Combined Pipeline Embolization Device with Endoscopic Endonasal Fascia Lata/Muscle Graft Repair as a Salvage Technique for Treatment of Iatrogenic Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm

The incidence of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury associated with endoscopic endonasal approaches to the pituitary is less than 1%. While parent vessel sacrifice has historically been the choice of treatment, vessel-preserving endovascular techniques have been reported. Although flow diversion offers endoluminal reconstruction, its major limitation is the delay in obtaining complete occlusion. We describe the use of a combined Pipeline embolization device (PED) with endoscopic endonasal repair using a fascia lata/muscle graft to treat an iatrogenic ICA pseudoaneurysm and report long-term radiographic follow-up. Further investigation into the utility of directed endoscopic endonasal repair of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms initially treated with PED is necessary, especially given the need of post-PED anticoagulation and the rate of permanent neurological deficit after ICA sacrifice.

Comparing Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Efficiency in a Field-Scale Digester Using Microaeration and Iron Filters

Biological desulfurization of biogas from a field-scale anaerobic digester in Peru was tested using air injection (microaeration) in separate duplicate vessels and chemical desulfurization using duplicate iron filters to compare hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduction, feasibility, and cost. Microaeration was tested after biogas retention times of 2 and 4 h after a single injection of ambient air at 2 L/min. The microaeration vessels contained digester sludge to seed sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and facilitate H2S removal. The average H2S removal efficiency using iron filters was 32.91%, with a maximum of 70.21%. The average H2S removal efficiency by iron filters was significantly lower than microaeration after 2 and 4 h retention times (91.5% and 99.8%, respectively). The longer retention time (4 h) resulted in a higher average removal efficiency (99.8%) compared to 2 h (91.5%). The sulfur concentration in the microaeration treatment vessel was 493% higher after 50 days of treatments, indicating that the bacterial community present in the liquid phase of the vessels effectively sequestered the sulfur compounds from the biogas. The H2S removal cost for microaeration (2 h: $29/m3 H2S removed; and 4 h: $27/m3 H2S removed) was an order of magnitude lower than for the iron filter ($382/m3 H2S removed). In the small-scale anaerobic digestion system in Peru, microaeration was more efficient and cost effective for desulfurizing the biogas than the use of iron filters.

Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Silafluofen-treated Tropical Wood Using Multi-Phase Carbon Dioxide Impregnation

A new approach in wood preservative treatment using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a carrier solvent has been developed and evaluated its effect on the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of treated tropical wood. It employs CO2 at various combinations of temperatures and pressures in a treatment vessel at once and is called Multi-Phase Carbon Dioxide (MPCO2) treatment. Three commercial tropical wood species (Agathis sp., Palaquium sp., and Heritiera sp.) measuring 1.5 cm (T) x 1.5 cm (R) x 15 cm (L) were prepared for the treatment with a termiticide (silafluofen). A treatment cycle was performed by loading two specimens of each wood species, applying the temperature of 15⁰C and pressure of 60 kg/cm2, gradually increasing the temperature and pressure, respectively, to 35⁰C and 80 kg/cm2, and releasing the pressure to atmosphere. The treatment was conducted with five replicates. Untreated and treated specimens were then evaluated their physical, mechanical, and biological properties. Results show that the MPCO2treatment significantly enhanced the termite resistance of treated wood without any adverse effects on their physical and mechanical properties.A new approach in wood preservative treatment using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a carrier solvent has been developed and evaluated its effect on the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of treated tropical wood. It employs CO2 at various combinations of temperatures and pressures in a treatment vessel at once and is called Multi-Phase Carbon Dioxide (MPCO2) treatment. Three commercial tropical wood species (Agathis sp., Palaquium sp., and Heritiera sp.) measuring 1.5 cm (T) x 1.5 cm (R) x 15 cm (L) were prepared for the treatment with a termiticide (silafluofen). A treatment cycle was performed by loading two specimens of each wood species, applying the temperature of 15⁰C and pressure of 60 kg/cm2, gradually increasing the temperature and pressure, respectively, to 35⁰C and 80 kg/cm2, and releasing the pressure to atmosphere. The treatment was conducted with five replicates. Untreated and treated specimens were then evaluated their physical, mechanical, and biological properties. Results show that the MPCO2 treatment significantly enhanced the termite resistance of treated wood without any adverse effects on their physical and mechanical properties.

Computational Simulation for Evaluation of Food Softening Treatment Vessel Using Underwater Shockwave

To clarify the characteristics of the shock wave propagation in food and treatment food vessel, the finite element models of the food, surrounding water, source of high-pressure and its vessel were developed using commercial finite element software HyperWorks (Altair®) RADIOSS®. By conducting a series of numerical simulations, the pressure distribution in the foods has been observed. From a comparison between computational results and experimental ones corresponding to food hardness using creep meter, it is also revealed that the food softening treatment is highly dependent on the incident shockwave and the reflected one.

Evidence of Resource Procurement and Manufacturing Techniques in Caddoan Ceramic Assemblages from the Sabine, Cypress, and Sulphur River Drainage Basins, Rusk and Titus Counties, Texas

Texas Utilities Services and Espey, Huston & Associates, Inc. have conducted ongoing archaeological investigations of cultural resources in Northeast Texas for the past 15 years. As a part of these studies, prehistoric Caddoan ceramic assemblages were recovered from 13 sites in three distinct drainage basins: three sites from the Sabine River drainage; three sites from the Cypress Creek drainage; and seven sites from the Sulphur River drainage. Recent research on the ceramic collections has emphasized variability in surface treatment, vessel form, and paste composition by means of a detailed attribute analysis and petrographic examination of a sample of the Caddoan sherds. This paper focuses on the paste composition of a sherd sample selected to undergo petrographic analysis. The sample contains representatives among the sherds of the major tempering agents identified during a macroscopic examination of the pastes. The initial goal of the analyses was establishment of a baseline for paste composition in the study areas. A detailed point count, and grain size measurements, allowed for the identification of constituents in a range of frequencies from among the sites located in each of the three drainage basins. Upon completion of the initial studies, the results of the analyses from the three studies were compared. This paper presents a discussion of preliminary patterns identified in Caddoan ceramic assemblages of resource procurement and manufacturing techniques observed among the site samples.

Uptake of Atrazine by Hyphae ofGlomusVesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Root Systems of Corn (Zea maysL.)

A system, including a specialized treatment vessel for pesticide uptake studies, was developed and experiments were carried out to determine the ability ofGlomus intraradices(Schenck & Smith),G. vesiculiferium(Thaxter), and indigenous vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi to influence14C-atrazine uptake and transfer to corn. Uptake by root systems with and without VAM infection was compared to uptake by VAM hyphal systems by controlling access to14C-atrazine-treated soil. Hyphal systems ofGlomusspecies were able to remove14C-residue from soil and transfer these to corn. Amount of14C-residue transferred to corn through hyphal systems was highly correlated to the level of VAM root infection which varied among VAM species. In root systems, variations in14C-residue uptake resulting from mycorrhization were largely explained in terms of the negative correlation between level of infection and root mass located in14C-atrazine-treated soil. Allocation of14C-residue to shoot tissues of corn was greater when14C-residues were taken up through root systems rather than through hyphal systems. There were significant effects of VAM species on14C-residue compartmentalization between methanol extractable and nonextractable portions of corn tissues. Data from these experiments in a confined soil system were related to VAM cost-benefit relationships and indicate a significant role for VAM in determining atrazine fate in agricultural systems.