Fabrication of innovative charkha for pashmina spinning and its impact assessment

Pashmina, a finest natural animal fiber is utilized for preparation of world famous Kashmiri pashmina shawls by traditional practices. Hand spinning is one of the important processing step, wherein fibers are converted into a fine yarn on a traditional spinning wheel (yander). The task is usually carried out by women folk. It is a laborious process resulting in a lot of physical stress affecting the efficiency of artisans. An innovative charkha has been fabricated to reduce the physical stress and its effect on the spinning efficiency and remuneration of artisans over traditional one was evaluated. The study revealed that innovative charkha was efficient in terms of time consumed for spinning by 73.50% over traditional one besides decreasing physical drudgery. In terms of income, there was an increase of 146% over traditional one for same period of time without deteriorating the quality of yarn.     

Determining SPICE parameter values for BJTs

The roles of hybrid-π, two-port, and SPICE transistor parameter are compared. A step-by-step procedure is described for determining numerical parameter values for a dynamic SPICE model of a bipolar junction from transistor manufacturer's measured data. The procedure is illustrated with an example     

Application of selftuning regulator algorithm to generating unit controllers

The processing capability of computers makes it feasible to implement sophisticated techniques for process control. However, to minimize the software development costs, it is desirable to develop algorithms that can have a wider application. In keeping with this, an AVR and speed governor for a generating unit have been designed using the same algorithm, called the selftuning regulator. The selftuning AVR and speed governor have been implemented using a microprocessor and a minicomputer online. The feasibility of developing unified algorithms is demonstrated by means of realtime tests, in which the two controllers are used simultaneously for a generating unit physical model.     

Results of test on microprocessor-based voltage and speed regulators carried out on a large physical model complex

Results of experimental tests carried out with microprocessor-based voltage and speed regulators using a digital-analogue-physical model complex of a large power system at the Siberian Power Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences are described. The physical test facility, and the test objectives and procedures are also outlined. Tests were carried out on a Soviet-built microprocessor AVR and a Canadian-built microprocessor AVR and speed governor. The work described shows that the development of speed and voltage regulators using microprocessors is a feasible and promising proposition.     

The use of bovine serum protein as an oral support therapy following coronavirus challenge in calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of a supplemental bovine serum protein blend fed to calves challenged with virulent coronavirus. Twelve Holstein bull calves (approximately 3 wk of age) were allocated by initial body weight to Control (n = 5) and treated (n = 7) groups. On d 0, all calves were orally challenged with 1 x 10(7) plaque-forming units of virulent coronavirus isolate. Infection was allowed to progress for 24 h before treatment was started. On d 1, treated calves began receiving 160 g of dry bovine serum powder (16 g IgG) mixed into milk replacer powder (67 g) at both an a.m. and p.m. feeding. Control calves received only milk replacer powder (227 g) at both feedings. Response to coronavirus challenge and dietary treatment was monitored prior to a.m. and p.m. feeding by the collection of multiple clinical measures. Fecal consistency was decreased by coronavirus challenge but was not affected by dietary treatment. Mean daily rectal temperature and heart rate were not affected by dietary treatment. Average packed cell volume was higher in treated calves than in control (35.0 and 27.0%). Coronavirus challenge resulted in an immediate increase in respiration rate, decreasing by d 7. Control calves tended to have a greater average respiration rate compared with treated (28.7 vs. 26.8 breaths/min). Treated calves had a higher average feed intake than control (0.57 vs. 0.44 kg/d). These data suggest that bovine-serum supplemented milk replacer may decrease the severity of disease in young calves exposed to coronavirus.     

Generalized neuron-based PSS and adaptive PSS

Artificial neural networks can be used as intelligent controllers to control non-linear, dynamic systems through learning, which can easily accommodate the non-linearities and time dependencies. However, they require large training time and large number of neurons to deal with complex problems. Taking benefit of the characteristics of a Generalized Neuron that requires much smaller training data and shorter training time, a Generalized Neuron-Based Power System Stabilizer (GNPSS) and an adaptive version of the same have been developed. The objective of this paper is to compare the performance of the GNPSS with that of an adaptive version, the weights of which are updated on-line.     

Laparoscopic management of ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy can be used with minimal operative morbidity to evaluate adnexal masses. We report our experience with the endoscopic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian tumors. In particular, we describe 11 patients who incidentally underwent laparoscopy and in whom the ovarian masses were found to be malignant. METHODS: Between September 1994 and September 1996, 292 patients with 316 ovarian tumors were treated laparoscopically in the Department of Obstetrics-Gynaecology, University of Ulm. We assessed vaginal ultrasonography, clinical assessment, the tumor marker CA 12-5, and the intraoperative low-power magnification for their value in predicting the final diagnosis in all laparoscopically treated ovarian tumors. RESULTS: From a total of 292 patients with ovarian tumors, 11 were diagnosed, intraoperatively or after final histologic examination, as having a malignant or borderline ovarian tumor. All applied pre- and intraoperative diagnostic procedures were by themselves too unreliable to exclude early stages of ovarian carcinoma exactly. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the present findings, we are tempted to conclude that laparoscopic surgery is justified in the management of ovarian tumors. Even with an accurate preoperative selection of suitable patients for laparoscopic surgery, the presence of an undetected ovarian carcinoma cannot be entirely excluded.     

High serum calcium in human brucellosis: a case-control study

In a retrospective case-control study of 58 cases of human brucellosis, adjusted mean serum calcium levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with brucellosis compared with controls: mean (95% confidence interval) = 2.39 (2.35-2.42) mmol/L versus 2.30 (2.26-2.34) mmol/L (P = 0.0012). The possible mechanisms underlying the cause of hypercalcemia in human brucellosis are discussed.