Assessment of heavy metal uptake and translocation in Acacia mangium for phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil.

Soil and water pollution have become a major environmental problem, attracting considerable public attention over the last few decades. Many organic and inorganic pollutants, including heavy metals, are being transported and mixed with the cultivated soils and water. Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that can be transferred and accumulated in human and animal bodies causing DNA damage and carcinogenic effects. These soil contaminants need to be cleaned up for safety environment. Experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Acacia mangium as a phytoremediator to absorb heavy metals from contaminated soils. A. mangium seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil + different levels of cadmium) were: T0 (Control, soil), T1 (25 ppm Cd), T2 (50 ppm Cd), T3 (75 ppm Cd), T4 (100 ppm Cd) and T5 (150 ppm Cd). The highest growth performance such as basal diameter, height and number of leaves was found in T3, T2 and T4 treatments, respectively. The highest accumulation of Cd (28.29 ppm) was recorded in T5, Cu in T2 (23.69 ppm) and Zn (241.96 ppm) in T4. Cu was highly concentrated in the roots, Cd was accumulated in the stems, whereas Zn was both in stems and leaves. A. mangium showed high translocation factor (TF) and low bioconcentration factor (BCF) values in soil at higher metal concentrations as well as it was able to tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn. The roots of A. mangium were found to be suitable for the absorption of heavy metals in contaminated soils, especially Cu. Cd was accumulated in the stems while Zn in both stems and leaves. This species can be a good efficient phytoremediator for soils contaminated with Cd, Cu and Zn to mitigate soil pollution

A Novel Blended State Estimated Adaptive Controller for Voltage and Current Control of Microgrid against Unknown Noise

© 2013 IEEE. In this study, a novel blended state estimated adaptive controller is designed for voltage and current control of microgrid against unknown noise. The core feature of the microgrid (MG) is its ability to integrate more than one distributed energy resource into the main grid. The state of a microgrid may deteriorate due to many reasons, for example malicious cyber-attacks, disturbances, packet losses, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the true state of the system to enhance the control requirement and automation of the microgrid. To achieve the true state of a microgrid, this study proposes the use of an algorithm based on the unscented kalman filter (UKF). The proposed state estimator technique is developed using an unscented-transformation and sigma-points measurement technique capable of minimizing the mean and covariance of a nonlinear cost function to estimate the true state of a single-phase, three-phase single-source and three-phase multi-source microgrid system. The advantage of the proposed estimator over using extended kalman filter (EKF) is investigated in simulations. The results demonstrate that the use of the UKF estimator produces a superior estimation of the system compared with the use of the EKF. An adaptive PID controller is also developed and used in system conjunction with the estimator to regulate its voltage and current against the number of loads. Deviation in load parameters hamper the function of the MG system. The performance of the developed controller is also evaluated against number of loads. Results indicate the controller provides a more stable and high-tracking performance with the inclusion of the UKF in the system

Assessment of heavy metal uptake and translocation by Pluchea indica L. from sawdust sludge contaminated soil.

Chemical pollution in the soil and water bodies has become a major source of concern and has posed a serious health problem in many countries. An experiment was conducted in sawdust contaminated soils at glasshouse to determine the growth response, metal tolerance and phytoremediation potential of Pluchea indica. P. indica seedlings were planted in the following growth media: T 0 (Control, 100% soil), T 1 (80% soil + 20% sawdust sludge), T 2 (60% soil + 40% sawdust sludge), T 3 (40% soil + 60% sawdust sludge), T 4 (20% soil + 80% sawdust sludge) and T 5 (100 % sawdust sludge). The best growth performance in terms of height, basal diameter and number of leaves was found in 40% sawdust in combination with 60% soil. This combination also produced highest biomass. The maximum reduction of copper and zinc was found in 80% sawdust contaminated media, iron and aluminium in the control while lead was in T5 (100% sawdust). Cu, Fe and Al were highly concentrated in the roots, Pb both in stems and roots while Zn was concentrated both in roots and leaves. P. indica was found to have a high potential to accumulate high amounts of Cu, Fe, Al, Pb and Zn in the roots, leaves and stems. Control to medium contaminated soil showed maximum translocation factor. The species was able to tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of heavy metals. Being a non-food plant P. indica can be an ideal option to be grown for phytoremediation in multi-metal contaminated sites. A field experiment also needs to be conducted to confirm the results of this glasshouse study

Integrated nutrient management for tomato-okra-stem amaranth cropping pattern in homestead area.

Due to increasing population, availability of crop land is decreasing rapidly and many croplands are being turned into homestead. The utilization of homestead is very important. Intensive crop cultivation with high yielding varieties to fulfil food demand for a swelling population has led to mining out the inherent plant nutrients from the soil. An experiment was conducted with tomato-okra-stem amaranth cropping pattern in a homestead area in Chhiata Series of Grey Terrace Soil (Aric Albaquept) under AEZ- 28 at Gazipur to find out the optimum dose of chemical fertilizer and organic manure for obtaining higher crop yield and to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on soil properties. The experiment consisted of eight treatments: T 1 (Poultry manure, PM @ 5 t ha -1), T 2 (Cowdung, CD @ 10 t ha -1), T 3 (Household waste, HW @ 10 t ha -1), T 4 (PM @ 2.5 t ha -1 + reduced recommended dose of fertilizer, RDF), T 5 (CD @ 5 t ha -1 + reduced RDF), T 6 (HW @ 5 t ha -1 + reduced RDF), T 7 (100% RDF) and T 8 (Control). Among the treatments, 2.5 ton poultry manure along with reduced rate of RDF performed the best in recording yields of tomato, okra and stem amaranth. Next to PM, HW @ 5 t ha -1 + reduced RDF had better results in respect of yield. Bulk density and organic C were improved by the application of organic manure; the highest nutrients uptake and availability was found in T 4 followed by T 6

Heavy metal uptake and translocation by Justicia gendarussa Burm F. from textile sludge contaminated soil

Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that can be transferred and accumulated in human and animal bodies causing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and carcinogenic effects. A glass house experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Justicia gendarussa Burm F. to absorb heavy metals from textile industry sludge. Justicia gendarussa seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil+sludge) comprising: 100% soil, 100% sludge, 80% sludge+20% soil, 60% sludge+40% soil, 40% sludge+60% soil and 20% sludge+80% soil. The maximum height increment and number of leaves were found in 20% sludge+80% soil while the highest basal diameter increment was recorded in the 100% sludge. Copper and iron were highly concentrated in the roots, zinc in the leaves, while aluminium was concentrated in both leaves and stems. Justicia gendarussa seems to have a high potential to absorb high amounts of Al and Fe in the leaves and roots. This species showed high translocation (TF) and low bioconcentration factor (BCF) in the contaminated soil. Justicia gendarussa was able to tolerate and accumulate a high concentration of heavy metals. Therefore, this species can be considered as a potential phytoremediator

Prototype Design of Business Performance Assessment of Tenants Independent Entrepreneurship Program Using the EFQM Model

Additionally, the Independent Entrepreneur Program (WMK) at Shipbuilding Institute of Polytechnic Surabaya (PPNS) organizers have not yet had a well-integrated information system to effectively and efficiently gather information for business performance assessments of the tenants. This research aims to develop a prototype of the Information System for Business Performance Assessment of WMK PBLT PPNS tenants using the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model. The result of this research is a prototype of the Information System for Business Performance Assessment of WMK PBLT PPNS tenants. Based on the EFQM assessment, the average total business performance assessment score obtained is 897, with the highest category being “Orientation on Integrated Quality Management” with a ratification score >800-1000. That indicates that the businesses run by the tenants have achieved optimal performance results. With this prototype, it is hoped to assist in the process of assessing tenant business performance more effectively and efficiently

Optimization of spray drying parameters for pink guava powder using RSM

The optimization of pink guava was executed using central composite face-centred design to optimize the spray drying parameters of inlet temperature, maltodextrin concentration (MDC) and feed flow (FF). The experimental results were significantly (p<0.01) fitted into second-order polynomial models to describe and predict the response quality in terms of the final moisture, particle size and lycopene with R2 of 0.9749, 0.9616, and 0.9505, respectively. The final moisture content significantly (p<0.01) decreased with increasing inlet temperature and MDC, whereas the particle size increased. In contrast, the lycopene content significantly (p<0.01) decreased with the higher temperature and increased with increasing MDC. However, according to multiple response optimization, the optimum conditions of 150°C inlet temperature, 17.12% (w/v) MDC and 350 mL/h FF-predicted 3.10% moisture content, 11.23 μm particle size and 58.71 mg/100 g lycopene content. The experimental observation satisfied the predicted model within the acceptable range of the responses

Extraction of fish oil from the skin of Indian mackerel using supercritical fluids.

The total oil was extracted from the ground skin of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) using various techniques of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at 20–35 MPa and 45–75 °C and by the Soxhlet method for comparison. The oil yield increased with pressure and temperature and the highest yields were 24.7, 53.2, 52.8, and 52.3/100 g sample (dry basis) for the continuous, cosolvent, soaking, and pressure swing techniques, respectively, at 35 MPa and 75 °C. The yield from the Soxhlet extraction was 53.6/100 g sample (dry basis). The CO2 consumption was 581.8, 493.6, 484.9 and 290.9 g for the continuous, cosolvent, soaking and pressure swing techniques, respectively, at 35 MPa and 75 °C. The largest recoveries of PUFA, especially the ω-3 family, were achieved from the soaking and pressure swing techniques at 35 MPa and 75 °C. Thus, the pressure swing and soaking techniques are the most effective at extracting the oil from fish skin

Sterilization and extraction of palm oil from screw pressed palm fruit fiber using supercritical carbon dioxide

The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was successfully used in the complete sterilization as well as simultaneous extraction of oil from screw pressed palm fruit fiber. The studies were conducted at different temperatures (40, 50, 70 °C) and pressures (13.7, 20.7 MPa) for 60 min of extraction period. The bacteria, gram negative (Bacillus), present in the sample was completely killed at 20.7 MPa and 50 °C. Palmitic and oleic acid were found to be the major fatty acids in extracted oil. More saturated fatty acid were extracted at 50 °C and lower operating pressure (13.7 MPa). The unsaturated components, such as linoleic and oleic acids were extracted at higher pressures of 27.6 and 34.5 MPa, respectively. The fatty acids composition of the extracted oil analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) includes caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, margaric, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic and gadoleic acids

Classification of EEG-based auditory evoked potentials using entropy-based features and machine learning techniques

Hearing loss is a prevalent impairment that disrupts interactions with others and individuals' learning abilities. Immediate and accurate diagnosis of hearing loss using Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, particularly Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP), is considered the most effective approach to address this issue. The AEP signals, generated in the cerebral cortex in response to auditory stimuli, serve as the most reliable method for diagnosing deafness. This study introduces a novel approach for detecting hearing ability through the classification of EEG-AEP signals. The current experiment makes use of a publicly available dataset that contains AEP responses from 16 people who responded to auditory stimuli on either the left or right side. Sample Entropy is employed to extract the feature, capturing the complex temporal dynamics of the EEG signals. Four popular machine learning-based classifiers, namely Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest (RF), and Logistic Regression (LR), are utilized for classification purposes. The results indicate that SVM achieves the highest classification accuracy of 99.37% with subject-4 and the average accuracy of 90.74% is achieved with all subjects. This finding shows the effectiveness of Sample Entropy as a feature extraction technique for characterizing AEPs and highlights the potential of SVM as a robust classifier for the accurate identification of auditory stimuli localization. The accuracy achieved in this study indicates a promising direction for the development of reliable and non-invasive methods for hearing-related diagnoses