Population balance modelling for a flow induced phase inversion based granulation in a two-dimensional rotating agglomerator

A novel two-dimensional rotating agglomerator was developed to carry out the flow induced phase inversion (FIPI) based granulation. The process in this agglomerator shows that a continuous paste flow (mixed with liquid binder and primary particles) is extruded into the interstice of two relatively rotating disks, as the paste becomes solidified due to the loss of heat to the disks, it is then broken into granules by the shearing force imposed by the rotating disk. Experimental measurements have shown that the size of these granules is enlarged along the positive radial direction of the disks. It is also found that these granules contain approximately the same quantity of binder in terms of its volume fraction. The paper thus proposes a population balance (PB) model to describe the growth of the granules by considering a size independent agglomeration kernel. The PB simulated results are found to be well capable of describing the change of the particle size distribution (PSD) of the granules in the radial direction. This study also proposes a velocity profile for the paste flow and attempts to establish a quantitative relationship between the granulation rate and the deformation rate as this would help us understand the mechanism of the agglomeration. It is hoped that this study would be used to improve the design of the agglomerator and to assure the control of the process and the granular product quality

How Informative Is Floating NAV When Securities Trade Infrequently?

We examine if a floating net asset value (NAV) increases the transparency of risk for investors. Using closed-income fixed income funds we find little evidence that a floating NAV helps investors better understand the value and risk of a fund when a fund\u27s assets trade infrequently. This potentially informs the debate regarding the adoption of a floating NAV in the money market industry. Our results suggest that it is unlikely that the benefits of floating NAV will outweigh the costs

The Wooldridge Method for the Initial Values Problem Is Simple: What About Performance?

The Wooldridge method is based on a simple and novel strategy to deal with the initial values problem in the nonlinear dynamic random-effects panel data models. This characteristic of the method makes it very attractive in empirical applications. However, its finite sample performance is not known as of yet. In this paper we investigate the performance of this method in comparison with an ideal case in which the initial values are known constants, the worst scenario based on exogenous initial values assumption, and the Heckman's reduced-form approximation method which is widely used in the literature. The dynamic random-effects probit and tobit (type1) models are used as the working examples. Various designs of Monte Carlo Experiments with balanced and unbalanced panel data sets, and also two full length empirical applications are provided. The results suggest that the Wooldridge method works very well for the panels with moderately long durations (longer than 5-8 periods). In short panels Heckman's reduced-form approximation is suggested (shorter than 5 periods). It is also found that all methods perform equally well for panels of long durations (longer than 10-15 periods).initial values problem, dynamic probit and tobit models, Monte Carlo experiment, Heckman's reduced-form approximation, Wooldridge method

The effects of stimulants on eating patterns in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objectives. This study aims to evaluate the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on eating patterns and body mass index (BMI) in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The secondary aim of this study is the comparison between weight and eating behavior of children with ADHD undergoing an MPH treatment, and of children without ADHD. Methods. One hundred fourty three children and adolescents who diagnosed with ADHD were enrolled, and the effects of MPH on the eating patterns and BMI were evaluated. All participants completed a number of tests to analyze eating patterns and clinical psychopathological profiles. Results. Children and adolescents with ADHD had significantly higher scores on the EDE-Q- eating concern, EDE-Q- shape concern, and all CPRS-RSF subscales than individuals without ADHD (p \u3c .05). MPH treatment was associated with a notional reduction in height-sds and weight-sds. The results of the correlation analysis which assessed the possible contribution of the different treatment-related factors revealed no significant correlations between MPH mean dose [mg/(kg/d)], the duration of use (months), and the core characteristics of eating disorders except the restraint subscale of EDE Q. Conclusions. Our findings add to the growing research suggesting that MPH may be associated with disordered eating behaviors. Although the literature is limited, our findings conclude that MPH may not be associated with the reduction of growth velocity and disordered eating behaviors

Sundays Are Blue: Aren’t They? The Day-of-the-Week Effect on Subjective Well-Being and Socio-Economic Status

This paper analyses whether individuals are influenced by the day of the week when reporting subjective well-being. By using a large panel data set and controlling for observed and unobserved individual characteristics, we find a large day-of the-week effect. Overall, we find a 'blue' Sunday effect with the lowest level of subjective well-being. The day-of-the-week effect differs with certain socio-economic and demographic factors such as employment, marital status and age. The paper concludes with recommendations for future analyses of subjective well-being data and design of data collections.subjective well-being, day-of-the-week effect

Does Relative Income Matter for the Very Poor? Evidence from Rural Ethiopia

We studied whether relative income has an impact on subjective well-being among extremely poor people. Contrary to the findings in developed countries, where relative income has shown a significant and negative impact on subjective well-being, we cannot reject the hypothesis that relative income has no impact on subjective well-being in rural areas of northern Ethiopia.absolute income, relative income, subjective well-being

An evaluation of mesiodentes: A retrospective study with cone-beam computed tomography

Background: The mesiodens, located in the palatal midline between the two maxillary central incisors, is the most common type of supernumerary tooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of mesiodentes according to shape, position, and complications using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: This study was carried out retrospectively on the CBCT images of cases. The following data were recorded: age, gender, number, shape (conical, incisor, tuberculate, round), size (less than 8 mm, 8-16 mm, and over 16 mm), direction (vertical, semi-vertical, horizontal, inverted), position (impacted or erupted) of the mesiodens, any pathologies or complications (delayed eruption of adjacent tooth, root resorption, cystic formation, diastema, displacement of adjacent tooth) and relation with neighboring anatomical structures (nasal cavity, nasopalatine canal). Results: The age distribution of the patients ranged from 7 to 61 years; mean 16.8±14.2 years. In total, 65 mesiodens were seen in 50 patients. The results showed that; mesiodentes were observed in the form of an incisor tooth (38.5%) mostly, followed conical shape (33.8%). A majority of the mesiodentes were in vertical direction (38.5%) and impacted (92.3%) in the CBCT images. Thirty-six patients (72%) had one mesiodens, 13 patients (26%) had two, and one patient (2%) had three mesiodentes. The most common complication was delayed eruption (29.2%). No complications were found in 49.2% of the cases. Sixteen cases (24.1%) were associated with the nasal cavity, while 43 cases (66.1%) were associated with the nasopalatine canal. Conclusion: Radiographic examination, especially with CBCT images, is important for an exact diagnosis, evaluation, and management of mesiodens

The Persistence of Informality: Evidence from Panel Data

Informality is a growing phenomenon in the developing and transition country labor market context. In particular, it is noticeable that working in an informal employment relationship is often not temporary. The degree of persistence of informality in the labor market might be due to different sources: structural state dependence due to past informality experiences and spurious state dependence due to time-invariant unobserved individual effects, which can alter the propensity of being in the informal sector independently from actual informality experiences. The purpose of our paper is to study the dynamics of informality using a genuine panel data set in the Ukrainian labor market. By estimating a dynamic panel data probit model with endogenous initial conditions, we find a highly significant degree of persistence due to previous informality experiences. This result implies that policies attempting to reduce current levels of informality may have a long-lasting effect on the labor market.unobserved heterogeneity, state dependence, transition countries, informality