In-situ Washing by Sedimentation Method for Contaminated Sandy Soil

We propose a new method of in situ soil remediation called in situ washing by sedimentation (IWS), accomplished by injecting a high air-pressure into a mixture of saturated water-sandy soil at a certain depth (D) and hydraulically separating the soil particles based on their particle size and density. This physical segregation exploits the distribution of contaminant in the soil by physically separating a selected contaminant-rich fraction. For the in situ application, the physical segregation by sedimentation and on-site water wash treatment happen as an integrated process. The advantage of IWS that the washing and segregation processes take place simultaneously during the remediation process, quick, effective and cheap since there are no costs for excavation of contaminated soil from the site. The effect of soil-water ratio and diameter geometry of the column on the effectiveness of segregation by IWS was investigated. A series of laboratory test were conducted to optimize the soil water ratio for the best segregation process. Soil-water ratio 1:2 (v/v) was found to be optimum for particle segregation produced by IWS . The suitability of IWS for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) remediation, such as Napthalene, Phenantrene and Pyrene, were examined by batch sedimentation column experiment. The laboratory experiment was effective to produce a distinct size segregation of the contaminated soil into the coarse and fine fractions, as well as the wash water, indicating that a significant reduction in Napthalene, Phenantrene and Pyrene level (90%) may be achieved. The experimental results show that the removal efficiencies depend on the initial concentration of PAH in the soil sample, the duration of washing and the addition of biosurfactant in the washing solution

Configuration mixing calculation for complete low-lying spectra with the mean-field Hamiltonian

We propose a new theoretical approach to ground and low-energy excited states of nuclei extending the nuclear mean-field theory. It consists of three steps: stochastic preparation of many Slater determinants, the parity and angular momentum projection, and diagonalization of the generalized eigenvalue problems. The Slater determinants are constructed in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate representation capable of describing arbitrary shape of nuclei. We examine feasibility and usefulness of the method by applying the method with the BKN interaction to light 4N-nuclei, 12C, 16O, and 20Ne. We discuss difficulties of keeping linear independence for basis states projected on good parity and angular momentum and present a possible prescription.Comment: 12 pages, revtex

Potential role of vacuolar H+–adenosine triphosphatase in neointimal formation in cultured human saphenous vein

AbstractObjective: Vacuolar H+–adenosine triphosphatase plays a pivotal role in pH regulation and molecular transport across the vacuolar membranes and is involved in cell proliferation and transformation. In the present study, possible involvement of vacuolar H+–adenosine triphosphatase in neointimal formation was investigated in an organ culture model of human saphenous vein. Methods and results: Cultured saphenous vein segments developed neointimal formation and marked thickening of the media within 14 days. Neointimal formation and medial thickening were completely inhibited by 10 nmol/L bafilomycin A1, a selective inhibitor of vacuolar H+-adenosine triphosphatase, although structurally related macrolide antibiotics FK-506 and erythromycin were without an effect. The neointimal cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin but negative for desmin, indicative of myofibroblasts. The emergence of myofibroblasts was inhibited, and endothelial cells were preserved in the saphenous vein segments treated with bafilomycin A1. Uptake of bromodeoxyuridine, a proliferation marker, by myofibroblasts was abrogated in the saphenous vein segments treated with 10 nmol/L bafilomycin A1. Detection of apoptotic cells by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labeling concomitant with identification of desmin-expressing smooth muscle cells demonstrated that neointimal myofibroblasts, but not medial smooth muscle cells, that expressed desmin underwent apoptosis by treatment with bafilomycin A1. Conclusions: These results suggest that vacuolar H+–adenosine triphosphatase may be involved in myofibroblast growth that contributes to neointimal formation and medial thickening in cultured human saphenous vein. Increased sensitivity of myofibroblasts, but not endothelial cells, and differentiated smooth muscle cells to bafilomycin A1 may have potential therapeutic implications in the treatment for vein graft disease. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:998-1007

Electroviscous effects of simple electrolytes under shear

On the basis of a hydrodynamical model analogous to that in critical fluids, we investigate the influences of shear flow upon the electrostatic contribution to the viscosity of binary electrolyte solutions in the Debye-H\"{u}ckel approximation. Within the linear-response theory, we reproduce the classical limiting law that the excess viscosity is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the electrolyte. We also extend this result for finite shear. An analytic expression of the anisotropic structure factor of the charge density under shear is obtained, and its deformation at large shear rates is discussed. A non-Newtonian effect caused by deformations of the ionic atmosphere is also elucidated for $\tau_D\dot{\gamma}>1$. This finding concludes that the maximum shear stress that the ionic atmosphere can support is proportional to $\lambda_D^{-3}$, where $\dot{\gamma}$, $\lambda_D$ and $\tau_D=\lambda_D^2/D$ are, respectively, the shear rate, the Debye screening length and the Debye relaxation time with $D$ being the relative diffusivity at the infinite dilution limit of the electrolyte.Comment: 13pages, 2figure

Theoretical analysis on the possibility of superconductivity in a trilayer Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate La4_4Ni3_3O10_{10} under pressure and its experimental examination: comparison with La3_3Ni2_2O7_7

We study the possibility of superconductivity in a trilayer Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ under pressure both theoretically and experimentally, making comparison with the recently discovered high $T_c$ superconductor La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$, a bilayer nickelate. Through DFT calculations, we find that a structural phase transition from monoclinic to tetragonal takes place around 10 - 15 GPa. Using the tetragonal crystal structure, we theoretically investigate the possibility of superconductivity, where a combination of fluctuation exchange approximation and linearized Eliashberg equation is applied to a six-orbital model constructed from first principles band calculation. The obtained results suggests that La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$ may also become superconducting under high pressure with $T_c$ comparable to some cuprates, although it is not as high as La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$. We also perform experimental studies using our polycrystalline samples of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$ and La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$. The superconducting transition of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$, with a maximum onset $T_c$ of 67.0 K at a pressure of 26.5 GPa, is confirmed by a drop in the electrical resistance, as well as the magnetic field dependence of the resistance. Quite interestingly, similar temperature and magnetic field dependencies of the resistance are observed also for La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$, where a drop in the resistance is observed at lower temperatures compared to La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_{7.01}$, under pressures of 32.8 GPa and above. Given the theoretical expectation, the reduction in the resistance can most likely be attributed to the occurrence of superconductivity in La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{9.99}$. The temperature at which the resistance deviates from a linear behavior, considered as the onset $T_c$, monotonically increases up to 23 K at 79.2 GPa, which is opposite to the pressure dependence of $T_c$ in La3Ni2O7.01.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, Fig.4 adde

Comparative proteomic analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ppGpp-deficient mutant to identify a novel virulence protein required for intracellular survival in macrophages

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The global ppGpp-mediated stringent response in pathogenic bacteria plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections. In <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium (<it>S</it>. Typhimurium), several genes, including virulence genes, are regulated by ppGpp when bacteria are under the stringent response. To understand the control of virulence genes by ppGpp in <it>S</it>. Typhimurium, agarose 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry was used and a comprehensive 2-DE reference map of amino acid-starved <it>S</it>. Typhimurium strain SH100, a derivative of ATCC 14028, was established.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 366 examined spots, 269 proteins were successfully identified. The comparative analysis of the wild-type and ppGpp⁰mutant strains revealed 55 proteins, the expression patterns of which were affected by ppGpp. Using a mouse infection model, we further identified a novel virulence-associated factor, STM3169, from the ppGpp-regulated and <it>Salmonella</it>-specific proteins. In addition, <it>Salmonella </it>strains carrying mutations in the gene encoding STM3169 showed growth defects and impaired growth within macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, we found that expression of <it>stm3169 </it>was controlled by ppGpp and SsrB, a response regulator of the two-component system located on <it>Salmonella </it>pathogenicity island 2.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A proteomic approach using a 2-DE reference map can prove a powerful tool for analyzing virulence factors and the regulatory network involved in <it>Salmonella </it>pathogenesis. Our results also provide evidence of a global response mediated by ppGpp in <it>S. enterica</it>.</p