bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation Counseling in the Year 2011
Authors: Barros-Bailey Mary , Benshoff John J. , Fischer Jerome
Published: December 2008

In the 2006 Job Analysis of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification asked counselors where they thought the profession would be in 5 years. A total of 529 counselors gave their opinions about the future of rehabilitation counseling within the context of the sociopolitical environment in which they practice, about general trends in the profession, and about how these might affect the sector in which they are employed. Perceptions included concerns about the aging workforce and client base, the role of assistive technology, counseling skill development to meet the needs of a more complex client population, funding resources, and licensure/certification issues. Implications of their answers within the emerging generational context were explored, as were ideas for future research.
Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
Authors: Saunders Jodi L. , Barros-Bailey Mary , Chapman Cindy , Nunez Patricia
Published: December 2008

This article provides a brief history of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification and presents recent changes and strategic goals for moving forward. Challenges and opportunities for the profession in relation to certification are also discussed.
Evaluating the Predictive Validity of the Compas Risk and Needs Assessment System
Authors: Brennan Tim , Dieterich William , Ehret Beate
Published: December 2008

This study examines the statistical validation of a recently developed, fourth-generation (4G) risk—need assessment system (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions; COMPAS) that incorporates a range of theoretically relevant criminogenic factors and key factors emerging from meta-analytic studies of recidivism. COMPAS's automated scoring provides decision support for correctional agencies for placement decisions, offender management, and treatment planning. The article describes the basic features of COMPAS and then examines the predictive validity of the COMPAS risk scales by fitting Cox proportional hazards models to recidivism outcomes in a sample of presentence investigation and probation intake cases ( N = 2,328). Results indicate that the predictive validities for the COMPAS recidivism risk model, as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), equal or exceed similar 4G instruments. The AUCs ranged from .66 to .80 for diverse offender subpopulations across three outcome criteria, with a majority of these exceeding .70.
The Impact of Familial and Environmental Factors on the Adjustment of Immigrants
Authors: Slonim-Nevo Vered , Mirsky Julia , Rubinstein Ludmila , Nauck Bernhard
Published: December 2008

This study examined the impact of family interaction, perceived discrimination, stressful life events, and the hosting country on the adjustment of Israeli and German immigrants. Results show that changes in self-esteem between the 1st year of immigration and 2 and 4 years later were significantly related to family relations: the better the functioning, the greater the improvement. The patterns of relationships in the family, however, only partially explained changes in psychological well-being and language proficiency. Perceived discrimination explained discrepancies over time in psychological well-being among fathers and adolescents and the discrepancies in language proficiency among mothers: the lower the discrimination, the greater the improvement. Adult immigrants who experienced more stressful life events presented deterioration in their psychological well-being over time. Finally, adults who immigrated to Germany were more likely to acquire the new language than their counterparts who immigrated to Israel.
Entre Dos Mundos/Between Two Worlds Youth Violence Prevention
Authors: Smokowski Paul R. , Bacallao Martica
Published: December 2008

This study evaluates the efficacy of two implementation strategies for Entre Dos Mundos/Between Two Worlds (EDM), a prevention program for Latino adolescents, measured 1 year after program completion. Using an experimental research design, 81 Latino families were randomly assigned to two formats of EDM prevention that used identical session themes: 56 families attended action-oriented skill training and 25 attended unstructured support groups. When EDM was delivered in action-oriented family groups using psychodrama techniques, the program was associated with lower rates of oppositional defiant behavior, anxious depression, parent-adolescent conflict, and total problems in Latino immigrant adolescents. A follow-up 1 year after program completion showed that action-oriented groups maintained superior effects when compared to support groups. The authors discuss implications for practice and future research.
Changed Men: The Embodied Impact of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kelly Daniel
Published: December 2008

Prostate cancer is a uniquely problematic male health issue. Findings from a study employing an ethnographic approach are presented to describe the ways in which 14 men's lives were changed as a result of this experience. The theoretical basis of the study centered on embodiment to explore the personal impact of prostate cancer, its treatment, and its side effects. The findings suggest that cancer was experienced sequentially, beginning at the time of diagnosis with the problematizing of the normally “silent” male body. This trajectory of experience progressed to emphasize the importance placed on treatment side effects, embodied vulnerability, and the impact of the cancer on men's “embodied” lives. In this article, I focus on the final phase of the illness experience and illustrate how the men confronted existential threat alongside physical changes, and the way each change resulted in a new outlook on life and its priorities following cancer.
Three Views of Systems Theories and their Implications for Sustainability Education
Authors: Porter Terry , Córdoba José
Published: December 2008

Worldwide, there is an emerging interest in sustainability and sustainability education. A popular and promising approach is the use of systems thinking. However, the systems approach to sustainability has neither been clearly defined nor has its practical application followed any systematic rigor, resulting in confounded and underspecified recommendations. The purpose of this article is to extend the notion of systems thinking as it pertains to sustainability pedagogy. The authors draw from systems theory and other literatures to develop three broad approaches to systems thinking: functionalist, interpretive, and complex adaptive systems (CAS). Each perspective is examined regarding its conceptual underpinnings, implications for sustainability, and pedagogical goals, objectives, skills, and exemplar projects and activities. The authors' goal is to provide the reader with an immanently practical set of ideas and pedagogical tools that may be readily adopted by management educators in any discipline.
OB in a Video Box
Authors: Holbrook Robert L.
Published: December 2008

The use of movies and television in teaching is growing in popularity. Although a number of publications describe movies for use in the classroom, no single suggestion has been offered as an example that covers all the basic concepts of an organizational behavior course. Disney's Remember the Titans is that movie and, as such, is a valuable tool for educators with limited budgets and limited time to manage extensive video libraries. Suggestions are offered for using the movie along with concept illustrations, thought items, and sample exam questions.
Review: Recent Advances in Argatroban-Warfarin Transition in Patients With Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Taimeh Ziad , Weksler Babette
Published: December 2008

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a devastating, life-threatening, immune-mediated complication of therapy with unfractionated heparin, and less frequently, with low molecular weight heparin. Direct thrombin inhibitors are now standard therapy for the prevention of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Argatroban, a small synthetic molecule that inhibits thrombin at its active site, is increasingly used as the direct thrombin inhibitors of choice. Transition to longer term oral anticoagulation needs to be instituted after the platelet count has risen, because of the persistent risk of thrombosis. Although guidelines available in the literature outline the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, they are not presented in a concise and comprehensive manner easily followed by physicians. This article reviews current recommendations, relevant studies, and clinical management trials carried out on patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and provides updated, detailed guidelines for treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with emphasis on a key part of the management, the argatroban—warfarin transition.
Body-Fat Abnormalities in Patients With HIV: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Bedimo Roger J.
Published: December 2008

The introduction of newer antiretroviral drugs has provided greater levels of HIV suppression with fewer of the metabolic effects, lipoatrophy, and body habitus changes associated with earlier therapies. Previously classified under the collective term, lipodystrophy, lipoatrophy and body-fat changes are now known to occur independently in some HIV-infected patients, depending on the type and duration of antiretroviral therapy and a myriad of factors including HIV infection alone that contribute significantly to these changes. This article reviews the current scientific literature and recent clinical trial results that distinguish lipoatrophy or dyslipidemia pathophysiologically from body-fat changes seen as central and peripheral lipohypertrophy and fat redistribution, as well as the nature and extent of changes associated with HIV infection alone and newer antiretroviral therapies. This information may assist physicians in identifying individual risk factors and choosing the type of antiretroviral therapy that may minimize these changes without loss of virologic suppression.
Ablation of SP-A has a negative impact on the susceptibility of mice to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection after ozone exposure: sex differences
Authors: Mikerov Anatoly N , Haque Rizwanul , Gan Xiaozhuang , Guo Xiaoxuan , Phelps David S , Floros Joanna
Published: December 2008

Background

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) enhances phagocytosis of bacteria, includingKlebsiella pneumoniae, by alveolar macrophages. Ozone, a major air pollutant, can cause oxidation of surfactant and may influence lung immune function. Immune function may also be affected by sex-specific mechanisms. We hypothesized that ablation of SP-A has a negative impact on the susceptibility of mice toKlebsiella pneumoniaeinfection after ozone exposure, and that sex differences in the effect of ozone do exist.

Methods

Male and female SP-A (-/-) mice on the C57BL/6J background were exposed to ozone or to filtered air (FA) used as a control and then infected intratracheally withK. pneumoniaebacteria. Survival rate was monitored during a 14-day period. In addition, protein oxidation levels andin vivophagocytosis were checked 1 h after inoculation of PBS used as a sham control and after inoculation ofK. pneumoniaebacteria in PBS, respectively.

Results

We found: 1) ozone exposure followed byK. pneumoniaeinfection decreases survival and alveolar macrophage phagocytic function of SP-A (-/-) mice compared to filtered air exposure (p< 0.05), and females are more affected than males; 2) SP-A (-/-) mice (exposed either to ozone or FA) are more susceptible to infection withK. pneumoniaethan wild type (WT) mice regarding their survival rate and macrophage phagocytic function; the phagocytic function of FA SP-A(-/-) is similar to that of ozone exposed WT. 3) ozone exposure appears to increase infiltration of PMNs, total protein, and SP-A oxidation in WT mice; infiltration of PMNs and total protein oxidation appears to be more pronounced in female mice in response to ozone; 4) ozone exposure increases SP-A oxidation in WT females significantly more than in males.

Conclusion

Absence (i.e. ablation of SP-A in SP-A (-/-) mice) or reduction of functional activity of SP-A (i.e. oxidation of SP-A in WT mice) increases the susceptibility of mice to experimental pneumonia after ozone exposure, and in both cases females are more affected by ozone exposure than males.
Wnt-reporter expression pattern in the mouse intestine during homeostasis
Authors: Davies Paige S , Dismuke Adria D , Powell Anne E , Carroll Kevin H , Wong Melissa H
Published: December 2008

Background

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is a known regulator of cell proliferation during development and maintenance of the intestinal epithelium. Perturbations in this pathway lead to aberrant epithelial proliferation and intestinal cancer. In the mature intestine, proliferation is confined to the relatively quiescent stem cells and the rapidly cycling transient-amplifying cells in the intestinal crypts. Although the Wnt signal is believed to regulate all proliferating intestinal cells, surprisingly, this has not been thoroughly demonstrated. This important determination has implications on intestinal function, especially during epithelial expansion and regeneration, and warrants an extensive characterization of Wnt-activated cells.

Methods

To identify intestinal epithelial cells that actively receive a Wnt signal, we analyzed intestinal Wnt-reporter expression patterns in two different mouse lines using immunohistochemistry, enzymatic activity, in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR, then corroborated results with reporter-independent analyses. Wnt-receiving cells were further characterized for co-expression of proliferation markers, putative stem cell markers and cellular differentiation markers using an immunohistochemical approach. Finally, to demonstrate that Wnt-reporter mice have utility in detecting perturbations in intestinal Wnt signaling, the reporter response to gamma-irradiation was examined.

Results

Wnt-activated cells were primarily restricted to the base of the small intestinal and colonic crypts, and were highest in numbers in the proximal small intestine, decreasing in frequency in a gradient toward the large intestine. Interestingly, the majority of the Wnt-reporter-expressing cells did not overlap with the transient-amplifying cell population. Further, while Wnt-activated cells expressed the putative stem cell marker Musashi-1, they did not co-express DCAMKL-1 or cell differentiation markers. Finally, gamma-irradiation stimulated an increase in Wnt-activated intestinal crypt cells.

Conclusion

We show, for the first time, detailed characterization of the intestine from Wnt-reporter mice. Further, our data show that the majority of Wnt-receiving cells reside in the stem cell niche of the crypt base and do not extend into the proliferative transient-amplifying cell population. We also show that the Wnt-reporter mice can be used to detect changes in intestinal epithelial Wnt signaling upon physiologic injury. Our findings have an important impact on understanding the regulation of the intestinal stem cell hierarchy during homeostasis and in disease states.
The genetic polymorphisms of HER-2 and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population
Authors: Jo Uk Hyun , Han Sle Gi Lo , Seo Jae Hong , Park Kyong Hwa , Lee Jae Won , Lee Hyo Jung , Ryu Jeong Seon , Kim Yeul Hong
Published: December 2008

Background

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2; also known as erbB-2 or neu), a proto-oncogene of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily, has been associated with carcinogenesis and prognosis of human cancers, acting as a binding partner of other epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family in the activation of EGFR signaling. Amplification of the HER-2 gene has been reported in lung cancer, where it has been associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated whether the four polymorphisms (-3444C>T, -1985 G>T, I655A A>G and P1170A C>G) of the HER-2 gene are associated with the risk of lung cancer in Korean populations.

Methods

The frequencies of 4 polymorphisms of the HER-2 gene were examined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism or the single-nucleotide polymorphism-identification technology assay in the 407 lung cancer patients and 407 healthy controls.

Results

The frequencies of the 4 polymorphisms were not significantly different between patient and control groups in overall subjects. However, in the subgroup analysis, the 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (-3444C>T, -1985G>T and P1170A C>G) showed statistically significant differences in the subgroups of females, non-smokers, and non-drinkers (p < 0.05). Additionally, we found the association between the risk of lung cancer and the polymorphisms of HER-2 gene in non-smoker subgroups with adenocarcinoma (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the polymorphisms of the HER-2 gene are associated with an increased susceptibility to lung cancer in females, non-smokers and non-drinkers subgroups in the Korean population.
The association between diabetes mellitus, glucose, and chronic musculoskeletal complaints. Results from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study
Authors: Hoff Ole M , Midthjell Kristian , Zwart John-Anker , Hagen Knut
Published: December 2008

Background

The relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between DM, non-fasting glucose and chronic MSCs defined as pain and/or stiffness ≥ 3 months during the past year in the general adult population.

Methods

The results were based on cross-sectional data from 64,785 men and women (aged ≥ 20 years) who participated in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey, which included 1,940 individuals with known DM. Associations were assessed using multiple logistic regression, estimating prevalence odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

High non-fasting glucose was associated with a lower prevalence of chronic MSCs compared to a low glucose level. DM was associated with higher prevalence of chronic MSCs, in particular chronic widespread MSCs. In the multivariate analysis, adjusting for glucose level, BMI, age, gender and physical activity, chronic widespread MSCs was 1.6 times more likely (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.2) among individuals < 60 years of age with DM than among those without DM. The association between chronic widespread MSCs and DM was most evident among the group of individuals aged < 60 years with either type 2 DM or unclassified DM (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5).

Conclusion

In this cross-sectional study a high non-fasting glucose was associated with lower prevalence of chronic MSCs. Among individuals with known DM chronic widespread MSCs were more likely.
Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of n-butanol
Authors: Steen Eric J , Chan Rossana , Prasad Nilu , Myers Samuel , Petzold Christopher J , Redding Alyssa , Ouellet Mario , Keasling Jay D
Published: December 2008

Background

Increasing energy costs and environmental concerns have motivated engineering microbes for the production of "second generation" biofuels that have better properties than ethanol.

Results and conclusion

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered with an n-butanol biosynthetic pathway, in which isozymes from a number of different organisms (S. cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, Clostridium beijerinckii, and Ralstonia eutropha) were substituted for the Clostridial enzymes and their effect on n-butanol production was compared. By choosing the appropriate isozymes, we were able to improve production of n-butanol ten-fold to 2.5 mg/L. The most productive strains harbored the C. beijerinckii 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, which uses NADH as a co-factor, rather than the R. eutropha isozyme, which uses NADPH, and the acetoacetyl-CoA transferase from S. cerevisiae or E. coli rather than that from R. eutropha. Surprisingly, expression of the genes encoding the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from C. beijerinckii (bcd and etfAB) did not improve butanol production significantly as previously reported in E. coli. Using metabolite analysis, we were able to determine which steps in the n-butanol biosynthetic pathway were the most problematic and ripe for future improvement.
Myxoma viral serpin, Serp-1, inhibits human monocyte adhesion through regulation of actin-binding protein filamin B
Authors: Viswanathan Kasinath , Richardson Jakob , Togonu-Bickersteth Babajide , Dai Erbin , Liu Liying , Vatsya Pracha , Sun Yun-ming , Yu Jeff , Munuswamy-Ramanujam Ganesh , Baker Henry , Lucas Alexandra R
Published: December 2008

Serp-1 is a secreted myxoma viral serine protease inhibitor (serpin) with proven, highly effective, anti-inflammatory defensive activity during host cell infection, as well as potent immunomodulatory activity in a wide range of animal disease models. Serp-1 binds urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and the tissue-type PA, plasmin, and factor Xa, requiring uPA receptor (uPAR) for anti-inflammatory activity. To define Serp-1-mediated effects on inflammatory cell activation, we examined the association of Serp-1 with monocytes and T cells, effects on cellular migration, and the role of uPAR-linked integrins and actin-binding proteins in Serp-1 cellular responses. Our results show that Serp-1 associates directly with activated monocytes and T lymphocytes, in part through interaction with uPAR (P<0.001). Serp-1, but not mammalian serpin PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), attenuated cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Serp-1 and PAI-1 reduced human monocyte and T cell adhesion (P<0.001) and migration across endothelial monolayers in vitro (P<0.001) and into mouse ascites in vivo (P<0.001). Serp-1 and an inactive Serp-1 mutant Serp-1(SAA) bound equally to human monocytes and T cells, but a highly proinflammatory mutant, Serp-1(Ala6), bound less well to monocytes. Serp-1 treatment of monocytes increased expression of filamin B actin-binding protein and reduced CD18 (β-integrin) expression (P<0.001) in a uPAR-dependent response. Filamin colocalized and coimmunoprecipitated with uPAR, and short interference RNA knock-down of filamin blocked Serp-1 inhibition of monocyte adhesion. We report here that the highly potent, anti-inflammatory activity of Serp-1 is mediated through modification of uPAR-linked β-integrin and filamin in monocytes, identifying this interaction as a central regulatory axis for inflammation.
Approach to the Patient with Menopausal Symptoms
Authors: Martin Kathryn Ann , Manson JoAnn E.
Published: December 2008

Many women experience menopausal symptoms during the menopausal transition and postmenopausal years. Hot flashes, the most common symptom, typically resolve after several years, but for 15–20% of women, they interfere with quality of life. For these women, estrogen therapy, the most effective treatment for hot flashes, should be considered. The decision to use hormone therapy involves balancing the potential benefits of hormone therapy against its potential risks. Accumulating data suggest that initiation of estrogen many years after menopause is associated with excess coronary risk, whereas initiation soon after menopause is not. Therefore, most now agree that short-term estrogen therapy, using the lowest effective estrogen dose, is a reasonable option for recently menopausal women with moderate to severe symptoms who are in good cardiovascular health. Short-term therapy is considered to be not more than 4–5 yr because symptoms diminish after several years, whereas the risk of breast cancer increases with longer duration of hormone therapy. A minority of women may need long-term therapy for severe, persistent vasomotor symptoms after stopping hormone therapy. However, these women should first undergo trials of nonhormonal options such as gabapentin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, returning to estrogen only if these alternatives are ineffective or cause significant side effects. Low-dose vaginal estrogens are highly effective for genitourinary atrophy symptoms, with minimal systemic absorption and endometrial effects.
Evaluating the Onset of Tearing in Elastic-Plastic Fracture Toughness Testing Using In Situ Optical Microscopy
Authors: Melcher Ryan J.
Published: December 2008

Fracture toughness, in the sense of material resistance to ductile tearing from an initial sharp defect, is a common metric for structural integrity assessments of engineering components. While standardized test methods are well-suited for repeatable estimation of this metric, physical observation of crack-tip opening displacement (CTOD) and tearing may provide a supplemental means of evaluating the onset of tearing with greater accuracy in ductile materials. In contrast to previously documented methods of physical CTOD measurement, in situ optical microscopy on standard sidegrooved fracture toughness specimens presents an easily implemented, cost-effective tool for observing tearing onset. As an additional benefit, quantitative measurements of CTOD from in situ optical microscopy also provide a means of cross-checking standard J-integral results as determined from load-displacement test data.
Reactor Dosimetry and Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Authors: Lois L
Published: December 2008

An important function of reactor dosimetry is the verification of fluence values used in the calculation of pressure vessel embrittlement and its impact on (a) the fracture toughness requirements for protection against pressurized thermal shock (Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Part 50.61) and (b) the pressure-temperature operating limits required by 10 CFR 50.60 and Appendix G. The dosimetry surveillance requirements are part of Appendix H to 10 CFR 50.

In recent years there has been significant progress in the computational techniques of neutron transport, making it possible to derive accurate estimates of the fast neutron fluence through the reactor vessel thickness and in the reactor cavity. In addition, a trend has been identified in the material properties and chemical composition of the pressure vessel of recent vintage plants where the materials used are such that the estimated end-of-life fluence is only a very small fraction of the fluence required to meet the 10 CFR 50.61 criteria. For future light water reactors (LWRs), cavity dosimetry combined with analytical computations could give an accurate estimate of the pressure vessel neutron irradiation. This could then be used to estimate the degree of vessel material embrittlement and thus alleviate the need for invessel dosimetry surveillance. The question as to whether the need for archival sample irradiation can be alleviated in the future remains to be answered.
The Light Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance Dosimetry Improvement Program (LWR-PV-SDIP): Past Accomplishments, Recent Developments, and Future Directions
Authors: Gold R , McElroy WN
Published: December 2008

The integrity of the pressure vessel (PV) of a nuclear power plant is a major safety consideration throughout the life of the power plant. Radiation embrittlement can limit the serviceable lifetime of the PV and thereby limit the effective operating lifetime of the plant. It can further restrict normal heat-up and cool-down reactor operations, with resultant cycle-to-cycle economic implications. In recognition of these safety and economic issues, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) established the Light Water Reactor Pressure Vessel (LWR-PV) Surveillance Dosimetry Improvement Program (SDIP) some ten years ago to improve, maintain, and standardize neutron dosimetry, damage correlation, and the associated reactor analysis procedures used for predicting the integrated effect of neutron exposure on LWR-PV.

The LWR-PV-SDIP adopted specific experimental and calculational strategies to meet the challenge of this complex radiation-induced PV embrittlement phenomenon. A vigorous research effort has gone forward worldwide to implement these strategies. The major benefit of this program has been and continues to be a significant improvement in the accuracy of the assessment of the current metallurgical condition and the remaining safe operating lifetime of LWR-PV.

The LWR-PV-SDIP has produced a broad range of technical accomplishments over the last decade and these achievements are reviewed. These earlier LWR-PV-SDIP accomplish-ments have generated, in turn, a number of significant new developments that are described. A natural outgrowth of LWR-PV-SDIP work is the experience to project future needs of LWR-PV surveillance. On this basis, recommendations for future directions are advanced with special emphasis on plant life extension.
Analysis of First Pressure Vessel Surveillance Capsule from Kršsko Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Kodeli I , Remec I , Glumac B , Najžer M , Loose A
Published: December 2008

Results of the analysis of the first pressure vessel (PV) radiation embrittlement surveillance capsule from Krško nuclear power plant are presented. The capsule was removed and tested after 1.75 effective full power years of operation. Neutron flux and spectrum were calculated with DOT 3.5 and 4.2 transport codes at the locations of the specimens in the capsule and in the pressure vessel. Nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, Np-237, and U-238 neutron dosimeters were irradiated in surveillance capsules. Experimentally determined reaction rates were compared to values calculated from the neutron transport calculation,with source strength corresponding to the nominal reactor thermal power. Good agreement (within 15%) was found for threshold neutron detectors. The STAY'SL unfolding code was used to adjust the measured and calculated reaction rates and neutron fluences.

Shifts in the RTNDT temperature determined from Charpy V-notch curves for irradiated material relative to that of unirradiated materials were compared with shifts predicted by NRC Regulatory Guide 1.99, Rev. 1 and Rev. 2, at the neutron exposure of 7 to 9 E18 n∙cm−2 (ϕ(E > 1 MeV)) experienced by specimens taking into account the chemical composition of PV steel.
Experimental Validation of Neutron Calculations for WWER Pressure Vessel Neutron Exposure Evaluation
Authors: Ošmera B , Rataj J , Racek J , Turzík Z , Černýy K , Holman M , Maărík P , Vychytil F , Brodkin EB , Zaritskii SM , Moryakov AV , Khrustalev AV
Published: December 2008

A 60° symmetry sector of WWER-440 mock-up in the radial direction was realized in the LR-O experimental reactor at NRI Řežz. This mock-up represents the core periphery and radial shielding heterogeneities of WWER-440. The neutron spectrum was measured by proton recoil methods at the edge of the core, at the surveillance capsule position, on the pressure vessel inner and outer walls, and in the channel of biological shielding. Neutron spectra calculations were performed by means of the one- and two-dimensional transport codes ANISN and DOT-3.5, respectively, using data cross-section libraries EURLIB-4, VITAMIN-C, and CASK. Comparison of measured and computed data was done for differential spectra and integral quantities.
Application of Ex-Vessel Neutron Dosimetry for Determination of Vessel Fluence
Authors: Lippincott EP , Anderson SL , Fero AH
Published: December 2008

Routine reactor cavity dosimetry measurements in four plants have been completed. Each of these measurements has included several multiple reaction sets that contain radiometric monitors and solid-state track recorders (SSTRs). The SSTRs are used to accurately determine fission rates using only extremely small amounts of very high purity fissionable material. The multiple reaction dosimetry sets were contained in holders suspended by wires extending from the top to the bottom of the cavity. These stainless steel wires were also analyzed to provide both fast and thermal neutron axial gradient data.

A detailed discrete ordinates transport theory calculation was performed for each plant. These calculations included the cycle average neutron source distribution in the fuel and a detailed model of the cavity region. The calculations in general reproduce the measured gradient shapes but exhibit a consistent absolute bias. Although part of this bias probably arises from known cross-section deficiencies, some of the bias is estimated to arise from other, unknown, sources. Because of the general consistent bias of the measurements, a simple renormalization of the calculation allows the neutron flux to be evaluated at all points in the reactor vessel.
Measurements of Fission Spectrum Averaged Cross Sections for the 93Nb(n,n′)93mNb Reaction
Authors: Williams JG , Cogburn CO , Hodgson LM , Apple SC , McGarry ED , Lamaze GP , Schima FJ , Rogers JW , Gehrke RJ , Baker JD , Wheeler FJ
Published: December 2008

The spectrum averaged cross sections of the 93Nb(n,n′)93mNb reaction in two standard fission neutron spectra have been measured by the activation method. The two standard spectra were the 252Cf spontaneous fission neutron spectrum and the thermal neutron induced fission neutron spectrum of 235U. Effective free-field neutron fluences were established by neutron source strength calibration against the National Standard Ra-Be source, fluence transfer from intermediate standard sources, and Monte Carlo scattering corrections. Activity measurements were performed by X-ray counting using a variety of Ge and Si(Li) spectrometers with sources prepared by deposition of niobium fluoride on analytical paper discs. The recommended values of the spectrum averaged cross sections for the 252Cf and 235U fission neutron spectra are, respectively, 150.6 mb ± 3% and 146.4 mb ± 3%.
Power Reactor Neutron Dosimetry: Experimental Estimate of the Influences Due to Local Changes in Core Configuration and Gamma-Induced Reactions
Authors: Alloggio G , Borioli E , Brega E , Sandrelli G , Cesana A , Terrani M
Published: December 2008

For the evaluation of neutron flux densities in reactor pressure vessel surveillance analyses a detailed knowledge of the local power history is required. In this paper a new method is proposed which reconstructs experimentally the effects of the local power history through the analysis of the measured activities in fission dosimeters. The validity of the method was tested by comparing measurements carried out at Caorso BWR plant with neutron flux density computations performed using the DOT 4.2 code.

The same measurements and computations were utilized for carrying out an estimate of the gamma-ray flux density at the irradiation position.
Review of the NESTOR Shielding and Dosimetry Improvement Programme (NESDIP)
Authors: Butler J , Carter MD , Curl IJ , Miller PC , Packwood A , Power S
Published: December 2008

The NESTOR Shielding and Dosimetry Improvement Programme (NESDIP) was designed to study neutron penetration through typical PWR radial shields. The programme also encompasses neutron transport within the reactor cavity.

The NESDIP experiments are conducted in the ASPIS shielding facility on the NESTOR reactor at AEE Winfrith. An essential feature of these experiments is the use of a fission plate to provide a well-characterized neutron source.

The development of the experimental programme is described. It commenced with a replica of the Oak Ridge PCA radial shield benchmark, which was followed by the ASPIS-PCA slab geometry benchmarks and the cavity/nozzle and coolant-duct benchmarks. The role of future NESDIP experiments is examined.

The calculational scheme developed for PWR shield design at Winfrith involves a linked sequence of codes. Point-Kernel, Kernel-Albedo, Diffusion and Monte Carlo methods are employed for individual stages of the calculation. The choice of method at each stage is made with regard to the specific physics and geometric characteristics of that stage.

The application of the calculational route for LWR cavity streaming is described and an assessment of the accuracies made by analysis of the NESDIP measurements.
Power Reactor Benchmark Studies
Authors: Lippincott EP , McElroy WN
Published: December 2008

The Light Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance Dosimetry Improvement Program (LWR-PV-SDIP) was established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to improve, test, verify, and standardize the physics-dosimetry-metallurgy measurements and calculations used to predict the effect of neutron exposure to LWR pressure vessels and their support structures. As part of this effort the PCA and PSF experiments were initiated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to allow accurate measurements adjacent to and through a pressure vessel mockup.

It was recognized, however, that additional benchmark measurements would be needed to relate the PCA/PSF data to operating plants. Although measurements in operating plants could not be nearly as extensive as those in a mockup, only actual plant measurements can provide a test of the application of calculational techniques to the actual, more complex, LWR geometry. Therefore, in cooperation with vendors, utilities, and other laboratories, dosimetry measurements have been made in several operating plants. These measurements were carried out in the reactor cavities, adjacent to the outside of the reactor vessel, and, in one case, in a special capsule located at a surveillance position inside the vessel.

The reactor measurement results provide a series of data points for validation of transport calculation methods. The value of the data lies in the evaluation of absolute magnitudes of flux through the vessel and in the information on azimuthal and axial flux variations. Application of calculational techniques to evaluation of various flux reduction schemes is of particular concern as regards these variations.

Results from the power reactor benchmarks are generally consistent with bias trends observed in the mockup measurements. It is anticipated that future calculational improvements will utilize the power reactor benchmark data for verification.
Neutron Spectrum Measurements in SEG-V Benchmark System
Authors: Ošmera B , Racek J , Turźik Z , Hansen W , Vogel W
Published: December 2008

The SEG-V configuration in the RRR reactor is a benchmark system with an energy-independent adjoint flux spectrum. The neutron spectrum has been measured by means of proton recoil counters, a Stilbene scintillation technique, and a Li6 sandwich spectrometer. A set of activation and fission reaction rate measurements has been unfolded by the SAND-II program. The experimental results are compared with a two-dimensional spectrum calculation. Good agreement has been obtained in the most important energy range.
Nuclear Research Emulsion Measurements and the Observation of Proportional Counter Perturbation Factors in VENUS-1
Authors: Gold R , Preston CC , Roberts JH , DeLeeuw G , Fabry A , Leenders L
Published: December 2008

Nuclear research emulsion (NRE) observed I-integral and J-integral reaction rates are reported for VENUS-1. Proton-recoil energy-dependent reaction rates are predicted using CEN/SCK calculated 17 group neutron energy spectra. These calculated reaction rates are compared with absolute NRE observations at seven different locations in steel and water regions of VENUS-1. The agreement between calculations and NRE observed absolute proton-recoil reaction rates depends sensitively on location in VENUS-1. Adequate agreement is attained near the center of the core. However, as one approaches the edge of the core corner at approximately 28°, the agreement deteriorates. Comparisons between theory and experiment are limited by the broad energy resolution of the 17 energy group structure used in the calculations. Nevertheless, these comparisons do suggest that difficulties arise in the calculation of neutron transport as one approaches the edge of the core corner.

In the 1983 dosimetry campaign in VENUS-1, possible perturbations introduced by 4π proton-recoil gas-filled proportional counters were investigated with NRE. Preliminary I-integral and J-integral proton-recoil reaction rates from NRE irradiated in this perturbation study reveal that proportional counters do create non-negligible perturbations in LWR-PV environments.
Neutronic Study of a PAHR Irradiation Experiment in BR2
Authors: Fouarge L , D'hondt P , De Raedt C , Debrue J , Joly C
Published: December 2008

Post-accident heat removal (PAHR) experiments are being conducted in BR2 as part of the fast reactor safety program of the Commission of the European Communities. In the first experiment a mixture of UO2 particles in a crucible with sodium has been irradiated in the central channel of BR2 at a temperature of about 1500°. Two similar experiments will be performed in the future at higher temperatures.

Neutron and gamma calculations (one- and two-dimensional) contributed to the optimization of the irradiation device and determined the heating rate distributions and level. The latter is compared with the results of an analysis of the data collected during the irradiation. As quality control of the particle bed, a neutron transmission measurement with a beam issuing from the BR1 reactor allowed us, before the irradiation, to scan the bed in order to determine its porosity variation.
Results of a Neutron Flux Perturbation Experiment with Babcock & Wilcox Owners Group Surveillance Capsules
Authors: Snidow NL , Hassler LA
Published: December 2008

The Babcock & Wilcox Owners Group (B&WOG) Flux Perturbation Experiment in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Poolside Facility simulated the thermal shield, downcomer, pressure vessel, and cavity region of a B&W-designed 177-fuel assembly reactor by an arrangement of steel slabs and a void box. Two simulated surveillance capsules located in the downcomer were irradiated as part of the NRC-sponsored Light Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance Dosimetry Improvement Program. The capsules contained extensive dosimetry provided by B&W and the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL). Dosimeters were also located outside of the capsules in the downcomer region. Flux distributions were calculated throughout the test configuration using the two-dimensional DOT 4.3 transport theory code. The calculated and measured data are compared in this paper.
Determination of Neutron Exposure in the Buffalo Reactor
Authors: Lippincott EP , Rogers JW , Hawthorne JR
Published: December 2008

In a paper presented at the 5th ASTM-Euratom Symposium, the determination of neturon flux in the light water test reactor at the Nuclear Science and Technology Facility of the State University of New York at Buffalo was reported. In this experiment, dosimetry measurements were made in a mockup of a configuration used for typical metallurgical irradiations. A detailed calculation was also performed to determine the neutron spectrum for correlation of the measured results.

Further measurements have been made using dosimetry capsules inserted into metallurgical experiments. Since the Buffalo reactor has a very low rate of fuel burnup, it is expected that conditions should remain constant except when changes are occasionally made in fuel element locations in the vicinity of the irradiation experiment. Of more significance, perhaps, are changes in the irradiation rig itself, whether due to changes in composition or rig geometry.

Other effects that are of importance to the evaluation of the fluence received by the metallurgical samples are due to gradient effects within the irradiation block, both axial and radial. No measurement has been made of the radial gradients, but these may be estimated using the transport calculation. Measurements of the axial gradients have indicated that these are within tolerable limits (̃10%) due to the limited axial distance filled with samples. In addition, results from dosimetry in the metallurgical tests have been found to be consistent with the dosimetry test results.

It is concluded that irradiation conditions can be well determined for each sample, including gradient and time variation effects. It is recommended, however, that dosimetry measurements of each experiment be continued to ensure highest confidence in exposure results and to guarantee that effects due to changing conditions (as noted above) are recognized.
Application of LEPRICON Methodology to LWR Pressure Vessel Surveillance Dosimetry
Authors: Maerker RE
Published: December 2008

A second example of applying the LEPRICON methodology to an existing pressurized water reactor is described. The present application is an analysis of ad hoc dosimetry inserted into the H. B. Robinson-2 reactor to monitor the effects on pressure vessel fluence produced by the introduction of a low-leakage fuel management scheme during Cycle 9. The use of simultaneous dosimetry at both a downcomer location and in the reactor cavity allows a quantitative evaluation to be made by the LEPRICON procedure of the relative merits of each location; the cavity location is found to be superior. Unfolded results using the dosimetry indicate that the cumulative neutron fluence above 1.0 MeV originally calculated for the critical lower circumferential weld in the pressure vessel during Cycle 9, 7.2 × 1017,” n/cm2 ± 15.9%, should be adjusted upward by about one standard deviation to a value of 8.8 × 1017 n/cm2 with a reduced uncertainty of 10.9%.
High Energy Neutron Dosimetry (European Survey)
Authors: Dierckx R , Alberts WG , Cesana A , D'hondt P , Hegedüs F , Jarvis ON , Matthes W , Sangiust V , Syme B , Terrani M
Published: December 2008

European activities in the field of high energy neutron dosimetry as applied to fusion devices and spallation sources are outlined. The present status of the related neutron cross-section data is described, and the need for further work is considered. The survey concentrates on three topics: (1) measurements of neutron spectra and fluences for spallation neutron sources, (2) application of nuclear diagnostic techniques at experimental Tokamak devices, and (3) construction of neutron cross-section libraries for energies of up to 1 GeV.
High Energy Neutron Dosimetry of a Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Hegedüs F , Green WV , Stiller P , Green S , Herrnberger V , Stiefel U , Victoria M
Published: December 2008

High energy spallation neutron sources may be used for radiation damage experiments on first-wall candidate materials of fusion reactors. In these experiments the neutron spectrum and the helium production rate must be measured at the location of material samples in the irradiation facility.

The planned spallation neutron source (SINQ) at the Swiss Institute for Nuclear Research (SIN) was simulated by using the 500 MeV proton beam of the TRIUMF accelerator in Canada and its molten lead beam stop as the source of spallation neutrons.

The neutron spectrum was measured by the multiple foil activation method. A set of foils (Al, Sc, Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, In, Tm and Au) was irradiated at several locations around the molten lead source. A total of 37 reactions were available with product nuclei suitable for Ge (Li) gamma spectroscopy. The neutron spectrum was obtained by unfolding procedure using the SANDA code. As neutron activation cross section libraries are not available in Europe, in the energy range above 20 MeV, it was necessary to develop and construct a new library.

The helium accumulation in Fe, Al, Cu, Zr, Ti and W was measured by means of a Rock-well International mass spectrometer.