Mechanical property evaluation of an Al-2024 alloy subjected to HPT processing

An aluminum-copper alloy (Al-2024) was successfully subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT) up to five turns at room temperature under an applied pressure of 6.0 GPa. The Al-2024 alloy is used as a fuselage structural material in the aerospace sector. Mechanical properties of the HPT-processed Al-2024 alloy were evaluated using the automated ball indentation technique. This test is based on multiple cycles of loading and unloading where a spherical indenter is used. After two and five turns of HPT, the Al-2024 alloy exhibited a UTS value of ~1014 MPa and ~1160 MPa respectively, at the edge of the samples. The microhardness was measured from edges to centers for all HPT samples. These results clearly demonstrate that processing by HPT gives a very significant increase in tensile properties and the microhardness values increase symmetrically from the centers to the edges. Following HPT, TEM examination of the five-turn HPT sample revealed the formation of high-angle grain boundaries and a large dislocation density with a reduced average grain size of ~80 nm. These results also demonstrate that high-pressure torsion is a processing tool for developing nanostructures in the Al-2024 alloy with enhanced mechanical propertie

Comparison of Mesh Adaptivity Schemes in Finite ElementSimulation of Tube Extrusion Process

In this study, finite element simulation of tube extrusion process has been carried outconsidering different mesh adaptivity schemes. A comparison of these schemes has been madebased on stress, strain distribution, and load-stroke curves. Based on the finite element results,it is observed that the success of the computer simulation is dependent on the mesh refinementcriteria

Existence and Uniqueness Results for Difference Φ-Laplacian Boundary Value Problems

This paper is devoted to study the existence and uniqueness of solutions to nonlinear difference Φ-Laplacian boundary value problems with mixed and Dirichlet boundary conditions

A comparative study of thyroid status of patients on phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproate monotherapy

Background: Anti-epileptic drugs are well tolerated, many effects on endocrine function have been reported, especially, the effect of long-term administration of anticonvulsant drugs on blood thyroid hormone levels.Methods: An analytical, cross sectional, non-randomized study conducted in Neurology Department over a period of twelve months from November 2012 to October 2013 where in 90 patients was enrolled in the study.Results: Of the 90 patients 56 were male and 34 were females. Baseline evaluation of the thyroid status of all patients were noted and showed all the 90 patients were clinically and Para clinically euthyroid. Patients on Phenytoin showed serum TSH value (Mean ± SD) to be statistically higher than the baseline and the normal reference value, whereas no significant difference was noted in the serum free T3 and T4 values. When patients on carbamazepine were evaluated, statistically significant difference was noted in the serum T3 and T4 level and was found to be lower than the reference value. No significant difference was seen in the serum TSH level. Patients receiving valproate showed no significant difference in the serum T3, T4 and TSH before and 6 month after prescription. All the patients were clinically euthyroid and showed no sign and symptoms of hypothyroidism.Conclusions: Valproate monotherapy does not alter serum levels of thyroid hormones. On the contrary, alterations of thyroid hormone function were seen in patients treated with carbamazepine and phenytoin. However, all the patients were euthyroid and were not associated with clinical or even subclinical hypothyroidism

Quickest Paths in Simulations of Pedestrians

This contribution proposes a method to make agents in a microscopic simulation of pedestrian traffic walk approximately along a path of estimated minimal remaining travel time to their destination. Usually models of pedestrian dynamics are (implicitly) built on the assumption that pedestrians walk along the shortest path. Model elements formulated to make pedestrians locally avoid collisions and intrusion into personal space do not produce motion on quickest paths. Therefore a special model element is needed, if one wants to model and simulate pedestrians for whom travel time matters most (e.g. travelers in a station hall who are late for a train). Here such a model element is proposed, discussed and used within the Social Force Model.Comment: revised version submitte

A study of uterine balloon tamponade for the management postpartum haemorrhage using Bakri balloon

Background: PPH is the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality around the world. Incidence of PPH is 2-4% following vaginal delivery and 6% following cesarean delivery in India. Uterine atony is the most common cause of PPH. Treatment of PPH involves medical treatment and surgical management. In between medical and surgical management of PPH comes uterine balloon tamponade which is simple, less invasive and can be managed with minimal training.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done for 2 years at Vanivilas hospital, Bangalore medical college and research centre, Bangalore, Karnataka. Cases of atonic PPH managed using Bakri balloon were included in the study. The objective of the study was to study the effectiveness of uterine balloon tamponade using Bakri balloon in the management of atonic PPH and to study the maternal outcome.Results: In this study total of 50 cases were included. Women were in the age group of 18 to 33years. Regarding obstetric history, 22 (44%) were primigravida and 28 (56%) was multigravida. Among these 50 cases 8 (16%) women had undergone caesarean delivery and 42(84%) had vaginal delivery. All women received blood transfusion, 17 (34%) received blood and blood components (like PRBC, FFP AND platelets) and 33 (66%) cases received only PRBC transfusion. In these 50 cases, 32 (64%) required ICU admission for monitoring, remaining 18 (36%) were monitored in the labor-room. Bakri balloon was effective in 49 cases among 50. Success rate was 98%.Conclusions: Intrauterine balloon tamponade using Bakri balloon is effective for control of atonic PPH in majority of cases.

A STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDING RURAL EMPLOYMENT, MANDYA

The Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) has been a cornerstone of rural development efforts in India aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of rural communities. This study explores the effectiveness of the SKDRDP in providing rural employment opportunities and the impact it has had on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries. The study indicates that the SKDRDP has played a pivotal role in providing rural employment opportunities to the local population. Through various initiatives, including skill development programs, micro-enterprise support, and infrastructure development projects, the project has significantly increased rural employment. Beneficiaries reported improved income levels and quality of result of their involvement in SKDRDP activities. The SKDRDP has proven to be effective in providing rural employment opportunities and enhancing the livelihoods of the rural population. It acts as a model for comprehensive rural development, emphasizing skill-building, self-reliance, and community empowerment. The study's conclusions underscore the importance of continued support for such initiatives to further rural development and reduce poverty in India