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This paper offers a fresh perspective to memory allocation in edge-PLCs within industrial IoT environments, leveraging a hybrid a structure that incorporates Deep Q-Networks (DQN) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Networks (BiLSTM), complemented by Quantum Genetic Algorithm Optimization. In addressing the dynamic challenges of memory management, our method combines the reinforcement learning capabilities of DQN with the temporal contextualization provided by BiLSTM networks. The DQN component learns to optimize memory allocation policies based on immediate rewards and feedback, while the BiLSTM network captures long-term dependencies in data, enhancing predictive modeling for future data arrival rates. Moreover, we introduce Quantum Genetic Algorithm Optimization, a cutting-edge approach that infuses quantum-inspired principles into the traditional genetic algorithm framework, to further refine the memory allocation process. By leveraging principles of quantum computing, this optimization algorithm explores the solution space more efficiently, allowing for faster convergence and improved performance. Through simulation experiments, we exhibit the potency of our hybrid approach in reducing data loss probability and enhancing system performance in edge-PLCs. Our findings underscore the significance of integrating advanced machine learning techniques with quantum-inspired optimization algorithms to address complex challenges in industrial IoT environments, offering a promising avenue for enhancing memory allocation efficiency in edge computing systems.

High gain single switch DC-DC converter for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with Neural-Network (NN) algorithm based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique to drive Electric Vehicle (EV) is proposed in this paper. Apart from many maximum power extraction techniques, Neural Network (NN) based algorithm control is proposed, which uses Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) to harvest maximum power from PEMFC under different temperature variations, which is compared with traditional Incremental Conductance (InC) method. Apart from it, a novel Single Ended Primary Inductor (SEPI) converter (boost converter) with the Coupled Inductor and Switched-Capacitor Circuit (CI + SCC) is designed to lower stress in the voltage across the switch with improved voltage gain to meet drive train (Three-Phase BLDC Motor) scenarios. Proposed PEMFC performance with RBFN-based MPPT technique integrated to drive train using a novel high gain converter is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and implemented using dSPACE-DS1104 real-time controller. The compact sizing of the converter is proposed to integrate with PEMFC, which would be suitable for low-power EV applications.

Power outages can severely affect individuals, businesses, and communities, leading to disruptions, economic losses, and safety risks. The existing power recovery strategies often fail to adequately address the challenges associated with such outages. These challenges encompass a range of complexities, including resource allocation disparities, efficient prosumer integration, energy demand variability, and isolated generators. This paper presents a microgrid-centric power recovery strategy that leverages IoT, blockchain, smart contracts, and optimisation techniques for peer-to-peer energy sharing within the microgrid. The proposed strategy comprehensively addresses the challenges associated with the existing power recovery strategies. The paper outlines the system architecture for IoT and blockchain-enabled microgrids, discusses the mathematical modelling for energy sharing, and explores cost-optimal power restoration strategies. An incentive mechanism motivates prosumers to support restoration strategies during outages. Furthermore, the paper describes a blockchain smart contract facilitating peer-to-peer energy exchange in regions affected by power outages. This approach can mitigate the disruptive impact of power outages by providing reliable and community-centric power recovery solutions. Through validation with real-world data from our university’s distribution grid test bed, Mean Time To Recover (MTTR) analysis and performance evaluations using the Hyperledger Caliper benchmark tool, this paper demonstrates its feasibility and effectiveness, paving the way for enhanced power recovery strategies and increased resilience in the face of energy disruptions.

In this work, few precursors (MnCl2.4H2O, MnCO3, MnO2, and KMnO4) were simply heated at 650 ​°C for 10 ​h and examined their phase formation and thermal features of Mn-based oxides. Cubic Mn2O3 phase materials with space group, Ia-3 (206) formed for the heat treated products of MnCl2.4H2O and MnO2 precursors. However, the purity is differed for the heat treated product of MnCl2.4H2O, for this three weak impurities are noted along with the major Mn2O3 phase. Mixed phases of Mn2O3 and Mn5O8 were observed for the heating of MnCO3 precursor. The resemblance of δ-MnO2 phase was observed for the heat treated product of KMnO4 precursors. While the heat treated products of MnCl2.4H2O, MnCO3, and MnO2 precursors show the low weight loss of 1.5–3.3 %, the heat treated KMnO4 precursor shows relatively high weight loss of 22.6 % with weak exothermic and endothermic peaks at 100 and 797 ​°C, respectively. The Mn2O3 nanomaterials exhibit a morphology resembling nanorods.

The present investigation adds new information about the cubic Sb2O3 and orthorhombic Sb2O3 and SbO2 phases to the scientific society. In this work, the Sb2O3 (commercial) powder was ball-milled in a tungsten carbide (WC) jar using WC balls with different diameters at 300 ​rpm for several time intervals (1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 ​min and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 ​h) and reported their findings of structural, thermal, optical, and morphology. Interestingly, the ball-milled powder undergoes phase transformation from cubic Sb2O3 into orthorhombic Sb2O3 and SbO2 in a short duration (3–30 ​min) of ball milling. While the 0, 1, and 3 ​min ball milled samples preserve the cubic Sb2O3 structure, the 5 ​min ball milled sample exhibits a nearly single-phase orthorhombic Sb2O3 structure. Mixed phases of orthorhombic Sb2O3 and SbO2 phases are seen for the 10–20 ​min ball milled samples. For a 30 ​min ball milled sample, an orthorhombic SbO2 phase is observed. Furthermore, the 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 ​h ball milled samples retain the orthorhombic SbO2 phase. Maximum weight loss of 34.4 ​% is noted for the commercial Sb2O3 powder, whereas the 1 and 3 ​min of ball-milled samples reveal the weight loss of 9.3 and 4.7 ​%, respectively. The other ball-milled samples exhibit both weight loss and weight gain in the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves. The Raman features of ball-milled orthorhombic SbO2 are quite different from those of other types of antimony-based oxides. Bar/bundle-shaped and spherical-shaped with agglomerated particles are seen for the commercial Sb2O3 phase and ball-milled (1 and 30 ​h) SbO2 phase samples.

Limitations of Silicon (Si)-based devices have compelled us to use alternative devices for modern power electronics applications. Material attributes of wide-band-gap devices (such as GaN and SiC) possess the ability to bridge these gaps. They can be used for higher power applications and provide high power-density, high efficiency and better thermal performance. GaN-based devices in electric vehicle power modules make the vehicle more efficient, achieving an extended range for the same battery size. Worldwide, researchers and engineers are working on GaN-based power-electronics modules. On the one hand, the utilisation of GaN switches in power modules eliminates a few existing design concerns. While it also introduces new challenges for designers. Mere replacing Si with GaN doesn’t give the stipulated result. This article identifies the works related to GaN-based DC-DC converter modules to determine how researchers address the circuit design issues with GaN. This paper presents a detailed description of the material benefits of GaN and paves the path of future work by identifying the research gap in the field of GaN-based DC-DC converters.

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of employing water nano-emulsion technology in mitigating pollutants in diesel engines and controlling emissions. The diesel used in this experiment was prepared by blending it with a water-based nano-emulsion, comprising 8% of the total mixture. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) facilitated the implementation of a multi-user remote management system for diesel engines, enabling real-time monitoring of emissions. An 8% combination of water-based nano-emulsion (WBNE) reduces oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons better than diesel, according to trials using an IoT kit and gas analysers.

The s, p, d, and f block simple oxides of MgO, SnO2, NiO, and CeO2 materials were synthesized by precipitation method and compared in this article. The tetragonal SnO2 and cubic CeO2 phases form in a single-step synthesis process. On the other hand, upon annealing (500 °C/3h), the as-prepared trigonal (P-3 m1 (164)) Mg(OH)2 and Ni(OH)2 phase materials transform into cubic (Fm-3 m (225)) oxides of MgO and NiO. The difference in the ionic radii of these ions (Mg2+, Sn4+, Ni2+, and Ce4+) is significantly reflected in the variation in the refined lattice parameters. The nanostructured as-prepared materials (SnO2 and CeO2) obtained in a single-step process show the crystalline size (average) of 2 nm. Conversely, the samples of MgO and NiO phases obtained through annealing show 13.76 nm and 21.44 nm, respectively. The as-prepared materials show the weight loss of 33.3%, 31.7%, 15.4%, and 16.1% at the end temperature (1000 °C) for the Mg(OH)2, Ni(OH)2, SnO2, and CeO2 phases, respectively. The different FTIR bands are seen between the wavenumber 4000 and 400 cm−1 for the present series samples.

Attempts were made to prepare CeO2, MgO, and NiO nanomaterials by combustion and precipitation methods using aniline as a fuel and KOH as a precipitating agent (with the aid of PEG as a surfactant). The formation of CeO2, Mg(OH)2, and NiO as combustion products, and CeO2, Mg(OH)2, and Ni(OH)2 as precipitated products were obtained in a single step. In a single-step process, both combustion and precipitation methods yield CeO2 materials with the significant differences in XRD structural features. The annealing (500 °C/4h) treatment enhances the nanocrystalline nature with the formation of pure MgO, NiO, and CeO2 phases. Variation in refined lattice parameters is noted for the present different materials. The color appearance of the as-prepared and annealed materials obtained by these methods is differentiated. The as-prepared Ni(OH)2 phase materials produced via precipitation with PEG and without PEG as surfactant show a quite major difference in the structural (a, c, and D values) and thermal (TG/DTA) features. The phase pure as-prepared combustion product of CeO2 materials shows a relatively minimum weight loss of 1.4%. A maximum weight loss of 33.9% was noted for the precipitated product of Mg(OH)2 phase materials reduced to 28.2% despite the formation of pure MgO phase materials upon annealing at 500 °C/4h at the end temperature, 1000 °C. The UV–Vis diffuse reflectance measurements exhibit a difference in the absorbance peak intensity and the Eg values calculated from the Tauc relation ranging from 1.65 to 5.42 eV for annealed MgO, NiO, and CeO2 phase materials. Significant changes in the NIR reflectance (

In this work, we have varied numerous conditions to obtain nanocrystalline CaMoO4 materials by high-energy-ball-milling, mechanical stirring, and wet chemical methods. Despite several conditions suited for the formation of scheelite CaMoO4 phase, interestingly mechanical stirring of CaCO3 and MoO3 precursors with deionized water yielded pure tetragonal CaMoO4 phase in a simple way. All the processed CaMoO4 materials show rather broad reflections with reduced average crystalline size (14.2 ∼ 26.6 nm). The thermal profiles of phase pure CaMoO4 materials show relatively low weight loss as compared to contaminated samples signifying the formation of the CaMoO4 phase. The calculated optical band gap for the CaMoO4 samples is in the range of 3.55–3.93 eV. While the high-energy-ball-milling method prepared CaMoO4 materials exhibit lower NIR reflectance values, the wet chemical synthesized CaMoO4 materials reveal quite higher NIR reflectance in the region (750–2500 nm). The Raman spectral analyses well support the optical properties of the CaMoO4 phase. Agglomerated nature of round-shaped particles is seen for the co-precipitation and ball-milled processed CaMoO4 materials.

The scarce availability of non-renewable sources and the staggering amount of pollution have inevitably provoked many countries to opt for renewable sources. Thence, invariably, more renewable energy-based applications are hoarded by market stakeholders. Compared to all spheres of renewable energy applications, a considerable part of the energy is pulled into transportation. Wireless power transfer techniques play a significant role in charging infrastructure, considering the current development and advancement in the automotive industry. It will promise to overcome the widely known drawbacks of wired charging in electric vehicles. The effectiveness of wireless charging depends on coil design, compensation techniques, and the airgap between the coils. However, coil misalignment, improper compensation topologies, and magnetic materials reduce the efficacy. We can improve efficacy by overcoming the problems mentioned above and optimizing charging distance, time, and battery size. This paper comprehensively discussed the various electric vehicle charging technologies in conjunction with common charging standards, a list of factors affecting the charging environment, and the significance of misalignment problems. Furthermore, this review paper has explored the suitable coil design structure and different compensation techniques for an efficient wireless charging network.

The effect of cranberry pomace (CP) incorporation on S. enterica serovars inactivation, starter culture population, and physicochemical properties of sausages during the manufacture of dry fermented sausages (DFS) was studied. Sausages containing a five-strain cocktail of S. enterica serovars at 7-log CFU/g, with different levels of CP (control, 0%; low, 0.55%; medium, 1.70%; high, 2.25% wt/wt), or liquid lactic acid (0.33% vol/wt, LA) were subjected to typical fermentation and drying conditions. A significant (P

A simple onepot synthesis method is used for the preparation of pure Cr2O3 nanomaterials by varying the fuel efficiency of hexamine as ɸe = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Powder XRD, TG / DTA, Raman, and FESEM-EDX are the characterization techniques used to examine the structural, microstructural, thermal, optical, and morphological features of obtained Cr2O3 nanomaterials. The XRD pattern confirms the as-prepared Cr2O3 nanomaterials are pure and it reveals the trigonal structure with the space group, R-3c h (167). The D values for the different Cr2O3 nanomaterials are in the range of 15.8–21.6 nm. The TGA shows the maximum weight loss of 15 % for the Cr2O3 nanomaterials obtained with ɸe = 0 and the minimum weight loss of 1.5 % with ɸe = 2. The fine agglomerated particles are seen for the combustion product (ɸe = 2) of Cr2O3 nanomaterials by FESEM images.

The study examined the efficacy of using bacteriophage as an additive in a cooked-meat model system to control growth of contaminating Listeria monocytogenes during subsequent storage. Studies were designed where Listeria bacteriophage A511 and L. monocytogenes introduced inside or on the surface of the cooked-meat to simulate different bacteriophage application and pathogen contamination scenarios. These scenarios include: (1) A511 and L. monocytogenes in meat; (2) A511 in meat, L. monocytogenes on surface; (3) L. monocytogenes in meat, A511 on surface; and (4) L. monocytogenes followed by A511 on meat surface. Real world bacteriophage application and pathogen contamination levels of 109 PFU/g and 103−4 CFU/g, respectively, were used. These meats were then vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C and changes in A511 titers and L. monocytogenes numbers were enumerated during the 28-day storage. Under the conditions tested, application of A511 directly on top of L. monocytogenes contaminating the surface of the meat was the only scenario where L. monocytogenes numbers were reduced to below detection limits and remained significantly lower than the controls for up to 20 days. Although A511 titers remained stable when applied as an additive in meat, they were not successful in controlling growth of the contaminating L. monocytogenes (present inside or on surface of meat). Similarly, application of A511 on the surface of the meat could not control growth of L. monocytogenes present inside the meat. L. monocytogenes numbers increased from the initial 3-log CFU/g to 9-log CFU/g similar to the controls by the end of the 28-day storage. These results suggest that bacteriophages are effective in controlling growth of surface contaminating bacteria only when applied directly onto the surface of the contaminated food product, and are ineffective as a biocontrol agent when used as an additive.

The dataset presented in the article consists of finger forces of participants during a finger pressing task. The finger pressing task involves the production of fingertip forces using Index, Middle, Ring, and Little (I, M, R&L) fingers of the right hand. The participant performed two types of task, namely MVC task and visual occlusion task. The participants completed the Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) task first, where they were instructed to produce maximum possible force from each finger individually and all fingers together. The visually occluded finger pressing task followed the MVC task. In this task, the participant's visual feedback was removed after 8s. There were two conditions in this task, one with post-trial performance feedback (referred to as “epilogue” condition in this manuscript) and another that does not have this post-trial performance feedback (referred to as “no epilogue” condition in this manuscript). The epilogue condition is a particular case of post-trial visual feedback where, at the end of each trial, the performance in that trial is shown to the participant. This was followed by the next trial. Normalization of force levels for visual occlusion tasks was performed for the forces with the participants produced in the MVC task. Fourteen healthy participants were recruited for performing the experiments. For the experiments, they were instructed to produce fingertip forces using four fingers of the right hand with the target line at 15% MVC (15% of the force that they produced in the MVC task). The two visual occlusion conditions had 30 trials each. In both conditions, a single trial lasted 16 s. For the initial 8 s, there is visual feedback, which follows an eight-second visual occlusion period where there is no visual feedback. The dataset consists of three files; the first file has the data of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) data, the second file has the data for the “without epilogue” condition, and the third file has the data of “epilogue” case. Keywords: Finger pressing task, MVC, Feedback, Epilogue

The concentration of trace elements Ba, Sr, V, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Mn, and Co were assed in the surface soil of agricultural lands, Puducherry region. The ranking order of occurrence of the heavy metals in 10 farms soils was Ba > Sr > Mn > Cr > V > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > As indicating that Ba concentration was high. Trace elements such as, Cu, Cr, V, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, and As enrichment levels were high in current years. Most of the farming soil showed metals Ba and Sr were higher than maximum permissible limit. Organic farming (farm 3, 6, and 9) soils were containing higher amount of plant available nutrients, sol microbial population and β-glucosidase activity. Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, Co, and As trace elements were stronger inhibitory effects on soil biological properties. The enrichment of these trace elements in agriculture soil samples conforms their higher input of trace element contaminated organic manures, synthetic fertilizer, and fungicides by the farmers.

Gynaecological disorder is one of the most severe conditions under reproductive health. So we investigate and collect information from traditional practitioners on the use of medicinal plants for treatment of Gynaecological disorder in Vedaranyam taluk, Nagappattinam district of South India. The field study was carried out for a period of January 2014–January 2015 in Vedaranyam taluk, Nagappattinam district of South India. This is the first traditional medicine study in which statistical calculations about plants are done by RFC, CI, UV and ICF in the study area. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires among traditional practitioners. A total of 66 species of plants distributed in 62 genera belonging to 44 families were identified as commonly used ethno medicinal plants by traditional practitioners in Vedaranyam taluk for the treatment of 36 ailments based on the reproductive systems treated. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of paste and administrated orally. We know the most important species according to their use value such as Moringa oleifera, Smailax zeylanica and Achyranthes aspera were recorded. The present study, we have highlighted some claims which are high use in the study area. Further pharmacological studies of these plants may provide some important drugs for the treatment of common gynaecological disorders. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Gynaecology, Traditional practitioners, RFC, CI, UV, ICF, South India

This paper discusses about self-regulating the reference flux in induction motor (IM) direct torque control (DTC) drive by fuzzy logic. Self-regulation is improved by using “Artificial Neural Network (ANN)” and “Adaptive Network Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)” based reference flux estimators. Furthermore, PI speed controller is investigated to develop the performance of the drive. Two different PI speed controller tuning strategies, manual and Fuzzy Gain Scheduling (FGS), are compared for load torque disturbance. The results clearly show that the modified DTC of IM with “ANFIS-based reference flux estimator and FGS-tuned PI speed controller” is most suitable for torque ripple reduction and speed control.

A set D of vertices of a graph G is called a dominating set of G if every vertex in V(G)−D is adjacent to a vertex in D. A dominating set S such that the subgraph 〈S〉 induced by S has at least one isolated vertex is called an isolate dominating set. An isolate dominating set none of whose proper subset is an isolate dominating set is a minimal isolate dominating set. The minimum and maximum cardinality of a minimal isolate dominating set are called the isolate domination number γ0 and the upper isolate domination number Γ0 respectively. In this paper we initiate a study on these parameters.

A set $S$ of vertices of a graph $G$ such that $\left\langle S\right\rangle$ has an isolated vertex is called an \emph{isolate set} of $G$. The minimum and maximum cardinality of a maximal isolate set are called the \emph{isolate number} $i_0(G)$ and the \emph{upper isolate number} $I_0(G)$ respectively. An isolate set that is also a dominating set (an irredundant set) is an $\emph{isolate dominating set} \ (\emph{an isolate irredundant set})$. The \emph{isolate domination number} $\gamma_0(G)$ and the \emph{upper isolate domination number} $\Gamma_0(G)$ are respectively the minimum and maximum cardinality of a minimal isolate dominating set while the \emph{isolate irredundance number} $ir_0(G)$ and the \emph{upper isolate irredundance number} $IR_0(G)$ are the minimum and maximum cardinality of a maximal isolate irredundant set of $G$. The notion of isolate domination was introduced in \cite{sb} and the remaining were introduced in \cite{isrn}. This paper further extends a study of these parameters.

With the alarming proliferation of antibiotic resistance, it is important to understand the de novo development of bacterial adaptation to antibiotics in formerly susceptible lineages, in the absence of external genetic input from existing resistance pools. A strain of ceftiofur susceptible Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ABB07-SB3071 (MIC = 1.0 μg/ml) was successively exposed to sub-MIC of ceftiofur to allow its adaptation for tolerance to a concentration of 2.0 μg/ml of this antibiotic. Genomic and proteomic comparative analyses of the parental strain and induced tolerant derived lineages were performed to characterize underlying mechanisms of de novo adaptation (tolerance). Expression and localization of specific drug-, heme-, sugar-, amino acid-, and sulfate-transporters were altered, as was the localization of the cell membrane stabilizing protein OsmY in the tolerant strains adapted to 2.0 μg/ml compared to the parental isolate lines. This redistribution of existing transporters acts to minimize the concentrations of ceftiofur in the periplasm, by decreasing facilitated import and increasing active efflux and cytosolic sequestration as determined by high performance liquid chromatography quantification of residual total and extracellular ceftiofur after growth. Genetic, subcellular localization, and abundance changes of specific regulators of transcription, translation, and post-translational dynamics in the derived ceftiofur tolerant lineages decrease metabolic strain on cell walls and enhance periplasmic envelop stability against stress. This produces slower growing, more tolerant populations, which deplete free ceftiofur concentrations significantly more than susceptible parental populations (P < 0.05), as measured by recoverable levels of ceftiofur from cultures of equivalent cellular density incubated with equal ceftiofur concentrations. Genetic and abundance changes to specific carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes, not traditionally associated with beta-lactam metabolism, establish an enzymatic framework with the potential to detoxify/degrade ceftiofur, while mutations and changes in subcellular localization in specific cell surface factors enhance the stability of the Gram-negative cell envelop despite the compromising effect of ceftiofur. The observed changes highlight generalizable mechanisms of de novo tolerance without horizontal gene transfer, and thus can inform policies to combat antibiotic tolerance and minimize induction of de novo tolerance.

Heat exchangers are one of the most important devices of mechanical systems in modernsociety. Most industrial processes involve the transfer of heat and more often they requirethe heat transfer process to be controlled. A heat exchanger is the heat exchanged betweentwo media, one being cold and the other being hot. There are different types of heatexchanger, but the type which is widely used in industrial application is the shell and tube.In this study, experiments conducted based on fully replicable five-factor, five-level centralcomposite design. Regression modelsare developed to analyse the effects of shell and tubeheat exchange process parameter such as inlet temperature of hot fluid and flow rates ofcold and hot fluid. The output parameters of a heat exchanger are used for analysing thedirect and interactive effects of heat exchange process parameters.

High quality software can be obtained by means of rigorous testing of all the components of the software. This research work has proposed an automated software testing framework that performs a mutant based components impact analysis to identify the higher critical components from the Software Under Test (SUT). In this work, the mutants are automatically generated by injecting faults in the original program and they are used to identify the impact over the other components in the SUT. The generated mutants are executed using a suite of test cases to identify their impact over the other components of the system. Based on their impact level, the critical components are identified and then rigorously verified using the test cases generated using Genetic Algorithm (GA) based approach with branch coverage and mutation score based test adequacy criterion as the fitness functions. For unit testing, the branch coverage based test case adequacy criteria is used to test whether all the branches have been covered or not. In integration testing, the components are tested against the test cases generated using GA by means of identifying the execution trace of each method and each intermediate results is compared against the expected output stored in the repository. The testing tool named as “JImpact Arbiter” developed as part of this work has carried out all these tasks in an automated way and has generated various graphs for the purpose of visualization.

Photosynthetic organisms synthesize the amphipathic antioxidants called tocopherols which are essential components of the human diet. To increase the α-tocopherol (vitamin E) content, Arabidopsis genes encoding homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT) and tocopherol cyclase (TC) were constitutively expressed individually and in combination (HPT:TC) in tobacco plant by Agrobacterium mediated transformation. The transgene was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transgene expression was studied by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, integration of the transgene in the plant genome was confirmed by Southern blot, and α-tocopherol content was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The α-tocopherol content in transgenic tobacco plants expressing HPT, TC, and HPT:TC was increased by 5.4-, 4.0-, and 7.1-fold, respectively, when compared to the wild type (WT). These results indicate that, the HPT and TC activities are critical for enhancing the vitamin E content in tobacco plants.

Endogenous endophthalmitis accounts for 2% to 8% of cases of endophthalmitis. Immunocompromised state and intravenous drug use are the 2 most common causes of endogenous endophthalmitis due to molds fungi. Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Scedosporium are the common organisms in mold endophthalmitis. We report a case of Fusarium endophthalmitis in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes. While diabetes mellitus is a well-known risk factor for endogenous endophthalmitis, we did not find any reported case of Fusarium endophthalmitis in a case of diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with granulomatous uveitis masquerading as noninfectious uveitis with a very good response to steroids. The characteristic clinical features were established late in the clinical course associated with poor outcome. This case highlights the significance of uncontrolled diabetes as a risk factor for Fusarium endophthalmitis and also the presentation of endophthalmitis as a masquerade syndrome. The clinician should have high index of suspicion as these cases have poor outcomes.

The title compound, C26H31N3O2S, crystallizes with two molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. In each case, the piperidine ring exists in a twist-boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the phenyl rings is 46.16 (12)° in molecule A and 44.95 (12)° in molecule B. In both molecules, the allyl side chain is disordered over two orientations in a 0.649 (9):0.351 (9) ratio for molecule A and 0.826 (10):0.174 (10) ratio for molecule B. In the crystal, neither molecule forms a hydrogen bond from its N—H group, presumably due to steric hindrance. A+A and B+B inversion dimers are formed, linked by pairs of weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds enclosing R22(22) ring motifs.

In this work, nanocrystalline MgO particles were prepared through combustion method using magnesium nitrate as oxidizer and hexamine as a fuel. The materials obtained by combustion method were subsequently annealed at 800°C for 3 h to improve the crystallinity and phase purity. The obtained MgO nanomaterials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cubic crystal structure with lattice parameter, a = 0.4210(4) nm with average crystalline size of 22 nm, is obtained for the nano-MgO particles. The PL emission spectrum of nanocrystalline MgO materials exhibits three emission peaks at 432, 465, and 495 nm which are due to various structural defects. The SEM results expose the fact that the MgO nanomaterials are seemingly porous and highly agglomerated with fine particles. Owing to the higher reflectance of prepared nanocrystalline MgO, it can be used as NIR reflective pigments. The present results prove that the combustion technique using hexamine can produce the materials with high crystallinity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of nanocrystalline MgO materials by combustion method using hexamine as a fuel.

The thiopyran unit of the title molecule, C17H15ClO2S, is in chair form. A crystallographic mirror plane bisects the molecule, passing through the O=S and the opposite C=O atoms of the central ring, with statistical disorder of the Cl atom. The geometry around the S atom is tetrahedral and the carbonyl C is planar. The 4-chlorophenyl group at the 2 position and the phenyl ring at the 6 position have equatorial orientations. Intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds are found in the crystal structure. In addition, there is a short O...C intermolecular contact [2.970 (5) Å].

In the title compound, C26H27NO3, the piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. The two methoxyphenyl groups attached to the piperidine ring at positions 2 and 6 have equatorial orientations and make a dihedral angle of 87.33 (8)°. The benzyl group at position 3 has an equatorial orientation. The phenyl ring of the benzyl group makes dihedral angles of 75.60 (9) and 73.69 (9)° with the two benzene rings. Molecules are linked by intermolecular N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and by C—H...π interactions.

In the title molecule, C27H24N2O, the piperidine ring adopts a boat conformation. The acetyl group at position 1 has a bisectional orientation. The two phenyl rings attached to the piperidine ring at positions 2 and 6 have bisectional and axial orientations, respectively, and make a dihedral angle of 75.27 (10)°. The phenylacetonitrile group at position 4 has an equatorial orientation. Molecules are linked by C—H...N, C—H...O intermolecular and C—H...π interactions. A C—H...O intramolecular interaction is also found in the molecule.

In the title molecule, C15H17NO3, the piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the two furyl rings is 72.4 (1)°. The ethyl group and the furyl rings have equatorial orientations. Molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds.