Interleukin-22 ameliorates liver fibrogenesis by attenuating hepatic stellate cell activation and downregulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines

AIM:To investigate the effect of interleukin(IL)-22 onhepatic fibrosis in mice and the possible mechanism involved.METHODS:Liver fibrosis was induced in male BALB/c mice by CCl4.Recombinant IL-22(rm IL-22) was administered intraperitoneally in CCl4-treated mice.Fibrosis was assessed by histology and Masson staining.The activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) was investigated by analysis of α-smooth muscle actin expression.The frequencies of T helper(Th) 22 cells,Th17 cells and Th1 cells,the expression of inflammatory cytokines [IL-22,IL-17 A,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-6,IL-1b] and transcription factors [aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AHR),RAR-related orphan receptor(RORγt),T-bet] m RNA in the liver were investigated.In addition,the plasma levels of IL-22,IL-17 A,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1b were evaluated.RESULTS:Significant elevations in circulating Th22 cells,Th17 cells,Th1 cells,IL-22,IL-17 A,and IFN-γ were observed in the hepatic fibrosis group compared with the control group(P < 0.01).Treatment with rm IL-22 in mice with hepatic fibrosis ameliorated the severity of hepatic fibrosis,which was confirmed by lower hepatic fibrosis pathological scores(P < 0.01).Rm IL-22 decreased the frequencies of Th22 cells(6.71% ± 0.97% vs 8.09% ± 0.74%,P < 0.01),Th17 cells(4.34% ± 0.37% vs 5.71% ± 0.24%,P < 0.01),Th1 cells(3.09% ± 0.49% vs 4.91% ± 0.73%,P < 0.01),and the levels of IL-22(56.23 ± 3.08 vs 70.29 ± 3.01,P < 0.01),IL-17A(30.74 ± 2.77 vs 45.68 ± 2.71,P < 0.01),and IFN-γ(74.78 ± 2.61 vs 124.89 ± 2.82,P < 0.01).Down-regulation of IL-22,IL-17 A,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1b,AHR RORγt,and T-bet gene expression in the liver was observed in the rm IL-22 group(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:The frequencies of Th22,Th17 andTh1 cells are elevated in hepatic fibrosis.Rm IL-22 can attenuate HSC activation and down-regulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines,thereby ameliorating liver fibrogenesis.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii supernatant ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis by regulating Th17 cell differentiation

AIM: To explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii(F. prausnitzii) supernatant on dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induced colitis in mice.METHODS: Forty C57BL/6J male mice were randomlydivided into four groups: control group, model group, treatment group, and prevention group. Mice were weighed daily. On day 10, the colon length was measured, the colorectal histopathologic damage score(HDS) was assessed, and plasma interleukin(IL)-17 A, IL-6, and IL-4 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt(RORγt) and IL-17 A in colon inflammatory mucosa tissue were determined by immunohistochemical assay, and the expression levels of RORγt m RNA, IL-17 A m RNA, and IL-6 m RNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The proportion of Th17 in mononuclear cells in spleen was assayed by fluorescence activated cell sorter. RESULTS: When compared with the model group, the colon length(P < 0.05) and body weight(P < 0.01) in the treatment and prevention groups were significantly increased, and the colon HDS was decreased(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference between the treatment group and prevention group. After treatment with F. prausnitzii supernatant, the plasma levels of IL-17 A and IL-6(P < 0.05), the protein and m RNA expression of IL-17 A and RORγt, and the Th17 cell ratio of spleen cells(P < 0.01) were significantly decreased compared to the model group. Plasma IL-4 level in the prevention group was significantly higher than that in the model group(P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between these two groups in the expression of IL-6 in both the plasma and colon mucosa tissues.CONCLUSION: F. prausnitzii supernatant exerts protective and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice, probably via inhibition of Th17 differentiation and IL- 17A secretion in the plasma and colon mucosa tissues. It can also improve colitis in mice by downregulating IL-6 and prevent colitis by upregulating IL-4.

Eukaryotic elongation factor-1α 2 knockdown inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling

AIM: To assess the impact of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha 2 (eEF1A2) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, and determine the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: eEF1A2 levels were detected in 62 HCC tissue samples and paired pericarcinomatous specimens, and the human HCC cell lines SK-HEP-1, HepG2 and BEF-7402, by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Experimental groups included eEF1A2 silencing in BEL-7402 cells with lentivirus eEF1A2-shRNA (KD group) and eEF1A2 overexpression in SK-HEP-1 cells with eEF1A2 plasmid (OE group). Non-transfected cells (control group) and lentivirus-based empty vector transfected cells (NC group) were considered control groups. Cell proliferation (MTT and colony formation assays), apoptosis (Annexin V-APC assay), cell cycle (DNA ploidy assay), and migration and invasion (Transwell assays) were assessed. Protein levels of PI3K/Akt/NF-&#x003ba;B signaling effectors were evaluated by Western blot.RESULTS: eEF1A2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in HCC cancer tissue samples than in paired pericarcinomatous and normal specimens. SK-HEP-1 cells showed lower eEF1A2 mRNA levels; HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells showed higher eEF1A2 mRNA levels, with BEL-7402 cells displaying the highest amount. Efficient eEF1A2 silencing resulted in reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, increased apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. The PI3K/Akt/NF-&#x003ba;B signaling pathway was notably inhibited. Inversely, eEF1A2 overexpression resulted in promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion.CONCLUSION: eEF1A2, highly expressed in HCC, is a potential oncogene. Its silencing significantly decreases HCC tumorigenesis, likely by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/NF-&#x003ba;B signaling.

Gastric myeloid sarcoma without acute myeloblastic leukemia

Myeloid sarcomas(MS)involve extramedullary blast proliferation from one or more myeloid lineages thatreplace the original tissue architecture,and these neoplasias are called granulocytic sarcomas,chloromas or extramedullary myeloid tumors.Such tumors develop in lymphoid organs,bones(e.g.,skulls and orbits),skin,soft tissue,various mucosae,organs,and the central nervous system.Gastrointestinal(GI)involvement is rare,while the occurrence of myeloid sarcomas in patients without leukemia is even rare.Here,we report a case of a 38-year-old man who presented with epigastric pain and progressive jaundice.An upper GI endoscopy had shown extensive multifocal hyperemic fold thickening and the spread of nodular lesions in the body of the stomach.Biopsies from the gastric lesions indicated myeloid sarcoma of the stomach.However,concurrent peripheral blood and bone marrow examinations showed no evidence of acute myeloid leukemia.For diagnosis,the immunohistochemical markers must be checked when evaluating a suspected myeloid sarcoma case.Accurate MS diagnosis determines the appropriate therapy and prognosis.

Role of Th9 cells and Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of malignant ascites

Objective: To assess the role of Th9 and Th17 cells in malignant ascites(MA).Methods: MA from 30 hepatic carcinoma patients and benign ascites from 30 cirrhotic patients were collected. Corresponding peripheral blood samples from these hepatic carcinoma and cirrhotic patients as well as 30 healthy subjects were collected. The frequency of Th9 and Th17 cells was tested by flow cytometry. Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-9 and IL-17 were examined by ELISA.Results: The observed frequency of Th9 and Th17 cells, and the IL-9 and IL-17 serum levels were significantly higher in MA patients than those in cirrhotic patients and healthy control samples(P < 0.05). Moreover, the Th9 cells demonstrated positive correlation with Th17 cells as well as IL-9 in MA patients; however, this positive correlation was not observed in the cirrhotic patients or healthy control samples. The frequency of Th9 and Th17 cells was distinctly higher in MA patients presenting with stage III or IV malignancy and with lymph node or distant metastasis than those in patients in stage I or II and without distant metastasis(P < 0.05).Conclusions: The increased frequency of Th9 and Th17 cells in MA patients suggests that these two T cell subsets play a synergistic role in MA pathogenesis. This study also demonstrated that Th9 and Th17 cells may perform their biological functions in conjunction with IL-9 production.

Influence of Collective Esophageal Speech Training on Self-efficacy in Chinese Laryngectomees:A Pretest-posttest Group Study

Total laryngectomy affects the speaking functions of many patients.Speech deprivation has great impacts on the quality of life of patients,especially on self-efficacy.Learning esophageal speech represents a way to help laryngectomees speak again.The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of collective esophageal speech training on self-efficacy of laryngectomees.In this study,28 patients and 30 family members were included.The participants received information about training via telephone or a WeChat group.Collective esophageal speech training was used to educate laryngectomees on esophageal speech.Before and after collective esophageal speech training,all participants completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)to assess their perceptions on self-efficacy.Through the training,laryngectomees recovered their speech.After the training,the self-efficacy scores of laryngectomees were higher than those before the training,with significant differences noted(P<0.05).However,family members'scores did not change significantly.In conclusion,collective esophageal speech training is not only convenient and economical,but also improves self-efficacy and confidence of laryngectomees.Greater self-efficacy is helpful for laryngectomees to master esophageal speech and improve their quality of life.In addition,more attention should be focused on improving the self-efficacy of family members and making them give full play to their talent and potential on laryngectomees'voice rehabilitation.

Evaluation of outer retinal tubulations in diabetic macular edema underwent anti-VEGF treatment

AIM: To investigate the incidence and subsequent changes of outer retinal tubulations(ORTs) in diabetic macular edema(DME) underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) therapy, and to assess the possibility of ORT as a biomarker of DME severity or response to anti-VEGF therapy.METHODS: This retrospective and descriptive study included a total of 228 patients(435 eyes) with DME and treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents between March 2016 and January 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of ORTs. High-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT) images acquired by vertical and horizontal scans and over consecutive visits were analyzed. The evolution of ORT over time, type of fluid and subfoveal photoreceptor integrity on OCT imaging was also assessed. RESULTS: ORTs were identified in 108 eyes of 435 eyes with an overall incidence rate of 24.83% at baseline. ORTs were prone to locate adjacent to the lesions of exudation and/or cystoid edema and possibly situated in outer nuclear layer(ONL), outer plexiform layer(OPL) and/or inner nuclear layer(INL) in eyes with DME. The formation process of ORT led to focal downward displacement of OPL and INL toward RPE near the lesion. During the follow up, 45 eyes had steady ORTs and 63 eyes had dynamic variants in ORTs, including disappearance, reappearance, collapse, diminution, and enlargement. There were higher proportion of closed ORTs and fewer proportion of forming ORTs in eyes with steady ORTs, which showed a statistically significance when compared with eyeswith variant ORTs(P=0.006, P=0.017, respectively). The eyes without ORTs had significantly better final best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) and more BCVA change than those eyes with ORTs in DME patients after antiVEGF therapy(P=0.023, P=0.009, respectively). The disruption of subfoveal photoreceptor integrity in eyes with ORTs was more serious than that in eyes without ORTs(P=0.013). The proportion of stable vision in eyes with ORTs was significantly higher than that in eyes without ORTs, showing statistical significance(P=0.016). ORTs were associated with worse visual prognosis due to damage of the subfoveal photoreceptor integrity. CONCLUSION: ORTs have a high incidence and changes over time in DME with anti-VEGF treatment and may be located at various retinal layers. Persistent ORT can be as a negative biomarker of outcome of DME.

Associations between CD24 gene polymorphisms and inflammatory bowel disease:A meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the relationships between CD24 gene polymorphisms and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD), including ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn's disease(CD).METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched(up to May30, 2014). The search terms "CD24", "inflammatory bowel disease", "Crohn's disease", "Ulcerative colitis","IBD", "CD" or "UC"; and "polymorphism", "mutation"or "variant" were used. Association studies were limited to the English language, but no limitations in terms of race, ethnicity or geographic area were employed.Stata SE12 software was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios(ORs) with 95% confidence intervals(CIs).P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The information was independently extracted from each eligible study by two investigators. Two common polymorphisms, C170T(rs8734) and TG1527del(rs3838646), in the CD24 gene were assessed.RESULTS: A total of three case-control studies including 2342 IBD patients and 1965 healthy controls were involved in this meta-analysis. The patients and controls were from Caucasian cohorts. The three articles included in this meta-analysis all conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This meta-analysis revealed that there were no significant associations between the two CD24 polymorphisms and the risk for IBD(all P > 0.05). However, in a disease subgroup analysis, we found that the CD24 C170 T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of UC in a dominant model(OR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.15-2.77, P =0.009) and an additive model(OR = 1.87, 95%CI:1.19-2.93, P = 0.007), but this relationship was not present for CD. The CD24 TG1570 del polymorphism was significantly associated with CD in the additive model(OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.01-1.52, P = 0.037).CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that the CD24 C170 T polymorphism might contribute to the susceptibility to UC, and the CD24 TG1527 del polymorphism might be associated with the risk of CD.

Lsyn-Esyn,p-δrelation in active galactic nucleus jets and implication for the physical origin of the Lp-Ep,z-Γ_0 relation of gamma-ray bursts

High energy photon radiations of gamma-ray bursts(GRBs)and active galactic nuclei(AGNs)are dominated by their jet radiations.We examine whether the synchrotron radiations of jets in BL Lacs,flat spectrum radio quasars(FSRQs),and Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies(NLS1s)follow the relation between the prompt gamma-ray emission and the initial Lorentz factor(Γ0)of GRBs.It is shown that the AGN sample does not agree with the Lp-Ep,z-Γ0 relation of GRBs.In addition,we obtain a tight relation of Lsyn∝Е0.45±0.15δ3.50±0.25 syn,p for FSRQs and NLS1 galaxies,where Lsyn is the luminosity at peak photon energy Esyn,p of the synchrotron radiations.This relation is different from the Lp-Ep,z-Γ0 relation of GRB s.The dependence of Lsyn toδis consistent with the expectation of the Doppler boosting effect for the FSRQs and NLS1 galaxies,but it is not for GRBs.We argue thatΓ0 may be a representative of the kinetic power of the radiating region and the tight Lp-Ep,z-Γ0 relation is shaped by the radiation physics and the jet power together.

Reexploration of Structural Changes in Element Bromine through Pressure-Induced Decomposition of Solid HBr

Simple molecular solids have been an important subject in condensed matter physics,particularly for research of pressure-induced molecular dissociation.We re-explore the structural changes of element bromine through pressure-induced decomposition of solid HBr.The phase changes in HBr are investigated by Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction up to 125 GPa at room temperature.By applying pressure,HBr decomposes into solid bromine in the pressure range of 18.7-38 GPa.The solid bromine changes from molecular phase to incommensurate phase at 81 GPa,and finally to monatomic phase at 91 GPa.During the process of pressureinduced molecular dissociation, the intermediate incommensurate phase of element bromine is confirmed for the first time from the x-ray diffraction studies.The decomposition of HBr is irreversible since HBr cannot form again upon pressure decompression.

Flux and spectral variation characteristics of 3C 454.3 at the GeV band

We analyze the long-term lightcurve of 3C 454.3 observed with Fermi/LAT and investigate its relation to flux in the radio,optical and X-ray bands.By fitting the 1-day binned Ge V lightcurve with multiple Gaussian functions（MGF）,we propose that the typical variability timescale in the Ge V band is 1–10 d.The Ge V flux variation is accompanied by the spectral variation characterized as fluxtracking,i.e.,＂harder when brighter.＂The Ge V flux is correlated with the optical and X-ray fluxes,and a weak correlation betweenγ-ray flux and radio flux is also observed.Theγ-ray flux is not correlated with the optical linear polarization degree for the global lightcurves,but they show a correlation for the lightcurves before MJD 56000.The power density spectrum of the global lightcurve shows an obvious turnover at^7.7 d,which may indicate a typical variability timescale of 3C 454.3 in theγ-ray band.This is also consistent with the derived timescales by fitting the global lightcurve with MGF.The spectral evolution and an increase in the optical linear polarization degree along with the increase inγ-ray flux may indicate that the radiation particles are accelerated and the magnetic field is ordered by the shock processes during the outbursts.In addition,the nature of 3C 454.3 may be consistent with a self-organized criticality system,similar to Sagittariusand thus the outbursts could be from plasmoid ejections driven by magnetic reconnection.This may further support the idea that the jet radiation regions are magnetized.

High-Pressure Behavior of Nano-Pt in Hydrogen Environment

We choose nano-Pt in hydrogen environment to explore the size effect on the formation of metal hydrides.At 30 GPa,a phase transition in the metal lattice from the cubic to hexagonal phase is observed characterized by a drastically increased volume per metal atom,indicating the formation of PtH-P63/mmc.We find that nano-Pt could form PtH at a lower pressure than the bulk Pt due to its high specific surface and structure defects.The present work provides the possible route to new metal hydrides under mild conditions.

The Unexpected Stability of Hydrazine Molecules in Hydrous Environment under Pressure

The incomplete decomposition product of metastable hydrazine(N2H4)instead of the energetically favorable ammonia(NH3)upon decompression is one drawback in applications of energetic material oligomeric hydronitrogens.We explore the stability of hydrazine molecules in hydrazine hydrate(N2H4 H2O)under pressure in diamond anvil cells(DACs)combined with in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction(XRD)measurements.The results show that one NH2 branch forms NH3 group by hydrogen bonds between hydrazine and water molecules after the sample crystallizes at 3.2 GPa.The strengthening hydrogen bonds cause the torsion of hydrazine molecules and further dominate a phase transition at 7.2 GPa.Surprisingly,the NN single bonds are strengthened with increasing pressure,which keeps the hydrazine molecules stable up to the ultimate pressure of 36 GPa.Furthermore,the main diffraction patterns show continuous shift to higher degrees in the whole pressure range while some weak lines disappear above 8.2 GPa.The present peak-indexing results of the diffraction patterns with Materials Studio show that the phase transition occurs in the same monoclinic crystal system.Upon decompression,all of the hydrazine molecules extract from hydrazine hydrate crystal at 2.3 GPa,which may provide a new way to purify hydrazine from hydrate.

Nonlocal coherence harvesting from quantum vacuum

It is well known that nonlocal coherence reflects nonclassical correlations better than quantum entanglement. Here, we analyze nonlocal coherence harvesting from the quantum vacuum to particle detectors adiabatically interacting with a quantum scalar field in Minkowski spacetime.We find that the harvesting-achievable separation range of nonlocal coherence is larger than that of quantum entanglement. As the energy gap grows sufficiently large, the detectors harvest less quantum coherence, while the detectors could extract more quantum entanglement from the vacuum state. Compared with the linear configuration and the scalene configuration, we should choose the model of equilateral triangle configuration to harvest tripartite coherence from the vacuum. Finally, we find a monogamous relationship, which means that tripartite l_(1)-norm of coherence is essentially bipartite types.

Curvature-enhanced multipartite coherence in the multiverse

Here,we study the quantum coherence of N-partite Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger(GHZ)and W states in the multiverse consisting of N causally disconnected de Sitter spaces.Interestingly,N-partite coherence increases monotonically with curvature,whereas the curvature effect destroys quantum entanglement and discord,indicating that the curvature effect is beneficial to quantum coherence and harmful to quantum correlations in the multiverse.We find that with an increase in n expanding de Sitter spaces,the N-partite coherence of the GHZ state increases monotonically for any curvature,whereas the quantum coherence of the W state decreases or increases monotonically depending on the curvature.We find a distribution relationship,which indicates that the correlated coherence of the N-partite W state is equal to the sum of all bipartite correlated coherence in the multiverse.Multipartite coherence exhibits unique properties in the multiverse,suggesting that it may provide some evidence for the existence of the multiverse.

Dietary isoleucine affects muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles through regulating lipid metabolism and autophagy in hybrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli ♀×Leiocassis longirostris ♂)

The present study explored the impacts of Ile on muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles,lipid metabolism,and autophagy in hybrid catfish.Seven isonitrogenous(387.8 g/kg protein)semi-purified diets were formulated to contain 5.0(control),7.5,10.0,12.5,15.0,17.5,and 20.0 g Ile/kg diet respectively.The fish(initial weight of 33.11±0.09 g)were randomly assigned to 7 groups for a 56-day trial.Each group has 3 replicates with 30 fish per replicate,fed at 08:00 and 18:00 each day.Results showed that muscle protein and lipid,C14:0,C18:0,C22:0,C14:1,C18:1n-9,polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA),Arg,Ile,Ala,Cys,Gly,Tyr,essential amino acid(EAA),and total amino acid(TAA)contents and flavor amino acid(FAA)/TAA in muscle had positive linear and/or quadratic responses to dietary Ile levels(P<0.05).Fatty acid synthase(FAS),stearoyl-Co A desaturase(SCD),acetyl-Co A carboxylase(ACC),and lipoprotein lipase(LPL)activities had positive linear and/or quadratic responses,but carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1(CPT1)activity had a negative response with increasing dietary Ile levels(P<0.05).The m RNA expressions of FAS,SCD,ACC,LPL,fatty acid binding protein 4(FABP4),FATP1,sterol response element-binding protein 1c(SREBP-1c),sequestosome 1(SQSTM1),and adenosine 5’-monophosphateactivated protein kinase(AMPK)had positive linear and/or quadratic responses to dietary Ile levels(P<0.05).The m RNA expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase(HSL),CPT1,peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor a(PPARa),PPARγ,uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1(ULK1),beclin1(Becn1),autophagy-related protein 9a(Atg9a),Atg4b,Atg7,autophagy marker light chain 3 B(LC3B),and SQSTM1in muscle had negative linear and/or quadratic responses to dietary Ile levels(P<0.05).The p-AMPK and ULK1 protein levels,and p-AMPK/AMPK were decreased by 12.5 g Ile/kg in the diet(P<0.05).Finally,SQSTM1 protein level had the opposite effect(P<0.05).The above results indicate that dietary Ile improves fish muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles potentially via respectively regulating lipid metabolism and autophagy.The Ile requirement of hybrid catfish(33 to 72 g)were estimated to be 12.63,13.77,13.75,11.45,10.50,12.53 and 12.21 g/kg diet based on the regression analysis of protein,lipid,SFA,PUFA,FAA,EAA,and TAA muscle contents,respectively.

Novel method for improving iron recovery from electric arc furnace slag: on-site hot modification

The iron element in electric arc furnace(EAF)slag is extremely difficult to recycle due to the low specific magnetic susceptibility of the RO phase(a solid solution of FeO,MgO,CaO,and MnO).Landfilling EAF slag is strictly forbidden for environmental consideration because of poisonous Cr^(6+) leaching.The original RO phase could be transformed to a spinel structure,whose specific magnetic susceptibility is much higher than that of other minerals,through hot modification,resulting in significantly increased iron recovery by magnetic separation.Precipitation of spinel crystals encloses chromium,such that iron and chromium could be recovered simultaneously.The chromium in obtained iron concentrates is considerably useful for stainless steel making rather than polluting the environment.As a result,recovering iron and chromium is truly beneficial for cleaner production.Hot modification of EAF slag should be conducted at 1500-1600ºC for at least 60 min to guarantee homogeneous liquid slag.The liquid slag was poured onto an iron mold to obtain modified slag(MS)through air quenching.MS was characterized by thermodynamic analysis,X-ray diffraction,and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy to correlate the relationship between mineral structures and iron recovery.The iron recovery rate of MS first increased and then decreased with increasing modifier.It was less than 10%when the modifier addition amount was below 12 wt.%,but it increased rapidly as the modifier addition amount increased from 16 to 24 wt.%,mainly due to spinel formation.The highest iron recovery rate was 81.9%when the modifier amount reached 20 wt.%.Meanwhile,Cr^(6+) was enriched in the spinel phase but was not observed in other minerals.Industrial tests were performed on-site with the modifier ranging from 12 to 18 wt.%because additional heat was not provided during the tests.Results showed that MS with 18 wt.%modifier addition exhibited an iron recovery rate of 61.0%,much higher than that(34.6%)of the original slag.

Dynamic entanglement for continuous variables in an electric field background

Quantum entanglement is a typical nonclassical correlation.Here,we use this concept to analyze quantum entanglement for continuous variables generated by the Schwinger pair production for constant and pulsed electric fields.An initial two-mode entangled state evolves into a three-mode entangled state through a Gaussian channel of the Schwinger effect,which encodes the information about the Schwinger effect.By detecting the entanglement of the output three-mode state,we obtain the optimal parameters for easier to generate particle-antiparticle pairs.We find that the generated 1→2 entanglement is more sensitive to the parameters than the generated 1→1 entanglement.Therefore,we should choose the generated 1→2 entanglement to extract information.We argue that extracting the optimal parameters from quantum entanglement may guide future experiments.