Jute stick pyrolysis for bio-oil production in fluidized bed reactor.

Pyrolysis of jute stick for bio-oil production has been investigated in a continuous feeding fluidized bed reactor at different temperatures ranging from 300 degrees C to 600 degrees C. At 500 degrees C, the yields of bio-oil, char and non-condensable gas were 66.70 wt%, 22.60 wt% and 10.70 wt%, respectively based on jute stick. The carbon based non-condensable gas was the mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethene, propane and propene. The density and viscosity of bio-oil were found to be 1.11 g/mL and 2.34 cP, respectively. The lower heating value (LHV) of bio-oil was found to be 18.2 5 MJ/kg. Since bio-oil contains some organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, etc., the pH and acid value of the bio-oil were found to be around 4 and 135 mg KOH/g, respectively. The water, lignin, solid and ash contents of bio-oil were determined and found to be around 15 wt%, 4.90 wt%, 0.02 wt% and 0.10 wt%, respectively.

[Relationship between type and amount of treatment and functional improvement in first-stroke during in-patients rehabilitation].

The effectiveness of ongoing rehabilitation services for post-acute stroke patients is poorly documented. The aim of the present study was describe the relationships between functional status at discharge and intensity of therapies, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and nursing care, during inpatient medical rehabilitation. All patients (30) admitted after a first stroke. The functional status of patients was observed by using the Functional Independence Measure on patient admission to rehabilitation and time per week during the hospitalisation. The neurological status of patients was observed by using the NIH Stroke Scale on patient admission to rehabilitation and at discharge. The study population included 30 patients of average 64.4 years; 60% were men; length of stay was 74 days. Statistical analysis were performed to check for intensity of therapies, discharge motor and cognitive function, the extent to which potential functional gains were achieved. Intensities of physical and speech therapies were not significant predictors of outcomes. Intensity of occupational therapy was significant predictor of outcomes (P = 0.04). We suggest that efficiently staged rehabilitation should vary the intensity and nature of services according to patients functional status, impairments, comorbid conditions and other clinical factors.

[Diagnosis and therapy in acute stroke: a rehabilitation center viewpoint].

The extent of the diagnostic work-up of patients with acute stroke was evaluated in 101 patients admitted for rehabilitation during a 4-month period in 1997. This included specific blood tests and neuro- and cardiac imaging, and compared the extent of work-up in a community hospital versus a rehabilitation center. Comparisons were also made with similar investigations 10 and 20 years earlier. Results demonstrated that the trend to admit younger stroke patients (< 50 years) to neurological (as opposed to medical) departments observed between 1977-1987 persisted in 1997. The use of CT scan increased dramatically from 1977 to 1987 (19% vs 78%), and in 1997 was actually 100%. The use of carotid duplex and echocardiography increased steadily during the 3 decades reaching 26% and 28% respectively. Tests for thrombophilia were seldom done. However, in neurological departments it was done in about 50% of the younger stroke patients. In neurology departments carotid duplex was done 2 to 3 times more often than in medical departments. During rehabilitation imaging tests were done once or more in almost half the patients. The results and those of additional blood tests, have led to modification of antithrombotic treatment in 14% of the younger group and 4% of the older group. We have clearly shown that while stroke work-up has become more comprehensive in recent years, there is still much to do in this field. Stroke units or teams in our general hospitals will increase stroke awareness, improve work-up and hasten definitive treatment.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as the cause of dizziness in patients after severe traumatic brain injury: diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To identify patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) among patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Particle Repositioning Maneouvre (PRM). DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighteen months prospective study of 150 consecutive patients with severe TBI referred to an in-patients rehabilitation department. INTERVENTIONS: A structured interview emphasizing the possible presence of vertigo followed by a detailed neuro-otological examination. Patients diagnosed with BPPV were immediately treated with the PRM. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: BPPV diagnosis was based on a positive Dix-Hallpike positional test. PRM efficacy was determined by repeating the positional test 1 or 2 weeks after treatment. Twenty out of 150 (13.3%) patients complained about positional vertigo. The diagnosis of BPPV was confirmed in 10 patients. Signs and symptoms were completely relieved in six patients after a single PRM, while the other four patients needed repeated treatment for complete resolution of BPPV. CONCLUSIONS: About half of the patients with severe TBI who complain about positional vertigo suffer from BPPV. These patients can be efficiently treated by physical maneouvres improving the rehabilitation outcome.