bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Business Case for SMRs on DOD Installations
Authors: Barattino William J. , Cross Benjamin J. , Smith D. Jeffrey , Goldsmith Wendi , Foster Scott , Holt Michael , Roege Paul E.
Published: February 2012

U. S. Federal Agencies have been directed to reduce all use of Fossil Fuel Energy in Buildings by 2030. The Department of Defense (DOD) has additional requirements to significantly reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and achieve energy independence for military installations over the next few decades. Installations are empowered to reach these ambitious goals with execution of long term contracts with service providers for power and industrial processes as long as their operating expenditures are lower than costs of existing services. This paper will explore the business case conditions for how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) located on U.S. Army installations by a servicing utility could provide a viable energy alternative to the DOD for meeting these objectives. A systems perspective is critical toward understanding the potential for SMRs to enable pursing the parallel objectives of reducing fossil fuel usage, making installations energy self-sufficient, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with long term operations at lower costs. The potential for meeting greenhouse gas emission goals will be analyzed in terms of quantifying the reductions in current emissions footprint of installations that would be achieved with shifting to non-carbon prime energy sources such as SMRs. Actual costs for meeting the energy needs of Army military installations in the U.S. will form the basis for defining the life cycle cost profiles to enable the base commanders to justify long term services contracts. As with any commercial power plant, the upfront costs for construction and startup testing, combined with lower system operating costs, will provide the basis for analyzing required economic lengths of contracts. To navigate the bumps of any new nuclear system, SMR power generating plants must be structured as a “Win-Win” proposition from both private and public sector perspectives. For the private investor, the contract must be constructed to allow for recovery of capital and operating costs by private investors with sufficient return on investment to undertake this type of business opportunity. For the government to engage in the deal, the contract must conform to capital lease requirements for federal contracts, but also demonstrate sufficient savings over existing leased utility services to enable execution of the contract by the military base. A systems approach that addresses life cycle costs at this early stage for SMRs will provide critical insight for Megawatt level power generating systems servicing small towns and communities similar in size to a military base. With the economic framework sufficiently defined to enable public sector commitments, program funding may be more forthcoming for completing SMR development, licensing and permitting phases on a prudent but expedited timeframe.
An Overview of the Safety Case for Small Modular Reactors
Authors: Ingersoll Daniel T.
Published: February 2012

Several small modular reactor (SMR) designs emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s in response to lessons learned from the many technical and operational challenges of the large Generation II light-water reactors. After the accident at the Three Mile Island plant in 1979, an ensuing reactor redesign effort spawned the term “inherently safe” designs, which later evolved into “passively safe” terminology. Several new designs were engineered to be deliberately small in order to fully exploit the benefits of passive safety. Today, new SMR designs are emerging with a similar philosophy of offering highly robust and resilient designs with increased safety margins. Additionally, because these contemporary designs are being developed subsequent to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, they incorporate a number of intrinsic design features to further strengthen their safety and security. Several SMR designs are being developed in the United States spanning the full spectrum of reactor technologies, including water-, gas-, and liquid-metal-cooled ones. Despite a number of design differences, most of these designs share a common set of design principles to enhance plant safety and robustness, such as eliminating plant design vulnerabilities where possible, reducing accident probabilities, and mitigating accident consequences. An important consequence of the added resilience provided by these design approaches is that the individual reactor units and the entire plant should be able to survive a broader range of extreme conditions. This will enable them to not only ensure the safety of the general public but also help protect the investment of the owner and continued availability of the power-generating asset. Examples of typical SMR design features and their implications for improved plant safety are given for specific SMR designs being developed in the United States.
Italy Re-Opening the Nuclear Option: Are SMR a Suitable Choice? An Application of the INCAS Model
Authors: Boarin Sara , Locatelli Giorgio , Mancini Mauro , Ricotti Marco E.
Published: February 2012

The Italian strategic plan for the energy policy targets 25% of the national generation mix covered by nuclear technology by 2030. Considering a demand for electric power of 340 TWh in 2010 and assuming an annual rate of increase between 2,5% and 1,0%, the national plan would require to build some 8–10 large nuclear power plants, at least. The new generation capacity may be covered by EPR or AP1000 technology or, alternatively, by multiple SMR (i.e. 300–150 MWe), or even a mix of LR and SMR. The original intent, prior to the stop imposed by the dramatic earthquake and tsunami in Japan, was to have the first plant deployed by 2020. Today the Italian strategy to re-open the nuclear option is undergoing hard criticism and its fate is currently uncertain. In this context, this paper might contribute to the debate, by exploring the economics of the nuclear option with a focus on the opportunity to invest in large NPP category rather than in multiple, modular SMR. The latter have features that may compensate the dis-economy of scale and improve their cost-effectiveness, while granting investors with a lower up-front investment and a higher capability of project self-financing. The analysis is run through the Polimi’s proprietary “INtegrated model for the Competitiveness Analysis of Small modular reactors” (INCAS).Even if some specific inputs are related to the Italian scenario (e.g. the Electricity price) the results can be generalized to countries or utilities that are planning to install more than 10 GWe of nuclear capacity.
Environmentally-Friendly HTGR: MHR-50/100—Concept and Characteristics
Authors: Minatsuki Isao , Otani Tomomi , Shimizu Katsusuke , Saguchi Tetsuo , Oyama Sunao , Kunitomi Kazuhiko
Published: February 2012

A business plan and a new concept of the Mitsubishi small-sized High temperature gas-cooled modular Reactors (MHR-50/100) had been developed as reported in a paper at the HTR-2010 conference in Prague. The present paper reports the results of ensuing conceptual design study including updated market researches, improved safety features of the plant, and the plant dynamics analysis. Market researches on Japan, the USA, Southeast Asia and the Middle East have been updated applying the latest energy outlook data. The result shows that the potential market share for the type of HTGR (high temperature gas reactor) reactors is expected to be 10–20% in new construction of heat source plants in those market areas. A financial analysis made based on the results of the updated market research and the plant cost evaluations indicates that the feasibility of an HTGR business potentially exists. Concerning about the conceptual design, as main themes of the study, a plant design, safety design and plant dynamics have been carried out. The MHR-50/100 high safety characteristics have been confirmed based on the results of the following studies as reported in the present paper: (1) An investigation of a safety scenario during occurrence of a Total Black Out event; (2) An analysis of the reactor decay heat removal via a natural circulation. Lastly, the control methods for the reactor and associated steam cycle system for the MHR-50 have been studied. The results show that the reactor power changes can be effectively achieved by controlling the primary system helium flow rate. The ASURA code developed by MHI is used for simulation of such typical plant transients as 10% step load reduction and full load rejection. The results confirm the easy operability and controllability of the plant.
Use of Risk Insights to Enhance Safety Focus of Small Modular Reactor Reviews
Authors: Magruder Stewart L.
Published: February 2012

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff plans to apply a more integrated, graded approach to the review of small modular reactor (SMR) pre-application activities and design applications. The concept is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the reviews by focusing on safety significant structures, systems, and components (SSCs). The unique design features associated with SMRs and knowledge gained reviewing other passive reactor designs present opportunities to risk-inform the SMR design certification process to a greater extent than previously employed. The review process can be modified for SMR applications by considering the aggregate of regulatory controls pertaining to SSCs as part of the review and determining those regulatory controls which may supplement or replace, as appropriate, part of the technical or engineering analysis and evaluation. Risk insights acquired from staff reviews of passive LWR designs (i.e. AP1000, ESBWR) can also be incorporated into the review process. Further, risk insights associated with integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR) design features (i.e. Underground facilities impact on turbine missiles review) can be incorporated into the review process.
The NuScale Advanced Passive Safety Design
Authors: Reyes Jose´ N. , Young Eric
Published: February 2012

NuScale Power is designing an advanced passive nuclear power plant that does not rely on any external sources of power or coolant for safety. Accordingly, the NuScale design inherently prevents the types of issues which led to fuel damage at the Fukushima Daiichi facility. This paper presents an overview of the advanced passive safety systems implemented in the NuScale nuclear power plant. During normal operation, each NuScale containment is fully immersed in a water-filled stainless steel lined concrete pool that resides underground. The pool, housed in a Seismic Category I building, is large enough to provide 30 days of core and containment cooling without adding additional water. After 30 days, the decay heat generation is sufficiently small that natural convection heat transfer to air on the outside surface of the containment coupled with thermal radiation heat transfer is completely adequate to remove core decay heat for an indefinite period of time. These passive safety systems can perform their function without requiring an external supply of water, power, or generators.
A Cut Deeper in the Lung and Colorectal Cancer Genome
Authors: Emadi Ashkan
Published: February 2012

New gene fusions in lung and colorectal cancers may be able to be targeted with multikinase inhibitors already in clinical use.
Evaluation of the Morphological Effects of TDT 067 (Terbinafine in Transfersome) and Conventional Terbinafine on Dermatophyte Hyphae
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Ghannoum M. , Isham N. , Henry W. , Kroon H.-A. , Yurdakul S.
Published: February 2012

TDT 067 is a novel, carrier-based dosage form of terbinafine in Transfersome (1.5%) formulated for topical delivery of terbinafine to the nail, nail bed, and surrounding tissue. We examined the effects of TDT 067 and conventional terbinafine on the morphology of dermatophytes.
Trichophyton rubrum
hyphae were exposed to TDT 067 or terbinafine (15 mg/ml) and examined under white light, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Subungual debris from patients treated with TDT 067 in a clinical trial was also examined. Exposure of
T. rubrum
hyphae to TDT 067 led to rapid and extensive ultrastructural changes. Hyphal distortion was evident as early as 4 h after exposure to TDT 067. After 24 h, there was complete disruption of hyphal structure with few intact hyphae remaining. Exposure to terbinafine resulted in morphological alterations similar to those seen with TDT 067; however, the effects of TDT 067 were more extensive, whereas a portion of hyphae remained intact after 24 h of exposure to terbinafine. Lipid droplets were observed under TEM following 30 min of exposure to TDT 067, which after 24 h had filled the intracellular space. These effects were confirmed
in vivo
in subungual debris from patients with onychomycosis who received topical treatment with TDT 067. The Transfersome in TDT 067 may potentiate the action of terbinafine by delivering terbinafine more effectively to its site of action inside the fungus. Our
in vivo
data confirm that TDT 067 can enter fungus in the nail bed of patients with onychomycosis and exert its antifungal effects.
New Mutations in the Mycobacterial ATP Synthase: New Insights into the Binding of the Diarylquinoline TMC207 to the ATP Synthase C-Ring Structure
Authors: Segala Elena , Sougakoff Wladimir , Nevejans-Chauffour Aurelie , Jarlier Vincent , Petrella Stephanie
Published: February 2012

TMC207 is a new antituberculous drug belonging to the diarylquinoline class which very efficiently inhibits the ATP synthase of mycobacteria such as
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, one of the most important pathogens in the world. In order to map the amino acid residues involved in the binding of the drug, we have selected
in vitro
TMC207-resistant mutants from
M. tuberculosis
and diverse atypical mycobacteria. Six distinct mutations, Asp28→Gly, Asp28→Ala, Leu59→Val, Glu61→Asp, Ala63→Pro, and Ile66→Met, have been identified in the subunit c forming a C ring in the ATP synthase. They were studied by evaluating the levels of resistance that they confer in the selected clones and by using an isogenic complementation system in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. The rates of increase of TMC207 MIC values (8- to 133-fold) were interpreted by constructing by homology modeling a structure of the mycobacterial C ring which was used for docking simulations with TMC207. Our results suggest that the residues found to be mutated in the resistant clones, together with a tyrosine specifically conserved at position 64 in mycobacteria, define a cleft located between two adjacent c subunits in the C ring. This cleft, which encompasses the proton-binding site (Glu61), is well fitted to bind TMC207 at the level of the bromoquinoline moiety, with the drug being anchored by several ionic, hydrogen, and halogen bonds with residues Glu61, Tyr64, and Asp28, respectively. These data shed light on the molecular interactions allowing TMC207 to bind specifically and efficiently at the level of the proton-binding site of the mycobacterial C ring.
Evaluation of Ceftaroline Activity versus Ceftriaxone against Clinical Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae with Various Susceptibilities to Cephalosporins in an
In Vitro
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model
Authors: Steed Molly E. , Vidaillac Céline , Winterfield Patricia , Biek Donald , Rybak Michael J.
Published: February 2012

Drug resistance in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, a frequent pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia, is increasing. Ceftaroline (active metabolite of ceftaroline fosamil) is a broad-spectrum intravenous cephalosporin with activity
in vitro
against drug-resistant Gram-positive organisms. We investigated ceftaroline at 600 mg every 12 h (q12h) (maximum concentration of the free, unbound drug in serum [
fC
max
] is 15.2 μg/ml, and half-life [
T
1/2
] is 2.5 h) versus ceftriaxone at 1 g q24h (
fC
max
= 23 μg/ml,
T
1/2
= 8 h) against six clinical
S. pneumoniae
isolates in a one-compartment
in vitro
pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic 96-h model (starting inoculum of 10
7
CFU/ml). Differences in CFU/ml (at 24 to 96 h) were evaluated by analysis of variance with a Tukey's
post hoc
test. Bactericidal activity was defined as a ≥3 log
10
CFU/ml decrease from the initial inoculum. Ceftaroline MICs were 0.06, 0.015, ≤0.008, 0.25, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/ml, and ceftriaxone MICs were 0.5, 0.25, 0.25, 4, 4, and 8 μg/ml for SP 1477, SP 669, SP 132, SP 211, SP 90, and SP 1466, respectively. Against the ceftaroline- and ceftriaxone-susceptible strain SP 1477, ceftaroline displayed sustained bactericidal activity (3 to 96 h, −5.49 log
10
CFU/ml) and was significantly (
P
≤ 0.012) better than ceftriaxone (72 to 96 h, −2.03 log
10
CFU/ml). Against the ceftriaxone-resistant strains, ceftaroline displayed sustained bactericidal activity at 96 h and was significantly better than ceftriaxone (SP211 [−5.91 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
≤ 0.002], SP 90 [−5.26 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
≤ 0.008], and SP1466 [−5.14 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
≤ 0.042]). Ceftaroline was the more effective drug and displayed sustained bactericidal activity. Ceftaroline fosamil may provide a therapeutic option to treat ceftriaxone-resistant
S. pneumoniae
infections.
Target- and Resistance-Based Mechanistic Studies with TP-434, a Novel Fluorocycline Antibiotic
Authors: Grossman Trudy H. , Starosta Agata L. , Fyfe Corey , O'Brien William , Rothstein David M. , Mikolajka Aleksandra , Wilson Daniel N. , Sutcliffe Joyce A.
Published: February 2012

TP-434 is a novel, broad-spectrum fluorocycline antibiotic with activity against bacteria expressing major antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including tetracycline-specific efflux and ribosomal protection. The mechanism of action of TP-434 was assessed using both cell-based and
in vitro
assays. In
Escherichia coli
cells expressing recombinant tetracycline resistance genes, the MIC of TP-434 (0.063 μg/ml) was unaffected by
tet
(M),
tet
(K), and
tet
(B) and increased to 0.25 and 4 μg/ml in the presence of
tet
(A) and
tet
(X), respectively. Tetracycline, in contrast, was significantly less potent (MIC ≥ 128 μg/ml) against
E. coli
cells when any of these resistance mechanisms were present. TP-434 showed potent inhibition in
E. coli in vitro
transcription/translation (50% inhibitory concentration [IC
50
] = 0.29 ± 0.09 μg/ml) and [
3
H]tetracycline ribosome-binding competition (IC
50
= 0.22 ± 0.07 μM) assays. The antibacterial potencies of TP-434 and all other tetracycline class antibiotics tested were reduced by 4- to 16-fold, compared to that of the wild-type control strain, against
Propionibacterium acnes
strains carrying a 16S rRNA mutation, G1058C, a modification that changes the conformation of the primary binding site of tetracycline in the ribosome. Taken together, the findings support the idea that TP-434, like other tetracyclines, binds the ribosome and inhibits protein synthesis and that this activity is largely unaffected by the common tetracycline resistance mechanisms.
In Vivo
Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics of Colistin and Imipenem in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Infection
Authors: Hengzhuang Wang , Wu Hong , Ciofu Oana , Song Zhijun , Høiby Niels
Published: February 2012

Many
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates from the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are sensitive to antibiotics in susceptibility testing, but eradication of the infection is difficult. The main reason is the biofilm formation in the airways of patients with CF. The pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of antimicrobials can reliably be used to predict whether antimicrobial regimens will achieve the maximum bactericidal effect against infections. Unfortunately, however, most PK/PD studies of antimicrobials have been done on planktonic cells and very few PK/PD studies have been done on biofilms, partly due to the lack of suitable models
in vivo
. In the present study, a biofilm lung infection model was developed to provide an objective and quantitative evaluation of the PK/PD profile of antimicrobials. Killing curves were set up to detect the antimicrobial kinetics on planktonic and biofilm
P. aeruginosa
cells
in vivo
. Colistin showed concentration-dependent killing, while imipenem showed time-dependent killing on both planktonic and biofilm
P. aeruginosa
cells
in vivo
. The parameter best correlated to the elimination of bacteria in lung by colistin was the area under the curve (AUC) versus MIC (AUC/MIC) for planktonic cells or the AUC versus minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC; AUC/MBIC) for biofilm cells. The best-correlated parameter for imipenem was the time that the drug concentration was above the MIC for planktonic cells (
T
MIC
) or time that the drug concentration was above the MBIC (
T
MBIC
) for biofilm cells. However, the AUC/MIC of imipenem showed a better correlation with the efficacy of imipenem for biofilm infections (
R
2
= 0.89) than planktonic cell infections (
R
2
= 0.38). The postantibiotic effect (PAE) of colistin and imipenem was shorter in biofilm infections than planktonic cell infections in this model.
Impact of Extracellular Nuclease Production on the Biofilm Phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus under
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Conditions
Authors: Beenken Karen E. , Spencer Horace , Griffin Linda M. , Smeltzer Mark S.
Published: February 2012

Recent studies suggest that extracellular DNA promotes biofilm formation in
Staphylococcus aureus
and, conversely, that extracellular nucleases limit the ability to form a biofilm.
S. aureus
produces at least two extracellular nucleases, and in the study described in this report, we examined the impact of each of these nucleases on biofilm formation under both
in vitro
and
in vivo
conditions. Our results demonstrate that both nucleases impact biofilm formation in the clinical isolate UAMS-1. Under certain
in vitro
conditions, this impact is negative, with mutation of either or both of the nuclease genes (
nuc1
and
nuc2
) resulting in an enhanced capacity to form a biofilm. However, this effect was not apparent
in vivo
in a murine model of catheter-associated biofilm formation. Rather, mutation of either or both nuclease genes appeared to limit biofilm formation to a degree that could be correlated with increased susceptibility to daptomycin.
Loss of Outer Membrane Protein C in Escherichia coli Contributes to Both Antibiotic Resistance and Escaping Antibody-Dependent Bactericidal Activity
Authors: Liu Yi-Fang , Yan Jing-Jou , Lei Huan-Yao , Teng Ching-Hao , Wang Ming-Cheng , Tseng Chin-Chung , Wu Jiunn-Jong
Published: February 2012

Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) serve as the permeability channels for nutrients, toxins, and antibiotics. In
Escherichia coli
, OmpA has been shown to be involved in bacterial virulence, and OmpC is related to multidrug resistance. However, it is unclear whether OmpC also has a role in the virulence of
E. coli
. The aims of this study were to characterize the role of OmpC in antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence in
E. coli
. The
ompC
deletion mutant showed significantly decreased susceptibility to carbapenems and cefepime. To investigate the survival of
E. coli
exposed to the innate immune system, a human blood bactericidal assay showed that the
ompC
mutant increased survival in blood and serum but not in complement-inactivated serum. These effects were also demonstrated in the natural selection of OmpC mutants. Also, C1q interacted with
E. coli
through a complex of antibodies bound to OmpC as a major target. Bacterial survival was increased in the wild-type strain in a dose-dependent manner by adding free recombinant OmpC protein or anti-C1q antibody to human serum. These results demonstrated that the interaction of OmpC-specific antibody and C1q was the key step in initiating the antibody-dependent classical pathway for the clearance of OmpC-expressing
E. coli
. Anti-OmpC antibody was detected in human sera, indicating that OmpC is an immunogen. These data indicate that the loss of OmpC in
E. coli
is resistant to not only antibiotics, but also the serum bactericidal effect, which is mediated from the C1q and anti-OmpC antibody-dependent classical pathway.
Staphylococcus aureus CC398: Host Adaptation and Emergence of Methicillin Resistance in Livestock
Authors: Price Lance B. , Stegger Marc , Hasman Henrik , Aziz Maliha , Larsen Jesper , Andersen Paal Skytt , Pearson Talima , Waters Andrew E. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Schupp James , Gillece John , Driebe Elizabeth , Liu Cindy M. , Springer Burkhard , Zdovc Irena , Battisti Antonio , Franco Alessia , Żmudzki Jacek , Schwarz Stefan , Butaye Patrick , Jouy Eric , Pomba Constanca , Porrero M. Concepción , Ruimy Raymond , Smith Tara C. , Robinson D. Ashley , Weese J. Scott , Arriola Carmen Sofia , Yu Fangyou , Laurent Frederic , Keim Paul , Skov Robert , Aarestrup Frank M.
Published: February 2012

Since its discovery in the early 2000s, methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) clonal complex 398 (CC398) has become a rapidly emerging cause of human infections, most often associated with livestock exposure. We applied whole-genome sequence typing to characterize a diverse collection of CC398 isolates (
n
= 89), including MRSA and methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) from animals and humans spanning 19 countries and four continents. We identified 4,238 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among the 89 core genomes. Minimal homoplasy (consistency index = 0.9591) was detected among parsimony-informative SNPs, allowing for the generation of a highly accurate phylogenetic reconstruction of the CC398 clonal lineage. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that MSSA from humans formed the most ancestral clades. The most derived lineages were composed predominantly of livestock-associated MRSA possessing three different staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
element (SCC
mec
) types (IV, V, and VII-like) including nine subtypes. The human-associated isolates from the basal clades carried phages encoding human innate immune modulators that were largely missing among the livestock-associated isolates. Our results strongly suggest that livestock-associated MRSA CC398 originated in humans as MSSA. The lineage appears to have undergone a rapid radiation in conjunction with the jump from humans to livestock, where it subsequently acquired tetracycline and methicillin resistance. Further analyses are required to estimate the number of independent genetic events leading to the methicillin-resistant sublineages, but the diversity of SCC
mec
subtypes is suggestive of strong and diverse antimicrobial selection associated with food animal production.

IMPORTANCE
Modern food animal production is characterized by densely concentrated animals and routine antibiotic use, which may facilitate the emergence of novel antibiotic-resistant zoonotic pathogens. Our findings strongly support the idea that livestock-associated MRSA CC398 originated as MSSA in humans. The jump of CC398 from humans to livestock was accompanied by the loss of phage-carried human virulence genes, which likely attenuated its zoonotic potential, but it was also accompanied by the acquisition of tetracycline and methicillin resistance. Our findings exemplify a bidirectional zoonotic exchange and underscore the potential public health risks of widespread antibiotic use in food animal production.
ON DEFECT INDUCED GAUGE AND YUKAWA FIELDS IN GRAPHENE
Authors: SOCHICHIU CORNELIU
Published: February 2012

We consider lattice deformations (both continuous and topological) of the hexagonal lattice model describing the electronic wave function of graphene in the tight binding approximation. The deformation involves operators with the range up to next-to-neighbor. In the low energy limit, we find that these deformations give rise to couplings of the electronic Dirac field to an external scalar (Yukawa) and gauge fields. The fields are expressed in terms of original defects. As a by-product we establish that the next-to-nearest order is the minimal range of deformations which produces the complete gauge and scalar fields. We consider an example of Stone–Wales defect, and find the associated gauge field.
THE BACK-PROJECTION METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING 3D NON-TENSOR PRODUCT MOTHER WAVELETS AND THE APPLICATION IN IMAGE EDGE DETECTION
Authors: ZENG LI , GUO JIQIANG , HUANG CHENCHENG
Published: February 2012

In this paper, a non-tensor product method for constructing three-dimension (3D) mother wavelets by back-projecting two dimension (2D) mother wavelets is presented. We have proved that if a 2D mother wavelet satisfies certain conditions, the back-projection of the 2D mother wavelet is a 3D mother wavelet. And the construction instances of 3D Mexican-hat wavelet and 3D Meyer wavelet are given. These examples imply that we can get some new 3D mother wavelets from known 1D or 2D mother wavelets by using back-projecting method. This method inaugurates a new approach for constructing non-tensor product 3D wavelet. In addition, the non-tensor product 3D Mexican-hat wavelet is used for detecting the edge of two 3D images in our experimental section. Compared with the Mallat's maximum wavelet module approach which uses 3D directional wavelets, experimental results show it can obtain better outcome especial for the edge which the orientation is not along the coordinate axis. Furthermore, the edge is more fine, and the computational cost is much smaller. The non-tensor product mother wavelets constructed by using the method of this paper also can be widely used for compression, filtering and denoising of 3D images.
INTERNATIONAL LABOR MIGRATION AND FOREIGN BANK PENETRATION IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
Authors: MA RONG , POZO SUSAN
Published: February 2012

This paper examines the impact of international labor migration on foreign bank presence in 30 Asian and Latin American countries. While it is well established that social and economic characteristics of the host economy influence entry by foreign banks, we test whether social and economic linkages between bank-host and bank-origin economies influence foreign bank activity. In particular, we consider whether international migration from bank-host to the bank-origin countries affects foreign bank activity. Panel Tobit models find that international migration promotes foreign bank presence. Banks originating in industrialized nations with large immigrant populations tend to expand into migrant-source developing countries.
GLOBALIZATION CRISES, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM
Authors: ABBOTT PHILIP , TARP FINN
Published: February 2012

Vietnam has been among the most successful East Asian economies, especially in weathering the external shocks of recent globalization crises. Examination of economic performance and policy responses shows rising dependence on foreign finance around each crisis, and actions by the government to counteract that dependence and bolster the domestic economy while continuing to restructure the economy toward greater emphasis on the private sector. Growth, employment and poverty alleviation have been maintained at the expense of renewed inflation, larger budget deficits, and currency depreciation. The "stop-go" nature of present macroeconomic policy is the consequence of balancing growth versus inflation, responding to severe external shocks and holding to a growth objective in the face of substantial internal and external criticism.
Laboratory investigation of wave run-up caused by landslides in dam reservoirs
Authors: Najafi-Jilani A. , Ataie-Ashtiani B.
Published: February 2012

Waves generated by underwater landslides are studied in a physical laboratory model. A total of 102 laboratory tests were carried out. The experimental data measured generation, propagation and run-up of water waves. A wide range of effective parameters are considered in the experimental tests. Based on laboratory data, an empirical method is presented for prediction of impulse wave run-up caused by an underwater landslide in a dam reservoir. This method is developed using only the information about landslide geometry, initial submergence, water depth and sidewall slopes in the dam reservoir. The presented equation is successfully verified using laboratory-based and analytical equations from the literature. The equation is also applied in a real case study for a dam reservoir in Iran in which the impulse wave characteristics are available, and good reliability is obtained.
A field guide to the engineering geology of the French Alps, Grenoble
Authors: Giles David
Published: February 2012

It is now well established in the field of engineering geology that a comprehensive ground model is critical to the success of any engineered project. This ground model must contain elements of the site geology, geomorphology and geotechnics and demonstrate the potential interactions between these elements to be of value to the engineer or geologist working on a given project. The area around Grenoble in the French Alps offers an ideal field location to exemplify and demonstrate these concepts. Here there are a number of large engineering structures that highlight the importance of sound engineering geological investigation and the establishment of detailed ground models to understand problematic ground behaviour and performance. The area demonstrates the key issues of geotechnical hazard, vulnerability and associated risks, as well as the significance of understanding both the solid and superficial ground conditions. This field guide provides details on and discusses a variety of key localities where these issues can be fully demonstrated and explored.

Supplementary material:

Downloadable Google Earth site location file with additional photographs:
Field guide to the engineering geology of the French Alps Grenoble.kmz
is available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18509
Groundwater resources of aquifers with extensive confined regions illustrated by the Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire, UK
Authors: Rushton K. R. , Carter R. C.
Published: February 2012

In Britain, groundwater abstraction from the confined region of an aquifer is less common than abstraction from the unconfined region. This paper describes how, during a study of abstraction from the confined region of the Woburn Sands aquifer in SE England, techniques were developed for examining the response of confined aquifers to pumping. Issues considered include the selection of both the extent of the aquifer system to be studied and the time period to be considered. Observation well records are examined to hypothesize how groundwater head hydrographs depend on abstraction and recharge. Another topic is the estimation of recharge when there is spatial variability in precipitation and when substantial areas of the aquifer are beneath low-permeability till. An approach is devised for river–aquifer interaction when the actual river channel is small compared with extensive river valley deposits. Conceptual and computational models are developed and evaluated against observation well hydrographs and single water-level readings at a number of locations. The computational model is used to ascertain how the flux from the unconfined to the confined region changes with variations in groundwater abstractions.
Puzzled: Solutions and sources
Authors: Winkler Peter
Published: February 2012

Last month (Feb. 2012) we posted a trio of brainteasers concerning where sets meet, or Venn diagrams. Here, we offer solutions to two of them. How did you do?
Q&A: Chief strategiest
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: February 2012

ACM CEO John White talks about initiatives to serve the organization's professional members, increase international activities, and reform computer science education.
Microsharding
Authors: Tatemura Junichi , Po Oliver , Hacgümüş Hakan
Published: February 2012

The paper proposes microsharding, a relational alternative for the recent procedural approaches with large-scale data stores to support OLTP workloads elastically. It employs a declarative specification, called transaction classes, of constraints applied on the transactions in a workload. The declarative specification enables a principled approach to design and analyze OLTP workloads. We discuss the current framework as well as identify research directions.
Towards scalable array-oriented active storage
Authors: Tran Viet-Trung , Nicolae Bogdan , Antoniu Gabriel
Published: February 2012

The recent explosion in data sizes manipulated by distributed scientific applications has prompted the need to develop specialized storage systems capable to deal with specific access patterns in a scalable fashion. In this context, a large class of applications focuses on parallel array processing: small parts of huge multi-dimensional arrays are concurrently accessed by a large number of clients, both for reading and writing. A specialized storage system that deals with such an access pattern faces several challenges at the level of data/metadata management. We introduce Pyramid, an active arrayoriented storage system that addresses these challenges. Experimental evaluation demonstrates substantial scalability improvements brought by Pyramid with respect to state-ofart approaches both in weak and strong scaling scenarios, with gains of 100% to 150%.
Functions in information systems
Authors: Orman Levent
Published: February 2012

A comprehensive functional approach to interactive information systems is suggested. The pervasive use of functions in a variety of subfields ranging from data modeling and retrieval to software development and evaluation is summarized as a justification for further investigation into a comprehensive functional approach to interactive information systems. A purely functional architecture is described.
Getting connected
Authors: McNurlin Barbara
Published: February 2012

Communication via computers has global implications, said Tom Kieffer, president of Mainstream Computer Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in his presentation at the NCC '85 SIGBDP breakfast. Such communication allows the capability to pull people together in groups, and this will have a wide range of sociological impacts.
17β-Estradiol modulates the prolactin secretion induced by TRH through membrane estrogen receptors via PI3K/Akt in female rat anterior pituitary cell culture
Authors: Sosa Liliana d. V. , Gutiérrez Silvina , Petiti Juan P. , Palmeri Claudia M. , Mascanfroni Iván D. , Soaje Marta , De Paul Ana L. , Torres Alicia I.
Published: February 2012

Considering that estradiol is a major modulator of prolactin (PRL) secretion, the aim of the present study was to analyze the role of membrane estradiol receptor-α (mERα) in the regulatory effect of this hormone on the PRL secretion induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) by focusing on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway activation. Anterior pituitary cell cultures from female rats were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2, 10 nM) and its membrane-impermeable conjugated estradiol (E2-BSA, 10 nM) alone or coincubated with TRH (10 nM) for 30 min, with PRL levels being determined by RIA. Although E2, E2-BSA, TRH, and E2/TRH differentially increased the PRL secretion, the highest levels were achieved with E2-BSA/TRH. ICI-182,780 did not modify the TRH-induced PRL release but significantly inhibited the PRL secretion promoted by E2 or E2-BSA alone or in coincubation with TRH. The PI3K inhibitors LY-294002 and wortmannin partially inhibited the PRL release induced by E2-BSA, TRH, and E2/TRH and totally inhibited the PRL levels stimulated by E2-BSA/TRH, suggesting that the mER mediated the cooperative effect of E2 on TRH-induced PRL release through the PI3K pathway. Also, the involvement of this kinase was supported by the translocation of its regulatory subunit p85α from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane in the lactotroph cells treated with E2-BSA and TRH alone or in coincubation. A significant increase of phosphorylated Akt was induced by E2-BSA/TRH. Finally, the changes of ERα expression in the plasmalemma of pituitary cells were examined by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, which revealed that the mobilization of intracellular ERα to the plasma membrane of lactotroph cells was only induced by E2. These finding showed that E2 may act as a modulator of the secretory response of lactotrophs induced by TRH through mER, with the contribution by PI3K/Akt pathway activation providing a new insight into the mechanisms underlying the nongenomic action of E2 in the pituitary.
Role of PRAS40 in Akt and mTOR signaling in health and disease
Authors: Wiza Claudia , Nascimento Emmani B. M. , Ouwens D. Margriet
Published: February 2012

The proline-rich Akt substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40) acts at the intersection of the Akt- and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated signaling pathways. The protein kinase mTOR is the catalytic subunit of two distinct signaling complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, that link energy and nutrients to the regulation of cellular growth and energy metabolism. Activation of mTOR in response to nutrients and growth factors results in the phosphorylation of numerous substrates, including the phosphorylations of S6 kinase by mTORC1 and Akt by mTORC2. Alterations in Akt and mTOR activity have been linked to the progression of multiple diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes. Although PRAS40 was first reported as substrate for Akt, investigations toward mTOR-binding partners subsequently identified PRAS40 as both component and substrate of mTORC1. Phosphorylation of PRAS40 by Akt and by mTORC1 itself results in dissociation of PRAS40 from mTORC1 and may relieve an inhibitory constraint on mTORC1 activity. Adding to the complexity is that gene silencing studies indicate that PRAS40 is also necessary for the activity of the mTORC1 complex. This review summarizes the regulation and potential function(s) of PRAS40 in the complex Akt- and mTOR-signaling network in health and disease.
Asymptotic Normality of a Nonparametric Conditional Quantile
Estimator for Random Fields
Authors: Ould Abdi Sidi Ali , Dabo-Niang Sophie , Diop Aliou , Ould Abdi Ahmedoune
Published: February 2012

Given a stationary multidimensional spatial process , we investigate a kernel estimate of the spatial conditional quantile function of the response variable given the explicative variable . Asymptotic normality of the kernel estimate is obtained when the sample considered is an -mixing sequence.
Morbidity of 200 Consecutive Cases of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomies: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Baron Pedro W. , Ben-Youssef Ramzi , Ojogho Okechukwu N. , Kore Arputharaj , Baldwin D. Duane
Published: February 2012

Background. Recipients of laparoscopically procured kidneys have been reported to have delayed graft function, a slower creatinine nadir, and potential significant complications. As the technique has evolved laparoscopic donor nephrectomy technique is becoming the gold standard for living donation.Study Design. We retrospectively reviewed the data of the first 200 hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomies performed between January 2003 and February 2009. The initial 41 donors and their recipients (Group 1) were compared to the next 159 donors and their recipients (Group 2). The estimated blood loss, serum creatinine at discharge and 6 months, and the incidence of delayed graft function and perioperative complications were analyzed.Results. The median donor serum creatinine at discharge and 6 months was 1.2 mg/dL in each group. None of the laparoscopic procedures required conversion to an open procedure, and none of the donors required perioperative blood transfusion. The median recipient serum creatinine at 6 months after transplant was 1.2 mg/dL for each group. No ischemic ureteral complications related to the laparoscopic technique were seen.Conclusions. HALDN with meticulous surgical technique allows kidney procurement with very low morbidity and no mortality. This improved safety and decreased invasiveness from laparoscopic approach may further decrease morbidity of the procedure and increase organ donation.
Novel Insights into the Vasoprotective Role of Heme Oxygenase-1
Authors: Marcantoni Emanuela , Di Francesco Luigia , Dovizio Melania , Bruno Annalisa , Patrignani Paola
Published: February 2012

Cardiovascular risk factors contribute to enhanced oxidative stress which leads to endothelial dysfunction. These events trigger platelet activation and their interaction with leukocytes and endothelial cells, thus contributing to the induction of chronic inflammatory processes at the vascular wall and to the development of atherosclerotic lesions and atherothrombosis. In this scenario, endogenous antioxidant pathways are induced to restrain the development of vascular disease. In the present paper, we will discuss the role of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 which is an enzyme of the heme catabolism and cleaves heme to form biliverdin and carbon monoxide (CO). Biliverdin is reduced enzymatically to the potent antioxidant bilirubin. Recent evidence supports the involvement of HO-1 in the antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect of cyclooxygenase(COX)-2-dependent prostacyclin in the vasculature. Moreover, the role of HO-1 in estrogen vasoprotection is emerging. Finally, possible strategies to develop novel therapeutics against cardiovascular disease by targeting the induction of HO-1 will be discussed.
Investigation of Patch Antenna Based on Photonic Band‐Gap Substrate with Heterostructures
Authors: Li Zhenghua , Xue Yan Ling , Shen Tinggen
Published: February 2012

The characteristics of the patch antenna based on photonic band‐gap (PBG) substrate with heterostructures were studied numerically by using the method of finite difference time domain (FDTD). The results indicate that, comparing to the conventional patch antennas, the expansion of working frequency band of the new patch antenna can be realized and its radiation efficiency also can be improved notably with the influence of PBG. In addition, for this new kind of patch antenna, its return loss is much less and there are two minimum values for return loss corresponding to the resonant frequency of the two different photonic crystals made of the substrate. Its physical mechanism lies on the PBG which suppresses the surface waves propagating along the surface of the substrate and reflects most of electromagnetic wave energy radiated to the substrate significantly.
Relation of Growth Rate from Birth to Three Months and Four to Six Months to Body Mass Index at Ages Four to Six Years
Authors: Karp Robert J. , Winkfield-Royster Tawana , Weedon Jeremy
Published: February 2012

Background. While rapid early weight gain are common in children who become obese later in life, so is growth faltering in the first 3 months of life.Objective. We seek to determine what relationship weight gain in the first six months of age, separated into two 3-month periods, have with the BMI of children ages 4 to 6 years in an inner-city community.Subjects. A convenience sample cohort of 154 children attending an inner-city clinic.Methods. Consecutive charts were reviewed retrospectively. Age, gender, birth weight and weight change in the first and second 3 months of life were introduced as fixed factors using mixed linear models with BMI in years 4 to 6 as the dependent variable.Results. Weight change quartile in the first 3 months of life did not predict of BMI in years 4 to 6; however, weight changes quartiles during months 4 to 6 were significant predictors for subsequent overweight.Conclusion. The data presented herein suggest that, for this specific population, weight gain can be promoted when it is most essential. It is necessary, however, to identify intermediary variables that could affect outcomes in this and other communities.