bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of an Evaluation Method for Seismic Isolation Systems of Nuclear Power Facilities: Part 11 — Improvement of the Seismic Isolator Design Method
Authors: Aikawa Yuji , Hibino Hiroshi , Takeuchi Yoshitaka , Asahara Shingo , Hirai Hideo , Kosugi Shinji , Matsuoka Shinji , Umeki Yoshito 
Published: November 2014

This paper provides a part of series of “Development of an Evaluation Method for Seismic Isolation Systems of Nuclear Power Facilities”. This part shows improvements of seismic isolator design method applied to nuclear power facilities. The proposed improvement design methods consist of the following two items.
One is an improvement of design method for axial stress in a laminated rubber bearing. Largely different natural frequency in vertical and horizontal direction of the seismic isolator may need a special consideration to combine the design seismic loads in different directions. Therefore isolator’s behavior under multiple direction earthquake is studied, and an improved design method is proposed in the axial stress in a laminated rubber bearing.
The other is a reasonable design method for seismic isolator joints. A seismic isolator joint is considered to be one of the key factors for assuring seismic integrity of the seismic isolation system for nuclear power facilities. As a series of design method of seismic isolators, evaluation method of axial force of anchor bolts, among various parts of joints, under design level seismic load is studied and improved method is proposed to confirm the structural behavior for a better performance of the system.
Development of an Evaluation Method for Seismic Isolation Systems of Nuclear Power Facilities: Part 8 — Fundamental Properties of Full-Scale Lead Rubber Bearings Based on Breaking Test
Authors: Sato Nobuhisa , Nakayama Takashi , Kaneko Takashi , Nagata Seiji , Imaoka Tetsuo , Kurihara Keisuke , Hirai Hideo , Mizutani Ko , Umeki Yoshito 
Published: November 2014

This paper provides a part of the series “Development of an Evaluation Method for Seismic Isolation Systems of Nuclear Power Facilities.” This part shows the fundamental properties of full-scale lead rubber bearings with 1600 mm diameter based on break tests. The following results are mainly obtained.
One: The deformations and the acting loads of the full-scale specimens were accurately obtained up to break by the measurement system for the break tests.
Two: The fundamental properties for the full-scale lead rubber bearings with a large-diameter lead plug were obtained by the basic property tests. The load-displacement relations were stable and similar basic properties were obtained among the specimens.
Three: The result of shear break tests showed that the hardening property of the specimens had a certain harmony with the hardening stiffness model which was used in the seismic response analysis to investigate the safety margin for severe earthquakes beyond design basis earthquakes of nuclear power facilities. The effect of axial pressure on hardening property was not specifically observed. The evaluated linear strain limit was larger than 250% for every specimen.
Four: The softening property of the specimens was obtained from the tensile break tests. The axial stress of tensile yield was approx. 1.4 MPa and the axial stress did not show any negative gradient at least up to approx. 10% axial strain after the tensile yield even with offset shear strains.
Five: The tensile force acting on the bolts which secure the specimen to the testing machine was lower than the estimated tensile force at shear break, which indicates tensile force was conservatively calculated to maintain safety in the design for foundation of lead rubber bearings.
SILER Project: Design of the Seismic Isolators
Authors: Poggianti Alessandro , Forni Massimo , Ferrucci Barbara , Scipinotti Riccardo , De Bruyn Didier , Yoo Bong , De Grandis Silvia , Castellano Maria Gabriella , Dusi Alberto , Manzoni Elena 
Published: November 2014

This paper describes the SILER (Seismic-Initiated event risk mitigation in LEad-cooled Reactors) Project results obtained so far in the design of the seismic isolation system of two nuclear power plants: the ELSY configuration for the LFR (Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor) design and the MYRRHA configuration for the accelerator-driven systems (ADS).
The seismic protection of the nuclear buildings by means of seismic isolation has been chosen in order to minimize changes to the standard design of the civil works and internal components of the Nuclear Power Plant. The work led to the identification of the optimal design solution, in terms of type and location of seismic devices, to achieve compliance to the floor response acceleration spectra in horizontal and vertical direction, with levels of horizontal displacements not exceeding the maximum acceptable values for structural and non-structural elements.
The isolators studied in the project are of the type elastomeric, both High Damping Rubber Bearings and Lead Rubber Bearings; moreover the adoption of a fail-safe system to limit the horizontal isolator deformation in case of beyond design earthquakes is studied.
Creep Analysis of Hemisphere Shell Structure Under High Temperature Gradient
Authors: Zhu Jianwei , Bao Shiyi , Li Yuebing , Gao Zengliang 
Published: November 2014

The In-Vessel Retention (IVR) of molten core debris has been part of the severe accident management strategy for advanced pressurized water reactor (PWR) plant. Generally, the pressure is supposed to successfully be released, and the externally cooled lower head wall mainly experiences the temperature difference which may be more than 1000°C. However, the Fukushima accident shows that a certain pressure (up to 8.0MPa) still exists inside the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Therefore, in order to make the IVR succeed, it is necessary to investigate the structural integrity of the RPV under the combined internal pressure and the thermal load on the lower head.
Therefore, it is supposed that the lower head of RPV is a Hemisphere Shell Structure (HSS) with 2150mm external radius and 25mm wall thickness. Similarly, the outer wall temperature is supposed to be 127°C, the wall temperature difference 1200°C, and the material properties (i.e., thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, yield strength, and so on) are dependent on the temperature. In this paper, the main subjects discussed are as below.
First, the heat transfer analysis is carried out to obtain the temperature distribution of the HSS wall. Due to the high temperature gradient, there may present different failure modes along the HSS wall thickness, i.e., plastic failure and creep failure. Then, the stress and strain distributions along the wall thickness are analyzed by ANSYS finite element method where the Norton-Bailey type creep law is adopted. The result shows that the stress in the lower temperature part (LTP) whose temperature is lower than 405°C is lower than the yield stress of the material with the corresponding temperature. That is to say, the LTP still can bear a certain internal pressure. At last, to consider the combined impact of internal pressure and temperature difference on the HSS, the finite element analysis is carried out by adopting the isochronous stress-strain curves of the Chinese RPV material. The relationship between the stress in the LTP at 100 hours and the internal pressure is discussed, and the limit internal pressure is determined. It is concluded that HSS still can maintain its integrity under IVR, even if there exists a certain internal pressure.
Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire Australian Football League Season
Authors: Moreira Alexandre , Bilsborough Johann C. , Sullivan Courtney J. , Cianciosi Michael , Aoki Marcelo Saldanha , Coutts Aaron J. 
Published: November 2014

Purpose:To examine the training periodization of an elite Australian Football team during different phases of the season.Methods:Training-load data were collected during 22 wk of preseason and 23 wk of in-season training. Training load was measured using the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) for all training sessions and matches from 44 professional Australian Football players from the same team. Training intensity was divided into 3 zones based on session-RPE (low, <4; moderate, >4 AU and <7 AU; and high, >7 AU). Training load and intensity were analyzed according to the type of training session completed.Results:Higher training load and session duration were undertaken for all types of training sessions during the preseason than in-season (P < .05), with the exception of “other” training (ie, re/prehabilitation training, cross-training, and recovery activities). Training load and intensity were higher during the preseason, with the exception of games, where greater load and intensity were observed during the in-season. The overall distribution of training intensity was similar between phases with the majority of training performed at moderate or high intensity.Conclusions:The current findings may allow coaches and scientists to better understand the characteristics of Australian Football periodization, which in turn may aid in developing optimal training programs. The results also indicate that a polarized training-intensity distribution that has been reported in elite endurance athletes does not occur in professional Australian Football.
Structural Variations of the Cell Wall Precursor Lipid II and Their Influence on Binding and Activity of the Lipoglycopeptide Antibiotic Oritavancin
Authors: Münch Daniela , Engels Ina , Müller Anna , Reder-Christ Katrin , Falkenstein-Paul Hildegard , Bierbaum Gabriele , Grein Fabian , Bendas Gerd , Sahl Hans-Georg , Schneider Tanja 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Oritavancin is a semisynthetic derivative of the glycopeptide antibiotic chloroeremomycin with activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including vancomycin-resistant staphylococci and enterococci. Compared to vancomycin, oritavancin is characterized by the presence of two additional residues, a hydrophobic 4′-chlorobiphenyl methyl moiety and a 4-epi-vancosamine substituent, which is also present in chloroeremomycin. Here, we show that oritavancin and its des-
N
-methylleucyl variant (des-oritavancin) effectively inhibit lipid I- and lipid II-consuming peptidoglycan biosynthesis reactions
in vitro
. In contrast to that for vancomycin, the binding affinity of oritavancin to the cell wall precursor lipid II appears to involve, in addition to the
d
-Ala-
d
-Ala terminus, other species-specific binding sites of the lipid II molecule, i.e., the crossbridge and
d
-isoglutamine in position 2 of the lipid II stem peptide, both characteristic for a number of Gram-positive pathogens, including staphylococci and enterococci. Using purified lipid II and modified lipid II variants, we studied the impact of these modifications on the binding of oritavancin and compared it to those of vancomycin, chloroeremomycin, and des-oritavancin. Analysis of the binding parameters revealed that additional intramolecular interactions of oritavancin with the peptidoglycan precursor appear to compensate for the loss of a crucial hydrogen bond in vancomycin-resistant strains, resulting in enhanced binding affinity. Augmenting previous findings, we show that amidation of the lipid II stem peptide predominantly accounts for the increased binding of oritavancin to the modified intermediates ending in
d
-Ala-
d
-Lac. Corroborating our conclusions, we further provide biochemical evidence for the phenomenon of the antagonistic effects of
mecA
and
vanA
resistance determinants in
Staphylococcus aureus
, thus partially explaining the low frequency of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) acquiring high-level vancomycin resistance.
Correlation betweenIn VitroComplement Deposition and Passive Mouse Protection of Anti-Pneumococcal Surface Protein A Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Khan Naeem , Qadri Raies Ahmad , Sehgal Devinder 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe shortcomings of the licensed polysaccharide-based pneumococcal vaccine are driving efforts toward development of a protein-based vaccine that is serotype independent and effective in all age groups. An opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA) is used to evaluate the antibody response against polysaccharide-based pneumococcal vaccines. However, the OPKA is not reliable for noncapsular antigens. Thus, there is a need to develop anin vitrosurrogate for protection for protein vaccine candidates like pneumococcal surface antigen A (PspA). PspA is a serologically variable cell surface virulence factor. Based on its sequence, PspA has been classified into families 1 (clade 1 and 2), 2 (clades 3, 4 and 5), and 3 (clade 6). Here, we report the characterization of 18 IgG anti-PspA monoclonal antibodies (anti-PspAhkR36AMAbs) generated from mice immunized with heat-killed strain R36A (clade 2). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based analysis of the reactivity of the MAbs with recombinant PspAs from the 6 clades indicated that they were family 1 specific. This was confirmed by flow cytometry using a hyperimmune serum generated against PspA from R36A. Eight MAbs that bind at least one clade 1- and clade 2-expressing strain were evaluated for complement deposition, bactericidal activity, and passive protection. The anti-PspAhkR36AMAb-dependent deposition of complement on pneumococci showed a positive correlation with passive protection against strain WU2 (r= 0.8783,P= 0.0041). All of our protective MAbs showed bactericidal activity; however, not all MAbs that exhibited bactericidal activity conferred protectionin vivo. The protective MAbs described here can be used to identify conserved protection eliciting B cell epitopes for engineering a superior PspA-based vaccine.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of the Xpert GBS LB Assay for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Prenatal Screening Specimens
Authors: Buchan Blake W. , Faron Matthew L. , Fuller DeAnna , Davis Thomas E. , Mayne Donna , Ledeboer Nathan A. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Neonatal infection with
Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B
Streptococcus
[GBS]) is a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns. Recent guidelines have recommended universal screening of all pregnant women to identify those colonized with GBS and administration of peripartum prophylaxis to those identified as carriers to reduce the risk of early-onset GBS disease in neonates. Enriched culture methods are the current standard for prenatal GBS screening; however, the implementation of more sensitive molecular diagnostic tests may be able to further reduce the risk of early-onset GBS infection. We report a clinical evaluation of the Xpert GBS LB assay, a molecular diagnostic test for the identification of GBS from broth-enriched vaginal/rectal specimens obtained during routine prenatal screening. A total of 826 specimens were collected from women undergoing prenatal screening (35 to 37 weeks' gestation) and tested at one of three clinical centers. Each swab specimen was tested directly prior to enrichment using the Xpert GBS assay. Following 18 to 24 h of broth enrichment, each specimen was tested using the Xpert GBS LB assay and the FDA-cleared Smart GBS assay as a molecular diagnostic comparator. Results obtained using all three molecular tests were compared to those for broth-enriched culture as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert GBS LB assay were 99.0% and 92.4%, respectively, compared to those for the gold standard culture. The Smart GBS molecular test demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 96.8% and 95.5%, respectively. The sensitivities of the two broth-enriched molecular methods were superior to those for direct testing of specimens using the Xpert GBS assay, which demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 96.2%, respectively.
Abortive Intrabronchial Infection of Rhesus Macaques with Varicella-Zoster Virus Provides Partial Protection against Simian Varicella Virus Challenge
Authors: Meyer Christine , Engelmann Flora , Arnold Nicole , Krah David L. , ter Meulen Jan , Haberthur Kristen , Dewane Jesse , Messaoudi Ilhem 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus and the etiological agent of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ, shingles). Previously, inoculation of monkeys via the subcutaneous, intratracheal, intravenous, or oral-nasal-conjunctival routes did not recapitulate all the hallmarks of VZV infection, including varicella, immunity, latency, and reactivation. Intrabronchial inoculation of rhesus macaques (RMs) with simian varicella virus (SVV), a homolog of VZV, recapitulates virologic and immunologic hallmarks of VZV infection in humans. Given that VZV is acquired primarily via the respiratory route, we investigated whether intrabronchial inoculation of RMs with VZV would result in a robust model. Despite the lack of varicella and viral replication in either the lungs or whole blood, all four RMs generated an immune response characterized by the generation of VZV-specific antibodies and T cells. Two of 4 VZV-inoculated RMs were challenged with SVV to determine cross-protection. VZV-immune RMs displayed no varicella rash and had lower SVV viral loads and earlier and stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than controls. In contrast to the results for SVV DNA, no VZV DNA was detected in sensory ganglia at necropsy. In summary, following an abortive VZV infection, RMs developed an adaptive immune response that conferred partial protection against SVV challenge. These data suggest that a replication-incompetent VZV vaccine that does not establish latency may provide sufficient protection against VZV disease and that VZV vaccination of RMs followed by SVV challenge provides a model to evaluate new vaccines and therapeutics against VZV.

IMPORTANCE
Although VZV vaccine strain Oka is attenuated, it can cause mild varicella, establish latency, and in rare cases, reactivate to cause herpes zoster (HZ). Moreover, studies suggest that the HZ vaccine (Zostavax) only confers short-lived immunity. The development of more efficacious vaccines would be facilitated by a robust animal model of VZV infection. The data presented in this report show that intrabronchial inoculation of rhesus macaques (RMs) with VZV resulted in an abortive VZV infection. Nevertheless, all animals generated a humoral and cellular immune response that conferred partial cross-protection against simian varicella virus (SVV) challenge. Additionally, VZV DNA was not detected in the sensory ganglia, suggesting that viremia might be required for the establishment of latency. Therefore, VZV vaccination of RMs followed by SVV challenge is a model that will support the development of vaccines that boost protective T cell responses against VZV.
Management of transient ischaemic attacks in the emergency department: a quality improvement project
Authors: Wydall Simon , Gordon Andrew , Sims Mark 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe initial management of transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) effectively triages patients into either high or low risk categories. The literature demonstrates that the identification of high risk patients significantly reduces the subsequent risk of stroke. The administration of aspirin following a TIA reduces the risk of stroke by approximately 25%.A full cycle retrospective audit which included a baseline audit with two improvement cycles was completed. The notes of every patient presenting to Croydon University Hospital’s emergency department (ED), who were subsequently diagnosed with a TIA were reviewed, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement and to implement sustainable long term interventions aimed to improve patient safety.The patient’s notes were compared with the guidelines for the management of TIA. The baseline audit demonstrated results requiring an immediate intervention. A teaching session was provided for new FY2 doctors starting their emergency medicine rotations, which covered the initial management of TIA and the importance of following the local guideline.The first improvement cycle saw an improvement in all outcomes measured. A statistically significant improvement (P-value = 0.05) was seen in the documentation of symptoms in the prior week and the prescription of antiplatelets in the department. Furthermore, where only 31% of TIA patients received antiplatelets at the baseline measurement, 86% received this treatment during the first improvement cycle. This means that 55% more patients received improved initial management, subsequently reducing their stroke risk by 25%. Similar results were seen in the second improvement cycle, thus demonstrating the intervention had been both successful and sustainable.In conclusion, a simple intervention can provide significant and sustainable improvements to the management of TIA in the ED.
The prevalence of life-limiting illness at a Ugandan National Referral Hospital: a 1-day census of all admitted patients
Authors: Jacinto Amandua , Masembe Victoria , Tumwesigye Nazarius Mbona , Harding Richard 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundAlthough models of hospital-based palliative care are common in high-income countries, they are rare in low-income countries despite the high burden of progressive disease.AimTo measure the proportion of all adult and child patients admitted with previously diagnosed active life-limiting disease, who therefore may be appropriate for palliative care provision, across all beds.DesignOne-day 24 h census using chart review across every ward and department.Setting/participantsAll admitted patients at a large tertiary referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.ResultsOf 1763 reviewed patients, 663 (37.7%) had a diagnosed active life-limiting disease. Of these, 130 (19.6%) were children. The most prevalent diagnoses were HIV (41.7%), cancer (41.5%) and heart disease (9.2%). During the 24 h census period 19 patients died (population mortality rate 0.01%).ConclusionsIn order to appropriately respond to need, hospital-based palliative care services in low-income settings must be of adequate size to respond to high prevalence of life-limiting illness, and to provide education and support to clinical colleagues managing all patients with life-limiting disease.