Field testing of polymeric mesh and ash-based ceramic membranes in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for decentralised sewage treatment

This paper presents the initial findings of field testing of 2 low-cost membrane filters, viz. 30 ìm polymeric mesh and 2–6 ìm macroporous waste-ash based ceramic filter, in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) employing batch anoxic and aerobic conditions. The influent was raw wastewater from a residential complex located near Delhi, India. The results indicated that the ceramic filter was able to operate for longer periods without cleaning; however, there is a limit to the transmembrane pressure it can withstand. The suspended solids retention was high with both filters (average of 96%). Moderate reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (NH4+) and total phosphorus (PO43-) was achieved. The improvements in operation required in such systems are also underlined

Observational evidence of summer shamal swells along the west coast of India

Wave data collected off Ratnagiri, which is on the west coast of India, in 2010 and 2011 are used to examinethe presence of the summer shamal swells. This study also aims to understand variations in wave characteristics and associated modifications in wind sea propagation at Ratnagiri. Wind data collected using an autonomous weather station (AWS), along with Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) and NCEP data, areused to identify the presence of summer shamal winds along the west coast f the Indian subcontinent and on the Arabian Peninsula. NCEP and ASCAT data indicate the presence of summer shamal winds over the Arabian Peninsula and northwesterly winds at Ratnagiri. This study identifies the presence of swells from the northwest that originate from the summer shamal winds in the Persian Gulf and that reach Ratnagiri during 30 of the summer shamal period. AWS data show the presence of northwest winds during May and southwest winds during the strong southwest monsoon period (June-August). Another important factor identified at Ratnagiri that is associated with the summer shamal events is the direction of wind sea waves.During the onset of the southwest monsoon (May), the sea direction is in the direction of swell propagation (northwest); however, during the southwest monsoon (June-August), a major part of the wind sea direction is from the southwest. The average occurrence of summer shamal swells is approximately 22 during the southwest monsoon period. An increase in wave height is observed during June and July at Ratnagiri due to the strong summer shamal event

Pregnant women who requested a '108' ambulance in two states of India.

We studied the pregnant women, who requested a '108' ambulance in two Indian states (Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Himachal Pradesh (HP)). We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey to study the characteristics and outcomes of those who (1) were transported using '108' ambulance, (2) were sent '108' ambulance but did not use it and (3) were not assigned a '108' ambulance. We conducted interviews within 24 hours of clients' call and followed them up at 48 hours, on the 7th and 28th day. 90% of pregnant women callers in AP and only 16% in HP were from poorer socioeconomic circumstances. 22.5% of women who were not provided an ambulance in HP lived in tribal areas. A higher proportion of women who were transported using '108' reported either a high-risk condition (AP, 22%; HP, 27%) or an early complication in pregnancy (AP and HP, 16%), compared with the other groups (AP, 18% and 8%; HP, 19% and 16%). In AP, women who were sent an ambulance but did not use it had higher prevalence of obstetric emergency (9.8%) compared with the other groups (ambulance used, 7.4%; not assigned, 4.1%). One-fifth of women in AP and one-seventh in HP delivered by caesarean section. One woman who called, but was not transported by '108', died in AP. Ten stillbirths and 22 neonatal deaths were reported in AP and 17 and 16, respectively, in HP. Strategies are required to improve '108' service for tribal areas in HP. The '108' services should be improved to reduce non-use of ambulance, especially for women who report obstetric emergencies

Investigations of machining characteristics in upgraded MQL assisted turning of pure titanium alloy using evolutionary algorithms

Environmental protection is the major concern of any form of manufacturing industry today. As focus has shifted towards sustainable cooling strategies, minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) has proven its usefulness. The current survey intends to make the MQL strategy more effective while improving its performance. A Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) was implemented into the MQL process in order to enhance the performance of the manufacturing process. The RHVT is a device that allows for separating the hot and cold air within the compressed air flows that come tangentially into the vortex chamber through the inlet nozzles. Turning tests with a unique combination of cooling technique were performed on titanium (Grade 2), where the effectiveness of the RHVT was evaluated. The surface quality measurements, forces values, and tool wear were carefully investigated. A combination of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and evolutionary techniques (particle swarm optimization (PSO), bacteria foraging optimization (BFO), and teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO)) was brought into use in order to analyze the influence of the process parameters. In the end, an appropriate correlation between PSO, BFO, and TLBO was investigated. It was shown that RHVT improved the results by nearly 15% for all of the responses, while the TLBO technique was found to be the best optimization technique, with an average time of 1.09 s and a success rate of 90%

Small molecule inhibitor of Igf2bp1 represses Kras and a pro-oncogenic phenotype in cancer cells

Igf2bp1 is an oncofetal RNA binding protein whose expression in numerous types of cancers is associated with upregulation of key pro-oncogenic RNAs, poor prognosis, and reduced survival. Importantly, Igf2bp1 synergizes with mutations in Kras to enhance signalling and oncogenic activity, suggesting that molecules inhibiting Igf2bp1 could have therapeutic potential. Here, we isolate a small molecule that interacts with a hydrophobic surface at the boundary of Igf2bp1 KH3 and KH4 domains, and inhibits binding to Kras RNA. In cells, the compound reduces the level of Kras and other Igf2bp1 mRNA targets, lowers Kras protein, and inhibits downstream signalling, wound healing, and growth in soft agar, all in the absence of any toxicity. This work presents an avenue for improving the prognosis of Igf2bp1-expressing tumours in lung, and potentially other, cancer(s)

Power quality improvements of arc welding power supplies by modified bridgeless SEPIC PFC converter

This paper proposes an efficient bridgeless power factor corrected (PFC) modified single ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) for arc welding power supplies (AWPS). The overall configuration is composed of two converters: (1) a modified bridgeless SEPIC PFC converter, which is controlled by a PI controller to achieve a high power factor and fast response; and (2) a full bridge buck converter with high-frequency transformer for high-frequency isolation to ensure arc welding stability. The proposed system is simulated under different operating conditions of an AWPS. It is also tested in real time by a hardware-in-the-loop system based on a dSPACE DS1103 control board. The system performances are evaluated based on power quality indices such as power factor, total harmonic distortions of the AC grid current, and voltage regulation. The obtained results show that the proposed controller enhances the weld bead quality by keeping a constant current at the output and a stable arc, meet the international power quality standards and robustness for voltage regulation

Probing the Topological Surface State in Bi2Se3 Thin Films Using Temperature-Dependent Terahertz Spectroscopy

Strong spin–momentum coupling in topological insulators gives rise to topological surface states, protected against disorder scattering by time reversal symmetry. The study of these exotic quantum states not only provides an opportunity to explore fundamental phenomenon in condensed matter physics, such as the spin Hall effect, but also lays the foundation for applications in quantum computing to spintronics. Conventional electrical measurements suffer from substantial bulk interference, making it difficult to clearly identify topological surface state from the bulk. We use terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to study the temperature-dependent optical behavior of a 23-quintuple-thick film of bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), allowing the deconvolution of the surface state response from the bulk. The signatures of the topological surface state at low temperatures (<30 K) with the optical conductance of Bi2Se3 exhibiting a metallic behavior are observed. Measurement of carrier dynamics results in an optical mobility exceeding 2000 cm2/V·s at 4 K, indicative of a surface-dominated response. A scattering lifetime of ∼0.18 ps and a carrier density of 6 × 1012 cm–2 at 4 K were obtained from the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurement. The terahertz conductance spectra reveal characteristic features at ∼1.9 THz, attributed to the optical phonon mode, which becomes less prominent with falling temperature. The electrical transport measurements reveal weak antilocalization behavior in our Bi2Se3 sample, consistent with the presence of a topological surface state

Cardiovascular risk profile and management of atrial fibrillation in India: Real world data from RealiseAF survey

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with high risk for many cardiovascular (CV) complications. Adherence to recommended management guidelines is important to avoid complications. In India, there is little knowledge on how AF is managed in real world. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of patients in India enrolled in RealiseAF survey between February 2010 and March 2010 with a diagnosis of AF within the last 12 months. RESULTS: From 15 centers, 301 patients {mean age 59.9 years (14.4); 52.5% males} were recruited. AF was controlled in 50% of patients with 77 (26.7%) in sinus rhythm and 67 (23.3%) with heart rate <80beats/min. Hypertension (50.8%), valvular heart disease (40.7%), heart failure (25.9%), and diabetes (20.4%) were the most common underlying CV diseases. Increased risk for stroke (CHADS2 score≥2) was present in 36.6%. Most of the patients (85%) were symptomatic. AF was paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent in 28.7%, 22.7%, and 34.3% respectively. In 14%, AF was diagnosed as first episode. Forty-six percent of patients had rate control, 35.2% rhythm control, 0.3% both strategies, and 18.4% received no therapy for AF before the visit. At the end of the visit, adoption to rate control strategy increased to 52.3% and patients with no therapy decreased to 7%. CONCLUSION: AF in India is not adequately controlled. Concomitant CV risk factors and risk of stroke are high. The study underscores the need for improved adoption of guideline-directed management for optimal control of AF and reducing the risk of stroke

Impact of socioeconomic deprivation on rate and cause of death in severe mental illness

Background: Socioeconomic status has important associations with disease-specific mortality in the general population. Although individuals with Severe Mental Illnesses (SMI) experience significant premature mortality, the relationship between socioeconomic status and mortality in this group remains under investigated.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Aims: To assess the impact of socioeconomic status on rate and cause of death in individuals with SMI (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) relative to the local (Glasgow) and wider (Scottish) populations.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: Cause and age of death during 2006-2010 inclusive for individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder registered on the Glasgow Psychosis Clinical Information System (PsyCIS) were obtained by linkage to the Scottish General Register Office (GRO). Rate and cause of death by socioeconomic status, measured by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), were compared to the Glasgow and Scottish populations.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Results: Death rates were higher in people with SMI across all socioeconomic quintiles compared to the Glasgow and Scottish populations, and persisted when suicide was excluded. Differences were largest in the most deprived quintile (794.6 per 10,000 population vs. 274.7 and 252.4 for Glasgow and Scotland respectively). Cause of death varied by socioeconomic status. For those living in the most deprived quintile, higher drug-related deaths occurred in those with SMI compared to local Glasgow and wider Scottish population rates (12.3% vs. 5.9%, p = &#60;0.001 and 5.1% p = 0.002 respectively). A lower proportion of deaths due to cancer in those with SMI living in the most deprived quintile were also observed, relative to the local Glasgow and wider Scottish populations (12.3% vs. 25.1% p = 0.013 and 26.3% p = &#60;0.001). The proportion of suicides was significantly higher in those with SMI living in the more affluent quintiles relative to Glasgow and Scotland (54.6% vs. 5.8%, p = &#60;0.001 and 5.5%, p = &#60;0.001). Discussion and conclusions: Excess mortality in those with SMI occurred across all socioeconomic quintiles compared to the Glasgow and Scottish populations but was most marked in the most deprived quintiles when suicide was excluded as a cause of death. Further work assessing the impact of socioeconomic status on specific causes of premature mortality in SMI is needed