A method of identification of abnormal glow curves in individual monitoring using CaSO4:Dy teflon TLD and hot gas reader

In the present study, a method of identifying abnormal glow curves to electronically screen the glow curves of TL readout is presented. The method is based on the fact that the shape of an abnormal glow curve differs from the shape of a normal one. A few criteria for defining the normal shape of glow curves are arrived at by analysing the glow curves of dosemeters exposed to various doses in laboratory conditions and read at different elapsed time post irradiation. About 300 glow curves of dosemeters used for monthly monitoring were analysed as per these criteria and the effectiveness of the method is observed for total counts as low as 150 μSv equivalent.     

Heightened Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in Immune Challenged 129sv Mice Is TGF-β/Smad3 Dependent

The 129sv mouse strain is particularly sensitive to experimental immune-mediated nephritis. Previous studies have indicated that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a critical role in both immune modulation and tissue fibrogenesis in various diseases and that its biological activities are exerted via the SMAD family. In this study, we aimed to determine whether TGF-β/SMAD signaling is essential for the development of immune-mediated nephritis in 129sv mice. Relative to C57BL/6J control mice with anti-glomeruli basement membrane (GBM) nephritis, 129sv mice with anti-GBM nephritis exhibited increased renal collagen deposition. Additionally, higher mRNA levels of pro-collagen and collagen IV, higher serum levels of active and total TGF-β1, and increased TGF-β1, TGF-βIIR, and phosphorylated SMAD expression were detected in these mice. Deletion of Smad3 in 129sv mice ameliorated anti-GBM induced nephritis, including crescentic glomerulonephritis. Collectively, these findings indicate that the heightened experimental nephritis and fibrotic disease in the 129sv strain of mice are regulated by SMAD3, which could be a potential therapeutic target for immune-mediated nephritis.     

Nano-particle synthesis of titanium oxides from ilmenite in a thermal plasma reactor

Nano-particle of titanium oxides was synthesised from the precursor ilmenite powder in an argon plasma jet at atmospheric pressure. The decomposition of ilmenite concentrates was investigated in a non-transferred arc thermal plasma reactor. Argon and Argon–Nitrogen were taken as plasma gases in the plasma torch. The effect of input power, plasma gases and particle size was carried out on the quality and yield of the product. Nano-powders were characterized using various techniques, viz., XRD, SEM, and TEM. Thermal equilibrium diagram was plotted to predict the thermodynamic behaviour of the system under various operating conditions. The present investigation shows significant segregation of titanium and iron-rich products in thermal plasma processing. Average particles diameters are from 10 nm to 200 nm.     

Direct synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by using the solid-state precursor TiH2 powder in a thermal plasma reactor

We attempt the direct synthesis of TiO₂ by using the solid state precursor TiH₂ powder with oxygen in a thermal plasma reactor. Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide powder has been synthesized by using thermal plasma synthesis in a non-transferred arc thermal plasma reactor. The thermal plasma-synthesized powder product consists of nano-sized particles of anatase and rutile phases of titanium dioxide. Particle compositions were observed on collecting powder from different positions of the reactor and varying the amount of flow rate of reactive gases (O₂). The characteristics of the powder such as particle size, size distribution and phases were analyzed using various techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, EDS and particle size analyzer. UV–visible reflection spectroscopy of the plasma-synthesized TiO₂ powders showed the absorbance in the visible region leading to effective photocatalytic activity, which is clearly confirmed from the XPS analysis. XPS analysis reveals the presence of –OH bonds on the surface of nanoparticles, which is the significant evidence of better quality of powders in comparison to other methods. Also, we have investigated the phase transformation phenomenon of anatase to rutile. At 1000 °C, complete transformation of the anatase to rutile occurs. Powders prepared in this procedure are white in colour and their diameter varies from 10 nm to 150 nm. Average particle size distributes in the range of 20–50 nm. The unique property about the plasma-synthesized powders is high resistance to heat treatment, with enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

Model for a two‐cavity coating die with pressure and temperature deformation

Coating dies uniformly distribute liquid for application as a film to moving substrates using one or two cavities spanning the coating width and adjoining precision narrow slots of much higher resistance to flow. If the slots are deformed by the pressure of the liquid or by temperature gradients in the die bars, degradation in flow distribution can result. Consequently, dies are designed to be sufficiently stiff and are thermally jacketed to keep slot deformations within fabrication tolerances. To aid in design and operation, a model of low computational load is developed in which the flow and deformation analyses are directly coupled. Die deformation is modeled using classical beam theory taking account of the varying thickness of the bars due to cavity geometry. Two‐dimensional finite element analysis of die deformation gives marginally higher slot deformation. Three‐dimensional finite element analysis agrees with the two‐dimensional analysis except near the center of the die where the symmetry boundary condition reduces deformation. The effects of die geometry on deformation and flow distribution are illustrated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Particulate matter pollution in opencast coal mining areas: a threat to human health and environment

With the increase in depth of mines, the movement and dispersion of particulate matter (PM) are very difficult to predict due to improper ventilation. Insufficient open pit ventilation remains the principal driver for the lack of dispersion and evacuation from mines and ultimately increases the time and amount of exposure to miners. Studies suggest that there is a direct and dependent relationship between the composition and exposure time to PM in mining operations. Furthermore, this paper helps the reader appreciate the need of carrying out studies to understand the nature of the dispersion of PM inside the mines.     

Analysis of flexoelectric response in nanobeams using nonlocal theory of elasticity

This paper is concerned with the derivation of exact solutions for the static responses of simply supported nonlocal flexoelectric nanobeams. Considering both the direct and the converse flexoelectric effects, and employing the nonlocal theory of elasticity, the governing equations and the associated boundary conditions of the beams are derived to obtain the exact solutions for the displacements, nonlocal stresses and the electric potential in the beams. Both the direct and the converse flexoelectric effects are influenced by the nonlocal parameter. Active beams significantly counteract the applied mechanical load by virtue of the converse flexoelectric effect. The normal and the transverse shear deformations in the beams are affected by the converse flexoelectric effect resulting in the coupling of bending and stretching deformations in the beams even if the beams are homogeneous. Because of the consideration of the nonlocal theory of elasticity, the nonlocal stiffness of the beam appears to be less than the classical stiffness of the beam. The nonlocal elasticity does not influence the stresses of the passive beam while the nonlocal stresses in the active beam due to converse flexoeletric effect are less than the local or classical stresses in the active beam. The benchmark results presented here may be useful for verifying the numerical model and experimental results for nonlocal flexoelectric nanobeams. The present study suggests that the flexoelectric nanobeams may be effectively exploited for developing advanced smart nanosensors and nanoactuators. The research work carried out here also conveys that the nonlocal theory of elasticity must be employed for accurate analysis of flexoelectric solids.