Recent Developments in the Kinetics and Mechanism of the Direct Reduction of Hematite with Solid Carbon

The rate of reaction of hematite fines m) with carbon particles was investigated in the temperature range 850°C to 1087°C. The experimental method consisted of deter-mining the weight loss sustained by a sample of the mixt-ure when maintained at constant temperature under argon atmosphere.The respective effects of carbon particle size, the hematite to carbon proportion in the mixture and the addition of catalytic reagents were investigated. The reaction occurs by a two-stage mechanistic scheme consi-sting of (a) reduction of iron oxides by carbon monoxide and (b) oxidation of carbon by carbon dioxide, in other words, carbon passes through the intermediate stage of carbon monoxide of rmation prior to reacting with iron oxides. A chemical kinetic model developed on the basis of carbon solutionloss reaction, viz., stage (b), as rate-controlling represented the results reasonably well. Lithium oxide catalyst was found to enhance the rate of reaction; the addition of ferrous sulfide inhibited the reaction. These observations are consistent with the proposed mechanism because the carbon solution-loss reaction is known to be promoted by alkali metal salts and inhibited by sulfur-bearing compound

Development of Feeding System Based on Azolla (\u3cem\u3eAzolla pinnata\u3c/em\u3e) and Sheanut Cake (\u3cem\u3eVitellaria paradoxa\u3c/em\u3e) for Nellore Sheep Reared in Different Production Systems

Since protein sources such as ground nut cake and soya bean are too expensive to feed as supplements to livestock in India, steps have been taken to reduce cost by utilizing alternative feedstuffs to replace the traditional sources in ration formulation (Parashuramului et al. 2013). Azolla which is a free-floating nitrogen fixing water fern has a potential to be used as a protein supplement for ruminants (Ahirwar and Leela, 2012). Sheanut cake (Vitellaria paradoxa) which is produced after extraction of fats use in cosmetics and as a cocoa butter substitute in chocolate making, is also a rich in carbohydrates and protein, but the presence of anti-nutritional factors (e.g. theobromine and tannins) may limit its use as animal feed supplement (Od-doye et al. 2012). Both Azolla and Sheanut cake have been used as protein and energy supplement for sheep in India (Reddy et al. 2011), but further research is needed to formulate suitable rations for sheep. The experiments reported here were conducted to assess: (1) The effect of diets based on Azolla (Azolla pinnata) and Sheanut Cake (Vitellaria paradoxa) on growth performance, DMI and nutrient utilization by Nel-lore weaners; (2) The influence of Azolla and Sheanut cake diets on blood biochemical profiles, liver function tests, haemotocrit values and carcass traits of the Nellore wean-ers; and (3) The influence of diets on nutrient utilization of adult sheep. Both intensive and semi-intensive systems were compared in all the experiments

Anomalous microwave response of high-temperature superconducting thin-film microstrip resonator in weak dc magnetic fields

We have studied an anomalous microwave (mw) response of superconducting YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{7-delta} (YBCO) microstrip resonators in the presence of a weak dc magnetic field, H_{dc}. The surface resistance (R_{s}) and reactance (X_{s}) show a correlated non-monotonic behaviour as a function of H_{dc}. R_{s} and X_{s} were found to initially decrease with elevated H_{dc} and then increase after H_{dc} reaches a crossover field, H_{c}, which is independent of the amplitude and frequency of the input mw signal within the measurements. The frequency dependence of R_{s} is almost linear at fixed H_{dc} with different magnitudes (H_{c}). The impedance plane analysis demonstrates that r_{H}, which is defined as the ratio of the change in R_{s}(H_{dc}) and that in X_{s}(H_{dc}), is about 0.6 at H_{dc}<H_{c} and 0.1 at H_{dc}>H_{c}. The H_{dc} dependence of the surface impedance is qualitatively independent of the orientation of H_{dc}.Comment: REVTex 3.1, 5 pages, 6 EPS figures, submitted to Physica

Multi-dimensional parametric assessment with IoT in acquaintance of digital pipeline

In IoT researches are found millions of devices are connected in global digital infrastructure framed in network fashion. Most of the things on the network use cloud or central database to share their data and control signals to control and manage the devices on the IoT network. Devices on the network need fast traversing paths, to take correct decision in right time. The data synchronization between source and destination is very important in real time parameter maintenance. The multidimensional parametric evaluation of the environment or the surrounding area is facing problems with data synchronization and congestion in the sensor network. This will lead arrival of fault data at the destination. The fault data also leads a misconception at user end. In the present work pipeline integration is proposed to overcome the misconception and synchronization failures. The pipeline and Arduino UNO processor are integrated on Proteus simulation tool. Transducer nodes and the functionalities are analysed with pipeline

Role of single and mixed probiotics in acute diarrheal diseases in pediatric population

Background: The objective of present study was to analyse the effect of probiotics on various parameters of acute diarrhoeal disease and to compare single and mixed probiotic preparations in context to their role in acute diarrhoeal disease in paediatric population.Methods: A double blind controlled trial was conducted in children suffering from acute diarrhoeal disease at department of paediatrics jointly with department of pharmacology, G. S. V. M. Medical college, Kanpur, U.P., India. All enrolled children were divided into three groups having similar baseline characteristics. One group was given single probiotic preparation another mixed probiotic preparation and the third one (i.e. control group) placebo plus Zinc/ORS to all three groups. Various parameters such as frequency and consistency of stool, duration of diarrhoea were measured after doing intervention over a period of one week.Results: In our study duration of diarrhoea, stool frequency and total duration of hospital stay was found significantly less in probiotic groups compared to control group. However no significant difference was found between single and mixed probiotics in curtailing the acute diarrhoeal illness.Conclusions: Probiotics should be used judiciously in acute diarrhoeal diseases. There is no additional benefit of mixed probiotics in acute diarrhoeal diseases rather than increasing the cost of treatment

A prospective study to assess the adverse events following immunization in paediatric population

Background: The objective of current study was to analyse the pattern of adverse drug reactions due to different vaccines in paediatric patients.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in paediatric department of GSVM medical college Kanpur to monitor vaccine adverse event and its causal association with vaccine. Patients of 0-10 year age group of either sex, who developed adverse event following vaccination, were included in study. Vaccine adverse event were recorded in the suspected ADRs reporting form of Indian Pharmacopoeia commission. Causality was evaluated using WHO-UMC assessment scale, outcome and seriousness as per W.H.O. To classify type of ADRs, Expanded Rawlins- Thompson’s classification system was used.Results: Vaccine adverse reactions were more in female (53%) as compared to male (47%). Most common age group involved was 0-6 months; (79.41%) of total reactions. Fever (14.70 %) was most common reaction, followed by pain at inj. site (11.77%), and Convulsion (11.77). The causality of 67.65% vaccine adverse reactions was of possible type; 88.23 % reactions were of non-serious type. Type A reaction were more common and most of vaccine adverse reaction recovered (82.35%).Conclusions: Vaccines can also cause different types of adverse reactions in paediatric patients. This Study emphasizes the need for an effective vaccine adverse event monitoring system among paediatric patients in every hospital to ensure safety of vaccine. Hence more educational awareness program should be plotted and more similar studies are needed to be conducted

Water-saving Rice Production Technologies in Krishna Western Delta Command of Andhra Pradesh – An Economic Analysis

The economic analysis of water-saving rice production technologies, viz. system of rice intensification (SRI), semi-dry and rotational irrigation vis-à-vis farmers’ practice has been carried out based on the study executed in Modukuru pilot area of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Among the three water-saving rice production technologies analyzed, the total cost of cultivation has been recorded highest in SRI (Rs 58645/ha), followed by rotational (Rs 47140/ha) and semi-dry (Rs 39321/ha). But, the per hectare yield has been found highest in SRI (6.85 t), followed by semi-dry (6.66 t) and rotational (6.2 t), inferring that all the three technologies have recorded higher yields over farmers’ practice of 5.5 t/ha. However, the net returns and B-C ratio are maximum in semi-dry (Rs 43,484/ha; 1.11), followed by rotational (Rs 30,085; 0.64) and SRI (Rs 26,466/ha; 0.45) methods. Similarly, the water-use efficiency has been found highest in SRI (8.53 kg/ ha-mm), followed by semi-dry (8.02 kg/ha-mm) and rotational (7.33 kg/ ha-mm) methods, while the water-use efficiency benefit (Rs/ha-mm) has been recorded maximum in semi-dry (52.39), followed by SRI (42.08) and rotational (35.56) methods. With the initiation of Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project, Bapatla, the area under semi-dry rice cultivation has been found increasing over a period of four years, from 0.6 ha in 2004-2005 to 22 ha in 2007 -2008.Agricultural and Food Policy,