Recovery Of Zinc from Scrap Steel Using Zinc-Bromine Battery Technology.

Secondary production of steel is known to significantly decrease the CO2 emissions of steelmaking, but only 40 % of steel is produced through recycling, which is made difficult by contamination of scrap resources with nonferrous metals and nonmetal debris. These contaminants include zinc, towards which blast furnace and electric arc systems have a low tolerance (<0.02 wt %). In this work, clean and efficient recovery of zinc from the surface of steel substrates was investigated using a custom-made low-cost membrane-free non-flow zinc-bromine battery (ZBB) that enabled rapid and straightforward integration and removal of steel substrates. The electrical performance of the cell was characterized by charge-discharge profiles, and zinc removal and recovery onto electrodes was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Upon discharging, the cell efficiently removed >99.9 wt % zinc from steel surfaces. On recharging the cell, zinc was re-electroplated onto a carbon foam electrode in an easily recoverable form and with high purity. The process was repeated over 30 cycles to demonstrate robustness. The work shows the importance of the cutoff voltage upon discharging: if less than 0.5 V, the cell co-extracted iron into the electrolyte solution, affecting cell durability and zinc purity. A two-stage process for recovering zinc from scrap steel is proposed, illustrating how ZBB technology could enable efficient and clean recovery of zinc from complex scrap steel resources in the steel industry.

Vocal cord dysfunction after pediatric cardiac surgery: A prospective implementation study.

Objective: To determine the incidence, outcomes, and evaluate diagnostic modalities for postoperative vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) following cardiothoracic surgery in children. Methods: A prospective mixed-methods study using principles of implementation science was completed. All patients undergoing surgery involving the aortic arch, ductus, or ligamentum arteriosum and vascular rings from September 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled. Patients underwent speech pathology assessment, laryngeal ultrasound, and flexible direct laryngoscopy. Results: Ninety-five patients were eligible for inclusion. The incidence of VCD ranged from 18% to 56% and varied according to procedure group. VCD occurred in 42% of neonates. Repair of hypoplastic aortic arch was associated with increased risk of VCD (57%; P = .002). There was no significant difference in duration of intubation, pediatric intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay. Forty percent children were able to achieve full oral feeding. Children with VCD were more likely to require nasogastric supplementary feeding at discharge (60% vs 36%; P = .044). Sixty-eight percent of patients demonstrated complete resolution of VCD at a median of 97 days postoperatively. Laryngeal ultrasound and speech pathology assessment combined had a sensitivity of 91% in comparison to flexible direct laryngoscopy. Conclusions: VCD occurred in one-third and resolved in two-thirds of patients at a median of 3 months following cardiac surgery. Aortic arch repair carried the highest risk of VCD. VCD adversely influenced feeding. Forty percent of patients achieved full oral feeding before discharge. VCD did not delay intensive care unit or hospital discharge. Speech pathology assessment and laryngeal ultrasound combined was reliable for diagnosis in most patients and was more patient friendly than flexible direct laryngoscopy.

Exploring how changes to the steroidal core alter oleogelation capability in sterol: γ-oryzanol blends.

Oleogels based on sterols such as ß-sitosterol blended with the sterol ester γ-oryzanol are a very interesting class of systems, but there are aspects of their formation and structure that remain elusive. It has previously been shown that a methyl group on the C30 position of the sterol-ester plays an important role in gelation. This work explored the effect that having C30 methyl groups on both the sterol and the sterol-ester had on the gelation process and subsequent gel structure. Lanosterol and saponified γ-oryzanol (which was synthesized as part of this study) were identified as materials of interest, as both feature a methyl group on the C30 position of their steroidal cores. It was observed that both sterols formed gels when blended with γ-oryzanol, and also that lanosterol gelled sunflower oil without the addition of γ-oryzanol. All of these gels were significantly weaker than that formed by ß-sitosterol blended with γ-oryzanol. To explore why, molecular docking simulations along with AFM and SAXS were used to examine these gels on a broad range of length scales. The results suggest that saponified γ-oryzanol-γ-oryzanol gels have a very similar structure to that of ß-sitosterol-γ-oryzanol gels. Lanosterol-γ-oryzanol gels and pure lanosterol gel, however, form with a totally different structure facilitated by the head-to-tail stacking motif exhibited by lanosterol. These results give further evidence that relatively slight changes to the molecular structure of gelators can result in significant differences in subsequent gel properties.

The management of periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinonasal infection: a multicenter prospective study in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital cellulitis is a potential sight-threatening complication of sinusitis. The majority of patients improve with medical management. Previous studies have suggested significant variations in practice and lack of evidence regarding the optimal management of this condition. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted over a 12-month period at 8 centers in the United Kingdom assessing the management of patients requiring inpatient treatment for periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinonasal infections. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were recruited, of whom 40 were excluded. Of the remaining 103 patients, 5 (4.9%) were diagnosed with neurosurgical complications. This resulted in 98 patients admitted with periorbital cellulitis secondary to an upper respiratory tract infection/sinusitis. A total of 72 were children, of whom 12 (16.7%) required surgical intervention; and of 26 adults, 5 (19.2%) required surgery: the most common antimicrobial regimes administered were intravenous ceftriaxone (with or without metronidazole), and co-amoxiclav. The use of both ceftriaxone and metronidazole from admission was associated with the shortest duration of inpatient stay (3.8 days) in comparison to ceftriaxone alone (5.8 days) or co-amoxiclav (4.5 days) and a reduction in number of patients requiring surgical intervention. There was also an association between the early use of intranasal decongestants and steroids and reduction in requirement for surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: For a condition where swab and blood cultures are often negative, this study supports the use of ceftriaxone in combination with metronidazole. The administration of intranasal decongestants and corticosteroids correlated with a smaller percentage of those progressing to surgery in those with and without periorbital abscesses.

Systematic Review of Round Window Operations for the Treatment of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

A review of the literature is presented to consider the role of round window (RW) operations in superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). Primary (PubMed) and secondary sources (TRIP, Cochrane database, Best Practice, and PubMed Clinical Queries) were used to identify relevant studies. Four original studies (three case series and one case report) were identified. All were retrospective reviews and used a number of subjective and objective outcome measures to assess the efficacy of a minimally invasive, transmeatal approach to perform RW surgery for SSCD. The current evidence suggesting that RW operations for SSCD are unlikely to replace more established surgical procedures as first-line treatment may be appropriate in a select group of patients. Further multicenter, randomized controlled trials are required to establish their efficacy in patients with SSCD.

Mobile Delivery of Health Information for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The design of a smartphone application (app) for promoting healthy lifestyle choices has been investigated for people with mild cognitive impairment. The app was designed to provide health-related messages and assist users to keep track of activities such as walking, eating and drinking water. A reward scheme with gold, silver and bronze awards was incorporated as a means of assisting user motivation. Responses to the app and user feedback were gathered for purposes of evaluation and improvement. Outcomes indicate that the approach has some potential and could have good implications for encouraging positive health-related behaviour change in this population, hence prompting further investigation and development of the concept.

A family of simple benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) aromatic carboxylic acid hydrogels.

We present the characterisation of a hydrogel forming family of benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives. The simple, easy to synthesise compounds presented here exhibit consistent gel formation at low concentrations through the use of a pH trigger.

In situ X-ray structural studies of a flexible host responding to incremental gas loading.

Crystallographic pressure-lapse snapshots of a porous material responding to gas loading were used to investigate the stepwise uptake of carbon dioxide and acetylene molecules into discrete confined spaces. Based on the data, a qualitative statistical mechanical model was devised that reproduces even subtle features in the experimental gas sorption isotherms.

Preoperative hematologic markers as independent predictors of prognosis in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: neutrophil-lymphocyte versus platelet-lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative hematologic markers, the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), or the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ratio are significant prognostic indicators in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 84 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma over a 10-year period were identified from a retrospectively maintained database. RESULTS: The preoperative NLR was found to be a significant prognostic marker (P = .023), whereas PLR had no significant relationship with survival (P = .642) using univariate Cox survival analysis. The median overall survival in patients with an NLR of < or =3.0 (n = 55) was 13.7, 17.0 months in those with an NLR of 3.0 to 4.0 (n = 17) and 5.9 months in patients with a value of >4.0 (n = 12) (log rank, P = .016). The NLR retained its significance on multivariate analysis (P = .039) along with resection margin status (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The preoperative NLR represents a significant independent prognostic indicator in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, whereas PLR does not.

An experimental investigation of the emotional and motivational impact of HPV information in adolescents.

We examined psychologic responses to information about human papillomavirus (HPV) in young women within the age range of the UK's HPV vaccination "catch-up" program (13-16 years). Respondents absorbed HPV information without becoming worried, were receptive to cervical screening and vaccination, and these attitudes were enhanced by presentation of relevant information.

Mass media and marketing communication promoting primary and secondary cancer prevention.

People often seek and receive cancer information from mass media (including television, radio, print media, and the Internet), and marketing strategies often inform cancer information needs assessment, message development, and channel selection. In this article, we present the discussion of a 2-hour working group convened for a cancer communications workshop held at the 2008 Society of Behavioral Medicine meeting in San Diego, CA. During the session, an interdisciplinary group of investigators discussed the current state of the science for mass media and marketing communication promoting primary and secondary cancer prevention. We discussed current research, new research areas, methodologies and theories needed to move the field forward, and critical areas and disciplines for future research.

Organic crystals absorb hydrogen gas under mild conditions.

We have studied the hydrogen sorption on three well-known organic hosts that possess vacant lattice voids large enough to accommodate H2 molecules.

A discrete metallocyclic complex that retains its solvent-templated channel structure on guest removal to yield a porous, gas sorbing material.

A discrete rectangular metal-organic complex that stacks to form one-dimensional channels filled with acetonitrile solvent molecules is described. Removal of the solvent under relatively mild conditions proceeds via a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation that leaves the host lattice unaltered. These findings proffer a design strategy for porous materials based on the simple principle that rigid molecular rings cannot pack efficiently and would thus favor the inclusion of guest species whenever possible. Upon guest removal, an efficiently packed new phase can then only be achieved by means of bond cleavage. Thus, achieving crystal porosity by maintaining robust metal-ligand coordination bonds in such discrete cyclic systems directly parallels the strategy employed for MOFs.

One hundred alcoholic doctors: a 21-year follow-up.

AIMS: This paper reports the long-term recovery rate among 100 alcoholic doctors over a 21-year period. Included are 20 doctors who relapsed and re-recovered, 10 who died of non-alcohol related causes and eight who died of alcohol-linked causes. Also reported are abstinence, attendance at self-help group meetings, mortality and employment. METHODS: Selected doctors were the first 100 consecutive alcoholic doctors to become members of the North West Doctors and Dentists Group (NWDDG) between 1980 and 1988. Information sources combine prospective data obtained from each doctor at the time of first contact with the results of questionnaires distributed in 1988 and 2001 and continuing prospective reporting of mortality by relatives. RESULTS: There is a 9% incidence of oral or oesophagopharyngeal cancer. Reported mortality, mostly by relatives, revealed that 24 doctors died directly of their alcoholism. We observed a 73% recovery rate for a 17-year average duration, over a 21-year period. Comparison of recovery with abstinence showed a strong correlation. For the first 6 months of recovery, there was also a strong relationship between recovery and attending meetings of self-help groups. This relationship is not sustained in the long term, though 14 doctors with an average recovery of 20 years still attend meetings regularly. Of 56 doctors currently known to have survived, 29 have retired and 27 are still working as doctors. Three doctors have been drinking normally for an average of 17 years.