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BMD is a heritable trait and risk indicator for osteoporosis. In this study, we used a genomewide haplotype association mapping (HAM) approach to identify a haplotype block within Cer1 that partitions inbred mice strains into high and low BMD groups. A cohort of 1083 high and low BMD human subjects were studied, and a nonsynonymous SNP (rs3747532) in human CER1 was identified to be associated with increased risk of both low BMD in premenopausal women (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.0-4.6; p < 0.05) and increased risk of vertebral fractures (OR: 1.82, p = 0.025) in the postmenopausal cohort. We also showed that Cer1 is expressed in mouse bone and growth plate by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization, consistent with polymorphisms potentially influencing BMD. Our successful identification of an association with CER1 in humans together with our mouse study suggests that CER1 may play a role in the development of bone or its metabolism. Our study highlights the use of publicly available databases for rapidly surveying the genome for quantitative trait loci.

An investigation consisting of plant trials and water modelling studies has been carried out with the aim of gaining a better understanding of flow characteristics of a blast furnace taphole stream and its effect on the trough refractory wear. It has been found that the entrainment of the blast gas into the taphole is the most likely root cause for splashy taphole stream, which is believed to greatly contributes to refractory wear on the trough in the region above the liquid level and on the trough cover. Based on the findings from the present studies, changes were made to furnace operation and casting practices at BHP Steel's Flat Products Division No. 6 Blast Furnace (BF6) to minimise splashy taphole streams. As a result, the refractory wear on the trough and its cover has been significantly reduced. The trough cover life of BF6 has been improved, from 60 000 to 300 000 tonnes of hot metal.