Repeat percutaneous tracheostomy in a COVID-19 patient

A 73-year-old man with history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to the emergency department with acute respiratory failure from COVID-19. After 10 days of mechanical ventilation (MV) the patient underwent a successful trial of extubation. However, 3 days later his neurological status deteriorated and required re-intubation. A brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed right cerebellar hemorrhage. Considering extent and location of the hemorrhage we decided to perform a percutaneous tracheostomy on the 18th day. The patient was then successfully weaned from MV (day 47th), and finally decannulated (day 50th). On day 62nd, the patient experienced an episode of septic shock, requiring oro-tracheal re-intubation, for we decided to perform a repeat percutaneous tracheostomy. All the procedure steps were uneventful. The patient was subsequently transferred to another ICU, and then successfully discharged to the Respiratory Ward. Keywords: coronavirus; airways; dilational tracheostomy</jats:p

16. Commission Pour les Observations Physiques des Planétes, des Cométes et des Satellites

The following works embodying researches coming within the scope of this Commission have been published since the last meeting of the Union:1. “Recherches sur la polarisation de la lumière des planètes et de quelques substances terrestres,” by B. Lyot, Annales de l’Observatoire de Paris, Section de Meudon, 3, Fase. i. Characteristic curves are found representing the fraction of light polarized in the case of the Moon and several of the planets for the angles Sun-Moon or planet-Earth and compared with curves obtained in the laboratory for light reflected by a number of terrestrial substances. Some of the conclusions arrived at are referred to in the notes below.2. La Planète Mars 1656-1929, by E. M. Antoniadi. This is based mainly on the author’s own telescopic observations with the 0.83 m. Meudon refractor in 1909 and the following years, and contains the author’s conclusions therefrom. The work of numerous earlier and contemporary observers is also summarized and compared with the Meudon observations.3. The Moon, by W. Goodacre. Contains a description of the lunar surface formations, numerous drawings, charts and photographs, and the author’s revised Map of the Moon in 25 sections.4. “Ricerche Polarigrafiche sui Pianeti. La Polarizzazione sul Disco di Giove,” by M. Maggini, Mem. della Soc. Astron. Italiana, 4.5. La Constitution des Comètes, by F. Baldet. Paris, Hermann et Cie. 1930.6. “ Halley’s Comet in its Apparition of 1909-1911,” by Nicholas T. Bobrovnikoff, Pub. of the Lick Observatory, 17, pt 11, 1931.7. “Absorptionsspektren und Atmosphären der grossen Planeten,” by R. Wildt, Nach, von der Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Math.-Phys. Klasse, 1932.</jats:p

Divertor Tokamak Test facility project: status of design and implementation

An overview is presented of the progress since 2021 in the construction and scientific programme preparation of the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility. Licensing for building construction has been granted at the end of 2021. Licensing for Cat. A radiologic source has been also granted in 2022. The construction of the toroidal field magnet system is progressing. The prototype of the 170 GHz gyrotron has been produced and it is now under test on the FALCON facility. The design of the vacuum vessel, the poloidal field coils and the civil infrastructures has been completed. The shape of the first DTT divertor has been agreed with EUROfusion to test different plasma and exhaust scenarios: single null, double null, X-divertor and negative triangularity plasmas. A detailed research plan is being elaborated with the involvement of the EUROfusion laboratories