bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
External Event Risk Assessment: Methodology and Application
Authors: Lo Frano Rosa , Burgazzi Luciano 
Published: November 2014

The 2011 Fukushima accident revealed various gaps related to probabilistic approach, used for the plant risk assessment against external events. In consideration of that and analysing the evolution of the accident scenario, some issues need to be re-considered and/or improved for a reliable NPP risk evaluation in Fukushima conditions.
This study is therefore aimed at the evaluation of the NPP safety performance when subjected to external events, such as the earthquake and/or tsunami (inundation phase), by applying the IDPSA (Integrated Deterministic Probabilistic Safety Analysis) approach, which combines the Probabilistic and Deterministic Safety Assessment ones.
To the purpose “stress tests” suggestions, presently foreseen by the European and International Associations, have been taken into account.
The main issues as emerging from the Fukushima accident, specifically the LOOP/SBO (Loss Of Offsite Power/Station Black Out) caused by a flooding or tsunami, were analysed. The results indicated that although the containment building is suffering local damaging, no loss of structural integrity occurs.
Experimental Investigation of Nanotubes Utilization as a Nuclear Fuel Matrix Additive
Authors: Varmuza Jan , Katovsky Karel , Skalicka Jiri , Foral Stepan , Matejkova Jitka 
Published: November 2014

Great operational challenges are placed on nuclear power plants. These challenges are usually reflected in the expansion of fuel cycle length, long-time operation or power uprates. The one way is to optimize the equipment or replace it with equipment with higher efficiency. The second way is to optimize the fuel and its cladding. In this area it is possible to work mainly on the development of new materials which have better nuclear or mechanical properties.
Nuclear power industry is a conservative one. It is necessary to have a detailed knowledge of materials properties of used equipment. Knowledge of the materials behavior is particularly required in the environment where the materials are exposed to neutron flux. This article focuses on new promising materials that can be used in a nuclear fuel, a nuclear reactor or its closest vicinity. Carbon nano materials can be included among these types of materials. Composite materials have generally improved mechanical and thermal properties with addition of nanoparticles. However the additives itself have an impact on the behavior of the neutron field.
This article describes an experiment that examined the behavior of neutrons in carbon nano fibers, carbon nano tubes and nano wires of aluminum oxide. The main goal of the experiment was to determine how neutron scattering is affected, when the sample is exposed to neutron beam. The article presents results, including additional testing of nano materials. Additional tests were carried out to verify the purity and parameters of the investigated samples.
Highly Dynamic Genomic Loci Drive the Synthesis of Two Types of Capsular or Secreted Polysaccharides within the Mycoplasma mycoides Cluster
Authors: Bertin Clothilde , Pau-Roblot Corinne , Courtois Josiane , Manso-Silván Lucía , Tardy Florence , Poumarat François , Citti Christine , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal , Gaurivaud Patrice , Thiaucourt François 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasmas of the
Mycoplasma mycoides
cluster are all ruminant pathogens.
Mycoplasma mycoides
subsp.
mycoides
is responsible for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and is known to produce capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS). Previous studies have strongly suggested a role for
Mycoplasma mycoides
subsp.
mycoides
polysaccharides in pathogenicity.
Mycoplasma mycoides
subsp.
mycoides
-secreted EPS was recently characterized as a β(1→6)-galactofuranose homopolymer (galactan) identical to the capsular product. Here, we extended the characterization of secreted polysaccharides to all other members of the
M. mycoides
cluster:
M. capricolum
subsp.
capripneumoniae
,
M. capricolum
subsp.
capricolum
,
M. leachii
, and
M. mycoides
subsp.
capri
(including the LC and Capri serovars). Extracted EPS was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, resulting in the identification of a homopolymer of β(1→2)-glucopyranose (glucan) in
M. capricolum
subsp.
capripneumoniae
and
M. leachii
. Monoclonal antibodies specific for this glucan and for the
Mycoplasma mycoides
subsp.
mycoides
-secreted galactan were used to detect the two polysaccharides. While
M. mycoides
subsp.
capri
strains of serovar LC produced only capsular galactan, no polysaccharide could be detected in strains of serovar Capri. All strains of
M. capricolum
subsp.
capripneumoniae
and
M. leachii
produced glucan CPS and EPS, whereas glucan production and localization varied among
M. capricolum
subsp.
capricolum
strains. Genes associated with polysaccharide synthesis and forming a biosynthetic pathway were predicted in all cluster members. These genes were organized in clusters within two loci representing genetic variability hot spots. Phylogenetic analysis showed that some of these genes, notably
galE
and
glf
, were acquired via horizontal gene transfer. These findings call for a reassessment of the specificity of the serological tests based on mycoplasma polysaccharides.
Ecological Succession and Viability of Human-Associated Microbiota on Restroom Surfaces
Authors: Gibbons Sean M. , Schwartz Tara , Fouquier Jennifer , Mitchell Michelle , Sangwan Naseer , Gilbert Jack A. , Kelley Scott T. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Human-associated bacteria dominate the built environment (BE). Following decontamination of floors, toilet seats, and soap dispensers in four public restrooms,
in situ
bacterial communities were characterized hourly, daily, and weekly to determine their successional ecology. The viability of cultivable bacteria, following the removal of dispersal agents (humans), was also assessed hourly. A late-successional community developed within 5 to 8 h on restroom floors and showed remarkable stability over weeks to months. Despite late-successional dominance by skin- and outdoor-associated bacteria, the most ubiquitous organisms were predominantly gut-associated taxa, which persisted following exclusion of humans.
Staphylococcus
represented the majority of the cultivable community, even after several hours of human exclusion. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA)-associated virulence genes were found on floors but were not present in assembled
Staphylococcus
pan-genomes. Viral abundances, which were predominantly enterophages, human papilloma virus, and herpesviruses, were significantly correlated with bacterial abundances and showed an unexpectedly low virus-to-bacterium ratio in surface-associated samples, suggesting that bacterial hosts are mostly dormant on BE surfaces.
Association of Biodiversity with the Rates of Micropollutant Biotransformations among Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plant Communities
Authors: Johnson David R. , Helbling Damian E. , Lee Tae Kwon , Park Joonhong , Fenner Kathrin , Kohler Hans-Peter E. , Ackermann Martin 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTBiodiversities can differ substantially among different wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) communities. Whether differences in biodiversity translate into differences in the provision of particular ecosystem services, however, is under active debate. Theoretical considerations predict that WWTP communities with more biodiversity are more likely to contain strains that have positive effects on the rates of particular ecosystem functions, thus resulting in positive associations between those two variables. However, if WWTP communities were sufficiently biodiverse to nearly saturate the set of possible positive effects, then positive associations would not occur between biodiversity and the rates of particular ecosystem functions. To test these expectations, we measured the taxonomic biodiversity, functional biodiversity, and rates of 10 different micropollutant biotransformations for 10 full-scale WWTP communities. We have demonstrated that biodiversity is positively associated with the rates of specific, but not all, micropollutant biotransformations. Thus, one cannot assume whether or how biodiversity will associate with the rate of any particular micropollutant biotransformation. We have further demonstrated that the strongest positive association is between biodiversity and the collective rate of multiple micropollutant biotransformations. Thus, more biodiversity is likely required to maximize the collective rates of multiple micropollutant biotransformations than is required to maximize the rate of any individual micropollutant biotransformation. We finally provide evidence that the positive associations are stronger for rare micropollutant biotransformations than for common micropollutant biotransformations. Together, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in biodiversity can indeed translate into differences in the provision of particular ecosystem services by full-scale WWTP communities.
Risk factors for long-bone fractures in children up to 5 years of age: a nested case–control study
Authors: Baker Ruth , Orton Elizabeth , Tata Laila J , Kendrick Denise 
Published: November 2014

AimTo investigate risk factors for first long-bone fractures in children up to 5 years old in order to provide evidence about which families could benefit from injury prevention interventions.MethodsPopulation-based matched nested case–control study using The Health Improvement Network, a UK primary care research database, 1988–2004.Maternal, household and child risk factors for injury were assessed among 2456 children with long-bone fractures (cases). 23 661controls were matched to cases on general practice. Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using conditional logistic regression.ResultsFractures of long-bones were independently associated with younger maternal age and higher birth order, with children who were the fourth-born in the family, or later, having a threefold greater odds of fracture compared to first-born children (adjusted OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.08 to 4.68). Children over the age of 1 year had a fourfold (13–24 months, adjusted OR 4.09 95% CI 3.51 to 4.76) to fivefold (37+ months, adjusted OR 4.88 95% CI 4.21 to 5.66) increase in the odds of a long-bone fracture compared to children aged 0–12 months. Children in families with a history of maternal alcohol misuse had a raised odds of long-bone fracture (adjusted OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.82) compared to those with no documented history.ConclusionsRisk factors for long-bone fractures in children less than 5 years old included age above 1 year, increasing birth order, younger maternal age and maternal alcohol misuse. These risk factors should be used to prioritise families and communities for injury prevention interventions.
Trends and patterns of hormonal contraceptive prescribing for adolescents in primary care in the UK
Authors: Rashed Asia N , Hsia Yingfen , Wilton Lynda , Ziller May , Kostev Karel , Tomlin Stephen 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundHormonal contraceptives are the most common method used worldwide by teenagers to prevent unwanted pregnancies. To date there are limited data about such use by teenagers in the UK. This study investigated trends and patterns of hormonal contraceptive prescribing to adolescents aged 12–18 years in UK primary care between 2002 and 2011.MethodsA retrospective cohort study using the IMS Disease Analyzer database was conducted. All females aged 12–18 years with ≥1 prescription for a contraceptive drug between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2011 were included. Annual prevalence of contraceptive drug prescribing was calculated, and indications for prescribing, and types of contraceptive drug prescribed, were examined.ResultsIn 2002, 13.7% (6135/44 532) of female adolescents received prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives, compared to 19.0% (6597/34 676) in 2011. The majority of female adolescents [2002: 76.2% (4676/6135); 2011: 65.7% (4334/6597)] received a contraceptive drug for ‘contraceptive management’. The combined oral contraceptive (COC), ‘progestogen+estrogen’, was the most commonly prescribed. Although use of progestogen-only contraceptives was lower than COCs, the number of patients who received desogestrel pills and etonogestrel implants increased during the study period; levonorgestrel pill use declined. Only one injectable progestogen, long-acting depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, was prescribed.ConclusionsUse of hormonal contraceptives among adolescents increased between 2002 and 2011, and COC usage was dominant. The increasing use of hormonal contraceptives in adolescents, especially in younger adolescents, warrants further investigation, including research into the long-term safety of these medicines in this age group.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and haematological malignancy at a tertiary care centre: timing, histopathology and therapy
Authors: Knight Jason S , Blayney Douglas W , Somers Emily C 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesPatients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at higher risk of haematological malignancies (HMs) than the general population. Most reports have focused on HM diagnosed after SLE, and have excluded concurrent and preceding diagnoses. Information on response to therapy is also limited.MethodsWe identified 13 296 cases of HM and 10 539 potential patients with SLE at our centre; 45 patients were confirmed to have HM and SLE. Our retrospective case series was based on these 45 patients.ResultsOf the 45 patients, 64% were diagnosed with HM ≥1 yearafterdiagnosis with SLE, and 36% with HMbefore or concurrent withSLE. Of the 29 patients with HM after SLE, 13 had diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 6 indolent lymphoma, 4 leukaemia, 3 Hodgkin's disease, and 1 each Burkitt's lymphoma, T cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Eleven patients with DLBCL were treated with cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone (CHOP) or rituximab-CHOP; hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone; only four achieved durable remission. Of the 16 patients diagnosed with HM before or concurrent with SLE, 9 were diagnosed with HM more than 2 years before SLE and tended to be in remission prior to SLE diagnosis. Seven patients were diagnosed with HM and SLE concurrently; in terms of their HM, six achieved remission or stable disease.ConclusionsIn summary, DLBCL was the most common type of lymphoma in patients diagnosed with HM after SLE; these patients presented with advanced-stage disease and had poor outcomes. In contrast, patients diagnosed with HM before or concurrent with SLE had early stage disease and typically achieved remission.
Intracellular Osteopontin Inhibits Toll-like Receptor Signaling and Impedes Liver Carcinogenesis
Authors: Fan Xiaoyu , He Chunyan , Jing Wei , Zhou Xuyu , Chen Rui , Cao Lei , Zhu Minhui , Jia Rongjie , Wang Hao , Guo Yajun , Zhao Jian 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated widely in tumor growth and metastasis, but the range of its contributions is not yet fully understood. In this study, we show that genetic ablation of Opn in mice sensitizes them to diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Opn-deficient mice (Opn−/− mice) exhibited enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and compensatory proliferation. Administering OPN antibody or recombinant OPN protein to wild-type or Opn−/− mice-derived macrophages, respectively, had little effect on cytokine production. In contrast, overexpression of intracellular OPN (iOPN) in Opn-deficient macrophages strongly suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, we found that iOPN was able to interact with the pivotal Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling protein MyD88 in macrophages after stimulation with cellular debris, thereby disrupting TLR signaling in macrophages. Our results indicated that iOPN was capable of functioning as an endogenous negative regulator of TLR-mediated immune responses, acting to ameliorate production of proinflammatory cytokines and curtail DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Together, our results expand the important role of OPN in inflammation-associated cancers and deepen its relevance for novel treatment strategies in liver cancer. Cancer Res; 75(1); 86–97. ©2014 AACR.
PLK1 Phosphorylates PAX3-FOXO1, the Inhibition of Which Triggers Regression of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Thalhammer Verena , Lopez-Garcia Laura A. , Herrero-Martin David , Hecker Regina , Laubscher Dominik , Gierisch Maria E. , Wachtel Marco , Bode Peter , Nanni Paolo , Blank Bernd , Koscielniak Ewa , Schäfer Beat W. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Pediatric tumors harbor very low numbers of somatic mutations and therefore offer few targets to improve therapeutic management with targeted drugs. In particular, outcomes remain dismal for patients with metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS), where the chimeric transcription factor PAX3/7-FOXO1 has been implicated but problematic to target. In this report, we addressed this challenge by developing a two-armed screen for druggable upstream regulatory kinases in the PAX3/7-FOXO1 pathway. Screening libraries of kinome siRNA and small molecules, we defined PLK1 as an upstream-acting regulator. Mechanistically, PLK1 interacted with and phosphorylated PAX3-FOXO1 at the novel site S503, leading to protein stabilization. Notably, PLK1 inhibition led to elevated ubiquitination and rapid proteasomal degradation of the PAX3-FOXO1 chimeric oncoprotein. On this basis, we embarked on a preclinical validation of PLK1 as a target in a xenograft mouse model of aRMS, where the PLK1 inhibitor BI 2536 reduced PAX3-FOXO1–mediated gene expression and elicited tumor regression. Clinically, analysis of human aRMS tumor biopsies documented high PLK1 expression to offer prognostic significance for both event-free survival and overall survival. Taken together, these preclinical studies validate the PLK1–PAX3-FOXO1 axis as a rational target to treat aRMS. Cancer Res; 75(1); 98–110. ©2014 AACR.
Acute Targeting of General Transcription Factor IIB Restricts Cardiac Hypertrophy via Selective Inhibition of Gene Transcription
Authors: Sayed Danish , Yang Zhi , He Minzhen , Pfleger Jessica M. , Abdellatif Maha 
Published: November 2014

Background—
We previously reported that specialized and housekeeping genes are differentially regulated via de novo recruitment and pause-release of RNA polymerase II, respectively, during cardiac hypertrophy. However, the significance of this finding remains to be examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms that differentially regulate these gene groups and exploit them for therapeutic targeting.

Methods and Results—
Here, we show that general transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 are upregulated during hypertrophy, both targeted by microRNA-1, and play preferential roles in regulating those 2 groups of genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing reveals that TFIIB is constitutively bound to all paused, housekeeping, promoters, whereas de novo recruitment of TFIIB and polymerase II is required for specialized genes that are induced during hypertrophy. We exploited this dichotomy to acutely inhibit induction of the latter set, which encompasses cardiomyopathy, immune reaction, and extracellular matrix genes, using locked nucleic acid–modified antisense TFIIB oligonucleotide treatment. This resulted in suppression of all specialized genes, while sparing the housekeeping ones, and, thus, attenuated pathological hypertrophy.

Conclusions—
The data for the first time reveal distinct general TFIIB dynamics that regulate specialized versus housekeeping genes during cardiac hypertrophy. Thus, by acutely targeting TFIIB, we were able to inhibit selectively the former set of genes and ameliorate pressure overload hypertrophy. We also demonstrate the feasibility of acutely and reversibly targeting cardiac mRNA for therapeutic purposes using locked nucleic acid–modified antisense oligonucleotides.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Modern Era of Drug Eluting Stents
Authors: Yong Celina M. , Abnousi Freddy , Asch Steven M. , Heidenreich Paul A. 
Published: November 2014

Background

The rapidly changing landscape of percutaneous coronary intervention provides a unique model for examining disparities over time. Previous studies have not examined socioeconomic inequalities in the current era of drug eluting stents (
DES
).

Methods and Results

We analyzed 835 070 hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project across all insurance types from 2008 to 2011, examining whether quality of care and outcomes for patients with
ACS
differed by income (based on zip code of residence) with adjustment for patient characteristics and clustering by hospital. We found that lower‐income patients were less likely to receive an angiogram within 24 hours of a
ST
elevation myocardial infarction (
STEMI
) (69.5% for
IQ
1 versus 73.7% for
IQ
4,
P
<0.0001,
OR
0.79 [0.68 to 0.91]) or within 48 hours of a Non‐
STEMI
(47.6% for
IQ
1 versus 51.8% for
IQ
4,
P
<0.0001,
OR
0.86 [0.75 to 0.99]). Lower income was associated with less use of a
DES
(64.7% for
IQ
1 versus 71.2% for
IQ
4,
P
<0.0001,
OR
0.83 [0.74 to 0.93]). However, no differences were found for coronary artery bypass surgery. Among
STEMI
patients, lower‐income patients also had slightly increased adjusted mortality rates (10.8% for
IQ
1 versus 9.4% for
IQ
4,
P
<0.0001,
OR
1.17 [1.11 to 1.25]). After further adjusting for time to reperfusion among
STEMI
patients, mortality differences across income groups decreased.

Conclusions

For the most well accepted procedural treatments for
ACS
, income inequalities have faded. However, such inequalities have persisted for
DES
use, a relatively expensive and until recently, controversial revascularization procedure. Differences in mortality are significantly associated with differences in time to primary
PCI
, suggesting an important target for understanding why these inequalities persist.
A Comparison of Two Approaches for Generating Spatial Models of Growing-Season Variables for Canada
Authors: Pedlar John H. , McKenney Daniel W. , Lawrence Kevin , Papadopol Pia , Hutchinson Michael F. , Price David 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis study produced annual spatial models (or grids) of 27 growing-season variables for Canada that span two centuries (1901–2100). Temporal gaps in the availability of daily climate data—the typical and preferred source for calculating growing-season variables—necessitated the use of two approaches for generating these growing-season grids. The first approach, used only for the 1950–2010 period, employed a computer script to directly calculate the suite of growing-season variables from existing daily climate grids. Since daily grids were not available for the remaining years, a second approach, which employed a machine-learning method called boosted regression trees (BRT), was used to generate statistical models that related each growing-season variable to a suite of climate and water-related predictors. These BRT models were used to generate grids of growing-season variables for each year of the study period, including the 1950–2010 period to allow comparison between the two approaches. Mean absolute errors associated with the BRT-based grids were approximately 30% higher than those associated with the daily-based grids. The two approaches were also compared by calculating trends in growing-season length over the 1950–2010 period. Significant increases in growing-season length were obtained for nearly all ecozones across Canada, and there were no significant differences in the trends obtained from the two approaches. Although the daily-based approach tended to have lower errors, the BRT approach produced comparable map products that should be valuable for periods and regions for which daily data are not available.