Estimation of cavity pressures in air-permeable, multi-layer systems using a lumped-leakage approach

For conventional buildings, the proper estimation of wind-induced pressures on the external façade, the roof surface, or the net pressures across elements like a canopy or parapet, which are exposed to wind on both sides, can be easily done using conventional wind tunnel tests. But in the case of air-permeable multi-layer systems, which have gaps or porosity in the external layer along with a cavity between the external and inner layers, the estimation of wind loading across the external layer or in the inner cavity by wind tunnel tests can be quite difficult due to practical difficulties in exactly simulating the dimensions of the gaps in the physical model with small model scales or other practical issues related to the tubing of the pressure sensors. Pressure equalization plays a major role on the wind loading on individual members of multi-layer systems and in this study, an analytical model to estimate the time- varying cavity pressure distributions in a double-layer system with an air-permeable outer layer was developed, given the external pressure on the outer surface. The pressure drop associated with the flow through the gaps in the external layer was modeled using orifice flow equation and mass conservation equation (Oh. J.H. & Kopp, G.A., 2014). The model accounts the geometric parameters like the cavity depth (H) which is the distance between the outer layer and the inner non-porous layer along with loss coefficient for the orifice flow through the gaps in the external layer. Moreover, the pressure drop due to flow through the gaps (G) in the external layer are accounted based on a lumped-leakage approach. The results from the analytical model are compared with wind-induced loads obtained from the wind tunnel test of roof-mounted photovoltaic solar array system with high G/H ratio obtained from Stenabaugh (2015)

Neurodevelopmental assessment of neonates with congenital hypothyroidism in a tertiary care center

Background: Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in early neurodevelopment so that untreated severe congenital hypothyroidism (CH) results in neurological and psychiatric deficits, including intellectual disability, spasticity, and disturbances of gait and coordination. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the neuromotor and neurocognitive development of babies at 12 months of age who are diagnosed to have CH and initiated on thyroxine treatment at birth. Furthermore, to estimate the occurrence of CH among babies delivered in our hospital through thyroid screening. Study Design: This was a descriptive study. Setting: The study was conducted in Sree Gokulam Medical College Hospital and Research Foundation, a tertiary care center, located in Trivandrum, Kerala. Participants: All babies delivered in the hospital during the study period and neonatal screening was done for CH. Methods: Cord blood was collected as the direct flow of blood from cord, labeled and sent to laboratory from delivery room for analysis (by chemiluminescent assay) of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Babies with cord blood TSH level ≥20 uIU/ml were repeated at 72 h of age for venous TSH and FT4 level. Venous TSH level ≥20 uIU/ml with low FT4 (below normal range for age) was considered as abnormal and initiated on treatment before discharge from the hospital. These babies were followed till 12 months of age for neurodevelopmental assessment. Results: The occurrence of CH among babies delivered in our hospital was 0.6 in 100 live births. Neurodevelopmental assessment of babies with CH on follow-up has shown normal neuromotor and neurocognition at 12 months of age with early detection and prompt initiation of L-thyroxine at a higher dose range within 5 days of age. Conclusion: In our study, early detection and initiation of treatment in infants with CH have shown normal neuromotor and neurocognitive development at 12 months of age

Oxytocin and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A prospective cohort study

Objective: To study the incidence of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy in babies exposed to maternal oxytocin for inductionof labor and to compare the increase in neonatal jaundice in oxytocin group with the jaundice in babies born of spontaneous labor.Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a tertiary care center in Trivandrum,Kerala over a period of 6 months. After exclusion, 308 babies were divided in two groups, Group A (babies exposed to maternaloxytocin for induction of labor) or Group B (babies born of spontaneous labor with oxytocin use for augmentation of labor). Babies wereobserved daily for clinical jaundice till discharge. Results: Incidence of neonatal jaundice in Group A was 52% and in Group B was 12%with relative risk 4.3 (95% confidence interval: 2.69-6.73). Conclusion: Our study shows that maternal oxytocin used for inductionof labor increase the incidence of neonatal jaundice, and it is logical to prevent hyperbilirubinemia by reducing the dose of oxytocin

The Teaching of English in the Government/Aided: Primary Schools in Kerala under DPEP

Launched in 1993 as a national initiative to achieve Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) through district-level intervention, the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) was started in a big way in Kerala in the year 1995. this paper aims to assess the efficacy of SLAP (Second Language Acquisition Programme) of DPEP in teaching English to the children of standards IV and V. Discussion Paper. No 58 of Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, 2004.elementary education, teaching English, District Primary Education Programme, DPEP, Kerala, Education, Pedagogy

Design and Implementation of Z-source inverter using SBC

This paper presents a comprehensive design and hardware implementation of Z-source inverter. For most of the renewable applications, the conventional VSI has been used which requires an additional boost converter to boost the output voltage. Z-source inverter provides a single stage power conversion topology which can give both voltage buck and boost properties. The control method used in the Z-source inverter is the Simple Boost Control (SBC) technique with Sinusoidal pulse width modulation. The design of the impedance network, hardware results of single stage Z-source inverter are presented in this paper

Conventional care of wounded in Susruta Samhita—A Review

Wound healing is a physiological process and there are various supportive aids to speedy healing. Acharya Susruta has given due importance to explain about the proper care of a wounded patient irrespective of the cause of wound either surgery or trauma. Injury is a public health problem of enormous magnitude and surgery is another common cause creating the burden of wounds. Statistical data regarding the complications of wound healing and infections of wound is so alarming that there arises a need for retrospection into the conventional concepts of care of a wounded person. Optimal management of the wounded patient is essential as a prophylaxis to surgical site infections and post traumatic complications. The general practitioners with expertise and experience who are an integral part of providing the essential care should appreciate the integrity of a science like Ayurveda and also promote the ideas incorporated in the age old compendiums. Careful management of the wound post traumatically or post operatively is an important part of post wound recovery of the patient. Current care of wounded must be appraised and reassessed for appropriateness and effectiveness. Nutritional status, psychological well-being, environmental and personal hygiene has been long ago recognised as essential in improving the quality of life of the wounded. This article is an attempt to collect and validate these concepts mentioned in Vranitopasaneeya Adhyaya of Susruta.Â

Taila Dāha (Cauterization with Oil) an innovative approach in pilonidal sinus

Pilonidal sinus is a chronic inflammatory track in mid gluteal cleft usually associated with hairs with an incidence rate of twenty six per one lakh population. It is more prevalently seen in the natal cleft of hairy middle aged obese, males. Such type of non-healing tracts may be considered as Nāḍivraṇa (Sinuses) and can either be treated by the conventional Kṣārasūtra (medicated seton) therapy or contemporary treatment methods. Irrespective of whatsoever management protocol adopted, it inevitably needs long term hospitalisation and is associated with complications. A case of a 28 year old male patient, presenting with pain (within tolerable limits) in the natal cleft and frequent occurrence of a pustule which burst out spontaneously on and off, diagnosed as pilonidal sinus (nāḍi vraṇa) was treated with excision of tract and Tailadāha (thermal cauterization with hot oil) with a combination of yaṣṭimadhu taila and powdered Copper Sulphate (CuSO4). Good haemostasis and uneventful wound healing with a minimally invasive and cost effective treatment was the outcome of study. This study represents an innovative treatment modality in pilonidal sinus