Partial Observer Decision Process Model for Crane-Robot Action

The most common use of robots is to effectively decrease the human’s effort with desirable output. In the human-robot interaction, it is essential for both parties to predict subsequent actions based on their present actions so as to well complete the cooperative work. A lot of effort has been devoted in order to attain cooperative work between human and robot precisely. In case of decision making , it is observed from the previous studies that short-term or midterm forecasting have long time horizon to adjust and react. To address this problem, we suggested a new vision-based interaction model. The suggested model reduces the error amplification problem by applying the prior inputs through their features, which are repossessed by a deep belief network (DBN) though Boltzmann machine (BM) mechanism. Additionally, we present a mechanism to decide the possible outcome (accept or reject). The said mechanism evaluates the model on several datasets. Hence, the systems would be able to capture the related information using the motion of the objects. And it updates this information for verification, tracking, acquisition, and extractions of images in order to adapt the situation. Furthermore, we have suggested an intelligent purifier filter (IPF) and learning algorithm based on vision theories in order to make the proposed approach stronger. Experiments show the higher performance of the proposed model compared to the state-of-the-art methods.https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/634934

Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil Using Extracted Catalyst from Plantain Banana Stem via RSM and ANN Optimization for Sustainable Development

Biodiesel is a promising sector worldwide and is experiencing significant and rapid growth. Several studies have been undertaken to utilize homogeneous base catalysts in the form of KOH to develop biodiesel in order to establish a commercially viable and sustainable biodiesel industry. This research centers around extracting potassium hydroxide (KOH) from banana trunks and employing it in the transesterification reaction to generate biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). Various operational factors were analyzed for their relative impact on biodiesel output, and after optimizing the reaction parameters, a conversion rate of 95.33% was achieved while maintaining a reaction period of 2.5 h, a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 15:1, and a catalyst quantity of 5 wt%. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models were implemented to improve and optimize these reaction parameters for the purpose of obtaining the maximum biodiesel output. Consequently, remarkably higher yields of 95.33% and 95.53% were achieved by RSM and ANN, respectively, with a quite little margin of error of 0.0003%. This study showcases immense promise for the large-scale commercial production of biodiesel

Fabrication of a colorimetric sensor using acetic acid-capped drug-mediated copper oxide nanoparticles for nitrite biosensing in processed food

Nitrite (NO2 −) and nitrate (NO3 −) are frequently used in cured meat products as preservatives, as they give a better taste and work well in color fixation. As a key possible carcinogen, excessive dietary consumption of NO2 − in cured meat products would be bad for health. Herein, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized using the drug Augmentin as a reducing and capping agent. The desired synthesis of CuO NPs was confirmed by various characterization techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The new approach of drug-mediated acetic acid-capped CuO NPs was developed for simple colorimetric detection of nitrite ions in a mimic solution of processed food. The color of the detection system changes from brown to yellow with the increase in the concentration of NO2 − and has been observed with the naked eye. The selectivity of the NO2 − detection system by the UV–visible spectrum and the naked eye is compared to other ions, such as Br−, I−, Cl−1, PO4 −3, CO3 2−, and SO4 2−. The platform was successfully employed for the determination of nitrite in real samples. Moreover, this probe can be used for the sensitive detection of NO2 − with a linear range of 1 × 10−8 to 2.40 × 10−6 M, a detection limit of 2.69 × 10−7 M, a limit of quantification 8.9 × 10−7 M, and a regression coefficient (R 2) of 0.997. Our results suggest that this sensor can be used for on-site analysis and quantification as well as in the fields of disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety

Geology and combustion perspectives of Pakistani coals from Salt Range and Trans Indus Range

Abundant availability of low rank coals in some developing countries has a great potential for socio-economic development. Pakistan, as a developing country, has taken a number of initiatives some of which are at an advanced stage. Thus, a critical study of regional and local geology of Salt Range and Trans Indus Range coals located in the Kohat–Potwar geologic province is presented in this paper. Permian coal is the oldest coal, which is located in the Western Salt Range in limited quantity while Palaeocene coal is the younger coal and it is mined from the Hangu and Patala formations. The Palaeocene coal is available in abundance and is mined in the Eastern and Central parts of the Salt Range and Trans Indus Range. Additionally, this study presents the thermo-chemical analyses of the coal samples collected from thirty coal mines of Salt Range and Trans Indus Range. The samples were analyzed for ash composition, ash fusion temperatures (AFT), proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and calorific value from two different Labs, i.e. SGS Pakistan and Changsha University of Science and Technology (CUST), China. The average AFT of the samples analyzed is > 1350 °C, which reveals that the coal is non-slagging. On average the coal has low slagging index, medium fouling index, good combustion characteristic parameters and indices. The coal samples have high ash (14–50%), ultra-high sulfur (3.3–11.1%), low moisture (3–10%), high volatile matter (VM, 24–41%), low carbon (23–57%) with low to medium gross calorific value (GCV, 10.2–25.7 MJ/kg). The data gathered from an extensive campaign is compared with the already published data. The study has provided a knowledge on utilization of coal reserves to meet the projected energy demand in Pakistan as well as in other developing countries

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Comparison of Carbonyls and BTEX Emissions from a Light Duty Vehicle Fuelled with Gasoline and Ethanol-Gasoline Blend, and Operated without 3-Way Catalytic Converter

This paper presents the comparison of unregulated emissions such as carbonyls and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylenes) species emanated from a light duty SI (Spark Ignition) vehicle E-0 (fuelled on gasoline) and E-10 (ethanol-gasoline blend). Meanwhile, the ozone forming potential of these pollutants based on their ozone SR (Specific Reactivity) has also been addressed in this study. The experiments were performed on transient as well as steady-state modes in accordance with the standard protocols recommended for light duty vehicle emissions. Carbonyls and BTEX were analyzed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) with UV detector and GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy), respectively. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the predominant components of the carbonyls for E-0 and E-10, respectively. During transient mode, formaldehyde, acrolein + acetone, and tolualdehyde pollutants were decreased but, acetaldehyde emissions increased with E-10 as compared to E-0. The BTEX emissions were also decreased with E-10, relative to E-0. During the steady-state modes, formaldehyde, acrolein + acetone and propionaldehyde were lower, aromatic aldehydes were absent, but acetaldehyde pollutants were higher with E-10 compared to E-0. The BTEX emissions were decreased at medium and higher speed modes however, increased at lower speed mode with E-10 as compared to E-0. Total BTEX emissions were maximal at lower speed mode but, least at medium speed mode for both the fuels. SR of the pollutants was higher over transient cycle of operation, compared with steady-state mode. Relative to E-0, E-10 displayed lower SR during both transient as well as steady-state mode

MACROSCOPIC SPRAY CHARACTERISTICS OF DIESEL AND BIODIESEL-DIESEL BLEND: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON

The qualitative aspects of the fuel spray particularly spray length and cone angle play a significant role not only in the temporal sequence of clean and efficient combustion, but also in the control of engine exhaust emissions and efficiency optimization. This paper investigates the effect of injection duration and ambient pressure on spray development, spray tip penetration (L) and cone angle (β) of biodiesel-diesel (20%/80%:v/v) blend (B20) and diesel, and hence compares the quality of the fuels. Both ‘L’ and ‘β’ play a key role in the fuel evaporation and mixing of fuel with air in the combustion chamber. It was found that the injection pressure, spray tip penetration and cone angle of the fuels increased with the increase in injection duration. Furthermore, the injection pressure of B20 was higher than that of diesel because of its higher incompressibility, which increased the droplet momentum and tip penetration. The ambient pressure displayed a stronger impact on ‘L’ and ‘β’ of the fuels, compared with injection duration. The ‘L’ was increased, while ‘β’ decreasedwith the decrease in P amb due to the decrease in resistance to penetration velocity. The shapes of spray images of two fuels were almost similar. However, B20 exhibited larger ‘L’ and ‘β’ due to higher initial velocity and mass of droplet, compared with diesel. This indicates that relative to diesel fuel, B20 has a stronger impacton the spray performance, and thus improves both ‘L’ and ‘β’. During the earlier phase of time after start ofinjection, the relative difference between two fuels in terms of their spray tip penetration was smaller. Thisdifference augmented, and then became roughly stable. Before the commencement of a comparatively steadyphase of time after the start of injection, the test fuels revealed an appreciable relative difference in terms oftheir ‘β’

Weed management and herbicide resistant weeds: a case study from wheat growing areas of Pakistan

Evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds is among the serious challenges that agriculture face today. In Pakistan herbicide use over last 6 decades has enabled earlier planting of short-season crops and improved weed control in wheat as well as other cropping systems. This has greatly favored the use of more and more herbicides. Conversely, this exercise increased the evolution of resistant biotypes. Wheat being Pakistan's number one staple crop faces daunting weeds problem. In order to understand the status of herbicide resistant weeds in wheat fields, survey was conducted for two consecutive years (2015-2017) in different regions of Pakistan. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from three hundred farmers randomly selected in all four provinces of Pakistan on herbicides used in wheat, history of crop cultivation regimes and weed species that have seized to respond to field rates of herbicides. Seed of suspected biotypes were collected from the survey sites and preserved in our gene pool for the confirmation of the resistance in the laboratory by bioassay and molecular level in future. Farmers (96%) perceived that Phalaris minor Retz. was the most important annual weed of wheat crop followed by Avena fatua L. (94%). Customarily, three aryloxyphenoxy propionate herbicides, clodinafop-propargyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and diclofop-methyl were used to control different grass weeds such as P. minor, A. sativa L. and A. fatua. In farmers' opinion, high yield of wheat was associated with the continuous use of these herbicides. Resistance-suspicious weeds were reported from all studied areas (Punjab, KPK, Sindh, and Baluchistan provinces) in fields with the herbicide use history of five to seven years or more. This study suggests that for long-term avoidance of herbicide resistance, in our wheat growing systems we will require embracing practices that decrease selection pressures favoring resistant weeds. Achieving these goals requires an understanding of the evolution and dynamics of resistant populations. It is recommended that for the effective management of resistant populations of P. minor and A. fatua, farmers' education on ecologically sustainable weed management is critically important. This study will provide a basis for examining the questions that are relevant to understanding herbicide resistance evolution in Pakistan and that may help determine appropriate weed management strategies