Efficient Digital System Management using IEEE 1451.0 Enabled Control Architecture

The IEEE and National Institute of Standards and Technology have formulated an open universal standard called IEEE 1451 for ‘Smart Transducer Interface’ with digital systems. The objectives of this paper is to propose IEEE 21450 enabled control architectures for efficient management of power system with embedded system parameters as electronic documentation. The control architecture accommodates appropriate number of transducer interface module along with transducer electronic data sheet, which enables active calibration, adaptive tuning and failure proof operation of system management.

Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Accuracy of Metal Copings Fabricated using Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Computer-Aided Milling, Ringless Casting, and Traditional Casting Techniques: An In vitro Study

Purpose:

The purpose of the study is to determine the amount of marginal discrepancy produced by Co-Cr copings fabricated using various fabrication methods which include direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), computer-aided milling, traditional casting, and ringless casting and compare the values obtained between each fabrication technique and to evaluate if the fabrication technique can produce prosthesis that is within the standards of clinical acceptance of marginal discrepancy.

Materials and Methods:

Ten metal copings were fabricated by DMLS, computer-aided milling, traditional casting, and ringless casting. Marginal gap at the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal areas was measured using silicone replica technique. A digital microscope was used to measure the silicone layer. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA test and post hoc Bonferroni test to test the difference between the fabrication method and categories of measured points, respectively.

Results:

The values indicate that the marginal gap was least for the copings fabricated using ringless casting followed by traditional casting and DMLS. The widest gap was seen in copings fabricated using computer-aided milling. Analysis of results showed statistically significant difference between copings fabricated using computer-aided milling and traditional casting (P = 0.029 and 0.043 – mesial and distal, respectively) and computer-aided milling and ringless casting (P = 0.002 and 0.001 – mesial and distal, respectively).

Conclusion:

Even though the marginal gap was found to vary with the fabrication method, all measurements of marginal gap of all groups were well within the standard clinical acceptance of 120 μ.

Rare Cause of Hyperkalemia in the Newborn Period: Report of Two Cases of Pseudohypoaldosteronism Type 1

Pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) Type 1 is characterized by mineralocorticoid resistance, manifesting as neonatal salt wasting, hypotension, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and metabolic acidosis in spite of elevated aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity. It is important to differentiate children with systemic PHA from renal PHA, as these children are likely to decompensate even with mild symptoms. Here, we report two neonates with PHA that presented to us with multiorgan involvement.

Bioremediation of synthetic fatliquors under microaerobic condition

Synthetic fatliquors are useful as a fatliquoring agent, flotation agent and emulsifying agent in a wide range of industrial applications such as leather, pharmacy and farm chemicals. These fatliquors remain recalcitrant to natural biota in existing treatment plants. In the present study, the isolated microaerophilic Serratia sp. HA1 strain CSMB3 is capable of utilizing structurally different fatliquors as the sole substrate for their growth under microaerobic conditions. Degradation of vegetable fatliquors was observed from 95 to 97% in terms of lipids, with the production of lipase at 72 h. Degradation of synthetic fatliquors was observed in terms of chemical oxygen demand from 85% to a minimum of 25%. It is in the order of sulfited/sulfated fatliquors > sulfochlorinated fatliquors > chlorinated fatliquors. A thin layer chromatography chromatogram confirmed the degradation of non polar fatliquor to polar compounds. Production of the red pigment prodigiosin in synthetic fatliquors enhanced the growth of the isolate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the bioremediation of sulfochlorinated fatliquor into lipids and fatty acids and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results confirmed that alcohols and esters are the final end products. Thus the isolated strain CSMB3 may be used in the treatment of wastewaters containing vegetable and synthetic fatliquors.

Does diffusion restriction changes in magnetic resonance imaging predict neurological outcome in neonatal seizures?

BACKGROUND

Neonatal seizures are a common manifestation of brain dysfunction. Neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has rapidly become the study of choice for the evaluation of central nervous systems disorders in newborns. According to a study conducted in Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, diffusion Restriction (DR) changes in the MRI is a good indicator of cell dysfunction (reversible or irreversible) within one week of insult.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this study was to find the association of DR changes in MRI of brain for neonatal seizures with long term neurodevelopment outcome.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study conducted in Sri Ramachandra University. Retrospective data was collected for the time period of January 2010 to December 2011 from medical records department (MRD) for patient data, neonatal intensive care unit and reports from PACS for MRI images and the Karthikeyan child development unit for their developmental follow up reports.

RESULTS

Comparison of composite score for various domains with DR changes was done with a t-test and comparison of babies with developmental delay and DR changes with Chi-square test. MRI DR changes with developmental outcome in different domains namely cognition, language-receptive/expressive, fine and gross motor was studied. There is no statistical significance among those who have DR changes and with those who do not have DR changes.

CONCLUSION

Though diffusion restriction changes in MRI may not predict adverse long term neuro developmental outcome, they can be of use with regards to individual etiological profile as in stroke. Larger group study and long term follow up is required to substantiate these findings.

Persistent diarrhea: risk factors and outcome

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with Persistent diarrhea (PD) and deaths due to PD.

METHODS

This prospective case control study included 60 children with PD (cases) and 60 children (controls) with acute diarrhoea (AD). Detailed history, examination and appropriate investigations were done for all children. Crude Odds ratio was calculated for each risk factor by univariate analysis and adjusted odds ratio was calculated by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Prior antibiotic use, steroid use, anemia, vitamin A deficiency, malnutrition, LRI, UTI, oral candidiasis, and hyponatremia, were statistically significant risk factors by univariate analysis. Prior antibiotic use, vitamin A deficiency, malnutrition and LRI were independently associated with PD by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The risk factors for mortality were stool frequency more than 10 times per day, severe malnutrition, oral candidiasis, hypoalbuminemia and HIV positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of these risk factors should alert the clinician to take appropriate measures, to decrease the mortality.