Two Body Abrasive Wear of Al-Mg-Si Hybrid Composites: Effect of Load and Sliding Distance

The present study investigates on the two body abrasive wear behavior of Al-6082 alloy, Al 6082 alloy-10% SiC (Al-SiC) composites and Al 6082 alloy – 5 % SiC-5 % Gr (Al-SiC-Gr) hybrid composites. These composites were prepared by stir casting process. The wear tests of these materials were conducted at load of 5 – 15 N and sliding distance of 50 – 75 m at grit size of 200 μm. The wear response influenced by these parameters was analyzed and compared with each other. The results show that graphitic composites yielded better wear resistance compared to alloy and single SiC reinforced composite. Worn surfaces of samples were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and it was revealed that the wear grooves appeared to be narrow and shallow in case of hybrid composites

A comparative study of low dose vaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone gel for induction of labour at term of pregnancy

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the low dose of vaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone gel for the induction of labour at term of pregnancy.Methods: The study was conducted on 90 women, randomized into two groups, each group having 45 women. First group received misoprostol per vaginally and second group received the dinoprostone gel. The duration of induction to delivery interval, mode of delivery and complications related to labour or foetus were recorded.Results: The mean induction to delivery interval in the misoprostol group was 11.68 ± 4.49 hours and in the dioprostone gel group was 14.85 ± 7.08 hours. Applying the modified t-test, this difference is statistically significant (P value 0.004). Thus misoprostol leads to early labour and early delivery as compared to dinoprostone gel.Conclusions: As shown in this study, vaginal misoprostol is highly effective induction agent with no adverse effect on the outcome of labour as compared to dinoprostone gel

Localization of Compact Binary Sources with Second Generation Gravitational-wave Interferometer Networks

GW170817 began gravitational-wave multimessenger astronomy. However, GW170817 will not be representative of detections in the coming years -- typical gravitational-wave sources will be closer the detection horizon, have larger localization regions, and (when present) will have correspondingly weaker electromagnetic emission. In its design state, the gravitational-wave detector network in the mid-2020s will consist of up to five similar-sensitivity second-generation interferometers. The instantaneous sky-coverage by the full network is nearly isotropic, in contrast to the configuration during the first \change{three} observing runs. Along with the coverage of the sky, there are also commensurate increases in the average horizon for a given binary mass. We present a realistic set of localizations for binary neutron stars and neutron star--black hole binaries, incorporating intra-network duty cycles and selection effects on the astrophysical distributions. Based on the assumption of an $80\%$ duty cycle, and that two instruments observe a signal above the detection threshold, we anticipate a median of $28$ sq.\ deg.\ for binary neutron stars, and $50$--$120$ sq.\ deg.\ for neutron star--black hole (depending on the population assumed). These distributions have a wide spread, and the best localizations, even for networks with fewer instruments, will have localizations of $1$--$10$ sq.\ deg.\ range. The full five instrument network reduces localization regions to a few tens of degrees at worst.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables, accepted in Ap

Effect of single low dose intrathecal labor analgesia on maternal and fetal outcome

Background: Labour is one of the most painful experiences women encounter during their lifetime and the experience is different for each women. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of low dose intrathecal labour analgesia using fentanyl, bupivacaine and morphine on maternal and fetal outcome.Methods: 100 parturients with uncomplicated pregnancy in spontaneous or induced labor at cervical dilatation 4-6cm were enrolled for the study. They were randomized into two groups of 50 each, using computer based block randomization. Group 1 (N=50) received intrathecal labor analgesia using. Fentanyl (25µg), bupivacaine (2.5mg) and morphine (250µg) and Group 2 (N=50) received programmed labor. The two groups were well matched in terms of age, weight, height, parity, baseline vitals and mean cervical dilatation at the time of administration of labor analgesia . Progress of labor, duration of analgesia, and neonatal APGAR score were recorded. Feto-maternal and neonatal outcomes were studied and compared between the two groups.Results: The mean duration of analgesia in group1 was 238.96±21.888 min whereas the mean duration of analgesia in group 2 was 98.4±23.505 min. The difference was significant P value 0.00. One out of 50 (2%) of the parturients required rescue analgesia in Group 1. On the contrary all 44 parturients in Group 2 required rescue analgesia. Difference was significant (p value=0.00) However duration of the stages of labor, operative and instrumental deliveries and APGAR score did not differ in the two groups.Conclusions: Single shot intrathecal labor analgesia is a safe, effective, reliable, cheap and satisfactory method of pain relief for labor and delivery. Moreover, it is devoid of major side effects

Radical Innovation Process in Sustainable Development and Knowledge Management: Toyota Prius Case Study

Abstract: This article looks at the inter-linkages and causalities between innovation and knowledge management in terms of sustainable development goals through the case study method. Taking the case of the Toyota Prius, these concepts are further developed in detail. Recognising the fact that no organisational process can happen in a vacuum and that there are a host of extraneous factors that have a significant impact on the process, factors such as culture, vision, incentives are also examined here. Further, this article delves into some of the characteristics that successful organisations display and seeks to extrapolate from the specific to general implications for organisations that aim to be successfully innovative

Graphene as an atomically thin interface for growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

Growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests is highly sensitive to the nature of the substrate. This constraint narrows the range of available materials to just a few oxide-based dielectrics and presents a major obstacle for applications. Using a suspended monolayer, we show here that graphene is an excellent conductive substrate for CNT forest growth. Furthermore, graphene is shown to intermediate growth on key substrates, such as Cu, Pt, and diamond, which had not previously been compatible with nanotube forest growth. We find that growth depends on the degree of crystallinity of graphene and is best on mono-or few-layer graphene. The synergistic effects of graphene are revealed by its endurance after CNT growth and low contact resistances between the nanotubes and Cu. Our results establish graphene as a unique interface that extends the class of substrate materials for CNT growth and opens up important new prospects for applications

Withaferin A Suppresses Beta Amyloid in APP Expressing Cells: Studies for Tat and Cocaine Associated Neurological Dysfunctions

Neurological disorders are the biggest concern globally. Out of ~36 million human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive people, about 30%–60% exhibit neurological disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) like pathology. In AD or AD like neurological disorders, the pathogenesis is mainly due to the abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ). In this era of antiretroviral therapy, the life span of the HIV-infected individuals has increased leading towards increased neurocognitive dysfunction in nearly 30% of HIV-infected individuals, specifically older people. Deposition of the Aβ plaques in the CNS is one the major phenomenon happening in aging HIV patients. ART suppresses the viral replication, but the neurotoxic protein (Tat) is still produced and results in increased levels of Aβ. Furthermore, drugs of abuse like cocaine (coc) is known to induce the HIV associated neurocognitive disorders as well as the Aβ secretion. To target the Tat and coc induced Aβ secretion, we propose a potent bifunctional molecule Withaferin A (WA) which may act as a neuro-protectant against Aβ neurotoxicity. In this study, we show that WA reduces secreted Aβ and induced neurotoxicity in amyloid precursor protein (APP)-plasmid transfected SH-SY5Y cells (SH-APP). In this study, we show that in SH-APP cells, Aβ secretion is induced in the presence of HIV-1 Tat (neurotoxic) and drug of abuse coc. Our fluorescent microscopy studies show the increased concentration of Aβ40 in Tat (50 ng/ml) and coc (0.1 μM) treated SH-APP cells as compared to control. Our dose optimization study show, lower concentrations (0.5–2 μM) of WA significantly reduce the Aβ40 levels, without inducing cytotoxicity in the SH-APP cells. Additionally, WA reduces the Tat and cocaine induced Aβ levels. Therefore, we propose that Aβ aggregation is induced by the presence of Tat and coc and WA is potent in reducing the secreted Aβ and induced neurotoxicity. Our study provides new opportunities for exploring the pathophysiology and targeting the neurological disorders