Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of hydrogen-deuterium exchange in beta-phase palladium.

A Sieverts' apparatus coupled with a residual gas analyzer (RGA) is an effective method to detect composition variations during isotopic exchange. This experimental setup provides a tool for the thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of H-D isotope exchange on Pd. The H or D concentrations in the gas and solid phases during the exchanges starting from (H(2) + Pd(x)D) and (D(2) + Pd(x)H) in beta-phase Pd were monitored over a temperature range from 173 to 298 K.

Equilibrium isotope effects in the preparation and isothermal decomposition of ternary hydrides Pd(HxD1-x)y (0 < x < 1 and y > 0.6).

A Sieverts' apparatus coupled with a residual gas analysis is used to measure the concentration variations of hydrogen isotopes in the gas and solid phases during exchange and isothermal decomposition of mixed hydrides. beta-phase palladium hydrides with known ratios of H:D, Pd(H x D 1- x ) y (0 < x < 1, y > 0.6), are prepared by H 2 with PdD y or D 2 with PdH y exchange, and their desorption isotherms are reported here at 323 K.

Achieving excellence in veterans healthcare--a balanced scorecard approach.

This article provides healthcare administrators and managers with a framework and model for developing a balanced scorecard and demonstrates the remarkable success of this process, which brings focus to leadership decisions about the allocation of resources. This scorecard was developed as a top management tool designed to structure multiple priorities of a large, complex, integrated healthcare system and to establish benchmarks to measure success in achieving targets for performance in identified areas. Significant benefits and positive results were derived from the implementation of the balanced scorecard, based upon benchmarks considered to be critical success factors.

Health care of the aged in Korea.

Korea's population is now aging very rapidly, but the country has not yet shifted its priorities nor instituted programs to meet the needs of an aging population. While the death rate has already achieved low modern levels, there are still traces of malnutrition and other debilitative conditions among the elderly and ill health is generally believed to be an inevitable accompaniment of old age. This leads to resignation and stoicism rather than active steps to deal with the growing problems.