Identification test of elements remaining in the barrel after firing, using Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The issue of elements remaining in the barrel after firing is crucial both for the safe use of munition, and its reliability. These elements maybe categorized as being part of a metal case or a projectile (for example, fragments of broken connectors between a metal band and a projectile), or those associated with a propelling charge (like unburnt propellant grains). Both groups are undesirable and reflect the ammunition improper work. During own shooting tests of a 120 mm mortar ammunition the problem of unburnt elements remaining in the barrel occurred. The collected material was tested using one of the thermal analysis techniques - Differential Scanning Calorimetry - to characterize and to identify the tested sample.

STUDY OF ACCESSORY SUPRAORBITAL FORAMEN IN NORTH INDIAN HUMAN SKULL

Objective: This research was aimed at telling the anatomical characteristics of the accessory supraorbital foramen (ASOF) in relation to the main supraorbital foramen (SOF), which is necessary in clinical situations that require regional surgical procedures. Methods: A total dedicated to the presence and location of 72 dry Indian adults of unknown age and sex were investigated. In each skull, the ASOF location was measured on both sides with a Vernier caliper metal case, with the SOF as the reference point. The total number of accessory foramen was also noted. Results: Accessory infraorbital foramens (IOFs) were seen only in 4.16% in our study and all seen were single in number. Half of those accessory foramen were present on medial and rest half were present on superomedial position as compared to the main IOF. Half among present accessory foramens were located at a distance of <2 mm and half were located at a distance of more than 2 mm. The mean location of accessory IOF was at 7.07 mm from main IOF. Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomical characteristics of ASOF can have major effects on surgical and local anesthetic preparation blockage of the super orbital nerves. Additional guidance for surgeons may be provided with information on the foramens obtained from this study. The surgeons should note this during the nerve block as damage to either branch will lead to sensory impairment and incomplete blocking of the nerve.

Experimental investigation of new optical antenna designs found by a genetic algorithm

Most currently studied optical antenna geometries are based on radio wave antenna designs. However, material properties at optical frequency largely differ from the perfect metal case at radio frequencies. Recently, evolutionary algorithms (EA) [1] were used in the field of Plasmonics to find novel geometries however with strongly limited configuration space [2]. We developed an EA capable of handling complex multiparticle geometries. In a first application we optimized near-field intensity enhancement produced by antenna structures in a single point [3]. We found a novel geometry, i.e. a nano antenna/split-ring hybrid antenna for which the near-field intensity enhancement is strongly increased. Yet these structures are not suitable for experimental realization. Here we show the results of an adapted EA which uses primitive elements that are compatible with an experimental fabrication step using FIB. The performance of the realized structures is characterized by means of confocal two-photon-photoluminescence-(2PPL)-microscopy. We find that the hierarchy of performances found in individuals taken from sequential generations of the EA can be reproduced in fabricated structures.