Membrane Laminar Wet Electrostatic Precipitator

A laminar flow, wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with planar collecting electrodes preferably made of membranes, such as a woven silica fiber. The collecting electrodes are spaced close to planar discharge electrodes to promote laminar flow (Re\u3c2300). Charging electrodes are positioned upstream of the wet ESP to charge the particulate entering the wet ESP to promote collection. The wet ESP is preferably downstream from a conventional turbulent dry ESP for collecting a substantial portion of the larger particulate in the gas stream prior to the gas stream entering the wet ESP

Membrane Electrostatic Precipitator

A membrane is used as a collection substrate in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Possible material choices include fibers in the form of woven mats, screens made from stainless steel wires or fiber reinforced polymer composite membranes. The membranes have a tensile bias applied during operation, and have impulse tensile force applied during a dust removal step. By combining a dry ESP membrane field with wet-film cleaning field, it may be possible to improve collection efficiencies both by reducing turbulence and eliminating re-entrainment losses due to rapping. Through implementation of new materials that resist hostile ESP environments, the invention enhances the possibility of using novel technologies, such as pulsed corona and others, suitable for removal of molecules such as NOx and SOx, which is very important for meeting proposed PM2.5 EPA emissions regulations

Valve replacement in octogenarians: increased early mortality but good long-term result

Between January 1983 and December 1990, 20 patients aged 80 years or older underwent valvular surgery. The patients' ages varied from 80 to 87 years (mean, 82 ± 1.5 years). The indication for operation was aortic stenosis in 19 patients, and mitral insufficiency after previous mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthesis in one. There were 15 elective, two urgent, and three emergency operations. Four of these patients had aortic valve replacement plus coronary artery bypass grafting. Six patients (30%) had an uneventful hospital stay, and the other 14 (70%) experienced several post-operative complications. The operative mortality rate was 15± (three patients). All patients before operation were in NYHA (New York Heart Association) class III and IV and all survivors remained in NYHA class I or II. The survivors have been followed from 6 to 70 months (mean 20 ± 8 months). The actuarial survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 78.5% and 67%, respectively. Valvular replacement in octogenarians can be performed, despite the high rate of post-operative complications, with increased but acceptable mortality. Long-term results are goo

Regional diastolic dysfunction in postischaemic myocardium in calf: effect of nisoldipine

Objective: The aim was to assess the effect of nisoldipine on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function during prolonged myocardial ischaemia. Methods: The left circumflex coronary artery was ligated for 2 h and reperfused for 4 h in 12 calves. The animals were randomised to a control group (n=6) or to treatment with 1.25 mg·h−1 intravenous nisoldipine (n=6) during 2 h of ischaemia. Circulatory support by a ventricular assist device was performed throughout the experiment except for the time of haemodynamic measurements. Regional wall thickening of a normal and an ischaemic left ventricular region was determined using pairs of ultrasonic crystals. Left ventricular pressure was measured by micromanometry. Left ventricular wall thickness and regional wall stiffness at a common preload of 10 mm Hg were calculated using an elastic model with shifting asymptote. Results: Ten animals survived after 6 h. No difference was observed in systolic function between controls and nisoldipine treated animals. Systolic thickening of the ischaemic wall remained depressed 4 h after reperfusion and showed some recovery after dopamine infusion. Ischaemic wall stiffness at a common preload was lower after nisoldipine during ischaemia and reperfusion than in controls. Control wall stiffness remained unchanged during the whole experiment with and without nisoldipine. Diastolic thinning of the ischaemic wall was prevented by nisoldipine during ischaemia and after reperfusion. Conclusions: Prolonged myocardial ischaemia is associated with increased myocardial stiffness of the ischaemic wall. Mechanical unloading can help to bridge the acute phase but cannot prevent postischaemic diastolic dysfunction of the ischaemic wall. Nisoldipine has a beneficial effect on regional diastolic function during ischaemia and reperfusion by decreasing regional wall stiffness and preventing diastolic thinning of the ischaemic wall. Cardiovascular Research 1993;27:531-53

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric oncology — recommendations by the Oncology Task Force of the ESPR

The purpose of this recommendation of the Oncology Task Force of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) is to indicate reasonable applications of whole-body MRI in children with cancer and to address useful protocols to optimize workflow and diagnostic performance. Whole-body MRI as a radiation-free modality has been increasingly performed over the last two decades, and newer applications, as in screening of children with germ-line mutation cancer-related gene defects, are now widely accepted. We aim to provide a comprehensive outline of the diagnostic value for use in daily practice. Based on the results of our task force session in 2018 and the revision in 2019 during the ESPR meeting, we summarized our group’s experiences in whole-body MRI. The lack of large evidence by clinical studies is challenging when focusing on a balanced view regarding the impact of whole-body MRI in pediatric oncology. Therefore, the final version of this recommendation was supported by the members of Oncology Task Force

An examination of the temporal and geographical patterns of psychiatric emergency service use by multiple visit patients as a means for their early detection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background:</p> <p>Frequent users of the psychiatric emergency service (PES) place a heavy burden upon the mental health care delivery system. The aim of this study was to identify distinct temporal or geographical patterns of PES use by these patients as potential markers for their early detection.</p> <p>Methods:</p> <p>Diagnostic profiles were obtained for patients making an intermediate (4 to 10) or a high (11 or more) number of visits to a general hospital PES in Montreal (Canada) between 1985 and 2004. Between-group comparisons were made with regards to several parameters. These included the time intervals between consecutive visits, visit clustering (single, repeating, and the time interval to the first cluster) and visits made to three other services where data was similarly acquired from 2002 to 2004.</p> <p>Results:</p> <p>The two multiple visit groups differed with regards to diagnostic profiles and actual time between consecutive visits (significantly shorter in patients with 11 or more visits). Patients with 11 or more visits were more likely to have a single cluster (3 or more visits/3 months) or repeating clusters (4 visits/3 months) in their patterns of use. Personality disorders were more prevalent in patients with single clusters as they were, along with schizophrenia, in those with repeating clusters. In addition, clusters were found to occur sufficiently early so as to be potentially useful as markers for early detection. Ten percent of those with 11 or more visits and 16% of those with an intermediate number of visits frequented at least one other PES. A small number of patients, primarily those with substance abuse, made over 50% of their visits to other services.</p> <p>Conclusion:</p> <p>Temporal and geographical patterns of use differed significantly between the multiple visit groups. These patterns, combined with distinct diagnostic profiles, could potentially lead to the more rapid identification and treatment of specific sub-groups of multiple visit patients.</p