bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety Functions of Accumulator Battery Systems and Improvement Possibilities
Authors: Andel Jan 
Published: November 2014

Accumulator batteries installed in electrical emergency power systems of NPPs are power storages that secure quality and continuity of power supply for safety important and other sensitive systems. Key important function and characteristic of batteries is discharging time for which are batteries able to supply consumers. Better knowledge and improvement (prolonging) of this capability has been accented as one of “Stress tests” measures.
This paper deals with conceptual design considerations and limitations related to battery system, comparison of discharging capabilities of various types of batteries, identification of typical power and safety requirements of consumers supplied form batteries. Next part of paper is focused on calculation and simulation methods of complex discharging load profiles targeted to determine realistic limits of discharging times.
Finally there are described and technically commented/evaluated various possibilities to prolong power supply of vital systems from batteries in really difficult accident situation of NPP. All above mentioned is based on ENERGOPROJEKT PRAHA design experience from NPPs in Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.
Development of Inherently Safe Technologies for Large Scale BWRs: (1) Plant System
Authors: Kitou Kazuaki , Ishida Naoyuki , Tamura Akinori , Ishibashi Ryou , Kanada Masaki , Kamoshida Mamoru 
Published: November 2014

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and their consequences have led to some rethinking about the safety technologies used in boiling water reactors (BWRs). We have been developing the following various safe technologies: a passive water-cooling system, an infinite-time air-cooling system, a hydrogen explosion prevention system, and an operation support system to better deal with reactor accidents. The above mentioned technologies are referred to as “inherently safe technologies”.
The passive water-cooling system and infinite-time air-cooling system achieve core cooling without electricity. These systems are intended to cope with a long-term station black out (SBO), such as that which occurred at the Fukushima facility. Both these cooling systems remove relatively high decay heat for the initial 10 days after an accident, and then the infinite-time air-cooling system is used alone to remove attenuated decay heat after 10 days.
The hydrogen explosion prevention system consists of a high-temperature resistant fuel cladding made of silicon-carbide (SiC cladding) and a passive autocatalytic recombiner (PAR). Since the SiC cladding generates less hydrogen gas than the current zircaloy fuel cladding when core damage occurs, the risk of hydrogen leakage from a primary containment vessel (PCV) to a reactor building (R/B), such as an operating floor, can be reduced because the pressure in the PCV can be kept lower with less hydrogen gas generation. The leaked hydrogen gas is recombined by the PAR.
When a large-scale natural disaster occurs, fast event diagnosis and recognition of damaged equipment are necessary. Therefore, the operation support system consists of event identification and progress prediction functions to reduce the occurrence of false recognitions and human errors.
This paper describes the following items: the targeted plant system; the heat exchange tests conducted for both water-cooling and air-cooling systems; the air-cooling enhancing technology for air-cooling in a 4700 MW thermal power class reactor; hydrogen generation tests for SiC material; and the concept of the operation support system.
Global Balance of Plant in NPPs Using Process Data Reconciliation According to VDI 2048
Authors: Langenstein Magnus , Laipple Bernd 
Published: November 2014

The large quantities of measurement information gathered throughout a plant process make the closing of the mass and energy balance nearly impossible without the help of additional tools. For this reason, a variety of plant monitoring tools for closing plant balances was developed. A major problem with the current tools lies in the non-consideration of redundant measurements which are available throughout the entire plant process.
The online monitoring reconciliation system is based on the process data reconciliation according to VDI 2048 standard and is using all redundant measurements within the process to close mass and energy balances. As a result, the most realistic process with the lowest uncertainty can be monitored. This system is installed in more than 35 NPPs worldwide and is used
○ as a basis for correction of feed water mass flow and feed water temperature measurements (recover of lost Megawatts).
○ as a basis for correction of Taverage (Tav) (recover of steam generator outlet pressure in PWRs).
○ for maintaining the thermal core power and the feed water mass flow under continuous operation conditions.
○ for automatic detection of erroneous measurements and measurement drift.
○ for detection of inner leakages, non-condensable gases and system losses.
○ for calculating non measured values (e.g. heat transfer coefficients, ΔT, preheater loads,…).
○ as a monitoring system for the main thermodynamic process.
○ for verifying warranty tests more accurate.
○ as a application of condition-based maintenance and component monitoring.
○ for What-if scenarios (simulation, not PDR)
This paper describes the methodology according to VDI 2048 (use of Gaussian correction principle and quality criterias). The benefits gained from the use of the online monitoring system are demonstrated.
MomL, a Novel Marine-Derived
N
-Acyl Homoserine Lactonase from Muricauda olearia
Authors: Tang Kaihao , Su Ying , Brackman Gilles , Cui Fangyuan , Zhang Yunhui , Shi Xiaochong , Coenye Tom , Zhang Xiao-Hua 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Gram-negative bacteria use
N
-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecules for interspecies communication, and AHL-dependent QS is related with virulence factor production in many bacterial pathogens. Quorum quenching, the enzymatic degradation of the signaling molecule, would attenuate virulence rather than kill the pathogens, and thereby reduce the potential for evolution of drug resistance. In a previous study, we showed that
Muricauda olearia
Th120, belonging to the class
Flavobacteriia
, has strong AHL degradative activity. In this study, an AHL lactonase (designated MomL), which could degrade both short- and long-chain AHLs with or without a substitution of
oxo
-group at the C-3 position, was identified from Th120. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that MomL functions as an AHL lactonase catalyzing AHL degradation through lactone hydrolysis. MomL is an AHL lactonase belonging to the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily that harbors an N-terminal signal peptide. The overall catalytic efficiency of MomL for C
6
-HSL is ∼2.9 × 10
5
s
−1
M
−1
. Metal analysis and site-directed mutagenesis showed that, compared to AiiA, MomL has a different metal-binding capability and requires the histidine and aspartic acid residues for activity, while it shares the “HXHXDH” motif with other AHL lactonases belonging to the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily. This suggests that MomL is a representative of a novel type of secretory AHL lactonase. Furthermore, MomL significantly attenuated the virulence of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in a
Caenorhabditis elegans
infection model, which suggests that MomL has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent.
Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli for the Synthesis of the Plant Polyphenol Pinosylvin
Authors: van Summeren-Wesenhagen Philana Veronica , Marienhagen Jan 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Plant polyphenols are of great interest for drug discovery and drug development since many of these compounds have health-promoting activities as treatments against various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, or heart diseases. However, the limited availability of polyphenols represents a major obstacle to clinical applications that must be overcome. In comparison to the quantities of these compounds obtained by isolation from natural sources or costly chemical synthesis, the microbial production of these compounds could provide sufficient quantities from inexpensive substrates. In this work, we describe the development of an
Escherichia coli
platform strain for the production of pinosylvin, a stilbene found in the heartwood of pine trees which could aid in the treatment of various cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Initially, several configurations of the three-step biosynthetic pathway to pinosylvin were constructed from a set of two different enzymes for each enzymatic step. After optimization of gene expression and evaluation of different construct environments, low pinosylvin concentrations up to 3 mg/liter could be detected. Analysis of the precursor supply and a comparative analysis of the intracellular pools of pathway intermediates and product identified the limited malonyl coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) availability and low stilbene synthase activity in the heterologous host to be the main bottlenecks during pinosylvin production. Addition of cerulenin for increasing intracellular malonyl-CoA pools and the
in vivo
evolution of the stilbene synthase from
Pinus strobus
for improved activity in
E. coli
proved to be the keys to elevated product titers. These measures allowed product titers of 70 mg/liter pinosylvin from glucose, which could be further increased to 91 mg/liter by the addition of
l
-phenylalanine.
Transcriptomic and Physiological Insights into the Robustness of Long Filamentous Cells of Methanosaeta harundinacea, Prevalent in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Granules
Authors: Zhou Liguang , Yu Haiying , Ai Guomin , Zhang Bo , Hu Songnian , Dong Xiuzhu 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Methanosaeta
spp. are widely distributed in natural environments, and their filamentous cells contribute significantly to sludge granulation and the good performance of anaerobic reactors. A previous study indicated that
Methanosaeta harundinacea
6Ac displays a quorum sensing-regulated morphological transition from short to long filaments, and more acetate is channeled into methane production in long filaments, whereas more is channeled into biomass synthesis in short filaments. Here, we performed transcriptomic and physiological analysis to gain insights into active methanogenesis in long filaments of
M. harundinacea
6Ac. Both RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR indicated that transcription of the genes involved in aceticlastic methanogenesis and energy metabolism was upregulated 1.2- to 10.3-fold in long filaments, while transcription of the genes for the methyl oxidative shunt was upregulated in short filaments. [2-
13
C]acetate trace experiments demonstrated that a relatively higher portion of the acetate methyl group was oxidized to CO
2
in short filaments than in long filaments. The long filaments exhibited higher catalase activity and oxygen tolerance than the short ones, which is consistent with increased transcription of the oxidant-scavenging genes. Moreover, transcription of genes for cell surface structures was upregulated in the long filaments, and transmission electron microscopy revealed a thicker cell envelope in the filaments. RNA-seq determined a >2-fold upregulation of a variety of antistress genes in short filaments, like those encoding chaperones and DNA repair systems, which implies that the short filaments can be stressed. This study reveals the genetic basis for the prevalence of the long filamentous morphology of
M. harundinacea
cells in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket granules.
Risk factors for and perinatal outcomes of major depression during pregnancy: a population-based analysis during 2002–2010 in Finland
Authors: Räisänen Sari , Lehto Soili M , Nielsen Henriette Svarre , Gissler Mika , Kramer Michael R , Heinonen Seppo 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesTo identify risk factors for and the consequences (several adverse perinatal outcomes) of physician-diagnosed major depression during pregnancy treated in specialised healthcare.DesignA population-based cross-sectional study.SettingData were gathered from Finnish health registers for 1996–2010.ParticipantsAll singleton births (n=511 938) for 2002–2010 in Finland.Primary outcome measuresPrevalence, risk factors and consequences of major depression during pregnancy.ResultsAmong 511 938 women, 0.8% experienced major depression during pregnancy, of which 46.9% had a history of depression prior to pregnancy. After history of depression, the second strongest associated factor for major depression was fear of childbirth, with a 2.6-fold (adjusted OR (aOR=2.63, 95% CI 2.39 to 2.89) increased prevalence. The risk profile of major depression also included adolescent or advanced maternal age, low or unspecified socioeconomic status (SES), single marital status, smoking, prior pregnancy terminations, anaemia and gestational diabetes regardless of a history of depression. Outcomes of pregnancies were worse among women with major depression than without. The contribution of smoking was substantial to modest for small-for-gestational age newborn (<−2 SD below mean birth), low birth weight (<2500 g), preterm birth (<37 weeks) and admission to neonatal intensive care associated with major depression, whereas SES made only a minor contribution.ConclusionsPhysician-diagnosed major depression during pregnancy was found to be rare. The strongest risk factor was history of depression prior to pregnancy. Other associated factors were fear of childbirth, low SES, lack of social support and unhealthy reproductive behaviour such as smoking. Outcomes of pregnancies were worse among women with major depression than without. Smoking during pregnancy made a substantial to modest contribution to adverse outcomes associated with depression during pregnancy.
Patients with nodding syndrome in Uganda improve with symptomatic treatment: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Idro Richard , Namusoke Hanifa , Abbo Catherine , Mutamba Byamah B , Kakooza-Mwesige Angelina , Opoka Robert O , Musubire Abdu K , Mwaka Amos D , Opar Bernard T 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesNodding syndrome (NS) is a poorly understood neurological disorder affecting thousands of children in Africa. In March 2012, we introduced a treatment intervention that aimed to provide symptomatic relief. This intervention included sodium valproate for seizures, management of behaviour and emotional difficulties, nutritional therapy and physical rehabilitation. We assessed the clinical and functional outcomes of this intervention after 12 months of implementation.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with NS receiving the specified intervention. We abstracted preintervention features from records and compared these with the current clinical status. We performed similar assessments on a cohort of patients with other convulsive epilepsies (OCE) and compared the outcomes of the two groups.ParticipantsParticipants were patients with WHO-defined NS and patients with OCE attending the same centres.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the proportion of patients with seizure freedom (≥1 month without seizures). Secondary outcome measures included a reduction in seizure frequency, resolution of behaviour and emotional difficulties, and independence in basic self-care.ResultsPatients with NS had had a longer duration of symptoms (median 5 (IQR 3, 6) years) compared with those with OCE (4 (IQR 2, 6) years), p<0.001. The intervention resulted in marked improvements in both groups; compared to the preintervention state, 121/484 (25%) patients with NS achieved seizure freedom and there was a >70% reduction in seizure frequency; behaviour and emotional difficulties resolved in 194/327 (59%) patients; 193/484 (40%) patients had enrolled in school including 17.7% who had earlier withdrawn due to severe seizures, and over 80% had achieved independence in basic self-care. These improvements were, however, less than that in patients with OCE of whom 243/476 (51.1%) patients were seizure free and in whom the seizure frequency had reduced by 86%.ConclusionsUgandan children with NS show substantial clinical and functional improvements with symptomatic treatments suggesting that NS is probably a reversible encephalopathy.
Pre-existing atrial fibrillation and risk of arterial thromboembolism and death following pneumonia: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Gamst Jacob , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Rasmussen Bodil Steen , Rasmussen Lars Hvilsted , Thomsen Reimar Wernich 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) and associated therapy on the risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and death following pneumonia.Design, setting and participantsPopulation-based cohort study (1997–2012) of 88 315 patients with first-time hospitalisation with pneumonia in Northern Denmark.ResultsOf the included patients (median age 73.4 years), 8880 (10.1%) had pre-existing AF. The risk of ATE within 30 days of admission was 5.2% in patients with AF and 3.6% in patients without AF. After adjustment for higher age and comorbidity, the adjusted HR (aHR) with AF was 1.06 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.18). Among patients with AF, reduced risk of ATE was observed in vitamin-K antagonist users compared with non-users (aHR 0.74 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.91)). Thirty-day mortality was 20.1% in patients with AF and 13.9% in patients without AF. Corresponding 1-year mortalities were 43.7% and 30.3%. The aHRs for 30-day and 1-year mortality with AF were 1.00 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.05) and 1.01 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.05). In patients with AF, reduced mortality risk was observed in users of vitamin-K antagonists (aHR 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77)) and β-blockers (aHR 0.77 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.85). Increased mortality was found in digoxin users (aHR 1.16 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.28)).ConclusionsPre-existing AF is frequent in patients hospitalised with pneumonia and a marker of increased risk of ATE and death, explained by higher patient age and comorbidity. Prognosis is closely related to preadmission medical treatment for AF.
Tropomodulin 1 Expression Driven by NF-κB Enhances Breast Cancer Growth
Authors: Ito-Kureha Taku , Koshikawa Naohiko , Yamamoto Mizuki , Semba Kentaro , Yamaguchi Noritaka , Yamamoto Tadashi , Seiki Motoharu , Inoue Jun-ichiro 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), which include the basal-like and claudin-low disease subtypes, are aggressive malignancies for which effective therapeutic targets are lacking. NF-κB activation has an established role in breast malignancy, and it is higher in TNBC than other breast cancer subtypes. On this basis, we hypothesized that proteins derived from NF-κB target genes might be molecular targets for TNBC therapy. In this study, we conducted a microarray-based screen for novel NF-κB–inducible proteins as candidate therapeutic targets, identifying tropomodulin 1 (TMOD1) as a lead candidate. TMOD1 expression was regulated directly by NF-κB and was significantly higher in TNBC than other breast cancer subtypes. TMOD1 elevation is associated with enhanced tumor growth in a mouse tumor xenograft model and in a 3D type I collagen culture. TMOD1-dependent tumor growth was correlated with MMP13 induction, which was mediated by TMOD1-dependent accumulation of β-catenin. Overall, our study highlighted a novel TMOD1-mediated link between NF-κB activation and MMP13 induction, which accounts in part for the NF-κB–dependent malignant phenotype of TNBC. Cancer Res; 75(1); 62–72. ©2014 AACR.
Mdm2 and Aurora Kinase A Inhibitors Synergize to Block Melanoma Growth by Driving Apoptosis and Immune Clearance of Tumor Cells
Authors: Vilgelm Anna E. , Pawlikowski Jeff S. , Liu Yan , Hawkins Oriana E. , Davis Tyler A. , Smith Jessica , Weller Kevin P. , Horton Linda W. , McClain Colt M. , Ayers Gregory D. , Turner David C. , Essaka David C. , Stewart Clinton F. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Kelley Mark C. , Ecsedy Jeffrey A. , Johnston Jeffrey N. , Richmond Ann 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTherapeutics that induce cancer cell senescence can block cell proliferation and promote immune rejection. However, the risk of tumor relapse due to senescence escape may remain high due to the long lifespan of senescent cells that are not cleared. Here, we show how combining a senescence-inducing inhibitor of the mitotic kinase Aurora A (AURKA) with an MDM2 antagonist activates p53 in senescent tumors harboring wild-type 53. In the model studied, this effect is accompanied by proliferation arrest, mitochondrial depolarization, apoptosis, and immune clearance of cancer cells by antitumor leukocytes in a manner reliant upon Ccl5, Ccl1, and Cxcl9. The AURKA/MDM2 combination therapy shows adequate bioavailability and low toxicity to the host. Moreover, the prominent response of patient-derived melanoma tumors to coadministered MDM2 and AURKA inhibitors offers a sound rationale for clinical evaluation. Taken together, our work provides a preclinical proof of concept for a combination treatment that leverages both senescence and immune surveillance to therapeutic ends. Cancer Res; 75(1); 181–93. ©2014 AACR.
Oncolytic Measles Virus Expressing the Sodium Iodide Symporter to Treat Drug-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Galanis Evanthia , Atherton Pamela J. , Maurer Matthew J. , Knutson Keith L. , Dowdy Sean C. , Cliby William A. , Haluska Paul , Long Harry J. , Oberg Ann , Aderca Ileana , Block Matthew S. , Bakkum-Gamez Jamie , Federspiel Mark J. , Russell Stephen J. , Kalli Kimberly R. , Keeney Gary , Peng Kah Whye , Hartmann Lynn C. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Edmonston vaccine strains of measles virus (MV) have significant antitumor activity in mouse xenograft models of ovarian cancer. MV engineered to express the sodium iodide symporter gene (MV-NIS) facilitates localization of viral gene expression and offers a tool for tumor radiovirotherapy. Here, we report results from a clinical evaluation of MV-NIS in patients with taxol- and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. MV-NIS was given intraperitoneally every 4 weeks for up to 6 cycles. Treatment was well tolerated and associated with promising median overall survival in these patients with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer; no dose-limiting toxicity was observed in 16 patients treated at high-dose levels (108–109 TCID50), and their median overall survival of 26.5 months compared favorably with other contemporary series. MV receptor CD46 and nectin-4 expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in patient tumors. Sodium iodide symporter expression in patient tumors after treatment was confirmed in three patients by 123I uptake on SPECT/CTs and was associated with long progression-free survival. Immune monitoring posttreatment showed an increase in effector T cells recognizing the tumor antigens IGFBP2 and FRα, indicating that MV-NIS treatment triggered cellular immunity against the patients' tumor and suggesting that an immune mechanism mediating the observed antitumor effect. Our findings support further clinical evaluation of MV-NIS as an effective immunovirotherapy. Cancer Res; 75(1); 22–30. ©2014 AACR.