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Site trials of a two-stage vacuum, temperature and vacuum swing adsorption (VTVSA) process using carbon fiber composites was, for the first time, carried out at an Australian coal mine to enrich ve...

Current utilization practices have not fully appreciated the potential of coal mine drainage gas and have resulted in significant greenhouse gas emissions. This paper introduces a novel pathway of ...

Background Advances in minimally invasive surgery have expanded the indications for interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy. Although the clinical outcomes for this approach may be equivalent to those of conventional microscopic discectomy, the supporting evidence is still based on small, single-center, prospective, and retrospective studies. Therefore, a multicenter randomized controlled trial is warranted. Methods This will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy to those of conventional microscopic discectomy. The trial will enroll 100 participants with a lumbar disc herniation, 50 in each group. The primary outcome will be the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score at 12 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes will be back and leg pain (visual analog scale); the ODI; the EuroQol-5-dimension score; patient satisfaction; and walking distance/time and time to return to daily activities post-surgery. Surgical outcomes will include postoperative drainage, operative time, duration of hospital stay, postoperative creatine kinase level as an indicator of muscle injury, and postoperative scarring. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and simple radiography will be performed to evaluate radiographic outcomes between the two surgical approaches. Surgery-related complications and adverse effects will be evaluated as safety outcomes. A single assessor at each participating hospital, blinded to group allocation, will assess the enrolled participants at baseline, at 2 weeks, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Discussion This trial is designed to determine whether interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy is clinically comparable to microscopic discectomy to treat lumbar disc herniations. All efforts will be made to reduce bias, including adequate sample size, blinded analyses, and multicenter prospective registration. The outcomes will inform practice, providing the evidence needed for using interlaminar full-endoscopic over microscopic discectomy by confirming the potential of this technique to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service; cris.nih.go.kr. (KCT0006277); protocol version (v1, June 8, 2021).

A two-stage methane enrichment process with initial vacuum, temperature and final vacuum swing adsorption (VTVSA) was applied to enrich simulated ventilation air methane (VAM) ( 15 vol.% CH4 in the second stage product. Simulated ventilation air streams with 0.30, 0.60 and 0.98 vol.% CH4 were enriched up to 19.28, 24.24 and 36.92 vol.% CH4, respe...

Organic wastewater generated from polyester manufacturing processes was selected from H company to investigate the feasibility of anaerobic digestion that produces gases including methane. Bio Methane Potential (BMP) tests were conducted to measure the gas production and methane concentration for 7 process wastewater and 2 kinds of sludges from the H company. Also, along with monitoring pH and alkalinity during the anaerobic digestion process, the concentrations of COD and 1,4-dioxane were measured with 4 different operating conditions for N Emulsion (NE) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) wastewater. The BMP tests showed that 65% of methane was produced from NE and EG wastewater. This suggests that the organic wastewater from H company can be effectively treated by an anaerobic digester by which more than 90% of COD was removed.

Open foraminal decompression with/without fusion has been performed as a standard surgical treatment for lumbar foraminal stenosis. Recently reported endoscopic approach through extraforaminal landing enables working mobility after partial removal of superior articular process. After that, it was possible to approach the foraminal zone safely and to treat decompression for foraminal stenosis. After access to the foramen, full-scale foraminal decompression along the exiting nerve root can be performed using a variety of surgical instruments. Instruments such as endoscopic burrs, bone reamers, punches, forceps, and lasers can be used for selective decompression under high-resolution endoscopic vision. We conclude that transforaminal endoscopic decompression could be an effective treatment method for selected groups of patients with foraminal stenosis. It can be performed under local anesthesia and has a short operative time and less blood loss.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of targeted exome sequencing (TES) as a molecular diagnostic tool for patients with skeletal dysplasia. A total of 185 patients either diagnosed with or suspected to have skeletal dysplasia were recruited over a period of 3 years. TES was performed for 255 genes associated with the pathogenesis of skeletal dysplasia, and candidate variants were selected using a bioinformatics analysis. All candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, correlation with the phenotype, and a cosegregation study in the family. TES detected “confirmed” or “highly likely” pathogenic sequence variants in 74% (71 of 96) of cases in the assured clinical diagnosis category and 20.3% (13 of 64 cases) of cases in the uncertain clinical diagnosis category. TES successfully detected pathogenic variants in all 25 cases of previously known genotypes. The data also suggested a copy-number variation that led to a molecular diagnosis. This study demonstrates the feasibility of TES for the molecular diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia. However, further confirmation is needed for a final molecular diagnosis, including Sanger sequencing of candidate variants with suspected, poorly captured exons. Genet Med 18 6, 563–569.

Nanoporous carbons (NPCs) were synthesized from CO2 with magnesiothermic reduction for CO2 capture applications. The yield of NPCs was enhanced by a modified magnesiothermic reduction process, in which CO2 instead of Ar was applied to the reactor during heating Mg powders from 500 degrees C to a given reaction temperature (800-900 degrees C). The yields, microstructures, pore structures and CO2 adsorption properties were investigated for a variety of NPCs synthesized under various conditions of reaction temperature and duration (15-60 min). The results show that the synthesized NPCs are mainly mesoporous and composed of well crystalline carbon nanosheets interwoven with amorphous carbon. The yield, BET surface area, total pore volume, narrow microporosity (pore size < 1 nm) and CO2 adsorption capacity were decreased with an increase of reaction temperature and duration. The highest CO2 uptake of 39.7 mg g(-1) at 273 K and 1 bar was obtained in the NPC that was synthesized at 800 degrees C for 15 min and with flowing CO2 during heating at above 500 degrees C. The high CO2 adsorption capacity is resulted from its large surface area and volume of narrow micropores smaller than 1 nm, being of 34.9 m(2) g(-1) and 0.011 cm(3) g(-1), respectively.

Ventilation air methane (VAM), which is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from coal mines, has been a great challenge to deal with due to its huge flow rates and dilute methane levels (typically 0.3–1.0 vol%) with almost 100% humidity. As part of our continuous endeavor to further improve the methane adsorption capacity of carbon composites, this paper presents new carbon composites derived from macadamia nut shells (MNSs) and incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These new carbon composites were fabricated in a honeycomb monolithic structure to tolerate dusty environment and to minimize pressure drop. This paper demonstrates the importance of biomass particle size distributions when formed in a composite and methane adsorption capacities at low pressures relevant to VAM levels. The selectivity of methane over nitrogen was about 10.4 at each relevant partial pressure, which was much greater than that (6.5) obtained conventionally (at very low pressures), suggesting that capturing methane in the presence of pre-adsorbed nitrogen would be a practical option. The equilibrium and dynamic performance of biomass-derived carbon composites were enhanced by 30 and 84%, respectively, compared to those of our previous carbon fiber composites. In addition, the presence of moisture in ventilation air resulted in a negligible effect on the dynamic VAM capture performance of the carbon composites, suggesting that our carbon composites have a great potential for site applications at coal mines because the cost and performance of solid adsorbents are critical factors to consider.

Nephronophthisis 13 (NPHP 13) is associated with mutations in the WDR19 gene, which encodes for a protein in the intraflagellar transport complex. Herein, we describe six additional cases accompanied by Caroli syndrome or disease.Targeted exome sequencing covering 96 ciliopathy-related genes was performed for 48 unrelated Korean patients with a clinical suspicion of NPHP. Mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. We evaluated the expression of WDR19 in the biopsied kidney by immunohistochemistry in patients and controls.We detected three (3/48, 6.3 %) unrelated index cases with WDR19 mutations. One of the cases involved two siblings with the same mutation. Later, we detected an additional index case with a similar phenotype of kidney and liver involvement by Sanger sequencing of WDR19. The p.R1178Q mutation was common in all patients. All of the six affected patients from four families progressed to chronic kidney disease. Of note, all six patients had Caroli syndrome or disease. Immunohistochemistry for WDR19 showed localized expression along the luminal borders of the renal tubular epithelium in controls, whereas it showed diffuse cytoplasmic staining in the affected patients.Caroli disease is a major extra-renal phenotype associated with mutations in WDR19 in the Korean population. In this study, we visually validated the expression pattern of mutant WDR19 protein in the kidneys of NPHP 13 patients. More data are needed to identify the true frequency of p.R1178Q. Functional studies including transfection assay will provide solid grounds for the pathogenicity of each mutation.

Study design Retrospective clinical study. Objective To evaluate the effect of the limitation of flexion rotation clinically and radiologically after interspinous soft stabilization using a tension band system in grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis. Summary of background data Although several studies have been published on the clinical effects of limiting rotatory motion using tension band systems, which mainly targets the limitation of flexion rather than that of extension, they were confined to the category of pedicle screw-based systems, revealing inconsistent long-term outcomes. Methods Sixty-one patients with a mean age of 60.6 years (range, 28-76 yr) who underwent interspinous soft stabilization after decompression for grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis with stenosis between 2002 and 2004 were analyzed. At follow-up, the patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their achievement or failure to achieve flexion limitation. The clinical and radiological findings were analyzed. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the prognostic factors for surgical outcomes. Results At a mean follow-up duration of 72.5 months (range, 61-82 mo), 51 patients were classified into the flexion-limited group and 10 into the flexion-unlimited group. Statistically significant improvements were noted only in the flexion-limited group in all clinical scores. In the flexion-unlimited group, there were significant deteriorations in flexion angle (P = 0.009), axial thickness of the ligamentum flavum (P = 0.013), and the foraminal cross-sectional area (P = 0.011), resulting in significant intergroup differences. The preoperative extension angle was identified as the most influential variable for the flexion limitation and the clinical outcomes. Conclusion The effects of the limitation of flexion rotation achieved through interspinous soft stabilization using a tension band system after decompression were related to the prevention of late recurrent stenosis and resultant radicular pain caused by flexion instability. The extension potential at the index level was recognized as a major prognostic factor that can predict the flexion limitation and the clinical results. Level of evidence 4.

Chromosomal translocation of 2q37.1 just distal to the NPPC gene coding for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and subsequent overproduction of CNP have been reported to cause a skeletal overgrowth syndrome. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is one of marfanoid overgrowth syndromes, of which subtype IV is caused by haploinsufficiency of transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFB2). We report on a girl with clinical phenotypes of overgrowth syndrome, including long and slim body habitus, macrodactyly of the big toe, scoliosis, ankle valgus deformity, coxa valga, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and aortic root dilatation. Karyotyping revealed a balanced chromosomal translocation between 1q41 and 2q37.1, and the breakpoints could be mapped by targeted resequencing analysis. On chromosome 2q37.1, the translocation took place 200,365 bp downstream of NPPC, and serum level of the amino terminal of CNP was elevated. The contralateral site of translocation on chromosome 1q41 disrupted TGFB2 gene, presumed to cause its haploinsufficiency. This case supports the concept that NPPC is overexpressed because of the loss of a specific negative regulatory control in the normal chromosomal location, and demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted resequencing in the mapping of breakpoints.

Background Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease with a genetic predisposition. Few studies have evaluated the disease in the Asian population. We studied a Korean pediatric cohort to delineate the clinical characteristics and genotypes. Methods A multicenter cohort of 51 Korean children with aHUS was screened for mutations using targeted exome sequencing covering 46 complement related genes. Anti-complement-factor-H autoantibody (anti-CFH) titers were measured. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay was performed to detect deletions in the complement factor-H related protein genes (CFHR) in the patients as well as in 100 healthy Korean controls. We grouped the patients according to etiology and compared the clinical features using Mann–Whitney U-test and chi-squared test. Results Fifteen patients (group A, 29.7%) had anti-CFH, and mutations were detected in 11 (group B, 21.6%), including one with combined mutations. The remaining 25 (group C, 49.0%) were negative for both. The prevalence of anti-CFH was higher than the worldwide level. Group A had a higher onset age than group B, although the difference was not significant. Group B had the worst renal outcome. Gene frequencies of homozygous CFHR1 deletion were 73.3%, 2.7% and 1% in group A, group B + C and the control, respectively. Conclusions The incidence of anti-CFH in the present Korean aHUS cohort was high. Clinical outcomes largely conformed to the previous reports. Although the sample size was limited, this cohort provides a reassessment of clinicogenetic features of aHUS in Korean children.

Summary Expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in ATXN1 causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), a neurodegenerative disease that impairs coordination and cognition. While ATXN1 is associated with increased Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk, CAG repeat number in AD patients is not changed. Here, we investigated the consequences of ataxin-1 loss of function and discovered that knockout of Atxn1 reduced CIC-ETV4/5-mediated inhibition of Bace1 transcription, leading to increased BACE1 levels and enhanced amyloidogenic cleavage of APP, selectively in AD-vulnerable brain regions. Elevated BACE1 expression exacerbated Aβ deposition and gliosis in AD mouse models and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and olfactory axonal targeting. In SCA1 mice, polyglutamine-expanded mutant ataxin-1 led to the increase of BACE1 post-transcriptionally, both in cerebrum and cerebellum, and caused axonal-targeting deficit and neurodegeneration in the hippocampal CA2 region. These findings suggest that loss of ataxin-1 elevates BACE1 expression and Aβ pathology, rendering it a potential contributor to AD risk and pathogenesis.

In this paper, co-treatment systems were configured to recycle dye wastewater by combining unit processes such as membrane separation, ozone oxidation and electrolysis. In our previous study of co-treatment with membrane separation and ozone processes (modes 1–3), it was found that ozone oxidation with enriched oxygen was effective in removing dye wastewater. Additional two co-treatment systems (mode 4: membrane separation and electrolysis and mode 5: mode 4 + ozone process with enriched oxygen) were configured in this paper and operated continuously for 24 h. Compared to our previous results, co-treatment systems with electrolysis were found to further enhance the removal efficiencies of organic matter, T-N and T-P by 4, 20 and 15%, respectively. Especially, their color removal efficiencies were about 75–85 and 93% with modes 4 and 5, respectively, indicating that co-treatment with electrolysis is an excellent system in color removal.

We investigate the accessibility of Ti3SiC2-derived carbons (Ti3SiC2-DCs) synthesized non-isothermally using a temperature ramp. The microstructure of the Ti3SiC2-DCs is characterized using TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and gas adsorption. For the characterization by gas adsorption, we adopt our Finite Wall Thickness (FWT) model to invert Ar adsorption isotherms at 87 K to obtain pore size and pore wall thickness distributions of the Ti3SiC2-DCs. Accordingly, we identify a pore accessibility problem in the Ti 3SiC2-DCs, as reported for Ti3SiC 2-DCs prepared at 1073 K in our previous work. A striking feature is that Ti3SiC2-DC prepared at the slowest ramping rate (2 K/min) has a very narrow pore size distribution, while the Ti 3SiC2-DCs synthesized at higher ramping rates (5 and 15 K/min) have much broader pore size distributions centered around 5.2 A. A significant amount of previously unreported ultra-microporosity is observed based on low pressure CO2 adsorption at 273 K. Our results indicate that slow ramping rate could potentially be utilized for fine control of the ultra-microporosity of carbide-derived carbons. Finally, we have found that fast ramping rate above 5 K/min leads to subtle changes in microstructure, with long and periodic graphitic multilayers having some large pores formed in between.

High surface area silicon carbide-derived carbons (Si-CDCs) synthesized by chlorination of beta silicon carbide (βSiC) with two different particle sizes (6 μm and 50 nm) show different porosities with graphitic structure. Transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO2) sorption analyses are used to examine the textural properties of the Si-CDCs. The results show that the particle size of the precursor affects the surface area and porosity of carbons. Furthermore, an additional heat treatment of the Si-CDC with 50-nm particle size for 24 h at 1,000 °C results in a collapse of the pore structure and reduces the surface area. The capacitive behaviours are investigated in H2SO4 and in tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF4)/acetonitrile (AN). The electrochemical performance of the Si-CDCs is influenced by the particle size, surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution. The Si-CDCs exhibit capacitances in 1 M H2SO4 of up to 179 F g−1 and very stable charge–discharge performance over 5,000 cycles. This study shows the crucial importance of ultramicropores less than 1 nm combined with nanosized particles for achieving high capacitance in aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, the graphitic degree at the surface of the Si-CDCs enhances considerably the rate capability and stability in both electrolytes.

A great interest has been devoted, in recent years, to development of novel cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies to make CO2 capture economically viable. Compared with other available technologies, solid adsorbent capture technologies have the potential to be highly cost-effective and could have less impact on the environment. In this paper, new carbon composites were developed with macadamia nut shells (MNSs), phenolic resin and carbon fibers as solid adsorbents for post combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 from coal-fired power stations. Many have claimed the superiority of their adsorbents in terms of the capture capacities at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). However, for CO2 adsorption capacities at PCC conditions (typically about 10–15% in Australia), the CO2 partial pressure should be considered. Thus, here we introduced a new term, C100 as an indicator of CO2 capture performance of solid adsorbents at 298 K and 100 mmHg. Compared to our previous carbon fiber adsorbent ( Thiruvenkatachari et al., 2009 ), new composites were found to possess about maximum 35% higher C100. Also, in this paper, we stressed the importance of MPSDs (ranging from 4 to 6 A) of solid adsorbents as they are directly associated with CO2 capture performance of adsorbents at PCC conditions. When mixed with phenolic resin, carbonized MNSs yielded higher C100 than activated ones, indicating that the volatile matter in MNSs contributed to creation of small pores during the composite fabrication process. It was observed that the same held for carbon fibers. The MPSDs were used to explain carbonization and activation processes of MNS-derived carbons, phenolic resin, carbon fibers and their composites. A diffusional problem of CO2 molecules was identified for carbonized phenolic resin (glass carbon structure) and explained with its MPSDs. When phenolic resin is mixed with MNS-derived carbons and carbon fibers in composite forms, there was no pore accessibility problem of CO2 observed for all the composites synthesized in this paper. This paper provides useful pore structural information relevant to CO2 capture at PCC conditions to those who are dealing with solid sorbents.

Background: We compared clinical properties and patient satisfaction between spinal anesthesia and popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) for hallux valgus surgery. Methods: Forty patients undergoing hallux valgus surgery were divided into spinal group (spinal anesthesia with 2.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine [n = 20]) and PSNB group (PSNB with 30 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine mixed with 10 ml of normal saline solution using a nerve stimulator [n = 20]). The PSNB group used a patient-controlled-analgesia (PCA) pump for postoperative pain control. The quality and side effects were compared between the two groups. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction with the use of anesthetic techniques and postoperative pain control in the PSNB group. This study was assessed 3 days postoperatively by a blinded observer. Results: Procedure time and time from anesthesia until start of sugery were significantly shorter in the spinal group than those in the PSNB group (P < 0.01). Anesthesia-related complications such as hypotension, bradycardia, shivering, nausea/vomitting, post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) and urinary retension were observed in 15%, 10%, 5%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of patients in the spinal group, respectively. PSNB was not associated with these complications. Patient satisfaction was slightly higher for PSNB than for spinal anesthesia. In the PSNB group, patient satisfaction with postoperative pain-control was 95% above ordinary satisfaction. Conclusions: Despite the long duration of the procedure, PSNB is relatively safe, provides an adequate level of anesthesia, effectively controls postoperative pain and reduces side effects. Therefore, PSNB could be a potential anesthetic technique for hallux valgus surgery. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2013; 64: 321-326)

The application of large sized honeycomb structured monolithic carbon fibre composites (HMCFC) to CO 2 capture was evaluated experimentally using simulated flue gas in 2.0 m long, large sized adsorption column. The average adsorption capacity of pure CO 2 on the HMCFC, was 11.9 wt% (mass uptake) at ambient temperature and pressure. With a simulated flue gas (at 298 K) consisting of 13 vol% CO 2 (partial pressure 13 kPa), 5.5% of O 2 and the balance N 2 , the CO 2 capture efficiency during the adsorption breakthrough study was found to be over 98%. After adsorption, thermal regeneration that was applied at 398 K without any inert gas purge to recover the adsorbed gas, resulted in a desorbed CO 2 gas concentration of up to 100%, but with a CO 2 recovery of less than 20% while vacuum regeneration (up to 30 kPa) yielded less than 5% CO 2 . However, combined thermal and vacuum regeneration was found to be an effective CO 2 desorption strategy to achieve very high CO 2 recovery and purity. Also, after the flue gas adsorption step, when the adsorbents were flushed with specific quantitites of CO 2 , more concentrated CO 2 in the desorbed gas was obtained. Under optimum operating conditions, the desorbed gas exhibited a CO 2 concentration of 100% with recovery from the input flue gas of over 97%. The carbon fibre composite adsorbents showed very good mechanical stability, and were unaffected by water from moisture condensation during regeneration experiments with repeated heating and cooling.

Regulation of intracellular pH is critical for the maintenance of cell homeostasis in response to stress. We used yeast two-hybrid screening to identify novel interacting partners of the pH-regulating transporter NBCe1-B. We identified Hsp70-like stress 70 protein chaperone (STCH) as interacting with NBCe1-B at the N-terminal (amino acids 96–440) region. Co-injection of STCH and NBCe1-B cRNA into Xenopus oocytes significantly increased surface expression of NBCe1-B and enhanced bicarbonate conductance compared with NBCe1-B cRNA alone. STCH siRNA decreased the rate of Na+-dependent pHi recovery from NH4+ pulse-induced acidification in an HSG (human submandibular gland ductal) cell line. We observed that in addition to NBCe1-B, Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE)-dependent pHi recovery was also impaired by STCH siRNA and further confirmed the interaction of STCH with NHE1 but not plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase. Both NBCe1-B and NHE1 interactions were dependent on a specific 45-amino acid region of STCH. In conclusion, we identify a novel role of STCH in the regulation of pHi through site-specific interactions with NBCe1-B and NHE1 and subsequent modulation of membrane transporter expression. We propose STCH may play a role in pHi regulation at times of cellular stress by enhancing the recovery from intracellular acidification. Background: Regulation of intracellular pH is critical for cellular homeostasis. Results: Stress 70 protein chaperone (STCH) interacts with pH regulating transporters NBCe1-B and NHE1 and modulates their functional expression. Conclusion: STCH chaperone dynamically regulates intracellular pH through site-specific interactions with ion transporters. Significance: These novel STCH interactions provide a mechanism for intracellular pH regulation in response to homeostatic stress.

Background Obese patients are at risk of complications such as slower wound healing and increased infection rates after spinal surgery. Transforaminal full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (ELD) has advantages over conventional microdiscectomy because it decreases perioperative complications and increases favorable clinical outcomes. No clinical studies have reported ELD in obese patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of transforaminal ELD in obese patients Methods Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2. Our study included 21 obese patients and 27 normal BMI patients treated by posterolateral transforaminal ELD for radiating pain caused by a single-level lumbar disc herniation with more than 2 years of follow-up. Clinical chart reviews and telephone surveys were conducted. Clinical and functional outcomes using VAS and ODI, perioperative complications, and reherniation were evaluated. Results Overall clinical and functional outcomes were improved during postoperative follow-up evaluation. There were no immediate perioperative complications, such as infection or durotomy in both groups. In obese group, three patients had late reherniations. Of these, 2 patients had tolerable pain and showed good recovery with conservative treatment; 1 patient who had undergone ELD for recurrent disc herniation underwent open microdiscectomy. In control group, two patients had early reherniation and underwent open microdiscectomy and one patient with late reherniation showed good recovery with conservative treatment. Conclusion In select cases, ELD is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive technique for obese patients. It decreases perioperative morbidity and allows for both early mobilization and early return to work. Level of Evidence: level 3b.

Spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasias (SEMDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive disorders. An apparent X-linked recessive (XLR) form of SEMD in a single Italian family was previously reported. We have been able to restudy this family together with a second family from Korea by segregating a severe SEMD in an X-linked pattern. Exome sequencing showed missense mutations in BGN c.439A>G (p.Lys147Glu) in the Korean family and c.776G>T (p.Gly259Val) in the Italian family; the c.439A>G (p.Lys147Glu) mutation was also identified in a further simplex SEMD case from India. Biglycan is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan that can bind transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and thus regulate its free concentration. In 3-dimensional simulation, both altered residues localized to the concave arc of leucine-rich repeat domains of biglycan that interact with TGF-β. The observation of recurrent BGN mutations in XLR SEMD individuals from different ethnic backgrounds allows us to define "XLR SEMD, BGN type" as a nosologic entity.

For dye wastewater reuse, an advanced co-treatment system was designed, using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and ozone. A small-scale pilot plant was continuously operated for 24 h with three modes: a membrane separation process (mode 1) and combinations of mode 1 and an ozone treatment with air injection (mode 2) or pure oxygen injection (mode 3). In case of disperse dye black, the removal efficiencies of CODcr were found to be 42, 49 and 54% with modes 1, 2 and 3, respectively, suggesting a positive effect of ozone oxidation on organic matter removal whereas T-N and T-P removals were insensitive to ozone treatment, having about 40 and 80%, respectively, regardless of mode types. The color removal efficiency increased from 50 (mode 1) to 89% (mode 3), indicating a great effect of ozone oxidation on color removal. In particular, it was observed that ozone treatment with pure oxygen injection (mode 3) enhanced the color removal by 10%, compared with air injection (mode 2).

A 63-year-old female presented with a rare case of synovial cyst invading the dura mater and mimicking an intradural extramedullary tumor in the lumbar spine. She underwent posterior lumbar fusion with laminar wire fixation from L3 to S1 levels. She complained of severe pain along the anterolateral thigh in both legs for 1 year. Radiological examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed an intradural extramedullary lesion at the L2-3 level that was compressing the thecal sac. Histological examination confirmed a synovial cyst. Synovial cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intradural extramedullary mass causing lumbar radiculopathy.

Background: Oxytocin may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, including tachycardia and hypotension, whereas the optimal dose of oxytocin at elective cesarean section is unclear. To determine the lowest effective dose of oxytocin, we studied the hemodynamic effects of three doses during spinal anesthesia for elective single cesarean delivery. Methods: Sixty women received oxytocin by continuous (0.5 IU/min) or bolus-continuous (2 or 5 IU prior to 0.25 IU/min continuous intravenous injection) intravenous injection after clamping of the umbilical cord. We compared changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and estimated blood loss (EBL). Uterine tone (UT) was assessed by palpation on a linear analog scale (LAS) at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes after the oxytocin injection. In addition, oxytocin-related side-effects such as nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results: Marked hemodynamic changes such as HR and MAP occurred in the bolus-continuous groups but not in the continuous groups. Although we were not able to observe a variation of EBL in each group, the UT significantly increased in the bolus-continuous groups when compared with that the continuous groups. In addition, the hemodynamic changes such as HR and MAP were lower in the two IU bolus-continuous group than those in the five IU group. Conclusions: Although bolus-continuous injection of oxytocin resulted in more hemodynamic changes than continuous injection, bolus-continuous injection had a greater effect on uterine contraction. Furthermore, two IU bolus-continuous injection showed lower hemodynamic changes than in the five IU bolus-continuous injection. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2011; 61: 482-487)

We investigate the effect of heat treatment on the structure of carbide-derived carbons (CDC) prepared by chlorination from nanosized βSiC particles and on their methane as well as hydrogen storage and delivery performance. Pore size and pore wall thickness distributions of the CDCs are obtained from interpretation of argon adsorption data using the finite wall thickness (FWT) model. The adequacy of the FWT model for adsorption modeling in the SiC-CDC samples is demonstrated by satisfactory prediction of subatmospheric and high pressure adsorption isotherms of CO2 and CH4 at 313 and 333 K. From the characterization results, it is observed that the SiC-CDC particles are predominantly amorphous with slight graphitization of the external surface. The degree of graphitization is more pronounced in the sample prepared at 1000 °C and increases slowly with heat treatment time. During this time the accessibility of methane molecules is found to increase, as a result of short-range ordering and opening up of pore ...

We investigate the characterization and adsorption modeling of Ti3SiC2-derived carbons (Ti3SiC2-DCs) prepared by chlorination at three temperatures (600, 800, and 1000 degrees C) as well as samples heat-treated at 1100 degrees C for one and three day periods. The modeling exploits our recent finite Wall thickness model-based density functional theory approach (Nguyen, T. X.; Bhatia, S. K. Langmuir 2004, 20, 3532), Utilizing experimental adsorption isotherms OF Ar at 87 K for the characterization. In general, characterization results show that the carbon wall structure of carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) is precursor-inherited, and Ti3SiC2-DCs have predominantly graphitic walls whose helium density is close to the true density of graphite (2.27 g/cm(3)), while SiC-derived carbons (SiC-DCs) have predominantly diamond-like walls whose helium density approaches the true density of diamond (3.52 g/cm(3)). This precursor-inherited character is also seen to give rise to two distinct evolutions of the Pore Structure of Ti3SiC2-DCs and SiC-DCs under chlorination temperature or post-heat-treatment conditions. In Particular, both pore enlargement and opening are observed for Ti3SiC2-DCs, but only pore opening, especially in the region of smallest pores (

A modified hollow fiber membrane with organic solvents was used for a membrane separation reactor to configure a water reclamation system. Changes in the surface and inner pores of the modified follow fiber membrane were analyzed three dimensionally. The results from the operation of the membrane separation reactor with MLSS of 7200 mg/l for 120 days were compared with those from pure water. Monitoring changes in permeate flux and separation efficiency, we made an effort to predict the possibility of back wash and the breakthrough point. During the initial operation, contamination of membrane surface was increased gradually without changes in inner pores whereas a long-term operation exhibited a decrease in inner pores and a change in microfibril, suggesting that there would be a rare possibility for backwashing. As the suction pressure was raised from 1 atm to greater than 2 atm due to the increased membrane surface contamination with 40 days of operation, the permeate flux and suction pressure were required to be continuously monitored. The results of more than 100 days of operation suggested that backwashing was not possible due to fouling. (C) 2009 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Summary of experimental and crystallographic dataCrystal cross section (µm) 280Ion exchange T (K) 293Ion exchange for Cs + (days, mL) 3, 15.0 Dehydration T (K) 673Data collection T (K) 294(1)Space group, ZFd 3 m , 1X-ray source PLS (4A MXW BL)Wavelength (A) 0.76999Unit cell constant, a (A) 24.9080(10)2θ range in data collection (deg) 54.80No. of unique reflections, m 922No. of reflections with F o > 4σ( F o ) 877No. of variables, s 57Data/parameter ratio, m/s 16.2Weighting parameters, a/b 0.120/1483.7Final error indices R 1 / R 2 ( F o > 4σ( F o )) a 0.0966/0.2641 R 1 / R 2 (all intensities) b 0.0987/0.2644Goodness-of-fit c 1.142 a R 1 = Σ| F o -| F c ||/Σ F o and R 2 = [Σ w ( F o2 - F c2 ) 2 /Σ w ( F o2 ) 2 ] 1/2 ; R 1 and R 2 are calculated using only the 877 reflections for which F o > 4σ( F o ). b R 1 and R 2 are calculated using all unique reflections measured. c Goodness-of-fit = (Σ w ( F o2 - F c2 ) 2 /( m - s )) 1/2 , where m and s are the number of unique reflec- tions and variables, respectively.

Two Australian coals were heat-treated, and the accessibility of the pore space to CH4 and CO2 was investigated. Samples heat-treated at 573 and 673 K exhibit larger adsorption/desorption hysteresis and smaller surface areas (measured by CO2 adsorption at 273 K) than untreated samples. For samples heat-treated at 773 K, however, the surface area increased by 50% and the hysteresis was lower, compared to untreated samples. These results demonstrate that volatile hydrocarbons at pore mouths are the cause of energy barriers that prevent adsorbing molecules from passing through. A conceptual model is proposed to illustrate changes in activation energy at constricted pore mouths. Also, the results suggest that both adsorption and desorption isotherms should be measured to determine kinetically inaccessible pore spaces in order to correctly estimate CH4 recovery and CO2 storage capacity. The results have importance to the problem of estimating CH4 recovery and CO2 storage capacity for CO2 geosequestration as pa...

We deduce a new value for the potential well depth for the C-H2 interaction on the basis of experimental validations of isotherms of H2 and D2 predicted using independently characterized microstructural parameters. We use two carbons, one an activated carbon fiber whose structure has been recently characterized by us (Nguyen, T. X.; cohaut, N.; Bae, J.-S.; Bhatia, S. K. Langmuir 2008, 24, 7912) using hybrid reverse Monte Carlo simulation (HRMC) and the other the commercial Takeda 3A carbon molecular sieve whose pore size distribution is determined here from the 273 K CO2 adsorption isotherm. The conventional grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation technique incorporating a semiclassical Feynman and Hibbs (FH) potential approximation (FHGCMC) as well as path integral Monte Carlo calculations is employed to determine theoretical adsorption isotherms. It is found that curvature enhances the well depth for the LJ C-H2 interaction by a factor of 1.134 over that for a flat graphite surface, consistent with our recent study (Nguyen, T. X.; cohaut, N.; Bae, J.-S.; Bhatia, S. K. Langmuir 2008, 24, 7912). A value of the C-C well depth of 37.26 K, used for estimating the C-H2 well depth in conjunction with the Berthelot rules, with the Steele C-C well depth used for interaction with heavier gases (Ar, CO2 and CH4), leads to excellent agreement with experimental isotherms in all cases.

In this study, an activated carbon adsorber was designed to remove chlorine that was generated from an electrolytic reactor in a water reclamation system. Among three commercial granular activated carbons, an appropriate one, which has relatively high surface area with small headloss, was chosen to fill up the adsorber. The chlorine removal efficiencies of the adsorber were found to be 93.3% in total and 73.6% in free chlorine, showing its great effect on chlorine removal. In particular, since total chlorine was removed more than free chlorine, one would expect that as the residence time gets shorter, the chlorine removal efficiency will increase. Thus the results will be useful for continuous experiments to determine the chlorine removal efficiency in the membrane separator for the effluent from the adsorber. Beside chlorine removal, the organic matters can be additionally removed through the adsorber by 13.3% in CODMn whereas the removal efficiencies of T-N and T-P by the adsorber were found to be similar to those by the electrolytic reactor.

We present characterization results of silicon carbide-derived carbons (Si-CDCs) prepared from both nano- and micron-sized betaSiC particles by oxidation in pure chlorine atmosphere at various synthesis temperatures (600-1000 degrees C). Subsequently, the adsorption modeling study of simple gases (CH4 and CO2) in these Si-CDC samples for a wide range of pressures and temperatures using our Finite Wall Thickness model [Nguyen, T. X.; Bhatia, S. K. Langmuir 2004, 20, 3532] was also carried out. In general, characterization results showed that the core of Si-CDC particles contains predominantly amorphous material while minor graphitization was also observed on the surface of these particles for all the investigated synthesis temperatures (600-1000 degrees C). Furthermore, postsynthetic heat treatment at 1000 degrees C for 3 days, as well as particle size of precursor (betaSiC) were shown to have slight impact on the graphitization. In spite of the highly disordered nature of Si-CDC samples, the adsorption modeling results revealed that the Finite Wall Thickness model provides reasonably good prediction of experimental adsorption data of CO2 and CH4 in all the investigated Si-CDC samples at the temperatures of 273 K, 313 K, and 333 K for a wide range of pressure up to 200 bar. Furthermore, the impact of the difference in molecular size and geometry between analysis and probing gases on the prediction of the experimental adsorption isotherm in a disordered carbon using the slit-pore model is also found. Finally, the correlation between compressibility of the Si-CDC samples under high pressure adsorption and their synthesis temperature was deduced from the adsorption modeling.

Objective: Microdiscectomy (MD) is the gold standard for surgical discectomy. As a minimally invasive discectomy, automated open lumbar discectomy (AOLD) is designed to preserve annular integrity and disc height as well as effectively remove herniated disc and degenerated disc material. However, there have been no prospective clinical studies comparing their effectiveness. The study was designed to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after AOLD with those of MD. Methods: Seventy-eight patients were evaluated for unilateral leg pain with the presence of disc herniation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at a single attributable level. Sixty-two patients were enrolled; 33 patients (53%) were randomly assigned to the AOLD group and the remaining 29 patients (47%) were assigned to the MD group. Follow-up assessment was performed for 19 of the AOLD patients and 17 of the MD patients. The average follow-up period was 20 months. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using VAS and ODI scores. Change of disc height (DH), instability, and disc degeneration were assessed from radiographs, while Modic change and reherniation were assessed using MRI scans. Results: Postoperative VAS scores for leg pain and ODI scores for function were significantly improved in both groups. Postoperative VAS for back pain tended to decrease in the MD group but the decrease was statistically insignificant (P = 0.081). The postoperative VAS for back pain was significantly reduced in the AOLD group (P = 0.012). Patients from the MD group showed greater DH reduction than the AOLD group (P = 0.049). The MD group experienced greater disc degeneration and Modic change than the AOLD group. Follow-up MRI revealed 2 cases of reherniation in the AOLD group; 1 case was symptomatic, the other was asymptomatic. Conclusions: AOLD showed comparable clinical and radiological outcomes to conventional MD. AOLD preserves the central disc and removes only the loose degenerative disc fragments that are the main cause of reherniation by small annulotomy. Our results suggest that preservation of the central disc prevents loss of disc height and segmental instability, which is related to postdiscectomy back pain.

As alcohol molecules such as methanol and ethanol have both polar and non-polar groups, their adsorption behavior is governed by the contributions of dispersion interaction (alkyl group) and hydrogen bonding (OH group). In this paper, the adsorption behavior of alcohol molecules and its effect on transport processes are elucidated. From the total permeability (B-T) of alcohol molecules in activated carbon, an adsorption mechanism is proposed, describing well the experimental data, by taking combination effects of clustering, entering micropores, layering and pore filling processes. Unlike the case of non-polar compounds, it was found that at low pressures there are two rises in the BT of alcohol molecules in activated carbon. The first rise is due to the major contribution of surface diffusion to the transport (which is the case of non-polar molecules) and the second one may be associated with cluster formation at the edge of micropores and entering micropores when the clusters are sufficiently large enough to induce a dispersive energy. In addition the clusters formed may enhance surface diffusion at low pressures and hinder gas phase diffusion and flow in meso/macropores. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.

Adsorption isotherms of methane and carbon dioxide on two kinds of Australian coals have been measured at three temperatures up to pressures of 20 MPa. The adsorption behavior is described by three isotherm equations: extended three-parameter, Langmuir, and Toth. Among these, the Toth equation is found to be the most suitable, yielding the most realistic values of pore volume of the coals and the adsorbed phase density. Also, the surface area of coals obtained from CO2 adsorption at 273 K is found to be the meaningful parameter which captures the CO2 adsorption capacity. A maximum in the excess amount adsorbed of each gas appears at a lower pressure with a decrease in temperature. For carbon dioxide, after the appearance of the maximum, an inflection point in the excess amount adsorbed is observed close to the critical density at each temperature, indicating that the decrease in the gas-phase density change with pressure influences the behavior of the excess amount adsorbed. In the context of CO2 sequest...

Diffusions of free and adsorbed molecules of subcritical hydrocarbons in activated carbon were investigated to study the influence of adsorbed molecules on both diffusion processes at low pressures. A collision reflection factor, defined as the fraction of molecules undergoing collision to the solid surface over reflection from the surface, is incorporated into Knudsen diffusivity and surface diffusivity in meso/macropores. Since the porous structure of activated carbon is bimodal in nature, the diffusion of adsorbed molecules is contributed by that of weakly adsorbed molecules on the meso/macropore surfaces and that of strongly adsorbed molecules in the small confinement of micropores. The mobility of adsorbed molecules on the meso/macropore surface is characterized by the surface diffusivity D-mu 2, while that in the micropore is characterized by D-mu 1. In our study with subcritical hydrocarbons, we have found that the former increases almost linearly with pressure, while the latter exhibits a sharp increase at a very low-pressure region and then decreases beyond a critical pressure. This critical pressure is identified as a pressure at which the micropores are saturated.

A new diffusion and flow model is presented to describe the behavior of hydrocarbon vapors in activated carbon. The micro/mesopore size distribution (PSD) is obtained according to Do's method which consists of two sequential processes of pore layering and pore filling. This model uses the micro/meso PSD obtained from each adsorbate equilibrium isotherm, which reflects the dynamics behavior of adsorbing molecules through the solid. The initial rise in total permeability is mainly attributed to adsorbed-phase diffusion (that is, surface diffusion), whereas the decrease over reduced pressure of about 0.9 is attributed to the reduction of pore space available for gas phase diffusion and flow. A functional form of surface diffusivity is proposed and validated with experimental data. This model predicts well the permeability of condensable hydrocarbon vapors in activated carbon. (C) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.