Dead time and count loss determination for radiation detection systems in high count rate applications

This research is focused on dead time and the subsequent count loss estimation in radiation detection systems. The dead time is the minimum amount of time required between two events to permit detection of those events individually by a radiation detection system. If events occur during the system dead time, they are lost. Such lost information can be important in many applications including high-precision spectroscopy, positron emission tomography (PET), and the scanning of spent nuclear fuel. Understanding of the behavior of radiation detection systems is important; thus this work included a comprehensive review of dead time and pulse pile-up models and methods. The most common way to estimate detector dead time is by one-parameter approximations known as nonparalyzable and paralyzable models. This research proposes a two parameter model that estimates the detector paralysis factor and the dead time based on a graphical method. To determine the two parameters characteristics of a detection system, this work tested a novel technique to saturate the detector using a decaying source. The modified decaying source method, unlike other methods, does not assume the idealized behavior of detection system in use and calculates the overall dead time of the detection system. The paralysis factor for high purity germanium detection system was estimated approaching 100% and the dead time was on the order of 5-10 µs which compares well with the literature --Abstract, page iv

Durable antimicrobial and superhydrophobic cotton fabrics

&nbsp;In this study, a durable dual functional (antimicrobial and superhydrophobic) coating for cotton fabrics was developed. A novel one-step coating method was devised which is simple and easy for scaling up for bulk-scale production. The fabrics have potential application in a hospital environment to contain the threat of nosocomial infections.<br /

Precision Agriculture for Water Management Using IOT

In the territory of agriculture, proper use of irrigation is important and it is well known that irrigation by drip approach is very cost effective and efficient.Role of agriculture in the development of agricultural country is very important. The freshly come up wireless sensor network (WSN) technology has growing rapidly into distinct multi-disciplinary fields. Agriculture and farming is one of the management which have freshly switch their consideration to WSN, curious this cost adequate technology to improve its production and boost agriculture yield definitive. The outlook of this paper is to design and develop an agricultural monitoring system using wireless sensor network and IOT to enlarge the productivity and quality of farming without penetrating it for all the time manually. Temperature, humidity and water levels are the most important circumstances for the productivity, growth, and quality of plants in agriculture. The temperature, humidity and water level sensors are set up to cluster the temperature and humidity values. One of the most stimulating fields having an exotic need of decision support systems is Precision Agriculture (PA). Through sensor networks, agriculture can be associated to the IoT, with the help of this approach which provides real-time information about the lands and crops that will help farmers make right decisions. The primary influence is implementation of WSN in Precision Agriculture (PA) with the help of IoT which will enhance the usage of water, fertilizers while expand the yield of the crops and also notifications are sent to farmers mobile periodically. The farmers can able to monitor the field conditions from anywhere

A Review on Design, Development & Testing of Double Pipe Heat Exchanger With Heat Transfer Enhancement Liners

Heat transfer augmentation techniques are used to increase rate of heat transfer without affecting much the overall performance of the system. Heat transfer augmentation techniques are commonly used in areas such as heating and cooling in evaporators, air-conditioning equipment, thermal power plants, space vehicle, automobile etc. This presentation contains literature survey of enhancement techniques in heat transfer using inserts. A novel method is proposed in the form of fin holders with oblique fins to enhance the heat transfer in double pipe heat exchanger

Management and outcome of community acquired pneumonia: hospital based study

Background: Lower Respiratory Tract infections are responsible for one-fifth of the deaths caused due to infectious diseases in India and Pneumonia is a major culprit. Timely and appropriate empirical treatment based on knowledge of local etiological factors is important in the management of the disease. Data related to investigation profile and therapy as well as morbidity and mortality is available from different geographic regions. Present study describes the management and outcome of disease data from a tertiary hospital at Rajkot in Gujarat state during the study period.Methods: The present prospective observational study was completed in the study duration (November 2014 to April 2016) at tuberculosis and chest diseases Department of PDU Hospital at Rajkot, Gujarat. 50 patients above 12 years of age with CAP on clinical diagnosis assisted by radiology were included in the study. The haematology profile, therapy, complications and mortality were described.Results: Haemoglobin was below 10gm percent in 22% cases. Leucocytosis was observed in 72% cases. Ten percent patients were seropositive for HIV. There was a moderate response to treatment with penicillin group of drugs (approximately 22%). Many patients had to be offered other group of drugs like Cephalosporins, macrolides and quinolones for clinical response. Most common complications observed were: Delayed resolution in 12 (24%) patients, synpneumonic effusion in 6 (12%) and septicaemia in 3 (6%) patients. Mortality rate was 6% during the study period.Conclusions: The results indicate a low response to treatment by penicillin group antibiotics and a high rate of complications. Mortality is similar to reports from India

Epidemiology and clinical features of community acquired pneumonia: hospital based study

Background: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection affecting a significant proportion of population from all age groups across the globe with considerable morbidity and mortality. There is a need for data from various parts of India to better understand the epidemiology of CAP. Present study is an attempt to present the relevant data from a tertiary care hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat during the study period.Methods: This observational prospective descriptive study was done during November 2014 to April 2016 at Department of TB and chest diseases, PDU Hospital at Rajkot in Gujarat. 50 patients with clinical features suggestive of CAP were enrolled. Male and female patients (above age of 12 years) admitted to TB and Chest ward or patients on OPD basis were selected for the study. The diagnosis of CAP was mainly clinical with some assistance from radiological picture. All patients were thoroughly examined particularly with regards to detailed history, clinical examination, predisposing factors and associated co-morbid conditions. Sputum examination-gram stain and culture sensitivity was done in all patients, where sputum was available. Sputum examination for acid fast bacilli (AFB) by Ziehl Nelson staining technique was done. Age and sex distribution of patients, microorganisms isolated and the clinical features were described and analyzed.Results: The mean age was 38.38±17.41 (SD) years. Male patients were 34 (68%) and female patients were 16 (32%). Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. In this study, 47 (94%) patients were admitted in the hospital for the management and 3 (6%) patients were treated on the OPD basis. Fever and cough were most common symptoms whereas dull note on affected side and crepitations were the commonest signs elicited. In this study, the most common predisposing factor was smoking which accounted for 20 (40%) patients. The most common lobe involved was Left Lower lobe accounting for 20 (40%) patients and least common lobe involved was left upper lobe accounting for 2 (4%) patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism isolated in 8 (16%) patients and second common organism was Klebsiella isolated in 7 (14%) patients.Conclusions: Males, especially smokers were more commonly affected and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism isolated. The study gives the hospital based data from the region regarding epidemiology and clinical features of community acquired pneumonia

Synthesis and Optical Properties of Near-Infrared (NIR) Absorbing Azo Dyes

This chapter provides a general overview and information on near-infrared (NIR) absorbing azo dyes. In this work, we have developed an efficient and simple protocol for the synthesis of novel A-π-D-π-A NIR azo dyes. The near-infrared absorbing azo dyes were synthesized by using 2-hydroxy-1,4 naphthoquinone (Lawsone) and different substituted aromatic primary amines. Furthermore, author developed push-pull chromophores of A-π-D-π-A type containing an electron-withdrawing azo core, phenazine moieties, and a hydroxyl group as electron donor. The benzo[a]quinoxalino[2,3-i]phenazin-5-ol moiety was introduced to make the system planer as well as to increase the π-conjugation. The optical properties of these dyes were studied in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)

Prevalence of Serological Markers of Hepatitis B in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

AIM : To study the prevalence of serological markers of Hepatitis B infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MATERIAL AND METHODS : We studied 76 IBD patients who presented or were under the follow up of the Department of Gastroenterology, Christian Medical College Vellore, India. The basic demographic data, IBD related history, risk factors for hepatitis B transmission, hepatitis B immunization details and markers of hepatitis B infection (HBsAg and Anti HBc) were assessed. RESULTS : Out of the 76 patients, 42(55.3%) had ulcerative colitis, 33(44.3%) had Crohn’s disease while 1(1.3%) had indeterminate colitis. The overall mean age for the entire study population was 37.5±13.9 years. The overall median total duration of illness at the time of inclusion of the study was 35(1-410) months while the overall median duration prior to diagnosis of illness was 7.5(1-228) months. The overall male: female ratio was 1.7:1 (48:28). Hepatitis B markers (HBsAg/Anti-HBc) were positive in 9(11.8%, 95% CI: 6.4-21%) out of 76 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. None of the patients who were positive for hepatitis B markers had features of chronic liver disease or portal hypertension. Out of the multiple risk factors studied mean age (P=0.034), non IBD related surgeries (P=0.009) and non IBD related hospital admission (P=0.008) were significantly more common in those positive for viral markers compared who were not. Out of 76 patients studied, only 7(9.2%) patients had completed 3 doses of vaccination. CONCLUSION : In our study, we found that the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in IBD patients was similar to that of the general population in India. While several guidelines recommend hepatitis B vaccination in IBD, only 9.2% of our patients had completed 3 doses of vaccinatio

Trough and Wrinkling Analysis of Non-Uniform Webs

Depending on the final product requirements webs may have thickness non-uniformities across the web width. Some products require layers of different materials to be bonded together (i.e. laminated) to meet the desired characteristics of the final product. Also there are many limitations associated with the production of webs that prevent the web from being perfectly uniform in length and thickness. This research study focuses on how non-uniform webs differ from uniform webs in terms of instability when travelling through process machinery. Much of the research to date has focused on instabilities of uniform webs. Little is known regarding whether non-uniform webs are more or less stable than uniform webs which will be examined herein. The non-uniform web approaching tapered roller and a misaligned roller were modeled using finite element techniques in COSMOS. The results from Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models were compared with closed form solutions that were developed using a structural stiffness matrix approach. Linear FEA was more accurate than the closed form expressions in predicting the onset of troughs in non-uniform webs approaching tapered or misaligned roller. These closed form solutions still have value for web line engineers who lack the ability or time to employ FEA. The closed form solutions typically yield conservative results that can safely be used by design engineers. Non-linear FEA can be used to predict the onset of wrinkles in uniform and non-uniform webs approaching tapered or misaligned rollers. It has been shown herein that the non-uniform web studied is more unstable than a similar uniform web. The non-uniform web was shown to be more susceptible to troughs and wrinkles.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineerin