Three-dimensional simulation of vortex breakdown

The integral form of the complete, unsteady, compressible, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in the conservation form, cast in generalized coordinate system, are solved, numerically, to simulate the vortex breakdown phenomenon. The inviscid fluxes are discretized using Roe's upwind-biased flux-difference splitting scheme and the viscous fluxes are discretized using central differencing. Time integration is performed using a backward Euler ADI (alternating direction implicit) scheme. A full approximation multigrid is used to accelerate the convergence to steady state

A self healing smart syntactic foam based grid stiffened sandwich structure

Syntactic foams are composite materials synthesized by dispersing microballoons in a polymeric, ceramic or metallic matrix. In the past three decades, syntactic foams have gained immense importance as a lightweight and damage-tolerant material when used in foam-cored sandwich structures. Because of the structural-length scale damages by low velocity impact such as tool drops, runway debris etc., sandwich structures usually have a very low residual structural capacity. Unfortunately, macro-length scale damage, in particular internal damage such as impact damage, is very difficult to repair. Therefore, there is a genuine need to develop impact-tolerant and self-healing syntactic foams which can be used as a core in sandwich structures. In this study, a new shape memory polymer (SMP) based syntactic foam was proposed, fabricated, characterized, and tested using DSC, TEM, SEM, and stress-controlled programming and free shape recovery by association with the foam cored sandwich. A micromechanics based model was employed to clearly visualize the microstructure and to quantify the geometrical and mechanical properties of the smart foam composite in the linear elastic region. An orthogrid stiffened SMP based syntactic foam cored sandwich was then fabricated, programmed, impacted, healed (sealed), and compression tested, for the purposes of sealing impact damage. Two impact energy levels (30J and 53J), two prestrain levels (3% and 20%), and two confinement conditions (2-D confined and 3-D confined) were used in the low velocity impact test, strain-controlled programming and constrained shape recovery, respectively. C-scan and visual observation were also conducted to visualize impact damage and evaluate the degree of sealing achieved. It is found that the shape memory functionality of the SMP based syntactic foam can be utilized for the purpose of sealing impact damage with the developed programming and shape recovery. The developed foam and the hybrid sandwich structure are able to heal (or seal) structural-length scale damage (here impact damage) repeatedly (up to 7 rounds of impact-healing cycles), efficiently (with a healing efficiency over 100%); and almost autonomously (the only human intervention is by heating). This study lays a solid foundation for the next generation of smart self-healing composite structures in engineering applications

Implications for WTO Agreement in Fisheries Sector– A Conceptual Framework

Trade liberalisation by reduction of tariffs or the removal of non-tariff barriers including Quantitative Restrictions will have impact on the economy mainly through the influence on commodity prices. Imposition or reduction of tariffs will affect the relative commodity prices ie, price of each of the commodity in terms of other commodities. This relative change in prices can be for commodities belonging to the same sector like industry or agriculture or fisheries or between categories of commodities, for e.g., agricultural in terms of non-agricultural. The changes in relative prices will in turn have its influence on the relative profitability of taking up different enterprises, which will result in changes in enterprise combinations. Different enterprises will have different input use intensities or factor combinations and at times, the increased profitability of taking up some of these enterprises would make the entrepreneurs to overuse inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, or even over exploit the resources which in turn will have environmental as well as sustainability implications

MUCOCUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY IN PEDIATRIC MALIGNANCIES

ABSTRACTObjective: Chemotherapy causes destruction of neoplastic cells and rapidly proliferative normal cells leading to significant mucocutaneous changes.The aim of the present study was to determine the postchemotherapeutic mucocutaneous manifestations in pediatric malignancies.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 63 children with malignancy undergoing chemotherapy over 2½ years were examined carefully and followedup for 6 months. A comprehensive clinical history was taken. Detailed systemic and dermatological examination was carried out in the subjects at thetime of enrollment. Dermatological examination was performed subsequently at 3-6 months and whenever child presented with any symptoms to theoutpatient department. The chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) and pigmentary changes of skin and nails were graded using OSLEN CIA, NationalCancer Institute pigment changes and nail changes' grading scales.Results: Males (41 [65%]) outnumbered females (1.8:1). Acute lymphoblastic and myelogenous leukemia were noticed in 38 (60.3%) and 8 (12.6%)patients, respectively. Alopecia (43 [68.3%]) was common with predominant grade 3 (22 [34.92%]). Hair regrowth was noticed in 53 (83.7%)patients within 6 months. Cutaneous linear pigmentary lines, ichthyosis, acral pigmentation, skin peeling, and mucositis were observed in 13 (21%),10 (16%), 10 (16%), 7 (11%), and 9 (14.28%) patients, respectively. Among total 56 cutaneous infectious manifestations, viral infections include 4cases of Herpes Zoster, single case of extensive molluscum contagiosum and Varicella. Tinea faciei was recurrent and poorly responsive to treatment.The common nail changes noted were Muehrcke's lines and melanonychia (26 [41.26%]).Conclusion: Alopecia in 43 (68.3%) patients though distressing was reversible in 53 (83.7%) patients. Infections were extensive, recurrent, andrequired aggressive treatment.Keywords: Chemotherapy, Pediatric malignancies, Cancer

Biochemical and nutritional characteristics of some commercial banana (Musa spp.) cultivars of Kerala

Biochemical and nutritional traits of 6 banana (Musa spp.) cultivars commercially cultivated in Kerala, belonging to different genomic groups viz. Pisang Lilin (AA), Grand Naine (ABB), Nendran (AAB), Karpooravalli (ABB), Njalipoovan (AB) and Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) were evaluated. Biochemical and nutritional characters on variables such as titratable acidity (%), total soluble solids (oBrix) (TSS), total protein (g), total carbohydrates (g), total fat (%), total ash (%), crude fibre (%), vitamin C (mg), calcium (mg), potassium (mg), total phenols (mg) and total carotenoid (µg) content were laid out in a completely randomized design and subjected to one way ANOVA to determine the significance (p=.05). The cultivar Nendran (AAB) exhibited desirable biochemical and nutritional traits, particularly for titratable acidity (0.34%), TSS (23.90oB), total carbohydrates (37.51g/100g), total ash (14.89%) and crude fibre (0.90%) content. Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) exhibited the highest values for major minerals of banana, especially calcium (168.90 mg/100g) and potassium (406.60 mg/100g). The current study reveals biochemical and nutritional variation among banana cultivars from different genomic groups, with similarities and differences overlapping even among banana cultivars from the same genomic group

Fruit and vegetable exports in the post-liberalization era: The Indian experience

The liberalization of agricultural trade brought about by the economic reforms of 1991, the subsequent WTO agreement and the proliferating Regional Trading Agreements have opened opportunities as well as challenges for India’s horticultural trade. This paper analyses the performance of horticultural exports from the country in terms of growth, instability, dynamics, diversification and stability with respect to commodities and markets and the constraints in terms of the Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) faced and delineates the opportunities and strategies required to be followed by the sector for a sustainable growth. The horticultural exports from the country have grown significantly in both quantity and value terms during the period from 1991 to 2016. The highest share in the exports of horticultural products from India was accounted by grapes for which the major markets were Netherlands, Russia, United Kingdom, UAE, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Among the vegetables, India accounted for about 9.4 per cent of share in world exports of onion and the main destinations were Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE and Sri Lanka. The horticultural exports have shown increased commodity diversification as well as geographical diversification due to increased market access in developed countries. Even though the tariffs have come down there by increasing the exports, the NTMs, especially quality issues in connection with sanitary and phyto-sanitary regulations have increased in the post- liberalization era. Given the inherent potential and rising competiveness of the India’s horticultural sector, the removal of product specific constraints, especially production of commodities of international standards could definitely help in sustaining the growth of horticultural exports