Retrospective analysis of conservatively treated thoracolumbar burst fracture

Background: Thoracolumbar burst fractures accounts for 10 to 40 percent of the spinal column fractures caries a significant morbidity and mortality. Vertebral fractures are usually followed by chronic pain, deformity, loss of height and crowding of internal organs. A combination of the above problems can adversely affect the self-esteem and ability to carry on the daily activities.The objective of the study was to find proportion of the conservatively treated thoracolumbar burst fracture and the factors associated with the final outcome of the treatment with the clinical, radiological evidences.Methods: In this study 36 patients with burst fracture of thoracolumbar spine without neurological deficit, treated conservatively from January 2015–August 2016 were included. The overall follow up period was 18 months. Various radiological parameters were taken in to consideration like Cobb angle, canal stenosis, sagittal alignment, and fragment displacement. Treatment outcome was evaluated by short form survey questionnaire (SF-36), Denis score for pain and work and the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results: The overall functional outcome in this study group 30.55% returned to the previous employment. 25% back to their previous job with restrictions.27.7% unable to return to the previous job but works fulltime in a new job. 16.7% unable to return to full time work. No one is completely disabled. The Cobb angle remains same or decreased in 53% and in 47% with minimum -8 maximum 5. The severe pain score was in 5.6% of cases. Conclusions: Proper selection of patients and their prior activities, social and educational background and future plans in addition to a thorough physical, neurological and spinal examination are mandatory to achieve satisfactory result

Subsurface Hydrogeochemical Processes in Lower Bhavani River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India

Bhavani River is one of the important tributaries of Cauvery River, and originates in the Silent Valley range of Kerala State, India. The Lower Bhavani River Basin lies between 11 15' N and 11 45' N latitudes and 77 00' E and 77 40' E longitudes with an area of 2,475 km2. Variation of groundwater quality in an area is a function of physical and chemical parameters that are greatly influenced by geological formations, recharge-discharge mechanisms of groundwater and anthropogenic activities. The correlation of groundwater chemistry with hydrologic and geologic environments gives valuable information to understand the effect of these processes and to properly manage aquifer systems. A detailed study has been carried out to understand the subsurface hydrogeochemical processes that are responsible for the quality variation of groundwater. Residence time of groundwater was also considered to be an important parameter to study groundwater evolution. The NETPATH computer code was used to model the major subsurface processes contributing to the evolution of groundwater chemistry. The occurrence of such chemical processes as silicate weathering, carbonate dissolution, ion exchange and dilution due to rain were verified by performing inverse mass balance modeling using the same code. The net geochemical mass balance reactions between initial and final water were identified and quantified based on the flow in selected well pairs. The model output shows that dilution, ion exchange and illite precipitation are the dominant processes that control the chemistry of the groundwater along the flow paths. Calcite and NaCl dissolution are also involved to a certain extent. Reverse ion exchange process is also observed in two models

Wie wirken "effektive Mikroorganismen" auf EM-Bokashi in der Bananenproduktion (Musa ssp.)?

In Costa Rica, ‘effective microorganisms’ (EM) are used to produce organic fertiliser in the form of Bokashi. This study aimed at investigating the effects of EM addition on the decomposition of banana residues during Bokashi production in comparison to different non-EM control variants (Bokashi produced with: W= water, M= molasses as an EM additive, EMst= sterilized EM). Furthermore, the effects of the above mentioned Bokashi variants on the growth of young banana plants and their effects on the secondary root growth of adult banana plants were evaluated. In comparison to non-EM controls, no increasing effects of EM on the N-mineralization of banana material were observed. All nutrient concentrations were similar for all treatments as well as the weight loss of approximately 77.9 %. The ergosterol concentration was significantly highest in EM Bokashi (77 µg g-1 dry soil), whereas it was lowest in EMst (29 µg g-1 dry soil). Application of all Bokashi variants significantly increased shoot growth of young banana plants under greenhouse conditions compared to a control grown in unamended soil. EM Bokashi and Bokashi produced with molasses significantly decreased the number of root nematodes under greenhouse conditions if compared to the control (nematodes per 100 g: C = 254; W = 143; EMst = 143; M = 67; EM = 38). Furthermore, EM Bokashi increased secondary root growth of adult banana plants in the field (186.7 g) compared to non-composted fresh banana leaves (134.6 g) and a control without mulch application (147 g)

Emission Analysis of Chlorella sp. Microalgae Biodiesel with Oxide Nano Additives in Diesel Engine

The Chlorella sp. biodiesel was produced from the microalgae oil via transesterification process. Three combinations were studied. Blend of biodiesel (20%) with diesel (80%) was prepared and denoted as B20. Then the TiO2 nanoparticles were added to each B20 blend samples in a quantity of 50 and 100 ppm using an ultrasonicator. In compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fuel requirements, the biodiesel blends have been characterized. In an unaltered four-stroke diesel engine using various loads, the biodiesel blends were studied. The experimental outcomes show a decrease in exhaust emissions in terms of CO, HC, NOx, and Smoke

Tribological behaviour of RuO2 in diesel: Benthic-diatom Navicula sp. algae biodiesel

1473-1478An operating automotive engine generates more friction as well as wears in between their sliding parts when compared to an idle one, and so needs lubrication to lower this particular frictional impact. Biodiesel is surely an alternative renewable source of diesel fuel. The current research will measure the friction and wear characteristics of benthic-diatom Navicula sp. algae biodiesel with RuO2 at various concentrations. The biodiesel was studied at various blends such as B20, B20+50 ppm, and B20+100 ppm. Tests had been carried out at a speed of 1200 rpm at 75 °C under an average load of 40 kg per 1 h. Results revealed that friction and wear decreased with an increase in the concentration of RuO2 nanoparticles in biodiesel

Emission Analysis of Chlorella sp. Microalgae Biodiesel with Oxide Nano Additives in Diesel Engine

1031-1034The Chlorella sp. biodiesel was produced from the microalgae oil via transesterification process. Three combinations were studied. Blend of biodiesel (20%) with diesel (80%) was prepared and denoted as B20. Then the TiO2 nanoparticles were added to each B20 blend samples in a quantity of 50 and 100 ppm using an ultrasonicator. In compliance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fuel requirements, the biodiesel blends have been characterized. In an unaltered four-stroke diesel engine using various loads, the biodiesel blends were studied. The experimental outcomes show a decrease in exhaust emissions in terms of CO, HC, NOx, and Smoke

Regeneration of cellulose acetate nanofibrous mat from discarded cigarette butts

Cellulose acetate present in the cigarette butts has beenregenerated into nanofibrous mat. The developed mat is thencharacterized using various analytical tools. Uniform bead-freecellulose acetate fibre is obtained at 12 % w/v concentration ofcellulose acetate. The mat thus obtained exhibits goodantimicrobial property