CONFORMITIES TO LAW OF FORMING LAYER FOR POLYDISPERSE PELLET CHARGE ON SINTER BELT

Motion of pellet charge on the loading tray on a sinter belt is accompanied not only by the change of its grain-size composition, but by segregation processes, id est. by the redistribution of charge of different size particles for the most part friable material. The result of this process is formation of local discontinuity with pre-dominance of content for particles of certain factions. The traditional method for analysis of work for loading tray on the basis of factious classification does not allow to educe and analyze appearing heterogeneity in the most part friable material. It results in errors at the calculation for action of the system of the automated control by sintering process and ignoring of notational of the use of segregation of particles of friable material for optimization of technological process. The use of balance method enables to specify and spread understanding of mechanism of processes which take place during motion of pellet charge in relation to the loading tray, and also to form theoretical pre-conditions for the choice of the rational modes of operations of agglomeration separation of sintering plant. It is set that at monotonous increase of angle of slope for loading tray the segregation phenomena increase in a pellet charge, and after achievement of the defined value – go down, id est. have extreme character. Mentioned features of forming of layer for polydisperse material in the conditions of inconstancy of mechanical properties of its separate factions it is possible to take into account at the use of balance of grain-size composition of charge, loaded on a sinter belt, and charge, being on it, when conditional middle diameters of particles of their components must be equal. On the basis of the set conformities to law of forming of friable of structure of layer the method of authentication of grain-size compositions of pellet charge mixture is in theory reasonable in every its horizon taking into account a segregation during loading.

Environmental Influences on Childhood Asthma Prevalence in Philadelphia

Background: In 2019, the American Lung Association found that, for the second year in a row, the Philadelphia metro has worsened the surrounding areas air quality, due to worsening ozone smog. This spike in unhealthy air quality in Philadelphia has affected the health of the population. Unhealthy air quality can be exacerbated by asbestos, which has been found in many Philadelphia elementary schools. Although asbestos usage is now highly regulated, it can still be found in consumer products and construction material today. Among the many factors contributing to asthma onset and other lung diseases, air pollution and dangerous air particles such as asbestos are important contributors. Children in these asbestos infected schools became exposed and ultimately sick which led to their eventual closure. Due to elementary aged children having immature and more vulnerable airways, this exposure may have led to increasing cases of respiratory distress. Methods: This research study analyzed publicly available asbestos data from Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) reports from four Philadelphia elementary schools (Laura H. Carnell, James J. Sullivan, Clara Barton, and Thomas M. Peirce) from 2016-2018 to further understand the influence of asbestos particles on asthma in children. Secondary data analysis determined the levels of asbestos contamination in each elementary school and the severity of the condition for each school. This was compared to child asthma prevalence during the selected time period. Results: Asbestos was mainly found in the 2-6 inch pipe insulation and tiles within each school. Between 0.06 and 1.18% asbestos damage was found in 2-6inch pipe insulation in schools closed for asbestos abatement. An r2 of 0.9997 was found when comparing the 206inch pipe damage percentage and the newly friable material found in each school. Thomas M. Pierce Elementary was determined to be the highest concern according to the analysis of the AHERA reports. Conclusion: Children exposed to asbestos in elementary schools, and with a predisposition to asthma, were more likely to suffer from respiratory distress, due to the multiple contributing environmental factors.

Meningeal Carcinomatosis for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction Cerebral metastases are the most common cancer of the central nervous system (CNS). Meningeal infiltration by neoplasms that did not originate in the CNS is a rare fact that is present in 0.02% of the autopsies.Epidemiologically, the radiological presentation mimicking a subdural hematoma is even more uncommon. We report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis by an adenocarcinoma of the prostate mimicking a chronic subdural hematoma. Case Report A 60-year-old male patient was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. He underwent radical resection of the prostate, as well as adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.Five years later, the patient presented peripheral facial paralysis that evolved with vomiting and mental confusion. Tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed the subdural collection.At surgery, the dura was infiltrated by friable material of difficult hemostasis. The anatomicopathological examination showed atypical epithelial cells. The immunohistochemistry was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and other key markers, and it was conclusive for meningeal carcinomatosis by a prostate adenocarcinoma. Discussion Meningeal carcinomatosis presents clinically with headache, motor deficits, vomiting, changes in consciousness and seizures.The two most discussed mechanisms of neoplastic infiltration are the hematogenous route and retrograde drainage by the vertebral venous plexus. Conclusion Variable clinical presentations may occur in dural metastases; however, the radiological presentation as subdural hematoma is rare. There are few descriptions of cases like this one in the literature.To support the diagnosis, the previous medical history is as important as the complementary exams and the radiological findings, because the symptoms are common at the neurological emergency. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a prostate neoplasm mimicking chronic subdural hematoma in Brazil.

Aspergillus-related lung mass masquerading as a lung tumour

ABSTRACT Aspergillus is a common environmental pathogen. However, clinically significant disease only occurs in a small proportion of patients. Although rare in its occurrence, it remains a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality in certain cohorts of patients. We describe a rare case of Aspergillus disease masquerading as a primary lung malignancy. Computer tomography pulmonary angiogram scan demonstrated a right upper lobe 8 x 6.5 cm soft-tissue lesion. Positron emission tomography CT demonstrated this lesion to be intensely fluorodeoxyglucose avid. Initial bronchoscopy demonstrated occluded subsegmental right upper lobe bronchus with white friable material. Follow-up bronchoscopy demonstrated evidence of a previous inflammatory process with cavitation and destruction of sub-lobar bronchial tree. Serial chest radiographs demonstrated almost complete resolution of the right upper lobe mass. Thus, this presentation of an Aspergillus-related lung mass masquerading as a primary lung malignancy provided several important learning points pertaining to diagnosis and ensuing management.

Fatal systemic Mortierella wolfii infection in a neonatal calf in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: This study described the pathological and microbiological aspects of a fatal systemic Mortierella wolfii infection in a neonatal calf in southern Brazil. The calf was born clinically normal, but on the third day of life it presented apathy, unilateral hypopyon, and neurological signs, and in the next day it was euthanized. At necropsy, multiple soft, and white-yellow nodules were observed in the liver, spleen, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes, heart, and lungs. In the brain, reddish, and friable areas were found. In the eye, there were anterior and posterior synechiae, diffuse thickening of choroid, and anterior chamber filled by whitish and friable material. Microscopically, areas of necrosis, pyogranulomatous inflammation, vasculitis, thrombosis, and intralesional fungal hyphae were observed, and the latter were better evidenced through Grocott Methenamine Silver technique. The fungus was identified as M. wolfii through mycological culture and molecular methods. To our knowledge, this is the first description of systemic disease caused by M. wolfii in a neonatal calf outside of Oceania.

THE PECULIARITIES OF RELIEF ACTIVITIES OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AVIAFAUNA OF UKRAINE

Some types of birds in the course of their life create forms of the earth’s surface, which sometimes can be present on quite large territories. Most often these landforms have the rank of pico-, nano- and, more rarely, microrelief. Depending on the character of influence on the earth’s surface and existing relief, birds can perform the roles of “constructors”, “destructors”, “compilers” and “conveyors”. “Constructors” create accumulative biogenic relief forms, “destructors” take an active part in the formation of denudation relief forms, “compilers” participate in the accumulation of sediment, while “conveyors” take part in the relocation of sediment. As a result of their activities, two types of relief are formed, namely accumulative (formed by “constructors” and “compilers”) and denudation (created be “destructors”). Among the accumulative biogenic relief forms created by birds within the territory of Ukraine, there can be named mounds at the foot of steep slopes and hills within the nesting cells, created by sand martins and bee-eaters; nest cones of flamingos; nests of Eurasian coots, etc. As regards the denudation relief forms, burrowing nests of many birds can be specified. It should be mentioned, that the biogenic denudation relief forms created by birds (burrowing nests) are found in different parts of our country much more frequently than accumulative ones. In many cases, they form a porous surface of mural slopes, composed of friable material. The results of field research of biogenic relief forms within the territory of Ukraine give grounds to assert that the most extensive relief-forming activity among the birds within our state is done by European sand martins and European bee-eaters. Sand martins, which nest in large colonies up to 1.5 (sometimes even more) thousand pairs, in the course of their life, have a very significant influence on the earth’s surface and existing relief. They build their nests-burrows oh high steep shores of large bodies of water made of soft loose soil. More rarely, birds use quarry slopes, hills on the roadside or construction sites. The horizontally located hole is excavated at the top part of the precipice at a height of at least 1-1.5 m from its bottom. Its length ranges from 20 cm to 1 m, although sometimes it can reach 1.5 and even 2 m. The height of the entrance in the hole is 50-100 mm, and the width is 60-120 mm. The hole ends with a small extension (a nesting cell) the size of 80-120 mm × 100-120 mm. There is a litter composed of grass, straws, feathers and so on in the nesting cell. Its thickness in the central part can reach 2.5 cm. With height, the density of holes increases and their number can reach more than two dozen per 1 m². During the field research, the areas of slopes with holes of sand martins up to 1 km long were identified. The construction and functioning of nests provoke the emergence of the scree-forming process, which leads to the formation of screen cones. The height of individual cones can reach 1m. Bee-eaters also equip burrowing nests and form a porous surface of slopes. These birds nest in colonies ranging in numbers from several birds to several dozen or even hundreds of pairs. They mostly equip nests at a height of 3-5 m from the bottom of the precipice. For digging holes, bee-eaters prefer loam, although the soil does not play a large role. In a dense soil, the birds dig a hole with a short passage from 0.5 to 1 m, whereas in a loose soil it is built with a long passage, up to 1.5 (sometimes 2-3) m. The holes of bee-eaters are almost always horizontal and end with an extended nesting cell, which does not have a picohill in the middle. Biogenic relief forms within the territory of Ukraine are also created by common kingfishers, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, European rollers, rosy starlings, woodpeckers, Eurasian coots and flamingos, but the scale of their relief-forming activity influence on earth’s surface is considerably smaller in comparison with sand martins and bee-eaters.

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY APPLIED TO OPTIMIZATION OF BLASTING DESIGN AT PRODUCTION BENCHES: A CASE STUDY AT ABÓBORAS MINE, QUADRILÁTERO FERRÍFERO, MINAS GERAIS – BRAZIL

ABSTRACT. Quadrilátero Ferrífero is one of the main regions of iron ore production in the world. The action of the weathering processes promotes the conformation of compact rock immersed in friable material. The usual model of blasting applied in production benches, with blast drillholes distributed homogeneously, produces boulders of compact rock, which are impracticable to extract and grind, causing impacts on daily production of iron ore. Therefore, this work proposes a methodology capable of overcoming this problem caused by weathering, using the electrical resistivity method. The application of it was carried out at the Abóboras mine (VALE S.A.), and was able to differentiate two types of materials, interpreted as compact and friable itabirite. With the use of the electrical data, it was possible to generate a geophysical model that allowed to determine the position of the compact itabirite boulders. From this model, it was possible to optimize the blasting design, with higher concentration of detonation drillholes where the model indicated the compact rock. With the appropriate tests, it was observed a 75% decrease in the amount of boulders present in the fragmented material as compared to the usual model. Consequently, there was a significant increase in ore loading effectiveness, thus optimizing iron ore production.Keywords: Applied geophysics, iron ore, mining. RESUMO. Quadrilátero Ferrífero é uma das principais regiões de produção de minério de ferro no mundo. A ação dos processos intempéricos promovem a conformação de rochas compactas imersas em material friável. O modelo usual de detonação e desmonte aplicado em frentes de lavra, com furos de detonação distribuídos de modo homogêneo, gera matacões de rocha compacta, o que inviabiliza sua extração e moagem e impacta na produção diária de minério de ferro. Desse modo, este trabalho propõe uma metodologia capaz de suplantar esse problema causado pelo intemperismo, através da utilização do método de eletrorresistividade. A aplicação do método foi realizada nas dependências da mina de Abóboras (VALE S.A.), e foi capaz de diferenciar dois tipos de materiais, interpretados como itabirito compacto e friável. Com o uso dos dados elétricos, foi possível gerar um modelo geofísico que possibilitou determinar a posição dos blocos de itabirito compacto. A partir desse modelo, houve uma otimização da malha de desmonte, com maior concentração de furos de detonação onde o modelo indicou rocha compacta. Com os devidos testes de detonação, foi observado diminuição dos matacões em 75% em relação à malha de desmonte usual. Como resultado, houve significativo aumento da efetividade do carregamento de minério, e consequente otimização da produção de minério de ferro.Palavras-chave: Geofísica aplicada, minério de ferro, mineração.

Infecção natural por Histomonas meleagridis em pavões-indianos (Pavo cristatus)

Background: Histomonas, also known as blackhead, is a protozoan disease caused by Histomonas meleagridis (phylum Parabasalia, class Tritrichomonadea, order Tritrichomonadida, family Dientamoebidae/Protrichomonadinae) and, characterized by enteric and hepatic lesions in several species of domestic and wild gallinaceous. Among the most affected species, turkeys are those with greater morbidity and mortality. Blackhead is the second most important disease caused by protozoa in domestic poultry, affecting especially young birds and causing severe economic losses, with decrease in production, lack of uniformity of lots and costs with treatment and control. Its occurrence must be monitored, especially in large poultry exporting countries, such as Brazil. The aim of this study is to report an outbreak of histomoniasis in Indian peacocksCase: A peacocks group created together with chickens showed clinical signs characterized by apathy, head down and bruised head, eyes closed, anorexia, yellow or pale stools and death. At necropsy, the cecum showed intense thickening of the wall with irregularity in the serous layer and abundant deposit of friable material, amorphous, yellowish color with areas reddish in the lumen with large number of filiform white parasites from 1 to 1.5 cm in length, morphologically compatible with Heterakis gallinarum. The liver showed large and circular, multifocal, whitish areas that extended towards the parenchyma. Histologically, was observed marked transmural typhlitis, severe proliferation of fibroblasts with multifocal neovascularization, histiocytic infiltrate, giant cell enlargement, bacterial myriads, presence of eosinophilic circulars trophozoites, with 6-20 μm in diameter, morphologically compatible with Histomonas meleagridis. These structures were positive in PAS staining. In the liver, a lesion was characterized by aleatory necrotizing hepatitis with abundant macrophagic and heterophilic infiltrate and some lymphocytes, as well as several foci of necrosis associated with numerous parasitis, intralesional, weakly eosinophilic, PAS-positive structures similar to those observed cecum.Discussion: All aspects observed in this outbreak were characteristic of Histomonas meleagridis infection. This protozoal infection occurs predominantly in turkeys, with high rates of morbidity and mortality, however, can affect chickens, chukar partridges, pheasants and peacocks. Histomoniasis occurs after ingestion of nematode eggs present in the feces of birds and earthworms. In addition, to the intestine and liver, there may be systemic parasitism with lesions in other organs such as kidneys, lungs, spleen and cloacal sac. Overcrowding of animals, the creation and use of chickens to hatch peacocks eggs, as well as the poor hygiene conditions were the main risk factors for the development of the disease. Due to the absence of specific clinical signs, the disease can be easily confused with other disorders. macroscopic and microscopic examinations are recommended to assist in confirming the definitive diagnosis of histomoniasis. Thus, it can be said that H. meleagridis may be cause of mortality in peacocks (Pavo cristatus) created in free system in Rio Grande do Sul, State. The diagnosis of this condition should be considered in cases of mortality in exotic bird breeding, especially when created together with most resistant species such as chickens and other poultry.

Contribution of oral triamcinolone to treating proliferative and necrotising otitis externa in a 14-year-old Persian cat

Case summary A 14-year-old female spayed cat was referred for recurrent otitis externa and unusual proliferative lesions in both ear canals. The affected pinnae and external ear canals were covered with large reddish-to-dark-brown verrucous and necrotic tissue. Friable material and exudates occluded both ear canals. Proliferative lesions developed in both ears 2–3 weeks before referral. The histopathological diagnosis from two biopsies obtained from the friable materials with endoscopic biopsy forceps was proliferative and necrotising otitis externa (PNOE). Treatment was initiated with once-daily application of a potent topical glucocorticoid (mometasone furoate) to both ears. Although the auricle and vertical ear canals responded well, no improvement was seen in the horizontal part of the ear canal after 9 weeks. Therefore, oral triamcinolone (0.9 mg/kg q24h) was added for 1 week, and was then tapered (q48h) for 3 weeks. Most lesions resolved, and after a further 2 weeks of prednisolone (2 mg/kg q48h) there was complete resolution. No recurrence was observed during a 2 year follow-up period. Relevance and novel information PNOE commonly occurs in kittens, but it can develop in older cats. To our knowledge, the PNOE in this case is the oldest age of onset reported. This condition is rare and was only described recently, and therapeutic options appear limited. According to previously published reports, steroid therapy is ineffective, and tacrolimus is the only treatment known to achieve resolution. However, oral and topical glucocorticoids were beneficial in this case.

Quantification of Tremolite in Friable Material Coming from Calabrian Ophiolitic Deposits by Infrared Spectroscopy

The aim of this study is to identify the infrared absorption band suitable for quantifying tremolite in three powdered samples (fine, medium, and large size classes) coming from a quarry of ophiolitic friable rocks in the western part of the Calabria region of Italy. Three IR bands were considered: OH stretching band between 3700 and 3650 cm−1, the stretching bands of the Si-O-Si linkage between 1200 and 900 cm−1, and the absorbance band at 756 cm−1attributable to tremolite. The amount of tremolite in the test samples was quantified by using the curve parameters of the three analytical bands. The quantitative analysis of tremolite using the band due to OH stretchings (3700–3650 cm−1) and the bands attributed to the Si-O-Si stretchings (1200–900 cm−1) showed high values for all test samples. Their use overestimated the tremolite amount because both bands were affected at the interfering mineral silicates such as talc, kaolinite, chlorite, and serpentinites. The abundant presence of antigorite in studied samples mainly in medium size class sample had a key role in our findings. The band at 756 cm−1was not affected at the interfering minerals and can be used for quantitative analysis of tremolite in sample coming from ophiolitic deposits.