Separation of Carbon Dioxide from Real Power Plant Flue Gases by Gas Permeation Using a Supported Ionic Liquid Membrane: An Investigation of Membrane Stability.

The separation of carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plant flue gases using a CO2/N2-selective supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM) was investigated and the performance and stability of the membrane during operation are reported. The membrane is composed of a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration membrane as a support and a selective layer of an ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIM Tf2N). The feasibility of large-scale SILM production was demonstrated by the formation of a square-meter-scale membrane and preparation of a membrane module. A flat-sheet envelope-type SILM module containing 0.67 m² of the membrane was assembled. Prior to real flue gas operation, the separation behaviour of the membrane was investigated with single gases. The stability of the SILM during the test stand and pilot plant operation using real power plant flue gases is reported. The volume fraction of carbon dioxide in the flue gas was raised from approx. 14 vol. % (feed) to 40 vol. % (permeate). However, issues concerning the membrane stability were found when SO3 aerosols in large quantities were present in the flue gas.

The management of bite wounds in children--a retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION: Animal bite wounds are a significant problem, which have caused several preventable child deaths in clinical practice in the past. The majority of bite wounds is caused by dogs and cats, and also humans have to be considered to lead to those extreme complicated diagnosis in the paediatric patient population. Early estimation of infection risk, adequate antibiotic therapy and, if indicated, surgical treatment, are cornerstones of successful cures of bite wounds. However, antibiotic prophylaxis and wound management are discussed controversially in the current literature. In our study, we retrospectively investigated the bite source, infection risk and treatment options of paediatric bite wounds. METHODS: A total of 1592 paediatric trauma patients were analysed over a period of 19 years in this retrospective study at a level I trauma centre, Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Data for this study were obtained from our electronic patient records and follow-up visits. In our database, all paediatric patients triaged to our major urban trauma centre have been entered retrospectively. RESULTS: During the 19-year study period, 1592 paediatric trauma patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 7.7 years (range 0-18.9), 878 (55.2%) were males and 714 (44.8%) were females. In our study population, a total of 698 dog bites (43.8%), 694 human bites (43.6%), 138 other bites (8.7%) and 62 cat bites (3.9%) have been observed. A total of 171 wounds (10.7%) have been infected. Surgical intervention was done in 27 wounds (1.7%). CONCLUSION: Gender-related incidence in bite wounds for dog and cat could be detected. Second, our findings for originator of bite wounds reflect the findings in the published literature. Total infection rate reached 10.7%, primary antibiotic therapy was administered in 221 cases (13.9%) and secondary antibiotic therapy in 20 (1.3%) cases. Observed infection rate of punctured wounds and wounds greater than 3 cm was 3 times higher than for all other wounds. Our findings need to be proven in further prospective clinical trials.

Predictive factors influencing the outcome after gunshot injuries to the head-a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Civilian gunshot injuries to the head are relatively rare in the irenical European Union, and studies of treatment and outcomes are seldom for this region in the current literature. METHODS: A cohort of 85 patients with civilian head gunshot injuries, who were admitted to our University hospital over a period of 16 years, was reviewed retrospectively. Clinical manifestation, computed tomography scan findings, and surgical treatment were described, with special regard to prognostic factors and outcome. RESULTS: The mean age was 48 years (range, 17.8-98.4 years), and 87% were men. Sixty patients sustained penetrating craniocerebral injuries (P-group) and 25, nonpenetrating gunshot wounds (NP-group). The overall mortality was 87% in the P-group and 4% in the NP-group. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission was recorded to be 3 to 5 in 58 patients (96%) and 7 patients (28%) in the P-group and NP-group, respectively. Only 8 patients (13%) survived in the P-group compared with 24 patients (96%) in the NP-group. Excluding wound debridement, there were 16 surgical procedures in the P-group and 8 in the NP-group, with a mortality rate of 63% and 13%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Glasgow Coma Score at admission and the status of pupils and hemodynamic situation seem to be the most significant predictors of outcome in penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds. Computed tomography scans, bi- or multilobar injury, and intraventricular hemorrhage were correlated with poor outcome. Patients with a GCS score >8, normal pupil reaction, and single lobe of brain injury may benefit from early aggressive management.