Inactive Condition Research Articles

LONG AND VERY LONG FATTY ACID FRACTIONATION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IN THE ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STATUS

Objective: Flare in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an exacerbation of SLE clinical features that were earlier quiescent. The disease activity changes from inactive to active with an increase of several immunological profiles; the rise of immune activity induces a metabolic shift in SLE patients. The previous study aimed to investigate the long and very long fatty acid fractions (LCFA and VLCFA) in the active and inactive statuses of SLE patients and showed there were dynamic changes in fatty acid fractions in SLE patients, compared to healthy subjects. The aim of this preliminary study is to investigate LCFA and VLCFA in the active and inactive condition of SLE patients.
 Methods: Four serum samples of active and inactive statuses from the same SLE patients were used in this study. Serum LCFA and VLCFA fractions were analyzed by a 7890 Gas Chromatography (GC) System 5977 Mass Selective Detector (MSD).
 Results: All of the LCFA and VLCFA fractions were increased in the active condition, compared to SLE patients in inactive, although they were statistically not different (p>0.05). The total fatty acid fraction was 38% higher in active condition compare to inactive. The prominent increase of fatty acid fractions was alpha-linolenic acid (inactive vs. active: 23.25±17.97 vs 48.25±38.58 μmol/l), oleic acid (1300±190.4 vs 1774±866.3 μmol/l) and myristic acid (31.25±12.76 vs 59.25±40.4 μmol/l).
 Conclusion: The serum of LCFA and VLCFA fractions in SLE patients tend to increase in active conditions.

2019 Novel Coronavirus: Emphasis on Maintaining Optimal Levels of Physical Activity Under Self-quarantine Conditions

2019 Novel Coronavirus: Emphasis on Maintaining Optimal Levels of Physical Activity Under Self-quarantine Conditions

0684 Overnight Fluid Shift In Apnea And Stroke: Does Being Physically Active Matter

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and physical inactivity are frequent in patients with stroke. Overnight fluid shift may increase the propensity to pharyngeal obstruction and thus predispose to OSA. Also, physical inactivity can lead to consequent edema in the hemiparetic side. Methods In 7 patients at 3 months following post-first-ever ischemic stroke, we measured change in AHI (PSG), neck circumference, and arms and legs fluid volume (bioelectric impedance), before and after PSG in two conditions during the day before PSG: (1) inactive (sitting/lying), and (2) physically active (standing, walking, climbing stairs and mild exercise for 30 mins/hour). Results Being physically active for one day decreased mean AHI (inactive: 17.9/h; active: 12.6/h). Mean neck circumference increased overnight in both conditions (active and inactive) but increased more when the participants were physically active (inactive: 38 to 38.5cm; active: 38.43 to 39.5cm). Mean paretic arm fluid volume increased after inactive condition and did not change after physically active condition (inactive: 1.33L to 1.45L; active: 1.82L). Mean non-paretic arm fluid volume increased after active and inactive conditions (inactive: 1.34L to 1.45L; active: 1.74 to 1.78L). In both conditions and for paretic and non-paretic arms, being physically active for one day increased arm fluid volume between pre- and post-sleep comparisons. Mean paretic leg fluid volume increased after both conditions but increased more when the participants were inactive (inactive: 6.08L to 6.52L; active: 6.12 to 6.24L). Mean non-paretic leg fluid volume increased after inactive condition and decreased after being physically active (inactive: 6.01L to 6.45L; active: 6.15 to 6.06L). Conclusion Being physically active for one day decreased AHI, despite the increased fluid accumulation in the neck, and contributed to leaving no edema in the hemiparetic side. Breaking up inactivity and increasing physical activity in patients following stroke may be a promising intervention to reduce edema and OSA. Support São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant #2018/18952-1 to CF).

“You reap what you sow”: Do active labour market policies always increase job security? Evidence from the Youth Guarantee

The paper uses non-experimental longitudinal data to study the effects of participation in the Youth Guarantee programme aimed at fighting youth inactivity in the European Union territory. Particularly, this analysis questions the value of active labour market policy as a valid instrument to help individuals otherwise isolated from the labour market and, thus, at risk of deterioration of human capital overcome their condition of occupational inactivity. A difference-in-differences model is exploited in this regard to investigate whether there exists an advantage for participants of the Youth Guarantee in terms of employment and job stability. Results show that participants are 7.4 and 4.4 percentage points more likely to, respectively, become employed and be offered an open-ended contract. An assessment of profiling is also provided.

Apoptosis in vascular pathology: present and future

Apoptosis is recognized as a programmed cell death controlled by genetic mechanisms and required for normal existence of an organism. Its main task is elimination of defective or mutant cells. The particles of dead cells are engulfed by macrophages with no development of inflammatory reaction. Apoptosis actively participates in embryogenesis, cellular homeostasis, elimination of tumor cells, and may be divided to three phases: signal, effector, and degradation. Its main components are cytoplasmic proteases caspases. Caspases exist in the cytoplasm in inactive condition in the form pf procaspases. Being activated, they break down to subunits. Proteins of Bcl-2 family are active participants of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. They influence permeability of the outer membrane of mitochondria. Disorders in the mechanisms of apoptosis underlie many diseases including ischemic lesions, autoimmune disorders, malignant neoplasms. The ability to influence survival or death of cell is known to possess enormous therapeutic potential. At present, active research is under way to study signal pathways that control cell cycle and apoptosis. The article discusses the mechanisms participating in death of vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells, potential role of apoptosis in atherosclerosis is also described.

MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER MODELLING REGULATORIKA OF HIERARCHICAL MOLECULAR-GENETIC SYSTEMS

The progress achieved in biology during the last century has led to development of mathematical and computer modelling of functioning regulatory mechanisms (regulatorika) in molecular-genetic processes in living systems. In this work we consider one of the possible methods for mathematical and computer mod- elling of molecular-genetic systems regulatorika. The corresponding equations (in the class of delay functional-differential equations) are developed, using the approaches by B.Goodwin, Bl. Sendov, M. Eigen, B.A. Ratner, and taking into account of tempo- rary relations, presence of multifunctional feedback and cooperative nature of processes in cell's regulatory loops. Results on the regulatorika for uniform molecular-genetic systems, as well as the problem of the origin and development of hierarchical molecular- genetic systems are considered. Results of using the considered method for analyzing cell's molecular-genetic systems in the presence of the alien genes (on the example of hepatic cell infections by hepatitis B virus) are given. 1 Introduction The analysis of main protein-ferments participating in the specific func- tioning of cells in a multicellular organism shows, that each cell contains different complex of protein molecules, though all cells have the same set of chromosomes and, consequently, identical genetic information (1, 2, 3). It happens because in eukaryotic cells there is mech- anism of hierarchical organizations of molecular-genetic system, regulating genes activity: which groups of genes at the moment must be active and which genes should be in the inactive condition. Existence of biochemical properties and processes, inherent all cells of the organism (syntheses of energy proteins, amino acid, to maintain and build membrane, etc) shows that there are universal groups of genes functioning in all cells regardless of specialization. Remaining part of genes consists of groups of general genes (its operation depends on activity conditions in universal groups of genes), containing information on general functions characteristic for many, but not all cells and groups of specific genes (its functioning depends on activity conditions of universal and general genes groups), keeping information on strictly specific functions of concrete cells (4). Under such approach, the whole cell genome of multicellular organism works as evolutionary established hierarchical system of universal, general and specific genes groups (Figure 1). Hierarchical organization of molecular-genetic systems is of the utmost importance in regulatorika of intracellular processes and cellular functions. Their account makes it possible to carry out studying mechanisms of origin, existence and development of living systems when quantitatively analyzing activity patterns of molecular-genetic systems. In this work we develop the mathematical modelling of genes activity (section 2), possible equations of molecular-genetic systems regulatorika (sections 3,4) and certain problems concerning the mathematical and computer modelling of hierarchical molecular-genetic systems (sections

The Effect of Gamma-Irradiated Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria in Decreasing the In Vitro Production of Methane by Buffalo Rumen Liquid

Ruminant livestock undeniably contributes to the increas e of greenhouse gas es by emitting methane. One strategy used to reduce methane emission is by applying nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB). Utilizing active NRB has a side effect of acidosis in rumen liquid in an uncontrolled condition. Alternatively, NRB can be applied in an inactive form. The aim of this study was to examine the use of gamma irradiation on NRB to be used for decreasing methane production by buffalo rumen liquid. The examination was performed in vitro and involved comparison to other treatments, which were active NRB , autoclaved NRB, and without NRB. The result showed that the NRB in either active or the inactive condition affected fermentation of the rumen microorganisms. There were differences in pH values, digestibility of organic matters, ammonia, total and partial volatile fatty acids, and methane production between all treatments after 24 and 48 h of incubation. All treatments showed significant differences for each parameter, except for the gas production (p ≤ 0.05). The irradiated NRB produced slightly more methane, i.e. 3.0 and 10.4 ml/200 mg after 24 and 48 h incubation , respectively, compared to the active NRB , autoclaved NRB, and no-NRB -addition treatments , i.e . , 2.0 and 8.0; 7.8 and 11.7; 8.0 and 12. 4 ml/200 mg , respectively. In conclusion, the irradiated NRB has a potency as a supplement feed for buffalo es to reduce methane production without the risk of acidosis in the rumen liquid.

The Efficacy of a Chelating Agent-Based Oxide Remover to Clean Corrosion Products from Ferrous Fracture Surfaces

Challenges exist when cleaning fracture surfaces to reveal fractographic features without damaging the fracture surfaces further. This technical paper will compare the efficacy of cleaning ferrous-based fracture surfaces with a chelating stripping agent versus inhibited acid solutions. The chelating stripping agent used in this study was commercially available Evapo-Rust. The inhibited acid solutions used in this study were ASTM G1 C.3.1 solution and ASTM G1 C.3.5 solution. In this study, metallographically prepared samples of annealed type 8620 steel were immersed in the ASTM G1 C.3.1 solution, ASTM G1 C.3.5 solution, and Evapo-Rust for different times under inactive and ultrasonic conditions. The extent of damage to the polished surfaces was qualitatively examined using various types of optical microscopy. The sample damage was visually compared to a baseline sample etched with 2% natal. The indices used to qualify the extent of damage were the existence of pits and microstructural etching. It was found that a chelating agent-based oxide remover causes less etching and pitting on metallographically prepared annealed type 8620 steel samples than inhibited acid solutions.

TECHNOLOGY AND AGING FUTURES: DISCOVERING THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES) 2019

The growing field of technology and aging or gerontechnology has largely been considered from a health perspective on technological intervention to ameliorate conditions of isolation, disconnection, inactivity, and loneliness, as well as provide efficient alert systems, transportation coordination, and emergency services. Contesting the image of a ‘digital divide’ separating younger from older generations, the recreational industry has also produced a seniors market of technological games, toys, apps, exercises, and social media. The four papers in this symposium, however, are individual critical reflections by a group of social scientists who visited the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2019 (Las Vegas) as part of an ethnographic project about the politics of the technical turn in gerontological studies. In particular, the authors gathered evidence from the CES to support their interests in four trends: a) The collecting, aggregating, and sharing of personal data by home surveillance, artificial intelligence monitoring, and self-tracking systems for commercial, insurance and work-place purposes, b) The popularization of healthy lifestyles based on technical and exclusionary models of ‘smart’, ‘fit’, and ‘optimal’ standards, c) The technical rhetoric that infuses designs for efficiency, speed, and convenience with anti-aging and ageist ideologies, d) The challenges to older people to manage their lives against the health risks, interventions, and expectations posed by technology-driven austerity programs. The papers have in common their creative interpretations of CES materials and shared concern about the many older groups whose insufficient access, skill, and resources will deny them participation in the technological imaginary of aging futures.

A Data Analysis of Social Characteristics of Basic and Secondary Education Students in Ecuador

The objective of the study is to examine the social profile of Basic and Secondary Education students in Ecuador by means of a statistical analysis of this sector of the Ecuadorian population based on data from the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment from 2015. The variables investigated were: area, sex, age, language spoken, ethnic self-identification, condition of activity and inactivity, school enrollment, use of smartphone, use of computer during the last months, use of internet during the last 12 months, natural region, income poverty, occupational group and the level of happiness at work. The results of the study may be used as a tool for the development of the Basic and Secondary Education studies in Ecuador in accordance with the social profile and the needs of the students in the country.

Importance of Visceral Obesity and Testosterone Deficiency in the formation of metabolic disorders in men

Background. During a long time, men appraise the problem of overweight as a natural process of aging in the conditions of social demand and physical inactivity. Therefore, there is usually no reason to see a doctor and conduct a clinical examination. In this regard, obesity-associated metabolic diseases are often diagnosed late in the complication stage.Objective. Assessing the effects of obesity and androgen deficiency on the development of metabolic disorders in men.Materials and methods. 120 men with obesity aged 29–56 years who considered themselves healthy were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: in-group 1 included 56 people with a normal level of total testosterone (T), in-group 2 included 64 people with a level of total T less than 12.1 mmol / l, accordingly. The main indicators of carbohydrate, lipid, purine metabolism, and the level of sex hormones were investigated.Results. Аnalysis of the metabolic status of obese men who considered themselves completely healthy revealed a high incidence of dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, insulin resistance (IP), carbohydrate metabolism disorders and purine metabolism, and fatty hepatosis. The most significant changes were identified in the group of patients with testosterone deficiency.Conclusion. Visceral obesity in men is a high-risk factor for the formation of metabolic disorders. Androgen deficiency completed obesity leads to the formation of more severe metabolic changes in patients and the development of erectile dysfunction. Men with visceral obesity, even in the absence of actively complain need careful examination. It should include, along with the assessment of biochemical indicators of metabolic status, also control of the level of total serum testosterone.

The LunHab project: Muscle and bone alterations in male participants following a 10day lunar habitat simulation.

What is the central question of this study? It is well established that muscle and bone atrophy in conditions of inactivity or unloading, but there is little information regarding the effect of a hypoxic environment on the time course of these deconditioning physiological systems. What is the main finding and its importance? The main finding is that a horizontal 10 day bed rest in normoxia results in typical muscle atrophy, which is not aggravated by hypoxia. Changes in bone mineral content or in metabolism were not detected after either normoxic or hypoxic bed rest. Musculoskeletal atrophy constitutes a typical adaptation to inactivity and unloading of weightbearing bones. The reduced-gravity environment in future Moon and Mars habitats is likely to be hypobaric hypoxic, and there is an urgent need to understand the effect of hypoxia on the process of inactivity-induced musculoskeletal atrophy. This was the principal aim of the present study. Eleven males participated in three 10day interventions: (i) hypoxic ambulatory confinement; (ii) hypoxic bed rest; and (iii) normoxic bed rest. Before and after the interventions, the muscle strength (isometric maximal voluntary contraction), mass (lean mass, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), cross-sectional area and total bone mineral content (determined with peripheral quantitative computed tomography) of the participants were measured. Blood and urine samples were collected before and on the 1st, 4th and 10th day of the intervention and analysed for biomarkers of bone resorption and formation. There was a significant reduction in thigh and lower leg muscle mass and volume after both normoxic and hypoxic bed rests. Muscle strength loss was proportionately greater than the loss in muscle mass for both thigh and lower leg. There was no indication of bone loss. Furthermore, the biomarkers of resorption and formation were not affected by any of the interventions. There was no significant effect of hypoxia on the musculoskeletal variables. Short-term normoxic (10day) bed rest resulted in muscular deconditioning, but not in the loss of bone mineral content or changes in bone metabolism. Hypoxia did not modify these results.

Association of physical inactivity with blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors in Amerindian schoolchildren.

There is a wealth of published data on blood pressure (BP) and physical activity in adults of European descent, but less information is available for Amerindian schoolchildren. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BP and other cardiometabolic risk factors differ by physical activity levels in schoolchildren from different ethnic backgrounds. This was a cross-sectional study of 540 schoolchildren (6-13 years) from two ethnic backgrounds (n = 119 Mapuche Amerindians and n = 421 of European descent). Physical activity was measured using international physical activity recommendations and a standard questionnaire, and ethnicity was classified according to previous methods using surnames. The population was divided into the following four groups: (a) physically active Mapuches (n = 45) and of European descent (n = 101); and (b) physically inactive Mapuches (n = 74) and of European descent (n = 320). In physically inactive schoolchildren, significant differences were found between schoolchildren of Mapuche and European descent in systolic (134 ± 3 mmHg vs 130 ± 5 mmHg, respectively, P = .034) and diastolic BP (85 ± 13 mmHg vs 81 ± 3 mmHg, P = .029). For other cardiometabolic risk factors, schoolchildren with Mapuche surnames were significantly less likely to be classified with normal weight (5 [6.8%] vs 85 [26.6%]), and more likely to be obese (30 [40.5%] vs 76 [26.6%]) at P < .0001 than European peers. Additionally, significant differences were found between Mapuche schoolchildren vs European peers in the outcomes body mass (51.2 ± 18 kg vs 47.0 ± 15), z score of body mass index (2.16 vs 1.70), fat-to-muscle mass ratio (1.68 vs 0.96), resting heart rate (81.7 ± 10 vs 86.8 ± 16), waist circumference (89.3 ± 5 cm vs 76.3 ± 2 cm), muscle mass (18.2 ± 3 kg vs 16.2 ± 2 kg), and handgrip strength normalized by body mass (0.68 vs 0.57 kg). Under conditions of similar physical inactivity, Mapuche schoolchildren have a more adverse cardiovascular and adiposity profile than their counterparts of European descent.

TORC1, Tel1/Mec1, and Mpk1 regulate autophagy induction after DNA damage in budding yeast

Target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) protein kinase responds to various stresses including genotoxic stress. However, its molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we show that DNA damage induces nonselective and selective autophagy in budding yeast. DNA damage caused the attenuation of TORC1 activity, dephosphorylation of Atg13, and autophagy induction. The TORC1-upstream Rag GTPase Gtr1 was not required for TORC1 inactivation and autophagy induction after DNA damage. Furthermore, DNA damage responsive protein kinases Mec1/ATM and Tel1/ATR, and stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase Mpk1/Slt2 were required for the full induction of autophagy. Autophagic proteolysis was required for DNA damage tolerance in TORC1 inactive conditions. This study revealed that multiple protein kinases regulate DNA damage-induced autophagy.

Human skeletal muscle cell atlas: Unraveling cellular secrets utilizing ‘muscle-on-a-chip’, differential expansion microscopy, mass spectrometry, nanothermometry and machine learning

The ‘Human Cell Atlas’ project has been launched to obtain a comprehensive understanding of all cell types, the fundamental living units that constitute the human body. This is a global partnership and effort involving experts from many disciplines, from computer science, engineering to medicine, and is supported by several private and public organizations, among them, the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and Google, that will greatly benefit humanity. Nearly 37 trillion cells of various shapes, sizes, and composition, are precisely organized to constitute the human body. Humans, like all other living organisms, are dynamic, and therefore a comprehensive understanding of different cells in their various dynamic states is required to provide a reference map for the early diagnosis and various preventive approach to disease, and in the development of precision therapeutics. Skeletal muscles being the most abundant tissue and the largest locomotor and metabolic organ in the human body, requires a global understanding of its structure, composition, and function. The objective of creating a ‘Human Skeletal Muscle Cell Atlas’, necessitates therefore a comprehensive understanding of the emergent properties of skeletal muscle cell growth, development, structure, function and chemistry, under conditions of activity and inactivity. To achieve this objective would require a very precise yet rapid and cost-effective approach of combined multimodal imaging, including our new and novel ‘Differential Expansion Microscopy’, our ‘Nanoscale Thermometry’, combined with ‘Mass Spectrometry’, ‘Motor Protein Motility Assay’ and ‘Machine Learning’ tools.

Prototipe Sistem Elektronis Berbantuan PC untuk Pemantauan Kondisi Pasokan Daya Listrik

The prototype of the electronic system aided personal computer for monitoring the condition of the electric power supply have been done. The principle for fabricating the prototype of the electronic system based on the mechanism of handshaking system between electronic systems and line port for a printer. Program embedded on a personal computer with certain specifications for the operation of the system. The prototype of the electronic system consists of 3 (three) main subsystems, namely the diver circuit, sensor circuit, and the circuit of electrical installations analogy. Measuring against the prototype performance is carried out on the port line for the printer, driver circuit, sensor circuit, and electrical installation analogy circuit. The path performance on the port line for the printer is focused on high or low logic on each port. Data port condition is used to process data transmission, while the status and control port conditions are used to process data reception. The performance of the control circuit is very much determined by inputting data from the user so that it is closely related to the data port. The performance of the sensor circuit is very much determined by the condition of the electrical installation analogy, so it is closely related to the status and control ports. The performance of the circuit of electrical installation analogy is marked by the presence of a voltage value, and if the voltage measured in the electrical installation is 220 volts AC, then it is as an installation marker inactive condition. Overall the system is capable of 8 remote monitoring points so that the condition of the electrical power supply through the electrical panel can be monitored at any time.

Protective effects of Enterococcus faecium strain R30 on transformation of slow to fast fiber under inactive condition

Inactivity results in the transformation of slow to fast fiber and mitochondria dysfunction in skeletal muscle. PGC‐1α, a transcriptional factor, can prevent transformation of slow to fast fiber and the reduced oxidative enzyme activity in skeletal muscle. We have confirmed that Enterococcus faecium strain R30 (R30) activated muscle sympathetic nerve and increased blood flow in muscle capillary in our previous study. Several studies report that the increased blood flow induces nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression via shear stress, and eNOS expression regulates PGC‐1α protein expression. Also, the activated sympathetic nerve activity increased PGC‐1α protein expression via activation of adrenergic receptor. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that R30 might prevent the transformation of slow to fast fiber and the reduced oxidative enzyme activity via PGC‐1α protein expression in skeletal muscle under inactive condition. Fifteen male Sprague‐Dawley rats aged 11 weeks old were divided into three groups, that is, 1) control (CON; n = 5), 2) 2 weeks hindlimb unloading (HU; n = 5), and 3) HU+R30 (HU+R30; n = 5). In the experimental periods, we administered orally to R30 (500 mg/kg/day) in the HU+R30 group, and the same amount of physiological saline in the CON and HU groups. After 2 weeks hindlimb unloading, type I fiber composition ratio, citrate synthase (CS) activity, eNOS and PGC‐1α protein expression level were measured. Type I fiber composition ratio and CS activity were significantly higher in the HU+R30 than in the HU group. The expression levels of eNOS and PGC‐1α protein in the HU+R30 group were significantly higher than in the HU group. These results indicate that R30 supplementation could increase the levels of eNOS and PGC‐1α expression in soleus muscle, and prevent the transformation of slow to fast fiber and the reduced oxidative enzyme activity under inactive condition.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Young adult occupational transition regimes in Europe: does gender matter?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to achieve a greater understanding of the transitions young adults experience into and out of the labour market and the influence that gender and married/cohabiting status have on employment careers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on young adults (25-34 years old) in four European countries – Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and Norway – that are representative of different youth transition regimes. Using longitudinal data from EU-SILC survey (for the years 2006-2012) and event history analysis, the authors investigate the effect of the particular set of institutional features of each country, the effect of the cohort of entry and the effect of gender differences in determining transitions across labour market status.FindingsFindings show that the filter exercised by the national institutions has a selective impact on the careers of young adults, with some institutional contexts more protective than others. In this respect, the condition of inactivity emerges as an interesting finding: on one side, it mainly involves women in a partnership, on the other side it is more common in protective youth regimes, suggesting that it may be a chosen rather than suffered condition.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to existing literature by: focusing on a specific category, young adults from 25 to 34 years old, which is increasingly recognised as a critical stage in the life course though it receives less attention than its younger counterpart (15-24); integrating the importance of family dynamics on work careers by analysing the different effects played by married/cohabiting status for men and women.

Solid Flow in a Shaft Furnace in Smelting Reduction Process under Circumferential Imbalance Conditions

Smelting reduction process is a promising technology that produces liquid iron with the advantages of a reduction in costs and a reduction in adverse effects on the environment. In this work, a three‐dimensional DEM‐based model is used to investigate solid flow in a shaft furnace under circumferential imbalance conditions. The results confirm that under the abnormal conditions, where several inactive screws are adjacent to each other, the solid flow patterns change significantly. A large stagnant zone forms above the inactive screws, and the stagnant zone volume and interactive force increase with an increasing number of inactive screws. The average descending velocity, stagnant zone volume, and interactive force in separated inactive conditions are lower than that in adjacent inactive conditions when the number of inactive screws is the same. Increasing the rotation speed of active screws that are located near the inactive screws can decrease the stagnant zone volume and particle interactive force in shaft furnace. Therefore, adjusting the screw speed of active screws near inactive screws is an effective method for reducing the imbalance impact. The findings of this work are useful for the control and optimization of the operation of shaft furnace.

A Comparative Study on Removal Efficiency of Cr(VI) in Aqueous Solution by Fusarium sp. and Myrothecium sp.

Environmental pollution with chromium is due to residues of several industrial processes. Bioremediation is an alternative actually considered to remove Cr (VI) from the environment, using adapted organisms that grow in contaminated places. Have been conducted studies with fungi mechanisms of interaction with chromium, most of which have focused on processes biosorption, characterized it by passive binding of metal components of the cell surface, and bioaccumulation, wherein the metal entry to cells occurs with energy expenditure. The paper presents the results of studies carried out on sorption of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solutions by Fusarium sp. and Myrothecium sp. Both biomasses have the ability to take up hexavalent chromium during the stationary phase of growth and as well inactive conditions. Fusarium sp. showed 26% of biosorption with active biomass and 64% in inactive biomass; meanwhile, Myrothecium sp. obtained 97 and 82%, respectively. Both fungi showed adjust to pseudo-second-order model in active (Fusarium sp. R 2 = 0.99; Myrothecium sp. R 2 = 0.96) and inactive biomass assay (Fusarium sp. R 2 = 0.99; Myrothecium sp. R 2 = 0.99). The data of the active biomass test also confirmed to the intraparticle diffusion model (Fusarium sp. R 2 = 0.98; Myrothecium sp. R 2 = 0.93). The results obtained through this investigation indicate the possibility of treating waste effluents containing hexavalent chromium using Fusarium sp. and Myrothecium sp.