Comprehensive Review of State-of-the-Art Applications of Artificial Neural Networks in Predicting Concrete Compressive Strength

Concrete compressive strength prediction is a crucial aspect in civil engineering, with applications ranging from structural design to quality control in construction projects. Traditional methods for predicting concrete compressive strength often rely on empirical formulas or physical testing, which may be limited in accuracy or efficiency. In recent years, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have emerged as powerful tools for predicting concrete compressive strength due to their ability to capture complex nonlinear relationships in data. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art applications of ANNs in predicting concrete compressive strength. It discusses various architectures, training techniques, input parameters, and datasets used in ANN models, as well as their performance compared to traditional methods. Additionally, challenges and future directions in the field are identified to guide further research efforts

Design of Ultra Low Power Integrated PLL using Ring VCO

The design of an ultra low power Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is presented in this paper. The proposed PLL consists of a phase detector, a charge pump, low pass filter, and a ring oscillator based voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The performance of Voltage Controlled Oscillator is of great importance for PLL. The circuit is designed using 0.13µm CMOS technology with the supply voltage of 1V and has a power consumption of 254µW. Keywords: Charge Pump, CMOS Technology, Low Pass Filter, Phase Detector, Phase Locked Loop, Voltage Controlled Oscillator

Bone turnover markers in women can predict low bone mineral density

Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis continues to be high in India due to late diagnosis. This study aims to find the difference in the levels of bone turn over markers in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, in order to assess whether these markers can be used as predictors of low bone mineral density which can develop in later life.Methods: Study was conducted on 350 women aged 30-65 years. Women were classified into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups based on their menstrual history. Serum samples were analyzed for osteocalcin and telopeptide-C. Student’s t-test and logistic regression are used for statistical confirmations.Results: Levels of these markers (ng/ml) were found to be lower in premenopausal women (Osteocalcin = 9.0 ± 1.0; telopeptide-C = 0.270 ± 0.099) than in postmenopausal women (Osteocalcin = 9.8 ± 1.7; telopeptide-C = 0.490 ± 0.135) and this difference was found to be significant (P <0.001) for both the markers. In both the groups, telopeptide-C made significant contribution to prediction of low BMD [(Premenopausal group - odds ratio (OR) = 2.9; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.3-6.5 and postmenopausal group - OR = 9.6; 95%CI = 6.0-13.23) but osteocalcin could not (premenopausal group - OR = 0.91; 95%CI = 0.58-1.42 and postmenopausal group - OR = 0.87; 95%CI = 0.54-1.4)]. In premenopausal women increase in telopeptide-C by a unit increased chance of developing low BMD by 2.9 times while in postmenopausal women increase in telopeptide-C by a unit increased chance of developing low BMD by 9.6 times.Conclusion: Women with higher levels of telopeptide-C need to be identified at an early stage as it provides with an early warning of the possibility of future development of osteoporosis so that preventive measures can be taken timely.

An interesting case of intrauterine torsion of ovarian cyst in a female fetus

Fetal ovarian cysts are usually benign and managed conservatively. We report an interesting case of fetal ovarian cyst diagnosed in the antenatal period. Post-delivery, neonate was operated for torsion of the ovarian cyst. The baby recovered well.

Design of Ring Oscillator based VCO with Improved Performance

Voltage Controlled Oscillator plays significant role in communication system design. The design of Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) with low power consumption and high frequency range is presented in this paper. The VCO is based on a single ended CMOS inverter ring oscillator. Accurate frequency of oscillation in Ring Oscillator is an important design issue. A Voltage Controlled Ring Oscillator with wide tuning range from 917.43MHz to 4189.53MHz can be achieved using bulk driven technique by varying the threshold voltage of the MOS circuits. The circuit is designed using 0.13µm CMOS process for a supply voltage of 1V. Simulation results show better accuracy compared to existing current staved ring VCO using different number of inverter stages. Keywords: Bulk driven technique, CMOS Process, Ring Oscillator, Voltage Controlled Ring Oscillator, Inverter

Study of Typical Characteristics of Expansive Subgrade With Geotextiles and Cushion Materials

Well-built and maintained roads play a major role in the development of a nation. Hence considerable attention is required towards the widening of roads, their stability and periodic repair works. Since the beginning of modern highways, engineers have strived continuously to produce better pavement at lower cost. Most state highways in the central part of India have problems of foundation due to presence of expansive soil i.e. black cotton soil. For the improvement of such problematic soil, conventional technique of soil stabilization, use of cushion, use of moisture barriers, etc. has been adopted. The main objective of the research work was to study the typical characteristic of expansive soil and to control the swelling of expansive soil below flexible pavements. To achieve this aim work has been carried out with reinforcing geotextile overlain with cushion material. Effect of cushion material on swelling of expansive soil has been investigated alongwith the ability of geotextiles in locked and unlocked condition with cushion material was scrutinized. Better cushioning due to use of flyash can be attributed to pozzolanic activity forming stable compounds. It is observed that the use of flyash as cushion material provides better swelling control as compared to quarry dust. Unlocked geotextiles did not prove as effective as locked textiles with the use of either of the cushion materials. The unlocked textiles proved advantageous with quarry dust but did not prove as advantageous as only flyash. The most important two functions of geotextiles namely separating and reinforcement have been most effectively used in the locked condition. The study was further extended to stabilize the expansive soil with metakaolin. Swell pressure test and UCS results on samples treated using 1% metakaolin provided its effectiveness in controlling the swelling characteristics of expansive soil as well as strength improvement

Oral antifungal: the safety and efficacy of oral itraconazole in dermatophytosis

Background: The systemic antifungals like Griseofulvin, Itraconazole, Terbinafine, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole are widely used for superficial fungal infection. Hepatotoxicity with oral antifungals is well established fact. The rate of transient asymptomatic changes in liver function tests accounts for about 0.5 - 10% of all patients treated with systemic antifungals. Clinical hepatic toxicity is seen less frequently. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of oral Itraconazole on hepatic function and it’s efficacy in patients with extensive dermatophytosis.Methods: The total of 524 patients with extensive dermatophytosis were included in our study which was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai.Results: Itraconazole, a systemic antifungal agent is efficiently used in treatment of superficial and deep mycoses. It inhibits fungal cytochrome P450 dependent enzyme and thus impaires conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol. Adverse reactions to itraconazole includes drug reactions, gastrointestinal upset, headache, dizziness, thrombocytopenia, gynecomastia, reversible edema of extremities and metabolic side effects like hypokalemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. The level of hepatic transaminases increases in about 1%-5% of patients who have received continuous therapy with systemic itraconazole. Clinical hepatitis rarely occurs in patients and, recovery generally ensues with the cessation of medication.Conclusions: The baseline and post treatment liver function test is important to monitor if patient is on higher dose and longer duration of itraconazole therapy. The screening for high risk patients like poor liver function test, history of alcoholism, history of liver disease should be taken before stating the therapy