Study On Effect of Boron Carbide, Aluminium Oxide and Graphite On Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Aluminium Based Metal Matrix Composite at Different Temperature

The present research has been conducted to study the impact of boron carbide (B4C), aluminium oxide(Al2O3) and graphite on Aluminium 2219 (Al2219). According to current research, B4C and graphite material be a good substitute for Al2219.Reinforced composites and unreinforced Al2219 prepared by a stir casting process. A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the reinforcement and distribution in the matrix and worn surface of the specimen. Exceptional wear resistance (30%) exhibited by  B4C and graphite-reinforced hybrid composite at 150 ºC in contrast with the unreinforced Al2219. The B4C and Gr reinforcement particulate existence improves the strengthening kinetics in the matrix phase at 150 °C. The artificial neural network used to get the test significance, normalized factor importance and absolute relative error of less than 1%

Operational Challenges in Diagnosing Multi-Drug Resistant TB and Initiating Treatment in Andhra Pradesh, India

Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), Andhra Pradesh, India. There is limited information on whether MDR-TB suspects are identified, undergo diagnostic assessment and are initiated on treatment according to the programme guidelines.To assess i) using the programme definition, the number and proportion of MDR-TB suspects in a large cohort of TB patients on first-line treatment under RNTCP ii) the proportion of these MDR-TB suspects who underwent diagnosis for MDR-TB and iii) the number and proportion of those diagnosed as MDR-TB who were successfully initiated on treatment.A retrospective cohort analysis, by reviewing RNTCP records and reports, was conducted in four districts of Andhra Pradesh, India, among patients registered for first line treatment during October 2008 to December 2009.Among 23,999 TB patients registered for treatment there were 559 (2%) MDR-TB suspects (according to programme definition) of which 307 (55%) underwent diagnosis and amongst these 169 (55%) were found to be MDR-TB. Of the MDR-TB patients, 112 (66%) were successfully initiated on treatment. Amongst those eligible for MDR-TB services, significant proportions are lost during the diagnostic and treatment initiation pathway due to a variety of operational challenges. The programme needs to urgently address these challenges for effective delivery and utilisation of the MDR-TB services

Characteristics of MDR-TB suspects in a cohort of patients in Andhra Pradesh (N = 559).

<p>Characteristics of MDR-TB suspects in a cohort of patients in Andhra Pradesh (N = 559).</p

Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) suspects (as per RNTCP definition) in a cohort of patients in Andhra Pradesh.

<p>Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) suspects (as per RNTCP definition) in a cohort of patients in Andhra Pradesh.</p

Diagnostic and treatment initiation pathway for Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR- TB) under RNTCP.

<p>Diagnostic and treatment initiation pathway for Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR- TB) under RNTCP.</p

Loss of MDR-TB suspects along the diagnostic and treatment initiation pathway under RNTCP in Andhra Pradesh.

<p>Loss of MDR-TB suspects along the diagnostic and treatment initiation pathway under RNTCP in Andhra Pradesh.</p