Traumatic facet joint dislocations in Western Australia

Background: Early enlocation of dislocated cervical facets is important to minimize long term neurological deficit. Aims: To assess impact of delay in enlocation on clinical outcome in patients with facet dislocations and propose a scheme for enlocation for rural patients who usually have longer enlocation times. Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive cervical spine facet joint dislocations presenting to Royal Perth Hospital from January 2009 to November 2012 was carried out to assess factors affecting final neurological outcome (ASIA score) at discharge. Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the study. More patients in the urban group had higher final ASIA score than in the rural group. Strong correlation in both the urban and rural populations were found between enlocation time final ASIA score Conclusion: Enlocation through closed reduction should be done as early as possible at local centres for awake rural patients having dislocated cervical facets

Vibrations of Cracked Rotors

The analysis of dynamic behavior of rotors with cracks is considerably important for design aspect. In this study the effect of a single open crack on the free vibrational characteristics of a simply supported shaft are investigated using Finite element methodology. The rotor is modelled by using Timoshenko beam element. To account for the presence of the crack, the stiffness matrix of the beam element is modified. The beam element with modified stiffness matrix is then fit into the complete finite element assemblage representing a cracked rotor system. In this study the natural frequencies of cracked and un-cracked rotor are found using Ansys and then the variations in natural frequencies of the rotor with varying depths at a given location are estimated. This analysis is done for two different geometries of shaft and results are compared. Experimental investigations were carried out and frequencies of cracked and un-cracked rotor are determined and the results are compared

A Recurrent Episode of Dermatomyositis Associated with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Objective. It is uncommon for dermatomyositis to be associated with papillary thyroid cancer. We report an unusual case of papillary thyroid cancer presenting with dermatomyositis. Methods. The case history, imaging and laboratory data is reviewed. Results. We report the case of a 62-year-old female with a prior history of dermatomyositis and breast cancer who presented with a recurrent episode of dermatomyositis. Extensive evaluation of the cause of the dermatomyositis recurrence revealed no recurrence of the breast cancer but a thyroid nodule was identified. The nodule was biopsied and the patient was noted to have papillary thyroid cancer. The patient subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy and had gradual improvement in her dermatomyositis. Conclusion. It is very uncommon for dermatomyositis to be associated with papillary thyroid cancer.</jats:p

Outcomes of Open Subacromial Decompression after Failed Arthroscopic Acromioplasty

Aim. To prospectively assess the effectiveness of revision with open subacromial decompression in patients who had a previous unsatisfactory outcome with the arthroscopic procedure. Methods. 11 patients were identified for the study, who did not demonstrate expected improvement in symptoms after arthroscopic acromioplasty. All patients underwent structured rehabilitation. Functional evaluation was conducted using the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, shoulder rating questionnaire. Results. M : F was 7 : 4. The mean age was 57 years. The average shoulder score improved from 49.6 preoperatively to 56 postoperatively at an average followup of 16 months. Two patients showed deterioration in their shoulder scores after revision while the rest showed only marginal improvement. All except one patient stated that they would opt for surgery again if given a second chance. Conclusion. In the group of patients that fail to benefit from the arthroscopic decompression, only a marginal improvement was noted after revision with open decompression

Age Related Incidence and Early Outcomes of Hip Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study of 1177 patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Associated with the increase in the aging population, there is an increase in the incidence of hip fractures worldwide. Outcome following such fractures is affected by age of the patient. This study aims to assess the incidence and early outcome of hip fractures, comparing between different age groups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data of hip fractures collected over a period of five years was analysed. Patients were divided into three groups, group A (patients under the age of 64), group B (patients between 65 and 84 years of age), and group C (patients over the age of 85).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1177 patients included in the study, there were 90 patients in group A, 702 patients in group B and 385 patients in group C. There was a female preponderance across all age groups, and this increased as age advanced (p < 0.0001). A significantly larger number of older patients lived alone and needed aids to walk before the injury (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the type of fracture across the three groups (p = 0.13). A higher proportion of the elderly with intracapsular fractures were treated by replacement arthroplasty. Older patients who had internal fixation of intracapsular fractures had a better walking ability at 4 months. The overall deterioration in mobility was greater in older patients (p < 0.0001). Mortality was higher in older patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Hip fractures are more common among females irrespective of age group. Older patients have a higher mortality and a greater deterioration of walking ability after such injuries. Internal fixation of intracapsular fractures have demonstrated satisfactory early outcome in the immediate period. This could be attributed to retention of native bone, better propioception and shorter operation time.</p

The watershed-scale optimized and rearranged landscape design model (WORLD) for cellulosic feedstock production and advanced local biomass processing depots (LBPD) for sustainable biofuel production : integrated life cycle assessments

Interest in commercially viable cellulosic biofuel production has greatly increased due to concerns regarding the sustainability of petroleum fuels. These biofuels can help fulfill escalating demands for liquid fuels and mitigate the environmental impacts of petroleum-derived fuels. Two key factors in their successful large- scale production are pretreatment (in biological conversion processes) and a consistent supply of feedstock. While research into solving the technical issues is ongoing, much less attention has been paid to solving supply chain challenges such as low bulk density of cellulosic biomass, compositional variability and seasonality of the feedstock. Currently large biorefineries face many logistical problems because they are centralized facilities in which all units of the conversion process are present in a single location. These logistical problems can be addressed using a system of distributed processing networks called Regional/Local Biomass Processing Depots (RBPDs, LBPDs or depots). These depots are strategically distributed facilities that procure, pre-process /pre-treat and densify biomass into stable intermediate products that are compatible with existing bulk commodity logistical systems. On the agricultural production side, an array of feedstocks such as corn stover, switchgrass, miscanthus, native prairie grasses etc. are being evaluated as potential raw materials for cellulosic biofuel production. Additionally, management practices such as the use of marginal lands, no-till and double-cropping, riparian buffers, when incorporated in the feedstock module of the biofuels supply chain, may enhance overall system sustainability. However, thorough assessments are required in real landscape settings on regional levels before these feedstocks can be cultivated and sustainable practices can be implemented. Likewise biofuel production should be maximized and negative environmental impacts should be minimized in growing these new feedstocks.This research has two primary objectives: to propose designs of sustainable optimized cellulosic feedstock landscapes for biofuel production and to conduct integrated systems-wide life cycle analyses of these optimized landscapes combined with distributed processing and associated auxiliary processes (such as transport operations). It also aims to address pertinent current issues in the bioenergy production sector such as: avoiding indirect land use change impacts (iLUC) and the "feed vs. fuel" controversy, maximizing ecosystem services and improving the quality of water bodies. The watershed-scale optimized & rearranged landscape design (WORLD) model was created to estimate land allocations for different cellulosic feedstocks at biorefinery scale while paying attention to the aforementioned issues. In summary, this research answers several key questions in the biofuel production process regarding the advantages of distributed processing systems, the technical potential of landscapes and maximizing the benefits of these landscapes plus processing systems for environmental, economic and social incentives. The WORLD model and integrated LCAs can be used as decision making tools by growers, industries or policy makers.Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Chemical Engineering, 2012Includes bibliographical reference

Integrability Evaluation Methodology for Building Integrated Photovoltaic's (BIPV) : A Study in Indian Climatic Conditions

India’s geographical location renders it with ample solar-energy potential ranging from 4-7 kWh/m2 daily and 2,300–3,200 sunshine hours annually. The diverse nature of human settlements (scattered low-rise to dense high-rise) in India is one of the unexplored avenues of harnessing solar energy through electricity generation using photovoltaic (PV) technology. Solar energy is a promising alternative that carries adequate potential to support the growing energy demands of India’s burgeoning population. A previous study estimates, by the year 2070, with 425 million households (of which utilizing only 20 %), about 90 TWh of electrical energy can be generated utilizing solar energy. PV is viable for onsite distributed (decentralized) power generation offering advantages of size and scale variability, modularity, relatively low maintenance and integration into buildings (no additional demand land). The application of solar PV technology as the building envelope viz., walls, façade, fenestration, roof and skylights is termed Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV). Apart from generating electricity, PV has to also function as a building envelope, which makes BIPV systems unique. Even with a gradual rise in the number of BIPV installations across the world over the years, a common consensus on their evaluation has not yet been developed. Unlike PV in a ground mounted system, its application in buildings as an envelope has huge implications on both PV and building performance. The functions of PV as a building material translates well beyond electricity generation alone and would also have to look into various aspects like the thermal comfort, weather proofing, structural rigidity, natural lighting, thermal insulation, shading, noise protection safety and aesthetics. To integrate PV into a residential building successfully serving the purpose (given the low energy densities of PV and initial cost), would also mean considering factors like the buildings electricity requirement and economic viability. As many studies have revealed, 40% of electricity consumed in a building is utilized for maintaining indoor thermal comfort. Tropical regions, such as India, are generally characterized by high temperatures and humidity attributed to good sunlight, therefore, the externality considered for this study has been the impact of BIPV on the thermal comfort. Passive designs need to regulate the buildings solar exposure by integrating a combination of appropriate thermal massing, material selection, space orientation and natural ventilation. On the other hand, PV design primarily aims to maximize solar to generate maximum energy. The design requirements for climate-responsive building design may thus infringe upon those required for optimal PV performance. Regulating indoor thermal comfort in tropical regions poses a particular challenge under such conditions, as the indoor temperature is likely to be sensitive to external temperature variations. In addition, given current performance efficiencies for various PVs, high initial cost and space requirement, it is also crucial to ascertain PV’s ability to efficiently support buildings energy requirement. Thus, BIPV would require addressing, concurrently, design requirements for energy-efficient building performance, effective PV integration, and societal feasibility. A real time roof integrated BIPV system (5.25 kW) installed at the Center for Sustainable Technologies at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has been studied for its PV and building thermal performance. The study aims at understanding a BIPV system (based on crystalline silicon) from the technical (climate-responsiveness and PV performance), social (energy requirement and energy efficiency) and economical (costs and benefits) grounds and identifies relevant factors to quantify performance of any BIPV system. A methodology for BIPV evaluation has been proposed (Integrability Methodology), especially for urban localities, which can also be adopted for various PV configurations, building typologies and climatic zones. In the process, a novel parameter (thermal comfort energy) to evaluate the thermal performance of naturally ventilated buildings combining climate-responsiveness and thermal comfort aspects has also been developed. An Integrability Index has also been devised, integrating various building performance factors, to evaluate and compare the performance of BIPV structures. The methodology has been applied to the 5.25 kW BIPV system and the index has been computed to be 0.17 (on a scale of 0 – 1). An insulated BIPV system (building applied photovoltaic system) has been found to be favorable for the climate of Bangalore than BIPV. BIPV systems have also been compared across three different climates (Bangalore, Shillong and Delhi) and given the consideration of the same system for comparison, the system in Delhi is predicted to have a higher Integrability than the other two systems. The current research work is a maiden effort, that aims at developing and testing a framework to evaluate BIPV systems comprising technical, social and economic factors

Designing robust schedule coordination scheme for transit networks with safety control margins

We propose a robust schedule coordination scheme which combines timetable planning with a semi-flexible departure delayed control strategy in case of disruptions. The flexibility is provided by allowing holding for the late incoming bus within a safety control margin (SCM). In this way, the stochastic travel time is addressed by the integration of real-time control and slacks at the planning phase. The schedule coordination problem then jointly optimises the planning headways and slack times in the timetable subject to SCM. Analytical formulations of cost functions are derived for three types of operating modes: uncoordinated operation, departure punctual control and departure delayed control. The problem is formulated as a stochastic mixed integer programming model and solved by a branch-and-bound algorithm. Numerical results provide an insight into the interaction between SCM and slack times, and demonstrate that the proposed model leads to cost saving and higher efficiency when SCM is considered. Compared to the conventional operating modes, the proposed method also presents advantages in transfer reliability and robustness to delay and demand variation