Distinct element analysis of inter-particle coating variability in a batch seed coater

Coating of particulate solids by a thin film layer is of interest in many industrial applications such as seed and tablet coating. In seed processing, seeds are commonly coated with a protective coating layer consisting of fertilisers and crop protection products. Rotary drum batch coaters are typically used for this purpose. The coater consists of a cylindrical vessel with a rotating spray disk in the centre, onto which the coating liquid is fed. The seeds are driven around the vessel by its rotating base, and are mixed by two baffles; one on either side of the vessel. In the present study, DEM simulations are used to analyse the seed coating process. Corn seed is used as a model material and its shape is captured using X-Ray micro-tomography (XRT). The shape is incorporated into the simulations by the clumping multiple spheres to form a particle assembly. The coating uniformity of the seeds is predicted by implementing a coating model, whereby the coating mechanism is represented in the DEM by considering that once a droplet contacts a corn seed, it is removed from the simulation and its mass is attributed to the coating mass of the corn seed. The distribution of mass of sprayed spheres on the corn seeds and the coefficient of variation are evaluated for a range of process conditions, such as spinning disk rotational speed, droplets size and baffle arrangement and designs. In addition to evaluation of coating uniformity of particles, the scale-up rules for rotary drum batch coaters are investigated and reported. The outcome provides guidelines on scale-up rules and improvement of coating uniformity for rotary batch seed coaters

European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood that persists into adulthood in the majority of cases. The evidence on persistence poses several difficulties for adult psychiatry considering the lack of expertise for diagnostic assessment, limited treatment options and patient facilities across Europe. METHODS: The European Network Adult ADHD, founded in 2003, aims to increase awareness of this disorder and improve knowledge and patient care for adults with ADHD across Europe. This Consensus Statement is one of the actions taken by the European Network Adult ADHD in order to support the clinician with research evidence and clinical experience from 18 European countries in which ADHD in adults is recognised and treated. RESULTS: Besides information on the genetics and neurobiology of ADHD, three major questions are addressed in this statement: (1) What is the clinical picture of ADHD in adults? (2) How can ADHD in adults be properly diagnosed? (3) How should ADHD in adults be effectively treated? CONCLUSIONS: ADHD often presents as an impairing lifelong condition in adults, yet it is currently underdiagnosed and treated in many European countries, leading to ineffective treatment and higher costs of illness. Expertise in diagnostic assessment and treatment of ADHD in adults must increase in psychiatry. Instruments for screening and diagnosis of ADHD in adults are available and appropriate treatments exist, although more research is needed in this age group

Long-term survival and residual hazard after in-hospital cardiac arrest

The purpose of this study was to determine long-term survival after in-hospital cardiac arrests and to explore if and when the excess mortality risk imposed by the index event reaches that of an age and sex matched general population.Peer reviewe

Benign occipital unicameral bone cyst causing lower cranial nerve palsies complicated by iophendylate arachnoiditis

A 20 year old girl presented with a history of neck and occipital pain for six weeks, which was found to be due to a unicameral bone cyst of the left occipital condylar region. The differential diagnosis of bone cysts in the skull is discussed. Six months after the operation, the patient again presented with backache due to adhesive arachnoiditis. The latter was believed to have arisen as a result of a combination of spinal infective meningitis and intrathecal ethyl iodophenyl undecylate (iophendylate, Myodil, Pantopaque). The nature of meningeal reactions to iophendylate and the part played by intrathecal corticosteroids in relieving the arachnoiditis in the present case are discussed

-Cell Response During a Meal Test: A comparative study of incremental doses of repaglinide in type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE—To assess the effects of incremental doses of repaglinide on postprandial insulin and glucose profiles after a standard 500-kcal test meal. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Sixteen diet-treated Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (mean HbA1c 8.4%) were enrolled in this randomized, open-label, crossover trial. Subjects received 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg repaglinide or placebo in a random fashion, followed by a standard 500-kcal test meal on 5 separate study days, 1 week apart. RESULTS—The insulinogenic index ({Delta}I30/{Delta}G30) and insulin area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 30 min (AUC0–30) were higher with the 4-mg drug dose compared with the two lower doses and with 2 mg compared with 0.5 mg. On subgroup analysis, the incremental insulin responses were apparent only in the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 9-mmol/l subgroup. There was a significant dose-related increase in the late postprandial insulin secretion (insulin AUC120–240), which resulted in hypoglycemia in four subjects. Proinsulin-to-insulin ratios at 30 and 60 min improved with increasing doses of repaglinide; higher drug doses (2 and 4 mg) were more effective than the 0.5- and 1-mg doses. CONCLUSIONS—Significant dose-related increases in early insulin secretion were found only in less advanced diabetic subjects. In advanced diabetic patients, only the maximum dose (4 mg) was significant compared with placebo. Better proinsulin-to-insulin processing was noted with increasing drug doses