bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patientenaufklärung in der Hebammenarbeit
Authors: Diefenbacher Matthias
Published: April 2020

Hand aufs Herz: Wie viel Zeit investieren Sie, um die von Ihnen betreuten Frauen über Interventionen in Schwangerschaft, Geburt und Wochenbett aufzuklären? Und wussten Sie, dass die Einwilligung zu einem Eingriff nur dann rechtswirksam ist, wenn die Frau vorher vollständig darüber aufgeklärt wurde? Im Streitfall wären ggf. Sie in der Beweispflicht, wenn Sie die Behandlung ohne Aufklärung durchführen. Unser Autor kommentiert die auch für Hebammen relevanten Passagen aus dem Patientenrechtegesetz.
Die Rolle der diabetischen Neuropathie bei der Genese des
Charcot-Fußes
Authors: Dohrn Maike F. , Kessler Sigurd , Dafotakis Manuel
Published: April 2020

Die neuropathische Osteo(arthro-)pathie, auch Charcot-Fuß genannt, ist
eine progressive, nicht-infektiöse Schwellung mit
Überwärmung und Demineralisierung, gefolgt von
Knochendestruktion und Deformierung, die in ca. 75% unilateral auftritt
und in einer Defektheilung zum Stillstand kommt. Resultierende Fehlstellungen
können zu neuropathischen Ulzera führen, die sich infizieren und
Amputationen erforderlich machen können. Die häufigste, aber
nicht einzige Ursache ist der Diabetes mellitus. Etwa 2% aller
Diabetiker entwickeln einen Charcot-Fuß. Der pathophysiologische
„Charcot-Prozess“ ist komplex, scheint aber untrennbar mit der
vorausgehenden Neuropathie verbunden zu sein. Die C- und Aδ- Fasern sind
im Rahmen der diabetischen Neuropathie früh und häufig
geschädigt, was ein Ungleichgewicht an CGRP, VIP, Substanz P und
weiteren Transmittern erklärt. Störungen der Knocheninnervation
verschieben das Verhältnis von Knochenan- und -abbau, von OPG und RANKL
zugunsten des Abbaus. Demnach stellt die Fehlregulation nozizeptiver
Nervenfasern auf molekularer Ebene eine pathophysiologische Brücke
zwischen Diabetes mellitus und neurogener Inflammation dar.
So etwas haben wir noch nie erlebt!
Authors: de Zwaan Martina , Herpertz Stephan
Published: April 2020

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,

Nun sind wir seit mehr als einem Monat mit einer Pandemie konfrontiert und
wahrscheinlich hat niemand von uns so etwas schon einmal in seinem Leben erlebt. Der
ein oder andere von uns muss schon sehr weit in seinem Leben zurückschauen,
wo er den Hauch einer universellen Bedrohung mitbekam, 1960 die Kuba-Krise. Die
Eltern und Geschwister versammelten sich sorgenvoll im Wohnzimmer vor dem
Radiogerät, Nachbarn kamen in die Wohnung, um mit den Eltern die Nachrichten
zu verfolgen und die Kinder benötigten keinerlei ernsten Blick, sich still
zu verhalten, sie spürten, dass etwas sehr Bedrohliches in der Luft lag.
Vielleicht gab es keine Hamsterkäufe, aber es wurde rund um die Uhr
eingekocht, wie man das damals nannte und im Keller stapelten sich die
Einmachgläser.
COVID-19-Versorgung – Strategien der Taskforce Coronavirus und Erfahrungen von den ersten 115 Fällen am Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
Authors: Rieg Siegbert , Busch Hans-Jörg , Hans Felix , Grundmann Hajo , Biever Paul , Bürkle Hartmut , Hammer Thorsten , Thimme Robert , Kern Winfried
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund Das neue, pandemische Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 und die damit einhergehende Erkrankung COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) stellt die medizinischen Versorgungssysteme vor große Herausforderungen. Die vorliegende Arbeit fasst die Strategie, Organisation und Maßnahmen der COVID-Taskforce des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg zusammen und berichtet über Erfahrungen und Behandlungsergebnisse von der Versorgung der ersten 115 COVID-19-Patienten.

Methoden Retrospektive, narrative Prozessbeschreibung und -analyse des Zeitraums Ende Januar bis Anfang April 2020, durchgeführt unter Mitwirken der beteiligten Departments, Kliniken und Institute des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg. Ergänzend erfolgte eine retrospektive Beobachtungsstudie mit deskriptiver statistischer Auswertung der epidemiologischen und klinischen Daten aller bis 31. März 2020 hospitalisierten COVID-19-Patienten.

Ergebnisse Durch eine interdisziplinär zusammengesetzte Taskforce Coronavirus wurden Maßnahmen in den Bereichen ambulante Testung und Beratung, Separierung der Patientenströme sowie Eskalation der Versorgungskapazitäten auf Normal- und Intensivstationen im Sinne eines dynamischen Stufenmodells angeregt und umgesetzt. Die Versorgung der ersten 115 Patienten gelang somit ohne Entstehung von Engpässen.

Diskussion Durch Zusammenwirken sämtlicher Disziplinen und Abteilungen des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg konnte eine adäquate Versorgung von COVID-19-Patienten sichergestellt und die Handlungsfähigkeit des Klinikums in der aktuellen Ausbruchsituation erhalten werden.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Sulodexide and Other Extended Anticoagulation Treatments for Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Pompilio Giuseppe , Integlia Davide , Raffetto Joseph , Palareti Gualtiero
Published: April 2020

Objective This network meta-analysis (NMA) assesses the clinical comparative efficacy and safety of sulodexide versus direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), vitamin K antagonist (VKA), and aspirin in patients with an unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods We conducted a literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library using both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Reduction in recurrent deep venous thrombosis (r-DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), major bleeding (MB), clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) were the primary efficacy and safety outcomes. Other secondary end points were also included. We performed a fixed, random effects, and hierarchical models Bayesian NMA for each outcome.

Results We identified 18 RCTs and seven observational studies. Random models showed sulodexide is the best treatment compared with DOACs, VKA, and aspirin at reducing the risk of CRNMB, for preventing death from any cause, and VTE/PE/myocardial infarction (MI)/stroke with 0.47, 0.81, and 0.65 probabilities, respectively. In the random model sulodexide was the best treatment for reducing the risk of MB with a 0.50 probability and hierarchical model that confirmed favorable results. Random and hierarchical models showed sulodexide and DOACs to be the best treatments for reducing PE risk. Sulodexide was more effective than aspirin for reducing r-DVT with 0.12 and less of 0.0001 probabilities, respectively.

Conclusion Sulodexide is more effective for reducing MB and CRNMB, for preventing deaths from any cause, and from VTE/PE/MI/stroke, than other treatments, for both random and hierarchical models. Sulodexide showed to be more effective than aspirin in reducing the risk of r-DVT and PE. Sulodexide's reduction in bleeding while protecting from recurrent DVT risk makes this therapeutic option an important alternative for extended anticoagulation treatment.
A Rare Case of Intractable Laryngeal Sarcoidosis: A Case Report
Authors: Miyazaki Masaru , Haraoka Seiji , Sakata Toshifumi , Yamano Takafumi
Published: April 2020

Laryngeal sarcoidosis is rare, and reports of recurrences after treatment are even rarer. A 49-year-old Japanese female patient visited our clinic with a 7-day history of dysphagia. Her medical history included sarcoidosis involving the cervical lymph nodes. Endoscopic examination revealed a diffusely swollen epiglottis and bilateral edema of the arytenoids. Corticosteroids and antibiotics were administered, but the laryngeal edema did not subside. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging revealed bilateral low-density areas in the arytenoids. Therefore, we performed bilateral arytenoid biopsy under direct laryngoscopic guidance. The histopathology showed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas with moderate to severe chronic inflammatory infiltration; based on these findings, we diagnosed the patient as having laryngeal sarcoidosis. While the laryngeal edema did not recur for several months, arytenoid edema recurred 9 months after systemic steroid therapy. The patient's medical history of sarcoidosis of other organs as well as the presentation of edema of a supraglottic lesion and histopathological findings of noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas led us to make the diagnosis of laryngeal sarcoidosis again. Laryngeal sarcoidosis is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal edema, as its therapy and clinical course are different from those for other diseases that present with laryngeal edema. A cautious follow-up of patients diagnosed as having laryngeal sarcoidosis is needed, because in rare cases, the laryngeal edema can become worse over time even after therapy.
Acting on uncertainty: real-life mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Authors: Even Chorev Nadav , Testa Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

Exposure to multiple synthetic chemicals is a permanent feature of modern life. Many of these chemicals are suspected to disrupt endocrine systems of humans and animals. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) act at very low concentrations and non-linearly, defying mainstream single-substance chemical regulation. Here we provide an analysis of findings from the first phase of the European Horizon2020-funded “EDC-MixRisk” project as a case of contemporary life-science enterprise, which addresses health-risks related to real-life exposure to mixtures of EDCs. Real-life EDC mixtures were inferred in the project from biological samples taken from pregnant women in a large epidemiological study that followed up their children over several years across major health domains; responses to these mixtures were then experimentally identified, and based on these findings, mixture risk assessment models were developed. The project consequently advocated for European chemical regulation more attentive to real-life exposure. Locating it within historical and sociological analyses of chemical exposure and within the European chemical political context, we argue that scientific uncertainty related to real-life EDC mixture exposure enables a form of epistemological approach and scientific activism, simultaneously in continuity with, and in break from, mainstream toxicology. In a chemically polluted world, this kind of science still occupies a place in the tension between public health and market-oriented regulation.
Internet users engage more with phatic posts than with health misinformation on Facebook
Authors: Berriche Manon , Altay Sacha
Published: April 2020

Social media like Facebook are harshly criticized for the propagation of health misinformation. Yet, little research has provided in-depth analysis of real-world data to measure the extent to which Internet users engage with it. This article examines 6.5 million interactions generated by 500 posts on an emblematic case of online health misinformation: the Facebook pageSanté + Mag, which generates five times more interactions than the combination of the five best-established French media outlets. Based on the literature on cultural evolution, we tested whether the presence of cognitive factors of attraction, that tap into evolved cognitive preferences, such as information related to sexuality, social relations, threat, disgust or negative emotions, could explain the success ofSanté + Mag’s posts. Drawing from media studies findings, we hypothesized that their popularity could be driven by Internet users’ desire to interact with their friends and family by sharing phatic posts (i.e. statements with no practical information fulfilling a social function such as “hello” or “sister, I love you”). We found that phatic posts were the strongest predictor of interactions, followed by posts with a positive emotional valence. While 50% of the posts were related to social relations, only 28% consisted of health misinformation. Despite its cognitive appeal, health misinformation was a negative predictor of interactions. Sexual content negatively predicted interactions and other factors of attraction such as disgust, threat or negative emotions did not predict interactions. These results strengthen the idea that Facebook is first and foremost a social network used by people to foster their social relations, not to spread online misinformation. We encourage researchers working on misinformation to conduct finer-grained analysis of online content and to adopt interdisciplinary approach to study the phatic dimension of communication, together with positive content, to better understand the cultural evolution dynamics of social media.
Dual shape recovery of red blood cells flowing out of a microfluidic constriction
Authors: Amirouche A. , Esteves J. , Lavoignat A. , Picot S. , Ferrigno R. , Faivre M.
Published: April 2020

Micropipette aspiration, optical tweezers, rheometry, or ecktacytometry have been used to study the shape recovery of healthy human Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and measure associated relaxation times of the order of 100–300 ms. These measurements are in good agreement with the Kelvin–Voigt model, which describes the cell as a visco-elastic material, predicting that its relaxation time only depends on cell intrinsic properties. However, such mechanical solicitation techniques are far from being relevant regarding RBC solicitation in vivo. In this paper, we report for the first time the existence of two different behaviors of the RBC shape recovery while flowing out of a microfluidic constricted channel. The calculation of the viscous stress corresponding to the frontier between the two recovery modes confirms that the RBC resistance to shear μ is the elastic property dominating the transition between the two recovery behaviors. We also quantified associated recovery times τr and report values as low as 4 ms—which is almost two decades smaller than the typical RBC relaxation time—at high viscosity and flow velocity of the carrier fluid. Although we cannot talk about relaxation time because the cell is never at rest, we believe that the measured shape recovery time arises from the coupling of the cell intrinsic deformability and the hydrodynamic stress. Depending on the flow conditions, the cell mechanics becomes dominant and drives the shape recovery process, allowing the measurement of recovery times of the same order of magnitude than relaxation times previously published. Finally, we demonstrated that the measurement of the shape recovery time can be used to distinguish Plasmodium falciparum (causing malaria) infected RBCs from healthy RBCs.
Temporal changes in circulatory blood cell parameters of sheep genetically different for faecal worm egg count and diarrhoea from late summer to spring in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Greeff J. C. , Liu S. , Palmer D. , Martin G. B.
Published: April 2020

Differences in haematology traits were investigated in worm-resistant and worm-susceptible Merino sheep that were genetically prone or less prone to developing diarrhoea in a winter rainfall region. The experiment was a 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 design. Male and female sheep aged 8–9 months old identified as having high (H) or low (L) breeding values for dags (breech soiling) and for worm egg counts (WEC) were allocated to one of four genetic groups: HH, HL, LH and LL (the first letter refers to dags and the second to WEC). The animals were sampled five times from autumn through winter to spring, in March, May, June (ewes only), July (rams only), August and in September after exposure to a natural paddock infection dominated by Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Chabertia and Oesophagostomum. Measurements were packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, differential white cell counts, WEC and faecal consistency score. At all sampling times, there were large (P < 0.01) differences between groups within sex for both the faecal consistency score and WEC. The genetic effect for WEC was large (P < 0.01), as worm-susceptible sheep shed 10- (ewes) and 6-fold (rams) as many worm eggs at their WEC peak as the worm-resistant sheep at the end of the experiment. In the high-dag groups, the faecal consistency score was ~0.5 units higher for rams and 0.4 units higher for ewes, throughout the experiment. The optimum time to measure dags and WEC in this environment appears to be 6–8 weeks after the start of the winter rain. No differences were found among any of the treatment groups for any haematology trait. The haematogram changed significantly throughout the experiment, but genetic selection for low-dag score (reduced diarrhoea) or low WEC did not provide an acceptable discriminator in circulatory haematology traits between these genetically distinct groups of Merino sheep. It was concluded that circulatory haematology traits do not offer opportunities to select against diarrhoea or increased worm resistance in sheep.
Association between blood β-hydroxybutyrate at 7 days postpartum and milk yield, disease occurrence and fertility in grazing dairy cattle with seasonal calving: a case study
Authors: Melendez Pedro , McDaniel Kaitlin , Chacon Carlos , Poock Scott , Bartolome Julian , Pinedo Pablo
Published: April 2020

Context
Ketosis in grazing cattle has been sparsely studied. A large commercial grazing dairy in southern Chile, representative of a significant proportion of the systems in the country, was used in this case study.

Aims
The study had three objectives: (i) to establish a cut-off for β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration for subclinical ketosis (SCK), and use this to measure the proportion of cows with SCK at 7 days postpartum in spring- and autumn-calving cows; (ii) to describe the relationship of SCK and other periparturient diseases and fertility; and (iii) to compare milk yield of healthy cows and those affected by SCK in a dairy herd with autumn and spring parturitions under grazing conditions in southern Chile.

Methods
During 2016, 234 cows with autumn parturitions and 632 cows with spring parturitions (n = 866) were assessed for blood BHB at 7 days postpartum. A receiver operating characteristic analysis for a BHB cut-off value was completed. Models were developed for disease occurrence, culling risk, conception risk and pregnancy rate, considering SCK as the main explanatory variable.

Key results
In total, 810 cows were used for the final analysis. The frequency of cows with SCK, based on the cut-off value obtained (BHB ≥1.1 mmol/L), was 22.2% at 7 days postpartum. The risk of SCK was higher (P < 0.0001) in cows calving in spring (27.0%) than in autumn (10.3%), and in multiparous (24.6%) than primiparous cows (15.1%). The seasonal difference in proportion of cows with SCK was parity-dependent, because the frequency of SCK in multiparous cows was higher (P < 0.0005) in spring (32.0%) than autumn (10.1%), whereas SCK in primiparous cows showed no significant (P = 0.41) difference between spring (15.4%) and autumn (12.5%). Milk production up to 100 days-in-milk was greater (P = 0.002) in cows with SCK (3394 kg) than without SCK (3015 kg). Disease occurrence was higher (P < 0.0001) in cows with SCK and in multiparous cows (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in conception risk at first service (P = 0.62) or in overall pregnancy rate (P = 0.90) between cows with and without SCK.

Conclusions
Multiparous cows calving in spring had the highest risk of SCK (BHB ≥1.1 mmol/L). SCK was associated with higher milk yield and greater occurrence of other diseases, but not with reproductive performance.

Implications
Grazing herds have challenges with SCK that may require different management strategies depending on the calving season and the parity of the animals.
Rainfall anomalies are a significant driver of cropland expansion
Authors: Zaveri Esha , Russ Jason , Damania Richard
Published: April 2020

Significance

Rainfall anomalies are known to have deleterious impacts on agricultural yields, but the resulting consequences on cropland expansion remain uncertain. We study the differential scale of these impacts around the world. We find that repeated dry anomalies increase cropland expansion specifically in developing countries, which are characteristically dominated by small-holder farming, implying that cropland is expanded to compensate for lower yields. Two tests corroborate the results. First, comparable reductions in forest cover due to repeated dry anomalies are found in the same regions where cropland expands. Second, in places where infrastructure buffers yields from rainfall anomalies, cropland expansion halts. Understanding the synchronous challenges facing agriculture and the environment will be critical to inform appropriate policy interventions.
Development of a therapeutic anti-HtrA1 antibody and the identification of DKK3 as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in geographic atrophy
Authors: Tom Irene , Pham Victoria C. , Katschke Kenneth J. , Li Wei , Liang Wei-Ching , Gutierrez Johnny , Ah Young Andrew , Figueroa Isabel , Eshghi Shadi Toghi , Lee ChingWei V. , Kanodia Jitendra , Snipas Scott J. , Salvesen Guy S. , Lai Phillip , Honigberg Lee , van Lookeren Campagne Menno , Kirchhofer Daniel , Baruch Amos , Lill Jennie R.
Published: April 2020

Genetic polymorphisms in the region of the trimeric serine hydrolase high-temperature requirement 1 (
HTRA1
) are associated with increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and disease progression, but the precise biological function of HtrA1 in the eye and its contribution to disease etiologies remain undefined. In this study, we have developed an HtrA1-blocking Fab fragment to test the therapeutic hypothesis that HtrA1 protease activity is involved in the progression of AMD. Next, we generated an activity-based small-molecule probe (ABP) to track target engagement in vivo. In addition, we used N-terminomic proteomic profiling in preclinical models to elucidate the in vivo repertoire of HtrA1-specific substrates, and identified substrates that can serve as robust pharmacodynamic biomarkers of HtrA1 activity. One of these HtrA1 substrates, Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3), was successfully used as a biomarker to demonstrate the inhibition of HtrA1 activity in patients with AMD who were treated with the HtrA1-blocking Fab fragment. This pharmacodynamic biomarker provides important information on HtrA1 activity and pharmacological inhibition within the ocular compartment.
Hurricane effects on Neotropical lizards span geographic and phylogenetic scales
Authors: Donihue Colin M. , Kowaleski Alex M. , Losos Jonathan B. , Algar Adam C. , Baeckens Simon , Buchkowski Robert W. , Fabre Anne-Claire , Frank Hannah K. , Geneva Anthony J. , Reynolds R. Graham , Stroud James T. , Velasco Julián A. , Kolbe Jason J. , Mahler D. Luke , Herrel Anthony
Published: April 2020

Extreme climate events such as droughts, cold snaps, and hurricanes can be powerful agents of natural selection, producing acute selective pressures very different from the everyday pressures acting on organisms. However, it remains unknown whether these infrequent but severe disruptions are quickly erased by quotidian selective forces, or whether they have the potential to durably shape biodiversity patterns across regions and clades. Here, we show that hurricanes have enduring evolutionary impacts on the morphology of anoles, a diverse Neotropical lizard clade. We first demonstrate a transgenerational effect of extreme selection on toepad area for two populations struck by hurricanes in 2017. Given this short-term effect of hurricanes, we then asked whether populations and species that more frequently experienced hurricanes have larger toepads. Using 70 y of historical hurricane data, we demonstrate that, indeed, toepad area positively correlates with hurricane activity for both 12 island populations ofAnolis sagreiand 188Anolisspecies throughout the Neotropics. Extreme climate events are intensifying due to climate change and may represent overlooked drivers of biogeographic and large-scale biodiversity patterns.
A global analysis of CO
2
and non-CO
2
GHG emissions embodied in trade with Belt and Road Initiative countries
Authors: Hou Jing , Deng Xu , Springer Cecilia Han , Teng Fei
Published: April 2020

Introduction
: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an important cooperative framework that increasingly affects the global economy, trade, and emission patterns. However, most existing studies pay insufficient attention to consumption-based emissions, embodied emissions, and non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs). This study constructs a GHG emissions database to study the trends and variations in production-based, consumption-based, and embodied emissions associated with BRI countries.
Outcome
: We find that the per capita GHG emissions of BRI countries are lower than the global average but show significant variation within this group. We also find that trade-embodied emissions between BRI countries and China are growing. As a group, BRI countries are anet exporter of GHGs, with a global share of net export emissions of about 20%. In 2011, nearly 80% of GHG export emissions from BRI countries flowed to non-BRI countries, and nearly 15% flowed to China; about 57% of GHG import emissions were from non-BRI countries, and about 38% were from China.
Conclusion
: Therefore, this study concludes that the BRI should be used to coordinate climate governance to accelerate and strengthen the dissemination and deployment of low-emissions technologies, strategies, and policies within the BRI so as to avoid a carbon-intensive lock-in effect.
Nanotube double quantum dot spin transducer for scalable quantum information processing
Authors: Song Wanlu , Du Tianyi , Liu Haibin , Betzholz Ralf , Cai Jianming
Published: April 2020

One of the key challenges for the implementation of scalable quantum information processing is the design of scalable architectures that support coherent interaction and entanglement generation between distant quantum systems. We propose a nanotube double quantum dot spin transducer that allows to achieve steady-state entanglement between nitrogen-vacancy center spins in diamond with spatial separations up to micrometers. The distant spin entanglement further enables us to design a scalable architecture for solid-state quantum information processing based on a hybrid platform consisting of nitrogen-vacancy centers and carbon-nanotube double quantum dots.
Dynamics and coupling of fractional-order models of the motor cortex and central pattern generators
Authors: Lu Qiang
Published: April 2020

Objective. Fractional calculus plays a key role in the analysis of neural dynamics. In particular, fractional calculus has been recently exploited for analyzing complex biological systems and capturing intrinsic phenomena. Also, artificial neural networks have been shown to have complex neuronal dynamics and characteristics that can be modeled by fractional calculus. Moreover, for a neural microcircuit placed on the spinal cord, fractional calculus can be employed to model the central pattern generator (CPG). However, the relation between the CPG and the motor cortex is still unclear. Approach. In this paper, fractional-order models of the CPG and the motor cortex are built on the Van der Pol oscillator and the neural mass model (NMM), respectively. A self-consistent mean field approximation is used to construct the potential landscape of the Van der Pol oscillator. This landscape provides a useful tool to observe the 3D dynamics of the oscillator. To infer the relation of the motor cortex and CPG, the coupling model between the fractional-order Van der Pol oscillator and the NMM is built. As well, the influence of the coupling parameters on the CPG and the motor cortex is assessed. Main results. Fractional-order NMM and coupling model of the motor cortex and the CPG are first established. The potential landscape is used to show 3D probabilistic evolution of the Van der Pol oscillator states. Detailed observations of the evolution of the system states can be made with fractional calculus. In particular, fractional calculus enables the observation of the creation of stable modes and switching between them. Significance. The results confirm that the motor cortex and CPG have associated modes or states that can be switched based on changes in the fractional order and the time delay. Fractional calculus and the potential landscape are helpful methods for better understanding of the working principles of locomotion systems.
Codes of new generation - current state of development and prospects for further development
Authors: Bolshov L A , Strizhov V F , Mosunova N A
Published: April 2020

The work on codes of new generation development was initiated in 2010. Codes of new generation are intended for the safety assessment of NPP with FR (BREST-OD-300 or BN-1200) with closed nuclear fuel cycle. Under “codes of new generation” is understood commercializable software product with the following characteristics: based on the state-of- the-art level of the theoretical models and experimental data; founded on the efficient numerical algorithms; written according to the up to date requirements of the programing languages standards and adjusted to the up to date computing technics; provided with the graphical user interface; documented: users’ guide, reference manual, programmers guide; automatically connected with the CAD systems. There is one more requirement to the developed codes of new generation, that is obligate according to the Russian federal rules and regulations to use them for NPP safety assessment: codes should be certified by Rostechnadzor. The first priority was to develop the codes that did not have the Russian analogues but that are required for safety assessment. Starting from 2010 the high-level team was formed including the specialists from scientific institutes, organizations of the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM, institutions of high education, combining specialist from different areas. This allows achieving the following key results to the mid of 2018: 26 codes have been developed with the different level of detalization and complexity, including integral multi-physical codes (neutronics MCU-FR, ODETTA, CORNER, NDP-ACE, BPSD, COMPLEX; thermohydraulic HYDRA-IBRAE/LM, LOGOS, CONV-3D, KUPOL-BR; fuel rod behavior code BERKUT; codes for analysis of fission products transport in the environment, including safety validation of the disposal of all types of prepared radioactive wastes, ROM, ROUZ, Sibylla, GeRa; codes for modeling processes of the closed nuclear fuel cycle KOD TP and VIZART; code for probabilistic safety analysis CRISS 5.3; integral codes for NPP safety justification SOCRAT-BN and EUCLID), 6 of them are certified in Rostechnadzor; the codes of new generation are distributed by the User License Agreements; the First Codes of New Generation User School was conducted for the young specialists of atomic and other industries; the codes of new generation are used for NPP with BREST-OD- 300 and BN-1200 reactors safety assessment. At the next stage it is assumed to develop the codes of new generation that does not have the foreign analogues (in particular, codes for closed nuclear cycle objects safety assessment), to improve the certain models, to create the positive public image of the developed software products by taking part in the international benchmarks and conferences, to expand the codes field of application by validation of the codes on the unique novel experiments.
Experience of projects aimed at attraction and development of young experts in the international scientific and technological programs
Authors: Pershukov V A , Tikhomirov G V
Published: April 2020

The report reviews international organizations practices related to attraction of students and young researchers as trainees and participants of contests for implementation of large projects such as Mega-Science. Organizational frameworks are presented, which are used for these purposes in The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN), European Nuclear Research Center (Conseil européen pour la recherche nucléaire (CERN)), The Generation IV International Forum (GIF), et. The role of international organizations in formation of scientific personnel with the great potential in arrangement of the international scientific cooperation has been determined. The classification of measures aimed at identification and development of scientific personnel was proposed: from studying at the university till working in the international organization.
APCS for NPP on the basis of home-grown technologies
Authors: Mikhailov M N
Published: April 2020

The report summarizes the history of the development of domestic APCS, including the Soviet period. It is noted that the USSR-located NPPs were equipped only with automatic process control systems (APCS) of domestic production. In the 90s Russia undertook gradual transition to development of software and hardware tools using imported hardware components almost completely. In addition, various systems and software and hardware facilities, which were developed in the course of revision of the documentation received under license contracts, became widely used in the NPPs of WWER type. In the area of RBMK modernization, the strategy was adopted aimed at on development and implementation of domestic hardware and software tools in the systems important to safety. The author states that recently a policy has been adopted in the industry focused on intensive development of the domestic hardware and software tools and systems for the NPP APCS.
Engineering and physical fundamentals for the plasma processing technology of MNUP and MOF spent nuclear fuel of fast neutron reactors
Authors: Smirnov V P , Gavrikov A V , Lizyakin G D , Usmanov R A , Samokhin A A , Timirkhanov R A , Vorona N A , Shadrin A Yu
Published: April 2020

One of the urgent tasks of the nuclear power industry today is reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW), which is necessary to switch to a closed fuel cycle in order to use the reactor fuel resources to more extent by separating minor actinides for reuse of refabricated fuel. Another equally important driver for the creation and implementation of such technology is the environmental requirements aimed at reducing the disposal of radioactive waste and the scope of high-level waste transportation. It should be noted that any civil technology for SNF reprocessing must meet the requirement of non- proliferation of nuclear weapons, i.e. is obliged to prevent the release of plutonium, including by changing the operating modes of the equipment. There are promising hydrometallurgical and pyrochemical technologies developed at present day, as well as plasma processing methods. This report presents the engineering and physical fundamentals of plasma separation of SNF and RW. The potential advantages of plasma technologies for SNF or RW processing include a small amount of additional waste, the ability to adapt to different types of SNF and RW, and a possibility of implementing the technology into existing and designed material processing cycles and varying the processing scale from on-site to plant-size ones within large facilities. An important feature of plasma methods, i.e. insufficient selectivity for the separation of minor actinides from each other, shall also be mentioned. It is precisely such “crude” approach that ensures acceptable civilian processing technology, which satisfies the conditions for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The paper proposes an approach aimed to use the accelerating potential to overcome the energy and angular distribution of plasma ions at the entrance to the separation area and a potential well for the spatial separation of ions of different masses. It considers the physical principles of the plasma separation method and its main stages. There are provided experimental results achieved so far at a pilot facility for testing the plasma separation method. The results of calculations of ion trajectories and energy cost estimates are shown, demonstrating the prospects of the plasma method for process application. The process flow diagram of plasma processing and the steps to be taken to develop the technology are also discussed.
Remix NFC: options, timeframe, technical and economic assessment of efficiency
Authors: Ivanov K V , Kryukov O V , Khaperskaya A V
Published: April 2020

REMIX conception is one of the advance option of NFC for LWR SNF management for U&Pu multyrecycling in existing NPP fleet, which suppose more efficient usage of natural resource and energetic potential in SNF, provide non-accumulation SNF. Three experimental REMIX fuel assemblies, (FA) containing 18 REMIX-fuel elements have been manufactured. Since 2016, they are being irradiated at Balakovo NPP. In parallel, ampules for FA irradiation in MIR research reactor and post-irradiation investigations were manufactured – some of them have already been removed and are being investigated. The next stage is to have references in the full-scale F As fabrication and irradiation. In 2018 there was the start of the safety case development program for REMIX fuel use in WWER-1000. The program includes the development and validation of computer codes for nuclear and radiation safety demonstration. There are plans for the industrial facility for REMIX-fuel fabrication construction. In 2018 the development of investment justification such facility was initiated.
Concerning technologies of manufacture, utilization and reprocessing of massive nuclear fuel
Authors: Golovchenko Yu M
Published: April 2020

UPuO2 oxide fuel was compared with denser UPuN, UPuZr, U fuels to look into specifics of fuel production methods, manufacture, utilization in fast reactors and reprocessing. It is shown that uranium metal offers advantages in such parameters as density, thermal conductivity and ease of manufacturing of fuel meats. At that, no additional difficulties arise with the mastered technology of irradiated fuel reprocessing. Options of non-enriched uranium metal placement into the fast reactor core with the UPuO2 oxide fuel are provided. As regards the nuclear-physical characteristics, heterogeneous oxide-metal cores with FA, intra-FA or intra fuel elements heterogenization with the ratio of UPuO2 to U equal to 2:1 are similar to homogeneous cores with dense UPuN or UPuZr fuels. Such cores have the breeding ratio of the core (BRC) ≥1.0 required for the reactor safety. Components of such oxide-metal heterogeneous fuel elements and FAs with uranium fuel meats of various types passed the stages of technological development, reactor testing and post irradiation examinations.
Research and Development of the pyrochemical processing for the mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel
Authors: Zaikov Yu P , Shishkin V Yu , Potapov A M , Dedyukhin A E , Kovrov V A , Kholkina A S , Volkovich V A , Polovov I B
Published: April 2020

A mixed nitride U-Pu SNF pyrochemical reprocessing technology was suggested. It includes the following basic operations: dissolution of key components using the CdCl2 or PbCl2 oxidizer in chloride melt and their subsequent deposition as oxides. The obtained product, which is a mixture of actinides and rare-earth metals, may be additionally purified using hydrometallurgical processes (combined technology) or using pyrochemical methods. The mixture of actinides oxides is reduced to metal (“metallization”), additionally purified from fission products during electrorefining and then Am and Cm are separated using the potentiostatic electrolysis in order to obtain products that may be used for pure fuel fabrication.
Beam alignment and image distortion assessment of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system
Authors: Rabba J A , Jaafar H A , Jafri M Z M , Suhaimi F M , Osman N D
Published: April 2020

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technique has been widely used in dental imaging as it offers different image views such as panoramic, cephalometric, tomographic, and three dimensions (3D). This study aimed to assess image distortion due to beam misalignment for CBCT system using phantom study. A ball phantom was scanned with default exposure setting for standard panoramic imaging (68 kV, 8 mA and patient size of M) using Planmeca ProMax CBCT unit. Three different measurements were performed on the phantom images such as distance measurement between the centre of the middle ball and rear middle ball, distance measured from the centre of middle ball to tenth ball (left and right), and measurement of both vertical and horizontal distance of any four balls. From the findings, most of measured distance between middle ball and rear middle ball were below the acceptable level, but two measurements exceeded the reference value by 6% and 75%. Similar with the measured distances of the tenth balls, two measurements exceeded the acceptable level by 3% and 28%. The vertical and horizontal distance of 4 balls were slightly differ from standard value with overall magnification of 1.06 and percentage error of 6%. The beam alignment and patient positioning should be accurately evaluated to avoid image distortion and misdiagnosis in dental CBCT images.
The effective connectivity of the default mode network following moderate traumatic brain injury
Authors: Abdul Rahman M R , Abd Hamid A I , Noh N A , Idris Z , Abdullah J M
Published: April 2020

The effective connectivity can reveal the causal relationships between nodes of the Default Mode Network (DMN), which may reveal any impairment to the network following moderate traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Eight sub-acute MTBI patients and eight controls were recruited for this study. The results indicated that effective connectivity (EC) within MTBI group was higher in number and strength compared to the controls. Moreover, the network hubs within DMN are associated with increased connection strength in MTBI group. The ECs in MTBI are also largely influenced by top-down backward connections. In conclusion, the network reorganization within the DMN reflects the effect of MTBI and may subsequently impair other brain functions. This knowledge can be used to correctly identify the patient for appropriate trauma management.
Study of radiation attenuation ability of clay and cement mixture with added eggshell
Authors: Jasmine J N Z , Ramzun M R , Zahirah N A N , Azhar A R , Hana M Al-M , Zakiah Y N , Yasmin M R
Published: April 2020

Concrete is a common material used to build physical barrier as protection against ionized radiation. However, excessive used of concrete may lead to increase volume on mining of cement and sand, thus contribute to catastrophic on nature. This project is done to find suitable material that can replace the usage of concrete in order to build physical barrier for radiation shielding. Hence, combination of Kaolin clay and eggshell powder are chosen as these materials are cheap, biodegradable and eco-friendly. Two main types of sample blocks are prepared: concrete and clay blocks. The portion of eggshell powder are varied, with increment of 1/10 cups for each sample. All samples are exposed on 60, 80 and 100 kVp of x-ray energy and absorbed dose were recorded. Results shows that blocks with adding eggshell powder contribute to greater value of radiation absorption ratio compared to blocks with non-added of eggshell powder. In addition, Sample 4 (consist of 4/10 cup of eggshell powder) were found to be the suitable portion due to optimum value were seen between these concrete and clay blocks. Hence, the clay blocks with additional of eggshell powder can be used to replace the usage of concrete for radiation shielding building.
Effects of dose calculation algorithms on the estimate NTCP for thoracic cancer
Authors: Rahman W N , R Ab Rashid , Abdullah R
Published: April 2020

The study aims to investigate the effect of dose calculation algorithms on the estimate normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of thoracic cancer. Dose distributions of treatment plans are calculated by using Collapsed Cone (CC) and Pencil Beam (PB) algorithms from Oncentra Masterplan treatment planning system. Four treatment plans of thoracic cancers are created and dose volume histograms (DVHs) from each planning were evaluated based on criteria of acceptance level. The DVH data of the treatment planning were exported to Biosuite Software to compute the NTCP values. The NTCP were calculated accounting for the CC and PB algorithm using the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) and Relative Seriality (RS) model. The NTCP values of the LKB model are found to have slightly higher values compare to RS model for all treatment planning using both algorithms. This study also demonstrates that the dose calculation algorithms of CC and PB did not significantly influence the computed NTCP value in the present treatment planning of thoracic cancer.
A radiomics study of textural features using magnetic resonance imaging for classification of breast cancer subtypes
Authors: Tang Z Y , Tan L K , Ng B Y , Rahmat K , Ramli M T , Ninomiya K , Wong J H D
Published: April 2020

Breast cancer is usually screened using mammography and biopsy is used to confirm diagnosis. Recent radiomics approaches suggest predictive associations between images and medical outcome. This study aims to classify breast cancer subtypes using textural features derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty-two lesions with histologic results that were definite were studied. A total of 174 textural features were extracted from four MRI sequences (Axial STIR, dynamic contrast enhance (DCE) Phase 2, dynamic contrast enhance (DCE) subtracted Phase 2 and T1-weighted), and analysed using t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and principal component analysis (PCA). Evaluation was done using multinomial logistic regression and leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV) methods. We found 14 texture features that consistently showed significant difference between malignant and normal breast tissues across all MRI sequences. Four textural features were useful in histological status with t-test accuracy of 71.4% and PCA accuracy of 64.3%. In hormonal receptor status, only five textural features were useful. The accuracies were also found to be poorer with 46.4% accuracy based on Kruskal-Wallis method and 46.4% accuracy using PCA method. As this is a preliminary study, the analysis should be extended to a larger sample size to accurately determine the possibility of clinical diagnosis.
Dielectric spectroscopy of in-vitro human blood of diabetic and non-diabetic patients through low level laser therapy
Authors: Gemanam S J , Suardi N , Mustafa I S , Jafri M Z Mat
Published: April 2020

The research work investigates the dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity) of both diabetic and non-diabetic patients’ blood in order to enhance of low level laser therapy (LLLT). Knowing the dielectric properties of blood, profile dose threshold exposure duration can improve LLLT for diabetic mellitus disease. This was achieved, using impedance analyser 4294A, frequency range 40 kHz - 30 MHz. Measurements were taken before and after blood irradiated with a portable diode-pumped solid state laser of wavelength 532 nm at power of 60 mW in standard cuvettes. Control diabetic patient’s bloods were high in dielectric parameter compared with the control non-diabetic patient’s blood. After exposure for 5 and 10 minute’s duration, the value of dielectric loss for the blood exposed for 5 minutes duration appreciated significantly. This is attributed to the energy acquired by haemoglobin and oxygen activation that increased cell membrane resistance, protecting the K+ions efflux and thus prevent perilous balance of Ca+2 ions. Laser power of 60 mW for 5 minutes exposure proved effective in LLL diabetic mellitus therapy.