The thermodynamic minimum energy for desalination (the energy required for separating an infinitely small amount of fresh water from salt water) is the same for all processes. Energy differences between processes are due to the difference in efficiency of the process.
June 25, 2003 -- Daily prednisone for 10 days reduces the relapse rate for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated and discharged from the emergency room, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial published in the June 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Compared with controls, patients who received prednisone had more rapid rates of improvement from baseline in pain, mental well-being, and disability scores. These changes were subtle but statistically significant. Patients who received prednisone tended to receive fewer epidural injections for pain. Conclusions: Early administration of oral steroid medication in patients with acute sciatica had no significant effect on most parameters studied.