Interpenetrating polymer networks based on natural rubber and poly(methylmethacrylate)

Several series of sequential interpenetrating polymer networks using natural rubber and poly(methylmethacrylate) were prepared. Three types of IPNs known as semi-1 IPNs, semi-2 IPNs and full IPNs have been prepared at various compositions. In addition, blends of natural rubber and poly(methylmethacrylate) were prepared for comparison. These materials have been characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, modulated temperature thermal differential scanning calorimetry, stress–strain analysis and some soxhlet extraction studies. The effects of composition and cross-linking of NR component and/or PMMA component on the physical and dynamic mechanical properties have been evaluated. [Continues.

Student Services in the 21st Century: Evolution and Innovation in Discovering Student Needs, Teaching Information Literacy, and Designing Library 2.0-Based Services

The authors discuss the changing library needs of law students as computers, technology, and legal publishing evolve. In order to track the evolving needs of students, the authors discuss ways that librarians can survey students and explain how focus groups and usability tests can provide further insights regarding students’ research skills and information needs. The article examines the literature regarding information literacy and suggests minimum standards for legal information literacy upon graduation, and the authors suggest new services that law librarians could create for law students. Next the authors examine the recent literature about Library 2.0 services, and offer suggestions on incorporating Library 2.0 principles into law library services

Water quality parameters in relation to chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, high concentrations of certain water quality parameters in drinking water are assumed to be causing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Nmih Central Province (NCP) in Sri Lanka repotis the highest number of CKD patients and mmiality rates. The repmied research herein concentrates on re-examining diverse causative factors identified by previous researchers on CKD and analysis of water quality in samples from shallow wells supplying drinking water to CKD patients and non-patients in NCP. The samples were tested for a number of parameters such as anions, cations, and heavy metals. These include Cd, Na, Ca, F and Cl which previous researchers have suggested as causative factors for CKD. The preliminmy analyses of data indicated majority of water quality parameters collected from the study area did not exceed the WHO drinking water quality standards. The critical water quality parameters that could cause the CKD were investigated using Factor Analysis techniques. From the water samples collected from the CKD Patients the parameters of Na, Cl, Mg, F and Ca could be grouped into one Factor and identified as hydro-geologically originating. Another Factor which could be due to nutrients from fetiilizer was identified consisting of N and P whereas Cd was grouped into a single Factor. In contrast, the water quality parameters in water samples collected from CKD Non-Patients were different and could not be clearly grouped into any special category

Evaluation of brick kiln performances using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Modern history of civilization is concurrent to the use of brick and its manufacturing. Nowadays tunnel kiln is the most widely used technology for brick production. This paper tries to provide an idea of the brick making process in tunnel kiln. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, ANSYS CFX is being used to evaluate kiln performances using gas as its fuel. Simplified geometry was drawn and meshed using appropriate tools of ANSYS CFX. Several pertinent assumptions were made to reduce the complication of the simulation. Turbulence, combustion, radiation and NO models were adopted for simulation of a realistic tunnel kiln environment. Simulated temperature profile almost replicates industrial kiln situation as found in existing literature. CFD analysis helps to simulate the temperature profile of the brick kilns, the mass flow fractions of CO2 and NO emissions at outlet, and also the air velocity profile inside the kiln. The simulated temperature generated in a tunnel kiln is found to be between 1300 K and 300 K. CO2 and NOx volume generated inside the kiln is estimated as 1.01 m3/s and 0.108 m3/s respectively

Lattice Green functions and diffusion for modelling traffic routing in ad hoc networks

We describe basic properties of Markov chains on finite state spaces and their application to Green functions, partial differential equations, and their (approximate) solution using random walks on a graph. Attention is paid to the influence of boundary conditions (Dirichlet/von Neumann). We apply these ideas to the study of traffic propagation and distribution in ad hoc networks

Research output on Covid-19/Coronavirus Vaccine: A Scientometric Study

This article presents a Scientometric analysis of Covid-19 Vaccine research Literature indexed by Web of Science. Assessing research activity is important for planning future protective and adaptive policies. The objective of the current study was to assess research activity on Covid-19 Vaccine literature. A Scientometric method was applied using Scopus, Documents on “Covid-19 literature”. The study period was from 1971 to 2020. The search query found 7181 documents in Coronavirus Vaccine literature. The growth of publications showed 4402 in 2020. Documents published in Vaccine journal received the highest number of publications (203) followed by Journal of Virology with 104 Publications, Nature with 96 Publications. The most productive countries are i.e. the United States with 2178 (H-Index-114), Chine with 1068 (H-Index-75, India with 678 (H-Index-26), and the United Kingdom with 614 (H-Index-53)

Assessment of Influence and Inter-Relationships of Soil Properties in Irrigated Rice Fields of Bangladesh by GIS and Factor Analysis

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Assessment of Influence and Inter-Relationships of Soil Properties in Irrigated Rice Fields of Bangladesh by GIS and Factor Analysis. Manuscript LW 07 022. Vol. IX. November, 2007

What factors shape doctors’ trustworthiness? Patients’ perspectives in the context of hypertension care in rural Tanzania

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that improving patient trust in doctors can improve patients’ use of healthcare services, compliance and continuing engagement with care –particularly for chronic diseases. Consequently, much of the current literature on trust in therapeutic relationships focuses on factors shaping doctors’ trustworthiness. However, few studies on this issue have been conducted among rural populations in low-income Africa, where health service delivery, cultural norms and patient expectations differ from those in high-income countries. This study examined patients’ perspectives of factors that shape doctors’ trustworthiness in rural Tanzania in the context of hypertension care. Methods: A qualitative inquiry using in-depth interviews was conducted between 2015 and 2016 in two characteristically rural districts of Tanzania. Data were analysed thematically. Results: The accounts of 34 patients from a Western-based care setting were examined. There was broad consensus about factors shaping doctors’ trustworthiness along the care trajectory (before, during and after a therapeutic encounter). Two major themes emerged: doctors’ interpersonal behaviours and doctors’ technical competence. Good interpersonal behaviour and technical skills in healthcare settings were factors that constructed a positive reputation in the community and shaped patients’ initial trust before a physical encounter. Doctors’ interpersonal behaviours that portrayed good customer care, understanding and sympathy shaped trustworthiness during a physical encounter. Finally, doctors’ technical competence shaped trustworthiness during and after an encounter. Participants used these factors to differentiate a trustworthy (‘good’) doctor from an untrustworthy (‘bad’) doctor. Conclusion: Good interpersonal behaviours and good technical skills are important in shaping patients’ judgements of doctors’ trustworthiness in rural Tanzania. The present findings provide useful insights for designing interventions to improve patient trust in doctors to address challenges associated with non-communicable diseases in rural low-income Africa

Physiological Epicotyl Dormancy and Recalcitrant Storage Behaviour in Seeds of Two Tropical Fabaceae (Subfamily Caesalpinioideae) Species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Physiological epicotyl dormancy in which the epicotyl elongates inside the seed before the shoot emerges has been reported for only a few tropical rainforest species, all of which are trees that produce recalcitrant seeds. In studies on seeds of Fabaceae in Sri Lanka, we observed a considerable time delay in shoot emergence following root emergence in seeds of the introduced caesalpinioid legumes Brownea coccinea and Cynometra cauliflora. Thus, our aim was to determine if seeds of these two tropical rainforest trees have physiological epicotyl dormancy, and also if they are recalcitrant, i.e. desiccation sensitive. METHODOLOGY: Fresh seeds were (i) dried to various moisture levels, and (ii) stored at -1 and 5 °C to determine loss (or not) of viability and thus type of seed storage behaviour (orthodox, recalcitrant or intermediate). To identify the kind of dormancy, we tested the effect of scarification on imbibition and monitored radicle emergence and epicotyl growth (inside the seed) and emergence. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: FRESH SEEDS OF BOTH SPECIES HAD HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT (MC): 50 % for C. cauliflora and 30 % for B. coccinea. Further, all seeds of C. cauliflora and the majority of those of B. coccinea lost viability when dried to 15 % MC; most seeds of both species also lost viability during storage at -1 or 5 °C. Intact seeds of both species were water permeable, and radicles emerged in a high percentage of them inHowever, shoot emergence lagged behind root emergence by 77 ± 14 days in B. coccinea and by 38 ± 4 days in C. cauliflora. Further, plumule growth inside seeds of C. cauliflora began almost immediately after radicle emergence but not until ∼30-35 days in B. coccinea seeds. CONCLUSIONS: Seeds of both species are recalcitrant and have physiological epicotyl dormancy. The kind of physiological epicotyl dormancy in seeds of C. cauliflora has not been described previously; the formula is C(nd) (root)-[Formula: see text] (epicotyl)