002515   Ghosh D;Deb A;Bera S;Sengupta R;Patra K K (Physics Dep, School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeo, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032) : Measurement of radioactivity in Indian cement samples-evidence of pronounced alpha-activity. Indian J envir Prot 2007, 27(1), 71-4.

Building materials, like cement contain naturally occurring radioactive elements mainly potassium (⁴⁰K), isotopes of thorium (²³²Th) and radium (²²⁶Ra). The high concentration of those radionuclides present in cement can cause high dose rates in indoors, resulting from both internal and external exposure to the people who live in the building. The radiation comes out from radionuclides contained in cement is carcinogenic in nature. Reports for the first time a nondestructive test for the determination of the alpha activity (Bq/kg) present in several branded and widely used cement samples of West Bengal. India, using SSNTD, a very sensitive detector for alpha particle. The study manifests the presence of alpha activity in cement samples ranging from 129 to 480 Bq/kg. In some cement samples, it is much higher than the radioactivity reported so far all over the world possibly due to use of excessive flyash.

1 table, 11 ref

002514   Dube R K (Materials & Metallurgical Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur-208 016) : Aspects of the history and metallurgy of gold in India in early times. Trans Indian Inst Metals 2006, 59(6), 865-82.

35 ref

002513   Doodagoudar G R;Venkatachalam G (Civil Engng Dep, I.I.T., Madras-600 036, Email: goudar@utm.ac.in) : Reliability analysis. Indian Geotech J 2006, 36(4), 348-72.

Over the last three decades several analyses have been developed with the objective of providing a measure of the stability of man-made" and natural earth slopes. A measure conventionally adopted is the so-called factor of safety, but recent developments have been based on the more logical concept of probability of failure. Probabilistic approach is based on statical analysis, but determines the probability of failure or reliability of safety, by proper assessment of the reliability of the variables considered in the stability analysis. For codification purpose, uncertainties have to be addressed in a systematic manner. An attempt has been made to apply the practical methods of probabilistic reliability analysis to evaluate the safety of finite earth slopes. Parametric study is presented to bring out the effect of variation in uncertain input parameters on the values of expected factor of safety, standard deviation of factor of safety and probability of failure. Based on the results of the analysis, it is noted that for static conditions, the reliability index of critical slip surface should not be less than 1.4 with the corresponding factor of safety of at least 1.35.

10 illus, 10 tables, 31 ref

002512   Dodagoudar G R;Harikumar A;Praveen Kumar R (Civil Engng Dep, I.I.T, Madras-600 036, Email: goudar@iitm.ac.in) : Analysis of laterally loaded single pile with material nonlinear behaviour. Indian Geotech J 2006, 36(4), 299-320.

Response analysis of laterally loaded piles subjected to harmonic loading is presented using the concept of beams on dynamic Winkler foundation approach. Lateral harmonic loadings have a significant effect on the overall performance of the soil-foundation system. Nonlinear p-y curves are represented in the form of continuous functions and the three different soil types are used for the analysis: sand, stiff and soft clays. The formulation of the finite difference scheme for harmonic loading is presented in a simplified manner and coded in MATLAB. The program has the capability to accommodate the various dynamic characteristics such as the inertial and damping characteristics of the soil-pile system. The inertial effects of the pile and soil damping are represented as additional forces at the nodal points. The pile is described by its flexural rigidity, tip and head conditions. The dynamic response of pile depends on the excitation frequency and properties of both the pile and soil. Properties of the layers and their variation with depth also influence the overall pile response. The important features such as the effect of excitation frequency on the active zone of soil, the out-of-phase soil-pile motion, and their corresponding effects on the bending moments of the pile are studied. It is concluded that these aspects have considerable effects on the behaviour of the pile and hence these should be properly accounted for in the design of pile foundations.

20 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

002511   Diwan S;Ramesh O N (Aerospace Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: diwan,onr@aero.iisc.ernet.in) : Laminar separation bubbles: dynamics and control. Sadhana 2007, 32(1-2), 103-9.

Work is an experimental investigation of the dynamics and control of the laminar separation bubbles which are typically present on the suction surface of an aerofoil at a large angle of attack. A separation bubble is produced on the upper surface of a flat plate by appropriately contouring the top wall of the wind tunnel. First, a basic (unforced) separation bubble is obtained to set a benchmark for further experiments. Parametric study is done where the reference velocity is decreased to quantify its effect on the aspect ratio of the bubble. It is found that with decrease in Reynolds number, the height of the bubble increases at a greater rate than the length. This feature could be useful in characterising separation bubbles especially from the point of view of low Reynolds number aerofoil design. Artificial disturbance is introduced at two different initial amplitudes (infinitesimal and finite) upstream of separation location and hotwire anemometry is used to trace the wave packet as it is advected downstream. The evolution of wave packets is seen to take place in two distinct stages. Finite amplitude forcing causes periodic quenching of the bubble. Interestingly, even an infinitesimally small forcing is seen to modify and thereby control the separation bubble.

2 illus, 8 ref

002510   Dey N C;Saha R;Rao A (Mining Engng Dep, BESU, Sibpur) : Work load assessment of surface trammers in haulage based coal mine in India. MGMI Trans 2005, 102(1-2), 111-12.

Study amongst six normal healthy trammers was conducted where the average age of the worker was found to be 48 years (+/- 4.6), with a mean BMI of 21.16 Kg/m² (+/ - 2.93). Several physiological parameters like heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure were measured during the time of loading and unloading of coal in the surface. Their maximum aerobic capacity was estimated following an indirect method to find out the degree of stress during their course of work in the shift. Since in haulage mines successful excavation of coal from underground to surface is intimately connected with the active cooperation of the surface trammers, therefore an attempt has been extended in this paper to assess the physiological load 'of work while implementing their job.

2 illus, 4 tables, 16 ref

002509   Dey N C;Ghose A K (Mining Engng Dep, Bengal Engng & Sci Univ Shibpur, Howrah-711 103) : Role of supporting resources on underground coal production system. J Mines Metals Fuels 2006, 54(6-7), 127-9.

6 illus

002508   Das S K;Bajaj A K;Ramesh Kumar M (NO, , Central Water Commission) : Tehri dam project - back ground and unique design features. Wat Energy int 2007, 64(1), 479-84.

Tehri dam project was originally conceived with 600 MW generation capacity. After HPl, Moscow took over the consultancy it was recast to a 2400 MW scheme of which 1000 MW has already been installed and started functioning. The diversified spillway system consisting of a conventional chute spillway besides four shaft spillways connected to the diversion tunnels with a drop of over 200 m is a unique feature of the Tehri Dam Project.

5 illus, 6 ref

002507   Channa Raju;Venkatakrishnan I (Experimental Aerodynamics Div, National Aerospace Laboratories, P B No 1779, Airport Road, Bangalore, Email: craju,venkat@ead.cmmacs.ernet.in) : Resection methodology for PSP data processing: recent experiences in NAL. Sadhana 2007, 32(1-2), 19-27.

Authors show the merits of resection methodology through two examples: (a) a wing-body model in transonic flow (M = 0.8) and (b) a simple delta wing in low supersonic flow (M = 1.8). The PSP system utilized for both the cases involve Optrod-Bl paint, a specially designed UV lamp for excitation and two sci-entific grade CCD cameras for imaging. Typical results are shown using both the algebraic transformation approach and resection methodology.

6 illus, 3 ref

002506   Chandrasekhara M S (Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering Dep, , Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943, USA, Email: mchandra@nps.edu) : Compressible dynamic stall vorticity flux control using a dynamic camber airfoil. Sadhana 2007, 32(1-2), 93-102.

Reports control of compressible dynamic stall through management of its unsteady vorticity using a variable droop leading edge (VDLE). airfoil. Through dynamic adaptation of the airfoil edge incidence, the formation of a dynamic stall vortex was virtually eliminated for Mach numbers of up to 0.4. Consequently, the leading edge vorticity flux was redistributed enabling retention of the dynamic lift. Of even greater importance was the fact that the drag and pitching moment coefficients were reduced by nearly 50%. The camber variations introduced when the leading edge was drooped are explained to be the source of this benefit. Analysis of the peak vorticity flux levels allowed the determination of minimum necessary airfoil adaptation schedule.

10 illus, 4 ref

002505   Chakravarthy S R;Sivakumar R;Shreenivasan O J (Aerospace Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai-600 036, Email: src@ae.iitm.ac.in) : Vortex acoustic lock-on in bluff body and backward-facing step combustors. Sadhana 2007, 32(1-2), 145-54.

Experimental data on acoustic pressure measurements obtained over a wide range of conditions is reported for two simple geometries that are commonly studied for their combustion dynamics behaviour. These geometries are the confined bluff-body and the confined backward-facing steps. The data indicate regimes of flow-acoustic lock-on that signifies the onset of combustion instability, marked by the excitation of high-amplitude discrete tones of sound in the combustor. The highspeed chemiluminescence imaging of the combustion zone indicates heat-release-rate fluctuations occurring at the same frequencies as observed in the acoustic spectra. Attention is then devoted to the data obtained under cold-flow conditions to illustrate distinctly different behaviour than when combustion instability occurs, contrary to the commonly held view that the combustion process does not alter the underlying fluid mechanical processes under low-Mach number conditions.

9 illus, 14 ref

002504   Biswas D (NO, , Shresta Appt) : Shotcreting - a support system. MGMI Trans 2005, 102(1-2), 141-9.

3 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

002503   Biswas A K (NO, , The Asiatic Society, 1, Park Street, Calcutta-16) : Zinc and related alloys : the pioneering traditions in the ancient and medieval India. Trans Indian Inst Metals 2006, 59(6), 911-24.

Provides a brief summar of the pioneering traditions in zinc and related alloys in ancient and medieval India. It also includes hitherto unpublished material on the Bidri alloy.

3 illus, 4 tables, 32 ref

002502   Bhattacharya J;Kumar A (Mining Engng Dep, Indian Inst of Technol, Kharagpur) : Novel fault tree development and analysis of coal transport in a cement kiln. MGMI Trans 2005, 102(1-2), 75-88.

10 illus, 2 tables

002501   Barnwal J;Majumdar A K (RRL, CSIR, , Bhopal) : Definition of near density materials in coal preparation. MGMI Trans 2005, 102(1-2), 89-92.

Appropriateness of the definition of `Near Density Materials' frequently used in coal preparation to evaluate the difficulty of washing a particular coal is discussed. It is shown that consideration of particle size effect is ignored in the actual definition. A possible methodology has also been suggested to evaluate true 'Near Density Materials' in a coal based on hydrodynamic concept of it.

1 illus, 1 table, 2 ref

002500   Baldev Raj;Venkatraman B;Balasubramaniam R; Jeyaraj V (NO, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, Email: bvenkat@igcar.gov.in) : Bronze icons. Trans Indian Inst Metals 2006, 59(6), 883-97.

Outtlines the lost wax process used for making these bronzes and also the results of the non-destructive analysis""carried out on more than 100 rare South Indian Bronzes. Radiography revealed the presence of porosities as the major defects while X-ray fluorescence revealed that copper is the major constituent of all icons with additive elements such as Sn, Pb, and Fe present with varying compositions. Microstructural studies revealed the presence of large pores and cavities combined with gray phases and globular particles. Analysis also revealed that the ancient science and technology of casting the icons was rather qualitative, empirical and adhoc with rather small amount of theoretical underpinning.

8 illus, 5 tables, 18 ref

002499   Balasubramaniam R (Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Dep, IIT, Kanpur-208 016, Email: bala@iitk.ac.in) : Archaeometallurgy of ancient Indian copper. Trans Indian Inst Metals 2006, 59(6), 899-909.

Copper is one of the most important metals in the history of the Indian sub-continent. Some extractive and physical metallurgical characteristics of ancient Indian copper have been reviewed. Physical metallurgical observations provide information about the extraction methodology of ancient copper. Analysis of microstructures reveals interesting and important clues about the possible material extraction and thermomechanical processing route(s) employed. These characteristics have been illustrated with examples. The need for a detailed study of ancient Indian copper objects, collaboratively involving archaeologists and metallurgists, has been set forth. As the electrochemical behavior of ancient copper is almost similar to that of modern copper, an important result of the study of ancient Indian copper is the serious consideration of selecting copper as the material of construction of canisters for long-term underground storage of nuclear wastes. Characterization of surface patina on archaeological copper objects sheds light on understanding long-term corrosion mechanisms in copper and validating theoretical models for predicting long-term corrosion.

5 illus, 33 ref

002498   Balakrishnan T;Vengadarajan A;Gupta B (Centre for Airborne Systems, , Bangalore-560 037) : Ultra wide-band microstrip line-fed rectangular slot antenna. Def Sci J 2007, 57(6), 899-902.

Ultra wide-band antenna fed by a microstrip line with a V-shaped tuning stub has been developed which provides an impedance bandwidth of 7.2 GHz corresponding to 118 per cent (SII <60> -10 dB). The radiation pattern of the antenna is bidirectional. Details of the proposed antenna design have been described and the typical experimental results are presented and discussed.

^ssc6 illus, 6 ref

002497   Bahuguna K C;Sharma P;Vasan N S;Gaba S P (Instruments Research & Development Establishment, , ) : Laser range sensors. Def Sci J 2007, 57(6), 881-90.

Presents the design aspects of laser range finders and proximity sensors being developed at IRDE for different applications. The principle used in most of the laser range finders is pulse echo or time-of-flight measurement. Optical triangulation is used in proximity sensors while techniques like phase detection and interferometry are employed in instruments for surveying and motion controllers where high accuracy is desired. Most of the laser range finders are designed for ranging non-cooperative targets.

4 illus, 15 ref

002496   Ashwani Kumar (Earthquake Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee) : Seismological investigations in the environs of Tehri dam. Wat Energy int 2007, 64(1), 162-79.

Describes the characteristics of seismicity based on local earthquake data and provides brief account of studies related to earthquake source parameters and attenuation properties of the region around Tehri computed using limited digital data.

15 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

002495   Arya S K;Sharma A K;Agarwala R A (NO, Guru Jambheshwar Univ, Hisar-125 001) : BER estimation for optical communication system using variety of fibers in the presence of SPM and XPM. Ultra Scient phys Sci 2006, 18(2), 137-50.

Optical communication system at 10 Ob/s, NRZ data format source has been simulated using a variety of available fibers at reference loss and reference dispersion wavelength of 1550 nm in the presence of SPM and XPM using commercial package OptSim. The SPM and XPM induced degradation in optical fiber communication systems in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER) has been estimated up to fiber length of 300 kms. Further, Power at the output of optical communication system has been obtained for variety of fibers by mitigating the dispersion using ideal fiber Bragg gratings. Results have been obtained by considering the impact of second and third order dispersion terms. Moreover, a comparison for power and BER for variety of fibers have been shown for a comparative study. It has been investigated that the optical communication system suffers due to SPM and XPM induced degradation most severely using A1catel_SMF fiber and shows BER of 10^-10 at a fiber length of merely 194 kms Further, it has been observed that the optical communication system suffers least with Sumitomo_Z and Sumitomo_Z_Plus fibers and depict a BER of 10¹⁰ at a fiber lengths of 282 and 290 kms respectively.

3 illus, 5 tables, 7 ref

002494   Aruna M;Rao Y V;Karmakar N C (Mining Engg Dep, NIT, Surathkal, Karnataka) : Energy saving lighting design of haul roads. MGMI Trans 2005, 102(1-2), 93-102.

Haul roads are one of the critical areas in surface mine lighting, where lighting installations are provided by single sided arrangement of poles. Proper arrangements of these poles are very important so as to fulfill the required lighting standards, as specified by various regulatory bodies and to assure better visual perfection. But any improvement in the lighting quality is an economic decision. In this paper a 1.0 km stretch of haul road is designed for eight different types of sources (80, 125 & 250 W high pressure mercury vapor, 70, 100, 150, 250 & 400 W high pressure sodium vapor), at varied pole heights (8,10,12,14 & 16 m) using developed software SURL_ux, by the authors. The results of the study show that 150 W high pressure sodium vapor lamps at 16 m height pole offer optimum energy consumption with minimum annual cost. No doubt, energy efficient design has a tremendous impact on cost. But the final decision on which lighting system is to be installed should be based on total annual cost. Where shortage of power supply exists, saving in power consumption in lighting system through optimization in illumination design would help the mine management.

4 tables, 8 ref

002493   Alam M M;Begum D;Islam N;Yamamoto K (Mathematics Discipline, Khulna Univ, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh) : Multiple solution of a flow in curved rectangular duct with large aspect ratio. J Energy Heat Mass Transfer 2006, 28(4), 281-301.

The incompressible viscous steady flow through a curved duct of rectangular cross section is investigated numerically to examine the combined effects of aspect ratio, pressure driven parameter (Dean number) and curvature (centrifugal force). The flow depends on the Dean number D_n = <128>2δa³G / μv, The dimensionless curvature of the duct δ and the aspect ratio γ = b/a, where `a' is the half width of the duct cross-section, `b' the the a half of duct height, μ the viscosity, v the kinematics viscosity and G the constant pressure gradient along the duct axis. The numerical calculations covering a wide range of aspect ratio (1.0 ≤ γ ≤ 7.1) are carried out for D_n = 200,300,400. The 2-cell & 4-cell secondary flow patterns are obtained in case of D_n = 200 at 1.0 <13100> γ ≤ 4.6 and 4.6 ≤ γ ≤6.8 respectively, while the 2-cell solution is obtained at 6.8 ≤ γ ≤ 7.1.

15 illus, 14 ref

002492   Agarwal D;Singh R (NO, , ) : Role of information technology in Tehri hydro development corporation Ltd.. Wat Energy int 2007, 64(1), 55-7.

ref

001646   Yashwant Deva (NO, , Defence and Technology Analyst, Past President and Distinguished Fellow of the IETE) : Warfare when the world spins nano: paradigms, promises, perils. IETE Tech Rev 2007, 24(3), 137-43.

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001645   Yadav I (Chemistry Dep, J. Mahila College, Udakishunganj, Madhepura-852 220) : Drinking water before and after flood east zone of Kosi division. Acta Cienc Indica-Chem 2006, 32(3), 191-2.

0n the world wide scale, the pollution of water supplies is probably resposible for more human illness than any other factors. Polluted water born disaster like cholera, typhoid, goiter, I nethamoglobinemia, cancer, diarrhoea, dysentry, jaundice etc.

1 illus, 6 ref

001644   Vinod Kumar;Saxena S C;Singh M (Electrical Instrumentation Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: mandy_tiet@yahoo.com) : Refinement criterion for SPIHT based ECG signal compression. IETE Tech Rev 2007, 24(3), 145-51.

While compressing ECG data using Set Portioning in Hierarchical Trees (SPIHT), a set rules forming one refinement pass is repeated number of times. With every refinement pass, the quality of reconstructed signal improves, but at the same time compression ratio deteriorates. Apparently there seem to be no fixed optimal number of refinement passes for producing same quality of reconstructed signal. Paper discusses how by identifying and removing "Blank-fires" from this compression process, a criterion of a fixed number of refinement passes is evolved. The results are validated by visual inspection of the signals by physician, as well as by statistical analysis.

3 tables, 12 ref

001643   Venu Vinod A;Venkat Reddy G (Chemical Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Warangal-506 004) : Modelling the performance of draft tube fluidised bed bioreactor using residence time distribution (RTD). Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 29-37.

Residence time distribution (RTD) studies have been used to predict the performance of a draft tube fluidised bed bioreactor treating synthetic phenolic wastewater. Tracer studies have been carried out using phenol as the tracer to generate the RTD data. Maximum mixedness model - a zero adjustable parameter model - has been used to predict the outlet concentration of phenol from the reactor. The predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental findings.

3 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

001642   Tembhurkar A R;Dongre S (NO, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur-440 011) : Fluoride removal using adsorption process. J envir Sci Engng 2006, 48(3), 151-6.

Batch adsorption studies were undertaken to assess the suitability of commercially available activated charcoal to remediate fluoride-contaminated water. The effects of some of the major parameters of adsorption, viz. pH, dose of adsorbent, rate of stirring, contact time and initial adsorbate concentration on fluoride removal efficiency were studied and optimized. The optimum sorbent dose was found to be 2.0 g/100 mL, equilibrium was achieved in 120 minutes and enhanced adsorption was obtained at pH 2. Maximum fluoride removal was observed to be 94 at optimum conditions. Freudlich as well as Langmuir isotherms were plotted and kinetic constants were determined.

7 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

001641   Singh A K;Ashavani Kumar;Rajendra Prasad (Applied Physics Dep, Z.H. College of Engineering and Technology Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Distribution of radon levels in Udaipur. Asian J Chem 2006, 18(5), 3408-11.

Measurements of radon concentrations have been carried out in dwellings of Udaipur town situated in Rajasthan - province of Northern India. According to Geological survey of India, this place falls in the pre-Cambrian rocks in Aravalli mountain range. The trace element analysis indicates higher percentage of natural uranium. The survey was made in randomLy selected fifty-seven (57) dwellings in Udaipur town. LR-115 type II track-etch detectors in bare mode were exposed for 100 days in each dwelling. Analyses of the present data yield an aggregate distribution with an average (arithmetic mean) radon concentration of 99 Bq.m^-3. The geometric mean values of total potential alpha energy concentration in this town was found to be 74 Bq.m^-3 with geometric standard deviation of 2.2 as well as the minimum and maximum radon concentrations encountered in the study are in the range of 61-277 Bq.m^-3.

1 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

001640   Santosha E;Bala Narsaiah T;Basava Rao V V (NO, , Scitech Patent Art Services Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, Email: drbasavarao@yahoo.com) : Modelling of flow structure near the wall in circulating fluidised bed. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 35-44.

Gas velocity and solid circulation rate are still being commonly treated as the only parameters determining the hydrodynamics of circulating fluidised bed (CFB) risers. The flow near the wall in the bed plays a vital role in the hydrodynamic modelling and it is highly dependent on gas velocity and solid rate. Models available in the literature have not incorporated gas-solid flow structure near the wall. In this article, the flow modelling has been done near the wall in CFB and the voidage distribution is calculated to understand the flow structure in the CFB and its three different flow patterns viz., dilute suspension, axially non-uniform flow and fully dense flow. The results are compared with the experimental and published literature data.

3 illus, 9 ref

001639   Rastogi R (Information Technology Dep, , Electronics Niketan 6, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110 003, Email: rrastogi@mit.gov.in) : Indian electronics and IT industry - an overview. IETE Tech Rev 2007, 24(3), 163-73.

Year 2006 witnessed a revalidation of the Indian Information Technology - Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) growth story, driven by a maturing appreciation of India's role and growing importance in global services trade. Industry performance was marked by sustained double-digit revenue growth, steady expansion into newer service-lines and increased geographic penetration, and an unprecedented rise in investments by Multinational Corporations (MNCs) - in spite of lingering concerns about gaps in talent and infrastructure impacting India's cost competitiveness. The sector looks set to close the year at record levels, with the revenue aggregate growing by nearly ten times over the past 10 years.

1 illus, 2 tables, ref

001638   Ramanathan M;Rathnasabapathy C S;Dhanasekar R;Viruthagiri T (Chemical Engineering Dep, Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Annamalai Univ, Annamalai Nagar-608 002) : Batch kinetics and modelling of glutathione synthesis from Candida utilis utilising glucose. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 21-8.

Mathematical model is presented for the batch production of glutathione -a well-known antioxidant and detoxifying agent - from Candida utilis utilising glucose. The experiments were carried out to study the effect of initial pH, fermentation time and initial substrate concentration on cellmass and glutathione production in a batch reactor. The maximum production of cellmass (7.52 g/L) and glutathione (52.66 g/L) was obtained at an initial glucose concentration of 2.6% (w/v) and pH of 6.1. The experiments were carried out to establish the kinetics of glutathione production by measuring cellmass, glutathione and substrate concentrations as a function of time under optimum conditions. The Logistic equation is used to establish the growth kinetics of Candida utilis synthesising glutathione. For product formation and substrate utilisation kinetics the Logistic equation is incorporated in the Leudeking-Piret model and Modified Leudeking-Piret models were used to predict the respective experimental data.

2 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

001637   Ramakrishna A (Information & Technical Services Div, , Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai-400 094) : Regulatory and safety aspects of nuclear power programme. Envir Geochem 2005, 8(1-2), 21-5.

Addressed the aspects related to the formation of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), its role in the regulatory and safety activities of nuclear and radiation facilities in the country, various activities that come under its purview and regulatory contribution of AERB in maintaining the safety. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has been mandated to carry out safety reviews of nuclear and radiation facilities under design, construction and operation. In general, AERB has adopted a multi-tier and thorough review approach. AERB conducts regulatory inspections of DAE units and radiation installations and enforces corrective actions, where necessary. It issues authorizations for various stages of nuclear and radiation installations. AERB has published one hundred safety documents stipulating safety requirements for Nuclear Facilities, Radiation facilities and Industrial units. The constant follow-up on review of safety operation through various mechanisms of AERB has helped a long way for enhancing safety.

001636   Rajendra Prasad (Applied Physics Dep, Z.H. College of Engineering and Technology Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy for the characterization of ion induced modification. Asian J Chem 2006, 18(5), 3399-407.

The irradiation of polymeric materials with Swift Heavy Ions (SHI) results in to the change of their free volume properties that have strong correlation with their macroscopic properties. Positron  Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) provides direct information about the dimension, content and hole size distribution of free volume in polymers. Describes PALS technique for the measurement of positron annihilation lifetime spectra using fast fast coincidence technique. Studies on Swift Heavy Ion induced modification in polymers have been carried out by characterization through PALS.

3 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

001635   Naik R T B;Saha S;Raghavan R V;Sarma A N S (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal, Road Hyderabad-500 007, Email: thandan@gmail.com) : Modern seismic monitoring systems for earthquake hazard management and mitigation. IETE Tech Rev 2007, 24(3), 153-62.

Describe the various seismic monitoring systems and the role of modern seismic monitoring systems in earthquake hazard management and mitigation. The typical digital broadband seismic station and telemetry linking of various remote digital seismic stations in near real-time are also described, this has a very important key role in modern seismic monitoring systems. Koyna (Maharashtra) modern seismic network is also described. Modern Seismic monitoring is vital to meet the nation's needs for timely and accurate information used in reducing the loss of life and property from the earthquakes and tsunamis and to improve the nation's ability to respond effectively to damaging earthquakes. The functioning of the earthquake safety systems is described and finally concluded with how the safety measures can be improved by the use of modern seismic monitoring systems in preventing the loss of life and property.

10 illus, 9 ref

001634   Muthiah P;Seshadri K S;Sinha P K;Lal K B (Centralised Waste Management Facility, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam-603 102) : Conversion of ion exchange resin loaded with radioactivity into harmless multivalent ionic forms. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 45-50.

Spent resins generated in the nuclear reactor essentially contain cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co) etc. with active loading to the extent of 0.1 Ci/m³ and surface dose of the order 5 R. An attempt has been made to convert the simulated spent resin into ferric and stannic forms, in batch and in column studies. Results on batch studies using 500% stoichiometric amount with respect to exchange capacity show that regeneration to ferric form are 98% from both Cs and Sr forms and for conversion into stannic form are 89% and 75% from Cs and Sr forms, respectively. In column studies using Cs form of resin, the optimum flow rates were found to be 10 and 12.5 bed volumes per hour (BV/h) for exchange with Fe³⁺ and Sn⁴⁺, respectively. Similarly, in the regeneration of Sr form of resin, the optimum flow rates were found to be 7.5 and 10 BV/h using Fe³⁺ and Sn⁴⁺, respectively. For regeneration from Cs form, 10 and 12.5 BV and from Sr form, 11 and 13.4 BV were needed to convert into ferric and stannic forms, respectively.

5 illus, 2 tables, 4 ref

001633   Mukherjee G;Banerjee R (Agricultural and Food Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302) : Eco-friendly route for the production of the industrial raw material 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 43-7.

Industrially important chemical 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid was produced through biotransformation by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using the fungus Rhizopus oryzae. The substrate used for the process was tannin-containing fruits of myrobalan of particle size (0.5mm), which was mixed with modified czapek-dox medium in (1:1) ratio. Effects of the process parameters were studied, and their optimum levels were determined. The optimum conditions found were 20g substrate amount, an initial pH of 4.5 and an incubation period and temperature of 48h and 30°C respectively.

4 illus, 9 ref

001632   Mohanty Y K;Biswal K C;Roy G K (Chemical Engineering Dep, G.I.E.T., Gunupur-765 002) : Effect of distributor area on the dynamics of gas-solid fluidised beds: a statistical approach. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 1-10.

Experiments have been carried out extensively to study the effectiveness of distributors in reducing bed fluctuation in gas-solid fluidised bed. The flow rate, bed height, particle size and four distributor plates of varying open area - 6, 8, 10 and 12% - of the column cross-sectional area have been used. Correlations for fluctuation ratio, expansion ratio and pressure drop at minimum fluidisation velocity have been developed by using statistical approach method. The values of fluctuation ratio, expansion ratio and pressure drop obtained from the developed correlations compare fairly well with the experimental values. It is observed that in case of distributor plates, cross-sectional area varies directly with expansion ratio and pressure drop, but inversely with fluctuation ratio.

10 illus, 3 tables, 7 ref

001631   Mazumder D;Biswas S;Bandyopadhyay P (Civil Engineering Dep, Bengal Engineering and Science Univ, Shibpur, Howrah-711 103, Email: debabrata@civil.becs.ac.in) : Leaching of pollutants from vegetable tanning residue. J envir Sci Engng 2006, 48(3), 225-30.

Processing of heavy leather employs the vegetable tanning method involving use of tan V liquor. The solid residue of this vegetable tanning process aggravates the water pollution by means of leaching of tannin and other associatedpollutants. Tannin is a biologically resistant compound causing several problems in animal body. The present study dealt with the pollution hazard arising out of leaching of pollutants from the open dumped vegetable tanning residue by rainfall washing.The concerned pollutants were pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), tannin,sulfate and chloride concentration. To explore the possible extent of contamination of these pollutants in the leached water, two different masses (2 kg and 3 kg) of tanning residue were employed. The results of the study showed that there was a continuous release of pollutants from the vegetable tanning residue. Moreover, there was no regular variation in various pollutant concentrations in both the cases solely due to non-homogeneity of the residue.

7 illus, 13 ref

001630   Lokeshwari H;Chandrappa G T (Chemistry Dep, Central College Campus, Bangalore Univ, Bangalore-560 001, Email: gtchandrappa@yahoo.co.in) : Heavy metals content in water, water hyacinth and sediments of Lalbagh, tank, Bangalore (India). J envir Sci Engng 2006, 48(3), 183-8.

Assessed the level of heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, lead and caomium in water, water hyacinth and sediment samples of Lalbagh tank, Bangalore. Metals were detected using flame atomic absorption spectro-photometry. The results revealed that by and large all metals are present in all the samples, except cadmium in the sediment samples. The average concentrations of iron in water and sediment samples, and lead in water hyacinth were found exceeding the limits of Indian Standards. In general, the concentrations of iron and zinc were found more, followed by lead, chromium, copper, nickel and cadmium concentration was low. Bioaccumulation factor for water hyacinth was found maximum for chromium. Geoaccumulation index results revealed that there is moderate input of copper and lead from anthropogenic sources to the tank basin.

2 illus, 4 tables, 23 ref

001629   Krishnaprakas C K;Rastogi S C;Akkimaradi B S; Bhandari D R;Gupta P P;Kaila V K;Murthy H Narayana (Thermal Systems Group, ISRD Satellite Centre, Bangalore-560 017) : Flight thermal performance of VHRR radiant cooler on-board metsat spacecraft. Indian J Cryogenics 2005, 30(2), 80-6.

Passive radiant cooler has been designed and successfully realized in the METSAT spacecraft that was put into orbit on September 12, 2002 using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C4). The radiant cooler maintains the detectors of the VHRR at cryogenic temperature for optimum performance. Mathematical models of the radiant cooler that presents a problem of nonlinear coupled conduction and radiation with partial/full radiation blockage effects and interreflections in both the diffuse and specular regimes at intervening highly polished surfaces have been developed. Thermal balance tests at simulated space conditions have been conducted to validate and refine the mathematical model. The flight performance of the radiant cooler has been very much up to satisfaction. Flight data analysis indicate that the emittance of the interior surface of the sunshield facing the cold stage patch of the radiant cooler is 0.029 at the hot case orbit in summer solstice and 0.023 at the cold case orbit in winter solstice.

11 illus, 15 ref

001628   Kansal S K;Singh M;Sud D (Chemical Engineering and Technology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014, Email: sushilkkl@yahoo.co.in) : Comparative evalution of uv/solar light induced photodegradation of phenol in aqueous solutions. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 11-20.

Photocatalytic degradation of phenol has been investigated in a batch reactor under UV/solar light in slurry mode using titania P-25 (surface area: 50 m²/g) as a photocatalyst and sodium hypochlorite as an oxidant. The variables studied include catalyst dose, solution pH, as well as concentration of oxidant and phenol concentration. The degradation rate of phenol was favourable at pH 8. Optimum value of catalyst dose and oxidant concentration was found to be 1 g/1 and 12.2 x 10^-6 M, respectively. The disappearance of phenol obeyed pseudo-first order kinetics and the value of rate constant k was 2.1 x 10^-4 s^-1. COD analysis revealed the mineralisation of phenol on TiO² surface. The complete degradation of phenol was achieved in 5 n under UV irradiation, whereas under solar light, phenol was degraded completely in 2.5 h only.

11 illus, 35 ref

001627   Jindal T K;Singh P J (Aero. Engg. Dep, Punjab Engg. College, Chandigarh) : Stirling coolers - an edge over the others. Indian J Cryogenics 2005, 30(2), 87-92.

Working principle of the Stirling cooler and working of different types of the Stirling coolers have been discussed. The possibility of the replacement of the conventional Rankine cycle refrigerator by Stirling refrigerator has also been investigated.

4 illus, 14 ref

001626   Favas T K;Mohammed Sajid N K;George J M;Abdul Rasheed K K;Shafi K A;Premlet B (Mechanical Engineering Dep, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam-691 005) : Development of an orifice pluse tube refrigerator. Indian J Cryogenics 2005, 30(2), 70-3.

Pulse tube refrigerators have attracted much interest because of their potential for high reliability and no moving parts at low temperatures. A single stage orifice pulse tube refrigerator has been developed and tested. The cool down characteristics with helium as working fluid is discussed in this paper.

5 illus, 4 ref

001625   Durge P V;Nagarnaik P B (Civil Engineering Dep, B. N. College of Engineering, Pusad, Maharashtra) : Estimation of velocity gradient in curve channel flocculators. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2007, 9(1), 113-15.

Flocculation plays an important role to remove colloidal impurities in small as well as large capacity water treatment plants. Many hydraulic flocculators presently in use are being developed with the concept of Tapered flocculation. Tapered flocculation is a concept in which change in velocity gradient takes place in flow direction. The use of such concept ensures good floc formation compared to conventional flocculation for given retention time and energy input. An experimental work was undertaken on 180ø channel bend to study variation of velocity gradient in channel bend flocculator and its relationship with other parameters of bend which can be used to design bend flocculators.

8 illus, 3 tables, 5 ref

001624   Debsarkar A;Mukherjee S;Datta S (Environmental Engineering Div, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032) : Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treatment for simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal- a laboratory study. J envir Sci Engng 2006, 48(3), 169-74.

Performance of a laboratory-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) has been studied in aerobic-anoxic sequence for simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal. The reactor was operated under three different variations of aerobic-anoxic sequence, viz. 4+4,5+3 and 3+5 hours with input solutions of soluble COD (SCOD) level 1000±100 mg/L and initial ammonia nitrogen of 40 and 90 mg/L. It has been observed that 85 to 92 of SCOD removal would be possible at the end of 8.0 hour of overall reaction period, irrespective of the length of the aerobic react period. In the case of 4+4 hour operating cycle, reasonable degree of nitrification (88-100) and denitrification (73-75), along with 91-94 of organic carbon removal have been achieved, which has been considered to be the optimum performance of the reactor.

7 illus, 14 ref

001623   Churiwala B L;Churiwala S (NO, , The Jayshree Chemicals and Fertilisers, Khardah) : Disaster management for hazardous chemicals: a realistic approach. Indian chem Engr 2007, 49(1), 54-62.

Disaster management for hazardous chemicals needs a pragmatic approach so that the focus shifts from relief operations to prevention and rescue operations. Success of this approach requires active involvement in training programmes by local inhabitants during the pre-disaster period. Several international and national agencies, viz. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USA; National Safety Council (NSC), India, etc. have formulated a comprehensive approach for motivation and involvement of local people in the pre-disaster management training programme. In areas involving hazardous chemicals, involvement of local people having requisite skills for evacuation, rescue and first aid will be of great help in reducing loss of human life during any disaster. The involvement of hazardous chemicals necessitates the need for immediate response, while specialised and relief teams take time to reach the affected area. Understanding the immense importance of such pre-disaster training, it is strongly suggested that industry and concerned government agencies should initiate groundwork, if not already done. Depending on the geographical region and the nature of hazardous chemicals handled they should find out the modus operandi of imparting pre-disaster training.

2 illus, 8 ref

001622   Chopra P N (NO, , C-362, Sheikh Sarai, Phase-I, Pocket-C, New Delhi-110 017, Email: bitcomin@bot.net.in) : Some spectrum issues for emerging wireless technology. IETE Tech Rev 2007, 24(3), 175-7.

The present communication revolution is in the nature of a race to unwire the world with significant shifts, likely in the areas of Broadcasting and Communications. Last decade witnessed acceptance and wide spread growth in the area of terrestrial wireless services, particularly in the countries like India and China, where the growth has been phenomenal. In the field of Cellular mobile services, GSM operators in India have been adding approximately four million subscribers every month, while CDMA operators have been adding two million subscribers every month during past six months to the existing 160 million cellular phones. The growth in subscriber's number is the result of a concerted effort by the cellular industry to accelerate its growth trajectory in a bid to reach the government's target of 200 million mobile subscribers by 2010.

ref

001621   Aggarwal D;Goyal M (Chemical Engineering & Technology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 047) : Activated carbon adsorption of anionic dye and cationic dyes from aqueous solutions. Res J Chem Envir 2006, 10(4), 28-36.

Adsorptive removal of a cationic (Rhodamine B) and anionic (metanil yellow) dyes from aqueous solutions has been studied using four activated carbons prepared from different source raw material and using different processing procedures. The activated carbon surface was modified by oxidation with nitric acid and oxygen gas and by degassing at different temperatures. The adsorption of the anionic dye decreased while that of the cationic dye increased on oxidation. However, the decrease or the increase in adsorption was much larger on oxidation with nitric acid than with oxygen gas. The degassing of the oxidized carbons showed an opposite trend. While the adsorption of the anionic dye decreased with increasing temperature of degassing, that of the cationic dye decreased on degassing. The results have been explained in terms of the chemical nature of the dye and the carbon surface charge. The presence of acidic oxygen groups renders the carbon surface negatively charged which produces repulsive or attractive electrostatic interactions between the carbon surface and the anions or the cations of the dye molecule.

14 illus, 6 tables, 37 ref