Set Of Machines Research Articles

Analysis of phacoemulsification complications in eyes with shallow anterior chamber syndrome

Background. The features of performing phacoemulsification (FEC) at different initial conditions of patients and their eyes were investigated. The combination of a short anterior-posterior axis and a thick lens swollen during cataractogenesis or traumatic impact leads to a violation of the normal morphology of the eyeball. In case of shallow anterior chamber syndrome (SACS), there are certain difficulties in performing FEC, which are associated with limited space, and also with the effect of physical factors. The purpose was to analyze the number and nature of complications and to investigate the possibility of reducing them in order to optimize the FEC procedure in eyes with SACS. Materials and methods. We have examined 130 cataract patients with SACS aged 65.5 ± 10.6 years who were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (62 eyes, 62 people) with proposed combined operation of posterior microvitrectomy and FEC (COPMVEFEC) (Patent No. 80762); group 2 (68 eyes, 68 people) underwent FEC by the generally accepted method. Examinations before and after surgery included visual acuity, visual field, intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy, sonography, endothelial microscopy, optical coherence tomography, statistical methods. The settings of the phaco machine used in both groups were the same. Results. Effectiveness of the COPMVEFEC and standard FEC does not differ significantly. With the COPMVEFEC, the opportunity to perform manipulations in a deeper anterior chamber contributed to a 3.5-fold reduction in intraoperative complications compared to the standard FEC method (P < 0.05). The indicators of the state of endothelial cells (EC) in group 1 differed from the corresponding data of group 2 (Р < 0.05), and the loss of EC, on average 9.65 % (Р < 0.05), was 2 times less (P < 0.05), which indicated less traumatization. In the postoperative period, the number of complications in group 1 is 1.2 times less than in group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The following intraoperative complications (11.8 %) were observed during FEC in eyes with SACS: capture of the iris with a phaco needle, hyphema, tear of the capsulorhexis edge, which led to complications in the postoperative period in 29.4 % of cases, as well as a decrease in corneal EC density (Р < 0.05), polymegethism and polymorphism, reduction of hexagonality. The use of the COPMVEFEC in SACS contributed to the reduction of intraoperative complications by 3.5 times, to 3.3 % (Р < 0.05), and in the postoperative period, by 1.2 times (Р < 0.05). The morphometric parameters of EC of the cornea did not differ significantly from the preoperative ones (Р > 0.05), except for a decrease in the hexagonality index, an increase in corneal thickness was 2.5 times less than in controls (Р < 0.05).

Rapid Quantitative Assessment of Residual Stress States in PLA Components Enabled by the Combination of Photoelasticity and the Hole Drilling Method

ABSTRACTPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most prominent biopolymers and is considered a viable alternative to petroleum‐based polymers. While it exhibits comparable properties to conventional polymers like PET, in certain applications, particularly those involving elevated temperatures, PLA has performance limitations. In addition, the properties of PLA are dependent on the processing parameters in injection molding. Non‐optimal process parameters can lead to defects or undesirable effects that cannot be detected immediately after injection molding. This includes orientation and residual stresses, which significantly influence the material and failure properties. The present study investigates the influence of injection molding machine settings on the residual stress state in PLA components. Test specimens were produced using two different mold tools: an ejector pin and a full‐surface ejector, while varying key machine settings. Residual stress was assessed using a polariscope and the hole drilling method. The polariscope identified distinct isochromatic fringe patterns, particularly near the sprue, indicating regions of elevated residual stress. The hole drilling method confirmed the presence of high residual stress at the specimen edges, extending to a depth of 600 μm, with a peak stress value of 47 MPa. Results revealed that the ejector pin mold induced both tensile and compressive stress states, whereas the full‐surface ejector mold predominantly caused high compressive stresses at the edges. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing injection molding parameters to minimize residual stress and improve the mechanical performance of PLA components.

Win-Diff: classifier-guided diffusion model for CT image windowing

Abstract Windowing is a critical preprocessing step in CT images, where high-bit-depth CT images are mapped to lower-bit-depth formats to enhance the visualisation of anatomical structures for radiologists and medical deep learning diagnostic models. However, due to variations in CT machine settings and patient-specific imaging requirements, manual adjustment of windowing parameters is always needed. This paper introduces Win-Diff, a novel classifier-guided diffusion model for CT image windowing, aimed at reducing manual effort and improving diagnostic accuracy, particularly for nodule detection. Unlike traditional approaches that predict windowing parameters such as Window Width (WW) and Window Level (WL) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Win-Diff directly generates task-optimised windowed images through a Diffusion U-Net architecture. A classifier head is seamlessly integrated into the diffusion process to guide image generation and optimise it for visual clarity and downstream diagnostic tasks. To balance the accurate reconstruction of windowed images with task-specific optimisation, we design a combined loss function incorporating reconstruction fidelity and classification performance. We evaluate Win-Diff on the nodule classification task using the Medical Segmentation Decathlon (MSD) lung dataset. Our results demonstrate that Win-Diff performs better than baseline methods, yielding an accuracy improvement. Furthermore, the structural similarity index (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of Win-Diff-generated images outperform baseline methods, while its loss convergence is significantly faster.

The Various Effect of Various Machining Parameters on Ovality of Cylindrical Starter Motor Cover of KTM Bike

The manufacturing refers to the processes required to convert raw material into the final product which may include casting, machining, welding, finishing, heat treatment processes and ends with final inspection to check for defects. Mostly the circular holes of hollow cylindrical components show ovality after manufacturing, exceeding tolerance values and such defect leads to poor fittings. After careful study of workpiece, clamping pressure, clamping geometry and clamping technique influence the dimensional deviations and it can be prevented by improving the production with corrective techniques. Ovality is a common term used in CNC turning, which refers to the deviation of the cross sectional shape of the workpiece from a perfect circle. It is an essential quality parameter that needs to be monitored during the manufacturing process to ensure that the final product meets the required specifications. There are various reasons why ovality occurs in CNC turning, such as tool deflection, poor workpiece support, incorrect tool geometry, and incorrect machine settings. The most common cause of ovality is tool deflection, which happens when the cutting force exceeds the strength of the tool. This results in an uneven cut and causes the workpiece to become oval shaped.

Milking parlor evaluation – How to get started with assessments

Dairy farmers have been utilizing machine milking to collect milk from cows for almost 200 years. Despite the long and storied history of machine milking, the milking machine plays an important role in the maintenance of quality milk production. As veterinarians, we are skilled in physiology and bacteriology but have little understanding of milk machine function. Veterinarians can expand their service offerings to improve milk quality by systematically evaluating machine function and understanding the impacts of recommended changes. Machine milking aims to help maintain good milk quality by creating an environment that removes milk in a clean, gentle and complete manner. This environment is created by coupling machine settings with milking liners and the activities of milk harvest technicians to minimize overmilking of cows, as overmilking leads to unwanted changes in teats. However, evaluating milking equipment without assessing milk harvest technician activity, the cows and their environment, and overall farm management, will often fail to lead to improvements in milk quality.

PERFLUOROCARBON LIQUID-SILICONE OIL EXCHANGE: THE SIMPLICITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE SINGLE-PORT TECHNIQUE AND A REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

The aim of this study was to report the "Single Port Technique" for perfluorocarbon liquid-silicone oil (SO) exchange for the management of giant retinal tear detachments. The previously reported techniques of direct perfluorocarbon liquid-SO exchange used two ports to achieve the influx and outflux of fluid. The term "Single Port" refers to the use of only one port as the exclusive port for the inflow of SO and the outflow of fluid meniscus and perfluorocarbon liquid, performed alternately. This technique is proposed, with illustrated instructions and a surgical video. The newly proposed "Single Port Technique" offers a straightforward step using a switch between active aspiration by the vitreous cutter and active SO injection through a single port without the need for assistance. This method has been performed by the authors on 29 patients, including 22 giant retinal tear detachment patients and 7 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment caused by dialysis, and it has demonstrated its simplicity and reliability for use with only standard vitrectomy tools and machine settings. The single-port technique for perfluorocarbon liquid-SO exchange for the management of giant retinal tear detachment and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment caused by dialysis has been tried and tested, and it is a valuable tool that can be easily used by any vitreoretinal surgeon.

Identification of Tool and Machine Settings for Hypoid Gear Based on Non-Uniform Discretization

Identification of Tool and Machine Settings for Hypoid Gear Based on Non-Uniform Discretization

Simplified First-Trimester Fetal Cardiac Screening Protocol for Low-Risk Pregnancies: Enhancing Efficiency and Accuracy.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most prevalent congenital anomalies and are frequently detected in pregnancies classified as low-risk, rather than in high-risk groups. Advancements in ultrasound technology have heightened the emphasis on first-trimester fetal cardiac screening. However, due to the small size of the fetal heart at this stage, significant challenges persist, underscoring the need for simplified and reproducible protocols that can be effectively applied on a population-wide scale. This paper describes a screening approach centred on the four-chamber view (4CV) and three-vessel tracheal view (3VTV) with colour Doppler imaging. This includes optimisation of ultrasound machine settings and the use of transabdominal and transvaginal approaches to enhance visualisation. Evidence demonstrates a CHD detection rate of 76% in low-risk populations, with a 95% success rate in obtaining the necessary views. Operator expertise and familiarity with cardiac anomalies are critical for accurate detection. The early identification of CHDs enables informed decision-making regarding pregnancy management. A simplified protocol for first-trimester cardiac screening offers a promising tool for the early identification of CHDs, enabling timely referral and intervention. To optimise detection rates and clinical outcomes, continuous professional education and systematic auditing processes are indispensable for practitioners performing early fetal cardiac screening.

A preceptorship programme to learn ultrasonography for diagnosis of giant cell arteritis

Objective Ultrasonography has been proposed as the initial diagnostic modality in suspected giant cell arteritis. Proposed quality standards advocate for a certified sonographer. Currently, there are no formal training programmes, and single educational events do not suffice as certification. We developed a preceptorship programme for diagnostic ultrasonography. Here, we describe its contents and test its efficacy. Method The programme comprises three stages. The preclinical stage includes machine setting and surface anatomy. Second stage includes supervised assessment, passed via a directly observed procedure form. In the final validation stage, the trainee and trainer perform an ultrasonography examination in succession, with a comparison of the results. For this programme, a scan included all three segments of the superficial temporal artery and all three parts of the axillary arteries. Comparison of the intima–media thickness (IMT) and categorical judgements for the halo sign and final diagnosis were made. Results Six trainees have been through this programme so far. A median of 16 ultrasonography examinations was required to reach the validation stage. The mean ± SD IMT in 360 segments, as measured by the trainee and trainer, was 0.45 ± 0.34 and 0.46 ± 0.35, respectively (p = 0.26). The agreement between trainee and trainer for the presence or absence of halo was excellent in 403 segments (κ = 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.86, 0.96). There was 100% agreement on the final diagnosis. Conclusion The integration of technical knowledge with practical skills results in a robust training programme, validating trainees to continue scanning independently.

Development of a suspiciousness measure with reduced redundancy for screening machine sets in serial-parallel multistage manufacturing processes

Development of a suspiciousness measure with reduced redundancy for screening machine sets in serial-parallel multistage manufacturing processes

A simheuristic‐based algorithm for the stochastic long‐term maintenance scheduling problem

AbstractThis work addresses the problem of assigning preventive maintenance jobs in a 52‐week planning horizon. Given a set of machines that need preventive maintenance, a set of maintenance jobs in these machines, a set of work teams, and a planning horizon, the problem consists of assigning each job to a work team in a given instant of the planning horizon, aiming to minimize the cost with work teams and the cost of performing the unscheduled jobs using outsourced teams. We propose an iterated local search (ILS)‐based algorithm specialized for this problem. Using real instances, the ILS algorithm achieved the best results in 81% of the instances, outperforming literature algorithms. However, these algorithms only treat the deterministic version of the problem and do not consider the uncertainty in the job duration that may occur in an industry environment. Not considering this aspect can produce an inefficient schedule with many unscheduled jobs. So, this work also proposes a simheuristic‐based algorithm (SIM‐ILS) capable of capturing this issue. We tested it in three scenarios, which differ in the level of uncertainty regarding the job duration, and compared their results with those provided by the stochastically evaluated ILS solutions. SIM‐ILS found the best solution in 61% of the tests. Therefore, the SIM‐ILS can be used to support decision‐making in different industrial environments, from environments with low variability in job duration to those with high variability.

INNOVATIVE SOIL LIMING AND FERTILIZER MEANS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

In addition to numerous factors, organic waste has a significant impact on increasing environmental pollution, which is an imperative for its solution. The goal of the work was to use the by-products of biogas production plants and cogeneration plants for soil fertilization, which allows to create a new innovative product from their mixtures. The preparation of the best mixtures applied and evaluated in greenhouses under production conditions was carried out at the companies JSC "Ziedi JP" and "Pampali". The production scheme of soil liming and fertilizer was developed and approved at both companies. The effectiveness of the composition of the mixtures was first tested on soils of different acidity in a greenhouse. The set of machines and aggregates required for the preparation and spreading of the new type of fertilizer on the field was made. Digestate, after complete development in bioreactors, is fed to the mechanical screw press separator, where it is divided into solid (dry matter 25 %<) and liquid (dry matter 3%>) fraction. The digestate of solid fractions is mixed with wood ash in portions in a screw-type mixer equipped with electronic scales. The ingredients are poured in parts so that the mixer mixes a uniform mass. After mixing, the new fertilizer is discharged from the mixer onto a conveyor belt and then into a pile, which is covered with a cover to reduce ammonium emissions. The use of the innovative soil fertility enhancer can be an effective way of recycling both products and can also be an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers.

Experimental and thermomechanical SPH and FEA model simulation using inconel 825 with tungsten carbide tool

This study introduces an integrated experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) simulation methodology for improving the turning process of Inconel 825 using tungsten carbide (WC) cutting tools. The research presents an innovative framework that integrates infrared thermal imaging with numerical simulations to examine transient temperature profiles and cutting forces across different machining settings. This study systematically examines the effects of feed rate, cutting speed, and depth of cut on thermal and mechanical responses, employing an L9 orthogonal array for experimental design, in contrast to usual investigations. This research’s primary innovation is the exact monitoring of interface temperatures with an infrared thermal camera, yielding precise thermal data despite the difficulties posed by expensive materials and real-time heat dissipation assessment. The FEA simulations performed in Abaqus FEA utilize an elastoplastic material model exhibiting nonlinear behavior, effectively capturing yielding in both tension and compression. The results demonstrate a robust connection between experimental and numerical findings, with cutting force predictions differing by less than 5%. The research indicates that raising the cutting speed lowers cutting forces while influencing temperature patterns in a non-linear manner. The research underscores the significance of WC inserts in augmenting heat dissipation and promoting machining stability. The proven FEA framework provides a dependable prediction instrument for optimizing machining settings, hence enhancing process control and precision manufacture of high-strength alloys.

Sample Processing and Benchmarking for Multibeam Optical Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Electron microscopy (EM) is an indispensable technique to visualize biological ultrastructure in health and disease. High-throughput EM further enables larger scales and volumes to be recorded within feasible timeframes. Multibeam optical scanning transmission EM (OSTEM) utilizes multiple beamlets and optical separation of the transmitted electrons to increase imaging throughput with transmission-based imaging. However, the compatibility of multibeam OSTEM with routine sample preparation protocols and the effect of machine settings on image quality remain largely unknown. Here, we show multibeam OSTEM to be an order of magnitude faster than (scanning) transmission EM while yielding comparable high-quality images of tissue processed with standard high-contrast staining protocols. Multibeam OSTEM benefits from embedding approaches that introduce high contrast but is flexible in the type of stain used. Optimal results are obtained using an acceleration voltage of 5 kV, where section thickness and pixel dwell time require a balance between throughput and image quality. Our results show high-throughput EM with imaging quality comparable with commonly used transmission-based modalities, enabling biological ultrastructure analysis across larger scales and volumes.

Transcending the hegemony of the molecular machine through an organic renewal of biology and biomedicine.

Transcending the hegemony of the molecular machine through an organic renewal of biology and biomedicine.

Thermal energy confinement time of spherical tokamak plasmas in PI3

Abstract The Plasma Injector 3 (PI3) experiment at general fusion has been constructed to demonstrate the ability to form plasma targets suitable for compression in a Magnetized Target Fusion machine. To achieve compressive heating to fusion conditions, the target plasmas should have an energy confinement time sufficiently in excess of the compression time. In this work we present a methodology for calculating this timescale and present results for a large set of discharges. Characterization of the plasma current profiles reveals trends and groupings determined by machine settings. The largest energy confinement times have been obtained for discharges with a broad plasma current profile, fresh lithium coating on the device walls, and a near constant toroidal field. We find that PI3 plasmas at 5 ms into the discharge can have thermal confinement times in excess of 10 ms . These meter-scale plasma can thus achieve significant heating if compressed on a timescale of milliseconds.

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SELECTING THE OPTIMAL SET OF MACHINES FOR SORTING AND CRUSHING MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND SUBSTANTIATION OF THEIR KEY PARAMETERS

The article is devoted to solving a complex problem, including the issues of selecting the optimal set of machines and the technological scheme for implementing the sorting and crushing of municipal solid waste at transfer and recycling stations, and the justification of the key parameters of crushing and sorting machines, considering properties of waste. When examining the main parameters, the input and output characteristics of machines are considered in the developed technological scheme. When determining the properties of waste, 12 administrative districts of the territory of Tashkent were used as objects for cluster sampling. Through an in-depth study of the process of sorting and crushing municipal solid waste, based on the developed technological scheme, the type and design of the crushing machine were determined. Based on the methods of regression analysis and mathematical statistics, a series of multifactor experiments were conducted on the main parameters of a hammer crusher. In addition, considering the properties of waste, the main parameters of the drum screen were determined, in particular, the diameter of the grid opening. The developed optimal set of machines with substantiated rational parameters will make it possible to maximally prepare the components of municipal solid waste for use in the form of secondary raw materials.

Application of the Fault Injection Method for the Verification of the Behavior of Multiple Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flying in Formation

This research aims to present an analysis of the behavior of multiple Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (multi-RPAS) flying in formation, a key aspect of advanced aerial mobility in the aerospace industry. This involves the positioning and relative distance in three dimensions (3D) of two RPAS, taking into account their operational requirements and limitations, recognizing the operating states, and addressing potential situations encountered during formation flight. For this study, the “Conformance and Fault Injection—CoFI” methodology is employed. This methodology guides the user towards a comprehensive understanding of the system and enables the creation of a set of finite state machines representing the system’s behavior under study. Consequently, models and requirements for the behavior of multi-RPAS flying in formation are presented. By applying the CoFI methodology to inject faults into the operation and predict behavior in anomalous situations, both normal and abnormal behavior models, as well as the flight behavior requirements of the multi-RPAS formation, are outlined. This analysis is expected to facilitate the identification of formation flight behavior in multi-RPAS, thereby reducing associated operational risks.

Exploring Time and Power Requirement Trade-Offs in an Additive Manufacturing-Disrupted Production Cell

Abstract The introduction of additive manufacturing (AM) into modern production environments has provided new capabilities; however, these capabilities have disrupted manufacturing cells. The disruption of manufacturing through the addition of AM processes provides an opportunity to model a manufacturing cell, quantify the cells performance with respect to primary concerns, disrupt the cell, and lastly provide a qualitative analysis of the trade space between primary concerns. Using a previously developed cell model and convex optimization approach, the qualitative trade-offs between power and manufacturing time were explored. This trade-off analysis was then demonstrated using a realistic case study in which an existing cell was disrupted via the introduction of an additive manufacturing process with the requirement that the cell was not able to be re-designed or re-configured. The optimal machine settings for the original cell were used as the starting point for an adaptive optimization to recover as much performance as possible from the cell without changing the order, number, or types of machines other than the introduction of the AM process. The results offer a large number of important lessons related to the design of manufacturing cells, the design of products, and the possible decision variables for integrating AM into end-user manufacturing systems.

Overall Labor Effectiveness (OLE) Method for Analyzing Employee Performance in the Musical Instrument Industry

The production processes in the musical instrument industry are highly diverse, ranging from manual operations to full automation. The musical instrument industry examined in this study is predominantly characterized by manual production processes. In manual production, the role of operators is crucial in determining productivity levels. The Buffing Section is a workgroup within the painting department responsible for polishing components of musical instruments. Observations conducted from September to November revealed that the productivity of this group had not met the company’s target of 82%. Productivity was recorded at 70% in September, 77% in October, and 72% in November. To evaluate this condition, operator performance effectiveness was measured using the Overall Labor Effectiveness (OLE) method. OLE is used to assess labor productivity efficiency in manufacturing by examining the cumulative impact of three elements—availability, performance, and quality—on output. To identify the priority factors affecting productivity, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was employed. Additionally, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) was conducted to analyze the causes of problems and propose improvements. The results of the study showed an OLE value of 76%, indicating that the operational performance effectiveness was below the global standard. AHP analysis revealed that the primary factor influencing the low OLE value, which should be prioritized for problem analysis and improvement, was the quality factor, with an eigenvector value of 0.70. To further identify quality-related issues, RCA analysis highlighted the most dominant defects based on a Pareto diagram, namely rough surfaces (69.74%) and dull finishes (15.61%). The primary causes of these defects were, Uneven operator skills, Improper machine settings, Inadequate sanding processes, Incorrect pressure during the buffing process, Excessive or insufficient use of wax, Poor workplace cleanliness