Designing highly efficient dialkylphosphinic acid extractant for zirconium/hafnium separation relies on systematic structure-property studies. In this paper, dialkylphosphinic acids with different substituents at β-C, γ-C and δ-C for zirconium and hafnium extraction and separation from H2SO4 media were investigated. The results show that substituents at β-C, γ-C and δ-C reduce the extraction ability of dialkylphosphinic acids for both zirconium and hafnium. The substituent effect at β-C is greater than that at γ-C and δ-C. The larger steric hindrance of the substituents (ethyl > methyl > H), the weaker extraction ability of the dialkylphosphinic acids. The zirconium and hafnium separation behavior is related to the extraction ability of dialkylphosphinic acids. Dialkylphosphinic acids with stronger extraction ability show better zirconium/hafnium separation performance at higher acidity of 2.0 mol L-1 H2SO4, while those with weaker extraction ability show better zirconium and hafnium separation performance at lower acidity of 0.25 mol L-1 H2SO4. The highest hafnium/zirconium separation factor (βHf/Zr) in the current study occurs with (2-ethylhexyl)(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (USTB-1), which reaches 19.2.

Abstract Improving the aroma of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) is important for consumer acceptance. To explore possible strategies for mimicking the authentic meat-like aroma in plant-based pork mince (PBPM), the volatile flavor compound (VFC) profile of four PBPM samples and two real pork mince (RPM) samples were compared via headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). Unprocessed RPM contained fewer aromatic compounds, but raw PBPM contained an abundance of VFCs. A discernible difference in the VFC profile also existed between the raw RPM samples, which were derived from common pig and free-range black pig. Similarly, a variance in the VFC profiles of different raw PBPM samples was observed. Various aromatic compounds, such as alcohols and aldehydes, are formed when RPM is cooked. Although some of these compounds can also be formed when PBPM is cooked, most VFCs present in the raw sample were reduced or eliminated during the same process. Although the impacts of steaming and stir-frying on the VFC profiles of each kind of pork differed, the similarity in the VFC profiles of PBPM and RPM increased after steaming and stir-frying.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel Y applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer were recruited for this study. The stage I patients received only 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy with a two-channel applicator. The stage II and III patients received both 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator and parallel-opposed whole pelvic radiotherapy. RESULTS: The five-year local control rate was 80.6% (25/31), the overall survival rate was 51.6% (16/31), and the disease-free survival rate was 54.8% (17/31). The incidence of serious late complications was 12.9% (4/31). CONCLUSIONS: 252Californium neutron intracavitary brachytherapy using a two-channel applicator combined with external beam radiotherapy was effective for treating endometrial cancer and the incidence of serious late complications related to this combination was within an acceptable range.

The vgb and bleomycin resistance genes could be efficiently transferred into the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum under help of T-DNA of Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 and the transferred genes were integrated at a chromosomal locus of P. chrysogenum. Transformation using A. tumefaciens LBA4404 could be enhanced in the presence of acetosyringone (AS) when being carried out in the conidiaand mycelium. The efficiencies of transformation could be improved up to 10 folds compared with conventional techniques for transformation of P. chrysogenum protoplasts.