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Studies that examined the growth during late childhood and early adolescence beyond 8 years of age are very limited. Further, most studies have used dichotomized classification of stunting, thereby limiting the understanding of moderate stunting in childhood growth trajectory. We aimed to examine the course of stunting from childhood to adolescence by undertaking robust analyses of the Young Lives Survey (YLS) longitudinal data from India using multilevel categorization of stunting. Retrospective cohort analysis was undertaken from YLS in India among 1827 children from the younger cohort born in 2001–02 with complete follow-up data in all five rounds of YLS collected in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2016. A three-state multistate Markov model (not stunted, moderate, severe) was performed to estimate annual transition probabilities, mean sojourn-time, and transition-specific risk factors. Between Round-one and Round-five, cross-sectional prevalence of severe stunting decreased from 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.8%, 13.7%) to 5.3% (95% CI: 3.8%, 7.3%), while moderate stunting increased from 19.9% (95% CI: 16.3%,23.9%) to 21.7% (95% CI: 18.4%, 24.9%). Mean Sojourn time estimation indicated a relatively concise state for moderate stunting. The stunting trajectory had shown gender differential where more faltering to severe stunting and lower recovery to the normal state was observed among girls between 8 and 12 years and among boys between 12 and 15 years. Compared with boys, girls had 40% excess likelihood (Hazard Ratio: 1.40; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.95) for moderate-to-severe stunting transition and also had 19% excess likelihood (Hazard Ratio: 1.19; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.40) of favorable transition (moderate-to-non-stunted). The transition trajectory highlights preadolescence, especially among girls, as an additional window of opportunity to ensure better nutrition in adolescent life. With a fifth of adolescents living in India, study findings call for coordinated, multisectoral, age-appropriate, and gender-responsive approach to take India closer to meeting SDG-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping of nonmagnetic impurities in technologically important ZnO has opened a new window for achieving room temperature ferromagnetism, p -type carrier conduction, and enhancement of ferroelectric properties. Here, we report on the confined optical phonon and bandgap engineering in highly oriented Li implanted ZnO thin films. Using resonance Raman scattering condition, the confined longitudinal optical phonon lineshapes in uniaxial hexagonal wurtzite crystal are analyzed in detail using the phonon confinement model. We have demonstrated that phonon confinement model can yield a meaningful result for the interpretation of resonance Raman lineshapes if one considers the contribution of both the E 1 (LO) and A 1 (LO) modes, particularly while dealing with oriented ZnO thin films. Furthermore, with the increase in Li dose, the bandgap of ZnO is found to show a blue shift, and such blue shift in bandgap is explained using first principles calculation. • Pulsed laser deposited highly oriented ZnO thin films are implanted with low energy Li ions of different dose. • With the increase in Li concentration, the bandgap of ZnO is found to show a blue shift. • The blue shifting of the bandgap is explained using first principles calculation. • The phenomenological Phonon confinement model is used to explain the line shape of the Raman spectra under resonant conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic activity of the ethanol bark extract of a mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis (AOEB) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The study revealed AOEB could lower the blood glucose level significantly (p <.05) in diabetic mice at dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. The elevated total cholesterol, triglyceride, liver toxicity makers (SGOT and SGPT) and urea level were found to be ameliorated. The in vitro bioactivity-guided assay of AOEB led to isolation of a bioactive compound that inhibits the carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and also scavenging the DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radicals. The structure of the isolated compound was analyzed by different spectral techniques as FT-IR, CHNS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS. Further, the isolated compound was analyzed by HPLC. However, further studies are required to elucidate the exact structure of the isolated compound. • In vivo antidiabetic study of A. officinalis bark extract was carried out. • GC‐MS analysis was carried out to characterize bioactive principles. • Bioactivity guided study was carried out to isolate the active compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of two different biofloc media with and without neem ( Azadirachta indica ) leave in reducing the pathogenic abundance of luminescent bacteria ( Vibrio harveyi , V. parahaemolyticus , V . alginolyticus and V . fisehri ) through probiotic development of Bacillus cereus and Lactobacillus sp. were investigated both in summer and autumn seasons in white leg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannaemei ) natural grow-out ponds at Rasulpur (21.83 N, 87.86 E), West Bengal, India. Though, the population density of Bacillus cereus and Lactobacillus sp. significantly increased in both the media, biofloc with neem negatively impacted upon them as significantly lower population size in both the seasons was recorded in the water phase and even during autumn in the sediment. Reduction of luminous bacterial population mediated through the probiotic effect of Bacillus cereus and Lactobacillus sp. under both the media (R 2  = 0.54–0.90) was more pronounced in summer when increase in total dissolved solids and salinity of water played synergistically with the former. Application of neem as media component of biofloc should be avoided during the low temperature regime like autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the observation of hexagonal phase of barium titanate by Mn doping and its effect on dielectric and magnetic properties. Ceramic samples of Ba 0.98 Zn 0.02 Ti 1− x Mn x O 3 (where, x = 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08) were prepared by traditional solid-state reaction route. The hexagonal phase is stabilized in the composition Ba 0.98 Zn 0.02 Ti 0.92 Mn 0.08 O 3 and a very feeble M – H loop is also observed in that composition. This induced magnetism is expected due to the exchange interactions between magnetic polarons formed by oxygen vacancies with Mn ions. The dielectric constant as well as the ferroelectric to paraelectric transition temperature is systematically decreased with increasing of Mn doping concentration. Further to that, the temperature dependent dielectric constant curve is also broadened at transition temperature with increasing of Mn concentration. However, the ferroelectric to paraelectric transition temperature is well above room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of physical layer impairments (PLIs) in high-speed optical virtual private network (OVPN) over wavelength-division multiplexing/ dense-wavelength division multiplexing network degrades the connection quality (CQ). The quality can be numerically expressed as the quality factor (Q-Factor) of the connection. The CQ can be further affected by the increasing demand of connections and data speed. It is important to have an efficient OVPN control manager (OVPNCM) to maintain the CQ. OVPNCM can ensure better quality of transmission to the OVPN clients. Traditional routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) algorithms have less regards to the PLIs and cannot provide guaranteed OVPN connection (OVPNC) quality. In order to achieve a guaranteed CQ, we proposed a wavelength assignment (WA) scheme and a hybrid crosstalk model based on linear in-band and nonlinear four-wave mixing crosstalk. The performance of the proposed WA scheme with the hybrid crosstalk model is demonstrated. The results show that the proposed hybrid crosstalk model with WA scheme not only provides a guaranteed OVPNC, but also improves the OVPN performance in terms of blocking probability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current research introduces a new mathematical framework to develop coalescence models for turbulent flows in the context of population balance equations. Previous researchers have modeled the coalescence term as two independent factors: the collision rate and the coalescence efficiency. In contrast, the new approach formulates the coalescence term as a single entity and directly accounts for the effect of turbulence on the probability of coalescence. It also considers the angle between the line of centers and the relative velocity of the bubbles. The coalescence model becomes complete when the interaction and the drainage times are incorporated in the new framework. The model is then tested successfully against experimental data from the literature. A few parametric runs to study the behavior of the coalescence kernel complete the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): IMRT planning is challenging, at least in part, due to the essentially-infinite number of possibilities, and since the planner is never sure that they have gotten "the best", or at least "nearly the best" achievable plan. We prospectively assessed the impact of providing IMRT planners with a priori knowledge of the maximum achievable dose sparing for organs at risk (OARs) for patients on both dosimetric and clinical endpoints. We hypothesized that a priori knowledge of maximum achievable sparing would improve dosimetric and clinical (i.e., patient reported outcome) measures.Materials/methods: We examined patients receiving IMRT for oropharynx cancer on prospective clinical trials from 2012-2019 at our institution. A tool that generates estimates of maximum achievable dose sparing for organs at risk was used starting July 2016. Patients treated pre-implementation (i.e., baseline) and post-implementation (i.e., experimental) were compared for the endpoints: (1) Doses received by various OARs MINUS doses achievable (per the tool), termed the 'excess of feasible dose'; (2) Plan quality metrics (e.g., target homogeneity and conformity), and (3) Patient reported outcomes (PRO) per questionnaires completed at 3-, 6- and 12-months post-treatment.Results: 139 patients were analyzed (60-baseline cohort, 79-experimental). (1) The excess of feasible dose was lower in the experimental (vs baseline) cohort, for the contralateral parotid (9.6 vs 5.5 Gy; P < 0.001), the ipsilateral parotid (17.6 vs 6.8 Gy; P < 0.001), larynx (12.5 vs 8.2 Gy; P = < 0.001), oral cavity by (15.8 vs 14.3 Gy; P = 0.002), and contralateral submandibular gland (17.4 vs 17 Gy; P = 0.40). Lesser variation of excess of feasible dose (i.e., more consistent sparing) was seen in the experimental (vs. baseline) cohort for the parotid and contralateral submandibular glands (P < 0.05). (2) Some small differences in target homogeneity and conformity were observed but not felt to be clinically significant. (3) The average post-RT PROs were significantly better in the experimental cohort vs baseline at 6 months post-RT. Dry mouth severity, sticky saliva, meal enjoyment, severity of pain, and EAT10 composite (swallowing) were all significantly improved; P < 0.05).Conclusion: Clinical plans aided by an a priori estimate of maximum achievable dose sparing for OARs was associated with improved (and more consistent) OAR sparing and better clinical outcomes (i.e., better post-RT PROs). Clinical implementation of this tool can yield quantifiable dosimetric and patient benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic samples of BaTi 0.95− x Hf 0.05 Co x O 3 (where, x =0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) were prepared through a solid state reaction route and structure, morphology, magnetic and ferroelectric properties have been investigated. Defects play a key role in influencing magnetic as well as the electric properties in the above compositions. Magnetism observed in doped compositions is significantly depended upon Co ion concentration and oxygen vacancies. With increasing of Co ion concentration, the concentration of oxygen vacancies is increased and as a result of which enhanced magnetic effect is observed. The presence of oxygen vacancy forms defect-dipoles with Co and Hf. These defect-dipoles prominently influenced the polarization and coercive field in doped compositions. Although remnant polarization is decreased noticeably in doped compositions, but the ferroelectricity is observed well above room temperature. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of the contribution of defects for observation of room temperature multiferroic properties in Co based BaTiO 3 ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the observation of room temperature magnetism and ferroelectricity in polycrystalline BaTi0.95−x Hf0.05Co x O3 ceramics, where x=0.05, 0.1, and 0.15. Magnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis loops are strongly influenced by Co ion doping concentration. Magnetization of doped compositions is enhanced with increasing of Co ion concentration. Room temperature ferromagnetism is also observed in BaTi0.8Hf0.05Co0.15O3. Simultaneously, the saturation electric polarization value is decreased with the increasing of Co ion doping concentration. Our XPS results have revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies in doped samples. Oxygen vacancies have significant influence on magnetic and ferroelectric properties of doped BaTiO3. Observation of room temperature magnetism in our samples may be due to the exchange interactions of cobalt ions through oxygen vacancies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our paper reports structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Ni doped barium titanate. Ceramics samples of BaTi1−x Ni x O3 (here, x=0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) were prepared through solid state sintering technique. It is revealed from structural studies that the phase transformation from tetragonal to hexagonal phase is strongly influenced by Ni doping concentration. Magnetism is induced in doped composition and the value of magnetism is dependent upon Ni ion concentration. This enhanced magnetic effect is likely to originate from carrier-mediated exchange interactions. Ferroelectricity was observed in all samples at room temperature, but it was decreased by Ni doping. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A multiscale modelling framework has been proposed to characterize microstructure evolution during hot strip rolling of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel. The modelling methodology encompasses a continuum dislocation density evolution model coupled with a lumped parameter heat transfer model which has been seamlessly integrated with a mesoscale Monte Carlo (MC) simulation technique. The dislocation density model computes the evolution of dislocation density and subsequently constitutive flow stress behaviour has been predicted and successfully validated with the published data. A lumped-parameter transient heat transfer model has been developed to calculate the average strip temperature in the time domain. The heat transfer model incorporates the effect of plastic work for different strain rates in the energy conservation formulation. A coupled initial value problem solver has been developed to integrate the system of stiff ordinary differential equations in the time domain to predict dislocation density and temperature profiles simultaneously. The temporal evolution of microstructure during hot rolling of TRIP steel is simulated by the MC method incorporating thermal and dislocation density data from the continuum models. Simulated microstructural maps, kinetics of recrystallization and grain size evolution have been generated in a 200×200 lattice system at different strain rates and temperatures. The simulation code has been implemented in a high-performance grid computing network. The predicted temporal evolution of grain size, recrystallized fractions and flow stress have been validated with the published literature and found to be in good agreement, confirming the predictive capability of the integrated model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oviduct specific proteins as a media supplement for in vitro embryo development in cattle. The proteins were extracted from oviducts of cows and precipitated by ammonium sulfate (30%, 40%, 50% and 60%) followed by dialysis in 50mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.0) buffer. The dialyzed proteins were fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral fractions using SP sephadex cation exchange and DEAE sephadex anion exchange column chromatography respectively. Cow oviduct specific proteins (cOSPs) constituting all the extracted proteins were used as media supplement in three different concentrations (10, 50 and 100μg/ml) for in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture (IVMFC) of cow oocytes. Acidic, basic and neutral (unbound) fractions were also used as media supplement in three different concentrations (10, 30 and 50μg/ml) for IVMFC. Cumulus oocytes complexes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, washed thoroughly and cultured in maturation media for 24h in 5% CO2 at 38.5°C with maximum humidity. In vitro matured oocytes were co-incubated with in vitro capacitated sperm in Fert-BO media at 38.5°C for 18h in 5% CO2. The fertilized oocytes were washed and cultured in embryo development media for cleavage. After 40–42h cleavage was observed and embryos were put in the replacement media for further development. The cleavage rates (%) for cOSPs were observed as 68.24±2.46, 69.28±2.05, 61.77±0.93 and 42.62±1.31 at concentrations of 0, 10, 50 and 100μg/ml respectively. Rates of blastocyst stage development were 14.49±3.61, 21.17±2.77, 14.66±1.06 and 11.98±1.84. These results indicate that addition of cOSP at10μg/ml increased blastocyst formation as compared to other concentrations (0, 50 and 100μg/ml). Although acidic, basic and neutral fractions seemed to have no major effect on cleavage rate, but both acidic and neutral fraction of oviduct specific proteins improved the cleavage rate at 30μg/ml concentration and basic fraction improved the blastocyst formation at 10μg/ml concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Estimation of the effect of long-range transportation of anthropogenic aerosols in India is a real challenge due to the strong influence of local sources. This study addresses this issue from the measurements of aerosol optical and physical properties during 16–31 March 2006 at Kalpakkam (12.56° N and 80.12° E), a remote eastern coastal station in India. Increased anthropogenic aerosols were observed due to long-range transport from Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) in comparison to two other sources: central Bay of Bengal (CBoB) and northern Indian Ocean (NIO) as grouped from back-trajectory analyses of air parcels. AOD is found to be maximum of about 0.32 during IGB wind regime followed by CBoB (0.27) and NIO (0.20) winds. MODIS observed AOD is found to be high all along the wind back-trajectories connected from IGB indicating IGB as a source. Black carbon (BC) during IGB wind (2.0μg·m−3) is 65% greater than that observed during NIO wind (1.2μg·m−3). As a result, single scattering albedo becomes as low as 0.89 during IGB wind while 0.92 during NIO wind. These long-range transported aerosols cause about 65% enhancement of atmospheric radiative forcing and consequently, aerosol heating rate is also increased by about 70% during IGB wind regime (0.36K/day) compared to NIO wind regime (0.21K/day). Being a coastal region, Kalpakkam experiences strong diurnal variation of aerosol properties due to land and sea breezes that introduce about 30% increase of atmospheric forcing during land breeze by short-range transport of BC from nearby urban region. The present study concludes that long-range transported anthropogenic aerosols over coastal region of India cause significant enhancement of regional aerosol radiative forcing and their heating effect can have significant consequences for regional climate change by altering hydrological cycle over the tropical continental area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study achieves superior multi-channel output gain margin (MOGM), compensation of continuous-time, linear time-invariant (LTI), non-minimum-phase, unstable, multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) plants by first input-output decoupling these in open-loop and then effecting zero placements of the decoupled loops using single-input-single-output (SISO) periodic feedback. The condition that allows this controller to yield arbitrarily large MOGM is also found out. An example is considered to illustrate the design procedure and the capability of this controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the first observation of photoluminescence (PL) from the dilute bismide alloy GaSbBi. Epitaxial layers are grown by liquid phase epitaxy technique onto GaSb (100) substrates and PL is obtained in the near infrared spectral range (λ ∼1.6μm). Incorporation of 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4at% Bi to the layer results in a decrease of band gap energy up to 40meV as well as an increase of luminescence from the sample. Structural analysis confirms the successful incorporation of Bi consistent with an increase in lattice parameter. Raman spectroscopy measurements indicate vibrational modes due to GaBi as well as to free Bi atoms residing at interstitial spaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study addresses the role of black carbon (BC) in aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) over western India, where the Thar Desert produces large amount of dust aerosols during premonsoon season (Mar–May) and its mixing with BC makes the investigation a real challenge. Measurements of aerosol physical and optical parameters were carried out at three stations, Ahmedabad (urban area), Udaipur (semi-arid region) and Mt. Abu (a hill-top representing background conditions), to investigate the regional variation of ARF during April 2007. Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) measurements show presence of dust layer in the altitude region from 1 to 5km over western India throughout the month leading to uniform distribution of dust. Ahmedabad has slightly higher AOD500(0.31) due to production of anthropogenic aerosols with BC concentration of 1.8μg.m−3 at surface, followed by Udaipur (AOD500 =0.30 and BC=0.9μg.m−3) and Mt. Abu (0.28 and 0.7μg.m−3, respectively). The longwave ARF is found to be similar over all three stations whereas the shortwave ARF depends on type of location. The shortwave ARF at the top of atmosphere (TOA), surface, and within the atmosphere are found to be 1.7, −46 and 47.7Wm−2, respectively, at Ahmedabad, −1.5, −35 and 33.5Wm−2 at Udaipur and −1.5, −31 and 29.5Wm−2 at Mt. Abu. On the other hand, the heating rates in the lower atmosphere (up to 5km) are 1.3, 1.0 and 0.4K/day over Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Mt. Abu, respectively. Sensitivity analysis shows that a 40% enhancement of BC could increase the heating rate by up to 50% over western India. Higher aerosol-induced heating in the atmosphere during premonsoon may have a large impact on the regional climate dynamics and hydrological processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A first principle based mathematical model has been developed to characterise the effect of total liquid hold-up on the bosh silicon distribution behaviour in the dripping zone of a blast furnace. Two specific cases of hold-up behaviour have been investigated, namely, hold-up in the absence and in the presence of counter current gas flow conditions. The model exemplifies coupled phenomenon of chemical kinetics, transport processes and liquid hold-up to characterise the silicon behaviour in the dripping zone. The present modelling investigation shows that the bosh silicon level diminishes with the enhanced liquid hold-up in the dripping zone. Further, the influence of counter current gas flow on the hold-up is not significant. However, it has been observed that the liquid phase temperature reduces with increased liquid hold-up in dripping zone under steady state operating conditions. The model predictions of bosh silicon distribution have been validated with the published literatures (bulk values) and found to be in good agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have evaluated and compared the performances of a CERN GEM and a Thick GEM in low-pressure He/CO2 (90%/10%) mixed gas. In particular, the empirical gas gains of the standard CERN GEM and the Thick GEM have been measured and investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability analysis of interconnected systems with finite as well as arbitrary interconnection delays is considered in this study. For the purpose, subsystems interconnected with finite delays are grouped to form larger subsystems with intraconnection delays. However, these larger subsystems are interconnected with arbitrary delays among themselves. By considering a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, a stability criterion is derived in the linear matrix inequality (LMI) framework to study simultaneous delay-independent (for the interconnection delays) and delay-dependent (for the intraconnection delays) stability of the reformed interconnected system. This proposed criterion is useful when one attempts to estimate the tolerable bounds of the intraconnection delays. Finally, a numerical example is considered to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase transition from anatase to rutile for the 70nm TiO2 crystallite has been investigated by the time differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) technique. The study involved the annealing of the TiO2 nanocrystals, adsorbed with the nuclear probe (181Hf/181Ta) at trace level, at different temperatures for different durations. The TDPAC measurement was also supported by XRD measurement where the width of the peaks increases with the increase in annealing temperature indicating a crystal growth. The samples annealed up to 823K for 4h showed no phase transition, except for the growth of the crystallites. However, it showed phase transition at the same temperature (823K), when annealed for longer duration, indicating the slower kinetics of the phase transition process. Further the sample, when annealed at 1123K for 4h, showed phase transition. It has also been observed that the 181Hf tracer, adsorbed on 70nm anatase TiO2, diffuses from surface to bulk during the phase transition process and the extent of diffusion in anatase differs from that in rutile phase. However, surface to bulk mass-transfer is found to play a significant role in the phase transition process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

1. The effect of soybean meal substitution by different concentrations of sunflower meal on egg quality traits of white and coloured dwarf dam lines was investigated. 2. A total of 144 dwarf hens (38 weeks of age) from the same hatch were randomly divided into 12 groups of 12 birds (4 dietary treatments × 3 replicates). 3. A 2 × 4 factorial design was used to study the effect of 2 lines (Factor A) and substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with 4 concentrations (0, 10, 15 and 20%) of sunflower meal (SFM) [Factor B] on egg quality traits of dwarf dam line hens. 4. All the diets were designed to be isocaloric (11⋅3 MJ ME/kg) and isonitrogenous (180 g/kg crude protein) The duration of the experiment was 12 weeks. 5. Analysis of variance indicated a highly significant line effect. There were non-significant effects of substitution of soybean meal with different concentrations of sunflower meal on egg quality traits except for Haugh unit. 6. White plumaged dwarf broiler breeder dam line produced significantly fewer, but larger, eggs than coloured dwarf dam line hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The solution treated commercial grade AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel plate was heavily cold rolled to 90% of thickness reduction. Cold rolled specimens were annealed at various temperatures by thermal cycles and isothermal annealing. Strain-induced phase transformations and microstructure studies were carried out both in the cold rolled and annealed conditions. The X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements were used for phase transformation studies. The transmission electron microscope characterisation revealed that the cyclic thermal process resulted in ultrafine grain austenite formation whereas, the isothermal annealing developed coarser grain size microstructure. The different microstructural evolutions by the above two processes largely influenced the development of the recrystallisation texture. The thermal cycling produced a distinct γ-fibre texture while the isothermal annealing resulted in a cube texture component along with the γ-fibre. The γ-fibre texture evolution was attributed to the over critical subgrains or nuclei and {100} 〈001〉 cube texture to the coarser grains of micrometer size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A model to compute an effective microstructural length scale by fractal analysis of self-affine tensile fractographic images has been proposed. Good correlation between the characteristic microstructural length scale and the average circular diameter of voids as well as yield strength is demonstrated for a Cu-strengthened HSLA steel. Using the fractal-based model, fracture toughness is computed, which agrees well with that determined experimentally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Both heating and drying of high moisture paddy using vibrating platform coupled with infrared heating source dryer give uniform but quick drying by exposing each and every grain uniformly to the IR source. A laboratory apparatus capable of modulating both frequency and amplitude of vibration had been developed to study vibration aided drying characteristics of high moisture paddy. The effective moisture diffusivity of the grain during drying under this mode has been evaluated. The drying characteristics of high moisture paddy was studied under different vibrating conditions for five levels of radiation intensity (1509, 2520, 3510, 4520 and 5514W/m2) and four levels of grain bed depths (single kernel thickness of 3, 6, 12 and 25mm). The optimum frequency and amplitude of the vibrations were found to be in the range of 20–22Hz and 8–9mm for all the three grain bed depths of paddy (25, 12 and 6mm) for obtaining nearly complete and uniform mixing (mixing index≅1.0) [Das, I., Das, S.K., Bal, S., 2003a. Determination of mixing index of paddy grains under vibrating conditions. Journal of Food Process Engineering 26 (2), 121–133]. Drying occurred almost under falling rate period. The value of the average effective moisture diffusivity (D eff)avg ranged between the 0.778×10−10 and 3.884×10−10 m2/s for different drying treatments. Both the radiation intensity and grain bed depth found to have significant effect on the (D eff)avg value at 1% level of significance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, addition of Ag micro-particles with a content in the range between 0 and 4wt.% to a Sn–Zn eutectic solder, were examined in order to understand the effect of Ag additions on the microstructural and mechanical properties as well as the thermal behavior of the composite solder formed. The shear strengths and the interfacial reactions of Sn–Zn micro-composite eutectic solders with Au/Ni/Cu ball grid array (BGA) pad metallizations were systematically investigated. Three distinct intermetallic compound (IMC) layers were formed at the solder interface of the Au/electrolytic Ni/Cu bond pads with the Sn–Zn composite alloys. The more Ag particles that were added to the Sn–Zn solder, the more Ag–Zn compound formed to thicken the uppermost IMC layer. The dissolved Ag–Zn IMCs formed in the bulk solder redeposited over the initially formed interfacial Au–Zn IMC layer, which prevented the whole IMC layer lifting-off from the pad surface. Cross-sectional studies of the interfaces were also conducted to correlate with the fracture surfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, a separate addition of the same amount of Al and Cu are added with the Sn–9Zn eutectic solder alloy to investigate the effect of a third element addition on the microstructural and mechanical properties as well as thermal behavior of the newly developed ternary solder alloys. The results indicate that both Al and Cu refine the microstructure and form intermetallic compounds with the eutectic solder alloy. The microstructures of the newly developed ternary Sn–9Zn–X solder alloys were composed of fine needle-like α-Zn phase with some IMC dispersed in the β-Sn matrix. The relatively small and compact shaped Al6Zn3Sn IMC was found to be uniformly distributed in the β-Sn phase which results in an increase in the tensile strength, due to the second phase dispersed strengthening mechanism. On the contrary, the large flower shaped Cu6Sn5 and rod shaped Cu5Zn8 IMC develops some sort of weak interface with the parent β-Sn matrix results in a decrease in the tensile strength. The microhardness of the Sn–9Zn–0.5Al ternary solder alloys was also higher than that of the Sn–9Zn–0.5Cu alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Failure of three railroad wheels, each belonged to a different train but to the same heat, was analyzed. It was found that the wheels were failed due to improper heat treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Measurements of the critical current density (J c) by magnetisation and the upper critical field (H c2) by magnetoresistance have been performed for hafnium-doped MgB2. There has been a remarkable enhancement of J c as compared to that by ion irradiation without any appreciable decrease in T c, which is beneficial from the point of view of applications. The irreversibility line extracted from J c shows an upward shift. In addition, there has been an increase in the upper critical field which indicates that Hf partially substitutes for Mg. Hyperfine interaction parameters obtained from time differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) measurements revealed the formation of HfB and HfB2 phases along with the substitution of Hf. A possible explanation is given for the role of these species in the enhancement of J c in MgB2 superconductor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: To obtain a higher cordycepin production using Cordyceps militaris mutant obtained by a new mutagenesis technique called ‘ion beam’. Methods and Results: Successful irradiation of C. militaris NBRC 9787 by a proton beam with high energy was performed, and 30 classes of 8-azaadenine- and 28 classes of 8-azaaguanine-resistant mutants were obtained on mutant screening, of which seven classes were selected as promising preliminary mutants having an antibacterial ability as an index of cordycepin production. In a surface liquid culture technique, some of the 8-azaadenine-resistant mutants gave a better performance for the cordycepin productivity; in contrast, among the 8-azaaguanine-resistant mutants, it was shown that mutant no. G81-3 was much better than the control in the metabolic rate of glucose and the cordycepin productivity. In primary optimization using the enriched medium, the cordycepin production was 3·1 and 1·8 g l−1 on 21-day culture for mutant no. G81-3 and the control, respectively. The cordycepin production obtained by the mutant was 72% more than the control. Conclusions: The mutant obtained by proton beam irradiation had higher productivity of cordycepin than that of the control. Significance and Impact of the Study: The mutant obtained by irradiation had a superior production performance of cordycepin, and therefore, it could be used in the realm of applied industrial biotechnology for the large-scale production of cordycepin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): The majority of errors during radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning and associated quality assurance (QA) processes are ascribed to 'human error'. Most centers typically use in-house QA checklists but without formal human factors engineering evaluations. We herein comprehensively evaluate the perceived usability of a dosimetry-QA checklist and associated cognitive workload, performance, and patient safety in real clinical settings at an academic medical center.Materials/methods: Four dosimetrists (female = 2, male = 2) performed pre-treatment QA tasks on 76 different RT plans with varying degrees of difficulty (low (35), medium (35), and hard (6) based on subjective rating by physicists) in the clinic. For each plan, the perceived usability and workload were assessed using a variety of validated tools (see results). We compare these scores with the recommended standards in human-computer interaction and human factors and ergonomics. Performance was measured using the time taken to complete the QA tasks on 46 different RT plans. Patient safety was measured as the number of errors leading to patient harm.Results: See Table 1. The perceived usability of the dosimetry-QA checklist meets only 1 out of 6 standards assessed. The workload assessments are within the recommended standards. The average time taken to complete pre-treatment QA tasks is 37.25 minutes. No errors leading to patient harm were reported.Conclusion: Our institutional dosimetry-QA checklist has suboptimal usability, but the associated workload is acceptable. QA checklists should be evaluated for usability and redesigned to reduce the risk of human errors, which are likely, at least in part, to result from the use of sub optimally designed tools. Future studies evaluating the association between usability and workload of QA checklists with patient safety indicators may be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aerosol depolarization ratio and aerosol optical depth (AOD) were measured at Chungli (24.58° N, 121.1° E), Taiwan during the period from 2002–2004. The depolarization ratios of background aerosol have values mostly less than 0.06. The maximum AOD in the altitude range of 0.7 to 2km occurs in the summer (June–August) while between 2 and 5km, the spring (March–May) shows the maximum. The former is mainly related to strong convection and humidity; however the latter is due to anthropogenic aerosols transported from East China and Southeast Asia based on calculations of backward trajectories. This seasonal variation of AOD inferred from different transport mechanisms and aerosol compositions which are supported by the height distributions of aerosol extinction and origins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Roof falls accounted for 18.18% of all fatal accidents in Indian coal mines, contributing about 35.29% of all fatal accidents in below-ground operations in 2005. The support safety factor, always preferred in support planning and design of underground coal mines, may be an important predictor for roof falls. In this paper, geotechnical data were collected from 14 roof fall incident places in an underground coal mine, located in the Eastern India, which has bord and pillar method of workings. The mean value of probabilistic support safety factor for the case study mine was found to be 1.24. However, the probability, of the estimated support safety factor of less than or equal to one, was found to be 0.246. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of the contributing parameters on support safety factor and the likelihood of the roof fall. The multi-variate regression analysis was carried out for the data generated by Monte Carlo method to correlate the contributing factors to support safety factor. It ranked gallery width as the first parameter to control the support safety factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fly ash particles entrained in the flue gas of coal-fired boilers can cause serious erosion on the critical components along the flow path. Such erosion can significantly jeopardise operational life of the boiler. A first principle based theoretical model has been developed embodying the mechanisms of erosion involving cutting wear, plastic deformation wear and effect of temperature on erosion behaviour, to predict erosion rates of pertinent boiler grade steels. Various grades of steels commonly used in the fabrication of boiler components and published data pertaining to boiler fly ash has been used in modelling the phenomena. The model also provides a quantitative predictive framework to study the effect of percentage of silica content in the ash particles on the erosion potential. The erosion sensitivity of particle impact velocity, angle of impingement and variation of surface temperature of the substrate (steel) have also been studied as a function of silica content in the ash. The model has been implemented in a computer code to predict the erosion rates at room and elevated temperature for various grades of steels under different particle impact conditions. The model predictions have been found to be in good agreement with the published data. This investigation illustrated that any minor increase in silica level in the ash can considerably aggravate the erosion rates, signifying the fact that silica content in the ash plays a critical role in characterising erosion potential of fly ash. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Investigations have been carried out to evaluate the two-phase frictional pressure drop for gas–non-Newtonian liquid flow through helical coils in vertical orientation. The experiments performed using nine coils and four different non-Newtonian liquids. The effects of gas and liquid flow rate, coil diameter, and liquid properties on two-phase frictional pressure drop have been illustrated. An attempt has been made to fit the experimental two-phase frictional pressure drop data by the Lockhart and Martinelli [R.W. Lockhert, R.C. Martinelli, Proposed correlation of data for isothermal two-phase two components flow in pipes, Chem. Eng. Prog. 45 (1949) 39–48] correlation and the modified Lockhart–Martinelli correlation as presented by different authors. In another approach, friction factor method was adopted to correlate the experimental data by dimensional analysis. The correlation developed predicts the two-phase frictional pressure drop with acceptable statistical accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The husk of Lathyrus sativus (HLS) has been functionalized by introducing thio groups with the help of carbon disulphide treatment in alkaline environment. Elemental analysis indicates that sulphur content of the functionalized biomass increases to 3.7% from 0.36% of the pristine biomass suggesting the incorporation of thio group on HLS. A conspicuous change in the surface morphology of the biomass due to functionalization is depicted by SEM images. EDX data support the introduction of sulphur group on the HLS. The involvement of the hydroxyl groups mainly in the functionalization process is demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic study. The adsorption capacity of the functionalized biomass with respect to cadmium and nickel is observed to increase by about 50% compared to that of pristine one. Similar to the case of unmodified HLS the adsorption process involving the functionalized one obeys Langmuir isotherm model and attains equilibrium in 10min compared with 60min in the case of unmodified biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An improved mathematical model to simulate the particle and flow behavior in a coal-washing spiral has been developed. The modeling framework addresses three main components of the spiral system: (i) geometry of the spiral and its trough, (ii) fluid motion along the curvilinear path of the spiral and (iii) principal forces acting on a particle incorporating “Bagnold effect”. This effect has been addressed for both particle–inertial and macro-viscous regimes. The modeling components have been combined seamlessly by assuming that the particles eventually attain dynamic equilibrium in the forward longitudinal direction and static equilibrium in the transverse direction. The resulting force function provides a spectrum of the particle''s radial location on the trough according to their size and relative specific gravity. The model predicts relative specific gravity distribution as a function of equilibrium radial position for different particle sizes. It also computes particle size variation as a function of equilibrium radial position for various values of relative specific gravity. Sensitivities of radial equilibrium distribution of particle size and relative specific gravity with respect to mean flow depth have also been investigated. Simulation results validated with the published data, are found to be reasonably consistent. The model provides an analytical tool for understanding of the separation behavior of particles in a coal-washing spiral. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 60-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of enrichment on fatty acid composition of Moina micrura through lipid emulsions containing highly unsaturated fatty acids and to study the impact of HUFA-enriched Moina on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of post larvae of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Enrichment was done in three differently prepared emulsions containing sunflower oil, cod liver oil and MaxEPA capsules (commercially available) as sources of lipid. The feeding trial to post larvae was conducted using three replicates of four treatments which were fed with three different types of HUFA-enriched Moina and un-enriched Moina (control). The prepared emulsions were found efficient in enriching Moina by increasing the level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) up to a maximum of 7.31±0.07% and 2.17±0.03%, respectively. Growth rates of post larvae increased (maximum specific growth rate=3.60±0.02) with increased amount of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (HUFA) in dietary Moina. Survival increased (maximum survival=80.00±1.65) as the amount of EPA and DHA increased in the respective dietary Moina. HUFA-enriched Moina showed good effect on the fatty acid composition of M. rosenbergii post larvae with respect to EPA and DHA. EPA percentage in post larvae ranged from 7.82±0.13% (in control) to a maximum of 14.94±0.17% (in MaxEPA group). DHA percentage showed similar trend ranging from 2.45±0.14% (in control) to 7.63±0.19% (in MaxEPA group). The present study indicates that, like in other live feeds, the nutritional quality of Moina in relation to fatty acids can also be increased by enrichment which can influence the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of post larvae of freshwater prawn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Al2O3–ZrB2 in situ composites of 97% of theoretical density were successfully fabricated by a novel self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) dynamic compaction, using less expensive raw materials zirconium oxide, boron oxide, and aluminium. The process is fast, energy efficient, where no furnace sintering is required. The process inhibits and controls the grain growth and microstructure. The densification behaviour and correlation with microstructure of the SHS dynamic compacts were compared with the furnace sintered composite samples where the composite powder was prepared by SHS process. The furnace sintered samples showed coarser grain growth and maximum density of 94.5% of theoretical density was achieved. The SHS dynamic compacted in situ composite had much finer grains in the range of 0.5–3μm with density 95.5% of the theoretical value. The average grain size was found to decrease from 10μm to 1.4μm for alumina and from 5.4μm to 1.0μm for zirconium diboride from furnace sintering to SHS dynamic compaction, respectively. Addition of Al2O3 as a diluent during SHS reaction enhanced the density to 97%. During SHS dynamic compaction, the amount of liquid and the time interval at which the sample stays at high temperature are the controlling factor of the final microstructure and the densification of the composite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of bioturbation caused by common carp fry in 5L jars (5L each) in the laboratory and in 150L outdoor vats in increasing the fertilizer value of phosphate rock was evaluated. Soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) was determined to quantify the effects of bioturbation, fish excrements and soil. The level of SRP was always lowest in the control series. Introduction of common carp fry resulted in a net increase of 0.09–0.10mgL−1 of SRP attributable to the effect of fish excrement. Bioturbation caused by common carp resulted in a 64.8–90% influx of phosphate from bottom soil in the presence of phosphate rock but only about 6.3–7.2% in the absence of phosphate rock. The bioturbation that occurred in these treatments resulted in a significant release of phosphorous into the overlying water from the apatite source. The results confirm the benefits of the application of environmentally friendly phosphate rock in fish farming ponds at low cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fish community structure and water chemistry of two tropical rivers of West Bengal, an eastern province of India, were studied for two annual cycles (January 2003–December2004) and a higher degree of pollution was found in one river (the Churni) than in the other river (the Jalangi). This was reflected in the water quality as well as in fish community structure of the rivers. We observed that 63.6% of fish species appeared to have been eliminated from the polluted Churni river since 1983 in 20 years. For the protection of fish biodiversity and enhancement of fish production, a rational management program should be implemented for the Churni river. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Husk of Lathyrus sativus (HLS) has been found to be a good sorbent for the removal of nickel(II) from its aqueous solution. The adsorption process depends on pH of the solution with an optimum at 5.0, and follows Langmuir isotherm model (correlation coefficient 0.998). Initial adsorption rate is very fast and reaches equilibrium following pseudo-second order kinetics within 60min. Amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and phosphate groups of the biomass are involved in chemical interaction with nickel ions as revealed from SEM-EDX and FTIR studies. Chemical modifications of the functional groups of the biosorbent show that amino groups contribute largely (∼57%) for the binding of nickel ions and probably undergo chelation through dative bond formation. HLS biomass has been found to adsorb both nickel and cadmium equally from their mixed solution to the extent of ∼70% indicating the importance of this sorbent in industrial effluent treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Austenitic stainless steel of 304L type was thermo-mechanically processed to enhance special low CSL boundaries. Rolling reductions of above 60% of thickness was employed prior to annealing. It was observed that during recovery and recrystallization, twinning induced CSL boundary of Σ3 type. However, 80% of thickness reduction during grain growth regime, retarded Σ3 type grain boundary formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The sintering behaviour of magnetic bulk glassy compact has been addressed. Rapidly quenched ribbons of Fe71Nb3.7Cu1Al3Mn0.8Si13.5B7 alloy were ball milled to powder and consolidated using binder to get bulk glassy compacts. Structural and crystallization behaviour of glassy and heat-treated powders was evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the powders showed transition from amorphous to nanocrystalline phase at 800K. Magnetic evaluation of the bulk glassy cores revealed best soft magnetic property at a sintering temperature of 775K which was due to the formation of α-Fe(Si,Al) and Fe3(Si,Al) nanoparticles evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray analysis. However, at this temperature the glassy compact exhibited low value of remanence, which was attributed to the demagnetization field due to porosity in the material that developed from the escaped mineral binder. At subsequent higher sintering temperature of 785K the glassy core exhibited inferior soft magnetic properties with a low coercivity due to the formation of strongly anisotropic boride phases. Remanence value increased due to reduced demagnetization effect arising from a more compact morphology. Such reduced porosity was due to the coalescence of powder particle as observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Free, out of plane vibration of a rotating beam with nonlinear spring–mass system has been investigated. The nonlinear constraint is connected to the beam between two points on the beam through a rigid rod. Formulation of the equation of motion is obtained starting from transverse/axial coupling through axial strain. Solution is obtained by applying method of multiple time scale directly to the nonlinear partial differential equations and the boundary conditions. The results of the linear frequencies match well with those obtained in open literature. Subsequent nonlinear study indicates that there is a pronounced effect of spring and its mass. The influence of rigid rod location on frequencies is also investigated on nonlinear frequencies of rotating beam. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Drying characteristics of bori nuggets, an Indian traditional food, prepared from black gram batter were studied using hot air temperature of 30, 50 and 70°C and air flow rates of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4m/s. The drying constants obtained from Lewis equation decreased from 0.457 to 0.139, 0.514 to 0.324 and 0.735 to 0.487 (r ⩾0.975; MSE⩽0.0082) for 30, 50 and 70°C, respectively, while the air velocity decreased from 1.4 to 0.6m/s in each case. The correlation among drying constant, air velocity and air temperature for the drying was found to best described by Arrhenius equation (r =0.995; MSE=0.0029). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed that effects of both air temperature and air velocity on yellowness index, hardness and cooking time of the nugget as well as on drying time were significant (p ⩽0.01 or 0.05). Response surface methodology was tried for optimization of these two independent variables with respect to the above-mentioned parameters. The superimposed contour plots suggest optimum drying air temperature between 59 and 63°C and air velocity between 0.9 and 1.05m/s for attaining minimum values of yellowness index (44) hardness (9.0–9.5N), cooking time (8.0–8.4min) and drying time (250–275min). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carbon disulphide is extremely toxic and harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. It has disastrous effects upon the nervous system and brain, and cause headache, nauseam, dizziness, restlessness, euphoria, unconsciousness, fatigue, and insomnia, loss of appetite and sensory losses. The viscous rayon industry plays a dominant role in the pollution of the environment by means emission of carbon disulphide. This paper deals with the experimental aspects of the abatement of carbon disulphide pollution by absorption in spray column and ejector columns using alkaline solutions containing oxidation catalyst. The paper also compares the performance of the two types of equipment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article we discuss the development of a methodology to predict atmospheric turbulent dispersion of pollutants generated from air traffic in an airport. It is based on the Lagrangian stochastic model (LSM), developed by Das and Durbin [2005. A Lagrangian stochastic model for dispersion in stratified turbulence, [Physics of Fluids 17, 025109]. The approach is via the backward trajectory formulation of the model. The sources and receptors in an airport type problem are modeled as spheres and procedures have been derived for concentration calculation by both forward and backward trajectory methods. Some tests are performed to highlight certain features of the method. The turbulence statistics that are required as input are provided in terms of similarity profiles. The airport domain is partitioned to make the required search algorithms efficient. Pollutant concentration profiles are calculated over a range of meteorological data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Successive failures of several new evaporator tubes during commissioning and trial run of a waste heat recovery boiler has been analyzed. The evaporator tubes are cold bent into U-shape and subsequently TIG welded to a 24-mm thick wear plate on either sides of the tube immediately adjacent to the bend. The failed samples showed stepped longitudinal cracks along the rolling direction and parallel to the weld fusion boundary at the fireside surface of the inner bend of the tube, prominently at the center of the bend. It was found that the failure of the evaporator tubes at the tube bends was initiated by lamellar tearing because of inherent defects in the material (segregation leading to banded structure), improper processing of material (inclusions with high aspect ratios along the rolling direction) and accelerated by high transverse shrinkage stresses over the entire bend portion of the tube introduced by the weld. The pre-existing fine cracks in the welded evaporator tube initiated by lamellar tearing have subsequently opened up during service when the total strain in the region increased because of steam pressure resulting in catastrophic failure of the tubes. Contrary to expectation, many of the elongated inclusions were found to be iron oxide scales and only few were manganese sulfide stringers enveloped by iron oxide scales. The iron oxide inclusions were resolved from the manganese sulfide by scanning electron microscopy and EDS spot analysis of the inclusions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Investigation on the premature failure of suspension coil spring of a passenger car, which failed within few months after being put into service, has been carried out. Besides visual examination, other experimental techniques used for the investigation were (a) microstructural analysis and fractography by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (b) inclusion rating by optical microscopy, (c) hardness testing, (d) residual stress measurement by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and (e) instrumental chemical analysis. Inherent material defect in association with deficient processing led to the failure of the spring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]