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Gas turbine combustor CFD modeling has become an important combustor design tool in the past few years, but CFD models are generally limited to the flow field inside the combustor liner or the diffuser/combustor annulus region. Although strongly coupled in reality, the two regions have rarely been coupled in CFD modeling. A CFD calculation for a full model combustor from compressor diffuser exit to turbine inlet is described. The coupled model accomplishes the following two main objectives: (1) implicit description of flow splits and flow conditions for openings into the combustor liner, and (2) prediction of liner wall temperatures, Conjugate heat transfer with nonluminous gas radiation (appropriate for lean, low emission combustors) is utilized to predict wall temperatures compared to the conventional approach of predicting only near wall gas temperatures. Remaining difficult issues such as generating the grid, modeling swirler vane passages, and modeling effusion cooling are also discussed.

Evaluation of the pediatric trauma patient frequently requires radiologic studies. Although low-dose radiation from diagnostic radiology is considered safe, lifetime risks per unit dose of radiation are increased in children compared to adults. The total effective dose of radiation to a typical pediatric trauma patient is unknown. We sought to estimate the total effective dose of radiation related to the radiologic assessment of injured children admitted to a pediatric Level I trauma center. We reviewed the radiology records of all children admitted directly to a trauma center in 2002 and tabulated all plain films, computed tomograms, angiographic/fluoroscopic studies, and nuclear medicine studies. Using age-adjusted effective doses (which incorporate biologic effects of radiation), we computed each patient's total effective dose of radiation. Of 506 admitted patients, 394 (78%) underwent at least one radiologic study. The mean total effective dose per patient was 14.9 mSv (median: 7.2 mSv; interquartile range: 2.2-27.4 mSv). On average, computed tomography accounted for 97.5% of total effective dose. Age and injury severity score did not predict total effective dose. We conclude that in pediatric trauma patients, the estimated total effective dose of radiation varied widely. Computed tomography contributed virtually the entire total effective dose. Regarding radiographic evaluation of pediatric trauma patients, the risks and benefits of current practices should continue to be evaluated critically, because lifetime risks associated with radiation exposure are inversely proportional to age at exposure.

Several groups have begun to explore the feasibility and utility of intrauterine closure of myelomeningocele. A subset of these fetuses have defects which fall into the category of myeloschisis, and therefore have inadequate skin to enable primary closure. After considerable discussion, it was decided to utilize bipedicular flaps to close these lesions. The procedure is described, and representative examples are shown. To date, 13 of 56 fetuses have required this approach for closure in utero. While this technique generally provides adequate coverage of the dural sac, the cosmetic results have been less than optimal., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel)