The properties of slag are very important in the improvement of steel cleanliness. In particular, the value of %CaO/%Al 2 O 3 ratio, slag basicity, fluidity, and oxygen activity in the slag are considered to affect the steel cleanliness directly. To control these values effectively, the method of deoxidation and slag composition control via additives has been changed. The effect of oxygen content before tapping was investigated. By optimising these factors, the total oxygen content of bearing steel was reduced from 12 to 8 ppm.I&S/17051 Relationship between average life and inclusion content: counts based on total inclusions observed

A kinetic study on minor elements removal during copper matte oxidation was designed under the presumptions of low FeO activity and of no fayalite slag formation. Copper matte with a mass fraction of Cu of 59 pct was mixed by Ar gas blowing during preheating. The matte was oxidized at 1523 and 1673 K by bubbling Ar ϩ O 2 gas through a submerged nozzle. The effects of melt temperature and input oxygen content on the oxidation rate of matte and the volatilization rate of minor elements in copper matte are discussed. The competition reaction composed of the oxygen dissolution into matte and SO 2 gas evolution rate results in the preferential oxidation of FeS in copper matte. The desulfurization rate of matte and the volatilization of minor elements in copper matte were primarily controlled by the mass-transfer rate through the gas film boundary layer around rising gas bubbles. The As, Pb, and Bi were significantly removed during Ar gas blowing with the volatilization rates of Bi and Pb markedly increasing with the melt temperature. However, the dependences of the volatilization rates on the input oxygen partial pressure were affected in a complicated way by the effects of the melt temperature and the reduced amount of exhaust gas.

2-(2-Bromovinyl)benzimidazoles and 2-(2-bromophenyl)benzimidazoles react with cyanamide by microwave irradiation in dimethylformamide in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuI along with a base to give the corresponding benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2- c ]pyrimidin-1-amines and benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2- c ]quinazolin-6-amines, respectively, in moderate to good yields. 2-(2-Bromophenyl)indoles also react with cyanamide under similar conditions to afford indolo[1,2- c ]quinazolin-6-amines. The reaction pathway seems to proceed via a sequence such as intermolecular C–N coupling, C–N formative cyclization, and tautomerization.

BackgroundWe compared the efficacies of vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) relative to pioglitazone (15 mg once daily) as an add-on treatment to metformin for reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe present study was a multicenter, randomized, active-controlled investigation comparing the effects of vildagliptin and pioglitazone in Korean patients receiving a stable dose of metformin but exhibiting inadequate glycemic control. Each patient underwent a 16-week treatment period with either vildagliptin or pioglitazone as an add-on treatment to metformin.ResultsThe mean changes in HbA1c levels from baseline were –0.94% in the vildagliptin group and –0.6% in the pioglitazone group and the difference between the treatments was below the non-inferiority margin of 0.3%. The mean changes in postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) levels were –60.2 mg/dL in the vildagliptin group and –38.2 mg/dL in the pioglitazone group and these values significantly differed (P=0.040). There were significant decreases in the levels of total, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and non-HDL cholesterol in the vildagliptin group but increases in the pioglitazone group. The mean change in body weight was –0.07 kg in the vildagliptin group and 0.69 kg in the pioglitazone group, which were also significantly different (P=0.002).ConclusionAs an add-on to metformin, the efficacy of vildagliptin for the improvement of glycemic control is not inferior to that of pioglitazone in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, add-on treatment with vildagliptin had beneficial effects on PPG levels, lipid profiles, and body weight compared to pioglitazone.