Dual-Function Semaphorin 4D Released by Platelets: Suppression of Osteoblastogenesis and Promotion of Osteoclastogenesis

Effects of the antiosteoblastogenesis factor Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), expressed by thrombin-activated platelets (TPs), on osteoblastogenesis, as well as osteoclastogenesis, were investigated in vitro. Intact platelets released both Sema4D and IGF-1. However, in response to stimulation with thrombin, platelets upregulated the release of Sema4D, but not IGF-1. Anti-Sema4D-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) upregulated TP-mediated osteoblastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast precursors. MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to TPs induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK further upregulated by the addition of anti-sema4D-mAb, suggesting the suppressive effects of TP-expressing Sema4D on osteoblastogenesis. On the other hand, TPs promoted RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in the primary culture of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMCs). Among the known three receptors of Sema4D, including Plexin B1, Plexin B2 and CD72, little Plexin B2 was detected, and no Plexin B1 was detected, but a high level of CD72 mRNA was detected in RANKL-stimulated BMMCs by qPCR. Both anti-Sema4D-mAb and anti-CD72-mAb suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity, suggesting that Sema4D released by TPs promotes osteoclastogenesis via ligation to a CD72 receptor. This study demonstrated that Sema4D released by TPs suppresses osteogenic activity and promotes osteoclastogenesis, suggesting the novel property of platelets in bone-remodeling processes.     

Isolation and Physicochemical Properties of Starch from Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)

Preparation and physicochemical properties of winged bean starch have been studied. Gelatinization temperature range was 60–70°C and it exhibited single stage swelling and low solubility. The extensive solubility in dimethylsulfoxide may be due to heterogeneous bonding forces within the granule. The amylolytic susceptibility of native and gelatinized starch with human salivary α-amylase and glucoamylase was studied. The starch was found to be non-ionic. The amylose content was 38.5%.     

Visualizing a Plant Defense and Insect Counterploy: Alkaloid Distribution in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobelia</Emphasis> Leaves Trenched by a Plusiine Caterpillar

Insects that feed on plants protected by latex canals often sever leaf veins or cut trenches across leaves before feeding distal to the cuts. The insects thereby depressurize the canals and reduce latex exudation at their prospective feeding site. How the cuts affect the distribution and concentration of latex chemicals was not known. We modified a microwave-assisted extraction technique to analyze the spatial distribution of alkaloids in leaves of Lobelia cardinalis (Campanulaceae) that have been trenched by a plusiine caterpillar, Enigmogramma basigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We produced sharp two dimensional maps of alkaloid distribution by microwaving leaves to transfer alkaloids to TLC plates that were then sprayed with Dragendorff’s reagent to visualize the alkaloids. The leaf prints were photographed and analyzed with image processing software for quantifying alkaloid levels. A comparison of control and trenched leaves documented that trenching reduces alkaloid levels by approximately 50% both distal and proximal to the trench. The trench becomes greatly enriched in alkaloids due to latex draining from surrounding areas. Measurements of exudation from trenched leaves demonstrate that latex pressures are rapidly restored proximal, but not distal to the trench. Thus, the trench serves not only to drain latex with alkaloids from the caterpillar’s prospective feeding site, but also to isolate this section, thereby preventing an influx of latex from an extensive area that likely extends beyond the leaf. Microwave-assisted extraction of leaves has potential for diverse applications that include visualizing the impact of pathogens, leaf miners, sap-sucking insects, and other herbivores on the distribution and abundance of alkaloids and other important defensive compounds.     

Nanorods of copper and nickel oxalates synthesized by the reverse micellar route

Nanorods of nickel and copper oxalate have been synthesized by the reverse micellar route. Powder X-ray diffraction studies and thermo gravimetric analysis confirms the formation of monophasic NiC2O4 x 2H2O and CuC2O4 x H2O. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the as prepared nanorods of nickel and copper have diameter of 250 nm and 130 nm while the length is of the order of 2.5 microm and 480 nm respectively. The aspect ratio of the nanorods could be modified by changing the solvent. The nickel oxalate nanorods appear very smooth with uniform length while the copper oxalate nanorods appear to be corrugated. Nickel oxalate dihydrate nanorods show an antiferromagnetic transition at T(N) = 34 K while the copper based nanorods show temperature independent paramagnetism.     

Improving the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 via hybridizing with graphene

In this paper an improvement in the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ was carried out via hybridizing with graphene. Graphene-TiO₂ (GR-TiO₂)nanocomposites with different weight addition ratios of graphene oxide (GO) have been prepared via a facile microwave irradiation of GO and tetrabutyl titanate in isopropyl alcohol. Raman spectroscopy (RS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and photoluminescence spectra (PL) are employed to determine the properties of the samples. Microwave irradiation can heat the reactant to a higher temperature in a short time, simultaneously GO is reduced to graphene and TiO₂ nanoparticles grown on the surface of GR. GR-TiO₂ nanocomposites synthesized via this approach have efficient electron conductivity in GR, resulting in a reduced electron-hole recombination rate. Among the synthesized nanocomposites, GT-8wt% exhibited the best photocatalytic activity toward photocatalytic degradation of MB. Our current work provides a new insight for the fabrication of GR-TiO₂ nanocomposites within a short reaction time and also explains the mechanism of photocatalysis employing radical and hole scavengers.     

Influence of Coating Granulation Process on Iron Ore Sinter Quality and Productivity

For better blast furnace performance, there has always been a need for better quality raw materials like sinter, lump ore, and pellets. Among these raw materials the usage of sinter in blast furnace is at higher side compared to other iron bearing materials. As the quality of sinter product improves, its usage in blast furnaces also increases. Iron ore fines are the main source for sinter making. To improve the sinter properties it is necessary to provide good quality of iron ore fines. Due to depletion of high grade iron ore resources, goethite and limonitic ore content in iron ore fines is expected to increase gradually. Usually limonitic and goethite ore are associated with higher alumina and LOI. The conventional sintering process is one of the well established processes for high quality hematite ore. It does not fully respond to the low grade iron ore associated with goethite and limonite. This has led to deterioration in sinter properties and productivity. In recent years the improvement in the quasi‐particle structure with the granulation process is an effective method for improving sinter quality and productivity. To improve the sinter quality and productivity for low grade iron ore fines, different granulation processes like the conventional one, and other two advanced granulation processes like coke breeze, and flux & coke breeze coating granulation were studied in detail by conducting laboratory pot grate sintering experiments. From the test results it was found that sinter productivity, physical and metallurgical properties of the sinter improved with flux & coke breeze coating granulation process compared to conventional and coke breeze coating granulation process. Proper selection of the granulation time is very important to achieve the desired sinter properties. In the present work detailed laboratory experiments have been carried out by varying the coating time from 30s to 110s to study the influence of flux & coke breeze coating granulation time on mineralogy, productivity, physical, and metallurgical properties of sinter. With a coating granulation time of 50s, higher productivity, higher yield, and stronger sinter (higher T.I) with lower RDI and ‐5mm size sinter were achieved.     

利用人工神经网络模型预测球团矿还原粉化指数

印度JSW钢铁公司是一家年产钢700万t的联合钢铁企业,其炼铁单元由2座COREX和3座高炉组成。COREX和高炉用球团由一个年产420万t的带式焙烧机球团厂供给。作为一项重要的冶金性能指标,球团的还原粉化指数(RDI)要求满足COREX和高炉冶炼的要求。通过建立神经元网络模型和敏感度分析,研究了给料率、料层高度、焙烧温度、干透点温度、COREX煤气单耗、膨润土的添加量、生球水分、生球碳含量、以及成品球的MgO、Al2O3含量和碱度等12个因素对球团RDI指标的影响,并对焙烧机生产球团的RDI(-6.3mm)和RDI(-0.5mm)进行了预测。结果表明,球团中MgO、CaO/SiO2,生球碳含量和Al2O3含量对球团RDI指标影响较大。预测结果与实际的数据误差低于4%。研究得出:①生球的MgO、氧化铝和碳含量以及二元碱度对球团RDI有重要影响。②随着球团MgO含量和球团二元碱度的升高,球团RDI(-6.3mm)和RDI(-0.5mm)得到改善。③随着生球中氧化铝含量的增加,球团RDI升高,因此应尽量使用低氧化铝含量的铁矿粉来降低球团中的氧化铝。随着生球中氧化铝和碳含量的增加,球团RDI(-6.3mm)和RDI(-0.5mm)有所降低。④提高球团二元碱度和MgO含量的同时,降低生球碳含量可以改善球团的RDI。因此需要对它们的配比进行优化。⑤二元碱度0.50～0.55,MgO质量分数0.35%～0.45%,生球碳质量分数1.15%～1.20%,焙烧球氧化铝质量分数低于2.5%,FeO质量分数低于0.60%时,可望得到较低的RDI。⑥相对于球团中的碳和CaO含量,最优的焙烧温度可以改善球团的RDI(-6.3mm)和RDI(-0.5mm)。⑦高给料率和较高的料层高度会使球团的RDI(-6.3mm)和RDI(-0.5mm)升高。     

烧结工序中转炉渣的优化利用

钢铁厂产生的矿渣中很大一部分来自氧气顶吹转炉(LD转炉)和吹氧转炉工序.LD工序的主要目的是将熔融的铁水和废钢转化为优质钢.在印度,每年产生的熔融钢渣超过400～450万t.总体看来,生产每吨钢会产生150～200 kg的钢渣,对这些钢渣的处理已经成为了严重的环境问题.金达尔钢公司是年产700万t的联合钢厂,每天产生钢渣3 200 t,其中2 000～2 500 t来自LD转炉.LD转炉渣中含有47.75%的CaO,22.0%的Fe以及8.22%MgO,由于CaO含量很高,LD转炉渣可直接替代烧结工序中的生石灰.目前在实验室范围已进行了一些研究,以确定烧结工序中所允许的LD转炉渣的最大投加量以及转炉渣的投加对烧结产率和性能的影响.实验中,LD转炉渣在烧结矿里的添加量从0依次到60 kg/t.随着添加率的增大,烧结料层温度的降低致使FeO含量降低,而烧结配矿中烧损的降低以及由于避免了石灰石煅烧过程带来的的重量损失,使得烧结产率上升.与此同时,LD转炉渣中缺少自由的CaO,使烧结矿强度及还原粉化指数变差,可参加反应的CaO的减少也导致了铁酸钙相减少,及残存Fe2O3自由相增加.试验结果最终得出:烧结矿中LD转炉渣的投加量为30～35 kg/t时,可获得预期的烧结矿性能.     

Influence of Alumina on Iron Ore Sinter Properties and Productivity in the Conventional and Selective Granulation Sintering Process

Iron ore sinter constitutes a major proportion of blast furnace burden. Hence, its quality and consistency have a significant impact on blast furnace performance. Iron ore fines are the main source for sinter, and the chemical composition of the iron ore fines, together with the thermal conditions that blends are subjected to, plays an important role in forming the primary melt during the sintering process and accordingly determines the sinter structure and quality. Therefore, considerable importance has been placed on the chemical composition and consistency of iron ore fines, particularly in terms of alumina content. Due to depletion of high grade iron ore resources, alumina content in the iron ore fines is expected to increase gradually. Ore with higher alumina content is usually expected to be detrimental in forming the sinter matrix, if sintered alone, due to the low reactivity of alumina bearing minerals and the high viscosity of primary melts. The selective granulation process is a new sintering process for high alumina iron ore fines, and can eliminate the adverse effects of ‘hard to sinter’ or ‘unsuitable – for ironmaking’ ores. In the present work laboratory sintering experiments have been carried out with iron ore fines of different alumina level (2.00 to 5.46 mass‐%) to know the influence of alumina on mineralogy, productivity, physical and metallurgical properties of sinter prepared by the conventional and the selective granulation process. With increasing alumina content in sinter of both the conventional and selective granulation process, the fractions of hematite and of silico‐ferrites of calcium and alumina (SFCA) as well as the pore phase increased whereas the magnetite and silicate phases decreased. With increase in alumina content sinter productivity and tumbler index (T.I.) decreased, and metallurgical properties like sinter RDI and reducibility improved. However, sinter of the selective granulation process showed better results compared to the conventional process.