Effects of Cerium on Alloy Elements Distribution in Ferrous Matrix Material

The effect of the addition of rare earths in Fe-based high chromium alloy powders on elements distribution in matrix materials and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the addition of cerium can increase the chromium amount in carbonides and increase the micro-hardness after carbonization and the wear-resistant property of materials.

Alterations in Low-Z Elements Distribution in Heart Tissue after Treatments to Breast Cancer Using LEXRF Technique

Data from Global Cancer Statistics show that breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer among women, leading the number of deaths caused by cancer. The developments in diagnosis and treatment techniques for the BC, including chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, increased the survival rates for this type of cancer. One late complication induced by BC treatment is the cardiotoxicity. This term comprises different cardiotoxic side effects, which include blood pressure alterations, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure and other damages. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiac alterations induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, simulating a treatment for BC in Wistar rats. It is, therefore, important to understand the mechanisms involved in the cardiotoxicity, in order to prevent women from this late effect, when they undergo BC treatments. The major interests in this work are in Low atomic weight elements as Sodium, because it is strongly related to cardiomyocyte contraction;Magnesium, because it is important in the cardiac metabolism;and Iron, because BC treatment induced cardiotoxicity can be associated to the oxidative stress. Changes that occur in unhealthy tissues in case to cardiovascular damages can be better understood when elemental compounds and structures of healthy tissues are known. Low Energy X-ray Fluorescence (LEXRF) technique was used to obtain elemental maps of low Z-elements providing a semi-quantitative analysis of the tissues evaluated under different conditions. Through the technique LEXRF we obtained elemental and absorption maps. The results showed more damages when associating chemotherapy and radiotherapy in comparison to myocardium healthy. Those images taken together with light microscopy, X-ray absorption and phase contrast images, satisfactorily characterize the cardiac tissue for the first time in the literature, from the structural and morphological points of view. LEXRF was carried out at TwinMic beamline in the ELETTRA Synchrotron Fa-cility, at the beamline TwinMic, in Trieste, Italy.

Improvement of thickness uniformity and elements distribution homogeneity for multicomponent films prepared by coaxial scanning pulsed laser deposition technique

In conventional pulsed laser deposition （PLD） technique, plume deflection and composition distribution change with the laser incident direction and pulse energy, then causing uneven film thickness and composition distribution for a multicomponent film and eventually leading to low device quality and low rate of final products. We present a novel method based on PLD for depositing large CIGS films with uni- form thickness and stoichiometry. By oscillating a mirror placed coaxially with the incident laser beam, the laser＇s focus is scanned across the rotating target surface. This arrangement maintains a constant re- flectance and optical distance, ensuring that a consistent energy density is delivered to the target surface by each laser pulse. Scanning the laser spot across the target suppresses the formation of micro-columns, and thus the plume deflection effect that reduces film uniformity in conventional PLD technique is eliminated. This coaxial scanning PLD method is used to deposit a CIGS film, 500 nm thick, with thickness uniformity exceeding ±3% within a 5 cm diameter, and exhibiting a highly homogeneous elemental distribution.

Distribution Characteristics of Minerals and Elements in Chromite Ore Processing Residue

In this paper, environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM） is applied to characterizing the mineral and element distribution of chromite ore processing residue （COPR）. The test results show that Cr-bearing brownmillerite occurs in the rim of COPR particle, while hydroandradite with Cr （Ⅵ） in its structure presents inside the COPR particle. Periclase and calcite occur in the interstitial area. Element analyses show that Ca, Fe and Al are distributed throughout the COPR particle, and Mg exists mostly in the interstitial area or on the particle surface. A lower content of Cr is evenly distributed in the COPR particle, while slightly higher concentration of Cr occurs inside the particle. It is suggested that it will take a relatively longer time for Cr to migrate out of COPR, especially fbr hexavalent chromium, so the leaching time and the particle size may be two important factors to affect the release of Cr （Ⅵ）.

Element distribution of high iron-bearing zinc calcine in high gradient magnetic field

High gradient magnetic separation was conducted in order to separate insoluble zinc ferrite from zinc calcine before acid leaching of hydrometallurgical process. Chemical composition and structural characterization of zinc calcine were studied via inductively coupled plasma （ICP）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Mossbauer spectra, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and laser particle analysis （LPA）. The parameters of magnetic separation which affect the distribution of zinc ferrite and undesired elements, such as calcium, sulfur and lead in magnetic concentrate were investigated. The results of high gradient magnetic separation indicate that more than 85% of zinc ferrite is distributed into magnetic concentrate from the zinc calcine under the magnetic induction of 0.70 T. In addition, about 60% of calcium and 40% of sulfur distribute in non magnetic phases of tailings during magnetic separation process. Most of lead distributes uniformly along the zinc calcine in superfine particle size.

Carbon-based nanomaterials cause toxicity by oxidative stress to the liver and brain in Sprague-Dawley rats

Carbon-based nanomaterials have important research significance in various disciplines,such as composite materials,nanoelectronic devices,biosensors,biological imaging,and drug delivery.Recently,the human and ecological risks associated with carbon-based nanomaterials have received increasing attention.However,the biological safety of carbon based nanomaterials has not been systematically studied.In this study,we used different types of carbon materials,namely,graphene oxide(GO),single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs),and multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs),as models to observe their distribution and oxidative damage in vivo.The results of Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations indicated that the liver and lungs were the main accumulation targets of these nanomaterials.SR-μ-XRF analysis revealed that SWCNTs and MWCNTs might be present in the brain.This shows that the three types of carbon-based nanomaterials could cross the gas-blood barrier and eventually reach the liver tissue.In addition,SWCNTs and MWCNTs could cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the cerebral cortex.The increase in ROS and MDA levels and the decrease in GSH,SOD,and CAT levels indicated that the three types of nanomaterials might cause oxidative stress in the liver.This suggests that direct instillation of these carbon-based nanomaterials into rats could induce ROS generation.In addition,iron(Fe)contaminants in these nanomaterials were a definite source of free radicals.However,these nanomaterials did not cause obvious damage to the rat brain tissue.The deposition of selenoprotein in the rat brain was found to be related to oxidative stress and Fe deficiency.This information may support the development of secure and reasonable applications of the studied carbon-based nanomaterials.

Structure characterization of the oxide film on FGH96 superalloy powders with various oxidation degrees

The structure of the oxide film on FGH96 alloy powders significantly influences the mechanical properties of superalloys.In this study,FGH96 alloy powders with various oxygen contents were investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic probe technology to elucidate the structure evolution of the oxide film.Energy dispersive spectrometer analysis revealed the presence of two distinct components in the oxide film of the alloy powders:amorphous oxide layer covering the γ matrix and amorphous oxide particles above the carbide.The alloying elements within the oxide layer showed a laminated distribution,with Ni,Co,Cr,and Al/Ti,which was attributed to the decreasing oxygen equilibrium pressure as oxygen diffused from the surface into the γ matrix.On the other hand,Ti enrichment was observed in the oxide particles caused by the oxidation and decomposition of the carbide phase.Comparative analysis of the oxide film with oxygen contents of 140,280,and 340 ppm showed similar element distributions,while the thickness of the oxide film varies approximately at 9,14,and 30 nm,respectively.These findings provide valuable insights into the structural analysis of the oxide film on FGH96 alloy powders.

An investigation of cellular distribution of manganese in hyperaccumlator plant Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. using SRXRF analysis

Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. （P acinosa） is a recently discovered manganese hyperaccumulator plant from southern China. It is a good candidate for phytoremediation of manganese（Mn） polluted soil for its high biomass and fast growth. Knowledge of the tissue localization and identification of heavy metals can provide essential information on metal toxicity and bioaccumulation mechanisms. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy （SRXRF） microprobe was used in this study to investigate the cellular distributions of Mn and other elements in root, stem, leaf, petiole and midrib of P. acinosa. The highest Mn content was found in the vascular tissues of root, stem, petiole and midrib. Cortex in root played a key role in Mn absorption and Mn was limited in the vascular bundle during the process of transportation in stem. Moreover, Mn content in leaf epidermis was higher than that in mesophyll, which suggested that the sequestration of Mn in leaf epidermis might be one of the detoxification mechanisms of P. acinosa. The significance of other elemental （such as P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu） distribution patterns and the correlation with Mn were also discussed.

Element distribution and difusion behavior in Q&P steel during partitioning

Carbon, manganese, and silicon distribution in quenching and partitioning （Q＆P） steel during partitioning process was investigated to reveal the diffusion behavior. The microstructure and chemical composition were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and three-dimensional atom probe. It is shown that the studied Q＆P steel consisted of martensite laths and thin, film-like retained austenite showing extraordinary phase transformation stability. Carbon atoms mostly diffused to the retained austenite from martensite at a higher partitioning temperature. In the experimental steel partitioned at 400℃ for 10-60 s, carbides or cementite formed through carbon segregation along martensite boundaries or within the martensite matrix. As a result of carbon atom diffusion from martensite to austenite, the carbon content in martensite could be ignored. When the partitioning process completed, the constrained carbon equilibrium （CCE） could be simplified. Results calculated by the simplified CCE model were similar to those of CCE, and the difference between the two optimum quenching temperatures, where the maximum volume fraction of the retained austenite can be obtained by the Q＆P process, was little.

Effect of chemical composition on the element distribution,phase composition and calcification roasting process of vanadium slag

The chemical composition of vanadium slag significantly affects its element distribution and phase composition,which affect the subsequent calcification roasting process and vanadium recovery.In this work,seven kinds of vanadium slags derived from different regions in China were used as the raw materials to study the effects of different components on the vanadium slag’s elements distribution,phase composition,calcification roasting,and leaching rate of major elements using scanning electron microscope,X-ray diffraction analysis,and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy.The results show that the spinel phase is wrapped with silicate phase in all vanadium slag samples.The main elements in the spinel phase are Cr,V,and Ti from the interior to the exterior.The size of spinel phase in low chromium vanadium slag is larger than the other vanadium slags with higher chromium contents.The spinel phase of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is more dispersed.The strongest diffraction peak of vanadium spinel phase in the vanadium slag migrates to a higher diffraction angle,and(Fe_(0.6)Cr_(0.4))_(2)O_(3)is formed after calcification roasting as the chromium content increased.A large amount of Ca_(2)SiO_(4)is produced because excess Ca reacts with Si in high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag.The vanadium leaching rate reaches 88%in some vanadium slags.The chromium leaching rate is less than 5%in all vanadium slags.The silicon leaching rate of high-calcium and high-phosphorus vanadium slag is much higher than that of the other slags.The leaching rate of manganese is higher than 10%,and the leaching rates of iron and titanium are negligible.

Influence of Anthracite-to-Ilmenite-Ratio on Element Distribution in Titanium Slag Smelting in Large DC Furnaces

The distribution of titanium,carbon and associated elements(calcium,magnesium,silicon and aluminum)in a smelting process is studied by means of a chemical equilibrium calculation method for multiphase and multicomponent systems,and verified through comparison with production results.In particular,using the coexistence theory for titanium slag structures,the influence of the AIR(anthracite to ilmenite ratio)on the distribution of such elements is analyzed.The results show that the AIR can be adjusted to achieve a selective reduction of oxides in the melt.

Response of Element Distribution of Various Organs of Maize to Fertilizer Application

The effect of fertilizer application on biomass dry weight and element distribution of various organs of maize was investigated from the aspect of microscopic view to disclose the internal mechanism of fertilizer effect on crop. Five fertilizer treatments： no fertilizer （CK）, nitrogen phosphorus fertilizer （NP）, nitrogen potassium fertilizer （NK）, phosphorus potassium （PK）, and nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer （NPK） were designed. Field experiment on the response of biomass dry weight and N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn element distribution of stem, leaf and seed of maize （Zea mays L.） to different fertilizer treatments application was carried out. The results showed that dry weight and element content of various organs of maize were different. N content of various organs followed this order leaf〉 seed 〉 stem; P content of various organs was seed 〉 leaf〉 stem; K content was stem 〉 leaf〉 seed; and Fe content was leaf〉 stem 〉 seed. Fertilizer application reduced the differences of N, P, K, and Fe contents of various organs, and changed the size order of the dry weight and the Cu and Zn contents of leaf, seed and stem. Except for individual treatment, the response direction of N, P and Fe elements to fertilizer application was similar to Cu and Zn. The response of element content of various organs of maize to different fertilizer combinations was also different. The response extent of N, P and K major elements to fertilizer application was larger than microelement of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn; the response extent of stem and leaf was larger than seed; the response to NPK fertilizer treatment was bigger than NP, NK and PK. In the whole, response differences of element distribution to various fertilizer treatments were not remarkable. Besides, element distribution of various organs of maize was also influenced by the mutual effect of fertilizer varieties. The response direction and extent of various element distributions to different fertilizer treatments had both similarities and differences. Adjusting fertilizer application could change the biomass dry weight and element distribution of various organs of maize, thus promote the uptake and cycle of nutrient. This investigation could provide useful information for high production.

Relationships between femoral strength evaluated by nonlinear finite element analysis and BMD,material distribution and geometric morphology

Precisely quantifying the strength of the proximal femur and accurately assessing hip fracture risk would enable those at high risk to be identified so that preventive interventions could be taken.Development of better measures of femoral strength using the clinically

Carbon,Nitrogen,and Sulfur Contents in Marine Phytoplankton Cells and Biomass Conversion

In this study,we isolated and cultured phytoplankton along the coast of China and measured the cellular carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents under four temperatures.The results showed that the contents of the cellular elements varied widely among different phytoplankton.We found that temperature is one of the important factors affecting the carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents in phytoplankton cells;however,the degree of influence of temperature is different for different kinds of phytoplankton.By measuring the nitrogen content in cells,we found that the C:N ratio indirectly measured in the experiment fluctuated in the range of 3.50-8.97,and the average C:N ratio was 5.52.In this experiment,we accurately measured the cell elemental contents at different temperatures and transformed the cell count results into carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents to express the biomass.This method ensures that the contribution of species that are small in number but with a large cell volume in biomass is considered.Moreover,this method comprehensively considers the interspecific differences of species and the uneven distribution of elements in phytoplankton cells,which is of significance in the estimation of marine carbon and nitrogen budget.The distribution of nitrogen content in marine phytoplankton can well indicate the marine eutrophication caused by human activities.Climate change can affect the community structure and element composition of marine phytoplankton,meanwhile marine carbon and nitrogen element can regulate the climate to a certain extent.

Morphology and chemical composition of γ/γ' phases in Re-containing Ni-based single crystal superalloy during two-step aging

The γ/γ＇ microstructure of a Re-containing Ni-based single crystal super alloy after a two-step aging was studied using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）,transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and scanning transmission electron microscopy （STEM）.The crystals were grown by the floating zone （FZ） method.Both cuboidal and spherical γ＇ precipitates were formed after a two-step aging.The size of the cuboidal γ＇ phases first increased and then decreased with the extension of the second-step aging time.Re,Co and Cr strongly concentrated in the γ phase whereas Ni and Al enriched in the γ＇ phase.Thermodynamic calculation by JMatPro was performed to explain the experimental observations.

Size distribution of chemical elements and their source apportionment in ambient coarse, fine, and ultrafine particles in Shanghai urban summer atmosphere

Ambient coarse particles （diameter 1.8-10 μm）, fine particles （diameter 0.1-1.8 μm）, and ultrafine particles （diameter 〈 0.1 μm） in the atmosphere of the city of Shanghai were sampled during the summer of 2008 （from Aug 27 to Sep 08）. Microscopic characterization of the particles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （SEM/EDX）. Mass concentrations of Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb in the size-resolved particles were quantified by using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence （SRXRF）. Source apportionment of the chemical elements was analyzed by means of an enrichment factor method. Our results showed that the average mass concentrations of coarse particles, fine particles and ultrafine particles in the summer air were 9.38 ± 2.18, 8.82 ± 3.52, and 2.02 ± 0.41 μg/m3, respectively. The mass percentage of the fine particles accounted for 51.47% in the total mass of PM10, indicating that fine particles are the major component in the Shanghai ambient particles. SEM/EDX results showed that the coarse particles were dominated by minerals, fine particles by soot aggregates and fly ashes, and ultrafine particles by soot particles and unidentified particles. SRXRF results demonstrated that crustal elements were mainly distributed in the coarse particles, while heavy metals were in higher proportions in the fine particles. Source apportionment revealed that Si, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Rb, and Sr were from crustal sources, and S, Cl, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, and Pb from anthropogenic sources. Levels of P, V, Cr, and Ni in particles might be contributed from multi-sources, and need further investigation.

Products of carbothermic reduction of Fe-Cr-O and Fe-Cr-Ni-O systems

The reduction behaviors and characteristics of products of the Fe-Cr-O system （FeCr2O4 and Fe2O3＋Cr2O3） and Fe-Cr-Ni-O system （Fe2O3＋Cr2O3＋NiO） under various conditions were studied. The results show that more Fe-Cr or Fe-Cr-Ni solution and less residual carbon content were obtained at higher temperatures and lower initial molar ratio of C to O （nC：nO）. The degree of reduction was highly dependent on both time and temperature, and the residual carbon content greatly increased with increasing nC：nO at each temperature. The products generated during the carbothermic reduction of the Fe-Cr-O system were examined using X-ray diffraction （XRD）. A scanning electron microscope （SEM） coupled with energy dispersive spectrometer was used to observe the microstructure and the distribution of elements in the various phases of the final reduction products of the Fe-Cr-O and Fe-Cr-Ni-O.

Effects of heating temperature and atmosphere on element distribution and microstructure in high-Mn/Al austenitic low-density steel

The elemental distribution and microstructure near the surface of high-Mn/Al austenitic low-density steel were investigated after isothermal holding at temperatures of 900-1200℃ in different atmospheres,including air,N2,and N_(2)+CO_(2).No ferrite was formed near the surface of the experimental steel during isothermal holding at 900 and 1000℃ in air,while ferrite was formed near the steel sur-face at holding temperatures of 1100 and 1200℃.The ferrite fraction was larger at 1200℃ because more C and Mn diffused to the sur-face,exuded from the steel,and then reacted with N and O to form oxidation products.The thickness of the compound scale increased owing to the higher diffusion rate at higher temperatures.In addition,after isothermal holding at 1100℃ in N2,the Al content near the surface slightly decreased,while the C and Mn contents did not change.Therefore,no ferrite was formed near the surface.However,the near-surface C and Al contents decreased after holding at 1100℃in the N_(2)+CO_(2)mixed atmosphere,resulting in the formation of a small amount of ferrite.The compound scale was thickest in N2,followed by the N_(2)+CO_(2)mixed atmosphere,and thinnest in air.Overall,the element loss and ferrite fraction were largest after holding in air at the same temperature.The differences in element loss and ferrite frac-tion between in N2 and N_(2)+CO_(2)atmospheres were small,but the compound scale formed in N2 was significantly thicker.According to these results,N_(2)+CO_(2)is the ideal heating atmosphere for the industrial production of high-Mn/Al austenitic low-density steel.

Distribution of Elements in Primitive Sequences over Z_(p^e)

Using the estimates of character sums over Galoi8 rings and the trace de-scription of primitive sequences over Z_(p^e), we obtain an estimate for the frequency of theoccurrences of any element in Z_(p^e) in one period of a primitive sequence, which is betterthan Kuzmin's results if n >4e, where n is the degree of the generating polynomial ofthe primitive sequence.

Multiphase equilibrium modeling of oxygen bottom-blown copper smelting process

A computational thermodynamics model for the oxygen bottom-blown copper smelting process(Shuikoushan,SKS process)was established,based on the SKS smelting characteristics and theory of Gibbs free energy minimization.The calculated results of the model show that,under the given stable production condition,the contents of Cu,Fe and S in matte are71.08%,7.15%and17.51%,and the contents of Fe,SiO2and Cu in slag are42.17%,25.05%and3.16%.The calculated fractional distributions of minor elements among gas,slag and matte phases are As82.69%,11.22%,6.09%,Sb16.57%,70.63%,12.80%,Bi68.93%,11.30%,19.77%,Pb19.70%,24.75%,55.55%and Zn17.94%,64.28%,17.79%,respectively.The calculated results of the multiphase equilibrium model agree well with the actual industrial production data,indicating that the credibility of the model is validated.Therefore,the model could be used to monitor and optimize the industrial operations of SKS process.