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A novel ionic liquid (IL) functionalized with thiodiglycol amic acid containing a soft S donor was synthesized for the effective and efficient extraction of platinum group metals (Ru, Rh, and Pd) from aqueous nitric acid solutions, such as high-level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW). The IL enabled rapid extraction of Pd(II) with an extraction ratio of approximately 100%. The extractions of Ru(III) and Rh(III) by the IL were slower than that of Pd(II), but the rates were accelerated by temperature elevation. The extractions of Ru(III) and Rh(III) at 50 °C reached equilibrium within 4 and 8 h, respectively, with the extraction ratios of over 90% without assisting agents or other methods for the extraction system. Furthermore, the IL could extract more than 90% of Ru(III), Rh(III), and Pd(II) from the simulated HLLW within 2 h at 50 °C.

Aiming at selective adsorption and separation of Y(III) from the Y(III)-Sr(II) group in acid solution, a silica-based TODGA impregnated adsorbent [(TODGA+1-dodecanol)/SiO2-P-F600] has been prepared. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted under the effect of contact time, acid concentration, solution temperature, and adsorption capacity etc. Chromatography recovery of more than 90% Y(III) was successfully achieved under elution with 0.01 M DTPA solution in nitric acid adsorption system, and 0.1 M HCl solution in hydrochloride adsorption system, respectively.

(HDEHP + Hexa)/SiO2-P, a silica-based adsorbent, was prepared and used to separate Y(III) from a mixed solution of Sr(II) and Y(III). The adsorption behavior of the adsorbent was investigated using batch tests. The adsorbent exhibited high adsorption performance for Y(III) in low nitric acid concentrations and weak adsorption performance for Y(III) at higher concentrations. In contrast, Sr(II) was not adsorbed in either acid concentration range. The same tendency was observed under hydrochloric acid conditions. Y(III) separation from a mixed solution of Sr(II) and Y(III) was verified by a column test. Overall, the (HDEHP + Hexa)/SiO2-P adsorbent can separate Y(III) from Sr(II).

A hydrophobic ionic liquid including an amino moiety ([DiOcAPmim][NTf2]) was synthesized. Its extraction behaviors towards Pd(II), Ru(III), Rh(III) were investigated in nitric acid aqueous solution as a function of contact time, effect of concentration of nitric acid, effect of temperature, and effect of co-existing metal ions. The extraction kinetics of Pd(II) was fairly fast and extraction equilibrium can be attained within only 5 min under the [HNO3] = 2.05 M. When [HNO3]< 1 M, the extraction percentage of Pd(II), Ru(III), Rh(III) were all above 80%. When [HNO3] reached 2 M, all of the extraction percentage decreased and in an order of Pd(II)>Ru(III)>Rh(III). When [HNO3]> 2 M, the extraction performance gradually recovered. The effect of temperature can slightly affect the extraction performance of Pd(II). Furthermore, in simulated high-level liquid waste, [DiOcAPmim][NTf2] showed a better preference towards Pd(II) under the interference of various other co-existing metal ions.

To efficiently separate Pd(II) from high-level liquid waste (HLLW), a (TEHTDGA + dodecanol)/SiO2-P silica-based adsorbent (TEHTDGA resin) was synthesized by impregnating SiO2-P particles with N,N,N���,N���-tetra-2-ethylhexyl-thiodiglycolamide (TEHTDGA) and dodecanol. Our experimental results indicate that TEHTDGA resin exhibits high distribution coefficients for Pd(II) at HNO3 concentrations from 0.1 M to 5.0 M. The adsorption behavior of Pd(II) was found to quickly reach an equilibrium state, with a nearly 100% uptake ratio. Based on adsorption isotherm analyses, the experimental results for Pd(II) fit well with the Langmuir isotherm model. TEHTDGA resin was also confirmed to exhibit high adsorption capacity for Pd(II). The adsorption behavior of Pd(II) was hardly affected by temperature. In an evaluation of the amount of leaked sulfur, TEHTDGA resin demonstrated good chemical stability. The results of a chromatography separation experiment indicate that almost all the Pd(II) could be successfully separated and recovered from simulated HLLW using 0.1 M thiourea in 0.01 M HNO3 solution as an eluent.

Adsorption and separation performances of a microporous silica-based (DAMIA-EH + TOA)/SiO2-P adsorbent towards Pd(II) were systematically investigated under the effect of contact time, temperature, concentration of nitric acid, chromatography etc. in a simulated high-level liquid waste containing 14 kinds of representative co-existing metal ions. Successful recovery of around 97.95% Pd(II) was achieved under the elution with 0.01 M Tu (pH = 2) solution in column experiment.

The adsorption behaviors of a silica-based hybrid donor adsorbent (TAMIA-EH+1-dodecanol)/SiO2-P towards Pd(II) were investigated under the effect of the contact time, temperature etc. in simulated high-level liquid waste. The adsorption rates of Pd(II) and Re(VII) were fairly fast and could reach the equilibrium state in only 1 h compared with other co-existing metal ions. The adsorption kinetics of Pd(II) was found to fit well with the pseudo-first order model. Even though with increasing the concentration of HNO3 above 1 M, the adsorption performance of (TAMIA-EH+1-dodecanol)/SiO2-P decreased gradually; it still exhibited a better selectivity towards Pd(II) when [HNO3] > 0.5 M. The adsorption isotherms of Pd(II) and Re(VII) were well-described by the Langmuir isotherm model, while the Freundlich isotherm model was considered to be more suitable for the adsorption of Ru(III), Zr(IV) and Mo(VI). A high temperature of an aqueous solution was not good for the effective recovery of Pd(II). The calculated thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption of Pd(II) was exothermic in nature.

To separate Y(III) from a Sr(II)–Y(II) mixture, two silica-based adsorbents, CMPO/SiO2-P and (CMPO + Dodec)/SiO2-P were prepared by impregnating octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl methylphosphine oxide (CMPO) extractant and a molecule modifier (1-Dodecanol) into macroporous silica/polymer composite support (SiO2-P). The Adsorbents showed high adsorption affinity to Y(III) and weak adsorption affinity to Sr(II) in HNO3 solution. The amount of adsorbed Y(III) increased with the HNO3 in the solution. The amount of adsorbed Y(III) increased with contact time and reached equilibrium within 30 min. The results showed that a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a high correlation coefficient described the adsorption process better than other kinetic models. Successful Y(III) separation from Sr(II)–Y(III) mixture in HNO3 solution was achieved.

We herein propose a facile approach to fabricate foldable and coatable silica aerogel polyurethane composites (APCs). For the flexibility control, the soft segment of polyurethane (PU) is manipulated. The change in soft segment length induces a difference in overall glass transition temperature of PU. When the silica aerogel content is increased, the PU with a shorter soft segment length shows brittle fracture behavior, while the PU with a longer soft segment length shows no breakage after bending. The thermal insulation properties of APCs were enhanced by 72% reduction in thermal conductivity upon 30 wt% aerogel loading and theoretically verified by a micromechanics-based thermal conductivity model considering the effects of interface and agglomeration. In addition, for the combustion behavior measurements, heat release rate and heat release capacity are substantially reduced for the APCs compared to neat PUs. Those enhanced thermal insulation properties may have a commercial impact on thermal insulation applications.

An acid-stable 2D covalent organic framework (COF TpPa-1) was synthesized by a reversible Schiff-base reaction and the following irreversible enol-keto tautomerism. The adsorption behaviors of COF TpPa-1 towards Pd(II) in simulated high-level liquid waste (HLLW) were investigated under the effect of contact time, the concentration of nitric acid etc. The obtained experimental results supported that the utilization of this type of acid-stable COF in HLLW to recover metal ion was feasible.

In this study, the synergistic adsorption behavior of palladium [Pd(II)], molybdenum [Mo(VI)], and zirconium [Zr(IV)] in simulated high-level liquid waste was systematically investigated based on various factors, such as the contact time, concentration of nitric acid, adsorption amount, and temperature using a silica-based adsorbent impregnated with N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di-n-hexyl-thiodiglycolamide (Crea) and 2, 2′, 2′ -nitrilotris[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)acetamide] (TAMIA-EH). The adsorption rates of Pd(II), Mo(VI), and Zr(IV) in this synergistic adsorption system were high; thus, equilibrium states could be obtained in only 1 h with high uptake percentages of more than 90%. The adsorption abilities of Pd(II), Mo(VI), and Zr(IV) were only slightly affected by variation in the concentration of nitric acid in the range of 0.1–5 M and solution temperature in the range of 288–313 K. Selective stripping of the adsorbed Re(VII), Pd(II), Zr(IV), and Mo(VI) was successfully achieved under elution with 5 M HNO3, 0.2 M Tu (pH 1), 50 mM DTPA (pH 2), and 50 mM DTPA dissolved in 0.5 M Na2CO3 (pH 11) solutions using the chromatography method. In addition, the adsorption performance in solid-state was studied using the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method; the obtained results were in good agreement with the results obtained via column separation.

Recent evidence has shown that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system plays a crucial role in several neuropathological processes. We previously reported an upregulation of VEGF-C and its receptor, VEGFR-3, in reactive astrocytes after the onset of status epilepticus (SE). However, it remains unknown, which molecules act as downstream signals following VEGFR-3 upregulation, and are involved in reactive astrogliosis after SE. Therefore, we investigated whether VEGFR-3 upregulation within reactive astrocytes is associated with the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, which we confirmed by assaying for the phosphorylated form of S6 protein (pS6), and whether VEGFR-3-mediated mTOR activation induces astroglial glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) expression in the hippocampus after pilocarpine-induced SE. We found that spatiotemporal expression of pS6 was consistent with VEGFR-3 expression in the hippocampus after SE, and that both pS6 and VEGFR-3 were highly expressed in SE-induced reactive astrocytes. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin decreased astroglial VEGFR-3 expression and GLT-1 expression after SE. Treatment with a selective inhibitor for VEGFR-3 attenuated astroglial pS6 expression as well as suppressed GLT-1 expression and astroglial reactivity in the hippocampus after SE. These findings demonstrate that VEGFR-3-mediated mTOR activation could contribute to the regulation of GLT-1 expression in reactive astrocytes during the subacute phase of epilepsy. In conclusion, the present study suggests that VEGFR-3 upregulation in reactive astrocytes may play a role in preventing hyperexcitability induced by continued seizure activity.

The thermally insulating, fire-retardant, smokeless and flexible polymer nanofiber is an incredibly important material for mankind. This polymer nanofiber is expected to breed technological innovations in applications such as thermally insulated clothing and building materials. Here, we propose an electrospinning process to fabricate silica aerogel-filled polymer nanofibers by modifying the typical sol–gel chemistry process for the synthesis of silica aerogel. Silica aerogel-filled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) nanofiber webs, fabricated using the proposed process, were fire-retardant, smokeless and flexible; they also exhibited a low thermal conductivity of 0.028 W·m−1·K−1, which was 26.3% lower than that of pure PVdF nanofiber webs. To study the unique thermal characteristics of nanofibers theoretically, a micromechanics-based, two-scale multiphase model was proposed, with consideration of fiber structure including nano and micro pores. These developments make an important contribution to bringing silica aerogel products to everyday life.

To evaluate the redox behavior of $${\text{VO}}^{2 + } / {\text{VO}}_{2}^{ + }$$ as a simulant of $${\text{NpO}}_{2}^{ + } / {\text{NpO}}_{2}^{2 + }$$ in boiling nitric acid solution, i.e., typical operating conditions for nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, oxidation rate measurements for VO2+ in boiling and non-boiling nitric acid solutions, thermodynamic calculations, and kinetic calculations were performed. The results indicated that the apparent oxidation rate of VO2+ to $${\text{VO}}_{2}^{ + }$$ is accelerated by a decrease in $${\text{NO}}_{2}^{ - }$$ and HNO2 concentrations owing to the boiling phenomena of nitric acid solution.

To separate heat-generating Cs from high-level liquid waste (HLLW), the extraction of Cs(I) using 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-calix[4]arene (calix[4]arene-R14) in combination with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) ionic liquids ([C n mim][NTf2], where n = 2, 4, and 6) was investigated. Under moderately acidic conditions, the calix[4]arene-R14/[C n mim][NTf2] system showed a higher extraction efficiency (ECs) than that exhibited by the conventional calix[4]arene-R14/dichloromethane system. All extraction processes reached equilibrium within 5 min. Slope analysis revealed that the Cs:calix[4]arene-R14 inclusion complex has a 1:1 stoichiometry. The extraction was found to be exothermic and influenced by the presence of Na(I). These extraction systems exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for Cs(I) in simulated HLLW.

The importance of the thermal conductivity of engineering plastics reinforced with nanofillers is increasing in various industries, and the need for a model with which to make reliable predictions continues. We propose a micromechanics-based multiscale model that considers multi-shaped nanofillers to predict the thermal conductivity of composites. The distribution of each phase is assumed to be probabilistically distributed, and the Kapitza resistance at the interface between the filler and matrix was calculated by means of a molecular dynamics simulation. A polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) composite system embedded with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was used in a specific simulation. Composites containing MWCNTs of different lengths were also fabricated to obtain appropriate experimental results for the verification of the proposed model. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning microscopy (FE-SEM) were carried out to confirm that the selected materials could suitably be compared. Finally, the proposed model was applied to the finite element method to examine the heat flux of the composites according to the constitutive properties, and their results were compared to the experimental results.

To assess radionuclide migration, Ca/Si ratio of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel formed as a secondary mineral is a key factor because CSH gels effectively adsorb radionuclides, in particular cationic nuclides. However, the Ca/Si ratio of the CSH gel is changed by the leaching of Ca ions and the formation conditions. In this study, the influence of carbonate ions on the sorption of Cs ions on the CSH gel was preliminarily examined. For the sorption experiments, the concentrations of carbonate ions (NaHCO3) were adjusted to 0 mM-1000 mM at the synthesis of the CSH gel or after a 7-day curing period. As a result, the sorption of Cs ions on the CSH gel became larger with the increase in the concentration of carbonate ions. Such sorption behavior was also observed when carbonate ions were added after curing the CSH gel. These results suggest that CSH gel formed as a secondary mineral might be able to contribute to the retardation of radionuclide migration by interacting with carbonate ions.

4’4’(5’)-di( tert -butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) modified with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoro methylsulfonyl) imide ([C 2 mim][NTf 2 ]) was loaded onto porous silica/polymer composite support (SiO 2 -P) particles with a mean diameter of 50 μm and used to extract Sr(II) from HNO 3 solutions. The effect of HNO 3 concentration on the equilibrium kinetics and thermodynamic properties of Sr(II) uptake were investigated by batch methods. The adsorbent exhibited excellent adsorption selectively for Sr(II) over a wide range of HNO 3 concentrations. The adsorption of Sr(II) in the presence of 3 M HNO 3 on (DtBuCH18C6+[C 2 mim][NTf 2 ])/SiO 2 -P attained equilibrium within 1 h, and a relatively large distribution coefficient ( K d ) of ca. 30 cm 3 ·g −1 was obtained. Kinetic data were successfully modeled using pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption of Sr(II) was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The uptake isotherm of Sr(II) for (DtBuCH18C6+[C 2 mim][NTf 2 ])/SiO 2 -P followed a Langmuir-type adsorption equation.

The use of hybrid fillers consisting of phycochemically different nanoparticles has been widely investigated to realize synergistic improvement of thermal conduction behaviors. The enhancement of thermal conductivity of composites is often limited by the thermal contact resistance of the reinforcing particles. We prepare a series of hybrid nanofiller reinforced composites composed of two-dimensional boron nitrides and one-dimensional multiwalled carbon nanotubes to investigate the interfacial thermal resistances of the composites by a finite element method. The interfacial thermal resistances calculated by the finite element modeling are implemented into a Mori–Tanaka homogenization scheme to predict the thermal conductivities of the composites with perfect and imperfect interfaces. The prediction by the Mori–Tanaka method was in good agreement with the finite element simulation and the experimental results.

In this study, electrospun Nylon-6,6 nanofiber (Nylon-6,6 NFs) reinforced cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) composites were prepared by electrospinning process followed by hot press method and compared with the pristine Nylon-6,6 nanofiber in terms of tensile properties and light transparency. The formation of hydrogen bonds between CBT and nylon-6,6 molecules results enhancement of the mechanical property of the composite. Further, the high optical transmittance of the composite was achieved.

A series of polyketone (PK) nanocomposite films with varying content of noncovalently functionalized graphene nanoplatelet with 1-aminopyrene (GNP/APy) is prepared by solution blending with a solvent of hexafluoro-2-propanol. GNP/APy, prepared by a facile method, can effectively induce specific interaction such as hydrogen bonding between the amine functional group of GNP/APy and the carbonyl functional group of the PK matrix. With comparison of GNP and GNP/Py as reference materials, intensive investigation on filler-matrix interaction is achieved. In addition, the dispersion state of the functionalized GNP (f-GNPs; GNP/Py and GNP/APy) in the PK matrix is analyzed by three-dimensional nondestructive X-ray microcomputed tomography, and the increased dispersion state of those fillers results in significant improvement in the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The enhancement in WVTR of the PK/GNP/APy nanocomposite film at 1 wt % loading of filler leads to a barrier performance approximately 2 times larger compared to that of PK/GNP nanocomposite film and an approximately 92% reduction in WVTR compared to the case of pristine PK film. We expect that this facile method of graphene functionalization to enhance graphene dispersibility as well as interfacial interaction with the polymer matrix will be widely utilized to expand the potential of graphene materials to barrier film applications.

We found that the thermal conductivity of the polycarbonate (PC) composite filled with both 9.9 wt% expanded graphite (EG) and 0.1 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) fillers was synergistically improved by 49% compared to that of the PC composite filled with 10 wt% EG alone. In order to induce the optimal internal structure favorable for thermal conduction by enhancing the dispersion of the second MWCNT fillers, we applied a two-step melt-compounding to fabricate composites using a MWCNT masterbatch based on a polymerizable oligomer resin, cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT), which is characterized by ultra-low viscosity and excellent impregnability during initial melting. Three-dimensional (3D) non-destructive characterization using X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) was utilized to demonstrate the synergistic enhancement and to verify dispersion and 3D thermal network of the fillers in the composites accurately. The synergistic enhancement was significantly affected by the formation of the efficient thermally conductive pathways and dispersion of the second MWCNT fillers.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3, are responsible for lymphangiogenesis in both embryos and adults. In epilepsy, the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated in the human brains affected with temporal lobe epilepsy. Moreover, pharmacologic inhibition of VEGF receptors after acute seizures could suppress the generation of spontaneous recurrent seizures, suggesting a critical role of VEGF-related signaling in epilepsy. Therefore, in the present study, the spatiotemporal expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 against pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) was investigated in C57BL/6N mice using immunohistochemistry. At 1 day after SE, hippocampal astrocytes and microglia were activated. Pyramidal neuronal death was observed at 4 days after SE. In the subpyramidal zone, VEGF-C expression gradually increased and peaked at 7 days after SE, while VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated at 4 days after SE and began to decrease at 7 days after SE. Most VEGF-C/VEGFR-3-expressing cells were pyramidal neurons, but VEGF-C was also observed in some astrocytes in sham-manipulated animals. However, at 4 days and 7 days after SE, both VEGFR-3 and VEGF-C immunoreactivities were observed mainly in astrocytes and in some microglia of the stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the hippocampus, respectively. These data indicate that VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 can be upregulated in hippocampal astrocytes and microglia after pilocarpine-induced SE, providing basic information about VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression patterns following acute seizures.

Hericium erinaceus (HE), a culinary-medicinal mushroom, has shown therapeutic potential in many brain diseases. However, the role of HE in status epilepticus (SE)-mediated neuronal death and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of HE using a pilocarpine-induced SE model. Male C57BL/6 mice received crude extracts of HE (60 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg, or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 d from 14 d before SE to 6 d after SE. At 7 d after SE, cresyl violet and immunohistochemistry of neuronal nuclei revealed improved hippocampal neuronal survival in animals treated with 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg of HE, whereas those treated with 300 mg/kg of HE showed similar neuronal death to that of vehicle-treated controls. While seizure-induced reactive gliosis, assessed by immunohistochemistry, was not altered by HE, the number of hippocampal cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)-expressing cells was significantly reduced by 60 and 120 mg/kg of HE. Triple immunohistochemistry demonstrated no overlap of COX2 labeling with Ox42, in addition to a decrease in COX2/GFAP-co-immunoreactivity in the group treated with 60 mg/kg HE, suggesting that the reduction of COX2 by HE promotes neuroprotection after SE. Our findings highlight the potential application of HE for preventing neuronal death after seizures.

Self-reinforced composites (SRCs) are easy to recycle because the matrix and reinforcement are composed of the same material. However, the narrow processing window makes it difficult to optimize the relationship between the internal structure and the mechanical properties. In this study, we adopted a strategy to control the melting temperature and flowability of the matrix to expand the processing window of a polypropylene (PP)-based SRC. To experiment with this strategy, 1500% drawn PP fiber was used as the reinforcement, while a PP/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blend, PP/ethylene copolymer, or PP/ethylene/butene terpolymer were adopted as the matrix. The tensile strength of the PP-based SRC prepared by applying the copolymer matrix under optimized processing conditions was improved by 22.3%, as compared to that of the SRC prepared using the raw PP matrix. As a result, the design rule used to obtain optimum processing conditions for SRC production with outstanding mechanical properties was proposed.

Polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) is known as an excellent interface modifier that can improve the interface between carbon fiber (CF) and PP. In this study, the effect of PP-g-MAH content on the physical properties of PP composites containing long-fiber CFs was investigated. It was confirmed that PP-g-MAH acted as an interface modifier between the interface between CF and PP, and when an appropriate amount of 10 wt% was incorporated, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, Izod impact strength, and heat deflection temperature were improved by 110%, 50%, 86.7% and 12.7%, respectively. On the other hand, the blending effect of PP-g-MAH, which is a low molecular weight, was greater than the compatibilizing effect when the PP-g-MAH content was mixed above the appropriate content, thereby reducing the physical properties. Therefore, the content of PP-g-MAH as the interface modifier must be designed to be the optimum content considering the CF content to be mixed in order to optimize the physical properties of the composite material.

In this study, simultaneous separation and recovery of Cs(I) and Sr(II) from nitric acid solution was investigated using a silica-based hybrid adsorbent. The adsorbent was prepared by successive impregnation and fixing of two supramolecular recognition agents namely, 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-Calix[4]-arene(Calix[4]arene-R14) and 4',4' (5")-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6, onto a silica-based polymer support(SiO2-P). Uptake properties, characterization, equilibrium kinetics, and dynamic adsorption properties of Cs(I) and Sr(II) were then assessed. Distribution coefficients (Kd) higher than 102 cm3/g for Cs(I) and Sr(II) were obtained using 3 M HNO3 at 298 K, and the Kd values decreased with increasing temperature. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium studies fitted well with pseudo-second-order model and Redlich–Peterson isotherm model, respectively. The constant total organic carbon values in the aqueous phase were obtained after adding 10−3 ∼ 4 M HNO3. Results of the dyn...

The oxidation behavior of chromium and the corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel in boiling nitric acid solution containing highly concentrated nitrates were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopic measurements, Raman spectral measurements, immersion tests, and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The oxidation rate measurement of chromium from Cr(III) to Cr(VI) was performed by 1 M boiling nitric acid solution containing each highly concentrated nitrates: Al(NO3)3, Nd(NO3)3, Ca(NO3)2, Mg(NO3)2, and NaNO3 as a simulant of uranium nitrate in uranium concentrator in reprocessing plants. As a result, the rate of chromium oxidation was different depending on the added nitrates even at the same nitric acid concentration. In addition, the oxidation rate of chromium was increased with increasing the calculated partial pressure of nitric acid in consideration of the hydration of cation of nitrates. Furthermore, the corrosion rate of type 310 stainless steel was accelerated by the solu...

Despite the benefits of recycling, impact resistance, and lightweightness, polypropylene (PP) self-reinforced composites (SRCs) still suffer from a lack of research, especially in continuous manufacturing processes. Herein we report a comprehensive study, from the four-step high-ratio drawing of PP-tapes to the continuous manufacturing of SRCs. The mechanical properties of the PP-tape depend strongly on the final draw ratio with the intermediate drawing history having a negligible effect. Mechanical improvements accompany increases in melting temperature and crystallinity, and a decrease in density. PP-SRC was manufactured by continuous double-belt pressing, with optimum performance attained when processed with a 87-148-80 (°C) temperature profile. Structural integrity was not attained at lower temperatures due to poor impregnation, whereas higher temperatures degraded the mechanical properties of the PP-SRC by relaxing the highly drawn PP-tapes. Finally, an analytical approach based on micro-computed tomography, PP-tape relaxation, and rule-of-mixture calculations led to accurate predictions of experimental moduli.

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) can be induced by an intracellular calcium increase and oxidative stress, which are characteristic features of temporal lobe epilepsy. Thus, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression and cellular localization of RCAN1 protein and mRNA in the mouse hippocampus after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). Male C57BL/6 mice were given pilocarpine hydrochloride (280 mg/kg, i.p.) and allowed to develop 2 h of SE. Then the animals were given diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) to stop the seizures and sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14, or 28 day after SE. Cresyl violet staining showed that pilocarpine-induced SE resulted in cell death in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the hippocampus from 3 day after SE. RCAN1 immunoreactivity showed that RCAN1 was mainly expressed in neurons in the shammanipulated hippocampi. At 1 day after SE, RCAN1 expression became detected in hippocampal neuropils. However, RCAN1 signals were markedly enhanced in cells with stellate morphology at 3 and 7 day after SE, which were confirmed to be reactive astrocytes, but not microglia by double immunofluorescence. In addition, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed a significant upregulation of RCAN1 isoform 4 (RCAN1-4) mRNA in the SE-induced hippocampi. Finally, in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry revealed astrocytic expression of RCAN1-4 after SE. These results demonstrate astrocytic upregulation of RCAN1 and RCAN1-4 in the mouse hippocampus in the acute and subacute phases of epileptogenesis, providing foundational information for the potential role of RCAN1 in reactive astrocytes during epileptogenesis.

A macroporous silica-based (Calix[4]+Dodecanol)/SiO2-P absorbent for separation of Cs(I) from HNO3 solution was prepared by impregnating the 1,3-[(2,4-Diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-calix[4]arene and its molecule modifier 1-dodecanol into a macroporous silica/polymer composite support. To establish its application into partitioning of Cs(I) from High Level Liquid Waste (HLLW), the adsorption properties and radiation effects on the adsorbent were investigated. The adsorbent showed a relatively large distribution coefficient of Cs(I) and fast equilibrium time in simulated HLLW. Additionally, the adsorbent under the gamma-ray field was found to be able to selectively adsorb Cs(I) with similar behavior to the adsorption without irradiation up to at least 170 kGy.

A fabrication method was designed for thermal insulation composites by applying the thermal characteristics of silica aerogels with preservation of pores in the aerogel to achieve extremely low thermal conductivity of the composites. A new process was proposed to generate interfaces between superhydrophobic silica aerogels and a hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution and to fabricate the silica aerogel/PVA composite forcibly while PVA is precipitated over the interfaces by making the solvent vaporize at a slow rate during stirring. Well-preserved aerogel pores were observed in the PVA-coated composites using an electron microscope and a low thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/m K was achieved, which is only 11% of the thermal conductivity of PVA. The measured thermal conductivity of the aerogel/PVA composite was lower than that predicted by the Mori–Tanaka method (MTM) with the perfect interface assumption due to the effect of phonon scattering at the incomplete interfaces.

Reducing the price of carbon fiber (CF) is crucial to the wider application of CFRP in automobiles for energy reduction. Because process costs account for 46% of the total cost of CF, interest has increased in the development of affordable processes such as microwave plasma carbonization, which can reduce the cost. In this study, the concept of a two step microwave plasma carbonization process is suggested to enhance the mechanical properties of the CF made with the plasma process. Compared with single step carbonized CF, the two step carbonized CF had 171% improved tensile strength because of the synergetic effect of the low power and high power carbonization steps. Two step or multi step carbonization process is expected to be another improvement of the microwave plasma carbonization process in that it not only reduces the energy consumption of the process but also improves the mechanical properties of CF.

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a member of the anthocyanin family, is a potent natural antioxidant. However, effects of C3G on glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i increase and neuronal cell death remain unknown. We studied the effects of C3G on glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i increase and cell death in cultured rat hippocampal neurons from embryonic day 17 maternal Sprague-Dawley rats using digital imaging methods for Zn(2+), Ca(2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and a MTT assay for cell survival. Treatment with glutamate (100 µM) for 7 min induces reproducible [Zn(2+)]i increase at 35 min interval in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. The intracellular Zn(2+)-chelator TPEN markedly blocked glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i increase, but the extracellular Zn(2+) chelator CaEDTA did not affect glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i increase. C3G inhibited the glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i response in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 of 14.1 ± 1.1 µg/ml). C3G also significantly inhibited glutamate-induced [Ca(2+)]i increase. Two antioxidants such as Trolox and DTT significantly inhibited the glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i response, but they did not affect the [Ca(2+)]i responses. C3G blocked glutamate-induced formation of ROS. Trolox and DTT also inhibited the formation of ROS. C3G significantly inhibited glutamate-induced mitochondrial depolarization. However, TPEN, Trolox and DTT did not affect the mitochondrial depolarization. C3G, Trolox and DTT attenuated glutamate-induced neuronal cell death in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, respectively. Taken together, all these results suggest that cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits glutamate-induced [Zn(2+)]i increase through a release of Zn(2+) from intracellular sources in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by inhibiting Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial depolarization and formation of ROS, which is involved in neuroprotection against glutamate-induced cell death.

Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor involved in the carcinogenesis of various cancers. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a tumor suppressor gene that has anti-apoptotic activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer mechanism of PPARγ with respect to IGFBP-3. PPARγ was overexpressed in SNU-668 gastric cancer cells using an adenovirus gene transfer system. The cells in which PPARγ was overexpressed exhibited growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, and a significant increase in IGFBP-3 expression. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of PPARγ in SNU-668 cells using an IGFBP-3 promoter/luciferase reporter system. Luciferase activity was increased up to 15-fold in PPARγ transfected cells, suggesting that PPARγ may directly interact with IGFBP-3 promoter to induce its expression. Deletion analysis of the IGFBP-3 promoter showed that luciferase activity was markedly reduced in cells without putative p53-binding sites (-Δ1755, -Δ1795). This suggests that the critical PPARγ-response region is located within the p53-binding region of the IGFBP-3 promoter. We further demonstrated an increase in PPARγ-induced luciferase activity even in cells treated with siRNA to silence p53 expression. Taken together, these data suggest that PPARγ exhibits its anticancer effect by increasing IGFBP-3 expression, and that IGFBP-3 is a significant tumor suppressor.

Basic properties of a silica-based macroporous N’,N’-di-n-hexyl-thiodiglycolamide (Crea) extraction resin, (Crea+Dodec)/SiO2-P were examined. This extraction resin was synthesized by impregnating Crea and its modifier, n-Dodecyl alcohol (Dodec) into the macroporous SiO2-P support with a mean diameter of 50 μm. Adsorption behavior of platinum group metals (PGMs) and some fission product elements from simulated high level liquid waste onto the resin was investigated by batch experiment. It was found that (Crea+Dodec)/SiO2-P extraction resin exhibited good adsorption selectivity for PGMs over other tested elements in 0.1-5.0 M HNO3 solution. This resin showed strong affinity to Pd(II) especially in a short contact time but almost no adsorption for rare earth elements. Adsorption behavior of PGMs in experiment could be expressed by the Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption mode. Meanwhile, adsorption results were fitted well with the pseudo-second order model and the rate-controlling step of this adsorption...

Microwave heating is investigated as an alternative method of carbonization process for carbon fiber (CF) in order to reduce the energy costs. In this study, a microwave plasma system is designed for the carbonization process, and stabilized polyacrylonitrile fiber is carbonized using the system. Compared with the CF fabricated by conventional thermal carbonization process, plasma-carbonized CF has higher surface roughness, which can enhance the mechanical interlocking between resin and CF and increase the mechanical properties of the CF Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). Furthermore the mechanical properties of the CF didn't fall behind that of the conventionally carbonized one. As a result, microwave plasma carbonization is a good candidate for the next-generation carbonization processes in the CF industry.

We investigated the relationship between the corrosion of austenitic stainless steel (R-SUS304ULC) and the redox behavior of chromium in nitric acid solution under three conditions – boiling at atmospheric pressure, boiling at reduced pressure, and non-boiling – to evaluate the effects of the boiling phenomenon. In the Cr(III) oxidation rate measurement, about 20% of the Cr(III) was oxidized to Cr(VI) under atmospheric-pressure boiling at 384 K after 168 h. Under non-boiling conditions at 373 K, Cr(VI) was not observed. However, about 3% of Cr(III) oxidation was observed at 373 K with reduced-pressure boiling. Thermodynamic calculations showed that the abundance of Cr(VI) in boiling nitric acid was increased over that in non-boiling nitric acid, even at the same temperature. These results show that Cr(III) is more likely to oxidize under boiling conditions than non-boiling conditions. On the other hand, in the corrosion tests, we found that the apparent reduction rate of Cr(VI) as a result of corrosion of...

Microwave plasma equipment was designed and manufactured to improve the interfacial bonding and mechanical interlocking between carbon fiber fabric (CFF) and the polymer matrix. Tensile specimens for the composites reinforced with the as-received and microwave plasma-treated CFFs were prepared using high-speed fabrication with a polymerizable and low-viscosity cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) oligomer matrix. Compared with the polymerized CBT (pCBT) matrix, the tensile strengths of the as-received and plasma-treated CFF reinforced composites (CFFRCs) were enhanced by approximately 362.5% and 436.3%, respectively. A high carbon fiber content of 70 vol.% was achieved without introducing pores and/or defects into the CFFRC due to the low viscosity and high impregnation characteristics of the CBT resin. It was confirmed that the microwave plasma can increase the surface roughness of the tested CFF without varying the chemical composition and defect level of the CFF. In addition, the interfacial bonding and mechanical interlocking between the CFF and polymer matrix were improved.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident caused radioactive pollution by 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs. The surface of the ground was contaminated at a volume of 3 × 107 m3. The government has mandated that the top 5 cm of the contaminated soil be removed and stored, in this way, it is desirable to reduce its volume. Soil samples were collected from a mountain, a rice field and a vegetable field in northern Japan, and the silt was extracted from the muddy water by washing the soil. Next, the silt was sprayed with a solution of cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3). We determined the amounts of Al, Si, K and Cs in the silt particles using micro-particle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis. The silt particles from a vegetable field, a rice field and a mountain were mainly formed from smectite or vermiculite, which absorbs Cs atoms. The measurements at multiple detection angles confirmed that Cs atoms were uniformly absorbed within silt particles less than [Formula: see text] in diameter. This resulted that the radioactive Cs atoms were adsorbed in silt particles within [Formula: see text] of the surface.

To separate minor actinides from high level liquid waste (HLLW) of PUREX reprocessing, a silica-based macroporous isobutyl-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent was synthesized by impregnating isobutyl-BTP (2,6-di(5,6-diisobutyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine) extractant into the macroporous SiO2-P support with a mean diameter of 60 μm. A partitioning process using extraction chromatography for the treatment of HLLW was designed consisting five separation columns. As a partly work focused on isobutyl-BTP/SiO2-P separation column, adsorption behavior of 241Am and trivalent rare earth (RE) from simulated HLLW onto silica-based isobutyl-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent was investigated by batch method. Meanwhile, the chemical and radiolytic stabilities of isobutyl-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent against 0.01 M HNO3 solution and γ-ray irradiation were studied. It was found that isobutyl-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent exhibited good adsorption selectivity for 241Am over RE(III) in 0.01 M HNO3 solution and showed weak or no adsorption affinity to light and middle RE(III) groups. In addition, in stability experiments, isobutyl-BTP adsorbent showed excellent stability against 0.01 M HNO3 solution and γ-ray irradiation over 4 months contact time.

Effects of the amount of nickel powder (Ni) in Ni-carbon fiber (CF) hybrid filler systems on the conductivity(or resistivity) and thermal coefficient of resistance (TCR) of filled high density polyethylene were studied. Increases of the resistivity and TCR with increasing Ni concentration at a given hybrid filler content were observed. Using the fiber contact model, we showed that the main role of Ni in the hybrid filler system is to decrease the interfiber contact resistance when Ni concentration is less than the threshold point. The formation of structural defects leading to reduced reinforcing effect resulted in both a reduction of strength and an increase of the coefficient of thermal expansion in the composite film; these changes are responsible for the increases of both resistivity and TCR with increasing Ni concentration in the hybrid filler system.

To understand the separation behavior of Zr(IV) in the partitioning process for high level liquid waste, a silica-based macroporous adsorbent (TODGA/SiO2-P) was prepared by impregnating N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide (TODGA) into a macroporous silica/polymer composite particles support (SiO2-P). Adsorption and desorption behavior of Zr(IV) from nitric acid solution onto silica-based TODGA/SiO2-P adsorbent were investigated by batch experiment. It was found that TODGA/SiO2-P showed strong adsorption affinity to Zr(IV) and this adsorption process reached equilibrium state around 6 h at 298 K. Meanwhile, HNO3 concentration had no significant effect on the adsorption of Zr(IV) above 1 M. From calculated thermodynamic parameters, this adsorption process could occur spontaneously at the given temperature and was confirmed to be an exothermic reaction. This adsorption process could be expressed by Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption mode and the maximum adsorption capacity were determined to be 0.283 and 0.512 mmol/g for Zr(IV) at 298 and 323 K, respectively. In addition, more than 90 % of Zr(IV) adsorbed onto adsorbent could be desorbed with 0.01 M diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid solution within 24 h at 298 K.

To investigate the effect of continuous multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the thermal and mechanical properties of composites, we propose a fabrication method for a buckypaper-filled flexible composite film prepared by a two-step process involving buckypaper fabrication using vacuum filtration of MWCNTs, and composite film fabrication using the dipping method. The thermal conductivity and tensile strength of the composite film filled with the buckypaper exhibited improved results, respectively 76% and 275% greater than those of the individual MWCNT-filled composite film. It was confirmed that forming continuous MWCNT fillers is an important factor which determines the physical characteristics of the composite film. In light of the study findings, composite films using buckypaper as a filler and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a flexible matrix have sufficient potential to be applied as a heat-dissipating material, and as a flexible film with high thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties.

Curium was separated and recovered as an oxalate from a Cm–Pu mixed oxide which had been a 244Cm oxide sample prepared more than 40 years ago and the ratio of 244Cm to 240Pu was estimated to 0.2:0.8. Radiochemical analyses of the solution prepared by dissolving the Cm–Pu mixed oxide in nitric acid revealed that the oxide contained about 1 at% of 243Am impurity. To obtain high purity curium solution, plutonium and americium were removed from the solution by an anion exchange method and by chromatographic separation using tertiary pyridine resin embedded in silica beads with nitric acid/methanol mixed solution, respectively. Curium oxalate, a precursor compound of curium oxide, was prepared from the purified curium solution. 11.9 mg of Cm oxalate having some amounts of impurities, which are 243Am (5.4 at%) and 240Pu (0.3 at%) was obtained without Am removal procedure. Meanwhile, 12.0 mg of Cm oxalate (99.8 at% over actinides) was obtained with the procedure including Am removals. Both of the obtained Cm oxalate sample were supplied for the syntheses and measurements of the thermochemical properties of curium compounds.