bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence rates of haemophilia among males in the United States based on surveillance conducted in specialized haemophilia treatment centres
Authors: Soucie John Michael , Miller Connie H. , Dupervil Brandi , Le Binh , Buckner Tyler W.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Estimates of the size and characteristics of the US haemophilia population are needed for healthcare planning and resource needs assessment. A network of comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) located throughout the United States receives federal support for diagnosis and management of haemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders.

Aim

Estimate the incidence and prevalence of haemophilia among US males using the HTC network.

Methods

During the period 2012‐2018, de‐identified surveillance data were collected on all males who visited an HTC that included year of birth, gender, race, Hispanic ethnicity, residence zip code, haemophilia type and severity. Data from all patients were used to calculate period prevalence by haemophilia type, severity and state of residence. Data from a subset of patients born 1995‐2014 were used to estimate incidence rates over the 20‐year period.

Results

During the period, 21 748 males with haemophilia visited the HTCs resulting in an age‐adjusted prevalence of 15.7 cases per 100 000 males (12 for haemophilia A and 3.7 for haemophilia B). Prevalence was higher among whites (15.1) than blacks (12.4) or Hispanics of either race (12.4). State‐specific prevalence varied from 1.6 to 23.3 cases per 100 000. Based on 9587 males born during the index period, the average haemophilia incidence was 1 case per 4334 live male births.

Conclusion

Based on these data, we estimate that there are between 29 761 and 32 985 males with haemophilia living in the United States today, the majority of whom receive comprehensive care in specialized clinical centres.
Public acceptability of public health policy to improve population health: A population‐based survey
Authors: Sharp Catherine A. , Bellis Mark A. , Hughes Karen , Ford Kat , Di Lemma Lisa C. G.
Published: April 2020

Background

For public health policies to be effective, it is critical that they are acceptable to the public as acceptance levels impact success rate.

Objective

To explore public acceptance of public health statements and examine differences in acceptability across socio‐demographics, health behaviours (physical activity, diet, binge drinking and smoking), health status and well‐being.

Method

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample (N = 1001) using a random stratified sampling method. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted at homes of residents in Wales aged 16+ years. Individuals reported whether they agreed, had no opinion, or disagreed with 12 public health statements.

Results

More than half of the sample were supportive of 10 out of 12 statements. The three statements with the greatest support (>80% agreement) reflected the importance of: a safe and loving childhood to becoming a healthy adult, schools teaching about health, and healthier foods costing less. Individuals who engaged in unhealthy behaviours were less likely to agree with some of the statements (eg 39.8% of binge drinkers agreed alcohol adverts should be banned compared to 57.6% of those who never binge drink;P < .001).

Conclusions

Findings show an appetite for public health policies among the majority of the public. The relationship between supporting policies and engaging in healthy behaviours suggests a feedback loop that is potentially capable of shifting both public opinion and the opportunities for policy intervention. If a nation becomes healthier, this could illicit greater support for stronger policies which could encourage more people to move in a healthier direction.
Changes in the mechanical properties of bioactive borophosphate fiber when immersed in aqueous solutions
Authors: Mishra Ayush , Noppari Panu , Boussard‐Plédel Catherine , Petit Laeticia , Massera Jonathan
Published: April 2020

Bioactive fibers have become increasingly prevalent for applications in optical sensing and as reinforcement in fully biodegradable devices. However, the typical bioactive glass fibers drawn from silicate glasses have poor mechanical properties. Here, we present our latest study on the development of new bioactive single‐core (SC) borophosphate fiber with the composition (in mol%) 47.5P2O5‐20CaO‐20SrO‐10Na2O‐2.5B2O3and of core‐clad (CC) borophosphate fiber, the composition (in mol%) of the clad and the core being 47.5P2O5‐20CaO‐20SrO‐10Na2O‐2.5B2O3and 0.025CeO2‐0.975(47.5P2O5‐20CaO‐20SrO‐10Na2O‐2.5B2O3), respectively. We show that the immersion in aqueous solutions such as Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) increases first the mechanical properties of the fibers due to the early congruent glass dissolution and so due to the reduction in the density of surface flaws. However, for long immersion in TRIS or in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF), the mechanical properties decrease due to the precipitation of a reactive calcium‐phosphate layer at the surface of the fibers. Especially when immersed for a long time in SBF, the fibers become too fragile to allow one to measure their mechanical properties. Nonetheless, we clearly show in this study that the newly developed fibers are promising materials for reinforcing composite and/or as biosensors as these fibers still possess sufficiently high mechanical properties after immersion for significant time in SBF and/or TRIS.
The role of evolutionary time, diversification rates and dispersal in determining the global diversity of a large radiation of passerine birds
Authors: Cai Tianlong , Shao Shimiao , Kennedy Jonathan D. , Alström Per , Moyle Robert G. , Qu Yanhua , Lei Fumin , Fjeldså Jon
Published: April 2020

Aim

Variation in species diversity among different geographical areas may result from differences in speciation and extinction rates, immigration and time for diversification. An area with high species diversity may be the result of a high net diversification rate, multiple immigration events from adjacent regions, and a long time available for the accumulation of species (known as the ‘time‐for‐speciation effect’). Here, we examine the relative importance of the three aforementioned processes in shaping the geographical diversity patterns of a large radiation of passerine birds.

Location

Global.

Taxon

Babblers (Aves: Passeriformes).

Methods

Using a comprehensive phylogeny of extant species (~90% sampled) and distributions of the world's babblers, we reconstructed their biogeographical history and analysed the diversification dynamics. We examined how species richness correlates with the timing of regional colonization, the number of immigration events and the rate of speciation within all 13 geographical distribution regions.

Results

We found that babblers likely originated in the Sino‐Himalayan Mountains (SHM) in the early Miocene, suggesting a long time for diversification and species accumulation within the SHM. Regression analyses showed the regional diversity of babblers can be well explained by the timing of the first colonization within of these areas, while differences in rates of speciation or immigration have far weaker effects. Nonetheless, the rapid speciation ofZosteropsduring the Pleistocene has accounted for the increased diversification and accumulation of species in the oceanic islands.

Main Conclusions

Our results suggest that the global diversity patterns of babblers have predominantly been shaped by the time‐for‐speciation effect. Our findings also support an origin centred in tropical and subtropical parts of the SHM, with a cradle of recent diversification in the oceanic islands of the Indo‐Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, which provides new insights into the generation of global biodiversity hotspots.
SOX9‐activated PXN‐AS1 promotes the tumorigenesis of glioblastoma by EZH2‐mediated methylation of DKK1
Authors: Chen Hongjin , Hou Guoqiang , Yang Jian , Chen Weilin , Guo Liemei , Mao Qin , Ge Jianwei , Zhang Xiaohua
Published: April 2020

Increasing evidence has validated the essential regulation of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the biological process of tumours. LncRNA PXN‐AS1 has been discovered to be as a tumour suppressor in pancreatic cancer; however, its function and mechanism remain greatly unknown in glioblastoma (GBM). Our present study indicated that PXN‐AS1 was highly expressed in GBM tissues and cells. Besides, the knock‐down of PXN‐AS1 was closely associated with the inhibitory proliferation and inducing apoptosis of GBM cells. PXN‐AS1 inhibition was also found to restrain GBM tumour growth. Importantly, SOX9 functioned as a transcription factor and activated PXN‐AS1 expression, and overexpressed PXN‐AS1 rescued the inhibitory role of down‐regulated SOX9 in GBM cell growth. Subsequently, it was discovered that PXN‐AS1 activated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. DKK1 was widely known as an inhibitor gene of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, and its expression was negatively associated with PXN‐AS1 and SOX9. Interestingly, we found that PXN‐AS1 could recruit EZH2 to mediate the H3K27me3 level of DKK1 promoter. Restoration experiments manifested that DKK1 knock‐down counteracted PXN‐AS1 depletion‐mediated repression in GBM cell growth. All facts pointed out that PXN‐AS1 might be of importance in exploring the therapeutic strategies of GBM.
Multi‐stage metamorphism by progressive accretion of continental blocks, example from the Western Hindu Kush
Authors: Moiny Hezbullah , Faryad Shah Wali , Čopjaková Renata , Jedlicka Radim
Published: April 2020

Basement rocks from the Western Hindu Kush preserve evidence of multiple metamorphic and magmatic events that occurred along the boundary between the Archean–Proterozoic Afghan Central and Afghan–Tajik Blocks. To verify the different metamorphic stages or events, mineral textures and phase equilibria in metamorphic basement rocks and their age relations to magmatic episodes have been investigated. Quartzofeldspathic gneiss and migmatite with lenses of amphibolite (with assumed Proterozoic age for their metamorphism) are intruded by the Triassic Hindu Kush granitoid batholith and small Cretaceous and Oligocene granite intrusions. The age of thermal overprint (210–170 Ma) by the Triassic batholith is confirmed by new monazite data. Both Triassic and Cretaceous granitoids and surrounding basement rocks underwent subsequent metamorphism up to epidote–amphibolite facies. The degree of this metamorphism increases southward at the contact to the Kabul Block, which under‐plates the Western Hindu Kush from the south. An early Miocene age was obtained by Pb–Th analyses in thorite and huttonite, which are close or slightly younger than the Oligocene granite in this area. The Cretaceous meta‐granodiorite near the border with the Kabul Block contains xenoliths of granulite facies rocks that could come from the Neoarchean granulite facies basement of the Kabul Block. The multi‐stage metamorphic and magmatic evolution classifies the Hindu Kush mountain belt as a long‐lived suture zone that was active since the early Palaeozoic. The results of this study support the interpretation about possible relations of the Afghan Central Blocks to the southern margin of Eurasia during the evolution of Para‐ and Neotethys.
Contemporary use of prescription medications for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: Kennedy Aidan , Christie Alana , Malik Rena D. , Zimmern Philippe E.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

First‐line treatment for patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) is anticholinergic or beta‐3 agonist medication. The addition of a secondary medication in patients with NDO may avoid progression to third‐ and fourth‐line therapies. We aim to identify patterns of medication use for patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) using a national database.

Methods

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) database was queried for a sample of ambulatory patient visits from 2003 to 2015. Outpatient visits were included for all patients aged 18 years or older diagnosed with NLUTD. Dual therapy was defined as prescription of two anticholinergics or one anticholinergic + beta‐3 agonist on the same visit. Visits in which medications were prescribed were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results

Out of a weighted sample of 5 391 680 patient visits with a primary diagnosis of NLUTD, 1 602 705 (30%) were prescribed medical therapy. Of included patients prescribed NDO medications, the majority were white (80%), located in the Northeast (71%), and of a mean age of 51 ± 3. Of these patients, at least 93% of patients were prescribed anticholinergics, and 37% were prescribed dual therapy. Patients 65 years and older were more likely to initiate a new NDO medication at their visit (43%) than patients under 65 (7%).

Conclusions

This is the first study to analyze the use of medical therapy for NLUTD in a large outpatient setting. Further prospective evaluation of patient satisfaction and efficacy of both single anticholinergic medication and dual therapy is needed.
A case of hemicrania continua‐tic syndrome
Authors: Goto Yudai , Iwamoto Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Naoya
Published: April 2020

We report a case of hemicrania continua (HC) accompanied by trigeminal neuralgia (TN). A 35‐year‐old female diagnosed with HC and TN. The patient had 3 different types of headaches: persistent background headache, severe exacerbations, and shock‐like short‐lasting headaches. It was considered that the first and second headaches are symptoms of HC, and the last is symptom of TN. The patient responded to indomethacin with complete relief of HC, but not TN. The correct diagnosis of the two headaches is important as both headaches require separate treatments.
Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour in the anterior mandible: a case report
Authors: Walters J. , Shaik S. , Afrogheh A. , Ndonga L.M.
Published: April 2020

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumours are hamartomatous lesions that rarely deviate from their well‐recognised radiological features. However, increasing numbers with atypical radiological features have been reported in recent years. This study reports on a large extrafollicular lesion in the anterior mandible with uncommon radiological features in a 17‐year‐old female. Treatment included enucleation with a histopathological confirmation. Healing was uneventful.
Curvularia spicifera and Curvularia muehlenbeckiae causing leaf blight on Cunninghamia lanceolata
Authors: Cui Wen‐Li , Lu Xiao‐Qiang , Bian Jin‐Yue , Qi Xi‐Ling , Li De‐Wei , Huang Lin
Published: April 2020

Curvularia includes plant pathogenic species with a worldwide distribution and a wide host range, particularly cereals and grass (Poaceae). Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is an important afforestation tree species in southern China, with a high economic value. Leaf blight disease on Chinese fir was discovered in Hunan and Zhejiang, China, and two fungal species were found to be associated with the symptoms. Using morphological and phylogenetic approaches, they were identified as Curvularia spicifera and Curvularia muehlenbeckiae. They were determined to be the pathogens by fulfilling Koch's postulates. Both showed a pathogenicity on Citrus reticulata and Citrus tangerina, which have a similar geographic distribution to Chinese fir. The similar geographic distribution of these hosts may increase the risk of disease. Based on a literature review, leaf blight caused by C. spicifera and C. muehlenbeckiae is recorded here on a gymnosperm for the first time.
Thermal weed control technologies for conservation agriculture—a review
Authors: Bauer Martin V. , Marx Christian , Bauer Fabienne V. , Flury Dominique M. , Ripken Tammo , Streit Bernhard
Published: April 2020

Research and development activities on non‐chemical weed control methods to date have mainly focused on mechanical and thermal applications. Selectivity in mechanical weed control is obtained using dynamically actuated harrows. Selectivity in thermal weed control is obtained through a certain heat tolerance of the crop. In conservation agriculture (CA), weed emergence is partially suppressed by constant soil cover with crops or cover crops. Large amounts of plant residues therefore remain on the soil, which make mechanical methods inefficient or difficult to implement. And thermal methods need to prevent not only crop damage but also fire from situationally dry plant residues. In this review, technologies that can potentially be used for in‐crop weed control in CA are discussed. The technologies reviewed include spot‐flaming, electric resistance heating, electromagnetic irradiation and steam/hot water application. Their evaluation focuses on efficiency and specificity (spatial precision). This review indicates that existing equipment does not fulfil the spatial precision required in CA and that further research and development is required on this topic. In particular, the authors suggest further research on the use of laser diodes, micro‐flames and capacitive coupling of electric fields. It seems that the use of automated imaging systems for weed/crop differentiation is a prerequisite in CA to enable automatisation of weed control.
Injection of Liquid Radioactive Waste Into Deep Geological Formations at the Final Waste Disposal Sites Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk
Authors: Schneider Lutz R. , Herzog Christel , Viehweg Michael
Published: April 2020

A special procedure for final disposal of liquid radioactive waste (LLW, ILW, HLW) — injection into deep geological formations — was developed in the former USSR and employed since 1963.

This procedure was practiced at the sites of the Research Institute for Reactor Engineering Dimitrovgrad and at radiochemical facilities in Tomsk-7 and Krasnoyarsk-26.

The deposits (layers of sand, limestone) lie at depths below 200 m and are isolated from other ground water horizons and the surface by overlying layers with low permeability.

At the Krasnoyarsk site a total of approx. 5 × 106 m3 of low- to high-level waste were disposed at depths of 180–280 m and 350–500 m; at the Tomsk site a total of approx. 3.7×107 m3 of liquid radwaste were disposed at depths of 180–280 m and 270–320 m.

The EU-project for assessing the final disposal safety of the Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk sites resulted in the improvement of a database, the development of a generic assessment model for the injection sites, a site-specific model for the repositories, the assessment of the performance of the repositories and finally recommendations to safety authorities.
Financing Radioactive Waste Storage and Disposal: A Study for the European Commission
Authors: Kunsch Pierre L. , Mathieson John
Published: April 2020

This paper reviews some of the results of a study carried out for the European Commission on the financing on radioactive waste storage and disposal carried out in 1999. It also takes the opportunity to provide an update of the situation from that provided in the report.
An Independent Analysis of a Glovebox Glove Failure Incident
Authors: Cournoyer Michael E. , Lee Steven , Grundemann Robert F.
Published: April 2020

As part of the “Lessons Learned” Program, a recent glovebox glove failure incident is examined to provide feedback and continuous improvement of the Safe Work Practices (SWPs) work-control process. While slowly evaporating liquid from solutions in trays on hot plates, a glovebox became pressurized and a glove ruptured resulting in widespread contamination of equipment, work surfaces, and the floor. Based on the post-analysis of the solution and residues of the incident, several contributing causes of the overpressurization were ruled-out, including exposure to strong shock, organic materials, and inorganic species. Evaporation of an ammonium nitrate solution was postulated as the cause of the incident glovebox breach. Since ceramic-top stirring hotplates heat from 150°C to 590°C and are controlled by a voltage power controller, the temperature to reach rapid decomposition conditions (210°C) was possible. The risk of these types of incidents is control to acceptable level by replacing voltage power controlled hotplates with temperature controlled ones. In addition, a still pot thermometer is required to prevent the solution from evaporating to dryness. Using a heating device designed such that 210°C cannot be reached under any circumstances further minimizes the risk. In summary, a primary objective of the Integrated Safety Management program is to minimize hazards associated with materials whenever possible. Implementing “Lessons Learned” not only maintains SWPs, but also contributes to an organization’s scientific and technological excellence. As with all other elements of business, there are costs associated with implementing an effective “Lessons Learned” Program. Using a cost-benefit analysis for another category of reportable occurrences, radiation exposure, it was estimated that over $50,000 could be spent on “Lessons Learned” to reduce the likelihood of this type of unusual occurrences and still be cost-effective. While the cost saving may not be immediately apparent, feedback in the form of incident reports provide continuous improvement in day-to-day operations.
Cleaning Up the Legacy: Opening and Operating the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Authors: Smith Lynne K. , Clodfelter Kathleen K.
Published: April 2020

In 1957, the National Academy of Sciences concluded that the most promising disposal option for radioactive wastes was burial in deep geologic repositories situated in salt formations. In 1981, after decades of study, the United States initiated construction of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) at a desert site 41.6 km (26 miles) southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico. This paper provides an overview of the history and the regulatory and public process to permit a repository for disposal of transuranic wastes. In addition, the process to ensure its long-term operation in a safe and environmentally sound manner will also be discussed.
Transparency Technology Demonstration at WIPP
Authors: Wu Chuan F. , Hofer Dennis , Elkins Ned , Betsill J. David , Schoeneman J. Lee
Published: April 2020

Management of nuclear materials, including nuclear waste, is a global issue that must be addressed to assure the benefits of nuclear energy while protecting workers, the public and the environment. A key tool in gaining acceptance of nuclear technologies is transparency. Transparency is a combination of technologies and processes that monitor the use, storage, packaging, transportation and disposition of nuclear materials. It provides information to stakeholders for independent assessment of safety and security of the nuclear energy cycle. Application of transparency technology simultaneously promotes non-proliferation and the safety of nuclear energy and waste management.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a deep geologic repository for safe disposal of long-lived, transuranic (TRU) waste. While the WIPP does not require transparency monitoring, its waste management system and operational infrastructure do present excellent opportunities for realistic demonstrations to develop and test transparency strategies and technologies at the back end of the nuclear materials cycle. This paper provides an overview of an integrated set of transparency demonstrations conducted at WIPP. These demonstrations included: 1) tracking of waste shipment, and 2) monitoring of waste containers and environmental parameters in the repository.
Independent Technical Oversight of WIPP: An Operating Repository
Authors: Channell James K. , Silva Matthew K.
Published: April 2020

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a geological repository for the disposal of transuranic wastes from the United States defense programs, began disposing of waste in March 1999. The experience of the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) indicates that a technical oversight group that focuses on objective technical evaluations can add credibility to a nuclear repository project. The group can also have an effect on a variety of design, regulatory, and operational details of the project.
Six Years Operation Experience With the Cilva Incinerator for Radioactive Waste Treatment
Authors: Deckers Jan , Luycx Paul
Published: April 2020

Since the very beginning of nuclear activities in Belgium, the incineration of radioactive waste was chosen as a suitable technique for achieving an optimal volume reduction of the produced waste quantities.

An experimental furnace “Evence Coppée” was built in 1960 for treatment of LLW produced by the Belgian Research Centre (CEN.SCK). Regulatory this furnace has been modified, improved and equipped with additional installations to obtain better combustion conditions and a more efficient gas cleaning system.

Based on the 35 years of experience gained by the operation of the “Evence Coppée”, a new industrial nuclear incineration installation was set into operation in May 1995, as a part of the Belgian Centralised Treatment/Conditioning Facility CILVA.

Up to the end of 2000, the CILVA incinerator has burnt 703 tons of solid waste and 343 tons of liquid waste.

This paper describes the type of waste and the allowable radioactivity, the incineration process, heat recovery and the air pollution control devices. Special attention is given to the operation experience, capacity, volume reduction, chemical and radiological emissions and maintenance.

The most important changes which improved safety, reliability and capacity are also mentioned.

BELGOPROCESS, a company set up in 1984 at Dessel (Belgium) where a number of nuclear facilities were already installed is specialised in the processing of radioactive waste. It is a subsidiary of ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Nuclear Waste Management Agency. According to its mission statement, the activities of BELGOPROCESS focus on three areas: treatment, conditioning and interim storage of radioactive waste; decommissioning of shut-down nuclear facilities and cleaning of contaminated buildings and land; operating of storage sites for conditioned radioactive waste.
Compton Suppression Detector Dedicated to the Measurement of Bituminized Waste Drums From the Marcoule Reprocessing Plant Using Gamma Spectrometry
Authors: Artaud Jean-luc , Pérot Bertrand , Chabalier Bernard , Bonifay Pierre , Bernard Sébastien , Misraki Josette , Fulleringer Daniel , Chany Philippe , Dogny Stéphane
Published: April 2020

The CEA has studied a detector prototype equipped with an optimized Compton Suppression Spectrometer for the measurement of low energy rays, especially those of 241Am at 59.5 keV, in radioactive waste packages.

In this article, the optimization of a Compton Suppression Spectrometer (CSS) is described with the aim mentioned above. The simulation tool used to evaluate the potential solutions is described and the results obtained on an actual measurement with the prototype designed for this purpose, are presented. The continuum level is divided by a factor of 6 at 59.5 keV. The general agreement between the simulations and the experimental measurements is very satisfactory. The differences noted are explained.
Do We Accurately Know the Radioactive Inventory Inside a Waste Package? A Résumé After 5 Years Experience in the Development and Operation of Advanced Gamma Scanning Systems
Authors: Sanden H.-J. , Caspary G. , Kroth K. , Bruggeman M. , Bücherl T.
Published: April 2020

This paper gives a survey of the main results of research projects performed by members of ENTRAP to improve gamma-ray scanning techniques for radioactive waste packages. Performance characteristics, advantages and restrictions of different assay procedures and correction techniques investigated in these projects are discussed. Case studies are presented which demonstrate the difference in performance between ‘standard’ and ‘improved’ assay techniques. Consideration is also given to bias effects resulting from a limited knowledge on gamma-ray attenuation and/or source distribution in the waste matrix. Procedures and tools are presented which may help to decrease respective bias effects or to assess the overall uncertainty. The achievements emphasise that quality control of assay results requires, in nearly all applications, that additional assay techniques are implemented in order to verify the validity of conventional gamma-ray scanning methods.
Utilization of Radioactive Waste for Solidifying Material to Fill Waste Forms
Authors: Ishikura Takeshi , Oguri Daiichiro
Published: April 2020

Minimizing the volume of radioactive waste generated during dismantling of nuclear power plants is a matter of great importance. In Japan waste forms buried in shallow burial disposal facility as low level radioactive waste (LLW) must be solidified by cement with adequate strength and must extend no harmful openings. The authors have developed an improved method to minimize radioactive waste volume by utilizing radioactive concrete and metal for mortar to fill openings in waste forms. Performance of a method to pre-place large sized metal or concrete waste and to fill mortar using small sized metal or concrete was tested. It was seen that the improved method substantially increases the filling ratio, thereby decreasing the numbers of waste containers.
The MONOLITH Container: A New Development for Transportation and Storage of Reactor Vessel Equipment and Reactor Vessel Parts
Authors: Brüning D. , Gestermann G. , Kalwa H.
Published: April 2020

The cast iron container MONOLITH is a shielding container corresponding to the Konrad VI container with a max weight of 20 t. As cask content only dry activated and contaminated metallic material is allowed. After loading with this radioactive material the empty spaces inside the container are filled with other contaminated liquid iron through a lid opening to create a monolithic cask. Until now five MONOLITH containers are created with go on success and stored inside at the storage site Mitterteich.
Effects of Uncertainty and Spatial Variability on Seepage Into Drifts in the Yucca Mountain Total System Performance Assessment Model
Authors: Kalinich Donald A. , Wilson Michael L.
Published: April 2020

Seepage into the repository drifts is an important factor in total-system performance. Uncertainty and spatial variability are considered in the seepage calculations. The base-case results show 13.6% of the waste packages (WPs) have seepage. For 5th percentile uncertainty, 4.5% of the WPs have seepage and the seepage flow decreased by a factor of 2. For 95th percentile uncertainty, 21.5% of the WPs have seepage and the seepage flow increased by a factor of 2. When seepage was forced on 100% of the WPs the seepage flow increased by a factor of 3.
Local Partnerships: Towards a New Approach in Nuclear Waste Management in Belgium
Authors: Bergmans Anne
Published: April 2020

Over the last few years the Belgian government organisation responsible for the Belgian nuclear waste, NIRAS-ONDRAF, experienced increased public resistance against its efforts to create a low level nuclear waste repository. In response to this resistance, the Universities of Antwerp (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen - UIA) and Luxemburg (Fondation Universitaire Luxembourgoise - FUL) assisted in the establishment of local partnerships between NIRAS-ONDRAF and representatives of the local communities involved. These partnerships are intended to bring the decision making process closer to the public concerned and to lower the threshold for active participation. This model of collective decision making in a democratic environment is a process of negotiation. These negotiations should lead to a mutual project in which both experts and local stakeholders participated and which should replace the unsuccessful top-down approach formerly used.
Abrasive Blasting, a Technique for the Industrial Decontamination of Metal Components From Decommissioning to Unconditional Release Levels
Authors: Walthéry Robert , Teunckens Lucien , Lewandowski Patrick , Millen Danny , Baumann Sven
Published: April 2020

When decommissioning nuclear installations, large quantities of metal components are produced as well as significant amounts of other radioactive materials, which mostly show low surface contamination. Having been used or having been brought for a while in a controlled area marks them as ‘suspected material’. In view of the very high costs for radioactive waste processing and disposal, alternatives have been considered, and much effort has gone to recycling through decontamination, melting and unconditional release of metals.

In a broader context, recycling of materials can considered to be a first order ecological priority in order to limit the quantities of radioactive wastes for final disposal and to reduce the technical and economic problems involved with the management of radioactive wastes. It will help as well to make economic use of primary material and to conserve natural resources of basic material for future generations.

In a demonstration programme, Belgoprocess has shown that it is economically interesting to decontaminate metal components to unconditional release levels using dry abrasive blasting techniques, the unit cost for decontamination being only 30% of the global cost for radioactive waste treatment, conditioning, storage and disposal. As a result, an industrial dry abrasive blasting unit was installed in the Belgoprocess central decontamination infrastructure.

At the end of May 2001, after 6 years of operation, 523 Mg of contaminated metal has been treated. 182 Mg of this material was unconditionally released, having been monitored twice by the in-house health physics department. About 303 Mg of the metal, presenting surfaces that could not be measured due to their shape, were melted for unconditional release in a controlled melting facility. The suitability of the abrasive blasting system was verified, and it was proved that there was no intrusion of contamination into the material surface. The paper gives an overview of the experience relating to the decontamination of metal material by abrasive blasting at the decommissioning of the Eurochemic reprocessing plant in Dessel, Belgium.
The Results of Specific Efforts to Improve Techniques for the Decontamination of Concrete Surfaces in Nuclear Facilities
Authors: Baumann Sven , Teunckens Lucien , Walthéry Robert , Lewandowski Patrick , Millen Danny
Published: April 2020

Belgoprocess started the industrial decommissioning of the main process building of the former EURO-CHEMIC reprocessing plant in 1990, after completion of a pilot project in which two buildings were emptied and decontaminated to background levels. The remaining structures were demolished and the concrete debris was disposed of as industrial waste and green field conditions restored.

Decommissioning involves the removal and decontamination of equipment from each cell, the decontamination of the cell walls, ceilings and floors, and the dismantling of the ventilation system. These activities are followed by a complete monitoring in order to obtain the unconditional release of the remaining structures.

In the earlier days, concrete walls with limited in depth contamination, were decontaminated using commercially available pneumatic hand scabblers. In addition, 3-headed, 5-headed and 7-headed hand-operated floor scabblers have been used. The pneumatic powered machines have adapted dust extraction systems around the scabbier heads. To improve the working conditions for the operators, and to increase capacity, scabblers have been progressively automised.

Operation efficiency was significantly improved when shaving machines were introduced, using a diamond tipped rotary head, designed to give a smooth surface finish, which is easier to measure. The use of these machines resulted in a higher efficiency and a 30% reduction of secondary waste production. It also reduced the physical load to the operators due to the absence of machine vibration.

The paper gives an overview of the specific efforts that have been put in improving the techniques for the decontamination of concrete surfaces at the decommissioning of the Eurochemic reprocessing plant in Dessel, Belgium.
CASTOR® BR3: Design of a Transport and Storage Cask for Spent Fuel From a Belgian Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Knopp Ulrich
Published: April 2020

The CASTOR® BR3 cask has been designed and manufactured to accomodate irradiated fuel (U and MOX) from the BR3 test reactor at the nuclear research centre SCK/CEN in Dessel near Mol, Belgium, which is currently being dismantled. The CASTOR® BR3 is designed as a Type B(U)F package for transport and will be licensed in Belgium. In addition, the CASTOR® BR3 needs a license as a storage cask to be operated in an interim cask storage facility. To obtain these licenses, the cask design has to observe the international regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material as well as the special requirements for the cask storage.

The CASTOR® BR3 is a member of the CASTOR® family of spent fuel casks, delivered by the German company GNB. In this way, the cask has such typical features as the following:

• monolithic cask body made of ductile cast iron;

• double-lid system consisting of primary and secondary lid for long-term interim storage of the fuel.

This family of casks has been used for over 20 years for transport and storage of spent fuel.

In this paper, the IAEA regulatory requirements for transport casks are summarized and it is shown by selected examples how these requirements have been converted into the cask design and the analyses performed for the cask. Finally, the cask features for an interim storage period of up to 50 years will be spotlighted. Main topics are the evaluation of the long term behaviour of selected cask components and the cask monitoring system for the surveillance of the leak tightness of the cask during the storage period.
Quality Assurance System for Collection and Check of Radioactive Waste
Authors: Dogaru Gheorghe C.
Published: April 2020

A component of the quality assurance system applied at Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant refers to the collection, identification and characterisation of radioactive waste including spent sealed radioactive sources before their treatment and conditioning.

One of the most important challenges to be solved is to apply this procedure to the collection and characterisation of the “historical” radioactive waste for which is not recorded and no analyse bulletin for characterisation and identification is existing.

The procedure “Collection and characterization of radioactive waste” applied at the Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant is based on regulatory requirements concerning collection, characterization and identification of all radioactive materials including sealed spent radioactive sources.
XPS guide: Charge neutralization and binding energy referencing for insulating samples
Authors: Baer Donald R. , Artyushkova Kateryna , Cohen Hagai , Easton Christopher D. , Engelhard Mark , Gengenbach Thomas R. , Greczynski Grzegorz , Mack Paul , Morgan David J. , Roberts Adam
Published: April 2020

This guide deals with methods to control surface charging during XPS analysis of insulating samples and approaches to extracting useful binding energy information. The guide summarizes the causes of surface charging, how to recognize when it occurs, approaches to minimize charge buildup, and methods used to adjust or correct XPS photoelectron binding energies when charge control systems are used. There are multiple ways to control surface charge buildup during XPS measurements, and examples of systems on advanced XPS instruments are described. There is no single, simple, and foolproof way to extract binding energies on insulating material, but advantages and limitations of several approaches are described. Because of the variety of approaches and limitations of each, it is critical for researchers to accurately describe the procedures that have been applied in research reports and publications.
A three-dimensional vocal fold posturing model based on muscle mechanics and magnetic resonance imaging of a canine larynx
Authors: Geng Biao , Pham Ngoc , Xue Qian , Zheng Xudong
Published: April 2020

In this work, a high-fidelity three-dimensional continuum model of the canine laryngeal framework was developed for simulating laryngeal posturing. By building each muscle and cartilage from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the model is highly realistic in anatomy. The muscle mechanics is modeled using the finite-element method. The model was tested by simulating vocal fold postures under systematic activations of individual as well as groups of laryngeal muscles, and it accurately predicted vocal fold posturing parameters reported from in vivo canine larynges. As a demonstration of its application, the model was then used to investigate muscle controls of arytenoid movements, medial surface morphology, and vocal fold abduction. The results show that the traditionally categorized adductor and abductor muscles can have opposite effects on vocal fold posturing, making highly complex laryngeal adjustments in speech and singing possible. These results demonstrate that a realistic comprehensive larynx model is feasible, which is a critical step toward a causal physics-based model of voice production.
Four direct measurements of the fine-structure constant 13 billion years ago
Authors: Wilczynska Michael R. , Webb John K. , Bainbridge Matthew , Barrow John D. , Bosman Sarah E. I. , Carswell Robert F. , Dąbrowski Mariusz P. , Dumont Vincent , Lee Chung-Chi , Leite Ana Catarina , Leszczyńska Katarzyna , Liske Jochen , Marosek Konrad , Martins Carlos J. A. P. , Milaković Dinko , Molaro Paolo , Pasquini Luca
Published: April 2020

Fine-structure constant measurements 13 Ga ago, plus lower redshift data, test space-time variation of a fundamental constant.
Overcoming immiscibility toward bimetallic catalyst library
Authors: Yang Chunpeng , Ko Byung Hee , Hwang Sooyeon , Liu Zhenyu , Yao Yonggang , Luc Wesley , Cui Mingjin , Malkani Arnav S. , Li Tangyuan , Wang Xizheng , Dai Jiaqi , Xu Bingjun , Wang Guofeng , Su Dong , Jiao Feng , Hu Liangbing
Published: April 2020

A general nonequilibrium synthesis strategy is reported to address the bimetallic immiscibility challenge for catalysis.
Modeling infectious disease dynamics
Authors: Cobey Sarah
Published: April 2020

The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has predictable features
Supplemental material: Geomorphic constraints on the age of the western Grand Canyon
Authors: Darling Andrew , Whipple Kelin
Published: April 2020

Geosphere, August 2015, v. 11, p. 958-976, doi:10.1130/GES01131.1, Supplemental File 1 - All stream slope-area data, plotted and compiled for inspection.
Supplemental material: Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of Paleozoic and Triassic passive margin strata of western North America
Authors: Gehrels George , Pecha Mark
Published: April 2020

Geosphere, February 2014, v. 10, p. 49-65, doi:10.1130/GES00889.1, Supplemental File 1 - Analytical methods file (32 pages, 20 figures). File size is ~6.7 MB.
Supplemental material: The Confusion Range, west-central Utah: Fold-thrust deformation and a western Utah thrust belt in the Sevier hinterland
Authors: Greene David C.
Published: April 2020

Geosphere, February 2014, v. 10, p. 148-169, doi:10.1130/GES00972.1, Plate 3 - Cross section of the north central Confusion Range, B–B′.
Staying afloat: community perspectives on health system resilience in the management of pregnancy and childbirth care during floods in Cambodia
Authors: Saulnier Dell D , Hean Hom , Thol Dawin , Ir Por , Hanson Claudia , Von Schreeb Johan , Mölsted Alvesson Helle
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Resilient health systems have the capacity to continue providing health services to meet the community’s diverse health needs following floods. This capacity is related to how the community manages its own health needs and the community and health system’s joined capacities for resilience. Yet little is known about how community participation influences health systems resilience. The purpose of this study was to understand how community management of pregnancy and childbirth care during floods is contributing to the system’s capacity to absorb, adapt or transform as viewed through a framework on health systems resilience.

Methods

Eight focus group discussions and 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with community members and leaders who experienced pregnancy or childbirth during recent flooding in rural Cambodia. The data were analysed by thematic analysis and discussed in relation to the resilience framework.

Results

The theme ‘Responsible for the status quo’ reflected the community’s responsibility to find ways to manage pregnancy and childbirth care, when neither the expectations of the health system nor the available benefits changed during floods. The theme was informed by notions on: i) developmental changes, the unpredictable nature of floods and limited support for managing care, ii) how information promoted by the public health system led to a limited decision-making space for pregnancy and childbirth care, iii) a desire for security during floods that outweighed mistrust in the public health system and iv) the limits to the coping strategies that the community prepared in case of flooding.

Conclusions

The community mainly employed absorptive strategies to manage their care during floods, relieving the burden on the health system, yet restricted support and decision-making may risk their capacity. Further involvement in decision-making for care could help improve the health system’s resilience by creating room for the community to adapt and transform when experiencing floods.
Evidence-based quality indicators for primary healthcare in association with the risk of hospitalisation: a population-based cohort study in Switzerland
Authors: Huber Carola A , Scherer Martin , Rapold Roland , Blozik Eva
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The quality of ambulatory care in Switzerland is widely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the recently proposed quality indicators (QIs) based on a nationwide healthcare claims database and determine their association with the risk of subsequent hospitalisation at patient-level.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Inpatient and outpatient claims data of a large health insurance in Switzerland covering all regions and population strata.

Participants

520 693 patients continuously insured during 2015 and 2016.

Measures

A total of 24 QIs were obtained by adapting the existing instruments to the Swiss national context and measuring at patient-level. The association between each QI and hospitalisation in the subsequent year was assessed using multiple logistic regression models.

Results

The proportion of patients with good adherence to QIs was high for the secondary prevention of diabetes and myocardial infarction (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) control, 89%; aspirin use, 94%) but relatively low for polypharmacy (53%) or using potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in the elderly (PIM, 33%). Diabetes-related indicators such as the HbA1c control were significantly associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.95), whereas the occurrence of polypharmacy and PIM increased the risk of hospitalisation in the following year (OR, 1.57/1.08; 95% CI, 1.51 to 1.64/1.05 to 1.12).

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the recently presented QIs in Switzerland using nationwide real-life data. Our study suggests that the quality of healthcare, as measured by these QIs, varied. The majority of QIs, in particular QIs reflecting chronic care and medication use, are considered beneficial markers of healthcare quality as they were associated with reduced risk of hospitalisation in the subsequent year. Results from this large practical test on real-life data show the feasibility of these QIs and are beneficial in selecting the appropriate QIs for healthcare implementation in general practice.