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Shi-Tong Diao, Run Dong, Jin-Min Peng, Yan Chen, Shan Li, Shu-Hua He, Yi-Fan Wang, Bin Du, Li Weng On behalf of the China Critical Care Clinical Trials Group (CCCCTG)Medical Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li Weng, Medical Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Shuai Fu Yuan, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of China, Email wengli@gmail.comBackground: Sepsis surveillance was important for resources allocation, prevention, and development of health policy.Objective: The aim of the study was to validate a modified International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 based algorithm for identifying hospitalized patients with sepsis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective, single-center cohort of adult patients who were consecutively admitted to one medical ICU ward and ten non-ICU wards with suspected or confirmed infections during a 6-month period. A modified ICD-10 based algorithm was validated against a reference standard of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score based on Sepsis-3. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated for modified ICD-10 criteria, eSOFA criteria, Martin’s criteria, and Angus’s criteria.Results: Of the 547 patients in the cohort, 332 (61%) patients met Sepsis-3 criteria and 274 (50%) met modified ICD-10 criteria. In the ICU setting, modified ICD-10 criteria had SE (84.47%), SP (88.57%), PPV (95.60), and NPV (65.96). In non-ICU settings, modified ICD-10 had SE (64.19%), SP (80.00%), PPV (80.33), and NPV (63.72). In the w

AbstractMagnesium, the lightest structural metal, usually exhibits limited ambient plasticity when compressed along its crystallographic c-axis (the “hard” orientation of magnesium). Here we report large plasticity in c-axis compression of submicron magnesium single crystal achieved by a dual-stage deformation. We show that when the plastic flow gradually strain-hardens the magnesium crystal to gigapascal level, at which point dislocation mediated plasticity is nearly exhausted, the sample instantly pancakes without fracture, accompanying a conversion of the initial single crystal into multiple grains that roughly share a common rotation axis. Atomic-scale characterization, crystallographic analyses and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the new grains can form via transformation of pyramidal to basal planes. We categorize this grain formation as “deformation graining”. The formation of new grains rejuvenates massive dislocation slip and deformation twinning to enable large plastic strains.

The bond strength is a critical consideration for the plasma-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings. However, the conventional methods for testing the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings always cost time and money. If there is a simple method that could predict the bond strength of the prepared NiCrBSi coatings without destroying the coatings, it would be significantly beneficial for industrial applications. In this work, a new method was proposed based on the total areas of the interfacial pores for the NiCrBSi coatings. The NiCrBSi coating was prepared by plasma spraying technology and the as-sprayed coating was subsequently remelted by plasma arc using the powers of 20 kW, 25 kW, and 30 kW, respectively. The interfacial microstructures, the size distributions and total areas of the interfacial pores, interfacial hardness, and bond strength of all prepared coating samples were investigated. After remelting, the number and the total area of interfacial pores decrease with increasing the remelting power. Correspondingly, the interfacial hardness and bond strength of coatings increase with increasing the remelting power The bond strength of coatings basically has a linear relationship with the total area of interfacial pores. The built relationship may be used to predict the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings.

The bond strength is a critical consideration for the plasma-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings. However, the conventional methods for testing the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings always cost time and money. If there is a simple method that could predict the bond strength of the prepared NiCrBSi coatings without destroying the coatings, it would be significantly beneficial for industrial applications. In this work, a new method was proposed based on the total areas of the interfacial pores for the NiCrBSi coatings. The NiCrBSi coating was prepared by plasma spraying technology and the as-sprayed coating was subsequently remelted by plasma arc using the powers of 20 kW, 25 kW, and 30 kW, respectively. The interfacial microstructures, the size distributions and total areas of the interfacial pores, interfacial hardness, and bond strength of all prepared coating samples were investigated. After remelting, the number and the total area of interfacial pores decrease with increasing the remelting power. Correspondingly, the interfacial hardness and bond strength of coatings increase with increasing the remelting power The bond strength of coatings basically has a linear relationship with the total area of interfacial pores. The built relationship may be used to predict the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings.

The bond strength is a critical consideration for the plasma-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings. However, the conventional methods for testing the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings always cost time and money. If there is a simple method that could predict the bond strength of the prepared NiCrBSi coatings without destroying the coatings, it would be significantly beneficial for industrial applications. In this work, a new method was proposed based on the total areas of the interfacial pores for the NiCrBSi coatings. The NiCrBSi coating was prepared by plasma spraying technology and the as-sprayed coating was subsequently remelted by plasma arc using the powers of 20 kW, 25 kW, and 30 kW, respectively. The interfacial microstructures, the size distributions and total areas of the interfacial pores, interfacial hardness, and bond strength of all prepared coating samples were investigated. After remelting, the number and the total area of interfacial pores decrease with increasing the remelting power. Correspondingly, the interfacial hardness and bond strength of coatings increase with increasing the remelting power The bond strength of coatings basically has a linear relationship with the total area of interfacial pores. The built relationship may be used to predict the bond strength of NiCrBSi coatings.

The College of Life Sciences (CLS) remains one of the most prestigious-and the oldest-colleges in Zhejiang University. This special issue, which includes 16 reviews contributed by our alumni and faculties, is dedicated to mark the 90th Anniversary of CLS. The reviews provide a glimpse of current progresses in the areas of life sciences such as biochemical processes and their association with diseases (Ding et al., 2019; Hu et al., 2019; Jin et al., 2019; Nie and Yi, 2019), cancer biology (Feng, 2019; Huang et al., 2019; Leonard and Zhang, 2019; Zhu F et al., 2019), plant and environmental microbiology (Li et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2019; Zhu XR et al., 2019), cell cycle (Gao and Liu, 2019; Zhang et al., 2019), RNA biology (Gudenas et al., 2019; Luo et al., 2019), and protein structural biology (Yang and Tang, 2019).

The effect of xanthan gum on flotation behaviour of chalcopyrite and sphalerite was studied and the depression mechanism of xanthan gum on sphalerite was investigated through flotation test, adsorption test, zeta potential test and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) analysis. The flotation results show that chalcopyrite and sphalerite have good floatability and it is difficult to separate them when potassium butyl xanthate is used as collector. Xanthan gum has strong depression effect on sphalerite and the depression effect is not affected by pH, but its depression effect on chalcopyrite is weak and increases with the decrease of pH. With xanthan gum as depressant, the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and sphalerite can be achieved in the pH range of 7-11. The adsorption test and zeta potential analysis results show that the adsorption amount of xanthan gum on the surface of chalcopyrite is significantly higher than that on the surface of sphalerite, which also has a greater influence on the surface properties of sphalerite. XPS analysis results show that xanthan gum mainly adsorbs on the sphalerite surface through chemical reaction with zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide that formed on the sphalerite surface. So xanthan gum adsorbs more easily on sphalerite surface as it is easier to oxidise than chalcopyrite., The effect of xanthan gum on flotation behaviour of chalcopyrite and sphalerite was studied and the depression mechanism of xanthan gum on sphalerite was investigated through flotation test, adsorption test, zeta potential test and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) analysis. The flotation results show that chalcopyrite and sphalerite have good floatability and it is difficult to separate them when potassium butyl xanthate is used as collector. Xanthan gum has strong depression effect on sphalerite and the depression effect is not affected by pH, but its depression effect on chalcopyrite is weak and increases with the decrease of pH. With xanthan gum as depressant, the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and sphalerite can be achieved in the pH range of 7-11. The adsorption test and zeta potential analysis results show that the adsorption amount of xanthan gum on the surface of chalcopyrite is significantly higher than that on the surface of sphalerite, which also has a greater influence on the surface properties of sphalerite. XPS analysis results show that xanthan gum mainly adsorbs on the sphalerite surface through chemical reaction with zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide that formed on the sphalerite surface. So xanthan gum adsorbs more easily on sphalerite surface as it is easier to oxidise than chalcopyrite.

Yi Zhang,1– 3 Bo Zhou,1,2,4 Min Wen,1 Mi Hu,1 Jin-Gang Peng,1– 3 Ying Wang,3 Lin-Lin Fan,1– 3 Lei Tang1– 3 1College of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, 550004, People’s Republic of China; 2Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou 550004, People’s Republic of China; 3College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou 550004, People’s Republic of China; 4State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou 550004, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lei Tang Tel +86 13308500332Email tlei1974@gmc.edu.cnPurpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypoglycemic activity and potential mechanism of tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives ZG02 in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes model.Methods: C57BL/6 mice (n=30) were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (n=10) was fed with normal diet, the diabetes group (n=10) was fed with high-fat diet for eight weeks followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (25 mg/kg) and the ZG02 group (n=10) injected intraperitoneally with ZG02 (30 mg/kg/day) for two weeks after successful modeling. The changes of weight, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance and fasting blood insulin levels in each group were evaluated. In addition, we also assessed the expression level of total AMPK, phosphorylation AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1 and the activity of G6PC in liver.Results: The results demonstrated that ZG02 could significantly antagonize the high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced fasting hyperglycemia, restore fasting blood insulin levels and also improve activity of G6PC in liver. The results from Western blot indicated that ZG02 significantly restored the expression level of phosphorylation AMPK, Sirt1 and PGC-1.Conclusion: ZG02 improve hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity via a

Xuanxuan Jing,1,* Chen Li,1,2,* Jintang Sun,1 Jin Peng,3 Yu Dou,4 Xiaofei Xu,3 Chao Ma,1 Zhaogang Dong,5 Yanguo Liu,6 Hui Zhang,3 Qianqian Shao,1 Hui Zhang,7 Lijie Wang,3 Yun Zhang,1 Xun Qu1 1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic China; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Stomatology and Institute of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic China; 5Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic China; 6Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xun Qu; Lijie Wang Email quxun@sdu.edu.cn; wangljie@hotmail.comPurpose: The aim of this study was to find the most useful marker of endometriosis-related infertility and evaluate predictive and diagnostic values of systemic inflammatory response markers (preoperative white blood–cell subtypes, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet:lymphocyte ratio [PLR], and monocyte:lymphocyte ratio [MLR]) and CA125 levels in endometriosis patients.Methods: This study comprised 662 women who had undergone laparoscopic surgery and been pathologically confirmed as having endometriosis and 83 patients pathologically confirmed with benign ovarian tumors. R

The International Commission on Stratigraphy and the IUGS Executive Committee have recently ratified a Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) defining the conterminous base of the third series and the fifth stage of the Cambrian System. The series and the stage are respectively named the Miaolingian Series and Wuliuan Stage, after the Maioling Mountains in southeastern Guizhou and the Wuliu sidehill, Jianhe County, in eastern Guizhou Province, South China, where the GSSP is located. The GSSP is exposed in a natural outcrop near the Balang Village at a position of 26° 44.843′N latitude and 108° 24.830′E longitude. It is defined at the base of a silty mudstone layer 52.8 m above the base of the Kaili Formation in the Wuliu-Zengjiayan section, coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan oryctocephalid trilobite Oryctocephalus indicus (base of the O. indicus Zone). Secondary global markers at or near the base of the series and stage include the peak of a rather large negative carbon isotopic excursion (ROECE excursion), the simultaneous appearance of many acanthomorphic acritarch forms, a transgressive phase of a major eustatic event, and the last appearance of intercontinental polymerid trilobites, either Bathynotus or Ovatoryctocara. Faunal turnovers close to the base of the Miaolingian Series and Wuliuan Stage have been recognized as being at the base of the Oryctocephalus indicus Zone of Amgan Stage in Siberia, the Delamaran Stage in Laurentia, the Oryctocephalus indicus Zone in the Indian Himalaya and North Greenland, near the base of the Delamaran Stage in Australia, and within the Eccaparadocides sdzuyi Zone in Iberia and the Ornamentaspis frequens Zone in Morocco., National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Commission on Stratigraphy of China, State Key Laboratory on Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

Voltammetric responses, adsorption behaviors and layered structures of 1-ethyl-2, 3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMMITFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) at Au (111) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, in-situ STM and in-situ AFM force curve measurements, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry measurements pointed out that two pairs of sharp redox peaks are located at around 0.1 and 0.7 V in EMMITFSI, but not in EMITFSI. In-situ STM studies revealed no etching of the Au (111) surface in the investigated potential region in EMMITFSI, but an etched Au (111) surface was observed in EMITFSI in the same potential region, indicating that the interaction between EMITFSI and the Au (111) surface is much stronger than that between EMMITFSI and the Au (111) surface. In-situ AFM force curve measurements showed three layered structures at Au (111)/EMITFSI interface, but no force curves with saw-toothed feature can be obtained when the potential is higher than +0.5 V, which implies the disappearance of layered structures. In EMMITFSI, force curves with saw-toothed feature can be obtained even at +1.2 V. The fact that layered structures can form in a broader potential region indicates that a stronger interaction exists between the EMMI cation and the TFSI anion. It is inferred that the methylation of the hydrogen position provides a configuration for EMMI cations with an increased hydrophobic interaction, which maintains the layered structure in wider potential region. As a consequence, the electrode potential may induce structural transition of the layered structures, which is responsible for the origin of the voltammetric features.

Polar metals exist as a rather unique class of materials as they combine two seemingly mutually exclusive properties (polar order and metallicity) in one system. So far only a few polar metals have been unambiguously identified; the magnetic ones are exceptionally rare. Here we investigate a 5% Fe-doped polar metal Ca3Ru2O7, via electrical transport, magnetization, microstrain, and optical second-harmonic generation measurements. We report the full magnetic phase diagrams (in the field-temperature space) for magnetic field Ha and Hb, which exhibit distinct field-dependent magnetizations behavior. In particular, for Ha we found a ferromagnetic incommensurate spin structure, which is absent in the pure Ca3Ru2O7. We propose a microscopic spin model to understand this behavior, highlighting the role of Fe doping in tipping the delicate balance of the underlying exchange-interaction energy in this system.

Voltammetric responses, adsorption behaviors and layered structures of 1-ethyl-2, 3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMMITFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) at Au (111) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, in-situ STM and in-situ AFM force curve measurements, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry measurements pointed out that two pairs of sharp redox peaks are located at around 0.1 and 0.7 V in EMMITFSI, but not in EMITFSI. In-situ STM studies revealed no etching of the Au (111) surface in the investigated potential region in EMMITFSI, but an etched Au (111) surface was observed in EMITFSI in the same potential region, indicating that the interaction between EMITFSI and the Au (111) surface is much stronger than that between EMMITFSI and the Au (111) surface. In-situ AFM force curve measurements showed three layered structures at Au (111)/EMITFSI interface, but no force curves with saw-toothed feature can be obtained when the potential is higher than +0.5 V, which implies the disappearance of layered structures. In EMMITFSI, force curves with saw-toothed feature can be obtained even at +1.2 V. The fact that layered structures can form in a broader potential region indicates that a stronger interaction exists between the EMMI cation and the TFSI anion. It is inferred that the methylation of the hydrogen position provides a configuration for EMMI cations with an increased hydrophobic interaction, which maintains the layered structure in wider potential region. As a consequence, the electrode potential may induce structural transition of the layered structures, which is responsible for the origin of the voltammetric features.

Wei Liu,1,2,* Jin-fu Peng,1,2,* Meng-jie Tang1 1Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Meng-jie TangHunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail tangmengjie@hnca.org.cnAbstract: We report the case of a breast cancer patient with chronic renal failure (CRF). The clinical pharmacist adjusted the chemotherapy regimen and dosage according to the patient’s renal function after reviewing the literature and analyzing the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the patient’s antineoplastic drugs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful multimodal treatment of breast cancer in a patient with CRF in China. The purpose of this case report is to optimize breast cancer therapy in patients with CRF and provide a reference for clinicians and clinical pharmacists to use antineoplastic drugs rationally.Keywords: breast cancer, chronic renal failure, treatment regimen, dose adjustment

Taphonomic processes play an important role in the preservation of small morphological features such as granulation or pits. However, the assessment of these features may face the issue of the small size of the specimens and, sometimes, the destructiveness of these analyses, which makes impossible carrying them out in singular specimen, such as holotypes or lectotypes. This paper takes a new approach to analysing small-morphological features, by using an optical surface roughness (OSR) meter to create a high-resolution three-dimensional digital-elevation model (DEM). This non-destructive technique allows analysing quantitatively the DEM using geometric morphometric methods (GMM). We created a number of DEMs from three populations putatively belonging to the same species of trilobite (Oryctocephalus indicus) that present the same cranidial outline, but differ in the presence or absence of the second and third transglabellar furrows. Profile analysis of the DEMs demonstrate that all three populations show similar preservation variation in the glabellar furrows and lobes. The GMM shows that all populations exhibit the same range of variation. Differences in preservation are a consequence of different degrees of cementation and rates of dissolution. Fast cementation enhances the preservation of glabellar furrows and lobes, while fast dissolution hampers preservation of the same structures.

The recently released AlphaZero algorithm achieves superhuman performance in the games of chess, shogi and Go, which raises two open questions. Firstly, as there is a finite number of possibilities in the game, is there a quantifiable intelligence measurement for evaluating intelligent systems, e.g. AlphaZero? Secondly, AlphaZero introduces sophisticated reinforcement learning and self-play to efficiently encode the possible states, is there a simple information-theoretic model to represent the learning process and offer more insights in fostering strong AI systems? This paper explores the above two questions by proposing a simple variance of Shannon's communication model, the concept of intelligence entropy and the Unified Intelligence-Communication Model is proposed, which provide an information-theoretic metric for investigating the intelligence level and also provide an bound for intelligent agents in the form of Shannon's capacity, namely, the intelligence capacity. This paper then applies the concept and model to AlphaZero as a case study and explains the learning process of intelligent agent as turbo-like iterative decoding, so that the learning performance of AlphaZero may be quantitatively evaluated. Finally, conclusions are provided along with theoretical and practical remarks., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures

Oryctocephalus indicus is a widespread trilobite species described from the lower–middle Cambrian (provisional Cambrian Stage 5) of south China, North Korea, India, USA and possibly North Greenland. Principal component analysis (PCA) and thinplate splines (TPSs) based on a pooled sample of 359 specimens from four sections in the Guizhou Province, south China, demonstrated that the shape of this species is very constant, and only a small difference is detected in specimens from deeper part of the basin. Most of the variation is taphonomically controlled, and only the specimens from Sanwan Section show a modest natural difference due to a slightly different depositional environment. A comparison between the Chinese specimens and Oryctocephalus ‘reticulatus’ from the Molodo Section, Siberia, has been carried out. PCA and TPS show that O. ‘reticulatus occupies the same morphospace of O. indicus. However, the canonical variates analysis and the analysis of similarities detect small differences between the Siberian and Chinese populations, indicating a minor geographical variation caused by different environmental settings. The ontogenic variation is also described from early meraspids to holaspids. The most substantial changes take place during the first period of the early meraspid development, in which the glabella changes from a bell-like shape to a cylindrical shape. The ocular ridge changes from poorly defined in early meraspid to well developed in late merapids. The results indicate that O. ‘reticulatus’ is a junior synonym of O. indicus, suggesting that the base O. indicus of Siberia can be correlated with the O. indicus Zone of south China., Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

Currently, multi-objective optimization of steering systems has seldom been reported, and this paper adopted GA-BPNN algorithm to optimize the top two order frequencies of steering systems. Firstly, this paper established the multi-body dynamics model of the steering system and obtained the random road spectrum of 4 wheels through mathematical model. Results showed that random road spectrums at different wheels were not totally the same and the position and size of peak values were also different. Therefore, the road spectrum of a wheel could not be used to replace the road spectrum of all wheels in multi-body dynamics simulation model. Otherwise, computational results would have a big error. Then, vibration accelerations of the steering wheel at different positions were extracted through the multi-body dynamics model of steering system. Results showed that there were two obvious peak values on the curve of vibration acceleration, and peak frequencies were 48.6 Hz and 65.1 Hz. The finite element model of steering system was established to compute the vibration acceleration, and it was compared with the experimental result. Relative error was controlled within 5 %. It indicated that the finite element model in this paper was reliable. In addition, the computational two order modal frequencies were completely the same with the peak frequencies of vibration acceleration, which proved that the peak values of vibration acceleration were totally caused by the top two order modals. Finally, GA-BPNN algorithm was proposed to optimize the structural thickness of key parts on the steering system, and the optimized result was then compared with that of BPNN and PSO-BPNN. Results showed that the optimization efficiency and result of GA-BPNN were obviously superior to those of other algorithms in the process of optimization and iteration. The optimized parameters were reapplied to the computational model of this paper. Vibration accelerations of the steering system at many posit

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The first domestic inorganic scintillator CLYC was grown in Beijing Glass Research Instituteusing the vertical Bridgman method. In this work, we evaluated the performance of this new CLYC crystal in terms of gamma-ray energy resolution and pulse shape discrimination(PSD)capability between neutrons and gamma-rays. The decay times occurred throughdifferent scintillation mechanisms were achievedby fitting decay functions to the neutron and gamma-ray waveform structures. We found an energy resolution of 4.5% for 662-keV gamma-rays and efficient neutron/gamma PSD withFoM 2.6. Under gamma-ray excitation, there is ultrafast scintillation mechanism in CLYC, with a decay time about 2 ns,whereasthere is no evidence of ultrafast decay under thermal neutron excitation. This work contributes to promote domestic development of CLYC., Comment: Submitted to Chinese Physics C

Chronic liver injury triggers complications such as liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which are associated with alterations in distinct signaling pathways. Of particular interest is the interaction between mechanisms controlled by IKKγ/NEMO, the regulatory IKK subunit, and Jnk activation for directing cell death and survival. In the present study, we aimed to define the relevance of Jnk in hepatocyte-specific NEMO knockout mice (NEMOΔhepa), a genetic model of chronic inflammatory liver injury. We generated global Jnk1-/-/NEMOΔhepa and Jnk2-/-/NEMOΔhepa mice by crossing NEMOΔhepa mice with Jnk1-/- and Jnk2-/- animals, respectively, and examined the progression of chronic liver disease. Moreover, we investigated the expression of Jnk during acute liver injury, evaluated the role of Jnk1 in bone marrow-derived cells, and analyzed the expression of NEMO and pJnk in human diseased-livers. Deletion of Jnk1 significantly aggravated the progression of liver disease, exacerbating apoptosis, compensatory proliferation and carcinogenesis in NEMOΔhepa mice. Jnk2-/-/NEMOΔhepa showed increased RIP-1 and RIP-3 expression and hepatic inflammation. Jnk1 in hematopoietic cells rather than hepatocytes had an impact on the progression of chronic liver disease in NEMOΔhepa livers. These findings are of clinical relevance since NEMO expression was down-regulated in hepatocytes of patients with HCC whereas NEMO and pJnk were expressed in a large amount of infiltrating cells. While Jnk1 is protective in NEMOΔhepa-depleted hepatocytes, Jnk1 in hematopoietic cells rather than hepatocytes is a crucial driver of hepatic injury. These results elucidate the complex function of Jnk in chronic inflammatory liver disease.

The finite element model of dash panel was built and its reliability was then verified by the comparison between the simulation and the experimental results. Subsequently, FE-SEA simulation model of dash panel was built and then compared with the structure-acoustic coupling method as well as the experimental results. As a result, the superiority and reliability of FE-SEA method for predicting the sound insulation performance of dash panel are shown. In addition, the sound insulation performance of the original steel dash panel was also calculated and compared with magnesium alloy dash panel, and the results show that the sound insulation performance of magnesium alloy dash panel has reached the level of steel dash panel. The mentioned analysis shows that magnesium alloy material has a low noise characteristic and it can also achieve light-weight. Then, sound package was applied to dash panel to calculate its sound insulation performance, and the results are found that sound insulation performance is not significantly improved at low-frequency range. Reversely, it will be reduced with increasing of sound package thickness. However, improvement of sound insulation performance is very obvious at high frequency range. In order to evaluate the comprehensive performance in terms of noise reduction and lightweight, noise reduction efficiency was proposed and calculated. This research does also provide a reference for the acoustic design of magnesium alloy components.

This paper presents a technique for minimizing vibrations of the steering wheel from vibration transmission path based on the method of shift frequency vibration reduction. At first, a road experiment was conducted on a vehicle with brake judder. Transmission path and excitation frequency of the vibration were determined through analyzing the experimental data. Then, modal analysis on the whole structure of the steering wheel was carried out by the finite element method. In this way, its inherent frequencies and modes could be obtained. In order to verify the accuracy of the finite element model, the modal experiment was carried out and its results were compared with the simulated one. Sensitivity analysis and optimization design were carried out on the fixation support of the steering wheel by using Optistruct in Hyperworks. In this way, the inherent frequency of the whole structure could avoid the excitation frequency. Finally, an experimental verification was also carried out on the vehicle, and the results show that the vibration acceleration value of the steering wheel reached the allowable value. The technique for minimizing vibrations of the steering wheel is feasible in this paper.

Currently, much interior sound field research in car is based on the car body that many parts are missed, which is not consistent with the actual condition. In addition, the research results have not been verified by experiment; few things have been done in air tightness of car. In this paper, the full car model has been used to analyze the interior sound field in car, in order to simulate the actual condition accurately. Through the comparison between the analysis results and the experiment, there was a good agreement in full frequency hand. However, there was also a clear peak in 130 Hz that may cause roar; the reason was assumed to be sealing defects. After all the sealing defects were fixed, the sound pressure in the driver’s ear was measured again and compared to the results before. It was found that seal could reduce the sound pressure, which also means the sealing performance of car must be maximized when manufacturing. The contribution coefficient of each panel towards the sound pressure in the driver’s ear in 130 Hz has been calculated by using ATV method in this paper; the result showed that the top panel of car was the main reason for the existence of the clear peak in 130 Hz. Through the replacement of original interior decoration with compound sound package structure and the change of each layer’s properties, the sound package structure with the minimum transmission sound power has been found. The results showed that the combination of (3-4-1) sound package structure is optimal (which means the damping layer thickness was 3 mm, the porous material layer thickness was 4 mm and the viscoelastic cover layer thickness was 1 mm). Besides, the combination of the damping layer with new material has shown a better acoustic performance. This scheme has been used in the top panel of car and has apparently improved the sound pressure condition in the driver’s ear.

Currently, much interior sound field research in car is based on the car body that many parts are missed, which is not consistent with the actual condition. In addition, the research results have not been verified by experiment; few things have been done in air tightness of car. In this paper, the full car model has been used to analyze the interior sound field in car, in order to simulate the actual condition accurately. Through the comparison between the analysis results and the experiment, there was a good agreement in full frequency hand. However, there was also a clear peak in 130 Hz that may cause roar; the reason was assumed to be sealing defects. After all the sealing defects were fixed, the sound pressure in the driver’s ear was measured again and compared to the results before. It was found that seal could reduce the sound pressure, which also means the sealing performance of car must be maximized when manufacturing. The contribution coefficient of each panel towards the sound pressure in the driver’s ear in 130 Hz has been calculated by using ATV method in this paper; the result showed that the top panel of car was the main reason for the existence of the clear peak in 130 Hz. Through the replacement of original interior decoration with compound sound package structure and the change of each layer’s properties, the sound package structure with the minimum transmission sound power has been found. The results showed that the combination of (3-4-1) sound package structure is optimal (which means the damping layer thickness was 3 mm, the porous material layer thickness was 4 mm and the viscoelastic cover layer thickness was 1 mm). Besides, the combination of the damping layer with new material has shown a better acoustic performance. This scheme has been used in the top panel of car and has apparently improved the sound pressure condition in the driver’s ear.

An adsorbent was prepared by mixing granular red mud with Portland cement. Adsorption experiments were carried out in conical flasks which were shaken at 100 rpm and the effects of oscillation time, dosage of methylene blue, pH and temperature were investigated. An absorption capacity of up to 86.89 % and 2.6040 mg/g was obtained at a the methylene blue dosage of 150 mg/l, a constant pH of 11 and 240 minutes of oscillation at 303 K . The equilibrium adsorption increased with temperature. The adsorption isotherms were well represented by both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, but the latter exhibited a better fit and the process was attributed to successive multilayer adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters showed the endothermic nature of adsorption and the process was spontaneous. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was used to correlate the experimental data., An adsorbent was prepared by mixing granular red mud with Portland cement. Adsorption experiments were carried out in conical flasks which were shaken at 100 rpm and the effects of oscillation time, dosage of methylene blue, pH and temperature were investigated. An absorption capacity of up to 86.89 % and 2.6040 mg/g was obtained at a the methylene blue dosage of 150 mg/l, a constant pH of 11 and 240 minutes of oscillation at 303 K . The equilibrium adsorption increased with temperature. The adsorption isotherms were well represented by both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, but the latter exhibited a better fit and the process was attributed to successive multilayer adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters showed the endothermic nature of adsorption and the process was spontaneous. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was used to correlate the experimental data.

In this study, two methods of roasting, microwave and conventional roasting, were contrasted for dechlorination of the CuCl residue from a zinc hydrometallurgical system. The experimental results showed that the microwave roasting has the higher dechlorination rate for the same conditions of temperature, heat preservation time and atmosphere. For samples with 100 mesh grain size the Cl content turned from 14.27% to 1.33% and the dechlorination rate reached more than 90% at 400 degrees C after 2 hours of microwave roasting. Under the same conditions, the materials' dechlorination rate after conventional roasting reached around 78%. The phase changes from CuCl to CuO during the roasting process were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis., In this study, two methods of roasting, microwave and conventional roasting, were contrasted for dechlorination of the CuCl residue from a zinc hydrometallurgical system. The experimental results showed that the microwave roasting has the higher dechlorination rate for the same conditions of temperature, heat preservation time and atmosphere. For samples with 100 mesh grain size the Cl content turned from 14.27% to 1.33% and the dechlorination rate reached more than 90% at 400 degrees C after 2 hours of microwave roasting. Under the same conditions, the materials' dechlorination rate after conventional roasting reached around 78%. The phase changes from CuCl to CuO during the roasting process were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis.

Exceptionally preserved fossil biotas of the Burgess Shale and a handful of other similar Cambrian deposits provide rare but critical insights into the early diversification of animals. The extraordinary preservation of labile tissues in these geographically widespread but temporally restricted soft-bodied fossil assemblages has remained enigmatic since Walcott’s initial discovery in 1909. Here, we demonstrate the mechanism of Burgess Shale-type preservation using sedimentologic and geochemical data from the Chengjiang, Burgess Shale, and five other principal Burgess Shale-type deposits. Sulfur isotope evidence from sedimentary pyrites reveals that the exquisite fossilization of organic remains as carbonaceous compressions resulted from early inhibition of microbial activity in the sediments by means of oxidant deprivation. Low sulfate concentrations in the global ocean and low-oxygen bottom water conditions at the sites of deposition resulted in reduced oxidant availability. Subsequently, rapid entombment of fossils in fine-grained sediments and early sealing of sediments by pervasive carbonate cements at bed tops restricted oxidant flux into the sediments. A permeability barrier, provided by bed-capping cements that were emplaced at the seafloor, is a feature that is shared among Burgess Shale-type deposits, and resulted from the unusually high alkalinity of Cambrian oceans. Thus, Burgess Shale-type preservation of soft-bodied fossil assemblages worldwide was promoted by unique aspects of early Paleozoic seawater chemistry that strongly impacted sediment diagenesis, providing a fundamentally unique record of the immediate aftermath of the “Cambrian explosion.”

The granulation of red mud is discussed in relation to the recycling of the material to produce an adsorbent for waste water or gases. A process was investigated to reduce the cost of the granulation process in which red mud filter cake containing 25% water was mixed with Portland cement in amounts of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%. The mixtures were placed in a moist environment for 4 days and then washed with deionised water until the pH of the leachants was below 9. The efflorescent ratio, surface area and particle size of the aged mixtures were determined using bottle shaking experiments, N2 adsorption and screening, respectively. Optimum results were obtained with the addition of 2% cement which yielded a granulated material with a particle size of less than 2 mm, an efflorescence ratio of 4.83% and a specific surface area of 17.42 m2/g., The granulation of red mud is discussed in relation to the recycling of the material to produce an adsorbent for waste water or gases. A process was investigated to reduce the cost of the granulation process in which red mud filter cake containing 25% water was mixed with Portland cement in amounts of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%. The mixtures were placed in a moist environment for 4 days and then washed with deionised water until the pH of the leachants was below 9. The efflorescent ratio, surface area and particle size of the aged mixtures were determined using bottle shaking experiments, N2 adsorption and screening, respectively. Optimum results were obtained with the addition of 2% cement which yielded a granulated material with a particle size of less than 2 mm, an efflorescence ratio of 4.83% and a specific surface area of 17.42 m2/g.

There are no high-grade Ti ores in China, but there is a large ilmenite resource with high CaO and MgO contents in the west of the Panzhihua region. The leaching was studied of a low-grade ore containing 65% TiO2, 16.12% Fe, 9.4% CaO + MgO, 4.2% SiO2 and 1.25% Al2O3 and with a particle size of 0.053-0.045 mm, and the results obtained using a conventional electric oven and a microwave oven were compared. Microwave heating significantly increased the extraction of Fe, Ca and Mg compared with the low leaching rates obtained using conventional heating. Optimum conditions were a relative power of 5 W/g, concentrate/HCl ratio of 15%, liquid/solid ratio of 12:1 ml/g and a leaching temperature and time of 160 degrees C and 20 minutes. The product contained 92.73% TiO2, 0.207% Ca + Mg and 0.8% Fe, and the Ti recovery was 94.6%., There are no high-grade Ti ores in China, but there is a large ilmenite resource with high CaO and MgO contents in the west of the Panzhihua region. The leaching was studied of a low-grade ore containing 65% TiO2, 16.12% Fe, 9.4% CaO + MgO, 4.2% SiO2 and 1.25% Al2O3 and with a particle size of 0.053-0.045 mm, and the results obtained using a conventional electric oven and a microwave oven were compared. Microwave heating significantly increased the extraction of Fe, Ca and Mg compared with the low leaching rates obtained using conventional heating. Optimum conditions were a relative power of 5 W/g, concentrate/HCl ratio of 15%, liquid/solid ratio of 12:1 ml/g and a leaching temperature and time of 160 degrees C and 20 minutes. The product contained 92.73% TiO2, 0.207% Ca + Mg and 0.8% Fe, and the Ti recovery was 94.6%.

Electromagnetic transparent device is very important for antenna protection. In this paper, the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section are developed based on the coordinate transformation. The equivalent two-dimensional (2D) transparent devices under TE plane and cylindrical wave irradiation is designed and studied by full-wave simulation, respectively. It shows that although the incident waves are distorted in the transformation region apparently, they return to the original wavefronts when passing through the device. All theoretical and numerical results validate the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section we developed.

Electromagnetic transparent device is very important for antenna protection. In this paper, the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section are developed based on the coordinate transformation. The equivalent two-dimensional (2D) transparent devices under TE plane and cylindrical wave irradiation is designed and studied by full-wave simulation, respectively. It shows that although the incident waves are distorted in the transformation region apparently, they return to the original wavefronts when passing through the device. All theoretical and numerical results validate the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section we developed.

Electromagnetic transparent device is very important for antenna protection. In this paper, the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section are developed based on the coordinate transformation. The equivalent two-dimensional (2D) transparent devices under TE plane and cylindrical wave irradiation is designed and studied by full-wave simulation, respectively. It shows that although the incident waves are distorted in the transformation region apparently, they return to the original wavefronts when passing through the device. All theoretical and numerical results validate the material parameters for the cylindrical transparent devices with arbitrary cross section we developed.

In this work, we use Mu and Epsilon-Near-Zero (MENZ) metamaterials to realize the substrates that can modify the emission of an embedded line source. Simulation results show that the cylindrical waves emitted from the line source can be perfectly converted to plane wave through the MENZ metamaterial slab with planar exit face. Hence the line source together with the metamaterial slab constructs a high directive slab antenna. The directive radiation pattern of the MENZ metamaterial-assisted slab antenna is independent on the thickness of the slab, the position of the line source, and the shape of the entrance face of the slab, but the slab with grooved entrance side will result in stronger far-field intensity. We also show that the MENZ metamaterials can be applied to the design of antenna array. Moreover, compared with the high directive slab antenna obtained by coordinate transformation approach, the MENZ metamaterial-assisted antenna is more preferable.

In this work, we use Mu and Epsilon-Near-Zero (MENZ) metamaterials to realize the substrates that can modify the emission of an embedded line source. Simulation results show that the cylindrical waves emitted from the line source can be perfectly converted to plane wave through the MENZ metamaterial slab with planar exit face. Hence the line source together with the metamaterial slab constructs a high directive slab antenna. The directive radiation pattern of the MENZ metamaterial-assisted slab antenna is independent on the thickness of the slab, the position of the line source, and the shape of the entrance face of the slab, but the slab with grooved entrance side will result in stronger far-field intensity. We also show that the MENZ metamaterials can be applied to the design of antenna array. Moreover, compared with the high directive slab antenna obtained by coordinate transformation approach, the MENZ metamaterial-assisted antenna is more preferable.

In this work, we use Mu and Epsilon-Near-Zero (MENZ) metamaterials to realize the substrates that can modify the emission of an embedded line source. Simulation results show that the cylindrical waves emitted from the line source can be perfectly converted to plane wave through the MENZ metamaterial slab with planar exit face. Hence the line source together with the metamaterial slab constructs a high directive slab antenna. The directive radiation pattern of the MENZ metamaterial-assisted slab antenna is independent on the thickness of the slab, the position of the line source, and the shape of the entrance face of the slab, but the slab with grooved entrance side will result in stronger far-field intensity. We also show that the MENZ metamaterials can be applied to the design of antenna array. Moreover, compared with the high directive slab antenna obtained by coordinate transformation approach, the MENZ metamaterial-assisted antenna is more preferable.

Microwave cavity perturbation was used to investigate the relationship between particle size and the microwave absorption properties of mixtures of carbonaceous reducing agents (coconut carbon, coke and anthracite) and ilmenite. The results showed that, for particles sizes in the range 147-175 micrometres, absorption by ilmenite was higher than by the reducing agents. The optimum contents of coconut carbon, coke and anthracite in the mixtures were determined to be 20%, 14% and 5%, respectively., Microwave cavity perturbation was used to investigate the relationship between particle size and the microwave absorption properties of mixtures of carbonaceous reducing agents (coconut carbon, coke and anthracite) and ilmenite. The results showed that, for particles sizes in the range 147-175 micrometres, absorption by ilmenite was higher than by the reducing agents. The optimum contents of coconut carbon, coke and anthracite in the mixtures were determined to be 20%, 14% and 5%, respectively.

A method is described for the recovery of Fe from Pt-Pd concentrate leaching solutions and the removal of sulphuric acid using an ion exchange membrane separation technique, The effects of pressure, temperature and reaction time on Fe recovery were investigated and optimum conditions for sulphuric acid removal determined. The results showed that reagent consumption and production costs could be reduced and high purity red iron oxide obtained., A method is described for the recovery of Fe from Pt-Pd concentrate leaching solutions and the removal of sulphuric acid using an ion exchange membrane separation technique, The effects of pressure, temperature and reaction time on Fe recovery were investigated and optimum conditions for sulphuric acid removal determined. The results showed that reagent consumption and production costs could be reduced and high purity red iron oxide obtained.

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The process and mechanism were studied of the leaching of chalcopyrite with ammonium persulphate in the presence of Ag ions as catalyst. The results showed that Cu recovery of more than 98% was obtained using an initial concentration of ammonium persuphate of 0.50 mol/l, leaching temperature of 368 K, leaching time of 100 minutes, chalcopyrite particle size of - 74 + 58 micrometres, Ag ion concentration of 0.001 mol/l, stirring speed up to 600 r/min and pulp density of 25 g/l. Characterisation of the leach residues showed that the silver ions had become uniformly distributed as silver sulphide and that elemental S was produced during the leach and was also uniformly distributed in the residues. Pyrite in the original concentrate was retained in the residues, indicating that it was not oxidised and leached with ammonium persulphate. The analysis suggests silver ions react with chalcopyrite to produce silver sulphide which is mixed with the sulphur layer on the product. This reaction strongly enhances the conducting behaviour of the sulphur layer on the chalcopyrite and is a key factor in accelerating the Cu leaching rate., The process and mechanism were studied of the leaching of chalcopyrite with ammonium persulphate in the presence of Ag ions as catalyst. The results showed that Cu recovery of more than 98% was obtained using an initial concentration of ammonium persuphate of 0.50 mol/l, leaching temperature of 368 K, leaching time of 100 minutes, chalcopyrite particle size of - 74 + 58 micrometres, Ag ion concentration of 0.001 mol/l, stirring speed up to 600 r/min and pulp density of 25 g/l. Characterisation of the leach residues showed that the silver ions had become uniformly distributed as silver sulphide and that elemental S was produced during the leach and was also uniformly distributed in the residues. Pyrite in the original concentrate was retained in the residues, indicating that it was not oxidised and leached with ammonium persulphate. The analysis suggests silver ions react with chalcopyrite to produce silver sulphide which is mixed with the sulphur layer on the product. This reaction strongly enhances the conducting behaviour of the sulphur layer on the chalcopyrite and is a key factor in accelerating the Cu leaching rate.

Primary Ti-rich materials containing mainly rutile, obtained by carbothermic reduction and separation of ilmenite, were subjected to hydrochloric acid leaching with microwave heating. The temperature-pressure curves of the leaching system and the microwave absorption characteristics before and after leaching were determined. The kinetic equation obtained showed that the leaching reaction was controlled by surface chemical reactions and the activation energy was 44.38 kJ/mol. Microwave treatment promoted the breakage of solid particles to expose fresh surfaces and improve the leaching process. The Fe leaching rate was enhanced at higher temperature and pressure., Primary Ti-rich materials containing mainly rutile, obtained by carbothermic reduction and separation of ilmenite, were subjected to hydrochloric acid leaching with microwave heating. The temperature-pressure curves of the leaching system and the microwave absorption characteristics before and after leaching were determined. The kinetic equation obtained showed that the leaching reaction was controlled by surface chemical reactions and the activation energy was 44.38 kJ/mol. Microwave treatment promoted the breakage of solid particles to expose fresh surfaces and improve the leaching process. The Fe leaching rate was enhanced at higher temperature and pressure.

An investigation was carried out into the production of synthetic rutile by the microwave-assisted hydrochloric acid leaching of a high-Ti slag obtained from the carbothermic reduction of an ilmenite ore. A ‘greenness’ evaluation index for the environmental performance of the process was developed based on the effects of life-cycle assessment variables such as resource consumption, environment impact, cost, time and product quality. An analytical hierarchy process was used to assess the greenness evaluation matrix. The Gauss-Seidel iterative matrix method was employed to solve the assessment matrix and to obtain the weights and membership functions of all the evaluation indices, and a fuzzy decision-making method was employed to construct the greenness evaluation model. The model was applied to the life-cycle assessment of the microwave-assisted leaching process. The results showed that the process has advantages compared with conventional methods in relation to energy consumption, processing time and environmental considerations., An investigation was carried out into the production of synthetic rutile by the microwave-assisted hydrochloric acid leaching of a high-Ti slag obtained from the carbothermic reduction of an ilmenite ore. A ‘greenness’ evaluation index for the environmental performance of the process was developed based on the effects of life-cycle assessment variables such as resource consumption, environment impact, cost, time and product quality. An analytical hierarchy process was used to assess the greenness evaluation matrix. The Gauss-Seidel iterative matrix method was employed to solve the assessment matrix and to obtain the weights and membership functions of all the evaluation indices, and a fuzzy decision-making method was employed to construct the greenness evaluation model. The model was applied to the life-cycle assessment of the microwave-assisted leaching process. The results showed that the process has advantages compared with conventional methods in relation to energy consumption, processing time and environmental considerations.

Activated carbon saturated with zinc acetate is used as a catalyst in the production of vinyl acetate by the acetylene method. The effect of microwave pre-treatment of the spent catalyst on Zn extraction by HCI leaching was investigated and the optimum conditions were determined to be an irradiation time of 12 minutes at 95 degrees C, which resulted in Zn leaching rates of up to 96.58%. Microwave treatment caused rapid heating of the spent catalyst. The activated carbon and zinc acetate exhibited different microwave absorption characteristics, resulting in a local temperature gradient which caused the zinc compound to separate from the pores in the activated carbon so that it was more readily leached., Activated carbon saturated with zinc acetate is used as a catalyst in the production of vinyl acetate by the acetylene method. The effect of microwave pre-treatment of the spent catalyst on Zn extraction by HCI leaching was investigated and the optimum conditions were determined to be an irradiation time of 12 minutes at 95 degrees C, which resulted in Zn leaching rates of up to 96.58%. Microwave treatment caused rapid heating of the spent catalyst. The activated carbon and zinc acetate exhibited different microwave absorption characteristics, resulting in a local temperature gradient which caused the zinc compound to separate from the pores in the activated carbon so that it was more readily leached.

The separation and enrichment of mercury and the recovery of elemental sulphur from flotation sulphur concentrate in zinc pressure leaching process were carried out by sodium sulphide leaching and carbon dioxide precipitating. The results show that the leaching rate of elemental sulphur is more than 98%, and 98.13% of mercury is enriched in the residue, under the optimized conditions of sodium sulphide concentration 1.5 mol/L, liquid/solid ratio 6:1 and leaching time 30 min at room temperature. In addition, the content of mercury is enriched 5.23 times that in the leaching residue. The elemental sulphur is precipitated from leaching solution under conditions of carbon dioxide flow rate 200 mL/min and blowing time 150 min, while solution is stirred adequately. The recovery efficiency of elemental sulphur reaches 97.67%, and the purity of elemental sulphur is 99.75%, meeting the requirements of industrial first-rate product standard according to the national standard of GB/T 2449-2006 (People's Republic of China). (Authors.), The separation and enrichment of mercury and the recovery of elemental sulphur from flotation sulphur concentrate in zinc pressure leaching process were carried out by sodium sulphide leaching and carbon dioxide precipitating. The results show that the leaching rate of elemental sulphur is more than 98%, and 98.13% of mercury is enriched in the residue, under the optimized conditions of sodium sulphide concentration 1.5 mol/L, liquid/solid ratio 6:1 and leaching time 30 min at room temperature. In addition, the content of mercury is enriched 5.23 times that in the leaching residue. The elemental sulphur is precipitated from leaching solution under conditions of carbon dioxide flow rate 200 mL/min and blowing time 150 min, while solution is stirred adequately. The recovery efficiency of elemental sulphur reaches 97.67%, and the purity of elemental sulphur is 99.75%, meeting the requirements of industrial first-rate product standard according to the national standard of GB/T 2449-2006 (People's Republic of China). (Authors.)

The influence of roasting temperature, holding time and stirring speed on the microwave roasting of zinc oxide fume (obtained from a furnace in Yunnan province, China) for the removal of fluorine and chlorine and the optimisation of the process conditions using response surface methodology are presented. The results indicate that the dehalogenation rates are significantly affected by the roasting temperature and holding time, compared with the stirring speed. Under optimum process conditions of roasting temperature of 700 degrees C, holding time of 80 min and stirring speed of 120 rpm, the experimental values for the defluorination and dechlorination rates are 92.6% and 90.2%, respectively, compared with the predicted values of 91.8% and 90.5%, respectively. The fluorine and chlorine contents of the roasted sample are 12.3 mg/l F and 14.2 mg/l Cl., The influence of roasting temperature, holding time and stirring speed on the microwave roasting of zinc oxide fume (obtained from a furnace in Yunnan province, China) for the removal of fluorine and chlorine and the optimisation of the process conditions using response surface methodology are presented. The results indicate that the dehalogenation rates are significantly affected by the roasting temperature and holding time, compared with the stirring speed. Under optimum process conditions of roasting temperature of 700 degrees C, holding time of 80 min and stirring speed of 120 rpm, the experimental values for the defluorination and dechlorination rates are 92.6% and 90.2%, respectively, compared with the predicted values of 91.8% and 90.5%, respectively. The fluorine and chlorine contents of the roasted sample are 12.3 mg/l F and 14.2 mg/l Cl.

The application of microwave heating as a clean and energy-efficient method for the removal of fluorine and chlorine impurities from zinc oxide dust (53.17% Zn) obtained from a lead and zinc smelting plant in Yunnan province, China is described. The dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss and loss tangent) were determined for the zinc oxide dust by cavity perturbation and found to be proportional to the apparent density. The apparent heating rate of the zinc oxide dust increased with increase in microwave-roasting power and decreased with increase in sample mass. The zinc oxide dust demonstrated good microwave-absorption properties with the temperature of the samples reaching ca. 800 degrees C after microwave treatment for 8 min., The application of microwave heating as a clean and energy-efficient method for the removal of fluorine and chlorine impurities from zinc oxide dust (53.17% Zn) obtained from a lead and zinc smelting plant in Yunnan province, China is described. The dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss and loss tangent) were determined for the zinc oxide dust by cavity perturbation and found to be proportional to the apparent density. The apparent heating rate of the zinc oxide dust increased with increase in microwave-roasting power and decreased with increase in sample mass. The zinc oxide dust demonstrated good microwave-absorption properties with the temperature of the samples reaching ca. 800 degrees C after microwave treatment for 8 min.

The effect was investigated of process parameters on the production of synthetic rutile by roasting high-Ti slag using microwave heating. The roasting time was determined to be the critical factor in the oxidation of the slag, and the optimum conditions were a slag particle size of 275 micrometres, slag throughput of 120 kg/h, roasting time of 4 h at 950 degrees C and oxygen flow of 0.557 m3/h. Oxidation rates of up to 91% were obtained., The effect was investigated of process parameters on the production of synthetic rutile by roasting high-Ti slag using microwave heating. The roasting time was determined to be the critical factor in the oxidation of the slag, and the optimum conditions were a slag particle size of 275 micrometres, slag throughput of 120 kg/h, roasting time of 4 h at 950 degrees C and oxygen flow of 0.557 m3/h. Oxidation rates of up to 91% were obtained.

Experiments were conducted in a tank-type microwave reactor at 550-950 degrees C using a Zn residue from Yunnan, China, containing ZnFe2O4, PbSO4 and SiO2. Five different size fractions were employed with compositions in the range 12.36%-12.80 % Zn, 20.36%-21.75% Fe, 12.07%-12.50% Pb and 6.95%-7.10% SiO2. The mechanism of the formation of ZnO and Fe3O4/FeO by the decomposition of ZnFe2O4 was investigated using equilibrium calculations and thermodynamic analysis with the HSC software. Zn recovery of up to 97.93% was obtained at a temperature of 750 degrees C, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio of 1:3, particle size of 61-74 micrometres and microwave power of 1 200 W. The reaction kinetics involved a carbon gasification control mechanism and the activation energy for the carbon gasification reaction was determined to be 38.21 kJ/mol., Experiments were conducted in a tank-type microwave reactor at 550-950 degrees C using a Zn residue from Yunnan, China, containing ZnFe2O4, PbSO4 and SiO2. Five different size fractions were employed with compositions in the range 12.36%-12.80 % Zn, 20.36%-21.75% Fe, 12.07%-12.50% Pb and 6.95%-7.10% SiO2. The mechanism of the formation of ZnO and Fe3O4/FeO by the decomposition of ZnFe2O4 was investigated using equilibrium calculations and thermodynamic analysis with the HSC software. Zn recovery of up to 97.93% was obtained at a temperature of 750 degrees C, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio of 1:3, particle size of 61-74 micrometres and microwave power of 1 200 W. The reaction kinetics involved a carbon gasification control mechanism and the activation energy for the carbon gasification reaction was determined to be 38.21 kJ/mol.

Hydrometallurgical methods are used for about 70% of the Zn production in China, generating 0.3 t of waste jarosite material per 1 t of Zn cathode and a total of about 1 000 000 tpa of waste jarosite. The material contains valuable metals such as Fe, Zn, Cu and Ag and also toxic elements including Pb, Cd and As, and is difficult to treat efficiently and economically. A process involving roasting and leaching in NH4Cl has been developed. X-ray diffraction analyses were conducted during the roasting of jarosite samples at temperatures in the range 300-850 degrees C. The main phases in the original material were K2Fe6(SO4)4(OH)12 and ZnFe2O4. At temperatures up to 350 degrees C the main phases did not change, but the diffraction intensity of K2Fe6(SO4)4(OH)12 rapidly decreased, indicating the start of jarosite decomposition. At 400-500 degrees C the main phases transformed to Fe2(SO4)3 and ZnFe2O4, and at 550-650 degrees C the main phase was Fe2O3 indicating that decomposition of Fe2(SO4)3 and ZnFe2O4 had occurred in this temperature range. At 700-850 degrees C the main phases were ZnFe2O4 and Fe2O3. The results explain the high Zn concentrations obtained after leaching with NH4Cl for residue material roasted at 500-650 degrees C for 1 h. Thermodynamic modelling of the leaching process using the OLI Systems software showed that the solubility of Zn, Cu, Ag and Pb in the NH4Cl-H2O system is high and that of Fe2O3 is less than 10(-4) mol/l in the pH range 4.0-9.0, in agreement with experimental results., Hydrometallurgical methods are used for about 70% of the Zn production in China, generating 0.3 t of waste jarosite material per 1 t of Zn cathode and a total of about 1 000 000 tpa of waste jarosite. The material contains valuable metals such as Fe, Zn, Cu and Ag and also toxic elements including Pb, Cd and As, and is difficult to treat efficiently and economically. A process involving roasting and leaching in NH4Cl has been developed. X-ray diffraction analyses were conducted during the roasting of jarosite samples at temperatures in the range 300-850 degrees C. The main phases in the original material were K2Fe6(SO4)4(OH)12 and ZnFe2O4. At temperatures up to 350 degrees C the main phases did not change, but the diffraction intensity of K2Fe6(SO4)4(OH)12 rapidly decreased, indicating the start of jarosite decomposition. At 400-500 degrees C the main phases transformed to Fe2(SO4)3 and ZnFe2O4, and at 550-650 degrees C the main phase was Fe2O3 indicating that decomposition of Fe2(SO4)3 and ZnFe2O4 had occurred in this temperature range. At 700-850 degrees C the main phases were ZnFe2O4 and Fe2O3. The results explain the high Zn concentrations obtained after leaching with NH4Cl for residue material roasted at 500-650 degrees C for 1 h. Thermodynamic modelling of the leaching process using the OLI Systems software showed that the solubility of Zn, Cu, Ag and Pb in the NH4Cl-H2O system is high and that of Fe2O3 is less than 10(-4) mol/l in the pH range 4.0-9.0, in agreement with experimental results.

Red mud samples were mixed with 2-8 wt% of Portland cement, granulated, maintained for more than 4 days in a wet environment and column washed with water. A mixture containing 2 wt% cement and kept for 6 days in the wet environment exhibited the best textural characteristics and strength. Batch adsorption tests were carried out at 30, 40 and 50 degrees C and pH 6.5 using solutions containing different concentrations of Cd2+ ions. The results showed that the granular red mud exhibited good adsorption capacities for Cd2+ of up to 9 mg/g. The equilibrium adsorption increased with temperature, indicating that adsorption was an endothermic reaction. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model provided the best fit with the experimental data., Red mud samples were mixed with 2-8 wt% of Portland cement, granulated, maintained for more than 4 days in a wet environment and column washed with water. A mixture containing 2 wt% cement and kept for 6 days in the wet environment exhibited the best textural characteristics and strength. Batch adsorption tests were carried out at 30, 40 and 50 degrees C and pH 6.5 using solutions containing different concentrations of Cd2+ ions. The results showed that the granular red mud exhibited good adsorption capacities for Cd2+ of up to 9 mg/g. The equilibrium adsorption increased with temperature, indicating that adsorption was an endothermic reaction. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model provided the best fit with the experimental data.