Effects of fission product doping on the structure, electronic structure, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of uranium monocarbide: A first-principles study

Ru-Ting Liang,Tao Bo,Wan-Qiu Yin,Chang-Ming Nie,Lei Zhang,Zhi-Fang Chai,Wei-Qun Shi Korean Nuclear Society 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.7

A first-principle approach within the framework of density functional theory was employed to study the effect of vacancy defects and fission products (FPs) doping on the mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of uranium monocarbide (UC). Firstly, the calculated vacancy formation energies confirm that the C vacancy is more stable than the U vacancy. The solution energies indicate that FPs prefer to occupying in U site rather than in C site. Zr, Mo, Th, and Pu atoms tend to directly replace U atom and dissolve into the UC lattice. Besides, the results of the mechanical properties show that U vacancy reduces the compressive and deformation resistance of UC while C vacancy has little effect. The doping of all FPs except He has a repairing effect on the mechanical properties of U_1-xC. In addition, significant modifications are observed in the phonon dispersion curves and partial phonon density of states (PhDOS) of UC_1-x, Zr_xU_1-xC, Mo_xU_1-xC, and Rh_xU_1-xC, including narrow frequency gaps and overlapping phonon modes, which increase the phonon scattering and lead to deterioration of thermal expansion coefficient (α_V) and heat capacity (C_p) of UC predicted by the quasi harmonic approximation (QHA) method.

Evaluation of porcine urine-derived cells as nuclei donor for somatic cell nuclear transfer

Yu-Ting Zhang,Wang Yao,Meng-Jia Chai,Wen-Jing Liu,Yan Liu,Zhong-Hua Liu,Xiao-Gang Weng 대한수의학회 2022 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.23 No.2

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is used widely in cloning, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. The type of donor cells is a key factor affecting the SCNT efficiency. Objectives: This study examined whether urine-derived somatic cells could be used as donors for SCNT in pigs. Methods: The viability of cells isolated from urine was assessed using trypan blue and propidium iodide staining. The H3K9me3/H3K27me3 level of the cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The in vitro developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated by the blastocyst rate and the expression levels of the core pluripotency factor. Blastocyst cell apoptosis was examined using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assay. The in vivo developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated after embryo transfer. Results: Most sow urine-derived cells were viable and could be cultured and propagated easily. On the other hand, most of the somatic cells isolated from the boar urine exhibited poor cellular activity. The in vitro development efficiency between the embryos produced by SCNT using porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs) and urine-derived cells were similar. Moreover, The H3K9me3 in SCNT embryos produced from sow urine-derived cells and PEFs at the four-cell stage showed similar intensity. The levels of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 expression in blastocysts were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, there is a similar apoptotic level of cloned embryos produced by the two types of cells. Finally, the full-term development ability of the cloned embryos was evaluated, and the cloned fetuses from the urine-derived cells showed absorption. Conclusions: Sow urine-derived cells could be used to produce SCNT embryos.

Effects of pigment and citrinin biosynthesis on the metabolism and morphology of Monascus purpureus in submerged fermentation

Xueying Chai,Zhilu Ai,Jun Liu,Ting Guo,Jingyan Wu,Jie Bai,Qinlu Lin 한국식품과학회 2020 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.29 No.7

The effects of the secondary metabolite biosynthesison the metabolism and morphology of the Monascuspurpureus were investigated in this study. Hypha andseptum length became longer after deletion of genes pigRand pksCT in M. purpureus LQ-6 by Agrobacteriumtumefaciens-mediated transformation technology, highlybranched hyphae, much smaller and freely dispersedmycelial pellets were observed in M. purpureus. Comparedwith that in the wild-type, the level of intracellular NADHand NADPH was almost constant in M. purpureus DpigRat 4 days, but the NADH and NADPH levels decreased by1.58-fold and 3.71-fold in M. purpureus DpksCT. Thepresent study can not only provide a kind of strategy toimprove the Monascus pigments production, but also providetheoretical support for the further study of relationshipbetween the secondary metabolites, metabolism and morphologicalchange.

Partial oxidation of polyvinyl alcohol using a commercially available DSA anode

Guo-Ting Liang,Weiyong Zhu,Xiaoqi Chai,Lingfeng Zhu,Xiwang Zhang 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.31 No.-

The removal of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by electrochemical oxidation was investigated systematicallyunder various conditions using a commercial Dimensionally Stable Anodes anode. It was observed thathigher electrode potential led to more PVA degradation and gases evolution. Acidic conditions werebeneficial for PVA degradation. The higher degradation of PVA was achieved with KBr compared withother salts. The PVA degradation was slightly improved by ultraviolet irradiation while hydrogenperoxide lowered the degradation evidently. FTIR analysis indicated that PVA was partially oxidizedrather than completely mineralized. The iso-propanol quenching test indicated hydroxyl radicals weremainly responsible for PVA degradation.

Patterns and Trends with Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates Reported by the China National Cancer Registry

Chen, Peng-Lai,Zhao, Ting,Feng, Rui,Chai, Jing,Tong, Gui-Xian,Wang, De-Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

National cancer registration reports provide a huge potential for identifying patterns and trends of important policy, research, prevention and treatment significance. As summary reports written on an annual basis, the China Cancer Registry Annual Reports (CCRARs) fall short from fully addressing their potential. This paper attempts to explore part of the patterns and trends hidden behind published CCRARs. It extracted data for cancer incidence rates (IRs) and mortality rates (MRs) for 2004, 2006 and 2009 from relevant CCRARs and portrayed 4 kinds of indicators in line graphs. The study showed that: a) all of the line graphs of age-specific IRs and MRs characterized typical "growth curves or histogram"; b) graphs of IRs and MRs for males and urban areas had higher peaks than that for females and rural regions; c) most of the line graphs of IR/MR ratios comprised a starting peak, a secondary peak and a decreasing tail and the secondary peaks for females and urban areas were higher than those for males and rural areas; d) most of the urban versus rural IR ratios valued above one, but most the urban versus rural MR ratios, below one; e) the accumulative IRs and MRs showed a stable increasing trend from 2004 to 2009 for urban areas, but mixed for rural regions.

The effects of LNG-tank sloshing on the global motions of FLNG system

Hu, Zhi-Qiang,Wang, Shu-Ya,Chen, Gang,Chai, Shu-Hong,Jin, Yu-Ting The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2017 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.9 No.1

This paper addresses a study of inner-tank sloshing effect on motion responses of a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) system, through experimental analysis and numerical modeling. To investigate hydrodynamic characteristics of FLNG under the conditions of with and without LNG-tank sloshing, a series of numerical simulations were carried out using potential flow solver SESAM. To validate the numerical simulations, model tests on the FLNG system was conducted in both liquid and solid ballast conditions with 75% tank filling level in height. Good correlations were observed between the measured and predicted results, proving the feasibility of the numerical modeling technique. On the verified numerical model, Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) of the FLNG with 25% and 50% tank filling levels were calculated in six degrees of freedom. The influence of tank sloshing with varying tank filling levels on the RAOs has been presented and analyzed. The results showed that LNG-tank sloshing has a noticeable impact on the roll motion response of the FLNG and a moderate tank filling level is less helpful in reducing the roll motion response.

The effects of LNG-tank sloshing on the global motions of FLNG system

Zhi-Qiang Hu,Shu-Ya Wang,Gang Chen,Shu-Hong Chai,Yu-Ting Jin 대한조선학회 2017 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.9 No.1

This paper addresses a study of inner-tank sloshing effect on motion responses of a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) system, through experimental analysis and numerical modeling. To investigate hydrodynamic characteristics of FLNG under the conditions of with and without LNG-tank sloshing, a series of numerical simulations were carried out using potential flow solver SESAM. To validate the numerical simulations, model tests on the FLNG system was conducted in both liquid and solid ballast conditions with 75% tank filling level in height. Good correlations were observed between the measured and predicted results, proving the feasibility of the numerical modeling technique. On the verified numerical model, Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) of the FLNG with 25% and 50% tank filling levels were calculated in six degrees of freedom. The influence of tank sloshing with varying tank filling levels on the RAOs has been presented and analyzed. The results showed that LNG-tank sloshing has a noticeable impact on the roll motion response of the FLNG and a moderate tank filling level is less helpful in reducing the roll motion response.

A case series of emergency pancreaticoduodenectomies: What were their indications and outcomes?

Kit-Fai Lee,Janet Wui Cheung Kung,Andrew Kai Yip Fung,Hon-Ting Lok,Charing Ching Ning Chong,John Wong,Kelvin Kai Chai Ng,Paul Bo San Lai 한국간담췌외과학회 2023 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.27 No.4

Emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) is a rarely performed operation. It is important to know the indications and outcomes of EPD to have a better understanding of its application in clinical practice. A review of eight consecutive cases of EPD was done. Between January 2003 and December 2021, 8 out of 370 patients (2.2%) in a single center received pancreaticoduodenectomy as emergency. There were six males and two females with a median age of 45.5 years. The indications were trauma in three patients, bleeding tumors in two patients, and one patient each in obstructing duodenal tumor, postoperative complication and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complication. The median operative time and blood loss were 427.5 minutes and 1,825 mL, respectively. There was no operative mortality. Seven patients (87.5%) had postoperative complications. Three patients (37.5%) developed postoperative grade B pancreatic fistula. The median postoperative hospital stay was 23.5 days. Five patients were still alive while three patients survived for 13, 31, and 42 months after the operation. The causes of death were recurrent tumors in two patients, and sepsis in one patient. According to this case series, EPD is associated with increased morbidity and pancreatic fistula, but is still deserved in life-threatening situations and long-term survival is possible after EPD.

What is the pancreatic duct size limit for a safe duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy? A retrospective study

Kit-Fai Lee,Kandy Kam Cheung Wong,Eugene Yee Juen Lo,Janet Wui Cheung Kung,Hon-Ting Lok,Charing Ching Ning Chong,John Wong,Paul Bo San Lai,Kelvin Kwok Chai Ng 한국간담췌외과학회 2022 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.26 No.1

Backgrounds/Aims: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains a dreadful complication. Duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (DTMPJ) is a commonly performed anastomosis after PD. This study aims to evaluate whether there is a size limit of pancreatic duct below which POPF rate increases significantly after DTMPJ. Methods: A retrospective study was performed from a database with prospectively collected data on consecutive patients undergoing DTMPJ. Results: Between the years 2003 and 2019, a total of 288 patients with DTMPJ were recruited. POPF occurred in 56.3% of the patients, of which 43.8% were biochemical leak, 8.7% were grade B, and 1.4% were grade C. Overall operative morbidity was 51.4%, of which 19.1% were major complications. Five patients (1.7%) died within 90 days of operation. Patients with grade B/C POPF had significantly soft pancreas (p < 0.001), smaller duct size (p = 0.031), and a diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas (p = 0.027). When a clinically significant POPF rate was analysed based on the pancreatic duct diameter, pancreatic duct size ≤ 1 mm had the highest POPF rate (35.7%). There was a significant difference in POPF rate between adjacent ductal diameter ≤ 1 mm and > 1 mm to 2 mm (35.7% vs 13.3%; p = 0.040). Multivariable analysis showed that for the soft pancreas, pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 1 mm was the only significant predictive factor for POPF (p = 0.027). Conclusions: DTMPJ can be safely performed for pancreatic duct > 1 mm without significantly increased POPF risk.

The effect of different colored light emitting diode illumination on egg laying performance, egg qualities, blood hormone levels and behavior patterns in Brown Tsaiya duck

Su, Chin-Hui,Cheng, Chih-Hsiang,Lin, Jung-Hsin,Liu, Hsiu-Chou,Yu, Yen-Ting,Lin, Chai-Ching,Chen, Wei-Jung Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.11

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different colors produced by light emitting diode (LED) on Brown Tsaiya ducks. Methods: A total of 144 female Brown Tsaiya ducks were randomly allocated into three individual cage rearing chambers with different LED illumination colors as treatments. Three different treatments were: i) white color, ii) blue color, and iii) red color. The experiment periods were from ducks 21 to 49 weeks of age, determined traits included i) egg laying performance, ii) feed intake, iii) egg shell breaking strength, iv) egg shell thickness, v) egg Haugh unit, vi) egg weight, vii) serum Estradiol and Progesterone concentration, and viii) behavior pattern. Results: The results indicated that when compared with white and blue color, red color could stimulate ducks sexual maturation and raised the egg laying performance. The red light group was also observed to have the highest feed intake among three treatments. The blue treatment had the lowest egg shell breaking strength and the highest egg weight among three treatments, nevertheless, no significant difference was observed among three treatments on egg shell thickness and egg Haugh unit. The red light group had higher serum estradiol concentration than the white and blue groups, but no significant difference among treatments on the serum Progesterone concentration was found. The results of behavior pattern indicated that red light group showed more feeding and less resting behavior compared to the blue light group. Conclusion: We found a potential of applying red light illumination in the indoor laying duck raising system with positive results on egg laying performance and acceptable egg weight, equivalent egg qualities compared to white and blue light.