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To achieve the mutual separation of yttrium(Y(III)) and strontium(Sr(II)) from acidic solution, a diglycolamic acid-grafted adsorbent (DGAA−Si adsorbent) was successfully developed via a facile amidation reaction between diglycolic anhydride and a 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica-gel. The adsorption performances of DGAA−Si adsorbent toward Y(III) and Sr(II) were systematically investigated in terms of the effect of the acid concentration etc. The particle-induced X-ray emission analysis method was used to study the adsorption behavior in the solid-state and elucidated the distribution conditions of the adsorbed Y(III) and Sr(II). Moreover, the mutual separation of Y(III) and Sr(II) was successfully achieved using acid in different concentration as an effluent solution.

There is growing interest in carbon fibre fabric reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites based on a thermoplastic matrix, which is easy to rapidly produce, repair or recycle. To expand the applications of thermoplastic CFRP composites, we propose a process for fabricating conductive CFRP composites with improved electrical and thermal conductivities using an in-situ polymerizable and thermoplastic cyclic butylene terephthalate oligomer matrix, which can induce good impregnation of carbon fibres and a high dispersion of nanocarbon fillers. Under optimal processing conditions, the surface resistivity below the order of 10 +10 Ω/sq, which can enable electrostatic powder painting application for automotive outer panels, can be induced with a low nanofiller content of 1 wt%. Furthermore, CFRP composites containing 20 wt% graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were found to exhibit an excellent thermal conductivity of 13.7 W/m·K. Incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes into CFRP composites is more advantageous for improving electrical conductivity, whereas incorporating GNPs is more beneficial for enhancing thermal conductivity. It is possible to fabricate the developed thermoplastic CFRP composites within 2 min. The proposed composites have sufficient potential for use in automotive outer panels, engine blocks and other mechanical components that require conductive characteristics.

In this work, we have examined Ln(III) and MA(III) separation conditions by the extraction chromatography using HONTA adsorbent to decide the Ln(III)/MA(III) separation process flow. From the research results, we found the simulated element of Am(III) for HONTA adsorbent and the conditions to use it. In addition, Ln(III) and Am(III) (simulated element) separation experiments were carried out using the HONTA adsorbent packed column, we have determined the column separation conditions for Am(III) such as order of flow solution and flow rate.

A novel N , N '-dimethyl- N , N '-di-(2-phenylethyl)-thiodiglycolamide (MPE-TDGA) extractant that was soluble in imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs), such as 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium nonafluorobutansulfonate ([Bmim][NfO]), was synthesized for the efficient and selective extraction of platinum group metals (PGMs) from simulated high-level liquid waste (HLLW) using ILs. The ILs containing MPE-TDGA enabled the rapid extraction of Pd(II). The extraction of Rh(III) was accelerated by increasing temperature. In contrast conventional organic solvent systems and the 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide system, slope analysis suggested that Pd(II) forms considered to form a 1:1 complex with MPE-TDGA in [Bmim][NfO]. The [Bmim][NfO]-containing MPE-TDGA demonstrated the effective extraction of PGMs from simulated HLLW at 50 °C.

To perform a capacitive current switching test (CCT) at AC extra-high-voltage (EHV) and above level, this paper proposes a new multi-transformer synthetic circuit (MTSC) test method that replaces the general synthetic test method using capacitor banks. An MTSC method has a simpler circuit structure compared to other synthetic testing methods and has higher equivalence (especially recovery voltage and TRV) and validity. Using this method, CCTs for circuit breakers (CBs) of the AC 420 kV voltage class were performed as a field test using the IEC 62271-100 standard. To verify that the test method was valid, test results were analyzed and compared with the requirements of a standard. Consequently, the MTSC method completely covered the requirements of the standard.

Background/Aims: p21-activated Ser/Thr kinase 1 (PAK1) is essential for the genesis and development of many cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the PAK1–cyclic AMP response element-binding (CREB) axis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis and its related mechanisms. Methods: Western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining were employed to investigate the PAK1 and CREB expression in the tissue microarray of human squamous NSCLC. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence confocal assays were performed to determine the link between PAK1 and CREB. NSCLC xenograft models were used to study oncogenic function of PAK1 in vivo. Results: We observed that PAK1 and CREB expression levels were significantly elevated in human squamous NSCLC-tissue specimens, compared with those in adjacent normal bronchial or bronchiolar epithelial-tissue specimens, as well as their phosphorylated forms, based on western blotting. We showed in vitro that PAK1 knockdown by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) blocked CREB phosphorylation, whereas plasmid-based PAK1 overexpression resulted in CREB phosphorylation at Ser133, based on western blotting. In addition, PAK1 interacted with CREB in co-immunoprecipitation assays. Additionally, our in vitro findings detected by flow cytometry revealed that PAK1 silencing attenuated cell cycle progression, inducing apoptosis. Inhibition of PAK1 expression reduced tumor sizes and masses by modulating CREB expression and activation in xenograft models. Conclusion: These results suggest a novel mechanism whereby the PAK1–CREB axis drives carcinogenesis of squamous-cell carcinomas, and have important implications in the development of targeted therapeutics for squamous-cell lung cancer.

Background As extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been widely used, the patient quality of life following ECMO termination has become an important issue as same as the patient’s survival. To date, the factors affecting complete recovery of adult survivors from ECMO have not been investigated. Methods Data from adult patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry who received veno-venous ECMO between 2012 and 2017 were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results In total, 6536 patients with 242,183 days of veno-venous ECMO were reviewed. The overall survival to discharge rate after weaning from ECMO was 89.7% ( n = 5861), and 10.3% ( n = 675) of the patients died during hospitalization. The discharge location varied as follows: 33.7% ( n = 1976) returned home, 23.4% ( n = 1369) were transferred to a referral hospital, 41.8% ( n = 2447) required hospital services, and 0.6% ( n = 36) were discharged to other places. The patients were divided into two groups according to the discharge location: a complete recovery group ( n = 1976) and a partial recovery group ( n = 3885). In the multivariate analyses, age (≥ 65 years) (odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–0.87, p = 0.001), cardiac arrest before ECMO (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.96, p = 0.021), vasopressor use (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.64–0.83, p < 0.001), renal replacement therapy (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.28–0.57, p < 0.001), ECMO-related complications (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67–0.85, p < 0.001), and long-term ECMO support (≥ 2 weeks) (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.37–0.48, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with complete recovery. Conclusion Complete recovery after veno-venous ECMO support is associated with the patient’s baseline condition, ECMO duration, and ECMO-related complications. Respiratory ECMO should aim to increase both the survival and the quality of life after weaning from ECMO.

To develop a simple process to separate the heat-generating elements cesium (Cs(I)) and strontium (Sr(II)) and platinum group metals from high-level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW), an adsorbent was prepared by impregnating a silica-based polymer support (SiO 2 -P) with 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-calix[4]arene (Calix[4]arene-R14), 4,4',(5')-di-(tert-butyl-cyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dihexyl-thioglycolamide (Crea), and tri-n-octylamine (TOA). The adsorption performance of the prepared (Calix[4]arene-R14 + DtBuCH18C6 + Crea + TOA)/SiO 2 -P adsorbent for simulated HLLW was investigated by varying the contact time, nitric acid (HNO 3 ) solution concentration, solution temperature, and adsorption capacity. The chemical stability of the adsorbent under various HNO 3 solution concentrations was evaluated using total organic carbon content. Results indicate that the prepared adsorbent has a high affinity for palladium(II), ruthenium(III), Cs(I), Sr(II), barium (Ba(II)), and rhenium(VII) compared to other coexisting metal ions, adsorption capacity, and shows excellent chemical stability in HNO 3 solution. Furthermore, a separation chromatography experiment using the prepared (Calix[4]arene-R14 + DtBuCH18C6 + Crea + TOA)/SiO 2 -P adsorbent-packed column was carried out with the aim of simplifying the separation process in a single column.

Background The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in cases of near-fatal asthma (NFA) has increased, but the benefits and potential complications of this therapy have yet to be fully investigated. Methods Cases were extracted from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry between March 1992 and March 2016. All patients with a diagnosis of asthma (according to the International Classification of Diseases 9th edition), who also received ECMO, were extracted. Exclusion criteria included patients who underwent multiple courses of ECMO; those who received ECMO for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or cardiac dysfunction; and those with another primary diagnosis, such as sepsis. We analyzed survival to hospital discharge, complications, and clinical factors associated with in-hospital mortality, in patients with severe life-threatening NFA requiring ECMO support. Results In total 272 patients were included. The mean time spent on ECMO was 176.4 hours. Ventilator settings, including rate, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and mean airway pressure, significantly improved after ECMO initiation (rate (breaths/min), 19.0 vs. 11.3, p  < 0.001; FiO 2 (%), 81.2 vs. 48.8, p  < 0.001; PIP (cmH 2 O), 38.2 vs. 25.0, p  < 0.001; mean airway pressure (cmH 2 O): 21.4 vs. 14.2, p  < 0.001). In particular, driving pressure was significantly decreased after ECMO support (29.5 vs. 16.8 cmH 2 O, p  < 0.001). The weaning success rate was 86.7%, and the rate of survival to hospital discharge was 83.5%. The total complication rate was 65.1%, with hemorrhagic complications being the most common (28.3%). Other complications included renal (26.8%), cardiovascular (26.1%), mechanical (24.6%), metabolic (22.4%), infection (16.5%), neurologic (4.8%), and limb ischemia (2.6%). Of the hemorrhagic complications, cannulation site hemorrhage was the most common (13.6%). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that hemorrhage was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–8.24; p  = 0.036). Hemorrhage-induced death occurred in four patients (1.5%). The most common reason for death was organ failure (37.8%). Conclusions ECMO can provide adequate gas exchange and prevent lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation, and may be an effective bridging strategy to avoid aggressive ventilation in refractory NFA. However, careful management is required to avoid complications.

To minimize the use of organic solvents and achieve a selective adsorption separation of minor actinides (MA(III)) and Ln(III), adsorbents consisting of SiO 2 –P particles impregnated with hexaoctylnitrilotriacetamide (HONTA) were prepared. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the adsorption properties of the HONTA/SiO 2 –P adsorbent for MA(III) and simulated fission products in HNO 3 solution. The uniform distribution of Eu(III) on the adsorbent was confirmed via particle-induced X-ray emission analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that EuNO 3 was the adsorbed species. This study provides a simplified process for the separation of MA(III) using a HONTA/SiO 2 –P-packed column.