Simulation–Optimization Modeling: A Survey and Potential Application in Reservoir Systems Operation

This paper presents a survey of simulation and optimization modeling approaches used in reservoir systems operation problems. Optimization methods have been proved of much importance when used with simulation modeling and the two approaches when combined give the best results. The main objective of this review article is to discuss simulation, optimization and combined simulation– optimization modeling approach and to provide an overview of their applications reported in literature. In addition to classical optimization techniques, application and scope of computational intelligence techniques, such as, evolutionary computa- tions, fuzzy set theory and artificial neural networks, in reservoir system operation studies are reviewed. Conclusions and suggestive remarks based on this survey are outlined, which could be helpful for future research and for system managers to decide appropriate methodology for application to their systems

Ultraviolet protection properties of nettle fabric dyed with natural dyes

This paper reports study on the UV protection properties of nettle fabric dyed with natural dyes cutch (Acacia catechu) and madder (Rubia cardifolia). Dyeing with cutch and madder dyes provides excellent UV protection to the woven nettle fabric even without mordanting. FeSO4 and myrobalan mordant concentrations have no significant effect on UPF of the nettle fabric

Impact of Irrigation of Industrial Effluents on Soil-Plant Health

With pressure increasing on potable water supplies worldwide, interest in using alternative water supplies including recycled wastewater for irrigation purposes is growing. Wastewater is derived from a number of sources including domestic sewage effluent or municipal wastewater, agricultural (farm effluents) and industrial effluents.[1-5] Although wastewater irrigation has many positive effects like reliable water supply to farmers, better crop yield, pollution reduction of rivers, and other surface water resources, there are problems associated with it such as health risks to irrigators, build-up of chemical pollutants (e.g., heavy metal(loid)s and pesticides) in soils and contamination of groundwater.[6-12] Growing use of chemicals in agricultural fields and heavy industrialization is responsible for introducing and mobilization of heavy metals into the biosphere. In addition, application of industrial and urban effluents in agricultural fields is responsible for further mobilization of heavy metals into the biosphere and ensuing in a serious threat to the environment and public health. Presence of metal ions such as Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr in agricultural inputs, especially, sewage sludge, may gradually build up their concentrations in soil. Even the essential nutrients become toxic to plant growth after reaching a certain threshold. Plants may survive under high metal concentrations by sequestering metal ions into their tissues, exposing secondary consumers (human or animals) to the risk of metal toxicity. Heavy metal-polluted soil environments can be reclaimed through the application of chemicals, soil amendments or phytoaccumulators. Out of the three options, phytoremediation is a cost-effective and sustainable method of reclamation of metal-polluted environments. [13-18

Prediction of severe adverse maternal outcome in women admitted in obstetric ward using physiological and biochemical parameters

Background: To study physiological and biochemical parameters to predict serious adverse maternal outcomes and to develop risk score using above parameters.Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 500 high risk pregnant women attending tertiary care teaching hospital. We noted physiological and biochemical parameters as soon as they were available .The primary outcome measures was “severe adverse maternal outcome(SAMO)” in form of one or more among  mortality, near miss morbidity and ICU admissions.Results: Out-off 500 women, severe adverse maternal outcomes were seen in 158 (31.6%) women. Most common cause of near miss maternal morbidity was hypertensive disease of pregnancy (62.7%) followed by major obstetric hemorrhage (18.9%). There were 33(6.6%) ICU admission, 23 (4.6%) maternal death and 153 (30.6%) near miss maternal morbidity. The most common cause of maternal death in our study was obstetric hemorrhage. The significant variables after multivariate analysis [temp, pulse, urine protein] were used  to devise a Maternal early warning score (MEWS) based on physiological parameters at score value of  ≥1/6 was found to have  sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 82% in predicting SAMO with AUROC of 0.76. The significant laboratory parameters after multivariate analysis were blood urea, serum creatinine, serum bilirubin and liver enzymes. The obstetric risk score (Maternal risk prediction score MRPS) which incorporated of these laboratory parameters in addition to physiological parameters has sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 75% with AUROC 0.79 value ≥ 2/18.Conclusions: The addition of laboratotory parameters to physiological variables improves performance of risk score to predict SAMO

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

Testing Accuracy of Dry Bulb and Wet Bulb Thermometer in Measuring Humidity

Another component that impacts the working environment is humidity, which must be maintained at a specified level at various locations, such as factories, hospitals, and offices. Humidity levels play a significant role in determining different weather events, including the production of clouds and precipitation. It's impossible to make accurate predictions about the weather without accurate measurements of the humidity in the air. Humidity has a significant impact on our daily lives, not just for weather forecasting, but because it can alter the entire manufacturing process. Despite the fact that humidity is a constant in the environment, the amount needed at various locations may differ

MgO Enriched Coal Fly Ash as Highly Active Heterogeneous Base Catalyst for Claisen-Schmidt Condensation Reaction

A novel fly ash supported solid base catalyst (MgO/fly ash) has been synthesized by using F-type fly ash and Mg(NO3)2 as precursor. The synthesized solid base possessed stable Si-O-Mg phase with sufficient hydroxyl group to catalyze liquid phase, solvent free and single step condensation of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde with 2-hydroxyacetophenone giving higher conversion (86%) of desired product (4-methoxy-2-hydroxychalcone) with 93% yield. The physico-chemical properties of MgO/fly ash catalyst were evaluated by N2 adsorptiondesorption, BET surface analysis, XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDX and AAS etc. This excellent conversion and yield shows that the catalyst has sufficient basic sites, responsible for the catalytic activity. Moreover, the catalyst was regenerated and reused up to four reaction cycles with approximately equal efficiency as in the first run, conferring that basic sites are not lixiviated in the reaction system. Furthermore, this catalyst may replace conventional environmentally hazardous homogeneous liquid bases making an ecofriendly; solvent free, atom efficient, solid base catalytic process. The application of fly ash to synthesize a solid base catalyst finds a noble way to utilize this abundant waste material

Ultraviolet protection properties of nettle fabric dyed with natural dyes

418-425This paper reports study on the UV protection properties of nettle fabric dyed with natural dyes cutch (Acacia catechu) and madder (Rubia cardifolia). Dyeing with cutch and madder dyes provides excellent UV protection to the woven nettle fabric even without mordanting. FeSO4 and myrobalan mordant concentrations have no significant effect on UPF of the nettle fabric