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The renewable energy sources are playing a dominant role in many power generation applications all over the world. Moreover, the solar energy is superior due to its low maintenance cost and cleanliness. However, the solar power generation highly depends on the environmental conditions. This paper explores the utilization of the solar power with the two-stage dc–dc converter specifically designed for distributed grid applications. The proposed power system includes the boost converter in the first stage and the high gain converter in the second stage. The boost converter is implemented with the perturbation & observation and the Sliding Mode Control based Maximum Power Point Tracking control strategies. The second stage high gain converter can fulfill the excellent load and line regulations. The exhaustive MATLAB/Simulink results are presented for both the converters.

Over the past few years, sentiment analysis has become most predominant aspect to be extracted in the modern digital era. Due to digitization all over the world, the number of existing digital documents increasing exponentially day by day. Analyzing such documents to extract the exact meaning itself becomes a tedious task. And analyzing those documents in sentimental point of view has increased the modality of difficultness to another level. In this research work, an effective bio-inspired filter-based feature selection algorithm is proposed to effectively handle the documents from sentiment point of view. A popular bio inspired algorithm called Artificial Bee Colony algorithm is modified using Boolean operators to effectively handle feature selection problem in classifying the documents from sentimental aspect. A total of 9 different documents instances are taken for evaluating the performance of proposed model. A total of 5 different filter-based measures are used to quantify the working model of the algorithm. The outputs are analyzed to state-of-the-art algorithms, and the comparative results demonstrate a substantial improvement over the existing models.

Background: Pharmacophore mapping and molecular docking can be synergistically integrated to improve the drug design and discovery process. A rational strategy, combiphore approach, derived from the combined study of Structure and Ligand based pharmacophore has been described to identify novel GPR40 modulators. Methods: DISCOtech module from Discovery studio was used for the generation of the Structure and Ligand based pharmacophore models which gave hydrophobic aromatic, ring aromatic and negative ionizable as essential pharmacophoric features. The generated models were validated by screening active and inactive datasets, GH scoring and ROC curve analysis. The best model was exposed as a 3D query to screen the hits from databases like GLASS (GPCR-Ligand Association), GPCR SARfari and Mini-Maybridge. Various filters were applied to retrieve the hit molecules having good drug-like properties. A known protein structure of hGPR40 (pdb: 4PHU) having TAK-875 as ligand complex was used to perform the molecular docking studies; using SYBYL-X 1.2 software. Results and Conclusion: Clustering both the models gave RMSD of 0.89. Therefore, the present approach explored the maximum features by combining both ligand and structure based pharmacophore models. A common structural motif as identified in combiphore for GPR40 modulation consists of the para-substituted phenyl propionic acid scaffold. Therefore, the combiphore approach, whereby maximum structural information (from both ligand and biological protein) is explored, gives maximum insights into the plausible protein-ligand interactions and provides potential lead candidates as exemplified in this study.

Background: Human GPR40 receptor, also known as free fatty-acid receptor 1, is a Gprotein- coupled receptor that binds long chain free fatty acids to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion. In order to improve the resistance and efficacy, computational tools were applied to a series of 3-aryl-3-ethoxypropanoic acid derivatives. A relationship between the structure and biological activity of these compounds, was derived using a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study using CoMFA, CoMSIA and two-dimensional QSAR study using HQSAR methods. Methods: Building the 3D-QSAR models, CoMFA, CoMSIA and HQSAR were performed using Sybyl-X software. The ratio of training to test set was kept 70:30. For the generation of 3D-QSAR model three different alignments were used namely, distill, pharmacophore and docking based alignments. Molecular docking studies were carried out on designed molecules using the same software. Results: Among all the three methods used, Distill alignment was found to be reliable and predictive with good statistical results. The results obtained from CoMFA analysis q2, r2cv and r2 pred were 0.693, 0.69 and 0.992 respectively and in CoMSIA analysis q2, r2cv and r2pred were 0.668, 0.648 and 0.990. Contour maps of CoMFA (lipophilic and electrostatic), CoMSIA (lipophilic, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and donor) and HQSAR (positive & negative contribution) provided significant insights i.e. favoured and disfavoured regions or positive & negative contributing fragments with R1 and R2 substitutions, which gave hints for the modifications required to design new molecules with improved biological activity. Conclusion: 3D-QSAR techniques were applied for the first time on the series 3-aryl-3- ethoxypropanoic acids. All the models (CoMFA, CoMSIA and HQSAR) were found to be satisfactory according to the statistical parameters. Therefore such a methodology, whereby maximum structural information (from ligand and biological target) is explored, gives maximum insights into the plausible protein-ligand interactions and is more likely to provide potential lead candidates has been exemplified from this study.

Dual inverter fed open-end 3Ø induction motor drive (OEW-IMD) with different dc-link voltages can perform four-level (4L) realisation. Now the earlier scheme operates with high conduction losses and dv/dt at particular voltage symmetries that effects overall efficiency. This paper proposes the effective discontinuous decoupled SVPWM (EDDPWM) scheme, which deals the DD-PWM with a concept of effective time employment to high voltage side inverter and low voltage side inverter independently that are labelled as EDDPWM-1 and EDDPWM-2, respectively. A factor variable k relating to active time of vectors application is presented. For k is varied from 10% to 100% of individual inverters that effects both individual and net inverter voltage vectors of a dual inverter. Therefore, the effect of factor k on ripple content, harmonic spectra of motor currents for insight of torque ripple, and different characteristics are analysed. These proposed methods achieved flexible performance enhancement compared to previous methods.

A Group Key Management is a technique to establish shared group key, between the cluster head and sensor nodes for multiple sessions in a clustered network environment. The common use of this established group key (also termed as conference key) is to permit users to encrypt and decrypt a particular broadcast message that is meant for the total user group. In this work, we propose a cluster based dynamic group key management protocol that is based on public key cryptography. Cluster head initiates establishment of group key to the sensor nodes efficiently and achieves secure communication. Later, the computation of the common group key is performed by each sensor node. Group members have functionality to join and leave from particular communication along with this, other nodes, equal to threshold compute new conference key without involvement of cluster head. The proposed protocol is investigated in terms of security and complexity analysis using network simulator (NS-2).

Sentiment analysis through opinion mining is determined through significant and growing interest for many industries including hotel, tourism, educations and so on. Sentiment analysis includes design of the system to search the user opinions in blog posts, comments, reviews or tweets regarding the product, policy or area. Many researchers carried out their research on opinion mining to identify the polarity of the statements. But the main problem during opinion mining is that the words chosen do not solve attribute relevancy and could not classify the positive and negative usage of uncertain terms. In order to address these problems, normal discriminant piecewise regressive (NDPR) sentiment classification technique is introduced. NDPR technique perform three processes, namely, pre-processing, feature extraction and classification to improve the accuracy level through forming classes (i.e., positive, neutral and negative) based on the extracted words from user review comments. Initially, NDPR technique performs the data pre-processing task for stemming and removing the stop words from review statements to reduce the file size that in turn improves the efficiency. After that, normal discriminant feature extraction process is carried out in NDPR technique to extract the opinion word from the review statements sent by reviewers. The related opinion words are systematized for their semantic equivalence of sentiment based on extracted word. This helps to reduce the time consumption to extract the opinions from reviewers. Finally, piecewise regressive sentiment classification (PRSC) process is carried out in NDPR technique to analyse the semantic opinion words for evaluating the sentiment class label. The sentiment class labels are categorized into positive, neutral and negative sentiments with the user review comments. This in turn helps to reduce the time consumption to extract the opinions from reviewers and to improve the review detection accuracy. The performance evaluation of NDPR technique is carried out with standard benchmark datasets of consumer product and services reviews extracted. The parameters used in evaluation are number of customer review words, accuracy, time complexity (TC) and false positive rate. Experimental analysis shows that NDPR technique reduces the time to extract the opinions from reviewers and false positive rate.

Aim:To describe and review the clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics of an orbital perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). Methods:A systematic review of clinical records, radiological investigations, microscopic features, and immunohistochemical characteristics was done. Results:A 9-year-old female child presented with a year-long history of a large orbital mass associated with painless, progressive proptosis of the right eye. Radiologically, a well-defined orbital mass was seen with no intracranial extension. Excision was performed and histopathological examination showed uniform epithelioid cells in nests separated by thin fibrovascular septae. The tumor cells stained positively for Human Melanoma Black-45, but neg­atively for desmin, S-100, smooth muscle actin, MyoD1, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, vimentin, CD10, CD31, and CD34 with a low proliferation index of 5–7%. Based on the tumor’s morphological and immuno­histochemical characteristics, a diagnosis of giant orbital PEComa was made. No recurrence was seen at the last follow-up. Conclusions:PEComas are uncommon mesenchymal neoplasms that have typical histological features, with an immunohistochemical profile of negativity for epithelial markers and positivity for melanocytic markers. For benign PEComas, complete excision is advised. However, since PEComas elsewhere in the body have been known to be malignant, a close follow-up of such cases is recommended.

Lutein (LUT), is one of the most important carotenoids having prominent antioxidant activity. However, its use is limited due to poor solubility and instability under adverse conditions. LUT was microencapsulated with soluble polymers using spray drying to improve its solubility and bioavailability. Maltodextrin (polysaccharide base) and copovidone (polyvinyl pyrrolidone vinyl acetate based copolymer) were evaluated as hydrophilic carriers for encapsulation of LUT. Design of Experiments (DOE) was utilized and microencapsulation process was optimized using full factorial design. Copovidone proved to be better carrier compared to maltodextrin and showed enhanced dissolution and antioxidant characteristics of LUT. Microencapsulated LUT powder was characterized by dissolution study, DSC, XRD and SEM. This study can be used as a guideline for optimization of microencapsulation of similar bio-actives with hydrophilic carriers to improve solubility and subsequent bioavailability.

AbstractThe focus of the present study includes the isolation, characterization, and a correlation of water clarification efficacy of mucilage from Portulaca oleracealeaves, a food-grade polysaccharide and its encapsulated calcium alginate beads. The characterization of mucilage powder was conducted for its physical and chemical properties. Portulacamucilage was encapsulated in calcium alginate to develop Portulacamucilage–alginate (PMA) beads. The developed beads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques to study various physicochemical aspects. Efficiency of PMA beads for water clarification in low as well as high turbid water was investigated. Percentage turbidity removal was found to be 97 and 87%, respectively, in high and low turbid waters. Efficiency of recycled beads was also studied. Mucilage and PMA beads showed varied surface morphologies before and after treatment with turbid water. Relevancy of these variations to the turbidity removal is discussed. Swelling studies revealed that the beads were swelled at low pH range (pH < 5) and at higher pH range (pH > 9). The findings of this study lead to the potential production of new environmentally friendly composite beads for water clarification.

The focus of the present study includes the isolation, characterization, and a correlation of water clarification efficacy of mucilage from Portulaca oleracealeaves, a food-grade polysaccharide and its encapsulated calcium alginate beads. The characterization of mucilage powder was conducted for its physical and chemical properties. Portulacamucilage was encapsulated in calcium alginate to develop Portulacamucilage–alginate (PMA) beads. The developed beads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques to study various physicochemical aspects. Efficiency of PMA beads for water clarification in low as well as high turbid water was investigated. Percentage turbidity removal was found to be 97 and 87%, respectively, in high and low turbid waters. Efficiency of recycled beads was also studied. Mucilage and PMA beads showed varied surface morphologies before and after treatment with turbid water. Relevancy of these variations to the turbidity removal is discussed. Swelling studies revealed that the beads were swelled at low pH range (pH < 5) and at higher pH range (pH > 9). The findings of this study lead to the potential production of new environmentally friendly composite beads for water clarification.

Water molecule reacts with aluminium when it is immersed in water, which plays a vital role in hydrogen generation process. This process which uses sodium hydroxide as catalyst produces a byproduct alumina and some other scarce ingredients. This byproduct is mentioned as alumina composite powder (ACP). In an attempt of reutilizing and converting it into a matrix material using a resin polymer as a binder, this work investigates the workability of the product produced by alumina composite matrix. The specimen produced by alumina composite matrix has been tested for its desirable strength, namely, tensile strength, elongation under varied thermal conditions, compression test, flexural test with fiber reinforcement and non fiber reinforcement. The nature of crack formation and the plastic behavior of the specimen during test have been analyzed, based on the crack propagation in failure plane in the alumina composite matrix as a high quality alternative for wood and tiles for high class interior decorations. This research explores the effective use of the byproduct alumina composite matrix and its consistent eco-friendly nature.

In this work, a combined forming and fracture limit diagram, fractured void coalescence and texture analysis have been experimentally evaluated for the commercially available aluminum alloy Al 8011 sheet annealed at different temperatures viz. 200°C, 250°C, 300°C and 350°C. The sheets were examined at different annealing temperatures on microstructure, tensile properties, formability and void coalescence. The fractured surfaces of the formed samples were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and these images were correlated with fracture behavior and formability of sheet metals. Formability of Al 8011 was studied and examined at various annealing temperatures using their bulk X-ray crystallographic textures and ODF plots. Forming limit diagrams, void coalescence parameters and crystallographic textures were correlated with normal anisotropy of the sheet metals annealed at different temperatures.

A sensor node comprises of enormous nodes which can a variety of tasks such as recognize, indulgence, communication, and influence resource. Data transmission is the main aspect from starting to target. Once it is transferred between the node and within-cluster, the congestion will arise either node or in a resource allotment. So that it will affect the unremitting delay of reaching data, flow, the defeat of information to the destination, and the unfavorable use of a significant quantity of energy in the node. In this work, the impact of machine learning algorithms is studied using the GSTEB hierarchical protocol. By altering the type of input parameters, K-Means clustering on node energy usage can be performed. If congestion occurs, our proposal outlines a strategy for dealing with it and improving the CHPSCCC (Clustered Highly Prioritized Application-Specific Congestion Control Clustering Protocol) approach for congestion management. Simulation results show that in the proposed system there is significant growth of rises in the lifetime, energy, throughput, and packet loss.

ABSTRACTWe report a case of scleral keratitis caused by Phomopsis phoenicicola. Pterygium surgery was a predisposing factor, and the patient was treated with natamycin and fluconazole eye drops and oral fluconazole. The fungus was identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus and confirmed on the basis of its typical pycnidia and conidia.

Background: Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide, with predicted numbers ofabout 700 million adults affected by 2045. Among the several anti-diabetic drug therapies available inthe market, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have emerged as a promising therapeutic approachwith scope for exploration in the segment of peptidomimetics. Objective: Series of proline-containing peptidomimetic compounds were designed and investigated fortheir drug-likeness through Lipinskis rule of five, lead-likeness through the rule of three, predictivepharmacokinetic studies (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), and toxicity propertiesthrough in-silico approaches. The designed compounds were evaluated for their interactions withbinding sites of the enzyme DPP-4 using an extra precision docking approach. Methods: Proline-containing peptidomimetic compounds were designed rationally. Drug-likeness andlead-likeness properties were calculated using Schrödinger Maestro v11.2 software. ADME and toxicityproperties were predicted using PreADMET version 2.0. Docking study was performed usingSchrödinger Maestro v11.2 software, and ligands for the study were designed using MarvinSketchsoftware. Results: 5(S)-methyl-L-proline containing 17 ligands were designed. All of them were found to obeyLipinskis rule of five. Compounds were found to have good ADME profile and low toxicity predictions. Conclusion: Four compounds were found to have good interactions with DPP-4 binding sites andhence created the scope to develop DPP-4 inhibitors containing 5(S)-methyl-L-proline moiety.

Purpose:To evaluate the spectrum of activity of three β-lactamase inhibitors such as amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid, ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid and piperacillin/ tazobactam in comparison to cephalosporins against gram negative bacilli. Methods:Gram-negative bacilli isolated from the clinical specimens received in the laboratory were included in the study. Using the API system (bioMérieux) during a one-year period, a total of 1,252 Enterobacteriaceaeand 385 non-fermenters were evaluated. Results:The percentage resistance of the Enterobacteriaceaeisolates was 82.92% to amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid, 58.22% to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid and 22.44% to piperacillin/tazobactam respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosashowed resistance of 96% to ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid and 61% to piperacillin/ tazobactam and Acinetobacter baumanniishowed 49% resistance to ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid and 77% resistance to piperacillin/ tazobactam respectively. The isolates exhibited high resistance to all the generations of cephalosporins and the other groups of antibiotics except carbapenems. Conclusions:Piperacillin/tazobactam was found to be the most active combination of the three against Enterobacteriaceaeand Pseudomonasspp. and ticarcillin/clavulanic acid against Acinetobacterspp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Purpose:The objective of this study is to determine the role of quantitative cultures of non-bronchoscopic samples such as blinded bronchial sampling (BBS) and endotracheal aspirates (ETA) in the management of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). The study also evaluates the clinical diagnosis of VAP based on the inclusion of Gram stain results of BBS/ETA samples into modified clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS). Methods:Fifteen out of the 120 patients admitted to respiratory intensive care unit under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours with a clinical suspicion of VAP, were included in this study. Quantitative cultures of BBS and ETA were performed from all the 15 patients. Results:VAP was confirmed in 11 out of 15 cases by quantitative cultures of either the BBS or ETA samples. The condition of 8/11 VAP confirmed patients improved significantly with the change in antibiotic therapy. The overall mortality rate was found to be 18%. The agreement between BBS and ETA results was found to be 83.3%. Modified-clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) increased significantly when Gram stain results of BBS/ETA samples were included, thereby strengthening the clinical diagnosis of VAP. Conclusions:Quantitative culture of lower respiratory tract samples obtained by non-bronchoscopic methods may be a useful alternative to bronchoscopy, in the diagnosis of VAP. Inclusion of Gram stain results of BBS/ETA into modified-CPIS may augment the diagnostic evaluation of VAP.

Purpose :The study was carried out to test the in vitroactivity of gatifloxacin (GT) against the commonly isolated gram negative pathogens from clinical specimens and compare the same with that of two other fluoroquinolones-ciprofloxacin (CIP) and levofloxacin (LVX) and four non-quinolone agents- cefotaxime (CF), ceftriaxone (CTX), ceftazidime (CAZ) and amoxyclav (AMC). The study included 77 gram negative isolates. Methods :The in vitroactivity of gatifloxacin was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and the MIC was determined by the agar dilution method as per the NCCLS guidelines. Results :Of the organisms tested, 62.8% of the isolates belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceaewere sensitive to GT, compared to 36.1 to LVX, 27.8 to CIP, 41.61 to AMC and 32.2% to the cephalosporins tested. For P.aeruginosa, the figures were 41.2, 41.2, 23.5 and 35.3% for GT, CIP, LVX, and the III generation cephalosporins, respectively. Conclusion :Gatifloxacin was more effective than the other two fluoroquinolones and the non-quinolone antibiotics against the members of Enterobacteriaceae. However, GT and CIP were found to be equally effective against P.aeruginosa.

Meliodosis, an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomalleihas been recognized as an emerging infectious disease in India. The infection is under diagnosed and underreported, and hence considered a rare disease. Majority of the cases have been documented from the states with heavy rainfall. The present case being reported is a middle-aged woman who had developed a fulminant infection following exposure to stagnant floodwater in the city of Hyderabad. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Melioidosis being reported from this part of the country.

An experimental study of the transient photocurrent response of p-Si/0·5 M H2SO4interface is presented. The results have been analysed in terms of a theoretical model wherein surface states are assumed to be present at a discrete levelEsand communicate exclusively with the semiconductor. The results indicate substantial Fermi level pinning at this interface. Influence of surface oxide films and Pt deposition on the transient response is also discussed.

The syntheses of 2,10-dichloro-6-alkoxydibenzo[d,g][1,3,6,2]dioxathiaphosphocin 6-oxides are described. Their IR, 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectral characteristics are reported. Long-range couplings (2JPOCand 3JPOCC) between phosphorus and carbons were observed. An X-ray diffraction analysis of a crystal of 2,10-dichloro-6-ethoxydibenzo[d,g][1,3,6,2]dioxathiaphosphocin 6-oxide indicated a boat-chair conformation to the dioxathiaphosphocin ring with the phosphoryl oxygen in axial and the ethoxy group in equatorial orientations. The molecule possesses a symmetry of the mirror plane passing through the sulfur, phosphorus, phosphoryl oxygen, and ethoxy group.

We report a case of pulmonary zygomycosis in an adult male diabetic patient who presented with fever and altered sensorium initially and later developed streaky haemoptysis. Bronchoscopy showed picture of necrotizing pneumonia. Sputum was negative for fungal elements on admission but later bronchial wash and repeat sputum samples were positive by microscopy and culture showed growth of Rhizopusspecies. Immediately the patient was put on amphotericin B but had a bout of massive haemoptysis and succumbed. A high index of suspicion is needed for an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of this infection in view of the high mortality rate.

Methicillin resistant Stephylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection has now become a major problem in hospitals. We present a case of postoperative infection MRSA where the primary source of the infection was found to be an abdominal mesh that was used to reinforce the abdominal wall. After one year of surgery, the patient developed wound dehiscence and discharge. MRSA was isolated from the wound, mesh, external nares, throat and axilla. Initially she was started on clindamycin and discharged from the hospital. After 5 months, patient came back to the hospital with infection at the same site. The patient was then treated with vancomycin and MRSA clearance. She responded to the treatment with complete healing of the wound and clearance of MRSA.

The solid acid, Amberlyst-15® immobilized in the air- and moisture-stable ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate is found to catalyze efficiently the condensation of o-phenylenediamines with ketones under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives in high yields with high selectivity.

Synthesis and characterisation of some new [1,2,4]triazoles 8,9 and 11 starting from a useful synthon 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[3,4]cyclohepta[b]thiophene-1-carbonitriles have been reported.

CdTe Nano-rods have been synthesized using Hydrothermal method. For the confirmation of formation of CdTe in nano metric dimension XRD technique is employed. The diameter of CdTe nano-rods is calculated to be 35.04 nm. SEM image reveals that nano CdTe possess rod shaped morphology. The compositional data is collected with EDAX spectra. Successful capping of thioglycolic acid (TGA) on the surface of CdTe nano-rods is well endorsed by FTIR spectroscpoy technique. Band gap is calculated to be 1.65eV from UV-Visible absorption spectra. I-V characteristics of the CdTe nano-rods showed a linear symmetrical variation at room temperature. This was due to the high crystallinity and homogeneous powder sample of CdTe nano-rods. The higher value of mobility of the order of 1.1264 X 103 cm2/V-s of the as synthesized CdTe nano-rods reveals moderate grain boundaries and less structural defects. Hence compared to bulk CdTe, nano-structured CdTe materials are more ordered in structure and hence improved crystallinity. Room temperature Hall meaasurement employing Van Der Pauw method indicates high resistivity of the order of 107 O cm and the as synthesized nano-rods are of p-type material.

Novel Cu(II),Ni(II) and VO(II) complexes are synthesized with N1,N4-bis(2-aminobenzylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (L). Complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, IR, UV and EPR. Spectral studies reveals a square planner geomentry for Cu(II), Ni(II) complexes and square pyramidal for VO(II) complex. The ligand and its complexes were also evaluated against the growth of gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria.

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