To evaluate alternative cervical cancer screening methods, digital colposcopy and collection of cervical exfoliated cells for liquid-based cytology (LBC) and hybrid capture 2 (HC2) testing were performed among 2562 women aged 15 -59 years in three study sites in the People's Republic of China (rural Shanxi province, Shenyang city in Liaoning province and Shenzhen city in Guangdong province). Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) was also evaluated independently from colposcopy. A total of 74 cases of histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2 þ ) were identified, and 16 CIN2 þ cases were imputed among unbiopsied women to correct for verification bias. Corrected sensitivity for CIN2 þ was 37% for VIA, 54% for colposcopy, 87% for LBC with a threshold of atypical cells of undetermined significance (LBCXASCUS), 90% for HC2, 84% for LBC using HC2 to triage ASCUS and 96% for positivity to LBCXASCUS or HC2. For VIA, sensitivity was much lower among women X40 years (12%) than those aged p39 years (50%). Specificity varied from 77% for positivity to LBCXASCUS or HC2, up to 94% for LBC using HC2 to triage ASCUS. In conclusion, LBC, HC2 and their combinations performed well, whereas VIA missed a majority of CIN2 þ , particularly in older women. Digital colposcopy performed better than VIA, but still missed nearly half of CIN2 þ in this study.

The aim of this work was to analyse the influence of the nozzle structure and parameters on the molten steel flow in beam blank continuous casting. A three-dimensional steady state finite element model was developed to compute the flow field and the meniscus fluctuation in the mould. The volume of fluid model was used to track the free surface evolution at the meniscus. It can be concluded that compared with a through conduit submerged entry nozzle (SEN), a three lateral hole SEN will reduce the impact depth, change greatly the velocity at the free surface and intensify the fluctuation of the free surface. As a whole, the fluid flow in the mould will be improved, which will help to melt the mould powder and improve the absorption of non-metallic inclusions, thus improving steel cleanness. The most rational rake angle for the three lateral hole SEN is 9u. Meanwhile, the SEN immersion depth should be in the range 200-250 mm if the casting speed is about 0?9-1?1 m min 21 .

In order to increase the beam blank cleanliness, the aim of this work is to analyse the flow field in the mould of beam blank continuous casting, to find the factors influencing the strand cleanliness and then to optimise the process parameters. A three-dimensional steady finite element model was developed to simulate and analyse the turbulent flow field in the mould. The volume of fluid model was used to track the free surface evolution at the meniscus. The influences of processing parameters, such as casting speed and nozzle parameters, on the molten steel flow in the strand (such as vortex location, liquid steel impact depth, velocity and fluctuation of the liquid steel at free surface) were analysed and the optimum processing parameters determined based on mass calculation. The results of this research project have been applied in actual production, and it has been shown that they are very useful and efficient for improving the steel cleanliness and controlling the surface cracks on the beam blank web.

Serum sialic acid levels were measured in 80 healthy subjects, in 60 patients with benign tumors and in 110 patients with oral cancer. It was shown that these levels were significantly elevated in oral cancer patients compared to healthy controls and patients with benign tumors (p < 0.01); they were higher in patients with stage III and stage IV disease than in those with stage I and II disease (p < 0.01). However, no difference was observed between healthy controls and stage I and II cancer patients. The results of this study suggest that the determination of sialic acid levels may be of value in the diagnosis of oral cancer, but its usefulness as an adjunct in clinical staging is limited.