Graphical OODB modeling for medical information standards (GOMMIS)

Our task is to create a graphical representation of the European Prestandard for Medical Informatics on Message Exchange of Laboratory Information. This document, made available to us through Columbia Presbyterian, describes a standardized format for messages to be exchanged between a healthcare provider and a medical laboratory. The prestandard represents important information in a very disconnected way. We have used OODINI system and language to develop our GOMMIS system. OODINI is a graphical editor for object-oriented database schemas that was developed at NJIT during the past three years. OODINI features a poweful set of icons that cover most concepts of existing Object-Oriented Database(OODB) systems. Our GOMMIS system creates one single unified graphical representation that shows the connections between all the classes and also the connections between classes and attributes. The electronic representation gives us the power and flexibility to manipulate the class information at will. Our project achieved its main purpose of demonstrating that graphical OODB display of medical informatics improves dramatically the possibilities to comprehend a complex application

Pneumatic fracture propagation and particulate transport in geologic formations

Pneumatic fracturing is an in situ remediation enhancement technology developed to increase the permeability of contaminated geologic formations. This technology can also be used to deliver atomized liquid and particulate supplements to geologic formations, thereby enhancing in situ processes such as bioremediation and reactive dechlorination. The main objective of this study was the development of a mathematical model that simulates the propagation of pneumatic fractures in soil and rock formations. Pneumatic fracture propagation differs from other fluid fracturing phenomena in the propagation velocity (1-3 m/sec) and the viscosity of the fracturing fluid (1.9E-05 Pa•sec). For the purposes of model development, the geologic formation was assumed to be homogenous with regard to composition, anisotropic with respect to pneumatic conductivity, and overconsolidated with respect to geostatic stress. The propagation model was formulated by coupling equations describing the three physical processes controlling propagation: (i) pressure loss due to frictional effects; (ii) leak-off into the surrounding formation; and (iii) deflection of the overburden. Pressure dissipation was modeled based on Poiseuille\u27s law, and leak-off was modeled using two-dimensional Darcian flow. The deflection of the overlying formation was modeled as a circular plate clamped at its edges and subjected to logarithmically varying load. The model was solved numerically and the solution was expressed as an algorithm. The algorithm seeks an equilibrium fracture radius and aperture that simultaneously satisfies flow continuity and stress equilibrium criteria at the fracture tip. Different methods of solution convergence were examined and the Bisection Method was found to be the most efficient. Sensitivity analyses showed that model behavior was dominated by the pneumatic conductivity of the geologic formation since this parameter largely determines leak-off rate. The algorithm was calibrated with field data from six different pneumatic fracturing projects and regressed values of pneumatic conductivity and elastic modulus showed reasonable agreement with field measured values. The most important result of the calibration process was the coincidence between the regressed conductivity (1.1E-03 to 1.8E-05) and the post-fracture conductivities measured in the field (3.1E-03 to 1.7E-05). This result supported the fundamental thesis that final fracture radius is determined with the geologic formation in a disturbed state. A separate pneumatic fracture propagation model was developed and solved based solely on the continuity criterion. The solution demonstrated reasonable correlation with field measured radii, although it tended to overestimate fracture radius in soil formations at shallow depths of injection (on an average 15 % more than field measured radius). As a secondary objective of this study, a methodology to model the mechanism of particulate transport in a fluidized soil formation was proposed. The methodology was tested with field data from a recent case study

Case Studies of Problematic Expansive Soils: Characterization Challenges, Innovative Stabilization Designs, and Novel Monitoring Methods

This presentation describes key research works on expansive soils, the methods employed to characterize them, and fallacies in the current characterization of expansive soils. Novel swell characterization models that account for hydro, chemical, and mechanical behaviors of soils are introduced and used in various case studies to improve expansive soil stabilization practices. An innovative design method for successful stabilization of expansive soil is introduced in one case study which incorporated both basic clay mineralogy and unsaturated soil behaviors, as well as performance-based durability studies. Sulfate soil stabilization works on medium-to-high sulfate soils are presented in another case study. The last case study involving steep earthen embankment built with expansive clayey soils and experiencing recurring surficial slope failures and maintenance issues is presented along with forensic studies explaining the causes of slope failures. All case studies reveal the need for understanding of soil chemistry, including clay mineralogy and sulfate screening studies, to improve the current field stabilization and infrastructure design on expansive soils. The last section of the talk focuses on recent innovations for better health monitoring and management of civil infrastructure built on expansive soils using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms and visualization tools, which will be valuable in validating the application of new materials in infrastructure design and construction processes as well as for health monitoring and asset management practices

Artificial Groundwater Recharge Zones Mapping using Remote Sensing and GIS for Sub-Watersheds of Krishna Basin

The exacerbated exploitation of groundwater resources has led to an alarming decrease in groundwater levels. It is necessary to identify areas that allow for efficient recharge so that implementation of artificial groundwater recharge can be conducted in such areas with better efficiency. This study maps zones with their varying degrees of affinity for groundwater recharge in two of the sub-watersheds of the Krishna Basin.The factors affecting the potential of groundwater recharge were determined and then thematic maps for each factor were generated in ArcGIS 10.8. Remote sensing data from sources like ‘Bhuvan’ and ‘Bhukosh’ were used for the generation of the thematic layers. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used while deciding the relative and subsequently overall importance of each layer. The weights derived from the AHP were applied to the thematic layers and the mapping of zones for artificial groundwater recharge was done

Design of Green Infrastructure: A Case Study of RGUKT Srikakulam

Rainwater harvesting is a promising solution to ensure a year-round water supply, meet agricultural demands and maintain ecological flows in the water system. It is also a viable option to reclaim declining water bodies and offer a sustainable source of water. In correspondence, the study attempts to explore the feasibility of rainwater harvesting through green infrastructure for urban catchments, with an example of the RGUKT Srikakulam university campus in Etcherla. The study attempts to analyze the campus as a catchment for Rainwater harvesting and design green infrastructure solutions in accordance with the site conditions. The study uses the SCS-CN methodology to compute the runoff of the catchment by developing excel spreadsheets, using the rainfall over a 10-year period. The solutions of green infrastructure explore options such as Bio-swales, rain gardens, infiltration strips, permeable pavements, retention basins, detention basins, etc. The purpose of the study is to analyze the feasibility of achieving zero runoff for the entirety of the RGUKT Srikakulam campus for a maximum of 10-year rainfall. The study also attempts to explain the secondary benefits of green infrastructure development. This study aimed to develop simple models to replicate such work for complex and modified urban and semi-urban settings (catchments). When put into practice, these techniques were developed to ensure easy design, construction, and development of green infrastructure solutions with suitability to suit specific requirements of distinctive urban centers. When developed on a full scale, across the country, Green Infrastructure (GI) may act as a solution to renew the groundwater resources and ensure water supply throughout the year

Analysis of Continuous Power Flow Method, Model Analysis, Linear Regression and ANN for Voltage Stability Assessment for Different Loading Conditions

AbstractThis Paper presents voltage stability assessment through P-V curve and bus voltage sensitivity factor. Active power margin is used to measure the distance to instability. Analyses by using computational methods are used to obtain P-V curve of power system. Continuation power flow starting with initial operating point and increasing load to the maximum loading point and to reduce the size of the jacobian matrix modal analysis is adopted. A data statistics analysis tool is used to run linear regression. In this paper the linear regression method with ANN is compared with conventional methods and voltage stability is improved within less iterations

Production risks in Bulgarian peanut production

As farmers in a transition economy search for new crop enterprises with a potential for income enhancement they are faced with increased risks in the process of resource allocation. It has been noted that biased estimation of production function estimates results from the lack of accountability of risks. Since peanut production in Bulgaria has increased at a varying rate since 1989 it is important that we examine the risks associated with input use. The data for this study were collected from farmers from 18 villages in the southern part of Bulgaria. A total of 205 farmers were surveyed for this study. Peanut yield in Bulgaria is positively related to the quantity of seed used, fungicide, manual labor, investment level and mechanized labor used. Peanut yield is negatively influenced by investment levels but positively by the increase of manual labor. The response of yield to quantity of seed used is elastic, and an addition of a kg of peanut seeds may increase yield by 32kg. However, as the quantity of seeds used per ha increases the risk is expected to increase, hence farmers may be cautious in increasing the quantity of seeds used. Investment capital, manual labor and mechanized labor are positively related to yield and there will be a reduction in yield if the optimal levels of those inputs are surpassed. Thus farmers may increase yield and production by augmenting the seeding rate, other factors remaining constant.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Lime and Cement Treatments of Subgrades in Southern Italy: Facing Interports Issues and Challenges

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OPTIMIZATION AND SOLUBILIZATION STUDY OF NANOEMULSION BUDESONIDE AND CONSTRUCTING PSEUDOTERNARY PHASE DIAGRAM

Objective: The aim of the present study was to formulate and optimize budesonide nanoemulsions for targeting inflammation.Methods: Budesonide is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. It is a glucocorticoid used in the management of asthma, the treatment of various skin disorders, and allergic rhinitis. The exact mechanism of the action of budesonide in the treatment of Crohn's disease is not fully understood. However, being a glucocorticosteroid, budesonide has a high local anti-inflammatory effect. The formulation was optimized for different components and the solubility study for the oil in surfactant and cosurfactant mix ratio was optimized using ternary phase diagram.Results: The surfactant mix ratio was optimized as 1:3 where the maximum concentration of the oil has solubilized and the nanoemulsion area was increased.Conclusion: Budesonide nanoemulsion for targeting inflammation and the pseudoternary phase diagram for the solubility studies and the components of different phases were optimized and achieved through this study

Assessing recycled/secondary materials as pavement bases

The use of recycled or secondary materials in pavement construction is gaining popularity owing to the added advantages over conventional materials, which include the conservation of natural resources, conservation of energy, preservation of the environment and reduction in life-cycle costs. In this research, two types of recycled materials, namely reclaimed asphalt pavement and cement-stabilised quarry fines, were utilised as pavement base materials for a highway extension project in Arlington, Texas, USA. Prior to the construction of test sections, a series of laboratory studies including strength, compressibility, swell/shrink and resilient modulus tests were performed on the selected base materials to verify their suitability as base materials for pavement construction. Pavement test sections were instrumented with horizontal inclinometers and pressure cells to monitor the long-term performance of these new base materials. Pavement surface profiling surveys were also conducted at regular intervals to monitor for any accumulated roughness of the pavement surfaces. Analysis of results obtained from both laboratory and field monitoring studies demonstrates that these secondary materials can be effectively used as pavement bases. The sustainability issues of this project are also discussed in detail