Modelling of an axial flow compact separator using neural network

A novel design axial flow cyclonic separator called I-SEP was tested with an extensive set of experiments using air-water two phase flow mixture at atmospheric pressure. These experiments provided valuable data on the separation efficiency and pressure drop under different inlet conditions. The performance parameters i.e. Gas Carry Under (GCU) and Liquid Carry Over (LCO) were found to be non-linearly related to the inlet operating conditions. However it was found that resistance on the tangential outlet of the I-SEP affects the GCU and that manipulating the pressure difference between the two outlets and the inlet of the I-SEP through manual control valves, the GCU could be controlled. The separator was also extensively tested and compared with a gravity separator, when they were placed at the exit of a riser, in severe slugging condition frequently encountered in the production pipe work from some oil fields. The tests revealed that the I-SEP has better tendency to suppress severe slugging as compared to the gravity separator. A framework for neural network based on multiple types of input was also developed to model the separation performance of the I-SEP. Mutual Information (one of the key elements of the information theory) was applied to select the appropriate candidate input variables to the neural network framework. This framework was then used to develop a neural network model based on dimensionless input parameters such as pressure coefficient. This neural network model produced satisfactory prediction on unseen experimental data. The inverse function of a trained neural network was combined with a PID controller in a closed loop to control the GCU and LCO at a given set point by predicting the manipulating variable i.e. pressure at the I-SEP outlets. This control scheme was simulated using the test data. Such controller could be used to assist the operator in maintaining and controlling the GCU or LCO at the I-SEP outlets.The work performed during this study also includes the development of a data repository system to store and query the experimental result. An internet based framework is also developed that allows remote access of the experimental data using internet or wireless mobile devices

Synthesis and evaluation of pH dependent hydrogels for controlled release of Venlafaxine HCl

pH dependent hydrogel formulations of venlafexine HCl were prepared by free radical polymerization method using polyethylene glycol as polymer. Various samples were prepared with varying concentration of polymer, monomer and cross-linker to study their effect on gel swelling, diffusion characteristics and drug release. Swelling was found to be increased with increase in pH. Increase in acrylic acid concentration increases swelling while increase in cross-linker concentration has an opposite effect on swelling. Drug release study was performed in pH 1.2, 5.5 and 7.5 for 12 hours at 37 oC and drug release was found to increase in higher pH. Prepared hydrogel preparations were also characterized by PXRD, TGA, SEM and FTIR

Non-Traumatic Aortic Emergencies - Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre in

Objective: To review the incidence, clinical presentation and outcome of Non traumatic Aortic emergencies in a tertiary care hospital and its evaluation in the Emergency department (ED).Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of cases presented to the ED at Aga Khan University Hospital during 15 year period (1988 - 2002) who had final diagnosis of Aortic Dissection or Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm. Patients without confirmatory investigations were excluded. We aimed at looking for the incidence, clinical presentation, evaluation in the ED and final outcome.Results: Of the 12 cases, 7 had aortic dissection while the remaining 5 had ruptured aortic aneurysm. For Aortic dissection, mean age of presentation was 53 years with male predominance. Most of these patients had chest pain. Most common comorbid condition was hypertension. Pulse deficit was found in 2 cases, murmur in 4 cases, and focal neurologic deficit in 2 cases. Electrocardiogram revealed ischemic changes in 3 cases. Widened mediastinum on chest x-ray was present in all cases. The only initial misdiagnosis was cardiac ischemia. One patient survived to discharge. For patients presenting with ruptured aortic aneurysm, mean age of presentation was 52 yrs with a male predominance. The associated comorbid condition was hypertension. Almost all patients presented classically with abdominal pain, hypotension and palpable mass. No patient survived to discharge.Conclusion: Aortic emergencies although rare, are associated with significant mortality. High index of suspicion and prompt recognition by the emergency physician is of key importanc

Virulence gene profile and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in Kashmir, India

The Staphylococcus aureusis often responsible for a number of diseases in humans and animals, and it is considered as a main etiological agent of bovine mastitis. The pathogenicity of S. aureus is due to both its ability to resist antibiotics, and the production of toxins. This study investigated virulence genes, prevalence and antibiogram profile of S. aureus isolated from dairy cows suffering from mastitis in the Kashmir. A total of 70 S. aureus isolates were obtained from 250 mastitic milk samples collected from both organized (47/150) and unorganized (23/100) dairy farms. Five pathogenic factors including clfA, hld, seo, lukM, and coa and one resistance gene mecAgene were checked through PCR. Clumping factor gene (clfA) was found in most of the isolates with a percentage of 81.42 % whereas,hld, seo, lukM, and coa were present in 61.2, 54.28, 70, and 71 percent of isolates, respectively. However, amplification of coagene yielded DNA bands of two different sizes. A high percentage of antimicrobial resistance rates were observed, wherein, Ampicillin showed highest resistance with 85.7 %, followed by Kanamycin, Cefotaxime, Sulphadizine and Streptomicin showing 71.42 %, 54.28 %, 51.48 % and 42 %, respectively. A high frequency of Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA 28.57 %) was observed in these isolates and all methicillin resistant isolates were found to be positive for mecA gene via PCR amplification. These results revealed that mastitis-associated S. aureus among bovines of Kashmir is able to accumulate different virulence factors and resistance to antimicrobials, making the treatment of infections difficult

Isolation, virulence gene profiling with molecular cloning of ibeA gene and antibiogram of Escherichia coli from respiratory tract infections of broiler chicken in Kashmir, India

he present study has determined prevalence, serological diversity, virulence gene profileand in vitro antibiogram of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from respiratory tract of broiler chicken in Kashmir valley along with molecular cloning of ibeA gene, an important zoonotic among invasion-associated genes responsible for neonatal meningitis in humans. A total of 224 broilerchickens with a history of respiratory tract infections, in a flock size of 2692 birds from organised and unorganised poultry farms of Kashmir valley, were screened for E. coli isolation. The prevalence of E. coli in birds with respiratory tract infection was found to be 6.38 per cent. Serogrouping revealed that the E. coli isolates were typeable into 10 serogroups with prevalence rate of 8.8% for serogroup O2, along with few isolates rough or untypeable. The screening of E. coli isolates for virulence gene profile revealed the presence of iss in (89.53%), iucDin (85.46 %), tsh in (51.74 %), cva/cvi in (33.14 %), irp2in (55.23 %), papCin (33.72 %), vat in (31.39 %), astAin (38.95 %), fimCin (93.60 %) and ibeAin (1.16 %) isolates. The antibiogram screening of E. coli isolates revealed majority of isolates to be resistant to tetracycline (94.71%), ampicillin (92.67%) and cephalaxin (79.67%).However, most of the isolates were sensitive to amikacin (74.41%) followed by amoxacillin-sulbactam (68.60%) and gentamicin (67.44%). The study thus, suggests that the E. coli isolates from respiratory tract infection of poultry harbour differential virulence genes along with the genes of zoonotic interest and variable antimicrobial resistance, thus, opening the areas for devising dynamic, emergent and effective treatment line

Filter Bubbles in Recommender Systems: Fact or Fallacy -- A Systematic Review

A filter bubble refers to the phenomenon where Internet customization effectively isolates individuals from diverse opinions or materials, resulting in their exposure to only a select set of content. This can lead to the reinforcement of existing attitudes, beliefs, or conditions. In this study, our primary focus is to investigate the impact of filter bubbles in recommender systems. This pioneering research aims to uncover the reasons behind this problem, explore potential solutions, and propose an integrated tool to help users avoid filter bubbles in recommender systems. To achieve this objective, we conduct a systematic literature review on the topic of filter bubbles in recommender systems. The reviewed articles are carefully analyzed and classified, providing valuable insights that inform the development of an integrated approach. Notably, our review reveals evidence of filter bubbles in recommendation systems, highlighting several biases that contribute to their existence. Moreover, we propose mechanisms to mitigate the impact of filter bubbles and demonstrate that incorporating diversity into recommendations can potentially help alleviate this issue. The findings of this timely review will serve as a benchmark for researchers working in interdisciplinary fields such as privacy, artificial intelligence ethics, and recommendation systems. Furthermore, it will open new avenues for future research in related domains, prompting further exploration and advancement in this critical area.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures and 5 table

Utjecaj sastava podloge na komercijalnu proizvodnju alkalne proteaze s pomoću soja Bacillus licheniformis N-2

Protease production by alkalophilic B. licheniformis N-2 was investigated in 50 mL of the growth medium consisting of (in g/L): glucose 10.0, soybean meal 10.0, K2HPO4 3.0, MgSO4·7H2O 0.5, NaCl 0.5 and CaCl2·2H2O 0.5 at pH=10. Different carbon and nitrogen sources in the form of fine powder of organic, inorganic and defatted meals were studied to select the suitable substrate for alkaline protease production. The highest level of alkaline protease (677.64 U/mL) was obtained in the medium containing glucose followed by soluble starch and wheat bran. Among various nitrogen sources, defatted soybean meal was found to be the best inducer of alkaline protease, while inorganic nitrogen sources in the form of ammonium salts repressed the enzyme activity up to 96 %. Thermostability studies showed that the enzyme in the presence of 10 mM Ca2+ ions retained its residual activity up to 80 % even after incubation at 40 °C for 12 h. The enzyme was found stable over a broad range of pH (8–11) and lost 52 % of its residual activity at pH=12. After the treatment with Tween 20, Tween 45, Tween 65, Triton X-405, H2O2 and sodium perborate, each at 1.0 % concentration, the enzyme showed residual activity of 105, 82, 116, 109, 135 and 126 %, respectively. The application of alkaline protease for removal of blood stains from cotton fabric also indicates its potential use in detergent formulations.U radu je istražena proizvodnja proteaze s pomoću alkalofilnog soja bakterije Bacillus licheniformis N-2 u 50 mL podloge sastava (u g/L): glukoza 10,0; sojina sačma 10,0; K2HPO4 3,0; MgSO4·7H2O 0,5; NaCl 0,5 i CaCl2·2H2O 0,5; pH=10. Dodatkom raznih izvora ugljika i dušika u obliku finih praškastih organskih, anorganskih i nemasnih hranjiva, odabran je prikladan supstrat za proizvodnju alkalne proteaze. Najviše alkalne proteaze (677,64 U/mL) proizvedeno je u podlozi s glukozom, a nešto manje sa škrobom i mekinjama. Utvrđeno je da je nemasna sojina sačma najbolji izvor dušika za proizvodnju alkalne proteaze, dok su amonijeve soli smanjile aktivnost enzima i do 96 %. Ispitivanje termostabilnosti enzima pokazalo je da on, u prisutnosti Ca2+ iona u koncentraciji od 10 mM, zadržava čak do 80 % aktivnosti i nakon inkubacije pri 40 °C tijekom 12 sati. Enzim je bio stabilan u području pH-vrijednosti od 8 do 11, a pri pH=12 izgubio je 52 % rezidualne aktivnosti. Nakon obrade različitim 1,0 %-tnim otopinama izmjerena je ova rezidualna aktivnost enzima: 105 % s Tween 20, 82 % s Tween 45, 116 % s Tween 65, 109 % s Triton X-405, 135 % s H2O2 i 126 % s natrijevim perboratom. Alkalna se proteaza može primijeniti u proizvodnji detergenata za uklanjanje mrlja od krvi pri pranju tkanina