A study on the different finite element approaches for laser cutting of aluminum alloy sheet

The effectiveness of finite element simulation techniques for laser cutting of 1.2-mm-thick aluminium sheets has been studied. Lagrangian and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian techniques were used to model and simulate laser cutting process. The reliability of finite element results were evaluated by general energy balance analysis and experimental results. Temperature and stress distribution along with heat-affected zone were predicted during the laser-induced process in line with experimental conditions under ABAQUS finite element code. Heat transfer analysis relying on thermal loading was employed to reach the best efficiency. By using field-emission scanning electron microscope, morphological, structural, and elemental changes in the cutting sections were analyzed along with the X-ray diffraction technique. Obtained stress and heat-affected zone are highly dependent on the element type as well as numerical method. Both numerical method, ALE and Lagrangian, are compared to each other in terms of power absorption, cut surface morphology, and cutting efficiency. The results show that ALE method is in good agreement with experimental data. A study on the different finite element approaches for laser cutting of aluminum alloy sheet. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317579195_A_study_on_the_different_finite_element_approaches_for_laser_cutting_of_aluminum_alloy_sheet [accessed Jul 3, 2017]

Large deformation behavior of functionally graded porous curved beams in thermal environment

The in-plane thermoelastic response of curved beams made of porous materials with different types of functionally graded (FG) porosity is studied in this research contribution. Nonlinear governing equations are derived based on the first-order shear deformation theory along with the nonlinear Green strains. The nonlinear governing equations are solved by the aid of the Rayleigh–Ritz method along with the Newton–Raphson method. The modified rule-of-mixture is employed to derive the material properties of imperfect FG porous curved beams. Comprehensive parametric studies are conducted to explore the effects of volume fraction and various dispersion patterns of porosities, temperature field, and arch geometry as well as boundary conditions on the nonlinear equilibrium path and stability behavior of the FG porous curved beams. Results reveal that dispersion and volume fraction of porosities have a significant effect on the thermal stability path, maximum stress, and bending moment at the crown of the curved beams. Moreover, the influence of porosity dispersion and structural geometry on the central radial and in-plane displacement of the curved beams is evaluated. Results show that various boundary conditions make a considerable difference in the central radial displacements of the curved beams with the same porosity dispersion. Due to the absence of similar results in the specialized literature, this paper is likely to provide pertinent results that are instrumental toward a reliable design of FG porous curved beams in thermal environment

Effect of Telehealth Interventions on Hospitalization Indicators: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Telehealth has been defined as the remote delivery of healthcare services using information and communication technology. Where resource-limited health systems face challenges caused by the increasing burden of chronic diseases and an aging global population, telehealth has been advocated as a solution for changing and improving the paradigm of healthcare delivery to cope with these issues. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effect of telehealth interventions on two indicators: hospitalization rate and length of stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reviewers searched the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer electronic databases from January 2005 to November 2013. A search strategy was developed using a combination of the following search keywords: impact, effect, telehealth, telemedicine, telecare, hospitalization, length of stay, and resource utilization. Both randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included in the review. To be included in the review, articles had to be written in English. The results of study were compiled, reviewed, and analyzed on the basis of the review aims. RESULTS: This systematic review examined 22 existing studies with a total population of 19,086 patients. The effect of telehealth on all-cause hospitalization was statistically significant in 40 percent of the related studies, whereas it was not statistically significant in 60 percent. Similarly, the effect of telehealth on the all-cause length of stay was statistically significant in 36 percent of the studies and nonsignificant in 64 percent. CONCLUSION: Considering the fact that hospitalization rate and length of stay can be confounded by factors other than telehealth intervention, studies examining the effect of the intervention on these indicators must take into account all other factors influencing them. Otherwise any judgment on the effect of telehealth on these indicators cannot be valid

What they fill in today, may not be useful tomorrow: Lessons learned from studying Medical Records at the Women hospital in Tabriz, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The medical record is used to document patient's medical history, illnesses and treatment procedures. The information inside is useful when all needed information is documented properly. Medical care providers in Iran have complained of low quality of Medical Records. This study was designed to evaluate the quality of the Medical Records at the university hospital in Tabriz, Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to get a background of the quality of documentation, 300 Medical Records were randomly selected among all hospitalized patient during September 23, 2003 and September 22, 2004. Documentation of all records was evaluated using checklists. Then, in order to combine objective data with subjective, 10 physicians and 10 nurses who were involved in documentation of Medical Records were randomly selected and interviewed using two semi structured guidelines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost all 300 Medical Records had problems in terms of quality of documentation. There was no record in which all information was documented correctly and compatible with the official format in Medical Records provided by Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Interviewees believed that poor handwriting, missing of sheets and imperfect documentation are major problems of the Paper-based Medical Records, and the main reason was believed to be high workload of both physicians and nurses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Medical Records are expected to be complete and accurate. Our study has unveiled that the Medical Records are not documented properly in the university hospital where the Medical Records are also used for educational purposes. Such incomplete Medical Records are not reliable resources for medical care too. Some influencing factors external to the structure of the Medical Records (i.e. human factors and work conditions) are involved.</p

Evaluation of Sleep Disturbance and Mood Status of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Radiation therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of patients with breast cancer as it reduces the relative risk of recurrence. Sleep and mood disorder have been widely reported in female patients during the treatment. The purpose of this research is to evaluate patients� mood and its relation to their sleep quality during radiation therapy. Materials and Method: The analysis was carried out on 100 female patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, and the control group consisted of 100 women attending medical imaging in Tehran. Participants� mood situation was evaluated by POMS questionnaire, and their sleep status was checked through standard questionnaires specified for analyzing sleepiness, sleep quality and insomnia severity. Results: Study results demonstrated higher overall score for mood in breast cancer patients in comparison with woman without cancer, which means worse mood status among them. (The mean score of the mood was 51.4 ± 29.25 and 39.52 ± 42.31 for cancer patients and healthy women, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between some mood subcategories such as vigor, fatigue with sleeping quality and insomnia severity. Also, the �independent T" test result showed a significant difference in the sleep quality of the two groups (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Low mood status and sleep disorders are common problems in women with breast cancer, and paying attention to their mental health as well as routine cancer treatments may significantly improve patients� quality of life and their mood and sleep quality. © 2021, Association of Gynecologic Oncologists of India