Cyclic patterns of incidence rate for skin malignant melanoma: association with heliogeophysical activity*

Background: Our previous studies revealed cyclicity in the incidence rate of skin malignant melanoma (SMM; ICD9, Dx:172) in the Czech Republic (period T=7.50~7.63 years), UK (T=11.00 years) and Bulgaria (T=12.20 years). Incidences compared with the sunspot index Rz (lag-period dT=+2, +4, +6, +10 or +12 years) have indicated that maximal rates are most likely to appear on descending slopes of the 11-year solar cycle, i.e., out of phase. We summarized and explored more deeply these cyclic variations and discussed their possible associations with heliogeophysical activity (HGA) components exhibiting similar cyclicity. Methods: Annual incidences of SMM from 5 countries (Czech Republic, UK, Bulgaria, USA and Canada) over various time spans during the years 1964~1992 were analyzed and their correlations with cyclic Rz (sunspot number) and aa (planetary geomagnetic activity) indices were summarized. Periodogram regression analysis with trigonometric approximation and phase-correlation analysis were applied. Results: Previous findings on SMM for the Czech Republic, UK and Bulgaria have been validated, and cyclic patterns have been revealed for USA (T=8.63 years, P<0.05) and Canada (Ontario, T=9.91 years, P<0.10). Also, various ‘hypercycles’ were established (T=45.5, 42.0, 48.25, 34.5 and 26.5 years, respectively) describing long-term cyclic incidence patterns. The association of SMM for USA and Canada with Rz (dT=+6 and +7 years, respectively) and aa (dT=−10 and +9 years, respectively) was described. Possible interactions of cyclic non-photic influences (UV irradiation, Schumann resonance signal, low-frequency geomagnetic fluctuations) with brain waves absorbance, neuronal calcium dynamics, neuro-endocrine axis modulation, melatonin/serotonin disbalance and skin neuro-immunity impairment as likely causal pathways in melanoma appearance, were also discussed. Conclusion: The above findings on cyclicity and temporal association of SMM with cyclic environmental factors could not only allow for better forecasting models but also lead to a better understanding of melanoma aetiology

Experimental Study on the Phase Equilibrium of Copper Matte and Silica-Saturated FeO x-SiO2-Based Slags in Pyrometallurgical WEEE Processing

The effects of the amphoteric and basic oxides alumina and lime on the phase equilibria of copper matte and silica-saturated slags were investigated at 1300 °C and PSO2 = 0.1 atm in a controlled CO-CO2-SO2-Ar gas atmosphere using a high-temperature isothermal equilibration technique followed by rapid quenching. The equilibrium phase compositions were obtained by Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis. The relationship between the copper concentration in matte and the oxygen partial pressure, iron, and sulfur in matte was quantified. The pure iron-silicate slag exhibited the highest copper loss in slag, although the addition of alumina and lime decreased its value by approximately a quarter and a half, respectively, at a matte grade of 65 wt pct Cu. In contrast, copper and sulfur were highly distributed in the matte phase, and their deportment to the matte was favored by addition of alumina and lime.Peer reviewe