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.
If a patient -- a child or adult -- takes prednisone for more than a few weeks or months, the side effects can be far more serious. Taking the drug long-term, as, for example, people with MS or lupus might, increases the risk of cataracts and, more commonly, of bone loss.