SHAPE GENERALIZED ISOTHERMAL EFFECTIVENESS FACTOR FOR FIRST-ORDER KINETICS

A generalized effectiveness factor equation (Eq. (32)), in terms of modified Bessel functions, is derived for a catalyst pellet of arbitrary shape. The derivation is based on utilizing an appropriate one-dimensional approximation for the Laplacian in an arbitrary shaped body subjected to a uniform external concentration field. The comparison of the result with the available expressions for various geometries is highly satisfactory. It unifies the expressions for the three fundamental shapes, viz., infinite slab, infinite cylinder and sphere, and also compares very well with the exact solutions for finite shapes over the entire range of the Thiele modulus.     

A scale model for fitting object shapes from fixed location data

In this paper we present a scale model for fitting an ideal shape to an object. The measurements of the object are taken corresponding to a fixed coordinate system at a set of well-defined locations on the surface of the object. We propose an algorithm to estimate the model parameters and hypothesis tests to make statistical inferences about several possible special cases of the general model. The model is tested with an example that analyzes data on the feet of people in Hong Kong.     

A NEW APPROACH FOR THE CLASSIFICATION AND ENUMERATION OF UNIQUE REACTION ROUTES AND UNIQUE OVERALL REACTIONS IN MULTIPLE CHEMICAL REACTION SYSTEMS

The methodology of response reactions (RERs) introduced earlier from thermodynamic and kinetic considerations is used in this work to develop a new algorithm for the classification and enumeration of unique/direct reaction routes (RRs) and overall reactions (ORs). According to the RERs approach, a unique set of both RRs and ORs may be generated starting from any conceivable set of linearly independent RRs and ORs. In particular, the direct ORs may be most conveniently enumerated starting from the formula matrix of the terminal species (reactants and products), i.e., without any relation to the elementary reactions comprising the detailed mechanism. Depending on the type of ORs produced by the RRs one can distinguish between two distinct types of direct RRs. Namely, one option is to define a direct RR by specifying the intermediate species that need to be eliminated. This type of RR is referred to as Milner RRs. The other option is to require the direct RRs to produce RERs, thus resulting in RRs referred to as Happel-Sellers RRs.     

Determining the Tensile Stress-Crack Opening Curve of Concrete by Inverse Analysis

The determination of the fundamental stress versus crack opening (σ-w) response of concrete under uniaxial tension is performed in this study through inverse analysis using data from notched beam tests. The procedure used for optimizing the parameters of the σ-w relation using the load versus crack mouth opening displacement response of the notched beam is described. Satisfactory comparisons have been obtained between the σ-w curves obtained through the inverse analysis and those directly measured in uniaxial tension tests. The use of weighting functions in the inverse analysis may be necessary when large crack widths are to be considered.     

The Shared Benefits of Data Administration

More than just a regulatory body, the data administration group is responsible for planning and promoting the use of information resources. By managing the corporate data base effectively, data administration provides benefits to everyone who depends on the use of accurate information.     

Ionic liquid mediated nano-composite polymer gel electrolyte for rechargeable battery application

ABSTRACT

Nano-composite polymer gel electrolytes (NPGEs) based on polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) PVdF-HFP, ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide BMIMTFSI, Li-salt along with the addition of SiO₂ nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized by various techniques. Prepared NPGEs show high room temperature ionic conductivity (~10^?3 S/cm) and have a wide electrochemical window (ECW) (~3.3–3.5 V). The galvanostatic charge/discharge profile was studied by sandwiching best performing NPGEs between a LiFePO₄ cathode and lithium metal anode. The specific discharge capacity of the cell (Li/NPGE/LiFePO₄) room temperature at 0.1C rate is found to be 138 mAh/g.     

Analysis of sub-anatomic diffusion tensor imaging indices in white matter regions of Alzheimer with MMSE score

In this study, an attempt has been made to find the correlation between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices of white matter (WM) regions and mini mental state examination (MMSE) score of Alzheimer patients. Diffusion weighted images are obtained from the ADNI database. These are preprocessed for eddy current correction and removal of non-brain tissue. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (DA) indices are computed over significant regions (Fornix left, Splenium of corpus callosum left, Splenium of corpus callosum right, bilateral genu of the corpus callosum) affected by Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. The correlation is computed between diffusion indices of the significant regions and MMSE score using linear fit technique so as to find the relation between clinical parameters and the image features. Binary classification has been employed using support vector machine, decision stumps and simple logistic classifiers on the extracted DTI indices along with MMSE score to classify Alzheimer patients from healthy controls. It is observed that distinct values of DTI indices exist for the range of MMSE score. However, there is no strong correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient ‘r’ varies from 0.0383 to −0.1924) between the MMSE score and the diffusion indices over the significant regions. Further, the performance evaluation of classifiers shows 94% accuracy using SVM in differentiating AD and control. In isolation clinical and image features can be used for prescreening and diagnosis of AD but no sub anatomic region correlation exist between these features set. The discussion on the correlation of diffusion indices of WM with MMSE score is presented in this study.     

An Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effect of Ambient Temperature during Manual Lifting and Design of Optimal Task Parameters

In the present study, the effect of lifting task parameters on the heart rate and oxygen uptake of workers during manual lifting tasks in different ambient conditions was evaluated. The experiments conducted in two different temperature conditions showed a significantly higher oxygen uptake and heart rate in colder conditions as compared to warmer conditions. Three other factors, namely, load, lifting frequency, and vertical distance were found to significant affect the responses. Various combinations of significant factors were used to calculate oxygen uptake and heart rate. These were then compared with the safe limits as per the maximum aerobic capacity of workers. Based on these comparisons, the safe combinations were identified that can be used to design lifting tasks in varied ambient conditions. The study further concluded that lifting tasks performed in winter should have different relaxation or fatigue allowances built into the cycle time of the task to compensate for higher exertion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.