Extractive Titrimetric Determination of Hg(II), Cu(II) & Ag(I) Using Lead Diethyldithiocarbamate

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How Algorithmic Confounding in Recommendation Systems Increases Homogeneity and Decreases Utility

Recommendation systems are ubiquitous and impact many domains; they have the potential to influence product consumption, individuals' perceptions of the world, and life-altering decisions. These systems are often evaluated or trained with data from users already exposed to algorithmic recommendations; this creates a pernicious feedback loop. Using simulations, we demonstrate how using data confounded in this way homogenizes user behavior without increasing utility

Summary of Current Radiometric Calibration Coefficients for Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+, and EO-1 ALI Sensors

This paper provides a summary of the current equations and rescaling factors for converting calibrated Digital Numbers (DNs) to absolute units of at-sensor spectral radiance, Top-Of- Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance, and at-sensor brightness temperature. It tabulates the necessary constants for the Multispectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Advanced Land Imager (ALI) sensors. These conversions provide a basis for standardized comparison of data in a single scene or between images acquired on different dates or by different sensors. This paper forms a needed guide for Landsat data users who now have access to the entire Landsat archive at no cost

Engineering of Ferrite-Graphite Composite Media for Microwave Shields

An electromagnetic shielding of objects using ferrite-graphite composites is considered. The analytical model, using the Maxwell Garnett formulation for multiphase mixtures, results of computations based on this model and plane-wave formulation, and some experimental results are represented

Engineering of Composite Media for Shields at Microwave Frequencies

Analytical and numerical modeling of composites with an isotropic dielectric base and multiphase conducting inclusions for the development of wideband microwave shields is considered. The model uses Maxwell Garnett formalism for multiphase mixtures. Such composites are required in many engineering applications, including electromagnetic compatibility

Study the antimicrobial agents sensitivity of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients admitted in RIMS, Ranchi

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to combat because of emerging resistance to all current antibiotic classes. For this, study of MRSA isolated from admitted patients were carried out. These strains were separately tested for their sensitivity to different antibiotics to know which group of antibiotics are most effective particularly for cases of RIMS, Ranchi. Material & Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi clinical isolates of MRSA strains were obtained from admitted patients of RIMS, Ranchi. The sources of isolate included pus from infected surgical wounds, infected burn wounds, conjunctival swab, aural swab, throat swab, vaginal swab, urine etc for microbiological analysis and antimicrobial sensitivity of MRSA. Disc diffusion method was employed. Results: All the 264 cases of staphylococcal species isolated from different clinical specimens were subjected to coagulase test. It was observed that out of 264 strains of staphylococci isolated from different sites 165 strains (62.5%) were coagulase positive and 99 strains (37.5%) were coagulase negative by tube method. It was observed that out of 165 strains of staph. aureus isolated from different clinical samples 64 strains of staph. aureus were resistant to methicillin (38.78%). Maximum isolation of MRSA were from pus 38 (51.35%), followed by throat swab 19 (36.36%), aural swab (14.28%) and conjunctival swab (44.44%). It was observed that out of 165 strains of s. aureus isolated only 64 strains were resistant to methicillin. All strains of MRSA were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin & linezolid. Similarly 92.3% were sensitive to netilmicin, 89.7% to clindamycin, 82.1% to ciprofloxacin, 74.4% to cephotaxime, 69.2% to azithromycin, 56.4% to roxithromycin & clarithromycin, 17.9% to piperacillin/tazobactam. The most effective antibiotic against MRSA was vancomycin, linezolid, netilmicin & clindamycin. Conclusion: After comparing the effectiveness of antibiotics against MRSA infection it can be concluded that piperacillin/tazobactam, clarithromycin, roxithromycin azithromycin, cefotaxime & ciprofloxacin are of little value in treating the MRSA infection. They should not be used indiscriminately and in a haphazard manner otherwise increment in emergence of resistant strains may not be checked

Soil Health Awareness: Soil Science at Doorsteps of the Farmers

Rainfed semi arid tropics (SAT) are hot spots of poverty and malnutrition, and population explosion is further aggravating the problem. Out of 852 million hungry and malnutritioned poor worldwide, 221 million are in India. Attaining food and nutritional security for these regions is a big challenge particularly in view of climate change which is expected to hit hard again these areas. Poor soil health in addition to water scarcity, largely due to mining of soil nutrients and inappropriate nutrient management options adopted by the farmers, is a major constraint leading to sub optimal crop yields (1-1.5 t ha•') and lower economic returns inspite of existing potential (2.5-7.0 t ha•' ). Poor soil health is also responsible to low water use efficiency due to limiting nutrients and exhausted C. Now, there exists a vicious poverty-food security-land degradation nexus in which a farmer is trapped.....

Balanced plant nutrition enhances rainfed crop yields and water productivity in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh states of India

Two hundred and thirty six soil samples from farmers’ fields in the Gumla and Saraikela districts of Jharkhand, and Jhabua and Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh were analyzed for soil chemical fertility. Results showed deficiencies of sulphur (43 to 100% of samples), boron (69 to 98%), and zinc (5 to 73%). Majority of the farmers’ fields, except for those in the Saraikela district, fell in the normal range of soil carbon, phosphorus, and potassium. Soil samples from Jharkhand were relatively poor in fertility. In on-farm trials conducted during 2009 and 2010 in Jharkhand, balanced nutrition (NPK+ S+B Zn) increased yields by 27 to 56% for paddy (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, productivity improved by 14 to 57% for soybean (Glycine max), paddy, groundnut, blackgram (Vigna mungo), and greengram (Vigna radiata). The benefits of balanced nutrition included effective utilization of scarce water and increased rainwater use efficiency (1.02 to 13.3 kg mm–1 ha–1), compared with farmers’ practice (0.92 to 9.67 kg mm–1 ha–1). Balanced nutrition provided net returns ranging from Rs. 7155 to 12375 ha–1 in Jharkhand and Rs. 1475 to 12735 ha–1 in Madhya Pradesh. A favourable benefit-to-cost ratio in Jharkhand (7.36 to 12.0) and Madhya Pradesh (1.97 to 9.35) demonstrated the economic viability of balanced nutrition

Improving the Efficiency of the Bowden Cable Terminal Injection Process for the Automotive Industry

Control cables transfer force between two separate locations by a flexible mean, and hence, they are important in the automotive industry and many others; their terminals interact with both moving and moved mechanisms, so they must be strong. Cable terminals are commonly made of ZAMAK and are created by injection molding. However, such a production method requires leaving extra material to allow the correct molding, also known as sprues, which are removed later in the process. In this case, the sprues were separating from the terminals in an uncontrolled way. In this work, the cause of sprues separating prematurely from the terminals in a production line is addressed. The whole process was analyzed, and each possible solution was evaluated using process improvement techniques and the Finite Element Method, leading to the best solutions. Molds, mold structures, and auxiliary equipment were improved, resulting in a minimally invasive intervention and remaining compatible with other equipment. Cost analyses were done, indicating an investment return in less than a year. The modification led to a reduction of 62.6% in the sprue mass, while porosity was reduced by 10.2% and 55.9%, corresponding to two terminal models. In conclusion, the interventions fulfilled the requirements and improved the operation of the line.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio