Applications of Diglycolamide Based Solvent Extraction Processes in Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing,Part 1: TODGA

Over the last decade there has been much interest in the applications of diglycolamide (DGA) ligands for the extraction of the trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions from PUREX high active raffinates or dissolved spent nuclear fuel. Of the DGAs, the N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) is the best known and most widely studied. A number of new actinide separation processes have been proposed based on extraction with TODGA. This review covers TODGA-based processes and extraction data, specifically focusing on how phase modifiers have been used to increase metal loading and thus enhance the operating process envelopes. Effects of third phase formation and the organic phase speciation are reviewed in this context. Relevant aspects of the extraction chemistry of important solvents (TODGA-modifier-diluent combinations) are described and their performances demonstrated by a consideration of the published flowsheet tests. It is seen that modifiers are successfully enabling the use of TODGA in actinide separation processes but to date the identification and testing of suitable modifiers has been rather empirical. There is a growing understanding of the fundamental chemistry occurring in the organic phase and how that affects extractant speciation and metal loading capacity but studies are still needed if TODGA-based flowsheets are to become an industrially deployable option for minor actinide (MA) recovery processes.     

Relative permeability measurements for two phase flow in unconsolidated sands

This paper presents the results of laboratory measurements of relative permeability for two phase flow in partially saturated samples of unconsolidated sands. Relative permeabilities for tap water and air, de-aired water and nitrogen were measured using a steady—state technique. Three different sand samples (fine sand, heterogeneous sand and coarse sand) were tested.     

The radiation crosslinking and scission of ethylene-propylene copolymers studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

Methyl groups from chain scission and H-crosslinks have been identified by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance in amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymers containing 23 and 36 mole % propylene after γ-irradiation to 10 MGy at 30°C. G (scission) and G (crosslink) values determined from the n.m.r. spectra and by extraction are in agreement, which suggests that the crosslinks are not clustered. This may differ from the situation in polyethylene where there is a substantial crystalline content. G(S). G(X) and the ratio G(S)/G(X) increase with increasing propylene content of the copolymers.     

Acoustic emission calibration instrumentation

An automatic calibration instrument was developed to improve the calibration accuracy of acoustic emission (AE) instrumentation. The instrument facilitates calibration by automatically displaying the maximum value of the stress used to produce AE calibration pulses and the AE pulse. A repeatable AE signal was generated by breaking a graphite rod on the test assembly. By measuring the breaking load of the rod and the maximum root-mean-square values of the resulting AE signals, a relative calibration of the AE measurement system was achieved. Low-noise amplifiers and filters were developed to improve the sensitivity of AE measurements by more than one order of magnitude over commercially available instruments; thus, the smaller signals obtained in parts testing can be detected     

Identification and characterization of human metabolites of CAI [5-amino-1-1(4''-chlorobenzoyl-3,5-dichlorobenzyl)-1,2,3-triazole- 4-carboxamide)

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in children to investigate bronchial disorders such as asthma has both ethical and procedural difficulties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish a standardized non-bronchoscopic method to perform bronchoalveolar lavage in children attending for elective surgery to obtain normal cellular data. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on normal children (n = 55) by infusing saline (20 mL) through an 8 FG suction catheter passed after endotracheal intubation. Oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rate were monitored during the bronchoalveolar lavage procedure. Cellular analysis and total protein estimation of the lavage fluid were performed. Epithelial lining fluid volume was calculated (n = 15) using the urea dilution method. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated by all children. Total cell count and differential cell count for children (macrophages 70.8 +/- 2.3%, lymphocytes 3.8 +/- 0.6%, neutrophils 5.7 +/- 1.0%, eosinophils 0.14 +/- 0.03%, epithelial cells 19.6 +/- 2.1%, mast cells 0.21 +/- 0.02%) were similar to those reported for adults. Age and sex comparisons revealed no differences between groups. The mean total protein recovered in the cell free supernatant was 49.72 +/- 4.29 mg/L and epithelial lining fluid volume was 0.82 +/- 0.11% of return lavageate. CONCLUSION: This method allows bronchoalveolar lavage to be performed safely and quickly on children attending for routine elective surgery. Using this method and taking the 'window of opportunity' of elective surgery, the presence or absence of airway inflammation could be studied in children with various patterns of asthma during relatively asymptomatic periods.     

Pro-Inflammatory Effect of Gliadins and Glutenins Extracted from Different Wheat Cultivars on an In Vitro 3D Intestinal Epithelium Model

There is a need to assess the relationship between improved rheological properties and the immunogenic potential of wheat proteins. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of total protein extracts from three modern and two landrace Triticum aestivum commercial flour mixes, with significant differences in gluten strength (GS), on cell lines. Cytotoxicity and innate immune responses induced by wheat proteins were investigated using Caco-2 monocultures, two dimensional (2D) Caco-2/U937 co-cultures, and three dimensional (3D) co-cultures simulating the intestinal mucosa with Caco-2 epithelial cells situated above an extra-cellular matrix containing U937 monocytes and L929 fibroblasts. Modern wheat proteins, with increased GS, significantly reduced Caco-2 cell proliferation and vitality in monoculture and 2D co-cultures than landrace proteins. Modern wheat proteins also augmented Caco-2 monolayer disruption and tight junction protein, occludin, redistribution in 3D co-cultures. Release of interleukin-8 into the cell medium and increased U937 monocyte migration in both 2D and 3D co-cultures were similarly apparent. Immuno-activation of migrating U937 cells was evidenced from cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) staining and CD11b-related differentiation into macrophages. The modern wheat proteins, with gluten polymorphism relatedness and increased GS, were shown to be more cytotoxic and immunogenic than the landrace wheat proteins.