Технико-экономический анализ работ по продлению срока эксплуатации энергоблока ВВЭР-440

Наведено основні етапи та результати техніко-економічного аналізу з подовження терміну експлуатації. Метою роботи є визначити чи може бути технічно та економічно виправданим продовження експлуатації діючих енергоблоків понад проектні терміни, за умови виконання вимог і норм ядерної та радіаційної безпеки, з урахуванням рекомендацій МАГАТЕ та світового досвіду. Результати розрахунку вказують на доцільність подовження терміну експлуатації для енергоблоків АЕС України. Розрахунок здійснено для першого енергоблоку РАЕС, враховуючи витрати на роботи, які необхідні лише для енергоблоку №1 і половини вартості робіт з загальноблочними спорудами для енергоблоків № 1,2, без урахування вартості заміни АСУ ТП.The main stages and results of the feasibility study of lifetime extension are presented in this article. The aim of the work is to determine whether it is justified economically to continue the operation of existing NPP units over projected time, subject to the requirements and standards of nuclear safety, taking into account the recommendations of the IAEA and the international experience. The calculation results indicate the feasibility and efficiency of lifetime extension for NPP units of Ukraine. The calculation was performed for the first RNPP unit considering the cost of the works which are necessary only for the unit № 1 and a half of the total cost of works for the common buildings for the units № 1,2, excluding the cost of replacing the PCS.Приведены основные этапы и результаты технико-экономического анализа по продлению срока эксплуатации. Целью работы является определить есть ли технически и экономически оправданным продление эксплуатации действующих энергоблоков более проектных сроков, при условии выполнения требований и норм ядерной и радиационной безопасности, с учетом рекомендаций МАГАТЭ и мирового опыта. Результаты расчета указывают на целесообразность и экономичность продления срока эксплуатации для энергоблоков АЭС Украины. Расчет осуществлен для первого энергоблока РАЭС учитывая затраты на работы, которые необходимы только для энергоблока № 1 и половины стоимости работ по общеблочными сооружениям для энергоблоков № 1,2, без учета стоимости замены АСУ ТП

Influenza Virus in Human Exhaled Breath: An Observational Study

Background: Recent studies suggest that humans exhale fine particles during tidal breathing but little is known of their composition, particularly during infection. Methodology/Principal Findings: We conducted a study of influenza infected patients to characterize influenza virus and particle concentrations in their exhaled breath. Patients presenting with influenza-like-illness, confirmed influenza A or B virus by rapid test, and onset within 3 days were recruited at three clinics in Hong Kong, China. We collected exhaled breath from each subject onto Teflon filters and measured exhaled particle concentrations using an optical particle counter. Filters were analyzed for influenza A and B viruses by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Twelve out of thirteen rapid test positive patients provided exhaled breath filter samples (7 subjects infected with influenza B virus and 5 subjects infected with influenza A virus). We detected influenza virus RNA in the exhaled breath of 4 (33%) subjects-three (60%) of the five patients infected with influenza A virus and one (14%) of the seven infected with influenza B virus. Exhaled influenza virus RNA generation rates ranged from <3.2 to 20 influenza virus RNA particles per minute. Over 87% of particles exhaled were under 1 μm in diameter. Conclusions: These findings regarding influenza virus RNA suggest that influenza virus may be contained in fine particles generated during tidal breathing, and add to the body of literature suggesting that fine particle aerosols may play a role in influenza transmission. © 2008 Fabian et al.published_or_final_versio

The Role of Neutrophils during Mild and Severe Influenza Virus Infections of Mice

Neutrophils have been implicated in both protective and pathological responses following influenza virus infections. We have used mAb 1A8 (anti-Ly6G) to specifically deplete LyG6high neutrophils and induce neutropenia in mice infected with virus strains known to differ in virulence. Mice were also treated with mAb RB6-8C5 (anti-Ly6C/G or anti-Gr-1), a mAb widely used to investigate the role of neutrophils in mice that has been shown to bind and deplete additional leukocyte subsets. Using mAb 1A8, we confirm the beneficial role of neutrophils in mice infected with virus strains of intermediate (HKx31; H3N2) or high (PR8; H1N1) virulence whereas treatment of mice infected with an avirulent strain (BJx109; H3N2) did not affect disease or virus replication. Treatment of BJx109-infected mice with mAb RB6-8C5 was, however, associated with significant weight loss and enhanced virus replication indicating that other Gr-1+ cells, not neutrophils, limit disease severity during mild influenza infections

Down-regulation of OATP1B proteins correlates with hyperbilirubinemia in advanced cholestasis

Aim: Organic anion-transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 are sinusoidal membrane transporters mediating liver uptake of a wide range of substrates including conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, xenobiotics and drugs. Absence of OATP1Bs in the liver causes Rotor syndrome. Our aim was to correlate OATP1B expression with hyperbilirubinemia in common liver diseases. Methods: Immunoreactivity of five antibodies against human OATP1Bs was tested on frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue of mouse strains transgenic for SLCO1B1 or SLCO1B3 and on human specimens. The proportion of hepatocytes expressing OATP1Bs was then assessed immunohistologically in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver samples obtained from patients with hepatocellular and primary biliary liver diseases. UGT1A1 promoter TATA-box and SLCO1B1 rs4149056 genotyping was performed to rule out individuals predisposed to hyperbilirubinemia. Results: The most specific detection of OATP1B3 was achieved with the H-52 (sc-98981) antibody. OATP1B1 was specifically recognized with the ESL (ab15441) anti-OATP1B1 antibody, but only in frozen sections. The MDQ (ab15442) anti-OATP1B1 antibody cross-reacted with both OATP1B proteins in liver tissue of the transgenic mouse strains. Expression of the OATP1B proteins was decreased in advanced liver diseases and inversely correlated with serum bilirubin levels. The reduction was more pronounced in advanced primary biliary diseases (1.9±1.1 vs. 2.7±0.6; P=0.009). Conclusions: Down-regulation of OATP1B proteins may contribute to pathogenesis of jaundice accompanying advanced cholestatic liver diseases