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The coke reactivity index and coke strength after reaction are critical parameters for the efficient operation of a blast furnace. Therefore, maintaining desired qualities of the produced coke as per coal blend chemistry and coke oven battery parameters is essential. However, the coke reactivity index (CRI) and coke strength after reaction (CSR) vary from laboratory to laboratory even though they have the same determination methodology. In the present investigation, a unique laboratory sample holder for reactivity test has been developed. The test method by Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) has been compared with the newly developed sample holder method. The correlation between coke CRI and CSR has been studied with samples with a wide range of reactivity in the repeatability test. Results confirmed that the reactivity of coke highly depends on the reaction of individual coke pieces participating in the test. Despite undergoing strict process monitoring of the testing procedure of hot strength of coke, the present study confirmed that a variation of ±2 points in coke CSR and CRI does not affect coke quality in a single reading. The study also includes the influence of the number of coke pieces in the test sample to optimize the coke bed height. This paper described in detail the methodologies adopted, addressing the factors resulting in differences in CRI/CSR values within the same coke.

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The processing volume of bioengineering operations requires flow properties of algal mass for effective processing techniques. Chlorella Vulgaris microalgae cultured at 25 °C in Tap media under continuous illumination was considered. It showed an exponential phase of growth up to 8 days and then a stationary phase of growth from 8 days to 15 days. The rheological properties of microalgae biomass during the growth represented power law model. Microscopic analysis showed the influence of shearing on variation of algal structure from clusters to complete cell separation. The flow properties supported the microscopy analysis showing the shear thickening property at high shear rates and shear thinning nature at low shear regime. Optimal power required for the agitation of biomass based on the variations of non-Newtonian viscosity were predicted by considering the vessel geometry.

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People with epilepsy frequently experience problems in marriage including reduced marital prospects, poor marital outcomes and diminished quality of married life. Conversely, marriage might impact epilepsy self-management and quality of life in people with epilepsy. There is little in published literature on marriage and epilepsy, so there is a need for psycho-behavioral research. Here, we focus on arranged marriages which, although now rare in western cultures, are widely prevalent in South Asian communities. Arranged marriages, in which families rather than individuals choose marital partners, are particularly problematic because epilepsy is frequently hidden during marital negotiations as well as later. From the psycho-behavioral perspective, marital prospects, outcomes and satisfaction should be examined in relation to the type of marriage (arranged vs. love) and whether or not epilepsy is hidden. Additionally, culturally-relevant tools to appraise marital quality and epilepsy self-management within marriage should be developed. The main objective should be to develop a multi-sectorial action plan with interventions at several different levels involving different stakeholders to mitigate stigma associated with epilepsy in matrimony.

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Raw watermelon juice was concentrated in a laboratory-scale flat-plate ultrafiltration system incorporating polyethersulfone membranes with a molecular weight cutoff of 5 kDa. The experiments have been carried out over a wide range of transmembrane pressures (100-300 kPa). The effect of ultrafiltration with molecular weight cutoff of 5 kDa polyethersulfone membrane on concentrate properties is reported. The total soluble solid content of the permeate was found to be very good, while the ascorbic acid content was on the lower side as compared to feed. The analyses of flux decay according to fouling models reported in the literature revealed that the formation of a cake layer covering the entire surface of the membrane is the main cause of the membrane fouling.

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CONTEXT: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity or difficulty in controlling behavior. Psychostimulant medications remain the mainline treatment for children with ADHD; however, the average response rate to these medications is 70%, and up to 30% of children do not respond to these medications or are unable to tolerate such potential adverse effects as nausea, insomnia, and weight loss. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effectiveness of standardized Bacopa monnieri extract (SBME) in ameliorating the severity of the symptoms of ADHD in children. DESIGN: The clinical trial was conducted as an open-label study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Center for Research in Mental Retardation (CREMERE) in Mumbai, India, from 2008 to 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one children were participants in the trial. They were 6-12 y of age, with an age of onset of ADHD before 7 y of age, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD. INTERVENTION: The children received SBME at a dose of 225 mg/d for a period of 6 mo. The specific SBME used in the study was BacoMind (M/s Natural Remedies, Bangalore, India). OUTCOME MEASURES: Subsequent to the screening of participants, the research team administered the Parent Rating Scale to assess the ADHD symptom scores at baseline, and the team administered it again at the end of the 6 mo of treatment. RESULTS: SBME significantly reduced the subtests scores of ADHD symptoms, except for social problems. The symptom scores for restlessness were reduced in 93% of children, whereas improvement in self-control was observed in 89% of the children. The attention-deficit symptoms were reduced in 85% of children. Similarly, symptom scores for learning problems, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems were reduced for 78%, 67%, and 52% of children, respectively. It was observed that 74% of the children exhibited up to a 20% reduction, while 26% of children showed between a 21% and a 50% reduction in the total subtests scores. CONCLUSION: Standardized extract of B monnieri was found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD and was well-tolerated by the children.

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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of OciBest, an extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. in symptomatic control of general stress. The participants received either placebo (n = 79) or OciBest (n = 71; 1200 mg of actives per day) for six weeks. The severity of stress-related symptoms was self-evaluated by patients at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6 of the trial period using a symptom rating scale. After six weeks of intervention, scores of symptoms such as forgetfulness, sexual problems of recent origin, frequent feeling of exhaustion, and frequent sleep problems of recent origin decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in OciBest group as compared with placebo group. Also, the total symptom scores of OciBest group revealed significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to placebo group. The overall improvement in OciBest group was found to be 1.6 times or 39% more in the control of general stress symptoms with respect to placebo. No adverse events were reported during the study. The findings revealed that OciBest was found to be effective and well tolerated by all the patients over the six weeks of study period.