Au9+ swift heavy ion irradiation of Zn[CS(NH2)2]3SO4 crystal: Crystalline perfection and optical properties

The single crystal of tris(thiourea)zinc sulphate (Zn[CS(NH2)2]3SO4) was irradiated by 150 MeV Au9+ swift heavy ions and analyzed in comparison with pure crystal for crystalline perfection and optical properties. The Fourier transform infrared and x-ray powder diffraction inferred that swift ions lead the disordering and breaking of molecular bonds in lattice without formation of new structural phases. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) revealed the abundance of point defects, and formation of mosaics and low angle grain boundaries in the irradiated region of crystal. The swift ion irradiation found to affect the lattice vibrational modes and functional groups significantly. The defects induced by heavy ions act as the color centers and resulted in enhance of photoluminescence emission intensity. The optical transparency and band gap found to be decreased.Comment: 7 page

Experimental Studies on Abrasive Water Jet Cutting of Nano SiC Particles Filled Hybrid Basalt-Glass Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) is extensively beneficial in machining materials that are hard to cut. This investigation deals with AWJM of Nano SiC filled Epoxy reinforced with basalt-glass fiber hybrid composite. The composite is prepared by compression moulding technique. Experimental trails are performed to evaluate the impact of every process parameter on the responses i.e., surface roughness (Ra) and Material Removal Rate (MRR). The experiments are conducted by changing the standoff distance (SD), traverse speed (TS) and water pressure. The performance of the conducted experiment is analysed using a Swarm intelligence algorithm. Surface roughness and MRR are maximized by using the combination of optimum process parameter levels of 9.72 mm/min speed, 5.78 mm stand-off distance and 553 MPa jet pressure. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images are employed in detecting the morphology of machined surface and confirmed the presence of voids and fibre pull-out

Studies on moult staging, moulting duration and moulting behaviour in Indian White shrimp Penaeus indicus Milne Edwards (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

Characterisation and classification of complete moult cycle of Penaeus indicus have been worked out on the basis of setal development Seotogenic moults taging was found to be a rapid and simple technique. Since excision of appendage is not required, this technique is non-destuctive and permits repetitive moult staging of an individual shrimp

Experimental investigation and mechanism analysis: Effect of concentration and temperature on the heat transfer characteristics of novel MWCNT-mustard oil nanofluid

ABSTRACT. The bio-oils as alternative lubricating fluid are potential solution for the automotive and industrial mechanical systems. The development of novel renewable and non-toxic bio-oils with better heat transfer distinctiveness will strengthen the economy of farmers in the agricultural based countries. The most innovative approach to improve the heat transfer characteristics of bio-oils is converting it into nanofluids by dispersing nanomaterials which has extremely high heat transfer characteristics. In this study, MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluids were formulated through ultrasonication and their dispersion stability was estimated through Zeta-potential technique.  The thermal stability of the MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluids are estimated through thermogravimetric analysis and concentration and temperature dependent density, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluids are also determined and their characteristics are discussed. The heat transfer characteristics of MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluids observed through the heat pipe test rig at different inlet temperatures, mass flow rate of nanofluids and Reynolds number. The results exhibits that the dispersion of MWCNT enhances the heat transfer characteristics of MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluids.   KEY WORDS: Non-toxic bio-oils, Nanomaterials, Nanofluids, Thermogravimetric analysis, MWCNT, Mustard oil Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(3), 675-686.                                                                DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i3.1

Nature of fireside deposits in a bagasse and groundnut shell fired 20 MW thermal boiler

The nature of deposit formation on the fireside surfaces of the boiler tubes in the various parts (water walls, platen superheater, final superheater, economizer, electrostatic precipitator etc.) of a commercial 20 MW stoker-fired boiler being fired with a mixture of 80% bagasse and 20% groundnut shell has been analyzed. The deposits in the various portions of the boiler were characterized by particle size analysis, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The deposits were found to be mainly quartz, alkali and alkaline earth silicates and sulfates. From the phase constitution and other microscopic characteristics of the deposit, it can be inferred that the silicates in the deposit formed through inertial impaction and the sulfates formed by vapor phase deposition

Combustion and deposit formation behavior on the fireside surfaces of a pulverized fuel boiler fired with a blend of coal and petroleum coke

The thermochemistry of the combustion of a blend of coal and 5% petroleum coke was analyzed. Thermodynamic modeling and microscopic techniques were used to study the behavior of the inorganic constituents upon combustion of the blend of coal and petroleum coke. The chemical composition and phase constitution of the combustion products, as well as the deposits at several temperatures corresponding to those at the various parts of the boiler, were deduced by free-energy minimization. These results were compared with actual results obtained from a commercial pulverized fuel boiler fired with coal and petroleum coke blend. The deposits on the fireside surfaces of the boiler tubes in the various parts (water walls, platen superheater, final superheater, economizer, and electrostatic precipitator) of the commercial pulverized fuel boiler fired with coal and 5% petroleum coke were characterized by particle size analysis, chemical analysis, x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The combustion gas composition was measured using a portable on-line gas analyzer for N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O, CO, NO, and SO 2 . The thermodynamically predicted compositions and phase constitutions for the gas phase as well as the condensed phases are in good agreement with the experimental results

Prevalence of hypertension among fisherman community in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Hypertension, often referred to as the "silent killer," usually presents no symptoms, making many people unaware of their condition. Fishing, as a profession, poses unique health risks due to harsh environmental conditions, irregular work patterns, and strenuous physical demands. Fishermen are particularly vulnerable due to unhealthy diets, sleep disturbances, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity. Estimating the prevalence of hypertension among fishermen is crucial for understanding the extent of this hidden health issue within this high-risk group and for implementing targeted interventions to improve their health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Chennai's fishermen using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and blood pressure was recorded following JNC criteria. Results: The study included 180 fishermen with a mean (SD) age of 49 (12). The prevalence of hypertension was 38.9%. Significant associations were found between hypertension, age, and years of fishing experience. Notably, 77.2% of fishermen lacked knowledge about hypertension, and 86.1% were unaware of its risk factors. Isolated systolic hypertension was found in 16% of participants, while 36% had isolated diastolic hypertension. Conclusions: In Chennai, hypertension is highly prevalent among fishermen and is significantly associated with age, years of fishing experience and smoking. There was no significant association with family history of hypertension, stress, or fried fish consumption. Awareness and knowledge about hypertension were very low among the fishermen. Although isolated systolic and diastolic hypertension were relatively minimal, regular hypertension screening for this community is essential

Clinical adjudication in acute kidney injury studies: findings from the pivotal TIMP-2*IGFBP7 biomarker study

Background The NEPROCHECK test (Astute Medical, San Diego, CA, USA) combines urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) to identify patients at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). In a US Food and Drug Administration registration trial (NCT01573962), AKI was determined by a three-member clinical adjudication committee. The objectives were to examine agreement among adjudicators as well as between adjudicators and consensus criteria for AKI and to determine the relationship of biomarker concentrations and adjudicator agreement. Methods Subjects were classified as AKI 3/3, 2/3, 1/3 or 0/3 according to the proportion of adjudicators classifying the case as AKI. Subjects were classified as Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) AKI(+) when stage 2 or 3 AKI criteria were met. Results Concordance between adjudicators and between adjudicators and KDIGO criteria were lower for AKI than non-AKI subjects [78.9 versus 97.3% (P \u3c 0.001) and 91.5 versus 97.9% (P = 0.01)]. Subjects who were AKI 3/3 or 2/3 but KDIGO AKI(−) had higher median [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] compared with those who were AKI-1/3 or 0/3 but KDIGO AKI(+) {2.78 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.33–3.56] versus 0.52 [IQR 0.26–1.64]; P = 0.008}. [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] levels were highest in patients with AKI 3/3 and lowest in AKI 0/3, whereas AKI 2/3 and 1/3 exhibited intermediate values. Conclusions In this analysis, urine [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] levels correlated to clinically adjudicated AKI better than to KDIGO criteria. Furthermore, in difficult cases where adjudicators overruled KDIGO criteria, the biomarker test discriminated well. This study highlights the importance of clinical adjudication of AKI for biomarker studies and lends further support for the value of urine [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7]

DEVELOPING TRAINING PROGRAMS IN REMOTE SENSING AND GEOSPATIAL APPLICATIONS

Capacity building programmes of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are aimed at transfer of technology in the field of Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics for monitoring and sustainable development. ISRO Carries out its capacity building through IIRS, NRSC, SAC, IIST and CSSTEAP. As part of the ISROs’ programmes, NRSC is engaged in the capacity building by conducting Regular, Thematic and Customized training courses to enable the effective utilization of Remote Sensing, Geospatial Technologies and its Applications. The main focus of NRSC training programmes is to develop skill sets in usage of these technologies to the efficient and effective development of the country. The target participants for NRSC training programmes are decision makers, implementers and working professionals, who attend short duration courses of 1, 2 and 12 weeks. This paper provides information on the training courses conducted by NRSC in the field of Geospatial Applications and also, discuss on the methodology to upgrade these training courses using multi-level approach in meeting user needs/requirements more effectively. The flexibility offered by this method by utilizing the web based and other enabling technologies is discussed