The effect of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on size and morphology of ZnO and CuO

The nanoparticles (NP) ZnO and CuO were synthesized by electrochemical-thermal method. The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on size and morphology of NP was evaluated. They were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The average crystallite size and the average grain size of NP decreased with CTAB concentration. The CTAB significantly affected the morphology of CuO and ZnO NP. The regular spindle shape of CuO transformed into irregular spherical shape and the homogeneity in the morphology of spherical ZnO NP was lost with increase in CTAB concentration. The effect of morphology and size of ZnO on its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by subjecting methylene blue (MB) dye to photocatalytic degradation under the irradiation of UV light. The color removal of MB dye during electrolysis was monitored by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The highest photocatalytic activity was noticed for ZnO 10 mM CTAB

Development of a soccer specific functional rehabilitation program using the Modified Delphi Technique

Context. There are no concise and thorough core and lower quarter exercises for functional rehabilitation found in the literature or the clinical setting for soccer. An exercise program is needed to assist clinicians in developing sport specific functional rehabilitation programs. Objective. The purpose of this study was to develop a concise soccer specific functional rehabilitation program. Design. This was a prospective descriptive study following the Modified Delphi Technique to develop exercise components to include in a functional rehabilitation program based on opinion from a panel of experts. The dependent variable was the responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Setting. This study took place at West Virginia University. Patients or other participants. Participants consisted of Certified Athletic Trainers (n=9 round one, n=6 round two) and Physical Therapists (n= 7 round one, n= 5 round two) with a minimum of five years clinical experience and criteria for selection of the researchers were based on publications and presentations on soccer. Eighteen clinical Certified Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists and researchers participated in the first round. Eleven participants completed the second round. Interventions. Exercises to be included in a functional rehabilitation program was through a series of successive revisions with input being offered from colleagues. Three questionnaires were utilized in this study. The demographic questionnaire was e-mailed to the participants with the first round questionnaire. The panel was asked to fill out questions about credentials and experience and asked to respond to the exercise components on the Likert scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The participants submitted the questionnaire online. A link to the second questionnaire with means score, percentages and additional write in comments from round one was sent to the participants. Follow-up letters for the first and second rounds were e-mailed to the participants one week before the due dates as reminders to complete the questionnaire. The responses from the second questionnaire contributed to the development of the functional rehabilitation program. Main outcomes measures. With a consensus of the participants (75% strongly agree and agree and a mean score of 4) the responses for each exercise section would be similar. The hypotheses included: dynamic flexibility, single leg balance, lunge sequencing, heel raise sequencing, squat sequencing, plyometrics, core stabilization and functional activity progression. Results. The initial questionnaire consisted of 168 exercise components. After the second round, 81 of the proposed exercise components reached consensus and therefore were used to develop the final program. The final program consisted of what should be included in a soccer specific functional rehabilitation program based on best clinical practice and evidence based guidelines. Conclusion. The responses from both rounds by the panel of experts led to the development of the soccer specific functional rehabilitation program. Although there was a dropout of seven participants, this program is still representative of Major League Soccer ATCs, PTs, and soccer researchers. Since the remaining exercise components are supported by evidence based research and best clinical practice, this program can serve as a guideline for a soccer specific functional rehabilitation program. Additional studies should be conducted for the development of a functional rehabilitation program

Impact Of SCM Practices Of A Firm On Supply Chain Responsiveness And Competitive Advantage Of A Firm

Today’s supply chains are expected to respond rapidly, effectively, and efficiently to changes in the marketplace to sustain, succeed and create competitive advantage in this increasingly global marketplace by focusing on time, flexibility, and speed of response. The focus of this study is the supply chain responsiveness construct and a firm’s practices to respond to customer’s demands and constantly changing market conditions to create competitive advantage. This research conceptualizes three dimensions of supply chain responsiveness and develops a reliable and valid instrument for measuring this construct. The study further tests the relationships between supply chain management (SCM) practices, supply chain responsiveness, and competitive advantage using structural equation modeling based on 294 responses from industry professionals in the manufacturing and supply chain area. Research findings point out that higher level of SCM practices can lead to improved supply chain responsiveness and enhanced competitive advantage of a firm. Also supply chain responsiveness can have a direct positive impact on competitive advantage of a firm

Suppliers\u27 Quality Practices in Six Countries and Regions: China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Mexico, and Costa Rica

In this paper we report suppliers’ quality practices in six countries — China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Mexico and Costa Rica. The practices include suppliers’ education, technical assistances, involvement in product development and long-term relationships. India, China, Korea and Taiwan are four major countries in Asia that have shown substantial economic growth over the years. Mexico is a member of NAFTA. Cost Rica is a growing country in Central America. Differences in terms of quality results are explored as well. In general, supplier quality practices are related to the overall quality management practices. Supplier quality practices affect the internal and external quality results. However, the length of quality experience in the organizations turns out to be a discriminating factor for choosing particular supplier quality practices. The implication of these results confirms that supplier quality practices are important practices for both internal and external quality results

Hysteresis in sorption. XIII. Mode of preparation of silica gel and its influence on hysteresis

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Characterization of Srikurmum and Navaladi Beach Placer Minerals

Two different beach placer samples from Srikurmum of Andhra Pradesh and Navaladi of Tamilnadu were collected and characterized in terms of their total heavy mineral content by heavy media as well as magnetic separation studies. Navaladi beach placer sample contains higher amounts of total heavy minerals than that of the Srikur-mum beadh. Mineralogical analysis on both the samples revealed high amounts of garnet and minor quantities of ilmenite. The particle size of garnet is coarser than that of ilmenite. EPMA results indicated that garnet is of almandine variety. The Eastern Ghats metarnotphic belt, covering both the areas, is considered to be the source of these beach placer minerals

Value Addition of Indian Iron Ore Fines by Column Flotation - Few Case Studies

The Government of India highlighted Processing and utili-zation of iron ore fines as a prerequisite to meet the domestic raw material requirements for the projected 110 million tonnes of domestic steel production by the year 2019-20 in the National Steel Policy announced in Nov-ember 2005. This would require 190 million tonnes of iron ore. The depletion of high grade iron ore and increased generation of fines during mining and handling and demand for high grade iron ore fines for export has necessitated the processing of low to medium grade fines. The R&D efforts undertaken at NML-Madras Centre, India in this direction have been highlighted. Flotation in general and Column Flotation in particular appear to be promising in addressing this problem. This would also mitigate the environmental problem created by the dumping of huge quan-tities of low and medium grade iron ore fines. Three case studies involving iron ore fines of varying silica and alumina content from Goa and Bellary-Hospet regions of India were discussed. The results clearly indicate the feasibility and significance of flotation process in treat-ing the fines to obtain marketable concentrates

Alteration characteristics of manavalakurichi beach placer illmenite, Tamilnadu.

The mineralogy and alteration characteristics of beach placer ilmenite from the Manavalakurichi coast were investigated by optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. Mineral chemistry by electron probe micro-analysis indicated ;enrichment of TI02, MgO, AI203, Cr203, Si02. K20, V205,. CaO and Na20 in the altered products ofilmenitc:. while there was a loss of iron oxide, maganesc oxide and zinc oxide from the ilmenite grains during weathering leading to leucoxen