Acoustic emission technique (AET) has been used to monitor the progress of tool wear during turning of silicon carbide (20 wt.%) dispersed Al alloy metal matrix composite. Acoustic emission (AE) signals generated beyond a specific cutting distance increase abruptly. Statistical analysis based on assumed β distribution of AE energy showed that skewness and kurtosis vary with cutting time. Comparison of these results with bparameter of amplitude distribution of AE hits presented in an earlier investigation has shown that while b-parameter is useful for monitoring tool wear up to 0.4 mm, skewness and kurtosis can better monitor the wear beyond that. Uncertainty measurement of AE energy for different cutting distances was determined as per ISO GUM. The combined uncertainty for the measurement of AE energy lies in the range of 0.38 to 1.69, with higher values for the cutting distance between 213.8 mm and 454.5 mm. Different parameters such as skewness and kurtosis of the statistical distribution, b-parameter of amplitude distribution and uncertainties can be used in a complimentary manner for comprehensive evaluation of tool wear.

The fastidious Gram-positive cocci Granulicatella adiacens, previously known as nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS) are unusual but significant cause of endocarditis due to increased mortality and morbidity. Difficulties in reaching correct bacteriological identification, increased resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and macrolides and complicated clinical course have contributed to problems in management of cases of infective endocarditis caused by this bacterium. We present the first Indian case of endocarditis with arterial embolus by G. adiacens in an elderly male with no preexisting cardiac abnormality

Emergence of multi and pan-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria causing nosocomial infections in intensive care settings has become a challenge for clinicians. The mortality rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is known to increase when the initial microbiological diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy are inappropriate. We present a case of a 18-year-old man, who after being admitted following an accident, had developed VAP due to multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. and had a downhill clinical course despite broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. The strains were found to be Col-S, as the susceptibility was tested. Colistin was instituted, with remarkable recovery. It is imperative to diagnose VAP with multi-drug resistant strains as early as possible; colistin, the 'last resort' antibiotic, if instituted with proper monitoring at the right time, can be life saving.