Optimization and analysis of cutting parameters using cryogenic media in machining of high strength alloy steel

In this research, liquid Argon is used as a cryogenic media to optimize the cutting parameters for evaluation of tool flank wear width of Tungsten Carbide Insert (CNMG 120404-WF 4215) while turning high strength alloy steel. Robust design concept of Taguchi L9 (34) method is applied to determine the optimum conditions. This analysis revealed is revealed that cryogenic impact is more significant in reduction of the tool flank wear

On the Estrada index of unicyclic and bicyclic signed graphs

Let $\Gamma=(G, \sigma)$ be a signed graph of order $n$ with eigenvalues $\mu_1,\mu_2,\ldots,\mu_n.$ We define the Estrada index of a signed graph $\Gamma$ as $EE(\Gamma)=\sum_{i=1}^ne^{\mu_i}$. We characterize the signed unicyclic graphs with the maximum Estrada index. The signed graph $\Gamma$ is said to have the pairing property if $\mu$ is an eigenvalue whenever $-\mu$ is an eigenvalue of $\Gamma$ and both $\mu$ and $-\mu$ have the same multiplicities. If $\Gamma_{p}^-(n, m)$ denotes the set of all unbalanced graphs on $n$ vertices and $m$ edges with the pairing property, we determine the signed graphs having the maximum Estrada index in $\Gamma_{p}^-(n, m)$, when $m=n$ and $m=n+1$. Finally, we find the signed graphs among all unbalanced complete bipartite signed graphs having the maximum Estrada index.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Studying the Behavior of Growth and Value Stocks in Pakistan Through Portfolios

This research is basically focused on finding evidence for the dynamic behavior of  value and growth stocks over a timeline. The study also focuses on the convergence of these two categories because of the mean reversion pattern in their profitability and expected returns. The purpose of this research is to find evidence from the Pakistani stock market that Price to Book ratios of growth and stock prices follow a mean reversion pattern. Over pricing of growth stocks and under-pricing of value stocks take place which is followed by a correction and thus resulting in higher returns for value stocks and their PB ratio increases. While the price to book ratios of growth stocks decrease because of lower than expected returns. So this study tries to find an empirical evidence for this phenomenon. The population for this study consists of all listed companies in Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) which remain listed from 2004 to 2008.The sample size was 94 companies. This research uses arithmetic means for trendanalysis and extreme values disturb the arithmetic means and consequently theanalysis. Secondary data have been used for this research. As mentioned above, the data of 96 companies useful in finding price to book ratios like book value of equity, number of fully paid ordinary shares outstanding and weekly market share prices have been used from 2004 to 2008. Other data has been extracted from the financial statements of companies while weekly share prices have been collected from Karachi Stock Exchange data websites. The data have been used for the period 2004-08. The results of the model (1) showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between “our growth portfolio” and “market growth portfolio”, while the results of model (2) showed that there is positive significant impact of “market value portfolio” on “our value portfolio”

Wasteland reclamation strategy for household timber security of tribes in Jharkhand, India

The study sought to examine the timber dependency on forests and evolve wasteland reclamation strategy to eliminate the forest dependency in Bundu block of Ranchi District in Jharkhand, India. Multi-stage random sampling technique was applied to select 164 tribal households from 9 sample villages. Data were collected using structured interviews and non-participant observations which were analyzed using descriptive statistics viz., frequency, percentage, mean and range. Results revealed that forests contributed maximum timber (136.36 m3 annum-1) followed by traditional agroforestry (69.09 m3 annum-1), community forestry (41.33 m3 annum-1) and homestead forestry (35.71 m3 annum-1). Timber extracted is mostly consumed in housing (124.66 m3 annum-1) followed by agricultural implements (82.71 m3 annum-1), furniture (35.25 m3 annum-1), carts/ carriages (17.60 m3 annum-1), fencing (10.23 m3 annum-1), cattle shed/ store house (9.10 m3 annum-1) and others (2.94 m3 annum-1). Forests were exposed to timber pressure of 136.36 m3 annum-1 (48.27%) posing ample deforestation and degradation. The strategy consisted of timber and bamboo plantations is designed which would secure 1065.60 m3 annum-1 of timber, 0.455 lakh annum-1 of bamboo culms, 568.26 tons annum-1 of bamboo leaf and agricultural products. The strategy would yield income of Rs. 34210.78 household-1 annum-1 and employment of 67.15 person-days household-1 annum-1. Financial viability of proposed interventions has been worked out by meticulous economic calculations of Net Present Value, Benefit Cost Ratio and Internal Rate of Return. The execution of strategy would eliminate the current unsustainable timber extraction, safeguard the future timber predicament and ensure environmental security

Clinical and Metabolic Profile of Obese Children at a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT Objective: The aims of our study were to find out the physical features and biochemical complications of obese children presenting to our hospital. Methodology: This Cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient department (OPD) of POF hospital Wah Cantt from January 2019 to June 2020.Non probability convenient sampling was used to include obese children less than 14 years of age. Child was labeled obese as per W.H.O. criteria. History and complete physical examination was done according to pre designed proforma of all the participants. Blood samples were sent for analysis after taking consent. Results: Total of 100 obese children was included in the study out of whom 62 % were females and 38% were males. Majority were under 10 years of age (70%). Arthralgia (55%) was the most common complaint and Acanthosis Nigricans (31%) was the most common physical finding. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 60% of the cases. Iron deficiency was found more in females (64.5 %) (p value 0.01) and children under 10 years of age (62.8 %) (p value 0.02). Conclusion: Obesity can lead to various health complications. Early detection and prevention of these complications can decrease the associated morbidities and mortalities in adulthood. Key words: Obesity, vitamin D deficiency, Iron deficiency, Anemia, Acanthosis Nigricans   &nbsp

The Expression of Progesterone Receptors in Meningiomas of Different Grades

Background: Meningiomas are slow growing intracranial and intraspinal neoplasms with a tendency to recur locally. WHO grades them as I (benign), II (atypical) and III (anaplastic) in order of their increasing aggressiveness, based on histological parameters and brain parenchymal invasion. Progesterone receptors (PR) are more prevalent amongst the lower grade meningiomas. The objective of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression of progesterone receptors in meningiomas of different grades.Material and Methods: A total of 100 cases were selected over a period of 2.5 years. Three to five microns’ thick sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin were examined microscopically by a team of two Histopathologists and graded into grades I, II and III, according to 2016 WHO classification criteria. Another section of the original tumor was stained with progesterone receptor antibody using the conventional immunoperoxidase method. Stained slides were than examined by the same team of Histopathologists and declared positive (if nuclear staining was observed in more than 10% of tumor cells) or negative. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21.Results: Out of a total of 100 cases of meningioma, there were 79 cases of benign/typical WHO grade I, 15 cases of atypical/ WHO grade II and 6 cases of anaplastic/ WHO grade III tumor. PR status was positive in 89.8 % (71/79) of grade I meningiomas and 46.6 % (7/15) of grade II/Atypical meningiomas. The 06 cases of Anaplastic/WHO grade III tumors were negative for PR. There was a higher prevalence of Progesterone receptors in female patients (89.8%; 53/59) as compared to male meningioma patients (60.9%; 25/41).Conclusion: We observed a decreased expression of progesterone receptor in higher grades of meningioma in this study. It is an effort to explore conservative treatment options for inoperable lesions, as anti-progesterone therapy may hold a promise as a new treatment option in the near future

Ki-67 expression in astrocytomas

Objective: To apply immunohistochemical marker Ki-67 and to check it’s expression in various types of Astrocytomas according to their grades. Methodology: The cross sectional study was conducted in Pathology department, Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic), Islamabad  from July to December 2015. All patients having diagnosis of astrocytomas grade II, III and IV on histopathology were included in the study. Microscopic examinations were carried out for accurate diagnosis and grading of astrocytomas. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 was done and the percentage of cells with positive Ki-67 nuclear staining was determined. Quotients (positively stained tumor cells/totally counted tumor cells) were calculated as percentage and rounded to nearest integer. Result: A total of 212 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 40.16 ± 12.763 years (Range 20 to 76 years). Majority of the patients (32%) were in age range of 30-40 years. In this study, 110 of 212 patients (51.9%) were males while 102 patients (48.1%) were females. Among the three types of Astrocytomas, Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) was the most common variant. Overall Ki-67 staining was positive in 168 of 212 specimens (79.2%) and most commonly was in Glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV being 96.3%.  Stratification of Ki-67 expression in tumors was also done according to age and gender of cases. P-value was found significant after stratification (P <0.05) Conclusion: Ki-67 staining was positive in 79.2% cases of Astrocytomas and most commonly (96.3%) positivity was in Glioblastoma multiforme WHO grade IV. Increasing values of Ki-67 are associated with increasing grade of malignancy

Customized vacuum assisted closure therapy of wounds as a simple and cost-effective technique of wound closure-a prospective observational study from underdeveloped world

Background: Aim of the study was to study the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of indigenously designed customized vacuum assisted closure (VAC) of wounds in our patients. The management of difficult to heal wounds has been the main force that led to the development of advanced gadgets for their management. The technique of vacuum assisted closure has revolutionized the management of difficult to heal wounds and delivers better results as compared to conventional technique. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and cost effectiveness of customized VAC therapy.Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of surgery and allied specialties, GMC Srinagar, from June 2018 and September 2020. During this period, 80 patients were subjected to VAC therapy and were included in this study.Results: VAC dressing was used in 80 patients. 55 were males and 25 were females. Most of the wounds in our study were located over lower limbs (70%). RTA was the most common mode of injury followed by fall from height. After the VAC therapy, 78.8% patients were managed by STSG, 11.3% by flap cover, 6.3% by secondary suturing and 3.8% healed by secondary intention. Pain was experienced by 30% of the patients, 7.5% had hypoalbuminemia, 3.8% had surrounding skin maceration. The average total cost of the VAC therapy was 863.13 (±399.82) Indian rupees (11.76 USD). The mean duration of hospital stay for our patients was 22 days.Conclusions: Customized VAC Therapy has revolutionary potential in the management of the difficult to treat wounds as far as its safety, speed and cost effectiveness is considered especially in a setup of poor income nations like ours