41 research outputs found
Development of sulfonated polystyrene resin-supported tungsten oxide for Pb2+ ion sequestration
No full textA sulfonated polystyrene resin-supported tungsten oxide (SO3-PSWO) was synthesized and evaluated for its efficiency in removing lead (Pb2+) from aqueous solutions. Morphology, phase purity, structural properties, thermal stability, and elemental composition of SO3-PSWO, are evaluated using SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and CHNS analyzers. The ICP-OES technique was utilized for quantitative measurements of the Pb2+ ions. The influence of key parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, metal ion concentration, temperature, and interference of competing ions on Pb2+ removal is systematically investigated. Under optimum conditions (pH 3.5-5.5), SO3-PSWO achieved a maximum Pb2+ removal efficiency of 99.7% within one hour and demonstrated an exceptional adsorption capacity of 386 mg g-1, as described by the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic analysis revealed a pseudo-second-order mechanism, highlighting chemisorption as the predominant process. Thermodynamic studies indicated an exothermic and spontaneous adsorption behavior. With its easy synthesis, cost-effectiveness, rapid kinetics, high adsorption capacity, and superior efficiency, SO3-PSWO emerges as a promising material for the remediation of Pb2+ contamination in water treatment applications.
Varietal performance against sucking insect pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Multan ecological conditions
No full textThe ten cotton varieties were screened for resistance against whitefly, jassid and thrips at the experimental farm of Cotton Research Institute (CRI), Multan. Among the selected genotypes, SLH-284 exhibited relative resistance to whitefly, while VH-156 showed low susceptibility to thrips (0.7/Leaf). Notably, SLH-284 displayed greater resistance to whitefly attack. In August, a high jassid population (5.6/Leaf) was observed. Cotton genotypes BH-167, FH-113, and VH-148 were found to be susceptible to high infestations of insect pests, resulting in reduced cotton yield. In addition, jassid indicated peak population during August. The result indicated that VH-156 showed the resistance against thrips. From this experiment, it was observed that low infestation of whitefly and thrips occurred on SLH-284 and VH-156 cultivars. So, the overall results showed that VH-156 and SLH-284 can be used in IPM program. The study aimed to explore the impact of varied spacing and abiotic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on the population dynamics of sucking insect pests (specifically Bemisia tabaci, Thrips tabaci, and Amrasca devastans) within unsprayed conditions. A simple correlation analysis was employed to discern the relationships between these variables. The results of the analysis revealed that rainfall and temperature had a significant and positive impact on jassid populations, whereas relative humidity showed a non-significant effect. Similarly, temperature exerted a positive influence on both thrips and whitefly populations, while relative humidity and rainfall did not exhibit a significant impact on thrips. For whitefly, a significant and positive correlation was observed with relative humidity, but rainfall did not show a significant impact. To further quantify the relationships, Multivariate Regression Analysis computed the coefficient of determination (R2). The results indicated that temperature, humidity, and rainfall collectively influenced 53 %, 36.8 %, and 66.4 % of the population fluctuation of jassid, thrips, and whitefly, respectively. These findings underscore the intricate interplay of abiotic factors in shaping the dynamics of sucking insect pests, providing valuable insights into the environmental determinants of their populations under unsprayed conditions. © 2018 The Author(s
Countering terrorism through control of Pakistan's information environment
No full textPakistan has a peculiar information environment that has not been researched in detail. The dynamics of the information environment have changed in urban areas due to technological advancements; however, the rural areas are still far from the effects of such advancements. This thesis explores the peculiarities of the information environment in Pakistan and draws lessons from the Sri Lankan fight with the LTTE and U.S. efforts to contain terrorism (on U.S. soil) since 9/11. It brings out the root causes of terrorism in Pakistan and the role played by the information environment in strengthening this menace (especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan). The thesis is useful in learning the ways and means to optimally utilize the information environment of Pakistan for fighting terrorism. It might also be beneficial in formulating an information policy for Pakistan, for long- and short-term effects.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Major, Pakistan ArmyLieutenant Commander, Pakistan Navyhttp://archive.org/details/counteringterror109454398
Varietal performance against sucking insect pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Multan ecological conditions
No full textThe ten cotton varieties were screened for resistance against whitefly, jassid and thrips at the experimental farm of Cotton Research Institute (CRI), Multan. Among the selected genotypes, SLH-284 exhibited relative resistance to whitefly, while VH-156 showed low susceptibility to thrips (0.7/Leaf). Notably, SLH-284 displayed greater resistance to whitefly attack. In August, a high jassid population (5.6/Leaf) was observed. Cotton genotypes BH-167, FH-113, and VH-148 were found to be susceptible to high infestations of insect pests, resulting in reduced cotton yield. In addition, jassid indicated peak population during August. The result indicated that VH-156 showed the resistance against thrips. From this experiment, it was observed that low infestation of whitefly and thrips occurred on SLH-284 and VH-156 cultivars. So, the overall results showed that VH-156 and SLH-284 can be used in IPM program. The study aimed to explore the impact of varied spacing and abiotic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on the population dynamics of sucking insect pests (specifically Bemisia tabaci, Thrips tabaci, and Amrasca devastans) within unsprayed conditions. A simple correlation analysis was employed to discern the relationships between these variables. The results of the analysis revealed that rainfall and temperature had a significant and positive impact on jassid populations, whereas relative humidity showed a non-significant effect. Similarly, temperature exerted a positive influence on both thrips and whitefly populations, while relative humidity and rainfall did not exhibit a significant impact on thrips. For whitefly, a significant and positive correlation was observed with relative humidity, but rainfall did not show a significant impact. To further quantify the relationships, Multivariate Regression Analysis computed the coefficient of determination (R2). The results indicated that temperature, humidity, and rainfall collectively influenced 53 %, 36.8 %, and 66.4 % of the population fluctuation of jassid, thrips, and whitefly, respectively. These findings underscore the intricate interplay of abiotic factors in shaping the dynamics of sucking insect pests, providing valuable insights into the environmental determinants of their populations under unsprayed conditions
Expert knowledge-based peak current mode control of electrosurgical generators for improved output power regulation
No full textElectrosurgical generators (ESG) are widely used in medical procedures to cut and coagulate tissue. Accurate control of the output power is crucial for surgical success, but can be challenging to achieve. In this paper, a novel expert knowledge-based peak current mode controller (EK-PCMC) is proposed to regulate the output power of an ESG. The EK-PCMC leverages expert knowledge to adapt to changes in tissue impedance during surgical procedures. We compared the performance of the EK-PCMC with the classical peak current mode controller (PCMC) and fuzzy PID controller. The results demonstrate that the EK-PCMC significantly outperformed the PCMC, reducing the integral square error (ISE) and integral absolute error (IAE) by a factor of 3.88 and 4.86, respectively. In addition, the EK-PCMC outperformed the fuzzy PID controller in terms of transient response and steady-state performance. Our study highlights the effectiveness of the proposed EK-PCMC in improving the regulation of the output power of an ESG and improving surgical outcomes
Analytical solutions of nonlinear time fractional evaluation equations via unified method with different derivatives and their comparison
No full textThis paper is devoted to addressings the fairly interesting soliton solutions for the time fractional combined Korteweg-de Vries-modified Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV–mKdV equation) and modified Burgers-KdV equation. The unified method along with conformable, Beta and local M-derivative are used to construct the general structure of solitary wave soliton solutions. The method allows us to find solutions in both polynomial and rational forms. Further, the comparison of solutions are given out through 3D and 2D-plots to expose the impact of fractional parameter on the obtained solutions. The reported solutions are novel and have not been discussed in the literature
Breakdown of a Nonlinear Stochastic Nipah Virus Epidemic Models through Efficient Numerical Methods
No full textBackground: Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans), which can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the transmission of Nipah virus infection varies from animals to humans or humans to humans. The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%. The most infected regions include Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Thailand. The Nipah virus model is categorized into four parts: susceptible (S), exposed (E), infected (I), and recovered (R). Methods: The structural properties such as dynamical consistency, positivity, and boundedness are the considerable requirements of models in these fields. However, existing numerical methods like Euler–Maruyama and Stochastic Runge–Kutta fail to explain the main features of the biological problems. Results: The proposed stochastic non-standard finite difference (NSFD) employs standard and non-standard approaches in the numerical solution of the model, with positivity and boundedness as the characteristic determinants for efficiency and low-cost approximations. While the results from the existing standard stochastic methods converge conditionally or diverge in the long run, the solution by the stochastic NSFD method is stable and convergent over all time steps. Conclusions: The stochastic NSFD is an efficient, cost-effective method that accommodates all the desired feasible properties
Comparison of integer and fractional order robust controllers for DC/DC converter feeding constant power load in a DC microgrid
No full textStochastic Analysis of Nonlinear Cancer Disease Model through Virotherapy and Computational Methods
No full textCancer is a common term for many diseases that can affect anybody. A worldwide leading cause of death is cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2020, ten million people died from cancer. This model identifies the interaction of cancer cells, viral therapy, and immune response. In this model, the cell population has four parts, namely uninfected cells (x), infected cells (y), virus-free cells (v), and immune cells (z). This study presents the analysis of the stochastic cancer virotherapy model in the cell population dynamics. The model results have restored the properties of the biological problem, such as dynamical consistency, positivity, and boundedness, which are the considerable requirements of the models in these fields. The existing computational methods, such as the Euler Maruyama, Stochastic Euler, and Stochastic Runge Kutta, fail to restore the abovementioned properties. The proposed stochastic nonstandard finite difference method is efficient, cost-effective, and accommodates all the desired feasible properties. The existing standard stochastic methods converge conditionally or diverge in the long run. The solution by the nonstandard finite difference method is stable and convergent over all time steps
sp. TGS1
No full textPsychrophiles are cold-adapted microorganisms living in cold regions and are known to generate cold-active enzymes such as proteases, lipases, and peptidases. These types of enzymes are a major part of the market of the food and textile sector. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the cold-active and detergent-stable, extracellular protease from psychotrophic bacteria Serratia sp. TGS1 (OQ654005). Protease was purified by gel permeation chromatography using Sephadex G-75. The specific activity of the purified protease was 250 U/mg at 15 & DEG;C, with a purification fold of 5.68 and a percentage yield of 60%. The cold active protease was stable within a temperature range of 5-30 & DEG;C and a pH range of 6-10. Ca+2 and Mg+2 enhanced its activity while chelators like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid inhibited cold active protease, showing it as metalloprotease in nature. The enzyme was sensitive to Cu+2, Zn+2, and Hg+2, and the proteolytic activity decreased upon treatment with heavy metals. The molecular weight of the protease was estimated to be 47 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins within a specific range of molecular weight possess desirable properties for industrial enzyme use. By working on a specific range, the researchers intended to examine an enzyme to examine its specific characteristics. The purified protease showed high stability to detergents like SDS, Tween 20, Tween 60, and Triton X. The maximum velocity V-max and K-m values were 59.90 mg/min/mL and 1.53 mg/mL, respectively. The obtained protease exhibited an interesting activity at a broad range of pH (6-10) and stability at low temperatures (5-30 & DEG;C) and detergents. Such enzymatic features of versatile and potent cold-active enzymes enhance their industrial applications to meet food, dairy, and laundry requirements
