bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classification, Treatment and Storage of Low Specific Activity Radioactive Waste From the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Ramsøy Tore , Strålberg Elisabeth , Varskog Per 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Low specific activity deposits containing 226Ra, 228Ra and their daughter isotopes is a well-known problem in the petroleum industry. It is estimated that installations in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea will generate from 50 to 75 tons of scale and sludge annually.
A simple method for on-site classification of LSA scale has been developed. Classification of the sludge from the Brent Spar revealed that only a small fraction of the total amount of sludge exceeded the exemption level. Sludge classified to be below the free classification limit was incinerated with surveillance of activity levels in the ash and effluents.
Separated Plutonium: Threats and Prospects
Authors: Macfarlane Allison M. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Nuclear weapons reductions have resulted in 34 metric tons of declared excess weapons-grade plutonium in both the United States and Russia. To deal with this material both countries recently signed an agreement to disposition 68 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium. Stocks of separated plutonium have been growing in the European, Russian, and Japanese nuclear energy complexes due to the failure of the breeder reactor, the high cost of using the material as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, and political opposition to use of the material. The total stock of separated civilian reactor-grade plutonium is 200 metric tons. Not only does separated plutonium pose a threat to international security, but also over the long run it poses a hazard to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to select a disposition method that is both proliferation resistant and will perform well over the millennia in a repository.
Experience of Glass Melter Operation in Tokai Vitrification Facility
Authors: Nakayama Jiro , Yoshioka Masahiro 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Tokai Vitrification Facility (TVF) is the first plant in Japan to immobilize the High-Level Liquid Waste (HLLW) transferred from Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP) to the borosilicate glass.
Two problems happened through the plant operation, and the investigations to solve them are being carried on. One is the deposit that is caused by the cohesion of the dust inside the air-film cooler (a type of the exhaust pipe) of the glass melter and the other is the accumulation of noble metal elements in the HLLW on the melter bottom. The countermeasure for the former is the water injection system and for the latter is the reform of the melter bottom structure.
Study on Reduction of Liquid Waste From Reprocessing Plant by Electrolysis Process
Authors: Shibuya M. , Suzuki Y. , Shimizu H. , Inoue M. , Kaneki H. , Moriya N. , Ochi E. , Aoyagi H. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The reduction of radioactive waste volume is an important issue for the management of the nuclear fuel cycle. The purpose of this study is to create a technique to drastically reduce low-level liquid waste generated by a spent fuel reprocessing plant employing PUREX technology.
In the PUREX plant, NOx gas is used as an oxidizing reagent for adjustment of the Pu valence in the Pu purification stage. The spent NOx gas is recovered as nitric acid and a certain amount of recovered nitric acid becomes low-level waste (LLW). As NOx gas is produced by the chemical reaction of nitric acid and sodium nitrite, a considerable quantity of non-radioactive sodium nitrate solution is discharged. From the standpoint of the impact on the environment, this discharge must be reduced.
The objective of this research is to develop an electrolysis process by which NOx gas is directly produced from recovered nitric acid. Using this technology, the low-level sodium nitrate waste can be reduced and the nonradioactive sodium nitrate waste from the present NOx production process can be entirely eliminated.
The study was performed in the following two steps:
Phase 1: Fundamental research;
Phase 2: Engineering study.
Fundamental research: A study on the conditions of nitric acid decomposition by electrolysis was performed. The composition of NO and NO2 and its quantity are determined by electrolyte concentration, cathode material and current density. Catholyte reduced electrochemically is in a state of chemical equilibrium expressed by NO, NO2 (N2O4), HNO2, HNO3 and H2O. Nitric acid concentration, temperature and partial pressure of NOx are important process parameters since NOx generation current efficiency and NOx gas composition are dependent on a chemical equilibrium.
Engineering study: The pilot plant was designed and constructed. The process configuration of the pilot plant is the same as that of the anticipated actual plant and its NOx generation capacity is one eighth of the actual plant. The plant mainly consists of electrolysis unit, NOx compression and storage unit, sodium nitrite oxidation unit, nitric acid distillation unit, and NOx recovery and off-gas treatment unit. NOx gas and HNO2 are generated as a result of nitric acid reduction in the electrolysis unit. NOx gas is transported under negative pressure to the compression/storage unit by a compressor and is stored in tanks under high pressure. After adjustment of gas composition by O2 supply, NOx gas is fed to the user process in the case of an actual plant. In the pilot test plant, NOx gas is transported to the nitric acid recovery step, in which NOx gas is recovered as nitric acid and reused in the pilot plant.
As a result of operation of the pilot plant, the process performance, equipment performance, and long-term operation stability were proven. It was confirmed through the pilot plant operation that this technology was immediately applicable to a PUREX reprocessing plant.
Spinel Settling in HLW Melters
Authors: Matyáš Josef , Kloužek Jaroslav , Němec Lubomír , Trochta Miroslav 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The efficiency of high-level waste (HLW) melters is limited by spinel settling and accumulation on the melter bottom if the waste loading is increased above a certain limit at which spinel crystallizes from the melt. Spinel accumulation interferes with melter operation and shortens melter lifetime. The mathematical modeling of spinel settling in a HLW melter was applied to define the critical level of spinel deposition during the lifetime of the melter and the corresponding increase in waste loading.
In this study, spinel settled on the bottom, slant melter walls, and in the output pipe with a linear growth of spinel-sludge thickness after its concentration stabilized inside the melter. The calculations provided a higher concentration of spinel crystals in the melter regions where the temperature was lower then the liquidus temperature, i.e., T&lt;TL. The effects of the following parameters on sludge-layer thickness were examined: 1) the impact of input concentration of spinel crystals of the same size, 2) the impact of different input size of spinel crystals of the same concentration entering from cold cap (melting batch on the melt surface), and 3) the influence of the average temperature (Tavg) inside of the melting space. The calculations showed that higher a concentration and bigger crystals caused thicker sludge layers in the melter, either because of a higher settling density of crystals or because of their higher settling rate. The nucleation of spinel crystals plays a more important role with decreasing of average temperature inside of the melter, and the thicker layer was formed at lower average temperatures.
Immobilization of Am-241, Formed Under Plutonium Metal Conversion, Into Monazite-Type Ceramics
Authors: Aloy A. S. , Kovarskaya E. N. , Koltsova T. I. , Samoylov S. E. , Rovnyi S. I. , Medvedev G. M. , Jardine L. J. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Lanthanum orthophosphate with the monazite structure was proposed on examinations as a suitable matrix for immobilization of future americium-containing liquid wastes, which could be formed in conversion of metallic plutonium into oxide at PA “Mayak.”
Specimens of monazite non-active ceramics were fabricated from LaPO4 powders obtained using a thin-film evaporator by either hot-pressing or cold-pressing and sintering at 900–1300 °C. According to electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which were used for characterization of produced samples, all specimens did not contain any phase other than the monoclinic monazite phase. Ceramics having the specific activity of Am-241 2.13×107 Bq/g were prepared by only cold-pressing with subsequent sintering at 1300°C during 1 hour. The normalized leach rates of lanthanum and americium in distilled water at 90°C were less than 1.2×10−4 and 2.3 10−4 g/m2×day, respectively.
Lactobacillus salivariusAP-32 andLactobacillus reuteriGL-104 decrease glycemic levels and attenuate diabetes-mediated liver and kidney injury in db/db mice
Authors: Hsieh Pei-Shan , Ho Hsieh-Hsun , Hsieh Shih-Hung , Kuo Yi-Wei , Tseng Hsiu-Ying , Kao Hui-Fang , Wang Jiu-Yao 
Published: April 2020

ObjectivesPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit strong insulin resistance or abnormal insulin production. Probiotics, which are beneficial live micro-organisms residing naturally in the intestinal tract, play indispensable roles in the regulation of host metabolism. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the mechanisms by which probiotic strains mediate glycemic regulation in the host. The findings should enable the development of a safe and natural treatment for patients with T2DM.Research designs and methodsSugar consumption by more than 20 strains ofLactobacillusspecies was first evaluated. The probiotic strains that exhibited high efficiency of sugar consumption were further coincubated with Caco-2 cells to evaluate the regulation of sugar absorption in gut epithelial cells. Finally, potential probiotic strains were selected and introduced into a T2DM animal model to study their therapeutic efficacy.ResultsAmong the tested strains,LactobacillussalivariusAP-32 andL. reuteriGL-104 had higher monosaccharide consumption rates and regulated the expression of monosaccharide transporters. Glucose transporter type-5 and Na+-coupled glucose transporter mRNAs were downregulated in Caco-2 cells after AP-32 and GL-104 treatment, resulting in the modulation of intestinal hexose uptake. Animal studies revealed that diabetic mice treated with AP-32, GL-104, or both showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and blood lipid profiles, and attenuated diabetes-mediated liver and kidney injury.ConclusionOur data elucidate a novel role for probiotics in glycemic regulation in the host.L. salivariusAP-32 andL. reuteriGL-104 directly reduce monosaccharide transporter expression in gut cells and have potential as therapeutic probiotics for patients with T2DM.
Responding to maternal, neonatal and child health equipment needs in Kenya: a model for an innovation ecosystem leveraging on collaborations and partnerships
Authors: Ayah Richard , Ong'ech John , Mbugua Edwin Maina , Kosgei Rose Chepchumba , Waller Katie , Gathara David 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundUp to 70% of medical devices in low-income and middle-income countries are partially or completely non-functional, impairing service provision and patient outcomes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, medical devices not designed for local conditions, lack of well-trained biomedical engineers and diverse donated equipment have led to poor maintenance and non-repair. The Maker Project’s aim was to test the effectiveness of an innovative partnership ecosystem network, the ‘Maker Hub’, in reducing gaps in the supply of essential medical devices for maternal, newborn and child health. This paper describes the first phase of the project, the building of the Maker Hub.MethodsKey activities in setting up the Maker Hub—a collaborative partnership between the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), catalysed by Concern Worldwide Kenya—are described using a product development partnership approach. Using a health systems approach, a needs assessment identified a medical equipment shortlist. Design thinking with a capacity building component was used by the UoN (innovators, public health specialists, engineers) working closely and with KNH nurses, physicians and biomedical engineers to develop the prototypes.ResultsTo date, four medical device prototypes have been developed. Two have been evaluated by the National Bureau of Standards and one has undergone clinical testing.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated an innovative partnership ecosystem that has developed medical devices that have undergone national standards evaluation and clinical testing, a first in Sub-Saharan Africa. Promoting a robust innovation ecosystem for medical equipment requires investment in building trust in the innovation ecosystem.
Characterisation of ICU sleep by a commercially available activity tracker and its agreement with patient-perceived sleep quality
Authors: Louzon Patricia R , Andrews Jessica L , Torres Xavier , Pyles Eric C , Ali Mahmood H , Du Yuan , Devlin John W 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundA low-cost, quantitative method to evaluate sleep in the intensive care unit (ICU) that is both feasible for routine clinical practice and reliable does not yet exist. We characterised nocturnal ICU sleep using a commercially available activity tracker and evaluated agreement between tracker-derived sleep data and patient-perceived sleep quality.Patients and methodsA prospective cohort study was performed in a 40-bed ICU at a community teaching hospital. An activity tracker (Fitbit Charge 2) was applied for up to 7 ICU days in English-speaking adults with an anticipated ICU stay ≥2 days and without mechanical ventilation, sleep apnoea, delirium, continuous sedation, contact isolation or recent anaesthesia. The Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was administered each morning by a trained investigator.ResultsAvailable activity tracker-derived data for each ICU study night (20:00–09:00) (total sleep time (TST), number of awakenings (#AW), and time spent light sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep) were downloaded and analysed. Across the 232 evaluated nights (76 patients), TST and RCSQ data were available for 232 (100%), #AW data for 180 (78%) and sleep stage data for 73 (31%). Agreement between TST (349±168 min) and RCSQ Score was moderate and significant (r=0.34; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.48). Agreement between #AW (median (IQR), 4 (2–9)) and RCSQ Score was negative and non-significant (r=−0.01; 95% CI −0.19 to 0.14). Agreement between time (min) spent in light (259 (182 to 328)), deep (43±29), and REM (47 (28–72)) sleep and RCSQ Score was moderate but non-significant (light (r=0.44, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.36); deep sleep (r=0.44, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.15) and REM sleep (r=0.44; 95% CI −0.21 to 0.21)).ConclusionsA Fitbit Charge 2 when applied to non-intubated adults in an ICU consistently collects TST data but not #AW or sleep stage data at night. The TST moderately correlates with patient-perceived sleep quality; a correlation between either #AW or sleep stages and sleep quality was not found.
Motorised spiral enteroscopy: first prospective clinical feasibility study
Authors: Beyna Torsten , Arvanitakis Marianna , Schneider Markus , Gerges Christian , Böing Daniel , Devière Jacques , Neuhaus Horst 
Published: April 2020

ObjectiveCurrently available methods for small bowel endoscopy are often time consuming; motorised PowerSpiral Enteroscopy (PSE) is a further development of spiral enteroscopy to facilitate the approach to the small bowel. The aim of this bicentric prospective trial was to study feasibility and yield of peroral PSE.DesignConsecutive patients with suspected small bowel disease and indication for antegrade enteroscopy were included in two tertiary referral centres. Primary objective was diagnostic yield of antegrade PSE. Secondary objectives included technical success (defined as successful endoscope insertion at least to ligament of Treitz), depth of maximum insertion (DMI), median insertion time to DMI, rate of therapeutic procedures and adverse events.ResultsDuring a 30-month period, 140 procedures were performed on 132 patients (58 female, 74 male; median age: 68 (20–100) years) under general anaesthesia. Overall diagnostic yield of PSE was 74.2%; with 68.2% of procedures including some form of endotherapy. Technical success rate of PSE was 97%; median DMI was 450 cm (0–600) with a median insertion time to DMI of 25 min (3–122). Antegrade panenteroscopy to the cecum was achieved in 14 cases (10.6%). Overall adverse event (AE) rate was 14.4%; two major serious AEs occurred (1.5%), one delayed perforation, one bleeding from Mallory-Weiss lesion.ConclusionThis pilot clinical trial demonstrates that PSE is effective for diagnostic and therapeutic antegrade enteroscopy and may compare favourably with traditional methods of deep enteroscopy in ease of use and procedural duration. More comparative data are required to assess clinical application and safety of PSE.Trial registration numberNCT02965209
Evaluating the effect of change in the built environment on mental health and subjective well-being: a natural experiment
Authors: Ram Bina , Limb Elizabeth S , Shankar Aparna , Nightingale Claire M , Rudnicka Alicja R , Cummins Steven , Clary Christelle , Lewis Daniel , Cooper Ashley R , Page Angie S , Ellaway Anne , Giles-Corti Billie , Whincup Peter H , Cook Derek G , Owen Christopher G 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundNeighbourhood characteristics may affect mental health and well-being, but longitudinal evidence is limited. We examined the effect of relocating to East Village (the former London 2012 Olympic Athletes’ Village), repurposed to encourage healthy active living, on mental health and well-being.Methods1278 adults seeking different housing tenures in East village were recruited and examined during 2013–2015. 877 (69%) were followed-up after 2 years; 50% had moved to East Village. Analysis examined change in objective measures of the built environment, neighbourhood perceptions (scored from low to high; quality −12 to 12, safety −10 to 10 units), self-reported mental health (depression and anxiety) and well-being (life satisfaction, life being worthwhile and happiness) among East Village participants compared with controls who did not move to East Village. Follow-up measures were regressed on baseline for each outcome with group status as a binary variable, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, housing tenure and household clustering (random effect).ResultsParticipants who moved to East Village lived closer to their nearest park (528 m, 95% CI 482 to 575 m), in more walkable areas, and had better access to public transport, compared with controls. Living in East Village was associated with marked improvements in neighbourhood perceptions (quality 5.0, 95% CI 4.5 to 5.4 units; safety 3.4, 95% CI 2.9 to 3.9 units), but there was no overall effect on mental health and well-being outcomes.ConclusionDespite large improvements in the built environment, there was no evidence that moving to East Village improved mental health and well-being. Changes in the built environment alone are insufficient to improve mental health and well-being.
In the name of science: animal appellations and best practice
Authors: du Toit Jessica 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundThe practice of giving animal research subjects proper names is frowned on by the academic scientific community. While researchers provide a number of reasons for desisting from giving their animal subjects proper names, the most common are that (1) naming leads to anthropomorphising which, in turn, leads to data and results that are unobjective and invalid; and (2) while naming does not necessarily entail some mistake on the researcher’s part, some feature of the research enterprise renders the practice impossible or ill-advised.ObjectivesMy aim is to assess whether the scientific community’s attitude towards naming animal research subjects is justified. That is, I wish to consider whether the practice of naming animal research subjects is good or bad for the purposes of scientific research.MethodAfter reviewing the extant literature, I constructed a list of the main arguments researchers provide for desisting from naming their animal research subjects. I then analysed these arguments, with a view to determining whether they in fact provide good reasons to avoid naming animal research subjects.ConclusionI argue that none of the aforementioned reasons usually provide good grounds for not naming animal research subjects. Moreover, there are usually powerful reasons in favour of researchers giving their research animals proper names. This is because the practice usually leads to greater empathy and so to improved animal well-being. This, in turn, leads to better animal science. Thus, the scientific community’s attitude towards naming animal research subjects is not justified.
Design analysis of polysilicon piezoresistors PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) microcantilever based MEMS Force sensor
Authors: Lamba Monica , Mittal Naman , Singh Kulwant , Chaudhary Himanshu 
Published: April 2020

This study is aimed for the analysis of different designs for sensing low magnitude forces which lies in the micro-Newton range and suitable for biomimetic microbotics. For this, a flexible and high sensitive Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) based Force sensor using piezoresistive sensing mechanism has been analyzed. Design analysis is carried out for sensitivity enhancement on microcantilever by incorporating various combinations of stress concentrated regions (SCR) and their respective arrays. The materials under consideration for sensor are polysilicon piezoresistors and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microcantilever. For design analysis, the designing and simulation work is assessed using Finite Element Analysis approach in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a software. The results revealed that the electrical sensitivity of 1.62 mV/[Formula: see text]N within (0–100) [Formula: see text]N operating range is achieved for microcantilever with rectangular SCR with square SCR array. This operating range has many applications in microbotic field such as sensing tactile movements. Hence, MEMS Force sensor for low magnitude forces has been designed with high sensitivity and flexibility.