copper salt, excess alkanolamine and, if required, a salt with a fungicidal anion, has a pH of not less than 8 in the concentration usually employed and corresponding to about 1-5% by weight of non-aqueous components in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Accelerated fixing of chromate-containing wood preservative salts, in which freshly impregnated timbers are subjected to fixing with superheated steam, is carried out by a process wherein the freshly impregnated timbers are subjected beforehand to a heat treatment in which both the wood surface and the internal walls of the heating chamber are heated to 60.degree.-100.degree. C., preferably 80.degree.-95.degree. C., and the timbers are then treated with superheated steam in a conventional manner.