The wear characteristics of cemented tungsten carbide tools in machining oil palm empty fruit bunch particleboard

A series of machining experiments on the Oil Palm Empty-Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) particle board were carried out using tungsten carbide tools, to ascertain the predominant mechanism of tool wear when machining this material. The experiments were carried out using a high speed lathe, which machined a rotating disc of the OPEFB particle board. It was found that mechanical abrasion and micro-fracture was the primary mode of tool failure when machining OPEFB particle board. The low cutting temperature recorded during the machining experiments provides compelling evidence to eliminate any significant effect of electrochemical and oxidation mechanisms on the wear of tungsten carbide tools. Therefore, the wear of cemented tungsten carbide tools when machining OPEFB particle board was predominantly by mechanical wear mechanisms. The results of this study implies that the high tool wear experienced during the machining of OPEFB particle board, may limit its use in the manufacture of value-added products, unless the boards are priced competitively in the market

TOXICITY OF ATRAZINE AND RELATED TO TESTICULAR, TISSUE DAMAGING ENZYME LEVELS IN POECILIA SPHENOPS

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Atrazine (ATZ) on the enzyme levels in Poecilia sphenops.Methods: The cytosolic testicular enzyme and tissue-damaging enzyme activity were measured in Poecilia sphenops was exposed to 3 sub-lethal concentrations (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/l) of atrazine for 100days and control was also maintained. The toxic effects of ATZ to Poecilia sphenops were assessed through testicular marker enzyme, tissue-damaging enzyme level.Results: The activities of testicular functional enzyme ALP, ACP, SDH, LDH, G6PDH and tissue-damaging the activities of glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity levels were altered in treated groups compared with that of the control.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that atrazine induces tissue damage in terms of enhanced enzyme activity and testicular enzyme activity in Poecilia sphenops. Atrazine has toxicity to the reproductive system in Poecilia sphenops

Wide Band Gap Devices and Their Application in Power Electronics

Power electronic systems have a great impact on modern society. Their applications target a more sustainable future by minimizing the negative impacts of industrialization on the environment, such as global warming effects and greenhouse gas emission. Power devices based on wide band gap (WBG) material have the potential to deliver a paradigm shift in regard to energy efficiency and working with respect to the devices based on mature silicon (Si). Gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) have been treated as one of the most promising WBG materials that allow the performance limits of matured Si switching devices to be significantly exceeded. WBG-based power devices enable fast switching with lower power losses at higher switching frequency and hence, allow the development of high power density and high efficiency power converters. This paper reviews popular SiC and GaN power devices, discusses the associated merits and challenges, and finally their applications in power electronics

The ORNATE India project: Building research capacity and capability to tackle the burden of diabetic retinopathy-related blindness in India

The ORNATE India project is an interdisciplinary, multifaceted United Kingdom (UK)–India collaborative study aimed to build research capacity and capability in India and the UK to tackle the burden of diabetes-related visual impairment. For 51 months (October 2017–December 2021), this project built collaboration between six institutions in the UK and seven in India, including the Government of Kerala. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening models were evaluated in the public system in Kerala. An epidemiological study of diabetes and its complications was conducted through 20 centers across India covering 10 states and one union territory. The statistical analysis is not yet complete. In the UK, risk models for diabetes and its complications and artificial intelligence-aided tools are being developed. These were complemented by joint studies on various aspects of diabetes between collaborators in the UK and India. This interdisciplinary team enabled increased capability in several workstreams, resulting in an increased number of publications, development of cost-effective risk models, algorithms for risk-based screening, and policy for state-wide implementation of sustainable DR screening and treatment programs in primary care in Kerala. The increase in research capacity included multiple disciplines from field workers, administrators, project managers, project leads, screeners, graders, optometrists, nurses, general practitioners, and research associates in various disciplines. Cross-fertilization of these disciplines enabled the development of several collaborations external to this project. This collaborative project has made a significant impact on research capacity development in both India and the UK

Superiority of deformable image co-registration in the integration of diagnostic positron emission tomography-computed tomography to the radiotherapy treatment planning pathway for oesophageal carcinoma

Aims To investigate the use of image co-registration in incorporating diagnostic positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) directly into the radiotherapy treatment planning pathway, and to describe the pattern of local recurrence relative to the PET-avid volume. Materials and methods Fourteen patients were retrospectively identified, six of whom had local recurrence. The accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) and rigid registration of the diagnostic PET-CT and recurrence CT, to the planning CT, were quantitatively assessed by comparing co-registration of oesophagus, trachea and aorta contours. DIR was used to examine the correlation between PET-avid volumes, dosimetry and site of recurrence. Results Positional metrics including the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and conformity index (CI), showed DIR to be superior to rigid registration in the co-registration of diagnostic and recurrence imaging to the planning CT. For diagnostic PET-CT, DIR was superior to rigid registration in the transfer of oesophagus (DSC = 0.75 versus 0.65, P < 0.009 and CI = 0.59 versus 0.48, P < 0.003), trachea (DSC = 0.88 versus 0.65, P < 0.004 and CI = 0.78 versus 0.51, P < 0.0001) and aorta structures (DSC = 0.93 versus 0.86, P < 0.006 and CI = 0.86 versus 0.76, P < 0.006). For recurrence imaging, DIR was superior to rigid registration in the transfer of trachea (DSC = 0.91 versus 0.66, P < 0.03 and CI = 0.83 versus 0.51, P < 0.02) and oesophagus structures (DSC = 0.74 versus 0.51, P < 0.004 and CI = 0.61 versus 0.37, P < 0.006) with a non-significant trend for the aorta (DSC = 0.91 versus 0.75, P < 0.08 and CI = 0.83 versus 0.63, P < 0.06) structure. A mean inclusivity index of 0.93 (range 0.79–1) showed that the relapse volume was within the planning target volume (PTVPET-CT); all relapses occurred within the high dose region. Conclusion DIR is superior to rigid registration in the co-registration of PET-CT and recurrence CT to the planning CT, and can be considered in the direct integration of PET-CT to the treatment planning process. Local recurrences occur within the PTVPET-CT, suggesting that this is a suitable target for dose-escalation strategies

Thermal Properties of Engine Oils through the Integration of Graphene Nanoparticles: A Greener Approach for Sustainable Mechanical Systems

Tribology is a high demand mechanical system with friction and wear. Mechanical systems lose efficiency as a result. One answer for this issue is to utilize an oil that can limit contact and wear, bringing about improved effectiveness. The advancement of effective lubricating added substances for tribological properties improvement and improved thermal conductivity has gotten huge modern and scholarly consideration. By and large, nano-sized particles scattered in lubricants, referred to as nano-based lubricant, are utilized in mechanical structures to lessen heat and forces of frictions. Moreover, new guidelines will empower the utilization of greener lubrication advancements in oils. To resolve this issue, lubricants should satisfy guidelines while able to give exceptional oil characteristics. As another green material, this research will investigate the dissolving of Graphene nanoparticles in lubricants. The objective of this study is to perceive what Graphene added 10W40 motor oil means for the thermal properties and tribological characteristics. Graphene, which was added to 10W40 lubricant, was used to study the best design. Graphene nanoparticles were distributed in baseline engine oil in a two-step process. In the preparation of Graphene-based motor oil with a low volume mixture in the scope of 0.01% to 0.07% was used. Thermal conductivity and viscosity are estimated for all volume mixtures. Testing uncovered that Graphene added 10W40 motor oil were steady all through the review, with very little deposits in the following 30 days. The thermal conductivity of Graphene in SAE 40 motor oil expanded as the volume mixture is added

Protocol on a multicentre statistical and economic modelling study of risk-based stratified and personalised screening for diabetes and its complications in India (SMART India)

Introduction The aim of this study is to develop practical and affordable models to (a) diagnose people with diabetes and prediabetes and (b) identify those at risk of diabetes complications so that these models can be applied to the population in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) where laboratory tests are unaffordable. Methods and analysis This statistical and economic modelling study will be done on at least 48 000 prospectively recruited participants aged 40 years or above through community screening across 20 predefined regions in India. Each participant will be tested for capillary random blood glucose (RBG) and complete a detailed health-related questionnaire. People with known diabetes and all participants with predefined levels of RBG will undergo further tests, including point-of-care (POC) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), POC lipid profile and POC urine test for microalbuminuria, retinal photography using non-mydriatic hand-held retinal camera, visual acuity assessment in both eyes and complete quality of life questionnaires. The primary aim of the study is to develop a model and assess its diagnostic performance to predict HbA1c diagnosed diabetes from simple tests that can be applied in resource-limited settings; secondary outcomes include RBG cut-off for definition of prediabetes, diagnostic accuracy of cost-effective risk stratification models for diabetic retinopathy and models for identifying those at risk of complications of diabetes. Diagnostic accuracy inter-tests agreement, statistical and economic modelling will be performed, accounting for clustering effects. Ethics and dissemination The Indian Council of Medical Research/Health Ministry Screening Committee (HMSC/2018–0494 dated 17 December 2018 and institutional ethics committees of all the participating institutions approved the study. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented at national and international conferences. Trial registration number ISRCTN57962668 V1.0 24/09/2018

Protocol on a multicentre statistical and economic modelling study of risk-based stratified and personalised screening for diabetes and its complications in India (SMART India)

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to develop practical and affordable models to (a) diagnose people with diabetes and prediabetes and (b) identify those at risk of diabetes complications so that these models can be applied to the population in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) where laboratory tests are unaffordable. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This statistical and economic modelling study will be done on at least 48 000 prospectively recruited participants aged 40 years or above through community screening across 20 predefined regions in India. Each participant will be tested for capillary random blood glucose (RBG) and complete a detailed health-related questionnaire. People with known diabetes and all participants with predefined levels of RBG will undergo further tests, including point-of-care (POC) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), POC lipid profile and POC urine test for microalbuminuria, retinal photography using non-mydriatic hand-held retinal camera, visual acuity assessment in both eyes and complete quality of life questionnaires. The primary aim of the study is to develop a model and assess its diagnostic performance to predict HbA1c diagnosed diabetes from simple tests that can be applied in resource-limited settings; secondary outcomes include RBG cut-off for definition of prediabetes, diagnostic accuracy of cost-effective risk stratification models for diabetic retinopathy and models for identifying those at risk of complications of diabetes. Diagnostic accuracy inter-tests agreement, statistical and economic modelling will be performed, accounting for clustering effects. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Indian Council of Medical Research/Health Ministry Screening Committee (HMSC/2018–0494 dated 17 December 2018 and institutional ethics committees of all the participating institutions approved the study. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN57962668 V1.0 24/09/2018

Review of the mathematical foundations of data fusion techniques in surface metrology

The recent proliferation of engineered surfaces, including freeform and structured surfaces, is challenging current metrology techniques. Measurement using multiple sensors has been proposed to achieve enhanced benefits, mainly in terms of spatial frequency bandwidth, which a single sensor cannot provide. When using data from different sensors, a process of data fusion is required and there is much active research in this area. In this paper, current data fusion methods and applications are reviewed, with a focus on the mathematical foundations of the subject. Common research questions in the fusion of surface metrology data are raised and potential fusion algorithms are discussed

Branch Mode Selection during Early Lung Development

Many organs of higher organisms, such as the vascular system, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver and glands, are heavily branched structures. The branching process during lung development has been studied in great detail and is remarkably stereotyped. The branched tree is generated by the sequential, non-random use of three geometrically simple modes of branching (domain branching, planar and orthogonal bifurcation). While many regulatory components and local interactions have been defined an integrated understanding of the regulatory network that controls the branching process is lacking. We have developed a deterministic, spatio-temporal differential-equation based model of the core signaling network that governs lung branching morphogenesis. The model focuses on the two key signaling factors that have been identified in experiments, fibroblast growth factor (FGF10) and sonic hedgehog (SHH) as well as the SHH receptor patched (Ptc). We show that the reported biochemical interactions give rise to a Schnakenberg-type Turing patterning mechanisms that allows us to reproduce experimental observations in wildtype and mutant mice. The kinetic parameters as well as the domain shape are based on experimental data where available. The developed model is robust to small absolute and large relative changes in the parameter values. At the same time there is a strong regulatory potential in that the switching between branching modes can be achieved by targeted changes in the parameter values. We note that the sequence of different branching events may also be the result of different growth speeds: fast growth triggers lateral branching while slow growth favours bifurcations in our model. We conclude that the FGF10-SHH-Ptc1 module is sufficient to generate pattern that correspond to the observed branching modesComment: Initially published at PLoS Comput Bio