Feature-based Approach for Semantic Interoperability of Shape Models

Semantic interoperability (SI) of a product model refers to automatic exchange of meaning associated with the product data, among applications/domains throughout the product development cycle. In the product development cycle, several applications (engineering design, industrial design, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, maintenance etc.) and different engineering domains (mechanical, electrical, electronic etc.) come into play making the ability to exchange product data with semantics very significant. With product development happening in multiple locations with multiple tools/systems, SI between these systems/domains becomes important. The thesis presents a feature-based framework for shape model to address these SI issues when exchanging shape models. Problem of exchanging semantics associated with shape model to support the product lifecycle has been identified and explained. Different types of semantic interoperability issues pertaining to the shape model have been identified and classified. Features in a shape model can be associated with volume addition/subtraction to/from base-solid, deformation/modification of base-sheet/base surface, forming of material of constant thickness. The DIFF model has been extended to represent, classify and extract Free-Form Surface Features (FFSFs) and deformation features in a part model. FFSFs refer to features that modify a free-form surface. Deformation features are created in constant thickness part models, for example, deformation of material (as in sheet-metal parts) or forming of material (as in injection molded parts with constant thickness), also referred to as constant thickness features. Volumetric features covered in the DIFF model have been extended to classify and represent volumetric features based on relative variations of cross-section and PathCurve. Shape feature ontology is described based on unified feature taxonomy with definitions and labels of features as defined in the extended DIFF model. Features definitions are used as intermediate and unambiguous representation for shape features. The feature ontology is used to capture semantics of shape features. The proposed ontology enables reasoning to handle semantic equivalences between feature labels, and is used to map shape features from a source to target applications. Reasoning framework for identification of semantically equivalent feature labels and representations for the feature being exchanged across multiple applications is presented and discussed. This reasoning framework is used to associate multiple construction paths for a feature and associate applicable meanings from the ontology. Interface is provided to select feature label for a target application from the list of labels which are semantically equivalent for the feature being exchanged/mapped. Parameters for the selected feature label can be mapped from the DIFF representation; the feature can then be represented/constructed in the target application using the feature label and mapped parameters. This work shows that product model with feature information (feature labels and representations), as understood by the target application, can be exchanged and maintained in such a way that multiple applications can use the product information as their understandable labels and representations. Finally, the thesis concludes by summarizing the main contributions and outlining the scope for future work

Black Cotton Soil Modification by the Application of Waste Materials

The black cotton soil is a type of problematic expansive soil which causes many problems in the construction of structures founded on them. It is having a swelling and impervious nature with poor geotechnical subgrade characteristics. In this research an approach is made towards the way of improvement in the various geotechnical properties of black cotton soil such as index properties, swelling characteristics, consolidation characteristics, hydraulic conductivity characteristics and strength characteristics by blending it with waste materials such as river sand, fly ash and marble dust. Hence, from these approaches, the impacting effect of waste materials on the environment reduced due to optimum utilization of these waste materials in the improvement in various properties of black cotton soil

Analysis of pollen in honey samples in the district of Prayagraj, India

The analysis of pollen grains found in honey, known as melissopalynology, reveals pertinent details about the pollen and nectar sources in a location where bees produce honey, allowing researchers to identify the honey’s geographical and botanical origins. To determine the significant source plants in the area, the present analysis is conducted on five samples of winter honey that were collected from Prayagraj’s urban localities (Dahi, Baksi, Sirsa, Soraon, and Phoolpur). The methodology recommended by the International Commission of Bee Botany (ICBB) was followed in this study. Analysis of 5 honey samples recorded a diversity of 31 pollen types and one fungal spore type. The majority of pollen grains recovered from honey samples belong to entomophilous taxa (66%), 25% of the pollen is from anemophilous taxa, and 9% from amphiphilous taxa. Four honey samples (S1, S2, S3, and S5) were found to be unifloral while the remaining samples (S4) were multi-floral. The field mustard i.e. Brassica campestris L. was the predominant pollen type. The secondary frequency class contained three different pollen types, while the minor and significant minor frequency classes contained 14 and 30, respectively. With respect to the frequency of occurrence of pollen types in honey samples, field mustard was found to be a very common pollen type as they were recovered from more than 50% of the collected honey samples. The various type of pollen and spores were also observed in collected honey samples

Critical analysis of disaster management plan in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Disaster in hospital is when the resources of the hospitals (infrastructure, trained manpower and organization) are over-whelmed beyond its normal capacity and additional contingency measures are required to control the event. The calculation of hospital treatment capacity provides a baseline for Hospital Administration to plan accordingly. Critical anaylsis of the disaster management strategies as per the hospital emergency response checklist – an all hazards tool for hospital administrators and emergency managers helps in identifying the gaps and strengthening the disaster management plan.Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of the response of a tertiary care hospital vis a vis hospital emergency response checklist.Results: The disaster preparedness was analyzed according to the hospital emergency response checklist and gaps were identified.Conclusions: The need for a comprehensive and easily deployable disaster management plan cannot be emphasized enough. The tools of continuous quality improvement can be used and analysis may be used to further strengthen the plan.

OPTIMIZATION OF GROWTH CONDITIONS AND PURIFICATION OF QUORUM SENSING SIGNAL MOLECULES PRODUCED BY

Expression of virulence factors and biofilm formation in P.aeruginosa is associated with production of quorum sensing signal molecules (QSSMs) belonging to the class of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). Besides regulating virulence factors, these molecules also interact with eukaryotic cells and can modulate immune response. In most of the studies, synthetic QSSMs have been employed as therapeutic agents. Although 98-99 % homology exist between synthetic and natural AHLs but the biological response against either may in fact be different in natural host. In the present study, under optimized growth conditions there is increase in the production of natural AHLs. Extracted AHLs were detected using C18 reverse phase analytical thin layer chromatography (RP TLC) by employing Agrobacterium tumefaciens as biosensor strain. Preparative TLC assay was successfully performed to purify the 3oxo-C12-HSL and 3-oxo-C10-HSL. This study provides easy and simple method for purification of natural AHLs under optimized conditions, hence these molecules can be employed for future research involving control of infections associated with P.aeruginosa

Process Information Model for Sheet Metal Operations

International audienceThe paper extracts the process parameters from a sheet metal part model (B-Rep). These process parameters can be used in sheet metal manufacturing to control the manufacturing operations. By extracting these process parameters required for manufacturing, CAM program can be generated automatically using the part model and resource information. A Product model is generated in modeling software and converted into STEP file which is used for extracting B-Rep which interned is used to classify and extract feature by using sheet metal feature recognition module. The feature edges are classified as CEEs, IEEs, CIEs and IIEs based on topological properties. Database is created for material properties of the sheet metal and machine tools required to manufacture features in a part model. The extracted feature, feature's edge information and resource information are then used to compute process parameters and values required to control manufacturing operations. The extracted feature, feature's edge information, resource information and process parameters are the integral components of the proposed process information model for sheet metal operations

Studies of Process Parameters on Scale up of Nd:YAG Nanopowder Synthesis by Sol-gel Process

Scale up of process from 6 g to 200 g batch for preparation of phase pure Neodymium doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) nanopowder by sol-gel process using nitrate-citrate route was carried out. Optimisation of process parameters was done to resolve problems associated with large batch such as evolution of large amount of acidic fumes, increased gelation and drying time and incomplete calcination. The problem of exhaust of excess acidic fumes with size scale up was handled by passing ammonia and optimized pH of the sol. Process of drying the sol was optimised for large batch size. On scaling up from 6 g to 200 g batch incomplete crystallization was observed  on calcination under conditions optimized for 6 g batch. The causes of incomplete calcination with size scale up was identified and resolved to achieve completely crystalline particles in the range of ~25 nm to 50 nm.Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(1), pp.199-202, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.83

Sol-gel Synthesis and Characterisation of NanocrystallineYttrium Aluminum Garnet Nanopowder

The synthesis of  yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) (Y3 Al5O12) nanopowder was carried outby sol-gel method. Y(NO3)3.6H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O in the presence of citric acid as complexing agent were used as starting materials. YAG nanopowder was characterised by FTIR, TGA, andXRD. To get phase-pure nanocrystalline YAG powder at relatively lower temperature, calcinationat various temperatures was studied and calcination temperature was optimised. Particle size,estimated by XRD using Scherrer's equation, was found to be 28Œ35 nm which was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The particle morphology was studied by SEM.Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(4), pp.545-549, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.167