bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Pressure Abrasive Water Jet Cutting As a Dismantling Tool
Authors: Denissen L. , Massaut V. , Klein M. , Dadoumont J. , Davain H.
Published: April 2020

Since 1989, SCK•CEN is dismantling the BR3 (Belgian Reactor no3). During these 11 years of decommissioning, a lot of experience is gained in the field of remotely controlled cutting techniques for high active parts and decontamination techniques of highly contaminated parts.

Mechanical cutting techniques (circular saw and band saw) were used for cutting the reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) and its internals. For some large components in the reactor building, like the steam generator, the pressurizer and the Neutron Shield Tank, a new tool, the High Pressure Abrasive Water Jet Cutting will be used to cut activated and contaminated pieces with material thicknesses ranging from 20 to 170 mm. Deliverance of the cutting equipment is foreseen in the summer of 2001. Cold tests and training sessions for the operators will then take place and by the beginning of 2002 the cutting equipment will be installed in the reactor pool inside the controlled area to start the actual work.
Windscale Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor Decommissioning: Hot Gas Manifold Dismantling Strategy and Tooling
Authors: Dixon Colin , Bloor Roger C. , Chester Stephen , Benest Terence
Published: April 2020

The Windscale Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (WAGR) is the UK’s demonstration project for power reactor decommissioning. As part of the SAFER programme, funded by the DTI, UKAEA have contracted BNFL Magnox to implement the work. The reactor is being dismantled on a ‘top-down’ basis and a major current task is to dismantle the hot gas manifold (hotbox).

AEA Technology was contracted to supply equipment to size reduce and remove the hotbox. The strategy makes use of manual, semi-remote and remote techniques. Semi-remote tools were built and deployed and then set to work with the assistance of personnel entering the radiation area. The equipment was then operated remotely from a control room located in an adjacent building.
Reversibility and Retrievability Principles in the Czech Disposal Concept
Authors: Woller Frantisek , Nachmilner Lumir
Published: April 2020

Reversibility and retrievability are topics that have recently been intensively discussed both within different national programs and at several international waste management events. While reversibility is a technical, iterative tool allowing optimization of the process of deep repository development, retrievability is considered to be a more political issue, a statute for which is not included in Czech legislation. However, both principles have been more or less incorporated into geological repository development and have also been considered as options for existing sub-surface repositories for institutional wastes. This paper summarizes Czech approaches to these issues.
Retrievability, Reversibility and Monitoring of Geological Disposal in France
Authors: Guillaume S. , Mouroux Bernard , Hoorelbeke J.-M.
Published: April 2020

The reversibility for repositories is frequently quoted in the media, and opponents to nuclear energy or to waste burial often justify their opposition by the impossibility of reversibility in deep geological formations, as an echo to the supposed absence of reversibility in everything associated with nuclear energy in general.

Reversibility responds to various motivations: in case of error or of unpredicted events, it must be possible to intervene; inversely, it must also be possible to recycle certain materials many years after disposal; due to a potential lack of confidence, it must finally be possible to progress in a stepwise approach in order to ensure that every generation may orient the process.

That approach leads to a wide definition of reversibility no longer restricted to demonstrating that it is possible to remove a package technically (“retrievability”), but rather encompassing the possibility to modify the process at each step throughout the lifetime of the repository.

Confronted with this definition for reversibility, the preliminary design options of repositories selected for the Meuse/Haute-Marne site in France appear at this stage to be sufficiently flexible to allow further progress in the feasibility study of a reversible repository.

Four main areas of study need to be emphasised:

• It is necessary to further the knowledge concerning the evolution of a repository: What phenomena control the evolution of the repository? What characteristics of the different components do they affect?

• It is necessary to define reversibility levels and their specific characteristics while modulating them, if necessary, according to the different waste types;

• It is necessary to define a monitoring programme in close relationship with the phenomena modelling ensuring the representation of the repository evolution over time and the analysis of the safety conditions during each phase;

• Finally is it necessary to examine the effects of the different states of the repository on the implementation of technologies: for example, what characteristics or what state of the components may complicate package retrieval, in other words make the proposed technological means inadequate to intervene at each reversibility level?
Leaching of Iodide Ion From BiPbO2I Under Reducing Conditions
Authors: Amaya T. , Mukunoki A. , Shibuya M. , Kodama Hiroshi
Published: April 2020

Radioactive wastes containing Iodine-129 are to be disposed of in Japan in an underground facility together with TRU wastes. Iodine-129 has a long half-life (1.6 × 107 y) and it is strongly adsorbed in the thyroid gland when it intrudes into the human body. The main chemical formulae of iodine in an alkaline solution are I− and IO3−, and these anion species are absorbed only to a very small extent on silicate minerals. Iodine-129, therefore, is one of the key nuclides to be studied in the geological disposal of radioactive wastes. Recently, a new inorganic ion-exchanger, BiPbO2NO3, has been developed which reacts with iodide ions in a solution by forming BiPbO2I (BPI). The leach resistance of BPI encapsulated in cement (BPIC) was studied in a solution under geological conditions.

The leaching experiment was carried out in an inert glove box in which the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide were maintained at less than 1 ppm. Pure water was degassed 12 hours prior to use. Two kinds of solution were prepared: one was low salinity solution (RW), and the other was high salinity solution (SW). Leachants were prepared by adding a reductant (N2H4) to each solution and pH was adjusted to a fixed value. BPIC was mixed with the leachant in a plastic container. The container was shaken continuously at ambient temperature for six months. The concentrations of iodide ions, bismuth ions and lead ions in the leachant were analyzed periodically using ICP-AES.

Limited numbers of iodide ions (2%–4%) were released from BPIC in the initial period of leaching, following which no additional release of iodide ion was observed for six months. No significant difference was observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns of BPI in BPIC before and after the experiment. These results indicate that iodine is fixed tightly in BPIC. A mechanism of the leaching resistance is discussed.
Methods of Radical Regeneration of Spent Solvent Containing TBP and Diluent
Authors: Zilberman Boris Ya. , Makarychev-Mikhailov Mikhail N. , Saprykin Vladimir F. , Sakulin Stanislav V. , Dulepov Yury N. , Glushko Vladimir V.
Published: April 2020

Methods of steam-supported distillation of spent solvent containing 30% tributyl phosphate (TBP) in various diluents have been developed. Single-stage and two-stage processes were tested. Single-stage distillation can be realized either with the use of superheated steam under vacuum or with saturated steam at atmospheric pressure, ensuring transportation of all the solvent to distillate, independently of the used diluent. Two-stage process allows separating TBP and diluent, both of them being purified, when the diluent boiling temperature is 50–70°C below TBP boiling point. At the first stage of the process, pure diluent is obtained through distillation at atmospheric pressure with the use of saturated steam. Then TBP is distilled off from wet bottoms of the first stage by continuous-flow vacuum distillation at the circulating bottoms.
Sodium Carbonatation Process Development in a View of Treatment of the Primary Circuit of Liquid Metal Fast Reactor (LMFR) in Decommissioning Phases
Authors: Rodriguez G. , Gastaldi O.
Published: April 2020

As soon as the decision of the final shutdown of SUPERPHENIX was taken, studies linked to the final shutdown and the decommissioning of this reactor were taken into considerations. Amongst all this studies, one concerns the final treatment of the remaining sodium of the primary vessel of the reactor (estimated to a maximum of six tons after a fully draining of the sodium).

The process envisaged is an in situ treatment called the carbonatation process.

This papers describes the principle of this process and presents CEA experimentations done to precise the kinetic of this process as a function of different parameters (temperature, percentage of carbon dioxide, percentage of water, etc).
Packaging and Conditioning of Radioactive Oil Wastes From Cernavoda NPP Operation
Authors: Deneanu Nicoleta T. , Popescu Ion V. , Dulama Mirela F. , Baboescu Elena I.
Published: April 2020

Radioactive oil wastes produced at Cernavoda NPP consist of lubricating oils from primary heat transport pumps, hydraulic fluids from fuelling machines and turbine oils. These are normally LLW containing only relatively small quantities of beta/gamma-emitting radionuclides. The main contamination pathway is the contact with the reactor primary coolant. The waste contains varying amounts of tritium with activity below 108Bq/1.

The objective of solidification is to convert radioactive waste into a stable monolithic form, which minimizes the probability to release tritium in the environment during interim storage, transportation and final disposal. The solidified waste that leaves the Waste Management facility from INR Pitesti should be of such chemical, mechanical, thermal and radiolytic stability as to assure its integrity over the time required for the decay of the contained radionuclides to an acceptable level. Laboratory studies concerning the cementation of radioactive oil waste have been undertaken at the Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti.

A quality assurance program should accompany the production of waste forms. The goal of all tests should be to obtain a license for a certain process from a competent authority.

Criteria that might be applied in the selection of treatment process and of waste storage and/or disposal are the complexity of volume reduction, the complexity of the technology and equipment, the level of process development, and the regulatory requirements.
Effects of Low Energy Beta Emissions on the Measurement Technique and Exposition
Authors: Filss Martin F. , Hummel Lothar , Zech Johann B.
Published: April 2020

We examined the suitability of taking smear tests (DIN ISO 7503.1) to evaluate surface activity. Special respect was given to mixtures of nuclides typical for the nuclear industry. We analysed the nuclides of samples of different fuel pools to evaluate the smear test measurement technique. Special calculations were carried out to examine the amount of nuclides that are difficult to measure due to their low maximum decay energy of less then 0.15 MeV (e. g. 55Fe, 63Ni). The response characteristic, detection sensitivity and the influence of the nuclide used for calibration were examined in detail on the basis of the nuclide vectors of fuel pool samples. We learned that especially the isotope standard used for calibration has a major influence for the suitability of the measurements. Calculation of the amount of these nuclides in relation to the effective dose (inhalation, ingestion) and the skin dose showed that they contribute little to the complete exposition.
Sacrificial Layer Composition Optimization for Immobilization of Radioactive Waste in Nuclear Reactor External Catcher
Authors: Vlassov Anatoly S. , Akopov Felix A. , Lukin Evgeny S. , Mineev Vladimir N. , Traktuev Oleg M.
Published: April 2020

Results of the analysis of influence sacrificial layer (SL) composition on the base of titanate ceramics on the processes in external core catcher are submitted.

It was being supposed that SL not only have to mitigate action of corium on refractory layer but then immobilize high level radioactive wastes (HLW). Titanate ceramics was selected as a SL material for this purpose. This ceramics is formed during interaction zirconium and zirconia from corium with refractory concrete of SL on the base of calcium aluminate and barium aluminate with filler from TiO2. The composition of indurated melt represents such well-known compounds as rutile TiO2, perovskite CaTiO3, zirconolite CaZrTi2O7 and phase hollandite type BaTi6Al2O16 which produce Synroc.

Minimization quantity material SL for their total deployment in under reactor space was made leaded. For immobilization of uranium there may be used zirconia from corium (55,5 t) and SL (21,5 t) and zirconolite as uranium yields a continuous range of solid solutions with these substances.

Crystallization processes of the model compositions without uranium oxide were studied. It was determined that perovskite, zirconolite, hollandite and after that crystallization eutectic systems were formed depending on melt crystallization velocity.
Development of Testing Laboratory for Checking Radioactive Waste Packages in the Czech Republic
Authors: Svoboda K. , Vokál A.
Published: April 2020

In the Czech Republic, radioactive wastes have been accumulated since the twenties of the past century without any consideration for the possible impact of generated wastes on the health of man and the environment. Since the sixties the radioactive wastes have been emplaced in abandoned mines Richard and Bratrství, with some of them only stored there for the future disposal in a planned Deep Geological Repository. Only in seventies more detailed rules for institutional waste management were issued by the decree of the Ministry of Health No. 59/1972, which were in 1997 replaced by Atomic Act No. 18/1997.

The contemporary state of checking waste packages coming to the repositories for their disposal or storage has been based mainly on the measurements of dose rates, surface contamination and, first of all, checking of documents prepared by waste producers.

The main objective of the development of a testing laboratory for checking radioactive waste packages in the Czech Republic is to establish a facility that will make possible to check independently the data provided by radioactive waste producers and to characterize the content of waste packages already stored or disposed of in disposal facilities in sixties, when so strict regulation requirements were not applied.

The main aim of this paper is to describe the state of the development of main methodologies leading to the establishment of the laboratory.

It is possible to divide into 3 main groups the essential methodologies now being developed in the laboratory: radiological, short-term properties and long-term durability properties. The emphasis is given, however, on the following non-destructive methods:

• Segmented gamma scanning - already developed with the support of IAEA;

• Digital radiography - under development;

• Passive and active neutron assay - in prospective plan.

The establishing of such a laboratory does not mean only to purchase very expensive equipment, enabling to determine the quality of waste packages, but also to establish Quality Control on all developed methodologies. While buying the equipment may be the matter of a rather short time, the development of methodologies, testing procedures and all quality assurance (QA) system documents may take years. A planned QA system of the laboratory is described in the last part of the article.
Historical Waste Products Refurbished in Belgium for Disposal in Germany
Authors: Kohlgarth Elke.-D.
Published: April 2020

Before 1988 the German service company Transnuklear (TN) had a licence to treat radioactive waste products for interim storage facilities. For this purpose a large amount of radioactive waste was transported to Mol, Belgium. Due to mismanagement at TN all the German waste remained in Belgium until the Belgian and the German government agreed to transfer it back to Germany. By appointment of the licensing and surveillance authorities TÜV Hannover/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. had been monitoring the quality assurance measures for waste products bound for disposal in a final repository or for interim storage facilities in Germany. Due to insufficient documentation, the characterisation of the different waste types took a long time. Sampling plans were worked out. A stepwise procedure was established to qualify the waste for transportation to Germany. Different techniques have been developed for inspection and sampling of the waste to ensure the fulfilment of the acceptance criteria of the final storage or interim storage facilities. The first waste was transported in 1991. The last waste packages left Belgium in January, 2001.
Improvement of ionization yield in sputtered neutral mass spectrometry using pulsed infrared and ultraviolet lasers
Authors: Saito Reiko , Akutsu Haruko , Asakawa Jun , Zhao Yue , Kiyokawa Kei , Morita Masato , Sakamoto Tetsuo , Fujii Masaaki
Published: April 2020

A new laser ionization method for sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), which the authors call “dual-laser SNMS,” was developed to increase the ionization probability and improve sensitivity. In this technique, pulsed IR and UV lasers irradiated sputtered atoms simultaneously, while the additional UV laser pulse enhanced the ionization process. The useful yields of the target elements increased by 10%–20% compared to using the IR irradiation alone, and the yield increased with increasing UV power. In addition, there was little correlation between the ionization potential and the ratio of the ionization enhancement. Therefore, dual-laser SNMS was effective for the analysis of elements with higher ionization potential.
A pressure-based transfer matrix method and measurement technique for studying resonances in flutes and other open-input resonators
Authors: Saenger Katherine L.
Published: April 2020

This paper provides an alternative formulation of a transfer matrix method (TMM) long used for modeling the passive resonances of wind instruments. In the conventional, impedance-based TMMs, the quantities being evaluated are the acoustic pressure P and the acoustic flow U; in the present pressure-based TMM (a variation of the Heavens matrix method developed for thin film optics), the quantities being evaluated are the amplitudes of the forward-going and backward-going pressure waves, P+ and P−. Power spectra (|P++P−|2 vs frequency) for several types of branched and non-branched open-input resonators are computed and then compared to experimental spectra obtained from a Fourier analysis of the acoustic pressure at a position inside the resonator recorded during excitation by a localized sound source placed just outside the resonator. Agreement is good for both one-end-closed polyvinyl chloride chimney pipes and a modern flute set up with a variety of lip, keywork, and open/closed tonehole configurations, although fits for very short straight tubes appeared to require unphysically high wall losses. Input impedance derived from the computed values of P+ and P− at the flute's embouchure hole appears consistent with directly measured input impedance data in the literature.
Colored and paintable bilayer coatings with high solar-infrared reflectance for efficient cooling
Authors: Chen Yijun , Mandal Jyotirmoy , Li Wenxi , Smith-Washington Ajani , Tsai Cheng-Chia , Huang Wenlong , Shrestha Sajan , Yu Nanfang , Han Ray P. S. , Cao Anyuan , Yang Yuan
Published: April 2020

A simple, inexpensive, and paintable bilayer coating approach enables both color and efficient cooling.
Mixed-conducting particulate composites for soft electronics
Authors: Jastrzebska-Perfect Patricia , Spyropoulos George D. , Cea Claudia , Zhao Zifang , Rauhala Onni J. , Viswanathan Ashwin , Sheth Sameer A. , Gelinas Jennifer N. , Khodagholy Dion
Published: April 2020

Mixed-conducting particulate composite can form functional electronic components by varying particle size and density.
Effect of the Lysin Exebacase on Cardiac Vegetation Progression in a Rabbit Model of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis as Determined by Echocardiography
Authors: Shah Sonia U. , Xiong Yan Q. , Abdelhady Wessam , Iwaz James , Pak Youngju , Schuch Raymond , Cassino Cara , Lehoux Dario , Bayer Arnold S.
Published: April 2020

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) poses significant therapeutic challenges related to its frequency in clinical infections, innate virulence properties, and propensity for multiantibiotic resistance. MRSA is among the most common causes of endovascular infections, including infective endocarditis (IE). Our objective was to employ transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to evaluate the effect of exebacase, a novel direct lytic agent, in experimental aortic valve MRSA IE.
Clinical Evaluation of Three Sample-to-Answer Platforms for Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Zhen Wei , Smith Elizabeth , Manji Ryhana , Schron Deborah , Berry Gregory J.
Published: April 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has now spread across the globe. As part of the worldwide response, many molecular diagnostic platforms have been granted
e
mergency
u
se
a
uthorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Our objective was to evaluate three sample-to-answer molecular diagnostic platforms (Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 [Xpert Xpress], Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 [ID NOW], and GenMark ePlex SARS-CoV-2 Test [ePlex]) to determine analytical sensitivity, clinical performance, and workflow for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs from 108 symptomatic patients.
Inclusive Science: Inspiring 8th Graders from Underrepresented Groups to Embrace STEM with Microbiology and Immunology
Authors: Shoemaker Desmin N. , Padilla De Jesús Omayra L. , Feguer Leigh K. , Conway Joshua M. , De Jesus Magdia
Published: April 2020

Inclusivity in STEM requires practices that include transforming the culture in a classroom. This can be done not only by placing value on diversity but also by providing an engaging student experience, instilling a sense of belonging, and encouraging students at all levels to use a critical lens to solve problems. As a way to develop an inclusive science curriculum for students in a community that is among the poorest in New York state, local STEM organization Rise High Inc. partners with experts in STEM fields, K–12 educators, mentors, and community organizations to create sustainable low-cost, high-quality, engaging, and relevant content that sparks curiosity and exploration for this underserved community. The educators and mentors also have a unique opportunity to develop self-awareness about their own pathways and how they can use their experiences to enrich the classroom. An exemplary case is this highly interactive two-part instructional module in Microbiology and Immunology, which targets 8th graders and was designed in partnership with a local expert in these fields. This module offers creative means to learn and apply knowledge in realistic ways, while using easy-to-access materials in classrooms.
Strategies to Foster LatinX Inclusion in Microbiology Programs
Authors: Martinez Lilliam Casillas
Published: April 2020

Inclusion is an active, powerful, and emotional noun that over the past years has helped me reconcile my main passions in life: microbiology, teaching, research, and mentoring. Although I am now part of an inclusive excellence family, during my graduate school I always felt alone, like an imposter microbiologist. I want to avoid other Latinas feeling the same way; consequently, I share frameworks and strategies here to foster inclusion in Microbiology departments. I have been teaching Microbiology for more than 20 years at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and my strategies range from the personal to the institutional level. As a first-generation Latina who barely survived in a Microbiology graduate program at a Primarily White Institution (PWI), I emphasize how culture can affect student learning. I use the example of microbial mats, resilient laminated ecosystems, as inclusive communities in the microbial world.
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 1 - Confusion Range cross section locations. File size is ~44 MB.
How should we manage hip fracture patients on direct oral anticoagulants?
Authors: Aziz Sheweidin , Almeida Krishan , Taylor Grahame
Published: April 2020

Objective

Currently, there are no national protocols in place for managing hip fracture patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Hence, various local management protocols exist. We compared three different local protocols and a control group to assess blood loss and time delay to theatre.

Methods

Sequential data were collected for 120 hip fracture patients in four groups; wait 24 hours from last dose, wait 48 hours, perform DOAC levels and control.

Results

DOAC use in our hip fracture patients was 14%. Median haemoglobin (Hb) drop between the three protocol groups showed no significant difference (13.5, 21.5 and 16.0 g/L) (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.9). Median Hb drop in the control group was 16.0 g/L versus 17.5 g/L in the protocol groups combined (Mann Whitney-U, p=0.7). Average Hb drop in the control group was 19.2 g/L and in the protocol groups was 22.1 g/L; a 15% greater blood loss with DOACs. The frequency distribution of blood loss was different between the control and protocol groups, but not between the protocol groups. The highest Hb drop in the control group was 3.4 g/L, while in the protocol groups, it was 7.8 g/L. Median Hb on arrival to hospital was higher in the control group (124 g/L) compared with the three protocol groups (87 g/L) (t-test p<0.0001). Transfusion rates of up to 40% were observed within the DOAC groups compared with zero in the control group.

Median time to theatre between the three protocol groups was significantly different at 17.5, 53.3 and 22.5 hours, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.0001).

Conclusion

DOACs caused increased bleeding and delays to theatre in hip fracture patients, however the largest Hb difference was already apparent on arrival. Subsequent blood loss was minimal on average; a few patients bled heavily. Prolonged waiting made no significant difference to blood loss, but caused delay to theatre leading to financial losses from best practice tariff.
Caesarean delivery is associated with higher risk of overweight in the offspring: within-family analysis in the SUN cohort
Authors: Martín-Calvo Nerea , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Segura Gloria , Chavarro Jorge E , Carlos Silvia , Gea Alfredo
Published: April 2020

Background

Most studies assessing the association between caesarean delivery (CD) and childhood overweight/obesity have failed to account for important confounders, such as maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) or the indication of the CD. Furthermore, within-family analyses have reported contradictory results. We aimed at evaluating the association between CD and offspring’s risk of overweight/obesity while adjusting for important confounders and accounting for correlations between siblings.

Methods

Women in the ‘Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra’ cohort provided structured information regarding their pregnancy history and their children’s health through online cross-sectional questionnaires. We calculated adjusted differences in BMI z-score and risk ratios (RR) for offspring’s overweight/obesity associated with CD, with hierarchical models to account for correlations between siblings. We also performed a within-family analysis in 341 siblings who were discordant in delivery mode, using conditional multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among the 2791 children analysed, those born by CD had higher average BMI z-scores (difference: 0.17; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.27) and higher risk of overweight/obesity (RR: 1.32, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.65) than children born vaginally. The association did not differ by maternal characteristics or offspring’s age strata, and the results were consistent in sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, within-family analysis showed that children born by CD had 2.67-fold higher risk of overweight/obesity (95% CI 1.10 to 5.12) than their peers born vaginally.

Conclusion

Children born by CD have higher average BMI z-scores and higher risk of overweight/obesity than children born vaginally. The consistency of these findings across multiple approaches to address potential residual confounding likely suggests a true biological effect.
TRAPγ-CDG shows asymmetric glycosylation and an effect on processing of proteins required in higher organisms
Authors: Dittner-Moormann Sabine , Lourenco Charles Marques , Reunert Janine , Nishinakamura Ryuichi , Tanaka Satomi S , Werner Claudius , Debus Volker , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Wetzel Gabriele , Naim Hassan Y , Wada Yoshinao , Rust Stephan , Marquardt Thorsten
Published: April 2020

Newly synthesised glycoproteins enter the rough endoplasmic reticulum through a translocation pore. The translocon associated protein (TRAP) complex is located close to the pore. In a patient with a homozygous start codon variant in TRAPγ (SSR3), absence of TRAPγ causes disruption of the TRAP complex, impairs protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum and affects transport, for example, into the brush-border membrane. Furthermore, we observed an unbalanced non-occupancy of N-glycosylation sites. The major clinical features are intrauterine growth retardation, facial dysmorphism, congenital diarrhoea, failure to thrive, pulmonary disease and severe psychomotor disability.
Considering medical assistance in dying for minors: the complexities of children’s voices
Authors: Singh Harprit Kaur , Macdonald Mary Ellen , Carnevale Franco A
Published: April 2020

Medical assistance in dying (MAID) legislation in Canada followed much deliberation after the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling inCarterv.Canada. Included in this deliberation was the Special Joint Committee on Physician Assisted Dying’s recommendation to extend MAID legislation beyond the inclusion of adults to mature minors. Children's agency is a construct advanced within childhood studies literature which entails eliciting children’s voices in order to recognise children as active participants in constructing their own childhoods. Using this framework, we consider the possible extension of MAID legislation to most minors. We highlight important questions regarding how insights from children’s voices could be mobilised in the life or death context of MAID. We conclude that children’s voices have the potential to help determine their eligibility for MAID; however, incorporating children's voices in the context of MAID requires careful consideration due to the complexity of voice.
Modelling grass carp egg transport using a 3-D hydrodynamic river model: the role of egg retention in dead zones on spawning success
Authors: Heer Tej , Wells Mathew G. , Jackson P. Ryan , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: April 2020

Invasive grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are known to spawn in the Sandusky River, Ohio, USA, within the Great Lakes Basin, and are threatening to expand throughout the Great Lakes. Successful spawning is thought to require that eggs remain in suspension until hatching, which depends on river hydrodynamics and temperature-dependent egg development. Previous modelling efforts used one-dimensional hydrodynamic models that simplify egg movement by not simulating low-velocity zones within the river. To examine the effect of low-velocity zones on egg transit times and hatching rates, we developed a novel coupling of a biophysical Lagrangian particle tracker and three-dimensional hydrodynamic model on the Sandusky River during a high-flow event. The model successfully predicted egg-capture data for a range of developmental stages and revealed a mechanism that resuspends eggs trapped in low-velocity zones. The resuspension mechanism increases the residence time of grass carp eggs in spawning tributaries and can lead to successful hatching occurring in shorter distances than previously estimated. Grass carp potentially spawning in shorter tributary lengths has widespread implications for efforts preventing establishment in the Great Lakes Basin.
TLR2/CXCR4 coassociation facilitatesChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection-induced atherosclerosis
Authors: Miao Guolin , Zhao Xi , Wang Beibei , Zhang Lijun , Wang Guangyan , Zheng Ningbo , Liu Jingya , Xu Zhelong , Zhang Lijun
Published: April 2020

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) have both been shown to be involved in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate for the first time the presence of TLR2/CXCR4 coassociation during C. pneumoniae infection-induced atherosclerosis. Amazingly, blocking of both TLR2 and CXCR4 significantly retards and even almost reverses this infection-induced atherosclerosis. Our work reveals new mechanisms about C. pneumoniae infection-induced atherosclerosis and identifies potential new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Chronic imaging of mitochondria in the murine cerebral vasculature using in vivo two-photon microscopy
Authors: Rutkai Ibolya , Evans Wesley R. , Bess Nikita , Salter-Cid Tomas , Čikić Siniša , Chandra Partha K. , Katakam Prasad V. G. , Mostany Ricardo , Busija David W.
Published: April 2020

We introduce an innovative in vivo approach to study mitochondria in the cerebral circulation in their physiological environment by demonstrating the feasibility of long-term imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction. We postulate that the appropriate combination of Cre/Lox system and two-photon microscopy will contribute to a better understanding of the role of mitochondria in not only endothelium but also the different cell types of the cerebral circulation.
Kaempferol Protects Cell Damage in In Vitro Ischemia Reperfusion Model in Rat Neuronal PC12 Cells
Authors: Zhou Ya-ping , Li Guo-chun
Published: April 2020

Ischemic cerebral stroke is a severe neurodegenerative disease with high mortality. Ischemia and reperfusion injury plays a fundamental role in ischemic cerebral stroke. To date, the strategy for ischemic cerebral stroke treatment is limited. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of kaempferol (KFL), a natural flavonol, on cell injury induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (OGD‐reoxygenation) in PC12 cells. We found that KFL inhibited OGD‐induced decrease of cell viability and the increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. OGD‐induced activation of mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and apoptosis was inhibited by KFL. KFL also reduced OGD‐induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells. P66shc expression and acetylation were increased by OGD and KFL inhibited these changes. Upregulation of P66shc suppressed KFL‐induced decrease of apoptosis, the decrease of LDH release, and the increase of cell viability. Furthermore, KFL inhibited OGD‐induced decrease of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and downregulation of SIRT1 blocked KFL‐induced decrease of apoptosis, the decrease of LDH release, and the increase of cell viability. In summary, we identified that KFL exhibited a beneficial effect against OGD‐induced cytotoxicity in an ischemia/reperfusion injury cell model. The findings suggest that KFL may be a promising choice for the intervention of ischemic stroke and highlighted the SIRT1/P66shc signaling.
Interplay of PNPLA3 and HSD17B13 Variants in Modulating the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Hepatitis C Patients
Authors: De Benedittis Carla , Bellan Mattia , Crevola Martina , Boin Elena , Barbaglia Matteo Nazzareno , Mallela Venkata Ramana , Ravanini Paolo , Ceriani Elisa , Fangazio Stefano , Sainaghi Pier Paolo , Burlone Michela Emma , Minisini Rosalba , Pirisi Mario
Published: April 2020

A single-nucleotide polymorphism causing a C to G change in the PNPLA3 gene (rs738409) is associated with disease severity and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; the insertion variant rs72613567:TA of the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 13 (HSD17B13) mitigates this detrimental effect. Our aim was to evaluate if the same holds true in chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). With a case control retrospective study design, we selected 110 patients who developed HCC on a background of HCV infection, matching each patient for sex and age (±30 months) to three HCV-infected, non-HCC patients. All participants underwent genotyping for PNPLA3 and HSD17B13 gene variants. Both univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for advanced disease and HCC were performed. Carriage of PNPLA3 G∗ allele was associated with a trend of progressively more severe liver disease, from mild fibrosis to significant fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC (p=0.007). When the HSD17B13:TA status of these patients was taken into account, the abovementioned trend was strengthened among HSD17B13 major allele homozygotes and completely blunted among carriers of the minor allele (p=0.0003 and 0.953, respectively). In a conditional logistic regression model including diabetes and AST to platelet ratio index among predictor variables, the unfavourable genetic profile characterized by the coexistence of the PNPLA3 minor allele and HSD17B13 major allele (vs. all other possible combinations) was an independent risk factor for HCC (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.23-3.26) together with a history of alcohol abuse. In conclusion, carriage of the combination PNPLA3 minor allele and HSD17B13 major allele may represent a risk factor for HCC among HCV-infected patients. The interplay between the two genes may explain some of the controversy on this topic and may be exploited to stratify HCC risk in hepatitis C.
Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sun Lin , Diao Xue , Gang Xiaokun , Lv You , Zhao Xue , Yang Shuo , Gao Ying , Wang Guixia
Published: April 2020

Objectives. To investigate the risk factors for cognitive impairment in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients of advanced age and to identify effective biomarkers of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in these patients. Methods. Chinese T2DM patients (n=120) aged 50–70 years were divided into groups with impaired (mild, moderate, and severe) and normal cognitive function based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Data regarding demographic characteristics, clinical features of diabetes, biochemical markers, and metabolomics were collected. Results. Age, educational level, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and 24-hour urine protein were significantly associated with cognitive impairment in T2DM patients of advanced age. The severity of fundus retinopathy and the incidence of macrovascular disease also differed significantly among the groups (P<0.05). Metabolomics analysis suggested that increased levels of glutamate (Glu), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), proline (Pro), and homocysteine (Hcy) and a decreased level of glutamine (Gln) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment in the T2DM patients (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that Glu, Gln, Phe, and Pro levels were significant predictors of cognitive impairment in the T2DM patients. Conclusions. Age, educational level, duration of diabetes, and the levels of FBG, HbA1c, TC, TG, and 24-hour urine protein were considered as independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in older T2DM patients. Macrovascular and microvascular diseases also were closely associated with cognitive impairment in these patients. Together, Glu and Gln levels may represent a good predictive biomarker for the early diagnosis of cognitive impairment in T2DM patients.
Multimode Process Monitoring Method Based on Multiblock Projection Nonnegative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhao Yu-Bo , Li Chuang , Zhu Chuan-Qian , Han Shuai-shuai , Gu Xiao-Guang
Published: April 2020

A multimode process monitoring method based on multiblock projection nonnegative matrix factorization (MPNMF) is proposed for traditional process monitoring methods which often adopt global model of data and ignore local information of data. Firstly, the training data set of each mode is partitioned by the complete link algorithm and the multivariate data space is divided into several subblocks. Then, the projection nonnegative matrix factorization (PNMF) algorithm is used to model each subspace of each mode separately. A joint probabilistic statistic index is defined to identify the running modes of the process data. Finally, the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) is used to synthesize the statistics of each subblock and construct a new statistic for process monitoring. The proposed process monitoring method is applied to the TE process to verify its effectiveness.
Healing Effect of Vicenin‐2 (VCN‐2) on Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDF) and Development VCN‐2 Hydrocolloid Film Based on Alginate as Potential Wound Dressing
Authors: Tan Woan Sean , Arulselvan Palanisamy , Ng Shiow-Fern , Taib Che Norma Mat , Sarian Murni Nazira , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: April 2020

Chronic wounds represent serious globally health care and economic issues especially for patients with hyperglycemic condition. Wound dressings have a predominant function in wound treatment; however, the dressings for the long‐lasting and non‐healing wounds are still a significant challenge in the wound care management market. Astonishingly, advanced wound dressing which is embedded with a synthetic drug compound in a natural polymer compound that acts as drug release carrier has brought about promising treatment effect toward injured wound. In the current study, results have shown that Vicenin‐2 (VCN‐2) compound in low concentration significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration of HDF. It also regulated the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α from HDF in wound repair. Treatment of VCN‐2 also has facilitated the expression of TGF‐1β and VEGF wound healing maker in a dose‐dependent manner. A hydrocolloid film based on sodium alginate (SA) incorporated with VCN‐2 synthetic compound which targets to promote wound healing particularly in diabetic condition was successfully developed and optimized for its physico‐chemical properties. It was discovered that all the fabricated film formulations prepared were smooth, translucent, and good with flexibility. The thickness and weight of the formulations were also found to be uniform. The hydrophilic polymer comprised of VCN‐2 were shown to possess desirable wound dressing properties and superior mechanical characteristics. The drug release profiles have revealed hydrocolloid film, which is able to control and sustain the VCN‐2 released to wound area. In short, hydrocolloid films consisting of VCN‐2 formulations are suitably used as a potential wound dressing to promote restoration of wound injury.
Mathematical Model Analysis and Simulation of Visceral Leishmaniasis, Kashgar, Xinjiang, 2004–2016
Authors: Song Yateng , Zhang Tailei , Li Hui , Wang Kai , Lu Xiaobo
Published: April 2020

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), known as kala-azar, is a serious parasitic disease. After malaria, VL is the second largest parasitic killer. This paper focuses on the VL transmission around sandflies, dogs, and people. Kashgar is located on the southwestern edge of Xinjiang, where kala-azar parasite infection occurs every year. According to the cases reported in the Kashgar Prefecture from 2004 to 2016, we proposed a dynamic model based on these three populations. The SEIR model was established for human population, the SI model was established for sandfly population, and the SI model was established for dog population. We fitted the model to cumulative cases from 2004 to 2016 for the epidemic in Kashgar and predicted that the cumulative incidence of kala-azar in Kashgar would continue to increase, but its growth rate would gradually slow down, which means that the number of cases would gradually decrease every year. We also estimated the basic reproduction number R0 = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.49–1.93). The sensitivity analysis shows that the mutual infection between sandfly and dog contributes the most to the basic reproduction number, while the transmission proportion of sandfly to the susceptible person and the mutual infection between sandfly and dog contribute the most to the number of leishmaniasis human cases. Therefore, according to the sensitivity analysis results, reducing the contact between sandflies and dogs is an effective way to reduce kala-azar.
Comparison of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Oral Midazolam for Premedication in Pediatric Dental Patients under General Anesthesia: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Wang Li , Huang Lili , Zhang Tiejun , Peng Wei
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of preoperative intranasal dexmedetomidine and oral midazolam on preoperative sedation and postoperative agitation in pediatric dentistry. A total of 60 children (ASA grade I, aged 3–6 years) scheduled for elective pediatric dental treatment were randomly divided into the dexmedetomidine (DEX) and midazolam (MID) groups. Ramsay sedation score, parental separation anxiety scale, mask acceptance scale, pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. The Ramsay sedation scale and hemodynamic parameters of the children were observed and recorded immediately before administration and 10, 20, and 30 min after administration. A satisfactory mask acceptance scale rate was 93.33% in both MID and DEX groups, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The proportions of children that “successfully separated from their parents” were 93.33% (MID) and 96.67% (DEX). No significant difference was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of agitation was 20% in the MID group and 0% in the DEX group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Intranasal dexmedetomidine and oral midazolam provided satisfactory sedation. No significant difference between the two groups was found in terms of parental separation anxiety and mask acceptance (p > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative pediatrics emergence delirium was significantly lower in the DEX group (p < 0.05).
Robust Stabilization of Nonlinear Fractional Order Interconnected Systems Based on T-S Fuzzy Model
Authors: Li Yuting
Published: April 2020

This paper concerns robust stabilization of nonlinear fractional order interconnected systems. Based on uncertain fractional order Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model and the fractional order extension of lyapunov direct method, a parallel distributed compensate controller is designed to asymptotically stabilize the fractional order interconnected systems. Then, a sufficient condition is given in the format of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation example is given to validate the effectiveness of the approach.