Comparison of Choroidal Thickness, Foveal Avascular Zone, and Macular Capillary Density in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Treated with Ranibizumab or Aflibercept-A Prospective Study.

This prospective comparative case series aims to compare best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal microvasculature, and retinal structural changes in patients treated with either ranibizumab or aflibercept for macular edema (ME) secondary to treatment-naïve branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Ten patients were enrolled with macular capillary density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) measured in both eyes before and after treatment. Final central retinal thickness and BCVA improved significantly (p < 0.05), and densities of SCP and DCP of BRVO sectors were significantly lower at baseline than fellow eye counterparts and remained persistently lower during treatment, particularly in the aflibercept group (p < 0.05). SCP density, DCP density of both BRVO sectors (p = 0.0001, p < 0.0001), and non-BRVO sectors (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with final BCVA for diseased eyes. Using multivariate general linear model analysis, and including OCTA parameters only, but not all of the available clinical data, DCP density of BRVO sectors in both eyes was the most predictive factor for final visual outcome (probability p < 0.0001). OCTA offered further qualitative and quantitative evaluation of treatment-naïve BRVO. Judging by OCTA parameters, not only in the diseased eye but also in the fellow eye, DCP density of BRVO sectors was the most predictive factor of final visual outcome.

Influence of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum Amendments on Heavy Metal Distribution in Reclaimed Sodic Soils.

Although flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum has become an effective soil amendment for sodic soil reclamation, it carries extra heavy metal contamination into the soil environment. The fate of heavy metals introduced by FGD gypsum in sodic or saline-alkali soils is still unclear. This work aims to investigate the effects of FGD gypsum addition on the heavy metal distributions in a sodic soil. Original soil samples were collected from typical sodic land in north China. Soil column leaching tests were conducted to investigate the influence of FGD gypsum addition on the soil properties, especially on distribution profiles of the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg) in the soil layers. Results showed that pH, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage in amended soils were significantly reduced from 10.2 to 8.46, 1.8 to 0.2 dS/m, and 18.14% to 1.28%, respectively. As and Hg concentrations in the soils were found to be positively correlated with FGD gypsum added. The amount of Hg in the leachate was positively correlated with FGD gypsum application ratio, whereas a negative correlation was observed between the Pb concentration in the leachate and the FGD gypsum ratio. Results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in soils complied well with Environmental Quality Standard for Soils in China (GB15618-1995). This work helps to understand the fate of FGD gypsum-introduced heavy metals in sodic soils and provides a baseline for further environmental risk assessment associated with applying FGD gypsum for sodic soil remediation.

Mercury transformation and distribution across a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production line in China.

The production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) via the calcium carbide process utilizes a catalyst containing large amounts of mercury (Hg) and is therefore one of the most important sources of anthropogenic Hg in China. To measure the emission of Hg from PVC production, we established a flowchart for the calcium carbide process, for which we quantified the Hg content of the material/product at each step. Results indicated that 71.5% of the total Hg (Hg(T)) was lost from the catalyst, most of which was recovered by the Hg remover, accounting for 46.0% of the total Hg (Hg(T)). We determined that 3.7% of the Hg(T) was released into the environment, mostly in solid wastes and byproducts such as hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, no Hg has been detected in the PVC end product. However, we were only able to account for 78.1% of the Hg across the whole system, leaving 21.7% unaccounted for in the mass balance. A rough estimation indicates that most of the "missing" Hg had accumulated in deposits on the inner surface of converters and downstream pipelines; however, the emission to the atmosphere was ≤ 1% of the Hg(T). For a PVC production line equipped with a Hg remover, emissions of Hg to the atmosphere have been estimated to be 4.9 g per tonne PVC. Currently, almost all calcium carbide facilities have been equipped with a Hg remover, which may reduce the release of Hg in China by ∼ 500 t/year.

[Study on microwave digestion of coal for the determination of multi-element by ICP-OES and ICP-MS].

Effects of temperature and four acids (HNO3, HNO3/H2O2, HNO3/HF and HNO3/HF+H3BO3) on the coal decomposition by microwave digestion and the multi-element analysis were studied. SARM20 was used as a coal standard reference material. The contents of 10 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Na, S, Si, Sr and Ti) in the coal SARM20 were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). And the contents of 20 heavy metals (Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Zr, Sn, Cs, Ba, Ce, Eu and Pb) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the coal was completely decomposed by microwave digestion with HNO3/HF+ H3BO3 at 210 degrees C. Good recoveries for all elements in the coal SARM20 were obtained by this two-step microwave digestion method. The recoveries of the 10 mineral elements were from 87.5% to 98.8%, and the recoveries of the 20 heavy metals were from 85% to 112.5%. All RSDs of tests were below 3%.

DRIFTS study of ammonia activation over CaO and sulfated CaO for NO reduction by NH3.

CaO catalyzes NH(3) oxidation, while sulfated CaO catalyzes NO reduction by NH(3) in the presence of O(2), and the adsorption and transformation of ammonia over CaO and sulfated CaO has been investigated by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to understand their catalytic mechanism. It has been found that ammonia is first adsorbed over Lewis or Brönsted acid sites, and later undergoes hydrogen abstraction giving rise to either NH(2) amide or NH imide intermediates. The intermediates react with NO or lattice O to produce N(2) or NO. Comparing the DRIFTS of NH(3) adsorption over CaO and sulfated CaO, it is obvious that ammonia adsorbed over CaO is activated mainly in NH form apt to react with surface oxygen to produce NO, while ammonia adsorbed over sulfated CaO is activated mainly in NH(2) form apt to reduce NO. The DRIFTS results agree with experimental data and explain the catalytic mechanisms of CaO and sulfated CaO.

[Study on microwave digestion of gypsum for the determination of multielement by ICP-OES and ICP-MS].

Three acids (HNO3, HNO3/HF and HNO3 /HF+ H3BO3) were used to decompose gypsum with microwave digestion system. The contents of 10 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Na, S, Ti, Si and Sr) in gypsum were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) while 6 heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se and Ce) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). GBW03109a, GBW03110 and FGD-2 were used as gypsum standard reference materials. The results showed that two-step microwave digestion with HNO3/HF at 210 degrees C and then adding H3BO3 for the removal of HF and fluorides completely decomposed the gypsums, while this method achieved good recoveries for all elements in the three gypsum standard reference materials. The recovery was from 88% to 112% and the RSD of tests was below 3%. The method was applied to the elemental analysis for flue gas desulfurization gypsums from three coal-fired power plants.

[A multi-factorial correlation analysis of deep vein thrombosis after trauma to lower extremities].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the multiple correlation factors of deep vein thrombosis after trauma to lower extremities. METHODS: A total of 2727 patients with traumas from pelvis to ankle were admitted from August 2006 to March 2008 and detected by Color Doppler ultrasound for DVT of bilateral lower extremities before operation. Emergency internal fixation or external fixation was not used for all patients before operation. Seventeen clinical factors were examined in order to analyze their influences upon DVT occurrence after trauma. RESULTS: DVT occurred in 351 patients after trauma. The incidence of DVT in all patients was 12.9%. The analysis of logistic regression demonstrated a definite correlation with the increment of age, the length of presentation time and the gender of female. No associated injury lowered the odds ratio of DVT down to 1.484, 1.816, 0.637 and 0.671 respectively. Other clinical factors had no statistically significant correlation with DVT. CONCLUSION: Both the increment of age and the length of presentation time are risk factors for DVT after trauma to lower extremities. It is best to perform conventional ultrasound examinations in patients with these risk factors so as to timely treat a possible DVT.

Vapor-phase elemental mercury adsorption by residual carbon separated from fly ash.

The adsorption capacity for vapor-phase elemental mercury (Hg0) of residual carbon separated from fly ash was studied in an attempt for the control of elemental mercury emissions from combustion processes. At low mercury concentrations (< 200 microg/m3), unburned carbon had higher adsorption capacity than commercial activated carbon. The adsorbality of unburned carbon was also found to be source dependent. Isotherms of FS carbon (separated from fly ash of a power plant of Shishi in Fujian Province) were similar to those classified as type II. Isotherms of XJ carbon (separated from fly ash of a power plant of Jingcheng in Shanxi Province) were more like those classified as type II. Due to the relatively low production costs, these residual carbons would likely be considerably more cost-effective for the full-scale removal of mercury from combustion flue gases than other technology.

Characteristics and reactivity of rapidly hydrated sorbent for semidry flue gas desulfurization.

Semidry flue gas desulfurization with a rapidly hydrated sorbent was studied in a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) experimental facility. The desulfurization efficiency was measured for various operating parameters, including the sorbent recirculation rate and the water spray method. The experimental results show that the desulfurization efficiencies of the rapidly hydrated sorbent were 1.5-3.0 times higher than a commonly used industrial sorbent for calcium to sulfur molar ratios from 1.2 to 3.0, mainly due to the higher specific surface area and pore volume. The Ca(OH)2 content in the cyclone separator ash was about 2.9% for the rapidly hydrated sorbent and was about 0.1% for the commonly used industrial sorbent, due to the different adhesion between the fine Ca(OH)2 particles and the fly ash particles, and the low cyclone separation efficiency for the fine Ca(OH)2 particles that fell off the sorbent particles. Therefore the actual recirculation rates of the active sorbent with Ca(OH)2 particles were higher for the rapidly hydrated sorbent, which also contributed to the higher desulfurization efficiency. The high fly ash content in the rapidly hydrated sorbent resulted in good operating stability. The desulfurization efficiency with upstream water spray was 10-15% higher than that with downstream water spray.

[Effects of chlorides on Cd partitioning and speciation in a simulated MSW incinerator].

The effects of chlorides (including inorganic chloride NaCl and organic chloride PVC) on Cd emission in MSW (municipal solid waste) incineration was investigated using a simulated tubular furnace and the simulated MSW spiked with heavy metals. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured by ICP-AES after the digesting of samples including bottom ash, fly ash and flue gas according to related USEPA Methods. Heavy metal species in bottom ash and fly ash were identified by X-ray diffraction technique and the spectra of elements distributed and micrographs of bottom ash and fly ash were detected by energy dispersive X-ray system and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The results indicated that the emission of Cd tended to be enhanced with the increasing of chloride content, and 97% Cd partitioned in fly ash after spiked chlorides. However, the content effect of inorganic chloride NaCl and inorganic chloride PVC on Cd emission had no significant difference. The effect of PVC on Cd partitioning was affected by temperature, 80.51% Cd partitioned in fly ash at 550 degrees C and 97.91% Cd partitioned in fly ash at 850 degrees C, when temperature went above the melting point of CdCl2 (568 degrees C), the effect of temperature became less important. The effect of NaCl on Cd partitioning was not affected by temperature, 95.02% Cd partitioned in fly ash at 550 degrees C and 96.58% Cd partitioned at 1 000 degrees C when spiked NaCl. Residence time had no significant effect on Cd partitioning with spiked chlorides. The two different mechanisms of chlorides effects on Cd emission were identified by bottom ash and fly ash analysis using SEM/EDS and XRD technique.

[Effects of sulfur compounds on Pb partitioning in a simulated MSW incinerator].

The effect of sulfur compounds (including sulfur, sulfide, sulfite and sulfate), initial concentration of heavy metal and operating conditions on Pb emission in MSW incineration were investigated using a simulated tubular furnace with the simulated MSW. Operating conditions of the experiment included combustion chamber temperature and MSW residence time. The concentration of Pb was measured by ICP-AES after the digesting of samples including bottom ash, fly ash and flue gas according to related USEPA methods. The results indicated that all 4 sulfur compounds tended to increase Pb partitioning in fly ash and decrease Pb partitioning in bottom ash. The increasing of S and Na2S content tended to decrease Pb partitioning in bottom ash, meanwhile, the content of Na2SO3 and Na2SO4 have no significant effects on Pb partitioning. Incineration temperature showed a significant effect on Pb volatilization, and thus the Pb partitioning in fly ash increasing along with temperature went upwards. Pb did not partition in flue gas during the whole experimental temperature range. Furthermore, the effect of initial concentration of heavy metal had a significant influence on Pb partitioning. The more initial concentration of Pb was, the more Pb partitioned in bottom ash. MSW residence time was also investigated. The longer MSW residence time was, the less Pb partitioned in bottom ash.

Effect of near-wall air curtain on the wall deposition of droplets in a semidry flue gas desulfurization reactor.

The wall deposition of droplets is an important issue affecting the desulfurization efficiency and operating stability of semidry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) reactors. Various near-wall air velocities, near-wall air flow inlet heights, and spray characteristics were analyzed numerically to investigate their effect on the gas-liquid flow and droplet deposition characteristics. The analytical results show that the near-wall air curtain effectively reduces the wall deposition of droplets in the semidry FGD reactor. The droplet deposition ratio decreased rapidly with increasing near-wall air velocity due to the increased gas flow rates and the altered gas velocity distribution. The near-wall air flow inlet height had an optimum value due to the rapid decline of the near-wall air momentum along the reactor height. The optimum distance between the near-wall air inlet height and the droplet injection height was 1.2 times that of the droplet vertical movement distance before deposition based on the linear droplet movement. For commonly used spray characteristics in the semidry FGD process, i.e., droplet diameters of 50-150 microm, spray angles of 10-70 degrees and droplet initial velocities of 20-100 m/s, the droplet deposition ratio with the addition of the near-wall air curtain varied slightly with the droplet diameter and the spray angle but increased rapidly with the initial droplet velocity. Therefore, for the semidry FGD processes, the near-wall air curtain is an effective method to reduce the wall deposition of droplets for various droplet diameters and spray angles while the initial droplet velocity should be carefully controlled to reduce the wall deposition of droplets and improve the operating stability.

Effect of solids concentration distribution on the flue gas desulfurization process.

A dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process at 600-800 degrees C was studied in a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed (CFB) experimental facility. Various fresh sorbent distribution types and internal structures were modeled numerically to investigate their effect on the gas-solid flow and sulfate reaction characteristics. Experimental results show that, after the fresh sorbent supply was stopped, the desulfurization efficiency declined rapidly even though the sorbent recirculation was maintained. Therefore, the fresh sorbent is the main contributor to the desulfurization process and the primary effect of the recirculated sorbent was to evenly distribute the fresh sorbent and to prolong the sorbent particle residence time. The numerical results demonstrate thatthe desulfurization efficiency varied greatly for the various fresh sorbent bottom injection methods. The desulfurization efficiency of the bottom-even injection method was 1.5 times that of the bottom two-sided injection method. Internal structures effectively improved the fresh sorbent solids concentration distribution and the desulfurization efficiency. Optimized internal structures increased the desulfurization efficiency of the bottom two-sided injection method by 46%, so that it was very close to that of the bottom-even injection method with only a 4.6% difference.

Simultaneous removal of SO2 and trace SeO2 from flue gas: effect of product layer on mass transfer.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and trace elements are all pollutants derived from coal combustion. This study relates to the simultaneous removal of sulfur and trace selenium dioxide (SeO2) by calcium oxide (CaO) adsorption in the medium temperature range, especially the mass transfer effect of sulfate product layer on trace elements. Through experiments on CaO adsorbing different concentrations of SO2 gases, conclusions can be drawn that although the product layer introduces extra mass transfer resistance into the sorbent-gas reaction process, the extent of CaO adsorption ability loss due to this factor decreases with decreasing SO2 concentration. When the gas concentration is at trace level, the loss of CaO adsorption ability can be neglected. Subsequent experiments on CaO adsorbing trace SeO2 gas suggest that the sulfate product layer, whether it is thick or thin, has no obvious effect on the CaO ability to adsorb trace SeO2 gas.

Effect of operating parameters and reactor structure on moderate temperature dry desulfurization.

A moderate temperature dry desulfurization process at 600-800 degrees C was studied in a pilot-scale circulating fluidized bed flue gas desulfurization (CFB-FGD) experimental facility. The desulfurization efficiency was investigated for various operating parameters, such as bed temperature, CO2 concentration, and solids concentration. In addition, structural improvements in key parts of the CFB-FGD system, i.e., the cyclone separator and the distributor, were made to improve the desulfurization efficiency and flow resistance. The experimental results show that the desulfurization efficiency increased rapidly with increasing temperature above 600 degrees C due to enhanced gas diffusion and the shift of the equilibrium for the carbonate reaction. The sorbent sulfated gradually after quick carbonation of the sorbent with a long particle residence time necessary to realize a high desulfurization ratio. A reduced solids concentration in the bed reduced the particle residence time and the desulfurization efficiency. A single-stage cyclone separator produced no improvement in the desulfurization efficiency compared with a two-stage cyclone separator. Compared with a wind cap distributor, a large hole distributor reduced the flow resistance which reduced the desulfurization efficiency due to the reduced bed pressure drop and worsened bed fluidization. The desulfurization efficiency can be improved by increasing the collection efficiency of fine particles to prolong their residence time and by improving the solids concentration distribution to increase the gas-solid contact surface area.

[The experimental study to Hg0 adsorption of fly ash in flue gas].

Through the simulation experimentation, the Hg adsorption characteristics of fly ash in flue gas were studied carefully in laboratory. From the experiment results it was found that Hg adsorption capacity of different porous medium in fly ash was different obviously. Unburned carbon had higher Hg adsorption capacity. The surface-area of BET sorbent had positive correlation with Hg adsorption capacity. Hg concentration in blend gas had non-linearity relationship with Hg adsorption capacity. Hg adsorption capacity of 5 x 10(-7) Hg concentration was only 1/2 compared to that of 5 x 10(-6). Adsorption temperature had negative correlation with it. C=O in unburnt carbon surface was beneficial to oxidation and chemic adsorption of Hg. It was obtained that the porous structure and huge surface-area of the unburned carbon was benefit to the Hg adsorption in flue gas.

[Life cycle assessment of the infrastructure for hydrogen sources of fuel cell vehicles].

In order to promote the application of life cycle assessment and provide references for China to make the project of infrastructure for hydrogen sources of fuel cell vehicles in the near future, 10 feasible plans of infrastructure for hydrogen sources of fuel cell vehicles were designed according to the current technologies of producing, storing and transporting hydrogen. Then life cycle assessment was used as a tool to evaluate the environmental performances of the 10 plans. The standard indexes of classified environmental impacts of every plan were gotten and sensitivity analysis for several parameters were carried out. The results showed that the best plan was that hydrogen will be produced by natural gas steam reforming in central factory, then transported to refuelling stations through pipelines, and filled to fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen gas at last.