Category Archives: Uncategorized

Authors: Okorinama E, Nmegbu CGJ

Abstract: Due to the many processes involved in oil and gas production, Produced Water is usually given off as a major by-product. This wastewater constitutes of contaminants like dissolved salts, hydrocarbons, organic matter and other toxins which pose significant risks to the environment if discharged without the necessary treatments. This study analyzed the treatment potential of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and microalgae species, utilizing Produced water gotten from the Obaji Oil field, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of five microalgae species -Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, Arthrospira platensis, Monoraphidium sp. and Neochloris oleoabundans -were screened and acclimatized, while bacterial isolates were obtained from rhizosphere soil and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Rhodococcus erythropolis and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. The treatments were carried out in batch reactor systems at 50%, 60%, 75% and 100% produced water concentrations for seven days. Notable changes in temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were observed. Microalgae treatment reduced the major pollutants and produced biomass, while bacterial treatment gave noticeable reductions in TDS, BOD and THC. At 100% produced water concentration, bacterial treatment achieved 12.7%, 16.8%, 23.7% and 14.6% reductions in TDS, COD, BOD and THC respectively. At the same concentration, microalgal treatment reduced TDS by 11.9%, COD by 24.7%, BOD by 31.4% and THC by 22.8%. Comparing the given results with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Onshore Discharge standards showed that the treated water still surpassed the limits for major parameters. The study indicated that biological treatment alone, of the produced water sample, was inadequate for direct discharge into the environment. The findings from this study demonstrated the viability of microbial treatment and aids further development of combined bacteria-microalgae systems for produced water remediation.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22828486

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Hannah Owusu Ansah, Daniel Karikari Frempong, Gabriel Oduro Asirifi

Abstract: Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field with the potential to reshape multiple dimensions of society through the manipulation and application of materials at the nanoscale. The distinctive optical, electrical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of nanomaterials have enabled advances across healthcare, environmental sustainability, agriculture, energy, electronics, transportation, and consumer products. This review provides an overview of major nanomaterial classes, their synthesis, fabrication, and characterization, and examines their growing contributions to societal transformation. Particular attention is given to nanomedicine, targeted drug delivery, medical diagnostics, cancer therapy, nano-enabled agriculture, water purification, environmental remediation, nanoelectronics, energy generation and storage, and lightweight automotive materials. Beyond technological applications, the review discusses the broader socioeconomic and societal implications of nanotechnology, including employment opportunities, public acceptance, privacy, security, and environmental risks. Although nanotechnology offers considerable opportunities for improving human health, resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, energy performance, and economic development, its widespread implementation is accompanied by challenges related to nanomaterial toxicity, environmental fate and bioaccumulation, high production costs, technological scalability, uncertainty, public awareness, privacy, and security. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary research, improved risk assessment and characterization methods, responsible innovation, effective regulation, transparent communication, and stronger consideration of the entire nanomaterial life cycle. The responsible development and commercialization of nanotechnology can contribute substantially to societal transformation while ensuring that technological progress is aligned with human health, environmental protection, security, and sustainable development

DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22827579

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Daniel Karikari Frempong, Hannah Owusu Ansah, Gabriel Oduro Asirifi

Abstract: One of the most promising anode materials for high-energy sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is hard carbon (HC); however, low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE), unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, irreversible sodium loss, and sodium-plating risks at low potentials continue to limit its commercial implementation. The interfacial mechanisms controlling HC performance are critically examined in this paper, which also assesses methods for getting beyond these restrictions in realistic full-cell systems. The effects of surface imperfections, specific surface area, and open microporosity are highlighted in the link between HC microstructure, electrolyte breakdown, SEI composition, and sodium-ion transport. In addition, surface and artificial interphase engineering through atomic layer deposition, chemical vapour deposition, thermal-pyrolysis carbon coatings, and conductive protective layers is discussed for suppressing parasitic reactions and stabilising the interface; the mechanisms and operational triggers of sodium plating, such as high-rate charging, low temperature, and mass-transfer polarisation, are also examined; and finally, operando characterisation, scalable manufacturing, thermal management, and techno-economic considerations are identified as critical paths for converting HC-based SIBs into safe, long-lasting, and commercially viable high-energy cells

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22827360

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Rajpurohit Priya Bhavani Singh, Assistant Professor Ms Manisha Kalra

Abstract: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are widely described as the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing close to 30 per cent of national income, a little over a third of manufacturing output, and roughly 45 per cent of the country's merchandise exports, while sustaining employment for more than 110 million people. Despite this scale, the sector has historically operated under a severe financing constraint, with credible estimates of the gap between demand and formally supplied credit ranging from about ₹20 lakh crore to ₹30 lakh crore in recent years. This paper examines the evolving relationship between bank credit and industrial credit in India, with specific reference to the MSME sector, using secondary data drawn from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Parliamentary disclosures, and other government and industry publications. Employing a Pearson correlation framework on annual data for scheduled commercial bank (SCB) credit to MSMEs and to the industrial sector as a whole, the study finds a very strong, statistically significant positive association between the two series (r ≈ 0.98, p < 0.001), leading to rejection of the null hypothesis of no relationship. The paper further documents that credit to MSMEs grew faster than credit to any other major sector in 2024-25, even as overall bank credit growth dece Fund lerated, reflecting the cumulative effect of policy interventions such as the Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), and priority sector lending norms. At the same time, the study finds that formal credit penetration remains low — by some estimates only about one in seven MSMEs has access to institutional finance — and that collateral requirements, asset-quality caution among lenders, and disparities across enterprise size and gender continue to constrain the sector. The paper concludes with a set of policy-relevant observations on deepening formal credit flow to MSMEs.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22812490

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Research Scholar Ms. Monali Khune, Dr. Amol Y. Deshmukh

Abstract: Background: Brain–computer interface (BCI) systems frequently utilize P300 and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) paradigms. Because neither approach yields universal success across users, recent research has explored hybrid BCI designs that merge multiple techniques to expand user compatibility. Although hybrid P300/SSVEP systems are a relatively recent innovation with limited performance optimization studies to date, they represent a promising avenue for improving system accessibility. New method: In this research, we contrast a conventional hybrid P300/SSVEP BCI framework with an innovative approach. Specifically, shape alterations are utilized instead of color modulations to evoke the P300 wave, aiming to minimize any adverse impact on SSVEP signal strength. Result: The new hybrid paradigm presented in this paper yields much better performance than the traditional hybrid paradigm. Comparison with existing method: The novel hybrid paradigm yields an SSVEP classification improvement of close to 20% over the standard approach. Furthermore, all tested paradigms—excluding the conventional hybrid model—achieve a perfect 100% accuracy rate in P300 classification. Conclusions: The innovative hybrid P300/SSVEP brain-computer interface paradigm replaces traditional color-shifting stimuli with shape-altering visual elements, matching the classification accuracy of conventional SSVEP and P300 setups. Furthermore, the author explored how presenting multiple visual stimuli at once triggers overlapping brain responses and evaluated the resulting interference on signal detection.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22806381

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Ephraim Anthony Jacob, Jackson.G. Akpa, Fidelis. O. Wopara

Abstract: The work entails research on recovery of crude oil losses to effluent water disposal system in the production platform using sand as the filtration media. In this dissertation a glass column filled with sand is used as a low-cost filtration media for the removal of crude oil from synthetic oil produced water (SOPW) and real produce water PW from oil and gas wells. The objective of this work is to examine the filtration efficiency of sand grains tilled in a glass column as sand filter in recovering crude oil from produced water. This work investigates the influence of process parameters such as physical characteristics of sand, column height, types of effluent (oilfield produced water and synthetic oil produced water), and oil concentration on oil removal efficiency. The sand fractions used for this work was selected using a set of Tyler sieves. After the different grain sizes were selected, the sand was washed several times to remove impurities. The sand samples were oven dried at 1000C for 24h. The gravel was washed and also dried at 1000C, for l2h. Oil was removed from laboratory-produced water in a batch process at standard atmospheric conditions. The effect of contact time, physical characteristics of sand, column height, pH as well as temperature on the removal efficiency of oil was investigated. The optimum parameters for oil removal were: pH 9.5, contact time 40.0 minutes and temperature 55.00C. The results showed that the oil concentration decreased significantly after the filtration process. The oil removal efficiency was influenced by the sand particle size and bed height, reaching 90% using a 30 cm high sand bed composed by mixed grain sizes.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22805792

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Associate Professor N.Chandanaa, Assistant Professor Vijaya Ushasreeb

Abstract: Nanocomposite cotton fabrics (NCCFs) embedded with in situ generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully prepared using an eco‑friendly green synthesis approach. Lemon leaf extract was employed as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent to functionalize cotton fabrics and facilitate the formation of AgNPs within the cotton matrix. The incorporation of phytochemicals from the extract enabled effective reduction of silver ions and strong adhesion of nanoparticles onto the cellulose fibers. The synthesized NCCFs were characterized using X‑ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‑ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD results confirmed the presence of crystalline silver nanoparticles along with cellulose structure, while SEM analysis revealed uniformly distributed spherical AgNPs with sizes increasing with higher precursor concentration. EDX analysis verified the elemental composition of silver within the fabric. FTIR studies indicated that the fundamental structure of cotton remained intact, with interactions between AgNPs and functional groups occurring primarily through electrostatic forces. TGA results showed a slight reduction in thermal stability of NCCFs compared to the untreated cotton matrix. The antibacterial activity of NCCFs was evaluated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria using the agar diffusion method. The prepared nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial performance, with inhibition zones ranging from 11 to 25 mm, whereas untreated cotton fabrics showed no antibacterial activity.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22791801

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Pradip G. Gavade, Vivek V. Patil

Abstract: This study presents an experimental investigation of vibration localization in flexible rotating shafts under simply supported boundary conditions. Three shaft configurations were considered: circular stainless steel 304, non-circular stainless steel 304, and circular brass. The experimental program used an accelerometer, impact hammer, FFT analyzer, DC motor, coupling, and bearing supports to determine the natural frequencies and steady-state vibration responses. The non-circular shaft introduced a small difference between the two lateral moments of inertia; therefore, it represents a mistuned configuration. The experimental natural frequencies of 85.23 Hz, 89.84 Hz, and 75.78 Hz were obtained for circular stainless steel, non-circular stainless steel, and circular brass were 85.23, 89.84, and 75.78 Hz, respectively. The normalized forced responses increased with rotational speed, demonstrating the sensitivity of the vibration response to rotational speed and structural asymmetry. At 1000, 2000, and 3000 rpm, normalized responses of 0.03384, 0.18, and 0.5259 were obtained for circular stainless steel; 0.03565, 0.159, and 0.448 for non-circular stainless steel; and 0.0508, 0.2398, and 0.7706 for circular brass.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22791683

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Monish Kanungo, Seemant Kaushal

Abstract: Classical software memory leaks are allocations that outlive their intended lifetime. Tool-using large language model (LLM) agents exhibit an analogous failure that current “forgetting” mechanisms do not measure. A user or policy issues a forget request for a memory m*; the underlying store correctly drops the record, and content probes no longer reproduce the fact; yet the agent’s tool-selection behavior on the next turn continues to favor the same tool that m* had taught it to prefer. We call this an action-channel memory leak. Formally, let π(t∣q,M) denote an agent’s distribution over tools t in a catalog T given a query q and memory state M, let F(M,m*) denote a declared forget operator, and let M★ denote an oracle store from which m* and all of its derived traces have been removed. The leak is the total-variation distance between π under the forgotten store MF and π under M★. This paper contributes a three-layer leak taxonomy (store, shadow, action), an interventional audit built on masking, upweighting, and swapping retrieved memories, and Forget-Consistent Coupling (FCC) a reference monitor that withholds confirmation of a successful forget until the measured action-channel leak falls under a budget ε. We further specify ActLeak-Bench, an evaluation protocol addressing tool selection after forgetting, as distinct from tool-parameter deflection while a memory remains live. We situate this contribution relative to closely adjacent work on memory-driven tool-selection bias and behavioral unlearning verification, present the protocol, evaluation conditions, and pre-registered hypotheses, and discuss what is required to execute the protocol and what a small-scale pilot would look like.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22787979

Published by: vikaspatanker

Authors: Harleen kour, Associate Professor Dr. Navneet Seth

Abstract: This research paper studies the role of FinTech in the financial sector and its impact on the future of finance. The study focuses on the development of FinTech, its major applications, benefits and challenges. Financial Technology, commonly referred to as FinTech, represents the integration of technology with financial services to improve the way financial activities are delivered, managed and accessed. The rapid development of digital technologies has transformed traditional financial systems from branch-based and manually operated services into increasingly digital, automated and data-driven financial ecosystems.This research examines the role of FinTech in finance with particular emphasis on digital payments, digital banking, online lending, artificial intelligence, blockchain, financial inclusion and data-driven financial services.The study identifies that FinTech has become an important component of modern finance, while challenges related to cybersecurity, data privacy, digital fraud, regulatory compliance, technological dependence and digital literacy remain significant. The research further discusses the future potential of artificial intelligence, blockchain, open banking, embedded finance and other emerging technologies.The study concludes that FinTech is not simply replacing traditional finance; rather, it is contributing to the development of a more digital, accessible, efficient and technology-driven financial ecosystem.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22769561

Published by: vikaspatanker