Self Assistive Technology for Disabled People – Voice Controlled Wheel Chair and Home Automation System

This paper describes the design of an innovative and low cost self-assistive technology that is used to facilitate the control of a wheelchair and home appliances by using advanced voice commands of the disabled people. This proposed system will provide an alternative to the physically challenged people with quadriplegics who is permanently unable to move their limbs (but who is able to speak and hear) and elderly people in controlling the motion of the wheelchair and home appliances using their voices to lead an independent, confident and enjoyable life. The performance of this microcontroller based and voice integrated design is evaluated in terms of accuracy and velocity in various environments. The results show that it could be part of an assistive technology for the disabled persons without any third person’s assistance

Improvement on mechanical and flame retardancy behaviour of bio-exfoliated graphene-filled epoxy/glass fibre composites using compression moulding approach

Bio-reduction of composite materials is the modern approach to facilitate the researchers to avoid toxic chemical exposure during reduction process. In this study, the green reduction of graphene oxide using Abutilon indicum (Tamil name: Thuthi) plant leaves extracted from various solvents were used as green filler material (0.3, 0.6 and 1 wt.%) in glass fibre epoxy composite. Compression moulding process was adopted to fabricate bio-reduced graphene oxide (BGO) filler incorporated polymer matrix composite. Tensile, flexural, toughness, impact test and fracture surface morphology analysis have been conducted over developed composite. Flame retardancy behaviour was studied based on UL94 standard. Outcome of the study revealed that Abutilon indicum act as the better reducing agent to reduce graphene oxide. XRD, FTIR results depicts the proper distortion of graphite flask. Addition of BGO in polymer matrix improvises the tensile, flexural and impact strength of matrix material up to 28%, 55% and 80%. Herein addition of 0.6 wt.% of BGO showcase better fracture toughness and flexural strength, further increment in BGO show negative effect in strength. Occurrence of delamination failure was notified in fracture surface morphology

Heat and mass transmission of an Oldroyd-B nanofluid flow through a stratified medium with swimming of motile gyrotactic microorganisms and nanoparticles

This paper focuses on the research of motile microorganism rates in the bioconvective Oldroyd-B nanoliquid flow over a vertical stretching sheet with mixed convection and inclined magnetic field. Additionally, interesting characteristics of thermophoresis, Brownian motion, viscous dissipation, Joule heating, and stratification are examined. Similarity transformations are employed to reduce the mathematical model to higher-order ODE. The convergent serious solution is applied to solve the nonlinear differential system. The analysis of temperature, velocity, motile microorganisms’ density, and nanoparticle concentration are represented through graphs. Local Nusselt number, density number of motile microorganisms, and Sherwood number are examined via contour plots

Designing IoT based posture monitoring system

With the existence of vast increase in the usage of digital equipment such as computers and other smart devices in their work, people tend to face several health issues. This utilization of digital technology makes people spend most of their time by sitting in one place for a long time. This results in creating several illnesses to them. People do not realize their sitting posture which might hurt their body over a long run of inappropriate sitting practice. As a result, this paper aims to design a system to monitor the posture of the neck and body of a person in sitting position. This proposal utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) such as microcontroller, sensor, etc., to monitor the body posture of a person and help people to correct their body posture

Neutrophil-mediated erythrophagocytosis following Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) bite

Snakebite envenomation is regarded as a high-priority neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organisation, as it results in significant loss of lives and permanent disabilities. Russell’s viper is one of the snakes that causes morbidities, mortalities and disabilities in India. The clinical presentation of Russell’s viper envenomation is characterised by local envenoming effects, tissue damage, venom-induced coagulopathy, neurotoxicity, and kidney injury. However, venom composition and its mechanisms of toxicity are highly variable even within snakes of the same species including Russell’s viper. This variation in venom composition results in a broad range of clinical complications. Here we present a previously undocumented case of neutrophil-mediated erythrophagocytosis in a healthy 28-year-old female following Russell’s viper bite. Systemic envenomation effects and bleeding abnormalities in this patient were corrected by the administration of polyvalent antivenom. Two days later, the patient developed progressive swelling and ecchymosis in the bitten limb. Observed abnormal limits within blood testing were followed up by a peripheral blood smear where it was found that 30% of neutrophils had phagocytosed erythrocytes as they were found within the cytoplasm. The patient underwent a fasciotomy for compartmental syndrome and received packed red cells and a course of corticosteroids. Following this treatment, the patient made a full recovery. This case report outlines a previously undocumented pathological event induced by Russell’s viper envenomation, guiding diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians' knowledge of the mechanisms of toxicity of Russell’s viper envenomation and its clinical manifestations are essential for improving the treatment of snakebites to achieve positive outcomes

Different experimental approaches in modelling cataractogenesis: An overview of selenite-induced nuclear cataract in rats

Cataract, the opacification of eye lens, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. At present, the only remedy is surgical removal of the cataractous lens and substitution with a lens made of synthetic polymers. However, besides significant costs of operation and possible complications, an artificial lens just does not have the overall optical qualities of a normal one. Hence it remains a significant public health problem, and biochemical solutions or pharmacological interventions that will maintain the transparency of the lens are highly required. Naturally, there is a persistent demand for suitable biological models. The ocular lens would appear to be an ideal organ for maintaining culture conditions because of lacking blood vessels and nerves. The lens in vivo obtains its nutrients and eliminates waste products via diffusion with the surrounding fluids. Lens opacification observed in vivo can be mimicked in vitro by addition of the cataractogenic agent sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) to the culture medium. Moreover, since an overdose of sodium selenite induces also cataract in young rats, it became an extremely rapid and convenient model of nuclear cataract in vivo. The main focus of this review will be on selenium (Se) and its salt sodium selenite, their toxicological characteristics and safety data in relevance of modelling cataractogenesis, either under in vivo or in vitro conditions. The studies revealing the mechanisms of lens opacification induced by selenite are highlighted, the representatives from screening for potential anti-cataract agents are listed

Efficacy of Quasi Agro Binding Fibre on the Hybrid Composite Used in Advance Application

The choice for natural fibre obtained from agricultural products is on the rise due to its solution to eco-friendly, environmental and improved mechanical properties concerns. Its abundant availability, low cost, emission reduction and adaptability to base material for composite make it a prime material for selection. This review explores diverse perspectives to the future trend of agro fibre in terms of the thermo-mechanical properties as it applies to advanced application in building structures. It is important to investigate the ecofriendliness of the products of composites from fibres in agricultural wastes so as to achieve a green and sustainable environment. This will come to fore by the combined efforts of both researchers and feedback from building stakeholders