Prakash Kumar

Abstract: Failure of a ball and race type coal pulverizer mill shaft has been analysed. It was found that the shaft, made of EN 25 steel, failed by fatigue. The fatigue cracks originated from the keyway area, unusually from the top edge. The presence of elongated manganese sulphide inclusions due to improper heat treatment had reduced the ductility and CVN toughness of the material, and thus made the material more prone to failure.

Abstract: A precise, sensitive and rapid analytical technique has been developed for the simultaneous determination of Zr and Hf in natural silicate matrices. The technique is based on radiochemical neutron activation analysis and employs a rapid fusion dissolution of the sample and simultaneous precipitation of the Zr−Hf pair with p-hydroxybenzene arsonic acid in an acidic medium. The indicator radionuclides,95Zr and181Hf, are counted with a pair of high resolution Ge(Li) detectors and the95Zr activity is corrected for the contribution from U fission. The chemical yields of the radiochemical separation are based on Hf carrier, which quantitatively carries both Zr and Hf. The yield is determined by reactivation of the processed samples and standards with a252Cf isotopic neutron source and by counting the 18.6 sec half-life179mHf. The sensitivity, precision and accuracy of the procedure are demonstrated by replicate analyses of several standard rocks, meteorites and lunar samples which exhibit a wide range of Zr and Hf abundances.

Abstract: The present study aimed at investigating work-related pain issues among the workers associated with pineapple peeling activity in small fruit processing units of North East India. The study also assessed the associated levels of ergonomic risk prevalent among the workers and identified ergonomic risk factors associated with pineapple peeling task. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using questionnaire-based interview, pain self-report and direct observation of the activities to understand the prevailing work conditions. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the level of ergonomic risks involved. Prevalence of pain, in different body parts of the participants, was found evident with a higher percentage of participants reporting pain in shoulders (41.1%), upper arms (37.1%) and lower back (45.7%) while some had also reported of pain in neck (13.2%), lower arms (15.9%), wrists (12.6%) and palm (6%). For RULA, 89.4% of the participants had a grand score greater than equal to 5 which fell under action level 3 indicating for further investigation and changes soon. Hence, various risk factors influencing pain occurrences were identified using logistic regression, and factors like age, gender, hours of peeling, frequency of rest breaks, perceived work fatigue and years of experience, were found to be associated with risk of pain in at least one of the body parts. Identification of these risk factors laid down path for the future course of actions and improvements to address the work pain related issues among workers. Relevance to industry The study established pain prevalence associated with manual pineapple peeling task and identified the potential risk factors, laying down basis for possible future actions to address work pain related issues and enhance productivity of the workers.

Abstract: India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) [1] has proposed construction of a 50k ton magnetised Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) in an underground laboratory located in South India. Main aims of this, now funded project are to precisely study the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters and to determine the ordering of neutrino masses [2]. The detector will deploy about 28,800 glass Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) of approximately 2 m × 2 m in area.

Abstract: Human muscular strength is extensively used in Indian agriculture for operating various push-pull type farm tools and equipment. Incompatibility between operators’ physical capabilities (anthropometric and biomechanical) and demands of physical task to operate tools/equipment often leads to poor performance, low productivity and safety problems. Although anthropometric data are generally being considered, an inadvertent negligence of using strength database for agricultural tools/equipment design is very common in developing countries like India. Therefore, in present paper an attempt has been made to statistically analyze available strength data (pooled and regional/state wise data) of male and female Indian agricultural workers to understand nature of variability of those data in terms of difference between pooled Indian data vs. individual state data; difference between male vs. female data across various states of India; and for determining safe operational force limits for handling various agricultural tools/equipment. Critical evaluation of male and female strength data revealed that there are significant differences ( p <0.01 or p <0.05) between mean values of pooled Indian data vs. individual state data for almost all strength variables under study. It has also been observed that average muscular strength of female is significantly lower (in general 2/3 rd of male) than their male counter parts across all states. Thus, present study concluded that regional variations and gender variation of isometric strength data are crucial ergonomic consideration for using percentile strength data during calculation of operational force limits for designing various agricultural tools/equipment to be used by targeted user populations from various parts of a country like India with huge ethnic diversity. Keywords: ergonomics, m uscular strength, t ools and equipment, a gricultural workers, India

Abstract: Jarosewich, Eugene, Roy S. Clarke, Jr., and Julie N. Barrows, editors. The Allende Meteorite Reference Sample. Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences, number 27, 49 pages, 32 tables, 1986.—A reference material for comparative analytical studies and standardization was prepared from fresh, clean specimen material from the Allende, Mexico, Type CV3 carbonaceous chondrite fall of 8 February 1969. Fragments weighing 4 kg were powdered, homogenized, and split into 1 g and 5 g subsamples. Analytical results for a total of 74 elements were provided by 24 analysts or groups of analysts. A variety of techniques were used, and many elements were determined by more than one technique. Reports from contributors of data outline their procedures and give their results in detail. Sample homogeneity has been evaluated in terms of this body of data, and "recommended values" are suggested for 43 elements. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: Aerial view of Ulawun Volcano, New Britain. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data The Allende meteorite reference sample. (Smithsonian contributions to the earth sciences ; no. 27) Bibliography: p. Supt of Docs, no.: SI 1.26:27 1. Allende meteorite. 2. Chondrites (Meteorites)—Standards. 3. Radioactivation analysis. I. Jarosewich, Eugene. II. Clarke, Roy S. III. Barrows, Julie N. IV. Series. QE1.S227 no.27 [QB756.A44] 550 s 86-600209 [523.5'1]

Abstract: The concentrations of Ti, Zr and Hf have been determined, by a stable isotope dilution method, in 27 chondrites, seven achondrites and standard rock samples BCR-1 and W-1. Among all chondrites investigated, enstatite chondrite Abee is lowest in Ti atomic ratio compared with Si while all carbonaceous chondrites show higher values. The Zr contents are higher in CII and CIII chondrites, relative to the other groups of chondrites. There is a clustering of Ti and Zr within each group. The Zr Hf ratios in CII, CIII. E and H chondrites are essentially the same, while that in the CI chondrite is lower and in L, LL and unequilibrated chondrites are higher. The concentrations of Ti, Zr, Hf and Ti Zr , Zr Hf ratios in achondrites are variable, even among members of the same group. Based on these results, condensation models for these elements are discussed. The variable results for Ti, Zr and Hf in achondrites may be due to the reheating recrystallization and metamorphic processes. ‘Cosmic atomic abundances’ of Ti, Zr and Hf are calculated as 2470, 11.2 and 0.185. respectively for Si = 106 atoms.

Abstract: The spectral interferences due to uranium fission in thermal neutron activation analysis (NAA) were determined for Ba, Cr, Ce, La, Mo, Nd, Ru, Sm, Te and Zr. For Ba, Mo, Te and Zr the interferences were also evaluated for epithermal NAA. The degree of interference was calculated in terms of the apparent ppm concentration of the element of interest per ppm of U. High U concentrations in geological material can severely hamper the analysis of all the elements (except Cr) by NAA.