Informatics Publishing Limited

P. Gajalakshmi ¹, A. Raja ², M. Mohamed Mahroop Raja ², A. Habeeb Rahman ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Arts and Science for Women, Perambalur, Tamilnadu, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous), Tricky, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

The word kefir is said to have originated from the Turkish word "Keif" which means "good feeling". This is probably due to the overall sense of health and well-being they enjoyed through its consumption. Kefir dates back many centuries to the shepherds of the Caucasus Mountains, many of which live to be happily active and over 100 years. They discovered that fresh milk carried in leather pouches would occasionally ferment into an effervescent beverage. Kefir grains are a combination of bacteria and yeasts in a matrix of proteins, lipids and sugars.

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A. Raja ¹, F. K. Johnsy Sundari ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Medical –Surgical Nursing, Sahyadri College of Nursing, Mangalore, IN
2 Kailkere Rukmini Shetty Memorial College of Nursing, Mangalore, IN

Abstract

Background: Globally, smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of death. Aerobic exercise has been proven to cleanse the body of toxins, increase lung capacity. Laughter therapy is a modified form of breathing exercise, which gives workout to the muscles of respiration. It is helpful in improving the oxygen saturation in the body and improves the pulmonary function.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of laughter therapy and breathing exercises on pulmonary function being among smokers.

Material and Methods: Quantitative approach and quasi experimental multiple intervention design was adopted for the study. The setting of the study was Coimbatore. Male smokers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were considered as the population. The study consists of 300 samples, out of which 100 in control group, 100 in breathing exercises group, and 100 in laughter therapy group. Non-probability purposive sampling was adopted. Male smokers alone between the age group of 30 - 60 years were included. In demographic data age, duration, form of smoking, average number of beedi/cigarettes or both per day, and nature of activity were collected. To assess pulmonary function of smokers, 4 pulmonary parameters namely FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75% were measured in liter with the help of the spirometer (SpiroBank_G). Laughter therapy and breathing exercises were group process; each group consists of 10-15 samples. The interventions were given weekly 6 days (Monday- Saturday) about 30 - 40 minutes in the evening for the period of 6 weeks. In control group no intervention was given and no control on their original activity level. Once again the pulmonary function was assessed after six weeks.

Results: The calculated paired 't' value for all the four pulmonary parameters (FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75%) in control, breathing exercises and laughter therapy were significant at 0.01 level, except for PEFR in control group. Even in control group the pre-post difference for FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% was significant at 0.01 level. It was because of significant reduction in post-test pulmonary parameters compared to pre- test score. The calculated 'F' values for post-test FVC (4.7) was significant at 0.01 level; FEV1 (4.47), and PEFR (4.38) were significant at 0.05 level, and FEF25-75% (0.69) was not significant. Hence there was a significant difference in the pulmonary parameters such as FVC, FEV1, PEFR (P<0.01), between groups. So the post- hoc test was performed. The Post -hoc test revealed that the control group showed significant difference with breathing exercises and laughter therapy in the three pulmonary parameters (FVC, FEV1, and PEFR). There was no significant difference in the pulmonary parameter FEF25-75% among control, breathing exercises and Laughter therapy group. The results of the study revealed that the breathing exercises and laughter therapy were equally effective in improving pulmonary parameters (FVC, FEV1, and PEFR), except FEF25-75% and there was no significant difference between breathing exercises and laughter therapy in all four pulmonary parameters. All four pre-test pulmonary parameters (FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75%) were significantly associated with age, duration and form of smoking of smokers (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Both laughter therapy and breathing exercises were equally effective in improving pulmonary function of smokers. There was no significant difference between laughter therapy and breathing exercises.

Keywords

Smokers, Pulmonary Function, Pulmonary Parameters, Laughter Therapy, and Breathing Exercise.

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R. Easwaran ¹, A. Raja ¹, G. Ravichandran ¹, G. Buvanashekaran ¹

Affiliations
1 Welding Research Institute, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Tiruchirappalli - 620014, IN

Abstract

Welding Science and Technology is a continuously growing field thanks to its multi-disciplinary character. There is so much happening in the connected fields like Arc Physics, heat transfer, electronics of power sources, digitisation drive, low cost and robotic automation, materials science, Nano-technology, high energy beams, materials development, stress analysis and so on, that welding has blossomed in many directions. There is no dearth of challenge to the welding professional today and the opportunity is aplenty to learn and improve every day. Welding is also the heart and soul of the fabrication technology and so with the growth in the manufacturing sector, there is an irresistible pull on the welding industry to improve and meet the challenge of the day. Hence, it is no wonder the welding technology is growing, amply contributed by the academia, research centres and the industry in India. While there is great satisfaction that the research in this field in India has advanced to a certain level, there are still several areas, where India is looking up to the outside world for support, and very little of efforts is taking place within the country due to resource and other constraints. This paper is an attempt to look at the various areas, and a self-introspection on where all we in India should be. The areas of research in welding can be broadly categorised as material development, consumable development, establishment of weldability, development of new processes which will improve the quality and productivity while minimizing cycle time of welding, improved non-destructive testing, development of welding procedures to minimize any distortion, characterisation of weldments for their service behaviour etc. The research activities that are currently under progress are discussed in the paper. There is no doubt that the technology is well poised to take large strides in the years ahead, but the research in India should take some strong steps to be in the forefront of such strides.

Keywords

Wave Form Controlled Technologies, Welding Engineering, Advances in High Energy Beam Processes, Advanced Arc Welding Processes, Simulation.

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K. L. Rohira ¹, T. K. Mitra ¹, A. Logithasan ¹, A. Raja ¹, R. S. Babu ¹, V. Silvan ²

Affiliations
1 Welding Research Institute, BHEL, Tiruchirappalli, IN
2 Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, IN

Abstract

Mig Welding is widely used for welding of aluminium and its alloys. It is a fast, adaptable process and its ability to deposit large quantities of weld metal in any position in a comparatively short period of time makes it extremely attaractive.

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S. Manoharan ¹, K. L. Rohira ¹, A. Raja ¹, S. Palani ²

Affiliations
1 Welding Research Institute, BHEL, Trichy, IN
2 Electrical & Electronics Engg. Dept., REC, Trichy, IN

Abstract

A number of power sources are available today from different manufacturers for MIG/MAG welding. Thyristor power sources and transistor power sources are gaining popularity. The performance of MIG/ MAG welding power supplies is heavily dependent on their dynamic properties. However, present day codes are not adequate for evaluating the power source since dynamic properties are not taken in to consideration.

In this paper a simplified method is proposed for evaluation of a given power source which can form guidelines for ordering a new power source as well as to evaluate the same. Evaluation of arc stability, arc ignition and spatter level, are some of the factors considered in the present study.

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A. Shanmugam ¹, A. Raja ¹, A. Santha Kumari ¹, K. l. Rohira ¹, K. G. K. Murti ¹

Affiliations
1 Welding Research Institute, BHEL, Tiruchirapalli - 620 014, IN

Abstract

The term “Process stability" refers to the dynamic behaviour of the welding arc. In MIG welding process it depends on number of factors like power source characteristics, shielding gas, welding conditions, mode of metal transfer and wire chemistry etc. However the influence of each of these factors on the process stability is reflected in the current and voltage waveform of the welding arc. Since the current and voltage signals of an arc welding process are stochastic signals by nature, it requires statistical signal theory for evaluating the process stability. Therefore the current and voltage signals are measured using high speed data acquisition system and analysed. This paper presents the results of the investigation carried out on the influence of shielding gas mixture on the process stability in solid wire MIG welding under short circuit and spray transfer conditions, using statistical approach.

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