SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: MQ-series gas sensors belong to the metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) family of sensors that can sense the presence of many gases. These sensors find their application in gas alarm systems as key components. While necessary sensor circuit output voltage value for alarm point in a stand-alone gas alarm system is desirable, but what exact combination of the sensor circuit parameters is required? Hitherto, the determination of these circuit parameters has not been given much attention in the research community. Aim: the purpose of this work is to explore a structured graphical approach of determination of MQ series gas sensor circuit parameters for a stand-alone gas alarm system that yields desired sensor circuit output voltage value for the alarm point; the main objective of the study was to develop mathematical model equations that relate the: (i) sensor resistance (RS) with the gas concentration (x) and the sensor resistance at standard calibration concentration of the sensor base gas in the clean air (Ro) and (ii) sensor circuit output voltage (VRL), load resistance (RL) and sensor resistance (RS). It is expected from the model equations developed that graphical correlations of the sensor circuits parameters will be generated. Using these graphs for a particular case of an MQ-4 gas sensor under the influence of LPG, the parameters that yield desired sensor circuit output voltage of 2V for 1000 ppm of LPG alarm point will be determined. Methods: Model equations were developed for the sensor dynamics, and based on these model equations, graphs for the determination of required sensor parameters were plotted for a case of MQ-4 gas sensor response to LPG. Results and Discussion: The results yielded optimal values for R_O,R_S and R_L of 20 kΩ, 30 kΩ and 20 kΩ respectively, for alarm settings of 1000 ppm and a desired sensor circuit output voltage of 2 V. Based on determined parameters, the calibration equation for determination of best concentration value for a given value of emulated LPG concentration was developed. Using the method proposed in this study makes the process of determining the MQ-series gas sensor circuit parameters less cumbersome as their value can easily be obtained from the resulting graphs. Conclusions: a structured graphical approach for determination of MQ-series gas sensor circuit parameters for alarm points in a stand-alone gas alarm system showed that using MQ-4 gas sensor and LPG as the target gas, and for a sensor circuit output voltage of 2 V for alarm point at 1000 ppm of LPG, the corresponding value of R_O, R_S and R_L obtained were 20 kΩ, 30 kΩ, and 20 kΩ respectively. Hence, a structured graphical approach is suitable for determining MQ series gas sensor circuit parameters for a stand-alone gas alarm system under the influence of its associated gases.

Background: Medical institutions collect a vast amount of sensitive patient data for personalized treatments and health trend analysis. However, this raises concerns regarding the privacy of patient data, as it contains sensitive and confidential information. Aims: Develop an anonymization tool using diverse techniques to protect data while preserving its utility. Methods: A Python-based data anonymization tool for medical datasets supporting both categorical and numerical data is developed. It employs various methods, including data perturbation, binning, scaling, transformation, and differential privacy. Results: The tool was able to anonymize sensitive data, both categorical and numerical, while preserving its utility for further analysis. Discussion: The Privacy-Preserving Data Anonymization Tool advances sensitive medical data management by anonymizing both categorical and numerical data using various techniques while retaining data utility. Conclusions: The Anonymization Tool addresses patient data privacy concerns by balancing data utility with privacy, enabling secure medical data use in research.

The presented article describes the soil types existing in east Georgia, particularly in several villages of Gurjaani Municipality-Vazisubani, Kalauri, Mukuzani, Shashiani. Meadow-brown and brown soils represent good soil types for viticulture development in Kakheti. The vineyards cultivated on these soils produce such wellknown wines as Tsinandali, Vazisubani, Mukuzani, Akhasheni, Gurjaani, Manavi. The study explores brown carbonate and meadow-brown soil lab tests to examine the absorption of phosphate ions by them. The study showed that the amount of phosphorus deposited through soils is sufficiently absorbed under various conditions, having a positive effect on the amount of crop. Was compared the rates of phosphate absorption in these soils with the efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers, which showed that the higher the absorption of phosphorus, the lower the amount of phosphorus available to the plant and the lower the yield, and the lower the strength of phosphorus retention, the higher the amount of phosphorus to be consumed by the plant and the higher the yield. But under the conditions of high cultivation degree, the strength of phosphorus absorption became weak, resulted in a large amount of exchangeable and movable phosphates already existing in the soil, which is available to the plant. So, the efficacy of phosphorus fertilizers on such soil is weak. The speed of phosphorus absorption in the soil of Gurjaani municipality villages is satisfactory. However, in case of a high degree of cultivation (or in case of excess fertilization), the degree of phosphorus retention decreases. Accordingly, phosphorus-containing fertilizers should be used within strictly controlled limits.