KEY FACTORS FOR THE SEPARATION OF SILICON AND IRON DURING PHOSPHORUS RECOVERY FROM SLAG DISCHARGED FROM THE DOUBLE-SLAG REFINING PROCESS

In the present study, we developed a technology for concentrating and recovering phosphorus from slag-like phosphorus-containing unused resources and applied it to slag discharged during the latest steelmaking process, that is, double-slag refining process (DRP). The technology we developed consists of the following four processes: Process (1) is the initial acid elution; Process (2) involves alkali precipitation; Process (3) is the second acid elution; and, Process (4) utilizes ion-exchange. In Process (1), the addition of DPR slag to 0.5 M of a nitric acid solution for 24 min resulted in sufficient phosphorus dissolution. In Process (2), ammonia was added to the dissolved solution, and phosphorus was precipitated with high efficiency. The timing of the addition of ammonia significantly influenced the removal of silicon and iron, which would have been inconvenient to accomplish in subsequent processes. In Process (3), the precipitation obtained in Process (2) was re-dissolved in a nitric acid solution. The dissolution of phosphorus together with other elements progressed sufficiently, and we confirmed that silicon could be completely separated as silica by using high-concentration nitric acid at this stage. The fact that silicon could be removed during Process (3) was an important finding, since silicon could not have been separated in the Process (4). In Process (4), by passing the phosphorus-containing solution obtained in Process (3) through an ion exchange resin, elements other than phosphorus and silicon could be removed, which confirms that the range of applications for this technology could be expanded

SIRT1 negatively regulates the expression of Prl2C3,a senescence-associated protein

SIRT1 is a mammalian homologue of yeast longevity protein Sir2. SIRT1 deacetylates transcription factors, cofactors, and histones in an NAD+-dependent manner, and promotes cell survival, anti-oxidative function, and DNA repair. Although some studies have indicated that SIRT1 is involved in longevity, the function of SIRT1 for preventing aging and senescence is still unclear. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we found that SIRT1 expression decreased by aging and IRT1 reciprocally regulated the expression level of Prl2C3, one of the prolactin-like peptides. In young MEFs, purified Prl2C3 inhibited the growth and increased the number of senescence-associated β galactosidase-positive cells with enlarged and flattened shapes. Moreover, immunostaining of human skin sections showed the expression of Prl2C3 in the basal cells of the epidermis. These results indicate that SIRT1 negatively regulates a senescence-associated protein rl2C3

Improvement of Propylene Epoxidation Caused by Silver Plasmon Excitation by UV-LED Irradiation on a Sodium-Modified Silver Catalyst Supported on Strontium Carbonate

The effect that UV-LED irradiation exerted on a sodium-modified silver catalyst supported on strontium carbonate (Ag-Na/SrCO3) was examined during an epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide. Based on our previous study, we used Ag(56)-Na(1)/SrCO3 in this study. The numbers in parentheses refer to the weight percentage of silver and sodium. Although this catalyst system did not contain typical photocatalysts such as titanium oxide or tungsten oxide, UV-LED irradiation of Ag(56)-Na(1)/SrCO3 resulted in an evident improvement in the selectivity and yield of propylene oxide. Such an advantageous effect of UV-LED irradiation could not be discussed based on the bandgap used in photocatalysts and, therefore, we proposed a mechanism based on the plasmon excitation of silver, which could be accomplished using the irradiation wavelength of UV-LED to produce electrons. Since the lifespan of these electrons is expected to be short, it is difficult to place them into direct contact with the gas phase of oxygen. Once the generated electrons move to SrCO3, however, the lifespan is improved, which could allow suitable contact with oxygen in the gas phase to form active oxygen. If the oxygen is active for epoxidation as hydrogen peroxide, this could explain the improvement in activity from UV-LED irradiation

PHOSPHORUS RECOVERY FROM SEWAGE-SLUDGE MOLTEN SLAG USING A COMBINATION OF ACID-DISSOLUTION, ALKALI-PRECIPITATION, AND ION-EXCHANGE

We recently reported an efficient procedure for recovering phosphoric acid from dephosphorization slag. This recovery procedure consists of a combination of the following four processes: (1) A first dissolution process of slag in a nitric acid solution; (2) a precipitation process then adds ammonia to the obtained eluate; (3) a second dissolution process dissolves the precipitation from the nitric acid eluate; and, (4) the final process involves ion exchange in which the obtained eluate is passed through an ion exchange resin. In the present study, this recovery procedure was applied to concentrate and recover phosphorus from sewage-sludge molten slag, which is an unused resource that should be considered a new resource for phosphorus. As a result, our procedure for recovery from dephosphorization slag was viable following two revisions. Initially, the time for the first dissolution process was extended from 0.2 h to 1 h, but 0.2 h proved to be the optimum time for dephosphorization slag. Next, we discovered it was better to perform the filtration one day after adding the ammonia instead of immediately after adding it. The other two processes could be treated under substantially the same conditions as in the case of dephosphorization slag, and high-purity phosphorus was obtained

PACAP centrally mediates emotional stress-induced corticosterone responses in mice

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system. Recently, PACAP was shown to be involved in restraint stress-induced corticosterone release and concomitant expression of the genes involved in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activation. Therefore, in this study, we have addressed the types of stressors and the levels of the HPA axis in which PACAP signaling is involved using mice lacking PACAP (PACAP−/−). Among four different types of stressors, open-field exposure, cold exposure, ether inhalation, and restraint, the corticosterone response to open-field exposure and restraint, which are categorized as emotional stressors, but not the other two, was markedly attenuated in PACAP−/− mice. Peripheral administration of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) or adrenocorticotropic hormone induced corticosterone increase similarly in PACAP and wild-type mice. In addition, the restraint stress-induced c-Fos expression was significantly decreased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and medial amygdala (MeA), but not the medial prefrontal cortex, in PACAP−/− mice. In the PVN of PACAP−/− mice, the stress-induced c-Fos expression was blunted in the CRF neurons. These results suggest that PACAP is critically involved in activation of the MeA and PVN CRF neurons to centrally regulate the HPA axis response to emotional stressors

Protocol for a prospective multicentre registry cohort study on suicide attempters given the assertive case management intervention after admission to an emergency department in Japan: post-ACTION-J Study (PACS)

Introduction Suicide attempt is the most important risk factor for later suicide. A randomised-controlled, multicentre trial of postsuicide attempt case management for the prevention of further suicide attempts in Japan, named ACTION-J, has established effective interventions for prevention of suicide reattempts. The ACTION-J assertive case management intervention programme was adopted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016, when medical fees were revised. This nationwide programme is provided to patients who attempt suicide and who are admitted to emergency departments in Japan.The aim of the present study is to examine the current implementation status of the ACTION-J programme. The present study also aims to clarify which patients’ and hospitals’ factors affect the implementation of the programme.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, multicentre, patient registry cohort study. Participants will be suicide attempters admitted to the emergency departments of medical facilities with both psychiatry and emergency departments. The assertive case management programme will be delivered to participants by a case manager for up to 24 weeks, based on psychiatric diagnoses, social risks and patient needs. The core feature of the programme is to encourage patients to participate in psychiatric treatment.The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients still participating in the case management intervention at 24 weeks after registration. The secondary outcomes will include measures of the fidelity of the case management intervention. The fidelity will be evaluated using a fidelity assessment manual developed by the study group.Ethics and dissemination This observational study has been approved by the ethics board of Sapporo Medical University. Enrolment began in October 2016 and will continue until December 2018. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences and scientific publications