The effect of two refining slags (A: 1.0-1.8 CaO/Al2O3 ratio, 11-20 wt% SiO2; and B: 1.0-1.2 CaO/SiO2 ratio, 25-35 wt% Al2O3) on the inclusion morphology of a carbon structural steel (Q235B) was studied by controlling the balance between the steel and the refining slag at 1600°C in a Si-Mo resistance laboratory furnace. The results showed that most of the inclusions in the molten steel balanced with slag A were formed by a low-melting CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system with a total oxygen content (T[O]) being fixed at 6-13 ppm. The inclusions in liquid steel balanced with the slag B were mostly formed by the CaO-MnO-Al2O3-SiO2 system, with T[O] controlled to 19-26 ppm. The overall size of the inclusions under balance conditions was higher in the steel reacted with the slag B than that reacted with slag A, with the latter showing more inclusions smaller than 3 μΐη. In order to generate a large number of spherical CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 inclusions smaller than 3 μηι while decreasing the T[O] in the resulting steel, the composition of slag A should be used. This composition allowed improving the cleanliness of the slab, and is also advantageous for the castability of the molten steel.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a rural community-based integrated intervention for early prevention and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China. This 18-year cluster-randomized controlled trial encompassing 15 villages included 1008 patients (454 men and 40 women in the intervention group [mean age, 54 ± 10 years]; 482 men and 32 women in the control group [mean age, 53 ± 10 years]) with confirmed COPD or at risk for COPD. Villages were randomly assigned to the intervention or the control group, and study participants residing within the villages received treatment accordingly. Intervention group patients took part in a program that included systematic health education, smoking cessation counseling, and education on management of COPD. Control group patients received usual care. The groups were compared after 18 years regarding the incidence of COPD, decline in lung function, and mortality of COPD. COPD incidence was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (10% vs 16%, <0.05). A decline in lung function was also significantly delayed in the intervention group compared to the control group of COPD and high-risk patients. The intervention group showed significant improvement in smoking cessation compared with the control group, and smokers in the intervention group had lower smoking indices than in the control group (350 vs 450, <0.05). The intervention group also had a significantly lower cumulative COPD-related death rate than the control group (37% vs 47%, <0.05). A rural community-based integrated intervention is effective in reducing the incidence of COPD among those at risk, delaying a decline in lung function in COPD patients and those at risk, and reducing mortality of COPD.

In this study, the effect of a pre-fermentative freezing treatment on quality attributes of 'Meili' rosé wine was assessed. Prior to fermentation, 'Meili' grapes (berries and must) were subjected to a freezing treatment considering factors of freezing temperatures, freezing time, and thawing method. Colour-related indices were measured by spectral methods. Wine aroma characteristics and sensory attributes were assessed by trained panellists. The results revealed that lower freezing temperature and longer freezing time had positive effects on wine quality attributes. The treatment of frozen berries might help extract colour-related compounds. Microwave thawing improved wine colour, but decreased taste quality. In the work, the MF-10°C/6 h treatment (microwave-thawed berries that had been frozen at -10°C for 6 h) contributed to the best colour characteristics, whereas the NP-20°C/4 h treatment (naturally-thawed must that had been frozen at -20°C for 4 h) contributed to the best taste attributes.