Investigation of effect of temperature and forming speed on the formability of AA3003 Brazing Sheets

The present work investigates the effect of forming temperature and forming speed on the formability of AA3003 aluminum alloy brazing sheet in three temper conditions (O, H22 and H24) and two different thicknesses (0.2 and 0.5 mm). Limiting Dome Height (LDH) experiments were conducted from which Forming Limit Curves (FLCs) were developed using the “linear best fit time-dependent method” (due to Volk and Hora, 2010) at room temperature (RT), 150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C and forming speeds of 0.4 and 1.6 mm/s. Limiting dome height (LDH) experiments performed on 0.5 mm O temper AA3003 brazing sheet showed an increase in the biaxial dome height (from 29.3 mm to 38 mm) for an increase in temperature from RT to 250 °C, a 28% increase. For the thinner 0.2 mm material, the corresponding improvement in LDH for the same temperature increase was 30%, 29% and 26% for the O, H22 and H24 tempers, respectively. The measured FLCs were found to decrease with a decrease in sheet thickness and with increases in the initial hardness (temper). The plane strain limit strain (FLC-0 strain) of the O temper materials decreased by 24% at RT and 35% at 250 °C, when the thickness is reduced from 0.5 mm to 0.2 mm. For the 0.2 mm H22 and H24 materials, the RT FLC-0 strains are observed to be 31% and 39% lower than that of 0.2 mm O temper sheet. At 250 °C the respective drop in FLC-0 for the two tempers are 39% and 48%, respectively. The increase in forming speed from 0.4 mm/s to 1.6 mm/s had very little effect on forming limits at RT, but resulted in a 6-9% drop in the FLCs at 250 °C. M-K analyses were used to predict the FLCs. It was found that the M-K model is able to capture the temperature dependent formability behavior for the considered brazing sheets when the forming temperature increased from RT to 250 °C. However, the effect of punch speed is not captured as well and this is thought to be a function of the adopted Voce-based material model

Leiomyoma of vulva mimmicking bartholin cyst

Leiomyoma of vulva are uncommon findings in women of reproductive age group. It is often misdiagnosed as Bartholin cyst as unilateral swelling of vulva in women of reproductive age group is commonly a bartholin cyst or abscess. We describe a case of leiomyoma that clinically mimicked bartholin duct cyst. Identification of leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma is necessary because of risk of recurrence, need of radiation and or chemotherapy in addition to surgical excision whereas standard treatment for bartholin cyst is marsuplisation

Structural, Electronic, Thermal and Elastic Properties of Ductile PdSc and PtSc Intermetallic Compounds

The ab-initio calculations were performed to investigate structural, electronic, thermal and elastic properties of the binary ductile intermetallic compounds PdSc and PtSc with B2 (CsCl-type) structure using full potential linear augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW) on the basis of density functional theory (DFT).The generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA and WC-GGA) is applied for PdSc and PtSc. The calculated equilibrium properties such as lattice constant (a0), bulk modulus (B) and its first derivative (B') are in better agreement with experimental and theoretical results. The elastic constants (C11, C12 and C44) of these compounds are reported first time. The value of B/GH ratio for both the compounds are larger than 1.75, indicating the ductile manner of these materials. From density of states and Band structure, it is observed that these intermetallic compounds are metallic in nature. We report first time mechanical and thermal properties which are predicted from the calculated values of elastic constants. Keywords: Intermetallic compounds, Ab-initio calculations, Thermal properties, Mechanical properties, Density of states, Ductilit

Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Matrix Tablets of Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride by Direct Compression Method

A sustained-release tablet formulation should ideally have a proper release profile insensitive to moderate changes in tablet hardness that is usually encountered in manufacturing. Isoxsuprine hydrochloride is structurally a novel vasodilator. The short biological half-life (5±2 hr) and the fast clearance make the drug, a suitable candidate for the development of modified release formulation. A novel oral controlled delivery system for isoxsuprine hydrochloride was developed and optimized. Matrix tablets of isoxsuprine hydrochloride were prepared by using hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC K15), Gaur Gum and PVP K 30 as polymer substance to achieve required sustained release profile. The matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method which is now days considered a cost effective and simple method of manufacturing. It is considered as an appropriate method for hygroscopic and thermolabile substances. Six formulations of different polymer percentages were formulated (F1-F6). Pre-compression parameters were evaluated. The influence of matrix forming agents and binary mixtures of them on isoxsuprine hydrochloride release was investigated. The formulated tablets were characterized by hardness, friability, thickness, weight variation and in vitro drug release. The formulated tablets had acceptable physicochemical characters. There was no chemical interaction found between the drug and excipients throughout FT-IR and UV study thought of in the present investigation. The quantity of isoxsuprine hydrochloride present in the tablets and the release medium were estimated by a simple, rapid and validated UV method. The dissolution results show that increased amount of polymer resulted in reduced and extended drug release. F4 formulation is the optimum formulation due to its better targeting profile in terms of release. First order kinetic profiles were achieved. This formulation may provide an alternative for oral controlled delivery of isoxsuprine hydrochloride and be helpful in the future treatment of   peripheral vascular disease. Keywords: Isoxsuprine hydrochloride, HPMC K15, Gaur Gum, PVP K30, Direct compression method, Dissolutio

Image-based Search and Retrieval for Biface Artefacts using Features Capturing Archaeologically Significant Characteristics

Archaeologists are currently producing huge numbers of digitized photographs to record and preserve artefact finds. These images are used to identify and categorize artefacts and reason about connections between artefacts and perform outreach to the public. However, finding specific types of images within collections remains a major challenge. Often, the metadata associated with images is sparse or is inconsistent. This makes keyword-based exploratory search difficult, leaving researchers to rely on serendipity and slowing down the research process. We present an image-based retrieval system that addresses this problem for biface artefacts. In order to identify artefact characteristics that need to be captured by image features, we conducted a contextual inquiry study with experts in bifaces. We then devised several descriptors for matching images of bifaces with similar artefacts. We evaluated the performance of these descriptors using measures that specifically look at the differences between the sets of images returned by the search system using different descriptors. Through this nuanced approach, we have provided a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the different descriptors and identified implications for design in the search systems for archaeology

Reporting trends, practices, and resource utilization in neuroendocrine tumors of the prostate gland: a survey among thirty-nine genitourinary pathologists

Background: Neuroendocrine differentiation in the prostate gland ranges from clinically insignificant neuroendocrine differentiation detected with markers in an otherwise conventional prostatic adenocarcinoma to a lethal high-grade small/large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The concept of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic adenocarcinoma has gained considerable importance due to its prognostic and therapeutic ramifications and pathologists play a pivotal role in its recognition. However, its awareness, reporting, and resource utilization practice patterns among pathologists are largely unknown. Methods: Representative examples of different spectrums of neuroendocrine differentiation along with a detailed questionnaire were shared among 39 urologic pathologists using the survey monkey software. Participants were specifically questioned about the use and awareness of the 2016 WHO classification of neuroendocrine tumors of the prostate, understanding of the clinical significance of each entity, and use of different immunohistochemical (IHC) markers. De-identified respondent data were analyzed. Results: A vast majority (90%) of the participants utilize IHC markers to confirm the diagnosis of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. A majority (87%) of the respondents were in agreement regarding the utilization of type of IHC markers for small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma for which 85% of the pathologists agreed that determination of the site of origin of a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma is not critical, as these are treated similarly. In the setting of mixed carcinomas, 62% of respondents indicated that they provide quantification and grading of the acinar component. There were varied responses regarding the prognostic implication of focal neuroendocrine cells in an otherwise conventional acinar adenocarcinoma and for Paneth cell-like differentiation. The classification of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was highly varied, with only 38% agreement in the illustrated case. Finally, despite the recommendation not to perform neuroendocrine markers in the absence of morphologic evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation, 62% would routinely utilize IHC in the work-up of a Gleason score 5 + 5 = 10 acinar adenocarcinoma and its differentiation from high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. Conclusion: There is a disparity in the practice utilization patterns among the urologic pathologists with regard to diagnosing high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma and in understanding the clinical significance of focal neuroendocrine cells in an otherwise conventional acinar adenocarcinoma and Paneth cell-like neuroendocrine differentiation. There seems to have a trend towards overutilization of IHC to determine neuroendocrine differentiation in the absence of neuroendocrine features on morphology. The survey results suggest a need for further refinement and development of standardized guidelines for the classification and reporting of neuroendocrine differentiation in the prostate gland

INVESTIGATING PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR, THEIR EFFECTS ON BIOMARKERS OF RISK OF CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASES AND DIABETES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH URBANICITY IN A PERI-URBAN INDIAN POPULATION

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (SPH