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The plant Leucaena leucocephala was exposed to four jasmonate elicitors, i.e., jasmonic acid (JA), methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile) and 6-ethyl indanoyl glycine conjugate (2-[(6-ethyl-1-oxo-indane-4-carbonyl)-amino]-acetic acid methyl ester) (CGM). The treatment was to mimic the herbivores and wounding stresses. By using NMR spectroscopy along with chemometric analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the changes of metabolites in the leaves of L. leucocephala were determined under the stress as induced by the four elicitors. The challenge of JA-Ile caused an accumulation of lactic acid (6), β-glucose (10), alanine (12), threonine (13), steroids (18), 3,4-dihydroxypyridine (19) and an unidentified compound 20. The chemometric analysis of the PCA and PLS-DA models indicated that the alternation of metabolites triggered by JA, MeJA, and CGM treatments were very minimum. In contrast, the treatment by JA-Ile could induce the most significant metabolic changes in the leaves. Moreover, there was very minimal new metabolite being detected in responding to the jasmonate-induced stresses. The results showed some metabolite concentrations changed after application of the elicitors, which may be related to a high level of tolerance to stress conditions as well as the strong ecological suitability of L. leucocephala.

Vestibular disorders can cause severe problems including spatial disorientation, imbalance, nausea, visual blurring, and even cognitive deficits. The CLONS project is developing a closed-loop, sensory neural prosthesis to alleviate these symptoms [1]. In this article, we outline the different components necessary to develop this prosthetic. A short version of this work was presented in the NEUREL 2010 [1]. Conceptually, the prosthesis restores vestibular information based on inertial sensors rigidly affixed to the user. These sensors provide information about rotational velocity of the head; the prosthetic then transfers the information to the vestibular nerve via electrical stimulation. Here we present a project overview, development details, and summarize our progress in animal models and selected human volunteers.

The concentration profiles of thin-film Pt/bulk Ni coatings annealed at 1150, 1250 and 1300?C for different time were measured by means of electron probe microanalysis. The corresponding interdiffusion coefficients were then determined using the thin-film solution. The calculated concentration profiles based on the presently obtained interdiffusion coefficients agree well with the experimental ones, but better at a higher temperature or a longer time. The comparison between the presently measured concentration profiles and the DICTRA simulated ones indicates that it is promising to apply the well-established atomic mobility databases due to bulk diffusion information in coating systems with some simple modifications for diffusivities.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of production traits in the first 3 parities in Chinese Holsteins. Data were a random sample of complete herds (109,005 test-day records of 9,706 cows from 54 herds) extracted from the original data set, which included 362,304 test-day records of 30,942 Holstein cows from 105 herds. A test-day animal model with multiple-trait random regression and the Gibbs sampling method were used for parameter estimation. Regression curves were modeled using Legendre polynomials of order 4. The multiple-trait analysis included milk, fat, and protein yield, and somatic cell score (SCS). Average daily heritabilities ranged between 0.222 and 0.346 for the yield traits and between 0.092 and 0.187 for SCS. Heritabilities were higher in the third lactation for all traits. Within-parity genetic correlations were very high among the yield traits (>0.806) and were close to zero between SCS and yield traits, especially for first-parity cows. Results were similar to previous literature estimates from studies that used the same model as applied to this study. The estimates found in this study will be used to perform breeding value estimation for national genetic evaluations in Chinese Holsteins.

Single Bi2S3 nanowire devices were fabricated using the focused ion beam technique to deposit Pt electrodes. Repeatable and reliable ohmic contacts were obtained. The devices exhibit outstanding H2 sensing performance that can detect H2 (in N2) at room temperature with a sensitivity of 22% at 10 ppm (corresponds to 4.0 × 10−7 mol/L). Decorating Pd nanoparticles on the surface of the nanowire does not improve the sensing performance, contrary to most of the existing nanowire (or nanotube) H2 sensors. The sensing mechanism of Bi2S3 nanowire devices is found to be different from that of other sensors based on nanowires or nanotubes. Experiments on different H2 concentrations and gas pressures suggest that the sensing response is determined mainly by the amount of H2 molecules instead of the proportion of H2 in the mixed gas.

The expression of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme hydrolyzes neurotransmitter acetylcholine at vertebrate neuromuscular junction, is regulated during myogenesis, indicating the significance of muscle intrinsic factors in controlling the enzyme expression. DNA methylation is essential for temporal control of myogenic gene expression during myogenesis; however, its role in AChE regulation is not known. The promoter of vertebrate ACHE gene carries highly conserved CG-rich regions, implying its likeliness to be methylated for epigenetic regulation. A DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azacytidine (5-Aza), was applied onto C2C12 cells throughout the myotube formation. When DNA methylation was inhibited, the promoter activity, transcript expression and enzymatic activity of AChE were markedly increased after day 3 of differentiation, which indicated the putative role of DNA methylation. By bisulfite pyrosequencing, the overall methylation rate was found to peak at day 3 during C2C12 cell differentiation; a SP1 site located at −1826 bp upstream of mouse ACHE gene was revealed to be heavily methylated. The involvement of transcriptional factor SP1 in epigenetic regulation of AChE was illustrated here: (i) the SP1-driven transcriptional activity was increased in 5-Aza-treated C2C12 culture; (ii) the binding of SP1 onto the SP1 site of ACHE gene was fully blocked by the DNA methylation; and (iii) the sequence flanking SP1 sites of ACHE gene was precipitated by chromatin immuno-precipitation assay. The findings suggested the role of DNA methylation on AChE transcriptional regulation and provided insight in elucidating the DNA methylation-mediated regulatory mechanism on AChE expression during muscle differentiation.

Jujubae Fructus, known as jujube or Chinese date, is the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba (Mill.), which not only serves as daily food, but acts as tonic medicine and health supplement for blood nourishment and sedation. According to Chinese medicine, jujube is commonly included in herbal mixtures, as to prolong, enhance and harmonize the efficiency of herbal decoction, as well as to minimize the toxicity. Here, we aim to compare the chemical and pharmacological properties of three commonly used jujube-containing decoctions, including Guizhi Tang (GZT), Neibu Dangguijianzhong Tang (NDT) and Zao Tang (ZOT). These decoctions share common herbs, i.e. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens and Jujube, and they have the same proposed hematopoietic functions. The amount of twelve marker biomolecules deriving from different herbs in the decoctions were determined by LC-MS, and which served as parameters for chemical standardization. In general, three decoctions showed common chemical profiles but with variations in solubilities of known active ingredients. The chemical standardized decoctions were tested in cultured Hep3B cells. The herbal treatment stimulated the amount of mRNA and protein expressions of erythropoietin (EPO) via the activation of hypoxia response elements: the three herbal decoctions showed different activation. The results therefore demonstrated the hematopoietic function of decoctions and explained the enhancement of jujube function within a herbal mixture.

The relationship between the large-scale circulation and regional climate of the northeast United States is investigated for early winter using observational data and the State University of New York at Albany regional climate model. Simulated patterns of temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric circulation compare well with observations, despite a cold, dry bias. Ten December runs are analyzed to investigate the impact of the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern on temperature, precipitation, clouds, and circulation features. During a positive PNA pattern, the simulated and observed eastern U.S. jet shifts to the southeast, coinciding with cold, dry conditions in the Northeast. This shift and intensification of the upper-level jet stream during a positive PNA pattern coincides with a greater frequency of cyclones and anticyclones along a distinct southwest–northeast track. Despite increased cyclone activity, total wintertime precipitation is below normal during a positive PNA pattern because of enhanced stability and subsidence over land, along with lower-atmospheric moisture content. Lower surface air temperatures during a positive PNA pattern result in enhanced simulated cloud cover over the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean due to increased thermal contrast and fluxes of sensible and latent heat, and a reduction in clouds over land. Interactions between the PNA and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) patterns impact the Northeast winter climate. Observed frontal passages through New York are most abundant during a negative PNA and positive NAO pattern, with a zonal upper-level jet positioned over New York. A positive PNA pattern is frequently characterized by an earlier observed Great Lakes ice season, while the greatest lake-effect snowfall occurs during a positive PNA and negative NAO pattern. The NAO pattern has the largest impact on northeast U.S. temperatures and the eastern U.S. upper-level jet during a positive PNA pattern.

Fourteen microsatellite markers with a coverage of 63.5 cM on bovine chromosome 6 were selected, and 26 sire families with 2,260 daughters were analyzed for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting 5 milk production traits in a Chinese Holstein population. In the analyses across 26 families and within the largest significant families with a one-QTL model fitted, a QTL near BMS470 was detected that affected fat yield at the 5% experiment-wide significance level. When a 2-QTL model was fitted in the across-family analysis, it was found that there might exist 2 QTL affecting the 3 yield traits, although the exact or empirical thresholds for the significance testing were unknown. In all analyses, the results for milk yield and protein yield were generally consistent, which might have resulted from the same genetic background for milk and protein yield.

The nature of antigens and functional state of dendritic cells (DC) are important in antigen presentation. The ability of DC for the induction of T-cell responses is promoted by maturation. It has been confirmed that mannose receptors mediate highly efficient endocytosis and presentation of mannosylated proteins. In the present study, L2 domain of ErbB2 ectodomain was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and mannosylated. The maturation and functional capacity of DC induced by mannosylated L2 (mL2) protein were investigated. The results showed that L2 protein could induce DC maturation, which was accompanied by elevated expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules. The effect of mL2 protein on DC maturation was more remarkable than that of non-mL2 proteins. Uptake of mL2 antigens by DC was more efficient. Furthermore, the T cells can be stimulated to proliferate in vitro and secrete Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Higher levels of both IFN-gamma and IL-10 were detected from the T cells stimulated by mL2-pulsed DC, suggesting a concurrent activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The results demonstrated that L2 domain of ErbB2 receptor is an immunodominant molecule. The mL2 domain of ErbB2 can induce an enhanced maturation and functional capacity of DC. It may become an effective strategy to induce anti-ErbB2 response.

Induction of stress proteins in response to heat shock was found to be reduced significantly in Escherichia coli with DeltatopA mutation. RNase H overexpression in the DeltatopA mutant partially restored the sigma(32)-dependent induction of stress genes in response to high temperature and ethanol. The presence of overexpressed RNase H also improved the survival rate of the DeltatopA mutant after high temperature and oxidative challenges. Topoisomerase I is likely required during stress response for preventing accumulation of transcription-driven hypernegative supercoiling and R-loop formation at induced stress genes loci.

A multistage combustion model for diesel engines is presented in this paper. Three combustion stages, ignition of diesel, premixed combustion and diffusion combustion, are considered in the combustion process in a typical medium speed direct injection diesel engine. The transition from the ignition delay to the premixed combustion stage occurs when the highest temperature in the cylinder is beyond a critical value, and the transition from the premixed combustion model to the diffusion combustion model occurs when a calculated fraction of the premixed fuel is burned, which is determined from an empirical correlation based on the engine design and running conditions. Significant improvements in the predictions for in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate were achieved compared with previous models. A soot model based on the Hiroyasu soot formation mechanism and the Nagle and Strickland-Constable soot oxidation mechanism was implemented in a standard KIVA3V code. The effect of the OH radical in soot oxidation was also incorporated into the soot model. Computations show that OH plays an important role during the late combustion stage. Predicted soot and NOx were compared with measured values and a good agreement was achieved.

Research has shown that a large amount of natural gas (NG) is unburned at light loads in an NG fuelled/micro-pilot diesel compression ignition engine. A mechanism of unburned hydrocarbon (HC) reduction using multiple injections of micro-pilot diesel has been proposed in this paper. Multidimensional computations were carried out for a dual-fuel engine based on a modified CAT3401 engine configuration. The computations show that a split injection with a small percentage (e.g. 30 per cent of diesel in the second injection pulse) can significantly reduce HC, CO and NOx emissions. Based on parametric studies to optimize the timing of both of the injection pulses, HC emissions could be reduced by 90 per cent, with a reduction in CO emissions of 50 per cent and NOx emissions of 70 per cent in comparison to a single-injection pulse-base case configuration.

The tip shape is widely estimated from the images of an unknown sample surface with protruding features by using blind modelling algorithm. However, its estimated results are readily disturbed by the noise suppression parameters in the algorithm and the tip is apt to be contaminated by the sample surface features. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an accurate and rapid simulation model to estimate tip morphology. We choose regular spherical nanoparticles as the sample, and calculate their diameter by using the least squares method. The nanoparticle morphology is calculated as 'the tip' to erode the image for estimating the tip morphology. The effectiveness of this proposed method is demonstrated via the nanoparticle morphology reconstruction experiment through comparing nanoparticle reconstructed image with its actual morphology. It is proved that the proposed method not only improves image quality and measurement precision but also saves time.

Two kinds of optical heterodyne saturation spectroscopies, namely, frequency modulation spectroscopy (FMS) and modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS), are demonstrated for locking a fiber laser to the transition lines of metastable (4)He atoms around 1083 nm. The servo-loop error signals of FMS and MTS for stabilizing laser frequency are optimized by studying the dependence of the peak-to-peak amplitude and slope on the optical power of pump and probe beams. A comparison of the stabilization performances of FMS/MTS and polarization spectroscopy (PS) is presented, which shows that MTS exhibits relatively superior performance with the least laser frequency fluctuation due to its flat-background dispersive signal, originated from the four-wave mixing process. The Allan deviation of the stabilized laser frequency is 5.4 × 10(-12)@100 s with MTS for data acquired in 1000 s, which is sufficiently applicable for fields like laser cooling, optical pumping, and optical magnetometry.

Parameter specification usually has significant influence on the performance of land surface models (LSMs). However, estimating the parameters properly is a challenging task due to the following reasons: (1) LSMs usually have too many adjustable parameters (20–100 or even more), leading to the curse of dimensionality in the parameter input space; (2) LSMs usually have many output variables involving water/energy/carbon cycles, so that calibrating LSMs is actually a multi-objective optimization problem; (3) regional LSMs are expensive to run, while conventional multi-objective optimization methods needs a huge number of model runs (typically 105~106). It makes parameter optimization computationally prohibitive. An uncertainty qualification framework was developed to meet the aforementioned challenges: (1) use parameter screening to reduce the number of adjustable parameters; (2) use surrogate models to emulate the response of dynamic models to the variation of adjustable parameters; (3) use an adaptive strategy to promote the efficiency of surrogate modeling based optimization; (4) use a weighting function to transfer multi-objective optimization to single objective optimization. In this study, we demonstrate the uncertainty quantification framework on a single column case study of a land surface model – Common Land Model (CoLM) and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed framework. The result indicated that this framework can achieve optimal parameter set using totally 411 model runs, and worth to be extended to other large complex dynamic models, such as regional land surface models, atmospheric models and climate models.

This paper describes a general purpose xTCA compliant and FPGA based Data Processing building blocks to be used for trigger and data acquisition system in a big physics experiment with characteristic of high speed data transmission and processing. It features large Field of Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for data processing, DDR2 memory for data buffering, RocketIO and Gbit Ethernet for data transmission and Intelligent Platform Management Controllers (IPMC)/Module Management Controllers (MMC) for managing the hardware and power. IPMC/MMC are designed on an add-on card with the function of power management, temperature sensing and some other module monitor function. A single ATCA shelf can host up to 14 units interconnected via a full mesh backplane.

Accelerated by the collision of information technology with concerns of the past, issues of “remembering and forgetting” are creating history and shaping the strategic alignments of the future.

Successful modelling of combustion systems depends on an adequate as well as a computationally efficient description of the reaction mechanisms. For a typical medium speed compression ignition direct injection (CIDI) engine under normal operating conditions, from 70 to 95 per cent of the injected fuel is in the vapour phase at the start of combustion and 10-35 per cent of the vaporized fuel has mixed to within flammability limits. This indicates that both a premixed combustion mechanism and a diffusion combustion mechanism are important to model CIDI engines. In the early stages of combustion, a premixed combustion mechanism should be utilized while, late in the combustion process, a diffusion-based mechanism will be dominant. The former is chemically based, while the latter is physically based. In this article, the two combustion mechanisms mentioned above and various combinations of the two mechanisms for the intermediate stages of combustion are investigated. The study was done on a Caterpillar 3401 diesel engine. It was found that by utilizing a hybrid scheme whereby the premixed combustion mechanism is employed up to a user-specified crank angle, beyond which point a diffusion combustion method is utilized, reasonable agreement for both in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate with experimental data could be obtained.

The Empire of Civilization: The Evolution of an Imperial Idea. By Brett Bowden. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009. 320 pp., $45.00 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0-226-06814-5). The Empire of Civilization: The Evolution of an Imperial Idea by Professor Brett Bowden opens with “Guizot's Question: Universal Civilization?”—a fitting introduction to the book's three parts. “Part 1 is about ideas and concepts” (p. 12), specifically the historical arguments for, and limits of, Civilization, Progress, and History as universals. Parts 2 and 3 “are about the application and consequences of those ideas” (p. 12)—the Art and Science of Empire, including the Expansion of Europe and the Classical Standard of Civilization and the Burden of Civilization (Part 2), and issues of New Barbarism and “New Realities” of Imperialism (Part 3). The book's Conclusion calls for open, nonjudgmental intercivilizational relations and dialogue.1 Such dialogue is deemed important today because of ongoing conceptual and practical connections: “the same set of ideas and concepts—civilization, progress, universality, and modernity—remain both salient and powerful when it comes to explaining and justifying policy making and decision making” (p. 17). The purposes that The Empire of Civilization identifies for itself include: to provide “a better understanding of the language of civilization” and “a better understanding of the actions that tend to follow the language of civilization” (pp. ix–x); to examine “the concerted attempt to inculcate ‘civilization’ in all corners of the globe” (pp. 1–2); to “argue that certain forces are at work in world politics striving to impose a purposefully charted ‘directionality’ on our world's near-term history and future” (p. 2); and to “say that the dominant architects of international society continue to be informed and influenced by a faith in the Enlightenment ideal of progress and humankind's universal linear March toward modernity” (pp. 2–3). Among …

A low-cost rapid-prototyping system using Texas Instruments' (TI) TMS320C30 Evaluation Module (EVM) based on the MathWorks development software is presented in this paper. The rapid prototyping system serves as an educational tool in learning digital signal processing (DSP) and seeing the concept realized in real time. The development software modules, Simulink, uses graphical block diagrams to create models for real-time implementation and the real-time workshop (RTW), generates C code to be downloaded onto the EVM. The entire building process is fully automatic. This includes compiling, assembling and downloading of the real-time algorithms. The system was found to be well suited for learning real-time DSP algorithms for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Because the binding of HIV-1 envelope to CD4 initiates a configurational change in glycoprotein 120 (gp120), enabling it to interact with fusion coreceptors, we investigated how this process interferes with the expression and function of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in CD4+ T lymphocytes. A recombinant gp120 (MN), after preincubation with CD4+ T lymphocytes, significantly inhibited the binding and chemotaxis of the cells in response to the CXCR4 ligand stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), accompanied by a markedly reduced surface expression of CXCR4. gp120, but not SDF-1α, induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of src-like kinase p56lck in CD4+ T cells, whereas both gp120 and SDF-1α caused phosphorylation of the CXCR4. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A abolished the phosphorylation of p56lck and CXCR4 induced by gp120 in association with maintenance of normal expression of cell surface CXCR4 and a migratory response to SDF-1α. Thus, a CD4-associated signaling molecule(s) including p56lck is activated by gp120 and is required for the down-regulation of CXCR4.

The multilayer relaxation at (100), (110), (111), (210), (211), (310), (311) and (331) surfaces of the fcc metals Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Pd, Pt, Al and Pb are calculated using the modified embedded atom method. The `anomalous' outward relaxation at Al (100), (111), Pt (111), and Cu (111) surfaces is described correctly. The relief of surface stress and tension on the relaxation is studied on (111), (100) and (110) surfaces. In general, the surface stress in the direction of the surface normal determines the relaxation direction except for the Al (110) surface. When the surface stress is negative, the surface relaxation is inward; otherwise, the relaxation is outward. An interesting result is that the surface tension does not always decrease after relaxation. The outward relaxation will induce the increase in surface tension while the inward relaxation induces the decrease in surface tension.

In this paper, the relation between difference algorithms and the representation of parametric curves is studied in detail. It is shown that stationary difference algorithms could generate a class of curves, the so-called D-curves, that are suitable in free-form curve and surface modelling and design. The corresponding D-Be@?zier curves are also constructed and their properties studied. This generalizes our findings in the study of a simple three-term difference algorithm in which it has been concluded that a simple three-term difference algorithm could generate both conic curves, general monomial curves, and exponential spiral curves.

In this letter, we demonstrate error-free operation of a 12-fiber /spl times/4-wavelength /spl times/5.21-Gb/s parallel-wavelength-division-multiplexed (PWDM) optical link. The 250-Gb/s transmitter and receiver assemblies each have a 5/spl times/8-mm footprint and consume a combined power of 1.5 W. To our knowledge, this is the first publication of a fully functional PWDM optical interconnect as well as the highest demonstrated bandwidth per unit area and bandwidth per unit power consumption for any multiple-channel fiber-optic interconnect. This technology is intended for short-distance high-bandwidth-density applications such as multiprocessor computer backplanes.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (NRR; the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese, Uyghur and Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte loss is the major pathogenesis of heart disorders. Here, the total volatile oil of NRR was isolated, and its function in preventing the cell death of cardiomyocyte was demonstrated. Materials and methods: The cyto-protective effect of volatile oil of NRR against tBHP-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury was measured by MTT assay. A promoter-report construct (pARE-Luc) containing four repeats of antioxidant response element (ARE) was applied to study the transcriptional activation of ARE. The amounts of phase II antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymer chain reaction (qPCR) upon the volatile oil treatment at 30 mu g/mL for 24 h. The activation of Akt pathway was analyzed by western blot. Results: In cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes, application of NRR volatile oil exhibited strong potency in preventing tBHP-induced cell death and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the application of NRR volatile oil in cultures stimulated the gene expressions of self-defense antioxidant enzymes, which was mediated by the transcriptional activation of antioxidant response element (ARE). The induced genes were glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic and modulatory subunits. In addition, the volatile oil of NRR activated the phosphotylation of Akt in cultured H9c2 cells. The treatment of LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, significantly inhibited the volatile oil-mediated ARE transcriptional activity, as well as the cell protective effect of NRR oil. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that NRR volatile oil prevented the oxidative stress-induced cell death in H9c2 cells by (i) reducing intracellular ROS production, (ii) inducing antioxidant enzymes and (iii) activating Akt phosphorylation.

This report describes the results of testing specified by the Test Plan VSL-06R6900-1 Rev 0. The work was performed in compliance with quality assurance requirements specified in the Test Plan. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. The test results and this report have been reviewed for correctness, technical adequacy, completeness, and accuracy.

This report describes the results of work and testing specified by Test Specifications 24590-LAW-TSP-RT-04-004, Rev. 0, Test Plans VSL-05T5480-1, Rev. 0 and Text Exceptions 24590-LAW-TEF-RT-05-00002. The work and any associated testing followed established quality assurance requirements and was conducted as authorized. The descriptions provided in this test report are an accurate account of both the conduct of the work and the data collected. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. Also reported are any unusual or anomalous occurences that are different from the starting hypotheses. The test results and this report have been reviewed and verified.

This report describes the results of testing specified by Test Plan VSL-05R5900-1 Rev.0. The work was performed in compliance with the quality assurance requirements specified in the Test Plan. Results required by the Test Plan are reported. The test results and this report have been reviewed for correctness, technical adequacy, completeness, and accuracy.

The principal objective of this work was to extend the glass formulation methodology developed in the earlier work [2, 5, 6] for Envelope A, B and C waste compositions for development of compliant glass compositions targeting five high sodium-sulfur waste loading regions. This was accomplished through a combination of crucible-scale tests, and tests on the DM10 melter system. The DM10 was used for several previous tests on LAW compositions to determine the maximum feed sulfur concentrations that can be processed without forming secondary sulfate phases on the surface of the melt pool. This melter is the most efficient melter platform for screening glass compositions over a wide range of sulfate concentrations and therefore was selected for the present tests. The tests were conducted to provide information on melter processing characteristics and off-gas data, including sulfur incorporation and partitioning. As described above, the main objective was to identify the limits of waste loading in compliant glass formulations spanning the range of expected Na{sub 2}O and SO{sub 3} concentrations in the LAW glasses.

The principal objective of the work described in this Final Report is to extend the glass formulation methodology developed in the earlier work by development of acceptable glass compositions for four LAW compositions specified by ORP that cover the range of sulfate to sodium and potassium to sodium ratios expected in Hanford LAW. The glass formulations were designed to exclude titanium and iron as glass former additives, while tin and vanadium as glass former additives were evaluated for beneficial effects in increasing waste loading in the glasses. This was accomplished through a combination of crucible-scale tests and tests on the DM10 melter system. This melter is the most efficient melter platform for screening glass compositions over a wide range of sulfate concentrations and therefore was selected for the present tests. The current tests provide information on melter processing characteristics and off-gas data, including sulfur incorporation and partitioning.

The principal objective of the work reported here was to develop and identify HLW glass compositions that maximize waste processing rates for the aluminum limted waste composition specified by ORP while maintaining high waste loadings and acceptable glass properties. This was accomplished through a combination of crucible-scale tests, confirmation tests on the DM100 melter system, and demonstration at pilot scale (DM1200). The DM100-BL unit was selected for these tests since it was used previously with the HLW waste streams evaluated in this study, was used for tests on HLW glass compositions to support subsequent tests on the HLW Pilot Melter, conduct tests to determine the effect of various glass properties (viscosity and conductivity) and oxide concentrations on glass production rates with HLW feed streams, and to assess the volatility of cesium and technetium during the vitrification of an HLW AZ-102 composition. The same melter was selected for the present tests in order to maintain comparisons between the previously collected data. These tests provide information on melter processing characteristics and off-gas data, including formation of secondary phases and partitioning. Once DM100 tests were completed, one of the compositions was selected for further testing on the DM1200; the DM1200 system has been used for processing a variety of simulated Hanford waste streams. Tests on the larger melter provide processing data at one third of the scale of the actual WTP HLW melter and, therefore, provide a more accurate and reliable assessment of production rates and potential processing issues. The work focused on maximizing waste processing rates for high aluminum HLW compositions. In view of the diversity of forms of aluminum in the Hanford tanks, tests were also conducted on the DM100 to determine the effect of changes in the form of aluminum on feed properties and production rate. In addition, the work evaluated the effect on production rate of modest increases in melter operating temperature. Glass composition development was based on one of the HLW waste compositions specified by ORP that has a high concentration of aluminum. Small-scale tests were used to provide an initial screening of various glass formulations with respect to melt rates; more definitive screening was provided by the subsequent DM100 tests. Glass properties evaluated included: viscosity, electrical conductivity, crystallinity, gross glass phase separation and the 7- day Product Consistency Test (ASTM-1285). Glass property limits were based upon the reference properties for the WTP HLW melter. However, the WTP crystallinity limit (< 1 vol% at 950oC) was relaxed slightly as a waste loading constraint for the crucible melts.

The principal objectives of the DM100 and DM10 tests were to determine the impact of four different organics and one inorganic feed additive on sulfate volatilization and to determine the sulfur partitioning between the glass and the off-gas system. The tests provided information on melter processing characteristics and off-gas data including sulfur incorporation and partitioning. A series of DM10 and DM100 melter tests were conducted using a LAW Envelope A feed. The testing was divided into three parts. The first part involved a series of DM10 melter tests with four different organic feed additives: sugar, polyethylene glycol (PEG), starch, and urea. The second part involved two confirmatory 50-hour melter tests on the DM100 using the best combination of reductants and conditions based on the DM10 results. The third part was performed on the DM100 with feeds containing vanadium oxide (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) as an inorganic additive to increase sulfur partitioning to the off-gas. Although vanadium oxide is not a reductant, previous testing has shown that vanadium shows promise for partitioning sulfur to the melter exhaust, presumably through its known catalytic effect on the SO{sub 2}/SO{sub 3} reaction. Crucible-scale tests were conducted prior to the melter tests to confirm that the glasses and feeds would be processable in the melter and that the glasses would meet the waste form (ILAW) performance requirements. Thus, the major objectives of these tests were to: � Perform screening tests on the DM10 followed by tests on the DM100-WV system using a LAW -Envelope A feed with four organic additives to assess their impact on sulfur volatilization. � Perform tests on the DM100-WV system using a LAW -Envelope A feed containing vanadium oxide to assess its impact on sulfur volatilization. � Determine feed processability and product quality with the above additives. � Collect melter emissions data to determine the effect of additives on sulfur partitioning and melter emissions. � Collect and analyze discharged glass to determine sulfur retention in the glass. � Prepare and characterize feeds and glasses with the additives to confirm that the feeds and the glass melts are suitable for processing in the DM100 melter. � Prepare and characterize glasses with the additives to confirm that the glasses meet the waste form (ILAW) performance requirements.

This report describes work conducted to support the development and testing of new glass formulations that extend beyond those that have been previously investigated for the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). The principal objective was to investigate maximization of the incorporation of several waste components that are expected to limit waste loading and, consequently, high level waste (HLW) processing rates and canister count. The work was performed with four waste compositions specified by the Office of River Protection (ORP); these wastes contain high concentrations of bismuth, chromium, aluminum, and aluminum plus sodium. The tests were designed to identify glass formulations that maximize waste loading while meeting all processing and product quality requirements. The work included preparation and characterization of crucible melts in support of subsequent DuraMelter 100 (DM100) tests designed to examine the effects of enhanced glass formulations, increased glass processing temperature, increased crystallinity, and feed solids content on waste processing rate and product quality.

Zero-Degree Detector (ZDD) is a new Detector of Beijing Electron Spectrometer III (BESIII) for both double gamma event detection and luminosity monitoring to substitute the old luminosity monitor. A new luminosity readout is described in this paper which is designed in double width AMC/MTCA form factor with a large Xilinx Virtex5 FPGA in addition to normal electronic signal formation. A FPGA embedded PowerPC is used for data reading, accumulation and data transmission over a gigabit Ethernet. The setting of parameters like the discriminator threshold in Front End electronics is done via a special serial link under control of firmware in the same FPGA. This readout system has been put in operation since fall of 2012.