ABSTRACT
A diesel engine has been a desirable machine due to its better fuel efficiency, reliability, and higher power output. It is widely used in transportations, locomotives, power generation, and industrial applications. The combustion of diesel fuel emits harmful emissions such as unburned hydrocarbons (HC), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxides (CO). This article presents data on the efficiency, combustion, and emission of a 4-stroke diesel engine. The engine is a 6.8 L turbocharged 6-cylinder Tier II diesel engine fitted with a common rail injection system. The test was carried out at the Powerhouse Energy Campus, Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion facility. The ISO Standard 8178:4 Cycle D2 cycle was adopted for this study consists of five test runs at 1800â¯rpm. During the testing, CO, carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), NOx, PM, unburned HC as a total HC (THC), methane (CH4), formaldehyde (CH2O), and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions were measured. At the same time, the data acquisition system recorded the combustion data. The engine's performance is characterized by the brake specific fuel combustion (BSFC) and thermal efficiency. A dataset of correlations among the parameters was also presented in this article.
ABSTRACT
Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties of xanthone extract from mangosteen pericarp via microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The MAE extraction conditions to obtain optimum antioxidant-rich xanthone extract were at 2.24 min of irradiation time, 25 mL/g of solvent-to-solid ratio and 71% of ethanol concentration. The predicted results for four responses were as follows; 320.31 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, 83.63% and 93.77% inhibition (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays), and 144.56 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract (FRAP, Ferric reducing antioxidant power). The predicted and actual values were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Therefore, these results confirmed that the examined model was acceptable and relevant. MAE led to a slightly similar antioxidant capacity and a higher extraction of α-mangostin, a major xanthone of mangosteen pericarp as compared to water bath-maceration technique.
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Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of post mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in detecting liver and splenic injuries due to road traffic accidents. Material & Method: 61 road traffic accidental death cases underwent both PMCT and conventional autopsy. The imaging findings were compared to the conventional autopsy findings. Result: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for liver injuries in PMCT was 71%, 82%, 68% and 85% while that of splenic injuries was 73%, 80%, 55% and 90% respectively. The accuracy of PMCT scan was 79% for both liver and splenic injuries. There is strong association between lower left ribs fracture and splenic injury (p=0.005) and significant association between positive liver and splenic PMCT finding and intraabdominal fatal injury (p=0.037). Conclusion: In conclusion PMCT has high specificity and NPV for liver and splenic injuries; however the sensitivity and PPV are low. The overall accuracy is not high enough to enable PMCT to be used as a replacement for conventional autopsy; however it is a useful complementary examination and has potential to be used as decision making tool for selective internal autopsy.
Subject(s)
AutopsyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The present study was explored to develop a sustained release matrix tablet of Indapamide, a low-dose thiazide-type diuretic, using hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose (Methocel K15MCR) in various proportions as release controlling factor. METHODS: The tablets were formulated using direct compression method. The powers for tableting were evaluated for angle of response, loose bulk density, tapped bulk density, compressibility index, total porosity and drug content etc. The tablets were subjected to thickness, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability, and in vitro dissolution studies. RESULTS: The granules showed satisfactory flow properties, compressibility index, and drug content. All the formulated tablets complies pharmacopoeia specifications. The release kinetics of the drug decreased exponentially with the addition of polymer concentration. Indapamide release rate was observed to be the highest with the lowest concentration of polymer used. The release mechanism was explored with zero order, first order, Higuchi and Krosmeyer equations. Stability tests of the drug showed no notable changes in the rate of drug release, related substances and drug content. CONCLUSION: In the context, it can be suggested that this formulation of sustained release Indapamide tablets can be marketed to treat patients with hypertension ensuring proper healthcare.
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Trans-mesenteric hernia is a form of internal hernia which is an extremely rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adults compared with the pediatric population. It often presents with complications such as acute intestinal obstruction and peritonitis requiring immediate surgical intervention. We report a case of a 21-year-old woman who presented to us with an acute abdomen and peritonitis that required an immediate exploratory laparotomy. She was found to have a small congenital mesenteric defect with strangulated segment of ileum. Gangrenous portion of the ileum was resected and the congenital defect was closed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. The occurrence of trans-mesenteric hernia in adults is rare and difficult to be diagnosed clinically; thus, the patient's clinical features may lead to early surgical intervention in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.
