Approaches to Mitigate the Impact of Dissolved Organic Matter on the Adsorption of Synthetic Organic Contaminants by Activated Carbon

The main objective of this study was to conduct a systematic investigation of various approaches to mitigate the competition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the adsorption of synthetic organic contaminants (SOCs) by activated carbons. TCE and atrazine were selected as the target SOCs because they are known to adsorb in different pore size regions. TCE adsorbs in the primary micropore region (i.e., \u3c10 ) which is inaccessible to the majority of the DOM components, while atrazine adsorbs in the secondary micropore region (i.e., 10-20 ) which is partially accessible to some DOM components. The adsorbents used in this study consisted of four activated carbons (OLC, CRC, F400He, and HD4000ST) and one activated carbon fiber (ACF: ACF10). All sorbents were basic and hydrophobic in nature and represented a set of activated carbons with gradually widening pore size distribution, from the extremely microporous carbons (ACF10 and OLC) to carbons with some amount of mesopores (CRC and F400He) and finally a predominantly mesoporous (HD4000ST) carbon. Isotherms were performed as single solute and after preloading with a dissolved organic matter (5 mg DOC/L and 20 mg DOC/L) for both TCE and atrazine and using the five activated carbons. Single solute isotherm results showed that (i) the adsorbents with higher volume in pore sizes around the dimensions of the adsorbate molecule exhibited higher uptakes, probably due to the higher adsorption energies resulting from multiple contact points between the adsorbate molecule and the pore surface and (ii) BET surface area and total pore volume were not the primary factors controlling the adsorption. The preloading isotherm results indicated that for TCE, the SOC adsorbing primarily in pores \u3c10 , highly microporous GACs (i.e., activated carbons having high volumes in pores \u3c10 and minimal volumes in pores larger than 10 ) exhibited the least preloading effect and the best results for controlling DOM competition. For atrazine with optimum adsorption region in pores \u3e than 10 (i.e., partly overlapping with that of background DOM components), activated carbons with broad pore size distribution (i.e., mesoporous) or high pore volume in the optimum adsorption pore size region of atrazine (i.e., 10-20 ) showed the lowest degree of DOM preloading effect. Finally, a limited number of kinetic experiments were also carried out in this study. The mesoporous carbons demonstrated faster adsorption as compared to the microporous carbons for both TCE and atrazine in the presence or absence of background DO

Personalized Shopping via Conversational User Interface

Online and offline shopping activity often requires shoppers to spend substantial amounts of time researching, finding, and refining their product search to identify the right product that meets their requirements. Some of this time may be spent in searching and filtering results on general-purpose search engines or merchant websites, neither of which are optimized for shopping related research. This disclosure describes techniques that enable shopping via a rich, multimedia conversational interface. The techniques provide an online shopping experience that is simple, uncluttered, and does not overwhelm the user. The user is provided guidance throughout their shopping journey

An Assessment on Credit Card Fraud Detection: Survey

Credit card fraud is a costly problem for many financial institutions, costing businesses billions of dollars a year. Many adversaries still escape fraud detection systems because these systems often do not include information about the adversary's knowledge of the fraud detection mechanism. This thesis aims to include information on the motivations of "crooks" and the knowledge base in an adaptive fraud detection system. In this thesis, we use a theoretical adversarial learning approach to classification to model the best fraudster strategy. We proactively adapt the fraud detection system to classify these future fraudulent transactions better. Therefore, this document aims to provide an over-supervised bird's-eye approach with a suitable feature extraction technique that improves fraud detection rather than mistakenly classifying an actual transaction as fraud

Kala-Azar Fortnightly Elimination Strategy for Young Population in Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Kala-azar (KA), the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies. It affects poor communities and causing significant health, social and economic impact. All the affected countries are committed to eliminate KA by 2017. For which early case detection and complete case management of Kala-Azar is important strategy to stop transmission. Objectives: To reduce the annual incidence of Kala-azar to less than one per 10,000 population at block level by the end of 2017 through kala azar elimination strategy. Method: Kala Azar Fortnight was observed in 149 villages of 37 blocks of 9 endemic districts in the year 2016 (February 13, 2016 to February 27, 2016) and (May 01, 2016 to May 15, 2016)with rapid diagnostic kits rK39to screen all the suspected patients and subsequently were referred to PHC/CHC/district hospitals /Medical Colleges for their further treatment. Result: In year 2016, a total of 107 cases were detected from different villages of affected districts in Uttar Pradesh. Out of which 23 cases are male in the age group of <15 year and 17 cases are female in the age group of <15 year. Conclusion: Large number of kala azar cases were of younger population who needs to be treated urgently to avoid HIV/TB co-infections and complication.

Nanocurcumin Prevents Oxidative Stress Induced following Arsenic and Fluoride Co-exposure in Rats

The present study is in continuation of our previous efforts to investigate the preventive efficacy of encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (nanocurcumin) in mitigating effects of arsenic and/or fluoride. Curcumin was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles having a size distribution in the range of 50 nm. Sodium arsenite (2 mg/kg, orally) and Fluoride (50 ppm in drinking water) either alone or in combination were administered to male Wistar rats for four weeks to evaluate the efficacy of nanocurcumin (15 mg/kg) in rats. The preventive efficacy of nanocurcumin was evaluated against various altered biochemical variables suggestive of oxidative stress in liver and kidneys, and concentration of As and F in blood. Nanocurcumin co-administration with arsenic and fluoride resulted in lowering of reactive oxygen species and restoration of blood glutathione level which were found to be altered in arsenic and fluoride intoxicated groups. Nanocurcumin were also found to be effective in reversing δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) inhibition caused by arsenic exposure. The most promising result from our study shows that nanocurcumin removes not only arsenic but also fluoride from blood which may be due to the enhanced bioavailability and moderate chelating potential of nanocurcumin

Partial Loopholes Free Device Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Using IBM's Quantum Computers

Random numbers form an intrinsic part of modern day computing with applications in a wide variety of fields. But due to their limitations, the use of pseudo random number generators (PRNGs) is certainly not desirable for sensitive applications. Quantum systems due to their intrinsic randomness form a suitable candidate for generation of true random numbers that can also be certified. In this work, the violation of CHSH inequality has been used to propose a scheme by which one can generate device independent quantum random numbers by use of IBM quantum computers that are available on the cloud. The generated random numbers have been tested for their source of origin through experiments based on the testing of CHSH inequality through available IBM quantum computers. The performance of each quantum computer against the CHSH test has been plotted and characterized. Further, efforts have been made to close as many loopholes as possible to produce device independent quantum random number generators. This study will provide new directions for the development of self-testing and semi-self-testing random number generators using quantum computers.Comment: We present a scheme by which one can generate device independent quantum random numbers by use of IBM quantum computers that are available on the clou

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Recent Advances

Cardiac arrest is the most significant reason for mortality and morbidities worldwide. With a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac arrest, simple adaptations in basic life support to upcoming modifications in post-resuscitation care have been proposed by various resuscitation councils throughout the globe. Role of point of care cardiac ultrasound during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been explored and its contribution for identifying reversible causes and its real time management has been explored. A higher blood and tissue oxygenation levels contributed to an increased rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) which has to lead us to explore more options to increase the oxygenation. Starting from the CPR training, the use of sensors for spirometric feedback in ventilation maneuvers can help improve the quality of CPR. High flow nasal oxygenation during CPR has shown promising results. Extracorporeal CPR is another entity that has shown survival benefits in a selected group of patients. The aim of the newer advances has always been to decrease the morbidity and improve survival outcomes in terms of neurological deficit as well. These guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly to improve knowledge and training based on the current evidence. This chapter shall focus on recent advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Anesthetic Management of a Case of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Congestive Heart Failure with Compartment Syndrome of the Upper Limb for Emergency Fasciotomy

We describe the effectiveness and safety of regional anesthesia in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with a deranged coagulation profile. A 16-year-old male having DMD and congestive heart failure (CHF) presented to emergency with abdominal pain. Following cannula insertion, the patient developed compartment syndrome of the left forearm and hand. He was started on thrombolytic heparin infusion and the surgical team planned for an emergency fasciotomy. Ultrasound-guided axillary plexus block with ropivacaine allowed us to provide effective anesthesia for this patient avoiding the deleterious effects of general Anesthesia

A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING PROPOSALS BY SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL INDIA

Billions of people in developing and underdeveloped countries currently lack access to basic services and are living in poverty. One of the main reasons is unavailability or limited basic resource (economic, technology, social) in geographical locations where people live. Added with this are the environmental issues such as natural resource depletion, yearlong droughts, climate change that world is currently facing. Combined, these two issues lead to dropping socio-economic development in many rural communities. One way to improve the socio-economic development in rural areas is by the development of social enterprises. Social enterprises developed at the grass root level have significant effects on improving the quality of living of the people in terms of socio-economic standards. There is potential growth possible in social entrepreneurship, however number of social enterprises in developing countries is very low. Lack of social entrepreneurs in developing and underdeveloped countries is seen due to lack of access to funds and knowledge that is required to develop social enterprises anchored in the socio-economic improvement of the communities. Other stakeholders in socio-economic development for people living in poverty are, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investors and philanthropists. However, they lack access to information required for the development of value propositions that are needed at the ground level to improve quality of life. Both stakeholder (social entrepreneur and investors) involved in social development can partner with each other to boost rural development. The partnership between social entrepreneur and CSR investors, philanthropist can be useful in rural areas of developing countries to improve their socio-economic level by providing opportunities to each individual. Millions of people living in rural areas with limited resources can be empowered with enterprises developed social entrepreneurs and funded by CSR investors. However, they currently lack access to tools needed to facilitate this partnership. Social entrepreneurs lack a tool to develop value propositions for specific rural areas and have information about the village in quantitative form. CSR investors, philanthropist, on the other hand, require quantitative information along with impact evaluation of the value proposition before investing. In this thesis, this problem is studied from a system engineering perspective. A framework is developed that can be used by people who aspire to become social entrepreneurs, willing to work for the development of rural communities. Social entrepreneurs also need to take into account the environmental issues that these communities face by managing the problem in terms of sustainable development to have a positive impact on the communities. For CSR investors and philanthropist, an evaluation tool is developed as a part of the framework to compare and analyze different value propositions. In this thesis, the framework developed is modified and integrated with different constructs that are available in literature currently. The framework proposed in this thesis is developed in generic form, the framework is adaptable, robust and can be used in different social and environmental conditions. The social entrepreneurs and the users of this framework can modify the framework based on their needs

Response of Children with Down Syndrome To Physical Activity Programme On Motor Proficiency And Functional Abilities

Down syndrome occurs because of an abnormality characterized by an extra copy of genetic material on all or part of the 21st chromosome. The study was done with a purpose know the response of children with Down syndrome to physical activity programme on motor proficiency and functional abilities. 30 children (15 each in experimental and control group) having Down syndrome between the age group of 10-18 years were selected. Training programme of 55 minutes only to the experimental group was given, thrice a week for a period of 12 weeks. Bruininks Oseretsky test for motor proficiency (BOTMP), which provides an overall view of a child’s motor development, was administered. For assessing functional ability Fr. Thomas Felix’s Functional ability questionnaire (Felix, 1994) was used. Descriptive Statistics and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed as statistical tool. The analysis of data revealed that the experimental group improved significantly in six of the motor proficiency skills and in all three functional ability variables by following 12 weeks of the physical activity programme. However, in rest eight motor proficiency skills, positive improvement was present; but it was not enough for statistical significance