Optimization and characterization of hybrid bio-briquettes produced from the mixture of sawdust, sugarcane bagasse, and paddy straw.

Biomass briquetting is a viable densification technique that converts waste biomass materials into useful products and alternative energy. This work explores the characteristics and optimization of hybrid bio-briquette production by combining crop residues (paddy straw) and solid biomass materials (sawdust and sugarcane bagasse). A total number of 20 briquettes were fabricated with three input factors: sawdust (SD), sugarcane bagasse (SB), and paddy straw (PS) based on the faced-centered central composite design (FCCCD) approach in the laboratory to investigate the calorific value (CV) and ash content (AC). The bomb calorimeter technique was used to evaluate the briquette's calorific value and ash content. The proposed work focused on optimizing the briquette input parameters (SD, SB, and PS) and output responses (CV and AC) using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface methodology (RSM) and hybrid artificial neural network-integrated with multi-objective genetic algorithms (ANN-MOGA). This study shows that the MOGA-ANN-based model results in the best value of CV (17.07 MJ/kg) and AC (1.95%) with optimal input parameters SD (39.99 g), SB (29.02 g), and PS (69.02 g). The optimal results observed from the MOGA-ANN model have also been validated experimentally. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy investigation reveals that biomass briquettes are the sustainable and environment-friendly option of fossil fuels for power generation and indoor cooking. The study suggests a strategy for minimizing agro-waste, which may be converted into future fuel in the form of briquettes.

Heat storage material: a hope in solar thermal.

Solar energy is a vast renewable energy source, but uncertainty in the demand and supply of energy due to various geographical regions raises a question mark. Therefore, the present manuscript includes a review to overcome this uncertainty by utilizing various thermal energy storage systems. Phase change material is the most preferred thermal energy storage system because of its high-energy storage density. The low thermal conductivity is the critical problem in phase change material that can be overcome by integrating metallic foam, carbon fiber, and metallic fins in the phase change material container. The inclusion of metallic foam limited to 0.1-3% of the Phase change material (PCM) weight leads to a slight change in thermal conductivity but a high cost. It was also seen that the addition of carbon 0.1 to 9% of the PCM weight could improve the performance of PCM. The inclusion of a metallic fin improves the thermal conductivity with the various shapes and sizes of the fin. It is found that metallic foam composites have better performance than carbon composite and metallic fin inclusion.

Role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of paediatric acute osteomyelitis.

AIM: The aims of our study were to evaluate cases of extremity pain or swelling in paediatric patients using USG to diagnose acute osteomyelitis, and correlate USG findings with MRI findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 18 paediatric patients with extremity pain or swelling were evaluated. After the clinical and laboratory work-up, imaging was done using radiographic examination, USG and MRI of the affected limb. RESULTS: 5 patients (27.8%) out of 18 were diagnosed with acute osteomyelitis based on USG findings, confirmed by MRI and surgical drainage. The mean age of the patients with acute osteomyelitis was 8.2 years. Male children were more commonly affected as compared to female. The distal metaphysis of the femur was the most common site involved (80%). The right lower limb was more commonly affected. The most frequent presentation was pain at the affected site. On USG, deep soft tissue fluid collection around the bone was present in all cases (100%). Periosteal thickening or elevation with subperiosteal fluid collection was seen in 4 cases (80%). Increased vascularity within or around the periosteum on colour Doppler was seen in 4 cases (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Acute osteomyelitis is a common entity in the paediatric population, presenting with acute limb pain and swelling. Early diagnosis and management of acute osteomyelitis are essential to prevent serious complications. USG can play an important role in the early diagnosis of paediatric acute osteomyelitis, and should be incorporated into the treatment protocols followed in cases of suspected acute osteomyelitis. MRI should be reserved as problem-solving tool.

Effect of mass on convective heat transfer coefficient during open sun drying of groundnut.

In this work, an attempt is made to study the effect of mass on convective heat transfer coefficient (CHTC) for open sun drying (OSD) of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Experiments were conducted during the month of May, 2016 in the climatic condition of Rohtak, India (28°54'0″N 76°34'0″E). Groundnut samples of 130 and 198 g were dried under OSD condition till almost no variation in its mass was recorded. Hourly data of the mass evaporated, groundnut temperature, relative humidity and ambient temperature were recorded. The experimental data obtained were used to determine the constants 'C' and 'n' in the Nusselt number expression using linear regression method. CHTC increased with the increase in mass of groundnuts. The experimental errors in terms of percent uncertainty were found to vary from 44.29 to 48.77%.

Incorporation of Whole Spine Screening in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocols for Low Back Pain: A Valuable Addition.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging of a Tertiary Care Armed Forces Hospital between May 2014 and May 2016. PURPOSE: To assess the advantages of incorporating sagittal screening of the whole spine in protocols for conventional lumbar spine MRI for patients presenting with low back pain. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Advances in MRI have resulted in faster examinations, particularly for patients with low back pain. The additional detection of incidental abnormalities on MRI helps to improve patient outcomes by providing a swifter definitive diagnosis. Because low back pain is extremely common, any change to the diagnostic and treatment approach has a significant impact on health care resources. METHODS: We documented all additional incidental findings detected on sagittal screenings of the spine that were of clinical significance and would otherwise have been undiagnosed. RESULTS: A total of 1,837 patients who met our inclusion criteria underwent MRI of the lumbar spine. The mean age of the study population was 45.7 years; 66.8% were men and 33.2% women. Approximately 26.7% of the patients were diagnosed with incidental findings. These included determining the level of indeterminate vertebrae, incidental findings of space-occupying lesions of the cervicothoracic spine, myelomalacic changes, and compression fractures at cervicothoracic levels. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that T2-weighted sagittal screening of the whole spine be included as a routine sequence when imaging the lumbosacral spine for suspected degenerative pathology of the intervertebral discs.