Cellulose fiber extracted from Napier grass in PVA composites

88-93Cellulose fiber is extracted from Napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schum) and used as reinforcement for poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The extraction of cellulose fibers is carried out with a combination of chemical and mechanical treatment. The effect of amount of fiber in the PVA matrix on the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of the composite films has been analyzed. Fourier transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been performed on the specimen at different stages during the processing of composite films to evaluate their structural properties. The tensile strength of the composite films is improved with an increase in the fiber content, however, fiber content greater than 8 wt% exhibit problems of aggregation and subsequent decline in the mechanical strength of the composite films. Thermal analysis demonstrate that the presence of Napier fibers do not have a significant effect on the degradation temperature of the composite films

Cellulose fiber extracted from Napier grass in PVA composites

Cellulose fiber is extracted from Napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schum) and used as reinforcement for poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The extraction of cellulose fibers is carried out with a combination of chemical and mechanical treatment. The effect of amount of fiber in the PVA matrix on the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of the composite films has been analyzed. Fourier transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been performed on the specimen at different stages during the processing of composite films to evaluate their structural properties. The tensile strength of the composite films is improved with an increase in the fiber content, however, fiber content greater than 8 wt% exhibit problems of aggregation and subsequent decline in the mechanical strength of the composite films. Thermal analysis demonstrate that the presence of Napier fibers do not have a significant effect on the degradation temperature of the composite films

Natural Convection Heat Transfer from Inclined Cylinders: a unified correlation

An empirical correlation for predicting the heat transfer coefficient for a cylinder under free convection, inclined at any arbitrary angle with the horizontal has been developed in terms of Nusselt number, Prandtl number and Grashof number. Available experimental data was used to determine the parameters for the proposed correlation. The proposed correlation predicts the available data well within ±10%, for Prandtl number in the range 0.68-0.72 and Grashof number in the range 1.4×104–1.2×1010

Predicting microbial response to anthropogenic environmental disturbances using artificial neural network and multiple linear regression

A mathematical model that quantitively describes the combined effect of different environmental variables can be used to predict the growth dynamics of a microorganism. This study evaluates the potential of an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the growth of a bacterial strain, Klebsiella sp., during the treatment of diclofenac sodium contaminated wastewaters. Input parameters, temperature, pH, time, agitation and diclofenac sodium concentration were randomly combined to conduct the batch experiments. Experimental data sets obtained were used for the training and optimization of programme learning. The efficiency of the ANN model was demonstrated by comparing it with the multiple linear regression (MLR) model. Root mean squared error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) were used as model performance parameters. The results obtained depict that the ANN model with RMSE 0.0124 and R2 value 0.926 in the test phase exhibited higher prediction performance. In contrast, low prediction performance was exhibited by the MLR model with RMSE 0.0230 and R2 value of 0.710. The results of this study are expected to guide the development of appropriate operational conditions for bioremediation of wastewater and industrial scale-up of the process

Alcohol use by men is a risk factor for the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus from female sex workers in Mumbai, India

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether men who were under the influence of alcohol when visiting female sex workers (FSW) were at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STUDY: A cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention intervention for high-risk men in Mumbai, India. RESULTS: The overall HIV prevalence among 1741 men sampled was 14%; 64% had either a confirmed STI or HIV; 92% reported sex with an FSW, of whom 66% reported having sex while under the influence of alcohol (SUI). SUI was associated with unprotected sex (odds ratio [OR]: 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3–4.1), anal sex (OR: 1.5; 1.1–2.0), and more than10 FSW partners (OR: 2.2; 1.8–2.7). SUI was independently associated with having either an STI or HIV (OR: 1.5; 1.2–1.9). CONCLUSION: Men who drink alcohol when visiting FSWs engage in riskier behavior and are more likely to have HIV and STIs. Prevention programs in India need to raise awareness of this relationship