bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site Remediation Techniques in India: A Review
Authors: Banerjee Anomitra , Jothi Miller
Published: February 2014

India is one of the developing countries operating site remediation techniques for the entire nuclear fuel cycle waste for the last three decades. In this paper we intend to provide an overview of remediation methods currently utilized at various hazardous waste sites in India, their advantages and disadvantages. Over the years the site remediation techniques have been well characterized and different processes for treatment, conditioning and disposal are being practiced. Remediation Methods categorized as biological, chemical or physical are summarized for contaminated soils and environmental waters. This paper covers the site remediation techniques implemented for treatment and conditioning of wastelands arising from the operation of nuclear power plant, research reactors and fuel reprocessing units.
A Consistent Approach for the Development of a Comprehensive Data Base of Time-Dependent Parameters for Concrete Engineered Barriers
Authors: Seetharam Suresh C. , Mallants Dirk , Perko Janez , Jacques Diederik
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a consistent approach for the development of a comprehensive data base of time-dependent hydraulic and transport parameters for concrete engineered barriers of the future Dessel near surface repository for low level waste. The parameter derivation is based on integration of selected data obtained through an extensive literature review, data from experimental studies on cementitious materials specific for the Dessel repository and numerical modelling using physically-based models of water and mass transport. Best estimate parameter values for assessment calculations are derived, together with source and expert range and their probability density function wherever the data was sufficient. We further discuss a numerical method for upscaling laboratory derived parameter values to the repository scale; the resulting large-scale effective parameters are commensurate with numerical grids used in models for radionuclide migration. To accommodate different levels of conservatism in the various assessment calculations defined by ONDRAF/NIRAS, several sets of parameter values have been derived based on assumptions that introduce different degrees of conservatism. For pertinent parameters, the time evolution of such properties due to the long-term concrete degradation is also addressed. The implementation of the consistent approach is demonstrated by considering the pore water diffusion coefficient as an example.
Gunnar Uranium Mine Environmental Remediation: Northern Saskatchewan
Authors: Muldoon Joe , Yankovich Tamara , Schramm Laurier L.
Published: February 2014

The Gunnar Mine and mill site was the largest of some 38 now-abandoned uranium mines that were developed and operated in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, during the Cold War years. During their operating lifetimes these mines produced large quantities of ore and tailings. The Gunnar mine (open pit and underground) produced over 5 million tonnes of uranium ore and nearly 4.4 million tonnes of mine tailings during its operations from 1955 through 1963. An estimated 2.2 to 2.7 million m3 of waste rock that was generated during the processing of the ore abuts the shores of Lake Athabasca, the 22nd largest lake in the world. After closure in the 1960s, the Gunnar site was abandoned with little to no decommissioning being done. The Saskatchewan Research Council has been contracted to manage the clean-up of these abandoned northern uranium mine and mill sites. The Gunnar Mine, because of the magnitude of tailings and waste rock, is subject to an environmental site assessment process regulated by both provincial and federal governments. This process requires a detailed study of the environmental impacts that have resulted from the mining activities and an analysis of projected impacts from remediation efforts. The environmental assessment process, specific site studies, and public involvement initiatives are all now well underway. Due to the many uncertainties associated with an abandoned site, an adaptive remediation approach, utilizing a decision tree, presented within the environmental assessment documents will be used as part of the site regulatory licensing. A critical early task was dealing with major public safety hazards on the site. The site originally included many buildings that were remnants of a community of approximately 800 people who once occupied the site. These buildings, many of which contained high levels of asbestos, had to be appropriately abated and demolished. Similarly, the original mine head frame and mill site buildings, many of which still contained the original machinery and equipment, also had to be dismantled. Remediation options for the accumulated demolition debris have been assessed, as have remediation options for the waste rock and tailings, all of which form part of the environmental assessment. The regulatory requirements include the environmental assessment processes, a complex public involvement strategy, and licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) with the long-term goal of releasing the property in a remediated and stable state to the Province of Saskatchewan. Prescribed environmental and land-use endpoints will be determined based on the environmental assessment studies and remediation options analyzed and implemented. Ultimately, the site will be released into an institutional controls program that will allow long-term government management and monitoring.
Review of Passive Corrosion Studies of Carbon Steel in Concrete in the Context of Disposal of HLW and Spent Fuel in Belgium
Authors: Kursten B. , Druyts F. , Smart N. R. , Macdonald D. D. , Gens R. , Wang L. , Weetjens E. , Govaerts J.
Published: February 2014

The Supercontainer (SC) design is the preferred option for the final disposal of high level nuclear waste and spent fuel in Belgium. The SC consists of a carbon steel overpack surrounded by a very thick concrete buffer, contained within a stainless steel envelope. In this highly alkaline environment of the annulus and under normal conditions (without the ingress of aggressive species), the carbon steel overpack will be protected by a passive oxide film, which is believed to result in very low and almost negligible uniform corrosion rates. This paper discusses the modeling efforts simulating the evolution of various parameters that can potentially influence the corrosion processes (temperature, pH, saturation degree and concentration of aggressive species). The outcome of the Belgian experimental program to study the passive uniform corrosion of carbon steel in concrete is also addressed. Long-term uniform corrosion rates are determined using different independent techniques (hydrogen gas measurements by means of manometric gas cells or pressure transducers, long-term passive current density measurements).
The Large Scale In-Situ PRACLAY Heater and Seal Tests in URL HADES, Mol, Belgium
Authors: Li Xiangling , Chen Guangjing , Verstricht Jan , Van Marcke Philippe , Troullinos Ioannis
Published: February 2014

In Belgium, the URL HADES was constructed in the Boom Clay formation at the Mol site to investigate the feasibility of geological disposal in a clay formation. Since 1995, the URL R&D programme has focused on large scale demonstration tests like the PRACLAY Heater and Seal tests.

The main objective of the Heater Test is to demonstrate that the thermal load generated by the heat-emitting waste will not jeopardise the safety functions of the host rock.

The primary objective of the Seal Test is to provide suitable hydraulic boundary conditions for the Heater Test. The Seal Test also provides an opportunity to investigate the in-situ behaviour of a bentonite-based EBS.

The PRACLAY gallery was constructed in 2007 and the hydraulic seal was installed in 2010. The bentonite is hydrated both naturally and artificially. The swelling, total pressure and pore pressure of the bentonite are continuously measured and analysed by numerical simulations to get a better understanding of this hydration processes.

The timing of switching on the heater depends on the progress of the bentonite hydration, as a sufficient seal swelling is needed to fulfill its role. A set of conditions to be met for the heater switch-on and its schedule will be given.
Development and Testing of Techniques for In-Ground Stabilization, Size Reduction, and Safe Removal of Radioactive Wastes Stored in Containments Buried in Ground
Authors: Halliwell Stephen , Christodoulou Apostolos
Published: February 2014

Since the 1950’s radioactive wastes from a number of laboratories have been stored below ground at the Hanford site, Washington State, USA, in vertical pipe units (VPUs) made of five 200 litre drums without tops or bottoms, and in caissons, made out of corrugated pipe, or concrete and typically 2,500mm in diameter. The VPU’s are buried of the order of 2,100mm below grade, and the caissons are buried of the order of 6,000mm below grade.

The waste contains fuel pieces, fission products, and a range of chemicals used in the laboratory processes. This can include various energetic reactants such as un-reacted sodium potassium (NaK), potassium superoxide (KO2), and picric acid, as well as quantities of other liquids. The integrity of the containments is considered to present unacceptable risks from leakage of radioactivity to the environment.

This paper describes the successful development and full scale testing of in-ground augering equipment, grouting systems and removal equipment for remediation and removal of the VPUs, and the initial development work to test the utilization of the same basic augering and grouting techniques for the stabilization, size reduction and removal of caissons.
Optimised Management of Orphan Wastes in the UK
Authors: Doudou Slimane , McTeer Jennifer , Wickham Stephen , Thied Rob , Woodcock Richard , Turner Tom , Hamblin Clive , Buckley Matthew , Walsh Ciara
Published: February 2014

Orphan wastes have properties preventing them from being managed according to existing or currently planned management routes, or lack characterisation so that their management is uncertain. The identification of new management opportunities for orphan wastes could realise significant benefits by reducing the number of processing facilities required, reducing waste volumes, reducing hazard or leading to the development of centres of excellence for the processing of certain types of orphan wastes.

Information on the characteristics of orphan waste existing at nuclear licensed sites across the UK has been collated and a database developed to act as a repository for the information gathered. The database provides a capability to analyse the data and to explore possible treatment technologies for each orphan waste type. Thirty five distinct orphan waste types have been defined and possible treatment options considered. Treatment technologies (including chemical, high temperature, immobilisation and physical technologies) that could be applied to one or more of the generic orphan waste streams have been identified. Wiring diagrams have been used to highlight the waste treatment / lifecycle management options that are available for each of the generic orphan groups as well as identifying areas for further research and development.

This work has identified the potential for optimising the management of orphan wastes in a number of areas, and many potential opportunities were identified. Such opportunities could be investigated by waste managers at waste producing nuclear sites, to facilitate the development of new management routes for orphan wastes.
Key Differentiators Influencing the Choice of Robust Shielded Containers
Authors: Morris Jenny , Wickham Stephen , Nicholls David , Walsh Ciara , McKinney James
Published: February 2014

The NDA’s Upstream Optioneering project has examined the potential implications of using an alternative type of waste package and its influence on the waste management lifecycle across the NDA estate.

Robust Shielded Containers (RSCs) are radioactive waste packages that provide integral radiological shielding, reducing the need for remote handling. The robustness of the container could remove the need to immobilise waste by cement encapsulation. RSCs are routinely used to package ILW for interim storage in Germany and have fairly recently been considered for use in the UK because RSCs have the potential to simplify the waste management lifecycle and enable risk and hazard reduction. In particular, the current baseline (included in Magnox Limited lifetime plans) follows the strategy set out in the Magnox Operating Decommissioning Programme (MODP), in which Type II MOSAIK and Type VI Ductile Cast Iron Containers (DCICs) are used to package (in non-encapsulated form) most Magnox ILW arising prior to 2050.

By considering representative types of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) and exploring potential packaging options for these wastes, this paper identifies the factors that could differentiate between cases in which RSCs would, or would not, be an appropriate option. The potential role of RSCs across the waste management lifecycle is examined, from retrieval of waste through to emplacement at a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), including consideration of other potential uses of RSCs, such as temporary storage of raw wastes for which appropriate treatment and conditioning measures have yet to be developed.
Long-Term Monitoring Experiences at the HADES Underground Lab and its Relevance for Radwaste Repository Monitoring
Authors: Verstricht Jan
Published: February 2014

In the frame of its radwaste disposal research programme, SCK•CEN started the construction of the HADES underground research facility in 1980. Including several extensions and a comprehensive experimental programme, it has provided a lot of experience on monitoring. Monitoring is performed for many reasons: construction follow-up, field characterisation, investigation of phenomena, and model validations — in which the underground lab offers the opportunity for upscaling conventional laboratory set-ups. Construction monitoring has allowed to develop and optimise the underground construction techniques in a previously poorly known environment, resulting in a well-mastered application of mechanised methods for gallery construction with minimal damage to the host formation. Access to this formation also allows its characterisation, both geotechnical, geological and geochemical, and the detailed investigation of phenomena such as fracturing and oxidation. Finally, instrumented set-ups allow to test various numerical models by comparing the observations with the predicted behaviour. The specific conditions of the underground laboratory put particular requirements to the sensors. These conditions include the long-term nature of many set-ups — typically several years to decades, the inaccessibility of many sensors after installation, high mechanical and water pressures, and corrosion. Combined with the fact that many sensors are custom made, obtaining and maintaining a fully functional instrumented set-up can be challenging. A lot of experience has therefore been gained which is very valuable when designing the monitoring of radwaste repositories — and it has allowed us to determine the critical success factors for monitoring. Engineers tend to look at this first from a technical viewpoint — and there are many technical aspects indeed that determine the reliability of monitoring. A first one is the combination of different observations (“redundancy”) which can be implemented by the use of several sensors, different sensor principles, different (coupled) parameters, and the combination of point measurements with geophysical techniques. Cabling is also a critical issue as it is often considered as the primary enemy of barrier integrity. Minimal cabling techniques, such as distributed fibre optic monitoring and wireless signal transmission, therefore get increasing attention. Also the interpretation of the monitoring data — in particular those that are perceived as “wrong” or “unexpected”, needs sufficient attention. The long-term experience has however also shown that the design of a monitoring programme must look beyond the technical part. In particular for long-term applications, issues such as data management and record keeping are vital to guarantee success in this.
Decommissioning of the Hematite Former Fuel Cycle Facility Using a Decision Flow Logic Based Work Control Process
Authors: Anderson Keith D.
Published: February 2014

The remediation and decommissioning of the Hematite Former Fuel Cycle Facility (FFCF), the Hematite Facility, is currently being carried out by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC under the Hematite Decommissioning Project (HDP). The Hematite Facility is located near the town of Hematite, Missouri, USA. The Hematite Facility consists of 228 acres of land with primary operations historically being conducted within the central portion of the property that is roughly 10 acres including Burial Pits and the Site Pond area. Decommissioning and remediation activities are being performed with the eventual objective of the release of the property. Primary contaminants include the legacy disposal and contamination of natural and enriched uranium from the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as chemicals used during the facility operations. Two major regulatory bodies, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), provide critical roles in the approval and oversight of the current regulatory path to remediation, decommissioning and eventual release. Further, remediation and decommissioning activities are performed under the implementing policies, plans, and procedures under the Hematite Decommissioning Plan (DP) and the Record of Decision (ROD). Remediation and decommissioning tasks at the Hematite Former Fuel Cycle Facility, referred to as the Hematite Facility, are performed against a disciplined decision logic flow that applies accumulated technical and monitoring data to determine each step of the excavation, exhumation, and removal of wastes from the Burial Pits and the remaining Areas of Concern (AOC). Decision flow logic is based upon the nuclear criticality safety controls and threshold conditions, relative level of radioactive and chemical contamination, security protocol, and final waste stream disposition. The end result is to remediate the residual radioactive and chemical contamination to approved dose-based and risk-based cleanup criteria as negotiated with U.S. Federal and State Regulators. The purpose of the paper is to provide a summary of the successful implementation of the decision flow logic to the remediation and decommissioning tasks performed to date.
High Linear Energy Transfer Degradation Studies Simulating Alpha Radiolysis of TRU Solvent Extraction Processes
Authors: Pearson Jeremy , Miller George , Nilsson Mikael
Published: February 2014

Treatment of used nuclear fuel through solvent extraction separation processes is hindered by radiolytic damage from radioactive isotopes present in used fuel. The nature of the damage caused by the radiation may depend on the radiation type, whether it be low linear energy transfer (LET) such as gamma radiation or high LET such as alpha radiation. Used nuclear fuel contains beta/gamma emitting isotopes but also a significant amount of transuranics which are generally alpha emitters. Studying the respective effects on matter of both of these types of radiation will allow for accurate prediction and modeling of process performance losses with respect to dose. Current studies show that alpha radiation has milder effects than that of gamma. This is important to know because it will mean that solvent extraction solutions exposed to alpha radiation may last longer than expected and need less repair and replacement. These models are important for creating robust, predictable, and economical processes that have strong potential for mainstream adoption on the commercial level. The effects of gamma radiation on solvent extraction ligands have been more extensively studied than the effects of alpha radiation. This is due to the inherent difficulty in producing a sufficient and confluent dose of alpha particles within a sample without leaving the sample contaminated with long lived radioactive isotopes. Helium ion beam and radioactive isotope sources have been studied in the literature. We have developed a method for studying the effects of high LET radiation in situ via 10B activation and the high LET particles that result from the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction which follows. Our model for dose involves solving a partial differential equation representing absorption by 10B of an isentropic field of neutrons penetrating a sample. This method has been applied to organic solutions of TBP and CMPO, two ligands common in TRU solvent extraction treatment processes. Rates of degradation of TBP and CMPO and their respective degradation products in the presence of high LET radiation are presented and discussed. These results are also compared to gamma studies performed in our lab and other gamma and alpha studies found in the literature. The possible application of this method to a variety of other solvent extraction ligands to study the effects of high LET radiation is also considered.
Current Status and Performance Assessment for the Techa Cascade of Reservoirs: Liquid Radioactive Waste Storage Facility
Authors: Linge Igor I. , Utkin Sergey S. , Mokrov Yury G. , Drozhko Evgeny G.
Published: February 2014

The Techa cascade of water reservoirs is the world’s largest open storage facility for liquid low-level radioactive waste. Its capacity is about 360 mln. m3, it occupies an area of more than 65 km2, the total activity accumulated in the water and sediments is about 6·1015 Bq. The major challenge facing the Techa cascade is virtually uncontrollable water level changes. The water level rise can cause significant pollution of the environment. From the late 1990’s onwards, the issue of the Techa cascade safety assurance is considered to be one of the major challenges pertaining to nuclear legacy for «Mayak» and Russia as a whole. Unlike other industrial water reservoirs the Techa cascade liquidation is estimated as highly unrealistic. The main objectives of the paper are:

– brief results summary of the practical works on safety improvement at the Techa cascade carried out over the past decade;

– introduction the works on the Techa cascade performance assessment;

– determination of the existing risks and strategic areas for solving the problem.
Coaching in South Africa
Authors: Segwaba Jerry , Vardhan Desiree , Duffy Patrick
Published: February 2014

The South African government and the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) have committed to the creation of an active and winning nation through sport. As part of the national sports plan, coaching has been identified as a key element in the success of the South African sports system. In this context, SASCOC commissioned the development of the South African Coaching Framework, which was formally launched in 2011. The development and launch of the Framework has been accompanied by the gathering of research and scoping data to inform the processes of planning, implementation and impact evaluation. This article describes the current position of coaching in South Africa and the key issues being addressed through the South African Coaching Framework. The challenges that remain to be faced in maximising the contribution of sport coaching to the sporting and social vision of the nation are also identifed.
Barriers to Delivering Extracurricular School Sport and Physical Activity in Wales: A Qualitative Study of 5x60 Officers’ Views and Perspectives
Authors: Rainer Paul , Griffiths Robert , Cropley Brendan , Jarvis Stuart
Published: February 2014

Background:

In light of recent reports, schools must be realistic in that physical activity recommendations cannot be met through curriculum PE alone. However, extracurricular PE and school sport has the potential to further promote physical activity in adolescents. Consequently, the Welsh Government, UK, proposed through its Climbing Higher strategy (2006) for secondary school children to achieve 60 minutes of physical activity a day. This was implemented through Sport Wales and the 5×60 scheme.

Method:

This study aimed to examine the experiences of the 5×60 officers responsible for implementing the program, with a view to gain an understanding of the barriers associated with increasing participation in physical activity. Officers from 14 unitary authorities across Wales were interviewed using a socioecological approach that considered the impact of: personal behaviors, physical environment, social environment, and policy.

Results:

Participants reported a number of challenges affecting the delivery of the program, including: availability of facilities, lack of support from senior management, time, and conflict with PE staff.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that current methods used by personnel to facilitate extracurricular school sport may not be the most appropriate, and future direction should consider the place and contribution of physical activity to young people’s lives.
Exposure Analysis Methods Impact Associations Between Maternal Physical Activity and Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Bovbjerg Marit L. , Siega-Riz Anna Maria , Evenson Kelly R. , Goodnight William
Published: February 2014

Background:

Previous studies report conflicting results regarding a possible association between maternal physical activity (PA) and cesarean delivery.

Methods:

Seven-day PA recalls were collected by telephone from pregnant women (n = 1205) from North Carolina, without prior cesarean, during 2 time windows: 17 to 22 weeks and 27 to 30 weeks completed gestation. PA was treated as a continuous, nonlinear variable in binomial regressions (log-link function); models controlled for primiparity, maternal contraindications to exercise, preeclampsia, pregravid BMI, and percent poverty. We examined both total PA and moderate-tovigorous PA (MVPA) at each time. Outcomes data came from medical records.

Results:

The dose-response curves between PA or MVPA and cesarean risk at 17 to 22 weeks followed an inverse J-shape, but at 27 to 30 weeks the curves reversed and were J-shaped. However, only (total) PA at 27 to 30 weeks was strongly associated with cesarean risk; this association was attenuated when women reporting large volumes of PA (> 97.5 percentile) were excluded.

Conclusion:

We did not find evidence of an association between physical activity and cesarean birth. We did, however, find evidence that associations between PA and risk of cesarean may be nonlinear and dependent on gestational age at time of exposure, limiting the accuracy of analyses that collapse maternal PA into categories.
How Do Different Occupational Factors Influence Total, Occupational, and Leisure-Time Physical Activity?
Authors: Vandelanotte Corneel , Short Camille , Rockloff Matthew , Millia Lee Di , Ronan Kevin , Happell Brenda , Duncan Mitch J.
Published: February 2014

Background:

A better understanding of how occupational indicators influence physical activity levels will aid the design of workplace interventions.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data were collected from 1194 participants through a telephone interview in Queensland, Australia. The IPAQ-long was used to measure physical activity. Multiple logistic regression was applied to examine associations.

Results:

Of participants, 77.9% were employed full-time, 32.3% had professional jobs, 35.7% were engaged in shift work, 39.5% had physically-demanding jobs, and 66.1% had high physical activity levels. Participants with a physicallydemanding job were less likely to have low total (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.38) and occupational (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.25) physical activity. Technical and trade workers were less likely to report low total physical activity (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.20 to 0.97) compared with white-collar workers. Part-time (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.64) and shift workers (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.88) were more likely to report low leisure-time activity.

Conclusions:

Overall, the impact of different occupational indicators on physical activity was not strong. As expected, the greatest proportion of total physical activity was derived from occupational physical activity. No evidence was found for compensation effects whereby physically-demanding occupations lead to less leisure-time physical activity or vice versa. This study demonstrates that workplaces are important settings to intervene, and that there is scope to increase leisure-time physical activity irrespective of occupational background.
Effect on Physical Fitness of a 10-Year Physical Activity Intervention in Primary Health Care Settings
Authors: Nakamura Priscila M. , Papini Camila B. , Teixeira Inaian P. , Chiyoda Alberto , Luciano Eliete , Cordeira Kelly Lynn , Kokubun Eduardo
Published: February 2014

Background:

Interventions in primary health care settings have been effective in increasing physical fitness. In 2001, the Programa de Exercício Físico em Unidades de Saúde (Physical Exercise in Health Primary Care Program—PEHPCP) was launched in Rio Claro City, Brazil. The intervention consisted of biweekly, 60-minute group sessions in all primary health care settings in the city. This study evaluated the effect of PEHPCP on physical fitness and on the aging process after a decade of ongoing implementation.

Methods:

There were 409 women (50 ± 26 y old) and 31 men (64 ± 10 y old) who were eligible for this study. Every 4 months, participants completed the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance standardized tests.

Results:

Program participation was associated with a reduced effect, compared with baseline, of the natural decline of physical fitness caused by aging, as represented by changes in the following measures: coordination test time, −0.44 seconds; agility and dynamic balance test time; −1.81 seconds; aerobic capacity test time, 3.57 seconds; and muscle strength exercises, +0.60 repetitions. No significant effect on flexibility was found.

Conclusions:

The PEHPCP showed potential in improving muscle strength, coordination, aerobic capacity, and agility and dynamic balance in participants and in maintaining flexibility in participants.
Validity of the SenseWear Armband to Assess Energy Expenditure in Graded Walking
Authors: Vernillo Gianluca , Savoldelli Aldo , Pellegrini Barbara , Schena Federico
Published: February 2014

Background:

Accurate assessments of physical activity and energy expenditure (EE) are needed to advance research on positive and negative graded walking.

Purpose:

To evaluate the validity of 2 SenseWear Armband monitors (Pro3 and the recently released Mini) during graded walking.

Methods:

Twenty healthy adults wore both monitors during randomized walking activities on a motorized treadmill at 7 grades (0%, ±5%, ±15%, and ±25%). Estimates of total EE from the monitors were computed using different algorithms and compared with values derived from indirect calorimetry methodology using a 2-way mixed model ANOVA (Device × Condition), correlation analyses and Bland-Altman plots.

Results:

There was no significant difference in EE between the 2 armbands in any of the conditions examined. Significant main effects for device and condition, as well as a consistent bias, were observed during positive and negative graded walking with a greater over- and under-estimation at higher slope.

Conclusions:

Both the armbands produced similar EE values and seem to be not accurate in estimation of EE during activities involving uphill and downhill walking. Additional work is needed to understand factors contributing to this discrepancy and to improve the ability of these monitors to accurately measure EE during graded walking.
Cracking the NF-κB Code
Authors: Tkach Karen E. , Oyler Jennifer E. , Altan-Bonnet Grégoire
Published: February 2014

Quantitative analysis of nuclear factor κB signaling reveals critical feedback mechanisms.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 18 February 2014
Authors: Dennis James W. , Soliman Mohamed A. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: February 2014

The adaptor protein p66Shc decreases glucose uptake and metabolism by inhibiting mTOR signaling.
BASCing in the Presence of Endothelial Cells
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: February 2014

Lung stem cells receive signals from endothelial cells about when to differentiate.
Gastrulating Cells Toddle
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: February 2014

A secreted peptide promotes gastrulation movements in zebrafish.
Timing Isn't Everything
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: February 2014

The segmentation clock is not required for vertebrate somite formation but is required for temporal regulation of somitogenesis.
Fine-Tuning Brain Gyrations
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: February 2014

Development of surface folds of the human brain is controlled in sections.
Effect of cardiovascular prevention strategies on incident coronary disease hospitalisation rates in Spain; an ecological time series analysis
Authors: Medrano María José , Alcalde-Cabero Enrique , Ortíz Cristina , Galán Iñaki
Published: February 2014

Objective

To assess the overall population impact of primary prevention strategies (promotion of healthy lifestyles, prevention of smoking and use of vascular risk drug therapy) of coronary disease in Spain.

Design

Ecological time series analysis, 1982–2009.

Setting

All public and private hospitals in Spain.

Participants

General population.

Outcome

Incident coronary disease hospitalisation as derived from official hospital discharge data.

Methods

Annual hospitalisation rates were modelled according to nationwide use of statins, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antiplatelet drugs, and prevalences of smoking, obesity and overweight. Additive generalised models and mixed Poisson regression models were used for the purpose, taking year as the random-effect variable and adjusting for age, sex, prevalence of vascular risk factors and the number of hospital beds in intensive and coronary care units.

Results

Across 28 years and 671.5 million person-years of observation, there were 2 986 834 hospitalisations due to coronary disease; of these, 1 441 980 (48.28%) were classified as incident. Hospitalisation rates increased from 1982 to 1996, with an inflection point in 1997 and a subsequent 52% decrease until 2009. Prevalences of smoking, obesity, overweight and use of vascular risk drug therapy were significantly associated with hospitalisation rates (p<0.001): incidence rates ratios (95% CI) for the fourth versus the first quartile were 1.46 (1.42 to 1.50), 1.80 (1.78 to 1.83), 1.58 (1.55 to 1.60) and 0.57 (0.51 to 0.63), respectively. These variables accounted for 92% of interannual variability.

Conclusions

After decades of continuous rises, hospitalisation due to incident ischaemic heart disease has been cut by half, an achievement associated with the decline in smoking and the increase in vascular risk drug therapy. These results indicate that these two primary prevention strategies have been effective at a population level, thanks to an appropriate balance between financial and health goals, something that should be left intact despite the current economic crisis. Future strategies ought to lay special stress on excessive body weight prevention.
Second-hand smoke exposure in different types of venues: before and after the implementation of smoke-free legislation in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Ye Xiaohua , Yao Zhenjiang , Gao Yanhui , Xu Ya , Xu Ying , Zhu Zhengwei , Chen Sidong , Yang Yi
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Smoke-free legislation was implemented in Guangzhou on 1 September 2010. However, the smoke-free policy did not cover all indoor areas and smoking rooms can be set in some public places. This study aimed to assess changes in self-reported second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in different types of venues and in homes, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of smoke-free legislation.

Methods/design

A repeated cross-sectional survey of representative participants was conducted in Guangzhou before and after the smoke-free legislation. Logistic regression models were used to examine the effectiveness of smoke-free legislation.

Main outcome measures

Self-reported exposure to SHS,antitobacco advertisements and tobacco advertisements.

Participants

A total of 4900 participants before the ban and 5135 participants after the ban were selected using a multistage stratified design.

Results

In full smoking ban places, overall self-reported SHS exposure has declined significantly from 58.8% to 50.3% (p<0.05) with greater drops in cultural venues, government offices and commercial venues. The smoke-free policy did not alter SHS exposure in smokers’ homes (39.6% in 2009 vs 40.0% in 2011; p=0.454). Although a slight decrease in SHS exposure was observed in smoking rooms in hotels, workplaces, restaurants, cafes/bars/nightclubs and amusement parks, SHS continued to be high in those areas. The implementation of smoke-free legislation was accompanied by an increase in antitobacco advertisements.

Conclusions

SHS exposure declines more significantly in full smoking ban places than in partial smoking ban places. The smoke-free policy in public places does not lead to more SHS exposure in homes. Therefore, it is recommended that Guangzhou should implement a 100% smoke-free policy in all public places and workplaces in the future.
Age-related trajectories of physical functioning in work and retirement: the role of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and disease
Authors: Stenholm Sari , Westerlund Hugo , Salo Paula , Hyde Martin , Pentti Jaana , Head Jenny , Kivimäki Mika , Vahtera Jussi
Published: February 2014

Background

Loss of physical functioning is an early marker of declining health in older people. The objective of this study was to examine the age-related trajectories of physical functioning among those in full-time work and retirement.

Methods

Based on the Health and Retirement Study, participants who were working full-time or were in full-time retirement and 65–85 years of age during the follow-up period from 1992 to 2010 were included (n=17 844, n of observations from repeated measures in full-time work 5891 and in retirement 57 117). Details of physical functioning were asked about at all study phases and 10 items related to mobility and activities of daily living were summed to obtain a physical functioning score (0–10).

Results

The number of physical functioning difficulties increased every 10 years by 0.17 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.29) when in full-time work and by 0.46 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.50) in retirement after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, total wealth, Body Mass Index, smoking, physical activity and number of diseases. Factors that were associated with a significantly greater increase in number of physical functioning difficulties in full-time work and retirement include lifestyle-related risks and chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Physical functioning declines faster in retirement than in full-time work in employees aged 65 years or older and the difference is not explained by absence of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related risks.
Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure: a population-based study of aetiology and outcome in Northern Ireland
Authors: Carr A S , Hoeritzauer A I , Kee R , Kinney M , Campbell J , Hutchinson A , McDonnell G V
Published: February 2014

Background

Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure (NMRF) is a life-threatening feature of a variety of neurological conditions that can present in extremis prior to the establishment of a definitive diagnosis, so early clinical decision making is difficult. Population-based data on the frequency, outcome and aetiological spectrum are lacking.

Objective

To establish accurate epidemiological descriptive statistics in this patient group.

Methods

The regional Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) database was searched for patients admitted with acute NMRF from 1/1/2000 to 31/12/2010. Demographics, diagnosis, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, follow-up and outcome (modified Rankin score (mRS)) were recorded. A comparison dataset of all non-NMRF neurology patients admitted to ICU was obtained.

Results

55 patients were identified; age 17–88 (median 66 years), M:F ratio 1:1.5, incidence rate (IR) 2.81 (2.12 to 3.66) cases per million person-years and mortality rate (MR) 0.26 (0.08 to 0.60) deaths per million person-years. Causes included inflammatory neuropathy (65%), myasthenia gravis (18%), rhabdomyolysis (2%) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (9%), and 5% were undiagnosed. Follow-up ranged from 0 to 7 years (median 500.5 days); long-term mRS 1 (range 0–6). NMRF patients were older (p<0.0001), had longer ICU stay (p<0.0001), but significantly better outcome (p<0.0001) than 93 non-NMRF neurology patients requiring ICU admission.

Conclusion

Inflammatory and degenerative neuromuscular conditions can present in acute NMRF. Long-term outcome is good and MR is low, and significantly better than in other neurology patients requiring ICU admission despite longer ICU stay.
Effects of high-intensity interval exercise versus continuous moderate-intensity exercise on postprandial glycemic control assessed by continuous glucose monitoring in obese adults
Authors: Little Jonathan P. , Jung Mary E. , Wright Amy E. , Wright Wendi , Manders Ralph J.F.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of acute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) compared with continuous moderate-intensity (CMI) exercise on postprandial hyperglycemia in overweight or obese adults. Ten inactive, overweight or obese adults (41 ± 11 yrs, BMI = 36 ± 7 kg/m2) performed an acute bout of HIIT (10 × 1 min at approximately 90% peak heart rate (HRpeak) with 1-min recovery periods) or matched work CMI (30 min at approximately 65% HRpeak) in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. Exercise was performed 2 h after breakfast, and glucose control was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring under standardized dietary conditions over 24 h. Postprandial glucose (PPG) responses to lunch, dinner, and the following day’s breakfast were analyzed and compared with a no-exercise control day. Exercise did not affect the PPG responses to lunch, but performing both HIIT and CMI in the morning significantly reduced the PPG incremental area under the curve (AUC) following dinner when compared with control (HIIT = 110 ± 35, CMI = 125 ± 34, control = 162 ± 46 mmol/L × 2 h, p < 0.05). The PPG AUC (HIIT = 125 ± 53, CMI = 186 ± 55, control = 194 ± 96 mmol/L × 2 h) and the PPG spike (HIIT = Δ2.1 ± 0.9, CMI = Δ3.0 ± 0.9, control = Δ3.0 ± 1.5 mmol/l) following breakfast on the following day were significantly lower following HIIT compared with both CMI and control (p < 0.05). Absolute AUC and absolute glucose spikes were not different between HIIT, CMI, or control for any meal (p > 0.05 for all). We conclude that a single session of HIIT has greater and more lasting effects on reducing incremental PPG when compared with CMI.
Comparative analysis of aluminum accumulation in leaves of three angiosperm species
Authors: Maejima Eriko , Hiradate Syuntaro , Jansen Steven , Osaki Mitsuru , Watanabe Toshihiro
Published: February 2014

Aluminum (Al) accumulators are widely distributed in the plant kingdom but phylogenetic implications of internal Al detoxification mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated differences in the characteristics of Al accumulation (i.e., accumulation potential, chemical form, and localization) in three woody Al accumulators, Symplocos chinensis (Lour.) Druce var. leucocarpa (Nakai) Ohwi f. pilosa (Nakai) Ohwi (Symplocaceae, Ericales), Melastoma malabathricum L., and Tibouchina urvilleana Cogn. (both Melastomataceae, Myrtales). The order of Al accumulation potential under hydroponic conditions was S. chinensis ≈ M. malabathricum > T. urvilleana. Oxalate was at least partly involved in the internal Al detoxification mechanisms in leaves of all three Al accumulators, based on a correlation analysis between Al and organic acid in water and 0.02 mol·L−1 HCl extracts and the 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of intact leaves. However, the Al forms in the leaves were not simple Al-ligand complexes in a specific cell structure. Al localization in leaf sections differed among the three species. Extremely high levels of Al were found in trichomes of the lower epidermis in leaves of T. urvilleana. These data illustrate that woody Al-accumulating angiosperms have independently developed various internal Al-tolerance mechanisms in which oxalate plays a significant role.
An evolutionary optimization method to determine optimum degree of activity accelerating and overlapping in schedule compression
Authors: Hazini Kamran , Dehghan Reza , Ruwanpura Janaka
Published: February 2014

Compressing project schedule using activity accelerating and overlapping requires that an intensive time–cost trade-off analysis be carried out, to determine costs and benefits for each day of compression. However, the cost elements and implications of compression techniques differ significantly, since activity accelerating imposes extra direct cost whereas activity overlapping adds a risk of changes and rework. Such a trade-off becomes even more complicated in capital projects comprised of a large number of schedule activities and relationships. The variety of combinations of accelerating and overlapping of different activities in these complex networks can offer numerous possibilities for compression with various costs and potential risks. The lack of a reliable analytical tool for performing a precise cost-benefit analysis causes this critical task to be performed in a subjective manner during the planning stage of projects. The purpose of this paper is to present an advanced method using a multi-objective evolutionary optimization tool seeking the optimum degree of accelerating and overlapping during the schedule compression process. This optimization technique would be beneficial in maximizing project benefits while meeting the intended target dates.
Influence of environmental, spatial, and ontogenetic variables on habitat selection and management of spiny dogfish in the Northeast (US) shelf large marine ecosystem
Authors: Sagarese Skyler R. , Frisk Michael G. , Miller Thomas J. , Sosebee Kathy A. , Musick John A. , Rago Paul J.
Published: February 2014

Declines in abundance of commercially valuable groundfish have highlighted the ecological and commercial importance of previously underutilized elasmobranchs in the Northeast (US) shelf large marine ecosystem (NES LME). Seasonal distributions and ontogenetic habitats of one such species, spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), were investigated using Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) bottom trawl survey data (1963–2009). Neonate, immature, and mature dogfish all selected warmer, more saline, and more southerly locations during spring compared with available locations. During autumn, larger dogfish occupied relatively warmer, shallower, and less saline waters while neonates selected higher salinities. There were strong ontogenetic patterns in habitats occupied. Contrary to expectation, geographic range contracted as abundance increased during autumn. This suggests that niche constraints override density-dependent effects, although detection of relationships within stages was limited by low statistical power. The proportion of mature female survey catch within the Mid-Atlantic Bight was significantly related to temperature, suggesting that environmental conditions surveyed may impact population trends. Collectively, these results highlight critical habitats, suggest mechanisms behind ontogenetic habitat selection, and provide insight into how changing environmental conditions may impact stock assessment.