Recovery of FLiBe from ThF-FLiBe salt using precipitation-distillation coupled method.

The low-pressure distillation of FLiBe salt containing ThF was carried out at 1223 K and <10 Pa using thermogravimetric equipment. The weight loss curve indicated a rapid distillation stage at the beginning of distillation, followed by a slow stage. The composition and structure analyses showed that the rapid distillation process originated from the evaporation of LiF and BeF, while the slow distillation process was mainly attributed to the evaporation of ThF and LiF complexes.

Study on the Thermal Stability of the NaUF Complex in the Argon Atmosphere.

The NaUF complex is an important intermediate compound in the purification of UF by the adsorption-desorption process during fluoride volatility of the spent nuclear fuel, and its decomposition is seriously affected by temperature and atmosphere. In this study, the thermal stability of NaUF in the argon atmosphere was investigated by the in situ Raman spectroscopy. The decomposition products of NaUF at different temperatures were systematically determined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy.

Investigation of the local structure of molten ThF-LiF and ThF-LiF-BeF mixtures by high-temperature X-ray absorption spectroscopy and molecular-dynamics simulation.

The microscopic structures of ThF-LiF and ThF-LiF-BeF molten salts have been systematically investigated by in situ high-temperature X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy combined with molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. The results reveal that the local structure of thorium ions was much more disordered in the molten state of the ThF-LiF-BeF salt than that in ThF-LiF, implying that the Th and F ions were exchanged more frequently in the presence of Be ions. The structures of medium-range-ordered coordination shells (such as Th-F and Th-Th) have been emphasized by experimental and theoretical XAFS analysis, and they play a significant role in transport properties.

First-Principles Study of Vacancies in Ti₃SiC₂ and Ti₃AlC₂.

MAX phase materials have attracted increased attention due to their unique combination of ceramic and metallic properties. In this study, the properties of vacancies in Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₃SiC₂, which are two of the most widely studied MAX phases, were investigated using first-principles calculations. Our calculations indicate that the stabilities of vacancies in Ti₃SiC₂ and Ti₃AlC₂ differ greatly from those previously reported for Cr₂AlC.

Performance of EuroSCORE II and SinoSCORE in Chinese patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) was developed to update EuroSCORE and incorporated refinement and modification of several risk factors. SinoSCORE was designed by Chinese scholars based on 9839 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at 43 participating institutions. This study was designed to validate the EuroSCORE II and SinoSCORE in Chinese patients undergoing CABG and to compare their performance overall and per subgroup.

Piezoelectric, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of KNaNbOF₅ from First-Principles Calculations.

Recently, a noncentrosymmetric crystal, KNaNbOF₅, has attracted attention due to its potential to present piezoelectric properties. Although α- and β-KNaNbOF₅ are similar in their stoichiometries, their structural frameworks, and their synthetic routes, the two phases exhibit very different properties. This paper presents, from first-principles calculations, comparative studies of the structural, electronic, piezoelectric, and elastic properties of the α and the β phase of the material.

Clearance of Propionibacterium acnes by kupffer cells is regulated by osteopontin through modulating the expression of p47phox.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine with multiple functions, including the regulation of innate immune response. However, the detailed function and mechanism of OPN in host defense against invaded microorganisms remain unclear. In this report, we revealed that OPN could affect the clearance of Propionibacterium acnes in kupffer cells.

Identification of a novel functional domain of ricin responsible for its potent toxicity.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are toxic N-glycosidases that depurinate the universally conserved α-sarcin loop of large rRNAs. They have received attention in biological and biomedical research because of their unique biological activities toward animals and human cells as cell-killing agents. A better understanding of the depurination mechanism of RIPs could allow us to develop potent neutralizing antibodies and to design efficient immunotoxins for clinical use.