Hydration Study of the System Ca3Al2O6–CaSO4· 2H2O–Ca(OH)2–H2O with and without Citric Acid

Hydration occurring in the system Ca₃Al₂O₆–CaSO₄· 2H₂O–Ca(OH)₂–H₂O has been studied at different temperatures and it was found that the reactions are diffusion controlled. The kinetic data obeyed Jander's equation and the rate of reaction increased with increasing temperature. X-ray diffraction studies and calorimetric measurements show that when gypsum is consumed, ettringite is converted into monosulfate. The rate of this conversion also increased with the increasing temperature and decreased in the presence of citric acid. Spectroscopic studies showed that there was some interaction between citric acid and the cement and that the product of hydration is of colloidal nature. Zeta potential measurements show that retardation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ hydration in the presence of gypsum and Ca(OH)₂ is not due to SO²⁻₄ adsorption. Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric potential measurements of solid Ca₃Al₂O₆ show that Ca₃Al₂O₆ is an n -type semiconductor and contains defects. The retardation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ may be due to poisoning of reaction sites by gypsum and Ca(OH)_2.     

Hierarchical and Hybrid Cell Load Balancing in 5G Heterogeneous Mobile Networks

In Fifth Generation (5G) Heterogeneous Mobile Networks (HetNets), deploying dense small cell networks makes user association more challenging. The process of collecting cell load information from the User Equipments (UEs) and broadcasting the feedback message involves significant overhead and time complexity. Moreover, the UEs may not know the optimum cell to reselect, satisfying its data rate requirements. In order to overcome these drawbacks, in this paper, we propose to design an Hierarchical and Hybrid Cell Load Balancing (HHCLB) technique using Selective Handoff. In this technique, the UEs of each cell are grouped into clusters depending on their proximity distance. Each cluster contains a cluster controller (CC) which is in charge of determining the intra-cell load and redirecting the cell-reselection request of a UE. If the data rate of any UE in a cluster becomes less than its required rate, then the cell reselection process is performed. By simulation results, it is shown that load balancing can be done proactively (implicitly) by the CCs when the load is unbalanced or can be done on demand (explicitly) when a UE send a request for cell reselection. In the case of Macro cells, HHCLB attains 71% higher throughput for low load scenario and 59% higher throughput for high load scenario. Similarly, in the case of Femto cells, HHCLB attains 19% higher throughput for low load scenario and 27% higher throughput for high load scenario.     

Carbohydrate changes in ripening Capsicum annuum in relation to textural degradation

 Within 8 days of harvest, fruits of Capsium annum showed striking changes in texture when ripened at room temperature. Physiologically, they showed a significant weight loss and organoleptically, a change in textural firmness which was evident microscopically, as extensive cellular damage. The associated biochemical changes during ripening were: (1) an increase in free-sugar levels, (2) an increase in in situ hydrolysis of some hemicellulose fractions (Hem a, b and c) and (3) a general increase in the activity of cellulase, α-mannosidase, laminarinase, polygalacturanase, galactanase, mannanase, β-galactosidase and hemicellulase (HCe) activity on Hem b and c. In contrast the activity of xylanase, pectin methyl esterase and HCe on Hem a decreased during ripening. Cold storage (8°C) held textural changes in check, resulting in a longer shelf-life for cold-stored fruits compared to fruits stored at room temperature. Received: 14 May 1997     

Chlorination byproducts, their toxicodynamics and removal from drinking water

No doubt that chlorination has been successfully used for the control of water borne infections diseases for more than a century. However identification of chlorination byproducts (CBPs) and incidences of potential health hazards created a major issue on the balancing of the toxicodynamics of the chemical species and risk from pathogenic microbes in the supply of drinking water. There have been epidemiological evidences of close relationship between its exposure and adverse outcomes particularly the cancers of vital organs in human beings. Halogenated trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are two major classes of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) commonly found in waters disinfected with chlorine. The total concentration of trihalomethanes and the formation of individual THM species in chlorinated water strongly depend on the composition of the raw water, on operational parameters and on the occurrence of residual chlorine in the distribution system. Attempts have been made to develop predictive models to establish the production and kinetics of THM formations. These models may be useful for operational purposes during water treatment and water quality management. It is also suggested to explore some biomarkers for determination of DBP production. Various methods have been suggested which include adsorption on activated carbons, coagulation with polymer, alum, lime or iron, sulfates, ion exchange and membrane process for the removal of DBPs. Thus in order to reduce the public health risk from these toxic compounds regulation must be inforced for the implementation of guideline values to lower the allowable concentrations or exposure.     

The Future of Mental Health.

Examines the two sets of criteria that generally categorize mental health: those that emphasize internal events and those that deal with external events. The author discusses the future of mental health in light of many of its current trends, including greater acceptance of diversity, and he discusses the potential future role of the mental health professional. The author notes that greater numbers of mental health professionals have gotten involved with different populations, and suggests that the majority of mental health professionals will probably be experts in handling small units of behavior or experience for a limited time. The very process of making predictions changes the future course of events. Let us hope that this intricate process will result in greater satisfaction for greater numbers of people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Photoconduction investigations in 75 MeV oxygen ion irradiated kapton-H polyimide

Photoconduction behaviour of 75 MeV oxygen ion irradiated (Fluences: 1.8 × 10¹¹, 1.8 × 10¹² and 1.8 × 10¹³ ions/cm²) kapton-H polyimide film in the visible region has been investigated at different temperatures ranging 400-2500 °C and at various electric fields ranging 40-600 kV/cm. A photoinduced exciton formation is the major source for providing charge carriers through thermolization and field-assisted dissociation processes. An attempt has been made to fit the field dependence of the steady state photocurrent to one of the several possible conduction mechanisms. In the high and low fluence (1.8 × 10¹³ and 1.8 × 10¹¹ ions/cm²) irradiated samples there exists a possibility of Poole-Frankel type of photoconduction mechanism, whereas at intermediate fluence (1.8 × 10¹² ions/cm²) a Schottky type photoconduction mechanism may be operative. The log I_ps versus 1/T plots consist of two straight lines with a knee point around 800-1000 °C. The activation energy estimated from the slope of these lines is field dependent varying from 0.40 to 0.73 eV and 0.18 to 0.23 eV above and below the knee point, respectively. This indicates the presence of more than one type of trapping levels in irradiated kapton-H polyimide.     

In situ synthesised TiO2 ‐chitosan‐chondroitin 4–sulphate nanocomposites for bone implant applications

The artificial materials for bone implant applications are gaining more importance in the recent years. The series titania‐chitosan‐chondroitin 4–sulphate nanocomposites of three different concentrations (2:1:x, where x ‐ 0.125, 0.25, 0.5) have been synthesised by in situ sol–gel method and characterised by various techniques. The particle size of the nanocomposites ranges from 30–50 nm. The bioactivity, swelling nature, and the antimicrobial nature of the nanocomposites were investigated. The swelling ability and bioactivity of the composites is significantly greater and they possess high zone of inhibition against the microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The cell viability of the nanocomposites were evaluated by using MG‐63 and observed the composites possess high cell viability at low concentration. The excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility makes these nanocomposites a promising biomaterial for bone implant applications.Inspec keywords: titanium compounds, filled polymers, nanocomposites, bone, orthopaedics, biomedical materials, sol‐gel processing, nanofabrication, particle size, swelling, microorganisms, cellular biophysics, nanomedicine, prostheticsOther keywords: in situ synthesised TiO₂ ‐chitosan‐chondroitin 4‐sulphate nanocomposites, bone implant applications, artificial materials, in situ sol‐gel method, particle size, swelling nature, antimicrobial nature, microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, cell viability, MG‐63, biomaterial, size 30 nm to 50 nm, TiO₂      

Prediction of the tensile capacity of cold formed angles experiencing shear lag

The present study deals with the shear lag phenomenon in cold formed angles under tension, which are connected on one leg. A new expression for shear lag factor which represents the net section reduction coefficient has been suggested in the present paper. The proposed expression based on the regression analysis of 108 experimental results reported in the literature is validated by experiments involving net section failure in angles under tension. Totally 18 experiments were carried out on single angles fastened with bolts to the gusset plates under tension loaded upto net section rupture mode of failure. The experimental test parameters considered are number of bolts, pitch and shear lag distances and ratio of connected leg length to unconnected leg length. The tensile capacities are evaluated by various specifications such as AS/NZS:4600:2005, NAS:2001, AISC:2005, BS:5950-Part5:1998, IS:800-2007 and the proposed equation. A comparative study of tensile capacities predicted based on various codes and the experiment results is presented in this paper. For the tested range of specimens, both NAS:2001 and AISC:2005 standards over-predicted the capacities for all the specimens. The IS:800-2007 and AS/NZS 4600:2005 predictions are good for the specimens with three bolted connections and unconservative in the case of specimen with two bolts. Both BS:5950-Part-5:1998 and the proposed equation for IS:801 predict good estimate of the tensile capacity of cold formed angle members. The proposed equation for cold formed steel tension members, which is in the same format of IS:800 (2007) (Indian code for Hot rolled steel design), has been demonstrated to be good.     

Rheological and thermal properties of saponified cassava starch‐g‐poly(acrylamide) superabsorbent polymers varying in grafting parameters and absorbency

Cassava starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide) superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) with varying absorbencies were synthesized. Weight average molecular weight (M_w) of the hydrolyzed starch‐graft‐copolymers ranged from 1.6 × 10⁶ to 2.8 × 10⁶ g/mol, the largest being shown by the sample with highest percentage grafting. The storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of hydrogels were determined as a function of frequency. G″ was larger than G′ for the hydrogels with higher absorbencies and exhibited a liquid‐like behavior. However, hydrogels with lower absorbencies showed a reverse viscoelastic behavior. The viscosity of hydrogels determined using a Brookfield viscometer at different shear rates was found to be larger for the hydrogels with higher absorbencies. The melting temperature (T_m) and enthalpy change of fusion (ΔH_f) of the SAPs ranged from 149.7 to 177.7°C and 65 to 494.9 J/g, respectively and showed a positive correlation with grafting parameters and M_w. Heavy metal ion removal capacity of hydrogel followed the order Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40368.