• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.419-425
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to improve the concentration of U(VI) in carbonate solution reasonably, which to improve the application potential of the alkaline reprocessing processes. The dissolution behavior of U₃O₈ in carbonate peroxide solutions was investigated under different conditions, including pH, carbonate concentration, and solid-liquid ratio. The results showed that the dissolution rate of U₃O₈ increased with the increase of pH from 8 to 11 in the mixed carbonate solution containing 0.5 mol/L H₂O₂. The role of carbonate ions in the dissolution of U₃O₈ was further elucidated by observing the dissolution of UO₄⋅4H₂O in carbonate solutions. Furthermore, the concentration of U(VI) in 3 mol/L Na₂CO₃ solution was successfully increased to 350 g/L under ultrasonic-assisted conditions at 60 ℃ and a solid-liquid ratio at 1/2 g/mL. Meanwhile, it is suggested that increasing the concentration of carbonate ions can improve the stability of the dissolved solution containing uranyl peroxycarbonate complex.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.659-664
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• 2016

In order to resolve the AAEM species migration routes and the interaction relationship between biochar structure and AAEM species during biomass pyrolysis, experiments were performed in an entrained flow reactor with $N_2$ at $500{\sim}900^{\circ}C$. ICP-AES, XPS and SEM-EDX were used to examine content and distribution of AAEM species and the physicochemical structures of biochar. The results show that at $500{\sim}700^{\circ}C$, the precipitation rate of AAEM species is relatively high. At high temperature (>$700^{\circ}C$), the AAEM species continue to migrate from interior to exterior, but little precipitation from biochar surface. And the migration of AAEM species is mainly realized by the C-O bond as the carrier medium. The AAEM species on biochar surface are mainly Na, Mg and Ca (<$700^{\circ}C$), while changing to K, Mg and Ca (${\geq}700^{\circ}C$). From $500^{\circ}C$ to $900^{\circ}C$, the biochar particle morphology gradually changes from fibers to porous structures, finally to molten particles. At $700{\sim}900^{\circ}C$, Ca element is obviously enriched on the molten edge of the biochar porous structures.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1132-1141
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• 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an increasing global burden and a predisposing factor to colorectal cancer. Although a number of treatment options are available, the side effects could be considerable. Studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an IBD intervention protocol require further validation as the underlying mechanisms for its attenuating effects remain unclear. This study aims to demonstrate the ameliorative role of FMT in an ulcerative colitis (UC) model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and elucidate its relative mechanisms in a mouse model. It was shown that FMT intervention decreased disease activity index (DAI) levels and increased the body weight, colon weight and colon length of experimental animals. It also alleviated histopathological changes, reduced key cytokine expression and oxidative status in the colon. A down-regulated expression level of genes associated with NF-κB signaling pathway was also observed. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that FMT intervention restored the gut microbiota to the pattern of the control group by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreasing the abundances of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The relative abundances of the genera Lactobacillus, Butyricicoccus, Lachnoclostridium, Olsenella and Odoribacter were upregulated but Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Clostridium were reduced after FMT administration. Furthermore, FMT administration elevated the concentrations of SCFAs in the colon. In conclusion, FMT intervention could be suitable for UC control, but further validations via clinical trials are recommended.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9265-9270
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate differences of miRNA-34a expression in benign and malignant colorectal lesions. Materials and Methods: Samples of cancer, paraneoplastic tissues and polyps were selected and total RNA was extracted by conventional methods for real-time PCR to detect the miRNA-34a expression. In addition, the LOVO colorectal cancer cell line was cultured, treated with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine and screened for differentially expressed miRNA-34a. Results: After the drug treatment, the miRNA-34a expression of colorectal cancer cell line LOVO was increased and real-time PCR showed that levels of expression in both cell line and colorectal cancer tissues were low, as compared to paraneoplastic tissue (p<0.05). Polyps tissues had significantly higher expression than paraneoplastic and colorectal cancer samples (p<0.05). Conclusions: miRNA-34a-5p may play a role as a tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer, with involvement of DNA methylation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.1321-1329
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• 2016

To get an insight into the operating characteristics of the passive residual heat removal system of molten salt reactors, a two-phase natural circulation test facility was constructed. The system consists of a boiling loop absorbing the heat from the drain tank, a condensing loop consuming the heat, and a steam drum. A steady-state experiment was carried out, in which the thimble temperature ranged from $450^{\circ}C$ to $700^{\circ}C$ and the system pressure was controlled at levels below 150 kPa. When reaching a steady state, the system was operated under saturated conditions. Some important parameters, including heat power, system resistance, and water level in the steam drum and water tank were investigated. The experimental results showed that the natural circulation system is feasible in removing the decay heat, even though some fluctuations may occur in the operation. The uneven temperature distribution in the water tank may be inevitable because convection occurs on the outside of the condensing tube besides boiling with decreasing the decay power. The instabilities in the natural circulation loop are sensitive to heat flux and system resistance rather than the water level in the steam drum and water tank. RELAP5 code shows reasonable results compared with experimental data.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1644-1650
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• 2023

In spent fuel reprocessing, UO₂(DBP)₂ (U-DBP) can be deposited in stainless steel equipment. U-DBP must be removed by dissolution and the process must not cause corrosion to stainless steel. This study was conducted to find the best scheme for dissolution. U-DBP was manufactured by the titrimetric sedimentation method. The effects of different factors on the dissolution of U-DBP were investigated. For example, solid-liquid ratio, hydrazine carbonate solutions with different mass components, mixed solutions containing different concentrations of H₂O₂, and different carbonates. The results indicated that U-DBP does not have a regular crystal morphology. With the increase of the solid-liquid ratio and the mass fraction of hydrazine carbonate, the concentration of U(VI) at the dissolution equilibrium increases gradually. The addition of H₂O₂ has a great promotion effect on the dissolution. However, when the concentration of H₂O₂ is greater than 0.5 M, the dissolution solution may have an erosive effect on the stainless steel. (NH₄)₂CO₃ can increase the dissolution capacity of dissolved U-DBP, but it may also accelerate the corrosion of stainless steel.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2613-2618
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• 2014

Aims: Dysfunction of the host immune system in cancer patients can be due to a number of factors, including lymphocyte apoptosis. Several studies showed that $Foxp3^+T$ cells take part in inducing this process by expressing FasL in tumor patients. However, the relationship between apoptosis, $CD8^+T$ cells and $Foxp3^+T$ cells in HCC patients is still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the correlation between apoptosis levels and Fas/FasL expression in $CD8^+T$ lymphocytes and $Foxp3^+T$ cells in patients with HCC. Methods: $CD8^+T$ cells and $CD3^+Foxp3^+T$ cells were tested from peripheral blood of HCC patients and normal controls and subjected to multicolor flow cytometry. The expression of an apoptosis marker (annexin V) and the death receptor Fas in $CD8^+T$ cells and FasL in $CD3^+Foxp3^+T$ cells were evaluated. Serum TGF-${\beta}1$ levels in patients with HCC were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between apoptosis and Fas expression, as well as FasL expression in $CD3^+Foxp3^+T$ cells was then evaluated. Results: The frequency of $CD8^+T$ cells binding annexin V and Fas expression in $CD8^+T$ cells, were all higher in HCC patients than normal controls and the proportion of apoptotic $CD8^+T$ cells correlated with their Fas expression. Serum TGF-${\beta}1$ levels correlated inversely with $CD3^+Foxp3^+T$ cells. Conclusions: Fas/FasL interactions might lead to excessive turnover of $CD8^+T$ cells and reduce anti-tumor immune responses in patients with HCC. Further investigations of apoptosis induction in $Fas^+CD8^+T$ cells in vitro are required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4829-4837
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• 2014

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess any association between breastfeeding and the risk of ovarian cancer. A systematic search of published studies was performed in PUBMED and EMBASE and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles through March 2013. Data extraction was conducted independently by two authors. Pooled relative risk ratios were calculated using random-effect models. Totals of 5 cohort studies and 35 case-control studies including 17,139 women with ovarian cancer showed a 30% reduced risk of ovarian cancer when comparing the women who had breastfed with those who had never breastfed (pooled RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64-0.76; p = 0.00), with significant heterogeneity in the studies (p = 0.00; I2 = 76.29%). A significant decreasd in risk of epithelial ovarian cancer was also observed (pooled RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61-0.76). When the participants were restricted to only parous women, there was a slightly attenuated but still significant risk reduction of ovarian cancer (pooled RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.83). For total breastfeeding duration, the pooled RRs in the < 6 months, 6-12 months and > 12 months of breastfeeding subgroups were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.93), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.82) and 0.64 (95%CI: 0.56-0.73), respectively. Meta-regression of total breastfeeding duration indicated an increasing linear trend of risk reduction of ovarian cancer with the increasing total breastfeeding duration (p = 0.00). Breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer, especially long-term breastfeeding duration that demonstrated a stronger protective effect.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.775-785
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• 2015

Many equalization circuits have been proposed to improve pack performance and reduce imbalance. Although bidirectional equalization topologies are promising in these methods, pre-equalization global equalization strategy is lacking. This study proposes a novel state-of-charge (SoC) equalization algorithm for bidirectional equalizer based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), which is employed to find optimal equalization time and steps. The working principle of bidirectional equalization topologies is analyzed, and the reason behind the application of SoC as a balancing criterion is explained. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, a pack with 12 LiFePO4 batteries is applied in the experiment. Results show that the maximum SoC gap is within 2% after equalization, and the available pack capacity is enhanced by 13.2%. Furthermore, a comparison between previously used methods and the proposed PSO equalization algorithm is presented. Experimental tests are performed, and results show that the proposed PSO equalization algorithm requires fewer steps and is superior to traditional methods in terms of equalization time, energy loss, and balancing performance.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.92-104
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• 2014

To insure stable operation and eliminate twice torque ripple, a topology for a six phase permanent magnet synchronous generator (SP-PMSG) with a neutral point connected together was analyzed in this paper. By adopting an extended transformation matrix, the mathematic model of the space vector control was established. The voltage and torque equations were deduced while considering the third harmonic flux and inductance. In addition, the suppression third harmonic method and the closed loop control strategy were proposed. A comparison analysis indicates that the cooper loss minimum method and the current magnitude minimum method can meet different application requirements. The voltage compensation amount for each of the methods was deduced which also takes into account the third harmonic effect. A simulation and experimental result comparison validates the consistency through theoretical derivation. It can be seen that all of the two control strategies can meet the requirements of post-fault.