Kinetics of leaching lithium from α-spodumene in enhanced acid treatment using HF/H_2SO_4 as medium

An enhanced leaching of Li fromα-spodumene was carried out using a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid(HF/H2SO4)as the medium.Based on the optimized leaching conditions,the leaching kinetics of Li was investigated in an ore/HF/H2SO4 ratio of 1:3:2 g:mL:mL with leaching temperature ranging from 50 to 100°C.The results indicate that the leaching kinetics of Li fitted well with a model based on the shrinking core model.In addition,the leaching rate of Li was controlled by chemical reactions and diffusion through the product layers.The apparent activation energy Ea was calculated to be 32.68 kJ/mol.Solid films were formed because of the generation of insoluble products such as cryolithionite(Na3Li2Al2F12),cryolite(Na3AlF6),calcium fluoride(CaF2),potassium cryolite(K2AlF5),aluminum fluoride(AlF3),and fluorosilicates(Na2SiF6 or KNaSiF6).Furthermore,the effects of the ore/HF ratio and leaching temperature on the leaching behavior of Li,Al and Si were investigated.The results indicate that the ore/HF ratio and leaching temperature could clearly affect the distribution of HF molecules on the leaching of Li,Al and Si,which are important for the selective leaching of Li over Al and Si with this fluorine-based chemical method.

Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase Activity by Gnaphalium Affine Extract

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of Gnaphalium affine extracts on xanthine oxidase(XO) activity in vitro and to analyze the mechanism of this effect. Methods In this in vitro study, Kinetic measurements were performed in 4 different inhibitor concentrations and 5 different xanthine concentrations(60, 100, 200, 300, 400 μmol/L). Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis were used to determine Ki values and the inhibition mode for the compounds isolated from Gnaphalium affine extract. Results Four potent xanthine oxidase inhibitors were found in 95% ethanolic(v/v) Gnaphalium affine extract. Among them, the f lavone Eupatilin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on XO with a inhibition constant(Ki) of 0.37 μmol/L, lower than the Ki of allopurinol(4.56 mol/L), a known synthetic XO inhibitor. Apigenin(Ki of 0.56 μmol/L, a proportion of 0.0053‰ in Gnaphalium affine), luteolin(Ki of 2.63 μmol/L, 0.0032‰ in Gnaphalium affine) and 5-hydroxy-6,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone(Ki of 3.15 μmol/L, 0.0043‰ in Gnaphalium affine) also contributed to the inhibitory effect of Gnaphalium affine extract on XO activity. Conclusions These results suggest that the use of Gnaphalium affine in the treatment of gout could be attributed to its inhibitory effect on XO. This study provides a rational basis for the traditional use of Gnaphalium affine against gout.

Enhanced lithium leaching from lepidolite in continuous tubular reactor using H_(2)SO_(4)+H_(2)SiF_(6) as lixiviant

An acidic mixture of sulfuric and fluosilicic acid(H_(2)SO_(4)+H_(2)SiF_(6))was employed as lixiviant to enhance leaching of lithium from lepidolite.The H_(2)SiF_(6) was obtained as a byproduct of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid production,aiming to provide HF molecules.It was found that the HF molecules were the main reaction component and played a key role in strengthening the dissolution of lepidolite.Different factors,including mass ratio of ore/H_(2)SO_(4)/H_(2)SiF_(6),concentrations of H_(2)SO_(4) and H_(2)SiF_(6),leaching temperatures(40−80℃)and time(15−75 min),were investigated.Moreover,an efficient tubular reactor was employed to improve this acid leaching system.Under the optimal conditions(ore/H_(2)SO_(4)/H_(2)SiF_(6) mass ratio of 1:0.8:1.6,80 wt.% H_(2)SO_(4),15 wt.% H_(2)SiF_(6),80℃,15 min),97.9% of Li,96.4% of K,97.6% of Rb,96.7% of Cs and 81.4% of Al(mass fraction)were leached.Additionally,a two-step thermal process was proposed to remove fluorine of leaching slurry.This acid treatment using an acidic mixture of H_(2)SO_(4) and H_(2)SiF_(6) in a continuous tubular reactor shows potential as an alternative process to extract lithium from lepidolite.

Numerical Analysis and Verification of the Gas Jet from Aircraft Engines Impacting a Jet Blast Deflector

The process of the gas jet from aircraft engines impacting a jet blast deflector is not only a complex fluid–solid coupling problem that is not easy to compute, but also a safety issue that seriously interferes with flight deck envi?ronment. The computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method is used to simulate numerically the impact e ect of gas jet from aircraft engines on a jet blast deflector by using the Reynolds?averaged Navier?Stokes(RANS) equations and turbulence models. First of all, during the pre?processing of numerical computation, a sub?domains hybrid meshing scheme is adopted to reduce mesh number and improve mesh quality. Then, four di erent turbulence models includ?ing shear?stress transport(SST) k-w, standard k-w, standard k-ε and Reynolds stress model(RSM) are used to compare and verify the correctness of numerical methods for gas jet from a single aircraft engine. The predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental data, and the distribution and regularity of shock wave, velocity, pressure and temperature of a single aircraft engine are got. The results show that SST k?w turbulence model is more suitable for the numerical simulation of compressible viscous gas jet with high prediction accuracy. Finally, the impact e ect of gas jet from two aircraft engines on a jet blast deflector is analyzed based on the above numerical method, not only the flow parameters of gas jet and the interaction regularity between gas jet and the jet blast deflector are got, but also the thermal shock properties and dynamic impact characteristics of gas jet impacting the jet blast deflector are got. So the dangerous activity area of crew and equipments on the flight deck can be predicted qualitatively and quantitatively. The proposed research explores out a correct numerical method for the fluid–solid interaction during the impact process of supersonic gas jet, which provides an e ective technical support for design, thermal ablation and structural damage analysis of a new jet blast deflector.

Dish Verification Antenna China for the SKA:design, verification and status

The Square Kilometre Array(SKA) will be the world’s largest synthesis radio telescope, which is designed to answer major scientific questions such as those relating to the cosmic origin and fundamental forces in the universe. With the SKA entering into the phase of pre-construction, more than 100 institutes in about 20 countries including China have been involved in the associated key technology development.The Dish Verification Antenna China(DVA-C) is a concept prototype which has been built to meet the requirements of the SKA’s scientific goals. It utilizes a unique skin-and-rib structure with single-piece panel reflectors. This paper presents details on the design and measured performances of DVA-C, as well as the preliminary observational results. Current applications of the DVA-C are also introduced.

Convenient room-temperature synthesis of sulfur and nitrogen co-doped NiCo-LDH coupled with CNTs on NiCo foam as battery-type electrode for high performance hybrid supercapacitor

The convenient synthesis of the composite electrode with high supercapacitance performance plays an important role in practical application but is challenging.Herein,the carbon nanotubes(CNTs)coupled with lowcrystalline sulfur and nitrogen co-doped Ni Co-LDH(denoted as SN-Ni Co-LDH)nanosheets array are grown on Ni Co foam(NCF)substrate by two convenient steps of metal induced self-assembly and corrosion engineering,which present the advantages of operating at roomtemperature and low preparation costs.Benefiting from the S–N co-doping and low-crystallinity of Ni Co-LDH,the prepared SN-Ni Co-LDH@CNTs@NCF electrode presents a topping charge capacity of 2470 C·g^(-1)(4.94 C·cm^(-2))at 5 m A·cm^(-2).Furthermore,the fabricated asymmetry supercapacitor(ASC)achieves an extraordinary energy density of 77 Wh·kg^(-1)(0.617 m Wh·cm^(-2))at a power density of 438 W·kg^(-1)(3.5 m W·cm^(-2))and outstanding stability(91%capacity retention after 5000 cycles at20 m A·cm^(-2)).Impressively,the structure evolution of Ni Co-LDH during the charge/discharge processes has been thoroughly elucidated by in-situ Raman spectra.Therefore,this work verifies a powerful strategy and practical value for preparing composite electrodes with high supercapacitance performance,and also provides guidance for the rational design of the smart electrodes.

Design, synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel pleuromutilin derivatives with 4H-pyran-4-one and pyridin-4-one substitution in the C-14 side chain

A series of novel pleuromutilin derivatives with 4H-pyran-4-one and pyridin-4-one substitution in the C-14 side chain have been designed and synthesized. In vitro antibacterial activity evaluation showed that most of the derivatives exhibited potent antibacterial activity against drug resistant Gram-positive strains. Compounds 12 a, 12 d, and 28 are the most active derivatives in this series, displaying activity comparable to that of retapamulin and BC-3781. As the metabolic stability of this series is not satisfactory, further modifications are going on to improve their pharmacokinetic profile.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Treated with Vacuum Sealing Drainage

Emphysematous pyelonephritis （EPN） is a rare infectious disease, of which risk factors are poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and urinary tract obstruction. In comparison with simple pyelonephritis, EPN is an acute severe necrotizing and gas-forming infection of the renal parenchyma with a mortality rate of up to 25%. Among the reported cases of EPN, there has only been one report of the disease where the ＂invisible kidney＂ was detected in the lung windows on noneontrast abdominal computed tomography （CT）. This rare case was treated with vacuum sealing drainage （VSD, Weigao Holding, China） and recovered quickly.

Differentiation of Belamcandae Rhizoma and Iridis Tectori Rhizoma by Thin-Layer Chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Objective:Belamcandae Rhizoma and Iridis Tectori Rhizoma are easily confused with each other.The main objective of this study is to distinguish them using chemical analysis.Materials and Methods:Thin-layer chromatography(TLC)and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)fingerprint methods were established to compare the chemical profile,while HPLC quantitation was used to determine the contents of three isoflavones in thirty batches of Belamcandae Rhizoma and Iridis Tectori Rhizoma samples.Results:The two herbs could be distinguished by TLC using acetic acid-n hexane-ethyl acetate(1:90:80 v/v/v)as the mobile phase,according to the fluorescent band under 366 nm at R_(f) 0.2.In total,12 compounds were identified in the 24-min HPLC fingerprint.The similarity coefficient between the two herbs was 0.54±0.01.Mangiferin(1),tectoridin(2),iridin(3),irigenin(5),irisflorentin(6),and iristectorin A(9)were the main peaks in Belamcandae Rhizoma,while tectoridin(2)and tectorigenin(4)were the major peaks in Iridis Tectori Rhizoma.The contents of 2 in Iridis Tectori Rhizoma(2.50±0.20%)were 8.93 times higher than that of Belamcandae Rhizoma(0.28±0.08%),while the ones of 5 and 6 were slightly lower in Iridis Tectori Rhizoma.Conclusions:The study established fast and effective methods to distinguish Belamcandae Rhizoma from Iridis Tectori Rhizoma.

Laparoscopic Retrieval of a Tilted Inferior Vena Cava Filter

To the Editor： Retrievable inferior vena cava （IVC） filter placement has been on the rise over the years, but only a small percentage of retrievable IVC filters have been removed, ranging between 10.1% and 38.9%. Laparoscopic retrieval of IVC filter case report was available since 2015, the filter hook in the case report was seen clearly protruding from the anterior wall of the cava, and there was no need for vena cavotomy and reconstruction. In this case, the IVC filter tip was embedded in the posterior wall and cavotomy was required. Very few studies have reported the laparoscopic IVC filter retrieval through vena cavotomy and reconstruction.