Machine Facilities Research Articles

Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion a Cost Effective Life Saving Intervention in Sickle Cell Crisis: Single Centre Retrospective Data Analysis

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) poses a considerable health burden in lower middle income country (LMIC) like India. One ICMR survey reported about 20% of children with SCD died by the age of two years and 30% of children with SCD amongst the tribal community in India died before they reached adulthood. Data on mortality rate in the adult population with SCD is sparse. Our centre data shows that despite the availability of Hydroxyurea and supportive care, almost one-third of hospitalized Sickle Cell Crisis patients develop life threatening complications. Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion is a cost-effective intervention to decrease mortality in Sickle Cell Crisis. But perhaps, it is an underutilized therapy. In India, the cost incurred for each session of exchange transfusion, if done by the RBC apheresis machine, is $420. Whereas Manual Exchange Transfusion costs only $70(including the cost of the central venous catheter) for the first session followed by $15 for each subsequent session. Aim: A single centre retrospective data analysis to evaluate the outcome of Sickle Cell Crisis patients undergoing Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion during hospitalization. Material and Method: A total of 553 SCD patients on regular follow up at the Haemato Oncology Care Centre (HOCC) from July 2012 to July 2020 were evaluated.169 patients were hospitalized for treatment of Sickle Cell Crisis at the Bhailal Amin General Hospital and Sterling Hospital Vadodara. The data was retrieved after the IRB/Apex committee approvals for retrospective analysis. The indication for exchange transfusion was Acute Chest Syndrome 19(35%), Hepatic cell crisis 11(20%), Vaso Occlusive Crisis not responding to the conservative line of therapy in 48 hours of treatment 11(20%), Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) 5 (9%), Avascular Necrosis of Femur with excruciating pain 3 (6%), Complicated Dengue with Multi-organ failure 3 (6 %), Priapism 1 (2%) and Splenic Sequestration 1 (2%). Central venous access was secured with a central venous catheter or dialysis catheter. Simple packed cell volume was transfused to 11(20%) patients and 5(9%) patients received platelet transfusion. The cut-off values for HB and Platelet count were 8 gm% and 50000/cumm, respectively at the time of the Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion procedure. Blood volume withdrawn was 5 to 10 ml /kg, followed by an equal volume of packed cell volume transfusion at every session. The procedure was repeated every 12 hr or 24 hr depending on the clinical condition of the patient. HbS value was reassessed post 4 sessions with repeat testing done after 2 to 4 sessions if the observed HbS value was more than 30% or more than 10% (for CVA) after 4 sessions. The endpoint was clinical recovery with HbS less than 30% or no clinical recovery despite the achievement of HbS less than 10%. In CVA the endpoint was HBS less than 10%. Results: Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion was carried out in 54/169 (32 %) hospitalized patients. The median age was 25yrs (range 5 yrs to 69 yrs), with male predominance [Males 42(77%) and females 12(23%)].Pre procedure HbF value was <10% in 13(24%), 10 to 20% in 23 (43%) and >20% in 18(33%). A total of 50 out of 54 (93%) patients recovered completely. 28 (52%) patients were hemodynamically stable with normal SPO2 on room air at the time of Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion with an average of 7 days of hospitalization. All of these patients recovered completely with less than 5 sessions of Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion. 26(49%) patients were critically ill and had an average of 12 days of hospitalization. They were on Ventilator and Inotrope support at the time of Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion. 14/26(54%) critically ill patients recovered completely with an average of 6 sessions of Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion. 12/26(46%) critically ill patients succumbed even though post exchange HBS value decreased to less than 10%. The overall mortality rate of SCD patients in this analysis was 12/553 (2.1%), significantly lower than what was historically reported as 30% in the ICMR survey. Underlying Dengue viral infection associated with Multi-organ dysfunction and Fulminant hepatic failure were risk factors for mortality observed in our study. Conclusion: Manual Partial Exchange Transfusion is highly effective in reducing mortality in Sickle Cell Crisis. It is feasible and cost-effective in small centres lacking apheresis machine facility. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Bowl piston geometry as an alternative to enlarged crevice pistons for rapid compression machines

Thermal inhomogeneity and physical processes like fluid dynamics reduce the utility of rapid compression machine (RCM) facilities to accurately study fuel combustion phenomenon relevant to internal combustion engines. Most current RCMs incorporate a large crevice volume in the piston to capture roll-up vortices that encroach into the combustion zone during compression. In this work, a bowl piston design similar to those used in diesel engines is proposed as an alternative to enlarged creviced pistons for creating a sufficiently thermally homogenous gas mixture prior to ignition without undesirable fluid motion found in flat piston configurations. The bowl piston also eliminates the possibility of cold unreacted gases entering the combustion chamber when the piston is retracted in rapid compression and expansion machines (RCEMs) like in creviced piston designs. In the work, a bowl piston was compared to creviced piston and flat piston configurations numerically and experimentally. Through non-reacting computational fluid dynamics simulations, the bowl piston reduced the roll-up vortex found for the flat piston and led to a higher temperature and more thermally uniform core of gas at peak compression compared to the enlarged crevice piston. Experimentally, three pistons were studied in a RCM facility with ethanol and n-butane as fuels. Results showed that the bowl piston yielded benefits over conventional piston geometries including: reduced heat loss due to lower surface area, higher turbulent Reynolds Number, stronger ignition, and higher heat release rate and combustion efficiency as estimated using heat release analysis. Based on the findings presented here, we conclude that bowl piston geometries are a promising alternative to creviced pistons for conducting fuel ignition studies in RCM and RCEM facilities.

Approximation Guarantee of OSP Mechanisms: The Case of Machine Scheduling and Facility Location

Obvious strategyproofness (OSP) is an appealing concept as it allows to maintain incentive compatibility even in the presence of agents that are not fully rational, i.e., those who struggle with contingent reasoning (Li in Am Econ Rev 107(11):3257–3287, 2017). However, it has been shown to impose some limitations, e.g., no OSP mechanism can return a stable matching (Ashlagi and Gonczarowski in J Econ Theory 177:405–425, 2018). We here deepen the study of the limitations of OSP mechanisms by looking at their approximation guarantees for basic optimization problems paradigmatic of the area, i.e., machine scheduling and facility location. We prove a number of bounds on the approximation guarantee of OSP mechanisms, which show that OSP can come at a significant cost. However, rather surprisingly, we prove that OSP mechanisms can return optimal solutions when they use monitoring—a novel mechanism design paradigm that introduces a mild level of scrutiny on agents’ declarations (Kovács et al. in WINE 9470:398–412, 2015).

ANALISIS TINGKAT KEPUASAN PEMUSTAKA TERHADAP LAYANAN DI PERPUSTAKAAN BALAI ARKEOLOGI DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA DENGAN METODE LIBQUAL +TM

The purpose of this study was to determine the satisfaction of users of the quality of service in the Balai Arkeologi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta library using the LibQUAL +TM , in this method there are four indicators namely affect service, library as place, personal control, and information access. The research method used in this study is to use quantitative methods. The population in this study is the visitors who come to the library from April to December 2018. The sample used in this study amounted to 50 respondents. Gap analysis shows that the overall dimensions of LibQUAL +TM are negative. So there is a need for corrective actions to meet the user’s expectations. By using importance-performance analysis, it was found that subvariable personal control on modern equipment items (items 20) had a gap of -0.76. The user assumed that the photocopy machine facilities and infrastructure were needed by the user, but in fact the photo copy service was not provided by the library. Whereas the value of the User Satisfaction Index at the Balai Arkeologi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta library shows a number of 87.43%, which indicates the user satisfaction index is satisfied with the performance of library services.

Analysis of rapid compression machine facility effects on the auto-ignition of ethanol

Ignition delay measurements are frequently carried out in Rapid Compression Machines (RCMs), which require a means to prepare mixtures of fuel, oxidizer and diluent gases. In RCMs, the same compressed conditions can be achieved by various combinations of compression ratio, initial temperature, initial pressure, diluent gas composition, etc. Since it has been previously assumed that the value of ignition delay for a given fuel and at a given set of compressed conditions is independent of the choice of initial conditions, there have been limited studies on understanding the effect that these parameters have on low-temperature reactions and the subsequent ignition of the fuel; and any discrepancy in data is attributed to experimental uncertainties and/or facility effects. Therefore, the objective of this work is to determine the effects of different initial conditions on the measured ignition delay. Experiments and simulations were carried out at two compression ratios of 17.1 and 11.7, for stoichiometric mixtures of ethanol and air that consisted of nitrogen and argon as diluent gases. This study also examines the effect of two mixture preparation methods; (1) directly injecting the fuel in the combustion chamber and allowing it to mix before compressing it and (2) using a mixing tank in which the fuel and air is pre-mixed and then supplied to the combustion chamber for compression. With the help of optical images, in addition to the pressure traces, the effects that both of these mixture preparation methods have on the ignition delay characteristics for the above-mentioned conditions are investigated.

COOPERATION BETWEEN HUMAN AND AGENTS IN HOLONIC MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

The current development in production is directed towards a system called socio-cyber-physical, where humans, machine facilities, materials, technologies and the environment work together. Processes in companies are enrolling in a platform called Industry 4.0. Production is more similar to a living organism where the planned dynamic in the field of logistic and production elements of the system are exchange by emergent dynamically moving fully adaptable autonomous agents. Agents are plant facilities that have software implemented with decisions rules and are not control by human. These autonomous agents communicate and interact with each other in a protocol. In the factories of the future, presence of humans is also predicted and therefore the humanization of communication and interaction between human and agents of system must be considered. The human becomes a living agent who will communicate with others and collaborate to achieve goals. In individual workplaces, agents will serve and support humans in service, production, inspection, supply etc. but also a human will do that for agents. Although production will behave Emergent it is necessary that the activity of agents support the activities of humans in the workplace and that is not possible without communication. In this point there is a need for mastering the communication between the human and the agent and this can be done through Chatbot systems. This paper is aimed at designing a potential coordination system between humans and agents in factories of the future by using Chatbot systems.

Assessment of the Project Feasibility Study of Laundry Machine in Case of Shambu Campus of Wollega University

Laundry/washing machine facility is one of the service areas that students and other university community members would like to get nearby their campuses. Despite its old age and the high number of its community, Shambu campus of Wollega University has not yet availed laundry/washing machine service to its community members. This study investigates the economic and technical feasibility of installing a laundry/washing machine service in the Shambu campus of Wollega University. The project aims at solving the current problem that students face in washing their clothes which is crowded, time taking, tiresome, and inefficient. In addition, the project will generate additional revenue to the University itself or to the credit association of the university whoever is pursing in the investment activity. The project is generally environmentally friendly and proper sewerage system will also be constructed to remove all waste produced in the business. Out of 1500 regular residing students of the Shambu campus, 270 were randomly selected to participate in the survey. 70% of the participant students have expressed that the service is important to them and are ready to pay a reasonable amount for the service. As most students have stressed their concern on the affordability of the service due care has been given to set a price which is fair and affordable to most of them. From a field survey of the price that janitors charge students and from the questionnaires distributed, a price of Birr 2.00 per kilogram seems affordable to the students and also acceptable to the investor. The total annual demand determined through the market survey is about 294179 kilograms of clothes. With respect to manpower, the project is not as such labor intensive. However, to safeguard mishandling and misuse of the machines and to provide efficient service, about seven employees are required in the project. Finally, the project requires the commitment of some resources for proper implementation. The university management has to look at the proposal and give consent on the implementation of the project. In addition, procuring the machines and equipment, installing the machines, constructing the building and other civil works, and many other activities require some time. Keywords : Feasibility study, Laundry machine, Wollega University, Project DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-11-05 Publication date :June 30th 2019

Auto-ignition behaviors of nitromethane in diluted oxygen in a rapid compression machine: Critical conditions for ignition, ignition delay times measurements, and kinetic modeling interpretation.

In this work, the weakest thermodynamic conditions for the auto-ignition of mixtures containing nitromethane were experimentally determined by using the rapid compression machine facility. Results show there is a narrow weak ignition region between ignition and non-ignition. The weak ignition region would disappear with the increase of the EOC (end of compression) pressure and nitromethane concentration. In addition, the ignition delay times for successful auto-ignition for different nitromethane concentrations and equivalence ratio mixtures were measured and compared. Results show that the dependence of nitromethane ignition on the equivalence ratio is weak. Subsequently, the measured ignition delay time data were employed to validate several kinetic models in literature and our previous model shows better agreement with experimental results, as well as other available literature data. Sensitivity analysis for the model reveals the importance of unimolecular decomposition and H-abstraction reactions for the ignition delay times in the temperature range studied herein. Finally, critical conditions for nitromethane ignition under extended conditions that are beyond the ability of the experimental facility were predicted.

Mean-force scattering potential for calculating optical properties of dense plasmas

We assess the relative importance of ionic structure on the opacity of dense plasmas by using the potential of mean force as a scattering potential within the Kubo-Greenwood formalism. We compare results from the potential of mean force, which includes realistic ionic structure, to results using an average atom potential, which includes only a crude treatment of ionic structure. Comparisons with less approximate but more expensive DFT-MD simulations for aluminum plasma reveal that the mean force generally improves agreement for DC conductivity. We also see improvement when applying the mean force to free-free transitions, whereas for bound-bound and bound-free transitions the mean force leads to poorer agreement on transition energies. Further, we assess the impact of accounting for correlations within the plasma at the temperature and density conditions relevant to iron opacity measurements at Sandia’s Z machine facility [Bailey et al., Nature 517:56-59, 2015] and find that these correlations do not account for the discrepancy between the measurements and leading opacity calculations.

CFD Simulations as a Support of Experimental Research in a Rapid Compression Expansion Machine Facility

CFD Simulations as a Support of Experimental Research in a Rapid Compression Expansion Machine Facility

Autoignition studies of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in a shock tube and a rapid compression machine

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has become an increasingly important world energy resource and is a part of the European Union clean fuel strategy launched in 2013. Therefore, there are currently several ongoing measurement strategies considering quality specification of LNG. In this context, for application in gas engines, it is essential to understand the combustion behavior of these natural gas mixtures. The methane number (MN) which represents a scale for the knocking propensity, is one of the main indicators for this combustion behavior. In this study, we investigated the influence of the LNG composition on the ignition delay time and thus the knocking behavior of prototypical LNG Mixtures. Several LNG typical mixtures containing CH4/C2H6/C3H8/n-C4H10/i-C4H10/n-C5H12/i-C5H12/N2 were studied in the temperature range 850–1450 K, with pressures of 20 and 40 bar and at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.2. The use of a shock tube and a rapid compression machine facility allowed us to study the ignition behavior over a wide range of operating conditions relevant to gas engines. We report a detailed investigation of LNG autoignition with respect to temperature, pressure and equivalence ratio thereby providing crucial validation data for chemical kinetic models for real applications.

Factors Affecting Slot Machine Performance in an Electronic Gaming Machine Facility

Factors Affecting Slot Machine Performance in an Electronic Gaming Machine Facility

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFI BERBASIS ANDROID PEMETAAN FASILITAS AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE MENGGUNAKAN GOOGLE MAPS API DAN METODE UJI PRODUK ISO 9126

The aim of this study was to design geographic information system based on Android. This would be used to map the ATM machines in Yogyakarta in which later on could help people to search the address or the geographic location of the ATM machines. The researcher used Java and XML program in developing the geographic information system. Java was used to build the system, and XML was used to build user interface or display interface. On the other hand, data base which was used in this study was MySQL.The system development methodology used in this study was Waterfall methodology. This methodology had some steps, they are analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. In data collecting process, the researcher used observation, interview, and literature methods. Output which would be produced in developing geographic information system was an application of Geographic Information System mapping ATM machine facilities.The application of Geographic Information System mapping ATM machine facilities was tested using product testing methodology ISO 9126. The scores were > 3.0 to each criteria from ISO 9126. The functionality score was 4,24. The reliability score was 4,27. The usability score was 4,42, and the efficiency score was 4,61. Therefore, the application of Geographic Information System mapping ATM machine facilities could fulfil the need of ATM machine userKeywords : Geographic Information System, ISO 9126, Google Maps, Android, Waterfall

Device for dismantliing and assembling hard-to-separate mechanical assemblies on mechanical plants

The paper presents a new technical solution, a device for dismantling and assembling parts of mechanical plant components which are not easily separable. The device design allows wide possibilities of application in maintenance and repair of hydro power plants, thermal power plants, and diesel electric generators, in motor industry, shipbuilding industry and navy, aircraft industry, and turbines in process industry. The device for dismantling and assembling is universal and easy to use. Its small weight makes it easy to transport to locations with machine facilities.

Autonomic smart manufacturing

Smart manufacturing (SM) systems have to optimise manufacturing activities at the machine, unit or entire manufacturing facility level as well as adapting the manufacturing process on the fly as required by a variety of conditions (e.g. machine breakdowns and/or slowdowns) and unexpected variations in demands. This paper provides a framework for autonomic smart manufacturing (ASM) that relies on a variety of models for its support: (1) a process model to represent machines, parst inventories and the flow of parts through machines in a discrete manufacturing floor; (2) a predictive queueing network model to support the analysis and planning phases of ASM; and (3) optimisation models to support the planning phase of ASM. In essence, ASM is an integrated decision support system for smart manufacturing that combines models of different nature in a seamless manner. As shown here, these models can be used to predict manufacturing time and the energy consumed by the manufacturing process, as well as for finding the machine settings that minimise the energy consumed or the manufacturing time subject to a variety of constraints using non-linear optimisation models. The diversity of models used affords different levels of integration and granularity in the decision-making process. An example of a car manufacturing process is used throughout the paper to explain the concepts and models introduced here.

Holistic Simulation Environment for Energy Consumption Prediction of Machine Tools

Resource efficiency and energy consumption more and more become high-profile quality attributes of modern machine tools. The energy consumption of machine tools, plants and facilities must be significantly reduced related to the value added in order to stay competitive, but not least in liability towards our environment.This article presents a model based simulation and prediction of the expected energy consumption of machine tools using a comprehensive simulation environment, which serves as a basis for energetic optimizations. The simulation system will be exemplarily presented by reference to turning and milling operations. This system is extended by adaptive control and optimization of the energy states of the machine tool through application of artificial neuronal network controller networks and additional expert knowledge data-base.

A hybrid fuzzy-GA algorithm for the integrated machine allocation problem with fuzzy demands

The integrated machine allocation and facility layout problem (IMALP) is a branch of the general facility layout problem in which, besides selecting machine locations, the processing route of each product is determined. Most research in this area suppose that the flow of material is certain and exact, which is an unrealistic assumption in today's dynamic and uncertain business environment. Therefore, in this paper the demand volume has been assumed as fuzzy numbers with different membership functions. To solve this problem, the deterministic model is first integrated with a fuzzy implication via the expected value model, and thereafter an intelligent hybrid algorithm, including a genetic algorithm and a fuzzy simulation approach has been applied. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed algorithm is evaluated with a set of numerical examples. The results show the effectiveness of the hybrid algorithm in finding the IMALP solutions.

A developed algorithm for simulation of blades to reduce the measurement points and time on coordinate measuring machine (CMM)

A 3D Coordinate Measurement Machine Facility (CMM) of the latest technology enables both researchers and industrial manufacturers to evaluate the precision of the different manufacturing techniques that are usually applied for the production of the mechanical component. Especially when the examined component is a blade, due to the geometrical complexity, larger errors can occur during the manufacturing procedure. These errors have a strong impact on the final performance. The high precision measurement with a CMM requires scanning with small steps, which means measuring several points that need long-time measurement.The aim of this paper is to develop a method for simulating objects by three-dimensional scanning, with a small number of points, while achieving the goal of a certain allowable deviation. The curves used are of a 3rd degree polynomial form.

Simulation and Prediction of Process-Related Power Consumption of Machine Tools

Today a criterion for the quality of modern machine tools is their efficient use of energy and resources. Competitiveness can only be maintained if the necessity to significantly reduce the energy consumption of machine tools, plants and facilities is put into practice. Another important aspect is the need to preserve our environment. In order to be able to energetically optimize machine tools, it is essential to know how much energy they consume at all. Hence, this paper deals with modelling the energy consumption to be expected from machining operations. Using these estimations and predictions provides a starting point for carrying out energetic optimizations. The method developed here is presented by example of turning operations. The model comprises the machine components directly associated with the cutting process as well as mediate components such as auxiliary units and peripherals. Experimental tests serve to verify the accuracy of the model. Then the energy consumed by individual components is provisionally categorized as well as their proportion of the total amount of energy consumption. Following this, it is possible to analyze the potentials for saving energy. In future it is intended to minimize and condense the complexity of the model so that it will be possible to simultaneously conduct the simulation on the NC control during the cutting operation. In this way it might become possible to influence the energy state of machine tools in realtime during machining, using expert knowledge about the adaptive control of components and drives, the adjustment of control parameters on the fly or the change of parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The investigations presented here were funded by the German Research Foundation within the Research Unit 1088 ECOMATION.

Design and Manufacturing of Honing Tool for Drilling Machine

Honing is an abrasive machining process that is the "best kept secret" at many leading gun barrel producers, whether the end product is a fine sniper rifle, a police service pistol or an aircraft cannon. Simply put, honing produces a more accurate barrel a better overall product for lower cost.The Aim of the research is to design and manufacturing a honing tool for a drilling machine that can give require surface finish and dimensional accuracy as given by a honing machine and since we know that honing machine are very costly and every manufacturer cannot afford it on the other hand drilling machine are cheap as compare to honing machine and are available even in small workshops so our basic aim to reduce the cost of surface finish is fulfilled and we are succeed in getting the same surface finish and dimensional accuracy obtain by a honing machine. The contents of this report include design, manufacturing and working of honing tool and their study as well. It is well known that a good honing machine is very costly and all manufacturers cannot afford it. We have also seen that hand honing is resorted to by road side repairers and their cylinders lack in the requirements of circularity/cylindricity smoothness. The design is simple in the sense that any manufacture having a drilling machine and simple manufacturing facilities can manufacture on his own and achieve the necessary technical requirements of smoothness of surface as well as requirements of close tolerance on circularity and cylindricity.We use our tool in a drilling machine, because these are very cheap as compared to honing machines and are also available in every mechanical workshop. So our main aim is to reduce the cost of honing and at the same time achieve the desired accuracy as given by the honing machine i. e, in the range of 0.005 microns.