bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A General Framework for Gauging the Performance of Initiatives to Enhance Organizational Value
Authors: Zwikael Ofer , Smyrk John
Published: March 2012

The project management literature argues that most projects fail, and yet, paradoxically, increasing numbers of proposals for new initiatives attract funds. In order to resolve an apparent ‘investment‐in‐failure’ paradox, this paper questions the methodology used in the literature to judge project performance and to decide on funding new projects. Using results from a field study, the authors describe a project performance framework that both expands and extends traditional approaches. They argue that the conventional test of project performance is not only fundamentally flawed, but also irrelevant to decision‐makers. In response, drawing on ‘principal–agent’, ‘regret’ and ‘contingency’ theories, the authors propose a new methodology to assess projects based on the concept of ‘worth’. According to this approach, performance is judged at three separate levels: project management, project ownership and project investment. These three tests allow distinct judgements to be made about the respective performances of the project manager, the project owner and the investment represented by the original funding decision. To the extent that financial crises are associated with project failure, such a framework may prove useful, because it would support better investment decision‐making.
Melanocyte antigen‐specific antibodies cannot be used as markers for recent disease activity in patients with vitiligo
Authors: Kroon M.W. , Kemp E. Helen , Wind B.S. , Krebbers G. , Bos J.D. , Gawkrodger D.J. , Wolkerstorfer A. , van der Veen J.P. Wietze , Luiten R.M.
Published: March 2012

Background  Objective parameters to assess disease activity in non‐segmental vitiligo are lacking. Melanocyte antigen‐specific antibodies are frequently found in the sera of patients with vitiligo and the presence of these antibodies may correlate with disease activity.

Objective  To investigate the relationship between melanocyte antigen‐specific antibodies and recent disease activity in patients with vitiligo and to evaluate the potential usefulness of this objective parameter in daily clinical practice.

Methods  The prevalence of tyrosinase, melanoma antigen recognized by T‐cells‐1 (MART1), melanin‐concentrating hormone receptor‐1 (MCHR1), gp100 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibodies was evaluated in 21 patients with non‐segmental vitiligo and in 20 healthy controls.

Results  In 21 patients, nine (42.8%) showed antibody responses against tyrosinase, MART1, MCHR1, gp100 or TH. No antibody responses were found in the 20 controls. No correlation was found between the presence of antibodies and recent disease activity or other clinical characteristics such as age, gender, extension and duration of vitiligo.

Conclusions  In this study, 42.8% of the vitiligo patients showed an antibody response to melanocyte antigen‐specific antigens. However, the presence of antibodies against melanocytes did not correlate with recent disease activity or other relevant disease parameters, and for the moment screening for these antibodies in individual patients does not appear to be clinically relevant.
Mandibular histology and growth of the nonmammaliaform cynodont Tritylodon
Authors: Jasinoski Sandra C. , Chinsamy Anusuya
Published: March 2012

An investigation of bone microstructure of nonmammalian therapsids has revealed distinctive signals pertaining to their ontogenetic growth and biology. Until now, histological studies of the nonmammaliaform cynodonts have focused only on postcranial material. Through the examination of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) scans and serial thin sections, the current study provides a novel perspective on the structure and growth of the mandible of Tritylodon, a derived herbivorous cynodont from southern Africa. By tracking histological features across the serial thin sections, trends in relocation and modelling are documented for the growing Tritylodon mandible. For example, during growth, localized changes in the cross‐sectional shape of the mandible occurred. Localized deposits of new lamellar and fibrolamellar bone on the lateral edge indicate widening of the mandible during different episodes of growth. The presence of radial channels indicates the deepening of the mandible at its anterior and posterior ends. The relocation of the paired mental foramina suggests that the mandibular body lengthened mainly in the posterior direction. The medial movement of a posterior postcanine tooth during growth and eruption is recorded in the histology. This histological assessment also documents the presence of Sharpey’s fibres in the cellular cementum of the first incisor, providing novel and unequivocal evidence that it was attached to the Tritylodon jaw by a periodontal ligament. This is the first comprehensive study that uses histological analysis to document the growth dynamics of the mandible of a nonmammalian therapsid, thus providing a unique perspective of localized mandibular growth in a fossil animal.
Alien plant species with a wider global distribution are better able to capitalize on increased resource availability
Authors: Dawson Wayne , Rohr Rudolf P. , van Kleunen Mark , Fischer Markus
Published: March 2012

See also the Commentary by Davidson and Nicotra
Nesca, a novel neuronal adapter protein, links the molecular motor kinesin with the pre‐synaptic membrane protein, syntaxin‐1, in hippocampal neurons
Authors: MacDonald James I. S. , Dietrich Alfonso , Gamble Sarah , Hryciw Todd , Grant Robert Ian , Meakin Susan O.
Published: March 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 861–880.

Vesicular transport in neurons plays a vital role in neuronal function and survival. Nesca is a novel protein that we previously identified and herein describe its pattern of expression, subcellular localization and protein–protein interactions both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, a large proportion of Nesca is in tight association with both actin and microtubule cytoskeletal proteins. Nesca binds to F‐actin, microtubules, βIII and acetylated α‐tubulin, but not neurofilaments or the actin‐binding protein drebrin, in in vitro‐binding assays. Nesca co‐immunoprecipitates with kinesin heavy chain (KIF5B) and kinesin light‐chain motors as well as with the synaptic membrane precursor protein, syntaxin‐1, and is a constituent of the post‐synaptic density. Moreover, in vitro‐binding assays indicate that Nesca directly binds KIF5B, kinesin light‐chain and syntaxin‐1. In contrast, Nesca does not co‐immunoprecipitate with the kinesin motors KIF1B, KIF3A nor does it bind syntaxin‐4 or the synaptosome‐associated protein 25 kDa (SNAP‐25) in vitro. Nesca expression in neurons is highly punctuate, co‐stains with syntaxin‐1, and is found in fractions containing markers of early endosomes and Golgi suggesting that it is involved in vesicular transport. Collectively, these data suggest that Nesca functions as an adapter involved in neuronal vesicular transport including vesicles containing soluble N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors that are essential to exocytosis.
Oxidative lipid modification of nicastrin enhances amyloidogenic γ‐secretase activity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gwon A‐Ryeong , Park Jong‐Sung , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Kwon Yong‐Kook , Chan Sic L. , Kim Seol‐Hee , Baik Sang‐Ha , Yang Sunghee , Yun Young‐Kwang , Choi Yuri , Kim Saerom , Tang Sung‐Chun , Hyun Dong‐Hoon , Cheng Aiwu , Dann Charles E. , Bernier Michel , Lee Jaewon , Markesbery William R. , Mattson Mark P. , Jo Dong‐Gyu
Published: March 2012

The cause of elevated level of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ42) in common late‐onset sporadic [Alzheimer’s disease (AD)] has not been established. Here, we show that the membrane lipid peroxidation product 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE) is associated with amyloid and neurodegenerative pathologies in AD and that it enhances γ‐secretase activity and Aβ42 production in neurons. The γ‐secretase substrate receptor, nicastrin, was found to be modified by HNE in cultured neurons and in brain specimens from patients with AD, in which HNE–nicastrin levels were found to be correlated with increased γ‐secretase activity and Aβ plaque burden. Furthermore, HNE modification of nicastrin enhanced its binding to the γ‐secretase substrate, amyloid precursor protein (APP) C99. In addition, the stimulation of γ‐secretase activity and Aβ42 production by HNE were blocked by an HNE‐scavenging histidine analog in a 3xTgAD mouse model of AD. These findings suggest a specific molecular mechanism by which oxidative stress increases Aβ42 production in AD and identify HNE as a novel therapeutic target upstream of the γ‐secretase cleavage of APP.
Glucocorticoids suppress selected components of the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype
Authors: Laberge Remi‐Martin , Zhou Lili , Sarantos Melissa R. , Rodier Francis , Freund Adam , de Keizer Peter L. J. , Liu Su , Demaria Marco , Cong Yu‐Sheng , Kapahi Pankaj , Desprez Pierre‐Yves , Hughes Robert E. , Campisi Judith
Published: March 2012

Cellular senescence suppresses cancer by arresting the proliferation of cells at risk for malignant transformation. Recently, senescent cells were shown to secrete numerous cytokines, growth factors, and proteases that can alter the tissue microenvironment and may promote age‐related pathology. To identify small molecules that suppress the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP), we developed a screening protocol using normal human fibroblasts and a library of compounds that are approved for human use. Among the promising library constituents was the glucocorticoid corticosterone. Both corticosterone and the related glucocorticoid cortisol decreased the production and secretion of selected SASP components, including several pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, the glucocorticoids suppressed the SASP without reverting the tumor suppressive growth arrest and were efficacious whether cells were induced to senesce by ionizing radiation or strong mitogenic signals delivered by oncogenic RAS or MAP kinase kinase 6 overexpression. Suppression of the prototypical SASP component IL‐6 required the glucocorticoid receptor, which, in the presence of ligand, inhibited IL‐1α signaling and NF‐κB transactivation activity. Accordingly, co‐treatments combining glucocorticoids with the glucocorticoid antagonist RU‐486 or recombinant IL‐1α efficiently reestablished NF‐κB transcriptional activity and IL‐6 secretion. Our findings demonstrate feasibility of screening for compounds that inhibit the effects of senescent cells. They further show that glucocorticoids inhibit selected components of the SASP and suggest that corticosterone and cortisol, two FDA‐approved drugs, might exert their effects in part by suppressing senescence‐associated inflammation.
A Bayesian Method to Mine Spatial Data Sets to Evaluate the Vulnerability of Human Beings to Catastrophic Risk
Authors: Li Lianfa , Wang Jinfeng , Leung Hareton , Zhao Sisi
Published: March 2012

Vulnerability of human beings exposed to a catastrophic disaster is affected by multiple factors that include hazard intensity, environment, and individual characteristics. The traditional approach to vulnerability assessment, based on the aggregate‐area method and unsupervised learning, cannot incorporate spatial information; thus, vulnerability can be only roughly assessed. In this article, we propose Bayesian network (BN) and spatial analysis techniques to mine spatial data sets to evaluate the vulnerability of human beings. In our approach, spatial analysis is leveraged to preprocess the data; for example, kernel density analysis (KDA) and accumulative road cost surface modeling (ARCSM) are employed to quantify the influence of geofeatures on vulnerability and relate such influence to spatial distance. The knowledge‐ and data‐based BN provides a consistent platform to integrate a variety of factors, including those extracted by KDA and ARCSM to model vulnerability uncertainty. We also consider the model's uncertainty and use the Bayesian model average and Occam's Window to average the multiple models obtained by our approach to robust prediction of the risk and vulnerability. We compare our approach with other probabilistic models in the case study of seismic risk and conclude that our approach is a good means to mining spatial data sets for evaluating vulnerability.
Validation of the Chinese version of the Halitosis Associated Life‐quality Test (HALT) questionnaire
Authors: He S‐L , Wang J‐H , Wang M‐H , Deng Y‐M
Published: March 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 707–712

Objective:  This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Halitosis Associated Life‐quality Test (HALT) questionnaire.

Methods:  A total of 106 patients with oral malodour were recruited to complete the questionnaire after its translation and cross‐cultural adaptation. The reliability of the Chinese version of the HALT was evaluated using internal consistency and test–retest methods. Both construct validity and discriminative validity were adopted to evaluate the validity of the HALT.

Results:  The Cronbach’s alpha value (internal reliability) for the total HALT score was 0.95, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value (test–retest reliability) was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.74–0.98). The construct validity was determined by exploratory factor analysis. Four factors were extracted, which accounted for 85.18% of the variance. All items had factor loadings above 0.40, ranging from 0.53 to 0.94. In addition, the Chinese version of the HALT was found to be valid for distinguishing patients with different degrees of oral malodour.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that the Chinese version of the HALT has satisfactory psychometric properties and is applicable to patients with oral malodour in Chinese‐speaking populations.
Cerebral vascular effects of hypovolemia and dopamine infusions: a study in newborn piglets
Authors: Hahn Gitte H , Heiring Christian , Pryds Ole , Greisen Gorm
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Despite widespread use, effects of volume boluses and dopamine in hypotensive newborn infants remain controversial. We aimed to elucidate if hypovolemia alone impairs cerebral autoregulation (CA) and if dopamine affects cerebral vasculature.

Methods:  In 12 piglets, cerebral perfusion (laser‐Doppler flux) and oxygenation [near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)] were examined during dopamine (20–50 μg/kg per minute) and nonpharmacologically induced blood pressure (ABP) changes. Effect on cerebral perfusion and oxygenation was quantified as frequency gain between ABP and laser‐Doppler flux (gain‐LDF) and NIRS [gain‐oxygenation index (OI)], respectively. Gain quantifies change in perfusion or oxygenation per ABP‐change. CA was estimated as gain‐LDF during nonpharmacologically induced ABP changes, that is, as degree of impairment. Dopamine’s cerebrovascular effect was estimated by contrasting gain during dopamine‐ and nonpharmacologically induced ABP changes. Measurements were conducted during both normovolemia‐ and haemorrhage‐induced hypovolemia.

Results:  Hypovolemia elicited hypotension (p = 0.02) as well as increasing impairment of CA (p = 0.01). However, hypovolemia without hypotension did not affect CA significantly. Dopamine increased perfusion significantly compared to nonpharmacological challenges (mean difference: 1.5%/mmHg, 95% CI: 0.5–2.6, p = 0.007). Oxygenation was, however, similar (mean difference: 0.01 μmol/L per mmHg, 95% CI: −0.03 to 0.05, p = 0.7).

Conclusion:  Our findings do not support that hypovolemia alone impairs CA. Furthermore, dopamine seems to increase cerebral perfusion but not oxygenation.
Short‐term outcome among term singleton infants with intrapartum oligohydramnios
Authors: Leibovitch Leah , Kuint Jacob , Rosenfeld Elkana , Schushan‐Eisen Irit , Weissmann‐Brenner Alina , Maayan‐Metzger Ayala
Published: March 2012

Aim:  To evaluate rates of early short‐term neonatal complications among term singleton newborn infants with oligohydramnios.

Methods:  Retrospective data were collected on 456 term infants with prenatal diagnosis of oligohydramnios and on matched controls, including information on maternal condition and on infant perinatal complications.

Results:  Infants in the study group were born with lower birthweight and were SGA compared with those in the control group. Rates of renal malformations were significantly higher in the study group compared with the controls (15–3.3% and 3–0.7%, respectively; p = 0.007). Among the severe oligohydramnios subgroup (Amniotic Fluid Index <2), renal anomalies were even more prevalent compared to other infants with oligohydramnios and to the controls (6–9.8%, 9–2.3% and 3–0.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). The incidence of skeletal deformities (developmental dislocation of hip and torticollis) was higher among the study group.

Conclusion:  Term infants with oligohydramnios that was detected near birth are associated with a greater prevalence of renal malformations (mostly mild hydronephrosis) as well as congenital torticollis and developmental dislocated hips compared with controls. Postnatal renal evaluation should be considered in infants with severe oligohydramnios.
PTP1B and TCPTP – nonredundant phosphatases in insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis
Authors: Tiganis Tony
Published: March 2012

Insulin resistance is a key pathological feature of type 2 diabetes and is characterized by defects in signaling by the insulin receptor (IR) protein tyrosine kinase. The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that antagonize IR signaling may provide a means for enhancing the insulin response and alleviating insulin resistance. The prototypic phosphotyrosine‐specific phosphatase PTP1B dephosphorylates the IR and attenuates insulin signaling in muscle and liver. Mice that are deficient for PTP1B exhibit improved glucose homeostasis in diet and genetic models of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The phosphatase TCPTP shares 72% catalytic domain sequence identity with PTP1B and has also been implicated in IR regulation. Despite their high degree of similarity, PTP1B and TCPTP act together in vitro and in vivo to regulate insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. This review highlights their capacity to act specifically and nonredundantly in cellular signaling, describes their roles in IR regulation and glucose homeostasis, and discusses their potential as drug targets for the enhancement of IR phosphorylation and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.
Significant differences in the cell‐wall mannans from three Candida glabrata strains correlate with antifungal drug sensitivity
Authors: Takahashi Shizuka , Kudoh Atsushi , Okawa Yoshio , Shibata Nobuyuki
Published: March 2012

Candida glabrata is often the second or third most common cause of candidiasis after Candida albicans. C. glabrata infections are difficult to treat, often resistant to many azole antifungal agents and are associated with a high mortality rate in compromised patients. We determined the antigenic structure of the cell‐wall mannoproteins from three C. glabrata strains, NBRC 0005, NBRC 0622 and NBRC 103857. 1H NMR and methylation analyses of the acetolysis products of these mannoproteins showed a significant difference in the amount of the β‐1,2‐linked mannose residue and side‐chain structure. The C. glabrata NBRC 103857 strain contained up to the triose side chains and the nonreducing terminal of the triose was predominantly the β‐1,2‐linked mannose residue. By contrast, the mannans of the two former strains possessed up to the tetraose side chains and the amount of the β‐1,2‐linked mannose residue was very low. Larger oligosaccharides than tetraose in the acetolysis products of these mannans were identified as incomplete cleavage fragments by analyzing methylation, 1H NMR spectra and the α1‐2,3 mannosidase degradation reaction. Resistance to the antifungal drugs itraconazole and micafungin was significantly different in these strains. Interestingly, the NBRC 103857 strain, which involved a large amount of the β‐1,2‐linked mannose residues, exhibited significant sensitivity to these antifungal drugs.
Modelling cacao pod growth: implications for disease control
Authors: ten Hoopen G. Martijn , Deberdt P. , Mbenoun M. , Cilas C.
Published: March 2012

Cacao trees are affected by diseases that attack either their vegetative parts, their fruits or both. In cacao pod diseases, several factors are involved in disease susceptibility, such as the fruiting cycle, fruit size, age, position on the tree and cacao genotype. To gain a clearer understanding of how these characteristics influence cacao pod diseases, four models describing pod growth in several cacao genotypes were evaluated. Three models used to estimate pod volume or surface area were also compared. Observed pod growth was of a sigmoid form and fitted best to the Richards model, well to the Logistic and Beta growth models, and least to the Gompertz model. Pod volume and probably pod surface area were best estimated using a prolate spheroid model. Pod growth models can help improve pod disease management and thereby cacao production. They can help to predict yield, as well as provide information for the timing and frequency of control operations. Information on pod size, surface area and susceptibility will help to improve dose transfer and spray deposit studies intended to optimise control efficiency.
Shining Light on Skin Pigmentation: The Darker and the Brighter Side of Effects of UV Radiation†
Authors: Maddodi Nityanand , Jayanthy Ashika , Setaluri Vijayasaradhi
Published: March 2012

The term barrier function as applied to human skin often connotes the physical properties of this organ that provides protection from its surrounding environment. This term does not generally include skin pigmentation. However, skin pigmentation, which is the result of melanin produced in melanocytes residing in the basal layer of the skin and exported to the keratinocytes in the upper layers, serves equally important protective function. Indeed, changes in skin pigmentation are often the most readily recognized indicators of exposure of skin to damaging agents, especially to natural and artificial radiation in the environment. Several recent studies have shed new light on (1) the mechanisms involved in selective effects of subcomponents of UV radiation on human skin pigmentation and (2) the interactive influences between keratinocytes and melanocytes, acting as “epidermal melanin unit,” that manifest as changes in skin pigmentation in response to exposure to various forms of radiation. This article provides a concise review of our current understanding of the effects of the nonionizing solar radiation, at cellular and molecular levels, on human skin pigmentation.
Prediction of Primary vs Secondary Hypertension in Children
Authors: Baracco Rossana , Kapur Gaurav , Mattoo Tej , Jain Amrish , Valentini Rudolph , Ahmed Maheen , Thomas Ronald
Published: March 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:316–321. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Despite current guidelines, variability exists in the workup of hypertensive children due to physician preferences. The study evaluates primary vs secondary hypertension diagnosis from investigations routinely performed in hypertensive children. This retrospective study included children 5 to 19 years with primary and secondary hypertension. The proportions of abnormal laboratory and imaging tests were compared between primary and secondary hypertension groups. Risk factors for primary vs secondary hypertension were evaluated by logistic regression and likelihood function analysis. Patients with secondary hypertension were younger (5–12 years) and had a higher proportion of abnormal creatinine, renal ultrasound, and echocardiogram findings. There was no significant difference in abnormal results of thyroid function, urine catecholamines, plasma renin, and aldosterone. Abnormal renal ultrasound findings and age were predictors of secondary hypertension by regression and likelihood function analysis. Children aged 5 to 12 years with abnormal renal ultrasound findings and high diastolic blood pressures are at higher risk for secondary hypertension that requires detailed evaluation.
Molecular Characterization by LSSP‐PCR and DNA Sequencing of a Pathogenic Isolate ofLeptospira interrogansfrom Brazil
Authors: Cosate M. R. V. , Barouni A. S. , Moreira E. C. , Veloso I. F. , Gomes M. T. R. , Salas C. E.
Published: March 2012

We report the initial characterization of a leptospiral isolate,Leptospira interrogans, serogroup Sejroe, serovar Hardjo, genotype Hardjoprajitno, strain Norma, and its relatedness withL. interrogans, serogroup Sejroe, serovar Hardjo, genotypeHardjoprajitno, strain Hardjo andLeptospira borgpetersenii, serogroup Sejroe, serovar Hardjo, genotype Hardjobovis, strain Sponselee. The Norma strain singled out during a leptospirosis outbreak in cattle immunized with antigens from the reference strain Hardjoprajitno (OMS). By applying a microscopic agglutination serological test (MAT) to cattle (n = 2966) with symptoms of leptospirosis between 2003 and 2007, more than 50% of sera were found positive for one of the following serotypes: Hardjoprajitno (31–21%), Hardjo Norma (46–40%), Hardjo hardjobovis (18–10%), Mini (8–4%) and Wolffi (7–4%). In immunization trials using six isolates plus Norma isolate, the remission of MAT in these isolates was observed following 6 months of the initial vaccination. To provide molecular ground for the high MAT Norma frequency found in these isolates, a DNA polymorphic analysis was conducted by comparing the Norma isolate with reference strains Hardjoprajitno and Sponselee. The polymorphic analysis in secY showed five base changes in Norma relative to Hardjoprajitno strain, corresponding to 98% identity, while Sponselee displayed 49 polymorphic sites relative to the Hardjoprajitno strain, representing 80% identity. The alignment of secY translated sequences shows no differences between Hardjoprajitno and Norma, and eight polymorphisms between genotype hardjoprajttno and strain Sponselee. Three‐dimensional modelling located these variations within the loop region connecting helices 7 and 8 from secY which is less conserved. DNA sequencing of 23S ribosomal conserved fragment revealed a single polymorphism between Hardjoprajitno and Norma, and 13 polymorphisms between strains Sponselee, Hardjoprajitno and Norma. The differences between Hardjo and Norma were confirmed by low stringency single‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction (LSSP‐PCR) signature experiments with the primer G2, using as template the 285 bp fragment initially amplified with G1/G2 primers.
ASVCP quality assurance guidelines: control of preanalytical and analytical factors for hematology for mammalian and nonmammalian species, hemostasis, and crossmatching in veterinary laboratories
Authors: Vap Linda M. , Harr Kendal E. , Arnold Jill E. , Freeman Kathleen P. , Getzy Karen , Lester Sally , Friedrichs Kristen R.
Published: March 2012

In December 2009, the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards committee published the updated and peer‐reviewed ASVCP Quality Assurance Guidelines on the Society's website. These guidelines are intended for use by veterinary diagnostic laboratories and veterinary research laboratories that are not covered by the US Food and Drug Administration Good Laboratory Practice standards (Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Chapter 58). The guidelines have been divided into 3 reports: (1) general analytical factors for veterinary laboratory performance and comparisons; (2) hematology, hemostasis, and crossmatching; and (3) clinical chemistry, cytology, and urinalysis. This particular report is one of 3 reports and provides recommendations for control of preanalytical and analytical factors related to hematology for mammalian and nonmammalian species, hemostasis testing, and crossmatching and is adapted from sections 1.1 and 2.3 (mammalian hematology), 1.2 and 2.4 (nonmammalian hematology), 1.5 and 2.7 (hemostasis testing), and 1.6 and 2.8 (crossmatching) of the complete guidelines. These guidelines are not intended to be all‐inclusive; rather, they provide minimal guidelines for quality assurance and quality control for veterinary laboratory testing and a basis for laboratories to assess their current practices, determine areas for improvement, and guide continuing professional development and education efforts.
762MW Combined Cycle Load in 30 Minutes
Authors: Heue Matthias , Gobrecht Edwin , Selman Uygar O.
Published: March 2012

Today’s energy market demands flexible operation of power plant units from plant operators. Frequent shutdowns of power plant units combined with the requirement for fast restoration of power output are now standard requirements for many power plants. Daily startups and shutdowns are now a common occurrence. This increases the economic significance of a short startup process with an extensively optimized and automated startup sequence for hot starts. This paper describes the progress which has been made in recent years with respect to the startup times of combined-cycle power plants. It describes the process changes which have been implemented for hot starts paying special attention to their impact on the steam turbine.
Design of Nuclear Safety-Related Steel Ducts/Pipes for Tornado Missile Impact
Authors: Wang Shen , Akinci Necip O. , Li Jie , Johnson William H.
Published: March 2012

For nuclear power plant life extension projects, it may be convenient and in some instances necessary to locate safety-related steel ducts and pipes outside of the main structures, exposing them to extreme environmental loads such as tornado missile impact. Examples of such applications include emergency firewater lines and Control Room vent ducts. The design of a tornado-impacted duct or pipe system requires an estimate of its dynamic response and an establishment of damage limits. These considerations are complicated by the system geometric and material nonlinearities and the local triaxiality effects on the response ductility limit. Simple, but acceptable accurate techniques for comprehensive evaluation of steel ducts under impact loads have not been established. This study presents simplified evaluation techniques for a steel duct/pipe under a heavy impact load, using fundamental concepts. The approach presented could be utilized to evaluate steel ducts/pipes against not only tornado missile impact loadings, but other types of transient loads as well. Both local and global responses of duct/pipe lines under missile impacts are evaluated. Applied impulse loadings for various types of tornado missiles are first established. A non-linear pseudo-static finite element analysis is performed in lieu of a more complicated dynamic analysis. The result is adopted for evaluation of the local ductility of ducts and pipes by using triaxial strain criteria. Global ductility and global shear checks are performed based on inelastic single-degree-of-freedom analysis methods. Pipe line design diameters and thicknesses are then determined based on the local ductility, global ductility and global shear evaluations. Accuracy of the non-linear pseudostatic analysis is discussed and a practical example using the proposed methodology is presented.
Proper Employment of Guided Wave Radar in Steam Loops
Authors: Riley Keith , Jethra Ravi
Published: March 2012

This paper will address the application of Guided Wave Radar [GWR], also known as Time Domain Reflectometry [TDR], in your steam loop. Included will be discussions of how this technology functions and differs from more traditional forms of level indication. Real world applications will be discussed that highlight technology features, subsequent benefits and other relevant information.
Effect of the Nucleation Site Location on the Thermalhydraulic Stability of a Short-Tube Natural Circulation Loop
Authors: Kapitz Marek , aus der Wiesche Stefan
Published: March 2012

For efficient cooling applications in power plants, the use of small two-phase natural circulation loops becomes attractive. An experimental study was carried out to examine how thermal hydraulic stability and operation conditions of these devices are affected by nucleation sites. A very smooth glass tube with artificial nucleation sites have been employed as boiling channel. The mass flow rate has been determined as function of heat flux and nucleation site location. Particular for low heat flux levels, the nucleation sites have a strong impact to the stability behavior. The observed flow instabilities have been analyzed with regard to non-linear effects and chaotic behavior.
Steam Generator for Advanced Ultra Supercritical Power Plants 700C to 760C
Authors: Weitzel Paul S.
Published: March 2012

Advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) is a term used to designate a coal-fired power plant design with the inlet steam temperature to the turbine at 700 to 760C (1292 to 1400F). Average metal temperatures of the final superheater and final reheater could run higher, at up to about 815C (1500F). Nickel-based alloy materials are thus required. Increasing the efficiency of the Rankine regenerative-reheat steam cycle to improve the economics of electric power generation and to achieve lower cost of electricity has been a long sought after goal. Efficiency improvement is also a means for reducing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the cost of capture, as well as a means to reduce fuel consumption costs. In the United States (U.S.), European Union, India, China and Japan, industry support associations and private companies working to advance steam generator design technology have established programs for materials development of nickel-based alloys needed for use above 700C (1292F). The worldwide abundance of less expensive coal has driven economic growth. The challenge is to continue to improve the efficiency of coal-fired power generation technology, representing nearly 50% of the U.S. production, while maintaining economic electric power costs with plants that have favorable electric grid system operational characteristics for turndown and rate of load change response. The technical viability of A-USC is being demonstrated in the development programs of new alloys for use in the coal-fired environment where coal ash corrosion and steamside oxidation are the primary failure mechanisms. Identification of the creep rupture properties of alloys for higher temperature service under both laboratory and actual field conditions has been undertaken in a long-term program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO). Ultimately, the economic viability of A-USC power plants is predicated on the comparable lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) using either oxy-combustion or post-combustion capture. Using nickel alloy components will drive the design and configuration arrangement of the steam generator relative to the plant. A-USC acceptance depends on achieving the higher functional value and lowering the perceived level of risks as this generation technology appears in a new form.
Advanced Systems and Training to Improve Conveyor Operations and Maintenance at Coal-Fired Plants
Authors: Bierie Greg , Marti Andy
Published: March 2012

The efficient handling of coal on belt conveyors is essential to coal-fired power plants. The conveying of coal is prone to problems including the escape of spillage and airborne dust. These problems lead to excessive, expensive, and sometimes hazardous maintenance requirements. The failure to provide this essential maintenance leads to more fugitive material and more problems in material handling. The key to efficient conveyors are the implementation of advanced systems to improve performance and prevent fugitive material including dust, combined with the training of plant personnel in the operation and maintenance of these sophisticated systems. This presentation looks at “new generation” conveyor architecture that combines better control of fugitive material with improved serviceability and increased employee safety. These systems feature engineered chutes that channel the material stream to reduce the entrainment of air into the material flow, and so minimize the release of dust. And this next generation system feature a modern architecture with improved belt support and sealing systems that reduce maintenance requirements and allow maintenance work to be performed from safely outside enclosures and away from moving parts. An important consideration in these advanced systems is the training of plant personnel on the operations and maintenance of these systems. This presentation will also consider this essential training, and propose several methods to achieve these training requirements.
A Methodology for Determining Degraded Pump Performance Based on In-Service Test Criteria or Data
Authors: Gaiewski David C.
Published: March 2012

Pumps in nuclear power plants are periodically tested to ensure their performance and readiness to meet a variety of design basis conditions. As with any component, a pump’s performance will degrade over time. A nuclear pump’s initial performance should always be established by the manufacturer during a shop test that is run over the pump’s entire range of operability. Following installation, periodic testing is typically performed at a single reference point. This paper provides a methodology for establishing a centrifugal pump performance curve based on both its performance when new and its level of degradation documented by in-service test data. In the extreme, this method can be used to establish a pump’s minimum performance curve by using the pump’s acceptance criteria as the data point.
Innovative Cleaning of Air Preheater Coils With Pressurized Liquid Nitrogen (LN2)
Authors: Hovland Al , Lyter Frank G. , Truchot Charles
Published: March 2012

Cleaning of air heaters in power plants or recovery boilers has been traditionally done with high pressure water, chemicals or steam. These techniques, while effective on moderate air-side fouling of heat exchange surfaces, are usually ineffective on more tenacious deposits that can develop in coal-fired plants with buildup of fly ash, dust and oil. If these deposits are not cleaned periodically, the heat transfer in the heaters is reduced, which in turn reduces boiler efficiency and increases a unit’s heat rate. Severe fouling on air preheaters and air heaters can even reduce a unit’s Mw output. This paper discusses the recent introduction of a highly effective method of cleaning air heaters utilizing pressurized liquid nitrogen (LN2). A success story at PPL Generation’s Brunner Island plant illustrates the effectiveness of this new technology.
Combined Cycle Steam Turbine Inlet Flow Passing Capability: Impact on Plant Operation, Turbine Design, and Test Result Accuracy
Authors: Winterberger Thomas P. , Ransom Robert A.
Published: March 2012

The publication of ASME Performance Test Code 6.2-2004 provided the industry with a Code document dedicated to calculating the performance of a steam turbine in a combined cycle power plant. Power output at specified steam flows and conditions was chosen as the Code’s primary performance parameter. That choice was based on the operating and cycle characteristics of a combined cycle plant operating, where the steam turbine is part of the bottoming cycle operating in a sliding pressure mode that follows ambient conditions and the gas turbine operating profile. This steam turbine generator output, corrected to reference heat consumption, is called Output Performance and is a measurement of steam turbine efficiency. Accompanying this new Code was a new correction methodology that focused on correcting the steam turbine generator output to the reference heat consumption of the cycle. In the development of the overall correction methodology, the corrections associated with high-pressure (HP) steam inlet conditions were given careful attention. The committee developing the Code and methodology concluded that three correction formulations were required to accurately and fairly correct back to the reference heat input of the high-pressure turbine inlet, and to account for changes in the as-built flow capacity versus the design flow capacity. The new correction formulations chosen were: • HP Steam Flow; • HP Steam Temperature; • HP Turbine Flow Capacity. Applying these three corrections on a sliding pressure steam turbine ensures that the output performance is corrected to the true reference high pressure steam heat input to the cycle. If any of these three corrections is excluded the calculated output performance will not be a true representation of the steam turbine efficiency.
Thermal Shock: Early Stage Damage Detection and Monitoring or .....Failure Analysis
Authors: Ezra Dan , Yagen James
Published: March 2012

Cold Reheat Piping in power plants has received little attention for many years. Carbon Steel piping that handles steam at 500 F to 700 F has only had problems when not properly supported or water hammered on start up. Most recorded failures have been mechanical fatigue at a girth weld. Excessive attemperation in both coal fired plants and combined cycle ones, has become a routine practice. Consequently the number of failures (catastrophic or non-catastrophic) in Cold Reheat Piping have occurred in recent years. Most of these recent failures can be traced back to water hammer or a thermal shock due to changes in the operation of attemperator sprays. This paper shows how a Cold Reheat Piping system, that was included in a nondestructive test program, failed in a short period of time due to thermal fatigue, from a change in spray operation.
Superheated Steam From CLFR Solar Steam Generators
Authors: Conlon William M. , Johnson Pete , Hanson Robert
Published: March 2012

AREVA Solar has designed, constructed and demonstrated the first successful Once Through Solar Steam Generator (SSG) to deliver superheated steam without intermediate heat transfer fluids. Deployed at the Kimberlina Solar Thermal Power Station, SSG4 represents the state of the art for solar steam production, for stand-alone power generation and augmentation of fossil fueled steam cycles. The ASME Section I boiler was designed, constructed, stamped and commissioned during 2010, and includes a novel Model Predictive Control system capable of maintaining any two of three steam conditions (flow, pressure, temperature) under varying solar input. During field trials in September 2010, exit steam conditions were maintained at 60 +/− 3 bar and 370 +/− 20C during steady and transient conditions, while steam flow consistently exceeded predictions. In a “lights-out” test, simulating complete instantaneous cloud cover, SSG4 had sufficient thermal inertia to supply more than 18 minutes of superheated steam. AREVA Solar’s SSGs incorporate a 400m long tube bundle within an elevated insulated cavity receiver, onto which sunlight is concentrated by reflectors. The multi-pass tube bundle arranges superheater tubes in the high flux regions, and economizer/evaporator tubes in lower flux regions. This assures sufficient heat flux to sustain superheated steam temperatures throughout the operating day, and also reduces the average bundle temperature to reduce radiant heat losses. Boiler tubes were prepared in AREVA Solar’s factory to improve their absorption of solar energy and reduce radiant heat losses. The inverted cavity maintains a stagnant air layer between the tube bundle and a glass cover below the boiler tube supports, to reduce convective heat loss. SSG4 was designed for a Maximum Allowable Working Pressure of 105 bara, and a Maximum Mean Wall Temperature of 482C in the superheater section. AREVA Solar is the first Concentrated Solar Power provider with an ASME “S” Stamp and National Board authorization. Following the initial trials at 370C, the SSG is expected to operate at 450C superheated steam temperature. This paper describes the design, construction, commissioning, and testing of the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) SSG4.
Thermal Performance Testing of Solar Steam Generator 4 at AREVA Solar’s Kimberlina Demonstration Facility
Authors: Hale Mary Jane , Sugimura Peter , Hanson Rob , Venetos Milt , Tanner Peter
Published: March 2012

The Kimberlina Solar Thermal Power Station in Bakersfield, California, is AREVA Solar’s first North American solar thermal energy facility and an important showcase of AREVA’s Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology. Construction of a fourth solar steam generator (SSG4) was completed at Kimberlina in August 2010. At the time SSG4 represented AREVA Solar’s most current commercial technology, designed for direct superheat steam generation. SSG4 incorporates technology advancements that significantly enhance the AREVA Solar technology’s controllability, steam temperature and pressure capabilities as well as overall performance. After SSG4 was commissioned, AREVA Solar carried out an extensive performance test program on this advanced technology to formally evaluate and quantify its measured performance and compare that to the model-predicted performance. The performance testing included two specific tests. The first was the Steady State Performance Test (SSPT), which evaluated the technology’s steady-state performance over a two-hour period on multiple days. The second test was the Entire Day Performance Test (EDPT), which evaluated the technology’s performance throughout an entire day, including overnight losses, startup, mid-day performance (including steady-state, quasi steady-state and transients) and shutdown. The third test demonstrated the technology’s response to a simulated direct normal insolation (DNI) transient. AREVA Solar took great care to design and perform this testing in a standardized manner that would stand up to independent, expert observation and was consistent with established ASME performance test codes (PTC), where applicable. AREVA Solar plans to implement this testing methodology in future commercial plants and technology demonstrations. This paper documents in detail the performance testing methodology used to evaluate AREVA Solar’s new technology, including: • Test prerequisites; • Performance (both measured and modeled) calculation equations; • Environmental and optical surface measurement techniques; • Measurement test success criteria; • Uncertainty calculation and implementation. This paper also documents the measured testing results relative to the AREVA Solar internal modeled results including follow-up model validation.
Cured-in-Place-Piping Application for Structural and Pressure Boundary Integrity
Authors: Charest John A. , Wood W. Turner , Rodenberger Gerhardt
Published: March 2012

The use of insitu methods to rehabilitate buried or inaccessible piping systems is an emerging technology which has received recognition as an ASME XI Code approved alternate to traditional repair practices. This type repair requires the insertion of a carrier tube, containing thermosetting resins and reinforcement fillers into the host pipe. The length of the carrier tube is only limited by the pot life of the resin and restrictions of piping geometry. Once the insertion is completed, the resin is cured using hot water, air or steam, which is circulated through the host pipe. After curing, the resultant product is a form-fitted structurally reinforced resin pipe within the existing host piping. The Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) has mechanical properties similar to those of fiberglass piping. The savings of this type repair, in both system downtime and replacement cost, is substantial. This methodology provides utilities with a technically sound, economically feasible solution to buried piping repairs and the ASME Section XI Code Case N-589 provides the requirements for materials, design and installation.