Objectives To determine the difference in the risk factors for systemic hypertension in preterm and term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study design Data were collected from an existing database of NICU children and confirmed by chart-review. Systemic hypertension was defined when 3 separate measurements of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure were >95th% percentile and an anti-hypertensive medication was administered for > 2 weeks in the NICU. Results From 4,203 infants, we identified 53 (1.3%) with treated hypertension; of whom 74% were preterm, 11% required surgical intervention and 85% required medications upon discharge. The pressure of a patent ductus arteriosus, umbilical catheterization, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertensive medication at discharge and mortality was similar between the term and preterm. The major risk factors for preterm infants, especially those below 28 weeks gestation, were bronchopulmonary dysplasia and iatrogenic factors, but, in term infants, they were systemic diseases. Term infants were diagnosed with hypertension earlier during hospitalization, had a shorter duration of stay in NICU, and had higher incidence of hypertension needing more than 3 medications than preterm infants. Conclusions Perinatal risk factors are significant contributors to infantile hypertension. Term infants were diagnosed with hypertension earlier, had a shorter duration of stay, and had a higher incidence of resistant hypertension than preterm infants.

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) and hybrid aluminum matrix composites (HAMCs) becomes choice for automobile and aerospace industries due to its tunable mechanical properties such as very high strength to weight ratio, superior wear resistance, greater stiffness, better fatigue resistance, controlled co-efficient of thermal expansion and good stability at elevated temperature. Stir casting is an appropriate method for composite fabrication and widely used industrial fabrication of AMCs and HAMCs due to flexibility, cost-effectiveness and best suitable for mass production. Distribution of the reinforcement particles in the final prepared composite regulates the anticipated properties of AMCs and HAMCs. However, distribution of reinforcements is governed by stirring process parameters. The study of effect of stirring parameters in the particle distribution and optimal selection of these is still a challenge for the ever-growing industries and research. In this chapter accurate and precise attempts were taken to explore the effect of stirring parameters in stir casting process rigorously. Further, Optimal values of stirring parameters were suggested which may be helpful for the researchers for the development of AMCs and HAMCs. This chapter may also provide a better vision towards the selection of stirring parameters for industrial production of AMCs and HAMCs comprising superior mechanical properties.

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are engineered materials that are inhomogeneous and can be purposefully processed to obtain discrete or continuously varying compositions/microstructures over a definable geometrical length. FGMs can be used in a number of applications, such as aircrafts, combustion nozzles, gas turbines, energy conversion cells, biomaterials, etc. The objective of this paper is to review the new developments in production processes and their prospects in the creation of next-generation FGMs. Traditionally, four potential methods were used for fabrications of FGMs, i.e. powder metallurgy, chemical vapor deposition, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, and plasma spraying. Some of the recently developed methods are the cast-decant-cast process, friction stir processing, and laser-engineered net shaping, which are usually cost-effective and used to make a quiet change in properties. An effective production method for conversion of the concept of gradient into practice is still a challenge for the research community. In this paper, research works toward meeting these challenges will be highlighted, and the future scopes of investigation in this area will be explored.

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Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is an endangered, primitive and therapeutic herbal agent belonging to family Valerianaceae. The rhizomes of this hairy, perennial, dwarf and herbaceous plant are used for therapeutic effect in ayurvedic and unani system of medicine. Nardostachys jatamansi has been reported to have many therapeutic activities like antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and cardio protective properties. It is used in the treatment of insomnia and CNS disorders. The vasodilator, bronchodilator, spasmolytic and platelet aggregation inhibition activities of the plant have also been reported. Jatamansone, nardostachone and actinidine are the major secondary metabolites present in the plant. This review article is summary of the potential benefits of this medicinal plant as reported in literature. The review also highlights the need for the use of this plant in Ayurvedic system of medicine and future prospects for further research.

To address elastic recoil of vessel wall and intimal dissection that can follow balloon angioplasty, stents have been designed and these appear to produce more effective relief of obstruction. Of the two types of stents, namely, balloon expandable and self expandable, balloon expandable stents are most commonly used in children. The usefulness of stents in the management of vascular obstructive lesions not amenable to balloon angioplasty is well established and has been successfully used to treat branch pulmonary artery stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, stenotic right ventricular outflow tract conduits, obstructive lesions of the systemic and pulmonary veins and others. The techniques of implantation, indications, immediate and follow-up results and complications were reviewed. The stents have also been effectively used in keeping open naturally occurring or artificially created inter-circulatory connections and as adjuncts in hybrid procedures, but these have not been discussed in this review. Future directions include investigative work on biodegradable stents and growth stents to address issues related to increase in vessel size in infants and children, use of drug eluding stents to prevent neo-intimal proliferation to avoid pulmonary vein restenosis and refinement of stent technology in hybrid procedures such as neonatal palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and transcatheter completion of Fontan procedure. The feasibility, safety and effectiveness stents in the pediatric population are demonstrated, although scrutiny of results of larger experience with longer follow-up is important.

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The effects of solid fillers on optical, electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical actuation behavior of VHB 4910 elastomer is inadequate, possibly due to readiness as a foam tape that makes the filler reinforcement a challenging work. VHB 4910 is modified by filling graphene oxide (GO) particles to realize the influences on material behavior towards actuator applications. The elastomer samples are ultrasonicated, swollen then thermochemically cured in GO dispersed; deionized‐water, trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate (TMPTMA) and toluene to prepare three different filled‐elastomers. Material modification is confirmed by analyzing optical micrograph, and FTIR spectra. Whereas, dielectric constant and Young's modulus are assessed to ensure the feasibility of modified elastomers for electromechanical actuation strain. Amongst the three, GO‐TMPTMA filled‐elastomer samples are considered to test electromechanical actuation using an in‐house designed diaphragm actuator. Results showed enhanced in‐plane actuation performance and electrical breakdown strength, dependent on the curing time and prestrain. This work may strengthen the future strategies of making VHB 4910‐composite for dielectric elastomer actuator based electromechanical devices.