EXPRESSION OF P53 AND C-MYC IN MOUSE LUNG CANCER INDUCED BY COAL BURNING

Previous epidemiological studies have shown association between coal burning and human lung cancer.To confirm relationship between coal burning and lung cancer formation and progression the expression of p53 and c-myc in 13 mouse lung cancer induced by coal burning smoke and 5 mouse lung tissue control was studied by DNA-RNA in situ hybridization (ISH). Nine of 13 specimens showed c-myc overexpression but it occurred only 1 of adjacent tissue. There was over pression of p53 mRNA in all 13 lung cancer and 5 adjacent tissue. None in the controls was expression of P53 and c-myc detected. When compared to controls,there was significant higher expression of c-myc gene (P=0.002) and p53 gene (P=0.0001 ).The results confirm that overexpression of p53 and c-myc are common molecular events of lung cancer by coal burning smoke and provide further evidence that smoke from coal burning is a causative agent of lung cancer.

THE REMOTE SENSING IN COAL GEOLOGY——A study on detection of coal spontanous burning by remote sensing in the coal fields in the north of China

The spontaneous burning has been lasting for thousands of years in the coal fields in the north of China. It spreads from the west (Tianshan coal field) to the east (Huolinhe coal field). Its E-W extension is up to 3750km, concentrating in N35°toN45°, its vertical depth up to 260m, and the surface temprature locally up to 270℃. Annually, it burns out 0, 250-300 million tones of coal, causing economic loss equivalent to 2-3 billion R.M.B. Yuan.It destroies coal resources and causes hazards in coal mines. In order to locate the extent and the direction in coal burning areas, the remote sensing technique has heen used and has produced an obvious benefit.

Possibility for Gaining Nuclear Energy without Radioactivity from Solid Density Hydrogen Boron Using Lasers with Nonlinear Force Driven Plasma Blocks

In addition to the matured ＂Laser Inertial Fusion Energy （LIFE）＂ with spherical compression of deuterium-tritium （DI） for a pure fusion engine or for fusion-fission-hybrid operation, a very new scheme may have now been opened by igniting the neutron-free reaction of proton-boron-11 （p-^11B） using side-on block ignition. Laser pulses of several petawatt power and ps duration led to thc discovery of an anomaly of interaction, if the prepulses are cut off by a factor 108 （contrast ratio） to avoid relativistic self focusing. In this case the Bobin-Chu conditions of side-on ignition of solid fusion fuel can be applied after several improvements leading to energy gains of 10,000 similar to the Nuckolls-Wood ignition with extremely intense 5 MeV electron beams. In contrast to the impossible laser-ignition of p-^11B by the usual spherical compression, the side-on ignition is less than ten times only more difficult of DT ignition. This p-^11B fusion produces less radioactivity per gained energy than burning coal. After encouraging success with computations based on the different nuclear cross sections, next steps are focusing on stability and transport problems.

Regional Characteristics and Causes of Haze Events in Northeast China

Northeast China experiences severe atmospheric pollution, with an increasing occurrence of heavy haze episodes. However, the underlying forces driving haze formation during different seasons are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the spatio-temporal characteristics and causes of haze events in Northeast China by combining a range of data sources(i.e., ground monitoring, satellite-based products, and meteorological products). It was found that the ‘Shenyang-Changchun-Harbin(SCH)'city belt was the most polluted area in the region on an annual scale. The spatial distribution of air quality index(AQI) values had a clear seasonality, with the worst pollution occurring in winter, an approximately oval-shaped polluted area around western Jilin Province in spring, and the best air quality occurring in summer and most of the autumn. The three periods that typically experienced intense haze events were Period I from mid-October to mid-November(i.e., late autumn and early winter), Period II from late-December to February(i.e., the coldest time in winter), and Period III from April to mid-May(i.e., spring). During Period I, strong PM_(2.5) emissions from seasonal crop residue burning and coal burning for winter heating were the dominant reasons for the occurrence of extreme haze events(AQI > 300). Period II had frequent heavy haze events(200 < AQI < 300) in the coldest months of January and February, which were due to high PM_(2.5) emissions from coal burning and vehicle fuel consumption, a lower atmospheric boundary layer, and stagnant atmospheric conditions. Haze events in Period III, with high PM_(10) concentrations, were primarily caused by the regional transportation of windblown dust from degraded grassland in central Inner Mongolia and bare soil in western Jilin Province. Local agricultural tilling could also release PM_(10) and enhance the levels of windblown dust from tilled soil. Better control of coal burning, fuel consumption, and crop residue burning in winter and autumn is urgently needed to address the haze problem in Northeast China.

Fluorine-fixing efficiency on calcium-based briquette： pilot experiment, demonstration and promotion

Background The fluorosis derived from coal burning is a very serious problem in China. By using fluorine-fixing technology during coal burning we are able to reduce the release of fluorides in coal at the source in order to reduce pollution to the surrounding environment by coal burning pollutants as well as decrease the intake and accumulating amounts of fluorine in the human body. The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot experiment on calcium-based fluorine-fixing material efficiency during coal burning to demonstrate and promote the technology based on laboratory research. Methods A proper amount of calcium-based fluorine sorbent was added into high-fluorine coal to form briquettes so that the fluorine in high-fluorine coal can be fixed in coal slag and its release into atmosphere reduced. We determined figures on various components in briquettes and fluorine in coal slag as well as the concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including fluoride, sulfur dioxide and respirable particulate matter （RPM）, and evaluated the fluorine-fixing efficiency of calcium-based fluorine sorbents and the levels of indoor air pollutants. Results Pilot experiments on fluorine-fixing efficiency during coal burning as well as its demonstration and promotion were carried out separately in Guiding and Longli Counties of Guizhou Province, two areas with coal burning fluorosis problems. If the calcium-based fluorine sorbent mixed coal was made into honeycomb briquettes the average fluorine-fixing ratio in the pilot experiment was 71.8%. If the burning calcium-based fluorine-fixing bitumite was made into a coalball, the average of fluorine-fixing ratio was 77.3%. The concentration of fluoride, sulfur dioxide and PM10 of indoor air were decreased significantly. There was a 10% increase in the cost of briquettes due to the addition of calcium-based fluorine sorbent. Conclusions The preparation process of calcium-based fluorine-fixing briquette is simple yet highly flammable and it is applicable to regions with abundant bitumite coal. As a small scale application, villagers may make fluorine-fixing coalballs or briquettes by themselves, achieving the optimum fluorine-fixing efficiency and reducing indoor air pollutants providing environmental and social benefits.