Search

Polymer matrix composites are being widely used in various applications area like as aerospace, construction, shipbuilding, automobile industry etc, due to excellent Mechanical properties and rich hydroxyl group used in surface modification the application area of nanocellulose is increasing day by day. Nanocellulose can be extracted from agricultural waste such as sugarcane bagasse, cotton linter, rice husks, and can be used as a reinforcing material for composites which gives very high Specific stiffness and strength, Elastic modulus of nanocellulose is predicted more than the Kevlar fiber and specific strength is approximately 7–8 times higher than stainless steel as reported in several literature. In this paper extraction technique of nanocellulose and fabrication of polymer matrix composites has been explained, Elastic modulus of composites can be obtained and verified by rule of mixture. Due to its low toxicity, renewable nature, nanoscale dimension and good biocompatibility the future scope of nanocellulose is very wide. Nanocellulose have rich hydroxyl groups which is used for surface treatment of materials, mechanical properties of nanocellulose such as high stiffness and strength are attractive to use it as a filler for composites which gives better mechanical and thermal properties. Nanocellullose composites are used in various application such as in biomedical for tissue repair, drug delivery and implants of some body parts, in paper and packaging industry, in electronic industry such as time- temperature integrator, gas and leak detector etc.

This paper presents and evaluates design improvements to the Visual Data Acquisition (ViDAQ) system for reading multi-dial gauges. ViDAQ in general, is targeted to occupy a niche application for a cost effective and readily deployable solution for non-intrusive and remote acquisition of data from legacy human machine interface (HMI) indicators. Legacy HMI indicators that pose numerous technological hurdles in being digitally monitored, include analogue rotary multi-dial gauges, alarm lamps, switches etc, much like those common to industrial process monitoring systems can benefit from ViDAQ. Furthermore, ViDAQ is poised to assist in realizing an overarching design goal of a generic EYE-on-HMI (Expert supervisorY systEm) framework. As a framework, EYE-on-HMI stands to integrate the burgeoning field of machine learning and computer vision for real-time detection of human-in-the-loop operator errors and gather human performance data in any commercial and/or industrial process control domain for improving operational safety. Operator interaction with HMI is vital to the operational safety of any process control such as in nuclear power plant operation, aviation, public transit vehicles, driverless vehicles, etc. and thus should be monitored actively.

In this study, it was focused on the research of new materials with high attenuation efficiency that can be used as radiation shielding material due to the incapability of conventional materials. In accordance with this purpose, the radiation shielding capabilities of four different precipitation-hardening stainless steels (PH-SSs), which are symbolized 15-5PH, 15-7PH, 17-4PH and 17-7PH, were determined both experimentally and theoretically in a wide range of radiation energy. For experimental measurements, two different detectors (Si(Li) and Na(Tl)) and twenty-three different photon energies (from 22.1 to 1332.5 keV) emitted from seven different radionuclides were used in narrow-beam transmission geometry. Phy-X/PSD software were used for theoretical calculations. The theoretically calculated parameters were determined both in the photon energies emitted by the radionuclides used in the experiment and in the continuous energy range of 0.015-15 MeV. Furthermore, in order to make a remarkable assessment of the integration of PH-SSs to nuclear energy applications, the all results obtained have been compared with the corresponding values of Fe-based steel concretes (steel-scrap (SS) and steel magnetite (SM)), which are widely used as conventional shield materials in nuclear power plants. Moreover, in order to choose the best material to be used in nuclear applications among the PH-SSs, the results were evaluated comparatively in terms of both the characteristics of the materials and the magnitude of the radiation shielding parameters. Consequently, it was concluded that the material with the best radiation shielding performance among the examined PH-SSs was 15-7PH and the radiation shielding performance ranking was generally in the form of 15-7PH >= 15-5PH > 17-4PH > 17-7PH > SM > SS. Due to both high attenuation efficiency and superior properties for radiation shielding, it was determined that the PH-SSs can be used as new shielding materials in nuclear applications.

SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3 (SBBO) transparent glass ceramics are fabricated via conventional melt-quenching technique. Simply via surface fluorination of these glass ceramics, by using HF solution, we obtained the coating of cubic BiO0.51F1.98over SBBO glass ceramic. Further, with successive fluorination by using concentrated HF solutions the crystal structure of coating tends towards the cubic α-BiF3 structurefrom the cubic BiO0.51F1.98. Both the structures of cubic BiO0.51F1.98 and cubic α-BiF3possess totally different morphologies; first having compact spheres and the other shows densely packed cubes, respectively. Along with fluorination, besides the structural and microstructure transformations, we have attained the improved transparency. Synergy effects of structural transformation on the contact angle and the photocatalytic properties are studied. The fluorinated SBBO transparent glass ceramics can be used as self-cleaning structural application.

Mass attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factors (EBF) for some ceramic hosts such as Hollandite (BaAl 2 Ti 6 O 16 ), Perovskite (CaTiO 3 ), Zirconolite (CaZrTi 2 O 7 ), Apatite (Pb 10 (VO 4 ) 4.8 (PO 4 ) 1.2 I 2 ), and Zircon (ZrSiO 4 ) for high level radioactive waste have been computed in the present paper. The mass attenuation coefficients for the Apatite were found to be the highest. The EBF for the Apatite were found the smallest in low-to-intermediate energy (

SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3 transparent glass ceramic was fabricated via conventional melt-quenching technique. Structural analysis like X-ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies were performed to confirm SBBO glass ceramic formation. As-quenched glass samples exhibited X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to SrBi2B2O7 which were further confirmed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. UV–vis transmission spectra revealed 60%–80% transparency in 500–800 nm spectral range. Absorption study revealed direct bandgap of 2.58 eV. Resazurin (Rz) ink was used as an indicator to monitor photocatalytic activity for self-cleaning purposes. Digital photographic method was performed to examine photoreduction of Rz ink. Further, the pseudo-first order kinetics was istimated for Methylene blue (MB) degradation. Nucleation of nanoparticles of SrBi2B2O7 over glass surface were found responsible for photocatalytic activity. Contact angle with water droplet for SBBO glass ceramic was 63.43°. Reduced Young’s modulus (Er) and Vickers hardness (Hv) were found 59.9 GPa and 5.01 GPa, respectively.

This paper deals with the residual stress analysis of of Triangular cross-sectioned bars of linear work-hardening materials under torsional loading. Using the deformation theory of plasticity, a numerical scheme based on the finite difference approximation has been proposed. The growth of the elastic-plastic boundary and the resulting stresses while loading, and the torsional springback and the residual stresses after unloading are calculated.

In this work, ZnO nanoneedles were synthesized employing a co-precipitation method. Further, white cement composites were prepared with ZnO filler of 5%, 10% and 15% by weight ratio. With the increasing concentration of ZnO in cement matrix the synergetic effect between ZnO and white cement matrix was observed through FE-SEM and UV–visible. We studied the photocatalytic degradation of pollutant (Rhodamine 6G) using ZnO nano-needles embedded in white cement matrix under ultraviolet irradiation (UV) along with enhanced hydrophobic nature and the antimicrobial property of the cement. The pseudo-first order kinetics was found in a photocatalytic process, and degradation rate constant was enhanced up to 0.147 min −1 for ZnO modified cement which was significantly higher than the pure cement (0.037 min −1 ). Antimicrobial studies were performed using bacterial strains Escherichia.coli (JM109, Promega Gram negative), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC121, Gram-positive) and fungal strain Aspergillus niger (MTCC281) for all the composites. A significant improvement in bacterial and fungal degradation was observed in ZnO modified cement than control and pure cement in a dose-dependent manner.

Porous BaSn 0.05 Ti 0.95 O 3 (BTS) ceramics were prepared by sintering compacts consisting of BTS and Poly (methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)as pore former. Porous BTS ceramics were systematically characterized for microstructural, ferroelectric, dielectric and pyroelectric properties. Porosity increased from 4% to 22.5% with increasing PMMA content. Dielectric constant decreases and loss increases with porosity. At 22.5% porosity, relative dielectric constant of BTS decreased by 47% (from 2525 to 1335) at 1 MHz/303K. Porosity leads to significant reduction in dielectric constant and volume specific heat capacity, which are of great interest for improving pyroelectric figure of merits (FOMs). Further, FOMs for current responsivity (F i ), voltage responsivity (F v ), detectivity (F d ) and energy harvesting (F e and F e * ) are calculated. Compared with dense ceramic, 2% PMMA specimen showed an improvement of F e by 166% and F e * by 177%. F v increased by 77%, F d by 73% and F i by 56% at 303K. All of these advancements are favorable for pyroelectric device applications.

This paper deals with the torsional springback problems of I-sectioned bars of linear work-hardening materials. Using the deformation theory of plasticity, a numerical scheme based on the finite difference approximation has been proposed. The growth of the elastic-plastic boundary and the resulting stresses while loading, and the torsional springback and the residual stresses after unloading are calculated.

This paper deals with the torsional springback problems of Triangular cross-sectioned bars of non-linear work-hardening materials, the properties of which can be modelled by a deformation theory constitutive equation of the Ramberg-Osgood type. Using the deformation theory of plasticity, a numerical scheme based on the finite difference approximation has been proposed. The growth of the elastic-plastic boundary and the resulting stresses while loading, and the torsional springback and the residual stresses after unloading are calculated.

This paper deals with the springback problems of of linear work-hardening materials. Using the deformation theory of plasticity, a numerical scheme based on the finite difference approximation has been proposed. The growth of the elastic-plastic boundary and the resulting stresses while loading, and the torsional springback and the residual stresses after unloading are calculated after twisting the section beyond the elastic limit.

A two dimensional elasticity analysis for steady state axisymmetric dynamic response of an arbitrarily thick elastic homogeneous hollow cylinder of infinite length, which is imperfectly bonded to the surrounding viscoelastic soil, subject to an axially moving ring load, is presented. The soil is described with the model of Kelvin-Voigt model, and imperfect boundary condition for circular tunnel is adopted. The problem solution is derived in Laplace transform. Numerical solutions for the displacement, pore pressure and stresses are calculated by analytical inversion of the Laplace transformation with respect to the frequency.

Study Objective Endoscopy has improved in safety and utility over the years and is now part of standard Gynecological management. But Endoscopy has a learning curve and this may be steep in some instances. The role of systematic training is to improve the safety and efficacy of surgery and patient outcome. Problem Question Does Endoscopic training match the expectations of trainees and trainers, and is it currently being done in a systematic, safe, and effective manner with adequate supervision? Design Comparative analysis of training in Gynecological Endoscopy. This study compared and contrasted various centers in different countries worldwide, along with surveys of users and a review of literature in the field Setting The survey attempts to identify the strengths and deficiencies of different methods of training and make suggestions for improvement so that future surgeons and patients are benefitted. Patients or Participants Trainees and trainers in Gynecological Endoscopy in various centers around the world. Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results Trainees worldwide are extremely keen to develop Endoscopic skills during their training. While some centers have an excellent & structured training, many don't, and there doesn't seem to be well defined standards (even within the same country in many cases) which trainees should aim to achieve. There is a huge variation in resources available, utilization, assessment of training, levels of involvement and supervision among centers and countries. Conclusion While very limited number of centers were assessed, this study contrasts the various training methods used in different centers, trainee expectations and suggests ways to improve training worldwide There is an urgent need to improve opportunities for training in this exciting and fast developing field while also maintaining standards and supervision to ensure safety of patients and development of skilled and safe surgeons for the future.

In India, dry-seeded rice (DSR) production systems are rapidly replacing conventional rice production systems due to various advantages. DSR systems can be managed under zero-till (ZT) conditions or after a preparatory tillage, often referred to as conventional tillage systems (CONT). Although previous reports indicate the contribution of tillage to weed suppression, the effect of one-time preparatory tillage in a DSR system could vary depending on the dominant weeds in the system, vertical seed distribution and the weed seed dynamics. A study was conducted to test the efficacy of ZT and CONT and their interaction with herbicide treatments on the weed population dynamics and rice grain yield in 2010 and 2011. Tillage systems did not affect weed emergence, weed biomass, tiller production and crop yield. However, herbicide treatments varied in their efficacy on individual weeds. Hand-weeding treatments and pendimethalin combined with hand weeding did not effectively control Cyperus rotundus L. and Panicum maximum Jacq. (a perennial grass weed with underground parts). The herbicide combination of metsulfuron and chlorimuron was effective in controlling C. rotundus but not grass weeds. This indicates the need for sequential applications of herbicides for grass weed control or integration of hand weeding to achieve broad-spectrum weed control. Apart from hand weeding (three times), treatment with penoxsulam–cyhalofop and pendimethalin followed by (fb) hand weeding resulted in low weed density, high tiller production and grain yield. The study clearly indicates that tillage does not always lead to weed suppression compared with ZT, and herbicides must be chosen based on the dominant weeds in a system. The results of this study are pertinent as herbicide-resistant weeds are rapidly evolving under continuous herbicide selection pressure, which warrants studies on enhancing productivity through low-input, environmentally friendly and sustainable production technology.

Axisymmetric dynamic response and the stresses induced in an empty buried pipe due to an incident shear wave under different soil conditions is the subject of this investigation. In this work the shell is assumed perfectly bonded to the surrounding medium of infinite extent. The pipeline has been modelled as an infinitely long circular cylindrical shell buried in homogeneous, isotropic and elastic medium of infinite extent. For perfect bonding between soil and pipe, the stiffness and damping properties of soil are neglected. Results have been obtained for hard (rocky), medium hard and very soft (sandy) soil conditions surrounding the shell. The stress variations of pipe due to changes in properties of surrounding medium have been carefully studied of different angles of wave incidence. The different kinds of soils from soft and sandy to hard and rocky conditions have been taken into account. It is realised that the orthotropic parameters have a significant influence on the stresses (axial and hoop) depending on the soil conditions and the angle of incidence.

Pure CoCr2 − xFexO4 nanoparticles synthesized through conventional coprecipitation technique show particle size distribution in the range of 16–20 and 6–10 nm for x = 0.1 and 0.2 respectively. Magnetic and specific heat measurements show an enhancement of paramagnetic to collinear ferrimagnetic transition temperature, Tc from 100 to 110 K and to a short range non-collinear spiral ordering, Ts from 18 to 36 K with increasing x from 0.1 to 0.2 respectively. In addition, a strong disagreement between the paramagnetic moment obtained from the fitting of χ−1 = T/C + 1/χ0 – b/(T − θ) and ferrimagnetic moment measured from the M vs. H loop at 10 K corroborates the nonsaturation behavior of magnetization at 50–100 kOe field and an order of magnitude higher coercivity (Hc). The enhancement of Tc and Ts with increasing Fe concentration is attributed to an intrinsic change in non-collinear to collinear spin structure and strong JA–B interaction.

Biofuels are considered as a climate-friendly energy alternative. However, their environmental sustainability is increasingly debated because of land competition with food production, negative carbon balances and impacts on biodiversity. Arid and semi-arid lands have been proposed as a more sustainable alternative without such impacts. In that context this paper evaluates the carbon balance of potential land conversion to Jatropha cultivation, biofuel production and use in arid and semi-arid areas. This evaluation includes the calculation of carbon debt created by these land conversions and calculation of the minimum Jatropha yield necessary to repay the respective carbon debts within 15 or 30 years. The carbon debts caused by conversion of arid and semi-arid lands to Jatropha vary largely as a function of the biomass carbon stocks of the land use types in these regions. Based on global ecosystem carbon mapping, cultivated lands and marginal areas (sparse shrubs, herbaceous and bare areas) show to have similar biomass carbon stocks (on average 4e 8tCh a � 1 ) and together cover a total of 1.79 billion ha.

Wurtzite Zn 1− x − y Mg x Co y O nanoparticles of size 14–20 nm are synthesized by the conventional coprecipitation route and are analyzed using XRD, FESEM, UV–visible, Raman, and Positron annihilation spectroscopic techniques. XRD patterns reveal formation of a single wurtzite phase of ZnO on adding Mg, Co or both. In addition to six Raman active modes corresponding to the wurtzite structure of space group C 6ν 4 , we also observe additional Raman modes at 519, 544 and 673 cm −1 irrespective of the dopant type and concentration. These modes exactly match with the silent vibrational modes of ZnO lattice as calculated by the ab initio calculations. From positron life time measurements, we observe that while the shortest lifetime τ 1 , the lifetime of positrons that annihilate in the grain boundary regions match well with the lifetime of positrons in a defect free ZnO ( τ 1 ∼158 ps), the intermediate lifetime, τ 2 of all three samples match with the life time of positron annihilating at the cluster of (Zn+O) di-vacancies. We conclude that the origin of additional Raman modes is not due to impurities as reported in the literature rather is due to host lattice defects.

ZnO being a well known optoelectronic semiconductor, investigations related to the defects are very promising. In this report, we have attempted to detect the defects in ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the conventional coprecipitation route using various spectroscopic techniques. The broad emission peak observed in photoluminescence spectrum and the non zero slope in Williamson–Hall analysis indicate the defects induced strain in the ZnO lattice. A few additional modes observed in Raman spectrum could be due to the breakdown of the translation symmetry of the lattice caused by defects and/or impurities. The presence of impurities can be ruled out as XRD pattern shows pure wurtzite structure. The presence of the vibrational band related to the Zn vacancies ( V Zn ), unintentional hydrogen dopants and their complex defects confirm the defects in ZnO lattice. Positron life time components τ 1 and τ 2 additionally support V Zn attached to hydrogen and to a cluster of Zn and O di-vacancies respectively.

Aerobic rice describes a management adaptation to reduced irrigation water supplies but, due to reduced intervals of flooding in this system, this requires revised weed management approaches to reduce costs and provide effective weed control. One approach is to make the crop more competitive and reduce the effects of weeds on the crop by using higher rice seeding rates. A study was conducted in the Philippines and India in 2008 and 2009 to assess the relations of seeding rates (15-125kgha-1) of hybrid and inbred varieties to crop and weed growth in aerobic rice. Plant densities, tillers, and biomass of rice increased linearly with increased in seeding rates under both weedy and weed free environments. Weed biomass decreased linearly with increasing seeding rates from 15 to 125kgha-1. Panicles and grain yields of rice in competition with weeds increased in a quadratic relation with increased seeding rates at both locations; however, the response was flat in the weed free plots. A quadratic model predicted that seeding rates of 48-80kgha-1 for the inbred varieties and 47-67kgha-1 for the hybrid varieties were needed to achieve maximum grain yield when grown in the absence of weeds, while rates of 95-125kgseedha-1 for the inbred varieties and 83-92kg seed ha-1 for the hybrid varieties were needed to achieve maximum yields in competition with weeds. On the basis of these results, seeding rates greater than 80kgha-1 are advisable where there are risks of severe weed competition. Such high seeding rates may be prohibitive when using expensive seed, and maximum yields are not the only consideration for developing recommendations for optimizing economic returns for farmers. Results of the present study do suggest however that increasing seeding rates of aerobic rice does suppress weed growth and reduce grain yield losses from weed competition. This information could be incorporated in integrated crop management packages to manage weeds more effectively.

Since 2003 India has been actively promoting the cultivation of Jatropha on unproductive and degraded lands (wastelands) for the production of biodiesel suitable as transportation fuel. In this paper the life cycle energy balance, global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential and land use impact on ecosystem quality is evaluated for a small scale, low-input Jatropha biodiesel system established on wasteland in rural India. In addition to the life cycle assessment of the case at hand, the environmental performance of the same system expanded with a biogas installation digesting seed cake was quantified. The environmental impacts were compared to the life cycle impacts of a fossil fuel reference system delivering the same amount of products and functions as the Jatropha biodiesel system under research. The results show that the production and use of Jatropha biodiesel triggers an 82% decrease in non-renewable energy requirement (Net Energy Ratio, NER = 1.85) and a 55% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) compared to the reference fossil-fuel based system. However, there is an increase in acidification (49%) and eutrophication (430%) from the Jatropha system relative to the reference case. Although adding biogas production to the system boosts the energy efficiency of the system (NER = 3.40), the GWP reduction would not increase (51%) due to additional CH4 emissions. For the land use impact, Jatropha improved the structural ecosystem quality when planted on wasteland, but reduced the functional ecosystem quality. Fertilizer application (mainly N) is an important contributor to most negative impact categories. Optimizing fertilization, agronomic practices and genetics are the major system improvement options.

Non-edible jatropha (Jatropha curcas), karanja (Pongamia pinnata) and polanga (Calophyllum inophyllum) oil based methyl esters were produced and blended with conventional diesel having sulphur content less than 10 mg/kg. Ten fuel blends (Diesel, B20, B50 and B100) were tested for their use as substitute fuel for a water-cooled three cylinder tractor engine. Test data were generated under full/part throttle position for different engine speeds (1200, 1800 and 2200 rev/min). Change in exhaust emissions (Smoke, CO, HC, NO(x), and PM) were also analyzed for determining the optimum test fuel at various operating conditions. The maximum increase in power is observed for 50% jatropha biodiesel and diesel blend at rated speed. Brake specific fuel consumptions for all the biodiesel blends with diesel increases with blends and decreases with speed. There is a reduction in smoke for all the biodiesel and their blends when compared with diesel. Smoke emission reduces with blends and speeds during full throttle performance test. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The interest in using Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) as a feedstock for the production of bio-diesel is rapidly growing. The properties of the crop and its oil have persuaded investors, policy makers and clean development mechanism (CDM) project developers to consider JCL as a substitute for fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, JCL is still a wild plant of which basic agronomic properties are not thoroughly understood and the environmental effects have not been investigated yet. Gray literature reports are very optimistic on simultaneous wasteland reclamation capability and oil yields, further fueling the Jatropha bio-diesel hype. In this paper, we give an overview of the currently available information on the different process steps of the production process of bio-diesel from JCL, being cultivation and production of seeds, extraction of the oil, conversion to and the use of the bio-diesel and the by-products. Based on this collection of data and information the best available practice, the shortcomings and the potential environmental risks and benefits are discussed for each production step. The review concludes with a call for general precaution and for science to be applied. ispartof: Biomass & Bioenergy vol:32 issue:12 pages:1063-1084 status: published

BACKGROUND The CD4 lymphocyte count had ethnic variability as observed in many studies. In populations with CD4 counts inherently lower than in the West, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification system of HIV-infected individuals may not be appropriate. As there is no such criterion currently available for ethnic north Indians HIV-patients, we undertook this study to assess the applicability of the western case definition in north Indian HIV patients. METHODS The CD4 counts of 40 normal and 376 HIV-infected north Indian adults attending to ID clinic, SS hospital, Varanasi were estimated by flowcytometry. The mean CD4 counts were estimated and compared between CDC groups A, B and C and controls. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the cut-off that correlated best with clinical staging for this population. RESULTS For CDC groups A, B and C, the mean CD4 counts/mul (upper limits of the 95% CI) were 380.3, 249.2 and 120.9, while the mean CD4 levels in healthy volunteers was 818.4. CONCLUSION The mean CD4 count among normal north Indians is significantly lower than that in the western population and parallels that of the Chinese. When categorized based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification system, the mean CD4 counts in HIV-infected individuals was lower. Categories of CD4 counts >280, 120-280 and < or =120 cells/microl correlate better with disease progression among HIV-infected individuals. A longitudinal study is required before guidelines for the India population can be devised.

The Hindukush zone is situated on the northern boundary of the Indian Plate along its northwestern flanks. Fifteen years (1974–1988) of seismic data published by United States Coast and Geodetic Surveys (USCGS) and focal mechanism solutions of the subducted lithosphere, reported by different scientists, have been used to model the seismic and tectonic characteristics of the Hindukush complex zone. The data indicate that the zone can be separated into two seismic segments, OP and PQ, with a V-shaped pattern, striking E–W and NE–SW, respectively. The two segments do not represent well-defined subduction zones, as the depth and frequency of events is not uniformly distributed. The E–W striking segment extends from 68.2°E to 70.5°E at about 36.5° N, whereas the northeast–southwest segment extends from 36.5°N, 70.5°E to 38°N, 73°E. The frequency and depth of earthquakes are greatest at 36.5°N, 70.5°E decreasing towards the W and NE. Focal mechanism solutions (thrust and normal faulting) for the Hindukush zone suggest that the directions of stress may be grouped into: 1. Compressive forces acting NE–SW for the east–west striking segment. For the NE–SW striking seismic segment compressive forces are directed towards the NW; 2. Compressive forces are also acting along the strike of the two seismic segments; and 3. The direction of the tensile stress is different in each segment and extends to a depth of up to 221 km. A model is proposed to explain the distribution of earthquake foci in terms of the V-shaped subduction of oceanic lithosphere, with tensile, and compressive stresses in the two seismic belts being due to the upper mantle flow of the Indian Plate and the Tibetan Plateau. The sinking of the mantle in the Hindukush zone is responsible for the stretching of the seismic slab in a vertical direction, giving rise to the present earthquake frequency and focal depth distribution pattern.

Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) followed by chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) or a fallow is one of the predominant cropping systems in the rainfed lowlands of India. Crop rotation experiments over 3 years (1996–1998) to quantify N supply and demand under rainfed lowland rice–chickpea and rice–fallow cropping systems on a loam Alfisol and a clay Vertisol in Raipur, India were conducted under direct-seeded rice culture. The rice growth, yield, development and N accumulation were affected most by N rates (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha −1 ) followed by cropping system (rice–chickpea, rice–fallow) and soil types (Alfisol, Vertisol). The incorporation of chickpea in the cropping system helped in accumulating a greater amount of soil N than fallow. The rice yield, dry matter and N accumulated were significantly higher in rice–chickpea than rice–fallow systems on both soils and in all years. The lowest rice yields were recorded in 1997 due to unfavorable rainfall distribution. The total rainfall was the highest in this season, but most of it occurred during a short period at an early growth stage. The post-heading rains were lowest in this season and resulted in the lower rice yield as compared with that of 1996 and 1998. This indicates the significance of rainfall distribution in controlling yield in a rainfed environment. The rice yields were lower on Vertisol than Alfisol during periods of drought. The performance of chickpea was also better in Alfisol as compared with that in the Vertisol due to its better soil physical attributes. The residual effect of N applied to the preceding rice crop was non-significant on all yield, growth and N accumulation parameters of chickpea. The N balance computed from the top 70 cm soil layers indicated less N loss in the rice–chickpea system as compared with that in rice–fallow. The recovery efficiency at the highest N rate (120 kg N ha −1 ) was higher for the rice–chickpea (57–61%) than that of rice–fallow (49–53%) system. The improved N balance for rice–chickpea system from third year onwards was due to switch to dry seeding and improved soil N status. The inclusion of legume and the effective capture of biologically fixed N and soil N through direct-seeded rice system in rainfed lowlands may help in improving the rice yield of resource poor farmers.

CdS/CdTe solar cells have long been recognized for their terrestrial applications. These cells are usually fabricated on soda-lime glass substrates, but the poor mechanical and thermal properties of glass make it difficult to incorporate it in continuous fabrication processes involving high temperatures, typically above 500°C. In addition, prospective space power applications would benefit if a lighter flexible substrate can be used. With a view to making light-weight modules suitable for large-scale production, a new device structure on metal foils has been proposed. CdTe films have been deposited on light-weight molybdenum foils by the close spaced sublimation (CSS) technique. Firstly, the salient features of the CSS technique as well as the design and construction of a CSS system will be described. CdTe films were deposited using this CSS system. The source and substrate temperatures were varied in steps and the film thickness and grain sizes were studied. The films were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and AFM as well as contact resistance measurements between the CdTe and molybdenum substrate. Films deposited with source and substrate temperatures of 650°C and 575°C respectively, spaced 0.5 mm apart in helium ambient at 70 Torr yielded CdTe films of 4–5 μm thickness. SEM studies showed CdTe films to be continuous and of uniform grain size. The grains are well faceted and the grain size is of the order of the film thickness. EDS studies indicated stoichiometric CdTe. XRD analysis showed a cubic phase with a preferred orientation in the (1 1 1) direction. A cadmium chloride dip followed by annealing treatment did not alter the grain size or the orientation of the film.

Crop rotation experiments were conducted over 2 years to quantify N supply-demand under rainfed lowland rice–chickpea and rice–fallow cropping systems on a loam Alfisol and a clay Vertisol in India. Significant differences among N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha−1) and soils were observed with rice for grain yield, total biomass and grain N uptake in both years. Low N response, low grain yield, low N uptake, and a short grain filling phase during the 1995 wet season was due to post-heading water stress. The stress was more pronounced on the Vertisol and at high N rates. This resulted in lower N content at maturity than at heading. The loss of biomass N from plant implied that apparent N recovery (AR) and physiological nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) may differ significantly based on whether maximum N accumulation or total N uptake at maturity was used. Plant N recovery, both by the N difference method and 15 N technique, revealed much lower recovery of fertilizer N (21–27%) with rainfed lowland rice than with irrigated dry-season rice. The residual effect of N applied to the preceding rice crop was nonsignificant on all yield, growth, and N uptake parameters of chickpea. The performance of chickpea was better on the Alfisol than the Vertisol, principally due to soil physical attributes. The better performance and longer growth duration during 1994–1995 dry season as opposed to the 1995–1996 season was attributed to higher rainfall (92 mm versus 39 mm) and rainfall during the critical pod-filling to maturity phase. Mineralization and nitrification of N was negligible during the rice–fallow period due to the dry conditions and low organic matter content. This was corroborated by the similarities in N balance between rice–chickpea and rice–fallow system. The PNUE of rice was 33 to 57 kg grain per kg N absorbed compared with 25 to 27 kg grain per kg N absorbed of chickpea, owing mostly to higher N concentration of chickpea grain and the higher energy cost due to biological N fixation.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). It was brought to the attention of the Editor-in-Chief that large sections of the abstract, methods and results and discussion of the paper are identical to a paper published in The National Medical Journal of India, Volume 14, Issue 6, November/December 2001, Pages 335-339. http://archive.nmji.in/archives/Volume-14/issue-6/original-articles-2.pdf We apologise to the readers of the journal that this plagiarism was not detected during the submission process. To verify originality, all articles submitted to the Journal of Infection are now checked by the originality detection service CrossCheck.

In this paper the problem of Bayes estimation of the reliability and the shape parameter p of a finite range failure time model is considered (assuming scale parameter θ is known). Following Zellner [A. Zellner, J. Am. Statist. Assoc. 81, 446–451 (1986)] the asymmetric loss function is used to obtain the Bayes estimators. Efficiencies of the proposed Bayes estimators are obtained with respect to the ordinary Bayes estimators and it was found that the proposed Bayes estimators are better than the ordinary Bayes estimators for quite a wide range of parameters.

A theoretical analysis is presented of the non-axisymmetric dynamic response of an imperfectly bonded fluid-filled buried orthotropic pipeline subjected to a combination of SV- and SH-waves travelling in the surrounding medium of infinite extent. Numerical results have been presented for the case of an incident SV-wave only. An infinite cylindrical shell model including the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia has been considered for the pipeline. The linear acoustic equation has been used for the wave propagation in the fluid inside the pipe. The results for a fluid-filled shell have been compared with those for an empty shell. The relative effects of fluid presence and the bond imperfection on the dynamic response have also been studied.

A finite range failure time distribution has been proposed and studied. For estimating the two parameters of this distribution, this paper considers a prior assumption that (1 − b ) is the probability that the scale parameter θ and shape parameter p have the values θ 0 and p 0 , respectively, and that the rest of the probability mass b (0 ≤ b ≤ 1) is distributed as h ( p , θ ) = h 1 ( p ) h 2 ( θ ). The value h 1 ( p ) is a uniform density for p and h 2 ( θ ) is an inverted gamma density for θ. With this prior density, Bayes estimators are first obtained and then Bayesian shrinkage estimators are defined. Bayesian shrinkage estimators are compared with maximum likelihood estimators (m.l.e.) and it was found that the proposed estimators are better than m.l.e. for quite a wide range of parameters.

This paper deals with the non-axisymmetric dynamic response of an imperfectly bonded buried fluid-filled orthotropic pipeline excited by shear waves travelling in the surrounding infinite medium. A thick shell model has been taken which includes the effect of shear deformation and rotary inertia. For the wave propagation in the fluid inside the pipe, the linear acoustic equation has been used. The effects of bond imperfection on the shell response have been compared with the effects realized due to the presence of fluid inside the pipeline. The results have been obtained at various angles of wave incidence and for different soil conditions. The effects of changes in the fluid density are also discussed. Although the formulation has been presented for SV- and SH-wave excitations, numerical results are given for the case of incident SH-wave only. It is found that under certain conditions, the consideration of fluid inside the pipeline may lead to even higher value of shell deformation than that observed due to the imperfect bond.

Kids of two goat breeds were examined to determine various factors (breed, sex, year, season, type of birth and birth weights) associated with mortality due to colibacillosis. The 2387 kids were born in 1985–1989 under farm conditions. There was higher mortality in the Barbari than in the Jamunapari breed. Mortality was highest with larger litter size or with lower birth weight. Season was not associated with the mortality caused by colibacillosis. The risk of dying was very high for kids from triplets (21.9%) or which had a birth weight below 1.0 kg (81.7%). Mortality was higher during the years 1985 and 1987 (probably owing to variation in management practices). Male kids had a higher rate of mortality than female kids.

This paper deals with the axisymmetric dynamic response of an imperfectly bonded fluid-filled orthotropic pipeline excited by a plane shear wave. The pipeline has been modelled as infinitely long, thick cylindrical shell. Effects of imperfect bond between the shell/pipe and surrounding soil have been included by considering a layer of an infinitesimally small thickness between the pipe and the soil. This layer possesses stiffness and the damping properties against any axial or radial movement. The linear acoustic equation has been used for wave propagation in the fluid inside the pipe. It is found that under certain conditions effect of the presence of fluid can become comparable to the effect of variation in bond parameters between the shell and surrounding soil. Also, it has been found that the presence of fluid inside the pipeline alters the radial displacements of the shell more than the axial displacement. In general, however, fluid effect is not found to be that important as the consideration of bond imperfection of the shell.

This paper deals with the theoretical analysis of the axisymmetric steady state dynamic response of a buried fluid-filled orthotropic cylindrical shell subjected to a radial line load moving along the axis of the shell. A thin shell is assumed to be perfectly bonded to the surrounding medium of infinite extent, and only the axisymmetric response has been included. A linear acoustic equation has been used for the wave propagation in fluid. The nature of variation of differences between the results of the empty and fluid-filled shells has been studied for varying soil conditions. Changes in results due to variation in the orthotropy parameters have been compared with the difference in results due to the presence of fluid inside the shell.

BACKGROUND Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial tumors in adults. However, they are relatively more common in childhood and constitute 1.5 to 4% of intracranial tumors. DESCRIPTION They are most often located in the lateral ventricle, followed by the fourth and third ventricles and, rarely, in the cerebellopontine angle. The radiological appearance of a CPP as a cyst with a mural nodule is a curiosity. Bone formation is rare in CPPs and only 6 cases have been described in the literature [1] . Neuromelanin production is also extremely rare and only 2 cases have been reported to date 2 , 3 . CONCLUSION In the present communication, 23 cases of CPP are analyzed and rare clinical, pathological, and radiological features are described.

Summary Soil reclamation technologies being environmentally most desirable but expensive, need optimization. Effect of ignoring spatial distributions of soil attributes on the evenness of soil improvements 12 years after the application of amendments was evaluated. Composite samples collected at 12 × 12 m grid pattern from four layers at a depth increment of 0.3 m were analysed for pHs, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), CaCO3, HCO3 + CO3 ions (in the saturation extract), DTPA-Ammonium-Acetate extractable Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu. Variance of SAR, pHs, CaCO3, CO3 + HCO3 ions, and Zn was relatively high below 0.6 m depth as compared to upper layers. Further, the variation was both deterministic and stochastic in nature. Depending upon soil property and depth, trend variation ranged from 13 to 63 percent of the variance. From 14 to 81 percent of the remaining variation was isotropically spatially structured. Presence of variability 12 years after the reclamation did not return full benefits of the investments. Cross-variability analysis revealed strong correlations among layers. Similarily interdependencies among different soil properties were also spatially structured although to varying extents. Block kriged maps of soil attributes were prepared with kriging variance from 1 to 52.6 percent of the mean values. Soil sodicity in some parts of the field was still in the range of pruducing adverse effects on the growth of sensitive species. This unevenness revealed inadequacy of the conventional reclamation methodologies based on a mean value. Spatially sensitive approaches were, therefore, suggested for optimized improvement of such lands.

The aim is to study the effect of orthotropy on the steady-state dynamic response of a buried pipeline subjected to a radial and/or tangential load moving along the axis of the pipe. For this purpose only axisymmetric response has been studied. In the formulation of the problem the pipeline has been modelled as an infinitely long orthotropic circular cylindrical shell buried in an infinite medium. A perfect bond between the shell and the surrounding medium has been assumed and thin shell theory formulation has been employed. Results have been obtained for hard (rocky), medium hard and very soft soil conditions surrounding the shell. Effects of shell orthotropy have been determined by varying the non-dimensional orthotropy parameters over a wide range. It is observed that the introduction of orthotropy reduces the amplitude of axial and radial displacements.

In this analysis, B.R.I.D.G.E. TO DATA served as a tool to categorize data fields used in SR databases and to identify additional fields to complement the CIOMS effort (e.g., data on cost, procedures, environmental exposures). We believe that important capabilities such as access to medical records, cost data and DB linkages can enhance ad hoc pharmacoeconomic studies, yet are currently infrequently used in SRS. With increasing interest in SRS, it is likely that the use of these data fields will also increase, and the methods for collecting SR data may be instructive for database design. LIMITATIONS