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Nuclear power is under the microscope as much of the world watches the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and the resulting tsunamis.
Fires near Japanese nuclear power plants are forcing evacuations and concerns for all the obvious reasons. Those concerns have traveled across the Pacific to California, where nuclear power plants are being shut down.
Let's take a look at which nuclear power plants sit in the seismically active areas of the United States.
Generally, this concern is focused on the West Coast of the United States, because that's where most of our large earthquakes have occurred. There are no nuclear power plants in Hawaii or Alaska, but there are four nuclear reactor sites along the West Coast — one nuclear reactor site in Washington, two in California and one in Arizona. Here's a link to an interesting site, nukepills.com, where you can see the location of all nuclear power plants as well as the theoretical fallout zones.
Below, you can see the locations of the power plants, minus the fallout zones:
Now, these are just the power plants. There is a whole other issue with non-power nuclear reactors. These aren't power plants, but research facilities such as universities where smaller-scale reactors are located. In all, there are eight of these sites along the West Coast. One is in Arizona, four are in California, two are in Oregon and one is in Washington. In all, the United States has 36 of these smaller sites, which can be seen below:
As you can see, most of the nuclear power plants and research facilities lie in the middle of the country. A good number that lie the West Coast are in the most seismically active parts of the nation, as this map from the United States Geological Survey shows:
Over the course of history, the concerns surrounding the nuclear industry have been focused on accidents that occurred despite safety regulations. This is what caused Chernobyl, and what has been blamed for the cause of Three Mile Island. While earthquakes and tsunamis can't be controlled, we can control what we know. And these maps allow us to know where the risks lie when it comes to nuclear industry and earthquakes.
Maps: Top map: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Second map: Nukepills.com; bottom map: USGS.gov.


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Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a [1] operating in 31 countries.[2] Nuclear power plants are usually considered to be base load stations, since fuel is a small part of the cost of production.[3]
- History 1
Systems 2
- Nuclear reactors 2.1
- Steam turbine 2.2
- Generator 2.3
- Cooling system 2.4
- Safety valves 2.5
- Feedwater pump 2.6
- Emergency power supply 2.7
- Workers in a nuclear power plant 3
- Economics 4
Safety and accidents 5
- Complexity 5.1
- Failure modes of nuclear power plants 5.2
- Vulnerability of nuclear plants to attack 5.3
- Plant location 5.4
- Multiple reactors 5.5
- Nuclear safety systems 5.6
- Routine emissions of radioactive materials 5.7
- Japanese public perception of nuclear power safety 5.8
- Controversy 6
- Reprocessing 7
- Accident indemnification 8
- Decommissioning 9
- Historic accidents 10
- Flexibility of nuclear power plants 11
- Future power plants 12
- See also 13
- References 14
- External links 15
- For more history, see nuclear reactor, nuclear power and nuclear fission.
Electricity was generated by a nuclear reactor for the first time ever on September 3, 1948 at the X-10 Graphite Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the United States, and was the first nuclear power plant to power a light bulb.[4][5][6] The second, larger experiment occurred on December 20, 1951 at the EBR-I experimental station near Arco, Idaho in the United States. On June 27, 1954, the world's first nuclear power plant to generate electricity for a power grid started operations at the Soviet city of Obninsk.[7] The world's first full scale power station, Calder Hall in England opened on October 17, 1956.[8]
- This section has recently been translated from the German WorldHeritage.
The conversion to electrical energy takes place indirectly, as in conventional thermal power plants. The fission in a nuclear reactor heats the reactor coolant. The coolant may be water or gas or even liquid metal depending on the type of reactor. The reactor coolant then goes to a steam generator and heats water to produce steam. The pressurized steam is then usually fed to a multi-stage steam turbine. After the steam turbine has expanded and partially condensed the steam, the remaining vapor is condensed in a condenser. The condenser is a heat exchanger which is connected to a secondary side such as a river or a cooling tower. The water is then pumped back into the steam generator and the cycle begins again. The water-steam cycle corresponds to the Rankine cycle.
Nuclear reactors
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The most common use of nuclear reactors is for the generation of electric energy and for the propulsion of ships.
Nuclear reactors usually rely on uranium to fuel the chain reaction. Uranium is a very heavy metal that is abundant on Earth and is found in sea water as well as most rocks. Naturally occurring uranium is found in two different isotopes: uranium-238 (U-238), accounting for 99.3% and uranium-235 (U-235) accounting for about 0.7%. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons. Thus, U-238 has 146 neutrons and U-235 has 143 neutrons. Different isotopes have different behaviors. For instance, U-235 is fissile which means that it is easily split and gives off a lot of energy making it ideal for nuclear energy. On the other hand, U-238 does not have that property despite it being the same element. Different isotopes also have different half-lives. A half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a sample of a radioactive element to decay. U-238 has a longer half-life than U-235, so it takes longer to decay over time. This also means that U-238 is less radioactive than U-235
The nuclear reactor is the heart of the plant. In its central part, the reactor core's heat is generated by controlled nuclear fission. With this heat, a coolant is heated as it is pumped through the reactor and thereby removes the energy from the reactor. Heat from nuclear fission is used to raise steam, which runs through turbines, which in turn powers either ship's propellers or electrical generators.
Since nuclear fission creates radioactivity, the reactor core is surrounded by a protective shield. This containment absorbs radiation and prevents radioactive material from being released into the environment. In addition, many reactors are equipped with a dome of concrete to protect the reactor against both internal casualties and external impacts.[9]
Steam turbine
The purpose of the steam turbine is to convert the heat contained in steam into mechanical energy. The engine house with the steam turbine is usually structurally separated from the main reactor building. It is so aligned to prevent debris from the destruction of a turbine in operation from flying towards the reactor.
In the case of a pressurized water reactor, the steam turbine is separated from the nuclear system. To detect a leak in the steam generator and thus the passage of radioactive water at an early stage, an activity meter is mounted to track the outlet steam of the steam generator. In contrast, boiling water reactors pass radioactive water through the steam turbine, so the turbine is kept as part of the control area of the nuclear power plant.
The generator converts kinetic energy supplied by the turbine into electrical energy. Low-pole AC synchronous generators of high rated power are used.
Cooling system
A cooling system removes heat from the reactor core and transports it to another area of the plant, where the thermal energy can be harnessed to produce electricity or to do other useful work. Typically the hot coolant is used as a heat source for a boiler, and the pressurized steam from that drives one or more steam turbine driven electrical generators.[10]
Safety valves
In the event of an emergency, safety valves can be used to prevent pipes from bursting or the reactor from exploding. The valves are designed so that they can derive all of the supplied flow rates with little increase in pressure. In the case of the BWR, the steam is directed into the suppression chamber and condenses there. The chambers on a heat exchanger are connected to the intermediate cooling circuit.
Feedwater pump
The water level in the steam generator and nuclear reactor is controlled using the feedwater system. The feedwater pump has the task of taking the water from the condensate system, increasing the pressure and forcing it into either the steam generators (in the case of a pressurized water reactor) or directly into the reactor (for boiling water reactors).
Emergency power supply
Most nuclear plants require two distinct sources of offsite power feeding station service transformers that are sufficiently separated in the plant's switchyard and can receive power from multiple transmission lines. In addition in some nuclear plants the turbine generator can power the plant's house loads while the plant is online via station service transformers which tap power from the generator output bus bars before they reach the step-up transformer (these plants also have station service transformers that receive offsite power directly from the switchyard.) Even with the redundancy of two power sources total loss of offsite power is still possible. Nuclear power plants are equipped with emergency power
Workers in a nuclear power plant
- Nuclear engineers
- Reactor operators
- Health physicists
- Emergency response team personnel
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Resident Inspectors
In the United States and Canada, workers except for management, professional (such as engineers) and security personnel are likely to be members of either the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), or one of the various trades and labor unions representing Machinist, laborers, boilermakers, millwrights, iron workers etc.
The economics of new nuclear power plants is a controversial subject, and multibillion-dollar investments ride on the choice of an energy source. Nuclear power plants typically have high capital costs, but low direct fuel costs, with the costs of fuel extraction, processing, use and spent fuel storage internalized costs. Therefore, comparison with other power generation methods is strongly dependent on assumptions about construction timescales and capital financing for nuclear plants. Cost estimates take into account plant decommissioning and nuclear waste storage or recycling costs in the United States due to the Price Anderson Act. With the prospect that all spent nuclear fuel/"nuclear waste" could potentially be recycled by using future reactors, generation IV reactors, that are being designed to completely close the nuclear fuel cycle.
On the other hand, construction, or capital cost aside, measures to mitigate global warming such as a carbon tax or carbon emissions trading, increasingly favor the economics of nuclear power. Further efficiencies are hoped to be achieved through more advanced reactor designs, Generation III reactors promise to be at least 17% more fuel efficient, and have lower capital costs, while futuristic Generation IV reactors promise 10000-30000% greater fuel efficiency and the elimination of nuclear waste.
In Eastern Europe, a number of long-established projects are struggling to find finance, notably Belene in Bulgaria and the additional reactors at Cernavoda in Romania, and some potential backers have pulled out.[12] Where cheap gas is available and its future supply relatively secure, this also poses a major problem for nuclear projects.[12]
Analysis of the economics of nuclear power must take into account who bears the risks of future uncertainties. To date all operating nuclear power plants were developed by state-owned or regulated utility monopolies[13] where many of the risks associated with construction costs, operating performance, fuel price, and other factors were borne by consumers rather than suppliers. Many countries have now liberalized the electricity market where these risks, and the risk of cheaper competitors emerging before capital costs are recovered, are borne by plant suppliers and operators rather than consumers, which leads to a significantly different evaluation of the economics of new nuclear power plants.[14]
Following the 2011 Fukushima I nuclear accidents, costs are likely to go up for currently operating and new nuclear power plants, due to increased requirements for on-site spent fuel management and elevated design basis threats.[15] However many designs, such as the currently under construction AP1000, use passive nuclear safety cooling systems, unlike those of Fukushima I which required active cooling systems, this largely eliminates the necessity to spend more on redundant back up safety equipment.
Safety and accidents
In his book, Normal accidents, Charles Perrow says that multiple and unexpected failures are built into society's complex and tightly-coupled nuclear reactor systems. Such accidents are unavoidable and cannot be designed around.[16] An interdisciplinary team from MIT has estimated that given the expected growth of nuclear power from 2005 – 2055, at least four serious nuclear accidents would be expected in that period.[17][18] However the MIT study does not take into account improvements in safety since 1970.[19][20] To date, there have been five serious accidents (core damage) in the world since 1970 (one at Three Mile Island in 1979; one at Chernobyl in 1986; and three at Fukushima-Daiichi in 2011), corresponding to the beginning of the operation of generation II reactors. This leads to on average one serious accident happening every eight years worldwide.[21]
Nuclear power plants are some of the most sophisticated and complex energy systems ever designed.[22] Any complex system, no matter how well it is designed and engineered, cannot be deemed failure-proof.[21] Veteran journalist and author Stephanie Cooke has argued:
The reactors themselves were enormously complex machines with an incalculable number of things that could go wrong. When that happened at Three Mile Island in 1979, another fault line in the nuclear world was exposed. One malfunction led to another, and then to a series of others, until the core of the reactor itself began to melt, and even the world's most highly trained nuclear engineers did not know how to respond. The accident revealed serious deficiencies in a system that was meant to protect public health and safety.[23]
The 1979 Three Mile Island accident inspired Perrow's book Normal Accidents, where a nuclear accident occurs, resulting from an unanticipated interaction of multiple failures in a complex system. TMI was an example of a normal accident because it was "unexpected, incomprehensible, uncontrollable and unavoidable".[24]
Perrow concluded that the failure at Three Mile Island was a consequence of the system's immense complexity. Such modern high-risk systems, he realized, were prone to failures however well they were managed. It was inevitable that they would eventually suffer what he termed a 'normal accident'. Therefore, he suggested, we might do better to contemplate a radical redesign, or if that was not possible, to abandon such technology entirely.[25] .
A fundamental issue contributing to a nuclear power system's complexity is its extremely long lifetime. The timeframe from the start of construction of a commercial nuclear power station through the safe disposal of its last radioactive waste, may be 100 to 150 years.[22]
Failure modes of nuclear power plants
There are concerns that a combination of human and mechanical error at a nuclear facility could result in significant harm to people and the environment:[26]
Operating nuclear reactors contain large amounts of radioactive fission products which, if dispersed, can pose a direct radiation hazard, contaminate soil and vegetation, and be ingested by humans and animals. Human exposure at high enough levels can cause both short-term illness and death and longer-term death by cancer and other diseases.[27]
It is impossible for a commercial nuclear reactor to explode like a nuclear bomb since the fuel is never sufficiently enriched for this to occur.[28]
Nuclear reactors can fail in a variety of ways. Should the instability of the nuclear material generate unexpected behavior, it may result in an uncontrolled power excursion. Normally, the cooling system in a reactor is designed to be able to handle the excess heat this causes; however, should the reactor also experience a loss-of-coolant accident, then the fuel may melt or cause the vessel in which it is contained to overheat and melt. This event is called a nuclear meltdown.
After shutting down, for some time the reactor still needs external energy to power its cooling systems. Normally this energy is provided by the power grid to which that plant is connected, or by emergency diesel generators. Failure to provide power for the cooling systems, as happened in Fukushima I, can cause serious accidents.
Nuclear safety rules in the United States "do not adequately weigh the risk of a single event that would knock out electricity from the grid and from emergency generators, as a quake and tsunami recently did in Japan", Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials said in June 2011.[29]
Vulnerability of nuclear plants to attack
Nuclear reactors become preferred targets during military conflict and, over the past three decades, have been repeatedly attacked during military air strikes, occupations, invasions and campaigns:[30]
- In September 1980, Iran bombed the Al Tuwaitha nuclear complex in Iraq in Operation Scorch Sword.
- In June 1981, an Israeli air strike completely destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear research facility in Operation Opera.
- Between 1984 and 1987, Iraq bombed Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant six times.
- On 8 January 1982, Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, attacked South Africa's Koeberg nuclear power plant while it was still under construction.
- In 1991, the U.S. bombed three nuclear reactors and an enrichment pilot facility in Iraq.
- In 1991, Iraq launched Scud missiles at Israel's Dimona nuclear power plant
- In September 2007, Israel bombed a Syrian reactor under construction.[30]
In the U.S., plants are surrounded by a double row of tall fences which are electronically monitored. The plant grounds are patrolled by a sizeable force of armed guards.[31] The NRC's "Design Basis Threat" criterion for plants is a secret, and so what size of attacking force the plants are able to protect against is unknown. However, to scram (make an emergency shutdown) a plant takes fewer than 5 seconds while unimpeded restart takes hours, severely hampering a terrorist force in a goal to release radioactivity.
Attack from the air is an issue that has been highlighted since the September 11 attacks in the U.S. However, it was in 1972 when three hijackers took control of a domestic passenger flight along the east coast of the U.S. and threatened to crash the plane into a U.S. nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The plane got as close as 8,000 feet above the site before the hijackers' demands were met.[32][33]
The most important barrier against the release of radioactivity in the event of an aircraft strike on a nuclear power plant is the containment building and its missile shield. Current NRC Chairman Dale Klein has said "Nuclear power plants are inherently robust structures that our studies show provide adequate protection in a hypothetical attack by an airplane. The NRC has also taken actions that require nuclear power plant operators to be able to manage large fires or explosions—no matter what has caused them."[34]
In addition, supporters point to large studies carried out by the U.S. Electric Power Research Institute that tested the robustness of both reactor and waste fuel storage and found that they should be able to sustain a terrorist attack comparable to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Spent fuel is usually housed inside the plant's "protected zone"[35] or a spent nuclear fuel shipping cask; stealing it for use in a "dirty bomb" would be extremely difficult. Exposure to the intense radiation would almost certainly quickly incapacitate or kill anyone who attempts to do so.[36]
Plant location
In many countries, plants are often located on the coast, in order to provide a ready source of cooling water for the essential service water system. As a consequence the design needs to take the risk of flooding and tsunamis into account. The World Energy Council (WEC) argues disaster risks are changing and increasing the likelihood of disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons, flooding.[37] High temperatures, low precipitation levels and severe droughts may lead to fresh water shortages.[37] Failure to calculate the risk of flooding correctly lead to a Level 2 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale during the 1999 Blayais Nuclear Power Plant flood,[38] while flooding caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami lead to the Fukushima I nuclear accidents.[39]
The design of plants located in seismically active zones also requires the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis to be taken into account. Japan, India, China and the USA are among the countries to have plants in earthquake-prone regions. Damage caused to Japan's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant during the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake[40][41] underlined concerns expressed by experts in Japan prior to the Fukushima accidents, who have warned of a genpatsu-shinsai (domino-effect nuclear power plant earthquake disaster).[42]
Multiple reactors
The Fukushima nuclear disaster illustrated the dangers of building multiple nuclear reactor units close to one another. Because of the closeness of the reactors, Plant Director Masao Yoshida "was put in the position of trying to cope simultaneously with core meltdowns at three reactors and exposed fuel pools at three units".[43]
Nuclear safety systems
The three primary objectives of nuclear safety systems as defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are to shut down the reactor, maintain it in a shutdown condition, and prevent the release of radioactive material during events and accidents.[44] These objectives are accomplished using a variety of equipment, which is part of different systems, of which each performs specific functions.
Routine emissions of radioactive materials
During everyday routine operations, emissions of radioactive materials from nuclear plants are released to the outside of the plants although they are quite slight amounts.[45][46][47][48] The daily emissions go into the air, water and soil.[46][47]
NRC says, "nuclear power plants sometimes release radioactive gases and liquids into the environment under controlled, monitored conditions to ensure that they pose no danger to the public or the environment",[49] and "routine emissions during normal operation of a nuclear power plant are never lethal".[50]
According to the United Nations (UNSCEAR), regular nuclear power plant operation including the nuclear fuel cycle amounts to 0.0002 millisieverts (mSv) annually in average public radiation exposure; the legacy of the Chernobyl disaster is 0.002 mSv/a as a global average as of a 2008 report; and natural radiation exposure averages 2.4 mSv annually although frequently varying depending on an individual's location from 1 to 13 mSv.[51]
Japanese public perception of nuclear power safety
In March 2012, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said that the Japanese government shared the blame for the Fukushima disaster, saying that officials had been blinded by an image of the country's technological infallibility and were "all too steeped in a safety myth."[52]
Japan has been accused by authors such as journalist Yoichi Funabashi of having an "aversion to facing the potential threat of nuclear emergencies." According to him, a national program to develop robots for use in nuclear emergencies was terminated in midstream because it "smacked too much of underlying danger." Though Japan is a major power in robotics, it had none to send in to Fukushima during the disaster. He mentions that Japan's Nuclear Safety Commission stipulated in its safety guidelines for light-water nuclear facilities that "the potential for extended loss of power need not be considered." However, this kind of extended loss of power to the cooling pumps caused the Fukushima meltdown.[53]
The nuclear power debate is about the controversy[54][55][56][57] which has surrounded the deployment and use of nuclear fission reactors to generate electricity from nuclear fuel for civilian purposes. The debate about nuclear power peaked during the 1970s and 1980s, when it "reached an intensity unprecedented in the history of technology controversies", in some countries.[58][59]
Proponents argue that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source which reduces carbon emissions and can increase energy security if its use supplants a dependence on imported fuels.[60] Proponents advance the notion that nuclear power produces virtually no air pollution, in contrast to the chief viable alternative of fossil fuel. Proponents also believe that nuclear power is the only viable course to achieve energy independence for most Western countries. They emphasize that the risks of storing waste are small and can be further reduced by using the latest technology in newer reactors, and the operational safety record in the Western world is excellent when compared to the other major kinds of power plants.[61]
Opponents say that nuclear power poses many threats to people and the environment. These threats include health risks and environmental damage from uranium mining, processing and transport, the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation or sabotage, and the unsolved problem of radioactive nuclear waste.[62][63][64] They also contend that reactors themselves are enormously complex machines where many things can and do go wrong, and there have been many serious nuclear accidents.[65][66] Critics do not believe that these risks can be reduced through new technology.[67] They argue that when all the energy-intensive stages of the nuclear fuel chain are considered, from uranium mining to nuclear decommissioning, nuclear power is not a low-carbon electricity source.[68][69][70]
Nuclear reprocessing technology was developed to chemically separate and recover fissionable plutonium from irradiated nuclear fuel.[71] Reprocessing serves multiple purposes, whose relative importance has changed over time. Originally reprocessing was used solely to extract plutonium for producing nuclear weapons. With the commercialization of nuclear power, the reprocessed plutonium was recycled back into MOX nuclear fuel for thermal reactors.[72] The reprocessed uranium, which constitutes the bulk of the spent fuel material, can in principle also be re-used as fuel, but that is only economic when uranium prices are high or disposal is expensive. Finally, the breeder reactor can employ not only the recycled plutonium and uranium in spent fuel, but all the actinides, closing the nuclear fuel cycle and potentially multiplying the energy extracted from natural uranium by more than 60 times.[73]
Nuclear reprocessing reduces the volume of high-level waste, but by itself does not reduce radioactivity or heat generation and therefore does not eliminate the need for a geological waste repository. Reprocessing has been politically controversial because of the potential to contribute to nuclear proliferation, the potential vulnerability to nuclear terrorism, the political challenges of repository siting (a problem that applies equally to direct disposal of spent fuel), and because of its high cost compared to the once-through fuel cycle.[74] In the United States, the Obama administration stepped back from President Bush's plans for commercial-scale reprocessing and reverted to a program focused on reprocessing-related scientific research.[75]
Accident indemnification
The Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage puts in place an international framework for nuclear liability.[76] However states with a majority of the world's nuclear power plants, including the U.S., Russia, China and Japan, are not party to international nuclear liability conventions.
In the U.S., insurance for nuclear or radiological incidents is covered (for facilities licensed through 2025) by the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act.
Under the Energy policy of the United Kingdom through its Nuclear Installations Act of 1965, liability is governed for nuclear damage for which a UK nuclear licensee is responsible. The Act requires compensation to be paid for damage up to a limit of £150 million by the liable operator for ten years after the incident. Between ten and thirty years afterwards, the Government meets this obligation. The Government is also liable for additional limited cross-border liability (about £300 million) under international conventions (Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy and Brussels Convention supplementary to the Paris Convention).[77]
Nuclear decommissioning is the dismantling of a nuclear power plant and decontamination of the site to a state no longer requiring protection from radiation for the general public. The main difference from the dismantling of other power plants is the presence of radioactive material that requires special precautions.
Warranty period of operation of nuclear power plants is 30 years.[78] One from factors wear is the destruction of the reactors shell under the action of ionizing radiation.[78]
Generally speaking, nuclear plants were designed for a life of about 30 years. [79] Newer plants are designed for a 40 to 60-year operating life.
Decommissioning involves many administrative and technical actions. It includes all clean-up of radioactivity and progressive demolition of the plant. Once a facility is decommissioned, there should no longer be any danger of a radioactive accident or to any persons visiting it. After a facility has been completely decommissioned it is released from regulatory control, and the licensee of the plant no longer has responsibility for its nuclear safety.
Historic accidents
The nuclear industry says that new technology and oversight have made nuclear plants much safer, but 57 small accidents have occurred since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 until 2008. Two thirds of these mishaps occurred in the US.[17] The French Atomic Energy Agency (CEA) has concluded that technical innovation cannot eliminate the risk of human errors in nuclear plant operation.
According to Benjamin Sovacool, an interdisciplinary team from MIT in 2003 estimated that given the expected growth of nuclear power from 2005 – 2055, at least four serious nuclear accidents would be expected in that period.[17] However the MIT study does not take into account improvements in safety since 1970.[19][20]
Flexibility of nuclear power plants
Nuclear stations are used primarily for base load because of economic considerations. The fuel cost of operations for a nuclear plant is smaller than the fuel cost for operation of coal or gas plants. There is no cost saving if you run a nuclear plant at less than full capacity.
However, nuclear plants are routinely used in load following mode on a large scale in France, although "it is generally accepted that this is not an ideal economic situation for nuclear plants."[82] Unit A at the German Biblis Nuclear Power Plant is designed to in- and decrease its output 15% per minute between 40 and 100% of its nominal power.[83] Boiling water reactors normally have load-following capability, implemented by varying the recirculation water flow.
Future power plants
A new generation of designs for nuclear power plants, known as the Generation IV reactors, are the subject of active research. Many of these new designs specifically attempt to make fission reactors cleaner, safer and/or less of a risk to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Passively safe plants (such as the ESBWR) are available to be built[84] and other reactors that are designed to be nearly fool-proof are being pursued.[85] Fusion reactors, which are still in the early stages of development, diminish or eliminate some of the risks associated with nuclear fission.[86]
Two 1600 MWe European Pressurized Reactors (EPRs) are being built in Europe, and two are being built in China. The reactors are a joint effort of French AREVA and German Siemens AG, and will be the largest reactors in the world. One EPR is in Olkiluoto, Finland, as part of the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant. The reactor was originally scheduled to go online in 2009, but has been repeatedly delayed,[87][88] and as of September 2014 has been pushed back to 2018.[89] Preparatory work for the EPR at the Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant in Flamanville, Manche, France was started in 2006, with a scheduled completion date of 2012.[90] The French reactor has also been delayed, and was projected, in 2013, to launch in 2016.[91][92] The two Chinese EPRs are part of the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in Taishan, Guangdong. The Taishan reactors were scheduled to go online in 2014 and 2015,[93] but that has been delayed to 2015 and 2016.[94]
As of March 2007, there are seven nuclear power plants under construction in India, and five in China.[95]
In November 2011 Gulf Power stated that by the end of 2012 it hopes to finish buying off 4000 acres of land north of Pensacola, Florida in order to build a possible nuclear power plant.[96]
In 2010 Russia launched the world's first floating nuclear power plant. The £100 million vessel, the Akademik Lomonosov, is the first of seven plants that will bring vital energy resources to remote Russian regions.[97]
By 2025, Southeast Asia nations would have a total of 29 nuclear power plants, Indonesia will have 4 nuclear power plants, Malaysia 4, Thailand 5 and Vietnam 16 from nothing at all in 2011.[98]
In 2013 China had 32[99] nuclear reactors under construction, the highest number in the world.
Expansion at two Nuclear Power Plants in the United States, Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979.
Several countries have begun Thorium-based nuclear power programs. Thorium is four times more abundant within nature than uranium. Over 60% of thorium's ore monazite is found in five democratically governed countries: Australia, the United States, India, Brazil, and Norway. These thorium resources are enough to power current energy needs for thousands of years.[100] The thorium fuel cycle is able to generate nuclear energy with a lower output of radiotoxic waste than the uranium fuel cycle.[101]
See also
- List of nuclear reactors
- Nuclear power by country
- Nuclear Information and Resource Service
- Fossil-fuel power station
- Gerald W. Brown, American whistleblower on passive fire protection/circuit integrity deficiencies in US and Canadian plants
- Nuclear fuel cycle
- Containment building
- Safety engineering
- U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the USA
- Auxiliary feedwater
- Uranium market
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- ^ Pidgeon, N. (2011). "In retrospect: Normal Accidents". Nature 477 (7365): 404.
- ^ Union of Concerned Scientists: Nuclear safety
- ^ Nuclear Power Plants: Vulnerability to Terrorist AttackGlobalsecurity.org: p. 3.
- ^ Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors, World Nuclear Association, http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf06.html
- ^ Matthew Wald (June 15, 2011). "U.S. Reactors Unprepared for Total Power Loss, Report Suggests". New York Times.
- ^ a b Benjamin K. Sovacool (2011). Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power: A Critical Global Assessment of Atomic Energy, World Scientific, p. 192.
- ^ U.S. NRC: "Nuclear Security – Five Years After 9/11". Accessed 23 July 2007
- ^ Threat Assessment: U.S. Nuclear Plants Near Airports May Be at Risk of Airplane Attack, Global Security Newswire, June 11, 2003.
- ^ Newtan, Samuel Upton (2007). Nuclear War 1 and Other Major Nuclear Disasters of the 20th Century, AuthorHouse, p.146.
- ^ "STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN DALE KLEIN ON COMMISSION'S AFFIRMATION OF THE FINAL DBT RULE". Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
- ^ "The Nuclear Fuel Cycle". Information and Issue Briefs. World Nuclear Association. 2005. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
- ^ Lewis Z Koch (2004). "Dirty Bomber? Dirty Justice". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
- ^ a b Dr. Frauke Urban and Dr. Tom Mitchell 2011. Climate change, disasters and electricity generation. London: Overseas Development Institute and Institute of Development Studies
- ^ COMMUNIQUE N°7 - INCIDENT SUR LE SITE DU BLAYAIS ASN, published 1999-12-30, accessed 2011-03-22
- ^ Jason Clenfield (March 17, 2011). "Japan Nuclear Disaster Caps Decades of Faked Reports, Accidents". Bloomberg Businessweek.
- ^ ABC News. Strong Quake Rocks Northwestern Japan. July 16, 2007.
- ^ Xinhua News. Two die, over 200 injured in strong quake in Japan. July 16, 2007.
- ^ Genpatsu-Shinsai: Catastrophic Multiple Disaster of Earthquake and Quake-induced Nuclear Accident Anticipated in the Japanese Islands (Abstract), Katsuhiko Ishibashi, 23rd. General Assembly of IUGG, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, accessed 2011-03-28
- ^ Yoichi Funabashi and Kay Kitazawa (March 1, 2012). "Fukushima in review: A complex disaster, a disastrous response" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- ^ "Glossary: Safety-related". Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ "What you can do to protect yourself: Be Informed". Nuclear Power Plants | RadTown USA | US EPA.
- ^ a b Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS): ROUTINE RADIOACTIVE RELEASES FROM NUCLEAR REACTORS - IT DOESN'T TAKE AN ACCIDENT at the Wayback Machine (archived May 14, 2011)
- ^ a b "Nuclear Power: During normal operations, do commercial nuclear power plants release radioactive material?". Radiation and Nuclear Power | Radiation Information and Answers. Radiation Answers. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ "Radiation Dose". Factsheets & FAQs: Radiation in Everyday Life.
- ^ "What happens to radiation produced by a plant?". NRC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Radiation Protection. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ "Is radiation exposure from a nuclear power plant always fatal?". NRC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Radiation Protection. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ "UNSCEAR 2008 Report to the General Assembly" (PDF). United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. 2008.
- ^ Hiroko Tabuchi (March 3, 2012). "Japanese Prime Minister Says Government Shares Blame for Nuclear Disaster". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ Yoichi Funabashi (March 11, 2012). "The End of Japanese Illusions". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ^ MacKenzie, James J. (December 1977). "Review of The Nuclear Power Controversy by
- ^ Walker, J. Samuel (10 January 2006). Three Mile Island: A Nuclear Crisis in Historical Perspective. University of California Press. pp. 10–11.
- ^ In February 2010 the nuclear power debate played out on the pages of the New York Times, see A Reasonable Bet on Nuclear Power and Revisiting Nuclear Power: A Debate and A Comeback for Nuclear Power?
- ^ In July 2010 the nuclear power debate again played out on the pages of the New York Times, see We're Not Ready Nuclear Energy: The Safety Issues
- ^ Kitschelt, Herbert P. (1986). "Political Opportunity and Political Protest: Anti-Nuclear Movements in Four Democracies" (PDF). British Journal of Political Science 16 (1): 57.
- ^ Jim Falk (1982). Global Fission: The Battle Over Nuclear Power, Oxford University Press.
- ^ U.S. Energy Legislation May Be `Renaissance' for Nuclear Power.
- ^ Bernard Cohen. "The Nuclear Energy Option". Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- ^ "Nuclear Energy is not a New Clear Resource.". Theworldreporter.com. 2010-09-02.
- ^ Greenpeace International and European Renewable Energy Council (January 2007). Energy Revolution: A Sustainable World Energy Outlook, p. 7.
- ^ Giugni, Marco (2004). Social protest and policy change: ecology, antinuclear, and peace movements in comparative perspective. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 44–.
- ^ Stephanie Cooke (2009). In Mortal Hands: A Cautionary History of the Nuclear Age, Black Inc., p. 280.
- ^
- ^ Jim Green . Nuclear Weapons and 'Fourth Generation' Reactors Chain Reaction, August 2009, pp. 18-21.
- ^ Kleiner, Kurt (October 2008). "Nuclear energy: assessing the emissions" (PDF). Nature Reports 2: 130–1. ] ', Vol. , , pp. .
- ^ Mark Diesendorf (2007). Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy, University of New South Wales Press, p. 252.
- ^ Mark Diesendorf. Is nuclear energy a possible solution to global warming?
- ^ Andrews, A. (2008, March 27). Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing: U.S. Policy. CRS Report For Congress. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RS22542
- ^ MOX fuel can extend the energy extracted by about 12% and slightly reduces plutonium stocks. Information from the World Nuclear Association about MOX
- ^ "Supply of Uranium".
- ^ Harold Feiveson; et al. (2011). "Managing nuclear spent fuel: Policy lessons from a 10-country study". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- ^ "Adieu to nuclear recycling". Nature 460 (152). 9 July 2009.
- ^ "Publications: International Conventions and Legal Agreements". iaea.org. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ Nuclear section of the UK Department of Trade & Industry's website
- ^ a b "Совершенно секретно". sovsekretno.ru. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Nuclear Decommissioning: Decommission nuclear facilities". World-nuclear.org. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
- ^ Tomoko Yamazaki and Shunichi Ozasa (June 27, 2011). "Fukushima Retiree Leads Anti-Nuclear Shareholders at Tepco Annual Meeting". Bloomberg.
- ^ Mari Saito (May 7, 2011). "Japan anti-nuclear protesters rally after PM call to close plant". Reuters.
- ^ Steve Kidd. Nuclear in France - what did they get right? Nuclear Engineering International, June 22, 2009.
- ^ Robert Gerwin: Kernkraft heute und morgen: Kernforschung und Kerntechnik als Chance unserer Zeit. (english Nuclear power today and tomorrow: Nuclear research as chance of our time) In: Bild d. Wissenschaft. Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, 1971. ISBN 3-421-02262-3.
- ^ "Next-generation Nuclear Technology: The ESBWR" (PDF). American Nuclear Society. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ^ Elmer-Dewitt, Philip (1991-04-29). "How to Build a Safer Reactor". TIME.com. Retrieved September 25, 2008.(subscription required)
- ^ "Fusion energy: the agony, the ecstasy and alternatives". PhysicsWorld.com. November 7, 1997. Retrieved October 27, 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ Finland nuclear reactor delayed again, Business Week, 4 December 2006
- ^ Areva to take 500 mln eur charge for Finnish reactor delay, Forbes, 5 December 2006
- ^ "Olkiluoto 3 startup pushed back to 2018". World Nuclear News. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Construction of Flamanville EPR begins". World Nuclear News. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Flamanville EPR vessel delivered". World Nuclear News. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ Patel, Tara; Bakewell, Sally (22 October 2013). "U.K. Nuclear Future Relies on Reactor Plagued by Delays: Energy". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Taishan generator stator lift". World Nuclear NEws. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "EDF hopes French EPR will launch before Chinese reactors". Reuters. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ Harris, Emily (May 24, 2007). "Progress on Finnish Nuclear Reactor Lags". NPR News. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "Possible North Escambia Gulf Power Nuclear Plant Faces Fight". northescambia.com. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Login". timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Indonesia planning to have four nuke power plants by 2025". Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- ^ "PRIS - Country Details". Iaea.org. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
- ^ Juhasz, Albert J.; Rarick, Richard A.; Rangarajan, Rajmohan. "High Efficiency Nuclear Power Plants Using Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor Technology" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ Sokolov, F.; Fukuda, K.; Nawada, H.P. "Thorium fuel cycle — Potential benefits and challenges" (PDF).
External links
- IPPNW - International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Nobel Peace Prize 1985)
- MAPW - Information on Australia's research reactor
- Freeview Video 'Nuclear Power Plants - What's the Problem' A Royal Institution Lecture by John Collier by the Vega Science Trust.
- Non Destructive Testing for Nuclear Power Plants
- Web-based simple nuclear power plant game
- Uranium.Info publishing uranium price since 1968.
- Information about all NPP in the world
- U.S. plants and operators
- SCK.CEN Belgian Nuclear Research Centre in Mol.
- Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage - World Nuclear Association
- Glossary of Nuclear Terms
- Protection against Sabotage of Nuclear Facilities: Using Morphological Analysis in Revising the Design Basis Threat From the Swedish Morphological Society
- Critical Hour: Three Mile Island, The Nuclear Legacy, And National Security Online book by Albert J. Fritsch, Arthur H. Purcell, and Mary Byrd Davis (2005). Updated edition June 2006
- An Interactive VR Panorama of the cooling towers at Temelin Nuclear Power Plant, Czech Republic
- Interactive map with all nuclear power plants US and worldwide (Note: missing many plants)
- Map with all nuclear power plants US and worldwide (Note: active, not active and under construction)
- Articles containing potentially dated statements from April 2014
- All articles containing potentially dated statements
- All articles with unsourced statements
- Articles with unsourced statements from June 2011
- Articles with unsourced statements from August 2014
- Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011
- Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013
- Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015
- Articles with unsourced statements from March 2011
- Articles containing potentially dated statements from March 2007
- Pages containing links to subscription-only content
- Nuclear power stations
- American inventions
- Soviet inventions
- Russian inventions

subset: commoncrawl


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After spending more than two weeks at an undisclosed hospital, a Lancaster man is now behind bars in connection with the shooting death of a man last month.
Keishawn Omar McManus, 19, 180 Clyburn Drive, who was arrested July 28 in the murder of Timothy Alan Wissinger, had been undergoing treatment for an unknown medical issue since his arrest.
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Maj. Matt Shaw confirmed McManus has since recovered and was jailed Tuesday, Aug. 14.
INDIAN LAND – A massive road project at a major Pahandle intersection already playing havoc with local traffic could last another two and a half months or more, an SCDOT official said Thursday.
Roadwork at the intersection of Charlotte Highway and Doby's Bridge Road began last week resulting in traffic congestion in the area during peak driving times.
Following months of speculation about an investigation of a Lancaster County Emergency Medical Services employee, a former medic turned himself in to authorities this week.
Thomas Gregory Robinson, 51, voluntarily surrendered himself to Lancaster County sheriff's deputies on Thursday, Aug. 16, and was jailed at the Lancaster County Detention Center, said S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) spokesman Thom Barry.
Barry said Robinson is charged with one count of possession of other controlled substances, Schedules I to V.
Of the people running for non-partisan seats in Lancaster County this year, two are looking to hold public office for the first time.
Filing ended noon Wednesday, Aug. 15, for seats up for re-election in November for Lancaster County school board and Lancaster City Council.
Political newcomer Jackie Harris is seeking the City Council District 3 seat.
Harris was the final person to file for a seat this election season, having done so Tuesday.
You can blame the closing of the Living Water Christian Bookstore on cyberspace sales, the overall decline of the print publishing industry, technology, or perhaps, another cause.
Since going into the ministry, the Rev. Roy Miles has been able to share Jesus with others as the answer to most of life's roller coasters, but this is a ride he doesn't have an answer for.
KERSHAW – A stolen car led deputies to discover a mobile methamphetamine (meth) lab in a Kershaw park early Wednesday morning, Aug. 15.
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Maj. Matt Shaw said a man and woman were arrested at about 7 a.m. when a patrol deputy found them inside a stolen car at Kershaw's Stevens Park.
After they were arrested, Shaw said deputies found materials commonly used to manufacture meth inside the car.
A wonderful student. Rock solid. A pillar of the community.
The words came quickly to Indian Land High School Principal David Shamble as he struggled through shock and sadness to remember 21-year-old Thomas Russell Harris III on Monday.
Shamble learned last weekend that Harris, a 2009 ILHS graduate, was killed following a motorcycle accident in Indian Land on Saturday, Aug. 11.
"It was a shock. He was a wonderful person," Shamble said. "The staff is coming to grips with it now."
The interior of the Native American Studies Center is said to be so nice that visitors may think they're in a much larger city such as Charleston or Greenville.
That's what Lancaster City Councilwoman Sara Eddins said she's been told by those who've seen the renovated Main Street building that will soon be occupied by the University of South Carolina Lancaster.
Faculty members plan to move in this week.
The percentage of Lancaster County students meeting state standards increased in most subject areas last year, according to Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) and High School Assessment Program (HSAP) data released last week.
PASS results
Now in its fourth year, the end of year PASS test is administered to third- through eighth-graders.
The Lancaster County Council of the Arts is pleased to announce that in the galleries of the Springs House are the works of two talented local artists: Dr. Frances Story and Leon McFadden. The Springs House is located at 201 W. Gay St.
For the month of August, the walls of the galleries will feature the watercolors of Story and the pedestals will hold the wire creations of McFadden, a true folk artist.
About the artists
Copyright © 2019
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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A Diet of Worms, Part 3Submitted by kelson.philo on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 12:13.
"So," said Gordon, over the sound of breaking waves, "You want to tell me what's going on?" They were out in the middle Lake Michigan now, Gordon having tied a load of scrip to the doors of the motorboat rental office while the sugar cube broke the encryption on one of the speedier models, and were following a course that Invisible Rockmore dictated, making slight course corrections along the way.
"A supposition, Gordon," said Invisible Rockmore, not needing to shout.
"That's like a hunch, right?"
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Enter Hardtied Now!
Master A has a ton of toys available to him but today he has decided to give Sophie Ryan the most authentic farm experience he can. He has a bit of his latest harvest left over that he was just going to toss aside, but instead he decides to just stick it in the trash. Without a bin, this little slut will have to do. Having corn and carrots shoved up her cunt is new for her but she loves it....
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18 U.S.C. 2257 Compliance Statement


text: If I can afford it, there'll be another motorcycle tour this year, hence the "1" in the title. Mini-Gypsy Tour 2/2014 will involve either Sturgis or Four Corners; haven't decided yet. The first tour of 2014 was a more modest affair, a six-day round-robin from Tucson to Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Zion National Park, and back.


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White Papers and Application Notes
Super-lattice Effects in Ordered Core-shell Nanorod Arrays Detected by Raman SpectroscopyA. Alabastri, R. Krahne, A. Giugni, G. Das, R. P. Zaccaria, M. Zanella, I. Franchini, and E. di Fabrizio
Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Genoa, Italy
We studied the optical phonon excitations (LO) of ordered arrays of dot/ rod core-shell CdSe/ CdS nanorods by Raman spectroscopy. Upon deposition on planar substrates the nanorods formed super-lattice structures via side-by side assembly into tracks over some microns of length.
COMSOL Multiphysics software has been used to calculate the magnitude of the electric field generated by the interaction of an incident electromagnetic wave with an array of CdSe/CdS nanorods. In particular two configurations were considered: i) localized charges in the nanorods; ii) no localized charges in the nanorods. To this purpose a 2D model has been implemented and simulations have been performed for both polarizations of the incident electromagnetic field.


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Monthly Archives: August 2017
What Is The Cost Of A Physician Disability Insurance Cover?
Owing to the fact that the resources and assets at people's disposal are shrinking day in day out, human beings have learned to be careful when it comes to spending. They will always remember to ask the question of what … Continue reading
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We all have enough frustration in our lives and don't need to create more when needing to rent a car at LAX. So LA Splash Magazine is putting together a guide to save you time and aggravation, and give you the best experience when looking for the "Best Car Rentals at LAX"
By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Here is our first find for a terrific car rental agency.
Fox Rent A Car Review - Great Prices and Convenience
For rental services visit www.foxrentacar.com
On a recent trip to San Jose, I was in need of a car rental. In doing my internet search, I came across an agency I had never heard of called FOX Rent A Car. In doing my comparison shopping with the "name brands" I found thatFox offered everything that the "name brands" offered but at a much more reasonable price. I got to the Fox car rental counter just as easy as any other car rental by taking the big blue San Jose car rental bus to building two right next to Budget and Enterprise Rentals. The gentleman manning the counter was very friendly and efficient. Because of the money savings on the actual car rental, I even rented a GPS device, which proved to be valuable during my trip.
While they may not be the most common brand used for car rentals, they're prices are unbeatable. Fox guarantees to be the lowest competitor among all major car rental companies. Through the use of technology and employee motivation, Fox continually offers the best deals for car rental shoppers. They pride themselves on customer service and offering new and dependable vehicles.
Fox is the largest independent car rental company with headquarters in California. With locations at major airports in Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, Nevada, Utah, and Washington, the company offers the same convenient location as competitors. Fox also has international locations at air ports in Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Saint Lucia for those traveling outside the country.
The company rents all types of cars including compact, full size SUV, hybrids, luxury, and convertibles. Rates vary depending on your selection, but the price for renting starts at about $60. Online reservations are available in order to secure your choice before arrival on your trip. Garmin GPS devices are available for around $10 per day rented. Upon request customers can also rent portable DVD players for entertainment in the car. Fox also has a rewards program for those frequent customers to cash in points received, which equal a designated dollar amount. Given time and use a customer can save up enough points to obtain a free rental.


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Authentic and Fresh
Looking for something flavorful and fresh for lunch today? What about a place that serves exquisite authentic Chinese entrees? Look no further. Hunan Garden is the perfect place to dine in or carry out. We are family-owned & operated with a long history in the area, and are open seven days a week, serving some of the finest cuisine in the Tacoma and Lakewood areas. We offer Mandarin and Szechwan cuisine, cocktails and a full-bar service, a complete wine list, and we are a nonsmoking restaurant. What more could you be looking for? Call Hunan Garden today to dine in or to place an order for carryout. We are pleased to serve you!


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The U.S. bottled water market is slowing down after years of steady growth, suggesting that international awareness campaigns may be curbing consumer demand. While bottled water continues to expand in global popularity, the U.S. market is expected to grow 6.7 percent this year, the smallest increase this decade, according to data collected by the Beverage Marketing Corporation.
The U.S. bottled water market is slowing down after years of steady growth, suggesting that international awareness campaigns may be curbing consumer demand.
While bottled water continues to expand in global popularity, the U.S. market is expected to grow 6.7 percent this year, the smallest increase this decade, according to data collected by the Beverage Marketing Corporation.
The United States is the largest consumer of bottled water, but opposition is growing. In the past year, several restaurants, municipalities, natural food stores, and schools are deciding to "buy local" - choosing tap water rather than packaged products - for economic, environmental, or social justice reasons.
Bottled water sold in most industrialized countries costs between $500 and $1,000 per cubic meter, compared to $0.50 for municipal water in states such as California, according to Pacific Institute President Peter Gleick. Meanwhile, more than 40 percent of water bottled in the United States comes from public water supplies, and studies suggest that bottled water is not always cleaner than tap water. The bottled products also demand significant amounts of energy to be produced, packaged, stored, and transported.
While cities recycle about 23 percent of their plastic bottles, some 2 million tons of the bottles are sent to landfills each year, the Worldwatch Institute reported in 2007. Corporate Accountability International estimates that the annual cost of disposing of water bottles is $70 million.
These concerns are beginning to cause a shift in consumer choices. Following the lead of U.S. cities such as San Francisco and Salt Lake City, the majority of the 250 mayors at the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in June voted to phase out government use of bottled water when possible. Bans on selling bottled water at city functions are also being considered across Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, according to Deborah Lapidus, the national organizer for Corporate Accountability International's Think Outside the Bottle Campaign.
"Certainly the bottled water industry's growth is slowing down," Lapidus said. "The consumer market is being affected by the fact that cities are doing these visible water bottle cancellations."
The U.S. bottled water industry's growth has declined for four years in a row. But Tom Lauria, vice president of communications for the International Bottled Water Association, said the advocacy campaigns are not the cause. "We have enjoyed meteoric growth in the past, but that's bound to level off," he said.
Since its bottle campaign began in 2006, Corporate Accountability International estimates that at least 60 cities have phased out or reduced spending on bottled water, and at least 60 U.S. restaurants have committed to serving tap water in place of bottled water, according to Mark Hays, the campaign's senior researcher.
The beverage industry is responding with increased lobbying efforts. When the U.S. Conference of Mayors began to consider discontinuing its bottled water contracts last year, the American Beverage Association and International Bottled Water Association joined the Mayors Business Council, according to the council's website. The paid membership grants industry representatives access to the conferences. "It's testament to our campaign and the bottled water movement... because the mayors have held firm and have not been influenced by this lobbying," Lapidus said.
The U.K.-based Children's Food Campaign is accusing the British Softdrinks Association of perpetuating myths that tap water is unsafe. According to the campaign, schoolchildren have received educational materials that claim refilling empty water bottles from the tap is "unsafe" and "can lead to contamination." Lauria said the industry does not contend that tap water poses health risks. Rather, the leaflets likely referred to unhealthy bacteria that often accumulate inside water bottles if the vessels are improperly cleaned, he said.
Corporate Accountability International has also been pressuring beverage companies Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle to disclose the sources and quality of their water. Last year, Pepsi announced that the label on its water product, Aquafina, would reveal that it originates mostly from purified, public water sources.  ÂBeverage companies are responding positively to some environmental concerns. Coca-Cola announced last year that it would put smaller caps on plastic bottles that are 24 ounces or smaller. The new cap allowed Coke to reduce its plastic intake by more than 1.8 million kilograms last year, and plastic reduction is expected to rise to at least 18 million kilograms by the end of 2008. The company also plans to recover 90 percent of its production waste and improve its water use ratio, according to its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report [PDF].
Global consumption of bottled water reached nearly 189 billion liters last year alone - a 7.6 percent increase from 2002 - led by growing demand in China. The United Arab Emirates, Mexico, and Italy lead the world in per capita consumption, according to the beverage marketing data.


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In Europe, Grid 4EU Sets Foundation for the Smart Grid
Grid4EU is a four-year, multi-national project that comprises six smart grid projects by utilities in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Together these projects cover more than half of Europe's electricity supply. With an ecosystem of 27-partners, the project is focusing on smart grid solutions for renewable energy integration, grid automation and energy efficiency. This will effectively lay the groundwork for future electrical grids, while empowering consumers as marketplace participants. Ultimately, improving consumption management and cost-effectively achieving greater network reliability, flexibility, and resiliency.
According to Marco Cotti, Head of Smart Grids Development at Enel,
"The GRID4EU project represents the first important step in the implementation of the European Electricity Grid Initiative roadmap and we are convinced that it will become a reference for the development of Smart Grids in Europe and beyond"
Cisco is supporting two major project demos in Italy and the Czech Republic. In Italy, Cisco along with Siemens, RSE, and Selta are supporting Enel increase the hosting capacity for decentralized energy resources (DER) on Medium Voltage (MV) networks. By leveraging the new technology, Enel plans to implement generators, controllable loads, and storage that establish active control and demand response capabilities. This will help Grid4EU increase the distribution network's flexibility with the implementation of advanced network operations and energy management efficiencies.
In the Czech Republic, Cisco along with Siemens, ABB, and Current are supporting Cez Distribuce demonstrate that by using smart metering technology along with combined heat and power (CHP) units, existing distribution networks have the capability to host automatic islanding, while ensuring a stable power supply.
On these projects, Cisco is working with the Grid4EU team to deliver substation and security architectures for utility field area networks. The scope of the engagement spans substation architecture, WAN infrastructure and network security as it relates to substation data flows and data center security architecture.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


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Worked from the top down, the Seamless Artemisia Sweater features set-in sleeves, knit-in pockets and lace details - all designed by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark.
Known for cute, feminine and fashionable sweaters, Mercedes brings a brand-new design to Craftsy! She'll teach you shaping at the back neck, shoulders and waist that will provide a flattering fit. As you knit along with Mercedes, you'll learn her techniques for short-row shaping, knitting in the round, following lace charts and lots of nifty tips and tricks. Choose to knit three-quarter or full-length sleeves, building in as much ease as you like. You'll finish with a sweater you'll be pleased to wear or give.
If you're not delighted with your Bluprint experience, we'll make it right or give you a full refund.


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DEP chief Krancer defends agency from critics of water testing practices
The chief of the state Department of Environmental Protection fired back at critics of his agency's water testing policy while in Pittsburgh on Thursday, calling it an issue manufactured by personal injury lawyers.
DEP Secretary Michael Krancer, who spoke at the DUG East energy conference, referred to several dozen protesters outside as less imposing than opposition he sees as a Civil War re-enactor.
Diane Sipe, 65, a protest organizer from Evans City, called his comments outrageous and "very unbecoming" of a public official.
Krancer said the Cecil law firm of Smith Butz misrepresented recent testimony from DEP staff in a lawsuit alleging pollution from hydraulic fracturing operations in Washington County.
He said state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, "doesn't have the faintest idea what he's talking about" when White says that DEP testimony in the case indicates the agency is hiding some test results.
"That's a completely manufactured issue, manufactured by a law firm that's pursuing a personal injury case," Krancer told reporters after his speech at Hart Energy's annual conference on unconventional gas, which includes shale drilling.
"A state representative jumped on that bandwagon (with Smith Butz) when that state representative — we've seen lately — is hitting below his own body weight in credibility and ethnic sensitivity," Krancer said.
The Tribune-Review this week detailed the unraveling of White's relationship with Range Resources Inc., Washington County's largest driller.
"For a man who's running an agency that apparently has nothing to hide, he certainly is awfully defensive and awfully mean-spirited," White said of Krancer's remarks. Reached by phone, White said he was on his way to visitation for his grandmother, Vivian V. White, at Coleman-Taylor Funeral Home in Cecil.
Range released three pages of emails showing White asked for a company plane ride to the Super Bowl in 2011 and repeatedly asked for fundraising help in 2010 before becoming one of the company's fiercest critics in the next year.
Range and critics of shale gas drilling described White as insensitive for writing an online column that noted a Range subcontractor hired Hispanics who could barely speak English instead of local workers.
White has suggested criminal and ethical investigations of DEP because it publicly reports only partial data from well-water contamination tests.
The agency tests for a range of chemicals but releases fully analyzed results, which prove or disprove contamination, for only a few chemicals. It won't release data that have not undergone quality-control analysis, Krancer said.
The disclosure issue emerged two weeks ago from depositions in a lawsuit led by Smith Butz.
Firm co-founder John M. Smith noted the DEP does not dispute that it withholds some information. Independent water experts said DEP could help landowners by releasing complete results but that the agency follows industry standards.
"Our primary purpose is to make sure that all the data that is available be made available to Pennsylvania citizens," Smith said. He declined to comment further, citing the lawsuit.
Sipe of Marcellus Outreach Butler said she counted about 50 people protesting DEP's water-testing policy and any shale gas drilling on college campuses.
"If you can't argue the facts because they're not on your side, then you attack the people making those arguments," Sipe said. "He's a public servant. He doesn't quite understand what public means. It doesn't mean gas industry only. He's paid by the people of Pennsylvania, and he needs to understand he represents us."
Timothy Puko is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7991 or [email protected].


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|Volunteer Assistant
|Previous College:
|Georgia State '13
|Second Season
Brenna Morrissey is in her third season as a volunteer assistant in 2016.
In 2014, Morrissey assisted in the Crimson posting a stellar 28-15-1 record and a second-place finish in the Ivy League North Division. Seven student-athletes garnered All-Ivy League recognition during Morrissey first season in the Harvard dugout, highlighted by three first team selections.
The 2015 season saw the Crimson finish second in the North Division once again, as four players earned first team All-Ivy League recognition.
Morrissey joined the Crimson after a solid career as a middle infielder at Georgia State. A 2013 graduate of the institution, Morrissey walked onto the team as a sophomore and went onto play in over 150 games at shortstop, second base and designated player. A 2011 All-CAA second-team honoree, her strongest year came as a junior when she led the squad in hits (46), runs scored (28) and at-bats (181). She capped her Georgia State tenure by appearing in 49 games as a senior and recording a perfect fielding percentage on the season. Morrissey was also earned academic recognition on the Dean's List/AD's Honor Roll three times.
Prior to her arrival in Georgia, Morrissey played her freshman season at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. She started all 46 games at shortstop and was named to the All-Northeast-10 first team and All-Northeast-10 Tournament first team. She is originally from Salem, N.H.


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Spawning this renewed attention to organized labor are reports that Democratic politicians have been endorsing violence as a legitimate means of protest and political expression. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) has gone as far as telling a crowd of protesters at a union rally that they should be unafraid to "get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary," and several other protesters took Capuano's advice to heart, as former Tea Party Republican congressional candidate Marty Lamb, who ran against Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern in the 2010 elections, was reportedly brutally pummeled to the ground by union operatives at the same rally where Capuano issued his charge to violence.
However, the events that are unfolding now across the country must be placed within the context of organized labor's broader history of violence and its historical embrace of brutal physical force as a means of legitimate political expression (which crosses the line into what is commonly defined as terrorism). The violence surrounding the various labor uprisings across America is part of a broader culture of bloodlust and savage turbulence within organized labor that has marred the movement since its inception in the late 19th century. It has clear roots in violent, anarcho-communist ideology that lacks any regard for natural rights of life, liberty, and private property — and it threatens the very foundations of our constitutional republic.
Under the presidency of Grover Cleveland, organized labor began to gain clout, and also assumed a bloody persona, as evidenced by the willingness of unions to use savage force to get their own way. The first tragedy to put labor unions squarely within the national consciousness was the Haymarket Square Massacre of May 4, 1886, in which striking union workers threw a bomb at Chicago police, killing eight police officers and countless civilians, after being incited to their lethal rampage by socialist Samuel Fielden (not unlike how Marty Lamb was beaten after the crowd of unionists was inflamed to violence by "progressive" Rep. Capuano).
Similarly, whenever labor unions perceive any threat to their hegemony and dominance in the workforce, they have a propensity to react with bloodshed. On July 6, 1892, union workers at Andrew Carnegie's steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania were enraged when after going on strike, Carnegie hired non-union strikebreakers, resulting in the Amalgamated Association of Steel and Iron Workers union battling private Pinkerton guards and the Pennsylvania militia. Likewise, on May 11, 1894, 4,000 employees of George Pullman's railroad company erupted into violent riots, sabotaging the delivery of mail (interstate commerce) to innocent Americans, and forcing President Cleveland to send in federal troops, declaring: "If it takes the entire army and navy of the United States to deliver a postal card in Chicago, that card will be delivered."
Historians well know that past events are the best predicters of future behavior and phenomena. The events of the late 19th century are playing themselves out all over again almost 120 years later, with the vast majority of Americans suffering (according to modest estimates, no more than 20 percent of all American workers belonged to unions at any point in history), as best expressed by The New York World, in its report on the Pullman strike:
[T]his strike is...a war against the government and against society...iniquitously directed by leaders more largely concerned to exploit themselves than to do justice or to enforce the right.
Those hard-working, innocent, and loyal Americans who either refuse to join labor unions or who rely on government services provided exclusively by labor unions (due to the political muscle of the AFL-CIO and its allies in both the Democrat and Republican parties) are the ones who suffer. Just as mail delivery was sabotaged in 1894 (in fact, the word "sabotage" derives from the practice of French laborers hurling their clogs, or sabots, into machinery as a protest against management), Americans in recent times have also suffered.
In January 1999, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union toppled two transmission line towers at Thompson Pass, Alaska, depriving 400,000 Alaskans of power in the dead of winter. Also protesting the hiring of nonunion electrical workers, the unionists shot guns and assaulted the strikebreakers. Just two months ago, members of the Sanitation Workers Union in New York City sabotaged snow removal efforts following a blizzard at the end of December, crippling the city and resulting in several deaths, due to the inability of ambulances to reach critical patients in time.
According to the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, there have been over 9,000 documented cases of union violence since 1975, and of these, only 1,963 arrests and 258 convictions have been made; due to the collective political power of unions, only 3 percent of union thugs have been convicted of their crimes. The institute also reports that local law enforcement authorities are frequently overwhelmed by the number of participants in union violence, who sometimes lash out by blaming the company targeted by union militants for trying to continue its legal operation in the face of illegal violence.
Socialists and their comrades in the unions believe that human life is cheap and that people are merely "matter in motion," explaining the litany of murders and atrocities committed by union operatives. Without the basis of respect for an individual's right to life, it logically follows that they also lack respect for property rights:
• In 1905, Governor Frank Steunenberg (D-Idaho) was assassinated by members of the militant Western Federation of Miners, due to his refusal to cave to their demands.
• In 1990, the Teamsters Union in New York City struck against the New York Daily News, and pelted replacement drivers with bricks, rocks, and baseball bats, and one Teamster was charged with transporting Molotov cocktails.
• In 1991, Steelworkers Local 5668 in West Virginia was found responsible for committing over 700 act of violence against strikebreakers, including two house bombings, six house shootings, four arsons, and 43 death threats.
• In 1993, 16,000 members of the United Mine Workers went on strike in West Virginia. Non-union subcontractor Eddie York refused to walk out, and was shot in the head by union thugs. Callously endorsing the murder, Richard Trumka (now head of the AFL-CIO, and widely known as Obama's puppet-master), said "if you strike a match and put your finger in, common sense tells you you're going to burn your finger."
• In 1997, Teamsters Local 769 in Miami ordered a strike against UPS, and UPS driver Rod Carter, refusing to strike, was stopped and stabbed with an ice pick while on his route. Another driver testified that union bosses sanctioned the stabbing.
• In 2005, Andrew Shomers of Laborers Union Local 91 in Buffalo, N.Y. pleaded guilty to vandalizing local housing authority offices and firebombing workers on an asbestos-removal project.
The above are but a few of the many documented cases of union violence, which currently go unprosecuted under the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision US v. Enmons (1973), in which SCOTUS ruled that union violence, if carried out to further the goals of a union, does not violate the provisions of the Hobbs Act, which prohibits extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.
Essentially, SCOTUS gave official sanction to terrorism on American soil when the terrorists are labor unions, necessitating legislation such as the Freedom from Union Violence Act (FUVA), which would amend the Hobbs Act to override Enmons by criminalizing union violence. The legislation was last proposed in 2007 by 17 Republican members of Congress, including Rep. Ron Paul, and has yet to be proposed again in the Republican-controlled 112th Congress.
Photo: Teamsters, armed with pipes, riot in a clash with riot police in the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934


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Our goal is to not only to explain the threat of fast-flux service networks, but also offer advice on how to identity and mitigate them. We provide several suggestions that highlight potential steps that can be taken and provide a brief overview of possible mitigation strategies. However, this is not a complete overview, since this complex topic deserves a paper on its own.
It can be very difficult to detect and shut down fast-flux service networks. The detection of domain names being served by a fast-flux service network depends upon multiple analytical passes over DNS query results, with increasing flux detection accuracy gained by employing a scoring mechanism to evaluate multiple relatively short lived DNS records, taking into account including the number of A records returned per query, the number of NS records returned, the diversity of unrelated networks represented and the presence of broadband or dialup networks in every result set. This concept of analyzing short TTLs with the associated scoring of result sets per domain or hostname from multiple successive TTL expiration periods can work in identifying the use of fast-flux service networks.
First, service providers can detect upstream mothership nodes by probing any suspected flux-agent proxies in specific ways. Assuming that the suspect flux-agent is in fact a proxy redirecting TCP port 80 or perhaps UDP port 53 traffic to some as of yet unknown host upstream, the use of any specially crafted request with an otherwise low probability of occurrence in the wild may enable egress/Internet bound IDS sensors to alert on network events that in turn identify the mothership. The basic idea is to send out probe packets and then observe them on their way from the flux-agent to the actual mothership. You will likely need to do additional heavy lifting to identify any other fast-flux service net infrastructure components that include the distributed health/availability/connection quality monitoring hosts, in addition to the phone-home and registration mechanisms.
The following example demonstrates a flux mothership host discovery process which leverages IDS sensor deployments. This is accomplished most simply through the use of a Base64 encoded text string, in this case it is "helloflux" which is then delivered through a flux agent as part of an HTTP request or DNS query. We do this essentially to exercise the full network communications path using easily detectable strings. This can be accomplished with the following two steps for use with any flux agent reported by DNS monitoring of provable flux domains. The following two Snort signatures trigger on HTTP and DNS communication that contains the Base64 encoded string "helloflux" (aGVsbG9mbHV4IAo). We set up these signatures on different IDS sensors across the network and then in a second step inject a message into the fast-flux service network. If one of the IDS sensors picks up the message, we can trace to which destination it is really sent by the flux-agent.
The following simple shell scripts injects the Base64-encoded string "helloflux" (aGVsbG9mbHV4IAo) one for a HTTP request and then another for a DNS request. With the help of the Snort signatures from above, we can then trace the path of the strings through the network.
If a service provider lacks IDS capability in the user space, yet has the capability to report on NetFlow, this mechanism can also be used to detect fast-flux service networks. This is not as good as the IDS-based detection method presented above, but looking for TCP 80 and/or UDP 53 into user IP space is a start. This kind of traffic should normally not occur and is thus a sign of a possible flux-agent. The following listing provides some further ideas to stop this kind of threat. In brackets, we list which party could implement such mitigation policies:
1. Establish policies to enable blocking of TCP 80 and UDP 53 into user-land networks if possible (ISP)
2. Block access to controller infrastructure (motherships, registration, and availability checkers) as they are discovered. (ISP)
3. Improving domain registrar response procedures, and auditing new registrations for likely fraudulent purpose. (Registrar)
4. Increase service provider awareness, foster understanding of the threat, shared processes and knowledge. (ISP)
5. Blackhole DNS and BGP route injection to kill related motherships and management infrastructure. (ISP)
6. Passive DNS harvesting/monitoring to identify A or NS records advertised into publicly routable user IP space. (ISPs, Registrars, Security professionals, ...)
This is just a very brief overview of how fast-flux service networks can be mitigated, and further research is required in this subject area.


text: Radiology / Imaging Ultrasound An ultrasound is an imaging technique which uses high energy sound waves that bounce off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on a screen of an ultrasound machine forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. This procedure is done without x-rays and is generally well tolerated. An abdominal ultrasound scan is done over your abdomen and pelvis and requires a full bladder for the scan to be performed. A transvaginal ultrasound does not require a full bladder as the scan probe is placed inside the vagina which allows sound waves to bounce off organs inside the pelvis. This type of scan is used to help examine the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and bladder. Your doctor may order this type of scan to assess the cause of problems associated with abnormal vaginal bleeding (allows a better assessment and more accurate measurement of the lining of the uterus) and patients experiencing pelvic pain (can look for masses or other conditions that may be affecting these organs). Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to obtain cross-sectional pictures of the body. The CT computer displays these pictures as detailed images of organs, bones, and other tissues. This procedure is also called CT scanning, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography (CAT). A spiral (or helical) CT scan is a new kind of CT. During a spiral CT, the x-ray machine rotates continuously around the body, following a spiral path to make cross-sectional pictures of the body. Benefits of spiral CT include: It can be used to make 3–dimensional pictures of areas inside the body; It may detect small abnormal areas better than conventional CT; and It is faster, so the test takes less time than a conventional CT. A CT scan can show cancer in the uterus, lymph nodes, lungs, or elsewhere. It can also detect abdominal fluid or ascites if present. CT Guided Biopsy When there is an abnormal growth in any part of the body and a doctor needs a sample of the tissue to determine the cause of the abnormal growth, a radiologist uses a fine needle to obtain the sample. The radiologist may use the detailed images produced by an Ultrasound or Computed Tomography (CT) scan for guidance. PET Scan Positron emission tomography (PET) scan is one of the newest imaging technologies and allows molecular or metabolic imaging. Most often, it is used in cancer to evaluate for spread or recurrence of disease and ensure that the most appropriate form of treatment is selected. A PET scan may be combined with computed tomography (CT) and even magnetic resonance (MRI) to provide an anatomical and functional view of the disease. By exploiting unique features of cancer such as elevated sugar metabolism, doctors can better differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, even when the cancer is too small to detect by conventional imaging. MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radiofrequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone, and virtually all other internal body structures. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). Detailed MRI images allow physicians to better evaluate parts of the body (such as the brain and spine) and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning). The MRI examination poses almost no risk to the average patient when appropriate safety guidelines are followed. Although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, medical devices that contain metal may malfunction or cause problems during an MRI exam. There is a very slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is injected. Such reactions usually are mild and easily controlled by medication.


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Our Voices
"In the Center for Families, our commitment to diversity is found less in the programs we offer than in the personal relationships we create. Our effectiveness as caregivers depends on taking the time to learn how and why people are different and how this affects their understanding of well-being, illness and recovery".
--Cecilia Matos, Educator, Center for Families
"The prevalence of asthma is higher in Black Americans and in inner city populations, but it affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. It has increased dramatically in prevalence over the last two decades, doubling in children over this period of time".
---Dale Umetsu, PhD, Asthma Researcher
"We can't just stay within our walls if we want to improve the health of children. Children's is in the community, working with health centers, schools and neighborhood groups to address health issues. We are combining our medical expertise with the knowledge and experience of our community partners to ensure that children have access to the kind of care they need, where they need it, when they need it".
--Shari Nethersole, MD, Medical Director, Community Health
"Boston Children's has a unique culture that embraces the diversity of gay and lesbian employees in many ways -- from providing health insurance benefits for same-sex couples to marching in Boston's Gay Pride parade".
--Todd Katzman, Department Administrator for Surgery
"At Boston Children's, it's like the world comes to you because children from virtually every country walk through these doors. The culture is diverse and collaborative, and everything centers around our patients and their families".
--Brenda Suatengco, RN, Neuroscience
"Boston Children's recognizes the importance of creating a safe environment for adolescents questioning sexuality. The Division of Adolescent Medicine offers national and local training workshops for providers around health issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients. Staff also network with Boston-area organizations to provide care and counseling for youths facing health and psychological concerns related to sexuality".
--Maurice Melchiono, RN, MS, C-FNP, Nursing Director for Ambulatory Medicine


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It doesn't matter whether they're old or new. Habits are habits, and oftentimes, they die hard. A lot of people these days are hooked to social networks. Not a problem most of the time, but if you work from home or telecommute, then it could have an adverse effect on your productivity. Take Sethi's case. He's a blogger for Hack the System and he didn't like the fact that he spent most of his time chatting on Facebook or reading stuff on Reddit.
So he hired someone off of Craigslist to sit beside him while he worked and slap him when he went off-page. I kid you not. This is what his ad actually said:
I'm looking for someone who can work next to me at a defined location (my house or a mission cafe) and will make sure to watch what is happening on my screen. When I am wasting time, you'll have to yell at me or if need be, slap me.
He got a lot of slaps (hit the break to watch a video of him get a huge one across his face) but his productivity improved. In fact, it quadrupled. I guess despite its craziness, it actually worked.
VIA [ Dvice ]


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Bere Island, Co. Cork, Ireland: 14-24 September 2011
Led by Laurence Freeman OSB
In response to many requests for longer silent retreats the first Community 10-day meditation retreat will be held in the peace and beauty of Bere Island in the mellow month of September. It will be led by Fr Laurence and will be an opportunity for meditators to go deeper as well as to share their spiritual journey with others on the same path.
Community and solitude, silence and sharing will blend in an atmosphere of quieter, calmer slower-moving days open to the presence of God in the beauty of nature as well as in the friendship of spiritual friends.
Retreat Schedule:
The retreat opens at 6pm at the Heritage Centre on the 14th and ends at noon on the 24th. As participants will be in different accommodation the early morning and late evening schedules will be followed alone or in a small group. All will gather at the centre at 11.30am daily for a talk by Fr Laurence and meditation. There will be possibilities for personal meetings with him or other teachers in the community during the afternoon. There will be a contemplative mass and meditation at 6pm each evening. Advice in balancing solitude and communal events, reading and walking or optional manual work will be offered. A main meal will be available at lunch daily.
Accommodation, Food and Travel
Participants will be expected to stay for the full retreat. If you wish to come for only part please send a request and explanation to Fr Laurence at firstname.lastname@example.com. Priority will be given to those who commit for the full ten days. Early reservations are advised. Retreatants will be responsible for their own accommodation and travel although advice and assistance is offered with these:
- Contact Theresa Hobbs at the Bere Island Heritage Centre who is handling all registrations and will advise and help with these arrangements
Email: email@example.com Tel: (+353) 0861621803
- Participants pay for their own accommodation, food and travel.
- A contribution of 200 euro to the World Community is suggested.
- A registration fee of 25 euro is required. Theresa will handle this.
Information about Bere Island
- Visit the Island website: www. bereisland.net


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Found 8 results
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Flexible luminescent solar concentrators using bio-derived tandem fluoroflores. 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).. 2012.
High Band Gap Solar Cells for Underwater Photovoltaic Applications. 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.. 2012.
Mobile Solar Power. 38th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).. 2012.
Bio-derived luminescent solar concentrators by using phycobilisomes. 25th. European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition( EU-PVSC). :441-444.. 2010.
Resonance energy transfer in luminescent solar concentrators. 35th. IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC). :467-470.. 2010.
Multiple quantum well based modulating retroreflectors for inter- and intra-spacecraft communication. SPIE. 6308. 2006.
Photovoltaically powered modulating retroreflectors. Optical Engineering. 453(1). 2006.
Photovoltaically powered modulating retroreflector optical data links. 31st IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. :735-738.. 2005.