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AbstractAn analysis of the stability margins of the innovative Holos-Quad microreactor design is presented. This high-temeprature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) system is designed to operate fully autonomously with passive safety mechanisms. Therefore, the inherent stability of the reactor is of great importance. Using a point-reactor model, which couples point kinetics to thermal-hydraulic heat balance equations and includes reactivity feedback effects of the fuel and moderator temperatures, the closed-loop transfer function of the reactor is derived. Applying the approach of linear systems and control theory, both the gain and phase margins of the Holos-Quad design are obtained. The analysis demonstrates that the design is stable, with an infinite gain margin and a finite phase margin.A parametric uncertainty quantification study is also performed using a total Monte Carlo approach. The stability of the reactor for different power levels, such as during reactor startup or load-following transients, is also explored. Finally, two sensitivity analysis methods are applied, namely, multiple regression (deriving standardized regression coefficients) and variance-based sensitivity analysis (known as the Sobol method), to study the contribution of each of the parameters to the stability margins’ uncertainty. This analysis improves our understanding of the role of each of the parameters in the stability of the reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in the female presence in the labor market, policies aimed at the integration of women have gained significant importance. Among these policies, maternity leave stands out, the purpose of which is to protect women's employment at the end of pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. This article aims to analyze the challenges that arise when women seek to reintegrate into the labor market after the gestational period. The methodological approach used is qualitative, with an exploratory emphasis. For data collection and analysis, semi-structured interviews were carried out, followed by the application of Bardin's Content Analysis. There are many obstacles faced by women after maternity leave, which directly influence their work performance. The results obtained corroborate the theories that underlie this research, contribute to knowledge on the subject and stimulate discussions that can support formulations of new public policies in order to minimize the problem studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The median age of the patients was 56 years, and 15 patients suffered from SAH, 2 patients from postoperative hydrocephalus, and 1 patient each from intracerebral hemorrhage, subdural empyema, and traumatic brain injury. For this reason, we also examined CSF samples with blood, as they are typically present in intracranial hemorrhage CSF specimens. Given that red blood cells also contain large amounts of NSE hemolysis may cause a marked increase of NSE in CSF samples. We therefore assume that CSF-repellant properties of the CSF filter system that are supposed to prevent ascending infections do cause an inconsistent downstream drainage of cells into the overflow system. [Extracted from the article]

The Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST) experiment aims at the direct detection of dark matter particles via their elastic scattering off nuclei in a scintillating CaWO 4 target crystal. The CaWO 4 crystal is operated together with a light detector at mK temperature and read out by a Transition Edge Sensor. For many years, CaWO 4 crystals have successfully been produced in-house at Technical University of Munich (TUM) with a focus on high radiopurity which is crucial to reduce background originating from radioactive contamination. In order to further improve the CaWO 4 crystals, an extensive chemical purification of the raw materials and the synthesised CaWO 4 powder has been performed. In addition, a temperature gradient simulation of the growth process and subsequently an optimisation of the growth furnace with the goal to reduce the intrinsic stress was carried out. We present results on the intrinsic stress in the CaWO 4 crystals and on the CaWO 4 powder radiopurity. A crystal grown from the purified material was installed in the current CRESST set-up. The detector is equipped with an instrumented holder which is used to measure the alpha decay rate of the crystal. We present a preliminary analysis showing a significantly reduced intrinsic background from natural decay chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green governance of common goods balances the collective actions of economic production and the preservation of natural resources. This study improves the governance of sustainable initiatives with the concept of practice, answering the following question: how do collective practices support green governance? We performed an instrumental case study of the 'Rede Ecovida,' an agroecology network of 4,500 families. We adopted a qualitative approach based on experiential knowledge, collected through participant and non-participant observations, interviews, and documents and submitted to thematic analysis. We found that collective practices affect and are affected by the green governance constructs. Based on our findings, we evidence the dynamic interdependence between elements of practice and the constructs of green governance and we propose guidelines for the collective decision-making in sustainable initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the thermal cycling stability of mirrors made of silicon particle reinforced aluminum compounds, containing an amount of 42 ± 2 wt.% silicon particles, is investigated with respect to thermal loading. The compound is processed by single-point diamond turning to optical mirrors that were subsequently thermally cycled in a temperature range between 40 °C to −60 °C and between 20 °C and −196 °C, respectively. The residual shape change of the optical surface was analyzed using Fizeau interferometry at room temperature. The change of shape deviation of the mirrors is compared with dilatometric studies of cylinders using the same temperature regime. Due to different coefficients of thermal expansion of the two constituents of the compound, thermal mismatch stresses in the ductile aluminum matrix and the brittle silicon particles are induced by the investigated thermal loads. The plasticity that occurs causes the formation of dislocations and stacking faults as substantiated by Transmission Electron Microscopy. It could be shown that the silicon particles lead to the cold working process of the reinforced aluminum matrix upon thermal cycling. By using interferometry, a higher dimensional stability of mirrors made of silicon particle reinforced aluminum due to thermal loads is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to understand which paths can be explored in terms of theoreticalmethodological choices about the Actor-Network Theory and what are the consequences of these choices considering the field of Management research in Brazil. To this goal, it was analyzed qualitatively how ANT was used in 24 dissertations from Brazilian Graduate Programs in Administration. In the end, we point out the existence of two paths: one that approaches and another that moves away from relational ontology and the processual perspective of ANT. These paths are distinguished between "using ANT" or "participating in the ANT agency". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCV is a positive-strand RNA virus that primarily infects human hepatocytes. Recent studies have reported that C19orf66 is expressed as an interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene; however, the intrinsic regulation of this gene within the liver as well as its antiviral effects against HCV remain elusive. Expression of C19orf66 was quantified in both liver biopsies and primary human hepatocytes, with or without HCV infection. Mechanistic studies of the potent anti-HCV phenotype mediated by C19orf66 were conducted using state-of-the-art virological, biochemical and genetic approaches, as well as correlative light and electron microscopy and transcriptome and proteome analysis. Upregulation of C19orf66 mRNA was observed in both primary human hepatocytes upon HCV infection and in the livers of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In addition, pegIFNα/ribavirin therapy induced C19orf66 expression in patients with CHC. Transcriptomic profiling and whole cell proteomics of hepatoma cells ectopically expressing C19orf66 revealed no induction of other antiviral genes. Expression of C19orf66 restricted HCV infection, whereas CRIPSPR/Cas9 mediated knockout of C19orf66 attenuated IFN-mediated suppression of HCV replication. Co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry identified a stress granule protein-dominated interactome of C19orf66. Studies with subgenomic HCV replicons and an expression system revealed that C19orf66 expression impairs HCV-induced elevation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, alters the morphology of the viral replication organelle (termed the membranous web) and thereby targets viral RNA replication. C19orf66 is an IFN-stimulated gene, which is upregulated in hepatocytes within the first hours post IFN treatment or HCV infection in vivo. The encoded protein possesses specific antiviral activity against HCV and targets the formation of the membranous web. Our study identifies C19orf66 as an IFN-inducible restriction factor with a novel antiviral mechanism that specifically targets HCV replication. Interferon-stimulated genes are thought to be important to for antiviral immune responses to HCV. Herein, we analysed C19orf66, an interferon-stimulated gene, which appears to inhibit HCV replication. It prevents the HCV-induced elevation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate and alters the morphology of HCV's replication organelle. • C19orf66 is upregulated in vivo upon HCV infection and IFN therapy. • Expression of C19orf66 restricts HCV infection. • C19orf66 alters the morphology of the viral replication organelle. • The zinc finger motif of C19orf66 is crucial for its restriction capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an organizational context in which Knowledge Management has received increasing appreciation, the Communities of Practice appear as a managerial tool to promote organizational learning, which can be seen as an inherently social process. Most of the critical development factors of Communities of Practice are linked to their social structure. Therefore, the final objective is to present a theoretical proposal for the analysis of Communities of Practice under the bias of Social Networks. The analysis of the presented constructs makes it possible to highlight the informal relations existing in Communities of Practice, even when intentionally created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) usually causes a self-limiting disease, but especially immunocompromised individuals are at risk to develop a chronic and severe course of infection. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAKi) are a novel drug class for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIRD). As JAKs play a key role in innate immunity, viral infections and reactivations are frequently reported during JAKi treatment in AIRD patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of JAKis on HEV replication. To this end, we evaluated liver enzymes of an AIRD patient under JAKi therapy with hepatitis E. Further, experiments with HEV (Kernow-C1 p6) were performed by infection of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) followed by immunofluorescence staining of viral markers and transcriptomic analysis. Infection experiments in PHHs displayed an up to 50-fold increase of progeny virus production during JAKi treatment and transcriptomic analysis revealed induction of antiviral programs during infection. Upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) was perturbed in the presence of JAKis, concomitant with elevated HEV RNA levels. The obtained results suggest that therapeutic JAK inhibition increases HEV replication by modulating the HEV-triggered immune response. Therefore, JAKi treatment and the occurrence of elevated liver enzymes requires a monitoring of potential HEV infections. • JAKi treatment facilitates HEV infection in primary human hepatocytes (PHH). • Transcriptomic analysis revealed induction of antiviral programs upon HEV infection. • JAK-STAT signaling is critical to control HEV infection in PHH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection of healthy individuals with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is usually unnoticed and results in life-long latency, whereas HCMV reactivation as well as infection of newborns or immunocompromised patients can cause life-threatening disease. To better understand HCMV pathogenesis we studied mechanisms that restrict HCMV spread. We discovered that HCMV-infected cells can directly trigger plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) to mount antiviral type I interferon (IFN-I) responses, even in the absence of cell-free virus. In contrast, monocyte-derived cells only expressed IFN-I when stimulated by cell-free HCMV, or upon encounter of HCMV-infected cells that already produced cell-free virus. Nevertheless, also in the absence of cell-free virus, i.e., upon co-culture of infected epithelial/endothelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages (moMΦ) or dendritic cells (moDC), antiviral responses were induced that limited HCMV spread. The induction of this antiviral effect was dependent on cell-cell contact, whereas cell-free supernatants from co-culture experiments also inhibited virus spread, implying that soluble factors were critically needed. Interestingly, the antiviral effect was independent of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IFN-I as indicated by cytokine inhibition experiments using neutralizing antibodies or the vaccinia virus-derived soluble IFN-I binding protein B18R, which traps human IFN-α and IFN-β. In conclusion, our results indicate that human macrophages and dendritic cells can limit HCMV spread by IFN-I dependent as well as independent mechanisms, whereas the latter ones might be particularly relevant for the restriction of HCMV transmission via cell-to-cell spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroless nickel-phosphorus (NiP) layers with different phosphorous concentrations were deposited using in-situ techniques for measurement and control of the plating process. To achieve a constant Ni-concentration and pH, we utilized a control system including photometric-, pH-sensors and a batch feeder. A decreasing pH value leads to increasing phosphorous concentrations. Furthermore, we devised a complexometric titration technique to analyze the chemical composition of electroless NiP and confirmed its accuracy by comparison to well-established gravimetric analysis. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) at temperatures ranging from 86 K to 373 K of electroless NiP layers containing different phosphorous concentrations was analyzed using a push-rod dilatometer. Finally, we demonstrate that the CTE of electroless NiP is precisely adjustable via the deposition parameters of the electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and accurate control system reactivity worth estimates are desirable in many applications. Unfortunately, the full core Monte Carlo transport simulations often used to estimate the reactivity worth of control drums are often too costly to run in the time scale needed for many applications, such as model predictive control, reactor design optimization, uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis. Therefore, this paper presents a general methodology for control drum worth estimation that is based on a hybrid model consisting of physics-based and statistics-based components. It was found that in the application of the methodology to the HOLOS-Quad Reactor Concept, errors as low as 50 pcm were achieved. Model accuracy was also analyzed as a function of training set size and it was found that the most accurate model required about 70 transport model evaluations to train with further reactivity estimates being calculated on the order of milliseconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the context of dryland vegetation to study a general problem of complex pattern-forming systems: multiple pattern-forming instabilities that are driven by distinct mechanisms but share the same spectral properties. We find that the co-occurrence of two Turing instabilities when the driving mechanisms counteract each other in some region of the parameter space results in the growth of a single mode rather than two interacting modes. The interplay between the two mechanisms compensates for the simpler dynamics of a single mode by inducing a wider variety of patterns, which implies higher biodiversity in dryland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands are pattern-forming systems showing self-organized vegetation patchiness, multiplicity of stable states and fronts separating domains of alternative stable states. Pattern dynamics, induced by droughts or disturbances, can result in desertification shifts from patterned vegetation to bare soil. Pattern formation theory suggests various scenarios for such dynamics: an abrupt global shift involving a fast collapse to bare soil, a gradual global shift involving the expansion and coalescence of bare-soil domains and an incipient shift to a hybrid state consisting of stationary bare-soil domains in an otherwise periodic pattern. Using models of dryland vegetation, we address the question of which of these scenarios can be realized. We found that the models can be split into two groups: models that exhibit multiplicity of periodic-pattern and bare-soil states, and models that exhibit, in addition, multiplicity of hybrid states. Furthermore, in all models, we could not identify parameter regimes in which bare-soil domains expand into vegetated domains. The significance of these findings is that, while models belonging to the first group can only exhibit abrupt shifts, models belonging to the second group can also exhibit gradual and incipient shifts. A discussion of open problems concludes the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sand dunes are often covered by vegetation and biogenic crusts. Despite their significant role in dune stabilization, biogenic crusts have rarely been considered in model studies of dune dynamics. Using a simple model, we study the existence and stability ranges of different dune-cover states along gradients of rainfall and wind power. Two ranges of alternative stable states are identified: fixed crusted dunes and fixed vegetated dunes at low wind power; and fixed vegetated dunes and active dunes at high wind power. These results suggest a crossover between two different forms of desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report results on the structural and magnetic properties of the Co x Ni1−x Ta2O6 series of compounds by X-ray powder diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. X-ray refinements carried out by the Rietveld method show that these compounds crystallize in a P42/mnm tetragonal structure. Magnetic susceptibility curves show a broadened maximum witnessing that these compounds exhibit two-dimensional antiferromagnetic behaviors. All the Co x Ni1−x Ta2O6 compounds order below 10K and present a large ion anisotropy. The magnetic properties have been determined in both the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic state. In the hypothesis of two dimensional AF ordering, the near neighbor exchange constants (J 1) and the next near neighbor exchange constants for two different paths (J 2 and J'' 2) were determined. The composition dependence of the magnetic properties including ordering temperature, exchange constants and anisotropy factors are discussed. The drastic reduction of the ordering temperature for x=0.20 for Co x Ni1−x Ta2O6, suggest the hypothesis of a peculiar magnetic behavior for this composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study of the crystal structure and degree of cation order of a natural AB2O6 columbite-type compound and derivatives. The polycrystalline pieces of columbite used in the study were from the Borborema pegmatite in Paraiba, Brazil. The order-disorder transitions were observed via the Mössbauer spectroscopy technique. Results show that oxidation can change the columbite phase into the wodginite type.

We present a systematic investigation of the series of compounds FexCo1-xNb2O6 by means of x-ray and neutron powder diffraction combined with magnetic measurements, carried out in the paramagnetic as well as in the ordered state, to probe the stability of the magnetic ordering against the composition changes in this model Ising system. Fe for Co substitution induces a continuous lattice volume increase, preserving the orthorhombic crystal structure. The unit-cell expansion is anisotropic and occurs mainly in the ab plane. The observed magnetic structures for x=0,0.8, and 1 are described by the propagation vectors (0,1/2,0) and (1/2,1/2,0), and are consistent with the picture of ferromagnetic Ising-type chains of Fe/Co spins antiferromagnetically coupled by weak interchain interactions. We find out that for 0

The learning processes that occur at work place constitute the focus of the study. The goal is to identify and to analyze the learning processes at work place of individuals that don't exercise the managerial function. At the theoretical level a social perspective of organizational learning is adopted. At the methodological level a basic qualitative study was carried out in two teams of a company of chemical fertilizers. The results evidence the importance of the informal processes of learning through the contributions of the experiences obtained in the work context. It was identified the objectives, opportunities, obstacles and the results of the processes of learning. The relevance of the social interaction, of the learning by doing and of the organizational context were highlights in the learning processes. The study adds subsidies to the professionals of the area of Human Resources in the elaboration of a critical analysis about the current practices and politics of personnel development in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report on a detailed investigation of magnetic properties of CoTa2O6 using several techniques: neutron and X-ray diffraction, specific-heat, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetization measurements. The compound shows quasi-two-dimensional behavior due to its layered structure of alternating Co–O and Ta–O planes. We find that all magnetic moments lie entirely in the Co–O planes, along easy axes determined by the orientations of oxygen octahedra that surround the Co ions. The easy axes in successive magnetic planes have relative orientations that differ by 90°. Antiferromagnetic ordering is observed below 6.6K, with propagation vectors (1/4,1/4,1/4) associated to the two non-equivalent sets of Co2+ ions, whose magnetic moments are perpendicularly oriented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Morphological and structural properties of isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) submitted to uniaxial plane strain deformation at ambient temperature with compression pressures of 3, 10 and 20MPa, were investigated using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two kinds of samples were studied, namely: sample A: Mw=117,400g/mol Mn=17,300, Mw/Mn=6.8 and sample B: Mw=271,000g/mol Mn=43,700 Mw/Mn=6.2, both with isotactic content=95%. Crystalline α- and β-phases are clearly identified by WAXD. The lamellar long period, as well as, the crystalline and amorphous lamellar thickness for the non-deformed samples measured by SAXS indicates the presence of a more symmetric spherulitic structure for sample A, while the sample B displays anisotropic scattering. The WAXD study of the apparent relative crystallinity and the orientation of crystallites, revealed that plastic deformation of i-PP by plane-strain compression, leads to preferred orientation of main axis of crystallites at relatively early stage of the deformation process induced a monocrystal texture and an excellent molecular alignment along the FD, in both samples. The SEM evaluation shows that a gradual change occurs in the spherulitic structure and seems to transform gradually and disappear almost for the 37% deformations. The sample with highest deformation shows thin shear bands oriented along the FD-view which originate an appearance of a layered structure. Concomitantly the crystalline lamellae were detected by TEM technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Energy deposition in the cooolant of PWR by neutron and photon particles is studied. • Coolant heating is calculated by coupled neutron-photon calculations with OpenMC. • A representative fuel pin cell problem is calculated under different physical conditions, covering normal operation and accidental transients. • A correlation on pure water density and boron concentration is presented for fast prediction of coolant heating. In reactor core analysis, the energy deposition in the coolant is often regarded as a fixed amount. In this work we study the validity of this assumption at normal operation and under accident conditions in PWR. A fuel pin cell and other lattice elements from the VERA benchmark's 2-D 17 × 17 fuel assemblies are used to calculate photon and neutron energy deposition in the coolant by OpenMC. The adoption of a subcooled-boiling model for the coolant with non-uniform void fraction in the sub-channel is taken into account, without revealing however significant differences on the reaction rates used to score the coolant heating. Specifically, we study the effects of void fraction, pressure and coolant temperature on deposited energy. Chemical shim operated by diluted boric acid in water is also considered. Results show that coolant heating fraction can change significantly under accident conditions. Moreover, it can be expressed as a function of pure water density and boron concentration, where water is always considered as a homogeneous mixture also in presence of two-phase flow. Specifically, we provide a correlation fitting the numerical results from OpenMC pin cell calculations by least squares regression, in order to predict energy deposition in the coolant of the subchannels present in a fuel lattice. This correlation is explicitly intended for implementation in thermal–hydraulics computer codes used for coupled full-core calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract   We use all-optical methods to produce a highly-degenerate Fermi gas of spin-1/2 6Li atoms. A magnetic field tunes the gas near a collisional (Feshbach) resonance, producing strong interactions between spin-up and spin-down atoms. We have measured properties of a breathing mode over a wide range of temperatures. As the temperature is increased from below the superfluid transition to above, the frequency of the mode is always close to the hydrodynamic value, while the damping rate increases. A complete explanation of both the frequency and the damping rate in the normal collisional regime has not been achieved. Our measurements of the damping rate as a function of the energy of the gas are used to estimate an upper bound on the viscosity. Using our new measurements of the entropy of the gas, we estimate the ratio of the shear viscosity to the entropy density and compare the result with a recent string theory conjecture for the minimum viscosity of a perfect quantum fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have measured the heat capacity of an optically trapped,strongly interacting Fermi gas of atoms. A precise addition of energy tothe gas is followed by single-parameter thermometry, which determinesthe empirical temperature parameter of the gas cloud. Our measurementsreveal a clear transition in the heat capacity. The energy and thespatial profile of the gas are computed using a theory of the crossoverfrom Fermi to Bose superfluids at finite temperatures. The theorycalibrates the empirical temperature parameter, yields excellentagreement with the data, and predicts the onset of superfluidity at theobserved transition point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopy (MS) measurements performed on a natural tapiolite with composition Fe0.57Mn0.37Ti0.10Ta1.27Nb0.67O6. XRD and MS suggest that besides being partially ordered the as-collected sample is a mixture of trirutile (P42/mnm, a=4.7532(9) A˚, c=9.228(7) A˚) and Nb-rich rutile (P42/mnm, a=4.856(2) A˚, c=3.098(1) A˚) structures. The Mo¨ssbauer spectra of the rutile (Fe, Mn, Ta, Nb)O2 were fitted to Δ=1.72±0.05 mm/s and δ=1.10±0.03 mm/s at 300 K and to Δ=2.10±0.06 mm/s and δ=1.18±0.03 mm/s at 80 K. The present results suggest that cation ordering in compounds of the tapiolite series can be easily assessed by Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopy in a way similar to that as previously demonstrated for the columbite series. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and objectives: Photodynamic treatment with methylene blue (MB) and visible light is a well‐established pathogen inactivation system for human plasma. This technique is routinely used in different countries. MB/light treatment was shown to inactivate several transfusion‐transmittable viruses, but its efficiency for the inactivation of the quasi‐enveloped hepatitis E virus (HEV) has not yet been investigated. Materials and methods: Plasma units were spiked with cell culture‐derived HEV and treated with the THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma system using various light doses (30, 60, 90, and 120 J/cm2). HEV titers in pre‐ and post‐treatment samples were determined by virus titration and a large‐volume plating assay to improve the detection limit of the virus assay. Results: THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma efficiently inactivated HEV in human plasma. Even the lowest light dose of 30 J/cm2 inactivated HEV down to the limit of detection, with a mean log reduction factor of greater than 2.4 for the total process. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the THERAFLEX MB‐Plasma system effectively inactivates HEV in human plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough investigation of the correlation governing the energy deposition in PWR coolant, resulting from coupled neutron-photon transport. The study examines the effects of varying pitch size, fuel enrichment, and the presence of neutron absorbers in the fuel pellet on coolant heating. First, the correlation is checked against Monte Carlo simulations of a UO 2 fresh-fuel pin cell with different pitch sizes, and significant discrepancies are observed. These discrepancies are addressed by applying a correction factor based on the proportional relation between the reaction rate (involving both photons and neutrons) and the moderator mass. The correction successfully resolves the discrepancies, yielding relative gaps of less than 1% between the correlation and the simulations. The validity of this correction is demonstrated for both square and hexagonal cell configurations. The subsequent section investigates the effects of varying fuel enrichment and the presence of xenon and gadolinium absorbers in UO 2 pins. A gadolinium-poisoned fuel element is simulated in a 3 × 3 arrangement, with the poisoned pin positioned at the center, to simulate the proper spectrum around the gadolinium pin. Furthermore, the correlation is validated in fuel assembly design from the VERA benchmark problems 2B, 2O, and 2P. In problem 2B, the presence of water-filled guide tube cells leads to an increase in the mass of the moderator, which is taken into account by applying a correction factor in the correlation. In problems 2O and 2P, the combined influence of guide tubes and gadolinium pins on the energy deposition in the coolant is examined. Across all the case studies, the differences between the simulation data and the predictions from the correlation are minimal. Throughout the investigation, the study characterizes and analyzes the impacts of changes in design parameters on the energy spectrum, few-group homogenized cross sections, and reaction rates on coolant heating. This research provides a deeper understanding of the physical processes involved in radiation energy deposition in the coolant and offers valuable insights for future analyses utilizing the proposed correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injection moulding has been a pivotal technology in the mass production of polymer optics for many years. The surface quality of the moulding inserts exerts a significant influence on the quality of the optics produced. In the production of micro-structured polymer optics, such as Fresnel lenses, conventional isothermal injection moulding is unable to achieve the requisite surface accuracy. Variothermal injection moulding allows for improved surface accuracy and reduced residual stresses, but increases technical effort and cycle times. To reduce the cycle time and residual stresses of variothermal injection moulding, the potential of additive manufacturing of Al-40Si for the fabrication of moulding inserts is investigated. In order to achieve these objectives, the offered design freedom of additive manufacturing is investigated with a view to developing optimised conformal cooling channels. Numerical methods will be used for thermal and structural analyses. The performance of the newly developed moulding insert is evaluated experimentally by thermographic measurements and the measurement of stress birefringence on replicated PMMA samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The replication organelle of hepatitis C virus (HCV), called membranous web, is derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mainly comprises double membrane vesicles (DMVs) that concentrate the viral replication complexes. It also tightly associates with lipid droplets (LDs), which are essential for virion morphogenesis. In particular acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), a rate-limiting enzyme in triglyceride synthesis, promotes early steps of virus assembly. The close proximity between ER membranes, DMVs and LDs therefore permits the efficient coordination of the HCV replication cycle. Here, we demonstrate that exaggerated LD accumulation due to the excessive expression of the DGAT1 isozyme, DGAT2, dramatically impairs the formation of the HCV membranous web. This effect depended on the enzymatic activity and ER association of DGAT2, whereas the mere LD accumulation was not sufficient to hamper HCV RNA replication. Our lipidomics data indicate that both HCV infection and DGAT2 overexpression induced membrane lipid biogenesis and markedly increased phospholipids with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggesting a dual use of these lipids and their possible competition for LD and DMV biogenesis. On the other hand, overexpression of DGAT2 depleted specific phospholipids, particularly oleyl fatty acyl chain-containing phosphatidylcholines, which, in contrast, are increased in HCV-infected cells and likely essential for viral infection. In conclusion, our results indicate that lipid exchanges occurring during LD biogenesis regulate the composition of intracellular membranes and thereby affect the formation of the HCV replication organelle. The potent antiviral effect observed in our DGAT2 overexpression system unveils lipid flux that may be relevant in the context of steatohepatitis, a hallmark of HCV infection, but also in physiological conditions, locally in specific subdomains of the ER membrane. Thus, LD formation mediated by DGAT1 and DGAT2 might participate in the spatial compartmentalization of HCV replication and assembly factories within the membranous web. Author summary: Lipid droplets are fat storage organelles with an increasingly recognized importance for the infectious cycle of multiple pathogens. In particular, they support hepatitis C virion morphogenesis and the formation of the picornaviral replication organelle. Unexpectedly, we observed that exaggerated lipid droplet biogenesis, due to an excessive expression of the triglyceride forming enzyme DGAT2, is deleterious to hepatitis C virus replication. More precisely, the formation and maintenance of the viral replication organelle was impeded. Exaggerated lipid droplet biogenesis induced by DGAT2 also profoundly altered the cell lipidome, with strong accumulation of neutral lipids and changes in the membrane lipid composition. Our results support a model where lipid flux occurring during lipid droplet biogenesis regulates the composition of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes, where lipid droplets are formed, and thereby affect the capacity of hepatitis C virus to remodel these membranes into its replication organelle. Since DGAT1 and its triglyceride synthesis were previously reported to contribute to virus assembly, this also implies that lipid droplet biogenesis driven by DGAT1 and DGAT2 but also membrane contact sites between endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets might locally restrict and determine the formation of hepatitis C virus replication and assembly factories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the current state of ecumenical achievement, pastoral consensus it has reached and implications for future ecumenical relations. Pastoral-care training for both Catholic and Protestant ministers; Points in pastoral consensus; Obstacles in making the integration of ecumenical consensus.

Abstract. Paroxysmal choreoathetosis is a rare, involuntary movement disorder. Attacks occur spontaneously or may be induced by movement, startle, or anxiety. The movements are tonic, dystonic, or choreoathetotic. Sporadic and, more commonly, familial cases have been reported. Onset occurs most often during childhood, and the course is nonprogressive. Response to anticonvulsant therapy is usually excellent. Five cases of the sporadic form of paroxysmal choreoathetosis are reported. Three of the five patients had attacks after initiation of movements such as rising from a chair. Results of physical examination were normal in four patients. One child had mild hemiatrophy and unilateral hyper-reflexia. Results of laboratory studies, including determinations of serum calcium and ceruloplasmin levels, EEGs, and CAT scans of the head, were normal. The attacks ceased in all patients after treatment with either phenytoin or carbamazepine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater by adsorption from agro-industrial residues remain an attractive option since combines reasonable cost with the quality of effluents treated. This paper employs of parboiled-rice husk ash (RHA) and parboiled-rice husk ash chemically treated (RHAH+) as adsorbents for Cr(VI). The RHA and RHAH+ were characterized. It was studied the adsorption efficiency on adsorbent dosage, pH, chromium concentration, and interaction time. RHAH+ presented superior Cr(VI) removal, although both adsorbents have shown satisfactory results. The best results are obtained at pH 1.0, presenting 90.9% and 97.7% of Cr(VI) removal for RHA and RHAH+, respectively, in 5 mg L−1 of Cr(VI) concentration at about 30 minutes. The adsorption of RHAH+ is governed by the Freundlich isotherm (R2adj = 0.989) and kinetically by the pseudo-second order model (R2adj = 0.991). The rice rusk ash represents an alternative low-cost and environment-friendly material that efficiently removes Cr(VI) from dilute aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural and magnetic properties of the CoNb2O6 compound have been investigated with a particular interest in their low-dimensional magnetic behavior which is characterized by the presence of weakly interacting ferromagnetic chains. We investigate this cobalt niobate by combining magnetic measurements; x-ray and neutron diffraction (ND). The ND was carried out on powder samples at different temperatures above (20 K) and below the ordering temperature (2.4, 1.8, and 1.4 K). The compound exhibits an orthorhombic crystal structure of Pbcn symmetry, typical of a columbite structure. Magnetic ordering at 2.5 K is found with the propagation vector (0, 0.4, 0), in agreement with earlier studies. However, at lower temperatures the present investigation shows the coexistence of two different magnetic phases: the propagation vector (0.5, 0.5, 0) is found to be necessary to refine the ND measurements at both 1.8 and 1.4 K, in addition to (0, 0.5, 0) which was the only one reported in earlier works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underestimated disease, leading to estimated 20 million infections and up to 70,000 deaths annually. Infections are mostly asymptomatic but can reach mortality rates up to 25% in pregnant women or become chronic in immunocompromised patients. The current therapy options are limited to the unspecific antivirals Ribavirin (RBV) and pegylated Interferon-α (pegIFN-α). RBV leads to viral clearance in only 80% of patients treated, and is, similar to pegIFN-α, contraindicated in the major risk group of pregnant women, emphasizing the importance of new therapy options. In this review, we focus on the urgent need and current efforts in HEV drug development. We provide an overview of the current status of HEV antiviral research. Furthermore, we discuss strategies for drug development and the limitations of the approaches with respect to HEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratin proteins form intermediate filaments, which provide structural support for many tissues. Multiple keratin family members are reported to be associated with the progression of liver disease of multiple etiologies. For example, keratin 23 (KRT23) was reported as a stress-inducible protein, whose expression levels correlate with the severity of liver disease. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a human pathogen that causes chronic liver diseases including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, a link between KRT23 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has not been reported previously. In this study, we investigated KRT23 mRNA levels in datasets from liver biopsies of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and in primary human hepatocytes experimentally infected with HCV, in addition to hepatoma cells. Interestingly, in each of these specimens, we observed an HCV-dependent increase of mRNA levels. Importantly, the KRT23 protein levels in patient plasma decreased upon viral clearance. Ectopic expression of KRT23 enhanced HCV infection; however, CRIPSPR/Cas9-mediated knockout did not show altered replication efficiency. Taken together, our study identifies KRT23 as a novel, virus-induced host-factor for hepatitis C virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose --This article aims to analyze normative isomorphism as a mechanism for institutional change and its potential contribution to the institutionalization of the Circular Economy in the packaging market in Brazil. Methodology -- A qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with a semi-structured script. 23 people from the First sector -- government, 15 people from the Second sector -- market, and 15 people from the Third sector -- Non-Governmental Organizations were interviewed. The snowball sampling technique was used to select the interviewees. The content analysis was conducted with categories defined while exploring the data collected, a posteriori, with NVivo software. Findings -- In Brazil, the pressure for socio-environmental product improvements is concentrated on a portion of the population. Most people focus on economic issues. In addition, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and supervisory government agencies play a crucial role in directly demanding that laws are complied with and in encouraging and instructing civil society related to the Circular Economy and sustainability. Research implications -- This article contributes to filling gaps identified in the literature, such as Circular Economy studies that investigate the dynamics of stakeholders. Practical implications -- The research shows that there is room for organizations that operate in the packaging market in Brazil to develop and disseminate actions related to the Circular Economy and sustainability to their consumers, which can become a competitive advantage in the sector. Originality/value -- The research pointed out that the perception of those involved in this supply chain is still not unanimous regarding society's demand for a circular economy and sustainable actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]