As part of an increasing interest in radiation embrittlement for aging nuclear reactors, scientists gathered in New Orleans in January 1997 to consider the interests and capabilities of the scientific-testing community and of the commercial light-water-cooled power-reactor industry in terms of improving methods to characterize component integrity. The resulting 37 papers concentrate on the use of unique small and miniature specimens; nondestructive, nonintrusive, and in- situ test techniques for measuring mechanical and fracture properties; the application of tests to irradiation-induced embrittlement; and actual examples of tests to determine material integrity and to evaluate potential component life extension. They consider experimental, analytical, and computational aspects. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Covering the whole of Asia and the Pacific region, this text provides both an analytic overview and specific data for each of the 60 countries. Introductory chapters cover regional issues, including: a regional review with the year's trends, developments and key events' analysis of the threat of terrorism in the region; the effects of deflation on the economy; the water crisis and its impact on the poor; and the successes and failures of micro-credit in the region.