bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of SELE genotypes/haplotypes with sE-selectin levels in Taiwanese individuals: interactive effect of MMP9 level
Authors: Wu Semon , Hsu Lung-An , Teng Ming-Sheng , Lin Jeng-Feng , Chang Hsien-Hsun , Sun Yu-Chen , Chen Hsuan-Pu , Ko Yu-Lin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundE-selectin is implicated in various inflammatory processes and related disorders. We aimed to investigate the role ofSELE-gene genotypes/haplotypes on plasma levels of MMP9 and sE-selectin in Taiwanese individuals.MethodsFive hundred twenty individuals were enrolled. Seven taggingSELEsingle nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed.ResultsSELEgenotypes were found associated with MMP9 and sE-selectin levels. Multivariate analysis identified that the most significant genetic polymorphism (rs5368 genotype) was independently associated with MMP9 levels (P < 0.001). One haplotype (GGAGAGT) was marginally associated with MMP9 levels (P = 0.0490). OneSELESNP, (rs3917406,P = 0.031) was associated with sE-selectin levels after adjusting for MMP9 and sICAM1 levels. Subgroup and interaction analysis revealed association ofSELESNP rs10800469 with sE-selectin levels only in the highest quartile of MMP9 level (P = 0.002, interactionP = 0.023). Haplotype analysis showed one haplotype (AAAAAGC) borderline associated with sE-selectin level (P = 0.0511).ConclusionSELEgenotypes/haplotypes are independently associated with MMP9 and E-selectin levels in Taiwanese individuals. The associations ofSELEgenotypes/haplotypes with sE-selectin levels are affected by MMP9 levels.
Nanoscale electrical property studies of individual GeSi quantum rings by conductive scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Lv Yi , Cui Jian , Jiang Zuimin M , Yang Xinju 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The nanoscale electrical properties of individual self-assembled GeSi quantum rings (QRs) were studied by scanning probe microscopy-based techniques. The surface potential distributions of individual GeSi QRs are obtained by scanning Kelvin microscopy (SKM). Ring-shaped work function distributions are observed, presenting that the QRs' rim has a larger work function than the QRs' central hole. By combining the SKM results with those obtained by conductive atomic force microscopy and scanning capacitance microscopy, the correlations between the surface potential, conductance, and carrier density distributions are revealed, and a possible interpretation for the QRs' conductance distributions is suggested.
Does gap-free intensity modulated chemoradiation therapy provide a greater clinical benefit than 3D conformal chemoradiation in patients with anal cancer?
Authors: Dewas Claire Vautravers , Maingon Philippe , Dalban Cécile , Petitfils Aurélie , Peignaux Karine , Truc Gilles , Martin Etienne , Khoury Cédric , Dewas Sylvain , Créhange Gilles 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Chemoradiation is the standard treatment for anal cancer. 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) is usually split in 2 sequences with a therapeutic break (gap) in between. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) makes it possible to reduce treatment time by abandoning this gap. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes and toxicities in patients treated with either IMRT or 3D-CRT.

Methods
Between 2004 and 2011, the data of 51 patients treated with exclusive radiotherapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy for non-metastatic anal carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-seven patients were treated with 3D-CRT and 24 patients with IMRT, with a median dose delivered to the tumor of 59.4Gy [30.6-66.6], whatever the radiotherapy technique (p= 0.99). The median follow-up was 40 months [26.4-51.6].

Results
There was no difference between the two groups for response to treatment (p= 0.46). Two-year overall survival, locoregional relapse-free survival and colostomy-free survival rates were 88.5%, 63% and 60.3%, respectively for the IMRT group and 81%, 76.5% and 81.1% for the 3D-CRT group (all NS). Ten patients (37%) in 3D-CRT and 11 patients (45.8%) in IMRT (p= 0.524) had grade 3 acute toxicity. No grade 4 toxicity occurred.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that further investigations concerning the use of IMRT to treat cancer of the anus are warranted. IMRT makes it possible to remove the gap, but with no impact on the prognosis. Nonetheless, a longer follow-up is essential to determine whether or not IMRT has an impact on late toxicity, local control and survival compared with conventional 3D-CRT.
Hippocampal volumes in patients exposed to low-dose radiation to the basal brain. A case–control study in long-term survivors from cancer in the head and neck region
Authors: Olsson Erik , Eckerström Carl , Berg Gertrud , Borga Magnus , Ekholm Sven , Johannsson Gudmundur , Ribbelin Susanne , Starck Göran , Wysocka Anna , Löfdahl Elisabet , Malmgren Helge 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
An earlier study from our group of long time survivors of head and neck cancer who had received a low radiation dose to the hypothalamic-pituitary region, with no signs of recurrence or pituitary dysfunction, had their quality of life (QoL) compromised as compared with matched healthy controls. Hippocampal changes have been shown to accompany several psychiatric conditions and the aim of the present study was to test whether the patients’ lowered QoL was coupled to a reduction in hippocampal volume.

Methods
Patients (11 men and 4 women, age 31–65) treated for head and neck cancer 4–10 years earlier and with no sign of recurrence or pituitary dysfunction, and 15 matched controls were included. The estimated radiation doses to the basal brain including the hippocampus (1.5 – 9.3 Gy) had been calculated in the earlier study. The hippocampal volumetry was done on coronal sections from a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Measurements were done by two independent raters, blinded to patients and controls, using a custom method for computer assisted manual segmentation. The volumes were normalized for intracranial volume which was also measured manually. The paired t test and Wilcoxon’s signed rank test were used for the main statistical analysis.

Results
There was no significant difference with respect to left, right or total hippocampal volume between patients and controls. All mean differences were close to zero, and the two-tailed 95% confidence interval for the difference in total, normalized volume does not include a larger than 8% deficit in the patients.

Conclusion
The study gives solid evidence against the hypothesis that the patients’ lowered quality of life was due to a major reduction of hippocampal volume.
Knowledge of prescribed medication information among patients with limited English proficiency in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Thisara , Ranasinghe Priyanga , Perera Udeshika , Perera Sherin , Adikari Madura , Jayasinghe Saroj , Constantine Godwin R 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Patients’ knowledge on prescribed medications play a key role in the long term management of cardiac diseases and in determining their outcome. The present study evaluates the knowledge about prescribed medication among cardiac patients and aim to identify factors influencing knowledge.

Methods
A descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adult patients attending clinics at the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Knowledge assessment focused on four different sections; drug name, dose, frequency and indication. The total score of 60 was calculated by giving each component the following weighted scores; drug name = 20, indication = 20, drug dose = 10 and frequency = 10. A binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate factors associated with ‘good knowledge’ (total score ≥ 40) was performed.

Results
Among 200 participants 56.5% (n = 113) were males. Mean age was 59.7 ± 8.2 years and a majority (n = 170, 85.0%) were older than 50 years of age. Sinhala was the primary language of 91.5% (n = 183) of participants, while English was the primary language in only two of the study participants (1.0%). Eighty four percent of the participants were educated up to secondary education or above, while 2.5% (n = 5) had no formal education. The overall knowledge (total score-60) on prescribed medications among the study population was ‘poor’ (score ≤ 20) in 46%, ‘adequate’ (score 21–40) in 36.5% and ‘good’ (score ≥ 40) in 17.5%. The results of the binary logistic regression analysis indicates that Secondary (OR-1.53) and Tertiary levels (OR-2.79) of education, self-reported perception of illness as being Moderate (OR-1.23) or Severe (OR-1.70) and being educated by a doctor (as reported by patients) (OR-1.69) significantly increased the odds of having a ‘Good Knowledge of Drugs’. Majority of the patients were unable to read and understand the information written in English. The doctor’s contributed towards educating on drug information only in 33.0% of the patients.

Conclusion
In a resource-poor setting in patients with Limited English Proficiency, lower level of education and misperception of illness severity resulted in reduced knowledge on prescribed medications. Furthermore, being educated by a doctor significantly improved knowledge. However the doctors’ contribution at present to deliver quality health information to their patients was at an unsatisfactory level.
Active social insurance
Authors: Røed Knut 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The paper argues that a comprehensive activation strategy is called for – in both unemployment and disability insurance – to minimize the conflict between income insurance and work incentives and to prevent the economic crisis from causing a long-lasting decline in labor force participation. A review of recent empirical evidence, particularly from the Scandinavian countries, indicates that “mild” activation requirements effectively counteract moral hazard problems in social insurance. The paper also argues that the distinction between unemployment and disability is blurred, and that both temporary and permanent disability insurance programs should be designed to encourage and support the use of remaining (partial) work capacity.
Les mâts d’ornement des pylônes aux époques ptolémaïque et romaine: entre réalité et idéal
Authors: Martzolff Laetitia 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Numerous representations of pylons, formed from towers and front masts, remain from the New Kingdom. The images square with several texts describing pylons and tally with archaeological finds which prove that masts were erected in front of the towers. In the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, the form of the pylon was used several times in architecture. Constructions of this kind, though from their outer aspect they are reminiscent of New Kingdom monuments, yet present architectural novelty: their towers are hollow. As for the masts however, to judge from the evidence provided by archaeological finds, they seem to have ceased to be erected, though they are still mentioned in texts. This article investigates each pylon and takes into consideration other kinds of documentation in two and three dimensions (models, coins, pictures) in order to analyse the situation of the masts and to understand how the monument was understood by architects and artists. The conclusions are that they were idealizing the pylons with their masts and the fixation system, for, in fact, masts generally stopped being placed in front of the pylon-towers. Various factors lie behind this change. An explanation based on the dimensions of the monuments is here put forward but a possible problem of wood supply can be another factor.
Application of field emission scanning electron microscopy for observing irradiated fuel materials
Authors: Sasaki S. , Maeda K. , Yamada A. , Asaga T. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe microstructure change of the uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuels (MOX fuels) irradiated in a fast reactor occurs because of a radial temperature gradient. To make detailed observations and elemental analyses of fuel samples, a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped with a wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (WDX) was installed in a hot laboratory.Because fuel samples have high radioactivities and emit α-particles, the instrument was modified as follows :1)The instrument was attached to a remote control air-tight sample transfer unit between a shielded hot cell and the FE-SEM.2)The FE-SEM was installed in a lead shield box and the control unit was separately located outside the box.After the installation, the microscopy and elemental analyses were applied to low burnup fuel samples. High resolution images were obtained and characteristic X-rays (U, Pu, and so on) emitted from the sample surface were measured. The technique has the great advantage of being able to evaluate the irradiated fuels in detail. In future work, samples of even higher radioactive will be observed and analyzed.
Vitrocerus: An alternative for processing MTR spent fuel from research reactors
Authors: Arboleda P.A , Rodríguez D.S , Prado M.O 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTResearch reactors spent fuels disposal is a problematic area that conduces to the quest of feasible solutions for ensure safe destination of the spent fuels. In this work, a new method for processing spent fuel from MTR reactors is presenting. The main objective of this process, is the immobilization of principal radioactive elements that are present in the spent fuel, in order to achieve a suitable material which could be temporally stored safely. The Vitrocerus method involves ordinary physical procedures performed in a hot cell. It differs from conventional vitrification because there is a reduction in volume of glass material added.The process propose the ceramization of a mixture of spent fuel plates (wich were milled and calcined previously) with natural uranium oxide (U3O8) to obtain the desired isotopic dilution (to low the U235 enrichment). At the same time, a small fraction of VG98/12 glass [1] was added to enhance low temperature sintering. The treatment and conditioning tasks proposed in Vitrocerus were tested on MTR fuel miniplates that simulate a real U3Si2 dispersed in Al fuel, which were successfully transformed into ceramic sintered pellets [2,3] with low enrichment, structural integrity, outstanding mechanical properties and water corrosion resistance. Eventually these pellets could be stored safely in an interim dry storage facility.
A Comparison of Alumino and Calcium Phosphate Sintering Aids for Consolidation of Halide Containing Wastes
Authors: Fong Shirley K. , Metcalfe Brian 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTA process has been developed at AWE for the immobilisation of halide containing wastes arising from the reprocessing of plutonium. Initially, the wastes are calcined with a calcium phosphate to form a number of target host phases, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and apatite for the immobilisation of actinides, and apatite and spodiosite for halide.These mineral phases are then mixed with a glass binder, cold pressed and sintered to form a monolithic waste form. Two glass binders GTI/168, a sodium alumino phosphate glass and GTI/206, a sodium calcium phosphate glass were compared to optimise the halide retention in the waste-form. Analysis from powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that neither glass stabilises spodiosite. However, GTI/206 glass retains 10 wt.% more apatite and results in a much smaller proportion of the non-chloride bearing whitlockite phase than GTI/168.In all compositions where GTI/168 glass was used as a sintering aid, the sodium deficient and calcium enriched glass was present as an amorphous matrix phase.
An Experimental Determination of the Thermophysical Properties of [NZP]-Structure Type Ceramics
Authors: Gregg Daniel J. , Karatchevtseva Inna , Triani Gerry , Lumpkin Gregory R. , Vance Eric R. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTCalcium and barium zirconium phosphates were prepared by hot isostatic pressing and their thermophysical properties investigated for potential use as actinide hosts for inert matrix fuels (IMF) in light water reactors. The materials are thermally stable up to at least 1600°C in air, however they degrade above around 1400°C in an inert atmosphere. The heat capacity and thermal conductivity were measured from room temperature up to 1200°C. The thermal conductivity coefficient for both CZP and BZP at 1000°C is 1.0 W m-1 K-1, a relatively low thermal conductivity that requires NZP-type materials to be dispersed in a composite cercer or cermet IMF.
Factors in the Selection of Container Materials for the Disposal of HLW/SF
Authors: King Fraser 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe container is the only absolute barrier in the multi-barrier system that forms the basis of all nuclear waste disposal strategies. The selection of an appropriate container material is therefore of utmost importance. Some of the factors that underlay the choice of container material are discussed, ranging from the properties of the near-field and host rock to the desired or expected containment period.There has been a trend towards the specification of container materials that will corrode actively under repository conditions, such as copper and carbon steel. Passive materials, such as titanium and nickel alloys and the various stainless steels, have found less acceptance and the reasons for this emphasis on active materials are also discussed.In selecting an appropriate container material, it is essential to understand the nature of the corrosive environment and how it evolves over time. The evolution of environmental conditions will also cause the corrosion behaviour of the container to change with time. For repositories in saturated environments, it will be argued that passive alloys can provide long container lifetimes without some of the disadvantages of some active materials such as gas generation and other adverse impacts on other barriers.Finally, areas of future development and areas requiring additional study will be discussed.
Lessons Learned from the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository Project The Engineered Barrier System
Authors: Duquette D. J. , Di Bella C. A. W. , Latanision R. M. , Kirstein B. E. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTNuclear waste isolation programs both inside and outside the United States have provided evidence that there are many geologic options for a repository, but virtually all of them rely to some degree on an engineered barrier system (EBS) to isolate and/or retard the migration of radionuclides to the biosphere. At Yucca Mountain, the design of the EBS was unexpectedly challenging because of uncertainties in quantitatively determining the local environment of the EBS particularly during the thermal pulse. The EBS design for the Yucca Mountain site evolved from a thin-walled, limited-lifetime, corrosion-resistant canister through a corrosion-allowance canister, to the present design, which may have a lifetime of more than 106years. The EBS proposed for the Yucca Mountain repository has many individual sub-barriers, beginning with the spent fuel and waste, the cladding of the spent fuel, the geometry of the package, etc. The anticipated modes of degradation of engineering materials, including corrosion of the fuel, of the canister, and of the drip shield proposed specifically for the Yucca Mountain project, and the consequences of the materials degradation on the performance of the repository are presented. The roles of conservative modeling and simplifying assumptions for radionuclide mobilization and transport in the EBS on characterization of the source term are addressed.
Processing Characteristics and Strength of Magnesium Phosphate Cement Formulations Compatible with UK Nuclear Waste Treatment Plants
Authors: Montague W. , Vandeperre L. , Hayes M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTCementation is the dominant encapsulation technology for UK intermediate level waste (ILW) from nuclear operations. However, Portland cement (PC) based encapsulation systems encourage corrosion of reactive metals such as uranium, aluminium and magnesium. Thus, the development of alternative systems is required. A candidate alternative system is magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) and in this paper the results of a wide testing programme to establish a formulation envelope for MKPC is presented. This envelope determines a region where bleed production, fluidity and workability are within a range suitable for plant processing and encapsulation. Additionally, the evolution of the compressive strength with curing age for multiple formulations and curing temperatures was determined. Fly ash (PFA) inclusion was found to be highly beneficial to slurry workability and its addition also improved strength; high PFA content formulations reached compressive strength values of 34 ±2 MPa and 44 ± 2 MPa at 28 days and 180 days respectively. A decreased in achieved compressive strengths was observed on increasing the curing temperature from 47 °C to 72 °C.
Alteration and dissolution of Na-montmorillonite in simulated groundwaters
Authors: Myllykylä E. , Tanhua-Tyrkkö M. , Bouchet A. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThis study aims at gaining a better understanding of the behaviour of montmorillonite in contact with different ground waters; alteration of montmorillonite and possible formation of secondary minerals. Batch experiments were conducted with purified Swy-2 montmorillonite in simulated fresh (I=0.05 M, pH 8) and saline (I=0.1 M, pH 11) waters at 25 and 60ºC in anaerobic (Ar(g)) conditions. The concentrations of Al, Fe; Mg and Si were analysed from ultra-filtered solution samples with HR-ICP-MS (High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The amount of released Si depended strongly on the experimental conditions. The Si concentrations at 60oC in the saline and fresh waters showed a difference greater than an order of magnitude. The initial purified montmorillonite and the solid materials from experiments were analysed with XRD. The analysis indicated that the nature of smectite did not change, but the experimental conditions, more or less, modified the structure of montmorillonite, e.g., in fresh waters the XRD spectra showed peaks typical of mixed layer minerals, which can refer to the presence of either randomly ordered illite/smectite or randomly ordered collapsed smectite/ hydrated smectite layers. The dissolution of montmorillonite was studied also by modelling with TOUGHREACT. The experimental and modelled results were compared revealing a need to develop the model e.g. in respect of the evolution of pH.
Na/Ca selectivity coefficients of montmorillonite in perchlorate solution at different temperatures
Authors: Itälä Aku , Muurinen Arto 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe Finnish spent nuclear fuel disposal is based on the Swedish KBS-3 concept in crystalline bedrock. The concept aims at long-term isolation and containment of spent fuel in copper canisters surrounded by bentonite buffer which mostly consists of montmorillonite. For the long-term modelling of the chemical processes in the buffer, the cation-exchange selectivity coefficients have to be known at different temperatures. In this work, the cation-exchange selectivity coefficients and cation-exchange isotherms were determined in batch experiments for montmorillonite at three different temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C and 75 °C). Five different ratios of NaClO4/Ca(ClO4)2 were used in the experimental solutions. After equilibration the solution and montmorillonite were separated and the solution analysed to get the desired exchange parameters. The experiments were modelled with a computational model capable of taking into account the physicochemical processes that take place in the experiment.