“
“Ignition hazards of biomass dust present challenges in the agricultural industry and future biorefinery processing. Thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes require reducing biomass particle sizes through milling or
grinding stages that may generate excess airborne dust.
Ignition properties of potential JQ1 mouse energy crop residues, namely, corn stover and sunflower stalks, were investigated by conducting ignition point experiments using dust layer samples to describe conditions that could start fires leading to loss of feedstock, equipment damage, and even personal injury or death. Sunflowers in particular possess unique properties that present increased challenges for farmers in which sunflower dust samples were found to have a lower auto-ignition point by 30 degrees C than comparable corn
stover dust samples. Furthermore, the dust ignition points are related to their physical characteristics and calorimetric data to investigate the properties that contribute to the enhanced fire risk of sunflowers. The results suggest sunflower’s higher surface area allows greater heat transfer to the particle, and its total pore volume allows additional air near the particle’s inner core to GSK923295 decrease the ignition point. Calorimetric data indicates sunflower dust also has a lower de-volatilization point and higher amount of energy released during early stages of combustion, which buy BLZ945 may also explain sunflower’s tendency to easily propagate dust fires. Sunflower dusts exhibit properties that increase the likelihood of fires on any equipment that has sufficiently hot surfaces. Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“Purpose of review
Atrial
fibrillation is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and its presence confers major prognostic implications. However, effective management of these patients is still under development. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of atrial fibrillation in HF, and the implications for management.
Recent findings
At present there is no evidence that a rhythm control strategy may bring any long-term benefits in routine management of atrial fibrillation in HF. Recently, the procedure of pulmonary vein isolation has been shown to provide clinical and prognostic benefits in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant HF who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy, including rate and rhythm control. A meta-analysis of patients with atrial fibrillation and symptomatic HF who had implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy devices and performed atrioventricular node ablation showed significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and improvement in HF functional class.
Summary
A cornerstone of management is stroke prevention, and anticoagulation is required for the vast majority of patients with atrial fibrillation and HF.