Predicting the Optimal Input Parameters for the Desired Print Quality Using Machine Learning.

3D printing is a growing technology being incorporated into almost every industry. Although it has obvious advantages, such as precision and less fabrication time, it has many shortcomings. Although several attempts were made to monitor the errors, many have not been able to thoroughly address them, like stringing, over-extrusion, layer shifting, and overheating. This paper proposes a study using machine learning to identify the optimal process parameters such as infill structure and density, material (ABS, PLA, Nylon, PVA, and PETG), wall and layer thickness, count, and temperature. The result thus obtained was used to train a machine learning algorithm. Four different network architectures (CNN, Resnet152, MobileNet, and Inception V3) were used to build the algorithm. The algorithm was able to predict the parameters for a given requirement. It was also able to detect any errors. The algorithm was trained to pause the print immediately in case of a mistake. Upon comparison, it was found that the algorithm built with Inception V3 achieved the best accuracy of 97%. The applications include saving the material from being wasted due to print time errors in the manufacturing industry.

A Comparative Study on Bio-Based PU Foam Reinforced with Nanoparticles for EMI-Shielding Applications.

Today, most commercial polyols used to make polyurethane (PU) foam are produced from petrochemicals. A renewable resource, castor oil (CO), was employed in this study to alleviate concerns about environmental contamination. This study intends to fabricate a bio-based and low-density EMI-defending material for communication, aerospace, electronics, and military appliances. The mechanical stirrer produces the flexible bio-based polyurethane foam and combines it with nanoparticles using absorption and hydrothermal reduction processes. The nanoparticles used in this research are graphite nanoplates (GNP), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and bamboo charcoal (BC). Following fabrication, the samples underwent EMI testing using an EMI test setup with model number N5230A PNA-L. The EMI experimental results were compared with computational simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 and an optimization tool using response surface methodology. A statistical design of the experimental approach is used to design and evaluate the experiments systematically. An experimental study reveals that a 0.3 weight percentage of GNP, a 0.3 weight percentage of ZrO2, and a 2.5 weight percentage of BC depict a maximum EMI SE of 28.03 dB in the 8-12 GHz frequency band.

Effectiveness of flow inflating device in providing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for critically ill children in limited-resource settings: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an emerging popular concept, which includes bi-level positive airway pressure or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In settings with scarce resources for NIV machines, CPAP can be provided through various indigenous means and one such mode is flow inflating device - Jackson-Rees circuit (JR)/Bain circuit. The study analyses the epidemiology, various clinical indications, predictors of CPAP failure, and stresses the usefulness of flow inflating device as an indigenous way of providing CPAP. METHODS: A prospective observational study was undertaken in the critical care unit of a Government Tertiary Care Hospital, from November 2013 to September 2014. All children who required CPAP in the age group 1 month to 12 years of both sexes were included in this study. They were started on indigenous CPAP through flow inflating device on clinical grounds based on the pediatric assessment triangle, and the duration and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: This study population included 214 children. CPAP through flow inflating device was successful in 89.7% of cases, of which bronchiolitis accounted for 98.3%. A prolonged duration of CPAP support of >96 h was required in pneumonia. CPAP failure was noted in 10.3% of cases, the major risk factors being children <1 year and pneumonia with septic shock. CONCLUSION: We conclude that flow inflating devices - JR/Bain circuit are effective as an indigenous CPAP in limited resource settings. Despite its benefits, CPAP is not a substitute for invasive ventilation, as when the need for intubation arises timely intervention is needed.

Traumatic Optic Neuropathy - A Conundrum.

Visual impairment following head injury may be an enigma especially if the onset of symptoms were to be few days after the actual trauma and the bias arising out of the initial normal ophthalmological examination is not neutralised by unbiased repeated formal clinical evaluation aided with electrophysiology. We report and discuss here a 32-year-old lady with delayed onset of indirect traumatic visual loss with anaemia who failed to improve after blood transfusion but improved immediately following steroid therapy seven days after trauma. Though steroids have not been shown to have a significant contribution on outcomes following Traumatic optic neuropathy, this report rekindles its role in delayed progressive visual loss following head trauma and the need to re-analyse the role of steroids in patients with delayed progressive visual disturbance following head injury excluding those with acute onset symptoms in view of different pathologies in both these presentations. This paper also highlights potential mechanisms for the two major types of presentation.

Sleep Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disorders are common in Parkinson's Disease (PD). It can antedate the motor manifestations of PD. It is related primarily to the involvement of sleep regulating structures, secondary involvement through motor, depressive and dysautonomic symptoms and the tertiary involvement through anti-parkinsonian medications. AIM: The aim of our study is to evaluate the frequency and nature of the sleep abnormalities in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, analysing the sleep architecture using polysomnography and to correlate the results with the disease parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in 50 patients who fulfill the "UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria". They were assessed using detailed history and clinical neurological examination. The severity of the disease was assessed based on Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS part III) and the sleep is assessed using Parkinson's Disease Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Objective sleep study was done using polysomnography. RESULTS: Disturbed sleep was reported by 70% of patients. Sixty percent of them had difficulty in falling asleep and 48% had difficulty in maintaining the sleep due to frequent awakenings. Day time somnolence was reported by 30% of patients. Polysomnographic analysis showed reduced total sleep time in 40 patients (80%). Correlation analysis of the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, deep sleep time, REM sleep time with the disease duration, staging, severity, PDSS Score, showed significant positive correlation (p<0.05). Sleep related movement disorders like Periodic Limb Movements (PLMS), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) also showed inverse correlation with disease duration and severity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sleep architecture is markedly disturbed in patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease. There is a reduction in the total sleep time, deep sleep time and REM Sleep duration. Periodic limb movements in sleep, restless leg syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the sleep fragmentation resulting in defective day time functioning.