摘要:
A sensor for detecting the breakthrough of hardness in a water softener measures a change in the conductivity of elongated cation-exchange material in contact with the treated water.
摘要:
Methods, systems and compositions for recovery of regenerant ions from spent regenerant solution by utilization of electrodialysis are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for separating spent regenerant using an electrodialysis system comprising selective membranes are described. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for treating a friable solid ion-removal material to prevent fragmentation during regeneration.
摘要:
A photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) system and a method of cooling photovoltaic (PV) cells in the system is described herein. Energy from an excitation source such as the sun hits the PV cells in the PV-T system causing heating that reduces PV efficiency. The PV cells are cooled by fluid in an intact heat-transfer system making a heated water byproduct while the PV cells release a form of energy. In addition, the PV-T system can be implemented in a desalination plant to harvest energy and heat for desalination processes. The present invention also includes methods for transferring heat from PV cells to the earth to improve PV performance and reduce thermal shock to the PV cells.
摘要:
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for determining a patient-specific probability of disease. The method collects clinical parameters from a plurality of patients to create a training database. A fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model is created using data from the training database; and, the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network is validated. Clinical parameters are collected from an individual patient; and, such clinical parameters are input into the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model via a graphical user interface. The patient-specific probability of the healing rate of an acute traumatic wound is output from the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model and sent to the graphical user interface for use by a clinician in pre-operative planning. The fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model is updated using the clinical parameters from the individual patient and the patient-specific probability of the healing rate of an acute traumatic wound.
摘要:
A process and system for purifying water is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the process may be used to remove a divalent salt, such as calcium sulfate, from a water source in order to prevent the divalent salt from precipitating during the process. The water source, for instance, may be fed to an ion separating device, such as an electrodialysis device. In the electrodialysis device, an ion exchange takes place between the divalent salt and another salt, such as a monovalent salt to produce two concentrated salt streams that contain salts having greater solubility in water than the divalent salt. In one embodiment, the two salt streams that are produced may then be combined to precipitate the divalent salt in a controlled manner. During the process, various other components contained within the water feed stream may also be removed from the stream and converted into useful products. In one particular embodiment, the process is configured to receive a byproduct stream from a reverse osmosis process.
摘要:
A novel co-culture system using human brain endothelial cells (HUBEC) which promotes the expansion of human CD34+CD38− cells consistent with the PMVEC system is disclosed. HUBEC were isolated from cadaveric donors, passed in primary culture, cloned and found to be Von Willebrand Factor positive. Cultivation of purified bone marrow CD34+ cells on HUBEC monolayers supplemented with GM-CSF+IL-3+IL-6+SCF+flt-3 ligand caused a 14.5-fold increase in total cells, an 6.6-fold increase in CD34+ cells, and, most remarkably, a 440-fold increase in CD34+CD38− cells after 7 days. Further, CFU-GM production increased 15.1-fold, BFU-E increased 8-fold, and CFU-Mix increased 5.2-fold. Optimal generation was dependent upon the continued presence of exogenous supplied cytokines. Moreover, we found that non-brain human endothelial cells isolated from the same donors supported neither the expansion nor the maintenance of human CD34+CD38− cells.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for generating acid and base regenerant solutions by utilization of a bipolar membrane electrodialysis stack. A mineral-containing salt solution is continuously circulated through the stack to produce a partially demineralized salt solution, an acid solution and a base solution. The acid solution and base solution are continuously circulated through the stack to increase the concentration thereof. The circulating salt solution is controlled to maintain the salt concentration in the range of 2% to 25% and the pH in the range of 8-11. The concentrations of the circulating acid solution and base solution are controlled to maintain the concentrations thereof in the range of 0.2N to 3.0N. The concentrated acid solution and base solution are utilized to regenerate exhausted ion-exchange resins.
摘要:
A hemoperfusion device is disclosed for the specific modification or removal of components of whole blood. The device involves a 3-dimensional arrangement of fibers within a housing arranged to provide maximum exposed fiber surface and flow-channel diameter, while also reducing the tortuosity of the flow path. Desired effector molecules are bound to the fibers to allow them to contact the target components of the blood, whereby to remove the target components. Details of the fiber and effector molecules are disclosed and a specific device is described.
摘要:
The electrical efficiency of an electrically regenerated ion exchange system is improved by using elongated ion exchange members having a continuous ion exchange phase that is more conductive in the exhausted form than it is in the regenerated form. Preferably, the system includes anion exchange members that extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the anode but do not extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the cathode, and cation exchange members that extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the cathode but do not extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the anode.
摘要:
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for determining a patient-specific probability of transplant glomerulopathy. The method collects clinical parameters from a plurality of patients to create a training database. A fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model is created using data from the training database; and, the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network is validated. Clinical parameters are collected from an individual patient; and, such clinical parameters are input into the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model via a graphical user interface. The patient-specific probability of transplant glomerulopathy is output from the fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model and sent to the graphical user interface for use by a clinician in pre-operative planning. The fully unsupervised Bayesian Belief Network model is updated using the clinical parameters from the individual patient and the patient-specific probability of transplant glomerulopathy.