Cooling potential of an evaporative cooling tower: Parametric studies

Dependence of the cooling potential of an evaporative cooling tower on the tower parameters (height h, cross-sectional area A_t, evaporative pad area A_p, packing factor of evaporating pads F_p and flow resistance f) has been investigated. The performance of the tower is studied for two different climates, namely hot-dry and composite, typified by Jodhpur and Delhi.     

Moisture Adsorption Isotherms of Watermelon Seed and Kernels

The moisture adsorption isotherms of watermelon seeds and kernels from Citrullus lanatus Cv Mateera and Citrullus vulgaris Cv Sugar baby were obtained using standard static method with saturated salt solutions over a range of water activities from 0.113 to 0.92 at 20-60°C. The adsorption capacity of seeds decreased with the increase in temperature at constant water activity. Sorption models were used to explain the adsorption behavior involving water activity and moisture content (Type I) and also temperature (Type II). Oswin's models gave best fit among Type I with coefficient of determination of 0.953-0.995, standard error of 0.031-0.0571, mean relative error of 0.071-0.152, and scattered residual plots. Modified Oswin was the best fit model among Type II for the seeds and kernels of both the cultivars with coefficient of determination of 0.997-0.999, standard error of 0.151-0.255, mean relative error of 0.018-0.244, and scattered residual plots. The net isoelectric heat of adsorption, estimated from Clausius-Clapeyron decreased from about 27.0 to 0.5 kJ/mol in kernels and 18.0 to 0.5 kJ/mol in seeds of both the cultivars as the moisture content increased from 5 to 25% (dry basis).     

Residues of DDT and HCH in wheat samples collected from different states of India and their dietary exposure: A multicentre study

Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 1712 samples of wheat grain/flour were collected from urban and rural areas in 11 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT (2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloro ethane) and different isomers of HCH (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro cyclohexane, a mixture of isomers) by gas-liquid chromatography. Residues of DDT were detected in 59.4% of 1080 samples of wheat grain and in 78.2% of 632 samples of wheat flour. Different isomers of HCH were present in about 45-80% of the samples of wheat grain/flour. Medians of DDT and total HCH, respectively, for pooled samples of wheat grain were 0.013 and 0.035 mg kg^-1, while those for wheat flour were 0.01 and 0.02 mg kg^-1. Estimated daily intakes of DDT and different isomers of HCH through the consumption of wheat contaminated at their median and 90th percentiles constituted a small proportion of their acceptable daily intakes. Amongst the pesticide residues analysed, statutory maximum residue limits have been fixed only for γ-HCH in wheat in India, as 0.1 mg kg^-1 in wheat grain and zero in wheat flour. Residue levels of γ-HCH exceeded these maximum residue limits in five of 1080 samples of wheat grain and in 340 of 632 samples of wheat flour. The failure to meet the requirement of the γ-HCH maximum residue limit in large number of wheat flour samples was attributed to the fixation of practically unachievable zero limit. Comparing the previous studies and the present one, the levels of residues of DDT and HCH in wheat were significantly decreased.     

Cyclic symmetry and the Shannon entropy

The authors have axiomatically characterized the Shannon entropy using cyclic symmetry.     

Symmetry and the Shannon entropy

Some equivalent systems of postulates characterizing the Shannon entropy of a finite discrete complete probability distribution are proposed.     

Determination of Solvent Contamination and Characterization of Ultrafine HNS Particles after Solvent Recrystallization

Solvent–antisolvent recrystallization employed for size reduction of HNS has been described and the effect of various parameters such as stirring rate, effect of antisolvent type, antisolvent temperature, ultrasonication, etc. was investigated. Purified HNS, produced by hot solvent recrystallization of production grade crude HNS, of mean particle size ∼95 μm was used for preparation of ultrafine particles of HNS. Solvent contamination in terms of residual solvent was determined by ¹H NMR and GC‐MS analysis. In addition, ultrafine HNS has been characterized for purity (HPLC, ¹H NMR), particle size and shape (PSA and SEM), specific surface area (BET analysis), thermal behavior (TGA, DSC), sensitivity (impact, friction), etc. The results have been compared with C‐HNS. UF‐HNS was >99% pure with mean particle size <1 μm. SEM showed submicrometer size rods like particles of HNS as the final material.     

Dietary flaxseed lignan or oil combined with tamoxifen treatment affects MCF‐7 tumor growth through estrogen receptor‐ and growth factor‐signaling pathways

This study aimed to elucidate which component of flaxseed, i.e. secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) lignan or flaxseed oil (FO), makes tamoxifen (TAM) more effective in reducing growth of established estrogen receptor positive breast tumors (MCF‐7) at low circulating estrogen levels, and potential mechanisms of action. In a 2×2 factorial design, ovariectomized athymic mice with established tumors were treated for 8 wk with TAM together with basal diet (control), or basal diet supplemented with SDG (1 g/kg diet), FO (38.5 g/kg diet), or combined SDG and FO. SDG and FO were at levels in 10% flaxseed diet. Palpable tumors were monitored and after animal sacrifice, analyzed for cell proliferation, apoptosis, ER‐mediated (ER‐α, ER‐β, trefoil factor 1, cyclin D1, progesterone receptor, AIBI), growth factor‐mediated (epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2, insulin‐like growth factor receptor‐1, phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase, PAKT, BCL2) signaling pathways and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor). All treatments reduced the growth of TAM‐treated tumors by reducing cell proliferation, expression of genes, and proteins involved in the ER‐ and growth factor‐mediated signaling pathways with FO having the greatest effect in increasing apoptosis compared with TAM treatment alone. SDG and FO reduced the growth of TAM‐treated tumors but FO was more effective. The mechanisms involve both the ER‐ and growth factor‐signaling pathways.