bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas Migration in Low- and Intermediate-Level Waste (LILW) Disposal Facility in Korea
Authors: Ha Jae-Chul , Lee Jeong-Hwan , Jung Haeryong , Kim Juyub , Kim Juyoul
Published: February 2014

The first low- and intermediate-level waste (LILW) disposal facility is under construction in saturated granite in Korea. The safety assessment report (SAR) identified that different gases, such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane are generated at the disposal facility due to the corrosion of metal wastes and steel drum, and microbial degradation of organic matters. Reinforced concrete plays a role as an engineered barrier at the disposal facility, so its properties with regard to gas migration were evaluated in laboratory-scale experiments. Then modeling of gas migration was carried out to evaluate gas pressure build-up in the disposal facility.

The gas entry pressure and relative gas permeability of the concrete was determined to be 0.97±0.15 bar, and the relative gas permeability decreased exponentially with increasing water content.

The results of the modeling showed that most of hydrogen gas was dissolved in groundwater and did not significantly influence pressure build-up inside the disposal facility based on the reference case of gas generation.
Jose Cabrera Dismantling and Decommissioning Project
Authors: Ondaro Manuel
Published: February 2014

The Jose Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was the first commercial power reactor (Westinghouse 1 loop PWR 510 MWth, 160 MWe) commissioned in Spain and provided the base for future development and training. The reactor construction started in 1963 and it was officially on-line by 1969. The NPP operated from 1969 until 2006 when it became the first reactor to be shut down after completing its operational period. The containment is reinforced concrete with a stainless steel head. In 2010 responsibility for D&D was transferred to Enresa to achieve IAEA level 3 (a green field site available for unrestricted re-uses) by 2017.

Of the total of more than 104,000 tons of materials that will be generated during dismantling, it is estimated that only ∼ 4,000 tons will be radioactive waste, some of which, 40 t are considered as intermediate level long-lived wastes and the rest (3,960 t) will be categorized as VLLW & ILLW.

The Project is divided into five phases:

Phase 0 - Removal of fuel and preliminary work.

Phase 1 - Preparatory Activities for D&D. complete.

Phase 2 - Dismantling of Major Components.

Phase 3 - Removal of Auxiliary Installations, Decontamination and Demolition.

Phase 4 - Environmental Restoration.

Phase 2, is currently ongoing (50% completed).

To manage the diverse aspects of decommissioning operations, Enresa uses an internally developed computerized project management tool. The tool, based on knowledge gathered from other Enresa projects, can process operations management, maintenance operations, materials, waste, storage areas, procedures, work permits, operator dose management and records. Enresa considers that communication is important for both internal and external stakeholder relations and can be used to inform, to neutralize negative opinions & attitudes, to remove false expectations and for training.

Enresa has created a new multi-purpose area (exhibition/visitor centre) and encourages visits from the public, local schools, local and national politicians and technical groups.

Greenfield is the final end state objective. The total cost of this project, including a 20% contingency as estimated in 2003 is 135 M€. This figure does not include the management of the plant spent fuel, which has constituted an independent project that has been completed in 2009 (35 M€).

Enresa, with 15 staff on site are managing a team of ∼ 250 workers, 40 of whom belong to the previous operator. The spent fuel is On-Site prior to the final destination in the future Spain Centralized Spent Fuel Installation.
Preliminary Safety Evaluation of an Aircraft Impact on a Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Repository
Authors: Lo Frano R. , Forasassi G. , Pugliese G.
Published: February 2014

The aircraft impact accident has become very significant in the design of a nuclear facilities, particularly, after the tragic September 2001 event, that raised the public concern about the potential damaging effects that the impact of a large civilian airplane could bring in safety relevant structures.

The aim of this study is therefore to preliminarily evaluate the global response and the structural effects induced by the impact of a military or commercial airplane (actually considered as a “beyond design basis” event) into a near surface radioactive waste (RWs) disposal facility.

The safety evaluation was carried out according to the International safety and design guidelines and in agreement with the stress tests requirements for the security track.

To achieve the purpose, a lay out and a scheme of a possible near surface repository, like for example those of the El Cabril one, were taken into account.

In order to preliminarily perform a reliable analysis of such a large-scale structure and to determine the structural effects induced by such a types of impulsive loads, a realistic, but still operable, numerical model with suitable materials characteristics was implemented by means of FEM codes. In the carried out structural analyses, the RWs repository was considered a “robust” target, due to its thicker walls and main constitutive materials (steel and reinforced concrete). In addition to adequately represent the dynamic response of repository under crashing, relevant physical phenomena (i.e. penetration, spalling, etc.) were simulated and analysed.

The preliminary assessment of the effects induced by the dynamic/impulsive loads allowed generally to verify the residual strength capability of the repository considered.

The obtained preliminary results highlighted a remarkable potential to withstand the impact of military/large commercial aircrafts, even in presence of ongoing concrete progressive failure (some penetration and spalling of the concrete wall) of the impacted area.
General Approach to the Long-Term Management at a Former Radium Production Site in Olen, Belgium
Authors: Lopez Emma Dorado , Preter Peter D.
Published: February 2014

The paper describes the methodology that ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, in consultation with the metallurgical company who aims the Olen-site, is developing and wants to apply to arrive at a safe and sustainable long-term solution in Olen. The complex problematic in Olen and how this does fit in the legal missions of ONDRAF/NIRAS is also presented.
An Overview of the Draft of ‘Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act’
Authors: Lin Huan , Lan Tai-Wei , Chang Min-Tsang , Cheng Wuu-Kune
Published: February 2014

The “Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act” (NMRWMA) in Taiwan has been in use since 2002. To promote further administrative efficiency and improve regulatory capacity, an amendment of the act has been initiated by the Atomic Energy Council (AEC). It is now being reviewed by outside experts and related communities so as to include the best understanding of risk management factors.

For the future decommissioning challenges of nuclear facilities, the act is also being amended to comply with the regulatory requirements of the decommissioning mandates. Currently the Taiwan government is conducting government reorganization, and AEC will be reformed but will remain as an independent regulatory body. AEC will then be capable of improving the regulatory capacity for facilitating licensing and inspection, ensuring operational safety, environmental protection and public involvement, and giving a more flexible administrative discretion, such as expending the margin of penalty.

The amendment is also required to provide a formal legal basis for the Nuclear Backend Fund, and to mandate the waste producers to take responsibility for any final debt repayment. In addition, this amendment promotes measures to prevent accidents or emergencies concerning radioactive materials and facilities and procedures to reduce the impact and effect of any unexpected events. Furthermore, this amendment intends to implement the concept of information transparency and public participation so as to meet the public needs. Finally, radioactive waste final disposal tasks have to be completed by waste producers under the supervision of the AEC.
Progress With Nuclear Energy Agency Task Group on Nuclear Site Restoration
Authors: Berton Marie-Anne , Cruickshank Julian , Ollivier-Dehaye Catherine , Monken-Fernandes Horst , Orr Peter
Published: February 2014

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Co-operative Programme for the Exchange of Scientific and Technical Information Concerning Nuclear Installation Decommissioning Projects (CPD) is a joint undertaking of a limited number of organisations, mainly from NEA member countries. The objective of the CPD is to acquire and share information from operational experience in decommissioning nuclear installations that is useful for future projects. The information exchange includes biannual meetings of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and supporting projects on topics. The TAG has decided to form a Task Group to review nuclear site restoration starting in March 2012 that involves nuclear operators, experts and regulators. The group is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that is leading similar work on legacy sites.

Within NEA Counties, several nuclear sites are being restored for beneficial reuse. Restoration is normally considered the last activity in a sequence of decommissioning steps but increasingly the value of long-term planning and parallel remediation is being recognised. It is essential that regulators know that liabilities are well understood (well characterised) and there is adequate financial provision to carry on the remediation works. Operators are also learning that early intervention is needed to ensure prevention and minimisation of leaks and spills of radioactive and non-radioactive contaminants in order to reduce groundwater and soil contamination, thus reducing overall liabilities and ensuring protection of the environment. Early intervention needs to be guided by good practices that include adequate site characterisation, reliable conceptual models and defined goals. Currently most nuclear site restoration work takes place at the legacy nuclear sites. This work has emphasised the need for better clarity in terms of the regulatory expectations for site restoration. At other nuclear sites the drivers are less evident and there is a risk that land quality issues are overlooked.

The aim of the Task Group is to share information on experiences, approaches and techniques for land quality management at selected nuclear sites to ensure risks to workers and the environment, costs and disruption to decommissioning programmes are minimised. The project will also highlight the successes and lessons to learn from experience of remediation that will be helpful to operational situations on nuclear sites. The paper will report on progress with analysis of national and site level questionnaires and early consideration of case studies. The questionnaires will provide a snapshot of the current status, issues and best practice with site restoration and the case studies will provide in depth illustrations of practice with nuclear site or remediation projects.
Concrete in Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities: Phenomenological Study and Assessment of Long Term Performance
Authors: Jacques Diederik , Maes Norbert , Perko Janez , Seetharam Suresh C. , Phung Quoc Tri , Patel Ravi , Soto Albert , Liu Sanheng , Wang Lian , De Schutter Geert , Ye Guang , van Breugel Klaas
Published: February 2014

The paper aims to highlight recent developments at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN in experimental and numerical study of the coupled physical-chemical behaviour of concrete subject to chemical degradation. The discussion mainly focusses on three interlinked research projects covering novel experimental methods to study the alteration of hydraulic and transport properties during carbonation and calcium leaching, a pore scale numerical model to capture microstructural changes due to the above degradation processes and a generic multiscale model aimed at determining evolution of the properties of a macrostructure over the long term. The paper also describes supplementary continuum scale numerical studies concerning concrete-clay interactions and geochemical impact on the physical structure of concrete. Preliminary findings from these studies show encouraging results such as the development of novel leaching, water permeability and diffusion apparatus, a robust pore scale model based on Lattice-Boltzmann method and a mesoscale study focused on the importance of interfacial transition zones on the effective diffusivity for linear and nonlinear diffusion problems.
DASAO: Software Tool for the Management of Safeguards, Waste and Decommissioning
Authors: Noynaert Luc , Verwaest Isi , Libon Henri , Cuchet Jean-Marie
Published: February 2014

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities is a complex process involving operations such as detailed surveys, decontamination and dismantling of equipment’s, demolition of buildings and management of resulting waste and nuclear materials if any. This process takes place in a well-developed legal framework and is controlled and followed-up by stakeholders like the Safety Authority, the Radwaste management Agency and the Safeguards Organism.

In the framework of its nuclear waste and decommissioning program and more specifically the decommissioning of the BR3 reactor, SCK•CEN has developed different software tools to secure the waste and material traceability, to support the sound management of the decommissioning project and to facilitate the control and the follow-up by the stakeholders. In the case of Belgium, it concerns the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control, the National Agency for radioactive waste management and fissile material and EURATOM and IAEA.

In 2005, BELGONUCLEAIRE decided to shutdown her Dessel MOX fuel fabrication plant and the production stopped in 2006. According to the final decommissioning plan (“PDF”) approved by NIRAS, the decommissioning works should start in 2008 at the earliest. In 2006, the management of BELGONUCLEAIRE identified the need for an integrated database and decided to entrust SCK•CEN with its development, because SCK•CEN relies on previous experience in comparable applications namely already approved by authorities such as NIRAS, FANC and EURATOM.

The main objectives of this integrated software tool are:

• simplified and updated safeguards

• waste & material traceability

• computerized documentation

• support to project management

• periodic & final reporting to waste and safety authorities.

The software called DASAO (Database for Safeguards, Waste and Decommissioning) was successfully commissioned in 2008 and extensively used from 2009 to the satisfaction of BELGONUCLEAIRE and the stakeholders.

SCK•CEN is now implementing a simplified release of the software for the management of the decommissioning of the THETIS reactor. Its decommissioning will start in March 2013 and will be completed by the end of 2014.
Feasibility Study on Phytoremediation Techniques for Soil Contaminated by the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Authors: Ishimori Yuu , Sakoda Akihiro , Yamada Mina , Makino Yuko , Yamada Satoshi , Fujiyama Hideyasu
Published: February 2014

Tottori University and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency carried out jointly the feasibility study on phytoremediation techniques, which apply to soil contaminated by the TEPCO’s Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP accident. This paper illustrates the results from experimental investigations. Experimental investigations include both water-culture tests and field tests.

Several plants, mainly halophytes that can specifically absorb more Na than K, and others like sunflower demonstrated for other domestic large-scale tests, were water-cultured and examined for screening. Easily cultivated and harvested plants without harmful effects on subsequent cultivation were also considered. New Zealand spinach was selected as a candidate for demonstrations in fields.

The field tests were carried out at two sites of different agricultural types in Minami-soma, Fukushima prefecture. Concentration of 137Cs in soil is about 4.5 Bq/g-dry as the average of 10 cm depth. The aims of the field tests are to confirm absorption ability and environmental adaptation of the test plants and to document the cost and performance of projects. In conclusion, the absorption of 137Cs activity per unit area (Bq/m2) by New Zealand spinach could be approximately 0.5%.

To achieve an effective result in removal of 137Cs from soil in around a decade, it is required to find the plant which has ten or more times higher absorption capacity than New Zealand spinach. From the consistency of both results in water-culture and field tests, the water-culture test can be valid for screening. In addition, applicable sites will be limited to fields which are too steep or too narrow to use mechanical diggers, and which are free from any restrictions to enter.
Development of Cement Solidification Process for Sodium Borate Waste Generated From PWR Plants
Authors: Okabe Hirofumi , Sato Tatsuaki , Shoji Yuichi , Haruguchi Yoshiko , Kaneko Masaaki , Saso Michitaka , Toyohara Masumitsu
Published: February 2014

A cement solidification process for treating sodium borate waste produced in pressurized water reactor (PWR) plants was studied. To obtain high volume reduction and high mechanical strength of the waste, simulated concentrated borate liquid waste with a sodium / boron (Na/B) mole ratio of 0.27 was dehydrated and powdered by using a wiped film evaporator. To investigate the effect of the Na/B mole ratio on the solidification process, a sodium tetraborate decahydrate reagent with a Na/B mole ratio of 0.5 was also used. Ordinary portland cement (OPC) and some additives were used for the solidificaiton. Solidified cement prepared from powdered waste with a Na/B mole ratio 0.24 and having a high sillica sand content (silica sand/cement>2) showed to improved uniaxial compressive strength.
Enhanced Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Zinc Using Rapeseed
Authors: Ghani M. , Slycken S. V. , Meers E. , Tack F. M. G. , Naz F. , Ali S.
Published: February 2014

In a green house pot experiment, the effects of three amendments, sulphur (S), ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) and ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) were tested for phytoextraction of Cd and Zn by rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Elemental sulphur was applied as 20.00, 60.00, and 120.00 mg.kg−1 soil. EDTA was tested at a dose of 585.00 mg.kg−1 soil, and (NH4)2SO4) at a rate of 0.23 mg.kg−1 soil. All treatments received a base fertilization (Hogland) before sowing. Plants were harvested after 51 days of growth and shoot dry matter and soil samples were analysed for metal contents.

All amendments caused a significant increase in Cd and Zn contents in plant shoots of all treatments than control treatment. Further, EDTA was most effective for extraction metals concentrations in shoot biomass but the plants showed significant signs of toxicity and yield were severely depressed. The addition of sulfur favorably influenced plant biomass production. The fertilized ammonium sulfate treatment resulted in the highest phytoextraction of Cd and Zn and the amounts of these metals accumulated in plant shoot exceeded by a factor of 4 and 3 respectively. Finally, Brassica napus could be used for soil remediation keeping its other uses which will make the contaminated site income generating source for the farmers.
Social Scientist on Board in Long-Term Management of High Level and/or Long-Lived Radioactive Waste in Belgium
Authors: Parotte C.
Published: February 2014

In Belgium, the long-term management of radioactive waste is under the exclusive competence of the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (knew as ONDRAF/NIRAS). Unlike low-level waste, no institutional policy has yet been formally approved for the long-term management of high level and/or long-lived radioactive waste (knew as B&C waste). In this context, ONDRAF/NIRAS considers the public and stakeholders’ participation as an essential factor in the formulation of an effective and legitimate policy. This is why it has decided to integrate them in different ways during the elaboration of the Waste Plan (ONDRAF/NIRAS-document containing guidelines to make a principled policy decision about nuclear waste management). To do so, social scientists have been regularly mobilized either as external evaluators, follow-up committee members, or participatory observants. Hence, the Waste Plan is only the first step in a long decision-making process.

For a PhD student under contract with ONDRAF/NIRAS, this mandate consists of thinking out a way to construct an inter-organizational innovative communication system that would be participative, transparent and embedded in a long-term perspective, thus integrating all the further legal steps to take throughout the decision-making process. In this regard, two paradoxical constraints must be taken into account: on the one hand, my own influence on the legal decision-making process should remain limited, because of a series of constraints, lock-ins and previous decisions which have to be respected; on the other hand, ONDRAF/NIRAS expects the research conclusions to be policy relevant and useful.

In this paper, the purpose is twofold. Firstly, the issues raised by this policy mandate is an opportunity to question the performative dimensions of the social scientist in the decision-making process and, more specifically, to have a reflexive view on our position as PhD Student. Secondly, assuming the role of “embarked” social scientist, numerous of answers will discuss to face the different dilemmas of the researcher “in action”. Those reflections follow on, among others, those from previous papers discussed in Quimper in April 2013 [1] and in Leuven in June 2013 [2].
Managing Mental and Physical Fatigue During a Collegiate Soccer Season
Authors: Luke Ryan C. , Morrissey Joanna L. , Reinke Erin J. , Sevene Trish G. , Canner Judith E. , Adams Kent J.
Published: February 2014

Many athletes deal with the dilemma of a short pre-season followed by a long and grueling competitive season. Unfortunately, this type of schedule puts athletes at greater risk of injury and/or development of overtraining syndrome. In order for athletes to realize optimal performance, it is vital that a coaching staff engages in and understands the rationale (physiological and psychological) behind best coaching practices to ensure that athletes are mentally and physically prepared for competition. This requires managing athletes’ mental and physical fatigue over the duration of a competitive season, which involves applying effective coaching strategies during the off-season and pre-season. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of coaching methods the Kinesiology Department faculty and the coaching staff of the women’s soccer team at California State University Monterey Bay collaborated to measure athlete preparedness for competition on a weekly basis over the duration of a competitive season. The following article is a discussion of coaching methods that are considered an example of best practice and the physiological and psychological rationale behind what we would consider to be effective strategies for managing athletes’ mental and physical fatigue and thereby increasing the chances for an athlete to realize optimal performance.
High Levels of Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness are Associated With Good Self-Rated Health in Adolescents
Authors: Kantomaa Marko T. , Tammelin Tuija , Ebeling Hanna , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Taanila Anja
Published: February 2014

Background:

Adolescent self-rated health is a strong predictor of future illness. In this study we investigated whether physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with self-rated health among adolescents aged 16 years.

Methods:

The study sample comprised 7,063 adolescents from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC 1986) who responded to a postal questionnaire in 2001 to 2002. Self-rated health was measured by a single-item question, while physical activity was evaluated by a set of questions concerning the intensity and volume of physical activity outside school hours. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with a submaximal cycle ergometer test. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for good self-rated health were obtained from multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

High levels of physical activity (boys: OR 5.50, 95% CI 3.16 to 9.58; girls: OR 4.25, 95% CI 2.37 to 7.61) and cardiorespiratory fitness (boys: OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.24; girls: OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.66) were associated with very good self-rated health in adolescents.

Conclusions:

High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are positively associated with adolescents’ self-rated health. Public health promotion activities that foster physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness may benefit young people’s overall health and well-being.
Young Children’s After-School Activities—There’s More to It Than Screen Time: A Cross-Sectional Study of Young Primary School Children
Authors: Engelen Lina , Bundy Anita C , Bauman Adrian , Naughton Geraldine , Wyver Shirley , Baur Louise
Published: February 2014

Background:

Children can spend substantial amounts of leisure time in sedentary activities, dominated by TV/screen time. However, objective real-time measurement of activities after school among young school children is seldom described.

Methods:

School children (n = 246, 5−7 years old, mean 6.0) and their parents were recruited by random selection from 14 schools across Sydney, Australia. Parents used a real-time objective measure (Experience Sampling Method, ESM) to record children’s activities and whether they were indoors or outdoors at 3 random times each day after school. Data were collected across 4 weekdays in 1 week and then, 13 weeks later, another 4 weekdays in 1 week.

Results:

Results were based on 2940 responses from 214 childparent dyads showed that 25% of behavior involved physical activity, 51% was spent in sedentary activities, and 22% was TV/ screen time. Most instances (81%) occurred indoors.

Conclusion:

Despite a high proportion of TV/screen time, children were also engaged in a range of other sedentary and physically active pursuits after school. Hence TV/screen time is not a suitable proxy for all sedentary behavior, and it is important to gather information on other non–screen-based sedentary and physically active behaviors. Future research is warranted to further investigate after-school activities in young primary school children.
Keeping Alphaviruses Under Wraps
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: February 2014

Alphaviruses use secondary structural elements in their genomic RNA to avoid host detection.
Making Prospective Registration of Observational Research a Reality
Authors: Dal-Ré Rafael , Ioannidis John P. , Bracken Michael B. , Buffler Patricia A. , Chan An-Wen , Franco Eduardo L. , La Vecchia Carlo , Weiderpass Elisabete
Published: February 2014

Key information about human observational studies should be publicly available before the study is initiated.
Efficacy and Toxicity Management of 19-28z CAR T Cell Therapy in B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Davila Marco L. , Riviere Isabelle , Wang Xiuyan , Bartido Shirley , Park Jae , Curran Kevin , Chung Stephen S. , Stefanski Jolanta , Borquez-Ojeda Oriana , Olszewska Malgorzata , Qu Jinrong , Wasielewska Teresa , He Qing , Fink Mitsu , Shinglot Himaly , Youssif Maher , Satter Mark , Wang Yongzeng , Hosey James , Quintanilla Hilda , Halton Elizabeth , Bernal Yvette , Bouhassira Diana C. G. , Arcila Maria E. , Gonen Mithat , Roboz Gail J. , Maslak Peter , Douer Dan , Frattini Mark G. , Giralt Sergio , Sadelain Michel , Brentjens Renier
Published: February 2014

CD19 CAR T cell therapy induces complete remissions in 88% of 16 adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Independence from Kinetoplast DNA Maintenance and Expression Is Associated with Multidrug Resistance in Trypanosoma brucei
In Vitro
Authors: Gould Matthew K. , Schnaufer Achim
Published: February 2014

It is well known that several antitrypanosomatid drugs accumulate in the parasite's mitochondrion, where they often bind to the organellar DNA, the kinetoplast. To what extent this property relates to the mode of action of these compounds has remained largely unquantified. Here we show that single point mutations that remove the dependence of laboratory strains of the sleeping sickness parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
on a functional kinetoplast result in significant resistance to the diamidine and phenanthridine drug classes.
Pulmonary and Systemic Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled and Intravenous Colistin Methanesulfonate in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Targeting Advantage of Inhalational Administration
Authors: W. S. Yapa Shalini , Li Jian , Patel Kashyap , Wilson John W. , Dooley Michael J. , George Johnson , Clark Denise , Poole Susan , Williams Elyssa , Porter Christopher J. H. , Nation Roger L. , McIntosh Michelle P.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to define the pulmonary and systemic pharmacokinetics of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) and formed colistin following intravenous (i.v.) and inhaled administration in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Six CF subjects were administered nebulized CMS doses of 2 and 4 million IU and an i.v. CMS infusion of 150 mg of colistin base activity. Blood plasma, sputum, and urine samples were collected for 12 to 24 h postdose. To assess the tolerability of the drug, lung function tests, blood serum creatinine concentrations, and adverse effect reports were recorded. All doses were well tolerated in the subjects. The pharmacokinetic parameters for CMS following i.v. delivery were consistent with previously reported values. Sputum concentrations of formed colistin were maintained at <1.0 mg/liter for 12 h postdose. Nebulization of CMS resulted in relatively high sputum concentrations of CMS and formed colistin compared to those resulting from i.v. administration. The systemic availability of CMS was low following nebulization of 2 and 4 million IU (7.93% ± 4.26% and 5.37% ± 1.36%, respectively), and the plasma colistin concentrations were below the limit of quantification. Less than 2 to 3% of the nebulized CMS dose was recovered in the urine samples in 24 h. The therapeutic availability and drug targeting index for CMS and colistin following inhalation compared to i.v. delivery were significantly greater than 1. Inhalation of CMS is an effective means of targeting CMS and formed colistin for delivery to the lungs, as high lung exposure and minimal systemic exposure were achieved in CF subjects.
A rare aetiology for increased drain output following a robotic-assisted prostatectomy
Authors: Hoyland Kimberley , Vasdev Nikhil , Boustead Greg
Published: February 2014

Robotic prostatectomies are being performed increasingly, with greater visualisation and improved precision, resulting in fewer postoperative complications. Despite advances in surgical techniques, drain output still remains one of the first signs of potential complications. We present the case of an iatrogenic cause for high drain output postoperatively, in order to highlight the potential problems of the drain itself. A 69-year-old man presented with a pelvic drain output of over 2 L a day as a result of the drain tip being placed at the site of the anastomosis. Here we discuss the rates of the three main causes of increased drain outputs following robotic prostatectomy, as well as highlighting the resulting complications. Overall, this case highlights the potential complications arising from the drain, which could potentially be avoided by either routine evaluation of the drain position postoperatively or by omitting the drain entirely if the anastomosis is performed well.
New geophysical models for subsurface velocity structure in the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau from 2.5-D waveform tomography
Authors: Smithyman B.R. , Clowes R.M. , Bordet E.
Published: February 2014

Seismic inversion is applied to generate physical property models (P-wave velocity and numerical attenuation) for four profiles in the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau region of south-central British Columbia, Canada. A newly developed method that combines three-dimensional (3-D) travel-time inversion and 2.5-dimensional (2.5-D) viscoacoustic full-waveform inversion was applied to generate the geophysical models from vibroseis data acquired along the preexisting crooked roads. These models are useful for the characterization of rock types in terms of their positions and thicknesses, which may be used in conjunction with geological ground truth to infer the extent of lithostratigraphic units in the subsurface. The velocity structures also may be used for future reprocessing of the seismic reflection data to derive improved images based on the better near-surface velocity models. The subsurface geology of the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau region is complex, resulting from multiple stages of tectonic compression and extension, contemporaneous with the deposition of sediments and volcanic material. Several basin structures are identified from the joint interpretation of the waveform tomography velocity models and post-stack time migration images. The combination of these results enables the extrapolation and characterization of geological structures to ∼3 km depth, particularly within the Cenozoic volcanic units that dominate near-surface stratigraphy. Based on the seismic profiles, a fence-diagram geological interpretation that extends to ∼3 km depth illustrates the complex structure of the Jurassic to Neogene stratigraphic sequence.
Optical properties of praseodymium doped silver-borate glasses
Authors: Jagadeesha Gowda G.V. , Eraiah B.
Published: February 2014

Praseodymium doped silver–borate glasses having composition xPr6O11–(25 – x)Ag2O–75B2O3 (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) were prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The density, molar volume, and optical energy band gap of these glasses were measured. Optical absorption spectra of these glasses were recorded in the range 300–1000 nm at room temperature. The refractive index, molar refraction, and polarizability of oxide ion were calculated by using Lorentz–Lorentz relations. The oxide ion polarizabilities deduced from two different quantities, viz. refractive index and optical energy band gap, agree well compared with other glasses. The variation of the preceding optical parameters with respect to praseodymium concentration is explained.
PROPAGATION OF PHONONS IN TOPOLOGICAL SUPERCONDUCTORS INDUCED BY STRAIN FIELDS INSTANTONS
Authors: SCHMELTZER D.
Published: February 2014

We show that for a multiple-connected space the low energy strain fields excitations are given by instantons, which are controlled by the phase of the superconductor. Dirac fermions with a chiral mass and a superconducting pairing field propagates effectively in a multiple-connected space. When the elastic strain field response is probed one finds that it is given by the Pointriagin characteristic. As a result the space–time metric is modified. Applying an external stress field we observe that the phonon path bends in the transverse direction to the initial direction.
Experiment on a novel method for fundamental ferroresonance suppression
Authors: Sima Wen-Xia , Yang Ming , Yang Qing , Yuan Tao , Zou Mi
Published: February 2014

A novel method for fundamental ferroresonance suppression is proposed in this paper. The suppression mechanism is analyzed based on the harmonic balance method and a novel method for fundamental ferroresonance suppression is proposed. Experiments show that the fundamental ferroresonance with different saturation degrees can be suppressed by a single damping resistor controlled by the high frequency controllable switches located in the suppression module.
Exploration and analysis of regression test suite optimization
Authors: Anwar Zeeshan , Ahsan Ali
Published: February 2014

Regression Test Suite Optimization (RTO) is an active research area. A Regression Test Suite is always growing due to changes in software, which increases testing time. To save time and resources optimization of regression test suites is mandatory. Researchers have optimized test suites using conventional and Computational Intelligence based approaches and achieve optimization of regression test suites through selection techniques, minimization or reduction techniques and ranking or prioritization techniques. This paper surveys existing techniques for regression test suite optimization, various tools and mathematical models being used for RTO. During this survey we found many interesting facts about regression test suite optimization that will be shared in the conclusion.
CodeCover
Authors: Patil Abhinandan H. , Sidnal Nandini S.
Published: February 2014

The previous published paper on the topic of CodeCover highlights the strengths of CodeCover and discusses the versatility of the tool for various coverage testing needs. In this paper we are highlighting a portion of work done as part of a study project. This paper talks about the minimal efforts needed to tweak the product for specific needs. The existing, well structured code base of CodeCover can be reused as a library for implementing the work to be carried out. The impact to the lower layer of the product is minimal and at times nil for implementing the intended task because of the well laid design. In this paper we talk about how the CodeCover can be used to prioritize the test cases for uncovered branches of the code under test for a given session of testing.
Optimization of program invariants
Authors: Rao A. Ananda , Raju P. Radhika
Published: February 2014

Program invariants can be detected using both static and dynamic approaches. Dynamic methods that complement static methods will be more useful and effective in analyzing software artifacts. Existing dynamic invariant detection techniques detect both relevant and irrelevant invariants due to the presence of relevant and irrelevant/unused variables in the program. Therefore, the speed and efficiency of the techniques are affected. Also, displaying properties about irrelevant variables distracts the user from concentrating on properties of relevant variables. Moreover, these irrelevant invariants do not contribute to the correctness of the program. Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above deficiencies. This is done in three phases in this paper. In the first phase, only the relevant variables are considered by ignoring irrelevant variables. In the second phase, relevant variables are classified into two different types as design variables and non-design variables by using proposed metrics. These metrics are validated analytically against Weyuker's principles. Similarly, relevant invariants are categorized into three types as design invariants, non-design invariants and hybrid invariants in the third phase. For this purpose a set of rules are proposed. This process enormously improves the speed and efficiency of dynamic invariant detection techniques. Also, it drastically reduces the effort that is required to validate program correctness.
Cyclomatic complexity metric for component based software
Authors: Tiwari Umesh , Kumar Santosh
Published: February 2014

Suitable Component Based Software (CBS) metrics are necessary for the efficient quantification of quality attributes of a system. One of the major quality attributes of Component Based Software systems is the complexity generated due to interactions among components. The Cyclomatic complexity of a Component Based System is independent of the physical size of the component. The Cyclomatic complexity mainly depends on the decision structure present in the component. To calculate the overall complexity of a Component Based Software System, it is necessary to include the coupling properties (intercomponent- interactions) among the components as well as the cohesive properties (intra-component-interactions) of the individual components. In this paper, a new method is proposed for Cyclomatic complexity computation for Component Based Software Systems. This method includes the individual complexities of the participating components as well as the complexities of the interacting components. McCabe's Cyclomatic complexity computation method is used as the base method to calculate the complexity of individual components. The main goal of the proposed method is to find the Cyclomatic complexity of software where multiple components interact with each other for accessing or providing services.
Report from the workshop on prototyping to support the interaction designing in mobile application development (PID-MAD 2013)
Authors: Humayoun Shah Rukh , Hess Steffen , Ebert Achim
Published: February 2014

The first international Workshop on Prototyping to Support the Interaction Designing in Mobile Application Development (PID-MAD1 2013) [1] was held on August 27, 2013, in conjunction with the 15th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services (MobileHCI 2013) in Munich, Germany. Due to the recent changes in the mobile paradigm, the workshop acknowledged the need for change in existing prototyping techniques as well as for focusing on novel approaches and techniques to support not only the interaction design process, but also the entire mobile application development process.
A Knoppix-based demonstration environment for JPF
Authors: Potter Richard , Artho Cyrille , Suzaki Kuniyasu , Hagiya Masami
Published: February 2014

This paper explores how a KVM virtual machine booted with a Knoppix Live DVD can provide a simple and reliable system for sharing demonstrations of JPF, and in particular, for running regression tests in a repeatable way before changes are committed to shared repositories. To make the system easy to automate, we integrated host file system access and a server for script execution. To make it practical for an interactive workow, checkpointing was added to avoid booting and configuration delays. As an unexpected benefit, the isolation provided by the virtual machines allows multiple tests to run in parallel without risk of clashes over resources such as server ports.
Execution and property specifications for JPF-android
Authors: van der Merwe Heila , van der Merwe Brink , Visser Willem
Published: February 2014

JPF-Android is a model checking tool for Android applications allowing them to be verified outside of an emulator on Java PathFinder (JPF). The Android applications are executed on a model of the Android software stack and their execution driven by simulating user and system input events. This paper follows from our previous work describing the design decisions and implementation of JPF-Android. Here we discuss the syntax and implementation of the scripting environment which is used to drive the execution of the An- droid application under analysis. It also focuses on a further extension to the tool used to automatically monitor the run- time behavior of Android applications.
Formal validation of fault management design solutions
Authors: Gibson Corrina , Karban Robert , Andolfato Luigi , Day John
Published: February 2014

The work presented in this paper describes an approach used to develop SysML modeling patterns to express the behavior of fault protection, test the model's logic by performing fault injection simulations, and verify the fault protection system's logical design via model checking. A representative example, using a subset of the fault protection design for the Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) system, was modeled with SysML State Machines and JavaScript as Action Language. The SysML model captures interactions between relevant system components and system behavior abstractions (mode managers, error monitors, fault protection engine, and devices/switches). Development of a method to implement verifiable and lightweight executable fault protection models enables future missions to have access to larger fault test domains and verifiable design patterns. A tool-chain to transform the SysML model to jpf-statechart compliant Java code and then verify the generated code via model checking was established. Conclusions and lessons learned from this work are also described, as well as potential avenues for further research and development.
Behavior Genetics and the Domestication of Animals
Authors: Jensen Per
Published: February 2014

Across species, a similar suite of traits tends to develop in response to domestication, including modifications in behavior. Reduced fear and increased stress tolerance were central in early domestication, and many domestication-related behaviors may have developed as traits correlated to reduced fear. Genetic mechanisms involved in domestication of behavior can be investigated by using top-down or bottom-up approaches, either starting from the behavior variation and searching for underlying genes or finding selected loci and then attempting to identify the associated phenotypes. Combinations of these approaches have proven powerful, and examples of results from such studies are presented and discussed. This includes loci associated with tameness in foxes and dogs, as well as loci correlated with reduced aggression and increased sociality in chickens. Finally, some examples are provided on epigenetic mechanisms in behavior, and it is suggested that selection of favorable epigenetic variants may have been an important mechanism in domestication.
Recent Advances in Primate Phylogenomics
Authors: Pecon-Slattery Jill
Published: February 2014

The world of primate genomics is expanding rapidly in new and exciting ways owing to lowered costs and new technologies in molecular methods and bioinformatics. The primate order is composed of 78 genera and 478 species, including human. Taxonomic inferences are complex and likely a consequence of ongoing hybridization, introgression, and reticulate evolution among closely related taxa. Recently, we applied large-scale sequencing methods and extensive taxon sampling to generate a highly resolved phylogeny that affirms, reforms, and extends previous depictions of primate speciation. The next stage of research uses this phylogeny as a foundation for investigating genome content, structure, and evolution across primates. Ongoing and future applications of a robust primate phylogeny are discussed, highlighting advancements in adaptive evolution of genes and genomes, taxonomy and conservation management of endangered species, next-generation genomic technologies, and biomedicine.