Regenerative and anti-lock braking system in electric vehicles

Many accidents are caused when a vehicle is braked hard, causing the wheels to lock up. At such times, the driver has no control over the steering of the vehicle and as a result cannot change the direction of the car. Anti-Lock Braking System prevents wheels from being locked up during braking by using a non continuous form of braking known as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) braking. This gives the driver the control of the vehicle at all times and even while braking. Because of such type of braking, the wheels can better grip the road surface and the stopping distances also reduce significantly especially on tricky road surfaces like icy or wet roads. The kinetic energy of the wheel is generally lost during braking in the form of heat due to friction between the brake pads. This energy can be recovered using a technique called as Regenerative Braking. In this technique, the excess energy is stored temporarily in capacitor banks before it gets converted to heat energy and is wasted. This system prolongs the battery life by recharging the battery using the stored energy. Hence the mileage of the electric vehicle also increases as it can travel more distance in a single battery charge. These two methods together help make an electric vehicle energy efficient as well as safer and easier to use thus preventing and reducing the number of accidents

An inertial sensor-based system can objectively assess diagnostic anaesthesia of the equine foot

Reasons for performing study: In order for changes in lameness to be accurately and repeatably detected and recorded during diagnostic investigations, an objective measure of lameness is required.<p></p> Objectives: To ascertain whether an inertial sensor-based system can distinguish between a positive and negative response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the foot and objectively assess the effect of a positive response on the trot.<p></p> Study design: Restrospective clinical study.<p></p> Methods: Data obtained during lameness investigations undertaken between August 2011 and December 2012 in which either a palmar digital or abaxial sesamoid nerve block was performed were retrospectively reviewed. Response to diagnostic anaesthesia was categorised as positive (n = 14) or negative (n = 9) by one of 2 evaluators before analysis of kinematic data (i.e. blinded). Changes in maximum and minimum head difference (ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin) and change in head movement asymmetry/change in pelvic movement asymmetry (ΔHMA/PMA, measure of asymmetry) allocated to each limb were calculated. A Kruskal–Wallis one way analysis of variance on ranks was performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for ΔHDMax, ΔHDMin and ΔHMA for the blocked limb to identify cut-off values to distinguish positive and negative responses to the block.<p></p> Results: Median ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin were significantly greater after a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia (P<0.01). Change in head movement asymmetry allocated to the blocked limb and contralateral forelimb and ΔPMA allocated to the contralateral hindlimb were significantly greater in the positive response group (P<0.05). Change in head movement asymmetry allocated to the blocked limb and ΔHDMax and ΔHDMin are useful diagnostic tests for identifying positive response to anaesthesia (area under the curve = 0.98, 0.83 and 0.96 respectively).<p></p> Conclusions: An inertial sensor-based system can identify a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the foot. Symmetry of movement allocated to the blocked limb, contralateral forelimb and contralateral hindlimb significantly improve, and head movement significantly decreases in horses with a positive response to the block. Cut-off values for a positive response have been identified with good sensitivity and specificity. Forelimb lameness significantly affects contralateral hindlimb movement, which has implications for the investigation of multi-limb lameness

Nutrient intake amongst rural adolescent girls of Wardha

<b>Objective:</b> To assess the nutrient intake of rural adolescent girls. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The cross-sectional study was carried in four adopted villages of the Department of Community Medicine, M.G.I.M.S., Sewagram. A household survey was carried out in the villages. A list of all the adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years was prepared by enumeration through house-to-house visit. All adolescent girls were included in the study. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic variables and anthropometric variables. A 24 h recall method was used to assess nutrient intake. Data generated was entered and analyzed using epi_info 2000. Nutrient intake was compared with ICMR Recommended Dietary Allowances. Nutritional status was assessed by BMI for age. <b>Results:</b> The mean height of the adolescent girls was 142.9 cm. Overall, 57&#x0025; of the adolescents were thin (BMI for age &lt;5 ^th percentile for CDC 2000 reference) and 43&#x0025; of the adolescents were normal (BMI for age between 5 ^th - 85 ^th percentile for CDC 2000 reference). The average energy intake, which was 1239.6&#177;176.4 kcal/day, was deficient of RDA by 39&#x0025;. The average protein intake was 39.5&#177;7 gm/day. It was deficient by 36&#x0025; and the average iron intake, which was 13.2&#177;2.5 mg/day, was deficient by 48&#x0025;. <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings reiterate the dietary deficiency among adolescent girls which adversely affects the nutritional status. If the poor nutritional status is not corrected promptly before they become pregnant, it adversely affects the reproductive outcome. If we have to meet out the goals of Reproductive and Child Health Program, intervention strategies to improve the dietary intake of adolescent girls are needed so that their requirements of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals are met

A study of compliance of breast Self-Examination among women of rural Maharashtra

Introduction: According to GLOBOCAN 2012, breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in world and the most frequent among women. In India, around 80,000 cases are estimated to occur annually. Survival from breast cancer depends on two main factors, early detection and optimal treatment. There are virtually no population-based breast cancer screening programs in developing countries. This community based study was carried out for creating awareness about Breast Self-Examination (BSE), the easiest method for early diagnosis and to assess the impact of interventional measures on acceptance of BSE. Objectives: To assess the awareness about breast cancer and BSE among 20 – 49 years women and to create awareness about breast cancer and BSE among 20 – 49 years women. Methods: It was an interventional study, conducted in the field practice area of a Medical College. Total of 310 women were assessed on Self-administered questionnaire filled by women in pre and post intervention for awareness of Breast cancer and BSE. Results: 3% women were aware of BSE at baseline which increased to 89.68% at end line. (p=0.001, p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference in attitude towards BSE (p=0.0001, p<0.05) at end-line and 92.90% women started performing BSE on regular basis. Conclusion: From selective review on practice and effectiveness of BSE, only 0% to 52% of women practice Breast Self-Examination on regular basis and there is no evidence of performing the procedure correctly. It is evident that BSE functions as an effective preventive health action

Qualitative Assessment of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) Regarding their roles and responsibilities and factors influencing their performance in selected villages of Wardha

Background: The National Rural Health Mission has introduced village-level female community health worker, accredited social health activist (ASHA) who acts as an interface between the community and the public health system. The is study was conducted to assess the awareness and perceptions of ASHA regarding their roles and responsibilities in health-care system and factors affecting their performance in delivering health-care services. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in seven selected villages under Talegaon Primary Health Centers, Wardha district, Maharashtra, which is also field practice area of a medical college. Nonprobability sampling (purposive sampling) was done. In-depth interviews were conducted on ASHAs (n = 7) of those selected villages till saturation of data. Data were analyzed using the thematic framework approach. Results: ASHAs perception regarding their job responsibilities appeared to be incomplete. They had good awareness regarding their roles and responsibilities as a link worker. They were found to be mostly interested in higher incentive performances. ASHAs clarity regarding their roles and responsibilities as facilitator, social activist, and service provider was found to be somewhat compromised. They were ignorant about their roles and responsibilities under various newly launched national programs. The positive factors influencing ASHAs performances were regular supervision of their performances and appraisal by higher authority and support from community, family, and good relations with coworkers and staff. Challenges faced by most of the ASHAs were more workload, poor orientation to program, lack of quality training, and inadequate and delayed monetary incentives. Conclusion: Good quality training with regular refresher training sessions and regularization of incentives are required to motivate them ASHAs

Full-body visible human project® female computational phantom and its applications for biomedical electromagnetic modeling

This study describes the development to date of a computational full-body human phantom based on the VHP female dataset. Its unique feature is full compatibility both with MATLAB and specialized FEM computational software packages such as ANSYS HFSS/Maxwell 3D. Applications for low-frequency and radio-frequency electromagnetic modeling are considered

New VHP-Female v. 2.0 full-body computational phantom and its performance metrics using FEM simulator ANSYS HFSS

Simulation of the electromagnetic response of the human body relies heavily upon efficient computational models or phantoms. The first objective of this paper is to present a new platform-independent full-body electromagnetic computational model (computational phantom), the Visible Human Project ® (VHP)-Female v. 2.0 and to describe its distinct features. The second objective is to report phantom simulation performance metrics using the commercial FEM electromagnetic solver ANSYS HFSS

Vitalizing Community for Health Promotion Against Modifiable Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases (V-CaN) in Rural Central India: Protocol for a Hybrid Type II Implementation Effectiveness Trial

BackgroundLow- and middle-income countries are facing the emerging burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Apart from loss of human lives and premature deaths, NCDs result in huge costs for treatment to individuals and the health system. Although NCDs develop in later life, the risk factors begin at an early age. The key to the control of the global epidemic of NCDs is primary prevention based on comprehensive community-based programs. ObjectiveThis study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effect of a participatory health promotion initiative utilizing the existing mechanisms of Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Committees (VHNSCs), women’s self-help groups (SHGs), and schools on modifiable risk factors for NCDs among young people aged 10-30 years. MethodsThe proposed type II hybrid effectiveness implementation cluster randomized field trial will be conducted in the catchment area of 4 primary health centers (PHCs) in Wardha district, India, comprising 100 villages with a population of 144,000. Each PHC will be randomly allocated to one of the 3 intervention arms or the control arm. The 3-intervention arm PHCs will utilize a unique strategy with either VHNSC or SHG members or school students as change agents for health action against common modifiable NCD risk factors. This study will be implemented in 3 phases from January 2022 to December 2024. First, the preparatory phase for baseline assessments includes anthropometry, behavioral and biochemical risk factors for NCDs, and participatory development of the health promotion intervention modules. Second, the implementation phase will focus on capacity building of the change agents and implementation of the participatory health promotion initiative. The implementation will include organization of community-based events, 6-monthly participatory assessment of change, and preparation of a sustainability and exit plan toward the end of this phase. Third, the evaluation phase will consist of studying the effectiveness of each intervention strategy in the reduction of risk factor prevalence at the population level. ResultsWe will assess 12,000 (3000 in each arm) randomly selected individuals for behavioral risk factors and 1600 (400 in each arm) individuals for biochemical risk factors during baseline as well as endline assessments. Difference in differences, ANOVA or multivariate analysis of covariance, and regression analysis will be performed to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and stories of change will be documented and analyzed using thematic framework analysis. The implementation outcomes will be reported using the PRISM (Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model) RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The results are expected to be published by mid-2025. ConclusionsThis study will show the magnitude of risk factors for NCDs, its determinants, feasibility, effectiveness of community-based interventions, and health promotion models for NCD prevention. Trial RegistrationClinical Trials Registration India CTRI/2020/10/028700; https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=47597&EncHid=&userName=V-CaN International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/4245