Seghers Boiler Prism: A Proven Primary Measure Against High Temperature Boiler Corrosion

Author(s):  
Bart Adams ◽  
Herman S. W. Diederen ◽  
Kris Peeters ◽  
Jac P. F. Wijnhoven ◽  
Dirk Eeraerts

This paper constitutes a follow-up on a presentation at NAWTEC 10 (2001) [1]. It contains novel insights regarding the operation of the Seghers Boiler Prism and its effectiveness as a primary measure against high temperature boiler corrosion in WtE plants. Starting from the currently available fundamental understanding on high temperature corrosion and the main features of the Boiler Prism, the operation as a primary measure is explained. Since the previous presentation, three additional Boiler Prisms were successfully commissioned as a retrofit at a large WtE facility (3 × 705tons/day at 4,700BTU/lb; 110tons/hour steam at 1,450psi, 750°F) in the Netherlands. Together with the previously installed prisms, this brings the combined operational experience from all trains to more than 15 years. The main data and experience of the retrofit project in the Netherlands are discussed and results regarding the performance of the prism are presented in detail. The latter are based both on existing process monitors as well as dedicated measurement campaigns and include: • temperature and oxygen distribution in the 1st radiation pass, • feedback on corrosion rates, • influence on the combustion quality, and • impact on the effectiveness of the mechanical cleaning equipment. The results confirm the effectiveness of the prism as a primary measure against high temperature boiler corrosion and highlight the additional operational benefits.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie H. Bots ◽  
Klaske R. Siegersma ◽  
N. Charlotte Onland-Moret ◽  
Folkert W. Asselbergs ◽  
G. Aernout Somsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the increasing availability of clinical data due to the digitalisation of healthcare systems, data often remain inaccessible due to the diversity of data collection systems. In the Netherlands, Cardiology Centers of the Netherlands (CCN) introduced “one-stop shop” diagnostic clinics for patients suspected of cardiac disease by their general practitioner. All CCN clinics use the same data collection system and standardised protocol, creating a large regular care database. This database can be used to describe referral practices, evaluate risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in important patient subgroups, and develop prediction models for use in daily care. Construction and content The current database contains data on all patients who underwent a cardiac workup in one of the 13 CCN clinics between 2007 and February 2018 (n = 109,151, 51.9% women). Data were pseudonymised and contain information on anthropometrics, cardiac symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities, cardiovascular and family history, standard blood laboratory measurements, transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiography in rest and during exercise, and medication use. Clinical follow-up is based on medical need and consisted of either a repeat visit at CCN (43.8%) or referral for an external procedure in a hospital (16.5%). Passive follow-up via linkage to national mortality registers is available for 95% of the database. Utility and discussion The CCN database provides a strong base for research into historically underrepresented patient groups due to the large number of patients and the lack of in- and exclusion criteria. It also enables the development of artificial intelligence-based decision support tools. Its contemporary nature allows for comparison of daily care with the current guidelines and protocols. Missing data is an inherent limitation, as the cardiologist could deviate from standardised protocols when clinically indicated. Conclusion The CCN database offers the opportunity to conduct research in a unique population referred from the general practitioner to the cardiologist for diagnostic workup. This, in combination with its large size, the representation of historically underrepresented patient groups and contemporary nature makes it a valuable tool for expanding our knowledge of cardiovascular diseases. Trial registration: Not applicable.


Author(s):  
C. J. Koppel ◽  
B. W. Driesen ◽  
R. J. de Winter ◽  
A. E. van den Bosch ◽  
R. van Kimmenade ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Current guidelines on coronary anomalies are primarily based on expert consensus and a limited number of trials. A gold standard for diagnosis and a consensus on the treatment strategy in this patient group are lacking, especially for patients with an anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course. Aim To provide evidence-substantiated recommendations for diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries. Methods A clinical care pathway for patients with ACAOS was established by six Dutch centres. Prospectively included patients undergo work-up according to protocol using computed tomography (CT) angiography, ischaemia detection, echocardiography and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements to assess anatomical and physiological characteristics of the ACAOS. Surgical and functional follow-up results are evaluated by CT angiography, ischaemia detection and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Patient inclusion for the first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands started in 2020 and will continue for at least 3 years with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. For patients with a right or left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and coronary arteriovenous fistulas a registry is maintained. Results Primary outcomes are: (cardiac) death, myocardial ischaemia attributable to the ACAOS, re-intervention after surgery and intervention after initially conservative treatment. The influence of work-up examinations on treatment choice is also evaluated. Conclusions Structural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group.


Author(s):  
Llewellyn Ellardus van Zyl

AbstractThe first intelligent COVID-19 lockdown resulted in radical changes within the tertiary educational system within the Netherlands. These changes posed new challenges for university students and many social welfare agencies have warned that it could have adverse effects on the social wellbeing (SWB) of university students. Students may lack the necessary social study-related resources (peer- and lecturer support) (SSR) necessary to aid them in coping with the new demands that the lockdown may bring. As such, the present study aimed to investigate the trajectory patterns, rate of change and longitudinal associations between SSR and SWB of 175 Dutch students before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. A piecewise latent growth modelling approach was employed to sample students’ experiences over three months. Participants to complete a battery of psychometric assessments for five weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown was implemented, followed by two directly after and a month follow-up. The results were paradoxical and contradicting to initial expectations. Where SSR showed a linear rate of decline before- and significant growth trajectory during the lockdown, SWB remained moderate and stable. Further, initial levels and growth trajectories between SSR and SWB were only associated before the lockdown.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6641
Author(s):  
Chen Li ◽  
Meng Kou ◽  
Mohamed Hamed Arisha ◽  
Wei Tang ◽  
Meng Ma ◽  
...  

The saccharification of sweetpotato storage roots is a common phenomenon in the cooking process, which determines the edible quality of table use sweetpotato. In the present study, two high saccharified sweetpotato cultivars (Y25, Z13) and one low saccharified cultivar (X27) in two growth periods (S1, S2) were selected as materials to reveal the molecular mechanism of sweetpotato saccharification treated at high temperature by transcriptome sequencing and non-targeted metabolome determination. The results showed that the comprehensive taste score, sweetness, maltose content and starch change of X27 after steaming were significantly lower than those of Y25 and Z13. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis, 1918 and 1520 differentially expressed genes were obtained in the two periods of S1 and S2, respectively. Some saccharification-related transcription factors including MYB families, WRKY families, bHLH families and inhibitors were screened. Metabolic analysis showed that 162 differentially abundant metabolites related to carbohydrate metabolism were significantly enriched in starch and sucrose capitalization pathways. The correlation analysis between transcriptome and metabolome confirmed that the starch and sucrose metabolic pathways were significantly co-annotated, indicating that it is a vitally important metabolic pathway in the process of sweetpotato saccharification. The data obtained in this study can provide valuable resources for follow-up research on sweetpotato saccharification and will provide new insights and theoretical basis for table use sweetpotato breeding in the future.


Author(s):  
Colin F. Wilson ◽  
Thomas Widemann ◽  
Richard Ghail

AbstractIn this paper, originally submitted in answer to ESA’s “Voyage 2050” call to shape the agency’s space science missions in the 2035–2050 timeframe, we emphasize the importance of a Venus exploration programme for the wider goal of understanding the diversity and evolution of habitable planets. Comparing the interior, surface, and atmosphere evolution of Earth, Mars, and Venus is essential to understanding what processes determined habitability of our own planet and Earth-like planets everywhere. This is particularly true in an era where we expect thousands, and then millions, of terrestrial exoplanets to be discovered. Earth and Mars have already dedicated exploration programmes, but our understanding of Venus, particularly of its geology and its history, lags behind. Multiple exploration vehicles will be needed to characterize Venus’ richly varied interior, surface, atmosphere and magnetosphere environments. Between now and 2050 we recommend that ESA launch at least two M-class missions to Venus (in order of priority): a geophysics-focussed orbiter (the currently proposed M5 EnVision orbiter – [1] – or equivalent); and an in situ atmospheric mission (such as the M3 EVE balloon mission – [2]). An in situ and orbital mission could be combined in a single L-class mission, as was argued in responses to the call for L2/L3 themes [3–5]. After these two missions, further priorities include a surface lander demonstrating the high-temperature technologies needed for extended surface missions; and/or a further orbiter with follow-up high-resolution surface radar imaging, and atmospheric and/or ionospheric investigations.


2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056528
Author(s):  
Thomas Martinelli ◽  
Math J J M Candel ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Reinskje Talhout ◽  
Vera Knapen ◽  
...  

BackgroundStudies demonstrated that adolescent e-cigarette use is associated with subsequent tobacco smoking, commonly referred to as the gateway effect. However, most studies only investigated gateways from e-cigarettes to tobacco smoking. This study replicates a cornerstone study revealing a positive association between both adolescent e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco use; and tobacco and subsequent e-cigarette use in the Netherlands and Flanders.DesignThe longitudinal design included baseline (n=2839) and 6-month (n=1276) and 12-month (n=1025) follow-up surveys among a school-based cohort (mean age: 13.62). Ten high schools were recruited as a convenience sample. The analyses involved (1) associations of baseline e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco smoking among never smokers; (2) associations of e-cigarette use frequency at baseline and tobacco smoking frequency at follow-up; and (3) the association of baseline tobacco smoking and subsequent e-cigarette use among non-users of e-cigarettes.FindingsConsistent with prior findings, baseline e-cigarette use was associated with higher odds of tobacco smoking at 6-month (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.37) and 12-month (OR=5.63; 95% CI 3.04 to 10.42) follow-ups. More frequent use of e-cigarettes at baseline was associated with more frequent smoking at follow-ups. Baseline tobacco smoking was associated with subsequent e-cigarette use (OR=3.10; 95% CI 1.58 to 6.06 at both follow-ups).ConclusionOur study replicated the positive relation between e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking in both directions for adolescents. This may mean that the gateway works in two directions, that e-cigarette and tobacco use share common risk factors, or that both mechanisms apply.


Author(s):  
Quinten G. H. Rikken ◽  
Sarah Mikdad ◽  
Mathijs T. Carvalho Mota ◽  
Marcel A. De Leeuw ◽  
Patrick Schober ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The SARS-CoV-2 virus has disrupted global and local medical supply chains. To combat the spread of the virus and prevent an uncontrolled outbreak with limited resources, national lockdown protocols have taken effect in the Netherlands since March 13th, 2020. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, type and characteristics of HEMS and HEMS-ambulance ‘Lifeliner 1’ dispatches during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same period one year prior. Methods A retrospective review of all HEMS and HEMS-ambulance ‘Lifeliner 1’ dispatches was performed from the start of Dutch nationwide lockdown orders from March 13th until May 13th, 2020 and the corresponding period one year prior. Dispatch-, operational-, patient-, injury-, and on-site treatment characteristics were extracted for analysis. In addition, the rate of COVID-19 positively tested HEMS personnel and the time physicians were unable to take call was described. Results During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the HEMS and HEMS-ambulance was requested in 528 cases. One year prior, a total of 620 requests were received. The HEMS (helicopter and ambulance) was cancelled after deployment in 56.4% of the COVID-19 cohort and 50.7% of the historical cohort (P = 0.05). Incident location type did not differ between the two cohorts, specifically, there was no significant difference in the number of injuries that occurred at home in pandemic versus non-pandemic circumstances. Besides a decrease in the number of falls, the distribution of mechanisms of injury remained similar during the COVID-19 study period. There was no difference in self-inflicted injuries observed. Prehospital interventions remained similar during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to one year prior. Specifically, prehospital intubation did not differ between the two cohorts. The rate of COVID-19 positively tested HEMS personnel was 23.1%. Physicians who tested positive were unable to take call for a mean of 25 days (range 8–53). Conclusion A decrease in the number of deployments and increase in the number of cancelled missions was observed during the COVID-19 study period. No major differences in operational- and injury characteristics were found for HEMS and HEMS-ambulance dispatches between the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands and the same period one year prior. These findings highlight the importance of continued operability of the HEMS, even during pandemic circumstances. Level of evidence III, retrospective comparative study.


1996 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 417-421
Author(s):  
Peter G. Verduijn

To study the late health effects of nasopharyngeal radium irradiation, a nonconcurrent prospective study was conducted in The Netherlands. Exposed subjects ( n = 2510) were treated unilaterally with nasopharyngeal radium irradiation at five ear, nose, and throat clinics between 1945 and 1965 and followed up through February 1, 1985. Unexposed subjects ( n = 2199) were matched to treated patients according to clinic, year of birth, and first consultation within 5 years. No overall significant increase in cancer mortality was found. A statistically significant difference was noted only for cumulative all-site cancer incidence, with the exposed having twice as many verified cancers as the nonexposed. This excess risk was caused mainly by head and neck tumors and other tumors flung, digestive tract, and urogenital system). The relative risk for these specific sites, however, was not significantly different from 1.00. These findings corroborate the hypothesis that there is some risk of tumor induction involved with nasopharyngeal radium irradiation at the dose level applied to this population. Because of ongoing interest in this subject, I plan to extend the follow-up of the cohort through December 31, 1995, and I am studying the possibility of expanding the study population.


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