Critical speeds and forced response solutions for active magnetic bearing turbomachinery, part 2

The need for better performance of turbomachinery with active magnetic bearings has necessitated a study of such systems for accurate prediction of their vibrational characteristics. A modification of existing transfer matrix methods for rotor analysis is presented to predict the response of rotor systems with active magnetic bearings. The position of the magnetic bearing sensors is taken into account and the effect of changing sensor position on the vibrational characteristics of the rotor system is studied. The modified algorithm is validated using a simpler Jeffcott model described previously. The effect of changing from a rotating unbalance excitation to a constant excitation in a single plane is also studied. A typical eight stage centrifugal compressor rotor is analyzed using the modified transfer matrix code. The results for a two mass Jeffcott model were presented previously. The results obtained by running this model with the transfer matrix method were compared with the results of the Jeffcott analysis for the purposes of verification. Also included are plots of amplitude versus frequency for the eight stage centrifugal compressor rotor. These plots demonstrate the significant influence that sensor location has on the amplitude and critical frequencies of the rotor system

A Statistical Model for Ascertaining the Influence and Reliability of Weather Parameters on Incidence of Blossom Blight in Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

A statistical model was developed to study the influence and reliability of weatlier parameters on incidence of blossom blight in Mango (Mangifera indica) and subsequently to predict their incidence. Results showed that preceding week's weather variables viz., maximum and minimum temperature, evaporation, rainfall, morning and evening relative humidity and wind speed were found to collectively predict blossom blight incidence to the extent of 94.3 per cent. Further, as a measure of goodness-of-fit, the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean squared error were used to evaluate the empirical model developed by using above variables. Validation test showed that the model developed using relative humidity at 07.30 h (X3), evaporation (X5) and wind speed (X6) (Y = 883.4 - 8.065 X3-11.506 X5 -33.619 X6) could predict the incidence to the extent of 75.7%. This model is useful in determining the role of climatic factors in disease appearance and progression and devising suitable management strategy

Weed control in soybean (Glycine max L.) through resource management strategies and its influence on yield and nutrient uptake

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2011 at Research Farm, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha, Jammu to evaluate the effect of weed management prac-tices on yield and nutrient uptake of soybean utilizing different resource management strategies. The lowest weed density and dry matter of weeds was recorded with hand weeding at 15 and 35 days after sowing (DAS) which was equally effective as imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 (PoE) fb hoeing at 35 DAS and quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g ha-1 (PoE) fb hoeing at 35 DAS. All weed control treatments had significant effect on yield and nutrient up-take of soybean. Among the different weed control treatments, lowest N, P and K uptake by weeds were recorded in hand-weeding (15 and 35 DAS) which was statistically at par with imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. The maximum uptake by seed and straw were recorded in weed free which was statistically at par with twice hand weeding at 15 and 35 DAS, imazethapyr @ 75 g ha-1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS and quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g ha-1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. The highest seed and straw yield of soybean was harvested with hand-weeding (15 and 35 DAS) followed by imazethapyr @ 75 g ha -1 fb hoeing at 35 DAS. For the first time, soybean crop has been introduced in Jammu region for research purpose. Weed management varies with agro-climatic conditions. The study would be helpful to understand weed menace in this particular climatic condition of Jammu and to manage them combinedly and efficiently

Experiences of the Postoperative Recovery Process: An Interview Study

Few researchers have described postoperative recovery from a broad, overall perspective. In this article the authors describe a study focusing on patient and staff experiences of postoperative recovery using a qualitative descriptive design to obtain a description of the phenomenon. They performed 10 individual interviews with patients who had undergone abdominal or gynecological surgery and 7 group interviews with registered nurses working on surgical and gynecological wards and in primary care centers, surgeons from surgical and gynecological departments, and in-patients from a gynecological ward. The authors analyzed data using qualitative content analysis. Postoperative recovery is described as a Dynamic Process in an Endeavour to Continue With Everyday Life. This theme was further highlighted by the categories Experiences of the core of recovery and Experiences of factors influencing recovery. Knowledge from this study will help caregivers support patients during their recovery from surgery

Air conditioning, comfort and energy in india's commercial building sector

Before India's building sector can fulfil its CO2 abatement potential, it is imperative for new build projects, especially those which provide for commercial and public functions, to eschew the energy-intensive designs that characterized western commercial buildings of the 20th century. In the absence of an adaptive thermal comfort standard specifically for India's climatic and cultural context, the current trend is simply to design airconditioned buildings to meet the stringent ASHRAE and ISO "Class A" comfort specifications. This paper proposes a holistic Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) study of a cross section of Indian office buildings purposively stratified across a range of energy intensities with diverse environmental control systems and design approach in different climatic zones to develop an adaptive thermal comfort standard. By climatically adapting indoor design temperatures, the standard will offer India a low-carbon development pathway for its commercial building sector without compromising overall comfort or productivity

Field studies of thermal comfort across multiple climate zones for the subcontinent: India Model for Adaptive Comfort (IMAC)

© 2015 The Authors. India is witnessing unprecedented growth trends in building construction, particularly office spaces. Indian offices are designed to operate at 22.5 ± 1 °C all year round to meet the stringent "Class A" specifications outlined by international standards in the absence of an India-specific comfort standard. This paper proposes an India Model for Adaptive Comfort - IMAC - based on the field surveys administered in 16 buildings in three seasons and five cities, representative of five Indian climate zones. A total of 6330 responses were gathered from naturally ventilated, mixed mode and air-conditioned office buildings using instantaneous thermal comfort surveys.Occupants in naturally ventilated Indian offices were found to be more adaptive than the prevailing ASHRAE and EN models would suggest. According to the IMAC model, neutral temperature in naturally ventilated buildings varies from 19.6 to 28.5 °C for 30-day outdoor running mean air temperatures ranging from 12.5 to 31 °C. This is the first instance where a study proposes a single adaptive model for mixed mode buildings asserting its validity for both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned modes of operation in the building, with neutral temperature varying from 21.5 to 28.7 °C for 13-38.5 °C range of outdoor temperatures. For air-conditioned buildings, Fanger's static PMV model was found to consistently over-predict the sensation on the warmer side of the 7-point sensation scale

Observational cross-sectional study to evaluate the effects of self-medication with topical agents used by patients for superficial fungal skin infection at tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

Background: Superficial fungal infections of the hair, skin, and nails are a major cause of morbidity in the world and their incidence continues to increase. While self-medication is also one of the major health concerns for health authorities worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of topical agents used by patients for self-medication, to enlisting the topical agents used by patients for self-medication, to ensure by whose suggestion’s patients engaged in self-medication.Methods: It was an observational cross-sectional study which was conducted at the outpatient department (OPD) of dermatology in tertiary care hospital. A detailed history of the participant was recorded regarding topical agents used for self-medication and their effects were documented in a predesigned case record form.Results: The population consisted of 128 males and 87 females. All these 215 participants had used 61 topical agents of different brand names and the majority of were irritant, corticosteroids and antifungal much high in use. Among 215 participants, 111 had temporary relief from the infection and reoccurred after stopping its use. 98 showed aggravation in their infection among which 90 showed effects like irritation, burning and itching at the application site, while 8 participants showed dryness or flaking of skin.Conclusions: Self-medication is widely practiced among patients with a superficial fungal skin infection in Mumbai. A pharmacist was the major source for obtaining these topical agents. We can conclude, there is a need to counsel and discourage patients from self-medication and regulations for dispensing the prescribed drugs should be made stringent

Evaluation of Representative Microbiological Sampling Sites of Goat and Sheep Dressed Carcasses

Statistical analysis of data of number of sampling points for microbial counts representing the entire goat/sheep carcass was carried out. Thirtytwo sampling points were evaluated out of which fourteen were found to represent the entire dressed carcass for assessing its hygienic efficacy