Plasma Surrogate Modelling using Fourier Neural Operators

Predicting plasma evolution within a Tokamak reactor is crucial to realizing the goal of sustainable fusion. Capabilities in forecasting the spatio-temporal evolution of plasma rapidly and accurately allow us to quickly iterate over design and control strategies on current Tokamak devices and future reactors. Modelling plasma evolution using numerical solvers is often expensive, consuming many hours on supercomputers, and hence, we need alternative inexpensive surrogate models. We demonstrate accurate predictions of plasma evolution both in simulation and experimental domains using deep learning-based surrogate modelling tools, viz., Fourier Neural Operators (FNO). We show that FNO has a speedup of six orders of magnitude over traditional solvers in predicting the plasma dynamics simulated from magnetohydrodynamic models, while maintaining a high accuracy (MSE $\approx$ $10^{-5}$). Our modified version of the FNO is capable of solving multi-variable Partial Differential Equations (PDE), and can capture the dependence among the different variables in a single model. FNOs can also predict plasma evolution on real-world experimental data observed by the cameras positioned within the MAST Tokamak, i.e., cameras looking across the central solenoid and the divertor in the Tokamak. We show that FNOs are able to accurately forecast the evolution of plasma and have the potential to be deployed for real-time monitoring. We also illustrate their capability in forecasting the plasma shape, the locations of interactions of the plasma with the central solenoid and the divertor for the full duration of the plasma shot within MAST. The FNO offers a viable alternative for surrogate modelling as it is quick to train and infer, and requires fewer data points, while being able to do zero-shot super-resolution and getting high-fidelity solutions

Bilateral pneumothorax in COVID recovery: Tale of two cases

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly affects the lungs leading to complications of acute lung injury. Pneumothorax has been observed as a complication in COVID-19 cases requiring urgent intervention and may indicate poor prognosis in view of severe underlying lung damage. Bilateral pneumothorax is an even dreaded and rare complication requiring immediate recognition and management. We present two similar cases of bilateral pneumothorax with COVID-19 pneumonia with none requiring positive pressure ventilation and no preexisting lung disease. Our cases are a reminder about the severity of lung damage in COVID-19 and that a good vigilance is required in the event of an acute deterioration

Modeling visually guided hand reach for Digital Human Models

Digital Human Models (DHM) are used in digital mockups to identify human factor problems in design and assembly. Present applications are mostly limited to the posture, biomechanics, reach and simple visibility analysis and they are mostly developed for independent simulations that are mostly hand crafted by designers. Our aim is to develop natural simulations using vision as a feedback agent for performing any postural simulations similar to humans. In this paper, the work presented is limited to demonstrating active vision based feedback for a typical hand reach task without using inverse kinematics. The proposed concept takes into account of previously developed vision and hand modules and describes an integration methodology such that both modules can work in tandem providing feedback and feed forward mechanisms. The scheme primarily utilizes vision module that acts similar to human eyes by providing spatial information about hand and object in workspace. Similar to retinal projection, the workspace object and the model of DHM hand is geometrically projected over the grid and the relative positions are computed in terms of grid-cells. The computed relative positions are used to compute a vector direction that is provided as a feedback to hand for guiding it towards object. The hand module independently is capable of natural grasping and visual feedback is used for motion guidance. The implementation shown in this paper is limited to monocular vision and two-dimensional hand movement as a proof of concept. This scheme is used to demonstrate a scenario where DHM is successfully able guide the hand and point it to a given object. The presented model finally shows vision as a guiding agent for hand reach simulations. It can be used for planning and placement of workspace objects to enhance human task performance. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Parotid Gland in a Young Female: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare tumor of the salivary gland. To date, 27 cases have been reported. The clinical and radiological features are the same as other lesions of the parotid gland. Hence, light microscopy and immunostaining is important to confirm the diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology yield depends on the area sampled and can be inconclusive in many cases. Treatment of choice is complete surgical excision with regular long-term follow up. Most cases are benign, however three malignant cases have been reported. Here, we report a case of solitary fibrous tumor in the parotid gland seen in a 14-year old female diagnosed by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry analysis

Acoustic puncture assist device versus loss of resistance technique for epidural space identification

Background and Aims: The conventional techniques of epidural space (EDS) identification based on loss of resistance (LOR) have a higher chance of complications, patchy analgesia and epidural failure, which can be minimised by objective confirmation of space before catheter placement. Acoustic puncture assist device (APAD) technique objectively confirms EDS, thus enhancing success, with lesser complications. This study was planned with the objective to evaluate the APAD technique and compare it to LOR technique for EDS identification and its correlation with ultrasound guided EDS depth. Methods: In this prospective study, the lumbar vertebral spaces were scanned by the ultrasound for measuring depth of the EDS and later correlated with procedural depth measured by either of the technique (APAD or LOR). The data were subjected to descriptive statistics; the concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis with 95% confidence limits. Results: Acoustic dip in pitch and descent in pressure tracing on EDS localisation was observed among the patients of APAD group. Analysis of concordance correlation between the ultrasonography (USG) depth and APAD or LOR depth was significant (r ≥ 0.97 in both groups). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.171cm in group APAD and 0.154 cm in group LOR. The 95% limits of agreement for the difference between the two measurements were − 0.569 and 0.226 cm in APAD and − 0.530 to 0.222 cm in LOR group. Conclusion: We found APAD to be a precise tool for objective localisation of the EDS, co-relating well with the pre-procedural USG depth of EDS

A randomized clinical trial comparing the standard mcintosh laryngoscope and the c-mac d blade video laryngoscope™ for double lumen tube insertion for one lung ventilation in Onco surgical patients

Background and Aims: Several devices enabling double-lumen tube (DLT) placement for thoracic surgeries are available, but there are no studies for D-blade video laryngoscope-guided DLT insertion. We compared the CMac D-blade videolaryngoscope™ and the Macintosh laryngoscope for DLT endobronchial intubation using parameters of time and attempts required for intubation, glottic view, incidence of complications and haemodynamic changes. Methods: Prospective, parallel group, randomised controlled clinical trial where sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II patients aged 18-80 years scheduled for thoracic surgeries entailing DLT placement were randomly allocated in two groups based on the laryngoscopic device used for endobronchial intubation. Data were subjected to statistical analysis SPSS (version 17), the paired and Student′s t-test for equality of means. Nominal categorical data between the groups were compared using Chi-squared test or Fisher′s exact test as appropriate. P ˂ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Time required for intubation was comparable (37.41 ± 18.80 s in Group-M and 32.27 ± 11.13 s in Group-D). Number of attempts and incidence of complications (trauma, DLT cuff rupture, oesophageal intubation) was greater in the Macintosh group, except malpositioning into the wrong bronchus (easily rectified fibre-optic bronchoscopically), which was greater with the D-blade. Greater haemodynamic changes were observed during Macintosh laryngoscopy. Conclusion: D-blade videolaryngoscope™ is a useful alternative to the standard Macintosh laryngoscope for routine DLT insertion

Proceedings of International Conference on Women Researchers in Electronics and Computing

This proceeding contains articles on the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners presented at the international conference, “Women Researchers in Electronics and Computing” (WREC’2021). WREC'21 was organized in online mode by Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar (Punjab), INDIA during 22 – 24 April 2021. This conference was conceptualized with an objective to encourage and motivate women engineers and scientists to excel in science and technology and to be the role models for young girls to follow in their footsteps. With a view to inspire women engineers, pioneer and successful women achievers in the domains of VLSI design, wireless sensor networks, communication, image/ signal processing, machine learning, and emerging technologies were identified from across the globe and invited to present their work and address the participants in this women oriented conference. Conference Title: International Conference on Women Researchers in Electronics and ComputingConference Acronym: WREC'21Conference Date: 22–24 April 2021Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizers: Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, INDI