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•Burn out level and unburnt carbon amount influenced by rank and inertinite content.•Organo-petrographic constituents in char is controlled by coal microlithotype.•The intrinsic ...reactivity of inertinite is low with respect to other macerals.•High-density char may be mainly derived from inertinite dominated microlithotypes.•A new type of char named vitrosphere is reported.
The inability to yield heat up to the expected and desired level by a few of the coal fired thermal power plants can primarily be attributed to the ineffectual combustion of coal. In an intensive endeavour to understand the role of petrographic characteristics in combustion behavior, the authors have collected inertinite rich feed coal and fly ash from six different power plants in India. The technological characteristics, petrographic make up (maceral – and microlithotype composition) and vitrinite reflectance of the feed coals were studied in details. The variation in char types were identified in the various fly ashes. The chars from different feed coals were prepared under controlled laboratory conditions. The burn out level and the unburnt carbon amount in fly ash appear to be controlled by rank and inertinite content. The good correlation between the high-density chars and inertinite dominated microlithotype suggests that high-density chars are mainly derived from these related microlithotypes. The presence of a new type of char, named vitrosphere is reported. The fly ash with little unburnt carbon is predominantly comprised of plerospheres.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Rice yields are largely influenced by variability in weather. Here, we demonstrate the effect of weather variables viz., maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall, morning and evening relative ...humidity, bright sunshine hours on the yield of rice cv. Swarna, grown across five rice ecologies of India through field experiments during
kharif
(wet) season (Jun-Sept.). Critical thresholds of weather elements were identified for achieving above average, average and below average yield for each ecology. The investigation could determine how different weather elements individually and collectively affect rice yield in different rice ecosystems of India. While a sudden increase in minimum temperature by 8-10 °C (> 30 °C) during reproductive period resulted in 40-50 per cent yield reduction at Mohanpur, a sudden decrease (< 20 °C) caused yield decline at Dapoli. The higher yields may be attributed to a significant difference in bright sunshine hours between reproductive phases of above-average and below-average yield years (ranging from 2.8 to 7.8 hours during P5 stages and 1.7 to 5.1 during P4 stages). Rice cultivar Swarna performed differently at various sowing dates in a location as well as across locations (6650 kg ha
-1
at Dapoli to 1101 kg ha
-1
at Samastipur). It was also found that across all locations, the above average yield could be associated with higher range of maximum temperature compared to that of below average yield. Principal component analysis explained 77 per cent of cumulative variance among the variables at first growth stage, whereas 70 per cent at second growth stage followed by 74 per cent and 66 per cent at subsequent growth stages. We found that coastal locations, in contrast to inland ones, could maximize the yield potential of the cultivar Swarna, due to the longer duration of days between panicle initiation to physiological maturity. We anticipate that the location-specific thresholds of weather factors will encourage rice production techniques that are climate resilient.
Antibiotic induced skin rash in setting of infectious mononucleosis is often encountered in clinical practice. However, macrolides like azithromycin are considered relatively safe and till date only ...two cases of azithromycin induced rash in setting of infectious mononucleosis have been reported. The following report illustrates the case of a 23-year-old man suffering from infectious mononucleosis who exhibited a generalized cutaneous rash following treatment with azithromycin. Using the Naranjo ADR probability scale, this case of acute onset rash following azithromycin administration was found to be in 'probable' category. The mechanism of antibiotic-induced rash in patients suffering from infectious mononucleosis is incompletely understood. It has been suggested that the rash could result from virus mediated immunomodulation or due to altered drug metabolism. The report calls for cautious use of antibiotics in the setting of suspected viral infections like infectious mononucleosis as injudicious use might increase the risk of deleterious skin reactions and increase the cost of healthcare.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In a Low Voltage Distribution System (LVDS) the Single-phase Grid-connected Inverters (SGIs) are designed to maintain good power quality. Grid voltage distortion predominantly present in LVDS affects ...the injected power quality of SGIs. In this paper the effect of grid voltage harmonics on the injected grid current is analyzed through harmonic impedance modeling. The role of the sensed grid current Quadrature Signal Generator (QSG) block used in Synchronous Reference Frame (SRF)-based current controllers is identified to be important in deciding the power quality of SGI. Two of the most widely used QSGs: the SOGI-QSG and TD-QSG, are analyzed and compared in terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of grid current in this work. Further the theoretical analysis is supported by simulation study and experimental validation on a 250 W prototype of Switched Boost Inverter (SBI). The current THD under distorted grid condition is found to be about 9 times higher when SOGI-QSG is used for sensed grid current as compared to when TD-QSG is used for the same.
In this paper, a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) based integrated control structure has been proposed to address the limitations of an Interleaved Current-fed Switched Inverter with "n" phases, such as, ...unequal current distribution among the interleaved phases and the presence of second harmonic ripple in the passive elements. The proposed controller actively reduces the second harmonic component of inductor currents leading to reduced passive component sizing and also ensures equal current sharing among the interleaved phases. The behavior of the proposed control method has been verified using PLECS-based simulation model, and also using a laboratory prototype for proof-of-concept validation.
Arsenic, an environmental toxin, significantly contributes to the development of several health problems. Epidemiological studies done across the globe have reported that a prolonged arsenic exposure ...has been associated with characteristic skin lesions, neuropathy and an increased risk of skin, lung, liver (angiosarcoma), bladder, kidney and colon cancers. In present study, we are reporting a case of a 60-year-old male, who presented with a large (5cm x 4cm) painless ulcer in fronto-parietal area of scalp, with occasional oozing of blood. X-ray of skull (AP and lateral view) revealed granular well-outlined osteolytic lesions in right fronto-parietal skull vault, which raised a suspicion of malignancy. An incisional biopsy was taken and histopathology revealed no evidence of malignancy. A benign, non-healing skin ulcer is rarely seen in a setting of chronic arsenicosis. His skin examination showed characteristic fine freckles of spotted pigmentary changes i.e. classic rain-drop pigmentations which were present all over the body, particularly on trunk, palms and soles. Arsenic levels seen in hair and nail of the patient were 1.23 micrograms/gram and 3.26 micrograms/gram respectively, which were in accordance with WHO suggested diagnostic criteria of chronic arsenicosis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Most of the implants used for total disc replacement (TDR) surgery are designed as a ball and socket pair aimed at providing a three-dimensional unconstrained motion. However, one of the major ...concerns with ball and socket design is the wear of the implant which limits its life. In this study the biomechanical performance of two types of implant designs is compared — a conventional ball and socket type (Prodisc-C) and a modified design of dynamic cervical implant (DCI) using FE analysis. A 3-dimensional geometrical model of cervical spine (C1–T1) was developed using CT scan data of a middle-aged healthy male. Subsequently, using FE analysis, the ROM values were validated with the existing literature using a compressive load in combination with different physiological motions of the neck. Furthermore, FE analysis on the two implants, fitted at C5–C6 segment, showed a significant increase in the ROM of implanted segment using Prodisc and decrease in the ROM of inferior segment, but modified-DCI restored the motion of the implanted and adjacent segments. Analysis of average bone strains adjacent to the implant showed a possibility of stress shielding for Prodisc. However, higher stress distribution on the modified-DCI limited its clinical use.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The purpose of the present study was to measure the surgically important morphological parameters of cervical spine region of a representative sample of Indian population from the images ob-tained ...through computerized tomography (CT). Another purpose has been to compare the computed statistical mean, standard deviation and range of variation of these data with those of other Asian population and also European/American populations. With that aim, ninety five (95) CT scan data of Indian people (73 for male patients and 22 for female patients) pertaining to un-deformed normal cervical spine has been collected from an Indian hospital. From these, 15 important morphological parameters have been measured. These values have been tabulated and their mean, standard deviation and range of variation have been com-puted. It has been found that pedicle dimensions of Indian people are smaller at almost all vertebra levels as compared to Cauca-sian people. Pedicle axis length for Indian people are found to be smaller at C3, C4 and C5 levels than those for other Asian people including Chinese people, but it is bigger at C6 and C7 levels. In-dian people have longer measurements of pedicle length + lateral mass on an average than their other Asian counterparts at C5, C6 and C7 levels, but shorter measurements at C3 and C4 levels. The results of the present work may help in better understanding of morphological parameters of cervical spine region of Indian population. It may be further useful in designing spinal implants which would be biomechanically compatible to the anatomy of In-dian people. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this work, we establish a dual prograde P–T path of the Lesser Himalayan Sequence (LHS) rocks from the western Arunachal Himalaya (WAH). The investigated metagranites, garnet- and kyanite-zone ...metapelites of the LHS are part of an inverted metamorphic sequence (IMS) that is exposed on the footwall side of the Main Central Thrust (MCT). Integrated petrographic, mineral chemistry, geothermobarometric (conventional and isopleth intersection methods) and P–T pseudosection modeling studies reveal a near isobaric (at P~8–9kbar) peak Barrovian metamorphism with increase in TMax from ~560°C in the metagranite through ~590–600°C in the lower and middle garnet-zone to ~600–630°C in the upper garnet- and kyanite-zone rocks. The metamorphic sequence of the LHS additionally records a pre-Barrovian near isobaric thermal gradient in the mid crust (at ~6kbar) from ~515°C (in the middle garnet zone) to ~560–580°C (in the upper garnet- and kyanite zone, adjoining the Main Central Thrust). Further burial (along steep dP/dT gradient) to a uniform depth corresponding to ~8–9kbar and prograde heating of the differentially heated LHS rocks led to the formation of near isobaric metamorphic field gradient in the Barrovian metamorphic zones of the WAH. A combined critical taper and channel flow model is presented to explain the inverted metamorphic zonation of the rocks of the WAH.
•We present microstructural and petrological results of LHS rocks from the WAH.•We followed isopleth and conventional thermobarometry approaches to estimate P–T.•We calculated a dual prograde P–T path for the LHS rocks.•We established burial of thermally perturbed Lesser Himalayan middle crust.•We present a hybrid critical taper-channel flow model to explain metamorphic inversion.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The fluid flow dynamics on the porous scaffolds and their static responses on the adjacent bone are very crucial parameters for bone adaptation. Researchers are trying to develop different algorithms ...to design biomimetic porous scaffolds incorporating bone tissue engineering. In this present work, three types of biomimetic heterogeneous porous scaffolds (HPS) were designed with the help of the Voronoi tessellation method and Swarm Intelligence and those were analysed under fluid perfusion as well as under static loading conditions. In computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, the wall shear stress (WSS) and the permeability of the porous scaffolds were compared to the natural trabecular bone to understand their hydrodynamic responses. In static analysis, the von Mises stresses of the Ti
6
Al
4
V scaffolds were checked to ensure no-yield condition. The strain energy density (SED) distributions were also studied on the neighbouring bone region of the femur greater trochanter to obtain stress shielding (SS) patterns and these findings were then compared with the natural trabecular bone at the same anatomical region. The outcome parameters, viz. the induced WSS, von Mises stress, the permeability, and SS of the scaffold, are found to be independent of the scaffold architecture. The von Mises stress and permeability increased with an increase in porosities, while the induced WSS and SS nature of the scaffolds showed the reverse trend. The results showed that the HPS designed based on the Swarm Intelligence incorporating Physarum Polycephalum algorithm offered the least SS level of 41.096 for 75% porous HPS, which may be considered the most promising result. Considering all the parameters, the novel designed scaffold based on Swarm Intelligence showed the most trabecular bone mimicking nature compared to the other scaffolds.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ