Sharda University

About: Sharda University is a education organization based out in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Medicine. The organization has 1276 authors who have published 2012 publications receiving 16188 citations.

Development of a Glacio-hydrological Model for Discharge and Mass Balance Reconstruction

Abstract: The reconstruction of glacio-hydrological records for the data deficient Himalayan catchments is needed in order to study the past and future water availability. The study provides outcomes of a glacio-hydrological model based on the degree-day approach. The model simulates the discharge and mass balance for glacierised Shaune Garang catchment. The degree-day factors for different land covers, used in the model, were estimated using daily stake measurements on Shaune Garang glacier and they were found to be varying between 2.6 ± 0.4 and 9.3 ± 0.3 mm °C−1day−1. The model is validated using observed discharge during ablation season of 2014 with coefficient of determination (R2) 0.90 and root mean square error (RMSE) 1.05 m3 sec−1. The model is used to simulate discharge from 1985 to 2008 and mass balance from 2001 to 2008. The model results show significant contribution of seasonal snow and ice melt in total discharge of the catchment, especially during summer. We observe the maximum discharge in July having maximum contribution from snow and ice melt. The annual melt season discharge shows following a decreasing trend in the simulation period. The reconstructed mass balance shows mass loss of 0.89 m we per year between 2001 and 2008 with slight mass gain during 2000/01 and 2004/05 hydrological years.

Short-Term Omega 3 Fatty Acids Treatment for Dry Eye in Young and Middle-Aged Visual Display Terminal Users.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of an omega 3 fatty acid (O3FA) oral supplement (2,400 mg/day) for 45 days on dry eye symptoms, tear production, stability, and conjunctival cytology in young and middle-aged visual display terminal (VDT) users. METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained, and a randomized, double-blind, interventional study was done; eyes of 256 VDT users were randomized to receive 4 capsules twice daily for 45 days (O3FA group), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n=266) who received 8 capsules of a placebo (olive oil). Patients were evaluated at baseline, 30 days, and 45 days. The primary outcome measure was an improvement in dry eye symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were improvement in the Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Means of groups (pretreatment, day 30, and day 45) were compared with repeated-measure analysis of variance. The relation between the outcome variables and VDT time was evaluated using linear regression. RESULTS In the O3FA group, the mean symptom score differed significantly (P<0.005) (pretreatment, 30 days, and 45 days); the TBUT and Nelson grade also improved significantly but only after 45 days of intervention. Schirmer test values did not differ significantly after adjustment for multiple comparisons (P=0.010). The change was not significant in the placebo group. CONCLUSION Consumption of 2,400 mg/day of O3FA supplement improves symptoms, tear stability, and conjunctival cytology but not tear production in symptomatic VDT users.

Assessment of expanded polystyrene as a separator in microbial fuel cell

Abstract: Separators are considered as an important component in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to facilitate ion transport and to prevent electrode short circuiting. In the present study, expanded polystyrene ...

Effect of Alccofine powder on the properties of Pond fly ash based Geopolymer mortar under different conditions

Abstract: As the most widely used synthetic material on the planet, concrete poses a serious societal concern regarding its significant environmental footprint. There is a global urgency to develop innovative strategies to develop greener concrete with improved strength and durability. In recent years, scientists are interested to have OPC free concrete to reduce CO2 emission. One of the major breakthroughs is the preparation of geopolymer cement. In this paper geopolymer cement was made by activating Pond fly ash (a waste of thermal power plant) with 14 M NaOH and sodium silicate solutions. Natural Ennore sand was used to make the mortar. Alccofine powder was added during geopolymerization process, which increased the compressive strength in a similar way as silica fume. Curing was done at different temperatures in an oven and in microwave oven. Curing in microwave oven gave high compressive strength in shorter period. Powder X-ray diffraction, heat evolution profile, TG studies, compressive strength measurements and SEM studies were made to characterize the geopolymer. Durability test in sulphuric acid was conducted and it was observed that the geopolymer mortars were much more durable as compared to the control. The results have been discussed.

Martian slope streaks as plausible indicators of transient water activity

Abstract: Slope streaks have been frequently observed in the equatorial, low thermal inertia and dusty regions of Mars. The reason behind their formation remains unclear with proposed hypotheses for both dry and wet mechanisms. Here, we report an up-to-date distribution and morphometric investigation of Martian slope streaks. We find: (i) a remarkable coexistence of the slope streak distribution with the regions on Mars with high abundances of water-equivalent hydrogen, chlorine, and iron; (ii) favourable thermodynamic conditions for transient deliquescence and brine development in the slope streak regions; (iii) a significant concurrence of slope streak distribution with the regions of enhanced atmospheric water vapour concentration, thus suggestive of a present-day regolith-atmosphere water cycle; and (iv) terrain preferences and flow patterns supporting a wet mechanism for slope streaks. These results suggest a strong local regolith-atmosphere water coupling in the slope streak regions that leads to the formation of these fluidised features. Our conclusions can have profound astrobiological, habitability, environmental, and planetary protection implications.