No abstract

The ISS Water Recovery System (WRS) is responsible for providing potable water to the crew, to the Oxygen Generation System (OGS) for oxygen production via electrolysis, to the Waste & Hygiene Compartment (WHC) for flush water, and for experiments on ISS. The WRS includes the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) and the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA). The WPA processes condensate from the cabin air and distillate produced by the UPA. In 2010, an increasing trend in the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in the potable water was ultimately identified as dimethylsilanediol (DMSD). The increasing trend was ultimately reversed after replacing the WPA's two multifiltration beds. However, the reason for the TOC trend and the subsequent recovery was not understood. A subsequent trend occurred in 2012. This paper summarizes the current understanding of the fate of DMSD in the WPA, how the increasing TOC trend occurred, and the plan for modifying the WPA to prevent recurrence.

No abstract

BACKGROUND Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillators (CRT-D) reduce mortality in certain cardiac patient populations. However, inappropriate shocks pose a problem, having both adverse physical and psychological effects on the patient. The advances in device technology now allow remote monitoring (RM) of devices to replace clinic follow up appointments. This allows real time data to be analysed and actioned and this may improve patient care. AIM To determine if RM in patients with an ICD is associated with fewer inappropriate shocks and reduced time to medical assessment. METHODS This was a single centre, retrospective observational study, involving 156 patients implanted with an ICD or CRT-D, followed up for 2 years post implant. Both appropriate and inappropriate shocks were recorded along with cause for inappropriate shocks and time to medical assessment. RESULTS RM was associated with fewer inappropriate shocks (13.6% clinic vs 3.9% RM; P = 0.030) and a reduced time to medical assessment (15.1 ± 6.8 vs 1.0 ± 0.0 d; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION RM in patients with an ICD is associated with improved patient outcomes.

The ISS Water Processor Assembly (WPA) produces potable water from a waste stream containing humidity condensate and urine distillate. The primary treatment process is achieved in the Multifiltration Beds, which include adsorbent media and ion exchange resin for the removal of dissolved organic and inorganic contaminants. Two Multifiltration Beds (MF Beds) were replaced on ISS in July 2010 after initial indication of inorganic breakthrough of the first bed and an increasing Total Organic Carbon (TOC) trend in the product water. The first bed was sampled and analyzed Sept 2011 through March 2012. The second MF Bed was sampled and analyzed June 2012 through August 2012. The water resident in the both beds was analyzed for various parameters to evaluate adsorbent loading, performance of the ion exchange resin, microbial activity, and generation of leachates from the ion exchange resin. Portions of the adsorbent media and ion exchange resin were sampled and subsequently desorbed to identify the primary contaminants removed at various points in the bed in addition to microbial analysis. Analysis of the second bed will be compared to results from the first bed to provide a comprehensive overview of how the Multifiltration Beds function on orbit. New data from the second bed supplements the analysis of the first bed (previously reported) and gives a more complete picture of breakthrough compounds, resin breakdown products, microbial activity, and Tube 1 -Adsorbent Water -2.2E+07 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.24E+04 CFU/g Tube 2 -Adsorbent Water 2.6E+06 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.56E+03 CFU/g Tube 3 -Adsorbent Water -2.0E+07 CFU/100 mL; Resin -1.15E+04 CFU/g Tube 4 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -7.4E+03 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.02E+03 CFU/g Tube 5 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -3.7E+07 CFU/100 mL; Resin -3.54E+02 CFU/g Tube 6 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -4.9E+07 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.27E+02 CFU/g Tube 7 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -8.3E+05 CFU/100 mL; Resin -<2 CFU/g Tube 8 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -<1 CFU/100mL; Resin -<2 CFU/g Tube 9 Weak-Base Anion Exchange Resin Resin -<2 CFU/g Tube 10 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water 9.3E+02 CFU/100 mL; Resin 3.97E+02 CFU/g Tube 9-Strong-Acid Cation Exchange Resin Resin -6 CFU/g Water -3.3E+05 CFU/100 mL; Resin -3.00E+04 CFU/g Tube 2 -Adsorbent Water <10 CFU/100 mL; Resin -1.01E+05 CFU/g Tube 3 -Adsorbent Water -1.9E+06 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.00E+04 CFU/g Tube 4 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -7.4E+03 CFU/100 mL; Resin -1.53E+02 CFU/g Tube 5 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -3.2E+04 CFU/100 mL; Resin -49 CFU/g Tube 6 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -3.9E+05 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.42E+02 CFU/g Tube 7 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -2.0E+04 CFU/100 mL; Resin -2.03E+06 CFU/g Tube 8 -Mixed Ion Exchange Resin Water -<10 CFU/100mL; Resin -1.84E+03 CFU/g Tube 9 Weak-Base Anion Exchange Resin Resin -1.33E+03 CFU/g