Modeling mechanical properties of low carbon hot rolled steels

Steel is the most important material and it has several applications, and positions second to cement in its consumption in the world. The mechanical properties of steels are very important and vary significantly due to heat treatment, mechanical treatment, processing and alloying elements. The relationships between these parameters are complex, and nonlinear in nature. An artificial neural networks (ANN) model has been used for the prediction of mechanical properties of low alloy steels. The input parameters of the model consist of alloy composition (Al, Al soluble, C, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, S, Si, Ti, V and Nitrogen in ppm) and process parameters (coil target temperature, finish rolling temperature) and the outputs are ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and percentage elongation. The model can be used to calculate properties of low alloy steels as a function of alloy composition and process parameters at new instances. The influence of inputs on properties of steels is simulated using the model. The results are in agreement with existing experimental knowledge. The developed model can be used as a guide for further alloy developmen

An overview of Engineering Aspects of Solid State Fermentation

Solid substrate cultivation (SSC) or solid state fermentation (SSF) is envisioned as a prominent bio conversion technique to transform natural raw materials into a wide variety of chemical as well as bio-chemical products. This process involves the fermentation of solid substrate medium with microorganism in the absence of free flowing water. Recent developments and concerted focus on SSF enabled it to evolve as a potential bio- technology as an alternative to thetraditional chemical synthesis. SSF is being successfully exploited for food production, fuels, enzymes, antibiotics, animal feeds and also for dye degradation. This paper discusses the various micro and macro level engineering problems associated with SSF and some possible solutions for its full commercial realization

Impact of educational session on knowledge and attitude towards teratogenicity among undergraduate medical students: a comparative study

Background: Teratogenicity is a major cause of abortion, still birth and can result in longterm disability with a significant impact on individuals, families, societies and healthcare systems. Drugs being one of the causes of teratogenicity, creating awareness among medical students, the future prescribing physicians, the rate of teratogenicity can be decreased. The objective was to compare the attitude and knowledge about teratogenicity among the medical undergraduates before and after an educational session on teratogenicity.Methods: A pre-validated semi structured questionnaire on attitude and knowledge about teratogenicity was distributed to 2nd year medical students (147) before and after teratogenicity educational session. Results obtained were compared within the group. Paired t test was used for within the group comparison. P-Value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Improvement in knowledge showed statistically significant improvement following teratogenicity educational session (P-Value=0.0003). Improvement was there in post session attitude scores as well, however, it was not significant (P-Value=0.64).Conclusions: Early reinforcement about teratogenicity in medical students enables them to decide appropriate drug therapy while prescribing for females of reproductive age group

Analysis of wave III of brain stem auditory evoked potential waveforms during microvascular decompression of cranial nerve VII for hemifacial spasm

INTRODUCTION:: Intraoperative monitoring of brain stem auditory evoked potential during microvascular decompression (MVD) prevent hearing loss (HL). Previous studies have shown that changes in wave III (wIII) are an early and sensitive sign of auditory nerve injury. OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the changes of amplitude and latency of wIII of brain stem auditory evoked potential during MVD and its association with postoperative HL. Hearing loss was classified by American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria, based on changes in pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination score. METHODS:: Retrospective analysis of wIII in patients who underwent intraoperative monitoring with brain stem auditory evoked potential during MVD was performed. A univariate logistic regression analysis was performed on independent variables amplitude of wIII and latency of wIII at change max and On-Skin, or a final recording at the time of skin closure. A further analysis for the same variables was performed adjusting for the loss of wave. RESULTS:: The latency of wIII was not found to be significantly different between groups I and II. The amplitude of wIII was significantly decreased in the group with HL. Regression analysis did not find any increased odds of HL with changes in the amplitude of wIII. CONCLUSIONS:: Changes in wave III did not increase the odds of HL in patients who underwent brain stem auditory evoked potential s during MVD. This information might be valuable to evaluate the value of wIII as an alarm criterion during MVD to prevent HL. © 2014 by the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society

The Importance of Infrastructural Facilities in The University

Infrastructure development is a crucial factor that must be taken into consideration in both schools and institutions of higher education. Numerous components make up the broad concept of infrastructure. These consist of things like playgrounds, libraries, labs, computer centers, technology, machinery, tools, and other things. To upgrade the infrastructure, the educational institutions' members must invest money. Infrastructure improvements will enable people to perform their jobs properly and advance educational institutions by enabling people to carry out their job tasks. The staff members of educational institutions must make sure that they continuously upgrade the infrastructure available to them. The main objective of the paper is to study infrastructural facilities in schools. For the research data has been collected with the help of a questionnaire through personal visits to the schools. The outcome of the results will be helpful to the stakeholders and government

Variation over time of the Du Mortier Calibration algorithm for ground-based spectrometer.

Having a stable and steady calibration constants increases the likelihood of a spectrometer to perform as expected over a reasonable period of time. The purpose of this paper is to study the variation over time of the Du Mortier calibration algorithm used in a spectrometer for atmospheric condition measurement. This is carried out over a course of six months and the measurements were taken for every minute intervals from 8.30am to 4.30pm in three locations in Kota Kinabalu. By using the improved Langley method, monthly calibration constants for eight wavelengths were determined for Du Mortier model. Results shows that there were statistically significant differences between mean calibration constants when comparing the selected months. However, if only wavelengths of 460nm, 500nm, 540nm, 580nm and 620nm are taken into account, the results say otherwise

Awareness regarding eye donation among stakeholders in Srikakulam district in South India

Background There is a huge need for the availability of transplantable donor corneas worldwide to reduce the burden of corneal blindness due to corneal opacity. Voluntary eye donation depends on the awareness levels of various stakeholders in the community. This study aimed to assess the awareness level regarding eye donation among various stakeholders in Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods 355 subjects were selected from the district using multi stage random sampling. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding each individual’s awareness, knowledge, and perception regarding eye donation. Each response was scored individually and a total score was calculated. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with willingness towards eye donation and increased awareness levels. Results Of the 355 subjects interviewed, 192 (54%) were male and 163 (46%) were female. The mean age of the stakeholders was 35.9 years (SD ±16.1) and all the study subjects were literate. Ninety-three percent of subjects were aware of the concept of eye donation. Knowledge levels were similar among the teaching community and persons engaged in social service, but lower among students (p < 0.05). Among the stakeholders, there was considerable ambiguity regarding whether persons currently wearing spectacles or suffering from a chronic illnesses could donate their eyes. Older age group (p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001) and education (p < 0.001) were associated with increased knowledge levels. 82% of the subjects were willing to donate their eyes and this was unaffected by gender or geographical location (rural vs urban). Conclusions Awareness levels and willingness to donate eyes are high among the stakeholders in Srikakulam district in India. The services of stakeholders could be utilized, in conjunction with other community based eye donation counselors, to promote awareness regarding eye donation among the general population