Is locking compression plate the best modality of treatment for distal femur fractures?

Background: This observational study was conducted in order to study the functional efficacy of locking compression plate in distal femur fractures as they are one of the most common type of fractures with bimodal age distribution affecting younger age group as a consequence of high energy trauma especially road traffic accidents and elderly population due to osteoporosis.Methods: 40 Patients who are skeletally matured with acute distal femur fractures were radiologically assessed type of fractures, amount of comminution, articular congruence and quality of bone. pretested proforma which include age, sex, occupation, mode of injury, type of fracture, time interval between injury and surgery, associated comorbid conditions and other associated injuries.Results: Off the 40 patients under study 21 showed excellent outcome according to neers rating system and only 5 had fair results, 3 patients had superficial wound infection and 5 developed knee stiffness.Conclusions: Locking compression plate produces better results and appears to be good method of management in distal femur fractures

Challenges Faced by Cashew Processing Industry in Kerala, India: The Perspective of the Firm Owners and the Labourers

The study aimed to identify and analyse the constraints faced by the cashew processing unit owners and labourers in Kerala, particularly in the district of Kollam were the cashew industry is prominent. A total of 40 cashew processing units were selected randomly, and three workers were chosen from each unit, resulting in a sample of 160 respondents. Information was gathered from both the unit owners and the workers regarding the major constraints they are facing in the cashew processing. These constraints were ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique. The high processing costs, competition from other cashew-producing nations, and difficulties in maintaining a steady supply of cashew kernels were the major constraints faced by the processing unit owners. While, irregular income, physical strain and health issues, and high debt burden were the important constraints reported by the cashew labourers. The findings highlighted the need to address the critical issues impacting the productivity and sustainability of the cashew industry in Kerala. This study provides valuable insights that can guide policymakers and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions to improve working conditions, financial stability, and operational efficiency in the cashew sector

Constraints Faced by the Coir Workers and the Coir Co-operative Societies in the Production of Coir Yarn in Alappuzha and Kollam Districts of Kerala

The research aimed to identify and analyse the constraints faced by the coir workers and the coir cooperative societies throughout the coir yarn production process. Alappuzha and Kollam districts were selected for the study because the coir yarn production in Kerala is concentrated mainly in these districts. A total of 60 coir co-operative societies (30 from each district) were selected randomly. Four coir workers were randomly chosen from each society, totalling 240 coir workers. The study was carried out in the year 2023. Both the workers and the secretaries of these cooperative societies provided insights into the key obstacles impeding coir yarn production. These constraints were ranked using Garrett’s ranking technique. The coir workers highlighted some major constraints such as health problems related to the work, inadequate wages, irregular employment, and absence of job security and retirement benefits. Coir yarn production within Kerala’s cooperative sector faced numerous challenges, major ones being shortage of labour, delayed payments from Coirfed for the coir sold by the co-operative societies, lack of financial support from higher organizations/inadequate funding, and lack of active workers. This method provided a detailed understanding of the barriers impacting both the workforce and the operations of the cooperatives. The findings of this study will assist policymakers and authorities in implementing targeted interventions to enhance coir yarn production within the cooperative sector

Constraints Faced by Members of Rice Group Farming: An Analysis Using Garrett Ranking Technique in Palakkad, Kerala, India

The study aimed to explore and rank the constraints experienced by members of Padasekhara Samithis, the collectives of paddy farmers in Kerala. The research focused on Palakkad district, which was chosen due to its high concentration of Padasekhara Samithis. From Palakkad district, Erimayur and Kizhakkanchery grama panchayats from Alathur block and Kuzhalmannam and Mathur grama panchayats from Kuzhalmannam block were selected for the study. Data was collected from 180 farmers selected from the study area during April-May 2024. Primary data were obtained through a pretested well-structured interview schedule which was validated by a pilot survey prior to the main study. To prioritise the constraints identified by the farmers, Garrett's ranking technique was employed. The findings revealed four major constraints: the shortage of labour, a lack of coordination among members, inconsistency in cultivation and farming practices and issues related to poor leadership. These issues were associated with factors such as shifting of labourers from agricultural to non-agricultural jobs, the diverse interests of members and the incomplete adoption of group farming methods. By shedding light on these constraints, this study provided valuable insights for improving the effectiveness of Padasekhara Samithis. The findings are crucial for policymakers looking to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of group farming efforts in Kerala, ultimately helping farmers overcome constraints and improve their livelihoods

Risk Perception of Pineapple Farmers in the Context of Covid-19 in Kerala

Aims : To assess the risk perception of pineapple farmers in the context of Covid 19. Place and Duration of the Study: Muvattupuzha block panchayat in Ernakulam district in Kerala between September 2021 to September 2022. Methodology: The data relating to the study were collected during September  2021 from 120 pineapple farmers, using a well-structured interview schedule. Based on a four-point Likert scale, a Standardized Covid -19 Risk Perception Index (SCovRPI) was developed to assess the risk perception against fourteen identified risks faced by pineapple farmers during Covid 19. Farmers were asked to score the risks based on their level of perception. Results: Realisation of low price, restrictions in transportation, low demand for pineapple in market, disruption in farming activities and non-availability of adequate hired labour are the major risks perceived by pineapple farmers during Covid 19. Conclusion: findings of the study are relevant for policymakers as they work to seek remedial measures that enhance the living standards and resilience of pineapple farmers

Multi-objective optimization of CNC turning parameters using genetic algorithm and performance evaluation of nanocomposite coated carbide inserts

Inconel 600 is a super alloy known for its properties like low thermal conductivity and work hard-ening. The work hardening property of this alloy makes it harder and harder during successive passes of the tool during machining. Therefore, machining of this type of material demands inno-vation in tool material, selection of proper combination of parameters and their levels for economical machining. Coated carbide tool inserts are most widely used for machining Inconel alloys. These inserts are coated with special materials by PVD or CVD technique to reduce flank wear, improve surface finish of machined components and increase the material removal rate (MRR). In this work carbide insert coated with nanocomposite coatings like AlTiN and TiAlSiN commercially known as Hyperlox and HSN2 were used and their performance during machining of Inconel 600 was studied. As improper selection of process parameter influences on the quality of products and productivity, it is important to identify the optimum combination of input process parameters. Most of the time the influence of the input process parameters on the output parameters like MRR, surface roughness and flank wear is studied independently. Information obtained through single objective optimization may not be sufficient because industries desire to optimize all the output parameters, simultaneously. Multi-objective optimization is the only solution to satisfy the requirements of industries and genetic algorithm based multi-objective optimization is adopted in this work in order to get the optimum combination of input process parameters to obtain maximum material removal rate, minimum surface roughness and minimum flank wear simultaneously

History of tribology: Assessing the prehistoric impacts, progress on industrial and scientific revolution eras, and contemporary interdisciplinary research trends

The present review focuses on the progress of tribology from the prehistoric period to the contemporary interdisciplinary research trends. During the Paleolithic period, humans used sliding friction, generated inadvertently, to make fire. The Paleolithic inhabitants possessed the knowledge to wear the chloritolite blank to fabricate a bracelet using sophisticated material removal processes. Furthermore, they wore the tooth by making holes, filled them with fillings, intended as a pathologically motivated intervention. Humans wore the tooth by in vivo drilling in the Neolithic period, used as a remedial or soothing dental procedure. The Egyptians poured water on sand to ease the movement of the statue mounted on a sled, and recently, compared to the sled dragging on dry sand, the capillary water bridges easing the sled dragging on wet sand is experimentally observed. Bearings are proposed in the renaissance era, and Leonardo da Vinci initiated friction studies, which witnessed significant progress in the industrial revolution era. The industrial revolution ushered in the use of solid lubricants and lubricating oils and grease with additives. Studies in the scientific era discussed friction, wear, and lubrication problems and reported novel, proven solutions. The expansion of tribology research into different disciplines gave birth to novel interdisciplinary studies: the mimicking of biological structures to improve adhesion, use-wear patterns of ground stone tool surfaces, tribological behavior of artificial implants and medical devices, friction in oral processing, and lubricity of two-dimensional lamellar material. Green tribology is the recent focus and it promotes sustainable tribology research for the sustenance of the earth

Role of Non-Timber Forest Products in Income Generation of the Tribal Population: A Review

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) refer to all biological resources harvested from the forest for human use and are not having timber purposes. Two types of NTFPs such as tradable and non-tradable NTFPs are available. In international trade, tradable NTFPs are only significant. NTFPs are important components of food security and a vital source of income for the poor in many developing nations. NTFP collection accounts for almost 58 per cent of the total income earned by Kerala's tribal population. Most of the employment (54.04%) was generated by the wage sector followed by NTFP collection (33.77%). NTFPs were found to be collected and used by tribals for a variety of purposes, including food, medicine, raw materials for making implements, and as a source of income. NTFPs are marketed through various marketing channels, depending on various factors such as the product's nature, demand and proximity to the market. If co-operative societies and EDCs (Eco-Development Committees) could develop value additional units for NTFPs with the participation of indigenous groups, it ensures effective use of their spare time as well as a better livelihood through increased NTFP income

Roundness error measurement using teaching learning based optimization algorithm and comparison with particle swarm optimization algorithm

Form deviation of machined components need to be controlled within the required tolerance values for proper assembly and to serve the intended functional requirements. Methods like minimum zone circle (MZC) method, minimum circumscribed circle (MCC) method, maximum inscribed circle (MIC) method and least square circle (LSC) method are used to evaluate roundness error. Roundness error evaluation includes collection of co-ordinate points on the surface of the compo-nent and measurement using any of the above methods. Since, manual measurement of roundness error from these coordinate points is time consuming and less accurate, use of algorithms is highly appreciated. A detailed study of various optimization techniques showed that all evolutionary and swarm intelligence-based optimization algorithms require common control parameters and algorithm specific parameters. Improper tuning of these parameters either increases the computational effort or results in local optimal solution. Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm is used in this work as it does not require any algorithm specific parameters for the evaluation of roundness error. The results obtained are then compared with the results of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to know the merits and demerits of both the algorithms when used for form measurement