[en] The control design flaw of standby diesel generator ventilation system and its impact on safe operation of Candu units were discussed in the article. Specific modification programs were proposed against these defects. The modification program mainly focused on a new standby diesel generator ventilation system programmable logic controller (PLC) hardware optimization, optimization of ventilation systems and human-machine interface logic improvement. The reliability and operation maintenance facility of the control system has been enhanced due to the modification. (author)

[en] Objective: To explore the relationship between serum nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) levels and endotoxin contents in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Serum NO, NOS levels (with EIA) and endotoxin contents (with colorspectrometry) were determined in 38 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 35 controls. Results: The serum levels of NO, NOS and endotoxin contents were significantly higher in the patients than those in the controls (P<0.01). Serum endotoxin contents were positively correlated with the levels of NO (r=0.7122, P<0.01). Conclusion: Detection of serum NO, NOS levels and endotoxin contents might be of diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with chronic hepatitis C. (authors)

[en] This work reports on successful fabrication of TiO₂@ZnO arrays nanocomposites for lithium ion battery application without any polymeric binder and conductive additives. The sandwich-like TiO₂@ZnO framework with 3D interconnected construction shows stable cycling performance with a specific capacity of 340.2 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 200 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, which possesses more competitive cycling performance than the bare ZnO arrays. It is noted that the uniform decoration of ZnO nanoparticles onto the TiO₂ nanosheet arrays plays a significant role in advancing their electrochemical performance. The volume change and aggregation of ZnO nanoparticles can be efficiently mitigated with the support of TiO₂ nanosheet cushions. Interestingly, the TiO₂@ZnO array can be an ideal electrode for flexible electronics.

[en] Particle analysis of environmental swipe sample is used by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to detect the presence of undeclared nuclear activities. Swipe samples from uranium enrichment plant typically contain fluorine. U_O2F₂ is known to lose fluorine over time, which may be accelerated by exposure to UV-light and elevated temperatures. Of particular interest is the assessment of the reduction of fluorine by UV-light. For this, the uranyl-fluoride (UO₂F₂) particles are formed from the reaction between the uranium hexafluoride and the steam in air. The relative a mount of fluorine was measured from UO₂F₂ particles after different exposure to UV-light by scanning electron micros copy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). Appropriate working parameters were selected by conditional experiments. The results from SEM/EDX show no significant fluorine reduction trend on UO₂F₂ particles after different exposure to UV-light, which may be improved by adjusting working conditions or be completed by other measurement techniques. (authors)

[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Cu_2O nanowire covered with amorphous carbon thin layer was fabrication. • A photocurrent density of up to 2.7 mA cm"−"2 at 0 V (vs. RHE) was achieved. • Carbon covered Cu_2O electrode shows improved stability. • Carbon layer can increase the charge separation and collection efficiency. - Abstract: Herein, we report on Cu_2O nanowire photocathode covered with amorphous carbon thin layer by a simple and effective anodization method for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting hydrogen production. The coating of carbon thin layer increases the photo-electrochemical performance of Cu_2O nanowires, achieving a photocurrent density of up to 2.7 mA cm"−"2 at 0 V (vs. RHE) with a maximum photon to current conversion efficiency of 0.28% at 0.21 V (vs. RHE) under standard testing conditions. The nanocomposite electrode retains 61.3% of its photo-activity after 1000 s irradiation, which is higher than that of bare Cu_2O (18.5%). The detailed investigation results reveal that the augmented photocurrent as well as the enhanced stability could be contributed to the acceleration of electrochemical charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface and the reduced rate of photo-corrosion.

[en] Battery type selection is performed with the help of technical information supplied by vendors, and according to relevant criteria. Analysis and comparison of the hydrogen generation differences between two different lead-acid battery types are carried out through calculation. The analysis result may provide suggestions for battery type selection in nuclear power plant. (authors)

[en] An outer combined plasma photolysis (OCPP) reactor that simultaneously utilized a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and UV radiation from DBD-driven KrI* excimer was designed and constructed. Gas streams containing benzene were treated with normal DBD and OCPP at atmospheric pressure. In contrast to DBD, benzene removal efficiency increased by 15.9% in OCPP when applied voltage, gas flow rate and initial concentration of benzene were set at 9 kV, 35 L min^-1 and 800 mg m^-3, respectively. Thus, the applied voltage could be reduced to a certain extent in the plasma decomposition of pollutants with OCPP. In addition, the effects of various operational parameters including pressure of filled Kr, ratio of Kr/I₂ and quartz dielectric characteristics on OCPP performance were investigated. Finally, the likely reaction mechanisms for the removal of benzene by OCPP were suggested on the basis of the emission spectra of KrI* excimer and byproducts analysis. Those results would offer prospective commercial applications for pollutant decomposition with OCPP

[en] Highlights: • CS1 is a novel nonintercalating topoisomerase IIα poison. • CS1 shows potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. • CS1 shows 6–10-fold less toxicity to normal cells compared with etoposide. • CS1 is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance irrelevant. - Abstract: DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) is an essential nuclear enzyme and a validated target for anticancer agent screening. CS1, a novel 2-phenylnaphthalene, had potent cytotoxicity against nine tested tumor cell lines and showed 6–10-fold less toxicity against normal cell lines compared with etoposide. In addition, CS1 showed potential anti-multidrug resistance capabilities. kDNA decatenation, DNA relaxation and cleavage complex assays indicated that CS1 acted as a nonintercalating topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα) inhibitor by stabilizing the DNA-Topo IIα cleavage complex. CS1 also induced DNA breaks in MDA-MB-231 cells evidenced by comet tails and the accumulation of γH2AX foci. The ability of CS1 in inducing DNA breaks mediated by Topo II resulted in G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, CS1 exhibited dramatic in vivo antitumor activity and lower toxicity compared with etoposide. This work supports the development of CS1 as a promising candidate for the treatment of cancer by targeting Topo IIα

[en] Sodium alginate (SA)/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) composite hydrogels were successfully prepared by solution blending and cross-linking with calcium ions. HNTs can improve the physical properties and cytocompatibility of composite hydrogels. The static and shear viscosity of SA/HNTs solution increase by the addition of HNTs. FTIR suggests the presence of hydrogen bond interactions between HNTs and SA. The crystal structure of HNTs is retained in the composites as showed by the X-ray diffraction result. A porous structure with pore size of 100–250 μm is found in the hydrogels, which can provide a space for cell growth and migration. The compressive mechanical properties of composite hydrogels significantly increase compared to the pure SA hydrogel. The SA/HNTs composite hydrogels with 80% HNTs loading exhibit the compressive stress at 80% strain of 2.99 MPa, while the stress at 80% strain of pure SA hydrogel is only 0.8 MPa. The dynamic storage modulus of composite hydrogels also markedly increases with HNTs concentration. The differential scanning calorimetry endothermic peak area and swelling ratios in NaCl solution of the composite hydrogels decrease by the addition of HNTs. Preosteoblast (MC3T3-E1) culture results reveal that the SA/HNTs composites especially at relatively low HNTs loading show a significant increase in cells adhesion and proliferation compared to the pure SA hydrogel. All the results demonstrate that the SA/HNTs composite hydrogels show a promising application in bone tissue engineering. - Highlights: • Alginate/HNTs composite hydrogels were fabricated using Ca²⁺ cross-linking method. • The hydrogen bond interactions between HNTs and alginate are confirmed. • HNTs can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of alginate hydrogel. • HNTs can improve the cell attachment and proliferation of alginate.

[en] The oxygen isotopic ratio will be recognized as a possible tool for identification of the origin of seized uranium oxides in nuclear forensics. The curve of mass calibration was determined according to the measuring parameter changes. Other parameters were optimized and determined by several studies, such as the intensity of primary ion, measuring time and mass resolution. The method was established to analyze the oxygen isotopic ratio in uranium oxide by SIMS. The isotopic ratio of oxygen in practical samples was measured by SIMS and the relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 1.6%. The RSD is satisfied to trace the source of uranium oxide in nuclear forensics. (authors)