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This is an essay in the field of metallurgical engineering. This work aims to investigate and optimize the effects of the leaching parameters on the selective leaching of cadmium from bottom blowing melting furnace dust. The response surface method was applied for the optimization of selective leaching parameters of cadmium from the dust. The leaching recovery of cadmium (Y1) was taken as the response variable, where the leaching time (A, h), concentration of sulphuric acid (B, mol/L), and leaching temperature (C, ℃) were considered as the independent variables (factors). The research shows that the parameters of the response surface quadratic regression model are significant. Among the model parameters, A, B, C, A2 and C2 are important model items. The order of influence of temperature, time and sulfuric acid concentration on Cd leaching rate is C>A>B. The F value of AB was 2.16, the F value of AC was 0.051, and the F value of BC was 0.2. The order of influence on Cd leaching rate during the interaction process was AB>BC>AC. When the temperature is 75 ℃, the time is 1.62 h, and the sulfuric acid concentration is 0.26 mol/L, the predicted cadmium leaching rate is 99.2%. Through three experiments, the average value of the cadmium leaching rate is 98.18%, and the deviation from the predicted value is 1.02, Higher is the optimum process condition for leaching of cadmium.

ObjectivesTumor grading is important for prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, we developed preoperative clinical-radiomics nomograms using features from contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), to discriminate high-grade and low-grade PDAC and predict overall survival (OS).MethodsIn this single-center, retrospective study conducted from February 2014 to April 2021, consecutive PDAC patients who underwent CECT and had pathologically identified grading were randomized to training (n=200) and test (n=84) cohorts for development of model to predict histological grade based on radiomics scores from CECT (HGrad). Another 42 patients were used as external validation cohort of HGrad. A nomogram (HGnom) was constructed using radiomics score, CA12-5 and smoking to predict histological grade. A second nomogram (Pnom) was constructed using radiomics score, CA12-5, TNM, adjuvant treatment, resection margin and microvascular invasion to predict OS in radical resection patients (217 of 284).ResultsAmong 326 patients, 122 were high-grade (120 poorly differentiated and 2 undifferentiated). The HGrad yielded AUCs of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.85) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.91) in test and validation cohorts. The HGnom achieved AUCs of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.87), and the predicted grades calibrated well with actual grades (P=.13). OS was different between the grades predicted by radiomics scores (P=.01). The integrated AUC of the Pnom for predicting OS was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.88).ConclusionCompared with the HGrad using features from CECT, the HGnom demonstrated higher performance for predicting histological grade. The Pnom helped identify patients with high survival outcome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women. More than 90% of breast cancer deaths are caused by metastasis. Epimedii Folium (EF) is a commonly used herb with anti-tumor benefits, but its underlying mechanisms and active components for breast cancer prevention are little understood. This study assessed the therapeutic role of Icariside I (ICS I) in Epimedium flavonoids (EF) on lung metastasis of breast cancer, including the underlying mechanism. Methods: Western blot, RT-qPCR, wound healing assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the inhibition of breast cancer cells growth and migration by EF and ICS I through disrupting the IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Combined with 4T1 breast cancer model in mice, Western blot, RT-qPCR, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the therapeutic role of ICS I in proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer. Key findings: EF can inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation and reduce the colony formation and migration of breast cancer cells. Detecting the active ingredients in EF, we found ICS I can reduce the activation of STAT3 in 4T1 breast cancer cells, impair colony formation and migration. Moreover, ICS I induced cells G1 phase arrest and modulated Cyclin D1, CDK4, bcl-2, and bax to inhibit proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells. Similarly, the in vivo studies demonstrated that ICS I significantly suppressed tumor development and lung metastasis in the 4T1 mouse model. Tumor cells in vehicle group were arranged in a spoke-like pattern with obvious heterogeneity, and multinucleated tumor giant cells were seen. But, the tumor cells in the ICS I group were disorganized and necrotic lysis was seen in some areas. In ICS I-treated group, tumors' STAT3 phosphorylation level, IL-6, Cyclin D1, CDK4, bcl-2, and vimentin expression were downregulated, bax and cleaved caspase 3 expression were upregulated. In the lung tissue, we could find less metastasis of breast cancer cells and less lung injury in the ICS I group. Besides, the expression of metastasis-related genes MMP9 and vimentin was decreased in the lung tissue of ICS I group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ICS I can inhibit breast cancer proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis probably via targeting IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Therefore, ICS I has the potential to become an innovative therapeutic candidate to breast cancer prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an outstanding additive manufacturing (AM) technology that can enable both complicated geometries and desired mechanical properties in high-value components. However, the process reliability and cost have been the obstacles to the extensive industrial adoptions of LPBF. This work aims to develop a powder recycling procedure to reduce production cost and minimize process uncertainties due to powder degradation. We used a recycle index (R) to reuse Ti-6Al-4V powder through 10 production cycles. Using this recycle index is more reasonable than simply replying on recycle numbers as it incorporates the powder usage history. A recycling procedure with simple virgin powder top-up can effectively mitigate powder degradation and maintain stable powder properties, chemical compositions, and tensile properties. The experimental finding points to a sustainable recycling strategy of Ti alloy powders with minimal material waste and without noticeable detriment to observed mechanical performance through LPBF production cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital business model innovation (DBMI) has been acknowledged as a new business norm which allows for increased competitiveness. By adopting the dynamic capabilities theory, this research aims to investigate the adoption of DBMI among small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country. The qualitative data were collected using semi‐structured virtual interviews with SMEs. The findings revealed that the SMEs have redesigned their DBMI through value creation innovation, which refers to the use of new digital technology, new capability, and strong collaboration with new partners to streamline the business processes. SMEs innovate their value proposition by focusing on new product and service offerings and creating profitable customer relationships. Interestingly, SMEs also implement value delivery innovation, utilizing new delivery channels to target new market segments. In terms of value capture innovation, SMEs are concerned with obtaining new sources of revenues at a lower cost structure. Research studies on DBMI in Malaysia are scarce. The originality of this research lies in the exploration of DBMI in the real‐life business context, and the insights it will provide to SMEs and practitioners in the midst of adopting DBMI. The findings offer valuable insights for SMEs, practitioners, and policymakers in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]