BACKGROUND The discrepancy between endoscopic biopsy pathology and the overall pathology of gastric low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(LGIN)presents challenges in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols.AIM To ...BACKGROUND The discrepancy between endoscopic biopsy pathology and the overall pathology of gastric low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(LGIN)presents challenges in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols.AIM To develop a risk prediction model for the pathological upgrading of gastric LGIN to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from patients newly diagnosed with gastric LGIN who underwent complete endoscopic resection within 6 months at the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2023.A risk prediction model for the pathological progression of gastric LGIN was constructed and evaluated for accuracy and clinical applicability.RESULTS A total of 171 patients were included in this study:93 patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or early gastric cancer and 78 with LGIN.The logistic stepwise regression model demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 0.868 and 0.800,respectively,while the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression model showed sensitivity and specificity values of 0.842 and 0.840,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)for the logistic model was 0.896,slightly lower than the AUC of 0.904 for the LASSO model.Internal validation with 30%of the data yielded AUC scores of 0.908 for the logistic model and 0.905 for the LASSO model.The LASSO model provided greater utility in clinical decision-making.CONCLUSION A risk prediction model for the pathological upgrading of gastric LGIN based on white-light and magnifying endoscopic features can accurately and effectively guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are papillary or flat mucinous tumors with low-grade cytologic atypia.They are the most frequent source of pseudomyxoma peritonei.They can be easily misdiagnosed,due...BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are papillary or flat mucinous tumors with low-grade cytologic atypia.They are the most frequent source of pseudomyxoma peritonei.They can be easily misdiagnosed,due to unspecific symptoms,with acute appendicitis,retroperitoneal tumors or adnexal mass.Cases of huge appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are even more extremely rare.CASE SUMMARY We report a 54-year-old patient who presented with a 10-month history of constant dull distension accompanied by nausea.A surgical procedure of total hysterectomy,bilateral adnexectomy,appendectomy,greater omentectomy and right hemicolectomy was performed as a result of the findings on ultrasound,computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging.Diagnosis was made after the pathological examination,which revealed low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm.The patient received hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin and was discharged from the hospital.CONCLUSION Low-grade appendiceal mucinous adenomas are rare tumors that are easily misdiagnosed,and a more thorough clinical workup is required to make a defi-nitive diagnosis.展开更多
Background: The low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is an exceptionally uncommon sarcoma that primarily manifests in the extremities or trunk of young adults, presenting as painless lesions. The histological feature...Background: The low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is an exceptionally uncommon sarcoma that primarily manifests in the extremities or trunk of young adults, presenting as painless lesions. The histological features of this tumor are benign, but it exhibits an exceptionally high rate of late recurrence and a significant potential for metastasis. Imaging examinations serve as a crucial method for detecting LGFMS, while the definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological assessment. Currently, the primary treatment modality for this neoplasm is surgical resection. Early aggressive surgery with negative margins is a critical factor in mitigating the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis. The present study presented a case of LGFMS located in the right thigh. The patient underwent a mass resection procedure following an MRI examination. During the telephone follow-up one year post-surgery, despite the absence of an imaging review, the surgical site demonstrated satisfactory recovery with no reported abnormal symptoms. Case Presentation: The patient, a 31-year-old male, presented to our hospital for evaluation of an asymptomatic mass in his right thigh that was incidentally discovered 13 years ago. The MRI showed a well-defined mass measuring 8.2 cm × 6.8 cm × 9.6 cm in the right thigh. The tumor signals exhibit a mixed pattern, characterized by predominantly isointense and hypointense signals on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), a central area of hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and peripheral circular enhancement observed on contrast-enhanced scans. The patient underwent surgical resection. Microscopically, the mass was composed of intricately interwoven fibrous matrix and a distinct mucoid region. The tumor cells exhibited a distinctive arrangement in a swirling or wheel-like pattern, with minimal variation in their karyotypic characteristics. The immunohistochemical examination revealed diffuse and intense MUC4 positivity in the tumor cells. The diagnosis of LGFMS was confirmed by post-operative histopathological examination. Conclusions: The LGFMS is an exceptionally uncommon mesenchymal tumor renowned for its benign histological manifestations and malignant behavior. It is crucial to provide a comprehensive summary of the research findings and thoroughly review the existing literature pertaining to this rare disease.展开更多
Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt format...Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.展开更多
BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms(LAMNs)are a class of histolo-gically well-differentiated adenomas that can proliferate outside the appendix in the form of malignant tumours,resulting in the accumul...BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms(LAMNs)are a class of histolo-gically well-differentiated adenomas that can proliferate outside the appendix in the form of malignant tumours,resulting in the accumulation of external appen-diceal mucus.They may present as an extra-appendiceal mass-like bulge,mucus or polypoid tissue at the appendiceal orifice,or even with abdominal dissem-ination.The surgical approach is usually appendectomy,ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy.It is essential to raise awareness of LAMNs and choose an appropriate treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old man underwent a routine physical examination at our hospital on May 17,2022.The patient had no symptoms of abdominal pain,bloating,or weight loss,and his tumour marker levels were normal.The faecal occult blood test was negative,and no abnormalities were identified on physical examination.Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal protrusion at the appendiceal orifice.During endoscopic ultrasound,uneven echoes were observed in the appendix cavity.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a nodular thickening at the base of the appendix,with a diameter of approximately 1 cm.When all the examination results were considered,we suspected the lesion to be an appendiceal mucinous tumour.Laparoscopic surgery was performed using the double purse-string suture method.Postoperative pathology suggested a low-grade mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix with no involvement of the margins.A repeat colonoscopy 18 months after surgery revealed no significant abnormality at the appendiceal orifice.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen suggested only postoperative changes.CONCLUSION This study describes a case of LAMN that was treated by resecting the mass at the appendiceal orifice via the double purse-string suture technique and provides new insights on the diagnosis and treatment of LAMNs.展开更多
Bioleaching is confronted with problems,such as low efficiency,long production cycle length,and vegetation destruction.In order to solve problems above,fly ash and low-grade copper sulfide ores were used to investigat...Bioleaching is confronted with problems,such as low efficiency,long production cycle length,and vegetation destruction.In order to solve problems above,fly ash and low-grade copper sulfide ores were used to investigate bioleaching behaviors and bacterial community succession.Results showed that copper recovery,bacterial concentration,total proportion of main leaching bacteria including Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,Acidibacillus ferrooxidans,and Leptospirillum ferriphilum,were improved through using appropriate dosage of fly ash.The maximum copper recovery of 79.87%and bacterial concentration of 7.08×10^(7)cells·mL^(-1)were obtained after us-ing 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash.Exclusive precipitation including Zn(Fe_(3)(SO_(4))_(2)(OH)_(6))_(2)and Mg(Fe_(3)(SO_(4))_(2)(OH)_(6))_(2)was found in sample added 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash,which reduced the effect of hazardous ions on bacteria and thus contributing to bacterial proliferation.Bacterial com-munity structure was differentiated,which indicated difference between original inoculation and sample used 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash was less than others.Total proportion of the three microorganism above accounted for more than 95%in all tests,especially in sample with 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash up to 99.81%.Cl^(-)and Ag^(+)contained in fly ash can act as catalytic agent,which contributed to conversion from smooth and dense passivation layer to sparse and scattered one,and therefore improving contact between ores,lixiviant,and bacteria.Using appropri-ate dosage of fly ash showed prospects in bioleaching.展开更多
The leaching kinetics of copper from low-grade copper ore was investigated in ammonia-ammonium sulfate solution with sodium persulfate. The effect parameters of stirring speed, temperature, particle size, concentratio...The leaching kinetics of copper from low-grade copper ore was investigated in ammonia-ammonium sulfate solution with sodium persulfate. The effect parameters of stirring speed, temperature, particle size, concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate were determined. The results show that the leaching rate is nearly independent of agitation above 300 r/min and increases with the increase of temperature, concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate. The EDS analysis and phase quantitative analysis of the residues indicate that bornite can be dissolved by persulfate oxidization. The leaching kinetics with activation energy of 22.91 kJ/mol was analyzed by using a new shrinking core model （SCM） in which both the interfacial transfer and diffusion across the product layer affect the leaching rate. A semi-empirical rate equation was obtained to describe the leaching process and the empirical reaction orders with respect to the concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate are 0.5, 1.2 and 0.5, respectively.展开更多
The oxidation process of low-grade vanadium slag in the presence of Na2CO3 was investigated by XRD,SEM/EDS and TG-DSC techniques.The results show that the vanadium slag is oxidized in a temperature range from 273 to 7...The oxidation process of low-grade vanadium slag in the presence of Na2CO3 was investigated by XRD,SEM/EDS and TG-DSC techniques.The results show that the vanadium slag is oxidized in a temperature range from 273 to 700 °C.Olivine phases and spinel phases are completely decomposed at 500 and 600 °C,respectively.Most of water-soluble sodium vanadates are formed between 500 and 600 °C.When roasting temperature reaches above 700 °C,the vanadium-rich phases of sodium vanadates can be obviously observed.However,at temperature above 800 °C,the samples are sintered.Most of the vanadium is enwrapped by glassy phase compounds which lead to the decrease of the leaching rate of vanadium.At the same time,the effect of roasting temperature on extraction of vanadium and characterization of leach residues were discussed.展开更多
Nonresectable Low-Grade Astrocytomas (LGA) can compromise function and threaten life. For the majority of patients, the most appropriate strategy is initial chemotherapy followed by Radiation Therapy (RT). Since curat...Nonresectable Low-Grade Astrocytomas (LGA) can compromise function and threaten life. For the majority of patients, the most appropriate strategy is initial chemotherapy followed by Radiation Therapy (RT). Since curative treatment is not available for most of these patients, it is reasonable to conduct clinical studies to evaluate new agents. This Phase II study evaluates efficacy and safety of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP) in LGA. Sixteen children diagnosed with LGA were treated. They included 12 males and 4 females, ages 1.6 - 17.4 years (median 10.6). Efficacy was evaluated in 16 patients. The majority of patients were previously treated, but 1 patient had stereotactic biopsy only. Out of the remaining 15 patients, 6 patients received chemotherapy, and 7 patients had surgery, and 2 patients received RT and chemotherapy after surgery. The patients received treatment with ANP administered daily every 4 hours (median dose of A10 was 7.71 g/kg/d and AS2-1 was 0.26 g/kg/d) until objective response or stable disease was documented and for 8 months thereafter. The duration of ANP IV ranged from 1.4 to 286 weeks with a median of 83 weeks. A complete response was documented in 25.0%, partial response in 12.5%, and stable disease in 37.5%. Overall survival was 67.7% at 5 years, and 54.2% at 10 and 15 years. Progression-free survival was 48.1%, 34.4% and 34.4% at 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. The treatment was associated with grade 3 or grade 4 Adverse Drug Experiences (ADE) in 6 patients. There were two hypernatremias of grade 4 (12%). Grade 3 ADE included urinary frequency (6%), fatigue (6%) and hypernatremia (6%). There were no chronic toxicities, and there was a high quality of survival. ANP shows efficacy with a very good toxicity profile in this cohort of children with low-grade astrocytoma.展开更多
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a further expression of metabolic syndrome, strictly linked to obesity and diabetes mellitus, is characterized by insulin resistance (IR), elevated serum levels of free fatty...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a further expression of metabolic syndrome, strictly linked to obesity and diabetes mellitus, is characterized by insulin resistance (IR), elevated serum levels of free fatty acids and fatty infi ltration of the liver, which is known as hepatic steatosis. Hepatocyte apoptosis is a key feature of this disease and correlates with its severity. Free-fatty-acidinduced toxicity represents one of mechanisms for the pathogenesis of NAFLD and hormones, growth factors and adipokines influence also play a key role. This review highlights the various pathways that contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines are reckoned to be the most important factor in causing and maintaining IR. Low-grade chronic inflammation is fundamental in the progression of NAFLD toward higher risk cirrhotic states.展开更多
Independent of the cause and location,inflammation-even when minimal-has clear effects on gastrointestinal morphology and function.These result in altered digestion,absorption and barrier function.There is evidence of...Independent of the cause and location,inflammation-even when minimal-has clear effects on gastrointestinal morphology and function.These result in altered digestion,absorption and barrier function.There is evidence of reduced villus height and crypt depth,increased permeability,as well as altered sugar and peptide absorption in the small intestine after induction of inflammation in experimental models,which is supported by some clinical data.Identification of inflammatory factors which may promote the process of gastrointestinal dysfunction as well as clinical research to verify experimental observations of inflammatory modulation of gastrointestinal function are required.Moreover,nutritional strategies to support functional restitution are needed.展开更多
Luanchuan area is one of the regions with the largest scale of scheelite beneficiation and the largest output of scheelite concentrate in the world. After years of innovation and progress, the beneficiation technology...Luanchuan area is one of the regions with the largest scale of scheelite beneficiation and the largest output of scheelite concentrate in the world. After years of innovation and progress, the beneficiation technology of low-grade scheelite associated with molybdenum tailings in Luanchuan area is becoming more and more perfect. In this study, the development process of low-grade scheelite recycling technology in Luanchuan area was reviewed, including raw ore properties, beneficiation process, flotation equipment and flotation reagents. Meanwhile, taking Luoyang Yulu Mining Co., Ltd. as an example, the effects of various technical transformations such as the optimization of the beneficiation process, the column-machine combined process, and the high-efficiency flotation reagents were elucidated in detail. However, the recycling technology of low-grade scheelite of Luanchuan area is still possible to be improved. As a result, coupled with the latest research progress, the development direction of low-grade scheelite beneficiation in Luanchuan area was also prospected. It is of great significance to further improve the recovery efficiency of low-grade scheelite resources in Luanchuan area and this can provide technical reference for other scheelite plants.展开更多
Nickel and cobalt were extracted from low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore using a reduction roasting-ammonia leaching method.The reduction roasting-ammonia leaching experimental tests were chiefly introduced,by which...Nickel and cobalt were extracted from low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore using a reduction roasting-ammonia leaching method.The reduction roasting-ammonia leaching experimental tests were chiefly introduced,by which fine coal was used as a reductant.The results show that the optimum process conditions are confirmed as follows:in reduction roasting process,the mass fraction of reductant in the ore is 10%,roasting time is 120 min,roasting temperature is 1 023-1 073 K;in ammonia leaching process,the liquid-to-solid ratio is 4:1(mL/g),leaching temperature is 313 K,leaching time is 120 min,and concentration ratio of NH3 to CO2 is 90 g/L:60 g/L.Under the optimum conditions,leaching efficiencies of nickel and cobalt are 86.25% and 60.84%,respectively.Therefore,nickel and cobalt can be effectively reclaimed,and the leaching agent can be also recycled at room temperature and normal pressure.展开更多
By mineral liberation analyzer （MLA） automated quantitative system, the niobium-tantalum ore in this study was classified as refractory mineral of low-grade which was mainly composed of fergusonite, polycrase, ilmen...By mineral liberation analyzer （MLA） automated quantitative system, the niobium-tantalum ore in this study was classified as refractory mineral of low-grade which was mainly composed of fergusonite, polycrase, ilmenorutile, and bastnasite. Most of niobium and rare earth metals were dis- seminated in these minerals （particle sizes of 95 % rare earth elements 〈40 μm）, which cannot be concentrated through traditional floatation process and treated by the current hydrofluoric acid leaching in industry application. It is nec- essary to develop a new approach to recovery these valuable metals. In this study, an improved method is proposed to extract these metals, which includes acid roasting and sulfuric acid leaching. The influence of mineralogy, acid concentra- tion, leaching temperature, leaching time, and liquid to solid ratio was experimentally studied. It is observed that after the ground ore （-74 μm） was roasted at 350 ℃ for 2 h with sulfuric acid （18.4 mol.L- 1） in the ore to acid mass ratio of 1：1, and then the roasting residue reacted with 25 % sulfuric acid at 90 ℃ for 2 h, the recovery rate of rare earth elements reaches 〉90 %, and the leaching extent of niobium can reach 84 %.展开更多
Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma （LGMS） is a rare, malignant tumor with myofibroblastic differentiation. Despite it being classified as a distinct entity by the World Health Organization, a few cases were reported ...Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma （LGMS） is a rare, malignant tumor with myofibroblastic differentiation. Despite it being classified as a distinct entity by the World Health Organization, a few cases were reported in the oral and maxillofacial region. Here, a LGMS developed on the palate of a 73-year-old man who presented with a 1-cm tumor on the posterior border of the palate. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of LGMS was established. The tumor was resected, and no recurrence was observed over 2 years. Although the tongue is the most preferred site for LGMS, it may occur in any region of the oral cavity.展开更多
The mineralogical phase transformation of a low-grade nickel laterite ore during pre-roasting process and the extraction of silicon during alkaline leaching process were investigated.The results indicate that the reac...The mineralogical phase transformation of a low-grade nickel laterite ore during pre-roasting process and the extraction of silicon during alkaline leaching process were investigated.The results indicate that the reaction activity of nickel ores is effectively improved by pre-roasting at650°C for2h,because of the transformation of lizardite into magnesium olivine and protoenstatite.When finely ground ore samples(44-61μm)pre-roasted firstly react with sodium hydroxide solution(60g/L)with a solid/liquid ratio of1:5at140°C for120min,the extraction of silicon can reach89.89%,and the other valuable elements of magnesium,iron and nickel are accumulated in the solid residues.The leaching kinetics of nickel laterite ore can be described successfully by the diffusion through the product layer control model.The activation energy is calculated to be11.63kJ/mol and the kinetics equation can be expressed as1-3(1-x)2/3+2(1-x)=13.53×10-2exp[-11.63/(RT)]t.展开更多
To recover Zn, Pb, Fe and Si from a low-grade mining ore in the Lanping basin, Yunnan Province, China, a novel technology using the roasting with pyrite and carbon followed by beneficiation and hydrochloric acid leach...To recover Zn, Pb, Fe and Si from a low-grade mining ore in the Lanping basin, Yunnan Province, China, a novel technology using the roasting with pyrite and carbon followed by beneficiation and hydrochloric acid leaching was proposed. Firstly, several factors such as pyrite dosage, roasting temperature, carbon powder dosage, holding time and particle size affecting on the flotation performance of Zn(Pb) and magnetic separation performance of Fe were simultaneously examined and the optimum process parameters were determined. A flotation concentrate, containing 17.46% Zn and 3.93% Pb, was obtained, and the Zn and Pb recoveries were 86.04% and 69.08%, respectively. The obtained flotation tailing was concentrated by a low-intensity magnetic separator. The grade of iron increased from 5.45% to 43.45% and the recovery of iron reached 64.87%. Hydrochloric acid leaching was then carried out for the magnetic separation tailing and a raw quartz concentrate containing 81.05% SiO2 was obtained. To further interpret the sulfidation mechanism of smithsonite, surface morphology and component of the sample before and after reactions were characterized by XRD and EPMA-EDS. The aim was to achieve the comprehensive utilization of the low-grade mining ore.展开更多
Gastric adenocarcinoma generally culminates via the inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence progression. The prevalence of gastric adenomas shows marked geographic variation. Recently, the rate of diagnos...Gastric adenocarcinoma generally culminates via the inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence progression. The prevalence of gastric adenomas shows marked geographic variation. Recently, the rate of diagnosis of low-grade dysplasia(LGD) has increased due to increased use of upper endoscopy. Many investigators have reported that gastric highgrade dysplasia has high potential for malignancy and should be removed; however, the treatment for gastric LGD remains controversial. Although the risk of LGD progression to invasive carcinoma has been reported to be inconsistent, progression has been observed during follow-up. Additionally, the rate of upgraded diagnosis in biopsy-proven LGD is high. Therefore, endoscopic resection(ER) may be useful in the treatment and diagnosis of LGD, especially if lesions are found to have risk factors for upgraded histology after ER, such as large size, surface erythema or depressed morphology. Fatal complications in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) are extremely low and its therapeutic and diagnostic outcomes are excellent. Therefore, ESD should be applied preferentially instead of endoscopic mucosal resection.展开更多
The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome（IBS） is complex and not fully understood, so the aim of this study was to evaluate whether visceral and somatic hypersensitivity, autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction,...The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome（IBS） is complex and not fully understood, so the aim of this study was to evaluate whether visceral and somatic hypersensitivity, autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation of the gut wall are associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS（D-IBS）. Sixty-two patients with D-IBS and 20 control subjects participated in the study. Using the ascending method of limits（AML） protocol, we demonstrated that D-IBS patients had significantly lower sensory thresholds compared with healthy controls（P〈0.001）. Using diverse methods, especially the ischemic sensitivity test, for the first time in China, we confirmed that D-IBS patients have somatic hypersensitivity. They had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure and heart rate after a cold stimulus, indicative of autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction. Compared with the control group, D-IBS patients had a significantly higher level of calprotectin（P〈0.001）. We also found significant correlations between visceral and somatic hypersensitivity, visceral hypersensitivity and autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction, and somatic hypersensitivity and autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction. Our findings may provide valuable suggestions for the treatment of D-IBS.展开更多
Coal is the world＇s most abundant energy source because of its abundance and relatively low cost. Due to the scarcity in the supply of high-grade coal, it is necessary to use low-.grade coal for fulfilling energy dem...Coal is the world＇s most abundant energy source because of its abundance and relatively low cost. Due to the scarcity in the supply of high-grade coal, it is necessary to use low-.grade coal for fulfilling energy demands of modern civilization. However, due to ItS high ash and moisture content, low-grade coal exerts the substantial impact on their consumption like pyrolysis, liquefaction, gasification and combus- tion process. The present research aimed to develop the efficient technique for the production of clean coal by optimizing the operating parameters with the help of response surface methodology. The effect of three independent variables such as hydrofluoric acid （HF） concentration （10-20% by vo!ume ）,. temper- ature （60-100 ~C）, and time （90-180 min）, for ash reduction from the low-grade coal was Investigated.. A quadratic model was proposed to correlate the independent variables for maximum ash reduction at the optimum process condition by using central composite design （CC.D）method. The study reveals that HF concentration was the most effective parameter for ash reduction in comparison with time and temper- ature. It may be due to the higher F-statistics value for HF concentration, which effects to large extent of ash reduction. The characterization of coal was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） analysis and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray （FESEM- EDX） analysis for confirmation of the ash reduction.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFC2503600。
文摘BACKGROUND The discrepancy between endoscopic biopsy pathology and the overall pathology of gastric low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(LGIN)presents challenges in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols.AIM To develop a risk prediction model for the pathological upgrading of gastric LGIN to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from patients newly diagnosed with gastric LGIN who underwent complete endoscopic resection within 6 months at the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2023.A risk prediction model for the pathological progression of gastric LGIN was constructed and evaluated for accuracy and clinical applicability.RESULTS A total of 171 patients were included in this study:93 patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or early gastric cancer and 78 with LGIN.The logistic stepwise regression model demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 0.868 and 0.800,respectively,while the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression model showed sensitivity and specificity values of 0.842 and 0.840,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)for the logistic model was 0.896,slightly lower than the AUC of 0.904 for the LASSO model.Internal validation with 30%of the data yielded AUC scores of 0.908 for the logistic model and 0.905 for the LASSO model.The LASSO model provided greater utility in clinical decision-making.CONCLUSION A risk prediction model for the pathological upgrading of gastric LGIN based on white-light and magnifying endoscopic features can accurately and effectively guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82204123.
文摘BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are papillary or flat mucinous tumors with low-grade cytologic atypia.They are the most frequent source of pseudomyxoma peritonei.They can be easily misdiagnosed,due to unspecific symptoms,with acute appendicitis,retroperitoneal tumors or adnexal mass.Cases of huge appendiceal mucinous neoplasms are even more extremely rare.CASE SUMMARY We report a 54-year-old patient who presented with a 10-month history of constant dull distension accompanied by nausea.A surgical procedure of total hysterectomy,bilateral adnexectomy,appendectomy,greater omentectomy and right hemicolectomy was performed as a result of the findings on ultrasound,computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging.Diagnosis was made after the pathological examination,which revealed low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm.The patient received hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin and was discharged from the hospital.CONCLUSION Low-grade appendiceal mucinous adenomas are rare tumors that are easily misdiagnosed,and a more thorough clinical workup is required to make a defi-nitive diagnosis.
文摘Background: The low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is an exceptionally uncommon sarcoma that primarily manifests in the extremities or trunk of young adults, presenting as painless lesions. The histological features of this tumor are benign, but it exhibits an exceptionally high rate of late recurrence and a significant potential for metastasis. Imaging examinations serve as a crucial method for detecting LGFMS, while the definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological assessment. Currently, the primary treatment modality for this neoplasm is surgical resection. Early aggressive surgery with negative margins is a critical factor in mitigating the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis. The present study presented a case of LGFMS located in the right thigh. The patient underwent a mass resection procedure following an MRI examination. During the telephone follow-up one year post-surgery, despite the absence of an imaging review, the surgical site demonstrated satisfactory recovery with no reported abnormal symptoms. Case Presentation: The patient, a 31-year-old male, presented to our hospital for evaluation of an asymptomatic mass in his right thigh that was incidentally discovered 13 years ago. The MRI showed a well-defined mass measuring 8.2 cm × 6.8 cm × 9.6 cm in the right thigh. The tumor signals exhibit a mixed pattern, characterized by predominantly isointense and hypointense signals on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), a central area of hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and peripheral circular enhancement observed on contrast-enhanced scans. The patient underwent surgical resection. Microscopically, the mass was composed of intricately interwoven fibrous matrix and a distinct mucoid region. The tumor cells exhibited a distinctive arrangement in a swirling or wheel-like pattern, with minimal variation in their karyotypic characteristics. The immunohistochemical examination revealed diffuse and intense MUC4 positivity in the tumor cells. The diagnosis of LGFMS was confirmed by post-operative histopathological examination. Conclusions: The LGFMS is an exceptionally uncommon mesenchymal tumor renowned for its benign histological manifestations and malignant behavior. It is crucial to provide a comprehensive summary of the research findings and thoroughly review the existing literature pertaining to this rare disease.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2024YFB4007100)the Basic ForwardLooking Project of the Sinopec Science and Technology Department,“Research on the Long-Term Sealing Mechanism of Multi-layer Salt Cavern Hydrogen Storage”(No.P24197-4)。
文摘Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.
基金Supported by Jinhua City Science and Technology Plan Projects“Improve the Polarization of Cancer-related Fatigue:Clinical Efficacy Study”,No.2018-4-049.
文摘BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms(LAMNs)are a class of histolo-gically well-differentiated adenomas that can proliferate outside the appendix in the form of malignant tumours,resulting in the accumulation of external appen-diceal mucus.They may present as an extra-appendiceal mass-like bulge,mucus or polypoid tissue at the appendiceal orifice,or even with abdominal dissem-ination.The surgical approach is usually appendectomy,ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy.It is essential to raise awareness of LAMNs and choose an appropriate treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old man underwent a routine physical examination at our hospital on May 17,2022.The patient had no symptoms of abdominal pain,bloating,or weight loss,and his tumour marker levels were normal.The faecal occult blood test was negative,and no abnormalities were identified on physical examination.Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal protrusion at the appendiceal orifice.During endoscopic ultrasound,uneven echoes were observed in the appendix cavity.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a nodular thickening at the base of the appendix,with a diameter of approximately 1 cm.When all the examination results were considered,we suspected the lesion to be an appendiceal mucinous tumour.Laparoscopic surgery was performed using the double purse-string suture method.Postoperative pathology suggested a low-grade mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix with no involvement of the margins.A repeat colonoscopy 18 months after surgery revealed no significant abnormality at the appendiceal orifice.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen suggested only postoperative changes.CONCLUSION This study describes a case of LAMN that was treated by resecting the mass at the appendiceal orifice via the double purse-string suture technique and provides new insights on the diagnosis and treatment of LAMNs.
基金supported by China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(No.BX20230041)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2024M750186)+1 种基金the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52034001)Open Foundation of State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Mineral Metallurgical Resources Utilization and Pollution Control(No.HB202303).
文摘Bioleaching is confronted with problems,such as low efficiency,long production cycle length,and vegetation destruction.In order to solve problems above,fly ash and low-grade copper sulfide ores were used to investigate bioleaching behaviors and bacterial community succession.Results showed that copper recovery,bacterial concentration,total proportion of main leaching bacteria including Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,Acidibacillus ferrooxidans,and Leptospirillum ferriphilum,were improved through using appropriate dosage of fly ash.The maximum copper recovery of 79.87%and bacterial concentration of 7.08×10^(7)cells·mL^(-1)were obtained after us-ing 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash.Exclusive precipitation including Zn(Fe_(3)(SO_(4))_(2)(OH)_(6))_(2)and Mg(Fe_(3)(SO_(4))_(2)(OH)_(6))_(2)was found in sample added 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash,which reduced the effect of hazardous ions on bacteria and thus contributing to bacterial proliferation.Bacterial com-munity structure was differentiated,which indicated difference between original inoculation and sample used 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash was less than others.Total proportion of the three microorganism above accounted for more than 95%in all tests,especially in sample with 0.8 g·L^(-1)fly ash up to 99.81%.Cl^(-)and Ag^(+)contained in fly ash can act as catalytic agent,which contributed to conversion from smooth and dense passivation layer to sparse and scattered one,and therefore improving contact between ores,lixiviant,and bacteria.Using appropri-ate dosage of fly ash showed prospects in bioleaching.
基金Project(2007CB613601)supported by the National Basic Research Program of ChinaProject(10C1095)supported by the Foundation of Hunan Educational Committee,China
文摘The leaching kinetics of copper from low-grade copper ore was investigated in ammonia-ammonium sulfate solution with sodium persulfate. The effect parameters of stirring speed, temperature, particle size, concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate were determined. The results show that the leaching rate is nearly independent of agitation above 300 r/min and increases with the increase of temperature, concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate. The EDS analysis and phase quantitative analysis of the residues indicate that bornite can be dissolved by persulfate oxidization. The leaching kinetics with activation energy of 22.91 kJ/mol was analyzed by using a new shrinking core model （SCM） in which both the interfacial transfer and diffusion across the product layer affect the leaching rate. A semi-empirical rate equation was obtained to describe the leaching process and the empirical reaction orders with respect to the concentrations of ammonia, ammonium sulfate and sodium persulfate are 0.5, 1.2 and 0.5, respectively.
基金Project (2008AA031104) supported by the National High-tech Research and Development Program of China Project (2010063003) supported by the Sharing Fund of Large-scale Equipment of Chongqing University,China
文摘The oxidation process of low-grade vanadium slag in the presence of Na2CO3 was investigated by XRD,SEM/EDS and TG-DSC techniques.The results show that the vanadium slag is oxidized in a temperature range from 273 to 700 °C.Olivine phases and spinel phases are completely decomposed at 500 and 600 °C,respectively.Most of water-soluble sodium vanadates are formed between 500 and 600 °C.When roasting temperature reaches above 700 °C,the vanadium-rich phases of sodium vanadates can be obviously observed.However,at temperature above 800 °C,the samples are sintered.Most of the vanadium is enwrapped by glassy phase compounds which lead to the decrease of the leaching rate of vanadium.At the same time,the effect of roasting temperature on extraction of vanadium and characterization of leach residues were discussed.
文摘Nonresectable Low-Grade Astrocytomas (LGA) can compromise function and threaten life. For the majority of patients, the most appropriate strategy is initial chemotherapy followed by Radiation Therapy (RT). Since curative treatment is not available for most of these patients, it is reasonable to conduct clinical studies to evaluate new agents. This Phase II study evaluates efficacy and safety of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP) in LGA. Sixteen children diagnosed with LGA were treated. They included 12 males and 4 females, ages 1.6 - 17.4 years (median 10.6). Efficacy was evaluated in 16 patients. The majority of patients were previously treated, but 1 patient had stereotactic biopsy only. Out of the remaining 15 patients, 6 patients received chemotherapy, and 7 patients had surgery, and 2 patients received RT and chemotherapy after surgery. The patients received treatment with ANP administered daily every 4 hours (median dose of A10 was 7.71 g/kg/d and AS2-1 was 0.26 g/kg/d) until objective response or stable disease was documented and for 8 months thereafter. The duration of ANP IV ranged from 1.4 to 286 weeks with a median of 83 weeks. A complete response was documented in 25.0%, partial response in 12.5%, and stable disease in 37.5%. Overall survival was 67.7% at 5 years, and 54.2% at 10 and 15 years. Progression-free survival was 48.1%, 34.4% and 34.4% at 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. The treatment was associated with grade 3 or grade 4 Adverse Drug Experiences (ADE) in 6 patients. There were two hypernatremias of grade 4 (12%). Grade 3 ADE included urinary frequency (6%), fatigue (6%) and hypernatremia (6%). There were no chronic toxicities, and there was a high quality of survival. ANP shows efficacy with a very good toxicity profile in this cohort of children with low-grade astrocytoma.
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a further expression of metabolic syndrome, strictly linked to obesity and diabetes mellitus, is characterized by insulin resistance (IR), elevated serum levels of free fatty acids and fatty infi ltration of the liver, which is known as hepatic steatosis. Hepatocyte apoptosis is a key feature of this disease and correlates with its severity. Free-fatty-acidinduced toxicity represents one of mechanisms for the pathogenesis of NAFLD and hormones, growth factors and adipokines influence also play a key role. This review highlights the various pathways that contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines are reckoned to be the most important factor in causing and maintaining IR. Low-grade chronic inflammation is fundamental in the progression of NAFLD toward higher risk cirrhotic states.
文摘Independent of the cause and location,inflammation-even when minimal-has clear effects on gastrointestinal morphology and function.These result in altered digestion,absorption and barrier function.There is evidence of reduced villus height and crypt depth,increased permeability,as well as altered sugar and peptide absorption in the small intestine after induction of inflammation in experimental models,which is supported by some clinical data.Identification of inflammatory factors which may promote the process of gastrointestinal dysfunction as well as clinical research to verify experimental observations of inflammatory modulation of gastrointestinal function are required.Moreover,nutritional strategies to support functional restitution are needed.
基金the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51974364)Postgraduate Independent Exploration and Innovation Project of Central South University, China (No. 2018zzts224)the Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Clean and Efficiency Utilization of Strategic Calcium-containing Mineral Resources, China (No. 2018TP1002)。
文摘Luanchuan area is one of the regions with the largest scale of scheelite beneficiation and the largest output of scheelite concentrate in the world. After years of innovation and progress, the beneficiation technology of low-grade scheelite associated with molybdenum tailings in Luanchuan area is becoming more and more perfect. In this study, the development process of low-grade scheelite recycling technology in Luanchuan area was reviewed, including raw ore properties, beneficiation process, flotation equipment and flotation reagents. Meanwhile, taking Luoyang Yulu Mining Co., Ltd. as an example, the effects of various technical transformations such as the optimization of the beneficiation process, the column-machine combined process, and the high-efficiency flotation reagents were elucidated in detail. However, the recycling technology of low-grade scheelite of Luanchuan area is still possible to be improved. As a result, coupled with the latest research progress, the development direction of low-grade scheelite beneficiation in Luanchuan area was also prospected. It is of great significance to further improve the recovery efficiency of low-grade scheelite resources in Luanchuan area and this can provide technical reference for other scheelite plants.
基金Project(50674014) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Nickel and cobalt were extracted from low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore using a reduction roasting-ammonia leaching method.The reduction roasting-ammonia leaching experimental tests were chiefly introduced,by which fine coal was used as a reductant.The results show that the optimum process conditions are confirmed as follows:in reduction roasting process,the mass fraction of reductant in the ore is 10%,roasting time is 120 min,roasting temperature is 1 023-1 073 K;in ammonia leaching process,the liquid-to-solid ratio is 4:1(mL/g),leaching temperature is 313 K,leaching time is 120 min,and concentration ratio of NH3 to CO2 is 90 g/L:60 g/L.Under the optimum conditions,leaching efficiencies of nickel and cobalt are 86.25% and 60.84%,respectively.Therefore,nickel and cobalt can be effectively reclaimed,and the leaching agent can be also recycled at room temperature and normal pressure.
基金financially supported by the National Science & Technology Pillar Program(No.2012BAB10B00)
文摘By mineral liberation analyzer （MLA） automated quantitative system, the niobium-tantalum ore in this study was classified as refractory mineral of low-grade which was mainly composed of fergusonite, polycrase, ilmenorutile, and bastnasite. Most of niobium and rare earth metals were dis- seminated in these minerals （particle sizes of 95 % rare earth elements 〈40 μm）, which cannot be concentrated through traditional floatation process and treated by the current hydrofluoric acid leaching in industry application. It is nec- essary to develop a new approach to recovery these valuable metals. In this study, an improved method is proposed to extract these metals, which includes acid roasting and sulfuric acid leaching. The influence of mineralogy, acid concentra- tion, leaching temperature, leaching time, and liquid to solid ratio was experimentally studied. It is observed that after the ground ore （-74 μm） was roasted at 350 ℃ for 2 h with sulfuric acid （18.4 mol.L- 1） in the ore to acid mass ratio of 1：1, and then the roasting residue reacted with 25 % sulfuric acid at 90 ℃ for 2 h, the recovery rate of rare earth elements reaches 〉90 %, and the leaching extent of niobium can reach 84 %.
文摘Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma （LGMS） is a rare, malignant tumor with myofibroblastic differentiation. Despite it being classified as a distinct entity by the World Health Organization, a few cases were reported in the oral and maxillofacial region. Here, a LGMS developed on the palate of a 73-year-old man who presented with a 1-cm tumor on the posterior border of the palate. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of LGMS was established. The tumor was resected, and no recurrence was observed over 2 years. Although the tongue is the most preferred site for LGMS, it may occur in any region of the oral cavity.
基金Project(2014CB643405) supported by the National Basic Research Program of ChinaProjects(51204036,51234009) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(BJ201604) supported by the Program for Top Young Talents of Higher Education Institutions of Hebei Province,China
文摘The mineralogical phase transformation of a low-grade nickel laterite ore during pre-roasting process and the extraction of silicon during alkaline leaching process were investigated.The results indicate that the reaction activity of nickel ores is effectively improved by pre-roasting at650°C for2h,because of the transformation of lizardite into magnesium olivine and protoenstatite.When finely ground ore samples(44-61μm)pre-roasted firstly react with sodium hydroxide solution(60g/L)with a solid/liquid ratio of1:5at140°C for120min,the extraction of silicon can reach89.89%,and the other valuable elements of magnesium,iron and nickel are accumulated in the solid residues.The leaching kinetics of nickel laterite ore can be described successfully by the diffusion through the product layer control model.The activation energy is calculated to be11.63kJ/mol and the kinetics equation can be expressed as1-3(1-x)2/3+2(1-x)=13.53×10-2exp[-11.63/(RT)]t.
基金Project(51604131)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2017FB084)supported by the Yunnan Province Applied Basic Research Project,ChinaProject(2018T20150055)supported by the Testing and Analyzing Funds of Kunming University of Science and Technology,China
文摘To recover Zn, Pb, Fe and Si from a low-grade mining ore in the Lanping basin, Yunnan Province, China, a novel technology using the roasting with pyrite and carbon followed by beneficiation and hydrochloric acid leaching was proposed. Firstly, several factors such as pyrite dosage, roasting temperature, carbon powder dosage, holding time and particle size affecting on the flotation performance of Zn(Pb) and magnetic separation performance of Fe were simultaneously examined and the optimum process parameters were determined. A flotation concentrate, containing 17.46% Zn and 3.93% Pb, was obtained, and the Zn and Pb recoveries were 86.04% and 69.08%, respectively. The obtained flotation tailing was concentrated by a low-intensity magnetic separator. The grade of iron increased from 5.45% to 43.45% and the recovery of iron reached 64.87%. Hydrochloric acid leaching was then carried out for the magnetic separation tailing and a raw quartz concentrate containing 81.05% SiO2 was obtained. To further interpret the sulfidation mechanism of smithsonite, surface morphology and component of the sample before and after reactions were characterized by XRD and EPMA-EDS. The aim was to achieve the comprehensive utilization of the low-grade mining ore.
文摘Gastric adenocarcinoma generally culminates via the inflammation-metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence progression. The prevalence of gastric adenomas shows marked geographic variation. Recently, the rate of diagnosis of low-grade dysplasia(LGD) has increased due to increased use of upper endoscopy. Many investigators have reported that gastric highgrade dysplasia has high potential for malignancy and should be removed; however, the treatment for gastric LGD remains controversial. Although the risk of LGD progression to invasive carcinoma has been reported to be inconsistent, progression has been observed during follow-up. Additionally, the rate of upgraded diagnosis in biopsy-proven LGD is high. Therefore, endoscopic resection(ER) may be useful in the treatment and diagnosis of LGD, especially if lesions are found to have risk factors for upgraded histology after ER, such as large size, surface erythema or depressed morphology. Fatal complications in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) are extremely low and its therapeutic and diagnostic outcomes are excellent. Therefore, ESD should be applied preferentially instead of endoscopic mucosal resection.
基金Project supported by the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Twelfth Five-year Plan Period of China(No.2014BAI08B02)the National Science & Technology Major Projects(Major Drug Discovery)of China(No.2012ZX09103201-021)
文摘The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome（IBS） is complex and not fully understood, so the aim of this study was to evaluate whether visceral and somatic hypersensitivity, autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation of the gut wall are associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS（D-IBS）. Sixty-two patients with D-IBS and 20 control subjects participated in the study. Using the ascending method of limits（AML） protocol, we demonstrated that D-IBS patients had significantly lower sensory thresholds compared with healthy controls（P〈0.001）. Using diverse methods, especially the ischemic sensitivity test, for the first time in China, we confirmed that D-IBS patients have somatic hypersensitivity. They had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure and heart rate after a cold stimulus, indicative of autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction. Compared with the control group, D-IBS patients had a significantly higher level of calprotectin（P〈0.001）. We also found significant correlations between visceral and somatic hypersensitivity, visceral hypersensitivity and autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction, and somatic hypersensitivity and autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction. Our findings may provide valuable suggestions for the treatment of D-IBS.
文摘Coal is the world＇s most abundant energy source because of its abundance and relatively low cost. Due to the scarcity in the supply of high-grade coal, it is necessary to use low-.grade coal for fulfilling energy demands of modern civilization. However, due to ItS high ash and moisture content, low-grade coal exerts the substantial impact on their consumption like pyrolysis, liquefaction, gasification and combus- tion process. The present research aimed to develop the efficient technique for the production of clean coal by optimizing the operating parameters with the help of response surface methodology. The effect of three independent variables such as hydrofluoric acid （HF） concentration （10-20% by vo!ume ）,. temper- ature （60-100 ~C）, and time （90-180 min）, for ash reduction from the low-grade coal was Investigated.. A quadratic model was proposed to correlate the independent variables for maximum ash reduction at the optimum process condition by using central composite design （CC.D）method. The study reveals that HF concentration was the most effective parameter for ash reduction in comparison with time and temper- ature. It may be due to the higher F-statistics value for HF concentration, which effects to large extent of ash reduction. The characterization of coal was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） analysis and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray （FESEM- EDX） analysis for confirmation of the ash reduction.
