bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Chemistry Technology of Methanol Addition in PWR Primary Systems: Radiolysis of Methanol Solution at 320 °C
Authors: Domae Masafumi , Hojo Kosho , Sugino Wataru
Published: November 2014

Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) is one of important ageing issues in PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) primary systems. It has been pointed out that high concentration dissolved hydrogen may lead to occurrence of PWSCC. The authors have proposed to substitute hydrogen by methanol as a fundamental countermeasure of PWSCC. So far corrosion tests of stainless steels and Zircaloy-4 in methanol solutions at 320 °C were conducted under γ-ray irradiation and without irradiation. The test results show that methanol is promising.

In the present paper, γ-ray irradiation experiments of methanol solution at 320 °C were done up to 100 kGy. A study on the radiolysis of methanol solution is important from two aspects. One concerns corrosion of structural materials. The radiolysis of methanol may result in formation of harmful compounds to the structural materials, such as carboxylic acids. It is necessary to know the yields of such compounds. The other concern is possible polymerization of methanol and formation of organic polymer deposit on fuel claddings. Large amount of the deposit on fuel claddings should be avoided to keep integrity of fuel claddings. Therefore, it should be clarified whether gaseous species are major products and whether polymerized species of methanol such as ethylene glycol is formed.

After the γ-ray irradiation of methanol solution, following species were analyzed: CO2 and H2, methanol, formaldehyde, formate and acetate, and ethylene glycol and glycerin.

Without γ-ray irradiation, the major process of the thermal decomposition of methanol at 320 °C is oxidation of methanol by water and generation of one CO2 molecule and three H2 molecules. Under γ-ray irradiation, the decomposition of methanol is accelerated; little methanol remains after 10 kGy irradiation. The major product is CO2, and polymerization of methanol unlikely occurs. After methanol is completely decomposed, the hydrogen yield still increases. The reducing environment is maintained. Probably, transient organic species play important roles. The addition of low concentration methanol may be sufficient to maintain reducing environment of the PWR primary systems.
Global Materials Research as a Tool for Future Code Development
Authors: Hoffelner Wolfgang
Published: November 2014

Tools for design and operation of power plants underwent considerable improvements over the past. This is on the one hand a result of the development of powerful computers and related finite-element codes, but on the other hand also a result of significant improvements in materials mechanics and understanding of materials properties. Making such improvements available for implementation into design codes needs often extended R&D projects which happen more and more on an international level. The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) for advanced nuclear plants can be considered as a very good example in this respect. Although this has been recognized by different stakeholders involved in design and operation of nuclear plants, substantial international interaction and collaboration is still not in place. Implementation of international research projects could help to establish a sound scientific basis for materials properties and materials degradation necessary to meet the challenges of current and future nuclear plants. It is the aim of this paper to highlight topics which could be considered for international collaboration of the standards development organizations for the benefit of all participants. The paper discusses possible materials research themes related to future codes which appear to be appropriate for international collaboration.
IRSN Complementary Deterministic and Probabilistic Safety Assessment of EPR Flamanville
Authors: Dupuy Patricia , Georgescu Gabriel , Nguyen-Canh Quentin
Published: November 2014

At Flamanville, the first generation III reactor in France (EPR) is under the final phase of construction. It is expected that, in the near future, the plant operator (EDF) will send to the Safety Authority the request for the commissioning of this new reactor. Taking into account the difficulties to assess a new evolutionary design in a rather short term, most of the safety related subjects are already under IRSN analysis, in the frame of so called “anticipated examination” of the commissioning request. This “anticipated examination”, which is now in progress, is performed by IRSN by using, both deterministic and probabilistic approaches in a complementary way. In this context, for the analysis of the systems design, IRSN developed a specific analysis guide which allows a comprehensive and systematic analysis of all aspects related to the role of the plats systems in achieving a high level of safety. The paper presents the IRSN approach, as well as the main insights, related to the analysis of the plant systems design as part of the overall plant safety level assessment.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 9Cr1Mo Steel-12Cr2Si Steel Bimetallic Billet Produced by Centrifugal Casting
Authors: Kim Gidong , Kim Hong Ki , Kim Woosung , Kim Namkyu , Lee Sanghoon , Song Sangwoo , Son Youngho
Published: November 2014

Lead cooled fast reactor (LFR) is one of the next generation of nuclear plants. Tubes in LFR coolant system requires high temperature strength and Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) corrosion resistance and. 9Cr1Mo steel - 12Cr2Si steel bimetallic billet that satisfies above properties has been produced by dual centrifugal casting. Bimetallic billet was normalized for 1 hour at 1050°C and air cooled. After normalizing, tempering was performed for 1 hour at 750°C and air cooled. Mechanical properties of 9Cr1Mo material satisfied ASME Code Section II Part A SA-426 CP91 standard. 9Cr1Mo steel has tempered martensite structure and 12Cr2Si steel has tempered martensite-ferrite mixed structure. The width of mixed zone was about 1000μm. The LBE corrosion resistance was indirectly verified by observation of oxide layer. After heat treatment, hardness of 9Cr1Mo steel was about 240Hv and 12Cr2Si steel was about 200Hv. As a result of high temperature tensile test, the suitable hot work temperature range was 1000°C and 1100°C. Thermo-Calc calculation result shows that the austenite phase fraction was major factor to the workability of the billet.
Transient Analysis of Crossduct Break Scenarios Using the CATHARE2 Code for the 75MW ALLEGRO Demonstrator
Authors: Mayer Gusztáv , Bentivoglio Fabrice
Published: November 2014

The helium cooled Gas Fast Reactor (GFR) is one of the six reactor concepts selected in the frame of the Generation IV International Forum. Since no gas cooled fast reactor has ever been built, a medium power demonstrator reactor — named ALLEGRO — is necessary on the road towards the 2400MWth GFR power reactor. The French CEA completed a wide range of studies on the early stage of development of ALLEGRO, and later the ALLEGRO reactor have been developed in several European Union projects in parallel with the GFR2400. The 75 MW thermal power ALLEGRO is recently being developed in the frame of European ALLIANCE project. As a result of the collaboration between CEA and MTA EK new improvements were done in the CATHARE modeling of ALLEGRO. In particular, the capability of simulation of breaks located in the crossduct (concentrically arranged pipes with the hotduct located inside the colduct) has been developed. A first scenario of hotduct break has been simulated, that does not lead to the depressurization of the system because of the crossduct technology. Nevertheless this transient leads to a high bypass of the core. Then a scenario of full rupture of the hotduct and the colduct has been tested, leading to beyond design state with depressurized situation combined with a large bypass of the core. However this study shows that the peak cladding temperature can be kept below the cladding melting point using nitrogen injection. In this paper the CATHARE model implemented for the crossduct rupture scenario and the results of the simulation are presented and discussed.
Investigation on Modeling Thermal-Hydraulic System of CPR1000 NPP Based on RELAP5
Authors: Wang Cong , Xie Danmei , Zhang Peng , Yu Xinggang , Hou Xiuqun
Published: November 2014

Based on the best-estimate program RELAP5/MOD4.0, a full-scope thermal-hydraulic model with reference to CPR1000 nuclear power plant is established in this paper, which includes the thermal-hydraulic systems of conventional island as well as the primary nuclear island which has already been researched in traditional safety analysis. Therefore, this paper mainly details the numerical model of the turbine and other parts of the conventional island thermodynamic system. A comparison between the calculated results in steady-state and the actual data of reactor demonstrates a fine consistency, thus verifying the accuracy and reliability of the model. In addition, the steam parameter changes are numerically simulated during the steam turbine’s off-design operating condition such as back pressure variation and the variation trends are the same as the actual situation of nuclear power plants.
Fretting Wear of the Zr Fuel Rod Cladding
Authors: Pecinka Ladislav , Svoboda Jaroslav , Zeman Vladimír
Published: November 2014

Fretting wear is a particular type of wear that is expected to occur in fuel assemblies of pressurized water cooled nuclear reactors. Fretting damage of fuel rods may cause Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operations problems and are very expensive to repair. As utilities and fuel vendors adopt higher utilization of uranium and improved thermal margins plants, burned fuel rods will be loaded at core the periphery as part of the margin mechanisms. Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) have experienced fuel rods fretting wear failures due to flow induced vibrations. This study describes basic results of theoretical analysis and describes experiments to predict thinning of the Zr cladding wall thickness performed.
In-Vessel Inspection Probing Technique Using Optical Fibers Under High Radiation Dose
Authors: Ito Chikara , Naito Hiroyuki , Ohba Hironori , Saeki Morihisa , Ito Keisuke , Ishikawa Takashi , Nishimura Akihiko , Wakaida Ikuo , Sekine Takashi
Published: November 2014

A high-radiation resistant optical fiber has been developed in order to investigate the interiors of the reactor pressure vessels and the primary containment vessels of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The radiation resistance of an optical fiber was improved by increasing the amount of hydroxyl up to 1000 ppm in pure silica fiber. We have tried to apply the optical fiber for remote imaging technique by means of fiberscope. The improved image fiber consists of common cladding and a large number of fiber cores made from pure silica that contains 1000 ppm hydroxyl. The transmissive rate of an infrared image was not affected after the irradiation of 1 MGy. The radiation resistant optical fiber is available for remote ultimate analysis by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in order to identify whether a material is fuel debris or not. We have developed the fiber-coupled LIBS system to detect plasma emission efficiently in near-infrared region. In addition, we have performed a gamma ray dose rate measurement using an optical fiber of which scintillator is attached to the tip. As a result, the concept of applicability of a probing system using the high-radiation resistant optical fibers has been confirmed.
A New Data-Driven ATHLET – ANSYS CFD Coupling Method for Efficient Simulation of Nuclear Power Plant Circuits
Authors: Theodoridis Georgios , Papukchiev Angel , Scholz Dominik , Lerchl Georg
Published: November 2014

A new data-driven coupling method between the system code ATHLET and ANSYS CFX was developed. The new approach allows for coupled simulations of single and two-phase flow with heat transfer and transport of tracer concentration. Any number of coupling interfaces can be defined with the aid of a graphical user interface. Two coupling schemes have been implemented: an explicit scheme where the coupling variables are exchanged at the end of each CFD time step and a semi-implicit scheme in which the variable exchange is performed for each iteration within each time step. The coupling method was validated with measured data from a single-phase double T-junction mixing experiment. The results of the coupled simulation for the double T-junction case, where 3-D effects are very important, were found in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The semi-implicit scheme was found numerically more accurate and stable than the explicit scheme.
Analysis of the Availability of In-Vessel Retention of Molten Core Debris Strategy for AP1000
Authors: Hui He , Pan Liang-ming
Published: November 2014

The availability of IVR (In-vessel Retention of Molten Core Debris) strategy at severe reactor accident depend upon the capacity of ERVC (External Reactor Vessel Cooling), i.e. the CHF (Critical Heat Flux) of the external reactor vessel should be higher than the related location heat flux. In this paper, an analysis model of CHF on the downward facing curved surface for pool boiling has been proposed, which adopts the Helmholtz instability analysis of vapor-liquid interface of the vapor jets which penetrating in the thin liquid film underneath the elongated bubble adhering to the lower head outer surface. When the heat flux closing to the CHF point, the vapor-liquid interface becomes highly distorted which resulted in obvious vapor blanket, it will block liquid to feed the thin liquid film underneath the vapor blanket from the bulk region. As a result, the thin liquid film will dry out gradually. As a consequence, the CHF occurs. Based upon this model, spatial variation of CHF about the downward facing curved surface in different subcooling are obtained, and the safety margin of IVR strategy for AP1000 increase with the increase of the subcooling. However, the IVR strategy may be invalid by comparing the CHF with the related local heat flux under the condition of saturated.
An oncogenic super-enhancer formed through somatic mutation of a noncoding intergenic element
Authors: Mansour Marc R. , Abraham Brian J. , Anders Lars , Berezovskaya Alla , Gutierrez Alejandro , Durbin Adam D. , Etchin Julia , Lawton Lee , Sallan Stephen E. , Silverman Lewis B. , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P. , Sanda Takaomi , Young Richard A. , Look A. Thomas
Published: November 2014

In certain human cancers, the expression of critical oncogenes is driven from large regulatory elements, called super-enhancers, that recruit much of the cell’s transcriptional apparatus and are defined by extensive acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac). In a subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cases, we found that heterozygous somatic mutations are acquired that introduce binding motifs for the MYB transcription factor in a precise noncoding site, which creates a super-enhancer upstream of the
TAL1
oncogene. MYB binds to this new site and recruits its H3K27 acetylase–binding partner CBP, as well as core components of a major leukemogenic transcriptional complex that contains RUNX1, GATA-3, and TAL1 itself. Additionally, most endogenous super-enhancers found in T-ALL cells are occupied by MYB and CBP, which suggests a general role for MYB in super-enhancer initiation. Thus, this study identifies a genetic mechanism responsible for the generation of oncogenic super-enhancers in malignant cells.
Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis MB20 bv. equi Isolated from a Pectoral Abscess of an Oldenburg Horse in California
Authors: Baraúna Rafael A. , Guimarães Luís C. , Veras Adonney A. O. , de Sá Pablo H. C. G. , Graças Diego A. , Pinheiro Kenny C. , Silva Andreia S. S. , Folador Edson L. , Benevides Leandro J. , Viana Marcus V. C. , Carneiro Adriana R. , Schneider Maria P. C. , Spier Sharon J. , Edman Judy M. , Ramos Rommel T. J. , Azevedo Vasco , Silva Artur
Published: November 2014

The genome of
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
MB20 bv. equi was sequenced using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) platform, and showed a size of 2,363,089 bp, with 2,365 coding sequences and a GC content of 52.1%. These results will serve as a basis for further studies on the pathogenicity of
C. pseudotuberculosis
bv. equi.
Genome Sequence of “Thalassospira australica” NP3b2
T
Isolated from St. Kilda Beach, Tasman Sea
Authors: López-Pérez Mario , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco , Webb Hayden K. , Crawford Russell J. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: November 2014

Here, we present the draft genome of “
Thalassospira australica
” NP3b2
T
, a potential poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastic biodegrader. This genomic information will enhance information on the genetic basis of metabolic pathways for the degradation of PET plastic.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Indigo-Pigmented Strain
Authors: Traglia German , Vilacoba Elisabet , Almuzara Marisa , Diana Leticia , Iriarte Andres , Centrón Daniela , Ramírez María Soledad
Published: November 2014

Last year in 2013, we reported an outbreak due to indigo-pigmented
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains in a hospital from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of one of the strains (
A. baumannii
A33405) involved in the outbreak. This isolate was categorized as extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and harbors different genetic elements associated with horizontal genetic transfer and multiple antibiotic resistances.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a Citrobacter freundii Plasmid Carrying KPC-2 in a Unique Genetic Environment
Authors: Yao Yancheng , Imirzalioglu Can , Hain Torsten , Kaase Martin , Gatermann Soeren , Exner Martin , Mielke Martin , Hauri Anja , Dragneva Yolanta , Bill Rita , Wendt Constanze , Wirtz Angela , Domann Eugen , Chakraborty Trinad
Published: November 2014

The complete and annotated nucleotide sequence of a 54,036-bp plasmid harboring a
bla
KPC-2
gene that is clonally present in
Citrobacter
isolates from different species is presented. The plasmid belongs to incompatibility group N (IncN) and harbors the class A carbapenemase KPC-2 in a unique genetic environment.
Genome Sequence of the Anterograde-Spread-Defective Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain MacIntyre
Authors: Szpara Moriah L. , Tafuri Yolanda R. , Parsons Lance , Shreve Jacob T. , Engel Esteban A. , Enquist L. W.
Published: November 2014

We used paired-end Illumina deep sequencing andde novoassembly to determine the genome sequence of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strain MacIntyre (aka McIntyre). The MacIntyre strain originated from the brain of a patient with lethal HSV encephalitis and has a unique limitation in its neuronal spread, moving solely in the retrograde direction.
Metagenome Sequencing of the Microbial Community of a Solar Saltern Crystallizer Pond at Cáhuil Lagoon, Chile
Authors: Plominsky Alvaro M. , Delherbe Nathalie , Ugalde Juan A. , Allen Eric E. , Blanchet Marine , Ikeda Priscila , Santibañez Francisco , Hanselmann Kurt , Ulloa Osvaldo , De la Iglesia Rodrigo , von Dassow Peter , Astorga Marcia , Gálvez María Jesús , González María Lorena , Henríquez-Castillo Carlos , Vaulot Daniel , Lopes do Santos Adriana , van den Engh Gerrit , Gimpel Carla , Bertoglio Florencia , Delgado Yolaine , Docmac Felipe , Elizondo-Patrone Claudia , Narváez Silvia , Sorroche Fernando , Rojas-Herrera Marcelo , Trefault Nicole
Published: November 2014

Cáhuil Lagoon in central Chile harbors distinct microbial communities in various solar salterns that are arranged as interconnected ponds with increasing salt concentrations. Here, we report the metagenome of the 3.0- to 0.2-µm fraction of the microbial community present in a crystallizer pond with 34% salinity.
Abdominal aortic feminism
Authors: Mortimer Alice Emily
Published: November 2014

A 79-year-old woman presented to a private medical practice 2 years previously for an elective ultrasound screening scan. This imaging provided the evidence for a diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) to be made. Despite having a number of recognised risk factors for an AAA, her general practitioner at the time did not follow the guidance set out by the private medical professional, that is, to refer the patient to a vascular specialist to be entered into a surveillance programme and surgically evaluated. The patient became symptomatic with her AAA, was admitted to hospital and found to have a tender, symptomatic, 6 cm leaking AAA. She consented for an emergency open AAA repair within a few hours of being admitted to hospital, despite the 50% perioperative mortality risk. The patient spent 4 days in intensive care where she recovered well. She was discharged after a 12 day hospital stay but unfortunately passed away shortly after her discharge from a previously undiagnosed gastric cancer.
Unusual case of acute tracheal injury complicated by application of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Authors: Farooqui Asif Masroor , Mbarushimana Simon , Faheem Mohammad
Published: November 2014

Blunt neck trauma can be caused by a variety of injuries such as deceleration, road traffic accidents and crush injuries. The worst scenario is airway rupture. We report an unusual case of acute tracheal injury in a 34-year-old Irish man who presented with a history of strangulation while working with a tractor. On arrival, he had one episode of mild haemoptysis and reported pain around the base of the neck and voice hoarseness. His chest X-ray revealed pneumopericardium and CT of thorax showed airway oedema. After elective intubation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O caused deterioration in his clinical condition with increasing surgical emphysema and rise of carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), which was completely reversed after stopping PEEP. This case shows how PEEP and intermittent positive pressure ventilation can worsen air leak and compromise stability in patients with acute tracheal injury.
Sinking skin flap syndrome in glioblastoma
Authors: Kamiya-Matsuoka Carlos , Shroff Sheetal , Tatsui Claudio E , Tremont-Lukats Ivo W , Gilbert Mark R
Published: November 2014

Sinking skin flap syndrome (SSFS) is a rare neurological complication in patients with traumatic haemorrhage, stroke or cerebral oedema who undergo decompressive craniectomy to relieve increased intracranial pressure. Hallmark of SSFS is the sinking of the scalp to a plane lower than the edges of the skull defect in the setting of neurological deterioration. Our objective is to report that SSFS can present after small craniotomy without cerebral cortex compression and to share our diagnostic/therapeutic approach. A 62-year-old woman with a glioblastoma developed SSFS after a small craniectomy and tumour resection without cerebral cortex compression but a decrease in the surgical cavity volume. Brain MRI showed decreased size of the surgical cavity. Interestingly, the patient also developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

This case highlights an atypical presentation of SSFS and the possible association with PRES. It also illustrates how an early cranioplasty can successfully reverse SSFS.
Spontaneous choledochal cyst perforation in pregnancy with co-existent chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Singh Harjeet , Gupta Rahul , Dhaliwal Lakhbir , Singh Rajinder
Published: November 2014

Choledochal cysts are a congenital disorder of the bile duct, usually presenting in childhood. As they cause weakening of the wall of the bile duct, any distal obstruction, infection or reflux of amylase-rich fluid in the biliary tract can predispose to spontaneous perforation. A 25-year-old pregnant woman at 35 weeks of gestation presented with acute abdominal and fetal distress. On emergency laparotomy, common bile duct perforations were detected. T-tube drainage and caesarean section were performed. A t-tube cholangiogram revealed the diagnosis of a choledochal cyst with an abnormal pancreatobiliary junction and chronic pancreatitis. The patient later underwent cyst excision with Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy. Spontaneous choledochal cyst perforation in pregnancy can be successfully managed by a two-stage operation.
Classification and grading of muscle injuries: a narrative review
Authors: Hamilton Bruce , Valle Xavier , Rodas Gil , Til Luis , Pruna Grive Ricard , Gutierrez Rincon Josep Antoni , Tol Johannes L
Published: November 2014

A limitation to the accurate study of muscle injuries and their management has been the lack of a uniform approach to the categorisation and grading of muscle injuries. The goal of this narrative review was to provide a framework from which to understand the historical progression of the classification and grading of muscle injuries. We reviewed the classification and grading of muscle injuries in the literature to critically illustrate the strengths, weaknesses, contradictions or controversies. A retrospective, citation-based methodology was applied to search for English language literature which evaluated or utilised a novel muscle classification or grading system. While there is an abundance of literature classifying and grading muscle injuries, it is predominantly expert opinion, and there remains little evidence relating any of the clinical or radiological features to an established pathology or clinical outcome. While the categorical grading of injury severity may have been a reasonable solution to a clinical challenge identified in the middle of the 20th century, it is time to recognise the complexity of the injury, cease trying to oversimplify it and to develop appropriately powered research projects to answer important questions.
Plantaris excision in the treatment of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy in elite athletes
Authors: Calder James D F , Freeman Richard , Pollock Noel
Published: November 2014

Background

Achilles tendinopathy is a serious and frequently occurring problem, especially in elite athletes. Recent research has suggested a role for the plantaris tendon in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Aim

To assess whether excising the plantaris tendon improved the symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy in elite athletes.

Methods

This prospective consecutive case series study investigated 32 elite athletes who underwent plantaris tendon excision using a mini-incision technique to treat medially located pain associated with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain and the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) as well as time to return to sport and satisfaction scores were assessed.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 22.4 months (12–48), 29/32 (90%) of athletes were satisfied with the results. Thirty of the 32 athletes (94%) returned to sport at a mean of 10.3 weeks (5–27). The mean VAS score improved from 5.8 to 0.8 (p<0.01) and the mean FAOS improved in all domains (p<0.01). Few complications were seen, four athletes experienced short-term stiffness and one had a superficial wound infection.

Conclusions

The plantaris tendon may be responsible for symptoms in some athletes with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Excision carries a low risk of complications and may provide significant improvement in symptoms enabling an early return to elite-level sports.
Do weight perceptions among obese adults in Great Britain match clinical definitions? Analysis of cross-sectional surveys from 2007 and 2012
Authors: Johnson Fiona , Beeken Rebecca J , Croker Helen , Wardle Jane
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To assess the proportion of the adult obese population in Great Britain who would describe their weight using the terms ‘obese’ and ‘very overweight’ in 2007 and 2012, and identify factors associated with more accurate weight perceptions.

Design

Analysis of weight perception data from two population-based surveys.

Setting

Population surveys conducted in Great Britain.

Participants

Survey respondents (N=657) whose self-reported weight and height placed them in the obese category: body mass index (BMI) ≥30.

Primary outcome measure

Self-identification using the terms ‘obese’ and ‘very overweight’.

Results

The proportion of obese adults selecting the term ‘obese’ to describe their body size was very low in both women (13% in 2007 and 11% in 2012) and men (4% in 2007 and 7% in 2012) and did not change significantly. Recognition of a substantial degree of overweight (as indexed by endorsement of either of the terms ‘obese’ or ‘very overweight’) declined substantially in women, from 50% in 2007 to 34% in 2012. It was not significantly changed in men (27% in 2007 and 23% in 2012). Having a higher BMI, and being able to identify the BMI threshold for obesity were associated with self-identifying as obese or very overweight.

Conclusions

The majority of the adult obese population of Great Britain do not identify themselves as either ‘obese’ or even ‘very overweight’. Public health initiatives to tackle obesity are likely to be hampered by this lack of recognition of weight status. It is important to understand whether moves to increase personal awareness of weight status in the obese population can facilitate beneficial behaviour change, and what role health professionals can play in increasing awareness of weight status in obese patients.
PC6 acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postcardiac surgery nausea and vomiting: a protocol for a two-group, parallel, superiority randomised clinical trial
Authors: Cooke Marie , Rickard Claire , Rapchuk Ivan , Shekar Kiran , Marshall Andrea P , Comans Tracy , Doi Suhail , McDonald John , Spooner Amy
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent but unwanted complications for patients following anaesthesia and cardiac surgery, affecting at least a third of patients, despite pharmacological treatment. The primary aim of the proposed research is to test the efficacy of PC6 acupoint stimulation versus placebo for reducing PONV in cardiac surgery patients. In conjunction with this we aim to develop an understanding of intervention fidelity and factors that support, or impede, the use of PC6 acupoint stimulation, a knowledge translation approach.

Methods and analysis

712 postcardiac surgery participants will be recruited to take part in a two-group, parallel, superiority, randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomised to receive a wrist band on each wrist providing acupressure to PC six using acupoint stimulation or a placebo. Randomisation will be computer generated, use randomly varied block sizes, and be concealed prior to the enrolment of each patient. The wristbands will remain in place for 36 h. PONV will be evaluated by the assessment of both nausea and vomiting, use of rescue antiemetics, quality of recovery and cost. Patient satisfaction with PONV care will be measured and clinical staff interviewed about the clinical use, feasibility, acceptability and challenges of using acupressure wristbands for PONV.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval will be sought from appropriate Human Research Ethics Committee/s before start of the study. A systematic review of the use of wrist acupressure for PC6 acupoint stimulation reported minor side effects only. Study progress will be reviewed by a Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) for nausea and vomiting outcomes at n=350. Dissemination of results will include conference presentations at national and international scientific meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Study participants will receive a one-page lay-summary of results.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry—ACTRN12614000589684.
Governmental designation of spine specialty hospitals, their characteristics, performance and designation effects: a longitudinal study in Korea
Authors: Kim Sun Jung , Yoo Ji Won , Lee Sang Gyu , Kim Tae Hyun , Han Kyu-Tae , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: November 2014

Objectives

This study compares the characteristics and performance of spine specialty hospitals versus other types of hospitals for inpatients with spinal diseases in South Korea. We also assessed the effect of the government's specialty hospital designation on hospital operating efficiency.

Setting

We used data of 823 hospitals including 17 spine specialty hospitals in Korea.

Participants

All spine disease-related inpatient claims nationwide (N=645 449) during 2010–2012.

Interventions

No interventions were made.

Outcome measures

Using a multilevel generalised estimating equation and multilevel modelling, this study compared inpatient charges, length of stay (LOS), readmission within 30 days of discharge and in-hospital death within 30 days of admission in spine specialty versus other types of hospitals.

Results

Spine specialty hospitals had higher inpatient charges per day (27.4%) and a shorter LOS (23.5%), but per case charges were similar after adjusting for patient-level and hospital-level confounders. After government designation, spine specialty hospitals had 8.8% lower per case charges, which was derived by reduced per day charge (7.6%) and shorter LOS (1.0%). Rates of readmission also were lower in spine specialty hospitals (OR=0.796). Patient-level and hospital-level factors both played important roles in determining outcome measures.

Conclusions

Spine specialty hospitals had higher per day inpatient charges but a much shorter LOS than other types of hospitals due to their specialty volume and experience. In addition, their readmission rate was lower. Spine specialty hospitals also endeavoured to be more efficient after governmental ‘specialty’ designation.
A complicated case of metastatic thymoma
Authors: Mather Harriet
Published: November 2014

This report describes the case of a 49-year-old man who presented to the hospice with severe neuropathic pain, cramps, muscle twitching, generalised sweating, insomnia and anxiety in the context of metastatic thymoma. The symptoms were exquisitely corticosteroid sensitive raising the possibility of an immunogenic aetiology. Morvan's syndrome, a paraneoplastic, immune-mediated syndrome characterised by peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, dysautonomia and central nervous system dysfunction was thus considered. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography were negative as were initial serological assays. Subsequent assays for antibodies to leucine-rich, glioma inactivated one protein and contactin-associated protein-2, recently discovered to be associated with Morvan's syndrome, confirmed the diagnosis. By the time the diagnosis of Morvan's syndrome was reached the patient was too unwell to receive disease-modifying treatments. An awareness of Morvan's syndrome in Palliative and Supportive care is essential to improve the outcome of patients with this devastating syndrome.
Relating the cosmological constant and slow-roll to conformal symmetry breaking
Authors: Jain Pankaj , Kashyap Gopal
Published: November 2014

We show that a theory with conformal invariance, which is explicitly broken by small terms, provides a solution to the fine tuning problem of the cosmological constant. In the absence of the symmetry breaking terms, the cosmological constant is zero. Its value in the full theory is controlled by the symmetry breaking terms. The symmetry breaking terms also provide the slow-roll conditions, which may be useful in constructing a model of inflation.
Take up the challenge for a single field inflation after BICEP2
Authors: Feng Chao-Jun , Li Xin-Zhou
Published: November 2014

The measurement of the tensor-to-scalar ratio r shows a very powerful constraint to theoretical inflation models through the detection of B-mode. In this paper, we propose a single inflation model with infinity power series potential called the Infinity Power Series (IPS) inflation model, which is well consistent with latest observations from Planck and BICEP2. Furthermore, it is found that in the IPS model, the absolute value running of the spectral index increases while the tensor-to-scalar ratio becomes large, namely both large r ≈0.20 and [Formula: see text] are realized in the IPS model. In the meanwhile, the number of e-folds is also big enough N≈50–60 to solve the problems in Big Bang cosmology.
Asymmetry of chlorophylls in photosynthetic proteins: from the viewpoint of coordination chemistry
Authors: Oba Toru , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: November 2014

We conducted a meta-analysis of (bacterio)chlorophyll [(B)Chl] molecules in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes from the viewpoint of coordination chemistry. We surveyed the ligand species and site in the axial coordination of 146 Chl and 21 BChl molecules in 42 reported crystal structures of 12-type proteins. The imidazolyl moiety of histidine (His) is the most abundant ligand, and the second is water, a much weaker ligand. We focused on the positions, the circumstances, and the macrocycle sides for the coordination of the 31 hydrated (B)Chl molecules found in these proteins. A ligand water molecule of a hydrated (B)Chl is not necessarily hydrogen-bonded to the surrounding protein residues. A hydrated (B)Chl seems to occupy the redundant space where more strongly coupled His-Chl complexes cannot be formed. It is noted that 28 of 31 hydrated (B)Chl molecules (90) were coordinated from the α-side of the (bacterio)chlorin macrocycle, the opposite side from which the C 17-propionic ester protrudes. Among them, all five hydrated Chl molecules at the edges of the proteins were coordinated from the α-side, suggesting that (B)Chl molecules prefer this side for the coordination bondings to the β-side. The analysis also revealed that each (B)Chl binding site was composed of both the protein residues and the neighboring pigment molecules contributing roughly equally. It can be safely said that the cofactor pigments aggregated even in the proteins. Penta-coordination is advantageous to flexible adjustment of intermolecular orientations of (B)Chl molecules in the aggregates.
Estradiol decreases taurine level by reducing cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase via the estrogen receptor-α in female mice liver
Authors: Ma Qiwang , Zhao Jianjun , Cao Wei , Liu Jiali , Cui Sheng
Published: November 2014

Cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) and cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) are two rate-limiting enzymes in taurine de novo synthesis, and their expressions are associated with estrogen concentration. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between 17β-estradiol (E2) and taurine in female mice liver. We initially observed the mice had lower levels of CSAD, CDO, and taurine during estrus than diestrus. We then, respectively, treated the ovariectomized mice, the cultured hepatocytes, and Hep G2 cells with different doses of E2, and the CSAD and CDO expressions and taurine levels were analyzed. The results showed that E2decreased taurine level in the serum and the cultured cells by inhibiting CSAD and CDO expressions. Furthermore, we identified the molecular receptor types through which E2plays its role in regulating taurine synthesis, and our results showed that estrogen receptor-α (ERα) expression was much higher than estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) in the liver and hepatocytes, and the inhibiting effects of E2on CSAD, CDO, and taurine level were partially abrogated in the ICI-182,780-pretreated liver and hepatocytes, and in ERα knockout mice. These results indicate that estradiol decreases taurine content by reducing taurine biosynthetic enzyme expression in mice liver.
Increased gastrin gene expression provides a physiological advantage to mice under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Laval Marie , Baldwin Graham S. , Shulkes Arthur , Marshall Kathryn M.
Published: November 2014

Hypoxia, or a low concentration of O2, is encountered in humans undertaking activities such as mountain climbing and scuba diving and is important pathophysiologically as a limiting factor in tumor growth. Although data on the interplay between hypoxia and gastrins are limited, gastrin expression is upregulated by hypoxia in gastrointestinal cancer cell lines, and gastrins counterbalance hypoxia by stimulating angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine if higher concentrations of the gastrin precursor progastrin are protective against hypoxia in vivo. hGAS mice, which overexpress progastrin in the liver, and mice of the corresponding wild-type FVB/N strain were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia. Iron status was assessed by measurement of serum iron parameters, real-time PCR for mRNAs encoding critical iron regulatory proteins, and Perls' stain and atomic absorption spectrometry for tissue iron concentrations. FVB/N mice lost weight at a faster rate and had higher sickness scores than hGAS mice exposed to hypoxia. Serum iron levels were lower in hGAS than FVB/N mice and decreased further when the animals were exposed to hypoxia. The concentration of iron in the liver was strikingly lower in hGAS than FVB/N mice. We conclude that increased circulating concentrations of progastrin provide a physiological advantage against systemic hypoxia in mice, possibly by increasing the availability of iron stores. This is the first report of an association between progastrin overexpression, hypoxia, and iron homeostasis.
Propranolol, but not naloxone, enhances spinal reflex bladder activity and reduces pudendal inhibition in cats
Authors: Rogers Marc J. , Xiao Zhiying , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Schwen Zeyad , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: November 2014

This study examined the role of β-adrenergic and opioid receptors in spinal reflex bladder activity and in the inhibition induced by pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) or tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). Spinal reflex bladder contractions were induced by intravesical infusion of 0.25% acetic acid in α-chloralose-anesthetized cats after an acute spinal cord transection (SCT) at the thoracic T9/T10 level. PNS or TNS at 5 Hz was applied to inhibit these spinal reflex contractions at 2 and 4 times the threshold intensity (T) for inducing anal or toe twitch, respectively. During a cystrometrogram (CMG), PNS at 2T and 4T significantly ( P < 0.05) increased bladder capacity from 58.0 ± 4.7% to 85.8 ± 10.3% and 96.5 ± 10.7%, respectively, of saline control capacity, while TNS failed to inhibit spinal reflex bladder contractions. After administering propranolol (3 mg/kg iv, a β1/β2-adrenergic receptor antagonist), the effects of 2T and 4T PNS on bladder capacity were significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced to 64.5 ± 9.5% and 64.7 ± 7.3%, respectively, of the saline control capacity. However, the residual PNS inhibition (about 10% increase in capacity) was still statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Propranolol treatment also significantly ( P = 0.0019) increased the amplitude of bladder contractions but did not change the control bladder capacity. Naloxone (1 mg/kg iv, an opioid receptor antagonist) had no effect on either spinal reflex bladder contractions or PNS inhibition. At the end of experiments, hexamethonium (10 mg/kg iv, a ganglionic blocker) significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced the amplitude of the reflex bladder contractions. This study indicates an important role of β1/β2-adrenergic receptors in pudendal inhibition and spinal reflex bladder activity.
Limitation in tidal volume expansion partially determines the intensity of physical activity in COPD
Authors: Kortianou Eleni A. , Aliverti Andrea , Louvaris Zafeiris , Vasilopoulou Maroula , Nasis Ioannis , Asimakos Andreas , Zakynthinos Spyros , Vogiatzis Ioannis
Published: November 2014

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reduced levels of daily physical activity are associated with the degree of impairment in lung, peripheral muscle, and central hemodynamic function. There is, however, limited evidence as to whether limitations in tidal volume expansion also, importantly, determine daily physical activity levels in COPD. Eighteen consecutive patients with COPD [9 active (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, FEV1: 1.59 ± 0.64 l) with an average daily movement intensity >1.88 m/s2and 9 less active patients (FEV1: 1.16 ± 0.41 l) with an average intensity <1.88 m/s2] underwent a 4-min treadmill test at a constant speed corresponding to each individual patient's average movement intensity, captured by a triaxial accelerometer during a preceding 7-day period. When chest wall volumes, captured by optoelectronic plethysmography, were expressed relative to comparable levels of minute ventilation (ranging between 14.5 ± 4.3 to 33.5 ± 4.4 l/min), active patients differed from the less active ones in terms of the lower increase in end-expiratory chest wall volume (by 0.15 ± 0.17 vs. 0.45 ± 0.21 l), the greater expansion in tidal volume (by 1.76 ± 0.58 vs. 1.36 ± 0.24 l), and the larger inspiratory reserve chest wall volume (IRVcw: by 0.81 ± 0.25 vs. 0.39 ± 0.27 l). IRVcw ( r2= 0.420), expiratory flow ( r2change = 0.174), and Borg dyspnea score ( r2change = 0.123) emerged as the best contributors, accounting for 71.7% of the explained variance in daily movement intensity. Patients with COPD exhibiting greater ability to expand tidal volume and to maintain adequate inspiratory reserve volume tend to be more physically active. Thus interventions aiming at mitigating restrictions on operational chest wall volumes are expected to enhance daily physical activity levels in COPD.
Does smooth muscle in an intact airway undergo length adaptation during a sustained change in transmural pressure?
Authors: Ansell Thomas K. , McFawn Peter K. , McLaughlin Robert A. , Sampson David D. , Eastwood Peter R. , Hillman David R. , Mitchell Howard W. , Noble Peter B.
Published: November 2014

In isolated airway smooth muscle (ASM) strips, an increase or decrease in ASM length away from its current optimum length causes an immediate reduction in force production followed by a gradual time-dependent recovery in force, a phenomenon termed length adaptation. In situ, length adaptation may be initiated by a change in transmural pressure (Ptm), which is a primary physiological determinant of ASM length. The present study sought to determine the effect of sustained changes in Ptmand therefore, ASM perimeter, on airway function. We measured contractile responses in whole porcine bronchial segments in vitro before and after a sustained inflation from a baseline Ptmof 5 cmH2O to 25 cmH2O, or deflation to −5 cmH2O, for ∼50 min in each case. In one group of airways, lumen narrowing and stiffening in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were assessed from volume and pressure signals using a servo-controlled syringe pump with pressure feedback. In a second group of airways, lumen narrowing and the perimeter of the ASM in situ were determined by anatomical optical coherence tomography. In a third group of airways, active tension was determined under isovolumic conditions. Both inflation and deflation reduced the contractile response to EFS. Sustained Ptmchange resulted in a further decrease in contractile response, which returned to baseline levels upon return to the baseline Ptm. These findings reaffirm the importance of Ptmin regulating airway narrowing. However, they do not support a role for ASM length adaptation in situ under physiological levels of ASM lengthening and shortening.