bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inspection of Buried Piping in Nuclear Power Plants: Field Observations and Challenges
Authors: Ogundele Gabriel , Goszczynski Guylaine , VanSligtenhorst Darcy 
Published: July 2013

The issues over the integrity of buried piping in Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) have received significant attention over the past few years. These piping systems have been in operation for over 30 years. Leaks from buried piping have the potential to raise safety, radiological, environmental, and financial concerns. Buried piping are subject to degradation mechanisms from the outside (soil side) as well as from the inside (fluid side) and they are primarily protected from external corrosion by applying coating on the pipe and then using cathodic protection to protect any bare areas or holidays in the coating. However, over a period of time the coating may lose its integrity and fail to provide the protection for which it was intended. As this happens, the amount of cathodic current needed for adequate protection increases. In some instances, the coating will disbond from the pipe and shield the cathodic protection from the pipe surface. Because of the economic, environmental, and safety consequences of a failure, NPPs embarked on inspection programs to determine the pipe’s condition and its suitability for continued service.
This paper presents some of the observations made during the indirect and direct inspections of buried piping. In addition, the challenges encountered are reported.
Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Technology in the Application of Syngas-Purification Units
Authors: Li Zhifeng , Wang Zhengxiang , Miao Junke , Wang Hui 
Published: July 2013

In recent years, the coal chemical industry project which can replace the petrochemical products is an investment hot spot. The Syngas-purification Unit is a main part of the coal chemical industry. Its role is: purify the syngas obtained from the gasification reaction (absorb the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide). Yet, there is no research and the summary about the corrosion, failure mechanism and risk level of this unit. In this paper, the syngas-purification equipment of Sinopec Qilu Corporation were quantified by RBI analysis, and investigated the corrosion of the syngas-purification equipment, and discussed the device typical failure mechanism, and proposed the recommendations of the corrosion and on-line monitoring, etc.
In last few years, the production of clean energy and alternative oil chemical products from the new coal chemical projects become of great interest[1]. Because the purification of the syngas is necessary, the syngas-purification unit is one of the main equipment of coal chemical industry. In the country, there is no systematic study or summary about the corrosion, failure mechanism and risk level of the device. The RBI analysis of the Syngas-purification unit is necessary, and has some guiding significance for the routine maintenance and periodic inspection of the device.
This paper introduces the corrosion and the typical failure mechanism of Syngas-purification unit followed by the risk assessment results. Then the paper puts forward the suggestion on line monitoring.
Early death in those previously hospitalised for mental healthcare in Scotland: a nationwide cohort study, 1986–2010
Authors: Ajetunmobi Omotomilola , Taylor Mark , Stockton Diane , Wood Rachael 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesTo compare the mortality in those previously hospitalised for mental disorder in Scotland to that experienced by the general population.DesignPopulation-based historical cohort study using routinely available psychiatric hospital discharge and death records.SettingAll Scotland.ParticipantsIndividuals with a first hospital admission for mental disorder between 1986 and 2009 who had died by 31 December 2010 (34 243 individuals).OutcomesThe main outcome measure was death from any cause, 1986–2010. Excess mortality was presented as standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and years of life lost (YLL). Excess mortality was assessed overall and by age, sex, main psychiatric diagnosis, whether the psychiatric diagnosis was ‘complicated’ (ie, additional mental or physical ill-health diagnoses present), cause of death and time period of first admission.Results111 504 people were included in the study, and 34 243 had died by 31 December 2010. The average reduction in life expectancy for the whole cohort was 17 years, with eating disorders (39-year reduction) and ‘complicated’ personality disorders (27.5-year reduction) being worst affected. ‘Natural’ causes of death such as cardiovascular disease showed modestly elevated relative risk (SMR1.7), but accounted for 67% of all deaths and 54% of the total burden of YLL. Non-natural deaths such as suicide showed higher relative risk (SMR5.2) and tended to occur at a younger age, but were less common overall (11% of all deaths and 22% of all YLL). Having a ‘complicated’ diagnosis tended to elevate the risk of early death. No worsening of the overall excess mortality experienced by individuals with previous psychiatric admission over time was observed.ConclusionsEarly death for those hospitalised with mental disorder is common, and represents a significant inequality even in well-developed healthcare systems. Prevention of suicide and cardiovascular disease deserves particular attention in the mentally disordered.
Acupuncture for patients with functional dyspepsia: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zheng Hui , Xu Jing , Li Juan , Li Xiang , Zhao Ling , Chang Xiaorong , Liu Mi , Gong Biao , Li Xuezhi , Liang Fanrong 
Published: July 2013

IntroductionWhether acupuncture is efficacious for patients with functional dyspepsia is still controversial. So we designed a randomised controlled trial to settle the problem.Methods and analysisWe designed a multicentre, two-arm, sham-controlled clinical trial. 200 participants with functional dyspepsia will be randomly assigned to the true acupuncture (TA) group and sham acupuncture (SA) group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the TA group will receive acupuncture at points selected according to syndrome differentiation. Participants in the sham acupuncture group will receive penetrations at sham points. Participants in both groups will receive 20 sessions of electroacupuncture in 4 weeks, five times continuously with a 2 day rest in a week. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients reporting the absence of dyspeptic symptoms at 16 weeks after inclusion. The secondary outcome includes a Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the Chinese version of the Nepean dyspepsia index, etc.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by the institutional review boards and ethics committees of the first affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, the first affiliated hospital of Hunan University of TCM and Chongqing Medical University, respectively (from April to August 2012). The results of this trial will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses.Trials registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT01671670.
Heterogenic Endothelial Responses to Inflammation: Role for Differential
N
‐Glycosylation and Vascular Bed of Origin
Authors: Scott David W. , Vallejo Matthew O. , Patel Rakesh P. 
Published: July 2013

Background
Endothelial cell responses during inflammation are heterogeneous and key for selectivity in how leukocytes hone in on specific sites and why vascular diseases are highly bed specific. However, mechanisms for this specificity remain unclear.

Methods and Results

Here, we exposed human endothelial cells isolated from 5 systemic arterial beds from 1 donor (to overcome donor‐to‐donor genetic/epigenetic differences), the umbilical vein, and pulmonary microvasculature to
TNF
‐α,
LPS
, and
IL
‐1β and assessed acute (
ERK
1/2 and p65) and chronic (
ICAM
‐1,
VCAM
‐1 total and surface expression) signaling responses and assessed changes in surface
N
‐glycans and monocyte adhesion. Significant diversity in responses was evident by disparate changes in
ERK
1/2 and p65
NF
‐κB phosphorylation, which varied up to 5‐fold between different cells and in temporal and magnitude differences in
ICAM
‐1 and
VCAM
‐1 expression (maximal
VCAM
‐1 induction typically being observed by 4 hours, whereas
ICAM
‐1 expression was increased further at 24 hours relative to 4 hours).
N
‐glycan profiles both basally and with stimulation were also bed specific, with hypoglycosylated
N
‐glycans correlating with increased
THP
‐1 monocyte adhesion. Differences in surface
N
‐glycan expression tracked with dynamic up‐ or downregulation of α‐mannosidase activity during inflammation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate a critical role for the vascular bed of origin in controlling endothelial responses and function to inflammatory stimuli and suggest that bed‐specific expression of
N
‐linked sugars may provide a signature for select leukocyte recruitment.
Noninvasive Cardiac Event Monitoring to Detect Atrial Fibrillation After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Higgins Peter , MacFarlane Peter W. , Dawson Jesse , McInnes Gordon T. , Langhorne Peter , Lees Kennedy R. 
Published: July 2013

Background and Purpose—
Atrial fibrillation (AF) elevates risk of recurrent stroke but is incompletely identified by standard investigation after stroke, though detection rates correlate with monitoring duration. We hypothesized that 7 days of noninvasive cardiac-event monitoring early after stroke would accelerate detection of AF and thus uptake of effective therapy.

Methods—
We performed a pragmatic randomized trial with objective outcome assessment among patients presenting in sinus rhythm with no AF history, within 7 days of ischemic stroke symptom onset. Patients were randomized to standard practice investigations (SP) to detect AF, or SP plus additional monitoring (SP-AM). AM comprised 7 days of noninvasive cardiac-event monitoring reported by an accredited cardiac electrocardiology laboratory. Primary outcome was detection of AF at 14 days.

Results—

One-hundred patients were enrolled from 2 centers. Within 14 days of stroke, sustained paroxysms of AF were detected in 18% of patients undergoing SP-AM versus 2% undergoing SP (
P
<0.05). Paroxysms of any-duration were detected in 44% of patients undergoing SP-AM versus 4% undergoing SP (
P
<0.001). These differences persisted at 90 days. Anticoagulant therapy was commenced within 14 days in 16% of SP-AM patients versus none randomized to SP (
P
<0.01). This difference persisted to 90 days (22% versus 6%;
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—
Routine noninvasive cardiac-event monitoring after acute stroke enhances detection of paroxysmal AF and early anticoagulation. Extended monitoring should be offered to all eligible patients soon after acute stroke. Guidelines on investigation for AF in stroke patients could be strengthened.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN97412358.
A re-assessment of Konarus Bamber, 2006 and sympatric leptocheliids from Australasia, and of Pseudoleptochelia Lang, 1973 (Crustacea: Peracarida: Tanaidacea)
Authors: BAMBER ROGER N 
Published: July 2013

Following recent revelations regarding males with subchelate chelipeds in the tanaidacean genus Parakonarus, a number of Australian leptocheliid taxa are re-assessed, and their males and females variously re-allocated. To assist the interpretation of taxa with subchelate males, Heterotanais anomalus Sars is redescribed based on material from the Balearic Islands. The males of Konarus are now known to have a subchelate cheliped. The male (only) of Pseudoleptochelia bulbus from Melanesia is re-assigned to Konarus cheiris, while Pseudoleptochelia bulbus sensu stricto is reassigned to Leptochelia together with its “minuta”-type male, as Leptochelia bulbus. Pseudoleptochelia straddi is re-assigned to Konarus, together with its females from Queensland, Australia, which were previously assigned to Konarus cheiris. Pseudoleptochelia fairgo is confirmed as a member of Parakonarus, but material from Queensland is re-described as a new species. Other species previously assigned to Pseudoleptochelia are re-assessed: P. inermis, P. mercantilis and P. mortenseni sensu stricto are transferred to Leptochelia. The “small females” and males of P. mortenseni are transferred to Parakonarus as a new species. P. antarctica is provisionally reverted to Heterotanais, P. mergellinae to Leptochelia, and P. filum is tentatively transferred to Pseudonototanais. Pseudoleptochelia magna is synonymized with P. anomala. Pseudoleptochelia provincialis is tentatively transferred to Parakonarus. Pseudoleptochelia occiporta (females only) is reassigned to Leptochelia; the male of P. occiporta is considered to represent a species of Parakonarus. Pseudoleptochelia juliae is reassigned to Parakonarus. Konarus, Makraleptochelia, Bassoleptochelia, Parakonarus and Pseudoleptochelia are placed in the new subfamily Konariinae. Generic relationships in this subfamily were confirmed by Principle Components Analysis. Catenarius is placed in the new subfamily Catenariinae.
Holotranscobalamin is not influenced by decreased renal function in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden study
Authors: Lewerin Catharina , Nilsson-Ehle Herman , Jacobsson Stefan , Karlsson Magnus K , Ohlsson Claes , Mellström Dan 
Published: July 2013

Background Subclinical cobalamin deficiency is common in the elderly, but the sensitivity and specificity of serum total cobalamin for this diagnosis is poor. Serum holotranscobalamin (holoTC), a measure of biologically available cobalamin, is considered a better marker for early cobalamin depletion than total cobalamin. However, in elderly populations, health-related reference intervals for holoTC and correlations to renal function are not entirely clear. Methods HoloTC was determined with an automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay (AxSYM®) in 790 elderly non-vitamin-supplemented Swedish men, median age 75.3 years. Renal function was assessed with creatinine, cystatin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR calculated from creatinine). Results Median holoTC was 51.8 pmol/L, the health-related reference interval 19.6–132.3 pmol/L. There was no significant difference in mean holoTC in probands with normal compared to high creatinine ( P = 0.80) and cystatin C ( P = 0.82). No significant differences between the quartiles of creatinine or cystatin C in mean of log holoTC were seen. HoloTC correlated strongly with total cobalamin ( r = 0.69, P < 0.001), weaker with eGFRcreatinine ( r = −0.09, P < 0.05) and creatinine ( r = 0.09, P < 0.05), the latter correlation was only seen in subjects with creatinine <100  µmol/L. HoloTC correlated negatively with plasma total homocysteine ( r = −0.24, P < 0.001), but not with cystatin C and age. Conclusions Serum holoTC in healthy elderly men shows the same distribution as earlier described for a younger reference population. In this group of elderly subjects, holoTC did not correlate to reduced renal function. Thus, holoTC appears to be a promising tool for evaluating cobalamin status also in elderly populations.
Charcot Arthropathy of the Foot and Ankle Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Grear Benjamin J. , Rabinovich Alexander , Brodsky James W. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is now well recognized as the most common cause of Charcot arthropathy of the foot and ankle, but it may be associated with other peripheral neuropathies. While not well known, it is well documented that rheumatoid arthritis is correlated with peripheral neuropathy. However, despite rheumatoid neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy has never been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We report a series of Charcot arthropathy patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The medical records of patients treated between 1986 and 2009 with Charcot arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis were reviewed. Recorded data included neuropathy risk factors, medications, history of ulcerations, ambulatory status, shoe wear, and treatment course. Radiographs of Charcot joints were categorized according to the Brodsky anatomic classification. Patient care was based on published treatment algorithms, emphasizing accommodative, nonoperative treatment with selective surgical interventions. Surgery was indicated for recalcitrant, nonhealing lesions of the soft tissue and/or unbraceable, nonplantigrade feet. A successful outcome was considered an ambulatory patient without amputation and a closed skin envelope at last follow-up. Results: Four men and 16 women met the diagnostic criteria, resulting in 33 feet in the series. Average age was 61 years, and average follow-up was 4.3 years. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, 4 patients (7 feet) had hypothyroidism, 4 patients (6 feet) had diabetes, 1 patient (2 feet) had megaloblastic anemia and diabetes, and 1 patient (1 foot) had hypothyroidism and diabetes; however, 17 feet (52%) had no known sources for neuropathy. Charcot involvement was type 1–midfoot in 21 feet (64%), type 2–hindfoot in 7 (21%), type 3a–ankle in 4 (12%), and type 3b–calcaneus in 1 (3%). Twenty-three feet (70%) were treated with conservative modalities. Ten feet (30%) required 15 surgeries, of which an exostectomy was the most common procedure. Of the 33 feet, 3 had persistent ulcerations and 1 underwent major amputation, representing 4 failures. Conclusions: Raising awareness within the orthopaedic community, we report a Charcot arthropathy population with a concomitant rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, emphasizing a relationship between the 2 diseases. Through a conservative treatment regimen combined with selective surgical interventions, satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 88% of the rheumatoid Charcot feet. While several patients had additional neuropathy sources which could cause Charcot arthropathy (eg, diabetes), the majority of feet had no etiologies accounting for neuropathy or neuroarthropathy except rheumatoid arthritis. Further study is required to expand on this relationship between the 2 diseases. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Inhibition of apoptosis by knockdown of caspase-3 with siRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Hua Ping , Liu Li-bao , Liu Jia-liang , Wang Meng , Jiang Hui-qi , Zeng Kuan , Yang Yan-qi , Yang Song-ran 
Published: July 2013

Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is a promising new strategy for the repair of infarcted cardiac tissue. However, the majority of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) die soon after transplantation, due in part to oxidative stress in the ischemic region. Oxidative stress is known to induce apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. The aim of this study is to determine whether small interfering RNA targeting caspase-3 can inhibit the apoptosis of rat BMSCs in vitro. Caspase-3 siRNA expression vectors were prepared and transfected into rat BMSCs in the presence of liposomes. Western blot assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to detect caspase-3 expression. A retrovirus packaging system was employed to package 293FT cells producing caspase-3 siRNA virus, which were transfected into rat BMSCs. Those stably expressing caspase-3 siRNA were screened by Western blot assay and RT-PCR to determine caspase-3 expression levels. Stable transfection of caspase-3 siRNA significantly decreased caspase-3 protein (0.26 ± 0.001 vs. 0.42 ± 0.004, P < 0.05) and mRNA expression (0.19 ± 0.002 vs. 1, P < 0.05) in BMSCs compared to non-transfected BMSCs. Cells were incubated in H2O2 to induce apoptosis, which was detected by TUNEL staining, and BMSC morphology was not altered by either transient or stable transfection of caspase-3 siRNA. H2O2-induced apoptosis of BMSCs stably transfected with caspase-3 siRNA was dramatically reduced compared to that of normal BMSCs (11.0 ± 3.2 vs. 25.8 ± 4.2, P < 0.05). Caspase-3 knockdown BMSCs are thus more resistant to apoptosis than normal BMSCs, potentially increasing their survival rates under conditions that cause oxidative stress.
Dopamine receptor 3 might be an essential molecule in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Chen Yan , Ni Ying-yin , Liu Jie , Lu Jia-wei , Wang Fang , Wu Xiao-lin , Gu Ming-min , Lu Zhen-yu , Wang Zhu-gang , Ren Zhi-hua 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) via its oxidized product, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), which is transported by the dopamine (DA) transporter into DA nerve terminals. DA receptor subtype 3 (D3 receptor) participates in neurotransmitter transport, gene regulation in the DA system, physiological accommodation via G protein-coupled superfamily receptors and other physiological processes in the nervous system. This study investigated the possible correlation between D3 receptors and MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. A series of behavioral experiments and histological analyses were conducted in D3 receptor-deficient mice, using an MPTP-induced model of PD.ResultsAfter the fourth MPTP injection, wild-type animals that received 15 mg/kg per day displayed significant neurotoxin-related bradykinesia. D3 receptor-deficient mice displayed attenuated MPTP-induced locomotor activity changes. Consistent with the behavioral observations, further neurohistological assessment showed that MPTP-induced neuronal damage in the SNpc was reduced in D3 receptor-deficient mice.ConclusionsOur study indicates that the D3 receptor might be an essential molecule in MPTP-induced PD and provides a new molecular mechanism for MPTP neurotoxicity.
First description of seasonality of birth and diagnosis amongst teenagers and young adults with cancer aged 15–24 years in England, 1996–2005
Authors: van Laar Marlous , Kinsey Sally E , Picton Susan V , Feltbower Richard G 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
We aimed to examine evidence for an infectious aetiology among teenagers and young adults (TYA) by analysing monthly seasonality of diagnosis and birth amongst 15–24 year olds diagnosed with cancer in England.

Methods
Cases of leukaemia, lymphoma and central nervous system (CNS) tumours were derived from the national TYA cancer register (1996–2005). Incidence rates (IR) and trends were assessed using Poisson regression. Seasonality of diagnosis and birth was assessed using Poisson and logistic regression respectively with cosine functions of varying periods.

Results
There were 6251 cases diagnosed with leukaemia (n = 1299), lymphoma (n = 3070) and CNS tumours (n = 1882), the overall IR was 92 (95% CI 89–96) per 1,000,000 15–24 year olds per year.
There was significant evidence of seasonality around the time of diagnosis for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (P < 0.001) with a peak in February, and for ‘other CNS tumours’ (P = 0.010) with peaks in December and June. Birth peaks for those with ‘other Gliomas’ (Gliomas other than Astrocytoma and Ependymoma) were observed in May and November (P = 0.015).

Conclusion
Our novel findings support an infectious aetiological hypothesis for certain subgroups of TYA cancer in England. Further work will examine correlation with specific infections occurring around the time of birth and diagnosis within certain diagnostic groups.