Synthesis of a novel AlBeSiTiV light weight HEA coating on SS316 using atmospheric plasma spray process.

High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) are currently a subject of significant research interest in the fields of materials science and engineering. They are rapidly evolving due to their exceptional properties, and there is considerable focus on expanding their application potential by developing HEA coatings on various substrate materials. This area of study holds promise for advancing technology and innovation in diverse industries.

Prevalence and Patterns of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Indian Heart Failure Population.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common yet a largely underdiagnosed entity in developing countries. It is one treatable condition that is known to adversely affect the mortality and morbidity in heart failure (HF). This study is one of the first attempts aimed at studying SDB in chronic HF patients from an Indian subcontinent.

EDF Casting for Early Onset Scoliosis: What We Learned From 175 Castings.

Study Design: IRB approved prospective case series.

Objectives: This study attempts to determine the effects of elongation, derotation, and flexion (EDF) casting on pulmonary function. We also attempted to define prognostic factors and determine the ideal amount of traction for casting in patients with early onset scoliosis (EOS).

Orthopedic guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Orthopedic or musculoskeletal problems are common in individuals with spina bifida. They can affect function and mobility and, in the case of spinal deformity, affect pulmonary function. We discuss the current treatment guidelines developed through collaboration with the Spina Bifida Association and the Orthopedics and Mobility working group using a specific methodology previously reported [1,2].

Evolution of casting techniques in early-onset and congenital scoliosis.

Casting is being utilized as a therapeutic strategy in some mild to moderate cases obviating surgical intervention for management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Bracing, another conservative modality, applies comparable correcting forces on chest wall and axial skeleton. But cast application carries additional advantage of sustained restorative force which bypasses issue of compliance seen with brace wear.

Analysis of Evaporative and Exhaust-Related On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Readiness Monitors and DTCs Using I/M and Roadside Data.

Under contract to the EPA, Eastern Research Group analyzed light-duty vehicle OBD monitor readiness and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) using inspection and maintenance (I/M) data from four states. Results from roadside pullover emissions and OBD tests were also compared with same-vehicle I/M OBD results from one of the states. Analysis focused on the evaporative emissions control (evap) system, the catalytic converter (catalyst), the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and the oxygen sensor and oxygen sensor heater (O system).

Real-world exhaust temperature and engine load distributions of on-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in various vocations.

Real-world vehicle and engine activity data were collected from 90 heavy-duty vehicles in California, United States, most of which have engine model year 2010 or newer and are equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR). The 90 vehicles represent 19 different groups defined by a combination of vocational use and geographic region. The data were collected using advanced data loggers that recorded vehicle speed, position (latitude and longitude), and more than 170 engine and aftertreatment parameters (including engine load and exhaust temperature) at the frequency of one Hz.

Real-world exhaust temperature profiles of on-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles equipped with selective catalytic reduction.

On-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles are a major contributor of oxides of nitrogen (NO) emissions. In the US, many heavy-duty diesel vehicles employ selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet the 2010 emission standard for NO. Typically, SCR needs to be at least 200°C before a significant level of NO reduction is achieved.

Measurement and Analysis of the Operations of Drayage Trucks in the Houston Area in Terms of Activities and Exhaust Emissions.

The effects of exhaust emissions on public welfare have prompted the US Environmental Protection Agency to take various actions toward understanding, modeling, and reducing air pollution from vehicles. This study was performed to better understand exhaust emissions of heavy-duty diesel-powered tractor-trailer trucks that operate in drayage service, which involves the moving of shipping containers to or from port terminals. The study involved the use of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) to measure both gaseous and particulate matter (PM) mass emission rates and record various vehicle and engine parameters from the test trucks as they performed their normal drayage service.

Evaluation of EDAR vehicle emissions remote sensing technology.

Despite much work in recent years, vehicle emissions remain a significant contributor in many areas where air quality standards are under threat. Policy-makers are actively exploring options for next generation vehicle emission control and local fleet management policies, and new monitoring technologies to aid these activities. Therefore, we report here on findings from two separate but complementary blind evaluation studies of one new-to-market real-world monitoring option, HEAT LLC's Emission Detection And Reporting system or EDAR, an above-road open path instrument that uses Differential Absorption LIDAR to provide a highly sensitive and selective measure of passing vehicle emissions.

Intraobserver and Interobserver Measurement Variability of the Rib-Vertebral Angle Difference.

Background: The rib-vertebral angle (RVAD) differentiates between progressive and resolving infantile idiopathic scoliosis (IIS) curves. Those with a RVAD<20 degrees often resolve without treatment, whereas those >20 degrees often progress and require treatment. The mathematical magnitude of RVAD measurement variability has not been described, and was thus the purpose of this study.

Comparison Between Gearshift And Drill Techniques For Pedicle Screw Placement By Resident Surgeons.

Background: Various techniques have been described for pedicle screw placement with established clinical and radiological success. Suboptimal screw trajectories can compromise bony purchase and, worse yet, cause neurological and vascular injuries. Thus, it is of paramount importance to achieve maximum accuracy of screw placement.

Management of an anticipated difficult airway in Hurler's syndrome.

Management of an anticipated difficult airway in Hurler syndrome. Hurler syndrome is a subtype of Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type 1. Mucopolysaccharidosis (lysosomal storage diseases) are a group of inherited disorders caused by deficiency of specific lysosomal enzyme required for a normal degradation of glycosaminoglycons (GAGs).

Effect of "SOHAM" meditation on the human brain: an fMRI study.

The effect of "SOHAM" meditation has been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in long-term meditators while they were meditating and not meditating. The results have revealed activation in left middle prefrontal cortex (MPFC) (Brodmann's area, BA 46), left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) (BA 44), left supplementary motor area (SMA) (BA 6) and left precuneus (BA 5) during the meditation period compared to the control period (no-meditation period). The results have been interpreted in terms of regulation of the emotional state, attention and working memory of the meditators.

Effect of SOHAM meditation on human brain: a voxel-based morphometry study.

The anatomical correlates of long-term meditators involved in practice of "SOHAM" meditation have been studied using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The VBM analysis indicates significantly higher gray matter density in brain stem, ventral pallidum, and supplementary motor area in the meditators as compared with age-matched nonmeditators. The observed changes in brain structure are compared with other forms of meditation.

Methods of characterizing the distribution of exhaust emissions from light-duty, gasoline-powered motor vehicles in the U.S. fleet.

Mobile sources significantly contribute to ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM). Source apportionment studies for PM10 (PM < or = 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) and PM2.5 (PM < or = 2.

Temperature effects on particulate matter emissions from light-duty, gasoline-powered motor vehicles.

The Kansas City Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions Study (KCVES) measured exhaust emissions of regulated and unregulated pollutants from 496 vehicles recruited in the Kansas City metropolitan area in 2004 and 2005. Vehicle emissions testing occurred during the summer and winter, with the vehicles operated at ambient temperatures. One key component of this study was the investigation of the influence of ambient temperature on particulate matter (PM) emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles.

Derotational casting for progressive infantile scoliosis.

Background: Serial cast correction by using the Cotrel derotation technique is one of several potential treatments for progressive infantile scoliosis. This study reviews our early experience to identify which, if any, patients are likely to benefit from or fail this technique.

Methods: We followed all patients treated at our institutions for progressive infantile scoliosis since 2003 prospectively at 1 institution and retrospectively at the other 2.

Spinal injuries in pedestrians struck by motor vehicles.

Study Design: Retrospective study of consecutive patients that were struck by motor vehicles and sustained spinal injuries over a 6-year period from 1997 to 2003.

Objective: To determine spinal injury patterns and associated injuries in pedestrians struck by motor vehicles.

Summary Of Background Data: Motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Predicting scoliosis progression from skeletal maturity: a simplified classification during adolescence.

Background: Both the Tanner-Whitehouse-III RUS score, which is based on the radiographic appearance of the epiphyses of the distal part of the radius, the distal part of the ulna, and small bones of the hand, and the digital skeletal age skeletal maturity scoring system, which is based on just the metacarpals and phalanges, correlate highly with the curve acceleration phase in girls with idiopathic scoliosis. However, these systems require an atlas and access to the scoring system, making their use impractical in a busy clinical setting. We sought to develop a simplified system that would correlate highly with scoliosis behavior but that would also be rapid and reliable for clinical practice.

A technique for calculating limb length inequality and epiphyseodesis timing using the multiplier method and a spreadsheet.

Purpose: Limb length inequality and epiphyseodesis timing calculations are common in pediatric orthopedics. The multiplier method developed by Paley et al. has significantly simplified the calculation of ultimate limb length.

Thoracoscopic scoliosis surgery affects pulmonary function less than thoracotomy at 2 years postsurgery.

Study Design: Prospective evaluation of pulmonary function before and 2 years after surgery following anterior scoliosis instrumentation.

Objectives: To determine if thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis correction with instrumentation affected pulmonary function less than open thoracotomy approaches at 2 years follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: The thoracoscopic approach has been shown to have a smaller reduction in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) compared with an open thoracotomy approach following anterior thoracic instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the immediate postoperative period; however, it is unclear if a difference remains 2 years following the procedure.