Simulation and Validation of Castings in Shop Floor

Production of sound casting demands a thorough understanding of whole casting process. But still, defects and rejection of castings are ubiquitous because in general, the designer lacks domain knowledge about casting processes and hardly have any methodology to find out the parameters that produce sound casting. Casting simulation software simulates the way how casting engineers decide the casting process in a virtual platform and also analyzes each decision to point out the design modifications needed to enhance the quality of casting as well as reduce lead time, tooling and manufacturing costs. The application of simulation software enables us to say, “Get it right, the first time and every time”. Simulation software can be very helpful in calculating tedious formulas, constructing solid modeling which will be helpful to visualise the actual situation like core/mould assembly, gating and feeding arrangements with the main casting before going into actual practice. It can be adopted for troubleshooting existing castings, and for producing new castings without or minimum shop-floor trials. This chapter illustrates the advantages of casting simulation (both tangible and intangible), bottlenecks (technical and resource-related), and some best practices to subdue the bottlenecks. In this chapter some of the live examples have been cited to understand the process logically and scientifically

Genetic programming-assisted multi-scale optimization for multi-objective dynamic performance of laminated composites: the advantage of more elementary-level analyses

High-fidelity multi-scale design optimization of many real-life applications in structural engineering still remains largely intractable due to the computationally intensive nature of numerical solvers like finite element method. Thus, in this paper, an alternate route of metamodel-based design optimization methodology is proposed in multi-scale framework based on a symbolic regression implemented using genetic programming (GP) coupled with d-optimal design. This approach drastically cuts the computational costs by replacing the finite element module with appropriately constructed robust and efficient metamodels. Resulting models are compact, have good interpretability and assume a free-form expression capable of capturing the non-linearly, complexity and vastness of the design space. Two robust nature-inspired optimization algorithms, viz. multi-objective genetic algorithm and multi-objective particle swarm optimization, are used to generate Pareto optimal solutions for several test problems with varying complexity. TOPSIS, a multi-criteria decision-making approach, is then applied to choose the best alternative among the Pareto optimal sets. Finally, the applicability of GP in efficiently tackling multi-scale optimization problems of composites is investigated, where a real-life scenario is explored by varying fractions of pertinent engineering materials to bring about property changes in the final composite structure across two different scales. The study reveals that a microscale optimization leads to better optimized solutions, demonstrating the advantage of carrying out a multi-scale optimization without any additional computational burden.</p

A surveillance model for sexually transmitted infections in India

The strategy for prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in India is based on syndromic case management delivered through designated STI/reproductive tract infection (RTI) centers (DSRCs) situated in medical colleges, district hospitals, and STI-clinics of targeted interventions programs. Laboratory tests for enhanced syndromic management are available at some sites. To ensure country-level planning and effective local implementation of STI services, reliable and consistent epidemiologic information is required on the distribution of STI cases, rate and trends of newly acquired infections, and STI prevalence in specific population groups. The present STI management information system is inadequate to meet these requirements because it is based on syndromic data and limited laboratory investigations on STIs reported passively by DSRCs and laboratories. Geographically representative information on the etiology of STI syndromes and antimicrobial susceptibility of STI pathogens although essential for optimizing available treatment options, is deficient. Surveillance must provide high quality information on: (a) prevalence of STIs such as syphilis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among high-risk groups; syphilis in the general population and pregnant antenatal women; (b) demographic characteristics such as age, sex, new/recurrent episode, and type of syndromically diagnosed STI cases; (c) proportion of acute infections such as urethral discharge (UD) in men and nonherpetic genital ulcer disease (GUD) in men and women; (d) etiology of STI syndromes; and (e) gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility. We describe here a framework for an STI sentinel surveillance system in India, building on the existing STI reporting systems and infrastructure, an overview of the components of the proposed surveillance system, and operational challenges in its implementation

Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Concerns among Persons with Disability Due to Myelopathy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background We have very little information about sexual activity and concerns of patients with myelopathy from India. Objectives This article assesses the sexual dysfunction and sexual concerns among patients with myelopathy due to spinal cord lesion (SCL). Materials and Methods Single-center, cross-sectional, hospital-based study among male and female patients in the age group of 18 to 50 years, with disability due to myelopathy due to SCL. The data were collected using a self-designed, pretested, semistructured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Results Eighty participants were recruited in the study, of which 62 (77.5%) were men. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the participants was 33.7 (8.6) years, and mean (SD) age at time of illness was 31.4 (8.6) years with median duration of 17 months. Among 62 males, psychogenic erection was impaired in 77.2%, reflex erection was impaired in 78.9%, and ejaculation was affected in 70.7%. Orgasm was absent or reduced in 66.1% males. Among 18 female participants, psychogenic genital arousal was reduced in 66.5%, reflex genital arousal was impaired in 55.5%, and orgasm was absent in 38.8% subjects. Sexual desire in these patients was unchanged in 41 (51.2%), and decreased or absent in 39 (48.8%). Sexual activity involvement was there in 46 (57.5%) and 34 (42.5%) had not involved in any kind of sexual activity after injury/illness. The main reasons of noninvolvement in sexual activity were bladder and bowel accidents, spasticity, and difficulty in positioning. Conclusion Comprehensive neurological rehabilitation should address sexual function of affected individual to allow them highest level of function and quality of life

Anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a secondary health care facility in district Faridabad, Haryana

Background: India confronts a high burden of anemia among pregnant women, that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality for mother and child. Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy launched by Government of India envisages provision of variety of facility-based interventions for management of anemia in pregnancy. Secondary care hospitals prescribe injectable iron treatment for moderate anemia and blood transfusion services for severe anemia. Objective: To estimate the magnitude and severity of anemia among pregnant women when they presented themselves for the first time at the antenatal care clinic of a secondary care hospital so as to forecast adequate supplies of medicines for managing anemia. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study using routinely maintained hospital clinical records during the years 2013–2015. It was conducted in a subdistrict hospital, Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district of Haryana state. Hemoglobin (Hb) level was routinely measured at first visit for all pregnant women using BC-3000 plus autohematology analyzer. Anemia in pregnancy was considered when Hb concentration was <11.0 g/dL. Results: The Hb level at first visit was available for 13,467 women during the study period. The mean Hb level (standard deviation) was 9.3 g/dL (1.3). The proportion of anemic pregnant women was 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.8, 91.7). The most common category of anemia was moderate anemia 62.5% (95% CI: 61.6, 63.2). Conclusion: We found a very high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women presenting to a secondary care setting of a North Indian hospital during their first visit to the facility during the antenatal period