Search

Within the European Community's Solar Energy R & D Programme, the Commission in Brussels has established an important cooperation with the Meteorological Offices of the EC Member Countries and various other solar energy laboratories, known as Project F. Within this framework, an expert group has been established to prepare recommendations for units and symbols in solar energy. The present article was drawn from their work. It is important to note that the main aim was to employ symbols which are clear, simple and easy to use, for instance on computers. The use of these units and symbols are strongly recommended for future EC publications on solar energy.

Action 4.1, part of Project F of the Solar Energy R&D programme, deals with the radiation networks of Member States. New equipment and measuring techniques for networks are assessed and eventually installed by the national services, all of which participate in this action. The current programme supports the meteorological services of four Member States in upgrading their networks for global, diffuse and direct radiation. Progress continues at different rates in these countries. The measuring technique for diffuse radiation with shadow bands is assessed. A correction formula, generally applicable, permits improvement of the accuracy of this kind of measurement up to |Mp 20 W/m2. One and a half year measured data of radiation measurements on inclined surfaces have been collected in Cabauw, the Netherlands, and are available on request. Data processing is in progress. “Solar Weeks” were organized for 1 – 14 November 1981, for the collection of meteorological data: global irradiation on a horizontal plane, diffuse global irradiation on a horizontal plane, sun shine duration — all three as hourly sums — air temperature and wind speed as available on magnetic tape, cloud cover on paper print. It is expected that data will be available three months later. A description of the radiation networks is envisaged by the action leader. First data were collected. A draft report will be available in 6 months’ time.

The effect of pH-adjustment of three per cent 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP, Nesacaine MPF) on the onset, duration, and spread of epidural analgesia and anaesthesia was studied in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery. Forty ASA physical status I and II patients were randomized to two groups. In a double-blinded fashion, patients in both groups received an epidural injection of 15 ml of local anaesthetic (LA) solution via a Tuohy needle at the L3-4 interspace. Local anaesthesia for Group I was prepared by adding 3 mEq NaHCO3 to 27 ml three per cent 2-CP and for Group II was prepared by adding 3 ml 0.9 per cent NaCl to 27 ml three per cent 2-CP. Both solutions contained epinephrine (1:200,000). The pH of commercially prepared Nesacaine MPF was 3.19 +/- 0.02. The pH of the solutions used for Group I and Group II patients were 7.32 +/- 0.01 and 3.27 +/- 0.02, respectively. Times to analgesia and anaesthesia at the L2 dermatome were significantly decreased in Group I patients by 2.5 and 6.6 minutes, respectively. Likewise, pH-adjustment accelerated the attainment of maximum level of block by 2.8 min. No statistical differences were found between groups in the maximum level of epidural block, or in time to 2-segment regression. No precipitation of LA was observed in pH-adjusted solutions of 2-CP after 24 hours. We recommend the use of pH-adjusted three per cent 2-CP (Nesacaine MPF) to accelerate the onset of epidural block.