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The Refueling Neutron Monitoring System and the Reactivity Monitoring System for startup measurements are both aged, the development of a new combined system fulfilling both functionalities has therefore been started. The new system is based on 6 autonomous measurement chains covering the whole neutron flux range and uses fixed fission chambers. The signals of the measurement chains are received by two redundant processing systems continuously providing measured and calculated data for external systems like the VERONA core monitoring system. The system generates emergency signals and events for the operators of the Main Control Room and the Refueling Machine. The pilot measurement chain has been tested at Units 2 and 3 of Paks NPP. The first implementation of the new system is planned to be installed at Unit 3 by the middle of the following year.

Our aim was to develop a method based on noise diagnostics for the estimation of the moderator temperature coefficient of reactivity (MTC) for the Paks VVER-440 units in normal operation. The method requires determining core average neutron flux and temperature fluctuations. The circulation period of the primary coolant, transfer properties of the steam generators, as well as the source and the propagation of the temperature perturbations and the proportions of the perturbation components were investigated in order to estimate the feedback caused by the circulation of the primary coolant. Finally, after developing the new MTC estimator, determining its frequency range and optimal parameters, trends were produced based on an overall evaluation of measurements made with standard instrumentation during a one-year-long period at Paks NPP.

The response of the muscle is critical in determining the functional outcome of limb lengthening. We hypothesised that muscle response would vary with age and therefore studied the response of the muscles during tibial lengthening in ten young and ten mature rabbits. A bromodeoxyuridine technique was used to identify the dividing cells.The young rabbits demonstrated a significantly greater proliferative response to the distraction stimulus than the mature ones. This was particularly pronounced at the myotendinous junction, but was also evident within the muscle belly.Younger muscle adapted better to lengthening, suggesting that in patients in whom a large degree of muscle lengthening is required it may be beneficial to carry out this procedure when they are young, in order to achieve the optimal functional result.

Abstract. Objective and design: The purpose of the study was to investigate the putative role of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in severe carotid artery stenosis.

A prototype of a new concept noise diagnostics data acquisition system has been developed recently to renew the aged present system. This new system is capable of collecting the whole available noise signal set simultaneously. Signal plugging and data acquisition are performed by autonomous systems (installed at each reactor unit) that are controlled through the standard plant network from a central computer installed at a suitable location. Experts can use this central unit to process and archive data series downloaded from the reactor units. This central unit also provides selected noise diagnostics information for other departments. The paper describes the hardware and software architecture of the new system in detail, emphasising the potential benefits of the new approach.

Objective and design: To study changes in the levels of two acute phase proteins, plasma fibrinogen and serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with severe carotid stenosis after eversion endarterectomy.

ATP can be released from a variety of cell types by mechanical stimulation; however, the mechanism for this release and the influence of pathology are not well understood. The present study examined intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in swelling-evoked (exposure to a hypotonic solution) release of ATP in urothelial cells from normal cats and cats diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (feline interstitial cystitis; FIC). Using the luciferin-luciferase bioluminescent assay, we demonstrate that swelling-evoked ATP release is significantly elevated in FIC cells. In both normal and FIC cells, ATP release was significantly decreased (mean 70% decrease) by application of blockers of stretch-activated channels (amiloride or gadolinium), as well as brefeldin A and monensin (mean 90% decrease), suggesting that ATP release occurs when ATP-containing vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane. Swelling-evoked release was reduced after removal of external calcium (65%), and release was blocked by incubation with BAPTA-AM or agents that interfere with internal calcium stores (caffeine, ryanodine, heparin, or 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate). In addition, agents known to act through inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors (thapsigargin, acetylcholine) release significantly more ATP in FIC compared with normal urothelium. Taken together, these results suggest that FIC results in a novel hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli that may involve alterations in IP3-sensitive pathways.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha protein in the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tIssue in correlation with adipocyte cell Volume, serum TNF-alpha, soluble TNF-receptor-2 (sTNFR-2) and indirect parameters of insulin resistance in overweight/obese and lean healthy persons. DESIGN: A cross-sectional case-control study was used. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight overweight/obese probands with normal glucose tolerance (BMI>27 kg/m(2)) and 15 lean people (BMI<25 kg/m(2)), all of them undergoing planned surgical operation, participated in the study. METHODS: Two to four grams of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tIssue were removed and studied using semi-quantitative immunohistochemical staining of the TNF-alpha protein. Serum TNF-alpha, sTNFR-2 (ELISA) and fasting C-peptide (RIA) were measured. RESULTS: TNF-alpha protein was expressed in adipocytes of both depots. The expression was evaluated visually and found to be greater in the obese patients. Significantly higher serum TNF-alpha (5.58+/-0.87 pg/ml vs 4.21+/-0.55, mean+/-s.d., P<0.01, Mann-Whitney) and sTNFR-2 levels (7.84+/-3.56 ng/ml vs 4.59+/-1.35, P=0.005) were found in the obese subgroup in correlation with the fasting C-peptide level (r=0.49, P=0.003; and r=0.74, P=0.001) and the C-peptide/ blood glucose ratio (r=0.47, Spearman, P=0.005; and r=0.70, P=0.001). The cell Volume of both adipocyte depots was found to have a significant positive correlation with serum TNF-alpha and sTNFR-2 levels in the total group of patients (subcutaneous: r=0.52, P=0.0003; r=0.69, P<0.0001; visceral: r=0.65, P<0.0001; r=0.63, P<0.0001) and in both subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Adipocyte cell Volume of both the subcutaneous and visceral fat depots may be determinants of TNF-alpha, sTNFR-2 production and obesity-linked insulin resistance.

The magnesium, calcium and aluminium contents in different soybean seeds depended on both the variety and the soil type. Late-ripening soybean varieties were compared with early and intermediate varieties. The element contents of the early varieties were lower than those of the intermediate and late soybean varieties grown at the same experimental site. In addition to measurements on whole soybean seeds, the seed-coat and inner parts were also analysed separately. The magnesium, calcium and aluminium contents of the seed-coat were higher than those of the inner parts. There were only slight differences in the contents of protein and crude fat, and no correlation was found with the magnesium contents. The correlation between the magnesium coefficient (z) and the protein content (Kiss, 1974) was valid only in cases where the difference between the magnesium coefficients of two plants was more than 0.1.

A case study is presented describing an analysis initiated by a real core event at Paks NPP Hungary. The analysis utilised the static data provided by the VERONA core monitoring system as well as the results from a specially organised series of measurements using the neutron noise signals from in-core Rh SPN detectors. It was demonstrated that the observed temperature rise imbalance was not caused by a power anomaly but by some partial flow blockage affecting a substantial part of the core. In addition to the static measurement results the actual coolant velocity within the affected and non-affected assemblies could be evaluated by using noise technique. By virtue of continuous analysis and monitoring the unit could be operated for a substantial part of the planned cycle length.

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The activation energy of the Zener relaxation due to Cu pairs was found to be 31.4 kcal/mol, with τ0= 10−15.6s. The results show that the relaxation strength of this effect obeys the quadratic concentration dependence. The small peak around 180 °C, at about 1 Hz, appearing in the presence of the θ″-phase, has «Zener» character. In the case of the θ′-phase a broad peak near 160°C is attributed to the misfit dislocations around the semi-coherent precipitates. The activation energy of this relaxation is 23 kcal/mol, with τ0= 10−12.4s. From the spectra of specimens pre-annealed at 300°C, or above, we infer that in this temperature range mostly θ-phase was formed. The results are complemented by measurements on plastically deformed specimens. In order to investigate the stability and transformations of different precipitated phases, internal-friction measurements were also made after various, subsequent heat treatments.

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A 12-year-old girl was admitted to hospital with haematemesis. Her family suffered from histidinaemia. Due to her numerous injuries the police suspected a crime. After a short period of clinical treatment she died. Autopsy showed the left ureter to be narrowed and a consecutive abscedens pyelonephritis. Pyloric ulcer caused erosion of a caliber-persistent artery which led to death with haemorrhage. The death had nothing to do with violence. Adequate surgical treatment could have saved the patient's life.

Summary This report is concerned with a patient successfully operated forHolt-Oram syndrome. The disorder is inherited dominantly with complete penetrance and variable expressivity. It is pointed out that in cases of congenital heart disease familial cumulation must be borne in mind which can easily be verified by pedigree investigation. After demonstrating autosomal dominant inheritance, suitable inferences must be drawn for genetic counseling. Attention is drawn to the heart-surgical significance of the rhythm disorders so often associated with the syndrome.

Solid-state reactions in the NiO/Fe2O3 system have been investigated in the temperature range 1100 to 1300° C, The optical microscope and the electron probe microanalyser were used. Kinetic parameters of the calcination process of this system: the reaction rate, time exponent and activation energy, have been determined by observing the changes in the reaction layer thickness with time and temperature. The analysis of the reaction layer composition was the basis for discussion concerning the possible mechanism of this reaction.

The reaction by which copper ferrite is formed was studied in the temperature interval 800 to 950°C. The composition and the thickness of the reaction layer were obtained by electron probe microanalysis. The equilibrium concentrations of copper and iron at the reaction-layer boundaries and the concentration gradient across the layer were determined. The kinetic parameters of the reaction were calculated. The mechanism of the reaction was discussed on the basis of the observations.

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