On optimization of heterogeneous materials for enhanced resistance to bulk fracture

We propose a novel approach to optimize the design of heterogeneous materials, with the goal of enhancing their effective fracture toughness under mode-I loading. The method employs a Gaussian processes-based Bayesian optimization framework to determine the optimal shapes and locations of stiff elliptical inclusions within a periodic microstructure in two dimensions. To model crack propagation, the phase-field fracture method with an efficient interior-point monolithic solver and adaptive mesh refinement, is used. To account for the high sensitivity of fracture properties to initial crack location with respect to heterogeneities, we consider multiple cases of initial crack and optimize the material for the worst-case scenario. We also impose a minimum clearance constraint between the inclusions to ensure design feasibility. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the method significantly improves the fracture toughness of the material compared to the homogeneous case

The Stress of COVID-19: Playing Havoc with the Hormones-A Review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people across the world engendering an unprecedented pandemic. Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 can present asymptomatic or in the form of the acute respiratory syndrome, viral pneumonia,or sepsis. Due to the novelty of the disease, the endocrine manifestations are not fully understood. It becomes indispensable to address the underlying endocrine disruptions contributing to the severe form of illness and thereby increasing the mortality.We discuss here the SARS-CoV-2 virus and endocrine reverberations based on the research with structurally similar SARS-COV-1. SARS-CoV-2 enters the body via its attachment to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Apart from lungs,ACE2 expression on various organs can lead to endocrine perturbations.In COVID-19 infection, pre-existing endocrine disorders warrant cautious management and may require replacement therapy. COVID-19 and its repercussions on hormones are discussed extensively in this review

Amalgamation of management information system into anaesthesiology practice: A boon for the modern anaesthesiologists

Over the years, traditional anaesthesia record keeping system has been the backbone of anaesthesiology ever since its introduction in the 1890s by Dr. Harvey Cushing and Dr. Ernest A. Codman. Besides providing the important information regarding patients′ vital physiologic parameters, paper records had been a reliable source for various clinical research activities. The introduction of electronic monitoring gadgets and electronic record keeping systems has revolutionised the anaesthesiology practice to a large extent. Recently, the introduction of anaesthesia information management system (AIMS), which incorporates all the features of monitoring gadgets, such as electronic storage of large accurate data, quality assurance in anaesthesia, enhancing patient safety, ensuring legal protection, improved billing services and effecting an organisational change, is almost a revolution in modern-day anaesthesiology practice. The clinical research activities that are responsible for taking anaesthesiology discipline to higher peaks have also been boosted by the amalgamation of AIMS, enabling multicenter studies and sharing of clinical data. Barring few concerns in its installation, cost factors and functional aspects, the future of AIMS seems to be bright and will definitely prove to be a boon for modern-day anaesthesiology practice

Analysis of the Critical Flows of One-Component Fluids in Tubes

Two-phase critical discharge phenomena have been under investigation for some time now. Most models developed so far have necessitated a knowledge of the critical pressure to predict the critical flow rate. This type of analysis has limited application, as in most cases, only the stagnation conditions are fixed and it is the critical exit pressure that adjusts itself to the stagnation conditions. Thus to be most useful, a model is required to predict both the critical pressure and the critical mass flux from the stagnation conditions only. A model has been developed that is useful in predicting the, adiabatic one-component, two-phase, critical flow of fluids in circular tubes of length to diameter ratios greater than 8. This model which emphasized the flow pattern that is occurring, allows predictions to be made using the stagnation temperature and pressure and L/D only. For a particular stagnation enthalpy the critical mass flux was found to be a function of the conditions at the exit only. The procedure begins by using a trial exit pressure and the actual stagnation enthalpy to find a critical mass flux. Using this critical mass flux, the stagnation pressure is found by integrating upstream from the exit conditions..

Management of difficult airway during laryngectomy and thyroidectomy

Laryngectomy is always a challenging surgery both from surgical and anaesthesiologist′s perspective. The situation can get worse when such patients present with advanced laryngeal cancerrequire a definite surgical intervention along with thyroid gland removal. Apart from anesthetic difficulties in managing the deranged anatomy and pathophysiology, management of difficult airway during peri-operative period can be a huge challenging task. We are reporting a case of laryngeal carcinoma that was posted for laryngectomy and thyroidectomy as the thyroid gland was also invaded to a small extent. A difficult airway situation was anticipated as during indirect laryngoscopy it was observed that the glottic covering was occluded to a large extent by a soft tissue growth