bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acting on uncertainty: real-life mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Authors: Even Chorev Nadav , Testa Giuseppe 
Published: April 2020

AbstractExposure to multiple synthetic chemicals is a permanent feature of modern life. Many of these chemicals are suspected to disrupt endocrine systems of humans and animals. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) act at very low concentrations and non-linearly, defying mainstream single-substance chemical regulation. Here we provide an analysis of findings from the first phase of the European Horizon2020-funded “EDC-MixRisk” project as a case of contemporary life-science enterprise, which addresses health-risks related to real-life exposure to mixtures of EDCs. Real-life EDC mixtures were inferred in the project from biological samples taken from pregnant women in a large epidemiological study that followed up their children over several years across major health domains; responses to these mixtures were then experimentally identified, and based on these findings, mixture risk assessment models were developed. The project consequently advocated for European chemical regulation more attentive to real-life exposure. Locating it within historical and sociological analyses of chemical exposure and within the European chemical political context, we argue that scientific uncertainty related to real-life EDC mixture exposure enables a form of epistemological approach and scientific activism, simultaneously in continuity with, and in break from, mainstream toxicology. In a chemically polluted world, this kind of science still occupies a place in the tension between public health and market-oriented regulation.
Internet users engage more with phatic posts than with health misinformation on Facebook
Authors: Berriche Manon , Altay Sacha 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSocial media like Facebook are harshly criticized for the propagation of health misinformation. Yet, little research has provided in-depth analysis of real-world data to measure the extent to which Internet users engage with it. This article examines 6.5 million interactions generated by 500 posts on an emblematic case of online health misinformation: the Facebook pageSanté + Mag, which generates five times more interactions than the combination of the five best-established French media outlets. Based on the literature on cultural evolution, we tested whether the presence of cognitive factors of attraction, that tap into evolved cognitive preferences, such as information related to sexuality, social relations, threat, disgust or negative emotions, could explain the success ofSanté + Mag’s posts. Drawing from media studies findings, we hypothesized that their popularity could be driven by Internet users’ desire to interact with their friends and family by sharing phatic posts (i.e. statements with no practical information fulfilling a social function such as “hello” or “sister, I love you”). We found that phatic posts were the strongest predictor of interactions, followed by posts with a positive emotional valence. While 50% of the posts were related to social relations, only 28% consisted of health misinformation. Despite its cognitive appeal, health misinformation was a negative predictor of interactions. Sexual content negatively predicted interactions and other factors of attraction such as disgust, threat or negative emotions did not predict interactions. These results strengthen the idea that Facebook is first and foremost a social network used by people to foster their social relations, not to spread online misinformation. We encourage researchers working on misinformation to conduct finer-grained analysis of online content and to adopt interdisciplinary approach to study the phatic dimension of communication, together with positive content, to better understand the cultural evolution dynamics of social media.
Rainfall anomalies are a significant driver of cropland expansion
Authors: Zaveri Esha , Russ Jason , Damania Richard 
Published: April 2020

Significance
Rainfall anomalies are known to have deleterious impacts on agricultural yields, but the resulting consequences on cropland expansion remain uncertain. We study the differential scale of these impacts around the world. We find that repeated dry anomalies increase cropland expansion specifically in developing countries, which are characteristically dominated by small-holder farming, implying that cropland is expanded to compensate for lower yields. Two tests corroborate the results. First, comparable reductions in forest cover due to repeated dry anomalies are found in the same regions where cropland expands. Second, in places where infrastructure buffers yields from rainfall anomalies, cropland expansion halts. Understanding the synchronous challenges facing agriculture and the environment will be critical to inform appropriate policy interventions.
A global analysis of CO
2
and non-CO
2
GHG emissions embodied in trade with Belt and Road Initiative countries
Authors: Hou Jing , Deng Xu , Springer Cecilia Han , Teng Fei 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction
: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an important cooperative framework that increasingly affects the global economy, trade, and emission patterns. However, most existing studies pay insufficient attention to consumption-based emissions, embodied emissions, and non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs). This study constructs a GHG emissions database to study the trends and variations in production-based, consumption-based, and embodied emissions associated with BRI countries.
Outcome
: We find that the per capita GHG emissions of BRI countries are lower than the global average but show significant variation within this group. We also find that trade-embodied emissions between BRI countries and China are growing. As a group, BRI countries are anet exporter of GHGs, with a global share of net export emissions of about 20%. In 2011, nearly 80% of GHG export emissions from BRI countries flowed to non-BRI countries, and nearly 15% flowed to China; about 57% of GHG import emissions were from non-BRI countries, and about 38% were from China.
Conclusion
: Therefore, this study concludes that the BRI should be used to coordinate climate governance to accelerate and strengthen the dissemination and deployment of low-emissions technologies, strategies, and policies within the BRI so as to avoid a carbon-intensive lock-in effect.
Nanotube double quantum dot spin transducer for scalable quantum information processing
Authors: Song Wanlu , Du Tianyi , Liu Haibin , Betzholz Ralf , Cai Jianming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
One of the key challenges for the implementation of scalable quantum information processing is the design of scalable architectures that support coherent interaction and entanglement generation between distant quantum systems. We propose a nanotube double quantum dot spin transducer that allows to achieve steady-state entanglement between nitrogen-vacancy center spins in diamond with spatial separations up to micrometers. The distant spin entanglement further enables us to design a scalable architecture for solid-state quantum information processing based on a hybrid platform consisting of nitrogen-vacancy centers and carbon-nanotube double quantum dots.
Dynamics and coupling of fractional-order models of the motor cortex and central pattern generators
Authors: Lu Qiang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective. Fractional calculus plays a key role in the analysis of neural dynamics. In particular, fractional calculus has been recently exploited for analyzing complex biological systems and capturing intrinsic phenomena. Also, artificial neural networks have been shown to have complex neuronal dynamics and characteristics that can be modeled by fractional calculus. Moreover, for a neural microcircuit placed on the spinal cord, fractional calculus can be employed to model the central pattern generator (CPG). However, the relation between the CPG and the motor cortex is still unclear. Approach. In this paper, fractional-order models of the CPG and the motor cortex are built on the Van der Pol oscillator and the neural mass model (NMM), respectively. A self-consistent mean field approximation is used to construct the potential landscape of the Van der Pol oscillator. This landscape provides a useful tool to observe the 3D dynamics of the oscillator. To infer the relation of the motor cortex and CPG, the coupling model between the fractional-order Van der Pol oscillator and the NMM is built. As well, the influence of the coupling parameters on the CPG and the motor cortex is assessed. Main results. Fractional-order NMM and coupling model of the motor cortex and the CPG are first established. The potential landscape is used to show 3D probabilistic evolution of the Van der Pol oscillator states. Detailed observations of the evolution of the system states can be made with fractional calculus. In particular, fractional calculus enables the observation of the creation of stable modes and switching between them. Significance. The results confirm that the motor cortex and CPG have associated modes or states that can be switched based on changes in the fractional order and the time delay. Fractional calculus and the potential landscape are helpful methods for better understanding of the working principles of locomotion systems.
Codes of new generation - current state of development and prospects for further development
Authors: Bolshov L A , Strizhov V F , Mosunova N A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The work on codes of new generation development was initiated in 2010. Codes of new generation are intended for the safety assessment of NPP with FR (BREST-OD-300 or BN-1200) with closed nuclear fuel cycle. Under “codes of new generation” is understood commercializable software product with the following characteristics: based on the state-of- the-art level of the theoretical models and experimental data; founded on the efficient numerical algorithms; written according to the up to date requirements of the programing languages standards and adjusted to the up to date computing technics; provided with the graphical user interface; documented: users’ guide, reference manual, programmers guide; automatically connected with the CAD systems. There is one more requirement to the developed codes of new generation, that is obligate according to the Russian federal rules and regulations to use them for NPP safety assessment: codes should be certified by Rostechnadzor. The first priority was to develop the codes that did not have the Russian analogues but that are required for safety assessment. Starting from 2010 the high-level team was formed including the specialists from scientific institutes, organizations of the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM, institutions of high education, combining specialist from different areas. This allows achieving the following key results to the mid of 2018: 26 codes have been developed with the different level of detalization and complexity, including integral multi-physical codes (neutronics MCU-FR, ODETTA, CORNER, NDP-ACE, BPSD, COMPLEX; thermohydraulic HYDRA-IBRAE/LM, LOGOS, CONV-3D, KUPOL-BR; fuel rod behavior code BERKUT; codes for analysis of fission products transport in the environment, including safety validation of the disposal of all types of prepared radioactive wastes, ROM, ROUZ, Sibylla, GeRa; codes for modeling processes of the closed nuclear fuel cycle KOD TP and VIZART; code for probabilistic safety analysis CRISS 5.3; integral codes for NPP safety justification SOCRAT-BN and EUCLID), 6 of them are certified in Rostechnadzor; the codes of new generation are distributed by the User License Agreements; the First Codes of New Generation User School was conducted for the young specialists of atomic and other industries; the codes of new generation are used for NPP with BREST-OD- 300 and BN-1200 reactors safety assessment. At the next stage it is assumed to develop the codes of new generation that does not have the foreign analogues (in particular, codes for closed nuclear cycle objects safety assessment), to improve the certain models, to create the positive public image of the developed software products by taking part in the international benchmarks and conferences, to expand the codes field of application by validation of the codes on the unique novel experiments.
Experience of projects aimed at attraction and development of young experts in the international scientific and technological programs
Authors: Pershukov V A , Tikhomirov G V 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The report reviews international organizations practices related to attraction of students and young researchers as trainees and participants of contests for implementation of large projects such as Mega-Science. Organizational frameworks are presented, which are used for these purposes in The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN), European Nuclear Research Center (Conseil européen pour la recherche nucléaire (CERN)), The Generation IV International Forum (GIF), et. The role of international organizations in formation of scientific personnel with the great potential in arrangement of the international scientific cooperation has been determined. The classification of measures aimed at identification and development of scientific personnel was proposed: from studying at the university till working in the international organization.
APCS for NPP on the basis of home-grown technologies
Authors: Mikhailov M N 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The report summarizes the history of the development of domestic APCS, including the Soviet period. It is noted that the USSR-located NPPs were equipped only with automatic process control systems (APCS) of domestic production. In the 90s Russia undertook gradual transition to development of software and hardware tools using imported hardware components almost completely. In addition, various systems and software and hardware facilities, which were developed in the course of revision of the documentation received under license contracts, became widely used in the NPPs of WWER type. In the area of RBMK modernization, the strategy was adopted aimed at on development and implementation of domestic hardware and software tools in the systems important to safety. The author states that recently a policy has been adopted in the industry focused on intensive development of the domestic hardware and software tools and systems for the NPP APCS.
Engineering and physical fundamentals for the plasma processing technology of MNUP and MOF spent nuclear fuel of fast neutron reactors
Authors: Smirnov V P , Gavrikov A V , Lizyakin G D , Usmanov R A , Samokhin A A , Timirkhanov R A , Vorona N A , Shadrin A Yu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
One of the urgent tasks of the nuclear power industry today is reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW), which is necessary to switch to a closed fuel cycle in order to use the reactor fuel resources to more extent by separating minor actinides for reuse of refabricated fuel. Another equally important driver for the creation and implementation of such technology is the environmental requirements aimed at reducing the disposal of radioactive waste and the scope of high-level waste transportation. It should be noted that any civil technology for SNF reprocessing must meet the requirement of non- proliferation of nuclear weapons, i.e. is obliged to prevent the release of plutonium, including by changing the operating modes of the equipment. There are promising hydrometallurgical and pyrochemical technologies developed at present day, as well as plasma processing methods. This report presents the engineering and physical fundamentals of plasma separation of SNF and RW. The potential advantages of plasma technologies for SNF or RW processing include a small amount of additional waste, the ability to adapt to different types of SNF and RW, and a possibility of implementing the technology into existing and designed material processing cycles and varying the processing scale from on-site to plant-size ones within large facilities. An important feature of plasma methods, i.e. insufficient selectivity for the separation of minor actinides from each other, shall also be mentioned. It is precisely such “crude” approach that ensures acceptable civilian processing technology, which satisfies the conditions for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The paper proposes an approach aimed to use the accelerating potential to overcome the energy and angular distribution of plasma ions at the entrance to the separation area and a potential well for the spatial separation of ions of different masses. It considers the physical principles of the plasma separation method and its main stages. There are provided experimental results achieved so far at a pilot facility for testing the plasma separation method. The results of calculations of ion trajectories and energy cost estimates are shown, demonstrating the prospects of the plasma method for process application. The process flow diagram of plasma processing and the steps to be taken to develop the technology are also discussed.
Remix NFC: options, timeframe, technical and economic assessment of efficiency
Authors: Ivanov K V , Kryukov O V , Khaperskaya A V 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
REMIX conception is one of the advance option of NFC for LWR SNF management for U&Pu multyrecycling in existing NPP fleet, which suppose more efficient usage of natural resource and energetic potential in SNF, provide non-accumulation SNF. Three experimental REMIX fuel assemblies, (FA) containing 18 REMIX-fuel elements have been manufactured. Since 2016, they are being irradiated at Balakovo NPP. In parallel, ampules for FA irradiation in MIR research reactor and post-irradiation investigations were manufactured – some of them have already been removed and are being investigated. The next stage is to have references in the full-scale F As fabrication and irradiation. In 2018 there was the start of the safety case development program for REMIX fuel use in WWER-1000. The program includes the development and validation of computer codes for nuclear and radiation safety demonstration. There are plans for the industrial facility for REMIX-fuel fabrication construction. In 2018 the development of investment justification such facility was initiated.
Concerning technologies of manufacture, utilization and reprocessing of massive nuclear fuel
Authors: Golovchenko Yu M 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
UPuO2 oxide fuel was compared with denser UPuN, UPuZr, U fuels to look into specifics of fuel production methods, manufacture, utilization in fast reactors and reprocessing. It is shown that uranium metal offers advantages in such parameters as density, thermal conductivity and ease of manufacturing of fuel meats. At that, no additional difficulties arise with the mastered technology of irradiated fuel reprocessing. Options of non-enriched uranium metal placement into the fast reactor core with the UPuO2 oxide fuel are provided. As regards the nuclear-physical characteristics, heterogeneous oxide-metal cores with FA, intra-FA or intra fuel elements heterogenization with the ratio of UPuO2 to U equal to 2:1 are similar to homogeneous cores with dense UPuN or UPuZr fuels. Such cores have the breeding ratio of the core (BRC) ≥1.0 required for the reactor safety. Components of such oxide-metal heterogeneous fuel elements and FAs with uranium fuel meats of various types passed the stages of technological development, reactor testing and post irradiation examinations.
Research and Development of the pyrochemical processing for the mixed nitride uranium-plutonium fuel
Authors: Zaikov Yu P , Shishkin V Yu , Potapov A M , Dedyukhin A E , Kovrov V A , Kholkina A S , Volkovich V A , Polovov I B 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
A mixed nitride U-Pu SNF pyrochemical reprocessing technology was suggested. It includes the following basic operations: dissolution of key components using the CdCl2 or PbCl2 oxidizer in chloride melt and their subsequent deposition as oxides. The obtained product, which is a mixture of actinides and rare-earth metals, may be additionally purified using hydrometallurgical processes (combined technology) or using pyrochemical methods. The mixture of actinides oxides is reduced to metal (“metallization”), additionally purified from fission products during electrorefining and then Am and Cm are separated using the potentiostatic electrolysis in order to obtain products that may be used for pure fuel fabrication.
Beam alignment and image distortion assessment of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system
Authors: Rabba J A , Jaafar H A , Jafri M Z M , Suhaimi F M , Osman N D 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technique has been widely used in dental imaging as it offers different image views such as panoramic, cephalometric, tomographic, and three dimensions (3D). This study aimed to assess image distortion due to beam misalignment for CBCT system using phantom study. A ball phantom was scanned with default exposure setting for standard panoramic imaging (68 kV, 8 mA and patient size of M) using Planmeca ProMax CBCT unit. Three different measurements were performed on the phantom images such as distance measurement between the centre of the middle ball and rear middle ball, distance measured from the centre of middle ball to tenth ball (left and right), and measurement of both vertical and horizontal distance of any four balls. From the findings, most of measured distance between middle ball and rear middle ball were below the acceptable level, but two measurements exceeded the reference value by 6% and 75%. Similar with the measured distances of the tenth balls, two measurements exceeded the acceptable level by 3% and 28%. The vertical and horizontal distance of 4 balls were slightly differ from standard value with overall magnification of 1.06 and percentage error of 6%. The beam alignment and patient positioning should be accurately evaluated to avoid image distortion and misdiagnosis in dental CBCT images.
The effective connectivity of the default mode network following moderate traumatic brain injury
Authors: Abdul Rahman M R , Abd Hamid A I , Noh N A , Idris Z , Abdullah J M 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The effective connectivity can reveal the causal relationships between nodes of the Default Mode Network (DMN), which may reveal any impairment to the network following moderate traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Eight sub-acute MTBI patients and eight controls were recruited for this study. The results indicated that effective connectivity (EC) within MTBI group was higher in number and strength compared to the controls. Moreover, the network hubs within DMN are associated with increased connection strength in MTBI group. The ECs in MTBI are also largely influenced by top-down backward connections. In conclusion, the network reorganization within the DMN reflects the effect of MTBI and may subsequently impair other brain functions. This knowledge can be used to correctly identify the patient for appropriate trauma management.