A thermochemical model description of CaO_(2)-SiO2-Al_(2)O_(3) silicate system

A thermochemical model based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory(IMCT)was developed to calculate thermodynamic data in the CaO-SiO_(2)-Al_(2)O_(3) slag system,considering the influential role of oxide activities on the thermodynamic properties of slags.Using this model,iso-activity contours were obtained for oxide components CaO,SiO_(2) and Al2O3 in this system at temperatures of 1,873 K and 1,773 K.When compared with the IMCT model,it is found that the predicted activities of oxide components in the CaO-SiO_(2)-Al_(2)O_(3) system using the model developed in this study better matches experimental data from literature in terms of both trend and numerical value.Therefore,the model developed in this study can serve as a robust modeling tool for metallurgical processes,and the thermodynamic data predicted by this new model can be used to improve the metallurgical technology.

Prognostic value of intracranial pressure monitoring for the management of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage following minimally invasive surgery

BACKGROUND:The incidence of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH)has been increasing during the recent years in low-and middle-income countries.With high mortality and morbidity rates,it brings huge burden to the families.It lacks evidence regarding the application of intracranial pressure(ICP)monitoring in HICH.In the current study,the authors aimed to evaluate whether ICP monitoring could make any difference on the prognosis of HICH patients after minimally invasive surgery.METHODS:A retrospective review of 116 HICH patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine,between 2014 and 2016,was performed.The effects of ICP monitoring on 6-month mortality and favorable outcomes were evaluated by univariate and logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:ICP monitors were inserted into 50 patients.Patients with ICP monitoring had a significantly better outcome(P<0.05).The average in-hospital duration in patients with ICP monitoring was shorter than that in the patients without ICP monitoring(16.68 days vs.20.47 days,P<0.05).Mortality rates between ICP monitoring and no ICP monitoring did not differ significantly(16.0%vs.15.1%,P=0.901).On univariate analysis,age,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)on admission and presence of ICP monitor were independent predictors of 6-month favorable outcomes.CONCLUSION:ICP monitoring is associated with a better 6-month functional outcome compared with no ICP monitoring.Future study is still needed to confirm our results and elucidate which subgroup of HICH patients will benefit most from the minimally invasive surgical intervention and ICP monitoring.

Effect of magnesia on the compressive strength of pellets

The compressive strength of MgO-fluxed pellets was investigated before and after they were reduced. The porosity and pore size of green pellets, product pellets, and reduced pellets were analyzed to clarify how MgO affects the strength of the pellets. Experimental resuits show that when the MgO-bearing flux content in the pellets increases from 0.0wt% to 2.0wt%, the compressive strength of the pellets at ambient temperature decreases, but the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction increases. Therefore, the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction exhibits no certain positive correlation with that before reduction. The porosity and pore size of all the pellets （with different MgO contents） increase when the pellets are reduced. However, the increase in porosity of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively smaller than that of the traditional non-MgO-fluxed pellets, and the pore size range of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively narrower. The reduction swelling index （RSI） is a key factor for governing the compressive strength of the reduced pellets. An approximately reversed linear relation can be concluded that the lower the RSI, the greater the compressive strength of the reduced pellets is.

Gas-solid reduction kinetic model of MgO-fluxed pellets

The reduction process of MgO-fluxed pellets was investigated and compared with traditional acidic pellets in this paper. Based on the piston flow concept and experimental data, a kinetic model fitting for the gas-solid phase reduction of pellets in tubular reactors （blast furnace, BF） was built up, and the equations of reduction reaction rate were given for pellets. A series of reduction experiments of pellets were carried out to verify the model. As a result, the experimental data and calculated result were fitted well. Therefore, this model can well describe the gas-solid phase reduction process and calculate the reduction reaction rate of pellets. Besides, it can give a better explanation that the reduction reaction rate （reducibility） of MgO-fluxed pellets is better than that of traditional acidic pellets in BF.

EXPRESSION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SURVIVIN mRNA IN LUNG CANCER TISSUE MICROARRAY DETECTED BY FISH

Objective To investigate the expression of Survivin mRNA in lung cancer tissue microarray （TMA） by fluorescence in .situ hybridization （FISH） method, and determine the role and significance of it in lung cancer genesis and progress. Methods The expression of Survivin mRNA was detected by FISH method and TMA technology. Fifty-four cases of lung cancer and 10 cases of normal lung tissue were examined. Survivin mRNA was expressed in 66.7% （36/54） of lung cancer; the positive ratio of lung cancer was significantly higher than that of normal lung tissue （0/10;X^2= 15.238, P 〈 0.05）. The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in poor differentiated cancer （20/24, 83.3% ） than moderate and well differentiated cancer （16/30, 53.3%; X^2 = 5.40, P 〈 0.05）. The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in group with lymph node metastasis （27/32, 84.4%） than without lymph node metastasis （9/22, 40.9%; X^2= 11.084, P 〈 0.05）. The positive ratio of Survivin mRNA was significantly higher in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ（12/13, 92.3%） than stage Ⅰ- Ⅱ （24/41,58.5%; X^2=5.066, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion Survivin mRNA highly expresses in lung cancer, which is related to the progress and malignant behavior. Survivin may play a promoting role in lung cancer genesis and progress and provide a basis for estimating prognosis and treatment.

Combustion characteristics of unburned pulverized coal and its reaction kinetics with CO2

The combustion characteristics of two kinds of unburned pulverized coal (UPC) made from bituminous coal and anthracite were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis under air. The reaction kinetics mechanisms between UPC and CO2 in an isothermal experiment in the temperature range 1000–1100°C were investigated. The combustion performance of unburned pulverized coal made from bituminous coal (BUPC) was better than that of unburned pulverized coal made from anthracite (AUPC). The combustion characteristic indexes (S) of BUPC and AUPC are 0.47 × 10^-6 and 0.34 × 10^-6 %2·min^-2·°C^-3, respectively, and the combustion reaction apparent activation energies are 91.94 and 102.63 kJ·mol^-1, respectively. The reaction mechanism of BUPC with CO2 is random nucleation and growth, and the apparent activation energy is 96.24 kJ·mol^-1. By contrast, the reaction mechanism of AUPC with CO2 follows the shrinkage spherical function model and the apparent activation energy is 133.55 kJ·mol^-1.

Separated root tip formation associated with a fractured tubercle of dens evaginatus: A case report

BACKGROUND Several previous studies have reported an unusual root formation in which a fractured apical fragment of an immature root continued to develop independent of the main root after trauma to an immature tooth.To date,there have been only rare reports of the continuing apical formation of the fractured root associated with dens evaginatus(DE).This paper presents a case of a separated root tip formation associated with a fractured tubercle of DE.CASE SUMMARY An 11-year-old boy was referred for gingival sinus on the buccal side of the right mandibular second premolar(tooth#45).Clinically,tooth#45 was free of caries,but there was a sign of a fractured tubercle of DE on the occlusal surface.Radiography showed that the root canal of tooth#45 was widely radiolucent.A separated root apex was found apically under the main root and was nearly completely formed with an apical orifice at the apical tip.Tooth#45 was diagnosed as tubular fracture of DE with chronic apical periodontitis.A revascularization technique was recommended to treat the tooth.At 3-mo and 1-yr follow-up,the patient remained asymptomatic.Periapical radiography revealed that the separated root tip distally drifted with closure of the apex.However,the root length and thickness of the main root did not increased.CONCLUSION Clinicians should be aware that even if tubercle of DE is fractured in an immature tooth,the root tip may be separated from the main root and completely formed.

Assessment of the oxidative stress damage of human retinal pigment epithelium and epithelial-mesenchymal transition under high glucose state

Objective:To study the effect of high glucose environment on oxidative stress injury of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as well as pithelial-mesenchymal transition.Methods:Human PRE cells were cultivated and divided into low glucose control group, hyperosmosis control group and high glucose intervention group that were treated with DMEM medium with glucose concentration 5.5 mmol/L, DMEM medium with osmotic concentration 60.0 mmol/L and glucose concentration 5.5 mmol/L as well as the DMEM medium with glucose concentration 60.0 mmol/L respectively, and after 24 h, the levels of oxidative stress molecules, cell apoptosis molecules and mesenchymal cell marker molecules in cells were determined. Results:ROS, MDA, 3-NT, Nrf2, ARE, Caspase-3, Bax, JNK, c-JUN,α-SMA, Vimentin and N-cadherin levels in high glucose intervention group were significantly higher than those of low glucose control group and hyperosmosis control group while GST and HO-1 levels were significantly lower than those of low glucose control group and hyperosmosis control group;ROS, MDA, 3-NT, Nrf2, ARE, Caspase-3, Bax, JNK, c-JUN,α-SMA, Vimentin, N-cadherin, GST and HO-1 levels were not significantly different between low glucose control group and hyperosmosis control group.Conclusion:High glucose environment can enhance the oxidative stress response of RPE cells to start the cell apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process.

Characteristics of Calcined Magnesite and Its Application in Oxidized Pellet Production

Calcined magnesite is a binding additive and an MgO-bearing flux for pellets production. The effects of cal- cination temperature and time on the characteristics of calcined magnesite were investigated. Experimental results in dicated that the best calcination condition was 850℃ and 1h. Under this condition, the hydration activity of the eal cined magnesite was 80.56%, and the average diameter of crystal grain D, specific surface area S and the medium particle size D50 were 25.4 nm, 45.40 m2/g and 3.41μm, respectively. This kind of calcined magnesite was a good binding additive for pellets production. At the same proportion of calcined magnesite, the effects of activities of cal cined magnesite on metallurgical properties of green pellet and indurated pellet showed that calcined magnesite with high activity could improve the dropping strength and compressive strength of green pellet and enhance the burst temperature of green pellet; however, the effects of activity on compressive strength, low-temperature reduction degradation index, reduction swelling index and reduction index of indurated pellet were not obvious.

A Nomogram for Predicting the Likelihood of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Reduce the Unnecessary Polysomnography Examinations

Background：The currently available polysomnography （PSG） equipments and operating personnel are facing increasing pressure,such situation may result in the problem that a large number of obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） patients cannot receive timely diagnosis and treatment,we sought to develop a nomogram quantifying the risk of OSA for a better decision of using PSG,based on the clinical syndromes and the demographic and anthropometric characteristics.Methods：The nomogram was constructed through an ordinal logistic regression procedure.Predictive accuracy and performance characteristics were assessed with the area under the curve （AUC） of the receiver operating characteristics and calibration plots,respectively.Decision curve analyses were applied to assess the net benefit of the nomogram.Results：Among the 401 patients,73 （18.2%） were diagnosed and grouped as the none OSA （apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 〈5）,67 （16.7%） the mild OSA （5 ≤ AHI 〈 15）,82 （20.4%） the moderate OSA （15 ≤ AHI 〈 30）,and 179 （44.6%） the severe OSA （AHI ≥ 30）.The multivariable analysis suggested the significant factors were duration of disease,smoking status,difficulty of falling asleep,lack of energy,and waist circumference.A nomogram was created for the prediction of OSA using these clinical parameters and was internally validated using bootstrapping method.The discrimination accuracies of the nomogram for any OSA,moderate-severe OSA,and severe OSA were 83.8%,79.9%,and 80.5%,respectively,which indicated good calibration.Decision curve analysis showed that using nomogram could reduce the unnecessary polysomnography （PSG） by 10% without increasing the false negatives.Conclusions：The established clinical nomogram provides high accuracy in predicting the individual risk of OSA.This tool may help physicians better make decisions on PSG arrangement for the patients referred to sleep centers.

Fundamental mechanism of effects of MgO on sinter strength

MgO-containing flux may have a series of effects on the quality of sinter and performances of the blast furnace.Thus,the fundamental mechanism of the effects of MgO on the sinter strength was investigated.Both the chemical reagent and industrial flux were used for preparing the specimens.The experimental results show that the sinter strength decreases with MgO addition.There are three reasons for it.The first reason is diffusion rate.Almost all of the CaO may react with Fe2O3 and generate CaO Fe2O3,but most of MgO cannot react with Fe2O3,and it still remains in the state of original minerals.The diffusion rate of MgO in iron oxide is only 17.51μm/min in 30 min.The second reason is the fluidity and ability to generate liquid phase.In the case of Fe2O3 mixed with CaO,there is some liquid phase formed above 1200℃,while in the case of Fe2O3 mixed with MgO,even at 1200 and 1220℃,there is still no liquid phase.The third reason is self-strength.In the case of industrial flux,the compression strength of the specimens made of Fe2O3 and limestone is 0.52 and 0.71 kN at 1150 and 1180℃,respectively,while that of the specimens made of Fe2O3 and magnesite is 0.48 and 0.56 kN,respectively.Therefore,the fundamental mechanism of the effects of MgO additive on sinter strength can be better understood based on the diffusion rate of MgO in iron oxides,the fluidity of liquid phase,and the self-strength of bonding phase.

Three-segment control theory of MgO/Al2O3 ratio based on viscosity experiments and phase diagram analyses at 1500℃

In recent years, more and more high Al2O3 iron ores were used in East Asia, especially in China, which increased the Al2O3 content in blast furnace (BF) slag and resulted in poor metallurgical properties of slag. Adding MgO-bearing flux is one of the methods to improve the metallurgical properties of slag with high Al2O3. However, there is lack of theoretical basis for the proper MgO/Al2O3 ratio. Therefore, the properties of slag in SiO2-CaO-MgO-Al2O3 system were investigated based on viscosity experiments and phase diagram analyses at 1500℃, and the proper MgO/Al2O3 ratio was explored according to the Al2O3 content in slag. The experimental results show that: (1) in the case of Al2O3 content less than 14mass%, there is no limitation of the MgO/Al2O3 ratio, and the amount of MgO in slag can be determined according to the hearth tempera-ture and desulfurization;(2) in the case of Al2O3 content between 15 and 17mass%, the proper MgO/Al2O3 ratio should be 0.40-0.50;(3) in the case of Al2O3 content between 18 and 20mass%, the proper MgO/Al2O3 ratio should be 0.45-0.55. Consequently, the three-segment control theory of MgO/Al2O3 for BF slag was built, and the actual BF performances proved the validity and applicability of this theory. The research contents and results can give theoretical guidelines for stable BF operation in a wide range of Al2O3 content of 12-20mass%.

Effect of MgO on Oxidation Process of Fe_3O_4 in Pellets

Induration process of oxidized pellets involves the oxidation of Fe3O4 and re-crystallization of Fe2O3.The oxidation process of Fe3O4 is significant for pellets to obtain better ambient strength.Thus,the effect of MgO on oxidation process of Fe3O4 was investigated.The unreacted core model was applied to analyze the oxidizing induration process of pellets.The experimental results show that MgO plays a negative role in the oxidation process of Fe3O4.The oxidation rate of Fe3O4 in MgO-fluxed pellets（95.0% Fe3O4 ＋5.0% MgO）is slower than that in standard acid pellets（100% Fe3O4）.The relation between oxidation ratio of Fe3O4 and time was calculated based on the unreacted core model for both MgO-fluxed pellets and standard acid pellets.According to verification experiments,the values calculated by model coincide well with the experimental values.Therefore,the unreacted core model could be applied to describe the oxidizing induration process of pellets.

Large-scale Identification and Time-course Quantification of Ubiquitylation Events During Maize Seedling De-etiolation

The ubiquitin system is crucial for the development and fitness of higher plants.De-etiolation, during which green plants initiate photomorphogenesis and establish autotrophy, is a dramatic and complicated process that is tightly regulated by a massive number of ubiquitylation/de-ubiquitylation events. Here we present site-specific quantitative proteomic data for the ubiquitylomes of de-etiolating seedling leaves of Zea mays L.(exposed to light for 1, 6, or 12 h)achieved through immunoprecipitation-based high-resolution mass spectrometry(MS). Through the integrated analysis of multiple ubiquitylomes, we identified and quantified 1926 unique ubiquitylation sites corresponding to 1053 proteins. We analyzed these sites and found five potential ubiquitylation motifs, KA, AXK, KXG, AK, and TK. Time-course studies revealed that the ubiquitylation levels of 214 sites corresponding to 173 proteins were highly correlated across two replicate MS experiments, and significant alterations in the ubiquitylation levels of 78 sites(fold change >1.5) were detected after de-etiolation for 12 h. The majority of the ubiquitylated sites we identified corresponded to substrates involved in protein and DNA metabolism, such as ribosomes and histones.Meanwhile, multiple ubiquitylation sites were detected in proteins whose functions reflect the major physiological changes that occur during plant de-etiolation, such as hormone synthesis/signaling proteins, key C4 photosynthetic enzymes, and light signaling proteins. This study on the ubiquitylome of the maize seedling leaf is the first attempt ever to study the ubiquitylome of a C4 plant and provides the proteomic basis for elucidating the role of ubiquitylation during plant de-etiolation.

Distribution of reformed coke oven gas in a shaft furnace

In recent years, the reformed coke oven gas (COG) was proposed to be used as reducing gas in a shaft furnace. A mathematical model of gas flow based on the reformed COG was built. The effects of the pressure ratio of reducing gas to cooling gas (k) on the gas distribution in the shaft furnace were investigated. The calculation results show that k is an important operation parameter, which can obviously affect the gas distribution in the shaft furnace. The value of k should be compromised. Both too big and too small k values are not appropriate, and the most reasonable value for k is 1:1.33.Under this condition, the utilization coefficient of reducing gas, the utilization coefficient of cooling gas and the coefficient of upward gas are 0.94, 0.92 and 1.03, respectively. Based on the validation of physical experiments, the calculated values of the model agreed well with the physical experimental data. Thus, the established model can properly describe the reformed COG distribution in an actual shaft furnace.