Effects of high-volume hemofiltration on alveolar- arterial oxygen exchange in patients with refractory septic shock

BACKGROUND：High-volume hemofiltration （HVHF） is technically possible in severe acute pancreatitis （SAP） patients complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome （MODS）. Continuous HVHF is expected to become a beneficial adjunct therapy for SAP complicated with MODS. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of fluid resuscitation and HVHF on alveolar- arterial oxygen exchange, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II （APACHE II） score in patients with refractory septic shock. METHODS：A total of 89 refractory septic shock patients, who were admitted to ICU, the Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University from August 2006 to December 2009, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups： fluid resuscitation （group A, n=41）, and fluid resuscitation plus high-volume hemofiltration （group B, n=48）, The levels of O2 content of central venous blood （CcvO2）, arterial oxygen content （CaO2）, alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference P（A-a）DO2, ratio of arterial oxygen pressure/alveolar oxygen pressure （PaO2/ PAO2）, respiratory index （RI） and oxygenation index （OI） were determined. The oxygen exchange levels of the two groups were examined based on the arterial blood gas analysis at different times （0, 24, 72 hours and 7 days of treatment） in the two groups. The APACHE II score was calculated before and after 7-day treatment in the two groups. The levels of CcvO2, CaO2 on day 7 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B （CcvO2：0.60±0.24 vs, 0.72±0.28, P〈0.05; CaO2：0.84±0.43 vs. 0.94±0.46, P〈0.05）. The level of oxygen extraction rate （O2ER） in group A on the 7th day was significantly higher than that in group B （ 28.7±2.4 vs. 21.7±3.4, P〈0.01）. The levels of P（A-a）DO2 and RI in group B on the 7th day were significantly lower than those in group A. The levels of PaO2/PAO2 and OI in group B on 7th day were significantly higher than those in group A （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The APACHE II score in the two groups reduced gradually after 7-day treatment, and the APACHE II score on the 7th day in group B was significantly lower than that in group A （8.2±3.8 vs. 17.2±6.8, P〈0.01）. HVHF combined with fluid resuscitation can improve alveolar- arterial-oxygen exchange, decrease the APACHE II score in patients with refractory septic shock, and thus it increases the survival rate of patients.

Prediction of lime utilization ratio of dephosphorization in BOF steelmaking based on online sequential extreme learning machine with forgetting mechanism

The machine learning models of multiple linear regression(MLR),support vector regression(SVR),and extreme learning ma-chine(ELM)and the proposed ELM models of online sequential ELM(OS-ELM)and OS-ELM with forgetting mechanism(FOS-ELM)are applied in the prediction of the lime utilization ratio of dephosphorization in the basic oxygen furnace steelmaking process.The ELM model exhibites the best performance compared with the models of MLR and SVR.OS-ELM and FOS-ELM are applied for sequential learning and model updating.The optimal number of samples in validity term of the FOS-ELM model is determined to be 1500,with the smallest population mean absolute relative error(MARE)value of 0.058226 for the population.The variable importance analysis reveals lime weight,initial P content,and hot metal weight as the most important variables for the lime utilization ratio.The lime utilization ratio increases with the decrease in lime weight and the increases in the initial P content and hot metal weight.A prediction system based on FOS-ELM is applied in actual industrial production for one month.The hit ratios of the predicted lime utilization ratio in the error ranges of±1%,±3%,and±5%are 61.16%,90.63%,and 94.11%,respectively.The coefficient of determination,MARE,and root mean square error are 0.8670,0.06823,and 1.4265,respectively.The system exhibits desirable performance for applications in actual industrial pro-duction.

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of chert from the Sixtymile Formation in Grand Canyon National Park,USA：a warm palaeoclimate,freshwater deposit

New oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of chert from middle, intraformational breccias, and upper breccia members of the Sixtymile Formation（SMF） in eastern Grand Canyon National Park（AZ） yield palaeoclimate estimates between 27 and 33℃. The isotopic compositions of cherts define a domain approximately parallel to the meteoric water line when plotted on a δD–δ-（18）O diagram; these data indicate that meteoric water was involved during formation of the chert. In thin section, the absence of interlocking mega quartz（〉35 lm） and silicafilled fractures and veins, along with preserved micromorphological silica fabrics, suggest that the chert has not been permeated by later hydrothermal fluids. Petrographic observations in thin section such as cyclic silica precipitation phases and glaebular micromorphologic fabrics lend support to the interpretation that meteoric waters were involved during chert precipitation. The post 742 Ma SMF has been correlated with diamictite（transition） beds of the Kingston Peak Formation（CA）, which in turn have been interpreted to have been deposited during the Sturtian Ice Age（-750–700 Ma）. Absence of facetted and striated clasts and other diagnostic glaciogenic features in the SMF,an unconformable contact with the stratigraphically older Chuar Group, coupled with warm palaeotemperature data inferred from stable isotope values of chert, tentatively suggest that deposition of sediment in the SMF likely did not take place during the Sturtian Ice Age.

Effects of COD/N ratio and DO concentration on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in an airlift internal circulation membrane bioreactor

The effects of chemical oxygen demand and nitrogen(COD/N)ratio and dissolved oxygen concentration(DO)on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification(SND)were investigated using an airlift internal circulation membrane bioreactor(AIC-MBR)with synthetic wastewater.The results showed that the COD efficiencies were consistently greater than 90% regardless of changes in the COD/N ratio.At the COD/N ratio of 4.77 and 10.04,the system nitrogen removal efficiency became higher than 70%.However,the nitrogen remova...

Physical and Mathematical Modeling of the Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Refining Process of Stainless Steel

The available studies in the literature on physical and mathematical modeling of the argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) process of stainless steel have briefly been reviewed. The latest advances made by the author with his research group have been summarized. Water modeling was used to investigate the fluid flow and mixing characteristics in the bath of an 18 t AOD vessel, as well as the 'back attack' action of gas jets and its effects on the erosion and wear of the refractory lining, with sufficiently full kinematic similarity. The non rotating and rotating gas jets blown through two annular tuyeres, respectively of straight tube and spiral flat tube type, were employed in the experiments. The geometric similarity ratio between the model and its prototype (including the straight tube type tuyeres) was 1:3. The influences of the gas flow rate, the angle included between the two tuyeres and other operating parameters, and the suitability of the spiral tuyere as a practical application, were examined. These latest studies have clearly and successfully brought to light the fluid flow and mixing characteristics in the bath and the overall features of the back attack phenomena of gas jets during the blowing, and have offered a better understanding of the refining process. Besides, mathematical modeling for the refining process of stainless steel was carried out and a new mathematical model of the process was proposed and developed. The model performs the rate calculations of the refining and the mass and heat balances of the system. Also, the effects of the operating factors, including adding the slag materials, crop ends, and scrap, and alloy agents; the non isothermal conditions; the changes in the amounts of metal and slag during the refining; and other factors were all considered. The model was used to deal with and analyze the austenitic stainless steel making (including ultra low carbon steel) and was tested on data of 32 heats obtained in producing 304 grade steel in an 18 t AOD vessel. The changes in the bath composition and temperature during the refining process with time can be accurately predicted using this model. The model can provide some very useful information and a reliable basis for optimizing the process practice of the refining of stainless steel and control of the process in real time and online.

Late Holocene glacier variations indicated by theδ18O of ice core enclosed gaseous oxygen in the central Tibetan Plateau

Theδ18O of ice core enclosed gaseous oxygen(δ18Obub)has been widely used for climate reconstruction in polar regions.Yet,less is known about its climatic implication in the mountainous glaciers as the lack of continuous record.Here,we present a long-term,continuousδ18Obub record from the Tanggula glacier in the central Tibetan Plateau(TP).Based on comparisons of its variation with regional climate and glacier changes,we found that there was a good correlation between the variation of theδ18Obub in this alpine ice core and the accumulation and melting of this glacier.The more developed the firn layer on glacier surface,the more positive theδ18Obub.Conversely,the more intense the glacier melting,the more negative theδ18Obub.Combined with the chronology of ice core enclosed gases,the glacier variations since the late Holocene in the central TP were reconstructed.The result showed that there were four accumulation and three deficit periods of glaciers in this region.The strongest glacier accumulation period was 1610-300 B.C.,which corresponds to the Neoglaciation.The most significant melting period was the last 100 years,which corresponds to the recent global warming.The Medieval Warm Period was relatively significant in the central TP.However,during the Little Ice Age,there was no significant glacier accumulation in the central TP,and even short deficit events occurred.Comparisons of the late Holocene glacier variation in the central TP with glacier and climate variations in the TP and the Northern Hemisphere showed that it was closely related to the North Atlantic Oscillation.

STUDY ON NODULE RATIO AND COMPACTED GRAPHITE RATIO OF IRON FLUID TREATED BY RARE EARTH MAGNESIUM ALLOY QUICKLY EXAMINED BY CONCENTRATED DIFFERENCE FIXING OXYGEN

The article uses the method of regression statistics to obtain the regression formula of iron fluid nodule ratio Q and compacted graphite ratio R, through rare earth magnesium treatment. At the same time it has given thejudging figure of Q and R, considering oxygen activity and temperature. When using oxygen activity to judgenodule ratio and compacted graphite ratio of the ironfluid treated by rare earth magnesium alloy, its limit value changes with the change of temperature.

Oxygen Stable Isotopic Ratio in Precipitations in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Time-course of oxygen stable isotopic ratios （i.e., δ^18O） as well as seasonal variation of δ^18O has been examined to investigate the characteristics, sources and the passing route of precipitations in Niigata Prefecture. The precipitation samples have been mainly collected with a filtrating bulk sampler at the rooftop of Niigata University. Furthermore, backward trajectories analyses have been also conducted for these samples taken sequentially for a short period. Consequently, the following features have been mainly clarified for the precipitations in Niigata Prefecture： （1） the δ^18O values varied between -14.57%o and -3.86%0 in the precipitations of Niigata University; （2） as for the comparison among sampling points, the mean value of δ^18O at seaside spots （i.e., Niigata City： -6.93%0） is larger than that of inland spots （Sanjyo City： -8.68%0）; （3） δ^18O value was generally small in the rainy or typhoon season, and relatively large in summer; （4） decreasing δ^18O content with time is a predominant feature of sequentially sampled rainfalls as predicted by Rayleigh models of atmospheric vapor condensation.

Converting of MSW into Valuable Hydrocarbons by Pyrolysis： Effect of Paper/Plastic Ratio and Reaction Time

Municipal solid wastes from industrial plants were pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor to evaluate the influence of paper/plastic ratio and reaction time both on product quantity and quality. Raw materials have been pyrolyzed under nitrogen in a 3.0 dm^3 autoclave. Results show considerable differences in yields and quality of products obtained by pyrolysis of wastes with different paper content. Light and heavy oils were mixtures of organic compounds containing valuable hydrocarbons and oxygenated chemicals, while chars were rather composed of inorganic compounds from the raw materials. Longer reaction time of pyrolysis had produced higher non-condensable gas, water and light oil. Gases contained CO, CO2 and hydrocarbons, but the concentrations were very function of reaction time and paper/plastic ratio. Light and heavy oils showed similarities with middle distillates and heavy oils in refinery, the high paper content of the raw materials was unfavourable for longer storage of waste derived oils.

Effects of ceria/zirconia ratio on properties of mixed CeO_2-ZrO_2-Al_2O_3 compound

A series of CexZr0.50-xAl0.50O1.75(0.05≤x≤0.45) mixed oxides with different Ce/Zr ratio were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),Brunauer-Emmet Teller method(BET),temperature-programmed reduction(H2-TPR) and oxygen pulsing technique.The XRD results showed that all samples kept the single CeO2 cubic fluorite structure after calcination at 600 and 1000 oC for 5 h.The results of BET revealed that CexZr0.50-xAl0.50O1.75 with Ce/Zr molar ratio 1/1 exhibited hi...

Investigation of the effect of argon protection behavior in the ingot casting process

With the continuous improvement of product quality and function,the quality control of mold steel is becoming increasingly stricter. Argon protection is essential for ensuring casting quality during ingot casting. The development of argon protection in ingot casting and the production process of enclosed argon protection in 40 t line is discussed,w ith particular focus given the factors affecting the flow of oxygen in the argon protection cover are discussed. The influence of some related factors on the oxygen content is analyzed. On the basis of the online measurements of the oxygen content,the optimized operational approaches for improving the effect of argon protection are developed. This can decrease the liquid steel via secondary oxidation,and improve the quality of the ingots.

Numerical analysis of aerated heap bioleaching with variable irrigation and aeration combinations

Forced aeration is an effective way to accelerate the heap bioleaching process.To reveal the effects of different irrigation and aeration combinations on bioleaching performance of copper sulfides,numerical simulations with COMSOL were carried out.Results showed the oxygen concentration is the highest at the bottom with forced aeration,the airflow transports spherically from the aeration pipeline to the slope,and the horizontal diffusion distance is further than vertical value.When the irrigation-to-aeration ratio is higher,the average heap temperatures are mainly decided by aeration rates;otherwise,temperature distributions are the equilibrium of mineral reaction heat,the livixiant driven heat and the airflow driven heat.When the aeration rate is higher than 0.90 m3/(m2·h),oxygen concentration is no longer a limiting factor for mineral dissolution.Additionally,on the premise of sufficient oxygen supply,Cu recovery rate is higher at the bottom with low irrigation rate;while it is higher at upper regions with high irrigation rate.The numerical analysis uncovered some insights into the dynamics and thermodynamics rules in bioleaching of copper sulfides with forced aeration.

Air flow control based on optimal oxygen excess ratio in fuel cells for vehicles

Air flow control is one of the most important control methods for maintaining the stability and reliability of a fuel cell system, which can avoid oxygen starvation or oxygen saturation. The oxygen excess ratio （OER） is often used to indicate the air flow condition. Based on a fuel cell system model for vehicles, OER performance was analyzed for different stack currents and temperatures in this paper, and the results show that the optimal OER was affected weakly by the stack temperature. In order to ensure the system working in optimal OER, a control scheme that includes an optimal OER regulator and a fuzzy control was proposed. According to the stack current, a reference value of air flow rate was obtained with the optimal OER regulator and then the air compressor motor voltage was controlled with the fuzzy controller to adjust the air flow rate provided by the air compressor. Simulation results show that the control method has good dynamic and static characteristics.

Real Time Dynamic Study of Amperometric Exhaust Oxygen Sensors

Previously,we had identified the various dynamic mechanisms of a wide range air to fuel ratio sensor operated in the engine exhaust by using the transfer function approach.In this study,we utilized these results to model the real time sensor response to an engine exhaust excursion.In the fitting,we identified a new dynamic mechanism,which was not detected in the previous transfer function study.This new dynamic occurred at the stoichiometric point when the engine changed from rich to lean.This new mechanism involved the depletion of the adsorbed fuel species on the electrode surface by an oxidation process. The dynamics of this effect depends on the ratio of the diffusion flux of the sensor-coating layer to the total adsorbed gas species on the electrode surface.The smaller the ratio is,the slower the dynamic mechanism will be.

Photocatalytic Treatment of Waste Water from Rice Husk Alkaline Hydrolysate

We carried out photocatalytic treatment of a lignin-free solution of rice husk alkaline hydrolysate [pH of 2, chemical oxygen demand（COD） of 12.8 g/L] using photo-Fenton process in the ultraviolet（UV, wavelength of 365 nm） and visible spectrum. Oxidation of lignin was performed at a constant mass ratio of COD:H2O2 as 1:2 and Fe2+ concentration of 80 mg/L. It was established that for the destruction of alkaline lignin, exposure to visible or UV radiation was necessary. Decolorization efficiency of a lignin-free solution depends on the dilution rate of the solution. The advanced oxidative photo-Fenton process(UV/Н2О2/Fe2+) made it possible to reduce the color of lignin-free solution at a dilution ratio of 1:5 by 94% of decolorization efficiency, 87% of phenolic compound and 79% of COD. With the help of gas chromatography, the products of lignin destruction were low-toxic and usable.

Monitoring of Anthocyanins and Colour in Electrochemically Processed <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>Juice

The vital role of anthocyanins in Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is now known to most consumers. The richness of anthocyanins in antioxidants, vitamin C, minerals, etc., provides Hibiscus juice with proven nutritional qualities. The health requirements of recent years have made food products with added preservatives or processed at high temperatures less popular, thus explaining the new orientations towards innovative and interdisciplinary technologies. Anthocyanins from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. are, however, sensitive to degradation factors such as temperature, light, enzymes and also oxygen. The instability of anthocyanins has long been a subject of research using classic techniques such as heat treatment, the results of which are often limited by the rapid degradation and above all the destruction of the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the product. Oxygen dissolved in juices is so far treated by bubbling with an inert gas or by adding other molecules such as preservatives which can cause a lot of health damage. The electrochemical approach is a new stabilisation technique that reduces the dissolved oxygen in the juice, cold and without the addition of other molecules. The electrolysis of Hibiscus juice was carried out by noble electrodes (Platinum and Stainless Steel) with a well-characterised Time/Potential or Time/Intensity couple. The electroreduced samples and the control were then stored at 4°C, 25°C and 37°C for more than 6 months. Monitoring of anthocyanins in the first month, of the samples and the control, showed a significant difference of 10% between the electroreduced extract and the untreated control at 37°C, which had previously been problematic for the heat treatment and even for the other membrane techniques. Oxygen reduction on the platinum electrode/ECS allowed the retention of more than 10% of anthocyanins after 4 weeks of storage at 25°C and 37°C. At 4°C, a significant difference of 5% between the electro-reduced Hibiscus juice and the control was maintained until the fifth month of storage with the 1/5 ratio (calyx/water). Non-significant losses in anthocyanin (10 mg/l), for the juice with reduced dissolved oxygen, were noted for the 1/5 and 1/15 ratios during the first month of storage at 4°C against 24 mg/l of significant losses for the 1/20 ratio. However, the untreated control showed significant losses for the ratios 1/20, 1/15 and 1/5. Oxygen dissolved in the juice therefore considerably degrades the anthocyanins of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. from the first month of storage at 4°C.

Isotopic and Chemical Characteristics of Lagoon Waters in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

In order to investigate the isotopic and chemical characteristics of lagoon waters in Niigata Prefecture in recent years, oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope ratios （i.e., 8180 and 6D）, the concentrations of DOC （dissolved organic carbon）, DO （dissolved oxygen） and pH, etc. in water samples of Sakata and Toyanogata were measured. Samples were generally taken monthly at the fixed sampling points from these lagoons. Consequently, the following matters have been mainly clarified： （1） ~D value of water samples in Sakata was generally larger than that in Toyanogata similarly to the case of ~180, though remarkable large difference among samples was not found; （2） the pH value of lagoon water samples is almost 6.5-8.5 （which is generally larger than that of river water）, and pH at the spot of SI （downstream point of Lower Lagoon （Shitakata）） is remarkably high （9.0-9.5）; （3） Lagoon water has the chemical characteristics contrasting to groundwater with a focus on river water from the viewpoint of pH （acidity or alkalinity） and DO. These matters can be closely related to the biological activity such as photosynthesis due to aquatic plant and phytoplankton and the activity of Crustacea plankton etc. in lagoon.

Predictors of 2 Kilometer Rowing Ergometer Time Trial Performance

Predictors of performance can aid coaches and trainers in prescribing exercise programs for rowing athletes. To date, most of the prediction models have been developed for runners and cyclists. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a regression model to predict performance of a simulated 2 kilometer rowing ergometer time trial. Methods: A group of mixed gender rowing athletes (n = 12) completed in a counterbalanced order a 2 kilometer rowing time trial and a continuous progressively incremented graded exercise test on a rowing ergometer. Subjects were 23.91 ± 4.99 years old, weighed 79.14 ± 12.85 kg, were 187.38 ± 12.60 cm, had a VO2max of 55.48 ± 10.32 mL/kg/min and had 3.17 ± 2.79 years of rowing experience. Physiological measures were recorded during both testing protocols. Results: Maximum power/stroke ratio (r =-0.96, p < 0.001), power/stroke ratio at the ventilatory breakpoint (r =-0.90, p < 0.001), maximal oxygen uptake (r =-0.84, p < 0.001) and oxygen uptake at the ventilatory breakpoint (r =-0.82, p < 0.001) were found to be strong and significant predictors of 2 kilometer rowing performance. Conclusion: The four significant predictors of rowing performance suggest training should focus on improving both aerobic capacity and strength. Practical Application: Rowing training should focus on developing hip and leg aerobic and anaerobic capacities to improve performance. Developing strength improves mechanical efficiency as well as raising anaerobic thresholds allowing athletes to utilize a larger portion of their aerobic capacity.

燃料电池系统建模与供气系统控制方法

为了研究燃料电池系统的特性以及空气系统对燃料电池特性的影响,利用Simulink仿真软件对燃料电池系统进行建模,模型包括电压模型、空压机模型、阴极模型、阳极模型.分别通过前馈比例-积分-微分(proportional-integral-differential, PID)和模糊PID对燃料电池空气系统进行控制.结果表明:在负载电流变化时,前馈PID和模糊PID都能够使过氧比达到设定的常数值2.0附近,但模糊PID比前馈PID响应更快,且模糊PID控制下的燃料电池输出功率波动较小,燃料电池系统更加稳定.