[Arthroscopic implant removal after fixed-angle plate osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus. Technique and initial results in comparison to open implant removal]. / Arthroskopische Materialentfernung nach winkelstabiler Plattenosteosynthese am proximalen Humerus. Technik und erste Ergebnisse im Vergleich zur offenen Materialentfernung.

BACKGROUND: Implant removal is necessary in up to 25% of patients with plate osteosynthesis after proximal humeral fracture. Our new technique of arthroscopic implant removal offers all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. This study outlines the first results after arthroscopic implant removal in comparison with those of open implant removal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients [median age 64 (30-82) years] had arthroscopic and nine patients [median age 53 (34-76) years] had open implant removal. Median 9.5 months after implant removal subjective patient satisfaction, Constant-Murley Score (CMS) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) were determined. RESULTS: Arthroscopic implant removal showed first results comparable to open implant removal. The SST outlined advantages for the arthroscopic technique. In 85% of arthroscopically treated patients concomitant intra-articular lesions were observed. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic implant removal offers all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery and first results comparable to open implant removal. The subjective and objective satisfaction of the patients is high. The technique can be applied and established by all skilled arthroscopic shoulder surgeons.

Certification of the European reference soil set (IRMM-443--EUROSOILS). Part I. Adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane.

The European Commission has characterised and certified a set of six European soils (the EUROSOILS) under the number IRMM-443. After a successful validation and trial period with a preliminary batch it was decided to produce a new batch of certified reference materials. Part I of this paper describes the certification of adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane in these soils. The adsorption coefficients were determined according to OECD Test Guideline 106. Additionally, the underlying principles for the value assignment process according to the GUM and their practical application to the numerical data obtained during the certification exercise according to ISO Guide 34 and 35 are discussed.

Certification of the European Reference Soil Set (IRMM-443--EUROSOILS). Part II. Soil-pH in suspensions of water and CaCl2.

IRMM-443 re-groups a set of six European Reference Soils (EUROSOILS), which had been certified for their adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane (Certification of the European Reference Soil Set (IRMM-443-EUROSOILS)-Part I. Adsorption coefficients for atrazine, 2,4-D and lindane. Sci Total Environ, in press). The certification of these parameters was complemented by an additional certification of pH in suspension as well by the determination of indicative values for total nitrogen, organic and total carbon content. While Part I explained the principles of the value assignment process and discussed their application to the adsorption coefficients, Part II presents the certified values for pH as well as the indicative values for N(tot), C(tot) and C(org). In addition, the assessment of uncertainty components for stability and homogeneity, which have been included in the final uncertainty budget, is discussed.

Detailed heat/mass transfer distributions in a rotating two pass coolant channel with engine-near cross section and smooth walls.

This paper shows results obtained by experimental and numerical investigations concerning flow structure and heat/mass transfer in a rotating two-pass coolant channel with engine-near geometry. The smooth two passes are connected by a 180 degrees U-bend in which a 90 degrees turning vane is mounted. The influence of rotation number, Reynolds number and geometry is investigated. The results show a detailed picture of the flow field and distributions of Sherwood number ratios determined experimentally by the use of the naphthalene sublimation technique as well as Nusselt number ratios obtained from the numerical work. Especially the heat/mass transfer distributions in the bend and in the region after the bend show strong gradients, where several separation zones exist and the flow is forced to follow the turbine airfoil shape. Comparisons of numerical and experimental results show only partly good agreement.