Limited possibilities exist for new hydrocarbon exploration regimes in the Pacific Northwest. Extensive geophysical studies have been used to outline a proposed sedimentary basin hidden beneath volcanic rocks of the Cascades region of southwestern Washington (Stanley et. al, 1992, AAPG Bull. 76, 1569-1585). Electrical geophysical imaging using the magnetotelluric (MT) method first detected thick, electrically conductive sequences believed to represent late Cretaceous to Oligocene marine sedimentary rocks. The conductive section occurs at depths from about 1 km to 10 km in the area west of a line between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, extending westward to a line between Mt. St. Helens and just west of Morton, WA. The conductive rocks reaches thicknesses as great as 10 km. The anomalous rocks appear to be very near the surface in the axis of anticlines that bring Eocene marine shales to shallow depths. Careful consideration of physical properties and the correspondence of the morphology of the units to known fold sets suggests that the high conductivities are related to lithologic/stratigraphic units rather than to variations in physical properties. Our preference for the lithology of the anomalous section, based upon a study of regional geology and structure, is one dominated by marine shales …

Goal is to develop a catalyst and process for converting of syngas to isobutanol and to evaluate the commercial potential of the new process. This report covers preliminary testing of methanol synthesis catalysts alone and in combination with basic metal oxides. Materials tested included Cu/Zn/Al, Zn/Cr oxides, and K/Zr/Zn/Mn oxides.

We summarize the role of spin observables in testing the foundations of exclusive QCD at large t. Polarized elastic scattering experiments can shed light on fundamental properties of protons, such as helicity conservation, normalization of the wave function and structure. Specific QCD motivated predictions for the spin observables are presented, which can be tested at polarized proton beam facilities. In this paper, two kinematic regions are considered: 90{degrees} c.m. at large {vert_bar} t {vert_bar} and the intermediate hard scattering regime: m{sub p}{sup 2} {much_lt}{vert_bar} t {vert_bar}{much_lt} s. Theoretical models, which predict the spin observables in these regions, are reviewed. These are compared with present elastic pp data and a program is suggested for future elastic polarized pp scattering experiments, which can be used to further our knowledge of proton structure.

Changes in lighting conditions strongly effect the performance and reliability of computer vision systems. We report face recognition results under drastically changing lighting conditions for a computer vision system which concurrently uses a contrast sensitive silicon retina and a conventional, gain controlled CCD camera. For both input devices the face recognition system employs an elastic matching algorithm with wavelet based features to classify unknown faces. To assess the effect of analog on-chip preprocessing by the silicon retina the CCD images have been digitally preprocessed with a bandpass filter to adjust the power spectrum. The silicon retina with its ability to adjust sensitivity increases the recognition rate up to 50 percent. These comparative experiments demonstrate that preprocessing with an analog VLSI silicon retina generates image data enriched with object-constant features.

Inspection of high-value structures, like bridges and buildings, using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is an application of a technology that is growing in importance. In a typical inspection application, inspectors use GPR to locate structural components, like embedded reinforcing bars, to avoid weakening the structure while collecting core samples for detailed inspection. Advanced GPR, integrated with imaging technologies for use as an NDE tool, can provide the capability to quickly locate and characterize construction flaws and wear- or age-induced damage in these structures without resorting to destructive methods. In this paper, we discuss an important inspection application, namely, concrete bridge deck inspection. We describe an advanced bridge deck inspection system concept (Ground Penetrating Imaging Radar, GPIR) and present results from experiments designed to simulate the concept.

The Natural Gas Monthly (NGM) highlights activities, events, and analyses of interest to public and private sector organizations associated with the natural gas industry. Volume and price data are presented each month for natural gas production, distribution, consumption, and interstate pipeline activities. Producer-related activities and underground state data are also reported. From time to time, the NGM features articles designed to assist readers in using and interpreting natural gas information.

A separation device employing a gas separation filter and swirler vanes for separating gas from a gas-liquid mixture is provided. The cylindrical filter uses the principle that surface tension in the filter pores prevents gas bubbles from passing through; the gas collects in the interior of the filter to form larger bubbles in the center of the device. The device is suited for microgravity since the swirlers induce a centrifugal force which forces liquid from the inner region through the pores and the device outlet while the entrained gas is trapped by the filter. The device includes a cylindrical gas storage screen enclosed by the filter. The screen has pores larger than those of the filters. The screen prevents larger bubbles that have been formed from reaching and interfering with the pores of the filter. The device is initially filled with a gas other than that which is to be separated; this results in separation of the gas even before gas bubbles are present in the mixture. Initially filling the device with the dissimilar gas and preventing the gas from escaping before operation can be accomplished by sealing the dissimilar gas in the inner region with a ruptured disc which …

Many industrial locations, including the US Department of Energy`s, have identified needs for treatment of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes and remediation of PCB-contaminated sites. Biodegradation of PCBs is a potentially effective technology for the treatment of PCB-contaminated soils and sludges, including mixed wastes; however, a practical remediation technology has not yet been demonstrated. In laboratory experiments, soil slurry bioreactors inoculated with microorganisms extracted from PCB-contaminated sediments from the Hudson River have been used to obtain anaerobic dechlorination of PCBS. The onset of dechlorination activity can be accelerated by addition of nutritional amendments and inducers. After 15 weeks of incubation with PCB-contaminated soil and nutrient solution, dechlorination has been observed under several working conditions. The best results show that the average chlorine content steadily dropped from 4.3 to 3.5 chlorines per biphenyl over a 15-week period.

Newsletter of the Texas Department of Health discussing the news, activities, and events of the organization and other information related to health in Texas.