bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the role of environmental humidity on cortisol production by epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Zhu Guo , Janjetovic Zorica , Slominski Andrzej
Published: October 2013

Evidence is accumulating that skin can act as an independent steroidogenic organ. It can respond to various stresses including UV light, trauma and oncogenesis by upregulating glucocorticoid production via elements of the local hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Recent data by Takei and collaborators provided in this issue of Experimental Dermatology included dryness to the list of stressors stimulating cutaneous cortisol synthesis with a possible involvement of IL‐1β as a mediator of this regulation. Thus, the last decade of research has not only documented that skin can produce cortisol, but that levels of its production change in response to environmental stress. The role of this regulated steroidogenic system in physiological or pathological outcomes requires further studies with focus on cutaneous homeostasis, formation of epidermal barrier, antimicrobial activity and display of immune (both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory) properties.
Fructose 1, 6‐diphosphate regulates desmosomal proteins and collagen fibres in human skin equivalents
Authors: Choi Hyun , Yang Seung Ha , Bae Il‐Hong , Park Ju‐Yearl , Kim Hyoung‐June , Noh Minsoo , Lee Tae Ryong , Shin Dong Wook
Published: October 2013

We previously reported that fructose 1,6‐diphosphate (FDP), a glycolytic metabolite, alleviates ultraviolet B‐induced oxidative skin damage. Here, we further examined the effects of FDP on skin. FDP decreased the number of desmosomes, whereas it increased collagen fibres in skin equivalents (SEs). FDP significantly decreased the expression of corneodesmosomal components such as desmoglein 1 (DSG1), desmocollin 1 (DSC1) and corneodesmosin (CDSN), and desquamation‐related proteases, kallikrein 5 (KLK 5) and kallikrein 7 (KLK7) in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). In addition, FDP treatment increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, but the decreased expression of corneodesmosomal components is not recovered by the treatment of p38 MAPK inhibitors. Interestingly, FDP diminished the amplitude of Ca2+ fluxes through down‐regulation of SERCA2. Taken together, these results suggested that FDP induced a decrease in desmosomes and an increase in collagen fibres similar to the process of chemical peeling, the most common treatments for ageing skin.
The role of protein glycosylation in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Schedin‐Weiss Sophia , Winblad Bengt , Tjernberg Lars O.
Published: October 2013

Glycosylation is one of the most common, and the most complex, forms of post‐translational modification of proteins. This review serves to highlight the role of protein glycosylation in Alzheimer disease (AD), a topic that has not been thoroughly investigated, although glycosylation defects have been observed in AD patients. The major pathological hallmarks in AD are neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are composed of phosphorylated tau, and the plaques are composed of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ), which is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP). Defects in glycosylation of APP, tau and other proteins have been reported in AD. Another interesting observation is that the two proteases required for the generation of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ), i.e. γ‐secretase and β‐secretase, also have roles in protein glycosylation. For instance, γ‐secretase and β‐secretase affect the extent of complex N‐glycosylation and sialylation of APP, respectively. These processes may be important in AD pathogenesis, as proper intracellular sorting, processing and export of APP are affected by how it is glycosylated. Furthermore, lack of one of the key components of γ‐secretase, presenilin, leads to defective glycosylation of many additional proteins that are related to AD pathogenesis and/or neuronal function, including nicastrin, reelin, butyrylcholinesterase, cholinesterase, neural cell adhesion molecule, v‐ATPase, and tyrosine‐related kinase B. Improved understanding of the effects of AD on protein glycosylation, and vice versa, may therefore be important for improving the diagnosis and treatment of AD patients.
The Prevalence of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine With Cerebellar Ataxia and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 in Portugal
Authors: Barros José , Ruano Luis , Domingos Joana , Tuna Assunção , Damásio Joana , Alonso Isabel , Silveira Isabel , Sequeiros Jorge , Coutinho Paula
Published: October 2013

Background

CACNA1A gene disorders present a variable familial phenotype of ataxia, migraine with aura, and/or hemiplegic migraine. Prevalence data for these conditions are scarce.

Objective

The aim of this study is to report a minimal prevalence estimate for familial hemiplegic migraine with cerebellar ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 in Portugal.

Methods

This is a multisource population‐based prevalence study. Patients and families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 and familial hemiplegic migraine and cerebellar ataxia identified through the Portuguese survey of hereditary ataxias and spastic paraplegias were re‐evaluated. Prevalent patients were confirmed to be alive and affected at the 1st of January 2013.

Results

One family with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 and 2 families with other CACNA1A gene mutations were identified. From these families, 23 patients were alive and living in Portugal in the prevalence day, for an estimated national prevalence per 100,000 inhabitants of 0.21 for familial hemiplegic migraine with cerebellar ataxia and of 0.01 for spinocerebellar ataxia type 6.

Conclusion

The prevalence of familial hemiplegic migraine with cerebellar ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 are both probably low in Portugal.
Leadership and management skills of general practice nurses: Experience or education?
Authors: Lau Rosalind , Cross Wendy , Moss Cheryle , Campbell Annie , De Castro Magali , Oxley Victoria
Published: October 2013

A key finding of this qualitative exploratory descriptive study into advanced nursing for general practice nurses (Australian setting) revealed that participants viewed leadership and management as best learnt ‘apprenticeship’ style on the job by years of experience. Participants (48) comprised of general practice nurses, practice managers and general practitioners from metropolitan Melbourne were interviewed. Other findings demonstrated that the participants generally had limited awareness that postgraduate education can assist in the development of leadership and management in advanced nursing practice. The participants lacked clarity about professional competencies and generally did not connect these to leadership and management. Professional bodies need to take the opportunity to promote awareness of the national competency standards. All three groups of participants expressed hopes about the future provision of professional development opportunities and support by the Medicare Local for leadership and management aspirations within advanced practice nursing.
Non‐parametric Analysis of Gap Times for Multiple Event Data: An Overview
Authors: Zhu Hong
Published: October 2013

Multiple event data are frequently encountered in medical follow‐up, engineering and other applications when the multiple events are considered as the major outcomes. They may be repetitions of the same event (recurrent events) or may be events of different nature. Times between successive events (gap times) are often of direct interest in these applications. The stochastic‐ordering structure and within‐subject dependence of multiple events generate statistical challenges for analysing such data, including induced dependent censoring and non‐identifiability of marginal distributions. This paper provides an overview of a class of existing non‐parametric estimation methods for gap time distributions for various types of multiple event data, where sampling bias from induced dependent censoring is effectively adjusted. We discuss the statistical issues in gap time analysis, describe the estimation procedures and illustrate the methods with a comparative simulation study and a real application to an AIDS clinical trial. A comprehensive understanding of challenges and available methods for non‐parametric analysis can be useful because there is no existing standard approach to identifying an appropriate gap time method that can be used to address research question of interest. The methods discussed in this review would allow practitioners to effectively handle a variety of real‐world multiple event data.
The career success scale in nursing: psychometric evidence to support the Chinese version
Authors: Li Ze‐kai , You Li‐ming , Lin Han‐sheng , Chan Sally Wai‐chi
Published: October 2013

Aim

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 11‐item Chinese version of the Career Success Scale.

Background

Nurses play an important role in the healthcare system. Opportunities to achieve success and satisfaction from one's career affect the retention and stability of the nursing workforce. The Career Success Scale was originally developed in English and has been translated into Chinese. Psychometric testing of the Chinese Career Success Scale for measuring career success in nurses has not been performed.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted.

Method

A convenience sample of 1148 clinical nurses were recruited from 10 level‐3 hospitals in Guangdong Province, mainland China, from December 2010–December 2011.

Results

Results indicated that the Chinese Career Success Scale demonstrated good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Principal component analysis supported the three‐factor structure of the original instrument: Career Satisfaction, Perceived within Organization Competitiveness and Perceived External Organization Competitiveness. There were significant correlations among the three factors, which demonstrated the good construct validity of the Chinese version of this scale.

Conclusion

The Chinese Career Success Scale appears to be a reliable and valid instrument. It has the potential to be used to measure nurses' career success in mainland China. The findings will be useful for nurse leaders and policymakers in the evaluation of nurses' self‐perceived career success and to develop strategies to promote nurse retention and career development.
Accurate method to estimate insulin resistance from multiple regression models using data of metabolic syndrome and oral glucose tolerance test
Authors: Wu Chung‐Ze , Lin Jiunn‐Diann , Hsia Te‐Lin , Hsu Chun‐Hsien , Hsieh Chang‐Hsun , Chang Jin‐Biou , Chen Jin‐Shuen , Pei Chun , Pei Dee , Chen Yen‐Lin
Published: October 2013

Aims/Introduction

How to measure insulin resistance (IR) accurately and conveniently is a critical issue for both clinical practice and research. In the present study, we tried to modify the β‐cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance test (BIGTT) in patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components.

Materials and Methods

There were 327 participants enrolled and divided into NGT or AGT. Data from 75% of the participants were used to build the models, and the remaining 25% were used for external validation. Steady‐state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration derived from the insulin suppression test was regarded as the standard measurement for IR. Five models were built from multiple regression: model 1 (MetS model with sex, age and MetS components); model 2 (simple OGTT model with sex, age, plasma glucose, and insulin concentrations at 0 and 120 min during OGTT); model 3 (full OGTT model with sex, age, and plasma glucose and insulin concentrations at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min during OGTT); model 4 (simple combined model): model 1 and model 2; and model 5 (full model): model 1 and 3.

Results

In general, our models had higher r2 compared with surrogates derived from OGTT, such as homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Among them, model 5 had the highest r2 (0.505 in NGT, 0.556 in AGT, respectively).

Conclusions

Our modified BIGTT models proved to be accurate and easy methods for estimating IR, and can be used in clinical practice and research.
Credit Where None Is Due? Authorized‐User Account Status and Piggybacking Credit
Authors: BREVOORT KENNETH P. , AVERY ROBERT B. , CANNER GLENN B.
Published: October 2013

“Piggybacking credit” is a new practice that helps consumers improve their credit scores by paying to become “authorized users” on established accounts. Authorized users are not liable for paying an account, but because of Regulation B (which implements the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act), the account's history factors into their credit scores. As a result piggybacking can be used to manipulate the signal of creditworthiness that scores provide and may help borrowers obtain credit for which they would not have otherwise qualified. This article investigates the policy questions raised by piggybacking. First, we evaluate whether the credit history disparities that motivated these provisions of Regulation B have persisted since they were written. Then, we assess the potential for score improvement through piggybacking. Finally, we evaluate the likely score effects of allowing credit scoring models to exclude authorized‐user accounts, the most widely proposed policy response to the emergence of piggybacking.
Borrowing Capacity and Financial Decisions of Low‐to‐Moderate Income First‐Time Homebuyers
Authors: MOULTON STEPHANIE , LOIBL CÄZILIA , SAMAK ANYA , MICHAEL COLLINS J.
Published: October 2013

This study documents the extent to which first‐time homebuyers seeking a mortgage accurately estimate their borrowing capacity and how this is associated with their decisions regarding mortgage debt and the take‐up of a free offer of financial coaching. We find that consumers who underestimate their nonmortgage debt (31.5% of the sample) also take out larger mortgages relative to income. Consumers who underestimate or overestimate their total debt as well as their monthly debt payments are more likely to accept the offer of financial coaching. Moreover, overconfidence in financial matters reduces the take‐up of financial coaching. These biases in perceived financial status appear to be systematically related to behavior among a group of relatively inexperienced consumers. These findings suggest that efforts to extend homeownership may need to include debiasing mechanisms to help less informed consumers accurately assess their current debt levels and ability to make ongoing mortgage payments.
Influence of dietary nicotinic acid supplementation on lipid metabolism and related gene expression in two distinct broiler breeds of female chickens
Authors: Jiang R. R. , Zhao G. P. , Zhao J. P. , Chen J. L. , Zheng M. Q. , Liu R. R. , Wen J.
Published: October 2013

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of supplemental dietary nicotinic acid (NA) on lipid metabolism and hepatic expression of related genes in female chickens of two distinct broiler strains [Arbor Acres (AA) and Beijing‐You (BJY)]. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial in a completely randomized design. Day‐old females (n = 384) were allocated to four treatments with six cages per treatment and fed diets (basal contained approximately 25 mg NA/kg) supplemented with 0, 30, 60 and 120 mg NA/kg. A sample of 72 birds from each breed was slaughtered and sampled at their different market times (8 week for AA and 16 week for BJY). Arbor Acres broilers had thickness of subcutaneous fat plus the skin (SFS), and plasma concentration of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and lower percentage of abdominal fat (PAF), plasma concentrations of TG, NEFA and adiponectin than the BJY line. The hepatic transcription of apolipoprotein A‐I (ApoA‐I), apolipoproteinB (ApoB), and adiponectin was significantly higher in AA broilers than in BJY broilers. In both breeds, BW, PAF, SFS, NEFA and TG were increased with increasing supplementation from 0 to 60 mg NA/kg, but then decreased slightly with 120 mg added NA/kg. With increasing supplementation, hepatic expression and plasma concentrations of adiponectin decreased from 0 to 60 mg added NA/kg and then increased with 120 mg added NA/kg. The expression of ApoA‐I and ApoB mRNA showed linear response to dietary supplementation with NA. These findings indicate that: (i) supplementation of NA influenced the lipid metabolism and related gene expression; (ii) when supplemented with 120 mg NA/kg, some pharmacologic actions on lipid metabolism appeared; and (iii) changes in BW and fat deposition appeared to be associated with hepatic expression of adiponectin.
Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following intravenous and buccal administration in cats, and effects on thermal threshold
Authors: Hedges A. R. , Pypendop B. H. , Shilo‐Benjamini Y. , Stanley S. D. , Ilkiw J. E.
Published: October 2013

This study reports the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine, following i.v. and buccal administration, and the relationship between buprenorphine concentration and its effect on thermal threshold. Buprenorphine (20 μg/kg) was administered intravenously or buccally to six cats. Thermal threshold was determined, and arterial blood sampled prior to, and at various times up to 24 h following drug administration. Plasma buprenorphine concentration was determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Compartment models were fitted to the time–concentration data. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models were fitted to the concentration‐thermal threshold data. Thermal threshold was significantly higher than baseline 44 min after buccal administration, and 7, 24, and 104 min after i.v. administration. A two‐ and three‐compartment model best fitted the data following buccal and i.v. administration, respectively. Following i.v. administration, mean ± SD volume of distribution at steady‐state (L/kg), clearance (mL·min/kg), and terminal half‐life (h) were 11.6 ± 8.5, 23.8 ± 3.5, and 9.8 ± 3.5. Following buccal administration, absorption half‐life was 23.7 ± 9.1 min, and terminal half‐life was 8.9 ± 4.9 h. An effect‐compartment model with a simple effect maximum model best predicted the time‐course of the effect of buprenorphine on thermal threshold. Median (range) ke0 and EC50 were 0.003 (0.002–0.018)/min and 0.599 (0.073–1.628) ng/mL (i.v.), and 0.017 (0.002–0.023)/min and 0.429 (0.144–0.556) ng/mL (buccal).
Advanced Glycation End Products Activate the miRNA/RhoA/ROCK2 Pathway in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Wu Xiao‐dan , Liu Wei‐lin , Zeng Kai , Lei Hong‐yi , Zhang Qing‐guo , Zhou Shu‐qin , Xu Shi‐yuan
Published: October 2013

Objective

AGEs induce endothelial cell dysfunction in HUVECs, resulting in ROS production and triggering apoptosis. This study sought to identify miRNAs involved in AGE‐induced endothelial cell injury.

Methods

Microarray analysis to identify miRNAs altered with AGE stimulation was undertaken, and results were confirmed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The interaction of miRNAs with the RhoA and ROCK2 genes was confirmed using luciferase assays, and their effects on expression were determined using Western blot analysis. The effects of AGEs and miRNAs on endothelial cell permeability were assessed.

Results

AGEs induced ROS production and apoptosis of HUVECs (p < 0.05). AGE‐induced miR‐200b and miR‐200c downregulation led to increased expression of their target genes, RhoA and ROCK, respectively. AGE‐induced endothelial cell permeability and F‐actin expression were significantly reduced with both miR‐200b and miR‐200c mimics (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AGE‐induced stress fiber formation was reduced in cells treated with miR‐200b mimics.

Conclusion

miR‐200b and miR‐200c are suppressed in AGE‐induced endothelial cell injury, resulting in unregulated RhoA/ROCK2 signaling. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic value of targeting miRNAs or their target genes for treatment of vascular diseases.
Chemical similarity between historical and novel host plants promotes range and host expansion of the mountain pine beetle in a naïve host ecosystem
Authors: Erbilgin Nadir , Ma Cary , Whitehouse Caroline , Shan Bin , Najar Ahmed , Evenden Maya
Published: October 2013

Host plant secondary chemistry can have cascading impacts on host and range expansion of herbivorous insect populations.

We investigated the role of host secondary compounds on pheromone production by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) (MPB) and beetle attraction in response to a historical (lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and a novel (jack pine, Pinus banksiana) hosts, as pheromones regulate the host colonization process.

Beetles emit the same pheromones from both hosts, but more trans‐verbenol, the primary aggregation pheromone, was emitted by female beetles on the novel host. The phloem of the novel host contains more α‐pinene, a secondary compound that is the precursor for trans‐verbenol production in beetle, than the historical host. Beetle‐induced emission of 3‐carene, another secondary compound found in both hosts, was also higher from the novel host. Field tests showed that the addition of 3‐carene to the pheromone mixture mimicking the aggregation pheromones produced from the two host species increased beetle capture.

We conclude that chemical similarity between historical and novel hosts has facilitated host expansion of MPB in jack pine forests through the exploitation of common host secondary compounds for pheromone production and aggregation on the hosts. Furthermore, broods emerging from the novel host were larger in terms of body size.
Genomewide discovery ofDNApolymorphisms in rice cultivars with contrasting drought and salinity stress response and their functional relevance
Authors: Jain Mukesh , Moharana Kanhu Charan , Shankar Rama , Kumari Romika , Garg Rohini
Published: October 2013

Next‐generation sequencing technologies provide opportunities to understand the genetic basis of phenotypic differences, such as abiotic stress response, even in the closely related cultivars via identification of large number ofDNApolymorphisms. We performed whole‐genome resequencing of three rice cultivars with contrasting responses to drought and salinity stress (sensitiveIR64, drought‐tolerantNagina 22 and salinity‐tolerantPokkali). More than 356 million 90‐bp paired‐end reads were generated, which provided about 85% coverage of the rice genome. Applying stringent parameters, we identified a total of 1 784 583 nonredundant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 154 275InDels between reference (Nipponbare) and the three resequenced cultivars. We detected 401 683 and 662 509SNPs betweenIR64 andPokkali, andIR64 andN22 cultivars, respectively. The distribution ofDNApolymorphisms was found to be uneven across and within the rice chromosomes. One‐fourth of theSNPs andInDels were detected in genic regions, and about 3.5% of the totalSNPs resulted in nonsynonymous changes. Large‐effectSNPs andInDels, which affect the integrity of the encoded protein, were also identified. Further, we identifiedDNApolymorphisms present in the differentially expressed genes within the known quantitative trait loci. Among these, a total of 548SNPs in 232 genes, located in the conserved functional domains, were identified. The data presented in this study provide functional markers and promising target genes for salinity and drought tolerance and present a valuable resource for high‐throughput genotyping and molecular breeding for abiotic stress traits in rice.
New molecule in the etiology of schizophrenia: Urotensin II
Authors: Bulbul Feridun , Alpak Gokay , Unal Ahmet , Copoglu Umit Sertan , Orkmez Mustafa , Virit Osman , Tarkcıoglu Mehmet , Savas Haluk A.
Published: October 2013

Aims

Urotensin II (U‐II) is a cyclic peptide that was first isolated from the caudal neurosecretory system of goby fish. U‐II receptors were detected in the vascular endothelium, brain and kidney cortex. Urotensin is by far the most powerful vasoconstrictor identified. U‐II molecules were previously isolated from the brain of rats and were shown to have an impact on rat behavior. The aim of the present study was to measure the level of U‐II molecule in schizophrenia patients and to investigate whether the U‐II level is associated with the etiology of schizophrenia.

Methods

Forty schizophrenia patients who were followed at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Department of Psychiatry Psychotic Disorders Unit and 40 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein after 12‐h fasting. U‐II level was measured on ELISA.

Results

The U‐II level in schizophrenia patients was significantly higher than in the control group. U‐II level was not different with regard to gender in either group. U‐II level was not different between subgroups of schizophrenia. No significant correlation was found between U‐II level, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale scores.

Conclusion

U‐II level was higher in schizophrenia patients, indicating that U‐II level may be related to the etiology of the disease.
Benzodiazepine use and risk of stroke: A retrospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Huang Wei‐Shih , Muo Chih‐Hsin , Chang Shih‐Ni , Chang Yen‐Jung , Tsai Chon‐Haw , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: October 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between benzodiazepine (BZD) use and risk of incident stroke by utilizing data from 2000 to 2003 from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan.

Methods

Study subjects consisted of 38 671 patients with new BZD use and 38 663 people without BZD use who were frequency‐matched for age, sex and baseline comorbidity with BZD users. All subjects had no history of stroke. Each study patient's case was followed until a new diagnosis of stroke was made or until the patient was censored by loss to follow up, death, or termination of insurance. The study lasted until the end of 2009. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the incidences and hazard ratios (HR) of stroke.

Results

The HR of hemorrhagic stroke was significantly lower in the BZD group when compared with the non‐BZD group. For patients aged 20–39 years, the HR of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in the BZD group when compared with the non‐BZD group. Compared to the non‐BZD group, patients with a lower annual dosage (<1 g) or duration (<30 days) of BZD use had a lower risk of stroke in the elder group (P < 0.0001) and patients with a higher annual dosage (≥ 4 g) or duration (≥ 95 days) of BZD use had a higher risk of stroke in all age groups (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our findings may suggest neuroprotection under lower‐dosage BZD use and neurotoxicity under higher‐dosage BZD use.
A2E‐Mediated Photochemical Modification to Fibronectin and its Implications to Age‐Related Changes in Bruch's Membrane
Authors: Thao Mai T. , Renfus Daniel J. , Dillon James , Gaillard Elizabeth R.
Published: October 2013

Lipofuscin accumulates normally with age and is more pronounced in retinal dystrophies such as age‐related macular degeneration. The major bis‐retinoid component of lipofuscin is A2E. In addition to cell damage effects by A2E, we have previously demonstrated that blue‐light–mediated A2E leads to modifications in the basement membrane protein laminin. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to advance the understanding of A2E photooxidation effects on fibronectin, the major glycoprotein of Bruch's membrane. In this study, A2E was irradiated with blue light in the presence of a fibronectin peptide consisting of amino acids from the integrin binding region. The modification sites were identified via LC/MS. Our research indicated that blue light irradiation caused cleavage throughout the A2E molecule closest to the pyridinium ring, and attached to the fibronectin peptide preferentially at lysine and arginine residues. All of these reactions are similar to the Maillard reaction. Altogether this study suggests that blue‐light–irradiated A2E modifies peptides and forms advance glycation endproducts. Furthermore, these results can be used to identify modifications that occur in Bruch's membrane in vivo.
Sensitivity Analysis for Critical Control Points Determination and Uncertainty Analysis to Link FSO and Process Criteria: Application to Listeria monocytogenes in Soft Cheese Made from Pasteurized Milk
Authors: Lamboni Matieyendou , Sanaa Moez , Tenenhaus‐Aziza Fanny
Published: October 2013

Microbiological food safety is an important economic and health issue in the context of globalization and presents food business operators with new challenges in providing safe foods. The hazard analysis and critical control point approach involve identifying the main steps in food processing and the physical and chemical parameters that have an impact on the safety of foods. In the risk‐based approach, as defined in the Codex Alimentarius, controlling these parameters in such a way that the final products meet a food safety objective (FSO), fixed by the competent authorities, is a big challenge and of great interest to the food business operators. Process risk models, issued from the quantitative microbiological risk assessment framework, provide useful tools in this respect. We propose a methodology, called multivariate factor mapping (MFM), for establishing a link between process parameters and compliance with a FSO. For a stochastic and dynamic process risk model of in soft cheese made from pasteurized milk with many uncertain inputs, multivariate sensitivity analysis and MFM are combined to (i) identify the critical control points (CCPs) for throughout the food chain and (ii) compute the critical limits of the most influential process parameters, located at the CCPs, with regard to the specific process implemented in the model. Due to certain forms of interaction among parameters, the results show some new possibilities for the management of microbiological hazards when a FSO is specified.
Average Household Size and the Eradication of Malaria
Authors: Huldén Lena , McKitrick Ross , Huldén Larry
Published: October 2013

Malaria has disappeared in some countries but not others, and an explanation for the pattern remains elusive. We show that the probability of eradication of malaria jumps sharply when average household size drops below four people. Part of the effect that is commonly attributed to income growth is likely to be due to declining household size. DDT usage plays only a weak role. Warmer temperatures are not associated with increased malaria prevalence. We propose that household size matters because malaria is transmitted indoors at night. We test this hypothesis by contrasting malaria with dengue fever, another mosquito-borne illness spread mainly by daytime outdoor contact.
Testing for Non-linear and Time Irreversible Probabilistic Structure in High Frequency Financial Time Series Data
Authors: Wild Phillip , Foster John , Hinich Melvin. J.
Published: October 2013

We present three non-parametric trispectrum tests that can establish whether the spectral decomposition of kurtosis of high frequency financial asset price time series is consistent with the assumptions of Gaussianity, linearity and time reversiblility. The detection of non-linear and time irreversible probabilistic structure has important implications for the choice and implementation of a range of models of the evolution of asset prices, including Black–Scholes–Merton option pricing model, auto-regressive conditional heteroscedastic or generalized auto-regressive conditional heteroscedastic and stochastic volatility models. We apply the tests to a selection of high frequency Australian stocks.
Preliminary Analysis of In-Vessel Corium Confinement and Cooling in a Large Sodium Fast Reactor
Authors: Polidoro Franco , Parozzi Flavio
Published: October 2013

Considering a reasonable range of core meltdown accidents that can be postulated for GenIV sodium fast reactors, good safety margins exist for corium confinement and cooling inside the reactor vessel. Coolable conditions can be reached with the adoption of an ad-hoc device in the lower plenum, i.e. core catcher, capable to intercept the downward motion of the molten material and assure its cooling. Such device has to be designed to withstand to extreme thermal-mechanical conditions that rise as consequence of the large mechanical energy release and high temperature of molten corium.

As this study has been carried out in the frame of the Collaborative Project on European Sodium Fast Reactor (CP ESFR) of the 7th Framework Programme Euratom, on the basis of the postulated accident conditions assumed for a reference 1500 MWe pool-type sodium fast reactor, the present work provides a preliminary analysis of the thermal response of a possible core catcher placed within the vessel. The dynamic thermal behaviour of the corium-structure-coolant system is analyzed with the computer code CORIUM-2D, an original simulation tool developed by RSE - Ricerca Sul Sistema Energetico, with the aim to assess the thermal interaction among corium, structures and coolant under severe accident conditions in both Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors (LMFBRs).

The results of the numerical simulations show that the steady-state coolable configuration of core debris and the structural integrity of main containment structures can be reached in a number of partial core meltdown situations.
Simulation of a Containment Spray System Test With the European Lumped-Parameter Codes ASTEC and COCOSYS
Authors: Risken Tobias , Koch Marco K.
Published: October 2013

The presented post-test calculations of the test PACOS Px2.2 performed at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) regard the predictability of the containment spray system’s effect using the lumped parameter codes ASTEC and COCOSYS. The focus of the calculations is set on the decrease of temperature and pressure in case of severe accident scenarios in light water reactor containments. The comparison of the simulation results to experimental data shows, that pressure and temperature during spraying can be simulated satisfactorily with ASTEC and COCOSYS. While calculating the results of the pressure with high agreement to the experiment, both codes underestimate the temperature more and more with increasing distance along the spray path, as the increasing temperature caused by a moving steam cushion is underestimated. The steam cushion is caused by spray induced convection pushing the warmer atmosphere of the upper test facility compartments into the cooler lower compartments. The temperature increase in the lower zones resulting from the establishing flows cannot be simulated properly, as both codes are not fully capable of calculating the occurring forces between dynamic atmosphere and droplet surface.
EC6 Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Design for Station Blackouts
Authors: Foster Philip , Harber John , Ford Steven , Lekakh Boris , Nie Chunlei
Published: October 2013

The Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6) plant design includes complementary design features that assist the goals of preventing severe accident scenarios and mitigating their consequences if they do occur. These features include design or procedural considerations (or both), and are based on a combination of phenomenological models, engineering judgments, and probabilistic methods. This paper provides an overview of the EC6 instrumentation and control (I&C) and electrical design specifically related to prevention of severe accidents during station blackouts (SBOs).

The I&C and electrical components and devices may include those used in normal operation, those of the safety systems used during design basis accidents, and those added solely for preventing or mitigating severe accidents. They are evaluated by an equipment survivability assessment to demonstrate a reasonable level of assurance for their operability, and a seismic fragility evaluation in consideration of a seismic initiating event.

The requirements for the I&C and electrical design for SBOs are developed by reviewing EC6 event sequences leading to SBOs, identifying the available systems, and identifying the actions needed and whether they are manual or automatic, passive or active. Monitoring plays a critical role in the prevention of severe accidents. The correct operation of instrumentation and associated display devices for key parameters is essential in diagnosing the plant state and safety challenges.
TRACE/PARCS Analysis of Full Isolation Startup Test for Lungmen ABWR
Authors: Ho Ai-Ling , Wang Jong-Rong , Lin Hao-Tzu , Shih Chunkuan
Published: October 2013

TRACE/PARCS coupling model of Lungmen NPP has been used to analyze the full isolation startup test, defined as a simultaneous full closure of all MSIVs (Main Steamline Isolation Valve). In this analysis, the full closure time of MSIVs was varied by 2 sec, 3sec (base), and 4 sec. As MSIV was closed to 90% full open position, a reactor power scram signal was initiated. For each of MSIV full closure time, the delayed time of scram signal to the start of control rod insertion was varied by base 0.09 sec, 0.04 sec, and 0.14 sec. Because of MSIVs closure, the increasing reactor dome pressure reached the setpoint of relief valves (RVs) and caused RVs to open. The 4 reactor internal pumps (RIPs) not connected to the M/G sets tripped and were runback to minimum pump speed when water level dropped to L3. The 6 RIPs connected to the M/G sets tripped if low water level (L2) or high reactor dome pressure (1140 psia) had been reached. Those important thermal parameters with various MSIV full closure times (2, 3, and 4sec) and various reactor scram signal delay times (0.09, 0.04, and 0.14 sec) are compared and shown in this paper.
High-Temperture Structural Analysis on a Small-Scale PHE Prototype Considering Mechanical Properties in the Heat-Affected Zone and in the Weld Zone
Authors: Song Kee-Nam , Hong Sung-Deok , Park Hong-Yoon
Published: October 2013

PHE (Process Heat Exchanger) is a key component in transferring the high temperature heat generated from a VHTR (Very High Temperature Reactor) to the chemical reaction for massive production of hydrogen. A performance test on a small-scale PHE prototype made of Hastelloy-X is currently undergoing in a small-scale gas loop at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Previous researches on the high-temperature structural analysis of the small-scale PHE prototype had been performed using parent material properties over the whole region. In this study, high-temperature elastic structural analysis considering mechanical properties in the weld zone was performed and the analysis result was compared with previous researches.
Accounting Nuclear Fuel Burnup for Criticality Safety Justification of Spent Nuclear Fuel Storages
Authors: Solovyov Vladislav , Galchenko Vitaliy
Published: October 2013

In this paper we have analyzed accounting spent nuclear fuel (SNF) burnup of VVER-1000 and RBMK-1000 only with actinides.

The following characteristics were analyzed: initial fuel enrichment, burnup fraction, axial burnup profile in the fuel assembly (FA) and fuel weight.

As the results show, in the first 400 hours after stopping the reactor, there is an increase in the effective neutron multiplication factor (keff) due to beta decay of 239Np into 239Pu. Further, from 5 to 50 years, decrease in keff due to beta decay of 241Pu into 241Am. In the future there is a slight change in criticality of the system.

Accounting nuclear fuel burnup in the justification of nuclear safety of SNF storages will provide an opportunity to increase the volume of loaded fuel and thus significantly reduce technology costs of handling of SNF.
Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of Design Basis Accidents for Chinese Helium-Cooled Solid Breeder TBM
Authors: Wang Jie , Su Guanghui , Tian Wenxi , Qiu Suizheng
Published: October 2013

Based on the structural design of the Chinese Helium Cooled Solid Breeder (CH HCSB) test blanket module (TBM), the thermal-hydraulic behavior and safety performance of the CH HCSB TBM cooling system has been studied using the RELAP5/Mod3.4 code. According to the accident sequences of Accident Analysis Specification for TBM, two design basis accidents including loss of off-site power and multiple TBM FW (first wall) HTS (heat transfer system) pipe failure are investigated. The results show that natural circulation is established in the helium cooling circuit to cool the TBM effectively after loss of off-site power. In addition, after multiple TBM FW HTS pipe failure, the TBM can be cooled down because of the thermal radiation. The maximum vacuum vessel (VV) pressure and the mass of not condensable gas spilling into the VV are within the limits for ITER design. Temperature difference between the break and intact FW pipes is also found.
Code Simulation of Quenching of a High Temperature Debris Bed: Model Improvement and Validation With Experimental Results
Authors: Bachrata A. , Fichot F. , Repetto G. , Quintard M. , Fleurot J.
Published: October 2013

The loss of coolant accidents with core degradation e.g. TMI-2 and Fukushima demonstrated that the nuclear safety analysis has to cover accident sequences involving a late reflood activation in order to develop appropriate and reliable mitigation strategies for both, existing and advanced reactors. The reflood (injection of water) is possible if one or several water sources become available during the accident. In a late phase of accident, no well-defined coolant paths would exist and a large part of the core would resemble to a debris bed e.g. particles with characteristic length-scale: 1 to 5 mm, as observed in TMI-2. The French “Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire” (IRSN) is developing experimental programs (PEARL and PRELUDE) and simulation tools (ICARE-CATHARE and ASTEC) to study and optimize the severe accident management strategy and to assess the probabilities to stop the progress of in-vessel core degradation at a late stage of an accident. The purpose of this paper is to propose a consistent thermo-hydraulic model of reflood of severely damaged reactor core for ICARE-CATHARE code. The comparison of the calculations with PRELUDE experimental results is presented. It is shown that the quench front exhibits either a 1D behavior or a 2D one, depending on injection rate or bed characteristics. The PRELUDE data cover a rather large range of variation of parameters for which the developed model appears to be quite predictive.
Generation of In-Structure Response Spectra for Nuclear Power Plants Subjected to High-Frequency Ground Motion
Authors: Moreschi Luis M. , Pan Qin , Wang Shen , Malushte Sanjeev R.
Published: October 2013

The purpose of seismic qualification of Structures, Systems and Components (SSCs) in nuclear power plants is to ensure that their intended safety function will not be compromised during and after a postulated earthquake event. The seismic performance of the equipment is generally evaluated using In-Structure Response Spectra (ISRS) at equipment-support locations as an input motion. Traditionally, these ISRS are generated based on design ground spectra prescribed by either U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 1.60 or other design spectral shapes, which normally consider the frequencies content up to 33Hz. However, it has been recently recognized that probabilistic hazard-based site specific ground motion response spectra (GMRS) for Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) hard rock sites contains significant energy in the high frequency range, far beyond 33Hz. Since the motion at equipment support locations is highly affected by the dynamic characteristics of the soil or rock surrounding the building foundations and those of the structure itself, the adequacy of dynamic modeling and analysis techniques for determining the ISRS is critical to seismic qualification of safety-related equipment.

This paper provides examples on dynamic modeling and analysis techniques required to accurately capture the structural responses for purposes of calculating ISRS throughout the frequency range of interest, including the high frequency responses typically expected at the CEUS sites. The discussion includes the selection of finite element mesh size, and sensitivity analysis performed to demonstrate that the propagation of these high frequencies through the different levels of the structure is properly captured. Other analytical considerations, such as the selection of time step size, for conducting time-history analysis, are also presented.
TRACE and RELAP5 Codes for Beyond Design Accident Condition Simulation in the SPES3 Facility
Authors: Ferri Roberta , Mascari Fulvio , Meloni Paride , Vella Giuseppe
Published: October 2013

Code validation on qualified experimental data is a fundamental issue in the design and safety analyses of nuclear power plants.

The SPES3 facility is being built at the SIET laboratories for an integral type SMR simulation, in the frame of an R&D program on nuclear fission, funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and led by ENEA.

The facility, based on the IRIS reactor design, reproduces the primary, secondary and containment systems with 1:100 volume scale, full elevation and prototypical fluid and thermal-hydraulic conditions. It is suitable to test the plant response to design and beyond design accidents in order to verify the effectiveness of the primary and containment system dynamic coupling to cope with loss of coolant accidents.

Full and complete nodalizations of SPES3 were developed for TRACE and RELAP5 codes in order to investigate the code response to the simulation of the same accidental transient. The DVI line DEG break was simulated in beyond design conditions, assuming the failure of all emergency heat removal systems and relying on PCC intervention for containment depressurization and decay heat removal.

The comparison of the code simulation results, other than providing information on the system behavior, allowed to investigate specific phenomena evidenced by the codes, according to the related modeling approach of components with one and three-dimensional volumes.

The TRACE and RELAP5 codes will be applied for further transient analyses and will be validated on SPES3 experimental data, once the facility will be available.
Accident Management Actions in a Lower Head SBLOCA With HPSI Failed
Authors: Gonzalez-Cadelo J. , Queral C. , Montero J. , Martinez-Murillo J. C.
Published: October 2013

In the framework of CAMP and OECD/NEA ROSA projects a broad analysis of Lower Head SBLOCA with High Pressure Safety Injection (HPSI) unavailable in a Westinghouse PWR has been performed. The simulations have been performed with TRACE 5 patch1 and the selected methodology has been the Integrated Safety Assessment (ISA) methodology, developed by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), which allows obtaining the damage domain as a function of the operator actuation times. The objective of this work is to find the available time for accident management actions by means of ISA methodology. The main conclusions are that present emergency operating procedures are adequate for this kind of sequences and there is not necessary to modify them and also that, the ISA methodology is adequate to analyze safety issues that include time delays uncertainties.