A software architecture for autonomous maintenance scheduling: Scenarios for UK and European Rail

A new era of automation in rail has begun offering developments in the operation and maintenance of industry standard systems. This article documents the development of an architecture and range of scenarios for an autonomous system for rail maintenance planning and scheduling. The Unified Modelling Language (UML) has been utilized to visualize and validate the design of the prototype. A model for information exchange between prototype components and related maintenance planning systems is proposed in this article. Putting forward an architecture and set of usage mode scenarios for the proposed system, this article outlines and validates a viable platform for autonomous planning and scheduling in rail

Variations in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and its association with rainfall and vegetation over India

In this paper we have studied variability and growth rate of surface observed atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations over Cape Rama, west coast of India and its association with rainfall and vegetation over this region. Cape Rama is a maritime site which experiences a seasonal reversal wind pattern receiving air masses having marine (continental) signatures during summer (winter) monsoon season. This study reveals that summer monsoon (JJAS) precipitation and monthly values of atmospheric CO2 concentration during the season are well correlated. Negative correlations are seen with CO2 concentrations of concurrent months of the season as well as subsequent months. However the magnitudes of correlation coefficients are decreased till hot pre-monsoon season (MAM). Annual cycle and interannual variability show negative relationship between CO2 concentration and vegetation over the region. CO2 concentration shows increasing trend and NDVI shows decreasing trend. However, the magnitude of increasing trend of CO2 concentration is higher. Amplitude of decreasing phase of vegetation is higher than the amplitude of increasing phase. Though the results show certain link between CO2 and climate variability, further examination with dense and longer data may be needed to confirm the result

A questionnaire-based comparison of conventional teaching methods to computer assisted learning in experimental pharmacology for undergraduate medical students

Background: Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) for teaching experimental pharmacology is now widely accepted as alternative to animal experiments. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of undergraduate medical students by conventional teaching methods (lecture and discussion) and CAL.Methods: This was a questionnaire based observational study involving 109 MBBS students of fifth semester. The students were taught experimental pharmacology practical by both conventional methods (lecture with discussion) and computer assisted learning (CAL). Questionnaire and their filled responses by these students were taken at the end of lecture-discussion (pre-CAL) and after the CAL experiments (post-CAL), covering the same topics of experimental pharmacology. Pre-CAL and post-CAL data were assessed statistically.Results: In the pre-CAL session, only 53.39%, 47.56%, 53.39% and 49.5% of the students were having the scores above 40% in the rabbit eye, DRC and potentiation, frog heart and dog BP experiment respectively, which was increased to 77.44%, 75.48%, 75.47% and 75.48% of the students respectively in the post-CAL assessment. A statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in the performance was observed among the students in the pre-CAL and post-CAL assessment.Conclusions: CAL is a good alternative to animal experimentation. Lecture with discussion, followed by CAL experiments on the same topics, enhanced the performance of students as shown by improvement in post-CAL scores

Atmospheric CO2 source and sink patterns over the Indian region

In this paper we examine CO2 emission hot spots and sink regions over India as identified from global model simulations during the period 2000–2009. CO2 emission hot spots overlap with locations of densely clustered thermal power plants, coal mines and other industrial and urban centres; CO2 sink regions coincide with the locations of dense forest. Fossil fuel CO2 emissions are compared with two bottom-up inventories: the Regional Emission inventories in ASia (REAS v1.11; 2000–2009) and the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR v4.2) (2000–2009). Estimated fossil fuel emissions over the hot spot region are  ∼  500–950 gC m−2 yr−1 as obtained from the global model simulation, EDGAR v4.2 and REAS v1.11 emission inventory. Simulated total fluxes show increasing trends, from 1.39 ± 1.01 % yr−1 (19.8 ± 1.9 TgC yr−1) to 6.7 ± 0.54 % yr−1 (97 ± 12 TgC yr−1) over the hot spot regions and decreasing trends of −0.95 ± 1.51 % yr−1 (−1 ± 2 TgC yr−1) to −5.7 ± 2.89 % yr−1 (−2.3 ± 2 TgC yr−1) over the sink regions. Model-simulated terrestrial ecosystem fluxes show decreasing trends (increasing CO2 uptake) over the sink regions. Decreasing trends in terrestrial ecosystem fluxes imply that forest cover is increasing, which is consistent with India State of Forest Report (2009). Fossil fuel emissions show statistically significant increasing trends in all the data sets considered in this study. Estimated trend in simulated total fluxes over the Indian region is  ∼  4.72 ± 2.25 % yr−1 (25.6 TgC yr−1) which is slightly higher than global growth rate  ∼  3.1 % yr−1 during 2000–2010

Productivity improvement of a computer hardware supply chain.

Abstract Purpose -To determine the key reverse logistics variables, which the top management should focus so as to improve the productivity and performance of computer hardware supply chains. Design/methodology/approach -In this paper, an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) based approach has been employed to model the reverse logistics variables typically found in computer hardware supply chains. These variables have been categorized under &quot;enablers&quot; and &quot;results&quot;. The enablers are the variables that help boost the reverse logistics variables, while results variables are the outcome of good reverse logistics practices. Findings -A key finding of this modeling is that environmental concern is the primary cause of the initiation of reverse logistics practices in computer hardware supply chains. For better results, top management should focus on improving the high driving power enabler variables such as regulations, environmental concerns, top management commitment, recapturing value from used products, resource reduction, etc. Originality/value -In this research, an interpretation of reverse logistics variables in terms of their driving and dependence powers has been carried out. Those variables possessing higher driving power in the ISM need to be taken care on a priority basis because there are a few other dependent variables being affected by them. Variables emerging with high dependence contribute to productivity and performance of green supply chain

A study on pattern of initial and acquired drug resistance for isoniazid and rifampicin in A.F.B. positive sputum smears of pulmonary tuberculosis patients at a Medical College in North Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Despite availability of good quality anti-tubercular drugs and its administration through Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), tuberculosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India. The emergence of drug resistance necessitates the timely detection of susceptibility of anti-TB drugs. This can help in appropriate modification in treatment strategies.Methods: A total of 50 patients of pulmonary TB with AFB positive sputum smears attending the OPD of TB and Chest department of B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur were included. Patients were grouped based on history into new (cat-I) and previously treated patients (cat-II). Cat-II patients were further subdivided into defaulter, treatment failure and relapse groups. The culture and DST of AFB positive sputum smears of these patients was done in VersaTREK™®. At the end of study, patients were grouped according to age, sex, category and drug sensitivity pattern for Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) viz mono resistance (resistance to either INH or RIF) or multi drug resistance (M.D.R.) and the resultant data were analysed.Results: Of the total 50 patients included in this study, 18 (36%) patients were sensitive to both the drugs INH and RIF, of which 11 (22%) were of cat-I and 7 (14%) of category-II. Twenty-two (44%) patients were resistant to INH only of which 8 (16%) were of cat-I and 14 (28%) of cat-II. One (2%) case of cat-I showed resistance to RIF only, while M.D.R. type of resistance is seen in 1 (2%) patient of cat-I and 8 (16%) patients of cat-II. Pattern of resistance to both INH and RIF together (i.e. M.D.R. type) showed significant difference between cat-I and cat-II.Conclusions: Most of the patients showing resistance to INH, RIF or both INH and RIF (M.D.R.) belonged to category-II (previously treated) patients

HOMOLOGY MODELLING AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDY OF ORGANOPHOSPHATES AND PYRETHROIDS IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL TOXICITY

Objective: Though the adverse effects of pesticides used in agriculture may not immediately be visible in the human population however its long term exposure may cause detrimental effects by biomagnifications and bioaccumulation. Nowadays bioinformatics serves as an in silico tool not only for homology alignment but also for prediction of quaternary structures of biochemicals. The present study was aimed to compare the potential toxicities of triazophos and chlorpyrifos (organophosphates; OPs) and cypermethrin and deltamethrin (pyrethroids) and their interactions with cytochrome P450 functioning. Methods: The authors performed the BLAST for homology alignment for cytochrome P450 of human and Zebra fish and further proceeded for docking analysis of all the pesticides with cytochrome P450. Results: It was noted that 99% of query cover with 32% of homology in the sequences of cytochrome P450 between human and Zebra fish. Upon docking, the pesticide deltamethrin showed the highest interaction with cytochrome P450 with highest binding energy and least dissociation constant for Deltamethrin which was found to be 8.233 [kcal/mol] and 922849.687 [pM].Conclusion: Our preliminary results thus encompass/indicate that the deltamethrin is not only having detrimental effect on enzyme kinetics in general but also such similar effects be apprehended for human also

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FERTILIZER INDUSTRY EFFLUENT AND ITS TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT ON THE ACTIVITY OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE (AChE) IN FRESHWATER TELEOSTS Heteropneustes fossilis AND Labeo rohita

Industrijska revolucija je dobar pokazatelj gospodarskog razvoja države, međutim, može biti i prijetnja za floru i faunu ako se u prirodu ispuštaju nepročišćene otpadne vode industrije. Cilj ovog istraživanja je procijeniti toksikološke učinke pročišćenih i nepročišćenih industrijskih otpadnih voda na aktivnost acetilkolinesteraze (AChE) kod Heteropneustes fossilis i Labeo rohita, jestivih riba različitih karakteristika poput razlika u morfologiji, staništu, ishrani, itd. Analizirani su fizikalno-kemijski parametri otpadnih voda kao što su: pH, električna vodljivost (EC), alkalitet, tvrdoća, otopljeni kisik (DO), fosfati, sulfati, nitrati, slobodni amonijak, kloridi, cink, željezo, krom i kalij jer ti parametri nisu bili u rasponu prema ISO smjernicama. Vrijednost LC50 za nepročišćene vode iznosila je 2,34% (v/v) i 0,80% (v/v) tijekom 96 h kod H. fossilis i L. rohita. Smrtnost riba u obrađenim otpadnim vodama nije zabilježena. Tijekom izlaganja subletalnim koncentracijama (1/15, 1/(10 ), 1/5 LC50) kod obje vrste riba aktivnost AChE u metabolički osjetljivim organima (mozak, mišići, škrge) je bila smanjena. Daljnja istraživanja biokemijskih i molekularnih pokazatelja mogla bi približiti mehanizam njihovog djelovanja.Industrial revolution is a good indicator of economic development of a country; however, it can be a threat to the flora and fauna if the untreated effluent of an industry is discharged. The present study is aimed to assess the comparative toxicological impacts of treated and untreated industrial effluents on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Heteropneustes fossilisand Labeo rohita, the most common edible fishes having diverse characters which include differences in morphology, habitat, food and feeding, etc. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, free ammonia, chloride, zinc, iron, chromium and potassium of both untreated and treated effluent from the fertilizer industry were also analyzed as these parameters were not in range as per ISO guidelines. The LC50 value for untreated effluent was 2.34% (v/v) and 0.80% (v/v) for 96 h in H. fossilis and L. rohita, respectively, while no mortality was recorded in the treated effluent. The AChE activity in both fish species was found to decline in metabolically responsive organs like brain, muscle and gills through exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1/15th, 1/10th and 1/5th of LC50 value) of the untreated effluent for 96 h. Further studies on biochemical and molecular aspects may reveal the mechanism of their action

Recent Progress of Electrocatalysts and Photocatalysts Bearing First Row Transition Metal for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER)

The design and modification of metal–organic complexes for hydrogen (H2) gas production by water splitting have been intensively investigated over the recent decades. In most reported mechanistic pathways, metal hydride species are considered as crucial intermediates for H2 formation where the metal present at the active site plays an imperative role in the transfer of electron and proton. In the last few decades, much consideration has been done on the development of non-precious metal–organic catalysts that use solar energy to split water into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) as alternative fossil fuels. This review discussed the design, fabrication, and evaluation of the catalysts for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic hydrogen production. Mechanistic approach is addressed here in order to understand the fundamental design principle and structural properties relationship of electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. Finally, we discuss some challenges and opportunities of research in the near future in this promising area

Designing multi-period supply chain network considering risk and emission: a multi-objective approach

This research formulates a multi-objective problem (MOP) for supply chain network (SCN) design by incorporating the issues of social relationship, carbon emissions, and supply chain risks such as disruption and opportunism. The proposed MOP includes three conflicting objectives: maximization of total profit, minimization of supply disruption and opportunism risks, and minimization of carbon emission considering a number of supply chain constraints. Furthermore, this research analyses the effect of social relationship levels between different tiers of SCN on the profitability, risk, and emission over the time. In this regard, we focus on responding to the following questions. (1) How does the evolving social relationship affect the objectives of the supply chain (SC)? (2) How do the upstream firms’ relationships affect the relationships of downstream firms, and how these relationships influence the objectives of the SC? (3) How does the supply disruption risk interact with the opportunism risk through supply chain relationships, and how these risks affect the objectives of the SC? (4) How do these three conflicting objectives trade-off? A Pareto-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm–non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) has been employed to solve the presented problem. In order to improve the quality of solutions, tuning parameters of the NSGA-II are modulated using Taguchi approach. An illustrative example is presented to manifest the capability of the model and the algorithm. The results obtained evince the robust performance of the proposed MOP