Stabilization of anarobic digestor sludge through vermicomposting

In this study, efficiency of vermitechnology in stabilizing sludge without pre-treatment was studied. The sludge was directly introduced in the vermicomposting reactors after their withdrawal from the bio-methanation reactor installed for experimentation on domestic waste. One Liter (5% TS) sludge was loaded after every fourth day and it was discontinued after sixteen days. However, the chemical analysis of the compost was done till twentyfourth day. The present study also evaluated the potential of one indigenous Perionyx excavates (P.e.) and one exotic epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida (E.f). The results clearly elucidate that vermireactor with indigenous earthworms (P.e) gives over all comparable similar results with world wide known exotic species (E.f). The results of the study show a significant reduction in initial C/N ratio from an initial value of 19 to 9 for all reactors with earthworms, total organic matter (TOC) reduced by 50% and pH also reduced nearer to neutral, but increase in, total nitrogen (TN) 95%, NH4+-N reduced from 0.52% to 0.31% and NO3-N increased from 0 to 0.13%, total phosphorus (TP) increased from the initial concentration of 0.76% to 1.31%., However, removal efficiency of Fecal coliforms (indicator organism) in the prepared vermicompost through P.e and E.f was in the 6 log and 7 log (MPN/gm) respectively

PCM-assisted energy storage systems for solar-thermal applications: Review of the associated problems and their mitigation strategies

Latent heat energy storage (LHES) system is identified as one of the major research areas in recent years to be used in various solar-thermal applications. However, there are various challenges associated i.e., low thermal conductivity, leakage issues, stabilization concerns, etc. In this work, a comprehensive review of studies dealing with these problems and their mitigation strategies. Various design parameters influencing the performance of PCM-assisted systems are also discussed. This article further presents a detailed review of several mathematical models, based on system enthalpy and heat capacity-based modeling schemes along with the techno-economic analysis. The review results reflect the application of porous foams increasing thermal conductivity values of PCM composites relative to pure PCM working mediums. Moreover, the use of extended surfaces with appropriate geometries reduces the phase transition durations for the working medium significantly which enhances the thermal performance. Additionally, PCM encapsulations are identified as one of the widely accepted procedures intensifying the thermal performance of energy storage systems. However, the selection of appropriate encapsulation shell material and shell geometries are some of the important factors to be considered to ensure optimum system performance. This review focuses on the significant aspects of PCM encapsulation design parameters for several solar-thermal systems

Adaptive optics performance of a simulated coronagraph instrument on a large, segmented space telescope in steady state

Directly imaging Earth-like exoplanets (``exoEarths'') with a coronagraph instrument on a space telescope requires a stable wavefront with optical path differences limited to tens of picometers RMS during exposure times of a few hours. While the structural dynamics of a segmented mirror can be directly stabilized with telescope metrology, another possibility is to use a closed-loop wavefront sensing and control system in the coronagraph instrument that operates during the science exposures to actively correct the wavefront and relax the constraints on the stability of the telescope. In this paper, we present simulations of the temporal filtering provided using the example of LUVOIR-A, a 15~m segmented telescope concept. Assuming steady-state aberrations based on a finite element model of the telescope structure, we (1)~optimize the system to minimize the wavefront residuals, (2)~ use an end-to-end numerical propagation model to estimate the residual starlight intensity at the science detector, and (3)~predict the number of exoEarth candidates detected during the mission. We show that telescope dynamic errors of 100~pm~RMS can be reduced down to 30~pm~RMS with a magnitude 0 star, improving the contrast performance by a factor of 15. In scenarios where vibration frequencies are too fast for a system that uses natural guide stars, laser sources can increase the flux at the wavefront sensor to increase the servo-loop frequency and mitigate the high temporal frequency wavefront errors. For example, an external laser with an effective magnitude of -4 allows the wavefront from a telescope with 100~pm~RMS dynamic errors and strong vibrations as fast as 16~Hz to be stabilized with residual errors of 10~pm~RMS thereby increasing the number of detected planets by at least a factor of 4.Comment: Published in JATIS. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2108.0640

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Knowledge and Strategy-based Computer Player for Texas Hold'em Poker

The field of Imperfect Information Games has interested researchers for many years, yet the field has failed to provide good competitive players to play some of the complex card games at the master level. The game of Poker is observed in this project, along with providing two Computer Poker Player solutions to the gaming problem, Anki – V1 and Anki – V2. These players, along with a few generic ones, were created in this project using methods ranging from Expert Systems to that of Simulation and Enumeration. Anki – V1 and Anki – V2 were tested against a range of hard-coded computer players, and a variety of human players to reach the conclusion that Anki – V2 displays behaviour at the intermediate level of human players. Finally, many interesting conclusions regarding poker strategies and human heuristics are observed and presented in this thesis. ii Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Jessica Chen-Burger for her overwhelming support and help throughout the life-cycle of this project, and for the late nights she spent playing my Poker Players. I would also like to thank Mr. Richard Carter for his insight into the workings of some of the Poker players, and all the authors of the research quoted in my bibliography, especially the creators of Gala, Loki, Poki and PsOpti. I would also like to thank my parents, who have always been there to me, and inspire me every step of the way. And finally, I would like to acknowledge the calming contribution of my lab-fellows, without whom, completing this dissertation couldn't have been nearly this much fun. iii Declaration I declare that this thesis was composed by myself, that the work contained herein is my own except where explicitly stated otherwise in the text, and that this work has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification except as specified

Lamotrigine loaded PLGA nanoparticles intended for direct nose to brain delivery in epilepsy: pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and scintigraphy study

The present study aimed to investigate the brain targeting efficacy of Lamotrigine (LTG) loaded PLGA nanoparticles (LTG-PNPs) upon intranasal administration. LTG-PNPs were fabricated through the emulsification-solvent evaporation technique and evaluated for % Entrapment efficiency, particle size, in-vitro release, surface morphology, crystallinity, ex-vivo permeation & thermal behaviour. Biodistribution, gamma scintigraphy, and pharmacodynamic studies were performed in BALB/c mice, New Zealand rabbits, and Wistar rats respectively. LTG-PNPs exhibited % EE 71%; particle size 170.0 nm; Polydispersity index 0.191; zeta potential −16.60 mV. LTG-PNPs exhibited a biphasic release pattern. Biodistribution and gamma scintigraphy studies proved a greater amount of LTG in the brain following intranasal delivery of LTG-PNPs in comparison to LTG-SOL. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated delayed seizure onset time with LTG-PNPs in comparison to LTG-SOL. Intranasal administration of LTG-PNPs provided prolonged release, higher bioavailability, and better brain targeting bypassing the BBB. The developed formulation could be administered as a once-a-day formulation that would reduce the dosing frequency; dose; dose-related side effects; cost of the therapy and would be beneficial in the management of epilepsy as compared to the LTG-SOL. However, the proof of concept generated through these studies needs to be further validated in higher animals and human volunteers

Mucormycosis and COVID-19: An epidemic within a pandemic in India

10.1111/myc.13353MYCOSES64101253-126

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention for obstetric and neonatal care in selected public health facilities across six states of India

Background While increase in the number of women delivering in health facilities has been rapid, the quality of obstetric and neonatal care continues to be poor in India, contributing to high maternal and neonatal mortality. Methods The USAID ASSIST Project supported health workers in 125 public health facilities (delivering approximately 180,000 babies per year) across six states to use quality improvement (QI) approaches to provide better care to women and babies before, during and immediately after delivery. As part of this intervention, each month, health workers recorded data related to nine elements of routine care alongside data on perinatal mortality. We aggregated facility level data and conducted segmented regression to analyse the effect of the intervention over time. Results Care improved to 90–99% significantly (p < 0.001) for eight of the nine process elements. A significant (p < 0.001) positive change of 30–70% points was observed during post intervention for all the indicators and 3–17% points month-to-month progress shown from the segmented results. Perinatal mortality declined from 26.7 to 22.9 deaths/1000 live births (p < 0.01) over time, however, it is not clear that the intervention had any significant effect on it. Conclusion These results demonstrate the effectiveness of QI approaches in improving provision of routine care, yet these approaches are underused in the Indian health system. We discuss the implications of this for policy makers.by Enisha Sarin, Subir K. Kole, Rachana Patel, Ankur Sooden, Sanchit Kharwal, Rashmi Singh, Mirwais Rahimzai and Nige Livesle