bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CO2 effect on the pH of compacted bentonite buffer on the laboratory scale
Authors: Itäla A. , Järvinen J. , Muurinen A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDisposal of Finnish spent nuclear fuel is planned to be based on the KBS-3 repository concept. The role of the bentonite buffer in this concept is essential, and thus the behaviour of the bentonite has to be known. The experiments in this paper concentrated on providing information about the effects of carbon dioxide CO2(g) partial pressure on compacted sodium bentonite, giving an insight into the buffering capacity. The experimental setup consisted of a hermetic box which had a CO2-adjusted atmosphere, and the bentonite was in contact with this atmosphere through water reservoirs. The results indicated that it is possible to measure online the changing pH in the porewater inside compacted bentonite using IrOx electrodes. It was found that the pH fell if the CO2 partial pressure increased above atmospheric conditions. The experimental results indicated a greater fall in pH than in our model in the test cases where CO2 was present. The pH in the experiment with 0 PCO2 remained nearly constant throughout the 5 month period. On the other hand, the pH dropped to near 6 with 0.3 PCO2 and to 5.5 with 1 PCO2.
Dissolution of compacted montmorillonite at hyperalkaline pH and 70°C: in situ VSI and ex situ AFM measurements
Authors: Satoh H. , Ishii T. , Owada H. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn situ measurements were carried out to quantify montmorillonite dissolution rates at a compaction pressure ranging from 0.04 to 10.00 MPa and temperature of 70°C in 0.3 M NaOH solution (pH 12.1 at 70°C) using vertical scanning interferometry (VSI) and an auto-compaction cell. Ex situ measurements of the reacted samples using atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed to quantify the ratio of edge surface area (ESA) to total surface area (TSA) (XESA = ESA/TSA). Accordingly, the actual ESA for the montmorillonite examined by in situ VSI could be estimated. The XESA value increases as a function of run duration or compaction pressure. At atmospheric pressure, XESA is approximately 0.0054 and converges to ∼0.0107 at 10 MPa, An expression that relates reactive surface area and montmorillonite compaction (XESA/XESA initial = kXESA, k: variable factor) is kXESA = 1.0 + 0.64628 P0.1527 where P is in MPa. Using the calculated XESA, dissolution rates from the in situ VSI measurements are obtained. The early dissolution (<1500 min) at less compaction pressure tends to show faster rates (>1.0 × 10-11 mol/m2/s) than that at higher compaction pressure. The rates after >1500 min are slower, with values of less than 3×6 10-12 mol/m2/s, but there is no significant dependency on the density in the range from 1.0 to 1.7 Mg/m3. These observed rates for compacted montmorillonite are two-orders of magnitude slower (2.63×10-13 mol/m2/s) than dissolution rates in the suspended state.
Characteristics of variably saturated granular bentonite after long-term storage at near-field relevant temperatures
Authors: Valter M. , Plötze M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBentonite is a potential material for use in the engineered barrier of radioactive waste repositories because of its low hydraulic permeability, self-sealing capability and retention capacity. It is expected that bentonite would react at the elevated temperatures accompanying the radioactive decay in the nuclear waste. The presented study was started in order to improve understanding of the coupled influence of temperature and (pore) water on the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of bentonite during thermal treatment under near-field relevant conditions. Granular Na-bentonite MX-80 was differently saturated (Sr= 1–0.05) and stored at different temperatures (50–150°C) in a closed system. Upon dismantling after different periods of time (3 to 18 months), mineralogical characteristics, cation exchange capacity and content of leachable cations, as well as physicochemical properties such as surface area and water adsorption were investigated.The results showed a high mineralogical stability. A slight conversion from the sodium to an earth alkali form of the bentonite was observed. However, considerable changes in the physicochemical properties of the bentonite were observed, particularly by treatment above the critical temperature of 120°C. The cation exchange capacity decreased during heating at 150°C by approximately. 10%. The specific surface area dropped by more than 50%. The water uptake capacity under free swelling conditions showed a slight tendency to lower values especially for samples heated for more than 12 months. The water vapour adsorption ability in contrast drops by 25% already within three months at T = 120°C. These changes are mostly related to the variations in the interlayer cation composition and to smectite aggregation processes. The observed alterations are rather subtle. However, temperatures ⩾ 120°C had a remarkable negative influence on different properties of MX-80.
The experimental study of bentonite swelling into fissures
Authors: Svoboda J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe geological disposal of radioactive waste, based on a multi-barrier concept wherein the first barrier consists of the metal waste container and the final barrier the host rock, is widely considered the only viable solution to this issue. The bentonite-based seal around the canister forms one of the barriers. The unique swelling and sealing capabilities of bentonite play a major role in repository safety concepts in that they allow the bentonite barrier to withstand serious mechanical damage without its function being compromised.This paper presents experimental research focusing on the dynamics and mechanics of the sealing of cracks and joints using bentonite-based materials. Physical models were used to simulate the contact point of bentonite-based sealants with cracks in the rock mass. The models examined the ability of the tested material to fill the crack thus preventing the creation of a preferential water pathway. The results show that in most cases total bentonite advance (for the same material) into fissures is, primarily, linearly dependent on fissure width. The absolute value of advance could be related to the overall swelling ability of the material characterized by its swell index or swelling pressure.
Micro-scale experimental investigation of the swelling anisotropy of the Callovo-Oxfordian argillaceous rock
Authors: Wang L. L. , Bornert M. , Chanchole S. , Yang D. S. , Héripre E. , Tanguy A. , Caldemaison D. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAn experimental study of the swelling anisotropy of the Callovo-Oxfordian argillaceous rock under hydration is presented. The investigation, which combines environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and digital image correlation techniques, has been carried out at the micrometric scale of the composite microstructure of the rock. Specimens were hydrated in the ESEM over a wide range of relative humidity and observations conducted on two planes: plane 1 parallel to the bedding plane, and plane 2 perpendicular to it. The observations reveal that the local swelling (which can be quantified at a local gauge length of about 5 μm) is strongly anisotropic in both planes. The global swelling, measured over areas of about 500 μm in width, is also clearly anisotropic in plane 2 (with major swelling direction normal to the bedding plane), but not in plane 1. The global isotropy in plane 1 arises from the uniform distribution of the orientation of anisotropic local strains, while the anisotropic swelling in plane 2 is due to a preferred local orientation.
Changes in hydraulic conductivity of sand-bentonite mixtures accompanied by alkaline alteration
Authors: Yamaguchi T. , Sawaguchi T. , Tsukada M. , Kadowaki M. , Tanaka T. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractHighly alkaline environments induced by cementitious materials in radioactive waste repositories are likely to alter montmorillonite, the main constituent of bentonite buffer materials, and are likely to cause the physical and/or chemical properties of the buffer materials to deteriorate. The deterioration may cause variation in hydraulic conductivity of the buffer. However, empirical data on the variation of hydraulic conductivity are scarce, mainly because the alteration of compacted buffer materials, sand-bentonite mixtures, is extremely slow. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to observe changes in hydraulic conductivity of sand-bentonite mixtures, accompanied by their alkaline alteration, using NaOH-based solutions at 80–90°C. Series-1 multi-step alteration/water conduction experiments resulted in an increase in the hydraulic conductivity by one order of magnitude over a 200 day period. Series-2 single step alteration/water conduction experiments revealed a decrease in the montmorillonite contents with time and a resulting increase in the hydraulic conductivity by 30 times over the 67 day period. Series-3 simultaneous alteration/water conduction experiment also demonstrated an increase in the hydraulic conductivity by 30 times over the 150 day period. The results proved that the alkaline alteration of the bentonite buffer can increase the hydraulic conductivity. The data obtained in this study are useful for verification of the code that will be used for assessing the alteration.
Alloantibodies to a paternally derived RBC KEL antigen lead to hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn in a murine model
Authors: Stowell Sean R. , Henry Kate L. , Smith Nicole H. , Hudson Krystalyn E. , Halverson Greg R. , Park Jaekeun C. , Bennett Ashley M. , Girard-Pierce Kathryn R. , Arthur C. Maridith , Bunting Silvia T. , Zimring James C. , Hendrickson Jeanne E. 
Published: June 2013

Key PointsAnti-KEL alloantibodies generated after exposure to paternally derived RBC antigens during pregnancy result in fetal anemia. This is the first animal model of pregnancy associated HDFN, with transfusion and pregnancy resulting in boostable anti-KEL alloantibodies.
A fungal endophyte induces transcription of genes encoding a redundant fungicide pathway in its host plant
Authors: Soliman Sameh SM , Trobacher Christopher P , Tsao Rong , Greenwood John S , Raizada Manish N 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Taxol is an anti-cancer drug harvested from Taxus trees, proposed ecologically to act as a fungicide. Taxus is host to fungal endophytes, defined as organisms that inhabit plants without causing disease. The Taxus endophytes have been shown to synthesize Taxol in vitro, providing Taxus with a second potential biosynthetic route for this protective metabolite. Taxol levels in plants vary 125-fold between individual trees, but the underlying reason has remained unknown.

Results
Comparing Taxus trees or branches within a tree, correlations were observed between Taxol content, and quantity of its resident Taxol-producing endophyte, Paraconiothyrium SSM001. Depletion of fungal endophyte in planta by fungicide reduced plant Taxol accumulation. Fungicide treatment of intact plants caused concomitant decreases in transcript and/or protein levels corresponding to two critical genes required for plant Taxol biosynthesis. Taxol showed fungicidal activity against fungal pathogens of conifer wood, the natural habitat of the Taxol-producing endophyte. Consistent with other Taxol-producing endophytes, SSM001 was resistant to Taxol.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the variation in Taxol content between intact Taxus plants and/or tissues is at least in part caused by varying degrees of transcriptional elicitation of plant Taxol biosynthetic genes by its Taxol-producing endophyte. As Taxol is a fungicide, and the endophyte is resistant to Taxol, we discuss how this endophyte strategy may be to prevent colonization by its fungal competitors but at minimal metabolic cost to itself.
Scientific publications in ophthalmic journals from China and other top-ranking countries: a 12-year review of the literature
Authors: Huang Wenbin , Wang Wei , Zhan Jiao , Zhou Minwen , Chen Shida , Zhang Xiulan 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Eye diseases with increasing mortality are common health problems that affect people of all ages and demographic backgrounds. In this study, we study the publication characteristics in international ophthalmic journals of the US, the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, and China.

Methods
Articles published in 53 ophthalmic journals from 2000 to 2011 were retrieved from the PubMed database. We recorded the number of articles published each year, analyzed the publication type, and evaluated the accumulated and average impact factors (IFs), and the distribution of articles in ophthalmic journals in relation to IFs. The characteristics of publication outputs from China and other top-ranking countries were compared.

Results
The total number of articles increased significantly during the past 12 years, with an increase of 51.0%. The growth in the annual number of articles from the US, the UK, Australia, and China showed a significantly positive trend. Publications from the US exceeded those from any other country and had the highest IFs, largest number of total citations of articles, and the most articles published in leading ophthalmic journals. During the past 12 years, China contributed 3.5% of the total publications, and the number of Chinese articles showed a more than 6-fold increase (from 99 to 605, R2 =0.947, P<0.001). The numbers of IFs and citations of articles originating in China were mostly lower than for other top-ranking counties.

Conclusions
Research on ophthalmic journals has maintained an upward growing trend from 2000 to 2011. Chinese ophthalmology research has developed rapidly, but the gap still exists between China and other top-ranking countries for the advanced level of research.
High level transient production of recombinant antibodies and antibody fusion proteins in HEK293 cells
Authors: Jäger Volker , Büssow Konrad , Wagner Andreas , Weber Susanne , Hust Michael , Frenzel André , Schirrmann Thomas 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The demand of monospecific high affinity binding reagents, particularly monoclonal antibodies, has been steadily increasing over the last years. Enhanced throughput of antibody generation has been addressed by optimizing in vitro selection using phage display which moved the major bottleneck to the production and purification of recombinant antibodies in an end-user friendly format. Single chain (sc)Fv antibody fragments require additional tags for detection and are not as suitable as immunoglobulins (Ig)G in many immunoassays. In contrast, the bivalent scFv-Fc antibody format shares many properties with IgG and has a very high application compatibility.

Results
In this study transient expression of scFv-Fc antibodies in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells was optimized. Production levels of 10-20 mg/L scFv-Fc antibody were achieved in adherent HEK293T cells. Employment of HEK293-6E suspension cells expressing a truncated variant of the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1 in combination with production under serum free conditions increased the volumetric yield up to 10-fold to more than 140 mg/L scFv-Fc antibody. After vector optimization and process optimization the yield of an scFv-Fc antibody and a cytotoxic antibody-RNase fusion protein further increased 3-4-fold to more than 450 mg/L. Finally, an entirely new mammalian expression vector was constructed for single step in frame cloning of scFv genes from antibody phage display libraries. Transient expression of more than 20 different scFv-Fc antibodies resulted in volumetric yields of up to 600 mg/L and 400 mg/L in average.

Conclusion
Transient production of recombinant scFv-Fc antibodies in HEK293-6E in combination with optimized vectors and fed batch shake flasks cultivation is efficient and robust, and integrates well into a high-throughput recombinant antibody generation pipeline.
Fabrication of vertical GaN/InGaN heterostructure nanowires using Ni-Au bi-metal catalysts
Authors: Ha Ryong , Kim Sung-Wook , Choi Heon-Jin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
We have fabricated the vertically aligned coaxial or longitudinal heterostructure GaN/InGaN nanowires. The GaN nanowires are first vertically grown by vapor–liquid-solid mechanism using Au/Ni bi-metal catalysts. The GaN nanowires are single crystal grown in the [0001] direction, with a length and diameter of 1 to 10 μm and 100 nm, respectively. The vertical GaN/InGaN coaxial heterostructure nanowires (COHN) are then fabricated by the subsequent deposition of 2 nm of InxGa1-xN shell on the surface of GaN nanowires. The vertical GaN/InGaN longitudinal heterostructure nanowires (LOHN) are also fabricated by subsequent growth of an InGaN layer on the vertically aligned GaN nanowires using the catalyst. The photoluminescence from the COHN and LOHN indicates that the optical properties of GaN nanowires can be tuned by the formation of a coaxial or longitudinal InGaN layer. Our study demonstrates that the bi-metal catalysts are useful for growing vertical as well as heterostructure GaN nanowires. These vertically aligned GaN/InGaN heterostructure nanowires may be useful for the development of high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Improvement of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis after steroid tapering in a patient with bronchial asthma: a case report
Authors: Ezuka Akiko , Kawana Kenichi , Nagase Hajime , Takahashi Hirokazu , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIntroductionWe report the case of a patient who was diagnosed as having pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis while being treated with prednisolone for bronchial asthma. Even before we had experienced a case of this, the relationship between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and prednisolone was unclear. In this case, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was improved with the reduction of prednisolone, and therefore we thought a direct relationship between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and prednisolone might become clear, such as whether it is dose dependent.Case presentationA 62-year-old Japanese woman had been treated for bronchial asthma for approximately 40 years. She presented with abdominal distension, and a radiographic examination showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural gas, suggestive of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. However, when her prednisolone dose was decreased from 30mg to 0mg for approximately a year because of improvement in her asthma symptoms, her abdominal symptom resolved, and the frequency of her bowel movements returned to normal.ConclusionAmelioration of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was observed with tapering of the prednisolone, suggesting that prednisolone may have been involved in the pathogenesis of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in this patient.
Predictive research methods of enamel and dentine for initial caries detection
Authors: Kunin Anatoly A , Belenova Irina A , Ippolitov Yury A , Moiseeva Natalia S , Kunin Dmitry A 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Currently, various research methods of enamel and dentine for precautionary diagnostics of initial caries forms are developed; however, the vast majority of these do not provide objective criteria of caries diagnostics or are very difficult to perform. Therefore, the search of diagnostics and enamel research methods, which will allow predicting caries emergence and to carry out personalised prevention of this pathology, is necessary. In this review, modern diagnostic methods that allow understanding the main aspects of caries process, assess the risk of its development, and also suggest the possibility of emergency prevention of caries progression in the nearest future are presented.
Postpartum vaginal cystic lesions: everyday practice or a differential diagnosis challenge?
Authors: Machairiotis Nikolaos , Tourountous Ioannis , Karamperis Alexandros , Zarogoulidis Paul , Oikonomou Anastasia , Theodoros Rokkos , Palouki Panagiota , Hohenforst-Schmidt Wolfgang , Zissimopoulos Athanasios , Machairiotis Christodoulos 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Postpartum vaginal cystic lesions constitute a common situation that is caused either by inflammation or by accumulation of lymph. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman who had bilateral duplication of the pelvicalyceal system and ureter, and after the labor of her second child, she had one ureter prolapse into the vagina after initially appearing as a cystic lesion. Ureteral duplication is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population and in 10% of children who are diagnosed with urinary tract infections. In our case we consider possible that this clinical situation was a result of a combination of postpartum pelvic floor trauma and prolapse of the ureter. There are only several of these cases in the literature where ureter prolapse is associated and complicated by pelvic floor trauma caused during or after labor. The clinical approach of the cystic lesions located in the vagina during the postpartum period should include a meticulous examination of the urinary system before any other medical practice.
Functional consequences of platelet binding to T lymphocytes in inflammation
Authors: Zamora Carlos , Cantó Elisabet , Nieto Juan C , Ortiz M Angels , Diaz-Torné Cesar , Diaz-Lopez Cesar , Llobet Josep M , Juarez Candido , Vidal Sílvia 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTExpression of the scavenger receptor CD36 on lymphocytes is intriguing. We observed that a minor subpopulation of lymphocytes expressed CD36 on the cell surface. We investigated the source of CD36 and also the proliferation and cytokine production of these CD36+ CD4+ lymphocytes. Flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy showed that CD36+ platelets were responsible for CD36 detection on lymphocytes. CD36 was then used as a tool to characterize lymphocytes with bound platelets. Activation-induced proliferation was lower in CD4+ lymphocytes with bound platelets than lymphocytes without bound platelets. IL-17 and IFN-γ production was also reduced in lymphocytes with bound platelets. We then studied the presence of CD36+ CD4+ lymphocytes in RA patients. We observed that the percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes with bound platelets was higher on RA patients than in healthy donors. RA patients with higher titers of anti-CCP, RF levels, and cardiovascular risk index presented a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes with bound platelets. These patients also had higher IL-17 and IFN-γ production. These results suggest that platelet-binding modifies lymphocyte function. This binding could be a regulatory mechanism in RA that confers a less severe phenotype.
The role of type 2 innate lymphoid cells in asthma
Authors: Chang Ya-Jen , DeKruyff Rosemarie H , Umetsu Dale T 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTAsthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease with several phenotypes, including an allergic asthma phenotype, characterized by Th2 cytokine production and associated with allergen sensitization and adaptive immunity. Asthma also includes nonallergic asthma phenotypes that require innate rather than adaptive immunity. These innate pathways to asthma involve macrophages, neutrophils, as well as ILCs, newly described cell types that produce a variety of cytokines, including IL-5 and IL-13. We review the recent data regarding ILCs and their role in asthma.