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To improve the utilization level and energy conversion efficiency of converter flue gas, a novel technology is proposed for the online production of slagging and dephosphorization agent by utilizing the waste heat of converter flue gas. Herein, the effects of Fe‐oxide dust in converter flue gas on the phase composition and microstructure of decomposed product and decomposition degree are investigated by high‐temperature drop tube furnace experiment and thermogravimetric experiment to clarify the influencing mechanism of Fe‐oxide dust on limestone powder decomposition. The results show that Ca2Fe2O5 is formed during limestone decomposition in the flue gas with Fe‐oxide dust, and the increase of Fe‐oxide dust content promotes the decomposition reaction of limestone powder and formation of calcium ferrite. With the Fe‐oxide dust content increasing from 10% to 30%, the decomposition degree increases from 80.1% to 96.2% and the proportion of Ca2Fe2O5 increases from 6.35% to 35.90%. Moreover, FeO in the dust reacts with both CaCO3 and CaO completely to form calcium ferrite with the presence of external oxygen gas in converter flue gas, whereas FeO has no significant effect on the decomposition of CaCO3 in an inert atmosphere and no Ca2Fe2O5 is formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite element method (FEM) is proposed to solve second elliptic problems posted in domains with rough boundaries. We also present an FEM for eDiptic problems as an extension of the original method. The optimal error estimates in the energy norm are also proved. Numerical results for second elliptic equations in regular and rough domains are presented to illustrate the efficiency of our method, respectively, which is consistent with theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively solve the problem of reutilizing semi-dry sintering flue gas desulfurized ash (SSFGDA) from steel plants, a new technology is proposed in this paper in which ash is added to a boiling furnace to obtain SO 2 during sulfuric acid production. Using thermodynamics and simulation calculations, the high-temperature characteristics of CaSO 3 in the ash were preliminarily investigated. By using Kissinger method and the models of Achar and Coats-Redfer, the decomposition kinetics equation of CaSO 3 in the ash were obtained. The decomposition characteristics of CaSO 3 in the ash were further investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and drop tube furnace (DTF) experiments. The results show that at temperatures below 400 °C, free water is lost and Ca(OH) 2 decomposes, whereas at approximately 460 °C, part of the CaSO 3 is oxidized. Above 680 °C, CaCO 3 begins to decompose, with the decomposition process terminating at 790 °C. The remaining CaSO 3 continues to decompose at approximately 810 °C. The activation energy of CaSO 3 decomposition is 261.45 ± 77.93 kJ/mol; the pre-exponential factor is expressed as ln( A /s −1 ) = 26.13 ± 7.29, and the kinetics equation is d α /d t = 2.19 × 10 11 × exp(−3.11 × 10 4 / T ). Pressure, temperature and oxygen content are the key factors affecting the decomposition of CaSO 3 in the ash. A lower pressure and oxygen content and a higher temperature can facilitate the decomposition of CaSO 3 and can be achieved in actual sulfuric acid processing plants. Therefore, in this study, the feasibility of preparing SO 2 by adding desulfurized ash during the production of sulfuric acid using a boiling furnace was preliminarily examined and verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of microspheres as drug delivery vehicles for anticancer therapeutics has great potential to revolutionize the future of cancer therapy. The present paper describes the influence of process variables on the encapsulation and loading efficiency of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in gelatin/chitosan (Gel/Cs) microspheres. The influences of preparation parameters, including the contents of the emulsifier Span-80, the cross-linking agent and 5-FU, and the stirring speed, on drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres were investigated. The experimental results indicated that drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of microspheres increased with increasing concentration of the cross-linking agent; and then decreased when the concentration of the cross-linking agent was higher than 0.3 ml·g−1 of Gel/Cs. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency increased with increasing concentration of Span-80; they reached the maximum value when the concentration of the emulsifier was 0.012 g·ml−1. The loading and encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres also increased with increasing stirring speed. In addition, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency increased with increasing concentration of 5-FU; however, the encapsulation efficiency decreased when the concentration of 5-FU was higher than 40 mg·ml−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin/chitosan (Gel/Cs) microspheres were fabricated through an emulsification-solvent evaporation technique using saturated glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking reagent. The influences of the concentration of the emulsifier, stirring speed, and water/oil ratio on particle size and surface morphology were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the particle size of the microspheres decreased with increasing concentration of the emulsifier; however, the microsphere size did not change when the concentration of the emulsifier exceeded 0.016 g·mL−1. The particle diameter of the microspheres decreased with increasing stirring speed and increased with increasing water/oil ratio. The concentration of an acetone/water solution had an obvious effect on the morphologies of the Gel/Cs microspheres during the course of dehydration; the surface of the microspheres became smooth when dehydrated by an acetone solution with a volume ratio of 3:1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To control the osmotic pressure in the body, physiological adjustments to salinity fluctuations require the fish to regulate body fluid homeostasis in relation to environmental change via osmoregulation. Previous studies related to osmoregulation were focused primarily on the gill; however, little is known about another organ involved in osmoregulation, the kidney. The salinity adaptation of marine fish involves complex physiological traits, metabolic pathways and molecular and gene networks in osmoregulatory organs. To further explore of the salinity adaptation of marine fish with regard to the role of the kidney, the euryhaline fish Scatophagus argus was employed in the present study. Renal expression profiles of S. argus at different salinity levels were characterized using RNA-sequencing, and an integrated approach of combining molecular tools with physiological and biochemical techniques was utilized to reveal renal osmoregulatory mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Results: S. argus renal transcriptomes from the hyposaline stress (0‰, freshwater [FW]), hypersaline stress (50‰, hypersaline water [HW]) and control groups (25‰) were compared to elucidate potential osmoregulatory mechanisms. In total, 19,012 and 36,253 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the FW and HW groups, respectively. Based on the functional classification of DEGs, the renal dopamine system-induced Na+ transport was demonstrated to play a fundamental role in osmoregulation. In addition, for the first time in fish, many candidate genes associated with the dopamine system were identified. Furthermore, changes in environmental salinity affected renal dopamine release/reuptake by regulating the expression of genes related to dopamine reuptake (dat and nkaα1), vesicular traffic-mediated dopamine release (pink1, lrrk2, ace and apn), DAT phosphorylation (CaMKIIα and pkcβ) and internalization (akt1). The associated transcriptional regulation ensured appropriate extracellular dopamine abundance in the S. argus kidney, and fluctuations in extracellular dopamine produced a direct influence on Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) expression and activity, which is associated with Na+ homeostasis. Conclusions: These transcriptomic data provided insight into the molecular basis of renal osmoregulation in S. argus. Significantly, the results of this study revealed the mechanism of renal dopamine system-induced Na+ transport is essential in fish osmoregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It's imperative to reduce the CO 2 emissions in iron and steel manufacturing and improve the reaction rate of the CO 2 gasification of dry quenching dust ash (DQDA). In this study, a new technology is proposed in which the CO 2 gasification of DQDA is catalyzed by high-temperature soot (HS) in the high-temperature flue gas of a converter. In the experiments, a composite catalyst (FeO: Fe 2 O 3 = 5:2) was used to stimulate the main Components of HS. The influence of the main components of HS (FeO, Fe 2 O 3) on DQDA gasification with CO 2 was evaluated by thermodynamic simulation calculation (FactSage 6.1), thermo-gravimetric analysis, and drop-tube furnace experiments at high temperatures. In addition, the catalytic efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by the α and β values, LHVs, and kinetic analyses using homogeneous and shrinking-core models. The results indicated that the HS has significant catalytic effects on the CO 2 gasification of DQDA, and exhibited differing characteristics. The catalytic efficiency increased with temperature. At 1200 °C, the consumption of CO 2 was increased from 24.13% without a catalyst to 30.76% with the HS composite catalysts. As a result, Fe, FeO, and Fe 3 C were the most common solid products catalyzed by HS. Experiments proved the new technology's practicality. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An efficient process for extracting valuable metals from EAFD was developed. • Reactions and phase transitions in the migration of valuable metals were revealed. • The kinetic model of the zinc extraction process was established. • Zinc and lead extraction ratios were 93.38 % and 98.14 %, respectively. • Closed-loop production, a green process of waste control by waste. Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a hazardous waste by-product generated during the process of electric furnace steelmaking, which is rich in valuable metal elements. In order to solve the problem of environmental pollution and resource utilization of EAFD, we propose a new process for medium-temperature suspension roasting EAFD and coke dry quenching dust to extract valuable metals. The thermodynamic properties and migration behavior of valuable elements involved in the reaction were analyzed using thermodynamic simulation software FactSage8.1 and thermogravimetric mass spectrometry. The mechanism and kinetic equation of the dezincification process were investigated using the Kissinger method and Coats-Redfern model. The impact of various parameters on the process efficacy and ash fusion characteristics of the material were investigated through boiling furnace experiments. The results demonstrate that elevating the reaction temperature and decreasing the zinc partial pressure is more favorable for reducing and separating zinc. The corresponding kinetic equations for the decomposition of ZnFe 2 O 4 and reduction of ZnO are denoted as d α/ d T = 1.69 × 1012exp (−3.37 × 104/ T) and d α/ d T = 6.76 × 106 exp (−2.08 × 104/ T) × (1 − α) [−ln(1 − α)]3/4, respectively. The optimum reaction temperature was 1050 °C, the C/O ratio was 0.8, the reaction time was 40 min, and the ventilation rate was 3500 mL/min. Under these conditions, the material had no liquid phase agglomeration, and the removal rates of zinc and lead were 93.38 % and 98.14 %, respectively. The crude zinc dust with a zinc grade of 87.57 % and the alloy slag with an iron grade of 52.38 % was obtained. The new process utilizes the excellent heat transfer characteristics and fluidization conditions of the boiling furnace to efficiently realize the high-grade recovery of valuable metals in the EAFD, which provides new insights for the clean treatment of zinc-containing waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning has revolutionized the remote sensing image processing techniques over the past few years. Nevertheless, annotating high-quality samples is difficult and time-consuming, which limits the performance of deep neural networks because of insufficient supervision information. Aiming to solve this contradiction, we investigate the multimodal self-supervised learning (MultiSSL) paradigm for pre-training and classification of remote sensing image. Specifically, the proposed self-supervised feature learning model consists of asymmetric encoder–decoder structure, in which deep unified encoder learns high-level key information characterizing multimodal remote sensing data and task-specific lightweight decoders are developed to reconstruct original data. To further enhance feature extraction capability, the cross-attention layers are utilized to exchange information contained in heterogeneous characteristics, thus learning more complementary information from multimodal remote sensing data. In fine-tuning stage, the pre-trained encoder and cross-attention layer serve as feature extractor, and leaned characteristics are combined with corresponding spectral information for land cover classification through a lightweight classifier. The self-supervised pre-training model can learn high-level key features from unlabeled samples, thereby utilizing the feature extraction capability of deep neural networks while reducing their dependence on annotated samples. Compared with existing classification paradigms, the proposed multimodal self-supervised pre-training and fine-tuning scheme achieves superior performance for remote sensing image land cover classification. • We bring forward self-supervised pre-training for multimodal remote sensing image. • The multimodal self-supervised learning model is investigated for feature learning. • Cross attention module exchanges heterogeneous features between different modalities. • Learned multimodal features are fused with spectral information for classification. • The proposed method achieves superior performance on multimodal benchmark datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the utilization problem of dry quenching coke dust removal ash (DRA) and high-temperature exhaust gas (HTEG) at the same time, this study proposes a new technology that combines DRA and high-temperature exhaust gas to produce energy gas CO and realize the removal of heavy metals in dust removal ash. The reaction properties of DRA and high-temperature exhaust gases, as well as the migration law of heavy metals, are preliminarily evaluated using thermodynamic simulation software (FactSage) and a combination of thermogravimetric mass spectrometry (TG-MS). The dropper furnace (DF) experiments are used to verify the feasibility of the new technology by simulating the high-temperature flue gas environment. The findings reveal that as pressure rises, the content of gas products namely CO 2 and CH 4 rises while the content of gas products CO and H 2 falls. At the same time, when the temperature rises, the CO and H 2 contents rise. Heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Zn are also more volatile, whereas heavy metals such as Ni, Cr, and Cu, require higher temperatures to volatilize. As the temperature increases from 800 to 1200 °C, the Pb removal rate climbs from 34.6% to 92.5%, the Cd removal rate increases from 46.5% to 95.6%, and the Zn removal rate increases from 13.4% to 80.5%. The new technology captures CO 2 from high-temperature exhaust gases and converts them into CO energy gases, simultaneously realizing the removal of heavy metals. This provides an innovative solution for the treatment of organic solid waste. [Display omitted] • A new technology is proposed to produce CO and remove the heavy metals. • The reaction behavior between DRA and HTEG will be explored by TG-MS. • Verify the feasibility of the new technology through FactSage, TG-MS, and DF. • The new technology opens a new window for the treatment of solid waste and HTEG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: Homozygous deletion (HD) of CDKN2A/B holds important prognostic value in gliomas. This study aimed to explore the predictive potential of conventional MRI characteristics combined with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI parameters in predicting CDKN2A/B HD status in gliomas., Materials and Methods: Preoperative MRI data of 105 patients (69 without CDKN2A/B HD, and 36 with CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion) with gliomas were retrospectively collected. Conventional MRI features and dynamic contrast-enhanced-MRI qualitative parameter time-intensity curve type, quantitative parameters K trans , K ep , V e , V p , and iAUC were obtained. Logistic regression models for prediction of CDKN2A/B HD status were constructed in all types of gliomas and both subtypes of IDH-mutant and IDH-wild gliomas., Results: Multivariate analysis for all patients demonstrated that age (OR=1.103, p = 0.002) and K trans (OR=1.051, p < 0.001) independently predicted CDKN2A/B HD. In IDH-mutant subgroup, multivariate analysis results indicated that K trans (OR=1.098, p = 0.031) emerged as autonomous predictors of CDKN2A/B HD. In IDH-wild subgroup, age (OR=1.111, p = 0.002) and K trans (OR=1.032, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of CDKN2A/B HD according to the multivariate analysis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the corresponding models were 0.90, 0.95 and 0.84, respectively., Conclusion: K trans can serve as valuable predictive parameters for identifying CDKN2A/B HD status in all types of gliomas and both subtypes of IDH-mutant and IDH-wild gliomas. These findings provide a foundation for precise preoperative non-invasive diagnosis and personalized treatment approaches for glioma patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glioma is the most common type of primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), and is characterized by high malignancy, high recurrence rate and poor survival. Conventional imaging techniques only provide information regarding the anatomical location, morphological characteristics, and enhancement patterns. In contrast, advanced imaging techniques such as dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI or DCE CT can reflect tissue microcirculation, including tumor vascular hyperplasia and vessel permeability. Although several studies have used DCE imaging to evaluate gliomas, the results of data analysis using conventional tracer kinetic models (TKMs) such as Tofts or extended-Tofts model (ETM) have been ambiguous. More advanced models such as Brix's conventional two-compartment model (Brix), tissue homogeneity model (TH) and distributed parameter (DP) model have been developed, but their application in clinical trials has been limited. This review attempts to appraise issues on glioma studies using conventional TKMs, such as Tofts or ETM model, highlight advancement of DCE imaging techniques and provides insights on the clinical value of glioma management using more advanced TKMs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhou, Hou, Tian, Zhu, Ye, Chen, Yang, Zhang and Zhang.)

Introduction: This study aimed to use 3-dimensional data to investigate the factors affecting local alveolar bone thickness in unilateral maxillary canine-lateral incisor transposition., Methods: Pretreatment cone-beam computed tomography data of 34 patients with unilateral maxillary canine-lateral transposition were imported into Dolphin Imaging software (version 11.8; Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif) for 3-dimensional reconstruction. The age, gender, and type of transposition at the beginning of treatment were recorded. The thickness and height of the transposed canine, the labiopalatal and distomedial distance from the transposed canine to the apex of the lateral incisor, the inclination of the transposed lateral incisor, the apical height of the lateral incisor, and the alveolar bone thickness in the apical plane were measured. Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to investigate the factors affecting alveolar bone thickness in the apical plane of the transposed lateral incisor. Two sample t test were applied to assess the difference of alveolar bone thickness in patients of different ages., Results: The 10 boys and 24 girls had a mean age of 12.26 ± 2.34 years. In all 34 participants, the apical alveolar bone thickness of transposed lateral incisors was significantly higher than that of the unaffected side (P <0.05). Based on multiple regression analyses, factors associated with a wider alveolar bone thickness were as follows: age (β = -0.237; P = 0.008), the labiopalatal distance from the transposed canine to the apex of the lateral incisor (β = 0.675; P <0.001), and the inclination of the transposed lateral incisor (β = 0.048; P = 0.032). Patients aged <11 years had significantly thicker alveolar bone than that of patients aged >11 years (P <0.05)., Conclusions: Patients with younger age, greater lateral incisor inclination, and greater labiopalatal distance between canine and lateral incisor had more alveolar bone thickness. Early treatment permits tooth movement within the thicker alveolar bone., (Copyright © 2024 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the height and thickness of alveolar bone by cone-beam computed tomography imaging after orthodontic treatment in the unilateral maxillary anterior region and speculate on reasons for the difference in alveolar bone morphology., Methods: This study selected 11 patients (3 males and 8 females; mean age, 9.42 ± 1.45 years). Cone-beam computed tomography was performed for these 11 patients before and after treatment using Dolphin Imaging software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif). Labial and palatal alveolar bone thickness (BT) at root apices and different levels along the roots and loss of alveolar bone height was measured for each impacted tooth and its contralateral homonymous tooth., Results: After orthodontic therapy, all 3 impacted anterior teeth had different degrees of loss of labial alveolar bone height compared with the normal side (central incisor: -1.5 mm, P <0.005; lateral incisor: -1.06 mm, P <0.01; canine: -0.59 mm, P < 0.01). The lateral incisors also showed palatal alveolar bone height loss compared with the unaffected side (-0.8 mm, P <0.005). Alveolar BT at root apices of impacted canines was 1.14 mm thicker than the normal side (P <0.005). Central and lateral incisors were similar to the normal side. The thickness of the alveolar bone at 8, 10, and 12 mm of the impacted canine position was still larger than that on the healthy side, whereas the difference in average thickness between the healthy and affected side had been significantly reduced compared with pretreatment measurements., Conclusions: There is satisfactory retention of alveolar bone height in canines after orthodontic treatment; however, alveolar bone loss is slightly worse at central and lateral incisors. Retention of alveolar BT was normal for impacted anterior teeth, whereas excess apical alveolar BT at the canines, although still present, was substantially less significant than had been observed before treatment., (Copyright © 2023 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been rapidly developed to evaluate pulmonary extravascular fluid. A systematic review was conducted to study the dynamic changes of LUS findings of pulmonary congestion before and after hemodialysis and examine the application of LUS for the prognosis of hemodialysis patients., Material and Methods: This study searched online databases for articles on hemodialysis patients that used LUS to evaluate dynamic changes during hemodialysis or prognosis. Articles published in English or Chinese until September 2021 with ≥30 patients were included in this study., Results: Of the 1329 articles, 14 met the inclusion criteria: 9 reported dynamic changes during dialysis in LUS (438 patients), and 5 reported the prognosis of hemodialysis patients in LUS (1274 patients). As indicated by a further meta-analysis, eight studies found that the combined standardized effect size was -0.74. The all-cause mortality rate of the dialysis patient group with high B-line scores was three times that of the dialysis patient group with low B-line scores. In dialysis patients, no difference was found between the LUS guided treatment and the conventional care in reducing the all-cause mortality (HR=0.92 95%CI: 0.67-1.27) and cardiovascular events (HR=0.98 95%CI: 0.72 -1.34)., Conclusions: LUS can be used to effectively evaluate the volume status of hemodialysis patients in real time. The level of B-line before dialysis is significantly correlated with the poor prognosis. However, compared with the routine nursing group, the treatment of hemodialysis patients with LUS-guided volume management cannot effectively reduce mortality and cardiovascular events.

Urbanization has caused severe negative impacts on intra-urban river water bodies. In this paper, 22 physicochemical parameters were measured at 20 locations in the level period and 29 locations in the wet and dry period using nearby urban area surface water samples from a medium-sized polluted river (a lake-river continuum, i.e., Xunsi River, Qingling River and Tangxun Lake) in the Yangtze River watershed in Wuhan, China. In this study, the environmental quality standards for surface water of China (GB3838-2002) and the WHO drinking water standard (2011) were used as reference standards. After the basic physicochemical parameters were evaluated, the possible sources of pollution in the study area under urban pressure were examined by applying multivariate statistical techniques. The factor analysis method and entropy weighting method identified three critical factors describing the type of surface water pollution in the watershed: (1) pollution from nutrients, mainly nitrogen pollution, (2) trace metals pollution, mainly from Fe and Pb, and (3) organic pollution. Based on multivariate analysis, the weighted arithmetic water quality index (WQI) was used to assess the water quality of each period. The WQI results show that the water near the urban area of the watershed temporally shows light to moderate pollution overall in the level and wet periods, and sever pollution in the dry period. The worst water quality indicating water that is not suitable for any practical use occurs in the dry period. Spatially distributed in clusters and strips visualized in kriging method, the water quality of the lake source and upstream is better than that of the downstream. In addition, Escherichia coli was detected at consistently high levels, and although the river is not a source of drinking water, it could pose a threat to downstream waterworks., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)