Showing papers by "Steel Authority of India published in 2016"

Effect of MnS inclusion and crystallographic texture on anisotropy in Charpy impact toughness of low carbon ferritic steel

Abstract: The combined effect of microstructure and crystallographic texture on the anisotropy in Charpy impact toughness has been studied in two hot-rolled low-carbon steel plates having different sulphur contents: 0.03 wt% S in high-sulphur, HS, steel and 0.01 wt% S in low-sulphur, LS, steel. Sub-size Charpy impact specimens were prepared from the rolled plates along 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° to the rolling direction and tested over the temperature range of +40 °C to −196 °C. Microstructure, inclusions and crystallographic texture have been characterized on the plane parallel to the fracture plane of each sample. The variation in upper shelf energy (USE) was more severe (∼69%) in HS steel due to the presence of coarse and elongated MnS inclusions. Crystallographic texture, especially, higher fraction of alpha- to gamma-fibre texture and stronger cube texture resulted in stronger variation in ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT) in LS steel (by ∼26 °C). Increase in the fraction of {001} planes of the crystals on the fracture plane of the sample increased the DBTT by helping the cleavage crack propagation. On the other hand, increase in the fraction of {110} planes of the crystals on the shear planes (inclined at 45° to fracture plane) increased the USE by promoting the plastic deformation.

Psychometric Properties of the Memory Binding Test: Test-Retest Reliability and Convergent Validity

Abstract: BACKGROUND Episodic memory testing is fundamental for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) is widely used for this purpose, it may not be sensitive enough for early detection of subtle decline in preclinical AD. The Memory Binding Test (MBT) intends to overcome this limitation. OBJECTIVES To analyze the test-retest reliability of the MBT and its convergent validity with the FCRST. METHODS 36 cognitively healthy participants of the ALFA Study, aged 45 to 65, were included for the test-retest study and 69 for the convergent analysis. They were visited twice in a period of 6 ± 2 weeks. Test-retest reliability was determined by the calculation of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Score differences were studied by computing the mean percentage of score variation between visits and visualized by Bland-Altman plots. Convergent validity was determined by Pearson's correlations. RESULTS ICC values in the test-retest reliability analysis of the MBT direct scores ranged from 0.64 to 0.76. Subjects showed consistent practice effects, with mean amounts of score increasing between 10% and 26%. Pearson correlation between MBT and FCSRT direct scores showed r values between 0.40 and 0.53. The FCSRT displayed ceiling effects not observed in the MBT. CONCLUSIONS The MBT shows adequate test-retest reliability and overall moderate convergent validity with the FCSRT. Unlike the FCSRT, the MBT does not have ceiling effects and it may therefore be especially useful in longitudinal studies, facilitating the measurement of subtle memory performance decline and the detection of very early AD.

The Memory Binding Test: Development of Two Alternate Forms into Spanish and Catalan.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The Memory Binding Test (MBT) is emerging as a promising tool for the detection of subtle memory impairment suggestive of Alzheimer's disease (AD). For such a test to be widely accessed and used, the availability of both alternate forms and language adaptations is required. OBJECTIVES To develop a thorough methodology for obtaining alternate forms (A and B) of the MBT in Spanish and Catalan and to assess their equivalence. METHOD According to the original development of the test, frequency was taken as the lexical variable of reference for the Spanish and Catalan adaptations. A crossed design protocol by form and language was used to compare the MBT results in a sample of 290 cognitively normal middle-aged participants. Pairwise Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were calculated among the six possible combinations. RESULTS The Spanish and Catalan lists of words for the MBT A and B resulting from the adaptation process as well as the original lists in English are presented. ICC indices for the comparisons between forms and languages ranged from 0.56 to 0.82. CONCLUSION The MBT A and B in Spanish and Catalan showed similar outcomes and can be considered equivalent. Moreover, the thorough methodology presented here for the transcultural adaptation and equivalence study, could serve as a model for future adaptations of the MBT and other verbal tests.

Highly efficient residue-selective labeling with isotope-labeled Ile, Leu, and Val using a new auxotrophic E. coli strain

Abstract: We recently developed a practical protocol for preparing proteins bearing stereo-selectively (13)C-methyl labeled leucines and valines, instead of the commonly used (13)C-methyl labeled precursors for these amino acids, by E. coli cellular expression. Using this protocol, proteins with any combinations of isotope-labeled or unlabeled Leu and Val residues were prepared, including some that could not be prepared by the precursor methods. However, there is still room for improvement in the labeling efficiencies for Val residues, using the methods with labeled precursors or Val itself. This is due to the fact that the biosynthesis of Val could not be sufficiently suppressed, even by the addition of large amounts of Val or its precursors. In this study, we completely solved this problem by using a mutant strain derived from E. coli BL21(DE3), in which the metabolic pathways depending on two enzymes, dihydroxy acid dehydratase and β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, are completely aborted by deleting the ilvD and leuB genes, which respectively encode these enzymes. The ΔilvD E. coli mutant terminates the conversion from α,β-dihydroxyisovalerate to α-ketoisovalerate, and the conversion from α,β-dihydroxy-α-methylvalerate to α-keto-β-methylvalerate, which produce the preceding precursors for Val and Ile, respectively. By the further deletion of the leuB gene, the conversion from Val to Leu was also fully terminated. Taking advantage of the double-deletion mutant, ΔilvDΔleuB E. coli BL21(DE3), an efficient and residue-selective labeling method with various isotope-labeled Ile, Leu, and Val residues was established.

A Mobile Recognition System for Analog Energy Meter Scanning

Abstract: The work presents a mobile platform based system, scanning electricity, gas and water meters. The motivation is the automation of the manual procedure, increasing the reading accuracy and decreasing the human effort. The methodology comprises two stages - digits detection and Optical Character Recognition. The detection of digits is accomplished by a pipeline of operations. Optical Character Recognition is achieved, employing two different approaches - Tesseract OCR and Convolutional Neural Network. The performance evaluation on a vast number of images reports high precision for the algorithms of both stages. Furthermore, Convolutional Neural Network significantly outperforms the Tesseract OCR for all types of meters. The objective of functionality by the limited speed and data storage of mobile devices is also successfully met.

Sentiment Analysis of Media in German on the Refugee Crisis in Europe

Abstract: Since the summer of 2015, the refugee crisis in Europe has grown to be one of the biggest challenges Europe has faced since WW2. The development of this humanitarian crisis are the topic of discussions throughout Europe and covered by media on a daily basis. Germany in particular has been the focus of migration. Over time, in Germany and the neighboring German speaking countries a shift could be observed, from the initial hospitable Willkommenskultur (welcome culture), to more reserved and skeptical points of view. These factors - Germany as the prime-destination for migrants, as well as a shift in public perception and media coverage - are the motivation for our analysis. The current article investigates the coverage of this crisis on traditional and social media, employing sentiment analysis to detect tendencies and relates these to real-world events. To this end, sentiment analysis was applied to textual documents of a data-set collected from relevant and highly circulated German, Austrian and Swiss traditional media sources and from social media in the course of six months from October 2015 to March of 2016.

A General Framework for Using Social and Traditional Media During Natural Disasters: QuOIMA and the Central European Floods of 2013

Abstract: Traditional media have a long history in covering natural disasters and crises In many instances, these media remain major providers of information about an event In recent years, however, information about natural disasters has increasingly been disseminated on a significant scale via Social Media platforms These media provide new, additional and complementary angles on events and, combined with traditional media, produce a more complete spectrum of coverage We present an approach, combining information from across the different kinds of media—traditional as well as social—and also across multiple languages, providing opportunities for first responders and decision makers to gain improved situational awareness and allowing for improved disaster relief, support, mitigation and resilience measures The approach is put into context by relating it to a long-term strategic model including horizon-scanning and risk-management activities and a 5-phase disaster model forming the basis for information gathering and dissemination activities To illustrate the research efforts the QuOIMA (Quelloffene Integrierte Multimedia Analyse) project, based on the pillars of cross-media, multimedia, and multilingual processing and representing major aspects of the general framework is presented QuOIMA focuses on the information gathering aspects from the point of view of a first responder and crisis manager or -communicator rather than the management of active (outgoing) communication Initial findings on data collected during the 2013 Central European floods are reported and discussed

Application of close loop expert system for heating control of rolling mill furnaces in a steel plant

Abstract: One of the critical impediment faced in hierarchical control in an process industry is unavailability of exact mathematical co-relations, which can precisely define the process behavior. These are primarily due to variable, complex and un-measurable factors and noises influencing the process behavior. However, such cases are most appropriate application areas of Expert Systems. In process industry, Expert Systems are one of the successful application areas of Artificial Intelligence, where expertise and knowledge of a Process Expert or a group of Experts are embedded as computer inference software and database. In a real time situation, these systems can take intelligent decisions as would have been taken by process Expert on a similar situation. Determination of exact Set Process Temperatures or thermal regime on different parts of Rolling Mill Furnaces like Annealing Furnace in a Steel Industry is an intriguing problem. However, this decision is very crucial as final mechanical and metallurgical quality of steel stock significantly depends on fixing and accurate control of these temperatures. But as a irony, no well defined mathematical co-relations are available, which can predict exact thermal regime to be followed to achieve desired quality and properties of steel coils / sheets under heating inside such furnaces. The aforesaid intriguing issue has been successfully resolved by development and implementation of Expert System guided heating control system through prediction and control of optimum furnace temperatures inside Annealing Furnaces at Cold Rolling Mill of Bokaro Steel Plant and Decarburization-Annealing Furnace at Silicon Steel Mill of Rourkela Steel Plant. In both the cases, concepts of hierarchical automation has been used, wherein Expert System comprising Level-II tier of automation predicts most appropriate thermal regime to obtain desired product quality for a given set of steel sheet. A seamlessly dovetailed PLC constitutes Level-I automation layer. PLC monitors and controls the plant as per advice from Expert System. Both the systems have enhanced plants efficiency by improving production, quality and energy conservation.

(13)C-NMR studies on disulfide bond isomerization in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI).

Abstract: Conformational isomerization of disulfide bonds is associated with the dynamics and thus the functional aspects of proteins. However, our understanding of the isomerization is limited by experimental difficulties in probing it. We explored the disulfide conformational isomerization of the Cys14–Cys38 disulfide bond in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), by performing an NMR line-shape analysis of its Cys carbon peaks. In this approach, 1D 13C spectra were recorded at small temperature intervals for BPTI samples selectively labeled with site-specifically 13C-enriched Cys, and the recorded peaks were displayed in the order of the temperature after the spectral scales were normalized to a carbon peak. Over the profile of the line-shape, exchange broadening that altered with temperature was manifested for the carbon peaks of Cys14 and Cys38. The Cys14–Cys38 disulfide bond reportedly exists in equilibrium between a high-populated (M) and two low-populated states (m c14 and m c38). Consistent with the three-site exchange model, biphasic exchange broadening arising from the two processes was observed for the peak of the Cys14 α-carbon. As the exchange broadening is maximized when the exchange rate equals the chemical shift difference in Hz between equilibrating sites, semi-quantitative information that was useful for establishing conditions for 13C relaxation dispersion experiments was obtained through the carbon line-shape profile. With respect to the m c38 isomerization, the 1H-13C signals at the β-position of the minor state were resolved from the major peaks and detected by exchange experiments at a low temperature.

Failure Analysis of Boiler Tubes Used in a Thermal Power Plant

Abstract: Failure of boiler water-wall tubes in a thermal power station is a very common phenomenon. ‘High-temperature creep’ is one of the main reasons behind these failures. A systematic study of the failures may lead to minimization of the failure occurrences preventing disruption of power generation and associated monetary losses. In this context, three failed boiler tube samples received from a 2× 210 MW coal fired power plant have been characterized in detail and a fresh tube sample was also studied for comparison. One of the tubes had failed due to localized overheating and change in microstructure in this tube from normal ferrite-pearlite to Widmanstatten ferrite could be observed near the failure zone confirming the same. No excessive tube wall thinning could be noticed in this sample. The manifestations of the failed part resembled those of a typical ‘thick-lip’ rupture tube. The other two tube samples showed typical ‘thin-lip’ ruptures. There was substantial tube wall thinning in these cases. The microstructures near the failed zone revealed dark globular particles distributed randomly in the decarburized ferrite matrix. Electron probe microanalysis confirmed incidence of elemental carbon in the dark globular particles indicating graphitization of the matrix owing to its long exposure at elevated temperature. Proper cooling of the tubes, periodic removal of inner wall scale and treatment of feed water can minimize these kinds of boiler tube failures.

Development of Fine-Grained, Low-Carbon Bainitic Steels with High Strength and Toughness Produced Through the Conventional Hot-Rolling and Air-Cooling

Abstract: Low-carbon bainitic steels have created enormous interest among scientists across the world in the past few decades because of their high strength, toughness, and weldability replacing the conventional quenched and tempered medium-carbon steels. Three experimental steels with varying alloy additions were made in a 100-kg laboratory induction furnace and cast into 100-mm-diameter cylindrical ingots. These ingots were hot-rolled and air-cooled to 6-mm plates in an experimental rolling mill with selected thermomechanical parameters. Steels processed through this process provided an ultrafine low-carbon bainitic microstructure with maximum yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) 575 and 705 MPa, respectively. The Charpy impact toughness of the experimental steels was excellent, and at 253 K (–20 °C), it varied from 114 to 170 Joules. Cu-B-added steel was found to give an optimum combination of strength, YS-575 MPa, and toughness, 114 J at 253 K (–20 °C). Thus, fine-grained, low-carbon bainitic steels could be developed with a proper combination of alloying elements and thermomechanical parameters even by air-cooling.

Rural Livelihood Diversity and its Impact on Livelihood Outcome: An Empirical Investigation from Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract: This article attempts to understand how the processes of livelihood diversification have affected the well-being of households in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The article makes use of primary da...

Isothermal Transformation Behavior of A Low-Carbon HY 85 Steel

Abstract: Isothermal phase transformation study on low-carbon HY 85 steel shows a strong influence of isothermal holding temperature on the nature of phase transformation and resultant microstructure and hardness. Lath martensite along with bainite was the dominant transformed phase when isothermally held at 750 °C. Austenite changed to allotriomorphic ferrite at 700 °C, which remained significantly at 650 °C, to Widmanstatten ferrite and acicular ferrite at 550 °C, to predominantly upper bainite from 500 to 300 °C, and finally changed to lower bainite at 200 °C. In general, prior austenite grain size varied in the range of 22–7.5 µm with a trough at 500 °C. Similarly, hardness also had trough at 500 °C which ranged in the range of 420–270 VHN. ITT diagram developed through analysis of dilation plots revealed four distinct zones over different temperature ranges. Ferrite transformation was observed at 650 °C and has a flat top similar to start of displacive transformation (upper bainite) observed over 600–300 °C.

Studies on the effect of usage of inert-rich coal in coal blend on coke properties through pilot oven carbonization tests

Abstract: The raw Tarmi coal having ash content of 33.1 % was de-shelled to produce pre-clean of 23.2 % db ash content and then further beneficiated to produce clean coal samples of ash contents of about 13, 16 and 19 % respectively. These concentrates contained inertinites more than 70 %. Pilot oven carbonization tests were carried out by replacement of 10 % indigenous MCC and 13 % indigenous PCC under top charging conditions for clean coal samples of all three ash levels. One blend at 20 % usage level of clean Tarmi coal of 13 % ash level was carbonized under stamp charging conditions. It was observed that Tarmi coal is usable in BF coke making and it can be used gainfully under stamp charging conditions.

Towards a generic data-model for cross-media communication during disasters & crises: Proposed framework for classification of platforms and technologies

Abstract: In this paper we present an approach to classify entities involved in cross-media crisis communication in a generic way. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, some foundations regarding the terminology involved are laid out. Based on this terminology, a faceted classification scheme is proposed, linking technologies and platforms. The framework covers traditional and Social Media platforms and allows for rapid positioning of media platforms as well as the identification of requirements regarding the technologies involved.

Nitroimidazole compound, preparation method and pharmaceutical application thereof

Abstract: The invention discloses a nitroimidazole compound which is represented as the general formula (I), or an optical isomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In the general formula (I), n is an integer of 1 to 4; L is O, S, NH or a chemical bond; X is C or N; R1 is hydrogen or a C1-C6 alkyl group, R2 is equal to or different from R3, wherein the R2 and the R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C3-C6 naphthenic group or a C1-C4 alkoxyl group; R4 is an aromatic ring, or a heteroaromatic ring containing at least one selected from N, O or S hetero atoms; A is selected from saturated or unsaturated C5-C7 naphthenic groups, C8-C10 bicyclic alkyl groups, C7-C9 bridge ring alkyl groups, and C7-C11 spiro alkyl groups. The invention also discloses a preparation method for the compound, and an application of the compound for preparing a medicine for treating infection-related diseases caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Book Review: Richard Barrett, The Values-Driven Organization: Unleashing Human Potential for Performance and Profit

Abstract: Richard Barrett, The Values-Driven Organization: Unleashing Human Potential for Performance and Profit, 2014, New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 247, ₹ 871, ISBN 978-0-415-81503-1.

Occurrence of two-stage hardening in C-Mn steel wire rods containing pearlitic microstructure

Abstract: The 8 and 10 mm diameter wire rods intended for use as concrete reinforcement were produced/ hot rolled from C-Mn steel chemistry containing various elements within the range of C:0.55-0.65, Mn:0.85-1.50, Si:0.05-0.09, S:0.04 max, P:0.04 max and N:0.006 max wt%. Depending upon the C and Mn contents the product attained pearlitic microstructure in the range of 85-93% with balance amount of polygonal ferrite transformed at prior austenite grain boundaries. The pearlitic microstructure in the wire rods helped in achieving yield strength, tensile strength, total elongation and reduction in area values within the range of 422-515 MPa, 790-950 MPa, 22-15% and 45-35%, respectively. On analyzing the tensile results it was revealed that the material experienced hardening in two stages separable by a knee strain value of about 0.05. The occurrence of two stage hardening thus in the steel with hardening coefficients of 0.26 and 0.09 could be demonstrated with the help of derived relationships existed between flow stress and the strain.

Processing of Ferro-Alloy Fines for Value Addition through Agglomeration Technology

Abstract: Ferro-alloys are manufactured through a melting and solidification technique and then crushed into solidified cakes at various sizes as per customer requirements. As an inevitable side-effect, undesirable fines are generated during the size reduction process. This has much less demand thus causing huge amounts of solid waste generation. A range of different batch compositions were designed using different binders and alumino-silicate plasticizer with Ferro-alloy fines (0–3 mm). These were mixed in a laboratory counter-current mixer and then briquetted with a laboratory briquetting machine. The formed briquettes were also cured as per the nature of the binders for 24 h. The Shatter Index test and Crushing Strength test were carried out on the briquettes. After conducting tests at the RDCIS Laboratory, we found that the optimum strength was obtained by briquettes made with Portland cement and an alumino-silicate plasticizer.

A hot rolling oil for steel

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of oil suitable for hot rolling of steel and its alloys. The oil composition forms an oil-in-water dispersion when mixed with water using proper agitation and provides adequate lubricity and load carrying capacity during rolling of steel slab/sheets.

Data Fusion Across Traditional and Social Media

Abstract: Crises and disasters are covered continuously and without interruption by today’s media, especially social media. There is not a single significant occurrence within the flow of events which they do not document. Consequently, the information contained in media—especially social media like Facebook and Twitter—provides an often neglected potential which should not be overlooked. Through fusion of sources, diverse, mixed, and complementary types of information can be tapped into and combined. The difficulty of this process is to view, channel, prepare, and exploit this inhomogeneous and enormous amount of information. Automatic monitoring of traditional as well as social media sources allows to deriving risk factors and risk indicators for crises and disaster events quickly. Intelligence derived from this process allows for earlier and swifter reaction to potential situations of crisis and interrelationships. Current publicly described technical and electronic infrastructure for national and international crisis and disaster management is not able to perform comprehensive analyses of all media channels automatically. The continuous developments in the areas of multimedia and social media demand the creation of adequate methods of processing. Relevant manifestations of events are to be identified automatically from documents from traditional (TV, radio, web) as well as social media and document clusters of the examined multimedia documents are to be presented to situational awareness experts. The focus of the Quelloffene IntegrierteMultimedia Analyse (QuOIMA) project is on the research on and development of algorithms and methods to achieve this goal. Automatic analysis of content in the multimedia and social media domain forms a fundamental innovation. From a technical, social studies, and scientific point of view, the targeted insights and findings of this project, form a fundamental contribution to security research, reaching far beyond the quality of existing systems. The integration of findings regarding situational awareness will provide more realistic risk assessment increasing their possibilities to (re)act. End users extend their expertise and as a consequence the ability of the overall organizations to act.