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Concerning the 𝐿1-convergence of modified cosine sums introduced by Kumari and Ram [Indian J. Pure Appl. Math. 19: 1101–1104, 1988], we generalise the results of Kumari, Ram [Indian J. Pure Appl. Math. 19: 1101–1104, 1988] and Bor [Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. Math. Sci. 102: 235–238, 1992]. Also a necessary and sufficient condition for the 𝐿1-convergence of cosine series has been deduced as a corollary for the said class.

This study was designed to investigate the impact of one-to-one coaching to improve reflective practice in trainee teachers on a one year PGCE course. The coaching sessions took place following a lesson taught by the trainees and observed by the author (course tutor). These sessions show evidence of the trainees' deeper understanding of their experiences in the classroom. In subsequent sessions, all trainees made a shift in improving their ability to reflect on their lesson and pick out key features, although these varied in content, depending on the outcomes of the observed lesson. The implications for the PGCE programme and associated parties are discussed.

In the present paper we have calculated thermoelectric properties of Al doped Mg2Si material (Mg2−xAlxSi, x=0.06) using Pseudo potential plane wave method based on DFT and Semi classical Boltzmann theory. The calculations showed n-type conduction, indicating that the electrical conduction are due to electron. The electrical conductivity increasing with increasing temperature and the negative value of Seebeck Coefficient also show that the conduction is due to electron. The thermal conductivity was increased slightly by Al doping with increasing temperature due to the much larger contribution of lattice thermal conductivity over electronic thermal conductivity.

We studied the spin polarized electronic band structures and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductor Cd1-xMnxS in Zinc Blende phase (B3) with 0.0625 Mn by using ab initio method. The calculations were performed by using Density Functional Theory as implemented in the Spanish Initiative for Electronic Simulations with Thousands of Atoms code using local density approximation (LDA). Calculated electronic band structures and magnetic properties of Cd1-xMnxS are discussed in terms of contribution of Mn 3d5 4s2, Cd 4d10 5s2, S 3s2 3p4 orbitals. The total magnetic moment is found to be 5.00 µb for Cd1−xMnxS at x=0.0625. This value indicate that Mn atom adds no hole carrier to the perfect CdS crystal. We found that Mn doped systems are ferromagnetic. Calculated results are in good agreement with previous studies.

Samples of the xCuO-(45-x)CaO-10P2O5-45SiO2 system (x varies from 0 to 4 mole%) have been synthesized for application as biomaterials to slow or inhibit the growth of living organisms (fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms) by the combination of sol-gel and co-precipitation processes. Prepared samples have been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra-Red and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques before and after immersion in simulated body fluid. Antimicrobial activity of samples has been investigated against Staphylococcus aureus. Releasing of Cu2+and other ions in the simulated body fluid has been determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy to ensure the use of prepared material as biomaterial with good antibacterial properties.

In this paper the following convergence properties are established for the rectangular partial sums of the double trigonometric series, whose coefficients form a null sequence of bounded variation of order $ (p,0) $, $ (0,p) $ and $ (p,p) $, for some $ p\ge 1$: (a) pointwise convergence; (b) uniform convergence; (c) $ L^r $-integrability and $ L^r $-metric convergence for $ 0

New modified sine sums are introduced and a criterion for the L 1-convergence of these modified sine sums under a new class K is obtained. Also a necessary and sufficient condition for the L 1-convergence of the cosine series is deduced as a corollary.

Studies were undertaken to see the effect of addition of sprouted wheat flour (0, 10, and 20%), skim milk powder (0, 1.5 and 3.0%) and change of dough pH (5.8, 5.0 and 4.2) with diluted HCl on rheological, gas release and bread making properties of flour. The regression to fit a response surface analysis was used to describe dough characteristics measured using Brabender Farinograph and Chopin Rheofermentometer F2. Bread volume was also measured and described. Sprouted wheat flour showed the most pronounced effect on water absorption, dough stability and CO2 production whereas skim milk powder (SMP) showed highly significant effect on dough height (Hm), CO2 production and bread volume. Addition of sprouted wheat flour upto 10% level improved dough development and gaseous release properties of flour without having any significant adverse effect on bread volume. SMP improved dough stability and diminished water absorption, dough development and gaseous release properties of flour. Inclusion of all ...

We explore the structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermoelectric properties of a new half Heusler compound HfPtPb, an all metallic heavy element, recently proposed to be stable [Gautier et al., Nat. Chem. 7, 308 (2015)]. In this work, we employ density functional theory and semi-classical Boltzmann transport equations with constant relaxation time approximation. The mechanical properties, such as shear modulus, Young's modulus, elastic constants, Poisson's ratio, and shear anisotropy factor, have been investigated. The elastic and phonon properties reveal that this compound is mechanically and dynamically stable. Pugh's ratio and Frantsevich's ratio demonstrate its ductile behavior, and the shear anisotropic factor reveals the anisotropic nature of HfPtPb. The band structure predicts this compound to be a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.86 eV. The thermoelectric transport parameters, such as Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic thermal conductivity, and lattice thermal conducti...

Background: The recovery from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is rapid and most of the patients are discharged on the 1st post-operative day. There is an increased concentration of certain serum proteins, known as acute-phase reactive proteins (APRP) during the post-operative period depends on the degree of tissue damage and the inflammatory reaction. There is a direct positive correlation between the concentrations of APRP, especially C-reactive protein (CRP), and the severity of inflammation. This study was done to study the levels of C - reactive protein and Total Leucocyte Count in patients operated either by Open Cholecystectomy (OC) and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC). Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 50 patients after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Twenty five patients underwent open cholecystectomy and the other 25 had laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pre and post operative concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and total leukocyte count (TLC) were compared in both the groups. Results: There were no differences in the preoperative serum CRP and TLC concentrations – in both the groups. Serum CRP rose significantly following OC compared to that of patients who underwent LC (10.52 ± 1.96 mg% vs. 8.88 ± 1.23 mg %). There were also significant differences in the post-operative TLC ( 9.49 ± 1.05 m/mm3 for the OC group vs. 8.57 ± 1.31 m/mm3 for the LC group), and the post-operative hospital stay (5.5 ±1.5 days vs. 1.9 ± 0.9 days). There was no correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the other post-operative parameters. Conclusion: The study provided the biochemical evidence supporting the clinical observation that LC is far less traumatic to the patient than OC.

Empirical research has shown that some South Asian families from Muslim backgrounds may use fewer additional support services for their severely impaired children compared to other non-Muslim families. Often this has been attributed to socioeconomic factors and stereotypical views such as ‘the family’s faith prohibits the use of specific services’. This paper focuses on clarifying what Islam purports to say about impairment and considers how cultural influences may inadvertently influence some South Asian parents’ decisions to use services for their severely impaired children. This work aims to improve professional-parent/patient communication by enhancing better understanding of Islam on impairment, and supporting non-Muslim professionals to appreciate the differences between Islamic religion and general South Asian cultural beliefs regarding disability. Fourteen parents from ten Pakistani and Bangladeshi families took part in semi-structured open-ended interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyse the data. The emerging theory suggested most first generation Muslim families from rural villages were unable to distinguish between Islamic religious and cultural beliefs on impairment, and risked missing out on essential services due to poor professional-parent/patient communication.

Magnesium and zinc doped 45S5 samples were prepared in the laboratory by sol gel technique., Structural properties of the samples have been studied by XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. Both FTIR and XRD data indicate the primary bioactive behavior of the samples. Presented results may be useful to improve the antibacterial as well as osteoblast properties of the currently available bioactive materials.

The present work has been undertaken to evaluate the applicability of Bi2O3−PbO−B2O3−V2O5 glass system as gamma ray shielding material. Gamma ray mass attenuation coefficient has been determined theoretically using WinXcom computer software developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology. A meaningful comparison of their radiation shielding properties has been made in terms of their half value layer parameter with standard radiation shielding concrete 'barite'. Structural properties of the prepared glass system have been investigated in terms of XRD and FTIR techniques in order to check the possibility of their commercial utility as alternate to conventional concrete for gamma ray shielding applications.

The effects of cooking rice flour in the presence of myristic, palmitic and stearic acid on amylose-lipid complex formation, water solubility and pasting properties were studied. Different fatty acids were added to rice flour, at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% levels, and cooked in Visco-amylograph at 95°C for 30, 60 and 90 min. Amylose-lipid complex formation increased and water-solubility decreased with the increase in levels of all the fatty acids in rice paste cooked for 30–90 min. Complexing of amylose with all the fatty acids increased with the increase in cooking time. Myristic acid had the highest ability to form the complex and stearic acid the lowest. Iodine spectra of rice paste cooked with and without lipids were also determined to confirm the formation of amylose-lipid complexes. Both λmax and ratios of absorbances at 630 and 520 nm decreased with the increase in levels of all the fatty acids. Myristic acid caused a greater reduction in λmax and ratios of absorbance. Addition of all the fatty acids increased the pasting temperature, peak viscosity, viscosity at 95°C and viscosity at 50°C of rice paste. Consistency coefficient and flow behaviour indices of rice pastes cooked in the presence of different fatty acids were also determined using a Brookfield viscometer. Consistency coefficient increased with the increase in levels of all the fatty acids and the increase was more pronounced with myristic acid.

The effects of baking tandoori rotis, in the presence of different oils, on changes in functional properties of flour were studied. Both the levels and oil types showed significant effects on iodine spectra, water solubility, water absorption, viscosity and pasting properties of tandoori roti. Water solubility, water absorption, ratio of absorbance (630/520 nm) and viscosity decreased with the increase in levels of all the oil types. Among the different oils studied, hydrogenated oil showed the most pronounced effect on water solubility, water absorption, and absorbance ratio (630/520 nm) while the peanut oil showed the least effect. However, the reverse was true for peak viscosity, viscosity at 95°C, viscosity at 50° C and consistence coefficient.

Four Indian rice cultivars differing in their shape (length–breadth ratio) were evaluated for ash distribution pattern using a McGill No.2 rice miller. Brown rice obtained from all rice cultivars was milled for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 s and analysed for ash content, conductivity and percentage of bran removed. All the cultivars differed significantly with respect to percentage loss of ash content at various milling stages. Cultivars with lower length–breadth ratio showed a higher loss of ash than those having a higher length–breadth ratio under similar stages of milling. Ash content showed a linear relationship with conductivity of solubles extracted from brown rice milled for different intervals. R2 values, for (the relationship between ash content determined by standard AACC method and the conductivity, was in the range of 0.90–0.99. The effect of extraction time and temperature on the relationship between ash content and conductivity of solubles was also studied. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of extraction duration and extraction temperature on the intercept and slope values obtained from linear regression between ash and conductivity values for different cultivars.

The effects on idli characteristics of fermentation time and substituting rice with differing proportions of rice flour extrusion-cooked under different conditions were studied. The specific gravity, pH and viscosity of batter and idli characteristics such as expansion, compression force and sensory attributes were measured and described using regression to fit a response surface analysis. Fermentation time showed the most pronounced effect on specific gravity, pH and aqueous dispersion viscosity of batter and taste scores of idli. Substituting rice flour with extruded rice flour at different levels were observed to have significant effect on expansion and appearance scores of idlis. The textural scores and compression force was significantly affected by extrusion temperature. The formulation containing rice substituted by 30% extruded rice flour extruded at 175C and fermented for 24 h produced idlis with highest expansion and overall acceptability.

Physico-chemical properties and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities of seven hybrid sunflower varieties commonly grown in Punjab state of India were studied. Seeds were studied for variations in physico-chemical properties, 100 kernel weight, density, bulk density, moisture, hull, oil, protein and ash content; expelled cake was studied for moisture, oil, crude fibre, ash and protein content and expelled-defatted cake for acid detergent fibre, lignin, moisture, ash and protein contents. PPO activity in all varieties, determined using pyrogallol as substrate at pH 6.5, varied between 0.212 and 0.294 Ab/min/mg protein. The PPO enzyme activity for MSFH-8 and Mega-363 was observed to be maximum at 55 and 60°C, respectively. The enzyme showed a K m value between 1.01 and 1.968 mM for pyrogallol and V max value between 0.21 and 2.0 Ab/min. ©

The effects of addition of acetic acid (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%) and carboxymethyl cellulose (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0%) on rheological, gas release and bread making properties of flour were examined. Water absorption, dough stability, dough development time, loaf volume and overall acceptability scores decreased, while degree of softening and bread firmness increased with an increase in acetic acid concentration. Addition of CMC showed similar effects on dough stability, dough development time and degree of softening. Maximum dough height (H m ), maximum height of CO 2 production (H m ), gas formation and retention decreased with the increase in acetic acid and CMC levels. Addition of 0.05% of acetic acid in combination with 0.25% CMC was most effective in improving dough characteristics, and overall acceptability scores.

A study on the effect of addition of Na2HPO4, and NaH2PO4 with a change of process variables, on the extrusion behaviour of rice grits, was made. The extruder die pressure and specific energy consumption (SEC) and extrudate properties such as expansion, density, water absorption and water solubility indices, aqueous dispersion viscosity, before and after cooking, and shear-thinning index were analysed. Second order polynomials were used to model extruder parameter and product characteristics. Addition of NaH2PO4 to rice grits decreased die pressure, SEC of extruder and expansion of extrudates, and increased water absorption and solubility indices and aqueous dispersion viscosities of extrudates. Na2HPO4 also showed a similar effect on die pressure, SEC of extruder and expansion of extrudates whereas the reverse was observed for water absorption and solubility indices and aqueous dispersion viscosities of extrudates.

We study the effect of pressure on electronic and thermoelectric properties of Mg2Si using the density functional theory and Boltzmann transport equations. The variation of lattice constant, band gap, bulk modulus with pressure is also analyzed. Further, the thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic thermal conductivity) have been studied as a function of temperature and pressure up to 1200 K. The results show that Mg2Si is an n-type semiconductor with a band gap of 0.21 eV. The negative value of the Seebeck coefficient at all pressures indicates that the conduction is due to electrons. With the increase in pressure, the Seebeck coefficient decreases and electrical conductivity increases. It is also seen that, there is practically no effect of pressure on the electronic contribution of thermal conductivity. The paper describes the calculation of the lattice thermal conductivity and figure of merit of Mg2Si at zero pressure. The maximum value of figure of merit is attained 1.83×10−3 at 1000 K. The obtained results are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical results.

In this paper, electronic and thermoelectric properties of Mg2C are investigated by using first principle pseudo potential method based on density functional theory and Boltzmann transport equations. We calculate the lattice parameters, bulk modulus, band gap and thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity) of this material at different temperatures and compare them with available experimental and other theoretical data. The calculations show that Mg2C is indirect band semiconductor with a band gap of 0.75 eV. The negative value of Seebeck coefficient shows that the conduction is due to electrons. The electrical conductivity decreases with temperature and Power factor (PF) increases with temperature. The thermoelectric properties of Mg2C have been calculated in a temperature range of 100 K–1200 K.

Beetroot powder was prepared by pre-treating beetroot slices in the mixture of 5% salt and 72.76°Brix sugar at 50.59°C for 3h, and drying in cabinet dryer at 65°C and in microwave oven at 1080 W (optimized conditions), followed by grinding in laboratory mill and sieving with 30 mesh sieve. The time taken to bring the moisture content from 183.77 to 56.36% (db) by convective drying was 6 hours and from 56.36 to 4.65% (db) by microwave finish drying was about 6 min. The powder was stored upto 60 days of storage period in 150 gauge of high density polyethylene (HDPE) as well as laminated aluminum film packages (LAP) at room temperature and low temperature (5°C). Retention of less moisture content, water activity, minimum color degradation, browning index and better sensory characteristics was obtained in samples packed in laminated aluminium package of 150 gauge stored at 5°C. It implied that beetroot powder packed in LAP film packages can be best stored for long term storage under refrigerated conditions without any major loss in quality.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral annuloplasty (PTMA) has evolved as a latest procedure for the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation. It reduces mitral valve annulus (MVA) size and increases valve leaflet coaptation via compression of coronary sinus (CS). Anatomical considerations for this procedure were elucidated in the present study. In 40 formalin fixed adult cadaveric human hearts, relation of the venous channel formed by CS and great cardiac vein (GCV) to MVA and the adjacent arteries was described, at 6 points by making longitudinal sections perpendicular to the plane of MVA, numbered 1-6 starting from CS ostium. CS/GCV formed a semicircular venous channel on the atrial side of MVA. Based on the distance of CS/GCV from MVA, two patterns were identified. In 37 hearts, the venous channel at point 2 was widely separated from the MVA compared to the two ends and in three hearts a nonconsistent pattern was observed. GCV crossed circumflex artery superficially. GCV or CS crossed the left marginal artery and ventricular branches of circumflex artery superficially in 17 and 23 hearts, respectively. As the venous channel was related more to the left atrial wall, PTMA devices probably exert an indirect traction on MVA. The arteries crossing deep to the venous channel may be compressed by PTMA device leading to myocardial ischemia. Knowledge of the spatial relations of MVA and a preoperative and postoperative angiogram may help to reduce such complications during PTMA.

A cDNA encoding human urokinase-type plasminogen activator was inserted downstream from the polyhedrin promoter of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. A protein of similar M r to urokinase (UK) was synthesized and approx. 90% was secreted from recombinant virus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda cells. Zymography and Western blotting analysis of the insect-derived protein demonstrated that it was comprised solely of the high- M r ,- form of UK. No low- M r - UK was detected. Amidolytic activity assays showed that 96 % of the insect cell-derived UK was in the single-chain proenzyme form. The yield of UK from insect cells was 1986 international units/ml/106 infected cells.

The increase in the use of heavy metals has resulted in an increased flux of metallic substances into the aquatic environment which poses a danger to human health. The present work relates to the removal of cadmium ions by treatment with polyacrylamide grafted rice (Oryza sativa) husk/saguan (Tectona grandis) saw dust. The drinking water guideline value recommended by WHO for cadmium is 0.005 ppm.The adsorbent has been prepared by treatment of rice husk/saw dust with acrylamide. Removal has been studied at various pH values for different times of contact and adsorbate concentrations and is found to be pH-dependent, maximum removal occurs at pH 9 and at a contact time of 180 min for both the adsorbents. The results were found to be consistent with both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The value of n (rate constant) determined at pH 9 has been found to be 1 (within experimental limits). This is further substantiated by applying the Lagergren model. The intra-particle diffusion constants were determined by the Morris-Weber model. Continuous flow column studies have also been undertaken and the breakthrough characteristics were determined. Desorption has been affected with 0.5M HCl. The results suggest that both polyacrylamide grafted rice husk/saw dust can be used as efficient and cost effective adsorbents for cadmium ion removal.

The ability to control and predict the mechanical properties of hot rolled steel depends strongly on the thermomechanical processes which the steel undergoes. The phase transformation that occurs on the run-out table of a hot strip mill is a critical processing step which significantly influences the final microstructure, and thus, the properties of the hot rolled steel. This work examines the austenite-to-ferrite phase transformation of a high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA-90) microalloyed with niobium and titanium and a transformation-induced plasticity steel alloyed with aluminium (Al- TRIP). The austenite decomposition kinetics have been investigated using a Gleeble 3500 thermomechanical simulator equipped with a dilatometer. The effect of cooling rate on the austenite decomposition kinetics were quantified for both steels with initial microstructures comprised of austenite. For the Al-TRIP an additional initial microstructure consisting of a mixture of austenite (67%) and ferrite (33%) phases was also investigated. It was shown that accelerated cooling lowers the transformation temperatures in addition to refining the resulting ferrite grains. Microstructural analyses revealed a decrease in polygonal ferrite fraction with accelerated cooling and the formation of acicular products for the HSLA-90 steel. A transition from high temperature products such as, polygonal ferrite and pearlite, to low temperature products such as, bainite and martensite, was seen for the Al-TRIP with accelerated cooling where there was an increase in bainite and martensite fractions. The effect of initial austenite grain size and a pancaked austenite microstructure was investigated for the HSLA-90 steel. Increasing the austenite grain size resulted in a shift to lower transformation start temperatures and an associated decrease in the polygonal ferrite fraction. However, accelerated cooling and smaller austenite grain sizes resulted in refining the ferrite grains. Additional ferrite grain refinement was obtained with the prior deformation of the initial austenite microstructure which increased the ferrite nucleation rate by introducing additional nucleation sites both on the austenite grain boundary and within the deformed grains at crystallographic defects. The transformation start temperatures and polygonal ferrite fraction were significantly increased by the retained strain. A previously developed sequential transformation model was applied to describe the austenite-to-polygonal ferrite transformation which consisted of sub-models to predict the transformation start temperature, ferrite growth and ferrite grain size under continuous cooling conditions. The first sub-model predicted transformation start temperature by combining corner nucleation of ferrite with early growth. The subsequent ferrite growth was described using a model that employed the Avrami equation (or JMAK model) which was adapted to non-isothermal transformations, i.e. continuous cooling, by using the Scheil equation of additivity with an Avrami exponent of n = 0.85 and a rate constant b which depends exponentially on temperature; the effect of austenite grain size on the transformation kinetics was captured with a suitable grain size exponent m. The ferrite grain size was predicted by employing a model that expressed ferrite grain size as a function of initial austenite grain size and transformation start temperature. The combined effect of austenite grain size and retained strain was incorporated into the transformation start, transformation kinetics and ferrite grain size models by employing an effective grain size, i.e. d[sub eff] = d[sub γ] exp(- ε).

Virtual environments (VEs) provide a computer-based interface representing a real-life or abstract space, using 3D graphics and interaction techniques. VEs are a novel interface style that offers new possibilities and challenges to human-computer interface design. However, studies of the design of VEs (Kaur et al., 1996) show that designers lack a coherent approach to design, especially interaction design. Designers appear to be preoccupied with difficult technical issues and think little about supporting user interaction. However, major interaction problems have been found with current VEs, such as disorientation, perceptual misjudgements and difficulty finding and understanding available interactions (McGovern, 1993; Coven, 1997). These problems have been known to result in user frustration and a low usability and acceptability for the VE (Kaur et al., 1996; Miller, 1994). Guidance is needed on interaction design for VEs to avoid such usability problems. Towards this aim, usability requirements for VEs were proposed using theoretical research into user interaction behaviour. A controlled study was carried out to evaluate the usability requirements, by comparing interaction success with and without their implementation. Significant improvements in interaction were found.