Prevention of bone mineral changes induced by bed rest: Modification by static compression simulating weight bearing, combined supplementation of oral calcium and phosphate, calcitonin injections, oscillating compression, the oral diophosphonatedisodium etidronate, and lower body negative pressure

The phenomenon of calcium loss during bed rest was found to be analogous to the loss of bone material which occurs in the hypogravic environment of space flight. Ways of preventing this occurrence are investigated. A group of healthy adult males underwent 24-30 weeks of continuous bed rest. Some of them were given an exercise program designed to resemble normal ambulatory activity; another subgroup was fed supplemental potassium phosphate. The results from a 12-week period of treatment were compared with those untreated bed rest periods. The potassium phosphate supplements prevented the hypercalciuria of bed rest, but fecal calcium tended to increase. The exercise program did not diminish the negative calcium balance. Neither treatment affected the heavy loss of mineral from the calcaneus. Several additional studies are developed to examine the problem further

New Measurements of Fine-Scale CMB Polarization Power Spectra from CAPMAP at Both 40 and 90 GHz

We present new measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization from the final season of the Cosmic Anisotropy Polarization MAPper (CAPMAP). The data set was obtained in winter 2004-2005 with the 7 m antenna in Crawford Hill, New Jersey, from 12 W-band (84-100 GHz) and 4 Q-band (36-45 GHz) correlation polarimeters with 3.3' and 6.5' beamsizes, respectively. After selection criteria were applied, 956 (939) hours of data survived for analysis of W-band (Q-band) data. Two independent and complementary pipelines produced results in excellent agreement with each other. A broad suite of null tests as well as extensive simulations showed that systematic errors were minimal, and a comparison of the W-band and Q-band sky maps revealed no contamination from galactic foregrounds. We report the E-mode and B-mode power spectra in 7 bands in the range 200 < l < 3000, extending the range of previous measurements to higher l. The E-mode spectrum, which is detected at 11 sigma significance, is in agreement with cosmological predictions and with previous work at other frequencies and angular resolutions. The BB power spectrum provides one of the best limits to date on B-mode power at 4.8 uK^2 (95% confidence).Comment: 19 pages, 17 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Ap

Synthesis and characterization of iodovanadinite using PdI2, an iodine source for the immobilisation of radioiodine

The synthesis of a palladium-containing iodovanadinite derivative, hypothetically “PdPb9(VO4)6I2”, was attempted using PdI2 as a source of iodine in searching for a novel waste form for radioiodine. Stoichiometric amounts of Pb3(VO4)2 and PdI2 were batched and reacted at elevated temperatures in sealed vessels. Batched material was also subjected to high-energy ball-milling (HEBM) in order to reduce reaction time and the potential for iodine volatilization during subsequent reaction at 200–500 °C. The resulting products were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and Pd K XANES. Results showed that PdI2 can function as a sacrificial iodine source for the formation of iodovanadinite, prototypically Pb10(VO4)6I2, however, the incorporation of Pd into this phase was not definitively observed. The sacrificial reaction mechanism involved the decomposition of PdI2 to Pd metal and nascent I2, with the latter incorporated into the iodovanadinite Pb10(VO4)6I2 phase. In comparison to processing using standard solid state reaction techniques, the use of HEBM prior to high temperature reaction generates a more homogeneous end-product with better iodine retention for this system. Overall, the key novelty and importance of this work is in demonstrating a method for direct immobilisation of undissolved PdI2 from nuclear fuel reprocessing, in a composite wasteform in which I-129 is immobilised within a durable iodovandinite ceramic, encapsulating Pd metal

An archaeology of borders: qualitative political theory as a tool in addressing moral distance

Interviews, field observations and other qualitative methods increasingly are being used to inform the construction of arguments in normative political theory. This article works to demonstrate the strong salience of some kinds of qualitative material for cosmopolitan arguments to extend distributive boundaries. The incorporation of interviews and related qualitative material can make the moral claims of excluded others more vivid and possibly more difficult to dismiss by advocates of strong priority to compatriots in distributions. Further, it may help to promote the kind of perspective taking that has been associated with actually motivating a willingness to aid by individuals. Illustrative findings are presented from field work conducted for a normative project on global citizenship, including interviews with unauthorized immigrants and the analysis of artifacts left behind on heavily used migrant trails

Evolution of phase assemblage of blended magnesium potassium phosphate cement binders at 200 degrees and 1000 degrees C

The fire performance of magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) binders blended with fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) was investigated up to 1000°C using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and SEM techniques. The FA/MKPC and GBFS/MKPC binders dehydrate above 200°C to form amorphous KMgPO4, concurrent with volumetric and mass changes. Above 1000°C, additional crystalline phases were formed and microstructural changes occurred, although no cracking or spalling of the samples was observed. These results indicate that FA/MKPC and GBFS/MKPC binders are expected to have satisfactory fire performance under the fire scenario conditions relevant to the operation of a UK or other geological disposal facility

Thermal treatment for radioactive waste minimisation

Safe management of radioactive waste is challenging to waste producers and waste management organisations. Deployment of thermal treatment technologies can provide significant improvements: volume reduction, waste passivation, organics destruction, safety demonstration facilitation, etc. The EC-funded THERAMIN project enables an EU-wide strategic review and assessment of the value of thermal treatment technologies applicable to Low and Intermediate Level waste streams (ion exchange media, soft operational waste, sludges, organic waste, and liquids). THERAMIN compiles an EU-wide database of wastes, which could be treated by thermal technologies and documents available thermal technologies. Applicability and benefits of technologies to the identified waste streams will be evaluated through full-scale demonstration tests by project partners. Safety case implications will also be assessed through the study of the disposability of thermally treated waste products. This paper will communicate the strategic aims of the ongoing project and highlight some key findings and results achieved to date

The progression of deoxynivalenol-induced growth suppression in nursery pigs and the potential of an algae-modified montmorillonite clay to mitigate these effects

Citation: Frobose, H. L., Erceg, J. A., Fowler, S. Q., Tokach, M. D., DeRouchey, J. M., Woodworth, J. C., . . . Goodband, R. D. (2016). The progression of deoxynivalenol-induced growth suppression in nursery pigs and the potential of an algae-modified montmorillonite clay to mitigate these effects. Journal of Animal Science, 94(9), 3746-3759. doi:10.2527/jas2016-0663Two experiments were conducted to characterize the progression of deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced growth suppression and to investigate algae-modified montmorillonite clay (AMMC) as a means to alleviate the effects of DON in nursery pigs. In both experiments, naturally DON-contaminated wheat was used to produce diets with desired DON levels. In Exp. 1, 280 barrows and gilts (10.0 +/- 0.2 kg BW) were used in a 28-d experiment arranged in a 2 x 2 + 1 factorial design with 8 replicates per treatment. The 5 treatments consisted of 2 positive control (PC) diets with DON below detection limits and with or without 0 or 0.50% AMMC and 3 negative control (NC) diets with 5 mg/kg of DON and containing 0, 0.25, or 0.50% AMMC. No DON x AMMC interactions were observed. Overall, pigs fed DON had decreased (P < 0.001) ADG and final BW regardless of AMMC addition. Feeding DON-contaminated diets elicited the most severe depression (P < 0.001) in ADFI and G:F from d 0 to 3, remaining poorer overall (P < 0.01) but lessening in severity as exposure time increased. Pigs fed DON diets had greater (P < 0.05) within pen BW variation (CV) on d 28. Although the addition of 0.50% AMMC to diets restored (P < 0.05) ADFI from d 14 to 21 to levels similar to the PC, no other differences were observed for AMMC inclusion. In Exp. 2, 360 barrows (11.4 +/- 0.2 kg BW) were used in a 21-d experiment with 9 dietary treatments arranged in a 3 x 3 factorial design with DON and AMMC inclusion as main effects. There were 8 replicate pens per treatment. Treatments consisted of 3 PC diets without DON, 3 low-DON (1.5 mg/kg DON) NC diets, and 3 high-DON (3 mg/kg DON) NC diets with 0, 0.17, or 0.50% AMMC incorporated at each DON level. No DON x AMMC interactions were observed. As DON level increased, ADG and final BW decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05), driven by decreased (quadratic, P < 0.01) ADFI and poorer (quadratic; P < 0.05) G:F. At both 1.5 and 3 mg/kg DON, reductions in ADG were most marked from d 0 to 7 (15 to 22% lower) and were least distinct from d 14 to 21 (5 to 6% lower). Incorporating AMMC at increasing levels had no effect on ADG, ADFI, G:F, or final BW. Overall, these experiments reinforce DON effects on feed intake but also indicate that the effects of DON on G: F may be more severe than previously thought. Furthermore, some pigs appear to develop tolerance to DON, as effects on ADFI and G: F lessen over time. However, the addition of AMMC did not offset the deleterious effects of DON

Effects of PepSoyGen processing method on nursery pig growth performance

Swine Industry Day, 2014 is known as Swine Day, 2014A total of 292 weanling pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; 13.3 ± 2.4 lb BW and 21 d of age) were used in a 31-d experiment evaluating the effects of alternative PepSoyGen processing methods for nursery pig diets. There were 11 replicate pens per treatment and 6 or 7 pigs per pen. At weaning, pigs were allotted to pens by initial weight to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely randomized design. A 3-phase diet series was used with treatment diets fed during Phase 1 (d 0 to 7) and Phase 2 (d 7 to 21), with a common diet fed from d 21 to 31. Diets were: (1) negative control (corn, soybean meal, and dried whey), (2) positive control (4% DPS 50 + 1% PepSoyGen), (3) PepSoyGen processing method 1 (PSG1; 5%), and (4) PepSoyGen processing method 2 (PSG2; 5%). The alternative PepSoyGen processing methods incorporated increasing levels of a proprietary additive post-fermentation (PSG2 > PSG1) aimed at further breakdown of anti-nutritional factors associated with soybean meal. Nutrient analyses generally matched formulated levels for negative and positive control diets, but for both PSG1 and PSG2, CP and amino acid concentrations were lower than formulated, with PSG1 generally 10% lower than PSG2. In Phase 1, pigs fed the positive control diet had improved (P < 0.01) ADG and feed efficiency compared with pigs fed the negative control, whereas pigs fed PSG1 and PSG2 diets were intermediate for feed efficiency but tended (P < 0.07) to have increased ADG compared with those fed the negative control. For Phase 2, there were no significant differences in growth performance between treatment diets. For the overall experimental period (d 0 to 21), pigs fed the positive control diet and PSG2 diet had improved ADG (P < 0.05), whereas pigs fed the positive control, PSG1, and PSG2 diets had improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the negative control diet. Also, pigs fed PSG1 tended (P < 0.06) to have lower ADG compared with pigs fed the positive control diet. During the Phase 3 common period, no difference in growth performance was observed. Overall (d 0 to 31), ADG was greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed the positive control diet and tended to be greater (P < 0.07) for pigs fed diets containing PSG2 than the negative control diet, with pigs fed PSG1 intermediate. In conclusion, pigs fed the PSG1 or PSG2 diets had similar performance to pigs fed the positive control diet. Numerically, the PSG2 diet elicited greater performance than the PSG1 diet, but it is unclear whether this response is reflective of the reduced CP and amino acid content in the PSG1 diet or if the differences in processing method affected growth response