Experimental Analysis of Spray Dryer Used in Hydroxyapatite Thermal Spray Powder

The spray drying process of hydroxyapatite (HA) powder used as a plasma spray powder on human hip implants was examined. The Niro-Minor mixed spray dryer was studied because it incorporates both co-current and counter-current air mixing systems. The process parameters of the spray drying were investigated: temperature, flow rate of the inlet hot air in the spray dryer, viscosity of feed/HA slurry, and responses (chamber and cyclone powder size, deposition of powder on the wall of spray dryer, and overall thermal efficiency). The statistical analysis (ANOVA test) showed that for the chamber particle size, viscosity was the most significant parameter, while for the cyclone particle size, the main effects were temperature, viscosity, and flow rate, but also their interaction effects were significant. The spray dried HA powder showed the two main shapes were a doughnut and solid sphere shape as a result of the different input.     

Multiresolution coding of motion capture data for real-time multimedia applications

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this work, we present a novel and efficient method for coding of motion capture (MoCap) data obtained from recording of human actions. MoCap data is...     

Imidazolium Based Surface Active Ionic Liquids: Promising Boosters to Enhance the Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity of Conventional Surfactant Solubilised Quercetin

Catalysis Letters - Surface Active Ionic Liquids (SAILs) are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional amphiphiles. Their unique specialties endow the SAIL/SAIL plus conventional...     

Fuel rod-to-support contact pressure and stress measurement for CHASNUPP-1(PWR) fuel

This analysis has been made in an attempt to measure the contact pressure of the PWR fuel assembly spacer grid spring and to verify its structural integrity at room temperature in air. A detailed finite element (FE) model of spacer grid cell with fuel rod-to-support has been developed to determine the contact pressure between the supports of the grid and fuel rod cladding. The FE model of a fuel rod-to-support system is produced with shell and contact elements. The spring hold-down force is calculated using the contact pressure obtained from the FE model. Experiment has also been conducted in the same environment for the measurement of this force. The spring hold-down force values obtained from both studies are compared, which show good agreement, and in turn confirm the validation of this analysis.The Stress obtained through this analysis is less than the yield strength of spacer grid material (Inconel-718), thus fulfils the structural integrity criteria of grid.     

Risk factors of persistent diarrhoea in children below five years of age

Persistent diarrhoea has been identified as a major source of morbidity in the developing world. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of persistent diarrhoea in children below five years of age. The data used is from a prospective analytical case control study carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi, during 1993-94. A total of 50 cases of persistent diarrhoea and 50 acute diarrhoeal controls (matched for age and sex) under 5 comprised the study subjects in this analysis. The maximum incidence of persistent diarrhoeal episodes occurred in children below one year of age. Male to female ratio was 3:2. The seasonal variation showed a peak incidence in summer rainy season. Risk factors for persistent diarrhoea recorded were young age, poor nutritional status, irrational use of antibiotics during acute diarrhoea, lack of exclusive breast feeding, incomplete vaccination, lack of tap water supply and sanitation facility at home and income < Rupees 2000/month of the earning members of the family. Thus, it is concluded that discouraging the irrational use of antibiotics and other drugs for the treatment of diarrhoea, promotion of breast feeding and Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI), Standard Diarrhoea Case Management courses for doctors, medical students and paramedical staff and provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facility are important for the prevention of persistent diarrhoea.