Showing papers by "Christ University published in 2009"

Chemical Leaching of Low Rank Coal and its Characterization using SEM/EDAX and FTIR

Abstract: Demineralization of coal carried out using EDTA for different time and HF of varying concentration. The residual coal from each treatment was characterized together with virgin coal using Scanning Electron Microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Micrograph and EDAX analysis of Virgin coal reveal the features lithophiles like aluminium, silicates and calcium. The absence of the features corresponding inorganic elements in residual samples is an indication of demineralization. An elemental analyzer was adopted to analyze CHNS on virgin and residual coal sample. The current research compares the leaching efficiency of a mild leachant and a strong leachant. The final analysis showed that the coal under study was sub bituminous coal and leaching could improve the amount of carbonaceous material.

The response of guide dogs and pet dogs (Canis Familiaris) to cues of human referential communication (pointing and gaze)

Abstract: The study raises the question of whether guide dogs and pet dogs are expected to differ in response to cues of referential communication given by their owners; especially since guide dogs grow up among sighted humans, and while living with their blind owners, they still have interactions with several sighted people. Guide dogs and pet dogs were required to respond to point, point and gaze, gaze and control cues of referential communication given by their owners. Results indicate that the two groups of dogs do not differ from each other, revealing that the visual status of the owner is not a factor in the use of cues of referential communication. Both groups of dogs have higher frequencies of performance and faster latencies for the point and the point and gaze cues as compared to gaze cue only. However, responses to control cues are below chance performance for the guide dogs, whereas the pet dogs perform at chance. The below chance performance of the guide dogs may be explained by a tendency among them to go and stand by the owner. The study indicates that both groups of dogs respond similarly in normal daily dyadic interaction with their owners and the lower comprehension of the human gaze may be a less salient cue among dogs in comparison to the pointing gesture.

The Nainital-Cape Survey - IV. A search for pulsational variability in 108 chemically peculiar stars

Abstract: Context. The Nainital-Cape survey is a dedicated research programme to search for and study the pulsational variability in chemically peculiar stars in the Northern Hemisphere. Aims. The aim of the survey is to search for such chemically peculiar stars that are pulsationally unstable. Methods. The observations of the sample stars were carried out in high-speed photometric mode using a three-channel fast photometer attached to the 1.04-m Sampurnanand telescope at ARIES. Results. The new photometric observations confirmed that the pulsational period of star HD 25515 is 2.78-hrs. The repeated timeseries observations of HD 113878 and HD 118660 revealed that previously known frequencies are indeed present in the new data sets. We have estimated the distances, absolute magnitudes, effective temperatures and luminosities of these stars. Their positions in the H-R diagram indicate that HD 25515 and HD 118660 lie near the main-sequence while HD 113878 is an evolved star. We also present a catalogue of 61 stars classified as null results, along with the corresponding 87 frequency spectra taken from 2002–2008. A statistical analysis of these null results shows, by comparison with past data, that the power of the noise in the light curves has slightly increased during the last few years.

Genetic variation in disease resistance among farm animals

Abstract: This background study paper reviews the results of scientific investigations involving genetic control mechanisms for resistance/tolerance in farm animals to specific viral, bacterial, parasitic and prion diseases. The paper presents the most prominent documented examples for resistance/tolerance in cows, sheep and goats, pigs and poultry. The importance of genetically heterogeneous populations is highlighted, particularly as they impact response to epidemics, their duration, lower mortality rates, etc. Genetic studies on resistance in farm animals to a variety of etiological infectious agents can be determined at three genetic levels of variation: species, breed and unique genetic variation among individual animals. Depending upon the etiology of disease and the available animal resources, strategies for developing genetic disease management can be developed at the following levels: selection of breeds that are particularly well adapted to the local environment, breeding methods which include the introduction of genes exhibiting genetic resistance/tolerance towards pathogenic organisms, and the selection of individual animals with a high level of specific pathogen resistance. The most recent epidemic zoonoses illustrate how important it has become to develop global mechanisms for control of zoonoses and consequently the vital role of veterinary services in disease control.

Techniques for slope stability analysis: Site specific studies from Idukki district, Kerala

Abstract: The occurrences of slope failures are frequent in Idukki district of Kerala state particularly along the road cuttings and hill slopes causing disruption in traffic, loss of lives and property. This demands a critical evaluation of stability of slopes along the hill roads. This paper deals with stability analysis of a typical hard rock profile at Chuzhappu and a lateritic profile at Kumili along the road connecting Kottayam and Kumili. A large number of factors have been examined and studied; the orientation of discontinuities has been identified as one of the major inherent factors influencing slope instability along Chuzhappu hard rock profile. These have been analysed carefully using stereographic/equal area projection technique in order to determine the vulnerability to slope failure and to understand the type of rock slide that can occur in this profile. The buoyant force of water acting along the discontinuities after heavy rain storm further aids the down slope movement. As the laterite slope is mostly homogeneous, Bishops method and Swedish method were adopted for stability analysis of laterite slope at Kumili. The study also examines the efficacy and applicability of the different methods employed in soil mechanics to assess the stability of laterite slope.The results obtained by this method are compared by actual field conditions. The stability assessment indicates that two sectors at Chuzhappu and one sector at Kumili profile are at the geo-technical threshold of failure, when piezometric head rises during rainstorm. The study indicates that these methods are highly useful in determining the Factor of Safety in profiles with similar geological setting.

Hand Ability and Practice in Congenitally Blind Children

Abstract: The assumption that blind children will improve in ability with practice in spatial tasks was tested in a group of 90 congenitally blind and blindfolded sighted children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. All the children were tested for hand preference. The children were then pre-tested and post-tested on four tasks that measured various hand skills with their left and right hands. The period of practice between the pre and post-test was four months. Results indicated a percentage gain with practice during development for the left and the right hands of the blind children. The left and right hands of both groups of children did not differ in percentage gain, indicating little or no relationship between hand preference and hand ability. The effects of practice showed gains for the blind children compared to the sighted blindfolded children in the post-test. Results are discussed with a view that use of self- referent cues can improve spatial ability in blind children.

Hydromagnetic Three Dimensional Couette Flow and Heat Transfer

Abstract: This paper theoretically analyzes three dimensional couette flow of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid between two infinite horizontal parallel porous flat plates in presence of a transverse magnetic field. The stationary plate and the plate in uniform motion are, respectively, subjected to a transverse sinusoidal injection and uniform suction of the fluid. The governing equations of the flow field are solved by using series expansion method and the expressions for the velocity field, the temperature field, skin friction and heat flux in terms of Nusselt number are obtained. The effects of the flow parameters on the velocity, temperature, skin friction and heat flux have been studied and analyzed with the help of figures and tables. It is observed that the magnetic parameter (M) has a retarding effect on the main velocity (u) and an accelerating effect on the cross velocity (w1) of the flow field. The suction parameter (Re) has a retarding effect on the main velocity as well as on the temperature field. The Prandtl number (Pr) reduces the temperature of the flow field and increases the rate of heat transfer at the wall (Nu). The effect of suction parameter is to reduce the x-component of skin friction and to enhance the magnitude of z- component of the skin friction at the wall. The problem is very much significant in view of its several engineering, geophysical and industrial applications.

Growth and microindentation analysis of pure and doped Sb2Se3 crystals

Abstract: Pure and doped antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3 ,S b 2 Se 2.8 Te 0.2 , and Sb 2 Se 2.6 Te 0.4) crystals have been grown from melt by the Bridgman Stockbarger method. X-ray powder diffraction analysis was carried out to determine the lattice parameters of the grown samples. The morphology of cleavage planes was observed using SEM. Energy dispersive analysis by X-rays (EDAX) was done to find out the chemical composition of the grown samples. Correlation of microhardness with other mechanical characteristics such as toughness, brittleness, and yield strength, has been investigated. The effects of Te doping on the mechanical behaviour and energy gap were also studied on the cleavage faces.

Market-Oriented Cloud Computing - Delivering IT Services as Computing Utilities

Abstract: This paper provides information about 21st century vision of computing, identifies various computing paradigms promising to deliver the vision of computing utilities, defines Cloud computing and provides the architecture for creating market-oriented Clouds by leveraging technologies such as VMs, Cloud platforms especially those developed in industries along with our current work towards realizing the market-oriented resource allocation of Clouds and concludes with the need for convergence of competing IT paradigms for delivering our 21 st century vision.

Physical Development in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Abstract: The Practical Guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage series will assist practitioners in the smooth and successful implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each book gives clear and detailed explanations of each aspect of Learning and Development and encourages readers to consider each area within its broadest context to expand and develop their own knowledge and good practice. Practical ideas and activities for all age groups are offered along with a wealth of expertise of how elements from the practice guidance can be implemented within all early years settings. The books include suggestions for the innovative use of everyday ressources, popular books and stories. This book will both raise the awareness of readers to how physical development impacts on all areas of learning and general development. The author encourages practitioners to think about what physical activity actually means for children and the importance of balancing risk and challenge, providing opportunities for children to be active and interactive and to use their senses to learn about the world around them.

Estimation of Steady State Probability Distribution of System Size in M/M/1 Queue

Abstract: Recently Choudhury and Borthakur (2008) obtained classical and Bayesian estimators of performance measures based on a random sample of size n from a geometric distribution with mean ρ / (1− ρ) , which is the steady state probability distribution of system size. Here weobtain classical estimators, the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Uniformly Minimum Variance Unbiased (UMVU) estimators, and Bayesian estimators of Pk , k=0,1,2,.... relative to beta prior distribution and Weighted Squared Error Loss (WSEL) function as well as relative to Standard Two-Sided Power (STSP) distribution and squared error loss / WSEL functions. Bayes, ML and UMVU estimates of the probability that the server is idle are also computed. Also Consistent Asymptotic Normality (CAN) for Pk , k=0,1,2,.... are examined.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Tourism

Abstract: Today in this world where corporations have assumed gigantic proportions in their use of all the resources for management, there is a clear threat of social exploitation. The social leaders as well as the business leaders are thus legally and morally obligated to sustain the society and also repay certain important ingredients which keep the society healthy and alive. This has given birth to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The corporations are trying to make profit and at the same time discharge their social responsibilities. As a contemporary coincidence the tourism industry also has undergone similar transformation. Mass tourism which is marked as the main economic developer in the global business has also assumed diabolic proportions. It is tending to consume and destroy the very attractions and infrastructures on which the edifice of tourism industry stands. This situation has given birth to sustainable tourism. Sustainable Tourism has its roots in the concept of sustainable development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this article an effort has been made to showcase the striking similarities of CSR and sustainable tourism. In the global business context the future generations should practice responsibility and a sustainable form of tourism to save their respective businesses and planet earth.

Growth of Antimony Selenide Crystals by Bridgman-Stockbarger Method

Abstract: Single crystals of antimony selenide were grown from melt by the Bridgman Stockbarger method. X-ray powder diffraction analysis was carried out to determine the lattice parameters of the grown samples.The morphology and chemical analysis of cleavage planes were investigated using SEM and EDAX. The microhardness studies were done by using a Vickers hardness tester. The correlation of energy gap and microhardness has also been investigated.

Performance Analysis of Secure Multiparty Computation Protocol

Abstract: In this paper we address the issue related to privacy, security, complexity and Implementation, various adversaries exist which hamper the secure multiparty computation. In the secure multiparty computation, a set of parties wishes to jointly compute some function of their inputs. Such a computation must preserve certain security properties, like privacy and correctness, even if some of the participating parties or an external adversary colludes to attack the honest parties.

Effect of Leaching High Ash Coal by Hydrofluoric Acid and EDTA on Removal of Mineral Matter and Sulphur

Abstract: Demineralization of coal was carried out using EDTA and HF. The residual coal from each treatment was characterized together with virgin coal using Scanning Electron Microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). An elemental analyzer was adopted to analyze CHNS on virgin and residual coal sample. The current research compares the leaching efficiency of a mild leachant and a strong leachant. The final analysis showed that the coal under study was subbituminous coal and leaching could improve the amount of carbonaceous material. It was observed that with HF leaching aluminates silicates and calcites are removed completely where as only feaces of sulphur remained. With EOTA leaching only calcium was removed. The Carbon content is increased to 77.461 from 60.121.

Crystal Structure of Methyl 7-Hydroxy-5,6-bis(phenyl)-1,2,4-trimethylbicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2(endo)carboxylate

Abstract: The title compound (C24H26O3) crystallized in the space group P21/c with the unit-cell parameters a = 11.114(2)A, b = 13.196(2)A, c = 27.609(2)A, β = 96.42(2)°. The structure was refined to an R-factor of 0.0514. X-ray crystallographic studies of the title compound (a norbornenol) confirm anti-orientation of the C(7)-OH group with respect to the C(5)-C(6) double bond. The two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit adopt identical conformations.

Revisiting Sub-Optimality of the Decentralized Decision Making: A Note

Abstract: The famous 1968 Witsenhausen demonstrated that for a multi-agent linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG), the optimal linear solution is, in general sub-optimal. The note gives an example which is easier and more sophisticated than the Witsenhausen example.