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The article discusses the synthesis of the central nervous system stimulant prolintane, a derivative of amphetamine used to treat narcolepsy and hyperactivity disorders. The synthesis of prolintane was achieved in four steps with good to excellent yields, starting from commercially available phenylacetyl chloride. The research aimed to improve existing synthetic routes by reducing costs, steps, and improving yields, contributing to the pharmaceutical importance of prolintane. [Extracted from the article]

Electrochemical Machining (ECM) stands out as a non-traditional method for intricately shaping materials. It operates on the principles of Faraday's laws of electrolysis, where the weight of the substance generated during electrolysis correlates directly with the current flow, process duration, and equivalent weight of the deposited material. This research specifically investigates assessing the impact of Sodium Nitrate (NaNO3) electrolyte on machining Aluminium scrapped wheel. Three ECM input parameters voltage, electrolyte concentration, and duty cycle are varied across different levels. The study scrutinizes machining outputs, particularly Material Removal Rate (MRR) and overcut (OC), employing the Taguchi design methodology. Optimal process factors are presumed through SN ratio analysis and ANOVA is utilized to analyze the contribution of each parameter to the output characteristics. The results of the study suggest that MRR is improved, and an optimal configuration consists of 10 V voltage, 90% duty cycle, and 25 g/l electrolyte concentration. to minimize OC, 12 V voltage, 80% duty cycle, and 25 g/l electrolyte concentration are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Green and medicinal chemistry share the common objective of creating easy-to-use, cost-effective catalytic systems using commonly available materials. To synthesize 4H-pyrans derivatives by one-pot chemical reaction of cycloalkanones, substituted aldehyde with malononitrile at conventional, and ultrasonic method using uranyl nitrate hexahydrate acting as a catalyst were produced pyrans derivatives (IVa–IVj) in good to high yields. Methods: The main benefits of this eco-friendly approach are its high efficiency, solvent-free or low solvent reaction conditions, ease of operation, and utilization of readily available catalysts. After conducting additional research on the binding manner of the contacts between the most active frameworks and the α-glucosidase active sites, docking analysis was carried out to investigate the α-glucosidase enzyme's active cavity. Results and Discussion: Upon interpreting the data, it became evident that scaffolds (IVa) and (IVc) were the most effective inhibitors of α-glucosidase, exhibiting excellent binding contacts with the enzyme's active region. Conclusions: We propose a simple and green synthetic methodology for the synthesis of pyran derivatives and the molecular docking experiments showed that these compounds are strongly bound to the protein-binding sites of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine samples were systematically collected from inseminated Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 (with day 0 representing the day of artificial insemination). Following confirmation of pregnancy via trans rectal palpation 45 days of insemination, the animals were categorised into pregnant and non‐pregnant groups (n = 10 each). The urine samples on 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of pregnant and one sample from non‐pregnant preferably collected on 28th day was used for SDS‐PAGE after diafiltration. We focused on urine samples obtained on 28th day of insemination as it could contain high fetuin‐A levels associated with pregnancy. Each of the two urine samples from both the pregnant and non‐pregnant groups underwent purification through wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) affinity separation. The resulting fraction/elute was subsequently employed for the determination and validation of fetuin‐A through 1D SDS‐PAGE, western blotting and MALDI‐TOF analysis. The samples were used for measuring the concentration of fetuin‐A by ELISA. Fetuin‐A was significantly higher (1020.50 ± 19.75 mg/L) in pregnant Murrah buffalo urine than their non‐pregnant counterparts (86.5 ± 6.33 mg/L), with a p < 0.05. On SDS‐PAGE analysis, the WGA fractions revealed distinct protein bands, notably between ~54 to 70 kDa and slightly above ~91 kDa, in pregnant Murrah buffaloes compared with their non‐pregnant counterparts. Following confirmation of fetuin‐A at ~58 kDa through western blotting, the corresponding protein band was excised from the SDS gel and subjected to mass spectrometry for MALDI‐TOF analysis. Peptide mass fingerprinting, coupled with protein BLAST, confirmed the upregulated protein as Alpha2‐HS glycoprotein, also known as fetuin‐A. These findings are crucial for elucidating the presence of fetuin‐A in urine samples from pregnant Murrah buffaloes, offering valuable insights into their physiological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilms are structured microbial communities encased in a matrix of self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and pose significant challenges in various industrial cooling systems. A nuclear power plant uses a biocide active-bromide for control of biological growth in its condenser cooling system. This study is aimed at evaluating the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm efficacy of active-bromide against planktonic and biofilm-forming bacteria that are commonly encountered in seawater cooling systems. The results demonstrated that active-bromide at the concentration used at the power plant (1 ppm) exhibited minimal killing activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic cells. The bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity assay using Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa indicated that Triton-X 100 significantly decreased the hydrophobicity of planktonic cells, enhancing the susceptibility of the cells to active-bromide. Biofilm inhibition assays revealed limited efficacy of active-bromide at 1 ppm concentration, but significant inhibition at 5 ppm and 10 ppm. However, the addition of a surfactant, Triton-X 100, in combination with 1 ppm active-bromide displayed a synergistic effect, leading to significant biofilm dispersal of pre-formed P. aeruginosa biofilms. This observation was substantiated by epifluorescence microscopy using a live/dead bacterial assay that showed the combination treatment resulted in extensive cell death within the biofilm, as indicated by a marked increase in red fluorescence, compared to treatments with either agent alone. These findings suggest that active bromide alone may be insufficient for microfouling control in the seawater-based condenser cooling system of the power plant. Including a biocompatible surfactant that disrupts established biofilms (microfouling) can significantly improve the efficacy of active bromide treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric (FE) materials and their advancements have piqued the scientific community's interest greatly since they provide numerous fascinating processes in addition to being used in devices. Among them, we have studied Mn and Sn co-doped PZT and Pb (Zr0.52Ti0.48) O3 as PZT, an extremely intriguing FE. The structure and phase purity of all the samples are determined by x-ray diffraction techniques. All the samples show a very good microstructures and the average grain size is found to be decreased with ion incorporation. The UV-Vis spectra show how doping reduces optical band gaps. Parallel resistance (R)-capacitance (C) circuits have been used to analyze the relationship between microstructure and electrical characteristics. The microscopic processes in various PZT samples with dilute magnetic cations at A-sites, B-sites, and/or both sites at the morphotopic phase boundary are established from the detail impedance, modulus, and ac conductivity of the samples as a function of temperature (300 –500 °C) and over a range of frequency (100 Hz to 1 MHz). Additionally, the framework of the Jump relaxation model and the Jonscher power law are used to study the ac-conductivity data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ortho unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) was successfully synthesized from propylene glycol, and diethylene glycol in the presence of acids such as phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride using polycondensation reaction, where styrene is used as a cross-linker, which is catalysed by triphenyl phosphate and accelerated by cobalt octate. The Fire-retardant properties were incorporated into UPR using fire-retardant additives such as Aluminium trihydrate and Ammonium polyphosphate resulting in efficient fire-retardant resin. The liquid and casted mechanical properties of UPR resin are studied and The UPR composite was manufactured through the hand layup method, with the Ecorrosion resistant glass fiber reinforcement with different stacking layers. The synthesized resin to the glass fiber ratio was less than other commercial resin to glass-fiber ratios. The final composite properties were found in the acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since December 2019, a global crisis has unfolded with the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. This pandemic has afflicted hundreds of millions of people worldwide, resulting in millions of fatalities. In response to this urgent healthcare crisis, extensive efforts have been made to discover inhibitors of the COVID-19 virus. Given the structural similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and HCV, drugs approved by the FDA for treating HCV were selected and subjected to in silico testing against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with Remdesivir used as the standard for validation. Drug repurposing and phytochemical testing have also been conducted to identify potential candidates capable of inhibiting or suppressing the infection caused by the coronavirus. The time constraints imposed by the pandemic necessitated the in silico analysis of existing drug molecules against the coronavirus. Eleven HCV drugs approved by the FDA, along with one RNA synthesis inhibitor antibiotic drug, were tested using the in silico method due to their structural similarities with HCV and the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results: Molecular docking and MD simulation studies were performed for all selected compounds. Binding energies, root-mean-square deviation, root-mean-square fluctuation, solvent-accessible surface area, radius of gyration, and molecular mechanics generalized born surface area were calculated. Based on docking and MD simulation studies all the selected compounds have shown good binding energy values with Mpro (PDB ID: 6LU7). No toxicity measurements are required for these drugs since they were previously tested prior to their approval by the FDA. Conclusions: This study shows that FDA-approved HCV drugs can be used as for SARS-COVID-19 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incredible growth of wireless technologies has led to an increase in demand of spectral resources for various communication systems. The allocated spectrum for GSM is insufficient to support applications that operate at high data rates (e.g., multimedia applications or 5G mobile communications). Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) are the recent technologies with high data rates for multimedia applications and mobile communications. These are the perfect candidates for wireless applications and 5G technologies. In this paper, an in‐depth study was presented where the multicarrier models of orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) and GFDM are integrated with a sub‐Nyquist sampling architecture. The primary focus is to evaluate and compare their spectrum sensing performance. Also analyzed the performance of both OFDM and GFDM under sub‐Nyquist sampling framework and measured the bit error rate (BER) as a function of the received signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peels of pomegranate fruits were employed in the current work to produce activated carbon (AC) using the high temperature carbonization method. The generated activated carbon using pomegranate peel (AC-PP) powder was discovered to have a layered and porous form as revealed by scanning electron microscopic images. It was discovered that activated carbon had an energy gap (Eg) of 4.454 eV. The photocatalytic experiments performed for the degradation of fast blue dye reveal that after 120 min of UV light irradiation, the AC-PP powder achieve a decolorization rate of 62.9%, respectively. Current was collected through the nickel mesh, and the electrochemical elements in rGO, the principal active component in AC-PP powder, were supported by the mesh. Nickel mesh electrodes were analysed using impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Both AC-PP and AC-PP-rGO electrodes' hydrogen diffusion coefficients were determined to be 1.134 10–4 and 0.0014 cm2 s−1, respectively. Experiments with galvanostatic charge–discharge revealed the produced AC-PP and AC-PP-rGO electrodes' superior capacitance potential, which is useful in the fabrication of supercapacitors. The AC-PP and AC-PP-rGO electrodes have 175.6 and 324.8 F g−1 specific capacitances. These unique impacts can also be assessed by energy storage performance using affordable carbon resources in various applications. These novel results might be used for developing up particular resources for environmental and power storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to enhance traditional glass fiber composites by utilizing a mediumreactive unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) synthesized from ortho-phthalic anhydride. The UPR is formulated using unsaturated acids, glycols, and styrene monomers, with the reaction tailored to improve mechanical properties beyond those of standard commercial resins. The liquid resin's properties are evaluated for manufacturing viability, and its solidified form demonstrates superior performance compared to industrial benchmarks. The composite, produced via the hand layup technique, features a reduced resin-to-glass fiber ratio. Mechanical property tests confirm its robustness. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals the microstructural characteristics to study the UPR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polycrystalline (1-x)BiFeO3-xNa0.5Bi0.5TiO3, x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15, ceramics were prepared using conventional solid-state route. The structural studies using X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements confirmed the rhombohedral R3c structure of the compounds. The scanning electron micrographs showed that grain size decreased, and the density of the compounds increased with the higher Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 content. The weak ferromagnetism was induced in the solid solution of antiferromagnetic BiFeO3 compound with Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 content. The structural distortions were increased with the increase of x, which favours the increase of weak ferromagnetism in the antiferromagnetic compound. The electric polarisation measurements indicated that leakage character decreased with the increase in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 fraction. The temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric measurements showed that the dielectric constant was improved and loss tangent was decreased in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 rich compounds. The temperature dependence of dielectric constant data showed a dielectric anomaly near the magnetic transition of BiFeO3, which shifted towards the lower temperature side with the increase of x. The UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy measurements evidenced an increase in band gap energy for higher Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 concentration.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, nonlinear mechanical response of laminated composite structures is investigated by a constitutive numerical model based on damage mechanics. A numerical method is included in progressive damage analysis to simulate the damage accumulation and failure response of composite structures under service load conditions. This model is capable of predicting the residual strength and residual stiffness of laminate with arbitrary lay-up and geometry. The state-of-the-art progressive damage model exploits a set of stress-based Hashin-type criteria and a set of appropriate degradation rule of ply discount. The constitutive model is developed wherein the damage initiation criteria are based on Hashin failure criterion for damage evolution. The proposed progressive damage model involves the steps of stress analysis, failure analysis, and material properties degradation. This work involves a comprehensive study of quasi-isotropic elliptical hole specimen to develop the failure model. Overall, the results of the exercise aid in design applications to predict the impact of progressive damage in aircraft composite structures under service loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the fundamental role of sexuality in shaping individual psychology, behavior, and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing its influence on various aspects of life. It explores the historical context of human sexuality, acknowledging its ancient roots in cultures and religions, while also highlighting the relatively recent scientific studies on sexuality initiated by scholars like Havelock Ellis, Sigmund Freud, and Alfred Kinsey.

Let X , Y be real, infinite-dimensional Banach spaces. Let ℒ ⁢ (X , Y) be the space of bounded operators. An important aspect of understanding differentiability of the operator norm at A ∈ ℒ ⁢ (X , Y) is to estimate the limit (which always exists) lim t → 0 + ⁡ ∥ A + t ⁢ B ∥ - ∥ A ∥ t for ⁢ B ∈ ℒ ⁢ (X , Y) , using the values of B on the state space S A = { τ ∈ ℒ ⁢ (X , Y) ∗ : τ ⁢ (A) = ∥ A ∥ , ∥ τ ∥ = 1 }. In this paper, we give several examples of Banach spaces, including the ℓ p spaces (for 1 < p < ∞ ) where a more tangible estimate is possible, under additional hypotheses on A. We also use the notion of norm-weak upper-semi-continuity (usc, for short) of the preduality map to achieve this. Our results also show that the operator subdifferential limit is related to the corresponding subdifferential limit of the vectors in the range space, when A ∗ ∗ attains its norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lactating animals tend to lose body tissue reserves in support of lactation and move into a negative energy balance that leads to a higher incidence of metabolic disorders and compromised productive performance. Despite several efforts to assess the influence of parity on BCS and metabolic profiles in postpartum buffaloes, systematic information is less. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parity on metabolic profile and changes in BCS in postpartum Surti buffaloes. Methods: In the present study conducted from September-2017 to May-2018, fourteen postpartum Surti buffaloes were selected and grouped based on parity as primiparous and multiparous (2nd to 5th lactation). The blood sample was collected from all the selected animals on the day of calving, 15th, 30th and 60th day post calving. Serum biochemical parameters viz., glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol and Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were analysed. The body condition score (BCS) was assessed from the day of calving up to 60th day of the study at 15-day interval. Result: The study revealed that the BCS was significantly higher in multiparous buffaloes as compared to primiparous group. Among biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly higher in primiparous group as compared to their multiparous counterparts. Parity did not have a significant influence on serum total protein, BUN, cholesterol and NEFA. However, NEFA was slightly higher in multiparous group of Surti buffaloes. High NEFA and low serum glucose indicated a greater degree of negative energy balance in multiparous buffaloes due to higher milk output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to ascertain whether the role of kisspeptin in promoting in vitro development of preantral follicles was through the regulation of P450 aromatase gene expression and steroidogenesis in sheep. Accordingly, the cumulus cells and oocytes were collected from different development stages of preantral follicles grown in vivo and cultured in vitro in TCM199B (Group I), TCM199B + KP (10 μg/mL) (Group II) and Standard medium + KP (10 μg/mL). To measure the steroid (Estradiol‐17β; E2 and Progesterone; P4) synthesis through ELISA, spent culture medium was collected separately from the same in vitro groups. E2 synthesis in the spent medium collected from all the three groups showed an increasing trend from PFs' exposed to respective culture media for 3 min to 2‐day culture stage but decreased thereafter till 6‐day culture stage. This is followed by a sharp increase in E2 concentration in the spent medium collected after in vitro maturation. However, P4 synthesis in group III followed increased pattern as the development progressed from PFs' exposed to culture medium for 3 min to in vitro maturation stage. The steroid production was observed at all stages of in vitro development in altered supplemented conditions. The steroid synthesis in the spent medium was highest in the 6 day cultured PFs' in Standard medium + KP matured in vitro for 24 h. Therefore, supplementation of kisspeptin along with other growth factors promoted steroid production in cultured preantral follicles far better than in other media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research investigates the prediction of piezoelectric damping of resistively shunted beams caused by resistors via joule heating. In order to maximize the extra damping of the piezoelectric shunted beam system, a sensitivity analysis was done. The geometrical impacts on the maximum additional damping simulation are investigated for different length and thickness ratios with the position of the PZT-5H from the base of the cantilever and simply supported beams. Prior to doing sensitivity analysis, a mathematical model for estimating extra damping from voltage produced. Validation experiments are also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of simultaneous Sm and Mn substitutions around half-doping level on the structural, magnetic and low temperature electronic behaviour of LaFeO3 nanoparticle is extensively studied. The SXRD and FESEM data shows a single-phase nanoparticle of size 33 nm. A drastic magnetic phase change with a low temperature non-ergodic phase is seen compared to the parent LaFeO3 (G-type antiferromagnetic) and this typical behaviour stems from the facts that, simultaneous presence of Sm and Mn alters the Fe crystal environment as well as its multiplicity which leads to improved exchange interactions among different ions. The doped nanoparticle shows a colossal dielectric response. Impedance, modulus spectra and ac conductivity analysis are used to find the conduction process involved in the system and it is related to the hopping conduction through grain and grain boundary resistances. The possibility of the polaronic part may arise from the interactions among mixed-valence state of Fe (Fe3+/Fe2+), Mn (Mn3+/Mn2+) and from the oxygen vacancies. Moreover, the ac-electrical conductivity is analysed using Jonscher's double-power law and Jump relaxation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of disorder on the magnetic phases as well as on the conduction process are extensively studied in LaFeO3 nanoparticles in a wide field and temperature ranges. The disorder induced by Na in LaFeO3 alters its robust magnetic phase to the coexistence of distinctly different magnetic orders. The phase purity of the samples, which plays an important role, is detected by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Detailed magnetic measurements are carried out to investigate the evolution of phases due to substitutions. The samples show the coexistence of a superparamagnetic phase along with a weak ferromagnetic phase, and the ratio of the two distinct phases varies with substitutions. The Mössbauer measurement supported the said magnetic phases in the samples. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis clarifies the simultaneous presence of Fe3+ and Fe4+ due to Na+ incorporation. Furthermore, the electrical conduction is found to be greatly influenced by such substitutional disorder. From the dielectric measurement, a p-type polaronic conduction mechanism is found in 25% Na incorporation, which is mainly due to the hole hopping between Fe4+ and Fe3+ states. The semicircles in the whole temperature range in the Cole–Cole plots of impedance and modulus spectra are the co-contribution of the grain and the grain boundary effect in the conduction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in primary unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is well documented. However, considering the potential side effects including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, the ideal route of administration of TXA to patients undergoing THA is still not known. Aim: To compare the efficacy of single dose intravenous (i.v.) TXA administration versus combined intravenous and local infiltration of TXA in reducing the perioperative blood loss in primary unilateral THA patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomised clinical study, was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, between October 2020 to May 2021. 60 patients were randomly allocated into two groups: the combined group C (i.v. administration of 10 mg/kg of TXA combined with local infiltration of 600 mg TXA diluted to 60 mL with normal saline) and the single i.v. group S (i.v. administration of 10 mg/kg of TXA). The perioperative blood loss was calculated in terms of three variables-intraoperative blood loss, drainage blood loss and total blood loss. The number of postoperative blood transfusions noted. Student's t-test and Fischer's-exact tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 60 patients scheduled to have primary unilateral THA. Both the groups were similar in demographic features, baseline biochemical values and procedural distribution. There was a statistically significant reduction in the (mean±SD) intraoperative blood loss (697.26±221.43 mL), drain blood volume (254.66±81.36 mL) and total blood loss (952.26±263.57 mL) in the combined group C when compared to the single group S. There was no statistically significant difference (p-value=0.671) in the postoperative blood transfusion rate between the two groups. Conclusion: Intravenous combined with local infiltration of TXA significantly reduced the perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing primary unilateral THA when compared to single dose intravenous administration of TXA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline Gd 2 NiIrO 6 double perovskite compound was synthesized by the solid-state route. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction pattern revealed that the compound was crystallized in a monoclinic structure with P 2 1 / n space group (IUCr. No. 14). The scanning electron micrograph showed that the grains were spherical and well distributed with an average grain size of around 1 μm. The temperature-dependent magnetic measurements showed magnetic transitions at 165 K and 149 K in the low-temperature region. Below the transition temperatures, weak ferromagnetism was evidenced by field-dependent magnetization measurements. Exchange bias effects were observed which were driven by Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya interactions in the compound. The UV–visible measurement evidenced that the compound had an optical band gap of 1.8 eV. The electronic structure calculations using the DFT + U method revealed that Gd 2 NiIrO 6 compound exhibited a bandgap only when on-site correlations for the d -states were included, and the calculation showed that the AF1 configuration was energetically favourable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline Bi 1-x R x FeO 3 (R Ho and Y, x = 0.00, 0.05 and 0.10) compounds were prepared to perform a systematic investigation of the role of chemical nature and effect of internal chemical pressure on the structural, microstructural, magnetic, electric, ferroelectric and optical properties of the compounds. Structural analysis revealed that lattice distortions observed in Ho and Y-substituted compounds were not the same. The lattice parameters were larger in the case of the Y-substitution compared to the Ho-substituted counterpart. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed the formation of dense, well-connected grains exhibiting a reduction in size with increasing substitution. The magnetic properties of BiFeO 3 were enhanced through the suppression of the spin structure with the substitution. The substitution of magnetic (Ho3+) ions led to an improvement in remanent magnetization and coercive field, whereas the substitution of non-magnetic (Y3+) ions resulted in enhanced maximum magnetization with negligible coercive field at room temperature. The ferroelectric measurements evidenced that both remanent polarization and coercive fields improved in substituted compounds, attributed to a decrease in charge carriers. Furthermore, the Y3+ ion substitution positively influenced ferroelectric properties by reducing leakage currents compared to the Ho3+ ion substitution. The optical absorption measurements indicated a decrease in the energy band gap of BiFeO 3 with substitution, implying alterations in the material's optical characteristics. The ac conductivity studies demonstrated a discernible reduction in the conductivity of the substituted compounds. Specifically, Ho-substitution exhibited a more pronounced magnitude in the decline in conductivity relative to Y-substitution. This outcome signifies the potential efficacy of Ho-substitution in exerting control over the insulating characteristics of the compounds. Magnetic field variation of magnetization hysteresis loops of all compounds at 300 K. Inset shows the same at 10 K. [Display omitted] • A systematic investigation of the role of internal chemical pressure is investigated on Bi 1-x R x FeO 3 (R = Ho and Y) compounds. • Structural analysis revealed that lattice distortions were not the same in Ho and Y-substituted compounds. • The substitution of Ho3+= and Y3+ ions induced modification in the magnetic properties of BiFeO 3 in a distinct manner. • Better ferroelectric properties are observed with the Y3+ ion substitution compared to the Ho3+ ion substitution. • The Ho-substitution exhibited a decline in conductivity relative to the Y-substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) has grown more importance in agriculture production, as it helps to observe and store up information in a large environment. The plant leaf disease condenses the quantity and quality of agricultural products. Hence, the farmer needs to find and discover the plant disease at the beginning stage. The plant disease can be present in any part, like leaves, fruits and stems. Therefore, it is an important research area to detect plant disease automatically to reduce economic or production loss. Without appropriate classification of the disease and the disease-causing mediator, the disease control process can be a waste of time and money and can lead to additional plant losses. This research developed a method named Taylor Student Psychology Based Optimization integrated Deep Q network (TSPBO-based DQN) to detect plant disease in IoT simulated system atmosphere. The nodes are randomly dispersed in the system area to collect plant images. The captured images are routed to the sink node to complete the proposed method's disease recognition scheme. The proposed method is highly efficient in classifying the plant diseases and has shown outstanding performance by acquiring high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and remaining energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to top-notch vehicle testing and internationally standardized inspections, the modes of transportation are cleaner and more efficient today. Though the development for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) has almost saturated today, yet it retains the commercial/heavy-duty (trucks and buses) automobile market. Thus, it becomes of utmost importance to analyze the well-to-wheel efficiency for determining the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while transitioning toward sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) do have environmental impacts that are directly related to the country's electricity generation, as they may involve fossil burning where other alternative sources of energy are not adequately present. This paper presents the overall energy efficiencies and GHG emissions from commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs and EVs. The study also briefly compares the other vehicle segments like 2 Wheeler, 3 Wheeler, and cars. Finally, the results show that commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs are advantageous over heavy-duty EVs when the GHG emissions are considered as of today. The commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs emit over 405 g CO2e/km, and counter EVs produce 706 g CO2e/km. The GHG emissions from 2 Wheeler ICEV were 46 g CO2e/km and by the same segment, EV is 13 g CO2e/km. Moving toward the car segment, an ICEV car produces around 158 g CO2e/km and an EV of a similar model emits 67 g CO2e/km. Furthermore, the 3 Wheeler ICEV emits around 99 g CO2e/km and a 3 Wheeler EV produces lesser at 24 g CO2e/km. Moving further on well-to-wheel energy efficiency, ICEVs have a maximum overall energy efficiency of 28%. Since EVs use various sources of energy for charging the battery, the overall efficiency was found to be at least 21% and maximum up to 39%. Thus, on an average EVs presently have a well-to-wheel efficiency of 32% when electricity generation mix is used for charging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiyear measurements from Joss-Waldvogel disdrometer (5 years) and X-band dual-polarization radar (2 years) made at Gadanki (13.5 N, 79.18 E), a low latitude station, are used to i) retrieve appropriate raindrop size distribution (DSD) relations for monsoonal rain, ii) understand their dependency on temperature, raindrop size-shape model and season and iii) assess polarimetric radar DSD retrievals by various popular techniques (Exponential-Exp, Constrained Gamma - CG, Normalized Gamma - N-Gamma and ß methods). The coefficients obtained for different DSD relations for monsoonal rain are found to be different from that of existing relations elsewhere. The seasonal variation in DSD is quite large and significant and as a result the coefficients also vary considerably between the seasons. The slope of the drop size - shape relation, assumed to be constant in several studies, vary considerably between the seasons with warmer seasons showing smaller slope value than cold season. It is found that the constant (0.062) used in linear drop shape models is valid only for cold season. The derived coefficients for CG method for different seasons coupled with those available in the literature reveals that the warm seasons/regions typically have larger curvature and slope values than in cold seasons/regions. The coefficients of mass weighted mean diameter (Dm) - differential reflectivity (ZDR) exhibit strong dependency on drop shape model, while those for the derivation intercept parameter exhibit strong seasonal dependency. Using the retrieved relations and X-band polarimetric radar at Gadanki, four popular DSD methods are evaluated against disdrometer measurements collected over 12 events. All the methods estimated Dm reasonably well with small root mean square error, however failed to estimate intercept parameter accurately. Only N-gamma method estimated the normalized intercept parameter reasonably. Problems associated with specific differential phase (KDP)-based estimates close to the radar location, particularly during overhead convection, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi4−xNdxFeTi2O12 (BNFTO, x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) Aurivillius three‐layered ceramics are prepared via a solid‐state reaction method. The crystal structure of the compounds reveals that the compounds exhibit a major orthorhombic structure with the B2cb space group. Slight distortions in the orthorhombic unit cell and an increase in cell volume with the doping of Nd are observed. Highly dense randomly oriented plate‐like nonuniform grains are observed in the micrographs of the ceramics. A decrease in energy bandgap values is noticed in Nd‐doped ceramics from 2.88 to 2.18 eV. An increase in polarization values is observed with Nd doping due to the improved grain boundaries. The appearance of a weak ferromagnetic nature at low temperature followed by a decline in magnetic interaction at room temperature (RT) is observed for all compounds. The frequency and temperature variations of the dielectric constant are investigated. The frequency and temperature variations of the impedance measurements indicate that compounds exhibit non‐Debye‐type electrical relaxations and a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. Furthermore, single‐peak relaxations are predominant for all measured samples, mainly the contribution of intragranular grain regions. This makes Nd‐dopant BNFTO Aurivillius ceramics have a great research value for RT multiferroic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RecBCD helicase/nuclease supports replication fork progress via recombinational repair or linear DNA degradation, explaining recBC mutant synthetic lethality with replication elongation defects. Since replication initiation defects leave chromosomes without replication forks, these should be insensitive to the recBCD status. Surprisingly, we found that both Escherichia coli dnaA46(Ts) and dnaC2(Ts) initiation mutants at semi-permissive temperatures are also recBC-colethal. Interestingly, dnaA46 recBC lethality suppressors suggest underinitiation as the problem, while dnaC2 recBC suppressors signal overintiation. Using genetic and physical approaches, we studied the dnaA46 recBC synthetic lethality, for the possibility that RecBCD participates in replication initiation. Overproduced DnaA46 mutant protein interferes with growth of dnaAþ cells, while the residual viability of the dnaA46 recBC mutant depends on the auxiliary replicative helicase Rep, suggesting replication fork inhibition by the DnaA46 mutant protein. The dnaA46 mutant depends on linear DNA degradation by RecBCD, rather than on recombinational repair. At the same time, the dnaA46 defect also interacts with Holliday junction-moving defects, suggesting reversal of inhibited forks. However, in contrast to all known recBC-colethals, which fragment their chromosomes, the dnaA46 recBC mutant develops no chromosome fragmentation, indicating that its inhibited replication forks are stable. Physical measurements confirm replication inhibition in the dnaA46 mutant shifted to semi-permissive temperatures, both at the level of elongation and initiation, while RecBCD gradually restores elongation and then initiation. We propose that RecBCD-catalyzed resetting of inhibited replication forks allows replication to displace the "sticky" DnaA46(Ts) protein from the chromosomal DNA, mustering enough DnaA for new initiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali-activated fly ash/GGBS concrete (AAFGC) is a new blended concrete that has been studied by many researchers due to its environmental advantages and better technological characteristics. However, the effect of various factors on AAFGC fresh and hardened properties has not yet been thoroughly studied. The literature mainly describes the combination of NaOH and Na2SiO3 as an activator for the AAFGC's activation, but alkali-activated GGBS concrete (AAGC) prepared with this activator solution is less workable due to its rapid setting behaviour. In this study, AAFGC was prepared using neutral grade liquid Na2SiO3 with a SiO2/Na2O ratio of 2.92. An experimental program was performed for fly ash-GGBS combinations (100-0, 50-50, 0-100), solution/binder ratios (0.6, 0.65, 0.7) and binder contents (300, 400 and 500 kg/m3) to evaluate the workability and the compressive and tensile strength of AAFGC. The results of this study show that a water glass of 2.92 silica modulus used as an activator to prepare AAFGC under ambient curing is very useful in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the total column water vapor (TCWV) data retrieved from the Indian national satellite (INSAT) system series (INSAT-3D) and its variation at different temporal scales have been evaluated. The reference TCWV dataset is obtained from four ground-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and over the entire Indian subcontinent from a global precipitation measurement (GPM) microwave imager (GMI) that uses global analysis (GANAL) model data. TCWV comparison of INSAT-3D, GPM-GMI with GNSS shows higher correlations for GPM-GMI than INSAT-3D at all temporal scales. Though GMI can reproduce observed TCWV variations better than the INSAT-3D, the large biases of both the datasets indicate errors in the magnitude. Seasonal and monthly comparisons at two locations in the southeast peninsular India region show large correlations and small bias in the northeast and small correlations and large biases in southwest monsoon months. Southeast peninsular India receives a significant amount of rainfall in the northeast monsoon, and large TCWV correlations indicate both the algorithms removing cloud pixels with high accuracy. Therefore, the errors in the TCWV are attributed to the estimated radiances at different spectral channels. The spatiotemporal variations of TCWV correlations and bias of INSAT-3D indicate the need for improving the data quality by validating the estimated radiances at different spectral channels and, in turn, the retrieved TCWV over various regions at different temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Examined Fatigue Crack Growth Rate (FCGR) in 16 mm thick AA 7075-T651 Friction Stir Welded (FSW) joints. • FSW joints have a lower critical stress intensity factor range (ΔK cr) compared to the unwelded base, attributed to precipitate dissolution in the weld zone. • FSW joints have significantly reduced fatigue life compared to the unwelded base. • FSW joints exhibit a reduction in fatigue strength based on Paris and Walker's law. • Microstructural analysis revealed ultra-fine grains and intergranular cracks in the propagation zone of FSW joints. This study examines the characteristics of Fatigue Crack Growth Rate (FCGR) in AA 7075-T651 Friction Stir Welded (FSW) joints with a thickness of 16 mm. Compact tension (CT) specimens from both the base and the FSW joints were utilized to assess FCGR under various stress ratios (0.2 to 0.5). Additionally, the study involved analyzing the transverse tensile characteristics of both the based and the welded joints. The microstructures of the welds were inspected using optical and transmission electron microscopes. Findings indicate that the FSW joint critical stress intensity factor range (ΔK cr) is lower than the unwelded base, that can be related to precipitates dissolving in the weld zone when the friction stir welding process. Consequently, in contrast to the unwelded base, the fatigue life of AA 7075-T651 aluminium alloy FSW joints is significantly reduced. A scanning electron microscope carried out microstructural analyses of the fracture surfaces of the FSW and base under various stress ratio conditions. The results showed that, in contrast to the parent material, the FSW joint has ultra-fine grains resulting in intergranular cracks in the propagation zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-polarization radar measurements during the passage of a very severe cyclone - Nivar have been used to study microphysical processes during the life cycle (developing, mature, and decaying phases) of convective cells that originated in the cyclonic environment. Several shallow and deep convective cells were tracked with the radar and height-time variation of polarimetric variables and mass-weighted mean diameter (D m) corresponding to the core of the cells are used to infer the dominant microphysical processes at various phases of the cell. The area of the cells is small during the developing phase but increases (increase is also seen in intensity) during the mature phase and is found to be maximum during the decaying phase. Size sorting of hydrometeors (small reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization (< 35 dBZ), Z H , and large differential reflectivity, Z DR , (≥ 2 dB) values) and accretion/riming (large Z H (≥ 40 dBZ) and small-moderate Z DR (< 2 dB) values) are found to be the dominant mechanisms below and above the melting layer, respectively, during the developing phase. Size sorting is seen even in the growth phase of shallow convection. The convective cell in the mature phase exhibits two distinctly different characteristics. Accretion/riming is seen prominently above 5 km at the beginning of the mature phase and melting of graupel in the warm layer is found to be responsible for the large specific differential phase (K DP) (> 1° km−1). However, during the latter part of the mature phase, there is no significant change in Z H , Z DR , K DP, and D m below the melting layer, indicating a steady state. The decaying phase is characterized by the predominant occurrence of collision-coalescence process, particularly below 3 km, as also reported by several earlier studies. The results shed new light on understanding the life cycle of convective cells activated in a cyclonic environment (Nivar cyclone) and underlying microphysical processes. • First observations on the life cycle of convective cells in NIO cyclones. • The dominance of size sorting and accretion/riming in the developing stage of cell. • Convective cell in the mature stage exhibits distinct characteristics. • Growth and decay processes are in a steady state during the mature stage of the cell. • The decaying stage is characterized by cells with large area and collision-coalescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]