Experimental and Field Evaluation of FRP Pedestrian Bridge Decks

Traditional materials such as steel, timber, and concrete have continued to dominate their usage in civil infrastructure. They offer great advantages like strength and stiffness but at the same time they pose major issues in terms of durability and maintenance. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) exhibits outstanding properties like lightness, excellent corrosion and wear resistance along with superior thermo-mechanical properties. Glass FRPs (GFRPs) have emerged as one of the best alternatives in the field of civil infrastructure. It has been more than four decades since fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have gained notable applications in civil infrastructure industry. However, FRPs have found limited applications in bridges, rehabilitation of old structures, complex designs with connections and hybrid structures. Apart from some of the present applications in the civil infrastructure, GFRPs can be extensively used as construction materials for pedestrian bridges due to their high strength to weight ratio, excellent structural behavior under cyclic loading and easy installation. These properties make them even more attractive for various connectivity applications in non-uniform topography where traditional materials may not provide optimum solutions. In this research, the structural behavior of GFRP decks with different depths are investigated under static and fatigue loads. The suitability of these GFRP decks for mass transit and rapid installation including Pedestrian bridge structures are evaluated. Full-scale GFRP decks with different (a/d) ratios were subjected to static and fatigue loads to determine their overall structural stiffness, strains (stresses) and deformation behavior under cyclic loading. Both 3-point and 4-point bending tests were conducted for different span lengths. The experimental results show that the decks provide a superior structural performance in terms of the load carrying capacity with minimal or no change in the global stiffness over a million cycles of fatigue loading for different strain ranges. Theoretical predictions on structural deformations correlate well with the experimental results. The research further focused on the field implementation and testing of interlocked GFRP decks as a modular system. Both lab and field evaluations showed similar performance results. Results and field evaluation of the FRP pedestrian bridge decks prove their potential and suitability for new construction or replacement of other structural systems such as subway platforms, patios, and docks

Monitoring the status of Human-wildlife conflict and its impact on community based conservation in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is one of the famous tiger reserve in India. The human wildlife conflict is on rise for few years. A total of 194 human casualties and 1960 livestock depredation were reported between 2001 to 2011. Out of 194 casualties, 6.7% were lethal which caused death and 93.3% were injuries. Out of these maximum 37.57% (68) were reported by Jackal (Canis aureus) followed by 27.64% (50) of Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), 20.99% (38) by Wild boar (Sus scrofa), 8.84% (16) by Tiger (Panthera tigris), 3.31% (6) by Leopard (Panthera Pardus) and 1.65% (3) by other carnivores. Out of 194 casualties 71.13% were male and 28.87% were female. The livestock killings were reported to be 1960 out of which maximum 81.78% (1603) were by tiger followed by 17.60% (345) by leopard and rest 0.62% (12) by other carnivores. The mean livestock killing was 178.182±42.82 (SE) per year. Discussions and surveys were made with affected peoples to know the views about conflict and its alleviation by using Close ended questionnaire. Total 180 individuals were surveyed.  Out of these 151 (83.89 %) respondent felt that wildlife should be conserved while 29 (16.11 %) felt there is no need for conservation. Adequate compensation, habitat management practices, livestock and crop insurance scheme and bio fencing around the affected villages and conservation awareness could be the way to mitigate existing conflict.&nbsp

Response Based Comparative Analysis of Two Inverter Fed Six Phase PMSM Drive by Using PI and Fuzzy Logic Controller

This Paper gives a complete modeling and simulation of a two inverter fed six phase permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system, Then response based comparative analysis is done on starting torque ,settling time, Steady state current at various speed levels and torque levels by changing  proportional- integral (PI) controller to  Fuzzy logic controller. The PI controller has some disadvantages like, more settling time, sluggish response due to sudden change in load torque etc. So an intelligent controller, based on fuzzy logic is introduced which replaces the PI-controller and its drawbacks. The performance of both the controller has been investigated and studied by comparing the different plots obtained by setting various speed level both incremented and decremented speed  , at different load conditions like No-load, fix load and dynamic load through Matlab/Simulink environment. Finally it is concluded from the result that fuzzy logic based controller is robust, reliable gives quick response with high starting torque and more effective than the conventional PI controller. It is also observed that both the proposed model can also run above rated speed significantally

Hatha Yoga Practices: Energy Expenditure, Respiratory Changes and Intensity of Exercise

The aim of this study was to critically observe the energy expenditure, exercise intensity and respiratory changes during a full yoga practice session. Oxygen consumption (V˙O2), carbon dioxide output (V˙CO2), pulmonary ventilation (V˙E), respiratory rate (Fr) and tidal volume (VT), were measured in 16 physical posture (asanas), five yoga breathing maneuvers (BM) and two types of meditation. Twenty male (age 27.3 ± 3.5 years, height 166.6 ± 5.4 cm and body weight 58.8 ± 9.6 kg) yoga instructors were studied. Their maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) was recorded. The exercise intensity in asanas was expressed in percentage V˙O2max . In asanas, exercise intensity varied from 9.9 to 26.5% of V˙O2max . Highest energy cost was 3.02 kcal min−1. In BM highest V˙E was 53.7 ± 15.5 l min−1. VT was 0.97 ± 0.59, 1.41 ± 1.27 and 1.28 ± l/breath with corresponding Fr of 14.0 ± 5.3, 10.0 ± 6.35, 10.0 ± 5.8 breaths/min. Average energy expenditure in asanas, BM and meditation were 2.29, 1.91 and 1.37 kcal min−1, respectively. Metabolic rate was generally in the range of 1-2 metabolic equivalents (MET) except in three asanas where it was >2 MET. V˙O2 was 0.27 ± 0.05 and 0.24 ± 0.04 l min−1 in meditation and Shavasana, respectively. Although yogic practices are low intensity exercises within lactate threshold, physical performance improvement is possible owing to both better economy of breathing by BM and also by improvement in cardiovascular reserve. Other factors such as psycho-physiological and better relaxation may contribute to it

Optimizing Rooting Media for Enhanced Propagation of Guava (Psidium Guajava L.) Through Stem Cuttings

  Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a significant tropical fruit crop that is primarily propagated through stem cuttings. The success of propagation through stem cuttings largely depends on the rooting medium used. Therefore, optimising the rooting medium is crucial for enhancing the success rate of guava propagation. This study was conducted in the Himalayan foot hill condition in the years 2021 and 2022 at Indian Institute of Soil and water conservation, Selaqui Dehradun, aimed to identify the optimal rooting medium for guava propagation through stem cuttings. The experiment tested three rooting media: sand (S), sawdust (SD), and a combination of the two, sand and sawdust (SSD), using semi-hardwood stem cuttings from guava trees. The study found that the SSD medium had the highest rooting success rate (94.5%), followed by Sand (87.5%) and Saw Dust (70%). The experiment suggests that semi-hardwood stem cuttings of guava roots are best in sawdust and sand, and this finding could contribute to enhancing the propagation of guava through stem cuttings

Assessment of quality of life of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in tertiary care teaching hospital in North India

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a standard indicating a person’s life in better condition as compared to a diseased person or patient. Diabetes itself is not a dangerous disease if managed properly, but it becomes life-threatening after a certain time period because of the patient’s poor interest in disease management and treatment adherence. Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine system disorder that invokes lack of insulin secretion in the bloodstream. The study was conducted to assess the QoL of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with QoL instrument.Methods: Questionnaire based cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted at Teerthanker Mahaveer Hospital, Moradabad, for a duration of 6 months from January - June 2019, on 196 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus.Results: On an average 56.5% people have accepted that due to the diabetic condition their working proficiency is decreased. 80.3% of patients have accepted that they were facing problems due to diabetic symptoms. Similarly, 84% of patients have accepted that the ongoing treatment was quite expensive than their expectations. Finally, the last section of the patient’s emotional/mental satisfaction showed that 49.7% of patients were very satisfied with their family support while 13.7% of patients were not satisfied.Conclusions: QOL instrument for Indian diabetes patient’s instrument helped to evaluate the patient’s physical strength, psychological strength of the patient during disease condition, the response provided from the family members and relatives, the economical status of the patient and its effects on their living

Study of fetomaternal arterial doppler parameters in early onset pre-eclampsia and its correlation with perinatal outcomes

Background: Development of pre-eclampsia (PE) at less than 34 weeks of gestation is known as early onset PE (EOPE) and is commonly associated with more severe adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to study Doppler parameters of uterine, umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries exclusively in women with EOPE and its correlation with perinatal outcomes. This study was a hospital-based observational prospective study.Methods: 60 patient of early onset PE with singleton live pregnancy were included in the study and followed up. The results of sonographic and Doppler examination were analysed and correlated with perinatal outcomes.Results: Adverse perinatal outcomes were seen in 66.66% cases of early onset PE. To predict adverse perinatal outcomes, umbilical artery (Umb A) RI, PI were found to be most sensitive, cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was most specific indicator with highest positive predictive value (PPV). Absent end diastolic flow /reverse end diastolic flow (AEDF/REDF) were ominous signs.Conclusions: Early onset PE is recently considered a more severe disease with different etiopathogenesis. Doppler study is the primary imaging modality for fetomaternal surveillance for follow up and prediction of perinatal outcome, thus allowing planning of timely management in early onset PE patients, as these patients are at higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes

Ewing’s sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor at the base of tongue: a rare location case report

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor now termed as Ewings sarcoma/PNET, representing a family of tumors with varying degrees of neuronal differentiation and genetic rearrangements. Most common sites are extraosseous involving trunk and lower limb. Base of tongue is a very rare site for Ewing’s/PNET, hence in view of rarity of the location as an uncommon presentation, the case has been reported for the better understanding and supporting the literature with the similar finding. A 68 years old female patient presented with the complaint of difficulty in swallowing since 3 months. On examination growth was identified at the left side base of tongue. Biopsy was processed and stained with H&E and other relevant markers. Differentials on the basis microscopic examination were lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor and primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Various immunohistochemical markers to rule out the given differential were used. The tumor was positive for CD 99 and vimentin. The case was repored as PNET. Peripheral PNET is a challenging topic. Wide range of extraosseous locations have been observed but head and neck being less reported needs to be studied for understanding the behavior of this highly malignant disease in this rare location so that patient can be benefitted by advanced multimodality treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Comparison of diagnostic performance of simple international ovarian tumor analysis rules versus subjective pattern recognition for triage of adnexal masses

Background: Accurate and early diagnosis of adnexal masses is essential for optimal clinical decision-making. The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of simple international ovarian tumor analysis (IOTA) rules vs subjective pattern recognition, to discriminate between benign and malignant adnexal mass, and to establish the diagnostic utility of IOTA rules as a standardized examination tool in early diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital between November 2017 and March 2019 on 100 women with adnexal masses. All adnexal masses detected on ultrasound were classified according to IOTA rules by the trainee, followed by subjective pattern recognition by experts. These observations were further correlated with histopathology/intraoperative findings/ follow-up examination. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed by comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy. Results: Among the 100 patients, 81 had benign, and 19 had malignant masses on final diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for the detection of malignancy using IOTA rules by trainee were 100%, 95.59%, 81.82%, 100%, and 95.65%, and by subjective evaluation by experts were 100%, 97.5%%, 90.5%, 100%, and 98% respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods. Conclusions: Simple IOTA rules are as accurate as subjective evaluation by experts in the characterization of adnexal masses. Their inherent simplicity and reproducibility make them ideal for use by less experienced sonographers

Oblique Stagnation-Point Darcy Flow towards a Stretching Sheet

An attempt is made for the study of steady two-dimensional flow of a viscous and incompressible fluid striking at some angle of incidence on a stretching sheet. Fluid is considered in the porous media obeying Darcy law, in the presence of radiation effect. Rosseland approximation is use to model the radiative heat transfer. The stream function splits into a Hiemenz and a tangential component. Using similarity variables, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of three non-dimensional ordinary differential equations. These equations are then solved numerically using fifth order Runge-Kutta Fehlberg method with shooting technique. In the present reported work the effects of striking angle, radiation parameter, porosity parameter and the Prandtl number on flow and heat transfer characteristics have been discussed. Variations of above discussed parameters with the stretching sheet parameter have been graphically presented