A central composite design based fuzzy logic for optimization of drilling parameters on natural fiber reinforced composite

Machining of polymeric composite is inevitable during assembly of components. In view of making holes on structural composites, drilling is essential and a study to optimize the machining parameters is very important. The present study has been made to investigate the defaces and cutting forces associated during drilling of natural fiber reinforced plastics. Plastic composite has been manufactured using chemically treated vetiveria zizanioides as the reinforcement and polyester as the matrix. The composite has been drilled several times on the basis of central composite design. Speed and feed rate of the spindle, point angle and diameter of the tool are considered as the input parameters. Deface of each hole during entry and exit, thrust force and torque have been measured as the output parameters. A fuzzy model has been created and a comparative study between the central composite design and fuzzy model is made. The design has been optimized with the objective of minimizing the output parameters and a set of confirmatory experiments have been conducted. The central composite model has been validated by comparing it with the fuzzy model and confirmatory runs. The comparison presented only a minimal error and hence the modeling by central composite design and fuzzy are consummate.     

Transition Metal Ion–Mediated Tyrosine‐Based Short‐Peptide Amphiphile Nanostructures Inhibit Bacterial Growth

We report the design and synthesis of a biocompatible small‐peptide‐based compound for the controlled and targeted delivery of encapsulated bioactive metal ions through transformation of the internal nanostructures of its complexes. A tyrosine‐based short‐peptide amphiphile (sPA) was synthesized and observed to self‐assemble into β‐sheet‐like secondary structures. The self‐assembly of the designed sPA was modulated by application of different bioactive transition‐metal ions, as was confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. These bioactive metal‐ion‐conjugated sPA hybrid structures were further used to develop antibacterial materials. As a result of the excellent antibacterial activity of zinc ions the growth of clinically relevant bacteria such as Escherichia coli was inhibited in the presence of zinc ? sPA conjugate. Bacterial testing demonstrated that, due to high biocompatibility with bacterial cells, the designed sPA acted as a metal ion delivery agent and might therefore show great potential in locally addressing bacterial infections.     

Performance of membrane compensated multirecess hydrostatic/hybrid flexible journal bearing system considering various recess shapes

The paper describes a theoretical study concerning the performance of an externally pressurized multirecess hydrostatic/hybrid flexible journal bearing system by varying the geometric shape of recess and using the membrane flow valve restrictor as a compensating element. The four different recess geometries of the bearing studied in the present study are a square recessed bearing, a circular recessed bearing, an elliptical recessed bearing and a triangular recessed bearing. The equation governing the flow of lubricant in a journal bearing together with 3D elasticity equation and restrictor flow equation are solved by using the Finite Element Method. The study describes the effect of recess shape, bearing flexibility and a method of compensation on the performance characteristics of a hydrostatic/hybrid journal bearing system. A comparative performance of the membrane compensated hydrostatic/hybrid journal bearing system has also been studied vis-à-vis capillary, orifice and constant flow valve restrictors. The results presented in this study amply demonstrate that the shape of recess/pocket of a hydrostatic/hybrid flexible journal bearing system affects the performance of the bearing quite appreciably and a proper selection of recess shape along with a suitable compensating device is needed to get an improved performance from the bearing.     

Porous carrier based floating granular delivery system of repaglinide

A floating granular delivery system consisting of calcium silicate (CS) as porous carrier; repaglinide (Rg), an oral hypoglycemic agent; and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M (HPMC K4M), ethyl cellulose (EC) and carbopol 940 (CP940) as matrix forming polymers was prepared and evaluated for its gastro-retentive and controlled release properties. The effect of various formulation and process variables on the particle morphology, micromeritic properties, in vitro floating behavior, drug content (%) and in vitro drug release was studied. The transit of floating granules of optimized formulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was monitored by gamma scintigraphy in albino rabbits. The optimized formulation was compared in vivo with lactose granules (RgSCLG) prepared from identical polymers with their optimized composition ratio. Repaglinide-loaded optimized formulation was orally administered to albino rabbits and blood samples collected were used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of Rg from floating granular formulation. Results were compared with pharmacokinetic parameters of marketed tablet formulation of Rg. The optimized formulation (RgSCG4) demonstrated favorable in vitro floating and release characteristics. Prolonged gastric residence time (GRT) of over 6 hr was achieved in all subjects for calcium silicate based floating granules of Rg. The relative bioavailability of Rg-loaded floating granules increased 3.8-fold in comparison to that of its marketed capsule. The designed system, combining excellent buoyant ability and suitable drug release pattern, offered clear advantages in terms of increased bioavailability of repaglinide.     

Modeling prostate anatomy from multiple view TRUS images for image-guided HIFU therapy

Current planning methods for transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of prostate cancer rely on manually defining treatment regions in 15-20 sector transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images of the prostate. Although effective, it is desirable to reduce user interaction time by identifying functionally related anatomic structures (segmenting), then automatically laying out treatment sites using these structures as a guide. Accordingly, a method has been developed to effectively generate solid three-dimensional (3-D) models of the prostate, urethra, and rectal wall from boundary trace data. Modeling the urethra and rectal wall are straightforward, but modeling the prostate is more difficult and has received much attention in the literature. New results presented here are aimed at overcoming many of the limitations of previous approaches to modeling the prostate while using boundary traces obtained via manual tracing in as few as 5 sector and 3 linear images. The results presented here are based on a new type of surface, the Fourier ellipsoid, and the use of sector and linear TRUS images. Tissue-specific 3-D models will ultimately permit finer control of energy deposition and more selective destruction of cancerous regions while sparing critical neighboring structures.     

Non-vacuum laser deposition of buffer layers for coated conductors

A pulsed TEA-CO₂ laser in combination with the dynamic fluidized bed powder feeder was employed to deposit a thin CeO₂ buffer layer on the polycrystalline Ni-substrate in a non-vacuum environment. Use of the 30° powder jet inclination with respect to the laser beam axis along with the nano size precursor powder deposited a smooth layer on the entire surface of the substrate. Both EDS and X-ray diffractometry analyses were employed to confirm the stoichiometric nature of the deposited CeO₂ buffer layer.     

EFFECT OF SOLAR COLLECTOR DESIGN PARAMETERS ON THE OPERATION OF SOLAR STIRLING POWER SYSTEM

An analysis has been carried out to find out the optimum operating temperature for solar Stirling power systems. The analysis has also clearly brought out the effect of solar collector design parameters, such as, concentration ratio, overall heat loss coefficient, and heat engine parameter on the overall efficiency of solar Stirling power systems. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Automated image registration by maximization of a region similarity metric

This article presents a robust algorithm for automated registration of images related by rigid-body transformations. This algorithm uses a new region-based similarity metric, which enables accurate registration of images of large contrast differences. Region segmentation required by the metric is accomplished using a multiscale segmentation algorithm, and minimization of this metric is done using the Powell direction set method. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that the algorithm is effective for aligning images from single or multiple imaging modalities without the use of any fiducial markers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8, 513–518, 1997     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on structural and physical changes in buffalo meat

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging of buffalo meat on the structural parameters viz., fibre diameter, sarcomere length and myofibrillar fragmentation index and physical parameters viz., pH, drip loss and colour scores were studied. The buffalo meat was packed under aerobic, vacuum and modified atmosphere (80% oxygen+20% carbon dioxide) and stored at 4±1°C upto 21 days. The results obtained revealed that vacuum-packed buffalo meat had the lowest fibre diameter and myofibrillar fragmentation index and the highest sarcomere length, vacuum thus appears to enhance ageing. Buffalo meat packed in modified atmosphere had a low drip loss and a desirable colour. The modified atmosphere packed and vacuum-packed buffalo meat was acceptable for upto 14 days at 4±1°C.