Water Management in the Noyyal River Basin A Situation Analysis

The Noyyal sub-basin, which is 3510 sq km in area, is part of the Cauvery basin that lies in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a rapidly urbanizing sub-basin that includes the Class I cities of Coimbatore and Tiruppur as well as 84 smaller urban settlements. Water issues in this basin have been the focus of much public debate and action over the last two decades. Most of the debate, triggered by farmer agitations and court cases, has focused on the question of water pollution; water scarcity and sustainability issues have received relatively little attention. Recent bans on industrial effluent discharge into the Noyyal, as well as changes in water supply infrastructure, watershed development activities, urban demand and agricultural water use have dramatically altered the future of the Noyyal River and merit follow-up studies. The purpose of this situation analysis is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding water resources management in the Noyyal sub-basin and identify critical knowledge gaps to inform water-related research in the basin. It is hoped that such an analysis will help those studying or working on water issues in the Noyyal, and also provide useful insights for other urbanizing basins

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

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

Not Available

Not AvailableThis study investigated the thin-layer drying characteristics of bamboo slices in a convective tray dryer with three different temperatures viz., 55, 65 and 75C and fit the experimental data to four drying models to identify the best fit model and drying temperature. The drying rate curves of slices typically demonstrate a smooth diffusion controlled drying behavior. The drying rate at the beginning of the process was generally lower at 55C, with a marked difference between it and the other temperatures. The difference between MRs increased gradually at the commencement of drying and the time required for reaching equilibrium moisture content decreases with increasing temperature. The average value of coefficient of determination (r2) and RMSE revealed values varied between 0.94–0.99 and 0.014–0.073, respectively. Page and logarithmic models obtained the highest r2 and least RMSE at all temperatures and better reflected the drying mechanism of bamboo slices than exponential model. Rehydration ratio elevated when salt solution used for rehydration and the weight gain was more irrespective of temperature. Superior rehydration was noticed when the slices were dried at 65C, and it was relatively poor at 75C and 55C. Products dried at 65C recorded highest scores for visual appearance and colour at the end of drying.Not Availabl

A novel design of switched boost action based multiport converter using dsPIC controller for renewable energy applications

Traditionally the grid supplies only a particular voltage to the load, but today we are using 'n' number of loads with different voltage rating and converters. So, the conversion of the generated AC voltage into several stages of DC voltage before reaching the load is required. In this paper, the Multi Port Converter (MPC) is proposed, which is capable of converting a single valued AC voltage into several stages of DC voltage. The feasibility of employing of converter level switch node, as an interface to numerous output stages is examined in this paper. The connecting of several outputs at the identical node is accomplished by the use of time-division multiplexing technique. In this study, the input power is multiplexed into separate ports via a phenomenon known as Switching Boost Action (SBA). The prototype was developed for converting the 240 V, 50 Hz, single phase AC supply into two outputs and the 12 V DC supply which can fed to the loads, that can be stored in batteries for future use. This paper has been proposed to design SBA based MPC using dsPIC controller for renewable energy applications.Scopu

Recensione a: I “Documenti turchi” dell’Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Inventario della miscellanea a cura di A. Pia Pedani Fabris, con l’edizione dei regesti di A. Bombaci

Pubbicazioni degli Archivi di Stato, Strumenti CXXII, Ministero per i Beni culturali e ambientali, Roma 199

Extraction, Characterization and Enzymatic Degumming of Banana Fiber

Pseudostem is the major biomass being generated and not utilized after harvesting of banana bunches. The present study was aimed to characterize the banana fiber and to explore the possibilities of improving the quality of extracted fiber by degumming using enzymes. Fiber from pseudostem of five cultivars, viz., Grand Naine (AAA), Red Banana (AAA), Poovan (AAB), Popoulu (AAB) and Karpuravalli (ABB), were extracted using Raspador machine. Fibers were treated with pectinase, laccase and combination of both enzymes at varying concentrations. The highest fiber recovery was obtained from Karupuravalli (2.49%) and the least was recorded in Grand Naine (1.10%). Properties like breaking strength, breaking extension, tex and tenacity were found to be better in Red Banana fiber (975.97 gf, 3.17%, 33.7 tex, 28.40 cN/tex and 180.25 MPa respectively). SEM results revealed that laccase enzyme was more efficient in improving the surface quality of fibers followed by pectinase + laccase (25:75). Removal of pectinolytic substances from intact cells in cell wall of fiber resulted in surface smoothening of banana fiber

Poređenje matematičkih modela i kinetike sušenja bukovače (pleurotus spp) u tankom fluidizovanom sloju sa ubrzanom temperaturom i brzinom vazduha

Effect of drying air temperature and velocity on thin-layer drying characteristics of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) was investigated using a fluidized bed dryer. Mushrooms were dried at three air temperatures 45, 55 and 65ºC coupled with the air velocity of 2, 3.5 and 5 m•s‒1. Dehydration of mushrooms occurred in falling rate period and temperature has significant (P=0.04) effect on drying. From the regression model, best quality of dried oyster mushroom was obtained at 65°C temperature and 5 ms‒1 air velocity and it was validated with sensory characteristics in terms of colour, crispy texture, flavour and comparatively less shrinkage. To determine the drying kinetics, experimental moisture ratio data were fitted to seven thin-layer drying models. Among the models studied, Page model was found to be the best fitted model to describe the drying behavior of oyster mushroom. At any given air velocity, with the increase in drying air temperature led to an increase in effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 7.78×10‒10 to 2.11×10‒9m2•s‒1. Drying at 5 m•s‒1 air velocity required minimum activation energy of 22.15 kJ•mol‒1 to remove water during the drying process by diffusion. Rehydration ratios (RR) values (1.95-2.75) increased with increase in drying air temperature and velocity. The results obtained could be for making appropriate design and operations of industrial drying system for further processing of mushrooms to value added products.Ispitivan je uticaj temperature i brzine vazduha na karakteristike sušenja tankog fluidizovanog sloja bukovače (Pleurotus spp.). Pečurke su sušene na tri temperature vazduha 45, 55 i 65ºC, kombinovane sa brzinama vazduha od 2, 3.5 i 5 ms‒1. Trajanje dehidracije pečurki se smanjivalo i temperatura je imala značajan (P=0.04) uticaj na sušenje. U regresionom modelu, najbolji kvalitet sušene bukovače postignut je pri temperaturi od 65°C i brzini vazduha od 5 ms‒1, a ocenjen je prema senzornim karakteristikama: boja, hrskava tekstura, ukus i komparativno manje kalo. Za određivanje kinetike sušenja, eksperimentalne vrednosti vlažnosti su poređene sa sedam modela sušenja tankog sloja. Među analiziranim modelima, Page model je najbolje opisivao tok sušenja bukovače. Pri svakoj brzini vazduha, povećanje temperature dovelo je do povećanja efektivne difuzivnosti vlage u interval od 7.78×10‒10 do 2.11×10‒9 m2s‒1. Sušenje strujom vazduha brzine 5 ms‒1 zahtevalo je minimalnu energiju aktivacije od 22.15 KJ mol‒1 za odstranjivanje vode difuzijom tokom sušenja. Odnosi rehidracije (RR) (1.95-2.75) povećali su se sa povećanjem temperature i brzine vazduha. Dobijeni rezultati se mogu koristiti za pravljenje odgovarajućih konstrukcija i operacija industrijskih sistema sušenja gljiva radi dalje prerade i dobijanja prozvoda veće vrednosti