An Infra-Red Heating Based Fast Method of Moisture Content Measurement and Its Application to Measure Blend Proportion of Polyester-Viscose Woven Fabrics

Moisture content values of plain woven fabrics of polyester-viscose blended yarns were measured using standard conditioning procedures as well as a new method of preconditioning of samples using infra-red heating and subsequent conditioning in a desiccator for a specific conditioning time. The effects of drying time and conditioning time on measured moisture content values were studied and optimization of these parameters were done. Results of the moisture content measurement using these methods show a sufficiently linear relationship between measured moisture content and the proportion of viscose in the fabric samples. The regression analysis showed very high coefficients of determination (above 0.98) in all cases. Regression equations were used to predict the blend proportion of fabric samples from the moisture content data. It was found that even the moisture content values using a shorter conditioning time of 60 minutes and even 10 minutes yielded correct prediction with a maximum error of magnitude less than 3.0 in blend percentage values

Observations of TeV gamma-rays from Mrk 421 during Dec. 2005 to Apr. 2006 with the TACTIC telescope

The TACTIC $\gamma$-ray telescope has observed Mrk 421 on 66 clear nights from Dec. 07, 2005 to Apr. 30, 2006, totalling $\sim$ 202 hours of on-source observations. Here, we report the detection of flaring activity from the source at $\geq$ 1 TeV energy and the time-averaged differential $\gamma$-ray spectrum in the energy range 1-11 TeV for the data taken between Dec. 27, 2005 to Feb. 07, 2006 when the source was in a relatively higher state as compared to the rest of the observation period. Analysis of this data spell, comprising about $\sim$97h reveals the presence of a $\sim 12.0 \sigma$ $\gamma$-ray signal with daily flux of $>$ 1 Crab unit on several days. A pure power law spectrum with exponent $-3.11\pm0.11$ as well as a power law spectrum with an exponential cutoff $(\Gamma = -2.51\pm0.26$ and $E_0=(4.7\pm2.1) TeV)$ are found to provide reasonable fits to the inferred differential spectrum within statistical uncertainties. We believe that the TeV light curve presented here, for nearly 5 months of extensive coverage, as well as the spectral information at $\gamma$-ray energies of $>$ 5 TeV provide a useful input for other groups working in the field of $\gamma$-ray astronomy.Comment: 13pages,4figures; Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Near total penile amputation caused by hair tourniquet, managed with the URAGPI procedure

The hair tourniquet syndrome is an unusual phenomenon which can cause severe damage to the affected organ, sometimes even its loss. This problem requires urgent attention and prompt management to ensure anatomical and functional preservation. Herein we report a case of penile hair tourniquet which was successfully managed using the urethral advancement and glanuloplasty incorporated procedure (URAGPI)