Functional outcome of intertrochanteric fractures treated with trochanteric stabilizing plates

Background: Intertrochanteric fractures account for significant percentage of health care costs and result in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Since higher rate of mortality and complications most fractures can be successfully treated with trochanteric stabilizing plates. This study was conducted to assess functional outcome in intertrochanteric fracture femur treated with trochanteric stabilizing plates and define ideal mode of fixation for such fractures. Trochanter stabilizing plate (TSP) is modular extension of dynamic hip screw (DHS) that is mounted on lateral femoral wall to stabilize greater trochanter. It provides the flexibility to achieve plate to bone apposition as well as axial compression or angular stability because of three screw fixations at the proximal fragment. TSF can provide a stress shield for the lateral trochanteric wall and prevent lateral migration of proximal fragments. Thus, TSF does not fail at the screw bone interface and provide a strong anchor in osteoporotic bone. The multiple locking screw holes of the TSF provide various options to tackle complex fracture pattern. It functions as an internalized external fixator and minimizes the pressure on the periosteum and encourages biological healing. Methods: A total of 30 subjects of intertrochanteric fractures undergoing treatment with trochanteric stabilizing plates were taken up for the study after informed consent. Results:  Significant results were obtained using Harris hip score (HHS) at different postoperative follow up time intervals with good outcome and low complication rate. Conclusions: Trochanteric buttress plate creates biomechanically stable construct by incorporating the comminuted trochanter it restores the proximal femoral anatomy, ensuring anatomical reduction hence subsequently reduces limb length discrepancy. We thus conclude this is an effective technique and has excellent functional and radiological outcomes with minimal complication and early rehabilitation rates. As Intertrochanteric fractures of the hip is a very common condition affecting a large number of patients of variable demographics and racial background, a more widespread study is required for a more conclusive study

Ultra-stable silica/exfoliated graphite encapsulated n-hexacosane phase change nanocomposite: A promising material for thermal energy storage applications

Appendix A. Supplementary data: The following is the Supplementary data to this article: Download Word document (https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0360544222006326-mmc1.docx - 2MB)CSIR - Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (09/1074(0004/2018 EMR-I)

Investigating the thermal properties of n-hexacosane/graphene composite: A highly stable nanocomposite material for energy storage application

Data availability: No data was used for the research described in the article. Supplementary data available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451904923000653?via%3Dihub#s0125 (2MB).Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). The present work demonstrates a modified chemical synthesis route (chemical, hydrothermal methods, and sonication) for fabricating n-hexacosane-impregnated graphene nanosheets (GrPCM) nanocomposite, exhibiting enhanced thermal stability in energy storage. The exfoliation of the graphene sheet during the hydrothermal and sonication process increases the surface area that can absorb n-hexacosane, improving the impregnation and interaction between them. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy were used to examine the morphological and structural characteristics of the GrPCM nanocomposite. The findings demonstrate the loading of n-hexacoreferesane PCM materials into porous nanosheet structures without any chemical reactions. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and infrared thermography (IR) were used to measure the latent heat, mass loss, thermal conductivity, and stability of as-synthesized GrPCM nanocomposites. The melting and solidification of GrPCM nanocomposite were observed at 57.11 ◦C with a latent heat of 154.61 J/g and 49.28 ◦C with a latent heat of 147.58 J/g, respectively. The GrPCM nanocomposites showed a thermal conductivity of 12.63 W/m K, which is enhanced compared to that of pure PCM materials of around 0.26 W/m K. Thermal performance measurements using infrared thermography revealed a significant increase in the nanocomposite's thermal conductivity over n-hexacosane, which was attributed to the reduced graphene nanosheet. Further, to study the heat transfer between fluid and different nanocomposites, the GrPCM nanocomposites were investigated inside a thermal storage tank. The experimental results were found in agreement with the COMSOL simulation and confirms GrPCM3 to be an excellent composite material for efficient heat transfer processes