Applications of modified log-wake law in sediment-laden flows

Master'sMASTER OF ENGINEERIN

Synthesis and Characterization of CaO and KF Doped CaO (KF/CaO) Derived from Chicken Eggshell Waste as Heterogeneous Catalyst in Biodiesel Production

Chicken, duck and quail eggshell wastes were applied as raw materials for the preparation of heterogeneous catalyst. Prior to use, the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in the waste shell was converted to calcium oxide (CaO) by calcining at 700-900°C for 3hr. The physicochemical properties of the solid oxide catalyst were characterized by X- ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X- ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the biodiesel production parameters. The optimum conditions of the independent variables in the present work were 8:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 25 wt% of calcined eggshell catalyst (calcined at 900ºC, 3hr), 65°C of reaction temperature at reaction time of 3hr. The predicted FAME yield was 92 % under the optimal conditions. Reusability of (CaO) catalyst was investigated. The KF doped CaO (KF/CaO) derived from chicken eggshell waste was prepared by reducing KF/CaO molar ratio from 0.45 to 0.003, synthesized by a wet impregnation method under microwave irradiation and used as heterogeneous catalyst in the transesterification of refined palm oil to get optimum FAME yield. The catalyst with the KF/CaO molar ratio of 0.006 and catalyst amount of 5 wt% exhibits the best performance under the optimum reaction conditions of preparation of biodiesel with the CaO catalyst using RSM. The doped catalyst could be reused at least four times with slight drop in activity which was attributed to the loss of active sites. The optimum reaction condition obtained for achieving maximum FAME yield of 95% were – 8:1 of methanol to oil molar ratio, 2.5 hr of reaction time, 5 wt% of catalyst amount and 65˚C of reaction temperature

Long-Term Management of Hepatitis C-Seropositive Subjects with AntiOxidant Biofactor (AOB®), a Fermented Food Supplement

The efficacy of AntiOxidant Biofactor (AOB(R)) for the management of apparently healthy subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection was investigated. A total of 60 subjects (35 males, 25 females) participated in the trial. AOB was given orally in 2 packs (3g per pack) 3 times per day. 17 subjects had taken AOB for 3 years, 31 subjects up to 2 years, and 41 subjects up to one year. The initial mean (SD) serum alamine aminotransferase (ALT) level was 46.3+/-35.4IU/L, and significant (p0.05, paired t-test) reductions in the mean serum ALT levels were observed at 6 months (38.6+/-21.5IU/L), 18 months (31.9+/-18.1IU/L), 2 years (31.2+/-14.6IU/L), and 3 years (28.0+/-15.9IU/L). Those presenting with high serum ALT levels (30 subjects) demonstrated significant levels (p0.05, paired t-test) of reduction in the mean serum ALT levels at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of treatment. No side effects were observed and the AOB treatment was well tolerated by all subjects

Soft-shell mud crab farming

Farming of soft-shell mud crab (Scylla serrata) has been practiced for some time now in a number of Asian countries. Because of its profitability, there is an increasing interest to engage in this aquaculture business venture. Crabs collected from the wild are the major source of stocks for farming. However, the use of hatchery reared crabs is encouraged so as not to deplete the wild population. Although communal rearing of crabs for soft-shell crab production in cages or in tanks is also practiced, this manual describes the individual rearing of crabs in boxes based on experience in Ranong, Thailand. The techniques can be modified depending on the site. This manual provides a section on the biology of mud crab that includes species identification, molting, and autotomy and regeneration which discloses important information related to the management of soft-shell crab farming. This is followed by a detailed discussion on the setting up and management of the farm for soft-shell crabs. The basis for the computation of cost and return analysis is included under the section on profitability. Cost of materials and labor varies in each country hence only the materials needed and other technical assumptions are listed as basis for computation

Survey on Detection Methods for Self-Driving Cars

Accurate vehicle detection or classification plays an important role for self-driving cars. Objects classification and detection can be used in various such as Robotics, Medical Diagnosis, Safety, Industrial Inspection and Automation, Human Computer Interface, Advanced Driver Assistance System and Information Retrieval. In this article, we investigated the methods of detection and classification in context images and videos. SIFT, HOG, SVM, CNN, faster RCNN and YOLO methods are reviewed to detect and recognize the objects. The paper aims to know the methods that detect the obstacles on the way to reduce the traffic accidents. We summarize the results, faster-RCNN is better than the other methods for real-time citing the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods

Fatigue Analysis of Simple and Advanced Hoop Pelton Turbine Buckets

The Pelton impulse turbine, which is the most effective turbine that was invented by Lester Pelton, has good operation performance in high hydraulic head and low flow rates. The water from the jet strikes the bucket splitter ridge and induce the forces to propel the runner for producing mechanical energy from velocity head. This jet forces produce the main fatigue load that repeats the load cycles during the operation to occur the stresses on the bucket to become fatigue. This paper focus on the fatigue analysis of the Pelton turbine bucket by numerical approach that shows the results of life cycles, damage, Von Mises stress, and mean biaxiality ratio to estimate the better design and operating performance of the Pelton turbine bucket with minimum corrosion and failures. Solid Works 3D Cad software is used for modelling two different shapes of Pelton buckets that are simple, and advanced hoop buckets and ANSYS 16.2 nCode design life simulation software is used for analyzing fatigue with the finite element method. Stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and cast iron are considered for bucket materials to compare better results for turbine.

An interdisciplinary approach to restore missing maxillary lateral incisor with Orthodontics and Implant Prosthodontics: A Case Report

Abstract The absence of the maxillary lateral incisors create an asthetic problem that can be managed with different treatment modalities. Comprehensive treatment planning is required to achieve a satisfactory result, keeping in mind the aesthetics, function and periodontal stability. An interdisciplinary treatment approach is beneficial and involves orthodontic closure of the space with maxillary canine substitution or space opening for single- tooth implants, bridges and tooth-supported restorations. The present case of a 21-year-old female dental student with agenesis of maxillary left lateral incisor with the presence of maxillary left canine in place of lateral incisor, and midline deviation. Treatment included space creation and placement of 3.3mm implant together with bone augmentation, immediate temporization and finally restored with porcelain crown after healing period of three months

Alcohol consumption among adult males in urban area of Thanlyin Township, Yangon Region, Myanmar

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is frequently related to health and behavioural problems as well as socio-economic hardship. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of alcohol consumption among adult males residing in urban area of Thanlyin Township, Yangon Region.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 adult males. Multi-stage random sampling was applied. Data entry and analysis was done using Stata 11.0 statistical package.Results: The prevalence of current alcohol drinking, ex-drinking and never drinking were 20.5%, 9.0% and 70.5%, respectively. There was a significant decreasing trend of alcohol consumption across the levels of age-group. Age, education status and practicing other health-risk behaviours such as smoking and betel chewing were detected as significant risk factors of alcohol consumption. Ever smokers and ever betel chewers were about 4 times more likely to be ever alcohol user compared to their counterparts even if age and education level were adjusted. By controlling smoking and betel chewing habits, 79.2% and 76.6% of existing prevalence of alcohol consumption among respondents would be reduced, respectively.Conclusions: There is an urgent need to curb the habit of alcohol consumption among adult males living in urban area, especially young adults. Alcohol and tobacco control policies in Myanmar should be strengthened or reinforced. Tobacco control program also needs to be intensified. Health education and health promotion activities should be enhanced in order to reduce alcohol consumption in the country.

Influenza A Viral Infection with Septic Shock in Pregnancy

Te infuenza virus is RNA virus and is classifed into four subtypes, infuenza A, infuenza B, infuenza C, and infuenza D. One of the subtypes of infuenza A, the H1N1 strain, also known as swine fu, is especially of high risk for development of complications in pregnant women. Te influenza A virus infection is difficult to diagnose clinically because its presenting symptoms are similar to those of the common cold but are more severe, last longer, and can be potentially life-threatening. This case also presented with common cold symptoms but her condition worsened later. Fortunately, obstetric health providers were vigilant enough to address the developing infection and its related complications. It was the cooperative effort of multidisciplinary team care which resulted in a flavourable outcome in both mother and baby

Treatment outcomes of patients on Second-line Antiretroviral Therapy in resource-limited settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A growing proportion of patients on antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings have switched to second-line regimens. We carried out a systematic review in order to summarize reported rates and reasons for virological failure among people on second-line therapy in resource-limited settings