Investigation of the evolved pyrolytic products and energy potential of Bagasse: experimental, kinetic, thermodynamic and boosted regression trees analysis.

This study explored bagasse's energy potential grown using treated industrial wastewater through various analyses, experimental, kinetic, thermodynamic, and machine learning boosted regression tree methods. Thermogravimetry was employed to determine thermal degradation characteristics, varying the heating rate from 10 to 30 °C/min. The primary pyrolysis products from bagasse are H2, CH4, H2O, CO2, and hydrocarbons. Kinetic parameters were estimated using three model-free methods, yielding activation energies of approximately 245.98 kJ mol-1, 247.58 kJ mol-1, and 244.69 kJ mol-1. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated the feasibility and reactivity of pyrolysis with ΔH ≈ 240.72 kJ mol-1, ΔG ≈ 162.87 kJ mol-1, and ΔS ≈ 165.35 J mol-1 K-1. The distribution of activation energy was analyzed using the multiple distributed activation energy model. Lastly, boosted regression trees predicted thermal degradation successfully, with an R2 of 0.9943. Therefore, bagasse's potential as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels promotes waste utilization and carbon footprint reduction.

Non-Contrast Computed Tomography Scan Based Parameters of Ureteric Stones Affecting the Outcome of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan-based parameters of ureteric stones affecting the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the pre-procedure NCCT of 74 patients who had ESWL for solitary ureteric calculi of 5-20 mm in diameter. We assessed the age, sex, basal metabolic index (BMI), laterality, location, presence of double 'J' (DJ) stent, skin to stone distance (SSD), stone maximum diameter, Hounsfield unit (HU), Hounsfield density (HD), area, and volume. All those who had no stone on follow-up imaging within 30 days were declared successful while those who had residual stone were declared failures. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 78% (58/74). Sixty (81.1%) patients were male. The success of ESWL was correlated with lower SSD, Hounsfield units (HU) and Hounsfield density (HD). However, in multivariate analysis, SSD, Hounsfield unit, and stone area showed correlation with success of procedure but Hounsfield density failed to show correlation. The success rate in patients with stone HU <500, 500-1000 and >1000 were 93.9%, 69%, and 58.3%, respectively. Patients with lower BMI (<30 kg/m2) and HD (<76 HU/mm) were more prone towards success of the procedure than those with higher BMI (>30 kg/m2) and higher HD (>76 HU/mm). CONCLUSION: BMI, SSD, stone Hounsfield units and Hounsfield unit density were strong predictors of outcome of ESWL for ureteric stone.