Precipitation of calcium compounds onto rock surfaces in water with cementitious material

In this study, the precipitation of minerals onto rock surfaces was investigated to consider whether sealing of pores and cracks in rock can be accelerated. Cylindrical specimens were prepared and then kept in purified water with powders of high-strength and ultra-low-permeability concrete (HSULPC), which will be used to confine transuranic wastes in Japan. Then, the rock specimens were weighed and the surfaces of rock specimens were inspected under a microscope. It was recognized that precipitation occurred on the surface of the rock specimens. It was also shown that precipitation did not occur on rock specimens kept in water without HSULPC. The weight of all specimens stored in HSULPC increased, and the observed weight change was larger for rocks with higher porosities. It is concluded that precipitation of minerals occurs on the rock surface when the rock is kept in water with HSULPC powders. From the results obtained in this study, it is suggested that the sealing of pores and cracks in rock can be accelerated by the precipitation of calcium compounds using HSULPC. It is concluded that HSULPC is useful for underground radioactive waste disposal

On the Contamination of Sea Water with Salmonella and Fecal Indicator Organisms : I. Occurrence and Distribution of Salmonella and Fecal Indicator Organisms in Coastal Sea Water of Fukuyama

瀬戸内海の環境汚染調査の一環として1972年6月から1974年3月にわたり,福山市沿岸海水を対象にサルモネラと汚染指標菌の動態について調査した。その結果,以下のような成績が得られた。 1. 8地点(A～H)から採取した海水のサルモネラ陽性率は,平均12.1%(28/232)であった。 2. サルモネラ陽性率は地点および季節によって異なり,A地点23.9%(11/46),B地点21.7%(10/46)およびE地点25%(3/12)と陽性率が高く,また季節別では5～10月に高かった。 3. サルモネラ陽性率は港内から港外および沖合部に行くに従って低下した。 4. 分離された42株のサルモネラの菌型またはO群は,S.typhimurium, S.thompson, S.anatum, S.infantis, S.give, S.schleissheim, S.schwarzengrund, S.derby, S,montevideo, S.meleagridis, S,binza, S.senftenbergおよび型別不能のO群B,C1,D,E1であった。 5. これらの菌型・群は,以前に著者らが当地方の飼料工場や河川から分離した菌型と大多数は同じであったことから,陸上環境を汚染しているサルモネラが最終的には海水まで汚染していることが明らかとなった。 6. 従って海水のサルモネラ汚染は水産物のサルモネラ汚染にも影響を及ぼしている。 7. 汚染指標菌は大腸菌群,大腸菌および腸球菌の順で菌数ならびに検出率が高く,大腸菌群はほとんどが陽性であったが,他の2者では陰性例も多かった。 8. これら汚染指標菌の菌数が多い海水ほど,サルモネラ検出率が高い傾向にあった。 9. サルモネラならびに汚染指標菌の検出状況と海水温との関係を検討した結果,サルモネラは汚染指標菌の菌数が多く,しかも,水温が19℃以上の海水から検出される傾向があった。As a part of the survey on environmental pollution of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, a survey on the ecology of Salmonella and fecal indicator organisms in the sea water samples collected at eight stations (A to H) located on the coast of Fukuyama, was conducted in June 1972 through March 1974. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The positive rate for occurrence of Salmonella in the samples collected at the eight stations was 12.1% (28/232) in average. 2. It was observed that the frequency of occurrence of Salmonella in the samples varied depending on the sampling stations and on the seasons. Positive rates in Salmonella detection as high as 23.9% (11/46) at St. A, 21.7% (10/46) at St. B, and 25.0 % (3/ 12) at St. E were observed. In the seasonal observations, a higher positive rate of occurrence of Salmonella was observed in the samples collected during May through October. 3. The frequency of incidence of Salmonella in the samples lowered as the sampling station went from the inner part of Fukuyama Port to the outer part of the Port and the offshore area. 4. Some of the forty-two strains of Salmonella isolated were serotyped to S. typhimurium, S. thompson, S. anatum, S. infantis, S. give, S. schleissheim, S. schwarzengrund, S. derby, S. montevideo, S. meleagridis, S. binza and S. senftenberg, and the O-groups B, C1 , D and E 1. 5. Most of the serotypes isolated in the present study were similar to those isolated previously from the river waters and feed-stuffs in this district by the authors. According to the results, it was proved that those serotypes of Salmonella contaminating the terrestrial environment have also contaminated the coastal marine environment as a terminal stage in the pollutive circulation. 6. The marine contamination with Salmonella may result into the contamination of marine products. 7. The higher values of the MPN and frequency of occurrence of the fecal indicator organisms were observed according to the order to coliforms, E. coli and enterococci. The incidence of coliforms was positive in most of samples examined, but those of the others were negative in some cases. 8. A high tendency of Salmonella recovery was observed in cases that represented high values in the MPN of fecal indicator organisms. 9. As a results of consideration on the relationship between the sea water temperature and the frequency of occurrence of Salmonella and of fecal indicator organisms, it was recognized that there is a high tendency of Salmonella recovery in the sea water samples that showed a high MPN value of fecal indicator organisms and were on a temperature higher than 19° C.本研究の一部は昭和47～49年度文部省科学研究費(特定研究1「瀬戸内海の汚染と指標生物の動熊に関する研究―代表者藤山虎也教授」)によるものである

Impact of insulin resistance on subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in normal weight and overweight/obese japanese subjects in a general community

Background Insulin resistance carries increased risk of heart failure, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as an important tool to detect early LV systolic abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease. Methods We investigated 539 participants who voluntarily underwent extensive cardiovascular health check including laboratory test and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Glycemic profiles were categorized into 3 groups according to homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR): absence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR  − 16.65%). Results Forty-five (8.3%) participants had DM and 66 (12.2%) had abnormal HOMA-IR. LV mass index and E/e′ ratio did not differ between participants with and without abnormal HOMA-IR, whereas abnormal HOMA-IR group had significantly decreased LVGLS (− 17.6 ± 2.6% vs. − 19.7 ± 3.1%, p < 0.05). The prevalence of impaired LVGLS was higher in abnormal HOMA-IR group compared with normal HOMA-IR group (42.4% vs. 14.0%) and similar to that of DM (48.9%). In multivariable analyses, glycemic abnormalities were significantly associated with impaired LVGLS, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.38, p = 0.007 for abnormal HOMA-IR; adjusted OR 3.02, p = 0.003 for DM]. The independent association persisted even after adjustment for waist circumference as a marker of abdominal adiposity. Sub-group analyses stratified by body mass index showed significant association between abnormal HOMA-IR and impaired LVGLS in normal weight individuals (adjusted OR 4.59, p = 0.001), but not in overweight/obese individuals (adjusted OR 1.62, p = 0.300). Conclusions In the general population without overt cardiac disease, insulin resistance carries independent risk for subclinical LV dysfunction, especially in normal weight individuals

De novo non-synonymous TBL1XR1 mutation alters Wnt signaling activity

Here we report de novo non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) by conducting whole exome sequencing of 18 trios consisting of Japanese patients with sporadic schizophrenia and their parents. Among nine SNVs, we explored the functional impact of the de novo mutation in TBL1XR1 [c.30 C > G (p.Phe10Leu)], a gene previously found to be associated with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Protein structural analysis revealed that Phe10Leu mutation may decrease the structural stability of the TBL1XR1 protein. We demonstrate that Phe10Leu mutation alters the interaction of TBL1XR1 with N-CoR and β-catenin, which play critical roles in regulation of Wnt-mediated transcriptional activity. Consistently, TBL1XR1-mediated activation of Wnt signaling was up-regulated by Phe10Leu mutation. These results suggest that a de novo TBL1XR1 point mutation could alter Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. Further studies are required to clarify the involvement of TBL1XR1 mutations in neuropsychiatric conditions. © The Author(s) 2017

De novo non-synonymous TBL1XR1 mutation alters Wnt signaling activity

Here we report de novo non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) by conducting whole exome sequencing of 18 trios consisting of Japanese patients with sporadic schizophrenia and their parents. Among nine SNVs, we explored the functional impact of the de novo mutation in TBL1XR1 [c.30C>G (p.Phe10Leu)], a gene previously found to be associated with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Protein structural analysis revealed that Phe10Leu mutation may decrease the structural stability of the TBL1XR1 protein. We demonstrate that Phe10Leu mutation alters the interaction of TBL1XR1 with N-CoR and β-catenin, which play critical roles in regulation of Wnt-mediated transcriptional activity. Consistently, TBL1XR1-mediated activation of Wnt signaling was up-regulated by Phe10Leu mutation. These results suggest that a de novo TBL1XR1 point mutation could alter Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. Further studies are required to clarify the involvement of TBL1XR1 mutations in neuropsychiatric conditions

Aeration curing for recycling construction-generated sludge and its effect of immobilizing carbon dioxide

The aspirations of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are central to the construction industry. The introduction and evaluation of aeration curing, as a novel strategy for managing construction-generated sludge (CGS), was at the heart of this study. The essence of aeration curing lies in the chemical transformation it generates, namely, the calcium hydroxide found in CGS reacts with carbon dioxide, culminating in the production of calcium carbonate. This duel-purpose reaction serves to neutralize the soil and facilitate the capture of carbon dioxide. Experimental evaluations were carried out to determine the effects of different agitation frequencies and surface depths on the effectiveness of aeration curing. They were then compared with those of traditional neutralization methods. In particular, the results showed that increasing the agitation frequency resulted in a significant reduction in the pH of the soil. Furthermore, aeration curing stood out because of its superior ability to immobilize carbon dioxide compared to standard neutralizers. This resulted in a reduction in the amount of neutralizer required. The focus of this study was primarily aeration curing, which is the preferred technique for carbon dioxide immobilization. The characteristics of aeration curing were elucidated and the amount of captured carbon dioxide was measured using a formulated theoretical equation through rigorous testing on CGS. Specifically, the technique showed promise as a first step in the treatment process, reducing the amount of neutralizer subsequently required and, at the same time, limiting the increase in the electrical conductivity (EC) value. This highlighted the potential of aeration curing as both an economical and environmentally friendly approach to neutralization. It was revealed, however, that the theoretical equation used to estimate the immobilized carbon dioxide needs to be refined. It is essential that the real neutralization reactions occurring in the soil are taken into account in order to ensure its applicability and accuracy in real-world contexts. In conclusion, aeration curing appears to be a promising, green solution for managing CGS and for sequestering carbon

Applicability of Weighting Method as Measure for Existing Manholes against Uplifting during Liquefaction

It has been confirmed that manholes may protrude from the road surface due to the liquefaction of the ground during a large earthquake. When the uplifting of a manhole occurs, it may bring about not only dysfunctions, such as the loss of the ability of sewage to flow, but also displacements, such as that of the pipeline connected to the manhole, which makes drainage difficult. However, effective and economic measures against the uplifting of existing manholes are still in the developmental stages. This study proposes a weighting method that increases the self-weight of the manhole as a countermeasure against the uplifting of manholes during an earthquake. The applicability of this weighting method will be clarified by conducting case studies from the viewpoint of the safety factor for manhole uplifting and the quantity of manhole uplifting. As a result, it is shown that, regardless of the shape of the manhole and the groundwater level, the risk of manhole uplifting during liquefaction can be reduced by implementing this weighting method