Re-evaluation of Radiation-Energy Transfer to an Extraction Solvent in a Minor-Actinide-Separation Process Based on Consideration of Radiation Permeability

ABSTRACT

Absorbed-dose estimation is essential for evaluation of the radiation tolerance of minor-actinide-separation processes. We propose a dose-evaluation method based on radiation permeability, with comparisons of heterogeneous structures seen in the solvent-extraction process, such as emulsions forming in the mixture of the organic and aqueous phases. A demonstration of radiation-energy-transfer simulation is performed with a focus on the minor-actinide-recovery process from high-level liquid waste with the aid of the Monte Carlo radiation-transport code PHITS. The simulation results indicate that the dose absorbed by the extraction solvent from alpha radiation depends upon the emulsion structure, and that from beta and gamma radiation depends upon the mixer-settler-apparatus size. Non-negligible contributions of well-permeable gamma rays were indicated in terms of the plant operation of the minor-actinide-separation process.     

Reduced Claudin-12 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Background: Within the claudin (CLDN) family, CLDN12 mRNA expression is altered in various types of cancer, but its clinicopathological relevance has yet to be established due to the absence of specific antibodies (Abs) with broad applications. Methods: We generated a monoclonal Ab (mAb) against human/mouse CLDN12 and verified its specificity. By performing immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification, we evaluated the relationship between CLDN12 expression and clinicopathological parameters in tissues from 138 cases of cervical cancer. Results: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the established mAb selectively recognized the CLDN12 protein. Twenty six of the 138 cases (18.8%) showed low CLDN12 expression, and the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly decreased compared with those in the high CLDN12 expression group. We also demonstrated, via univariable and multivariable analyses, that the low CLDN12 expression represents a significant prognostic factor for the DSS of cervical cancer patients (HR 3.412, p = 0.002 and HR 2.615, p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that a reduced CLDN12 expression predicts a poor outcome for cervical cancer. The novel anti-CLDN12 mAb could be a valuable tool to evaluate the biological relevance of the CLDN12 expression in diverse cancer types and other diseases.     

Categorical observers for metamerism

A method is proposed to generate categorical colour observer functions (individual colour matching functions) for any field size based on the CIE 2006 system of physiological observer functions. The method combines proposed categorical observer techniques of Sarkar et al with a physiologically-based individual observer model of Asano et al and a clustering technique to produce the optimal set of categorical observers. The number of required categorical observers varies depending on an application with as many as 50 required to predict individual observers' matches when a laser projector is viewed. However, 10 categorical observers are sufficient to represent colour-normal populations for personalized colour imaging. The proposed and recommended categorical observers represent a robust and inclusive technique to examine and quantify observer metamerism in any application of colorimetry.     

Markedly compressible behaviors of gellan hydrogels in a constrained geometry at ultraslow strain rates

The fracture behaviors of gellan hydrogels under compression remarkably depend on the strain rate as well as the boundary conditions for lateral expansion. In the geometry with no constraint for lateral expansion (conventional uniaxial compression), the gels rupture at relatively small strains independently of the compression rates. In contrast, when the gels are compressed extremely slowly (at a strain rate of ca. 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹) in the geometry prohibiting the lateral expansion at their top and bottom surfaces, they are remarkably compressible down to 2% of the initial height without macroscopic fracture and they are accompanied by a large amount of water release. In such markedly compressed gels, many microscopic cracks are formed around the central layer, where strain concentration occurs due to the nonuniform deformation arising from the constrained geometry. In the highly compressible case, the formation of macroscopic cracks is prevented by the localization of microscopic cracks as well as the enhancement in mechanical toughness by a significant increase in polymer concentration due to water release.     

Attenuation of ischemic liver injury by prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol, and prostaglandin I2 analogue, OP-41483

Workplace AIDS training is a recent addition to many corporations' occupational health agenda. However, little is known about the objectives, content, and practices of AIDS training programs. A survey of 126 workplace AIDS trainers was conducted to determine the impact of the trainer's organizational affiliation (in-house, consultant, union, etc.) and personal motives on training program objectives, content, and practices. Results indicate that the organizational affiliation of trainers is significantly related to training objectives, topics, and practices, whereas strong personal motives for becoming an AIDS trainer is significantly associated with an emphasis on more controversial content areas and training practices. Findings are discussed in terms of applicability to other values-oriented training topics, applications to practice, and future research needs.     

Impact damage patterns studied by a model simulation

A lattice model has been developed to explore impact damage patterns in brittle materials. The damage evolution was modelled as a process involving the change of strain-energy distribution by cracking. Using a cubic lattice system, a large strain energy was supplied to the system surface. Crack growth initiated by this local energy supply was followed by means of computer simulations. The damage patterns were compared for systems which have different distributions of strain energy stored prior to the local energy supply. The simulations reveal a characteristic difference in the damage pattern. Impact damage for a system with a spatially fluctuating distribution of strain energy is limited around an impact point. Impact damage for a systen with a relatively uniform distribution of strain energy penetrates deeply. The results of the simulations are discussed in connection with the material evaluation and the material resistance.     

Preparation of oriented gold plate/cellulose nanofiber composite films by using TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber as a reducing agent

Microsystem Technologies - TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN) has been drawing much attention as a useful material for preparation of transparent and stiff films or substrates. In this work,...     

Hybrid negative example selection using visual and conceptual features

An application of Query-By-Example (QBE) is presented where shots that are visually similar to provided example shots are retrieved. To implement QBE, counter-example shots are required to accurately distinguish shots that are relevant to the query from those that are not (Li and Snoek (2009), Yu et al. (2004)). However, there are usually a huge number of shots, not relevant to a particular query, which can serve as counter-example shots. It is difficult for a user to provide counter-example shots that would aid retrieval. Thus, we developed a QBE method based on partially supervised learning where a retrieval model is constructed by selecting counter-example shots from shots without user supervision. To ensure the speed and accuracy of the QBE method, we select a small number of counter-example shots that are visually similar to given example shots but irrelevant to the query. Such shots are useful for characterizing the boundary between relevant and irrelevant shots. For our method, we first filter shots that are visually dissimilar to example shots based on SVMs on a visual feature. Then we filter shots relevant to the query based on concept detection results from pre-constructed classifiers. Shots that pass the above two tests are considered as counter-example shots. Experimental results obtained using TRECVID 2009 video data validate the effectiveness of our method.