Application of the fractal theory for evaluating effects of coal comminution by waterjet

© 2014, The Author(s).Comminution of coal to ultrafine sizes by high-pressure waterjet provides a novel method for preparation of coal-water fuels for next generation, near-zero emission electric power generation. The particle size distribution (PSD) of ground coal is a key parameter in the preparation of slurries as it determines the settling behavior of the particles and viscosity of the coal-water mixture. There are several methods available for representation and evaluation of particle size analysis data. However, fractal theory provides a means by which the entire PSD of comminuted materials can be quantified by using of a specific and exact value. In this paper, a volume-based fractal model was deduced to characterize the PSD of the coal which is ground in a specially designed comminution cell. During the size reduction process, the inlet pressures up to 276 MPa were used

Validation of tracheal intubation of wire-reinforced endotracheal tube with ultrasonography

Objective. Te use of ultrasonography (US) is a new method for verifying the location of the endotracheal tube. Design. Our study was designed as a paired-data and investigator-blind clinical study for evaluating the efectiveness of US for verifcation of wire-reinforced endotracheal tube (WR-ETT) placement compared with capnography. Setting. Tis study was conducted on 56 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients. Fify patients completed the study as 6 were excluded for various reasons. Intervention. Two diferent investigators performed the ultrasonography and intubation independently from one another. While investigator 1 attempted to verify the location of the WR-ETT with a portable ultrasonography with sagittal trans-tracheal view, investigator 2 intubated the patient and verifed the location of the ETT using capnography. Measurements. Time for verifying the location of the ETT using both US and capnography was recorded. Main Results. When the ultrasonography method was compared with capnography for verifcation of the WR-ETT placement, the results showed 95.75% sensitivity and 100% specifcity. Te average verifcation times for endotracheal intubation were 12.78 ± 7.46 s. and 24.44 ± 1.45 s. with US and capnography, respectively (p=0.003). Conclusion. Our results suggest that ultrasound identifcation of a WR-ETT within the trachea is a rapid and accurate method for confrmation of tracheal placement. Larger studies are needed before widespread use of this technique

Global wealth disparities drive adherence to COVID-safe pathways in head and neck cancer surgery

Peer reviewe

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

THE EFFECT OF COAL CLEANING PROCESS ON THE QUALITY AND SLAGGING POTENTIAL OF BAGYAKA COAL

Coal is one of the main energy sources in Turkey; it is used for both domestic heating and energy generation in power plants. However, most of these coals have low calorific value, high ash and sulfur content and high slagging potential. Therefore, they usually need to be cleaned before using in heating or power generation. Coal preparation operations consider the removal of ash forming material from the Run-of-Mine (ROM) coal. Dense-medium separators are employed in the majority of coal preparation plants for this purpose in Turkey. In this study, the effect of coal cleaning process on the quality and slagging potential of Bagyaka coal were investigated by the application of float-sink tests

Effects of Operating Pressure and Stand-Off Distance on Coal Comminution by Waterjet

Comminution of coal to ultrafine sizes by high-pressure waterjet coupled with cavitation cell provides a novel method for preparation of coal-water fuels for next generation, near-zero emission electric power generation. To establish the fundamental performance of the waterjet mill, the effects of the operating pressure and stand-off distance were comprehensively investigated using a high ash bituminous coal. The comminution products were evaluated in terms of the particle size, particle size distribution, and surface area change. The experimental results indicated that the waterjet-mediated comminution of coal was strongly affected by all these operating parameters. Higher operating pressure led to finer products, while the efficiency of the waterjet mill in terms of particle size strongly depended on the stand-off distance. This research provides a deeper insight into the high-pressure waterjet for coal comminution and a basis for process parameter optimization

Anesthesia in Burn Injury Patients

Burn injury, is deterioration of the skin because of the thermal reasons that is in relationship with external environment. Although skin is the primarily affected organ, complications can occur in all other organs and systems and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment and anesthesia practices of the patients with burn injuries requires a multidiscipliary approach and cooperation. The person who is going to apply anesthesia should know the pathophysiological changes in burn injuries and person’s responses to pharmacological agents used in anesthesia. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2011; 10(3.000): 351-360