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In pursuit of enhancing the conveying performance of the spiral axial flow gasliquid multiphase pump, a comprehensive exploration is conducted to unravel the underlying influence mechanism of impeller structural parameters on gas-liquid separation. This study employs the Box-Behnken design, constructing a sample space that encompasses crucial factors such as impeller hub parameters and blade inclination angle, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics software to perform numerical simulations of various models within the sample space. Researching the influence of impeller hub diameter ratio and blade inclination angle on the internal flow of a multiphase pump, aiming to determine high-performance parameters under high gas content conditions with the coupled effects of impeller hub diameter ratio and blade inclination angle. The results indicate that the performance improvement becomes more pronounced when the blade inclination angle (γ) is greater than 2°. For hub structure parameters, the relative size of hub inlet coefficient (kd1) and hub middle section coefficient (kd2) is measured using the diameter ratio (kr), where kr ranges from 0.94 to 1.02. After optimization, the impeller hub parameters are kd1 = 0.77, kd2 = 0.76, kr = 1.013, γ = 6.95. In comparison with the original model, when the Inlet Gas Volume Fraction is 60%, the gas phase aggregation (λ) at 0.1Span is reduced by 4.5%, the energy dissipation (σ) is decreased by 5.3%, and the efficiency and head coefficient are increased by 2.331% and 0.05, respectively. Therefore, this study has vital theoretical and technical significance for improving the reliability, stability and efficiency of deepwater oil and gas transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the impact of the vertical level of the stopcock connecting the infusion line to the central venous catheter on start-up fluid delivery in microinfusions. Start-up fluid delivery was measured under standardized conditions with the syringe outlet and liquid flow sensors positioned at heart level (0 cm) and exposed to a simulated CVP of 10 mmHg at a set flow rate of 1 ml/h. Flow and intraluminal pressures were measured with the infusion line connected to the stopcock primarily placed at vertical levels of 0 cm, + 30 cm and − 30 cm or primarily placed at 0 cm and secondarily, after connecting the infusion line, displaced to + 30 cm and − 30 cm. Start-up fluid delivery 10 s after opening the stopcock placed at zero level and after opening the stopcock primarily connected at zero level and secondary displaced to vertical levels of + 30 cm and – 30 cm were similar (− 10.52 [− 13.85 to − 7.19] µL; − 8.84 [− 12.34 to − 5.33] µL and − 11.19 [− 13.71 to − 8.67] µL (p = 0.469)). Fluid delivered at 360 s related to 65% (zero level), 71% (+ 30 cm) and 67% (− 30 cm) of calculated infusion volume (p = 0.395). Start-up fluid delivery with the stopcock primarily placed at + 30 cm and − 30 cm resulted in large anterograde and retrograde fluid volumes of 34.39 [33.43 to 35.34] µL and − 24.90 [− 27.79 to − 22.01] µL at 10 s, respectively (p < 0.0001). Fluid delivered with the stopcock primarily placed at + 30 cm and − 30 cm resulted in 140% and 35% of calculated volume at 360 s, respectively (p < 0.0001). Syringe infusion pumps should ideally be connected to the stopcock positioned at heart level in order to minimize the amounts of anterograde and retrograde fluid volumes after opening of the stopcock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese High Magnetic Field Laboratory (CHMFL) will build a resistive magnet with steady magnetic field strength of 42 Tesla which will set a new record for a single resistive magnet. As one of the important auxiliary systems, the cooling water system needs to be fully upgraded to meet the higher cooling requirements of the magnet and the power system. In this paper, the reconstruction scheme of cooling water system is introduced firstly, then the parameters selection of the chilled water pumps and high-pressure pure water pumps are emphatically analyzed. The data fitting method and the applied fluid technology software ATF Fathom were used to analyze and check the selection of chilled water pump. After these pumps are in place, the effectiveness of the above analysis scheme has been verified through testing, which can provide a reference for the reconstruction of pumps in other systems. For the high-pressure pure water pump, the solution focuses on improving the overall cooling capacity of the pump group and also improving the system stability. Based on the large-circulation-flow magnet of CHMFL, tests were conducted on the parallel operation capability of the new and old pumps, and the system characteristic curve and pump performance curve are analyzed and researched. The result shows that the pump parameters selection is reasonable and the magnet cooling circulation capacity is effectively improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow field structure within the clearances of turbomachinery is complex and diverse, exhibiting high-dimensional nonlinearity. How to accurately extract the main structures that affect the internal flow within the turbine from the complex clearance flow has always been a key issue. To explore the impact of the dynamic structure of the clearance flow on the mainstream region in a centrifugal pump, this study combines the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) method to conduct a thorough analysis of the velocity and pressure pulsation frequencies in the multi-physics fields within the clearance. The study has identified the main characteristic structures under different physical conditions in the clearance and has established the relationship between the characteristic structure frequencies in different physical fields and the impeller frequency. The research indicates that the internal flow within the clearance affects the occurrence of vortices in the volute. Under design conditions, the velocity field within the clearance is primarily influenced by high-order harmonic frequencies of the impeller, and the pressure field is mainly affected by low-order harmonic frequencies of the impeller. This reflects the crucial influence of impeller frequency and inlet flow on the coherent structures within the clearance flow. The research results offer new insights and methods for analyzing complex internal flows in large turbomachinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuity of a production process is supported by the availability of good assets. One of the efforts to support asset availability is through asset maintenance. One of the important assets in the industry is the pump. To detect anomalous conditions in the pump, the sound of the engine can be used. However, noisy environmental conditions can change the characteristics of the sound produced. This can have an impact on errors in identifying the condition of the machine. In this study, Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) is used, because the characteristics of MFCC are very attached to the sound signal and are appropriate for sound signals in the case of this noisy environment where the signal tends to be non-stationary. Support Vector Machine will be used as a method that maps input (machine features) and output (machine condition). In this study, a comparison of the use of combined features of time and frequency domains with time-frequency features (MFCC) will be carried out. Improved performance is obtained when the time-frequency domain acoustic feature in the form of MFCC is used with an average accuracy reaching 99.88% on the Medium Gaussian SVM model.

In swash plate type axial piston pumps, slipper/swash plate sliding surfaces is subject to high fluctuating load. Therefore, the slippers are required to provide stable operation and reduce losses due to sliding. The behavior of the slipper fluctuates in a complex manner due to changes in the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder and inertial forces caused by the reciprocating motion of the piston. However, the time variation of the oil film thickness distribution of the slipper has not been measured. Furthermore, there are no measurements of the movement of the spherical joint connecting the slipper and piston, which affects the slipper behavior. In this study, the visualized sliding test rig with a sapphire glass swash plate was developed. The oil film thickness distribution of the slipper and the rotation of the slipper and the piston were measured continuously during one rotation of the pump.

The design factor of surge tank installation is a practical issue in the management of pressurized pipeline systems. To determine the general criteria for surge tank design in pipeline systems, dimensionless governing equations for unsteady flow and their solutions were developed for two widely used pipeline systems equipped with surge tanks. One is the reservoir pipeline surge tank valve and the other is the pipeline system with a pumping station and check valve protected by the surge tank. Two distinct time-domain responses, point- and line-integrated pressure, can be used as objective functions to optimize the surge tank area. The developed formulations were integrated into a metaheuristic engine, particle swarm optimization, to explore a general solution for a wide range of dimensionless resistances that comprehensively address various flow features into one dimensionless parameter. Depending on the dimensionless location of the surge tank, the optimum dimensionless surge tank areas were delineated for a range of dimensionless resistances for the two pipeline systems with and without a pumping station protected by a surge tank. HIGHLIGHTS Dimensionless solutions for pressure response were derived for pipeline systems with surge tanks.; The dimensionless resistance represents flow rate, friction, diameter, length and wave speed.; Both point- and line-integrated pressures were used as objective functions.; The frequency domain models were integrated into particle swarm optimization.; Dimensionless surge tank areas were delineated for dimensionless resistances.;

Abstract This article describes a method for determining the geometric working volume of satellite positive displacement machines (pump and motor). The working mechanism of these machines is satellite mechanism consisting of two non-circular gears (rotor and curvature) and circular gears (satellites). Two variants of the satellite mechanism are presented. In the first mechanism, the rolling line of the rotor is a sinusoid "wrapped" around a circle. In the second mechanism, the rolling line of the rotor is a double sinusoid "wrapped" around a circle. A method for calculating the area of the working chamber as a function of the rotor rotation angle is presented, based on mathematical formulae of the rotor, the curvature and the satellite rolling lines. It has been shown that the second variant of the satellite mechanism is advantageously characterised by a larger difference between the maximum area of the working chamber and the minimum area of this chamber. New mathematical formulas have been proposed to calculate the area of the working chamber for any angle of rotation of the shaft (rotor) based on the maximum and minimum values of the area of this chamber. It was thus confirmed that the geometric working volume depends on the maximum and minimum area of a working chamber and on the height of the satellite mechanism. The analyses of the area of the working chamber were carried out both for the mechanism without gears (the area delimited by the rolling lines of the elements of the mechanism) and for the real mechanism with gears. Differences in the values of these fields were also detected.

The capability to record data in passive, image-based wearable sensors can simplify data readouts and eliminate the requirement for the integration of electronic components on the skin. Here, we developed a skin-strain-actuated microfluidic pump (SAMP) that utilizes asymmetric aspect ratio channels for the recording of human activity in the fluidic domain. An analytical model describing the SAMP's operation mechanism as a wearable microfluidic device was established. Fabrication of the SAMP was achieved using soft lithography from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Benchtop experimental results and theoretical predictions were shown to be in good agreement. The SAMP was mounted on human skin and experiments conducted on volunteer subjects demonstrated the SAMP's capability to record human activity for hundreds of cycles in the fluidic domain through the observation of a stable liquid meniscus. Proof-of-concept experiments further revealed that the SAMP could quantify a single wrist activity repetition or distinguish between three different shoulder activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). HAIP chemotherapy requires a catheter inserted in the gastroduodenal artery and a subcutaneous pump. The catheter can be placed using an open or robotic approach. Objective: This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes of robotic versus open HAIP placement in patients with unresectable iCCA. Methods: We analyzed patients with unresectable iCCA included in the PUMP-II trial from January 2020 to September 2022 undergoing robotic or open HAIP placement at Amsterdam UMC, Erasmus MC, and UMC Utrecht. The primary outcome was time to functional recovery (TTFR). Results: In total, 22 robotic and 28 open HAIP placements were performed. The median TTFR was 2 days after robotic placement versus 5 days after open HAIP placement (p < 0.001). One patient (4.5%) in the robotic group underwent a conversion to open because of a large bulky tumor leaning on the hilum immobilizing the liver. Postoperative complications were similar—36% (8/22) after robotic placement versus 39% (11/28) after open placement (p = 1.000). The median length of hospital stay was shorter in the robotic group—3 versus 5 days (p < 0.001). All 22 robotic patients initiated HAIP chemotherapy post-surgery, i.e. 93% (26/28) in the open group (p = 0.497). The median time to start HAIP chemotherapy was 14 versus 18 days (p = 0.153). Conclusion: Robotic HAIP placement in patients with unresectable iCCA is a safe and effective procedure and is associated with a significantly shorter TTFR and hospital stay than open HAIP placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy consumption in China accounts for 45% of the total national energy consumption, with air conditioning energy consumption representing approximately two-thirds of that. Therefore, energy efficiency in buildings is of utmost importance. This study focuses on a chemical industrial park located along the Fujiang River and compares three heating and cooling supply schemes: the river water source heat pump system, which utilizes river water as the heat source and heat sink; the water cooling unit and boiler system, which uses water-cooled electric compression chillers for cooling and an oil-fired boiler system for heating; and the split air conditioning and gas water heater scheme, which relies on refrigerants such as fluorine-containing compounds for cooling and a gas water heater for heating. By calculating the energy consumption of the above three schemes and conducting a comparative analysis, it is found that the river water source heat pump system exhibits significantly higher energy efficiency throughout the year compared to the water cooling unit and boiler system and the split air conditioning and gas water heater scheme. This highlights the notable energy efficiency advantage of the river water source heat pump system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a method for determining the geometric working volume of satellite positive displacement machines (pump and motor). The working mechanism of these machines is satellite mechanism consisting of two non-circular gears (rotor and curvature) and circular gears (satellites). Two variants of the satellite mechanism are presented. In the first mechanism, the rolling line of the rotor is a sinusoid "wrapped" around a circle. In the second mechanism, the rolling line of the rotor is a double sinusoid "wrapped" around a circle. A method for calculating the area of the working chamber as a function of the rotor rotation angle is presented, based on mathematical formulae of the rotor, the curvature and the satellite rolling lines. It has been shown that the second variant of the satellite mechanism is advantageously characterised by a larger difference between the maximum area of the working chamber and the minimum area of this chamber. New mathematical formulas have been proposed to calculate the area of the working chamber for any angle of rotation of the shaft (rotor) based on the maximum and minimum values of the area of this chamber. It was thus confirmed that the geometric working volume depends on the maximum and minimum area of a working chamber and on the height of the satellite mechanism. The analyses of the area of the working chamber were carried out both for the mechanism without gears (the area delimited by the rolling lines of the elements of the mechanism) and for the real mechanism with gears. Differences in the values of these fields were also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumps are considered crucial mechanical devices in any industry. Especially, double-suction pumps, due to their high-flow design and high head, are utilized in diverse industrial sectors. However, despite these advantages, double-suction pumps are vulnerable to issues like losses, vibrations, and cavitation. Pump vibration is mainly caused by suction recirculation occurring at the impeller inlet. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of the impeller inlet design on enhancing the stability of double-suction pumps while expanding the operating flow range. Through a validated CFD study, the influence of the impeller inlet passage size on the head and efficiency was analyzed. Furthermore, research was conducted on the phenomenon of suction recirculation occurring at the impeller inlet, proposing design guidelines to minimize it, especially for operation at low flow rates. The results demonstrate that the ratio of the hub diameter to the shroud diameter at the impeller inlet significantly impacts the avoidance of recirculation at low flow rates. These findings are expected to contribute to improving the stability and efficiency of high-flow pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally friendly, high-output, high-efficiency compact pumps are in high demand in industrial fields such as chemical analysis and medical care. The efficiency of many small pumps is rather low, with peak efficiencies on the order of about 2%, even for commercially available pumps. Considering current environmental issues, improving the efficiency of motors and pumps is an important issue for preventing global warming. In this research, a small two-valve pump that can suck and discharge water by converting the energy of electromagnetic-vibration component resonance into kinetic energy was newly developed. In actual machine tests, two types of electromagnetic vibration pumps (I and II) with two-valve structures and different shapes were prototyped, and the shapes were optimized for efficiency. The type II vibration pump with an acrylic rod attached to the type I pump had excellent suction and discharge characteristics. The maximum efficiency was 12.2%, which is exceptional for a small pump. In addition, it was clarified by the actual machine test that the type II pump can stably discharge water at a high head of 2000 mm. The two types of pumps proposed in this paper were shown to be highly useful industrially in terms of performance, simplicity, cost, and operability and can be used selectively according to the application. Furthermore, since these pumps can be manufactured with a small number of parts, this paper shows their potential to contribute to environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface drainage plays a crucial role in excess water removal through perforated pipes buried in the soil. The Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota and west central Minnesota often requires pumped drainage outlets due to its flat topography, with many modern systems incorporating variable frequency drives (VFD) for improved efficiency. VFDs adjust pump speeds to match drainage needs, but this dynamic operation complicates accurate flow rate estimation for edge-of-field monitoring. This project aimed to devise an automated method for calculating flow rate estimates from VFD pumping systems involving tank geometry, operational water levels, and pump duty cycling. Linear regressions with calibration data from a transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter produced mixed outcomes. Some linear regressions revealed errors in calculated versus measured flow rate of =14%, while other regressions showed errors nearing 40%. To address this, future efforts should explore methods incorporating the pump's electrical characteristics. This approach would provide a more accurate representation of the unstable and intricate pumping operations during transient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the efficiency of photoelectric panels from year to year is the basis for the large-scale use of this type of renewable energy source. Many subsidies are allocated for the use of renewable energy sources in our country. The use of solar energy, which is one of the renewable energy sources, is one of the most optimal solutions for creating intensive gardens in desert areas. In the article, the efficiency of the photoelectric system (PES) was compared with the portable generator (PG) used to supply water pumps with energy. It was determined that the payback period of PES is equal to 3.5 years compared to PG. It was found that there is an opportunity to use long-term green energy at almost no cost for the remaining 15-20 years. Instead of a system with a total power of 5kW, a PES system of 9.9kW was connected as an energy supply for irrigation works. 4.2 tons of CO2 emissions from PG are avoided annually. This practical work proved that the most problematic desertification, water supply and green energy sources can be solved in one place.

One of the possible directions of using renewable energy sources to save fuel and energy resources in Uzbekistan is the use of the hydropower potential of small rivers. The cost of electricity generated at micro and small hydroelectric power plant is already lower than the cost of electricity generated at traditional types of power plants, including gas turbine, wind, nuclear power plant and thermal power plant. In addition, due to constantly rising energy prices, the cost of electricity at traditional power plants is constantly increasing. The use of the hydropower potential of small rivers will contribute to the decentralization of the integrated energy system and improve energy supply to remote and hard-to-reach rural areas. Analysis of literature sources shows that the use of serial pumps as hydraulic turbines is a successful alternative to the use of specially designed hydraulic turbines for mini and small hydroelectric power plant. To reliably use pumps as hydraulic turbines, manufacturers need to obtain experimental performance of pumps in turbine mode, which can help expand their markets and better utilize available hydraulic potential.

Hypoparathyroidism is the most common endocrinological feature in children with Sanjad-Sakati syndrome. Treatment includes active vitamin D and calcium supplementation. Here, we report a case of a newborn with Sanjad-Sakati syndrome who had severe hypocalcemia since birth who responded to PTH subcutaneous pump infusion. The child was born at 35 weeks with hypocalcemia since the first day of life. The standard medical treatment proved ineffective for the newborn, necessitating the administration of unusually high doses of oral and IV calcium and vitamin D analogue for a 2 months. As a result, intermittent subcutaneous injections of PTH were commenced, resulting in an initial improvement in calcium levels, although this proved to be short-lived. Subsequently, a switch to continuous infusion via a Medtronic Vio pump was made, which unfortunately resulted in iatrogenic hypercalcemia, requiring management of hypercalcemia. Later, calcium carbonate and alfacalcidol were resumed at a lower dosage and continued to have average requirements for patients with hypoparathyroidism. PTH subcutaneous infusion can be highly effective in refractory hypocalcemia cases and can significantly impact the treatment course and facilitate hospital discharge as seen in our case. Careful dosage and monitoring are required to avoid iatrogenic hypercalcemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microinfusions are commonly used for the administration of catecholamines, but start-up delays pose a problem for reliable and timely drug delivery. Recent findings show that venting of the syringe infusion pump with draining of fluid to ambient pressure before directing the flow towards the central venous catheter does not counteract start-up delays. With the aim to reduce start-up delays, this study compared fluid delivery during start-up of syringe infusion pumps without venting, with ambient pressure venting, and with central venous pressure (CVP)-adjusted venting. Start-up fluid delivery from syringe pumps using a microinfusion of 1 mL/h was assessed by means of liquid flow measurement at 10, 60, 180 and 360 s after opening the stopcock and starting the pump. Assessments were performed using no venting, ambient pressure venting or CVP-adjusted venting, with the pump placed either at zero, − 43 cm or + 43 cm level and exposed to a simulated CVP of 10 mmHg. Measured fluid delivery was closest to the calculated fluid delivery for CVP-adjusted venting (87% to 100% at the different timepoints). The largest deviations were found for ambient pressure venting (− 1151% to + 82%). At 360 s after start-up 72% to 92% of expected fluid volumes were delivered without venting, 46% to 82% with ambient pressure venting and 96% to 99% with CVP-adjusted venting. CVP-adjusted venting demonstrated consistent results across vertical pump placements (p = 0.485), whereas the other methods had significant variances (p < 0.001 for both). In conclusion, CVP-adjusted venting effectively eliminates imprecise drug delivery and start-up delays when using microinfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principle of media separation bearing design is presented. Experiments to evaluate the performance of such bearings in the rotor axial unloading unit of a labyrinth screw pump are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cavitation erosion failure of pumps or valves induces the low efficiency and reduced service life of nuclear reactors. This paper reviews works regarding the cavitation erosion of pumps and valves in the nuclear power industry and academic research field. The cavitation erosion mechanisms of materials of pumps and valves are related to the microstructure and mechanical properties of the surface layer. The cavitation erosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel can be ten times higher than that of ferritic steel. The cavitation erosion of materials is related to the hardness, toughness, and martensitic transformation capacity. Erosion wear and erosion–corrosion research is also reviewed. Erosion wear is mainly influenced by the hardness of the material surface. Erosion–corrosion behavior is closely connected with the element composition. Measures for improving the cavitation erosion of pumps and valves are summarized in this paper. The cavitation erosion resistance of metallic materials can be enhanced by adding elements and coatings. Adhesion, inclusion content, and residual stress impact the cavitation erosion of materials with coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Here, the perspective of patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency receiving subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) via introductory smaller size pre-filled syringes (PFS) or vials were compared. Methods: An online survey was conducted in Canada by the Association des Patients Immunodéficients du Québec (APIQ) (10/2020–03/2021). Survey questions included: reasons for choosing SCIg packaging and administration methods, training experiences, infusion characteristics, and switching methods. The survey captured structured patient-reported outcomes: treatment satisfaction and its sub-domains, symptom state, general health perception, and physical and mental function. Respondents using PFS were compared with vial users, overall and stratified by their administration method (pump or manual push). Results: Of the 132 total respondents, 66 respondents used vials, with 38 using a pump and 28 using manual push. PFS (5 and 10 mL sizes) were being used by 120 respondents, with 38 using a pump and 82 using manual push. PFS users were associated with a 17% lower median (interquartile range) SCIg dose (10 [8, 12] vs. 12 [9, 16] g/week, respectively), a significantly shorter infusion preparation time (15 [10, 20] vs. 15 [10, 30] mins, respectively), and a trend for shorter length of infusion (60 [35, 90] vs. 70 [48, 90] mins, respectively) compared with those on vials. Patient-reported treatment satisfaction scores were overall similar between vial and PFS users (including on the domains of effectiveness and convenience), except for a higher score for vials over PFS on the domain of global satisfaction (p=0.02). Conclusions: Consistent with prescribing that reflects a recognition of less wastage, PFS users were associated with a significantly lower SCIg dose compared with vial users. PFS users were also associated with shorter pre-infusion times, reflecting simpler administration mechanics compared with vial users. Higher global satisfaction with treatment among vial users compared with PFS users was consistent with users being limited to smaller PFS size options in Canada during the study period. Patient experience on PFS is expected to improve with the introduction of larger PFS sizes. Overall, treatment satisfaction for SCIg remains consistently high with the introduction of PFS packaging compared with vials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Start-up delays of syringe pump assemblies can impede the timely commencement of an effective drug therapy when using microinfusions in hemodynamically unstable patients. The application of the venting principle has been proposed to eliminate start-up delays in syringe pump assemblies. However, effectively delivered infusion volumes using this strategy have so far not been measured. This invitro study used two experimental setups to measure the effect of the venting principle compared to a standard non-venting approach on delivered start-up infusion volumes at various timepoints, backflow volumes, flow inversion and zero drug delivery times by means of liquid flow measurements at flow rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mL/h. Measured delivered initial start-up volumes were negative with all flow rates in the vented and non-vented setup. Maximum backflow volumes were 1.8 [95% CI 1.6 to 2.3] times larger in the vented setup compared to the non-vented setup (p < 0.0001). Conversely, times until flow inversion were 1.5 [95% CI 1.1 to 2.9] times shorter in the vented setup (p < 0.002). This led to comparable zero drug delivery times between the two setups (p = 0.294). Start-up times as defined by the achievement of at least 90% of steady state flow rate were achieved faster with the vented setup (p < 0.0001), but this was counteracted by the increased backflow volumes. The application of the venting principle to the start-up of microinfusions does not improve the timely delivery of drugs to the patient since the faster start-up times are counteracted by higher backflow volumes when opening the three-way stopcock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PDAM Surya Sembada Surabaya’s energy cost in 2021 amounted to Rp 147.654.439.569, with an energy cost ratio of 24.37%, and the electricity cost of production unit accounted for 76% of the total energy consumption of PDAM. The relatively flat topography does not allow gravity-based systems for water supply. Ageing equipment has decreased overall pump efficiency (ηpt) and increased energy consumption, particularly in Ngagel I WTP, built in 1922, necessitating an energy audit. Energy audit includes measuring pump flow rate and pressure, voltage, current, power factor, pump and motor pump rotation, and temperature. Analysis shows that raw water pumps U2, U3, U5, and S1 and distribution pumps U1, U3, and T4 are still in good condition. However, raw water pump U6 and distribution pumps U6, S1, and S2 require reconditioning and impeller adjustment due to declining efficiency. Furthermore, PDAM must inspect the distribution pump T1 with the lowest efficiency value (49.77%) to determine the appropriate repairs. The research results are action recommendations expected to serve as input and considerations for PDAM in their efforts to improve energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high cost of fuel has become a significant challenge for farmers in operating water pumps for irrigation in agricultural fields. The pumps are rendered economically inefficient due to the associated high operational costs. Therefore, the proposed solution to address this issue is the utilization of wind energy. Wind energy is converted into electrical energy to power water pumps. This research aims to: determine the average power in the wind use statistical method based on the average of windspeed, evaluate the efficiency of wind power generators, and select the appropriate wind turbine type for installation in the Kedungweru region, Kebumen, Central Java. The study was conducted at the Wind Power Plant (PLTB) in Kedungweru Village, Kebumen Regency, Central Java, and the Laboratory of Thermal Systems Engineering and Renewable Energy at Jenderal Soedirman University. Sampling methods included measuring wind speed, voltage, and current, as well as data from the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software. The variables of this research were maximum/minimum/average wind speed, electric pump load, power generated by the wind power plant, and the efficiency of wind turbine performance. The results of the study indicate that Kedungweru has a relatively good wind energy potential, with an average wind speed of 4.79 m/s. From the HOMER simulation using 2 AWS HC 650 W wind turbines, the generated electrical energy reached 2,543 kWh/year. Additionally, the simulation showed an electrical surplus of 33.2%, indicating a well-performing system as almost all generated energy can be efficiently utilized without wastage. Thus, the use of wind energy as a renewable resource for irrigating agricultural fields can be an efficient and economical solution to address the high operational costs resulting from expensive fuel prices.

Rational and energy efficient operation of pumps for pumping and transporting liquids used in difficult conditions of mining is possible due to the implementation and use of modern methods of managing the operating modes of the pumps. Nowadays, the methods and resources used to regulate the operating modes of pumping units do not meet modern requirements, and many mines still use outdated methods of regulating the operating modes of pumps, which entails significant energy losses and an increase in the cost of the transported liquid. In the article, the methods of reducing electricity losses and the impact on the performance of pumping units were considered. It is concluded that this method of regulating work makes it possible to operate pumping units in the working area. Our article considers and experimentally substantiates the possibility of achieving savings in electrical energy, as well as increasing the reliability of the operation of pumping units based on the use of modern methods of regulating operating modes.

In this paper, a novel flow control strategy which is the inlet throttled pump was used to design an angular velocity control system for rotary actuator. Inlet throttled systems have good performance in addition to their high efficiency compared to traditional valve-controlled systems. The flow in the proposed system is adjusted by a valve that is positioned at the pump inlet with the purpose of reducing the energy loses across the valve. This regulated flow is used then to control the actuator angular velocity. The system was modeled and the open loop stability and performance were studied. In order to improve the system performance, proportional-integralderivative (PID) and H-infinity controllers have been designed. The multiplicative uncertainty was analyzed to assess the robustness of the feedback control system where six parameters were considered uncertain within a range of +10%. The robust stability and performance requirements of the closed-loop angular velocity control system were assessed in the frequency domain. The time response of the system showed that the system is stable with both PID and H-infinity controllers. The PID controller have the advantages of simplicity and high response speed while the H8 controller provides better nominal performance, robustness, and stability. The H8 controller can handle parametric uncertainty without requiring pure integral term which is a significant advantage over the PID controller. On the other hand, the PID controller falls short of achieving robust performance, making it less suitable for systems that require high levels of performance and robustness. In summary, the H8 controller is a more comprehensive solution for ensuring the best performance of a system. In contrast, the PID controller may be more suitable for systems with less stringent performance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work shows the results of a study of reliability indicators, indicates the number of accidents, failures, and defects of pumping units of the pumping station "Kyzyl-Tepa" for a 5-year period, calculates the intensity of the occurrence of events and the probability values of initiating events, and presents the graphs of changes in the probabilities of initiating events for 5 and 60 years based on experimental and operational data, as well as theoretical calculation of values of the probability of initiating events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of thrust bearings used in NPP circulation pumps are presented and discussed. An analysis of the results of the tribological tests of new materials and coatings for solving the issues of the operability of friction units with hydrodynamic lubrication at high speeds and loads is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical centrifugal pumps play a crucial role in numerous water conservancy projects. However, their continuous operation can lead to the development of cracks or even fractures in some centrifugal pump blades, resulting in a substantial adverse impact on the operation of the pumping station unit and jeopardizing safe production. This study employs the fluid-structure interaction method to comprehensively investigate the modal characteristics of the impeller, both in an air environment and immersed in water. Furthermore, the analysis of static and dynamic stress attributes is conducted. The natural frequency of the impeller when submerged in water is significantly lower than its frequency in an air medium, typically accounting for approximately 0.35 to 0.46 of the air-based natural frequency. There are conspicuous stress concentrations at specific locations within the system, specifically at the rounded corners of the blade back exit edge, the impeller front cover, the middle of the blade inlet edge, and the junction where the blade interfaces with the front and back cover. It is crucial to underscore that when the system operates under high-flow or low-flow conditions, there is a pronounced stress concentration at the interface between the impeller and the rear cover plate. Any deviation from the intended design conditions results in an escalation of equivalent stress levels. Through dynamic stress calculations during a single rotational cycle of the impeller, it is discerned that the cyclic nature of stress at the point of maximum stress is primarily influenced by the number of blades and the rotational velocity of impeller. This research carries significant implications for effectively mitigating blade fractures and cyclic fatigue damage, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of vertical centrifugal pumps in water conservancy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key characteristics of thrust and radial bearings used in NPP circulation pumps are presented and discussed. The operating conditions of the thrust and radial bearing of the main circulation pump are considered. The comparative characteristics of bearings depending on the operating conditions are given. Recommendations are given on the choice of thrust and radial bearings in nuclear industry pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Connection and opening a syringe infusion pump to a central venous line can lead to acute anterograde or retrograde fluid shifts depending on the level of central venous pressure. This may lead to bolus events or to prolonged lag times of intravenous drug delivery, being particularly relevant when administering vasoactive or inotropic drugs in critically ill patients using microinfusion. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of syringe pump positioning at different vertical heights on start‐up fluid delivery before versus after purging and connection the pump to the central venous catheter. Methods: This in vitro study measured ante‐ and retrograde infusion volumes delivered to the central venous line after starting the syringe pump at a set infusion rate of 1 mL/h. In setup one, the pump was first positioned to vertical levels of +43 cm or –43 cm and then purged and connected to a central venous catheter. In setup two, the pump was first purged and connected at zero level and secondarily positioned to a vertical level of +43 cm or –43 cm. Central venous pressure was adjusted to 10 mmHg in both setups. Results: Positioning of the pump prior to purging and connection to the central venous catheter resulted in a better start‐up performance with delivered fluid closer to programmed and expected infusion volumes when compared to the pump first purged, connected, and then positioned. Significant backflow volumes were observed with the pump purged and connected first and then positioned below zero level. No backflow was measured with the pump positioned first below zero level and then purged and connected. Conclusions: Syringe infusion pump assemblies should be positioned prior to purging and connection to a central venous catheter line when starting a new drug, particularly when administering highly concentrated vasoactive or inotropic drugs delivered at low flow rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing number of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) programs have been established worldwide. Practice patterns for this complex therapy across these programs have not been reported. This survey aimed to identify current practice patterns in HAI therapy with the long-term goal of defining best practices and performing prospective studies. Methods: Using SurveyMonkeyTM, a 28-question survey assessing current practices in HAI was developed by 12 HAI Consortium Research Network (HCRN) surgical oncologists. Content analysis was used to code textual responses, and the frequency of categories was calculated. Scores for rank-order questions were generated by calculating average ranking for each answer choice. Results: Thirty-six (72%) HCRN members responded to the survey. The most common intended initial indications for HAI at new programs were unresectable colorectal liver metastases (uCRLM; 100%) and unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (uIHC; 56%). Practice patterns evolved such that uCRLM (94%) and adjuvant therapy for CRLM (adjCRLM; 72%) have become the most common current indications for HAI at established centers. Referral patterns for pump placement differed between uCRLM and uIHC, with most patients referred while receiving second- and first-line therapy, respectively, with physicians preferring to evaluate patients for HAI while receiving first-line therapy for CRLM. Concern for extrahepatic disease was ranked as the most important factor when considering a patient for HAI. Conclusions: Indication and patient selection factors for HAI therapy are relatively uniform across most HCRN centers. The increasing use of adjuvant HAI therapy and overall consistency of practice patterns among HCRN centers provides a robust environment for prospective data collection and randomized clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the electric energy audit conducted on the North Banjarmasin zone distribution pump at PT Air Minum Bandarmasih in Banjarmasin City, Indonesia. The purpose of the study was to enhance energy efficiency by examining the pump's performance and identifying opportunities for energy conservation. The research revealed that the pump efficiency ranged from 44.51% to 57.41% for the three pumps. Recommendations for enhancing efficiency include impeller resetting, cleaning, and reconditioning. The article emphasizes the significance of energy audits and strategies for reducing energy consumption in the water distribution system. Additionally, it discusses the need for improving the efficiency of the Banua Anyar booster pumps in North Banjarmasin, Indonesia, which currently have an efficiency value below 60%. The article provides calculations for the potential increase in pump production and the cost of pump repairs, as well as the calculation of cash inflow and outflow and the payback period for the investment in pump repairs. The conclusion underscores the importance of enhancing pump performance and establishing pressure patterns to boost efficiency. [Extracted from the article]

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This study investigates the spatial and temporal features of micropump cavitation. The numerical model is based on the k-Epsilon turbulence model and the Zwart cavitation model. Cases with different rotation speeds and flow volumes are carried out experimentally to validate the numerical model by changing rotation speed and flow rate separately. The periodic to chaos cavitation is observed by varying the cavitation number. Spatial modes of cavitation on the blade are identified by the dynamic mode decomposing. The frequencies of those modes are also obtained. The most energetic modes are presented and discussed. Cavitation of micropump on the suction side of the blade experiences growing, breaking, and shedding. With the decrease of cavitation number, the cavitation occurs at the leading-edge part, the middle part, and the entire blades. The leakage of cavitation can result in the interaction between cavitation between neighboring gaps of blades and the symmetrical distribution. The results also show that with the increase of cavitation number, there exists a downshift of frequency, and the bump point of the blade can influence the cavitation significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Displacement-controlled systems have high efficiency and are widely used in industry. Accurate control of the actuator motion in hydraulic systems is usually a necessity in industrial applications such as the motion of control surfaces in fixed-wing airplanes for flight control as well as the aircraft brake systems. To address this need, the current study was conducted with the goal of developing a high-fidelity model to achieve precise control. This work focused on modeling a hydrostatic transmission that is used for controlling a linear actuator velocity. The flow entering the actuator was changed using a variable displacement pump. The study included examining the stability and performance of the open-loop system. Additionally, the study involved the design of the proportional-integral-derivative PID and H∞ controllers, followed by the analysis of the stability and performance of the closed-loop system with both controllers. Furthermore, the multiplicative uncertainty is taken into account and the robustness of the system is verified using controllers PID and H∞. In the current study,Uncertain parameters such as actuator efficiency, pump speed, and viscous friction coefficient were considered and allowed for a ±5% deviation from their stated values. Taking uncertainty into account ensures that the system performs properly even in case where the design parameters vary within the specified range. The system response is compared for the cases of open-loop system, closed-loop system with PID controller, and closed-loop system with H∞ controller. The results demonstrated that the open-loop system remains stable for real-world applications but shows insufficient performance in terms of input tracking and disturbance rejection. The introduction of the PID controller significantly enhanced the system's response to a reference input; however, its disturbance rejection capabilities in terms of overshoot and settling time were still unsatisfactory. The system equipped with the PID controller failed to meet the robustness requirements. Conversely, the utilization of H∞ controllers yielded superior responses and fulfilled the robustness criteria.

The issue of the influence of the concentration of the solid phase on the reduction of energy costs and specific energy consumption during pulp transportation is considered. The procedure for preparing slurry from the current enrichment tailings is shown. A scheme is given and the operation of a hydroficated unit for thickening and hydraulic transport of backfill mixtures is described. A diagram of the movement of solid particles in one of the units of the complex – a lamellar thickener is shown. The summary table shows the main design parameters and characteristics of the lamellar thickener. A general view of the laboratory setup used for experimental studies with slurry at various concentrations is given. An example of calculating productivity, density and specific load is presented. The dependence of the shear stress on the velocity gradient was determined for various pulp concentrations. Experimental studies of the process of thickening the production of slurry from the current enrichment tailings have been carried out. It was found that the geometric dimensions of the thickener depend on the concentration of the solid phase in the transported mixture. It is concluded that the flow rate of the slurry and the head loss are functions of the rheological characteristics of the viscoplastic slurry and can be calculated from the derived calculated dependencies.

Reiker G Ricks,1,2 Ivan A Cardenas,1,2 Emilie L Ungricht,1,2 Randall J Olson,1 Jeff H Pettey1 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 2University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USACorrespondence: Jeff H Pettey, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA, Tel +1 801-581-2352, Fax +1 801-581-3357, Email jeff.pettey@hsc.utah.eduPurpose: To evaluate efficiency of grooving, nuclear fragment removal, and changes in pressure control in the Oertli Faros using traditional peristaltic and Speed and Precision (SPEEP) features. The SPEEP mode uses novel peristaltic technology permitting independent control of flow and vacuum.Methods: A porcine lens model was used with an enclosed chamber simulating the anterior segment. Grooving efficiency is evaluated with flow rates of 10, 30, and 50 mL/min using whole lenses. Lens cubes were emulsified at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% power with both SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes. Surge was evaluated with pressure gauges placed on the irrigation tubing and aspiration tubing. Pressure readings were recorded per the following: fluid and vacuum were initiated for 15 seconds, vacuum tubing was occluded for 5 seconds, tubing patency was then re-introduced for 15 seconds. Differences between sensors were recorded.Results: No significant increase in efficiency was seen with increasing flow rate from 30 to 50 mL/min using SPEEP. No significant differences were shown in lens fragment removal in SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes at any power tested. Pressure difference measurements were not significantly different with SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes.Conclusion: We showed that lower flow rates show comparable efficiency of grooving when using the SPEEP mode. The SPEEP function did not show increased efficiency in nuclear fragment removal when compared to traditional mode. Surge control was also comparable with both SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes. We suggest that the SPEEP function included in the Oertli Faros may have some advantages.Keywords: cataract, grooving, pump, nuclear fragment removal, power, machine setting optimization

The capability to record data in passive, image-based wearable sensors can simplify data readouts and eliminate the requirement for the integration of electronic components on the skin. Here, we developed a skin-strain-actuated microfluidic pump (SAMP) that utilizes asymmetric aspect ratio channels for the recording of human activity in the fluidic domain. An analytical model describing the SAMP’s operation mechanism as a wearable microfluidic device was established. Fabrication of the SAMP was achieved using soft lithography from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Benchtop experimental results and theoretical predictions were shown to be in good agreement. The SAMP was mounted on human skin and experiments conducted on volunteer subjects demonstrated the SAMP’s capability to record human activity for hundreds of cycles in the fluidic domain through the observation of a stable liquid meniscus. Proof-of-concept experiments further revealed that the SAMP could quantify a single wrist activity repetition or distinguish between three different shoulder activities.

The present study aims to reveal wear characteristics of an impeller pump transporting the mixture of liquid and solid particles. An experimental work is conducted to detect patterns of wear of the pump components. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique and the discrete element method (DEM) are jointly used to simulate the two-phase flow and wear of the pump components. After a 30-hour wear experiment, the inlet edge of the long blades exhibits wavy profiles, and the outlet part of the long blades is worn through. Regarding the volute, only the volute tongue is severely worn. At a particle diameter of 2.0 mm and a solid mass fraction of 10 %, the ratio of the average wear depth of the long blades to that of the volute reaches 64.5. Wear of the blade inlet edge depends on the normal cumulative contact energy, while the tangential cumulative contact energy contributes significantly to wear of the outlet part of the long blades. As the particle diameter increases from 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm, the average depth of wear of the long blades decreases monotonically by nearly 45 %, but the maximum depth of wear increases by about 34 %. The solid mass fraction serves as a key factor influencing wear of the pump components, especially when particles of large size are transported.

Over the past decade, the world population has experienced rapid and widespread adoption of smartphones due to their usefulness and convenience. However, researchers have identified a range of adverse behaviours associated with the adoption of smartphones and their higher use. These behaviours are collectively described as Problematic Smartphone Use and Dependence (PSUD). Despite growing research, the underlying processes and drivers leading to these behaviours are inadequately understood. This can partly be attributed to the absence of developed statistical tools and measures that allow researchers to build a comprehensive conceptual understanding of PSUD. To address this issue, this study proposes and evaluates a validated extension to the Problematic Use of Mobile Phones (PUMP) scale. The extension of this tool incorporates factors associated with substance dependence outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), including additional items to measure PSUD accurately, referred to as the modified problematic use of mobile phones (MPUMP) scale. The newly developed tool was used in a cross-sectional online survey during September and October 2022, drawing on 1018 adult Australian participants. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were conducted to derive the underlying factors. The EFA revealed two distinct factors: Distraction and Dysregulation. Both factors exhibited high internal consistency, with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant variations inthe identified factors' mean scores across different socio-demographic characteristics. The study provides evidence that the MPUMP scale is a validated and reliable measure for accurately assessing PSUD. The study findings offer novel insights into the psychosocial and physical aspects of PSUD, providing a foundation for exploring the causes and potential interventions for PSUD.

Background: Intravenous administration of highly concentrated and potent drugs at low flow rates is common practice, particularly in critically ill children. Drug delivery during infusion start‐up can be considerably delayed by intrinsic factors of syringe infusion pump assemblies. The impact of central venous pressures on the course of start‐up fluid delivery of such microinfusions remains unknown. Methods: Infusion volumes delivered after activation of the start button in a conventional 50 mL syringe infusion pump assembly equilibrated (representing classical in vitro testing) and not equilibrated (representing real clinical conditions) to central venous pressure levels of 0, 10 and 20 mmHg at a set infusion flow rate of 1 mL/h were measured using a fluidic flow sensor. Results: The experimental setup mimicking real life conditions demonstrated considerable differences in fluid delivery during pump start‐up depending on central venous pressure. A central venous pressure of 0 mmHg resulted in massive fluid delivery at infusion start‐up, while central venous pressure levels of 10 and 20 mmHg resulted in retrograde flows with related mean (95% CI) zero‐drug delivery times of 3.22 (2.98–3.46) min and 4.51 (4.33–4.69) min, respectively (p <.0001). Conclusion: Depending on central venous pressure level, connection and starting a new syringe pump can result in significant antegrade or retrograde fluid volumes. In clinical practice, this can lead to hemodynamic instability and hence requires clinical alertness. Further research and methods to improve start‐up performance in syringe infusion pump systems are desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the partitioning of the closed water distribution network (WDN) serving the city of Pavia, Italy. As a thus far poorly explored aspect in the scientific literature, clustering for the definition of size and extension of district metered areas (DMAs) and of inter-DMA boundary pipes is performed by ensuring that the DMAs respect the altimetric areas of the WDN by leaning on a modified formulation of modularity. To define the boundary pipes to be closed or alternatively fitted with a flow meter for the monitoring of DMA consumption, the dividing is performed with an innovative heuristic algorithm. This technique operates by sequentially implementing the boundary closures that do not cause significant head losses, to obtain an approximation of the Pareto front in the trade-off between number of flow meters installed and WDN reliability. In the last part of the work, the pumps present in the network are assumed to be equipped with the variable speed drive, and their hourly settings are optimized to regulate service pressure. Overall, WDN partitioning and pump setting optimization are proven to mitigate the service pressure and energy consumption of the WDN, offering evident and attractive benefits up to about 50% for water utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a proven, effective treatment for refractory spasticity and chronic pain, with applications ranging from spinal cord injury to amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS). Despite its effectiveness, the withdrawal syndrome of intrathecal baclofen can be life‐threatening. Case Report: This case describes the treatment of a patient with chronic spasticity related to ALS with an ITB pump infection requiring explant and a prolonged period of antibiotics before reimplantation. A 62‐year‐old man with ALS‐related spasticity maintained on high‐dose ITB for 20 years presented to the emergency department with one week of fever, confusion, and localized erythema to the R‐side of his abdomen. Laboratories indicated a mild leukocytosis 12.9 K/uL and imaging showed a 2.9‐cm fluid collection with fat stranding surrounding the ITB pump. The pack was explanted, and the patient started on intravenous antibiotics. Due to the high baclofen dosage, our pain service recommended PO (per os) baclofen 30 mg every 6 h via gastrostomy and PO diazepam 10 mg every 6 h via gastrostomy. These doses were titrated carefully to avoid oversedation while preventing withdrawal symptoms. On Day 23 postexplant, the patient had the baclofen pump reimplanted and baclofen titrated over three days to his previous dose of ITB. Conclusion: This case demonstrates a successful approach to avoiding severe baclofen withdrawal using PO baclofen combined with PO diazepam. The high dose of maintenance ITB (1188.8 mcg/day), the inability to reinsert the patient's intrathecal pump, and the high risk of intubation in a patient with severe neuromuscular dysfunction all made this a challenging case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, Inc. (ICPS) identified practice variation across participating health‐systems related to intravenous Patient‐Controlled Analgesia (PCA) in 2018. No evidence‐based published recommendations were available to provide optimization for the medication use process during this evaluation, leading to development of an ad hoc interdisciplinary group to address gaps. Objectives: Primary objectives were to operationalize safe use of PCA and evaluate implementation of ICPS PCA consensus recommendations at an academic medical center by assessing PCA prescribing patterns following policy and electronic health record (EHR) changes. Secondary objectives focused on markers of adoption changes and employee engagement. Methods: ICPS formed an interdisciplinary, diverse group of content experts representing six health‐systems to review current PCA processes. Significant variations were identified, and a gap‐analysis was completed to develop consensus recommendations. To evaluate implementation of these recommendations, a retrospective pre‐/post‐analysis was completed of patients at a safety‐net, academic medical center from March 2021 to July 2022 who received an order for PCA. Prescribing patterns and electronic documentation were analyzed. Results: The ICPS PCA Safety Summit developed 45 consensus recommendations addressing the following PCA medication use processes: ordering, patient assessment, administration, EHR design, documentation tools, smart pump drug library settings, policies, adverse event monitoring, and education. Evaluation included a total of 155 patients. The ordered total number of morphine milligram equivalent (MME) potentially available per day to a patient from PCA, electronic documentation of opioid tolerance, and PCA smart infusion pump review all significantly improved post‐implementation. Conclusion: City‐wide standardization and development of PCA consensus guidelines filled a gap in practice to provide direction and optimization for the medication use process surrounding these high‐alert medications. Organizational results following implementation provide evidence that using new EHR order sets and incorporating opioid tolerance resulted in more intentional PCA prescribing and more thorough electronic nursing documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective and reliable performance of any pump can be significantly impacted by the piping system design. One of the essential points is the pump suction pipe. Poor design and dimension of the suction piping can lead to cavitation in the pump which affects its head and efficiency. The primary objective is to reduce the hydraulic losses of the suction piping in order to maintain a Net Positive Suction Head required by the pump. Suction piping is recommended to be short and straight, and branch connections, valves and elbows should be avoided, which is not always possible. In addition, cavitation can occur in the actual hydraulic elements installed on the pump suction. This work is focused on the investigation of cavitating hydraulic element in the suction pipe on the pump performance. A converging-diverging nozzle with a circular cross-section was used for this purpose. A straight pipe segment of constant diameter and the same length was used for comparison. Both elements were characterized by the loss coefficient and the cavitation number. Their influence on the pump head and the Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetes technology improves glycemic control and quality of life for many people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, inequalities in access to diabetes technology exist in many countries. In Germany, disparities in technology use have been described in pediatric T1D, but no data for adults are available so far. We therefore aimed to analyze whether demographic factors and area deprivation are associated with technology use in a representative population of adults with T1D. Materials and methods: In adults with T1D from the German prospective diabetes follow-up registry (DPV), we analyzed the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and sensor augmented pump therapy (SAP, with and without automated insulin delivery) in 2019-2021 by age group, gender, migration background, and area deprivation using multiple adjusted regression models. Area deprivation, defined as a relative lack of area-based resources, was measured by quintiles of the German index of Multiple Deprivation (GIMD 2015, from Q1, least deprived, to Q5, most deprived districts). Results: Among 13,351 adults with T1D, the use of technology decreased significantly with older age: CSII use fell from 56.1% in the 18-<25-year age group to 3.1% in the ≥80-year age group, CGM use from 75.3% to 28.2%, and SAP use from 45.1% to 1.5% (all p for trend <0.001). The use of technology was also significantly higher in women than in men (CSII: 39.2% vs. 27.6%; CGM: 61.9% vs. 58.0%; SAP: 28.7% vs. 19.6%, all p <0.001), and in individuals without migration background than in those with migration background (CSII: 38.8% vs. 27.6%; CGM: 71.1% vs. 61.4%; SAP: 30.5% vs. 21.3%, all p <0.001). Associations with area deprivation were not linear: the use of each technology decreased only from Q2 to Q4. Discussion: Our real-world data provide evidence that higher age, male gender, and migration background are currently associated with lower use of diabetes technology in adults with T1D in Germany. Associations with area deprivation are more complex, probably due to correlations with other factors, like the higher proportion of migrants in less deprived areas or the federal structure of the German health care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polder is usually used for flood control in the river delta area. With the rapid development of urbanization, the dikes or pumps cut the original stream network system, and the stream network connectivity (SNC) and the river system pattern have changed. The dikes or pumps generally force up the river's water level, and regional flood formation mechanisms and processes have changed. In order to quantitatively describe the characteristics of polder‐type flood control measure (PFCM) and the change law of SNC, firstly, the streams inside polders were generalized as virtual streams, a hydrological‐hydrodynamic model was constructed by connecting Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modeling System and MIKE11 model. Secondly, an SNC evaluation model was constructed based on flow resistance and hydrological process. Finally, the SNC under different scenarios was simulated and evaluated to reveal the influence of the PFCM on SNC. And the dominance analysis method obtained the main control factors of SNC changes. The results showed that the pumps as the main drainage facility under the PFCM, SNC after the opening of the pumps were increased by 0.060, 0.103, and 0.311 for 50%, 30%, and 3% frequency flood scales compared with the pumps closed, respectively. However, compared with the natural stream (without the PFCM), the SNC decreased by 0.391, 0.456, and 0.487, respectively, at the same time of the same flood scale. The PFCM negatively impacted the SNC, and the number of pumps was the main control factor of the SNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]