Prediction of full scale plant performance from pilot columns

The first attempt to provide a data base for comparing a pilot and full scale system for various organics produced results that require further investigation. Although both of the pilot systems had longer average contact times than their respective full scale systems, a uniform pattern of longer service time for the different substances evaluated did not occur. These results may not be consistent with the data collected using pilot contactors in series to observe the effect of contact time. The series pilot contactor system provided data that show the effect of varying empty bed contact time on the removal of the organic substances studied. Improved effluent quality was generally achieved with increased contact time. A pilot series system similar to the one used is considered essential in collecting and interpreting design data. A method of statistical interpretation of the results was developed that shows promise for use in evaluating pilot column results. Further evaluation is required to assess that all pertinent factors were properly controlled during the investigation. Also, repeat testing will be conducted, attempting to control more closely the contact times between the pilot and full scale systems. The comparative granular activated carbon particle sizes also will be more closely examined. Although pilot to full-scale comparisons have been successfully performed for single parameters, the results for multiple organics have not been previously reported. Such a data base, if properly collected, will provide invaluable background in assessing what types of design safety factors are required when using pilot column data to predict full scale results for a naturally occurring mixture of organic substances.     

Common bile duct calculi: updated experience with dissolution with methyl tertiary butyl ether

The authors describe their experience with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in a larger series of patients than previously reported in order to acquaint physicians with both its effectiveness for dissolution of common bile duct calculi and the limitations of its use. Ten patients with 13 biliary calculi underwent percutaneous stone dissolution treatment with the experimental cholesterol solvent, MTBE. Three stones completely dissolved within 30 minutes, seven were reduced in size, and three were visibly unaffected. All stones not completely dissolved were easily extracted by means of a stone basket except for one in a patient taken to surgery. Although MTBE perfusion is an effective technique for management of biliary calculi, practitioners should be aware that its use is quite time consuming and its odor difficult to control.     

DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid does not eliminate "ON" responses in the visual system of goldfish.

DL-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) suppresses activity in retinal ON pathways. It is generally assumed that loss of the ON pathway would result in loss of ON responses in the visual system. We tested this assumption by recording activity from the optic nerves of intact goldfish (Carassius auratus) before and after intraocular injection of APB. Whole-nerve responses to increments and decrements of light were compared to electroretinogram responses and to tectal evoked potentials. APB severely reduced the amplitude of the electroretinogram b-wave but left ON and OFF responses from the optic nerve and tectum intact, although decreased in sensitivity. We conclude that APB does not completely eliminate ON responses in the visual system, at least in goldfish. The selectivity and effectiveness of APB must be evaluated in other species before this agent can be relied upon as a useful tool in understanding the roles of ON and OFF pathways in visual function.     

Clinical MR imaging with a Helmholtz-type surface coil

Limited-field-of-view radio-frequency receiver antennas provide improved near-field sensitivity for magnetic resonance imaging by decreasing the antenna volume. The Helmholtz-type surface coil, consisting of two flat rings, is an organ-encompassing antenna that takes advantage of this principle to yield an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The coil was tested in a group of 50 patients and 16 healthy volunteers. Images obtained with the Helmholtz coil demonstrated quantitatively superior S/N of 2.2-fold or greater than that of comparison body coil images, as well as qualitatively superior anatomic resolution.     

Uroscopy in the 21st century: high-field NMR spectroscopy

From the experiments described, it can be seen that there are different research approaches that can be taken and these are summarized in Table 1. Whereas much scientific research is principally hypothesis led, there remains, nevertheless, an important place for exploratory research. High resolution NMR can measure, directly and simultaneously, a wide range of endogenous metabolites in biological fluids and has the unique capability of providing structural information on the metabolites detected. It has proved to be a powerful research tool with which to study inherited metabolic diseases, renal disease, drug metabolism, and toxicity, and can be used to monitor the effects of drug therapy. For instance, by using a library of experimental toxins one can map the metabolic profile of site-specific nephron injury. With this approach in man one could eventually take an unknown disease such as Balkan nephropathy and predict the initial site of tubular injury, the mode of injury and therefore the kind of toxin capable of producing that injury. NMR spectroscopic techniques are still advancing rapidly, with ever increasing sensitivity and sophistication of NMR pulse sequences to enhance structural elucidation in complex mixtures. Given the advances in directly coupled HPLC-NMR and even HPLC-NMR-mass spectroscopy it is likely that these technologies in conjunction with pattern recognition will make major contribution to our understanding of renal processes and provide new diagnostic insights in the 21st century.