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To evaluate the efficiency of catalyst packing and to characterize the liquid phase flow dynamics in a heavy water distillation column, a series of residence time distribution (RTD) measurements were carried out using radiotracer. For a RTD measurement, about 1 mCi (37 MBq) of 82Br as ammonium bromide was injected as an impulse and its movement was monitored by thirty NaI(Tl) detectors at the inlet and outlet of the five catalyst cages present in the distillation column. The tracer measurements were carried out at varying liquid phase flow rate from 80 to 180 LPH. From the radiotracer data, it was concluded that radial distribution of the liquid phase at the top and bottom of the five cages was uniform. However, a slight non uniformity was observed in the middle cages. The residence time of the heavy water in the five cages varying the liquid flowrate was found to be varying from 4.2 min to 36.7 Min. To characterize the liquid mixing in each section of the distillation column, axial dispersion model was used using convolution method. The model parameter peclet number (Pe) was used to characterize the mixing. The Pevalues for the five sections were found to be varying from 7 to 35. The Pevalue suggests that flow of the liquid phase in the column was close to the plug flow in bottom three sections as desired.

Today with billions of tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, global temperature rise and great obstacles to further development of conventional energy sources, it is a must that due attention be given to a range of environmental-friendly energy technologies, too relevant in the Adriatic coastal regions. Implementation of energy efficiency and maximum use of renewable, are more appropriate options to resolve problem relevant to both the basic sectors (buildings, transports, energy production and urban systems) and improve/strengthen sustainable development capabilities. It is in this context that a brief description of some environmental-friendly energy technologies that can easily be replicated in the Adriatic coastal regions, will be presented. In addition, real-time strategies, working simultaneously, able to reduce traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, benefitting both users and non-users of the transport network in social, environmental and economic terms, will be another salient feature of present communication.

•CPvalues have been measured for ternary mixtures at four temperatures.•(CPE)ijkhave been determined using measured CPdata.•(CPE)ijkdata have been rationalized in light of graph and flory's theories.•Graph theory well predict the (CPE)ijkof studied mixtures in comparison of flory's theory.

Researchers have focused their attention on the thermodynamical investigation of biodiesel or its blends with diesel or alkanols. Such blends are considered as alternative fuel in automobile industries. This work is a systematic computation of excess molar volumes, V123E, excess isentropic compressibilities, (κSE)123and excess speeds of sound, u123E(using measured densities and speeds of sound) of ternary methyl laurate (1) + ethyl laurate (2) + 1-propanol or 2-propanol (3) blends at temperatures ranging from 288.15 to 313.15 K in a step of 5 K. The interpretation of V123E, (κSE)123and u123Eof present blends suggest that there is strong interactions/effective packing among the components of ternary methyl laurate + ethyl laurate + 2-propanol blend in comparison to methyl laurate + ethyl laurate + 1-propanol. Further, it has been observed that enhancement in temperature leads in decrease in strength of interactions among the molecules in mixed state.

Mobile learning has been the latest educational learning technology which extends the benefits of e-learning from providing anywhere anytime learning to on the move learning. Though mobile learning is being increasingly popular amongst students due to the undisputed popularity of mobile phones amongst the youngsters, but there are still many apprehensions among the faculty fraternity in adopting or using it for teaching and other educational purposes. This paper discusses various sentiments and opinions of faculty about m-learning and its usage for educational purposes and also investigates use of sentiment analysis for analysing those sentiments. Sentiment analysis or opinion mining is an important research area which is recently being applied in various domains like marketing, businesses, etc., for understanding their behavioural patterns of the user or customer. This paper presents use of aspect level sentiment analysis for identifying and expressing the polarity of the faculty attitude and their opinions towards m-learning.

•TheCp,(Cp)123have been assessed for binary and ternary mixtures at several temperatures.•CPE,(CPE)123have been evaluated using assessed data.•CPE,(CPE)123data have been analyzed in terms of Graph theory.•Graph theory precisely predicts CPE,(CPE)123data at the studied mole fractions.

The active tectonics of the Himalaya are manifested in a host of geomorphologic features such as drainage pattern development, fault scarps and uplifted Quaternary alluvial fans etc. The study analyses the drainage incision to identify the tilting of Quaternary blocks in the Kali River System, the Kumaun Himalaya. A technique of drainage basin morphometry analysis that quantifies basin symmetry has been applied to detect the tilting of areas occupied by Quaternary deposits. The Drainage Basin symmetry vectors, calculated from topographic profiles of parts of the Kali River Basin bring out preferred stream migration in response to Quaternary ground tilting of southeast and northwest directions across the North Almora Thrust. An oblique-slip type of movement along the fault has been postulated. The approach provides a quick appraisal of possible tilting elements on the neotectonically active Himalayan terrain and is of great utility in areas where active faults are concealed or poorly exposed.

Dynamics of water sorbed in a reverse osmosis polyamide membrane (ROPM) as studied by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is reported here. The trimesoylchloride-m-phenylene diamine based ROPM is synthesized by interfacial polymerization technique. QENS data indicates that translational motion of water confined in ROPM gets modified compared to bulk water whereas rotational motion remains unaltered. Translational motion of water in ROPM is found to follow random jump diffusion with lower diffusivity compared to bulk water. Translational diffusivity does not show the Arrhenius behaviour.

Dynamics of ethylene glycol (EG) adsorbed in H-ZSM5 zeolite as studied using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) technique is reported here. Analysis of QENS data revealed that observed dynamics correspond to isotropic rotational motion of EG. Rotational diffusion coefficient of EG adsorbed in H-ZSM5 zeolite is found to be slower compared to bulk and comparable to that of benzene adsorbed in the same host. Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) technique is used to understand the nature of guest-host interaction and the results of both QENS and PAS are found to be consistent with each other.

Abstract.: Dynamics of ethylene glycol (EG) adsorbed in H-ZSM5 zeolite as studied using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) technique is reported here. Analysis of QENS data revealed that observed dynamics correspond to isotropic rotational motion of EG. Rotational diffusion coefficient of EG adsorbed in H-ZSM5 zeolite is found to be slower compared to bulk and comparable to that of benzene adsorbed in the same host. Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) technique is used to understand the nature of guest-host interaction and the results of both QENS and PAS are found to be consistent with each other.

Abstract.: Dynamics of water sorbed in a reverse osmosis polyamide membrane (ROPM) as studied by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is reported here. The trimesoylchloride-m-phenylene diamine based ROPM is synthesized by interfacial polymerization technique. QENS data indicates that translational motion of water confined in ROPM gets modified compared to bulk water whereas rotational motion remains unaltered. Translational motion of water in ROPM is found to follow random jump diffusion with lower diffusivity compared to bulk water. Translational diffusivity does not show the Arrhenius behaviour.

A simple clinical score (ABCD2score) has been introduced to triage TIA patients with a high early risk of stroke. External validation studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the predictive ability of the ABCD2score. We aimed to prospectively validate the former score in a multicenter case series study.

A new series of resolvable PBIB(3) designs with two replications has been proposed along with a simple method of analysis. These designs form a generalization of circular lattice designs of Rao (1956).

•The ρ, u, VE, κSEof studied mixtures are reported at 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 K.•The calculated data have been tested in terms of Graph and PFP theories.•Graph theory more precisely predicts VEand κSEdata in comparison to PFP Theory.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from leprosy patients underwent spontaneous apoptosis upon culture for 24 h. The apoptosis was inhibited by anti‐TNFα antibodies and to a certain extent by anti‐IL‐1α and IL‐6, thus showing that TH2‐type cytokines (mainly TNFα) are responsible for inducing apoptosis. This cytokine‐mediated apoptosis could be inhibited by ionomycin and zinc, thereby suggesting that these metal ions can be used to decrease the levels of these inflammatory cytokines in various diseases.

The early events of activation were studied in paucibacillary (TT/BT) and multibacillary (BL/LL) leprosy patients by stimulation of their lymphocytes with mitogenic agents (calcium ionophore A23187/PMA) and Micobacterium lepraeantigen (PGL‐1). Maximum proliferation in response to PMA/A23187 and PGL‐1 was observed in the BT/TT patients and the control group, respectively. Inositol triphosphate (IP3) and calcium were constitutively elevated in BT/TT and LL/BL patients. PMA/A23187 caused an increase in both IP3and [Ca2+]iin BT/TT patients and controls. PGL‐1 marginally increased IP3levels in BT/TT patients. In the LL/BL patients, although PMA/A23187 increased IP3levels, but no change was seen in [Ca2+]i, PGL‐1 had no effect. Protein kinase C levels were seen to be associated with particulate fractions in BT/TT patients and were found to increase further in response to PMA/A23187. PGL‐1 did not increase translocation of protein kinase C in controls or LL/BL patients. A preactivated and sensitised state of T‐lymphocytes was observed in BT/TT patients, responsive to antigen and mitogens, whereas the cells of LL/BL patients were unresponsive to PGL‐1. The altered signal transduction events characterised in the MB patients thus correlate well with the anergic state of their cells.

Salmonellainfections continue to cause gastrointestinal and systemic disease throughout the world.Salmonella typhimuriumDT104 further poses a major health concern due to its acquisition of resistance to multiple antibiotics. The rapid detection of multiresistantS. typhimuriumDT104 would facilitate strategies aimed at controlling this pathogen. We developed a specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that amplifies a segment of DNA that is conserved in multiresistantS. typhimuriumDT104. To provide further specificity for this PCR-based diagnostic test, we amplified two other gene fragments that are present inS. typhimuriumDT104. A multiplex PCR containing primers for targeted sequences resulted in the amplification of predicted size fragments fromS. typhimuriumDT104 exhibiting the ACSSuT (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline) or ASSuT resistance phenotypes. A minor modification of the multiplex PCR enabled the detection of other related multiresistantSalmonellasuch asS. typhimuriumU302. To augment the detection process, we also designed a fluorogenic PCR assay that can detect the DNA of multiresistantS. typhimuriumDT104 in the presence of excess contaminating bacterial DNA. These results provide a method by which multiresistantS. typhimuriumDT104, or potentially the next emerging multiresistantSalmonella, can be accurately detected in only 3–4 h.

Sporotrichosis is being increasingly reported from a particular area of Himachal Pradesh, a state in northwest India. A skin-test survey was conducted using sporotrichin and peptido-rhamnomannan antigen among the population in the villages where 2 or more cases of sporotrichosis had been reported and results were compared with those for villages of the same state where no case of sporotrichosis had been reported. The study was helped by local doctors, leaders and patients who were cured of sporotrichosis. The delayedhypersensitivity positivity rates were significantly higher in case villages (range 22·9–40·0%) compared to control area (range 6·5–7·6%). Analysis by age showed that positivity rate increased with increase in age for both sexes. Analysis by occupation showed higher skin-test positivity in populations engaged in horticulture, nursery work, gardening, woodwork (43·2%) and farming (33·9%). The case villages have lower temperature and higher rainfall than the control villages. During the 1-year study period (1996–1997), 25 cases of sporotrichosis were diagnosed: 16 cases were referred by doctors from the local area and 9 were from cases suspected during the skin-test survey. This study identifies Kangra district and adjoining areas in Himachal Pradesh as an endemic region for sporotrichosis and highlights the need for evaluation of geo-climatically similar areas.

Ten calves were immunized with rough Salmonella dublinand exhibited marked cellular immune response and comparatively poor humoral response. The cell-mediated immunity was exhibited by delayed skin hypersensitivity reaction of 10·0 to 14·0 mm skin thickness at 48 h post-antigen inoculation (p. i.), leucocyte migration inhibition of 73·96%; humoral immune response 18·5 to 25·5 mm by immediate skin hypersensitivity reaction at 6 h p. i., H titres 1:400 to 1:3200 and total immunoglobulin levels of 43·0 to 65·0 mg/ml of serum, in calves three weeks post immunization. On challenge with smooth. S. dublinthree weeks post immunization, calves exhibited fever, diarrhoea and excreted challenge organisms not beyond one week and became normal thereafter. The calves at the time of challenge neither had high agglutinin titres nor elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, but all of them survived. The control group of calves, besides exhibiting typical symptoms, excreted the challenge organisms until death. These observations provide evidence of a relatively predominant role of cell-mediated immunity in protection of calves against challenge.

The circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the nocturnal field mouse Mus booduga has been monitored after an exposure to ultraviolet-A (UV-A; wavelength between 350 and 400 nm) radiation at various hours of the subject's cycle. The magnitude of the phase shift is used to determine the sensitivity of the circadian pacemaker underlying locomotor activity rhythm. It is observed that UV-A shifts the phase of the locomotor activity rhythm in a phase-dependent manner. A phase response curve (PRC) is constructed to depict the time course and waveform of the basic oscillator's sensitivity to UV-A radation. The UV-A PRC qualitatively resembles the PRC constructed using diffused daylight as stimulus. Furthermore, the phase response characteristics of the circadian pacemaker for UV-A suggest a periodically varying sensitivity to UV-A similar to that to daylight.

In searching for a candidate mechanism for the immunosuppressive as well as fibrogenic consequences of cyclosporine usage, we have explored the hypothesis that cyclosporine stimulates transcription of transforming growth factor‐β1(TGF‐β1), a multifunctional cytokine endowed with immunosuppressive and fibrogenic properties. Our results demonstrate that cyclosporine (i) stimulates TGF‐β1promoter‐dependent transcription of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene in transiently transfected human A‐549 cells, (ii) stimulates the synthesis of TGF‐β1RNA transcripts in human T cells, and (iii) permits the expression/emergence of DNA regulatory proteins (retinoblastoma control factor‐1 (RCF‐1) and RCF‐2) that bind and regulate TGF‐β1promoter activity. Our studies demonstrate for the first time that cyclosporine stimulates TGF‐β1gene transcription and suggest a novel mechanism of action of cyclosporine.

Molar excess volumes and molar excess enthalpies for various (i + j) binary methylene bromide (i) + aniline or N-methyl aniline and + N,N-dimethyl aniline (j) mixtures have been determined as a function of composition at 308.15 K. The data have been analysed in terms of the graph-theoretical approach and Sanchez and Lacombe theory. The graph-theoretical analyses of VEdata suggest that aniline, N-methyl aniline, and N,N-dimethyl aniline exist as equilibrium mixtures of monomer and dimer and that these mixtures contain 1:1 molecular complexes. The IR studies lend further credence to the nature and extent of interaction along with support for the proposed structure of molecular species in these mixtures.

In searching for a candidate mechanism for the immunosuppressive as well as fibrogenic consequences of cyclosporine usage, we have explored the hypothesis that cyclosporine stimulates transcription of transforming growth factor- β1(TGF- β1), a multifunctional cytokine endowed with immunosuppressive and fibrogenic properties. Our results demonstrate that cyclosporine (i) stimulates TGF- β1promoter-dependent transcription of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene in transiently transfected human A-549 cells, (ii) stimulates the synthesis of TGF- β1RNA transcripts in human T cells, and (iii) permits the expression/emergence of DNA regulatory proteins (retinoblastoma control factor-1 (RCF-1) and RCF-2) that bind and regulate TGF- β1promoter activity. Our studies demonstrate for the first time that cyclosporine stimulates TGF- β1gene transcription and suggest a novel mechanism of action of cyclosporine.

Background: Laxative pretreatment decreases the volume of polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage solution (PEG-ELS) required for colonoscopy without compromising preparation quality. We compared the use of 4 L of PEG-ELS with the use of 2 L plus a laxative. Methods: One hundred fifty consecutive patients (148 men) undergoing outpatient colonoscopy were randomly selected for one of three preparations (Prep 1: 4 L PEG-ELS; Prep 2: 2 L PEG-ELS plus 296 mL magnesium citrate 1 hour prior; Prep 3: 2 L PEG-ELS plus bisacodyl 20 mg). Endoscopists were blinded as to the type of preparation. Results: Colonoscopy times were 37, 33, and 29.5 minutes (p = 0.02). Satisfaction scores (0 to 11) during preparation were 2.75, 1.84, and 2.54 (p = 0.05). Preparation times were 519, 397, and 379 minutes (p < 0.001). Preparation satisfaction scores (0 to 10) were 6.2, 7.7, and 7.4 (p < 0.001). Endoscopists' scores of preparation quality (1 to 10) were 7.3, 7.8, and 8.1 (p = 0.03). Volumes of liquid stool aspirated were 181, 103, and 90 mL (p < 0.001). Twenty-four patients receiving Prep 2 and 16 receiving Prep 3 had previous colonoscopy using full volume PEG-ELS; 88% who received Prep 2 and 56% who received Prep 3 preferred the newer preparation (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Two liters of PEG-ELS plus laxative improved preparation quality and patient satisfaction and reduced preparation time. Magnesium citrate pretreatment had fewer symptoms and was preferred to bisacodyl. PEG-ELS in 2 L quantities could reduce costs, and consideration should be given to making it available commercially. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;47:167-71)

Excess molar volumnesVijkEand excess molar enthalpiesHijkEof {nitrobenzene (i) + benzene (j) + toluene, or +o-xylene, or +p-xylene (k)} ternary mixtures have been measured as a function of composition dilatometrically and calorimetrically at the temperature 308.15 K. The data obtained have been analysed in terms of the Flory theory. It has been observed that theHijkEvalues predicted by this theory compare reasonably well with the corresponding experimental values. TheVijkEvalues are of the same order and sign, however, the agreement with the predictions is not satisfactory for these ternary mixtures.

Molar excess volumes, , and molar excess enthalpies, , of nitrobenzene (i) + benzene (j) + cyclohexane (k), nitrobenzene (i) + benzene (j) + n-hexane (k), and nitrobenzene (i) + benzene (j) + n-heptane (k) ternary mixtures have been determined dilatometrically and calorimetrically as a function of composition at 298.15 K. The data have been analyzed in terms of (i) the graph-theoretical approach and (ii) Flory's Theory. It has been observed that , data calculated by graph theoretical as well as Flory's approach compare well with their corresponding experimental values. Keywords: molar excess volumes, molar excess enthalpies, specific interactions, molar volume interaction parameter, molar interaction enthalpy parameter.

A study was undertaken to find out the presence of Listeria, Brucella, Salmonellaand Arizonaorganisms in free-living animais and birds in the neighbourhood of human and animal dwellings at Hissar. Fifty-one squirrels, 25 rats, 33 frogs, 22 snakes, 133 doves, 29 pigeons, 4 crows, 3 owls, 4 hoopoes, 79 house sparrows, 5 parrots and 100 samples of bird droppings failed to yield Listeriaand Brucellaorganisms. S. bareillyand S. typhimuriumvar. copenhagenwere obtained from 2 squirrels, S. slellingenfrom a frog, S.30:-:- from 4 doves, S. newingtonfrom a pigeon, three strains each of S. typhimuriumvar. copenhagenand S. weltevredenfrom 6 house sparrows and a strain of S. enteritidisfrom one sample of bird droppings. Four doves and a crow were found to be carrying Arizonaserotype 26:23:21.

The epidemiology of S. abortus-equiinfection in equines was studied. S. abortus-equiwas associated with abortions in mares, arthritis in a foal and orchitis in two stallions: the latter is indicative of a possible role of stallions in the transmission of infection to mares. Except for equines, no other mammal or bird was found to harbour this serotype and S. abortus-equiwas therefore considered to be host-specific. The S. abortus-equistrains belonged to a specific biotype and were divisible into at least two phage types. Other observations indicate that Salmonellaserotypes other than S. abortus-equican also cause infection in equines.

Considering wastage of two-third of the world's energy consumption in the form of waste heat, the thermoelectric (TE) technology has emerged out as an environmentally friendly and promising energy conversion technology for extracting electrical energy from waste heat. One of the largest obstacles that impede large-scale applications of TE materials is their low conversion efficiencies. Lead telluride stands out as an outstanding thermoelectric material for power generation applications in the mid-temperature range due to its appropriate intrinsic properties. The last decade has witnessed an exceptional development in the TE properties of lead telluride material system, and the maximum figure of merit (zT) has already surpassed a practical criterion of 2 consistently and significantly. This article gives a review of status of current research in the lead telluride alloy material system and the underlying successful strategies to optimize the TE performance. The article outlines diverse strategies like band engineering, nanostructuring, designing all scale hierarchical architectures, synergistic effects, and their outcomes in the form of superior TE performance. Summarizing the review, we emphasize that synergistic effects should be exploited to maximum to boost the TE performance further. In the concluding part, a roadmap for future strategies is proposed, for further enhancement in thermoelectric performance.

The dissolution kinetics of benzoic acid has been studied in the presence of certain surface-active agents. The addition of tyloxapol, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, and poloxakol to the dissolving fluid increased the apparent solubility of benzoic acid. In considering the experimentally determined dissolution rate as a function of solubility, it appears that the dissolution process in solutions of tyloxapol, polysorbate 80, and sodium lauryl sulfate concurs with the diffusion layer concept, while the dissolution process in the presence of poloxakol is best described by an interfacial barrier model.

Hardwicke’s Dabb-lizards have been found to be a reservoir of Salmonella in nature. Of 134 lizards, 95.5% were found to be carrying Salmonella in their intestines. Such a high prevalence of Salmonella is unusual and has not been reported in any living system so far. Twelve Salmonella types including a new serotype, S. hissar (6,7,14:c:1,2) and new varieties of S. onderstepoort (1,6,14:e,h:1,5) and S. charity (1,6,14:d:e,n,x) lacking somatic antigen 25 were encountered. The biochemical behaviour of the undescribed Salmonella serotype S. hissar and of new varieties of S. onderstepoort and S. charity are described.