CAPILLARY-ASSISTED ENHANCED CONDENSATION HEAT TRANSFER FOR LOW SURFACE TENSION LIQUIDS

Extensive research has been carried out over the course of the last few decades to induce dropwise condensation as it offers 5 - 7 times better heat transfer performance compared to filmwise condensation process. A number of methods such as low surface energy hydrophobic coatings, surface modification of hydrophobic surfaces to fabricate micro, nano and hierarchical structures, and the recent incorporation of jumping droplet phenomenon have provided effective means to further enhance the condensation heat transfer. However, existing methods to enhance condensation heat transfer rate fail in the case of low surface tension, highly wetting liquids such as hydrocarbons, cryogens, and fluorinated dielectrics and refrigerants used in various industrial applications. Due to their extremely wetting behavior, such fluids almost always condense in a filmwise mode and the removal of the condensate other than by gravity has been a challenge. Here, we fabricate a novel capillary surface to decouple the removal of the condensate vapor from the condensing surface. The new surface consists of alternating capillary bridge and plain sections. The liquid condensing in the plain channels and the outer surfaces of the capillary bridge is wicked into the wick bridge, effectively decoupling the condensation surface and the condensate removal paths. We have determined that the condensation performance of the fabricated surfaces is enhanced by a factor of 3 compared to a plain surface, and further enhanced by a factor of 4.5, compared to a plain surface, by bonding an additional cover mesh layer and decreasing the channels widths of the condensation surface. This proves that the concept of employing a capillary bridge greatly enhances the rate of condensation for low surface tension liquids such as dielectric fluids. Hence, the knowledge gained from this thesis will serve as basic guideline for designing new simple, cost effective, and scalable surface technologies with enhanced condensation heat transfer for widely used low surface tension liquids

A Novel Chaos Quasi-Oppositional based Flamingo Search Algorithm with Simulated Annealing for Feature Selection

In present situations feature selection is one of the most vital tasks in machine learning. Diminishing the feature set helps to increase the accuracy of the classifier. Due to large number of information’s present in the dataset it is a tremendous process to select the necessary features from the dataset. So, to solve this problem a novel Chaos Quasi-Oppositional based Flamingo Search Algorithm with Simulated Annealing algorithm (CQOFSA-SA) is proposed for feature selection and to select the optimal feature set from the datasets and thus it shrinks the dimension of the dataset. The FSA approach is used to choose the optimal feature subset from the dataset. In each iteration, the optimal solution of FSA is enriched by Simulated Annealing (SA). TheChaos Quasi-Oppositional based learning (CQOBL) included in the initialization of FSA improves the convergence rate and increases the searching capability of the FSA approach in choosing the optimal feature set. From the experimental outcomes, it is proved that the proposed CQOFSA-SA outperforms other feature selection approaches in terms of accuracy, optimal reduced feature set, fast convergence and fitness value

Positive Disruptions Caused by SCRM Activities in the SECI process of Knowledge Creation: Insights from Four Case Studies

Web 2.0 has been in the foray for a while playing an important role in threading business processes, various departments, systems and key stakeholders (within firms) to activate customer participation and involvement. In order to re-emphasize customer centricity, firms have been using SCRM (Social Customer Relationship Management) approach as a part of their CRM (Customer Relationship Management) strategy. The activities under SCRM are a major source for organizational knowledge creation that occurs due to a continuous dialogue between tacit and explicit knowledge. Also, various social platforms (operating for SCRM) where collaboration takes place acts as a shared context for knowledge creation. To comprehend the actions and limitations of a knowledge-creating firm thoroughly, this research paper examines the process of knowledge-creation by (1) revisiting Nonaka-Takeuchi SECI (Socialization, Externalization, Combination & Internalization) process to recognize how SCRM activities can be prolific in organizational knowledge creation (2) exploring positive disruptions created by integrating SCRM activities with four modes of SECI process for additional knowledge creation (3) analyzing case studies of four firms from consumer products sector that use SCRM approach and (4) discovering the elements under SCRM approach that satisfy ‘BA’ as a shared context

COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY OF THE HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY AND KSHARASUTRA TRANSFIXATION WITH TWO INCISIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PROLAPSED HAEMORRHOIDS

Kshara-sutra transfixation (KST) is one of the most efficacies and worldwide accepted treatments of hemorrhoids because of its effectiveness and less complication rate. Hemorrhoidectomy (HMD) is the procedure of choice for treatment of grade three and four hemorrhoids, which is a painful method for a relatively benign disease. There are a few studies available analyzing the effectiveness of Ksharasutra transfixation as an initial treatment for grade three and four symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Arsha (hemorrhoids) is engorgement of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus, characterized by bleeding per rectum, constipation, pain, prolapse and discharge. It is manifested due to improper diet, prolonged standing and faulty habits of defecation causing derangement of Tridosha. The Kshara sutra Transfixation method in Arshas was studied in comparison with hemorrhoidectomy. Kshara sutra trans-fixation with two incision on the bulged mass in Arshas was employed in 15 patients, and 17 patients were dealt with hemorrhoidectomy. The study revealed a better result of the Kshara sutra Transfixation with two incision on the bulged mass group in comparison with hemorrhoidectomy. The observations revealed that maximum advantages like minimum hospital stay, no bleeding during or after operation, no post-operative anal stenosis, a low cost-effective and more acceptable to different categories of people, etc. were recorded in the Kshara sutra-treated group. Statistically, Kshara-sutra Transfixation for Arshas was found to be highly significant (There are significant difference among the PODS with reference to the mean grades. The corresponding F-value is given by 7.486535 which is highly significant at 1% level) and effective management. No adverse effects were noted during the follow-up period

How Companies Can Modify R&D for Integrating Social Media Activities into the New Products Development

Through past decade open innovation achieved enormous amount of attention from scholars and practitioners as well. We took one part of open innovation – customer innovation through social media, and looked into companies‟ practices to more efficiently integrate information from social media into New Product Development (NPD). We used mechanism of coordination method to explore how moving from traditional product development to open one, affects changes in R&D. We found three types of changes, that affects product development related processes, and four important factors to which companies are paying attention while integrating social media into NPD process: (1) frequent interaction with customers, (2) open information flow, (3) building a unit for coordinating activities, and (4) dividing R&D into units for tackling with ideation, concept development, and actual product building separately

Can rural public works affect agricultural wages? Evidence from India

It has long been hypothesised that public works programmes, in addition to the welfare effect on those directly employed, can influence equilibrium wage rates. In this paper we test the impact of the Indian government’s major public works programme, the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG), on agricultural wages. The rollout of NREG in three phases is used to identify difference-in-difference estimates of the programme effect. Using monthly wage data from the period 2000-2011 for a panel of 249 districts across 19 Indian states, we find that on average NREG boosts the real daily agricultural wage rates by 5.3 per cent. It takes 6 to 11 months for an NREG intensity shock to feed into higher wages. The wage effect appears to be gender neutral and biased towards unskilled labour. It is positive across different implementation stages and months. It remains significant even after controlling for rainfall; district and time fixed effects; and phase-wise linear, quadratic, and cubic time trends. The validity of our identification strategy is confirmed by placebo tests. We argue that since most of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and the poorest of the poor are agricultural wage labourers, rural public works constitute a potentially important anti-poverty policy tool

Examining SCRM approach and its role in facilitating tacit knowledge sharing & creation, and exploring its integration effects

Tacit knowledge resides in a person's mind, which is highly personal and very difficult to interpret & transfer. It can be transferred if individuals reside in the same environment for an extended period of time i.e. through shared experiences. Therefore, finding the right method to acquire tacit knowledge has always been difficult for organizations, as face-to-face interactions or sharing experiences in the same environment is not achievable all the time (due to geographic constraints, lack of mobility, etc.). Over and above that, tacit knowledge sharing through Information Technology (IT) and IT tools is extremely limited or totally impossible. But with the rise of the social web (online collaboration tools, social media, discussion forums, interactive blogs, etc.), tacit knowledge can be created and shared frequently. The main objective of this research is to investigate Social Customer Relationship Management (SCRM) approach and its role in facilitating tacit knowledge sharing & creation and the modification it brings about, due to the integration of social media activities. Based on literature review, in-depth interviews (qualitative approach) and data analysis, this research revisits and explains the concept of SCRM approach, and examines the key enablers required for SCRM approach to exist. Following the above starting point, this research explores if SCRM approach facilitates tacit knowledge creation and if yes, how. To do so, this research adopts Nonaka's 'Dynamic Theory of Organizational Knowledge Conversion & Creation' and investigates if SCRM approach facilitates all the four modes – Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization – in the SECI model (Micro-Level Analysis) and if yes, how. This study also examines online collaborative platforms or 'online spaces' implemented under SCRM approach that facilitate tacit knowledge sharing and creation. Simultaneously, this study explores the relationship of online spaces with BA', the shared context for knowledge creation (Micro-Level Analysis). This research adopts 'Mechanism of Co-ordination' to examine the effects of social media on R&D department's structure. It also describes new processes that are integrated within the New Product Development (NPD) process (Meso-Level Analysis). The integration of SECI model of knowledge creation and BA' in an SCRM setting is useful both to academia and practitioners. This research adds to the existing literature, which believes social media can facilitate tacit knowledge sharing and creation, and also helps practitioners understand the importance of generating customer knowledge through social media rather than relying on historical and transactional data

Tendinous xanthoma

A 31 years old female presented with multiple nodular, progressive swellings over feet since her age of 16 years & similar type of swellings both hands (Figure 1 & 2). She was non diabetic, non-hypertensive & not on any Thyroid replacement therapy. And no past history of coronary heart disease. She had no family history of sudden cardiac death except her 19yrs brother was having similar kind of swellings. Her physical examination revealed multiple subcutaneous, firm, non-tender swellings involving feet &hands (Figure 1 & 2)

In vitro characterization and in vivo assessment of equine tendon-derived progenitor cells

Tendinitis is a common cause of breakdown injury in equine athletes and accounts for 30% to 50% of all racing injuries. The last decade has seen significant development in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies in tendon repair. The focus on tendon-derived progenitor cells (TDPCs) for tendon healing is based on the rationale that stem cells obtained from tendons are more phenotypically-committed or ‘primed’ for tenogenesis than cells from other tissues. The overall objective of this body of research is to characterize and evaluate equine tendon-derived progenitor cells for tendon healing in horses. TDPCs were isolated via a differential adhesion preplating screen that has been successfully used to isolate skeletal muscle-derived stem cells. Cell suspensions obtained via collagenase digestion of equine lateral digital extensor tendon (n=4) were serially transferred into adherent plates every 12 hrs for 4 days. TDPCs obtained from the initial, third and seventh preplates were used for subsequent analyses. Growth/proliferation and basal tenogenic gene expression of the three TDPC fractions were largely similar. Preplating and subsequent monolayer expansion did not alter the immunophenotype (CD29+, CD44+, CD90+, and CD45−) and trilineage differentiation capacity of TDPC fractions. Overall, TDPCs were robustly osteogenic but exhibited comparatively weak adipogenic and chondrogenic capacities. These outcomes indicate that preplating does not enrich for tendon-derived progenitors during in vitro culture, and ‘whole tendon digest’-derived cells are as appropriate for cell-based therapies. In vitro growth characteristics of matched equine TDPCs and bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) during monolayer expansion were assessed (n=6). Subsequently, third passage TDPCs and BM-MSCs were cultured on acellular tendon matrices for 7 days with or without insulin-like growth factor supplementation. Matrix production and matrix gene expression were analyzed at the end of in vitro culture. During monolayer expansion, at each passage, the yield of TDPCs was 3-fold higher than the matched BM-MSCs. The viability of TDPCs on acellular tendon matrices was 1.6-2.8 fold higher than BM-MSCs. New collagen and glycosaminoglycan syntheses were significantly greater in TDPC groups and in IGF-I–supplemented groups. The mRNA concentrations of collagen type I and III, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were not significantly different between TDPC and BM-MSC groups. These in vitro results demonstrated that TDPCs may offer a useful resource for cell-based therapies for tendon healing. Lastly, the efficacy of TDPCs in an in-vivo equine flexor tendinitis model was evaluated. Collagenase-induced tendinitis was created in both front superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons (n=8). Four weeks later, the forelimb tendon lesions were treated with 1 x 107 autogenous TDPCs or saline. Twelve weeks after forelimb TDPC injections, tendons were harvested for assessment of matrix gene expression, biochemical, biomechanical and histological characteristics. Collagen I and III, COMP and tenomodulin mRNA levels were similar in both TDPC and saline groups and higher than normal tendon. Yield and maximal stresses of the TDPC group were significantly greater than the saline group’s and similar to normal tendon. However, the elastic modulus of the TDPC and saline groups were not significantly different. Histological assessment of the repair tissues with Fourier transform-Second Harmonic generation imaging demonstrated that collagen alignment was significantly better in TDPC group than in the saline controls. In summary, TDPC administration improved the histological and biomechanical properties of collagenase-induced tendinitis lesions