Impact of Climate Change on Future Flood Susceptibility: an Evaluation Based on Deep Learning Algorithms and GCM Model

Floods are common and recurring natural hazards which damages is the destruction for society. Several regions of the world with different climatic conditions face the challenge of floods in different magnitudes. Here we estimate flood susceptibility based on Analytical neural network (ANN), Deep learning neural network (DLNN) and Deep boost (DB) algorithm approach. We also attempt to estimate the future rainfall scenario, using the General circulation model (GCM) with its ensemble. The Representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenario is employed for estimating the future rainfall in more an authentic way. The validation of all models was done with considering different indices and the results show that the DB model is most optimal as compared to the other models. According to the DB model, the spatial coverage of very low, low, moderate, high and very high flood prone region is 68.20%, 9.48%, 5.64%, 7.34% and 9.33% respectively. The approach and results in this research would be beneficial to take the decision in managing this natural hazard in a more efficient way.

     

Reduced order modeling & controller design for mass transfer in a grain storage system

This paper considers the problem of simulating the humidity distributions of a grain storage system. The distributions are described by partial differential equations (PDE). It is quite difficult to obtain the humidity profiles from the PDE model. Hence, a discretization method is applied to obtain an equivalent ordinary differential equation model. However, after applying the discretization technique, the cost of solving the system increases as the size increases to a few thousands. It may be noted that after discretization, the degree of freedom of the system remain the same while the order increases. The large dynamic model is reduced using a proper orthogonal decomposition based technique and an equivalent model but of much reduced size is obtained. A controller based on optimal control theory is designed to obtain an input such that the output humidity reaches a desired profile and also its stability is analyzed. Numerical results are presented to show the validity of the reduced model and possible further extensions are identified.     

Evaluation of potential anti‐cancer activity of cationic liposomal nanoformulated Lycopodium clavatum in colon cancer cells

Research dealing with early diagnosis and efficient treatment in colon cancer to improve patient''s survival is still under investigation. Chemotherapeutic agent result in high systemic toxicity due to their non‐specific actions on DNA repair and/or cell replication. Traditional medicine such as Lycopodium clavatum (LC) has been claimed to have therapeutic potentials against cancer. The present study focuses on targeted drug delivery of cationic liposomal nanoformulated LC (CL‐LC) in colon cancer cells (HCT15) and comparing the efficacy with an anti‐colon cancer drug, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxy‐camptothecin (SN38) along with its nanoformulated form (CL‐SN38). The colloidal suspension of LC was made using thin film hydration method. The drugs were characterised using ultraviolet, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, energy, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. In vitro drug release showed kinetics of 49 and 89% of SN38 and LC, whereas CL‐SN38 and CL‐LC showed 73 and 74% of sustained drug release, respectively. Studies on morphological changes, cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cancer‐associated gene expression analysis of Bcl‐2, Bax, p53 by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis of Bad and p53 protein were performed. Nanoformulated LC significantly inhibited growth and increased the apoptosis of colon cancer cells indicating its potential anti‐cancer activity against colon cancer cells.Inspec keywords: cancer, biological organs, cellular biophysics, drug delivery systems, drugs, nanomedicine, genetics, DNA, molecular biophysics, biochemistry, lipid bilayers, toxicology, suspensions, colloids, light scattering, X‐ray chemical analysis, solvation, enzymes, nanostructured materialsOther keywords: energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, in vitro drug release, morphological changes, cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cancer‐associated gene expression analysis, Bcl‐2, Bax, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, Bad protein, p53 protein, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet scattering, thin film hydration method, colloidal suspension, nanoformulated form CL‐SN38, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxy‐camptothecin, anticolon cancer drug, colon cancer cells HCT15, cationic liposomal nanoformulated LC, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic potentials, Lycopodium clavatum, traditional medicines, cell replication, DNA repair, nonspecific actions, high systemic toxicity, chemotherapeutic agents, patient survival, colon cancer treatment, colon cancer diagnosis, CL‐LC, potential anticancer activity     

Separation of acid–water mixtures by pervaporation using nanoparticle filled mixed matrix copolymer membranes

BACKGROUND: Low energy and less expensive membrane based separation of acetic acid‐water mixtures would be a better alternative to conventional separation processes. However, suitable acid resistant membranes are still lacking. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop mixed matrix membrane (MMM) which would allow high flux and water selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations of acid in water. RESULTS: Three MMMs, namely PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 were made by emulsion copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and butyl acrylate (BA) with 5.5:1 comonomer ratio and in situ incorporation of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 wt%, sodium montmorilonite (Na‐MMT) nanofillers, respectively. For a feed concentration of 99.5 wt% of acid in water the membranes show good permeation flux (2.61, 3.19, 3.97 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and very high separation factors for water (1473, 1370, 1292 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at 30 °C. Similarly for a dilute acid–water solution, i.e. for 71.6 wt% acid the membrane showed a very high thickness normalize flux (8.67, 9.44, 11.56 kg m^?2 h^?1 µm^?1, for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) and good water selectivity (101.7, 95.3, 79 for PANBA0.5, PANBA1.5 and PANBA3 membrane, respectively) at the same feed temperature. The permeation ratio, permeability, diffusion coefficient and activation energy for permeation of the membranes were also estimated. CONCLUSION: Unlike most of the reported membranes, the present MMMs allowed high flux and selectivity over a wide range of feed concentrations. These membranes may also be effective for separating other similar organic‐water mixtures. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Robust vectorization method for electrical circuit drawings using component morphology

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Decomposition and representation of electrical circuit drawings to a suitable vector form has widespread applications related to data compression, storage,...     

Hedgehog Antagonist Pyrimidine–Indole Hybrid Molecule Inhibits Ciliogenesis through Microtubule Destabilisation

One of the crucial regulators of embryonic patterning and tissue development is the Hedgehog‐glioma (Hh‐Gli) signalling pathway; its uncontrolled activation has been implicated in different types of cancer in adult tissues. Primary cilium is one of the important factors required for the activation of Hh signalling, as it brings the critical components together for key protein–protein interactions required for Hh pathway regulation. Most of the synthetic and natural small molecule modulators of the pathway primarily antagonise Smoothened (Smo) or other effectors like Hh ligand or Gli. Here, we report a previously described Hh antagonist, with a pyrimidine–indole hybrid (PIH) core structure, as an inhibitor of ciliogenesis. The compound is unique in its mode of action, as it shows perturbation of microtubule dynamics in both cell‐based assays and in vivo systems (zebrafish embryos). Further studies revealed that the probable targets are α‐tubulin and its acetylated form, found in the cytoplasm and primary cilia. PIH also showed axonal defasiculation in developing zebrafish embryos. We thus propose that PIH antagonises Hh signalling by repressing cilia biogenesis and disassembling α‐tubulin from its stabilised form.     

High-oil-load encapsulation of medium-chain triglycerides and D-limonene mixture in modified starch by spray drying

Oil mixtures of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and D-limonene in mixing ratios from 10 to 100 wt% were encapsulated in modified starch (wall material) by spray drying to produce oil-rich powders. The oil load (mass ratio of oil mixture to wall material) of the infeed emulsion markedly influenced the properties of the infeed liquid and the characteristics of the resulting powder. The viscosity of the infeed liquid and the particle size of the powder exponentially decreased with increasing oil load, while the emulsion droplet size in the infeed liquid increased. In addition, retention of D-limonene during spray drying also decreased markedly with increasing oil load. Irrespective of the different oil loads and concentrations of the wall material, D-limonene retention was well correlated with the emulsion droplet diameter of the infeed liquid. The encapsulation efficiency of the oil mixture exhibited a maximum value (almost 100%) at an oil load between 0.5 and 1.0, before decreasing at higher oil loads. At an oil load of 2.0, the encapsulation efficiency of D-limonene was reduced to almost zero, while around 40% of the initial MCT was encapsulated in the powder. The increase in oil load also led to increased amounts of surface oil of MCT and D-limonene in the resulting powder due to the increasing emulsion droplet diameter of the infeed liquids. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study proposes the microencapsulation of medium-chain triglycerides under high-oil-load conditions by spray drying. The powders prepared by this process provide significant benefits in terms of rapid energy conversion after consumption without accumulation in the body. Important quality factors of the powder products such as the encapsulation efficiency and the amount of surface oil were examined to understand the optimum process conditions for spray drying.     

Selective oxidation of olefins and aromatic alcohols with tert‐butylhydroperoxide catalyzed by polymer‐anchored transition‐metal complexes

Three polymer‐anchored metal complexes (Co, Cu, and Pd) were synthesized and characterized. The catalytic performance of these complexes was tested for the oxidation of olefins and aromatic alcohols. These complexes showed excellent catalytic activity and high selectivity. These complexes selectively gave epoxides and aldehydes from olefins and alcohols, respectively. Individually, the effect of various solvents, oxidants, substrate oxidant molar ratios, temperatures, and catalyst amounts for the oxidation of cyclohexene and benzyl alcohol were studied. Under optimized reaction conditions, 96, 81, and 71% conversions of cyclohexene and 86, 79, and 73% conversions of benzyl alcohol were obtained with Co(II), Cu(II), and Pd(II) catalysts, respectively. The catalytic results reveal that these complexes could be recycled more than five times without much loss in activity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011