Search Documents

By N. S. Dalal, A. H. Hoffman, X. Shi, D. E. Banks, J. K. H. Ma, Y. Rojanasakul

Excessive production of reactive oxygen radicals by alveolar macrophages is proposed to play an important role in oxidative lung injury. A major product of oxygen radical formation is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (•OH) generated via a biologic Fenton reaction. In addition to its known ability to induce lipid peroxidation, recent studies have suggested that the •OH may exert its cytotoxic effect through the alteration of [Ca2+], homeostasis. To test this potential mechanism as well as to investigate the relationship between •OH and Ca" overloading in cytotoxic injury, isolated rat alveolar macrophages were exposed to externally generated radical system, H2O2 (0.01 to 1 mM) and Fe (1 mM) and their [Ca2+] levels and cell injury were monitored using quantitative fluorescence microscopy with the aid of the specific Ca" indicator, Fura-2, and membrane integrity indicator, propidium iodide. Electron spin resonance measurements using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) confirmed the production of the .OH radical by this system. Upon the addition of the radicals, the macrophages displayed a rapid initial rise in [Ca2+] which was followed by a slower but more pronounced [Ca2+], elevation that reached a level 3 to 5 times higher than the basal level. This process preceded cell death as evident by nuclear propidium iodide fluorescence. Depletion of extracellular Ca" inhibited both the [Ca2+], response and cell injury. Preincubation of the cells with the Ca" channel blocker verapamil or .0H radical scavenger mannitol similarly inhibited the [Ca2+], rise and loss of viability. Firefly luciferase assay of cellular ATP content demonstrated that the alterations in [Ca2+], following .0H treatment preceded the depletion of ATP. Changes in membrane potential caused by Na* substitution with K* had no significant effect on either the unstimulated or stimulated [Ca"], levels. Taken together, these measurements indicate that .OH-induced injury in alveolar macrophages is associated with the alteration in [Ca2+], homeostasis. The mechanism of •OH-induced [Ca2+] loading is not due to nonspecific membrane damage or energy depletion, but mainly due to an increase in Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ selective channels. This Ca2+ over-load state as well as energy depletion caused by the oxidant may activate certain cellular degradative processes leading to cell injury and death.

Nov 1, 1995

This report, authorized by a subcontract with the Crouse-Hinds Company per Section 1.1.3b of Contract Number H0220065 Amendment Number Six, and the consent of the Contracting Officer, documents the results of an investigation to develop solid state ballasts for Lucalox high pressure sodium lamps. The ballasts were to be used in the modified and new portable and machine-mounted lighting systems designed by the Crouse-Hinds Company, per Tasks I through IV of Contract No. H0220065.

Jan 1, 1976

By John D. Spencer

Research on the development of new and improved methods for the discovery and production of oil and gas and production of fluid fuels from coal continued to be the major thrust of the Bureau of Mines energy research program during 1973. Crude oil recovery from tar sands and oil shale also retained a high priority in this work. Complementing this program were numerous studies aimed at accomplishing the objective of increased energy output with greater safety and minimum harm to the natural environment. This report summarizes research objectives and results and itemizes formal publications of the Bureau of Mines on energy and related subjects.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. M. Davidson, F. Fraas, J. E. Conley

"A number of Reports of Investigations pertaining to the extraction of potash from cal¬cined polyhalite have been made by various members of the Nonmetallic Minerals Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Mines. These reports describe results obtained in the study of samples of polyhalite (2CaS04.K2S04.MgS04.2H20) from deposits of possible com¬mercial importance in Texas and New Mexico.3Storch and Clarke6 in their initial paper presenting data on the properties of Texas polyhalite demonstrated the desirability of calcination and subsequent hot extraction with water as a satisfactory pronedure for treatment of this potash-bearing salt. Their preliminary data have been supplemented by an additional report7 dealing more particularly with the leaching of raw and calcined polyhalite with water and with saturated sodium chloride solu¬tions. Further data8 have been reported as a result of experiments made in a small labora¬tory rotary-tube furnace under various calcination and extraction conditions. Hot water was used as the leaching solution in all of these tests.In addition to the data on calcination and extraction, two processes as proposed by Storch and Clarke have been published by Wroth,9 and more recently a number of very promising processes have been proposed by Storoh and Fragen.10"

Apr 1, 1932

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology, The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty., and the, rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut n. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted t o reopen and prod e the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that hid not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 55-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period. On November 7, 1931, the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma issued an order which divided the Oklahoma City field into the Wilcox, Arbuckle, and Lower Simpson zones for proration purposes. Wells producing from the Wilcox zone were allowed to produce 4 1/2 percent of their potential5/ from November 1, 1931, to January 1, 1932; Arbuckle limestone wells were allowed to produce 250 barrels of oil daily; and Simpson sandstone wells which had a potential of over 2,000 barrels per day or which made 3 percent or more water were allowed to produce 200 barrels of oil per day.

Jan 1, 1937

By Gergely Markos

Uranium mill tailings represent a potential threat to the human habitat by containing large amounts of radioactive and chemically toxic substances in high concentrations. These: undesired components enter the human habitat in various pathways such as by erosion and water or air transport. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the actual movement and model the potential movement of contaminants by seepage of water from the tailings into the subtailings soil. This report represents various models of the movement of contaminants using both theoretical approaches and empirical evaluation of data available from other investigations. The data consist of field measurements and laboratory determi¬nations of major and trace cations, the dominant anions, pH, and Eh of moist solids, extracts, and waters from the tailings and surroundings. Evaluation and interpre¬tation of data were accomplished by using Eh-pH diagrams, various statistical methods and the WATEQFC computer program. Data analyses show that the critical area of investigating movement- is the interfaces between tailings and the external environment. The chemical differences at interfaces seem to result in a sink system for contaminants. The tailings-soil¬-water system shows extreme complexities because of chemical and physical hetero¬geneity of the system preventing the use of a single comprehensive model to represent real conditions. The validity of the simplifying assumption used has been shown and increasing complexity has been built into the models. Analogs of these models can be used for evaluation of similar systems.

Jan 1, 1981

By S. H. Lorain

This paper briefly describes the principal known commercial and near commercial deposits of gold-bearing gravel end the principal placer mining operations of Idaho County, Idaho. It is one of a series of similar papers on western mining districts. The data used in writing this paper were gathered during the summer of 1937. Information concerning gold-bearing gravels was obtained from prospectors and operators, while operators supplied most of the data on mining operations. No attempt was made actually to test the gravels. The principal object of the examination was to indicate placer areas worthy of further investigation by prospective operators.

Jan 1, 1938

By R. A. Cattell

A technologic group such as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Division of the Bureau f Mines, which conducts research on many of the complicated and frequently interrelated problems f extracting crude oil and natural gas from the ground, transporting them to market or to daces for subsequent treatment, and manufacturing products, should report progress from time to time. Engineers and others who apply the results obtained by this division are closely associated with its personnel, because many of the problems are attached cooperatively with groups in industry. Some of this cooperation is formal, as exemplified by work now in progress under cooperative agreements with the States of Oklahoma, Kansas, and others, but much of it is informal, prompted by the desire to be mutually helpful in the public interest. Furthermore, the published reports of the Bureau on subjects pertaining to petroleum and natural-gas technology come to the direct attention of a relatively large number of persons, whose interest in results and appreciation of the value of this type of work have caused them to be kept currently informed regarding available data.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. A. Cattell

A technologic group such as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Division of the Bureau of Mines, which conducts research on many of the complicated and frequently interrelated problems of extracting crude oil and natural gas from the ground, transporting them to market or to places for subsequent treatment, and manufacturing products, should report progress from time to time. Engineers and others who apply the results obtained by this division are closely associated with its personnel, because may of the problems are attached cooperatively with groups in industry. Some of this cooperation is formal, as exemplified by work now in progress under cooperative agreements with the States of Oklahoma, Kansas, and others, but much of it is informal, prompted by the desire to be mutually helpful in the public interest. Furthermore, the published reports of the Bureau on subjects pertaining to petroleum and natural-gas technology come to the direct attention of a relatively large number of persons, whose interest in results and appreciation of the value of this type of work have caused them to be kept currently informed regarding available data.

Jan 1, 1940

By M. A. Trvits, M. Cummins, A. C. Smith, T. P. Mucho

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of remotely applied nitrogen-enhanced foam to aid in efforts to isolate and suppress a mine fire. The foam, in combination with a remotely-installed cementitious mine seal and a novel borehole pressure sampling methodology to determine the location of the suspected ignition source, was used to help control ventilation and inert the area surrounding the suspected ignition source by isolating it from oxygen. This allowed mine rescue teams to safely enter the mine, seal the area, and begin recovery operations to successfully return the mine to full production.

By Jane Applegate

This report documents efforts to design, develop and test a training approach which would assist front-end loader operators in the acquisition of skills and awareness to reduce the probability of their involvement in accidents in the mining environment. The goal of this project was to prepare and use (on a trial basis) a training method and materials which would be generally applicable to any loader and surface mining operation while at the same time, be adjustable by mine personnel to meet the specific needs of each mining operation. This effort resulted in the Front-End Loader Training System, a structured, performance-based training approach with diverse instructional aids and classroom and on-machine training experiences. Validation of the System at a large western mine demonstrated the utility and flexibility of the training approach and materials.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. Bruce Clemmer

In the experimental concentration of Vermont talc-magnesite ores, talc concentrates and tailings rich in magnesite were obtained. On account of the possible market value of the magnesite, the tailings are given consideration' in this report along with the talc. After some comments about the talc industry, the magnesite that accrued as tailings will be considered. Then the flotation results will follow.

Jan 1, 1936

By A. G. Mayton

Vehicle vibration exposure has been linked to chronic back pain and low back symptoms among agricultural tractor drivers. The objectives of this study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were to assess driver whole body vibration (WBV) exposures and recommend interventions to reduce the risk of back related injuries, particularly relative to vehicle jarring/jolting (the transient mechanical shock components of WBV). The methodology included collecting, from two independent samples, ?eld data and health and work history data of farm equipment operators. Data were collected during mowing, raking, baling, chiseling, tilling, and road travel for different model tractors. Spraying using a sprayer and shrub removal with a skid steer loader were also included. Based on ISO 2631 (1985), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, threshold limit values, presents 0.5 m/s2 as the action level recommended by the Commission of European Communities for overall weighted total RMS acceleration (vector sum for axes x, y, and z) [ACGIH, 2006. Threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH]. WBV measured at the operator/seat interface exceeded this action level. The roughest rides and highest vector sum accelerations occurred with small utility tractor mowers (3.3 and 2.8 m/s2) and a skid steer loader (1.7 m/s2). Major ?ndings from health and work history data showed 96% of participants reported having to bend or twist their necks, although 24% reported neck symptoms. Sixty four percent of participating operators reported experiencing back symptoms (e.g., pain, aching, stiffness, etc.). Recommendations included: specifying a seat that ??better?? isolates operators from jars/jolts with new tractor purchases; maintaining the seat/seat suspension and replacing worn or damaged cushions with NIOSH tested viscoelastic foam padding; using larger diameter tires with radial ply instead of bias ply construction, particularly on small utility tractor mowers, to aid in attenuating ride ??roughness??; using a swivel seat to reduce the stress on the neck from bending or twisting; and improving efforts to educate owner/operators of the adverse effects of WBV exposures. Since the data presented in this paper were collected from two independent samples, the authors were unable to draw any correlations or etiological inferences from the study. However, results were compared and contrasted with other studies which included similar vibration measurements in agriculture.

Jan 1, 2008

By Shelby Z. Palya

"INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines was established in the public interest to conduct inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning mining and the preparation, treatment, and utilization of mining substances; to promote health and safety in the mineral industries; to conserve material resources and prevent their waste; to further economic development; to increase efficiency in the mining, metallurgical, quarrying, and other mineral industries; and to inquire into the economic conditions affecting those industries. The organic act of the Bureau, as amended by Congress and approved February 25, 1913, made it the province and duty of the Bureau to ""disseminate information concerning these subjects in such manner as will best carry out the purposes of this Act.""In accordance with this directive, the Bureau reports the findings of its research and investigations in its own series of publications and also in articles that appear in scientific, technical, and trade journals; in proceedings of conventions and seminars; in reference books; and in other non Bureau publications. The number of these reports, the wide range of subjects they cover, and the variety of mediums in which they appear make the kind of list and index presented in this special publication both necessary and valuable. This issue describes reports and articles published during the period January 1, 1975, to December 31, 1979. It supplements the 50-year list of Bureau publications issued from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960; 2 the 50-year list of articles by Bureau authors published outside the Bureau from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960; 3 the 5-year lists of publicatioll3 and articles, from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 1964,4 from January 1, 1965, to December 31, 1969,5 and from January 1, 1970, to December 31, 1974; 6 and the annual lists of Bureau publications and articles from January 1 to December 31, 1975,7 from January 1 to December 31, 1976,8 from January 1 to December 31, 1977,9 and from January 1 to December 31, 1978.10"

Jan 1, 1980

This Bureau of Mines report and its companion report (Information Circular 9143) have been prepared to assist in the preparation of prefeasibility type estimates for capital and operating costs of mining of various types of mineral occurrences using current technology. The handbook provides a convenient costing procedure based on the summation of the casts for the unit processes required in any particular mining or mineral processing operation. The costing handbook consists of a series of costing sections, each corresponding to a specific mining unit process. Contained within each section is the methodology to estimate either the capital or operating cost for that unit process. The unit process sections may be used to generate, in January 1984 dollars, costs through the use of either costing curves or formulae representing the prevailing technology. Coverage for surface mining includes dredging, quarrying, strip mining, and open pit mining. The underground mining includes individual development sections for drifting, raising, shaft sinking, stope development, various mining methods, underground mine haulage, general plant, and underground mine administrative cost. This system can be used for estimating cost data for an undeveloped deposit or for checking or verifying mining costs from a developed deposit, with a minimum amount of background information.

Jan 1, 1987

By Edward A. Barrett, Roberta A. Calhoun

Introduction This Instructor’s Copy contains most of the information needed to use the Wearing Hearing Protection Properly 3-D training reel. It offers practical suggestions on how to use the reel as a training aid, performance objectives for deciding if the training is appropriate for your needs, and discussion notes that provide additional information to the user. The 3-D reel was designed as a self-teaching aid that drillers and others who work at a drill site can use wherever the opportunity for such training presents itself. The latter could be a company preshift requirement or a tailgate session where workers would have an opportunity to view and discuss the reel. It could also be an individual looking at the reel in a pickup truck prior to beginning work at a drill site. The 3-D training reel is versatile in that it can be used for a small group of persons or for a single worker. For any of these situations, information is transferred to the individual by viewing each of the seven colorful, in-depth 3-D scenes and relating the words that appear in each scene to what is depicted in the visual. Acknowledgment The authors thank Linda J. McWilliams, Statistician, NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, for her assistance in analyzing the experimental data in this document.

Jan 11, 2004

By Kenneth B. Higbie

METALLURGICAL ACTIVITY in 1963 was again dominated by the insatiate demands of research and development conducted in conjunction with the nation's defense and aerospace programs. An increasing effort was noticeable throughout the year, however, to apply to the commercial field many of the processes and techniques that have been developed by government-sponsored research. Particularly effective has been the Industrial Applications Program of the National Aeronautic and Space Agency through which many of the technological advancements made during the course of NASA research and development have been published and released to the public. POWDER TECHNOLOGY Powder metallurgy techniques for fabricating metals, not long ago declared outmoded because of improved casting and shaping methods, have since made an astonishing comeback. Traditionally mechanical pressing of powder shapes has been employed when melting and casting was difficult or impossible, when phase relationships needed to be sidestepped, or when machining costs could be avoided. Hence, it has long been used for producing relatively small special shapes of high-melting metals and alloys. Small iron parts produced with a punch and die have been common for many years, but powder metallurgy techniques are now applicable to a wide range of materials and items. Hard-to-handle materials including refractory metals and their alloys are now rolled, forged, or extruded from billets made by sintering isostatically compacted powders. The major element of the powder metallurgy industry still comprises iron shapes, however, and two-thirds of the annual 100,000 tons of powder metallurgy products are made of iron. The largest single user of powder-forming techniques is the automobile industry which currently consumes 14,000 to 16,000 tons of iron powder per year. A typical 1963 model auto contained more than 100 pressed powder parts (e.g., transmission gears, timing gears, sprockets, ball joint suspensions) totaling 5 to 7 pounds per car. Some of these powders are used in self-lubricating parts of porous copper and copper alloys containing as much as 20 volume-percent lubricating oil. The expanded use of powder techniques, coupled with

Jan 1, 1964

By Branch of Editorial Services

"The Bureau of Mines was established in the public interest to conduct inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning mining and the preparation, treatment, and utilization of mineral substances; to promote health and safety in the mineral industries; to conserve material resources and prevent their waste; to further economic development; to increase efficiency in the mining, metallurgical, quarrying, and other mineral industries; and to inquire into the economic conditions affecting those industries. The organic act of the Bureau, as amended by Congress and approved February 25, 1913, made it the province and duty of the Bureau of Mines to ""disseminate information concerning these subjects in such manner as will best carry out the purposes of this Act.""In accordance with this directive, the Bureau reports the findings of its research and investigations in its own series of publications and also in articles that appear in scientific, technical, and trade journals; in proceedings of conventions and seminars; in reference books; and in other non-Bureau publications. The number of these reports, the wide range of subjects they cover, and the variety of mediums in which they appear make the kind of list and index presented in this special publication both necessary and valuable. This issue of the Bureau of Mines List of Publications and Articles describes reports and articles published during the period January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1984. It supplements the 50-year list of Bureau publications issued from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960;1 the 50-year list of articles by Bureau authors published outside the Bureau from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 1960;2 the 5-year lists of publications and articles from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 1964,3 from January 1, 1965, to December 31, 1969,4 from January 1, 1970, to December 31, 1974,5 and from January 1, 1975, to December 31, 1979;6 and the annual lists of Bureau publications and articles from January 1 to December 31, 1980,7 from January 1 to December 31, 1981,8 from January 1 to December 31, 1982,9 and from January 1 to December 31, 1983. 10"

Jan 1, 1985

By J. W. Jensen

EXTENSIVE research and development was performed on the manganese-copper vibration-damping alloys to determine the relationship between the properties of the alloys and variations in composition, fabrication, Mid heat treatment. Mn-Cu alloys with unusually high specific damping capacity, 20 to 25 percent at a stress of 5,000 psi, have also the following useful properties: Tensile strength, 90,000 to 110,000 psi; yield strong, 60,000 to psi; elongation, 20 to 25 percent; hardness, 90 Rockwell B; and fatigue limit at, 28,000 to 30,000 psi. Both standard and special methods of testing were employed to obtain data on strength, modulus, hardness, resistivity, dilatation, micro-structure, crystal lattice, and damping capacity. The extensive tabular and graphical data on these properties are presented for alloys containing 50 to 85 percent as quenched d solution) and after various aging treatments. Expansion coefficients for all Mn-Cu solid solutions are graphed and a dilatometer study of contraction during aging is reported. Although high damping capacity is associated with aging to precipitate a-Mn from solid solution, with a cubic-tetragonal transformation and with the occurrence of antiferromagnetic ordering in Mn-Cu alloys, a tenable theory of the damping mechanism has not been reached.

Jan 1, 1965

By Dennis J. Callaghan

This report is the result of information obtained from a review of related literature, personal inquiry and on-site examination of active surface coal mining operations. Four improved surface coal mine systems are described in detail and evaluated for feasibility, implementation requirements, environmental benefit and costs. Engineering feasibility emphasizes equipment availability, compliance to design requirements, practicality and industry rating. Implementation potential emphasizes immediacy, ease, acceptability and constraints. Special attention was given to environmental responsiveness, both with regard to the solutions to mined-land reclamation problems and to the concurrency of reclamation. Each system description includes a hypothetical model mine with a depreciation schedule, capital summary, estimated annual production costs, sales price computation, production and operating cost summary, and a sensitivity analysis of mine price to stripping ratio. A program plan and time schedule for demonstrating a selected mining system covers site selection criteria, mine data collection, criteria for controlling and budgeting costs and reporting findings. Ten additional mining methods and techniques are briefly described and evaluated. Common reclamation problems are listed and described. Sixteen state reclamation laws and regulations are abstracted. Sixty-nine references are listed in the bibliography.

Jan 1, 1976