Transient-forced convection film boiling on an isothermal flat plate

An approach for the solution of transient-forced convection film boiling on an isothermal flat plate using the boundary layer model is developed. The similarity variables are used to convert the governing partial differential equations to ordinary ones. The results of numerical solutions of these ordinary equations indicate that the transient process can be classified as one-dimensional conduction, intermediate, and the steady state regions. The time required for the one-dimensional conduction and the time necessary to attain a steady state condition are obtained. The influence of interfacial shear is seen to be negligible while the Prandtl Number and the ratio (C sub p delta T divided by h sub fg times Pr) have major influence. The use of local similarity approximations for the intermediate regime facilitates prediction of complete boundary layer growth. Using the ratio of time at any instant to the steady state time as abscissa, the curves representing the boundary layer growth can be merged into a single mean curve within 5 percent. Further, the analysis shows that the average rate of heat transfer during transient is 50 to 100 percent higher than those at steady state. The average rate of vapor convected away is 10 to 15 percent lower than at steady state while the average rate of accumulation to form the vapor layer is 1 to 14 times larger. Further, the total heat transferred during transient increases and the evaporation decreases for increasing values of C sub p delta T divided by h sub fg times P

Electric fields and double layers in plasmas

Various mechanisms for driving double layers in plasmas are briefly described, including applied potential drops, currents, contact potentials, and plasma expansions. Some dynamical features of the double layers are discussed. These features, as seen in simulations, laboratory experiments, and theory, indicate that double layers and the currents through them undergo slow oscillations which are determined by the ion transit time across an effective length of the system in which double layers form. It is shown that a localized potential dip forms at the low potential end of a double layer, which interrupts the electron current through it according to the Langmuir criterion, whenever the ion flux into the double is disrupted. The generation of electric fields perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field by contact potentials is also discussed. Two different situations were considered; in one, a low-density hot plasma is sandwiched between high-density cold plasmas, while in the other a high-density current sheet permeates a low-density background plasma. Perpendicular electric fields develop near the contact surfaces. In the case of the current sheet, the creation of parallel electric fields and the formation of double layers are also discussed when the current sheet thickness is varied. Finally, the generation of electric fields and double layers in an expanding plasma is discussed

Ultrasound accelerated conversion of Nα-urethane protected peptide esters to their thiopeptides using P2S5

A fast and efficient synthesis of Nα-protected thiopeptide esters from the corresponding peptide esters using P2S5 as thionating agent assisted by ultrasonication has been described. The conversion of peptide bond into thioamide was complete in 20-40 min at rt. The reaction was accomplished without using any base. The products isolated were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Development of GIS- and GPS-Based Intelligent Network-Level Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation System

A user-friendly road maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) system has been developed to find cost effective strategies for maintaining road networks in a serviceable condition. Pavement condition data and spatial road network data were collected using a GPS palmtop, segregated and arranged spatially on a GIS platform. The M&R toolbox, developed in GIS software TransCAD macros (computer program), performs various modules which provide prioritization of maintenance of each link in the network using a priority index approach, suitable rehabilitation strategies, link-wise budget requirements, effect of available budget on vehicle operating cost and road roughness. Furthermore, additional lane requirements based on volume and capacity ratio and its design were also considered. The developed M&R system was implemented for a small part of road network in Mumbai (Bombay) metropolitan area in India. It was identified that the enhanced M&R system, developed in this study, is effective in day-to-day road maintenance and helpful in the decision making process for planning and scheduling of road M&R work

Estimation of Radioprotective Effects of Garcinia Indica Methanol Extract in Swiss Albino Mice

The radio protective effectiveness of methanol extract of Garcinia indica against whole body gamma radiation was premeditated in Swiss albino mice. The oral administration of Garcinia indica extract at 800 mg / kg body weight / day for 15 consecutive days before whole body exposure to radiation was found to be effective with the LD50/30 values of 7.21 and 8.83 Gy for irradiation alone and Garcinia indica andirradiation group, respectively, giving a dose reduction factor of 1.42. This effect of Garcinia indica as the modulation of the radiation-induced decrease of reduced glutathione and the radiation-induced increase in lipid per oxidation assessed in the liver and the bloo

Modeling commuters’ preference towards sharing paratransit services

The transportation sector in India faces significant issues, such as congestion and air pollution, and is in dire need of sustainable strategies. Sharing vehicles is one of the popular sustainable strategies. Sharing auto-rickshaws, a paratransit mode, currently informally operating with a significant mode share, offers an opportunity to tackle sustainability issues. There are several challenges to integrating and promoting auto-rickshaw system as shared transportation using a formal structure of policies. The primary reason is a dearth of studies on sharing auto-rickshaws, leading to policymakers lacking knowledge and focus. The present study contributes to the literature to divert focus on sharing auto-rickshaws in India, considering Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as a study area. This study attempts to assess and model the intentions of users and non-users toward auto-rickshaw sharing using stated preference (SP) choice experiments and estimate Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) considering multiple socio-economic heterogeneities. Results highlight that the most critical attributes are travel time reliability and access time among different groups. Importance of having real-time information on trips among females and sharing auto-rickshaw users is high. The study provides a transparent direction toward ensuring efficient and integrated policymaking and guidelines for promoting auto-rickshaw sharing in urban areas of the Indian subcontinent with limited resources

Origin of spatial variations of scattering polarization in the wings of the Ca {\sc i} 4227 \AA line

Polarization that is produced by coherent scattering can be modified by magnetic fields via the Hanle effect. According to standard theory the Hanle effect should only be operating in the Doppler core of spectral lines but not in the wings. In contrast, our observations of the scattering polarization in the Ca {\sc i} 4227 \AA line reveals the existence of spatial variations of the scattering polarization throughout the far line wings. This raises the question whether the observed spatial variations in wing polarization have a magnetic or non-magnetic origin. A magnetic origin may be possible if elastic collisions are able to cause sufficient frequency redistribution to make the Hanle effect effective in the wings without causing excessive collisional depolarization, as suggested by recent theories for partial frequency redistribution with coherent scattering in magnetic fields. To model the wing polarization we apply an extended version of the technique based on the "last scattering approximation". This model is highly successful in reproducing the observed Stokes $Q/I$ polarization (linear polarization parallel to the nearest solar limb), including the location of the wing polarization maxima and the minima around the Doppler core, but it fails to reproduce the observed spatial variations of the wing polarization in terms of magnetic field effects with frequency redistribution. This null result points in the direction of a non-magnetic origin in terms of local inhomogeneities (varying collisional depolarization, radiation-field anisotropies, and deviations from a plane-parallel atmospheric stratification).Comment: Accepted in May 2009 for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Growth, yield and nutritional content of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) as influenced by pranic energy application

Pranic agriculture (PA) is an ancient farming method where pranic energy improves crop production. Finger millet or Ragi (Eleusine coracana. L) is a major staple millet consumed in India, particularly Karnataka and is a rich source of protein and nutrients. A field study in half-acre was carried out with pranic energy treatment to seed, land and crop and along with control (without energy treatment). The traits of finger millet like plant height (26%), number of productive tillers (35%), no of panicle (54%), number of fingers (13%) and grain yield (44%) were statistically (p < .05) higher over control. Protein content in finger millet straw (4.38 %) and grain (6.13%) was higher in pranic treatment than control (3.5 and 4.75%). Nitrogen and zinc content in millet grain was higher in pranic treatment (980 and 1.96 mg/100g) than control (760 and 1.63 mg/100g). The increase in protein, nitrogen and zinc content of the millet grain and straw will help to improve the quality of produce for consumption by cattle and humans.  Increase in straw and grain yield will help to improve the economy of the farmer.  Further studies are needed to know the actual mechanisms involved in the growth and yield improvement of finger millet. And, also in-depth studies are necessary to address the reasons behind the variation in nutrients accumulation in straw and grain.

Emergency cervical cerclage and pregnancy outcomes

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of emergency cervical cerclage in women who presented with advanced cervical changes such as cervical dilatation and bulging foetal membranes.Methods: This is a retrospective study on all women treated with cervical cerclage presented in the late second trimester with advanced cervical dilatation (2 to 4cms) for whom emergency cervical cerclage by McDonald technique.Results: Out of the 24 patients for whom emergency cervical cerclage was performed, three patients had spontaneous abortion after cervical cerclage, two had PROM and eight of these patients had term delivery. Twenty-one fetus were live born after the period of viability. Nine of these babies were admitted to NICU and 50 percent of the neonates required only regular perinatal care.Conclusions: Post emergency cervical cerclage, the outcome in terms of prolongation of pregnancy, live births and neonatal survival is better