bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the conceptual and empirical distinctiveness of Agreeableness and “dark” personality items
Authors: Vize Colin E. , Miller Joshua D. , Lynam Donald R.
Published: October 2020

Objective

A growing research literature has focused on what have been termed “dark” personality traits/constructs. More recently, the “dark factor” of personality has been proposed as a unifying framework for this research. To date, little work has rigorously investigated whether the traits/constructs investigated in the context of the dark factor can be captured by existing models of normative personality, namely Agreeableness from the Five‐factor Model. Thus, the “dark factor” may be an instance of the “jangle” fallacy, where two constructs with different names are in fact the same construct.

Method

We used a preregistered approach that made use of bass‐ackward factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and nomological network analysis to investigate the distinction between the D factor and Agreeableness.

Results

Agreeableness and the D factor were similar in their coverage of antagonistic personality content, strongly negatively related (latent r = −.90), and showed near perfect profile dissimilarity (rICC = −.99).

Conclusions

The results suggested that the D factor can be understood as the opposite pole of Agreeableness (i.e., antagonism) and not as a distinct construct. We discuss the implications for researchers interested in continuing to advance the study of antagonistic personality traits.
Intimate intergroup contact across the lifespan
Authors: Marinucci Marco , Maunder Rachel , Sanchez Kiara , Thai Michael , McKeown Shelley , Turner Rhiannon N. , Stevenson Clifford
Published: October 2020

Intergroup contact can be as casual as members of different groups walking past one another on the street or as intimate as developing cross‐group friendships or romantic relationships. To date, however, the majority of intergroup contact research has focused on examining the effects of contact through self‐report measures of interactions and friendships. While this research has made a substantial contribution to scientific understanding, less is known about how different forms of contact (casual vs. intimate) influence each other and are associated with outcomes across the lifespan. The present article focuses on intimate contact; a close and meaningful relationship or interaction with either an ingroup or outgroup member. We critically review the nature and consequences (good and bad) of intimate contact for children, youth and adults and for both majority and minority group members, focusing primarily on intimate intergroup contact. We also consider how intimate contact might be best measured in future research. Implications for research design, policy, and practice are considered.
Sound quality perception of loudspeakers evaluated by different sensory descriptive methods and preference mapping
Authors: Berget Ingunn , Bech Søren , Giacalone Davide , Moulin Samuel , Pedersen Mads Erling , Varela Paula , Næs Tormod
Published: October 2020

Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) was compared with novel sensory methodology on five high‐end loudspeakers using five tracks. The focus of the study was on the ability of different sensory methods to predict quality assessments (liking) made by consumers. Preference mapping indicates that projective mapping (PM) and Check‐All‐That‐Apply (CATA) when performed with experts can provide results comparable to QDA, although slightly less accurate. PM done by consumers is less comparable to QDA. Combinations of the sensory tests were also attempted without any clear improvement of results.

Practical applications

The results indicate that it may be possible to replace QDA with more rapid sensory methodology for assessing sensory quality of audio products. This may speed up and simplify product development process. However, further studies will be needed to consolidate the results.
Assessment of genetic diversity among soybean genotypes differing in response to aerial blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) using SSR markers
Authors: Surbhi Kumari , Singh Krishna P. , Singh Narendra K. , Aravind T.
Published: October 2020

Forty‐seven genotypes and one wild relative of soybean, Glycine soja, were screened for resistance against aerial blight under epiphytotic conditions in the field during the Kharif season of two consecutive years viz., 2016 and 2017. Out of the 48 genotypes screened, only 18 genotypes exhibited a moderately resistant response to aerial blight during both the years of study. In order to perform molecular screening of the genotypes for aerial blight resistance, the genomic DNA obtained from the seedlings of the forty‐eight soybean genotypes was subjected to PCR amplification with 12 SSR markers. The SSR markers Satt 119, Sat_076, Satt 433, Satt 281, Satt 277, Satt 245 and Satt 520 were able to clearly amplify different banding pattern for resistant and susceptible genotypes, out of which Satt 433 and Satt 520 were found to exhibit a pattern, highly similar to the results of field screening of the genotypes with respect to resistant and susceptible reaction to the disease. The eighteen soybean genotypes that exhibited moderately resistant reaction to RAB under field conditions during both the years showed a banding pattern similar to resistant check PS‐1583 in the amplification profile produced by the SSR markers. The polymorphism information content (PIC) from the analysis of amplification profile of the SSR markers used in the study, ranged from 0.58 to 0.95. The dendrogram constructed using UPGMA cluster analysis clearly differentiated the resistant and susceptible genotypes of soybean into two separate groups.
Persistent Hepatitis E virus infection across England and Wales 2009‐2017: Demography, virology and outcomes
Authors: Ankcorn Michael , Said Bengü , Morgan Dilys , Elsharkawy Ahmed M , Maggs James , Ryder Stephen , Valliani Talal , Gordon Fiona , Abeysekera Kushala , Suri Deepak , McPherson Stuart , Galliford Jack , Smith Belinda , Pelosi Emanuela , Bansal Sanjay , Bethune Claire , Sheridan David , Vine Louisa , Tedder Richard S , Ijaz Samreen ,   the enhanced persistent HEV surveillance group
Published: October 2020

The first clinical case of persistent HEV infection in England was reported in 2009. We describe the demography, virology and outcomes of patients identified with persistent HEV infection in England and Wales between 2009 and 2017. A series of 94 patients with persistent HEV infection, defined by HEV viraemia of more than 12 weeks, was identified through routine reference laboratory testing. Virology, serology and clinical data were recorded through an approved PHE Enhanced Surveillance System. Sixty‐six cases (70.2%) were transplant recipients, 16 (17.0%) had an underlying haematological malignancy without stem cell transplantation, six (6.4%) had advanced HIV infection, five (5.3%) were otherwise immunosuppressed, and one patient (1.1%) had no identified immunosuppression. Retrospective analysis of 46 patients demonstrated a median 38 weeks of viraemia before diagnostic HEV testing. At initial diagnosis, 16 patients (17.0%) had no detectable anti‐HEV serological response. Of 65 patients treated with ribavirin monotherapy, 11 (16.9%) suffered virological relapse despite undetectable RNA in plasma or stool at treatment cessation. Persistent HEV infection remains a rare diagnosis, but we demonstrate that a broad range of immunocompromised patients are susceptible. Both lack of awareness and the pauci‐symptomatic nature of persistent HEV infection likely contribute to significant delays in diagnosis. Diagnosis should rely on molecular testing since anti‐HEV serology is insufficient to exclude persistent HEV infection. Finally, despite treatment with ribavirin, relapses occur even after cessation of detectable faecal shedding of HEV RNA, further emphasising the requirement to demonstrate sustained virological responses to treatment.
The complexity of trait–environment performance landscapes in a local subtropical forest
Authors: Li Yuanzhi , Jiang Yuan , Shipley Bill , Li Buhang , Luo Wenqi , Chen Yongfa , Zhao Kangning , He Dong , Rodríguez‐Hernández Diego I. , Chu Chengjin
Published: October 2020

That functional traits should affect individual performance and, in turn, determine fitness and population growth, is a foundational assumption of trait‐based ecology. This assumption is, however, not supported by a strong empirical base.

Here, we measured simultaneously two individual performance metrics (survival and growth), seven traits and 10 environmental properties for each of 3981 individuals of 205 species in a 50‐ha stem‐mapped subtropical forest. We then modelled survival/growth as a function of traits, environments and trait × environment interactions, and quantified their relative importance at both the species and individual levels.

We found evidence of alternative functional designs and multiple performance peaks along environmental gradients, indicating the presence of complicated trait × environment interactions. However, such interactions were relatively unimportant in our site, which had relatively low environmental variations. Moreover, individual performance was not better predicted, and trait × environment interactions were not more likely detected, at the individual level than at the species level.

Although the trait × environment interactions might be safely ignored in relatively homogeneous environments, we encourage future studies to test the interactive effects of traits and environments on individual performances and lifelong fitness at larger spatial scales or along experimentally manipulated environmental gradients.
Potential of Solar UV Radiation for Inactivation of Coronaviridae Family Estimated from Satellite Data
Authors: Carvalho Fernanda R.S. , Henriques Diamantino V. , Correia Osvaldo , Schmalwieser Alois W.
Published: October 2020

The pandemic COVID‐19 disease affects people dramatically overall the globe by illness and death. Several strategies are applied to restrict the spread of this disease such as lockdown, adequate social distance in different activities, hand disinfection and the use of masks. Potential hazard outdoors comes from released viruses, which may remain in the air for a while and settle down afterward and contaminating surfaces. Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to act as a natural environmental virucide. The virucidal effectivity of UVR depends on a first order on the sensitivity of the virus against UVR as well as on the amount of incoming UVR. Here, we present estimates of the potential of solar UVR in inactivating SARS‐CoV‐2 in the environment. This is done by combining DNA‐damaging surface solar UVR retrieved by satellites and the available information on fluence for inactivation of Coronaviridae. Our results show that solar UVR has a high potential to inactivate these viruses, but the degree depends strongly on location and season. In the subtropics (Sao Paulo, 23.5°S), the daily survival fraction is lower than 10−4 during the whole year, while close at norther latitudes (Reykjavik, 64°N), such a reduction can be found in June and July only.
Effect of Different Irradiation Modes of Azulene‐mediated Photodynamic Therapy on Singlet Oxygen and PGE2 Formation
Authors: Damrongrungruang Teerasak , Rattanayatikul Suttichon , Sontikan Nattapon , Wuttirak Boonsita , Teerakapong Aroon , Kaewrawang Arkom
Published: October 2020

Azulene samples in ethanol/distilled water (1, 10 and 100 µm) were irradiated with a 638 nm red laser (0.5 watts, light‐to‐target distance 2 cm, energy density 4 or 40 J cm−2) by either continuous, fractionation or pulse mode. Singlet oxygen in the samples was measured using 10 µm 9,10‐dimethyl anthracene (positive control 10 μm erythrosine) and relative fluorescence intensities were measured at 375/436 nm excitation/emission. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, 1 × 105cells/well) preincubated with 0.01 μg mL−1 rhTNF‐α for 6 h were cultured with irradiated azulene samples in RPMI‐1640 under standard conditions. PGE2 was quantified by rhPGE2 ELISA kit using a Varioscan® microplate reader at an excitation wavelength of 420 nm. Kruskal Wallis with Dunn`s test was performed at a significance level of P < 0.05. The highest singlet oxygen amount was found in 10 µm azulene samples irradiated at 40 J cm−2 under continuous mode (P = 0.001 when compared with 10 µm erythrosine). PGE2 expression in rhTNF‐α‐induced PBMCs was reduced to 45% of control by 1 µm azulene irradiated at 40 J cm−2 under fractionation mode. Fractionation mode with intermediate laser energy density in the presence of low concentration of azulene could increase singlet oxygen and tend to reduce PGE2.
Amino acid substitutions responsible for different QoI and SDHI sensitivity patterns in Puccinia horiana, the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust
Authors: Matsuzaki Yuichi , Harada Toshiyuki , Iwahashi Fukumatsu
Published: October 2020

Quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) are major groups of agricultural fungicides. However, resistance to some of these fungicides has been reported in a Japanese population of Puccinia horiana, the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust disease. Because their mechanisms are not well understood, we investigated the existence of mutations in QoI and SDHI target protein‐encoding genes. Eight out of nine isolates from cultivated chrysanthemum carried L275F and L299F amino acid substitutions in cytochrome b, the target protein of QoIs. These isolates showed 23‐ and 17‐fold higher EC50 values for the QoI fungicides azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl, respectively, in basidiospore germination inhibitory tests, while they were hypersensitive to another QoI, famoxadone. All nine isolates were resistant to SDHI oxycarboxin and carried the I88F substitution in SdhC. This substitution was orthologous to the SdhC‐I86F substitution found in some Brazilian isolates of the soybean rust fungus, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, showing reduced sensitivity to some SDHIs. Although the rarity of wild‐type sensitive isolates, the subsequent limited number of comparisons between wild types and mutants, and a difficulty in applying reverse genetic analysis to this obligate parasite, are obstacles in making definitive conclusions, L275F and L299F in cytochrome b and SdhC‐I88F are suspected to be responsible for the different patterns of sensitivity to QoI and for oxycarboxin‐resistance in P. horiana, respectively.
Transcriptomic analysis of gene expression in normal goat ovary and intersex goat gonad
Authors: Yang Shuai , Han Haoyuan , Li Jun , Zhang Yong , Zhao JinYan , Wei Hongfang , Hasi Tonglaga , Lv Huifang , Zhao Xingxu , Quan Kai
Published: October 2020

Intersexuality is a congenital reproductive disorder that usually occurs in hornless goats, hindering breeding of goats with hornless traits and the development of the goat industry. In this study, we aimed to identify differentially expressed genes in intersex and normal goat gonads by comparing gene transcription profiles of intersex and normal goat gonads. As intersex goats are genetically based on females, we chose female goats as controls. The goats in the control group and the experimental group were both over one‐year old. We evaluated the anatomical characteristics of the reproductive organs of five intersex goats using histopathological methods. The gonads were found to be ovarian and testicular types. RNA‐Seq technology was used to identify differentially expressed genes in gonads and normal goat ovary tissues. Transcription analysis results were verified by qPCR. The results showed that 2,748 DEGs were upregulated and 3,327 DEGs were downregulated in intersex ovaries unlike in controls, whereas 2006 DEGs were upregulated and 2032 DEGs were downregulated in the interstitial testes. Many of these genes play important roles in mammalian sex determination and sex differentiation, such as SOX9, WT1, GATA4, DMRT1, DHH, AMH, CYP19A1 and FST. We found that many DEGs are involved in biological developmental regulation by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, and that most genes associated with the steroid synthesis pathway were downregulated. The DEGs identified in this study may be involved in the regulation of intersex goat sex determination and differentiation, and may increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of mammalian sex differentiation.
The fallacy of perfect regulatory controls: Lessons from database surveillance of migration in West Germany from the 1950s to the 1970s
Authors: Badenhoop Elisabeth
Published: October 2020

Surveillance studies have long argued that electronic databases are designed to maximize state surveillance as a “superpanopticon” or “surveillant assemblage.” But how are databases being implemented in practice, and do they actually enhance control? This article addresses these questions by examining the case of the German Central Foreigners Register (Ausländerzentralregister [AZR]). Established in 1953, the AZR was one of the first databases on migrants in the western liberal world, and remains a pillar of Germany's migration control system today. By analyzing internal ministerial records from the 1950s to the 1970s – the time when this database was introduced, expanded, and automatized while still relatively free from legal or public constraints – this article examines whether, or how, databases enhance state control. I argue that the AZR did not provide the “perfect surveillance” it was intended to deliver; rather, it produced major bureaucratic and political challenges and a series of malfunctions. This case study confirms that database surveillance, such as the German AZR in the 1970s and European databases today, depends on three basic conditions: shared expectations regarding data usages, cooperation in data supply, and capacities of data storage and maintenance. Moreover, databases serve the additional symbolic function of reassuring the self‐imagination of sovereign, modern state power.
Iraq’s Informal Consociationalism and Its Problems
Authors: Dodge Toby
Published: October 2020

This paper looks at the applicability of formal, informal, liberal and corporate consociationalism to Iraq. It examines the drafting of the Iraqi constitution in 2005 and the political system it consecrated. It argues that the political system in Iraq is a good example of informal consociationalism, with government formation governed by unwritten consociational rules and norms. It then examines the negative problems connected with this system, primarily exclusion and systematically sanctioned corruption. It concludes by examining the challenges posed to the post‐2005 system by the mass protest movement that started in October 2019.
GIS research to address tensions in geography
Authors: Yuan May
Published: October 2020

The rise of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies has been producing powerful tools for spatial data processing, management, analysis, modeling, and visualization. While supporting many tasks, GIS technologies have evoked new thinking and advanced intellectual inquiries in geography. Technological advances in other fields often stimulate new research questions and lead to revolutionary discoveries. The Hubble telescope revolutionizes our understanding of the universe, and 3D digital microscopes transform our knowledge of the coordination among biological, neurological, and physiological systems in living organisms. Can GIS claim similar revolutionary effects on geography? The answer is much up for debate. With GIS technologies, geographic studies can explore a broader extent across multiple scales in space and time and tackle problems through increasingly complex spatial statistics, visual analytics, computation, simulation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Both the Hubble telescope and 3D digital microscope were built based on scientific research that subserves the technological advances for inquiries into space and life systems. Likewise, GIScience research innovates GIS methods that enable novel geographic investigations and therefore contribute to geographic knowledge production. For the sake of simplicity, the term GIS used here represents both GIScience and GIS technologies. This essay attempts to clarify the intellectual contributions of GIS to geography on the following two questions: (1) What novel geographic thinking is driven by GIS? (2) How may GIS provoke new geographic inquiries and knowledge? Building on Nystuen's notion of four tensions that trigger geographic questions, the essay discusses how GIS innovations mediate historical tension, space‐time tension, dimensional tension and scale tensions.
Structured academic writing retreats in healthcare professional practice
Authors: Bell Mary , Murray Rowena
Published: October 2020

The critical importance of writing skills in communicating issues, such as the evidence needed for resources and change as well as the implementation of new practices and processes based on evidence‐based outcomes, are now core skills for every healthcare professional including nurses in clinical practice. Within a very busy and challenging work environment, while maintaining a work–life balance, writing to fulfil these professional requirements can become challenging and even impossible. This article describes an educational intervention which adopted the Structured Writing Retreat (SWR) model developed by Murray and Newton in 2009 into a healthcare practice setting. The aim of this intervention was to promote self‐efficacy in academic writing in a supportive environment. Three tools are described which outline how to set this intervention up within a healthcare setting. The outcomes and participants' evaluations clearly affirmed the benefits of this model to enable healthcare professionals working in any clinical environment to support their professional development and career advancement.
Distinctive evolutionary pattern of organelle genomes linked to the nuclear genome in Selaginellaceae
Authors: Kang Jong‐Soo , Zhang Hong‐Rui , Wang Ya‐Rong , Liang Si‐Qi , Mao Zhi‐Yuan , Zhang Xian‐Chun , Xiang Qiao‐Ping
Published: October 2020

Plastids and mitochondria are endosymbiotic organelles that store genetic information. The genomes of these organelles generally exhibit contrasting patterns regarding genome architecture and genetic content. However, they have similar genetic features in Selaginellaceae, and little is known about what causes parallel evolution. Here, we document the multipartite plastid genomes (plastomes) and the highly divergent mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from spikemoss obtained by combining short‐ and long‐reads. The 188‐kb multipartite plastome has three ribosomal operon copies in the master genomic conformation, creating the alternative subgenomic conformation composed of 110‐ and 78‐kb subgenomes. The long‐read data indicated that the two different genomic conformations were present in almost equal proportions in the plastomes of Selaginella nipponica. The mitogenome of S. nipponica was assembled into 27 contigs with a total size of 110 kb. All contigs contained directly arranged repeats at both ends, which introduced multiple conformations. Our results showed that plastomes and mitogenomes share high tRNA losses, GC‐biased nucleotides, elevated substitution rates and complicated organization. The exploration of nuclear‐encoded organelle DNA replication, recombination and repair proteins indicated that, several single‐targeted proteins, particularly plastid‐targeted recombinase A1, have been lost in Selaginellaceae; conversely, the dual‐targeted proteins remain intact. According to the reported function of recombinase A1, we propose that the plastomes of spikemoss often fail to pair homologous sequences during recombination, and the dual‐targeted proteins play a key role in the convergent genetic features of plastomes and mitogenomes. Our results provide a distinctive evolutionary pattern of the organelle genomes in Selaginellaceae and evidence of their convergent evolution.
Testosterone replacement therapy in blood donors modulates erythrocyte metabolism and susceptibility to hemolysis in cold storage
Authors: Alexander Keisha , Hazegh Kelsey , Fang Fang , Sinchar Derek , Kiss Joseph E. , Page Grier P. , DʼAlessandro Angelo , Kanias Tamir
Published: October 2020

Background

Red blood cells (RBCs) derived from patients who receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be considered eligible for component production and transfusion. The aim of this study was to identify testosterone‐dependent changes in RBC metabolism and to evaluate its impact on susceptibility to hemolysis during cold storage.

Study Design and Methods

We characterized stored RBCs from two cohorts of TRT patients who were matched with control donors (no TRT) based upon sex, age, and ethnicity. We further evaluated the impact of testosterone deficiency (orchiectomy) on RBC metabolism in FVB/NJ mice. RBC metabolites were quantified by ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. RBC storage stability was determined in RBC units from TRT and controls by quantifying storage, osmotic, and oxidative hemolysis.

Results

Orchiectomy in mice was associated with significant (P < 0.05) changes in RBC metabolism as compared with intact males including increased levels of acyl‐carnitines, long‐chain fatty acids (eg, docosapentaenoic acids), arginine, and dopamine. Stored RBCs from TRT patients exhibited higher levels of pentose phosphate pathway metabolites, glutathione, and oxidized purines (eg, hypoxanthine), suggestive of increased activation of antioxidant pathways in this group. Further analyses indicated significant changes in free fatty acids and acyl‐carnitines in response to testosterone therapies. With regard to hemolysis, TRT was associated with enhanced susceptibility to osmotic hemolysis. Correlation analyses identified acyl‐carnitines as significant modifiers of RBC predisposition to osmotic and oxidative hemolysis.

Conclusions

These observations provide new insights into testosterone‐mediated changes in RBC metabolome and biology that may impact the storage capacity and posttransfusion efficacy of RBCs from TRT donors.
Early metformin treatment improves pancreatic function and prevents metabolic dysfunction in early overfeeding male rats at adulthood
Authors: Previate Carina , Malta Ananda , Miranda Rosiane Aparecida , Martins Isabela Peixoto , Pavanello Audrei , de Oliveira Júlio Cezar , Prates Kelly Valério , Alves Vander Silva , Francisco Flávio Andrade , Moreira Veridiana Mota , Matiusso Camila Cristina Ianoni , de Moraes Ana Maria Praxedes , Mathias Paulo Cezar de Freitas , Franco Claudinéia Conationi da Silva
Published: October 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Studies reported the efficacy of metformin as a promising drug for preventing or treating of metabolic diseases. Nutrient stresses during neonatal life increase long‐term risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Can early metformin treatment prevent the malprogramming effects of early overfeeding?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Neonatal metformin treatment prevented early overfeeding‐induced metabolic dysfunction in adult rats. Inhibition of early hyperinsulinaemia and adult hyperphagia might be associated with decreased metabolic disease risk in these animals. Therefore, interventions during infant development offer a key area for future research to identify potential strategies to prevent the long‐term metabolic diseases. We suggest that metformin is a potential tool for intervention.

Given the need for studies investigating the possible long‐term effects of metformin use at crucial stages of development, and taking into account the concept of metabolic programming, the present work aimed to evaluate whether early metformin treatment might program rats to resist the development of adult metabolic dysfunctions caused by overnutrition during the neonatal suckling phase. Wistar rats raised in small litters (SLs, three pups per dam) and normal litters (NLs, nine pups per dam) were used as models of early overfeeding and normal feeding, respectively. During the first 12 days of suckling, animals from SL and NL groups received metformin, whereas the controls received saline injections. Food intake and body weight were monitored from weaning until 90 days of age, when biometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. The metformin treatment decreased insulin concentrations in pups from SL groups, and as adults, these animals showed improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, body weight gain, white fat pad stores and food intake. Low‐glucose insulinotrophic effects were observed in pancreatic islets from both NL and SL groups. These results indicate that early postnatal treatment with metformin inhibits early overfeeding‐induced metabolic dysfunctions in adult rats.
Creatine supplementation attenuates the rate of fatigue development during intermittent isometric exercise performed above end‐test torque
Authors: Abdalla Leonardo Henrique Perinotto , Broxterman Ryan Michael , Greco Camila Coelho , Denadai Benedito Sérgio
Published: October 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does creatine supplementation augment the total torque impulse accumulated above end‐test torque (IET) during severe‐intensity knee‐extensor exercise by attenuating the rate of decrease in peak potentiated twitch torque (PT)?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Creatine augmented the IET and attenuated the rate of decrease in both voluntary activation and PT during severe‐intensity exercise. The IET was related to the rate of decrease in PT. These findings reveal an important role for the rates of neuromuscular fatigue development as key determinants of exercise tolerance within the severe domain.

This study investigated the effect of creatine supplementation on exercise tolerance, total torque impulse accumulated above end‐test torque (total IET) and neuromuscular fatigue development of the knee extensors during severe‐intensity intermittent isometric exercise. Sixteen men were randomly allocated into Creatine (n = 8, 20 g day−1 for 5 days) or Placebo (n = 8) groups and performed knee‐extensor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) testing, all‐out testing to determine end‐test torque (ET) and the finite torque impulse accumulated above end‐test torque (IETʹ), and three submaximal tests at ET + 10%: (i) time to task failure without supplementation (Baseline); (ii) time to task failure after creatine or placebo supplementation; and (iii) time matched to Baseline after creatine (Creatine‐Isotime) or placebo (Placebo‐Isotime) supplementation. Creatine supplementation significantly increased the time to task failure (Baseline = 572 ± 144 s versus Creatine = 833 ± 221 s) and total IET (Baseline = 5761 ± 1710  N m s versus Creatine = 7878 ± 1903 N m s), but there were no significant differences within the Placebo group. The percentage change pre‐ to postexercise in MVC, voluntary activation, peak potentiated twitch torque and integrated EMG during MVC were not significantly different between Baseline and Creatine but were all significantly attenuated in Creatine‐Isotime compared with Baseline. There were no significant differences in these variables within the placebo group. The total IET was significantly correlated with the rates of change in potentiated twitch torque peak (r = 0.83–0.87) and rate of torque development (r = −0.83 to −0.87) for the submaximal tests to task failure. These findings reveal an important role for the rates of neuromuscular fatigue development as key determinants of exercise tolerance during severe‐intensity intermittent isometric exercise.
Study on Breakdown Features and Characteristics of Film at the Corrugated Plate Corner
Authors: Wang Bo , Chen Bowen , Ke Bingzheng , Li Ru , Wang Gongqing , Tian Ruifeng , Lu Chuan
Published: October 2020

Corrugated plate dryer is a extremely vital equipment for steam-water separation in the fields of heat transfer and nuclear engineering. The corrugated plate is also a commonly used steam-water separator in steam generators in nuclear power plants. It is meaningful to study the breakdown characteristics and mechanism of the water film on corrugated plate wall. Water film thickness of steady flow is measured based on plane laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique and time series and its fitted equation of water film thickness are obtained, respectively. Besides, fluctuation characteristics of water film are analyzed by probability density function (PDF). Based on the dimensionless approach, the water film breakdown model at the corner of the corrugated plate is established. And the calculation equation of the relative position of the water film breakdown at the corner is deprived. The specific conclusions are as follows. The theoretical equation agrees well with the relative position of the water film breakdown at the corrugated plate corner. The evolution of the surface wave of water film is carried out in time and space. The PDF curve have no significant peak characteristics. Therefore, the spectrum has no characteristic frequency, that is, the water film has multi-frequency characteristics. Gravity of water film can be ignored in the water film model. The thickness sequences for falling film is measured and fitted. The two-dimensional model of water film breakdown at the corner is set up. The equation for the film thickness when the water film is just ruptured is obtained. Relative position of the water film rupture at the corner of the corrugated plate is theoretically related only to the structural parameters of the corrugated plate, the parameters of the gas phase and the liquid phase, and the Reynolds number of the liquid film. However, in the low Reynolds number region, the airflow velocity is extremely large, which causes certain fluctuations and nonlinear characteristics of the water film boundary position. Therefore, the theoretical formula is not particularly good at predicting the relative position of the breakdown in this region. I think that this nonlinear feature has obvious chaotic characteristics. The study of the chaotic characteristics generated by shearing the liquid film by high velocity flow airflow at the corner of the corrugated plate may become a prospect for future research.
A New Safety Margin Evaluation Method: Quality Margin Method
Authors: Minfu Zhao , Minghui Duan , Yufeng Lv
Published: October 2020

Departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) may occur in the process of reactor accident. The departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) design basis is one of the most important bases for reactor core thermo-hydraulic design. In order to evaluate whether the DNB design basis meets the demand of thermal hydraulic design, the departure from nucleate boiling ratio (DNBR) should be calculated. The traditional DNBR calculation method is the direct substitution method (DSM). However, the research has pointed out that the DSM was inaccurate and non-conservative to represent the real safety margin. There is also a modified DNBR method by combining with the heat balance equation, which was called heat balance condition method (HBM). The essence of both DNBR methods is to evaluate the reactor safety margin by the difference between the heat fluxes of the actual condition and the critical condition. So the critical heat flux (CHF) value needs to be measured by CHF tests in actual condition parameters, which results in high heating power. To avoid this deficiency of DNBR methods, a new safety margin evaluation method has been developed in the research, which was called quality margin method. In this method, the safety margin of the reactor was evaluated by the difference between the critical quality and the actual quality. The method required lower test power, so greatly decreased the difficulty and cost of CHF experiments.
Reforms and Innovations in a Nuclear Engineering Course: Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Equipment
Authors: Huang Shanfang , Wang Jiageng , Hao Yisheng , Liu Guodong , Liu Minyun , Ma Yugao
Published: October 2020

The Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan caused a significant impact on the nuclear power industry and public attitudes towards nuclear energy. The decreased public acceptance and the regulatory authorities’ stricter requirements of nuclear safety lead to the popularity of advanced safety technologies in scientific research and engineering projects. The demand for highly qualified human resources increases by the gradual recovery of the nuclear power field in China. In order to meet this demand, a series of course innovations are taken at Tsinghua University. Focusing on the course “Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Equipment,” the paper discusses the innovations of the course stimulated by the current industry trends and demands.

A brief introduction to the special commissioned-student program at Tsinghua University is given. The paper investigates the meaning and function of the course in the frame of the curriculum plan for nuclear engineering students at Tsinghua University. The personal career plan, the industry outlook, and even the public attitudes contribute to senior students’ attitudes and demands for the course, which is tied closely to the effect of teaching. The paper addresses that the objective of the innovations is to develop a course fixing different students’ demands and help them build their ability to solve practical engineering problems in their future professional careers. The selection of teaching contents and the teaching strategy are discussed. This course takes Westinghouse AP1000 as the major point. And the nuclear power plant systems are taught in a divided way. One is the operation system, and the other is the safety system. This separation is based on the different functions and roles of these two parts and could have advantages in teaching effect. The paper explains the critical points of the systems and innovations of how to deal with course difficulties. There is a corresponding part of the safety system, and this part gets more challenges due to the industry trends. Lectures, group discussions, homework, and presentation projects are discussed. Besides, the paper considers possible efforts for further development of nuclear engineering courses.
Public Engagement of Nuclear Energy in China: The Characteristics of Public Knowledge, Risk Perception, Trust Perception and Environmental Concern
Authors: Oforiwaa Priscilla Obeng , Chao Zhang , Manchun Liang , Guofeng Su , Jiahao Wang
Published: October 2020

Nuclear energy has been regarded as a controversial energy option to reduce carbon emissions, alleviate global warming and build a low-carbon society due to the public perception of nuclear energy. Public perception and acceptance are vital to the development of nuclear energy. However, the public has many misunderstandings and misconceptions about nuclear energy. To change the way that the public view nuclear energy, this paper attempts to build an engagement model that shifts from a oneway information transfer with a focus on changing people’s minds in a single interaction, to a two-way dialogue rooted in listening, respect, and building long-term relationships that would shift understanding on a scientific issue over time. Based on a survey conducted on residents in China, we offer a research hypothesis that describes the connection between public engagement, public knowledge, perceived risk, perceived trust and environmental concern. This study indicated that public knowledge is positively related to environmental concern and public engagement but not significantly related to perceived risks. Meanwhile, this study also demonstrated the positive effect of environmental concern, perceived trust on public engagement. Centered on the results, we make corresponding policy to increase public engagement.
Corrosion of High Temperature Alloys in the Primary Coolant of HTGR Under Very-High Temperature Operation
Authors: Wang Qiuhao , Zheng Wei , Yin Huaqiang , Li Shengqiang , He Xuedong , Ma Tao
Published: October 2020

The primary coolant loop of the high temperature gas-cooled reactor contains trace impurities that could cause some corrosion to the materials. When the HTGR operates at a very high temperature, the impurities in the coolant have significant influence on the properties of the alloys used in steam generators. Corrosion tests were conducted on the Inconel 800H, Inconel 617 and Hastelloy X, and the alloys are commonly used in the steam generator of HTGR. They were corroded for up to 48 hours at 950 °C in a given helium atmosphere with trace impurities, and the corrosion results were observed. The SEM with EDX system was utilized for the metallographic examination and surface oxide composition analysis. The AES was used to verify the EDS analysis results. Due to severe internal oxidation and surface carbon transfer, Inconel 800H has the worst corrosion resistance, but Hastelloy X with the dense oxide layer has the best corrosion resistance. For Inconel617, the Cr element depletion occurs near the corrosion layer, which is very consistent with the theory. Since a certain amount of manganese in Hastelloy X may contribute to the formation of a dense oxide layer, thus an appropriate increase of the manganese content may enhance the alloy’s corrosion resistance.
Study on Eutectic Melting Behavior of Control Rod Materials in Core Disruptive Accidents of Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors: Kinetic Study of Boron Carbide-Stainless Steel Eutectic Melting by Differential Thermal Analysis
Authors: Kikuchi Shin , Yamano Hidemasa , Nakamura Kinya
Published: October 2020

In a postulated severe accidental condition of sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), eutectic melting between boron carbide (B4C) as control rod element and stainless steel (SS) as control rod cladding or related structure may take place. Thus, kinetic behavior of B4C-SS eutectic melting is one of the important phenomena to be considered when evaluating the core disruptive accidents in SFR.

In this study, for the first step to obtain the fundamental information on kinetic feature of B4C-SS eutectic melting and compare the pervious findings, the thermal analysis using the pellet type samples of B4C and Type 316L SS as different experimental technique was performed up to 1773 K at different heating rates of 2.5–10 K/min. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) endothermic peaks for the B4C-SS eutectic melting appeared from 1483K to 1534K and systematically shifted to higher temperatures when increasing heating rate. Based on this kinetic feature, apparent activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the B4C-SS eutectic melting were determined by Kissinger method. It was found that the kinetic parameters obtained by thermal analysis were comparable to the literature values of thinning experiment at high temperatures.

In addition, the microstructure and element distribution formed in the interdiffusion layer composed of the B4C / SS system were analyzed by the electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), which can provide key validation data on elemental interdiffusion behavior in the early stage of the eutectic melting.
Study on Methodology and Application of Seismic-Induced Flood Level 2 PSA for PWR in China
Authors: Yu Liu , Wenjing Li , Yun Yu
Published: October 2020

Level 2 (L2) PSA is focused on the severe accident phenomenon, progression and source terms release to generally evaluate the containment response after core damage takes place. Fukushima accident was caused by seismic and tsunami which are beyond design basis. It indicates that evaluating the risk for extremely external hazards is vitally important. Therefore, how to perform the study on L2 PSA for external events (especially seismic and flood) has become a crucial problem needed to be considered deeply for both regulators and operators. In this paper, the methodology of flood and seismic-induced flood L2 PSA was developed and applied for a Gen III NPP in China. The key factors include:

(1) Focusing on crucial elements of L2 PSA in view of seismic and flood characteristics, including PSA interfaces, design features, severe accident phenomenon and progression, containment performance analysis, etc.

(2) Building integrated internal flood and seismic L2 PSA models.

(3) Developing an analytical method to evaluate seismic-induced flood L2 PSA.
IHSI Effectiveness for Crack Propagation Observed at Hamaoka PLR Piping
Authors: Yuya Hideki , Yamada Kouji , Sasayama Takao
Published: October 2020

Indications of Ultrasonic Testing (UT) of 4 weld joints in Primary Loop Recirculation (PLR) piping in Hamaoka unit-2 had been identified during the 20th outage (2004). Metallurgical investigation after cutting from 2 weld joins had been conducted because of its accessibility etc. The 4 weld joins had been welded at the plant construction (1978), operated and IHSI (Induction Heat Stress Improvement) had been performed during the 1st outage (1979). 25 years passed by until the metallurgical investigation. As a result of the investigation, crack growth retardation by the IHSI was confirmed since crack tip was round and plastically deformed.
Demonstration of Multi-Physics Evaluation of Fuel Rod Burst Probability With Burnup Extension Under LBLOCA Conditions
Authors: Zhang Hongbin , Blakely Cole , Yu Jianguo
Published: October 2020

Extending the fuel discharge burnup level, e.g., from the current limit of rod averaged discharge burnup limit of 62 GWD/MT to a proposed new limit of 75 GWD/MT, can provide significant economic benefits to the current fleet of operating light water reactors (LWRs). It allows for longer operating cycles and improved resource utilization. The major economic gain of longer operating cycles is attributable to the increased capacity factor resulting from decreased refueling time as a fraction of total operating time, as well as fewer assemblies to be discharged for a given amount of energy produced. The main licensing challenges for higher burnup fuel are to ensure fuel rod safety under design basis accident conditions, especially under large-break loss-of-coolant accident (LBLOCA) and reactivity insertion accident (RIA). In this work, two-year cycle core design for a typical 4-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR) is performed with enrichment increased up to 6% and burnup extended to 75 GWD/MT. The fuel rod burst potential evaluations under large-break loss-of-coolant accident (LBLOCA) conditions are subsequently performed using the multi-physics best estimate plus uncertainty analysis framework LOTUS (LOCA Toolkit for the U.S. LWRs) and the preliminary results are presented.
Periodic Tests Improvement of Emergency Diesel Generator Units in Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Fei Liu
Published: October 2020

Domestic diesel-generator units of M310 reactor nuclear power plants at present adopt the French standard RCC-E 2005 emergency for periodic tests. During low-power periodic tests, the diesel-generators are not adequately protected, and there is a risk of serious damage to equipment. This article analyzes in detail the provisions of the IEEE 387 standard for the periodic tests of emergency diesel-generator unit, improves the periodic tests of the emergency diesel-generator unit according to the IEEE 387 standard, cancels the original low-power tests, and uses the test during the normal operation of the unit in order to solve this problem. The grid-connected test method and detailed analysis of the improved test content make the EDG periodic test method more economical and safe. The improvement has been approved by the nuclear safety regulatory agency, which provides an important reference for the related periodic test improvement of nuclear power plants.