Background and objectives In the United States mortality rates for patients treated with dialysis differ by racial and/or ethnic (racial/ethnic) group. Mortality outcomes for patients undergoing maintenance dialysis in the United States territories may differ from patients in the United States 50 states. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This retrospective cohort study of using US Renal Data System data included 1,547,438 adults with no prior transplantation and first dialysis treatment between April 1, 1995 and September 28, 2012. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of death for the territories versus 50 states for each racial/ethnic group using the whole cohort and covariate-matched samples. Covariates included demographics, year of dialysis initiation, cause of kidney failure, comorbid conditions, dialysis modality, and many others.

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The use of TM is variable, mainly of the follow-up markers, when they are used as screening. This inappropriate use, minimizes their utility favoring erroneous interpretations and increases the risk of damage to the patient. So it is essential to implement safe practices in the use of TM.

After almost half a century of experience in using DRI/HBI in electric arc furnaces (EAFs), and taking into account the decrease of natural gas cost in the USA, it is interesting to revisit some trends and controversial issues around this alternative iron source. This paper reviews aspects like the evolution of iron ore quality and its influence on EAF operation; DRI stockpiling and transport, regarding the risk for selfcombustion; optimum charge design; cold DRI/HBI charging (fifth hole, bucket, transporter); hot charging (ways and results); carbon content, metallization and silica in DRI/HBI, and its influence on EAF operation and performance; oxygen / carbon balance; chemical energy and DRI/HBI charge.

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