A Rare Giant Pleural Thymoma in Posterior Mediastinum.

Thymoma is an epithelial neoplasm of the thymus, which commonly lies in the anterior mediastinum. Unusually, thymomas can also be found in other locations. Surgical excision, when feasible, appears to provide good results. We encountered a rare case of a thymoma that developed in the right thoracic cavity, and originating from the pleura in posterior mediastinum. We describe the clinical scenario, investigations, and our management of the patient

Development of Carbon Fibre Metal Laminates (CFML): Design, Fabrication and Characterisation

Abstract Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) are hybrid materials consisting of metal layers bonded to fibre-reinforced polymer layers. CFML is an FML developed at NAL consisting of thin aluminum foil combined with carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy prepreg materials. CFML is proposed as the candidate material for the leading edges of wing and empennage of an aircraft as it has superior characteristics in terms of shape retention (due to highly linearly elastic material like carbon/epoxy), energy absorption capability (due to layered structure and plastic deformation), lightning protection (due to the presence of aluminum layers), and also due to its cost effectiveness (lightweight construction and simple production techniques). An important design issue is the internal residual stresses built into the laminate during curing due to differential coefficients of thermal expansion of the different material systems. This report discusses the methods and issues involved in the fabrication of CFML. CFML laminates were fabricated and Tensile, Compression, ILSS and Flexure testing of standard specimens for different lay-ups were done. The failure modes exhibited during these tests indicate that these materials could be better in energy absorption. However, these conclusions need to be validated with the experiments to quantify their energy absorption capability

Development of CGLARE: Design, Fabrication and Characterisation

Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) are hybrid materials consisting of metal layers bonded to fibre-reinforced polymer layers. CGLARE is an FML developed at NAL consisting of thin aluminum foil combined with carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy prepreg materials. CGLARE is proposed as the candidate material for the leading edges of wing and empennage of an aircraft as it has superior characteristics in terms of shape retention (due to highly linearly elastic material like carbon/epoxy), energy absorption capability (due to layered structure and plastic deformation), lightning protection (due to the presence of aluminum layers), and also due to its cost effectiveness (lightweight construction and simple production techniques). This paper describes the issues regarding the development of CGLARE such as surface preparation of aluminum foils and bonding of aluminum with glass. Tensile, Compression, ILSS and Flexure testing of ASTM standard CGLARE specimens for different layups have been done. An important design issue is the internal residual stresses built into the laminate during curing due to differential coefficients of thermal expansion of the different material systems. The paper presents these results that indicate some properties of these material systems that could be exploited for energy absorption in the leading edges of the aircraft

Horticulture Crop Inventory: A Survey on Identification and Classification of Crops using Satellite Image Processing

Identification of horticulture crop type is as important and classification of crops, it shall be used for crop yield measurement and planning of plantation. It is also important to obtain an accurate classification of crops to help ARO’s report outcomes to the authorized representatives in the respective department. It mainly focuses on crop identification in certain areas and hence it is important not only to classify the crop but also to detect the type and grade based on the satellite imagery and ground data. The dataset used is composed of the local region and appropriate channel images from the satellite. The analysis identifies the techniques of Machine Learning methods that will classify the type of horticulture crop, Deep Learning methods are used to diagnose grades for the crop in a particular region/area that helps the farmers and agriculturists. Neural Network algorithms have been successfully used to identify the crop and grade the crop with very little variation. In this paper, it is proposed to provide a detailed survey on information technologies and methodologies used in horticulture crop inventory to improve the accuracy of crop identification and classification

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Identification of Practical Pharmacology Skills Useful for Good Clinical Practice

Background: Awareness about animal ethics is increasing everywhere. This increased awareness coupled with strict regulations discouraging the use of animals for routine experiments have tied the hands of many pharmacologists. They are now forced to develop alternative experiments without using animals. At present, there is acute need to come out with more innovative and useful practical exercises for pharmacology practical sessions. In this background, the present study was undertaken to develop the much-needed alternative experiments. Aims and Objective: To identify new pharmacological practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Material and Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 110 doctors of different categories like house surgeons, postgraduate students, assistant professors and professors who are working in a tertiary care hospital. They were asked to give their suggestions regarding new pharmacology practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Statistical analysis: Responses of the participants to the questions asked were tabulated and analyzed. Suggestions given by them were listed out and studied. Results: Use of emergency drugs, dosage calculation, drugs used in pregnancy, case discussions and prescription writing exercises received a lot of support from the participants. Research methodology, cost calculation, animal experiments and interpretation of data of animal experiments did not receive support from the participants. Suggestions given by the participants regarding useful pharmacological skills belonged to the areas like therapeutics, safe use of drugs, recent advances, analysis of information given by the medical representatives and analyzing articles in journals for knowing the efficacy of drugs. Conclusion: Exercises relevant to the clinical practice, as identified in this study, can be introduced as practical pharmacology exercises. Steps are to be taken to highlight the importance of research methodology and pharmaco-economics to the undergraduates

On Silicides in High Temperature Titanium Alloys

High temperature titanium alloys like IMI 685 contain small amounts of silicon (~ 0.25 wt. per cent) to improve creep resistance. Different types of silicides, namely Ti5Si3 (TiZr)5Si3(S1) and (TiZr)6 Si3 (S2), have been observed to precipitate in various silicon-bearing titanium alloys depending upon their composition and heat treatment. The precipitation of silicides, their orientation relationship with the matrix in different alloys, and the beneficial influence of thermo-mechanical treatment on the distribution of silicides have been pointed out. The effect of silicides on mechanical properties and fracture of the commercial alloy IMI 685 is also indicated

Deceleration of probe beam by stage bias potential improves resolution of serial block-face scanning electron microscopic images.

Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) is quickly becoming an important imaging tool to explore three-dimensional biological structure across spatial scales. At probe-beam-electron energies of 2.0 keV or lower, the axial resolution should improve, because there is less primary electron penetration into the block face. More specifically, at these lower energies, the interaction volume is much smaller, and therefore, surface detail is more highly resolved. However, the backscattered electron yield for metal contrast agents and the backscattered electron detector sensitivity are both sub-optimal at these lower energies, thus negating the gain in axial resolution. We found that the application of a negative voltage (reversal potential) applied to a modified SBEM stage creates a tunable electric field at the sample. This field can be used to decrease the probe-beam-landing energy and, at the same time, alter the trajectory of the signal to increase the signal collected by the detector. With decelerated low landing-energy electrons, we observed that the probe-beam-electron-penetration depth was reduced to less than 30 nm in epoxy-embedded biological specimens. Concurrently, a large increase in recorded signal occurred due to the re-acceleration of BSEs in the bias field towards the objective pole piece where the detector is located. By tuning the bias field, we were able to manipulate the trajectories of the  primary and secondary electrons, enabling the spatial discrimination of these signals using an advanced ring-type BSE detector configuration or a standard monolithic BSE detector coupled with a blocking aperture

Metabolic syndrome: a comprehensive review

Metabolic syndrome (syndrome X) includes several components like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia etc. Every patient should undergo detailed assessment for the silent presence of the components of metabolic syndrome. Genetic predisposition, increased nutrient- dense food, decreased physical activity and chronic stress are common in metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance, obesity and hyperglycaemia are commonly seen which can later lead to serious consequences like cardiovascular complications, thrombotic events etc. Clinical features depend on the components of the metabolic syndrome in a patient. Some may present with complications and advanced disease. For non-diabetic individuals, oral glucose tolerance test is indicated. It is better to study serum uric acid level and to screen for silent kidney stones. Specific drugs are prescribed as indicated. Drugs for stress and insomnia are also prescribed. Thrombotic status of the patient should be considered, and antiplatelet drugs are prescribed if risk factors are present. Non-pharmacological measures like diet modification and increased physical activity should be given on a priority basis. Patient compliance of these two measures should be monitored regularly. Future deployment of “artificial intelligence – powered” predictive diagnostic tests will help in detecting and controlling metabolic syndrome. “At risk” individuals and patients showing some components of metabolic syndrome should undergo full investigations to detect other components of metabolic syndrome. Full range of therapeutic drugs, diet modification and increased physical activity should be prescribed