Titanium Alloys: Thermomechanical Process Design to Achieve Superplasticity in Bulk Material

Titanium alloys subjected to suitable thermomechanical processing (TMP) schedules can exhibit superplasticity. Most studies on superplasticity of titanium alloys are directed to sheet materials while studies on bulk materials are rather limited. Bulk Superplastic materials require lower load for forging aeroengine components. It further facilitates forming using non-conventional processes such as superplastic roll forming (SPRF). Multi axial forging (MAF), is employed here to achieve bulk superplasticity by imparting large strain without any concomitant change in external dimension. A comparison between uniaxial and MAF with respect to strain, strain path, initial microstructure and heat treatment was carried out to ascertain the microstructure refinement in Ti-6Al-4V alloy. A fine-grained structure was obtained after 3 cycles of MAF followed by static recrystallization at 850oC. Grain boundary sliding was observed in identified processing domain along with strain rate sensitivity (SRS) of 0.46 and maximum elongation of 815%. Validation of established ther¬momechanical sequence on a scaled-up work piece exhibited 640% elongation in domain (T = 820oC, ε ̇ = 3 x 10-4/s) which indicated that the established TMP scheme can be used on a reliable and repeatable basis to achieve superplasticity in bulk material

Modelling of the Electromagnetic Fluxes and Evaluation of Damage in Steels using Electromagnetic Techniques

Continuous Casting has evolved as an important product-ion process leading to improvement in the yield, quality, productivity and economics of steel production in the world. During the solidification of the steel slabs, there are chances that some cracks and defects may appear .The defects of material at the steel continuous casting appear during the solidification and cooling of the continuously cast semi-finished product, often leading to significant metal loss. To prevent such losses, the purpose of metallurgical technologies and constructive solutions is to find the causes of their occurrence, prevention and removal

Study Of Health Profile of Residents of Geriatric Home in Ahmedabad District

Background: Aging is a normal process. The modernization plays a vital role in aging process of an individual. The aged feel a sense of social isolation because of disjunction from various bonds viz work relationships, and diminish of relatives and friends, mobility of children to far off places for jobs. The situation of the elderly still worsens when there is presence of chronic diseases, physical incapacity and financial stringency. Objective: To know the health profile and health related problems of the old age inmates residing at geriatric homes. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in geriatric homes of urban and peri urban areas of Ahmedabad during January 2008 to January 2009. Result: Out of total 530 inmates, 45.85% were males and 54.15% were females. 93.77% reported one or more health related complaints. 37.4% were obese and 11.9% were underweight. Most common presenting symptoms were: loss of teeth (70%), joint pain (60.2%), impaired vision (44.2%), weakness (34.9%), and insomnia (34%). 82.3% were using spectacles followed by walking sticks (21.7%) and denture (12.8%). The main health related problems were osteoarthritis (54.9%), hypertension (54.2%), cataract (16%) and diabetes mellitus (14.9%). Conclusion: The study highlighted a high prevalence of morbidity and health related problems in old age groups. We need to strengthen geriatric health care services, social support by people, proper implementation of geriatric related legislation by government and further research like qualitative research to explore the problems of the elderly

A Study to Assess the Availability of Basic Facilities for Inmates in Geriatric Home, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Background: Ageing is a normal physiological process for human being, but modernization and globalization have disintegrated the Indian family system and elders are focused to stay in geriatric homes. The care for the aged is slowly shifting from the family to geriatric homes. Objective: To study the function of geriatric homes, background information and reasons for shifting to geriatric home. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in geriatric homes of urban and periurban areas of Ahmedabad during January 2008 to January 2009. Result: All the geriatric homes were nongovernment organization. Out of total (13) geriatric homes, majority (76.9%) of them have the criteria for enrolment was the cut off age as 60 years or above. Out of total 530 inmates, 380(71.7%) inmates having children, out of them, maximum number of inmates had either two (28.9%) or three (23.9 %) children. According to education of inmates 29.6%were secondary and 25.5% were primary education. Among marital status of inmates, 78.8% were widow/widower. Familial conflict (53.6%) was major reason for shifting at geriatric home. Overcrowding was present in 38.5 % geriatric homes according to person per floor area. Majority of geriatric homes were having TV, library, garden, kitchen, availability of newspaper and adequate lighting, ventilation, water supply. Only 7.7% of geriatric homes had full time doctor while 61.5% had part time doctor. 84.6% of old age homes had paid staff of institute for sweeping and mopping and for cleaning utensils

Brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa: current status, challenges, and future perspectives

Objective: To assess the status of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa and propose comprehensive evidence-based short- and long-term measures for improving the existing systems. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in June 2022 by the Asia-Africa Neurosurgery Collaborative. A 27-item questionnaire was designed and distributed to gain insight into the status and future directions of brain tumor programs in Asia and Africa. Six components of brain tumor programs were identified-surgery, oncology, neuropathology, research, training, and finances-and assigned scores of 0-14. The total scores allowed subclassification of each country into levels of brain tumor program from I to VI. Results: A total of 110 responses from 92 countries were received. These were subdivided into 3 groups: group 1, countries with response from neurosurgeons (73 countries); group 2, countries with no neurosurgeons (19 countries); and group 3, countries without a neurosurgeon response (16 countries). The components associated with the highest level of brain tumor program were surgery, neuropathology, and oncology. Most countries in both continents had level III brain tumor programs with a mean surgical score of 2.24. The major lag between each group was with respect to the advances in neuropathology and financial support. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to improve and develop existing and nonexistent neuro-oncology infrastructure, personnel, and logistics in countries across the continents, especially for the countries with no neurosurgeons

Lessons learned during covid-19 pandemic, a worldwide survey: evolution of global neurosurgical practice

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a multitude of surveys have analyzed the impact virus spreading on the everyday medical practice, including neurosurgery. However, none have examined the perceptions of neurosurgeons towards the pandemic, their life changes, and the strategies they implemented to be able to deal with their patients in such a difficult time. Methods: From April 2021 to May 2021 a modified Delphi method was used to construct, pilot, and refine the questionnaire focused on the evolution of global neurosurgical practice during the pandemic. This survey was distributed among 1000 neurosurgeons; the responses were then collected and critically analyzed. Results: Outpatient department practices changed with a rapid rise in teleservices. 63.9% of respondents reported that they have changed their OT practices to emergency cases with occasional elective cases. 40.0% of respondents and 47.9% of their family members reported to have suffered from COVID-19. 56.2% of the respondents reported having felt depressed in the last 1 year. 40.9% of respondents reported having faced financial difficulties. 80.6% of the respondents found online webinars to be a good source of learning. 47.8% of respondents tried to improve their neurosurgical knowledge while 31.6% spent the extra time in research activities. Conlcusions: Progressive increase in operative waiting lists, preferential use of telemedicine, reduction in tendency to complete stoppage of physical clinic services and drop in the use of PPE kits were evident. Respondents' age had an impact on how the clinical services and operative practices have evolved. Financial concerns overshadow mental health