Ultrasonic Immersion C-Scan Imaging Technique : A Novel Tool to Evaluate and Optimize EMS Parameters for Continuously Cast Steel Billet Quality

With increasing demand for clean steels, the quality, in terms of internal defects and macro structural features (cnetral porosity, equiaxed zone, etc.), of billets has become of utmost importance. By optimizing the Electro Magnetic Stirrer (EMS) parameters viz., EMS current and frequency the severity of defects, area of columnar zone as well as central porosity, in continuously cast billet can be effectively minimized. The result would be an inc-rease in equiaxed zone area and improved internal sound-ness. In the present work attempts have been made to determine the best combination of EMS current as well as frequency to ensure good internal soundness of billets. The EMS current and frequency were changed to different value in the range of 240A to 300A and 3Hz to 4Hz resp-ectively. Corresponding billet samples were collected for macro structural evaluation. The samples were scanned using an automatic computerized multi-scan immersion ultrasonic immersion ultrasonic C-scanner to get images of samples. C-scan images obtained through system have been used for as a tool for evaluating and obtaining optimum electromagnetic stirrer (EMS) parameters i.e. current and frequency. Macro structural features revealed by ultrasonic C-Scan were analysed for determining the best combination of EMS parameters. The most significant improvement was found at 280 ampere EMS current and freq-uency 3.5HZ. Beyond this there was only a marginal impro-vement in the billet quality as well as equiaxed zone. Based on the experimental observations, it is recommended to operated EMS at 280A current and EMS frequency should not increase beyond 4Hz in the plant

FUEL CELLS: CONTAMINATION AND RECENT ADVANCEMENTS FOR ITS STABILIZATION

A Fuel cell will soon be a very robust weapon to replace current highly carbonized fossil fuel generation of electricity by a more cleaner and efficient source of generation. The kind of electricity generation that is being used nowadays impacts environment badly and contributes to Global Warming. In this context, Fuel Cell can prove to be significant in generation of cleaner energy. In addition to this, fuel cell is more efficient as it doesn't operate as any heat engine; so not bound up to Carnot efficiency. Certain impurities either from the fuel that is being supplied or from the environment might result into undesirable reactions that cause fuel cell contamination. This becomes the reason for the dramatic drop in the performance of a fuel cell that has been observed from our working "Solar Hydrogen Plant"Fig A model. For testing and extending the life of a fuel cell by detecting and mitigating the cause of degradation, the researchers has passed the sample of distilled water and Ultra-pure water (Type I) after electrolysis through Ion Chromatographer, Total Dissolved Solid test, Electrical Conductivity Test, and pH test. The cell has been allowed to run in the lush green campus of Banaras Hindu University whose environmental conditions are considered to be less polluted in the Varanasi. Henceforth, the researchers also tested atmospheric situations and its effect on fuel cell. The results of this paper will be useful in designing a device which can mitigate contamination and will ensure successful domestication of Fuel cell. In this paper, various methods of obtaining pure hydrogen gas like Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), High & Low Temperature Diffusion, Solvent absorption of CO and CO2 are also discussed. . A new model of fuel cell installation is also discussed with an additional stage of hydrogen fuel filtration using PSA, TSA to supply hydrogen fuel with purity up to 99.8%

Response Rate of Sero-reactive Blood Donors to Notification and Counselling

Background. Sero-reactivity disclosure to blood donors is an important issue of public domain. The sensitivity of situation demands both confidential as well as trust laden atmosphere while notifying them. Our aim was to assess and analyze the response rate of sero-reactive donors towards post-donation notification and counselling.Material and methods. Donors reactive for any transfusion transmitted infections were notified of their results and called to blood bank for counseling (January 2016 to December 2017). The notification process included one postal and two telephonic communications. Their privacy was maintained throughout the whole process. Responders were counseled by the medical officer and subsequently referred to the concerned specialty for further management.Results. Among 30,343 voluntary blood donors (96% males) 65.2% (n = 19 784) were repeat donors. Total 0.42% (n = 129) cases with reactive screening test results (0.30% HBV; 0.06% HIV; 0.006% HCV; 0.04% syphilis and 0.006% malaria) were evaluated. Prevalence of HBV and HIV were higher among first time donors (0.61% and 0.12%) than in repeat donors (0.14% and 0.02%) respectively (p = 0.002). Overall 58% (n = 75/129) donors responded to notification and counseling. Response among repeat donors (67.5% [n = 27/40]) versus first time donors (54.0% [n = 48/89]) was better and statistically significant (p = 0.05). The response rate for Malaria, HIV, Syphilis, HBV and HCV was 100%, 78%, 77%, 51% and 50%, respectively. Inaccurate donor demographics (wrong address and phone number) resulted in our inability to notify 11.6% (n = 15) cases. Major factors hindering the response rate were donors’ inability to be present for a post-test discussion either due to far distance (> 100 miles) and/or their busy schedule.Conclusion. Good response was noted among repeat blood donors. Donor education and repeated attempts to communicate with the sero-reactive donors would improve the response rate

Hybrid Model for Passive Locomotion Control of a Biped Humanoid:The Artificial Neural Network Approach

Developing a correct model for a biped robot locomotion is extremely challenging due to its inherently unstable structure because of the passive joint located at the unilateral foot-ground contact and varying configurations throughout the gait cycle, resulting variation of dynamic descriptions and control laws from phase to phase. The present research describes the development of a hybrid biped model using an Open Dynamics Engine (ODE) based analytical three link leg model as a base model and, on top of it, an Artificial Neural Network based learning model which ensures better adaptability, better limits cycle behaviors and better generalization while negotiating along a down slope. The base model has been configured according to the individual subjects and data have been collected using a novel technique through an android app from those subjects while walking down a slope. The pattern between the deviation of the actual trajectories and the base model generated trajectories has been found using a back propagation based artificial neural network architecture. It has been observed that this base model with learning based compensation enables the biped to better adapt in a real walking environment, showing better limit cycle behaviors. We also observed the bounded nature of deviation which led us to conclude that the strategy for biped locomotion control is generic in nature and largely dominated by learning

A uniformity trial on Indian mustard for determination of optimum size and shape of blocks

The aim of this study was to estimate the optimum block size with the shape for field research experiments. A uniform crop of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) variety RH-749 was raised during 2013-14 rabi season over an area of 48m × 48m (2304 basic units) at Research Farm of Oilseed section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India. The harvesting of crop was done in small units each of size lm × lm (1m2). The blocks of sizes 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 plots with various shapes, for different plot sizes were considered. The coefficient of variation (CV) decreased from 10.66 to 3.89 with the increase in block size from 4 to 24 , indicating that as the block size increased, homogeneity within the block also increases and the blocks elongated in E-W direction were more effective in reducing error variation than those elongated in N-S direction. It was also observed that C.V. without blocking (20.04) was much higher in comparison with the C.V. with blocking (3.89), thus indicating that blocking was beneficial in reducing error variation. The 24 plot blocks were found to be most efficient with 12m × 2m block shape. Rectangular blocks are also advisable either when the experimenter does not have any idea about the fertility pattern of the experimental area or when border effects are large

Impact of Cloud Computing Announcements on Firm Valuation

With increasing demand for Cloud Computing services, a growing number of firms are citing business agility and costsavings as motivators for adopting Cloud Computing services. Extant literature does not provide any empirical evidence ofvalue of announcements made regarding the Cloud Computing environment. This paper examines impact of CloudComputing announcements on firm valuation, using event study methodology. This study explores the market impact ofadoption of Cloud Computing on the cloud vendors/providers and customers/adopters. The impact on firm value of thecompetitors, of the companies adopting Cloud Computing services, is also analyzed. The study shows that there is asignificant impact of those announcements on the firm value of the companies. However, it shows a contrasting impact on thecustomers, vendors and their respective competitors, when analyzed separately

A comparative study of the relationship between the recovery of movement and the anatomical alignment in fractures around the elbow

Background: The injury around the elbow joint is a common condition in any age group, especially in children as a result of fall, during the course of a child's normal play. The aim of the present study was to study the relationship between the recovery of movements and the anatomical alignment in fractures around the elbow.Methods: In the present study, 110 cases of fractures around elbow were included. The treatment with conservative or operative procedure depends on the surgeon concerned and his priorities. Sixty-six cases were treated conservatively, and 56 cases required operative intervention. At the time of follow up examination, cases were assessed as to the anatomical and functional point of view according to Flynn's criteria. We evaluated the reduction as per alignment in anteroposterior axis, lateral axis, and angulation. The patients were followed up for over 24 months.Results: Patients who had good anatomical alignment (grade A) showed 96.87% satisfactory result as compared to the patient who had fair anatomical alignment (91.66%) and poor anatomical alignment (54.54%). Thus in grade A where alignment was up to 76 points, we had satisfactory result in 96.87% patients, where as in grade C where alignment was less than 50 points, the result in 45.5% of patients was poor.Conclusions: Patients who had good anatomical alignment achieved, showed higher recovery of movement compared to the patient who had fair anatomical alignment and poor anatomical alignment

B-scan measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter as a marker of elevated intracranial pressure

Background: Elevated intracranial pressure is a complication of several traumatic as well as non-traumatic medical conditions. Clinical diagnosis can be difficult as it may present with non-specific complaints such as headache, vomiting, blurred vision, vomiting and altered sensorium. The expertise to perform ophthalmoscopy is not always immediately available in emergency rooms and the access to cross sectional imaging may be limited. Distention of the optic nerve sheath is an early sign of raised ICP as it is in direct communication with the subarachnoid space. Ultrasound is a widely available tool in emergency situations which can be used to measure the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD).Methods: In this prospective observational study, 36 patients suspected of having elevated intracranial pressure underwent high resolution B-scan ultrasound to measure the ONSD. Further, patients underwent CT scan of head and were evaluated for signs of raised ICT. Sensitivity and specificity of B-scan measurement of ONSD with CT scan was compared.Results: The ONSD measurement was 88.5% sensitive (95% CI 68% to 97%) and 90% specific (95% CI 55% to 99%) with CT as the reference.Conclusions: Bedside ultrasound B-scan measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter provides information about raised intracranial pressure with a high sensitivity and specificity

Synovial hemangioma: a pictorial essay of two cases

Synovial hemangiomas are uncommon benign tumours of vascular origin arising in relation to the synovium of joints or bursae. Usually, a long-standing history of pain and joint swelling is present affecting children and adolescents especially in the knee or elbow joint. We present two cases of knee swelling diagnosed as synovial hemangioma