Application of artificial neural network for prediction of particle size in pharmaceutical cocrystallization using mechanochemical synthesis

Neural Computing and Applications - Milling by mechanical means is vital unit operation in pharmaceutical processing which can be used for controlling particle size reduction. This approach can be...     

Optimizing Approach of Water Allocation to Off-Takes During Reduced Flows

Multi-objective optimization models with an index were developed based on farmers’ preferences, local requirements, supplies available at the head of the canal, system losses, crop demand about different growth stages, and field soil moisture balance. The models were applied using linear programming. The Model 1 determines the cropping pattern by maximizing net economic benefits using a monthly basis lumped volume available at the head of the canal and is set to the minimum and maximum area constraints along with the constraint of minimum main crop area. The areas for different crops given by the first model form input for the Model 2. The other inputs of Model 2 included periodic supply available at the head of the primary canal (7-day period in this study), root growth depth, demand, and soil moisture constants. The Model 2 optimizes the sum of relative yields of all the crops and provide the irrigation levels of various crops for specified periods. Finally, the distributed area and irrigation levels determined by Model 2 are used in conjunction with the losses to decide flow rates of off takes. The complete program was implemented in the West branch irrigated area of Mirpurkhas subdivision. The results showed that the resources were allocated to off-takes in a competitive and conflict-free manner.

     

Synthesis of a polyaminophosphonate and its evaluation as an antiscalant in desalination plant

The cationic monomer, N,N‐diallyl‐3‐(diethylphosphonato)propylammonium chloride, was cyclopolymerized in aqueous solutions using t‐butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) or ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiators to afford a cationic polyelectrolyte (CPE) having a (diethylphosphonato)propyl pendent. The CPE on acidic hydrolysis of the diester groups gave pH‐responsive polyzwitterionic acid (PZA) which on treatment with one and two equivalents NaOH gave zwitterionic/anionic polyelectrolyte (ZAPE) and dianionic polyelectrolyte (DAPE), respectively. The solution properties of the CPE, PZA, ZAPE, and DAPE were investigated in detail by viscometric technique. For the purpose of comparison, the solution properties of the polymers were correlated to a structurally similar polyzwitterion (PZ) having monoethylphosphonate and NH⁺ groups. When performance evaluation was carried out for application in reverse osmosis (RO) plants, DAPE at a concentration of 10 ppm in brackish water feed proved very effective as an inhibitor against calcium sulfate scale. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:166–174, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

TRISO fuel volume fraction and homogeneity:a nondestructive characterization

A new nondestructive method to estimate the volume fraction and homogeneity of tristructural isotropic(TRISO)-coated fuel particles in fuel compacts designed for high-temperature reactors has been developed using image analysis of conventional X-radiographs. The method is demonstrated on surrogate fuel compacts containing TRISO-coated particles with kernels made of zirconium dioxide. The methodology incorporates a correction for superimposed images of TRISO particles such that a single X-ray image obtained in any one random orientation is sufficient to characterize the fuel compact in terms of volume fraction and homogeneity. The method is based on the virtual segregation of images of each particle inside the compact with the aid of a calibration standard.     

Tool selection in three-axis rough machining

An approach to tool selection and sequencing is presented for three-axis rough machining. The trade-off in the selection of tools is as follows: larger tools have reduced access while smaller tools are capable of reduced cutting speed. Furthermore, every tool change incurs a time penalty. The objective of this paper is to select a tool sequence that minimizes the total rough-machining time. In our approach, the removal volume is stratified into 2.5D machining slabs and, for each tool, the area accessible in each slab is computed incrementally, keeping in mind the cutting portion of the tool and the shape of the tool holder and spindle assembly. This reduces the three-axis problem to a series of two-axis problems with complex precedence constraints. Two models are presented to understand this new form of the problem. First, an integer linear programming formulation is discussed to show the complexity of the task. Second, a network flow formulation is presented, by which we show that it is possible to obtain efficiently an approximate solution of the problem. Examples are discussed to illustrate the algorithms discussed.     

Thermally stable and durable superhydrophobic surfaces on stainless steel sheets with microholes via acid pretreatment and modification with self-assembled monolayers

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics - Single-cell nucleic acid analysis aims at discovering the genetic differences between individual cells which is well known as the cellular heterogeneity. This...     

Profile of Triacylglycerols,Phenols, and Vitamin E of Manjari Medika Grape Seed Oil and Cake: Introducing a Novel Indian Variety

The aim of the study is to investigate the biochemical composition of grapeseed oil and cake from an unexplored Indian grape‐juice cultivar, Manjari Medika (MM). The composition of oil and residual seed cake is evaluated using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The findings demonstrate that the vitamin E content of MM‐seed oil (1.15–1.35 g kg^?1) is distinctively higher than the Codex standard, suggesting its superior quality as an edible oil. The predominant triacylglycerols include trilinolein (LLL, 43%), dilinoleoyl‐stearylglycerol (LSL, 19%), and dilinoleoyl‐palmitoylglycerol (LLP, 11%), which are earlier recognized as natural antioxidants. The seed‐cake is rich in polyphenols including acylated anthocyanins (e.g., pelargonidin‐3‐O‐coumaroyl glucoside) and certain other flavonoids (e.g., catechin). The profile of phytonutrients in MM seed‐oil and cake is significantly superior to its seeded female parent and two other widely cultivated wine‐grape varieties. In brief, the studied by‐products of this new grape‐juice cultivar can be an important source of high‐value ingredients for use in food supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Practical applications: This study reports the phytochemical profile of the seed‐oil and seed cake derived from a newly developed grape variety, Manjari Medika. High contents of selective antioxidants: lipids, vitamin E, and phenols in the seed‐oil and cake with health benefits suggest their potential for use in nutraceutical and functional foods. These byproducts can be utilised as ingredients of functional foods and nutraceuticals (e.g., grape seed oil capsule) and also as raw materials in food supply chains (e.g., for production of grape cookies or cake). MM can also be utilized as a colorant in the food industry.