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Genetic studies in mushrooms, driven by innovations such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and RNA interference, transform our understanding of these enigmatic fungi and their multifaceted roles in agriculture, medicine, and conservation. This comprehensive review explores the rationale and significance of genetic research in mushrooms, delving into the ethical, regulatory, and ecological dimensions of this field. CRISPR-Cas9 emerges as a game-changing technology, enabling precise genome editing, targeted gene knockouts, and pathway manipulation. RNA interference complements these efforts by downregulating genes for improved crop yield and enhanced pest and disease resistance. Genetic studies also contribute to the conservation of rare species and developing more robust mushroom strains, fostering sustainable cultivation practices. Moreover, they unlock the potential for discovering novel medicinal compounds, offering new horizons in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. As emerging technologies and ethical considerations shape the future of mushroom research, these studies promise to revolutionize our relationship with these fungi, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True morels (Morchella) are globally renowned medicinal and edible mushrooms. White mold disease caused by fungi is the main disease of Morchella, which has the characteristics of wide incidence and strong destructiveness. The disparities observed in the isolation rates of different pathogens indicate their varying degrees of host adaptability and competitive survival abilities. In order to elucidate its potential mechanism, this study, the pathogen of white mold disease from Dafang county, Guizhou Province was isolated and purified, identified as Pseudodiploöspora longispora by morphological, molecular biological and pathogenicity tests. Furthermore, high-quality genome of P. longisporus (40.846 Mb) was assembled N50 of 3.09 Mb, predicts 7381 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis of single-copy homologous genes showed that P. longispora and Zelopaecilomyces penicillatus have the closest evolutionary relationship, diverging into two branches approximately 50 (44.3–61.4) MYA. Additionally, compared with the other two pathogens causing Morchella disease, Z. penicillatus and Cladobotryum protrusum, it was found that they had similar proportions of carbohydrate enzyme types and encoded abundant cell wall degrading enzymes, such as chitinase and glucanase, indicating their important role in disease development. Moreover, the secondary metabolite gene clusters of P. longispora and Z. penicillatus show a high degree of similarity to leucinostatin A and leucinostatin B (peptaibols). Furthermore, a gene cluster with synthetic toxic substance Ochratoxin A was also identified in P. longispora and C. protrusum, indicating that they may pose a potential threat to food safety. This study provides valuable insights into the genome of P. longispora, contributing to pathogenicity research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, numerical analyses of fluid flow around the ship hulls such as Series 60, the Kriso Container Ship (KCS), and catamaran advancing in calm water, are presented. A commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, STAR-CCM+ is used to analyze total resistance, sinkage, trim, wave profile, and wave pattern for a range of Froude numbers. The governing RANS equations of fluid flow are discretized using the finite volume method (FVM), and the pressure-velocity coupling equations are solved using the SIMPLE (semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations) algorithm. Volume of fluid (VOF) method is employed to capture the interface between air and water phases. A fine discretization is performed in between these two phases to get a higher mesh resolution. The fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is modeled with the dynamic fluid-body interaction (DFBI) module within the STAR-CCM+. The numerical results are verified using the results available in the literatures. Grid convergence studies are also carried out to determine the dependence of results on the grid quality. In comparison to previous findings, the current CFD analysis shows the satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-induced insulator-to-metal transitions (IMTs) where the electrical resistivity can be altered by over tens of orders of magnitude are most often accompanied by structural phase transition in the system. Here, we demonstrate an insulator-to-metal-like transition (IMLT) at 333 K in thin films of a biological metal-organic framework (bio-MOF) which was generated upon an extended coordination of the cystine (dimer of amino acid cysteine) ligand with cupric ion (spin-1/2 system) – without appreciable change in the structure. Bio-MOFs are crystalline porous solids and a subclass of conventional MOFs where physiological functionalities of bio-molecular ligands along with the structural diversity can primarily be utilized for various biomedical applications. MOFs are usually electrical insulators (so as our expectation with bio-MOFs) and can be bestowed with reasonable electrical conductivity by the design. This discovery of electronically driven IMLT opens new opportunities for bio-MOFs, to emerge as strongly correlated reticular materials with thin film device functionalities. Temperature-induced insulator-to-metal transitions are usually accompanied by structural phase transitions. Here the authors demonstrate an enhancement of the electrical conductance in a thin film of a biologically relevant metal-organic framework, without noticeable change in the structure, assigned to be of mainly electronic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate anti-Alzheimer's activity and to quantify brain neurotransmitter of newly developed isoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives (IDDs). The anti-Alzheimer's activity was evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWZ) tests. Rats were divided into five groups, each containing six animals, which were treated with vehicle, scopolamine, donepezil and newly developed phthalimide derivatives (IDDs). Each model was studied for 5 days and the in-vivo anti-oxidant activity indices of brain including catalase, lipid peroxidase (LPO), glutathione (GSH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels were estimated spectrophotometrically. The levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine were estimated in rat brain homogenate using HPLC method. Treatment with high dose (30 mg/kg) of IDD showed significant anti-Alzheimer's activity in EPM and MWM tests in a dose-dependent manner in comparison with standard drug donepezil (4 mg/kg). In estimating the biochemical parameters, the level of catalase in the test group increased significantly, whereas LPO and GSH levels in treated groups decreased as compared to the untreated disease control group. The HPLC method confirmed that the concentrations of biogenic amines like dopamine and serotonin were significantly increased in phthalilmide group as compared to the control group. Thus, the present study reveals that the newly developed IDDs exhibit anti-Alzheimer's activity in various experimental animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Inconel 617 alloy has been creep-tested at different combinations of loads (80-350 MPa) and temperatures (650-800 °C), considering its use in the advanced ultra-super critical (AUSC) boiler. The values of Monkman–Grant and modified Monkman–Grant constants obtained by analyzing the creep data are considered as related to the observed microstructural instability during creep at ~ 650-800 °C. The presence of intragranular secondary γ′ precipitates has led to significantly higher strength inside the grains compared to that of their boundaries, found to have a scanty population of secondary (Cr,Mo)23C6 precipitates. As a result, formation of creep cavities leading to intergranular fracture has been observed in the temperature range of 650-750 °C. The creep damage tolerance factor, λ, found as ~ 2.5 by empirical damage analysis on the basis of test results is in tune with the predominance of creep cavitation in the temperature range of 650-750 °C. In contrast, both the obtained value of λ ~ 10.51 and the mixed mode nature of the fracture surface observed for the sample creep tested at 800 °C are considered due to substantial localized plastic deformation or necking. Increased creep ductility with necking is ascribed primarily to the reduced the grain body strength caused by the absence of γ′ precipitates and the grain boundary sliding being restricted by the discrete secondary (Cr,Mo)23C6 precipitates present in abundance along the grain boundary. Based on the plot of applied stress against Larson–Miller parameter, it is possible to predict that the Inconel 617 alloy would withstand the steam pressure of 30 MPa at 750 °C for a design life of 105 h experienced in a typical AUSC boiler tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downsizing materials into hetero-structured thin film configurations is an important avenue to capture various interfacial phenomena. Metallic conduction at the interfaces of insulating transition metal oxides and organic molecules are notable examples, though, it remained elusive in the domain of coordination polymers including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are comprised of metal centers connected to organic linkers with an extended coordination geometry and potential void space. Poor orbitals overlap often makes these crystalline solids electrical insulators. Herein, we have fabricated hetero-structured thin film of a Mott and a band insulating MOFs via layer-by-layer method. Electrical transport measurements across the thin film evidenced an interfacial metallic conduction. The origin of such an unusual observation was understood by the first-principles density functional theory calculations; specifically, Bader charge analysis revealed significant accumulation and percolation of charge across the interface. We anticipate similar interfacial effects in other rationally designed hetero-structured thin films of MOFs. Electrical transport across hetero-structured thin films of band and Mott insulators is intriguing. Here, the authors report an emergence of interfacial metallic conduction across thin film of a Cu(I)- and Cu(II)-based metal-organic frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiochromic film is a good dosimeter choice for patient QA for complex treatment techniques because of its near tissue equivalency, high spatial resolution and established method of use. Commercial scanners are typically used for film dosimetry, with Epson scanners being the most common. Radiochromic film dosimetry is not straightforward having some well-defined problems which must be considered, one of the main ones being the Lateral Response Artefact (LRA) effect. Previous studies showed that the contributing factors to LRA are from the structure of the active ingredients of the film and the components and construction of the flatbed scanner. This study investigated the effect of the scanner lens on the LRA effect, as part of a wider investigation of scanner design effects and uncertainties. Gafchromic EBT3 films were irradiated with 40 × 40 cm2 field size 6 MV beams. Films were analysed using images captured by a Canon 7D camera utilising 18 mm, 50 mm and 100 mm focal length lenses compared to images scanned with a conventional Epson V700 scanner. The magnitude of the LRA was observed to be dependent on the focal length of the lens used to image the film. A substantial reduction in LRA was seen with the use of the 50 mm and 100 mm lenses, by factors of 3–5 for the 50 mm lens and 4–30 for the 100 mm lens compared to conventional desktop scanner techniques. This is expected to be from the longer focal length camera lens system being able to collect more light from distant areas compared to the scanner-based system. This provides an opportunity to design film dosimetry systems that minimise this artefact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of molecular structure of β-tubulin is key to understand mechanism of action of carbendazim since its activity depends on strong binding to β-tubulin. Resistance against the fungicide is often associated with mutation in β-tubulin gene. A full-length (1619 bp) β-tubulin gene has been cloned and sequenced from a carbendazim resistant and a sensitive isolates of F. solani isolated from agricultural fields of Murshidabad (24.23 °N, 88.25 °E), West Bengal, India. Phylogenetic position of the isolates was confirmed using internal transcribed spacer and β-tubulin gene sequences. In the β-tubulin based phylogenetic tree, Fusarium species with available data were clustered in nine species complexes and members of both F. solani species complex and F. fujikuroi species complex were distributed into three clades each. The β-tubulin gene of F. solani was found to be shortest due to least number of non-coding sequences indicating its primitiveness among the Fusarium species. The coding region (G + C 58.54%) was organized into five exons. The protein has 446 amino acid, 49.834 KD molecular weight and 4.64 isoelectric point. Amino acid sequence of the resistant and the sensitive isolates were identical, suggesting that the mechanism of carbendazim resistance in the F. solani isolate was not due to point mutation in β-tubulin gene. The secondary and tertiary structure of β-tubulin were similar in all the species except F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense. The identification of binding sites for GDP, carbendazim and α-tubulin would resolve how carbendazim prevents tubulin polymerization. All the data are useful to design tubulin-targeted fungicide with better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we argue for an instrumental form of existence, inspired by Hilbert's method of ideal elements. As a case study, we consider the existence of contradictory objects in models of non-classical set theories. Based on this discussion, we argue for a very liberal notion of existence in mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk nano-pearlitic microstructure with apparent interlamellar spacing below 100 nm has been attained by rapidly undercooling a hypereutectoid multicomponent steel below equilibrium eutectoid temperature from the austenitization temperature. The aforementioned processing rendered non-partitioned pearlite growth in the steel, as confirmed by acquiring compositional variation across the austenite/pearlite growth front using scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) technique. The post transformation sidewise partitioning of substitutional components between ferrite and cementite has been critically assessed by interrupting the cooling process at various intervals followed by STEM-EDS and atom probe tomography (APT) across the austenite/pearlite and ferrite/cementite interfaces. This partitioning phenomena has been simulated using DICTRA® and validated with experimental observations. It is inferred that partitioning kinetics of Mn is fastest in the early stages followed by Cr in the intermediate. However, towards the completion stages of partitioning, Mn and Si have much faster rate as compared to Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a generalization of the algebra-valued models of ZF where the axioms of set theory are not necessarily mapped to the top element of an algebra, but may get intermediate values, in a set of designated values. Under this generalization there are many algebras which are neither Boolean, nor Heyting, but that still validate ZF . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An algebra-valued model of set theory is called loyal to its algebra if the model and its algebra have the same propositional logic; it is called faithful if all elements of the algebra are truth values of a sentence of the language of set theory in the model. We observe that non-trivial automorphisms of the algebra result in models that are not faithful and apply this to construct three classes of illoyal models: tail stretches, transposition twists, and maximal twists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous annealing simulation experiment of a large sample (220 mm length and 110 mm width) is carried out for a better understanding of the role of annealing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties so as to develop dual-phase steel with consistent quality. A typical complete annealing cycle used in industry for producing dual-phase structure was divided into several thermal stages to investigate various mechanisms at different thermal stages. A correlation among microstructure, process parameters and mechanical property is established by varying the important annealing process parameters. Based on the systematic study at each thermal stage, the annealing parameters that have greater influence on mechanical properties were identified. A modified complete thermal cycle, after control of these key parameters, produced a better distribution of fine martensite along the ferrite grain boundaries and thus enhanced mechanical properties. The study showed that higher amount and uniform distribution of fine martensite with granular morphology along the ferrite grain boundaries for a fixed composition of steel is essential for improved mechanical properties. The uniform distribution of fine martensite with required amount within the ferrite matrix not only enhanced strength–ductility balance but also improved stretch-flangeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health care providers (HCP) of ENT and Skull base surgery are highly vulnerable and mostly infected by novel coronavirus as they have to examine and perform procedures directly in oral cavity, oropharynx, nose, nasopharynx, where coronavirus remains in plenty. ENT & Skull base surgeons need to do several aerosol generating procedures (AGP). Most of the endoscopic and microscopic ENT & skull base surgery are AGP; like—mastoid surgery, sinus surgery, surgery of pituitary, tympanomastoid paraganglioma, temporal bone malignancy, tracheostomy etc. All of we know, COVID negative by RT—PCR test is not always COVID negative. In COVID-19 pandemic—routine, even cancer surgeries are avoided or postponed for the sake of safety of HCPs. Moreover, in case of surgical emergency there's no way to refuse a patient for not having a report of COVID test. We thought about neutralizing or destroying the novel coronavirus from it's route of entry zone, as well as preventing aerosol to be transmitted in the air of OT. We designed a novel approach, i.e. 'POLIDON' (POLIDON = Polythene + Povidone Iodine), which can be the solution for these patients as well as surgeons or HCPs of above mentioned specialties. Use of Povidone Iodine as mouthwash and nasal spray or irrigation for both patient and HCPs prior to surgery is proposed. Then, use of simple polythene as barrier drape of patient or operative area for prevention of spread of aerosol in OT during surgery is the other component. With the POLIDON' approach—all these ENT & skull base surgeries can be done with more safety and confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creep behavior of the Inconel 617 alloy has been investigated through tests carried out in the temperature range of 650 °C to 800 °C under 95 to 350 MPa. Creep curves obtained from tests on the alloy exhibit a non-classical nature, with the primary creep rate decreasing to a minimum value, followed by a typical increase, which is either continuous at temperatures ≤ 700 °C or has an intermediate steady-state regime at 750 °C or 800 °C. The variation of minimum creep rate (έmin) with stress (σ) obeys the power law relationship (έmin = Aσn), with the stress exponent, n, increasing with temperature to a peak value at ~ 700 °C. The value of n > 5 has been rationalized by considering the existence of threshold stress, which like n has been found to decrease sharply with temperature beyond 700 °C. Investigation of the post-creep microstructures by transmission electron microscope has revealed the formation of γ′ and M23C6 precipitates, which obstruct dislocation motion during the primary stage. Microstructures of the samples creep-tested at ≥ 750 °C have exhibited relatively smaller amounts of γ′. The existence of threshold stress and the steady-state regime in the tertiary creep stage has been ascribed to obstruction of dislocation motion by M23C6 and γ′ precipitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a unified phase field model for simulating finite deformation crack evolution and interfacial decohesion in multi-phase elastic materials. Crack propagation is formulated using a phase field model, in which the order parameter s = 1 corresponds to the crack topology. The phase field model at the interface is enhanced with cohesive zone characteristics through a cohesive potential function. The interface displacement discontinuities are regularized using an auxiliary interface phase field order parameter. The cohesive potential is associated with this interface phase field for delineating interfacial decohesion. The model is numerically implemented using a multi-pass staggered solver. Numerical examples involving different failure mechanisms are simulated for examining the performance of the proposed model. Different failure mechanisms such as interfacial debonding, crack kinking and propagation in the brittle matrix, and their interactions are captured by the model. Limited verification tests are conducted with analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-cycle fatigue experiments have been carried out at elevated and sub-zero temperatures. Corresponding effect on cyclic plasticity characterizing parameters such as cyclic hardening/softening and Masing behavior is compared for different loading conditions. Disparities in the fatigue life as well as the cyclic plastic behavior have been attributed to the phase transformations that largely obstruct the dislocation motion. Further, the changes in strains in the materials matrix have been quantified through misorientation studies, wherein clear demarcation in strain distributions due to fatigue loading at different temperatures was obtained and further correlated with the substructural alterations observed through transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop suitable ferromagnetic oxides with Curie temperature (TC) at or above room temperature for spintronic applications, a great deal of research in doping ZnO with magnetic ions is being carried out over last decade. As the experimental results on magnetic ions doped ZnO are highly confused and controversial, we have investigated ferromagnetism in non-magnetic ion, Ag, doped ZnO. When Ag replaces Zn in ZnO, it adopts 4d9 configuration for Ag2+ which has single unpaired spin and suitable exchange interaction among these spins gives rise to ferromagnetism in ZnO with above room temperature TC. Experimentally, we have observed room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) in Ag-doped ZnO with Ag concentration varied from 0.03% to 10.0%. It is shown that zinc vacancy (VZn) enhances the ferromagnetic ordering (FMO) while oxygen vacancy (VO) retards the ferromagnetism in Ag-doped ZnO. Furthermore, the theoretical investigation revealed that VZn along with Ag2+ ions play a pivotal role for RTFM in Ag-doped ZnO. The Ag2+-Ag2+ interaction is ferromagnetic in the same Zn plane whereas anti-ferromagnetic in different Zn planes. The presence of VZn changes the anti-ferromagnetic to ferromagnetic state with a magnetic coupling energy of 37 meV. Finally, it has been established that the overlapping of bound magnetic polarons is responsible for RTFM in low doping concentration. However, anti-ferromagnetic coupling sets in at higher doping concentrations and hence weakens the FMO to a large extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have successfully synthesized core-shell structured Au-PDA@SiO2 nanospheres and decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified glassy carbon electrode for the electrochemical detection of cefotaxime. The one-pot hydrothermal method was used to synthesis core-shell nanostructures by loading Au nanoparticles on polydopamine (PDA) coated SiO2 nanospheres. The as-prepared Au-PDA@SiO2 nanospheres were used to fabricate electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (Au-PDA@SiO2/rGO/GCE) for electrochemical determination of cefotaxime. Scanning electron microscopy, powder x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure and morphology of the as-prepared nanospheres. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed for electrochemical characterizations different modified electrodes. It was revealed that the nanocomposite modified electrodes exhibited excellent electrochemical performances for electrooxidation of target analytes and could achieve ultra-sensitive detections. A linear relationship was observed between peak currents and concentrations in the ranges of 1.0 × 10−9 to 5.0 × 10−8 M (R2 = 0.9877), and 1.0 × 10−7 to 5.0 × 10−6 M (R2 = 0.9821) for cefotaxime with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.0 × 10−10 M. It can be deduced that the proposed sensor is suitable for the sensitive detection of cefotaxime in pharmaceutical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Requirement of forming limit curve appears indispensible for property check during formable sheet metal development cycle and quality control of formable sheet metal at production shop floor. In the present work, left side of the forming limit curve (uniaxial tensile to plane strain tensile) is experimentally determined from in-plane uniaxial and notch tensile test with local strain measurement through digital image correlation technique. A novel procedure has been developed to generate forming limit curve with considerably reduced experimental effort. The proposed new procedure is based on a combination of in-plane uniaxial notch tensile test with local strain measurement and modeling. The forming limit curve generated using the new procedure has been compared with the standard procedure (Nakajima test) and a good correlation has been obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-organized restoration techniques for attenuating the impact of periodic/quasi-periodic noise structures from digital images is one of the significant research fields in modern days. These are encountered in various imagery applications like remote-sensing (satellite, aerial), the digitization of canvas paintings, etc. In this paper, a novel spectral domain algorithm for periodic/quasi-periodic de-noising has been presented where an Automated Notch-Reject Filter (ANRF) is lucratively used to remove unwanted periodic patterns from Gabor-transformed corrupted images. As an initial stage, the Low-Frequency Region (LFR) has been conserved ingeniously by finding squared spectral difference after representing the image spectrum as multiple populations. Thereafter, the contrast of any corrupted image spectrum has been increased using Gabor transform for making the noisy components more prominent. Then, an adaptive exponential thresholding procedure has been applied efficiently for detecting those noisy components. The final stage of our proposed algorithm is to filter out those noisy components properly where a novel adaptive notch-reject filter has been applied along with an automated control of filtering profile in proportion to different noise spectrum profile. The supremacy of our algorithm over other state-of-the-art algorithms has been productively established with the help of experimental results in terms of visual and statistical metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron backscatter diffraction was used to study grain character under multiaxiality. Nonproportional loading conditions employing a triangular and sinusoidal wavepath resulted in higher low-angle grain boundaries in austenitic stainless steel. Contrastingly, significant martensitic transformation resulted from nonproportional cycling for the trapezoidal path, leading to increased medium-angle grain boundaries. For proportional loading, high-angle grain boundaries were dominant, owing to participation of limited grains in the deformation process. All results were substantiated through electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress-strain behavior of sheet metal is commonly evaluated by tensile test. However, the true stress-strain curve is restricted up to uniform elongation of the material. Usually, after the uniform elongation of the material the true stress-strain is obtained by extrapolation. The present work demonstrates a procedure to find out the true tensile stress-strain curve of the steel sheet after necking using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. Hill’s normal anisotropic yield criteria and local strains measured by DIC technique are used to correct the local stress and strain states at the diffuse necked area. The proposed procedure is shown to successfully determine the true tensile stress-strain curve of ferritic and dual-phase steel sheets after necking/uniform elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the low-cycle fatigue behavior of a new nickel-based superalloy in the temperature range of 650 °C to 760 °C. Two initial microstructures having different precipitate distribution has been chosen for this. Low-cycle fatigue behavior of these two microstructures has been characterized using mechanical parameters. These parameters include cyclic anisotropy, plastic strain accumulation and back stress evolution. The deformation response has been substantiated by detailed electron microscopy studies. A deformation mechanism map illustrating defect activity at various testing conditions has been constructed based on the microscopy results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triaxial state of stress is usually generated in the necked zone because of neck geometry, and as a consequence proper correction of true tensile stress-strain curve after necking is mandatory. Various correction factors like Bridgman, Davidenkov and Spiridonova, Siebel and Schwaigere are available in the published literature to calculate true stress from mean axial stress. Similarly true strains can be calculated from the minimum diameters of the round specimen in the necked region for various true stress levels. But experimental determination of correction factors and minimum diameters of the round specimen in the necked region is a cumbersome task. This investigation shows a simplified procedure to determine true strains and the correction factors from digital image correlation-based local strain measurement in the necked region. The present procedure is validated by experimental results of rail steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure crash resistance of the steels used in automotive components, the ensile deformation behavior needs to be studied and predicted not only under quasi-static condition, but also under dynamic loading rates. In the present study, tensile tests have been performed on four different automobile grade sheet steels, namely interstitial free steel, dual-phase 600 and 800, and a carbon manganese steel over the strain rate regime of 0.001-800/s. Apart from the variation in strength (which always increased with strain rate), the effect of strengthening mechanism on strain rate sensitivity and strain hardening behavior has been evaluated. Strain rate sensitivity was found to increase at high-strain rate regime for all the steels. Contribution of solid solution hardening on strain rate sensitivity at lower plastic strains was found to be higher compared to dislocation strengthening and second-phase hardening. However, precipitation hardening coupled with solid solution hardening produced the highest strain rate sensitivity, in C-Mn-440 steel at high strain rates. Different strain-rate-sensitive models which take into account the change in yield stress and strain hardening behavior with strain rate for ductile materials were used to predict the flow behavior of these sheet steels at strain rates up to 800/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extractive pellet fluorimetry determination of trace uranium in thorium rich samples has been developed. This is based upon a solvent extraction system which completely separates both the elements uranium and thorium from each other. Thorium as a neutral complex with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene at pH 4-6 is extracted into ethylacetate and then uranium-2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene anionic complex is extracted into another batch of ethylacetate at pH 11-12 under the influence of a counter cation, cetyltrimethylammonium ion. This method has been applied for the determination of trace uranium in synthetic nuclear grade thorium oxide and thorium rich mineralized rock with high degree of accuracy and precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes graphical methods to visualize variations in mobile phase composition inside a chromatographic column under solvent-gradient conditions, and how these variations affect movement of analyte bands. Based on the visualization techniques, the report explains how variations in composition “experienced” by an analyte, which is moving, are different from variations experienced by a static point inside the column. For example, if a linear gradient is created by the system, every point inside the column will experience the same linear variation of composition, although at different times, assuming that the solvent-gradient created at the mixer propagates through the system intact and undisturbed. For an analyte, on the other hand, the variation could be strongly non-linear because normally it travels with varying speed along the column during a gradient run. And because different analytes travel with different speeds, solvent-gradient experienced by the analytes will not be the same, even under the same method condition. Although these events are captured in the fundamental equation of solvent-gradient chromatography and generally understood by researchers working with gradient theories, the visualization methods discussed here may provide a clearer imagery of events for wider appreciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ratcheting fatigue behavior of different alloys and their weld joints has been a topic of interest in the past few decades. However, little information is available about the ratcheting response in different zones, when a composite weld section is subjected to asymmetric loading cycle. This work aims at understanding the local ratcheting response in various zones of a dissimilar metal weld (DMW) joint. Digital image correlation technique has been used to measure local ratcheting strain components of a DMW joint. Accumulation of ratcheting strain in various zones of a DMW joint was found to be different, harder region accumulating negligible and softer region accumulating larger local ratcheting strain. Fatigue crack initiation or neck formation occurred in soft region owing to high ratcheting strain accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for precise and accurate determination of ppm to percentage level uranium in rocks, soils and stream sediments by laser induced fluorimetry (LIF) has been developed. Iron, above a ratio (iron to uranium) of 100, which is always the case when uranium is present at ppm level, interferes seriously. A prior removal of iron enables the determination of uranium over a wide range (ppm to % level).The method has been successfully applied to a host of silicate rock, soil and sediment samples, and the results obtained have been validated by conventional pellet fluorimetry after pre-concentration of the analyte. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functionality or survival of tissue engineering constructs depends on the adequate vascularization through oxygen transport and metabolic waste removal at the core. This study reports the presence of magnesium and silicon in direct three dimensional printed (3DP) tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds promotes in vivo osteogenesis and angiogenesis when tested in rat distal femoral defect model. Scaffolds with three different interconnected macro pore sizes were fabricated using direct three dimensional printing. In vitro ion release in phosphate buffer for 30 days showed sustained Mg and Si release from these scaffolds. Histolomorphology and histomorphometric analysis from the histology tissue sections revealed a significantly higher bone formation, between 14 and 20% for 4-16 weeks, and blood vessel formation, between 3 and 6% for 4-12 weeks, due to the presence of magnesium and silicon in TCP scaffolds compared to bare TCP scaffolds. The presence of magnesium in these 3DP TCP scaffolds also caused delayed TRAP activity. These results show that magnesium and silicon incorporated 3DP TCP scaffolds with multiscale porosity have huge potential for bone tissue repair and regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applications of porous metallic implants to enhance osseointegration of load-bearing implants are increasing. In this work, porous titanium implants, with 25 vol.% porosity, were manufactured using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS™) to measure the influence of porosity towards bone tissue integration in vivo. Surfaces of the LENS™ processed porous Ti implants were further modified with TiO nanotubes to improve cytocompatibility of these implants. We hypothesized that interconnected porosity created via additive manufacturing will enhance bone tissue integration in vivo. To test our hypothesis, in vivo experiments using a distal femur model of male Sprague-Dawley rats were performed for a period of 4 and 10 weeks. In vivo samples were characterized via micro-computed tomography (CT), histological imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical push-out tests. Our results indicate that porosity played an important role to establish early stage osseointegration forming strong interfacial bonding between the porous implants and the surrounding tissue, with or without surface modification, compared to dense Ti implants used as a control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV-Visible spectrophotometers have been used as a tool for chemical analysis over last few decades. The simplicity and ease of operation makes the instrument more reliable and convenient to use, and therefore, they find important application in many fields. In the present case, the performance evaluations of a UV-Visible spectrophotometer has been made for wavelength accuracy, stray light, resolution, photometric accuracy and photometric repeatability using Certified Reference Materials and other complimentary calibrators. The strategy adopted for the performance evaluation/calibration of the spectrophotometer were based on extensive use of different geo-standards of diverse matrices including the candidate geo-standards like Nephelinite, NKT-1, Syenite, CG-2, Limestone, ML-2 and River sediment, sdAR-1 studied recently as a part of 29th, 30th, 30Ath and 31st round of international geo-standards programmes held recently in addition to, employing a set practice of calibration being followed internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture behaviour of a reactor pressure vessel steel has been studied under dynamic strain ageing (DSA) conditions. Severity of DSA is varied by changing both the loading rate and test temperature. Significant reduction in fracture toughness is noted at $$235\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ , which is recovered with further increase of temperature at slow loading rate. DSA influence on fracture behaviour diminished with temperature at fast loading rate. DSA led to repeated crack tip blunting and 'ridge-valley' fractographic features. Defining the stretch zone boundary was difficult in such cases, and applying stretch zone method for determination of initiation fracture resistance seemed to be inappropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for simple, rapid and effective separation of thorium for it's determination in geological samples such as rocks, and minerals has been developed. Thorium forms 1:2 neutral complex with the bi-dentate ligand, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (2,3-HND), which is extracted into ethylacetate at pH 5-6. Thorium from the organic phase is quantitatively stripped off using dilute hydrochloric acid, and then determined spectrophotometrically as well as by ICP-AES. The effects of variables affecting the quantitative extraction of thorium have been studied in detail. The method has been validated by analyzing certified reference materials (CRM). RSD of the method varied over the range 1 to 5 %. The method has been successfully applied to rocks and minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present generation mobile communication system employs one of the most popular wireless access technologies called code division multiple access (CDMA). Design of CDMA spreading codes has drawn significant attention amongst the researchers over the last few decades. CDMA code family is generally categorized into purely orthogonal and non-orthogonal (near-orthogonal) members which have established their application in synchronous (downlink) and asynchronous (uplink) CDMA system respectively. Walsh code has been regarded as the most useful spreading code to be used in synchronous link because of its orthogonality property. However, the performance of Walsh code is significantly inferior in asynchronous surroundings. A number of codes have consequently been proposed with an aim to mitigate the shortcomings of Walsh code. This paper makes an innovative attempt to enhance the correlation properties of existing Walsh code through one simple yet powerful algorithm. Proposed code of length ' N' has been generated from code sets of length ' N/4' and thus makes the code generation algorithm recursive in nature. Performance of the proposed code has subsequently been compared with some existing orthogonal and semi orthogonal codes in terms of various performance metrics and finally the supremacy of our proposition has been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analyzed 16 earthquake waveform data recorded during the period from 2006 to 2013 at broadband station lying at the premises of Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad in the Eastern Indian Shield region. Coda window lengths of 30, 40 and 50 s were selected after thorough analysis of the waveforms. The Coda Q (Q) values were computed using single back scattered method. The earthquakes parameters were compiled from catalogue of Indian Meteorological Department (Nodal agency under Govt. of India for record keeping and data sharing), New Delhi. The estimated average Q values for three coda windows 30, 40 and 50 s are Q = 259.1f, Q = 275.9f and Q = 397.1f, respectively. The average Q value estimated from the Q values for the time windows 30, 40 and 50 s is found to be Q = 313.2f. Thus, the attenuation follows the power law relationships (e.g., Q = Qf), and the moderate to higher values of frequency parameters (n) obviously show that the Q value is a strong function of frequency. The increasing values of Q with increasing lapse time indicating the depth dependency of attenuation, and accounts for decreasing heterogeneity towards deeper level beneath the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern radiotherapy treatment techniques commonly include multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) to shape the treatment fields and to conform the radiation dose to the target volume. MLCs require accurate and frequent quality assurance (QA) to ensure spatial and temporal accuracy of the leaves in order to allow optimal dose delivery to the patient. In this study, the accuracy and efficacy of AutoCAL, a commercial software for MLC QA, were evaluated. The software was found to be reproducible to within 0.2 mm and to correspond with conventional QA methods (within 1.2 and 0.9 mm of film and water tank measurements, respectively.) Thus, AutoCAL was found to be an accurate and efficient tool for routine MLC QA and calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to probe into the status of the big five personality factors in the OCD probands and their first degree relatives (FDR) viz a viz community controls and also look into the association of the big five factors with symptom severity and obsessive personality traits. Fifty dyads of probands and FDR and community controls matched on the basis of age, sex and education were assessed on NEO Five Factor Inventory, Yale Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Leyton Obsessional Inventory to fulfill the aims of the study. The findings reveal higher neuroticism and lower extroversion and conscientiousness in the OCD group as compared to controls, endorsement of greater conscientiousness among the FDR as compared to the case-probands, with Agreeableness and Conscientiousness emerging as predictors associated with obsessive symptoms among OCD probands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid field method for the determination of ppm level uranium (U) in rocks, soils and stream sediments fluorimetrically has been developed. By simply eliminating iron, which seriously interferes in the direct determination of U due to quantity quenching, U can be reliably determined in the field with high throughput of analysis. Also, a novel concept of 'iron to uranium ratio' has been introduced in the paper to demonstrate the serious negative role of iron in the ppm level determination of U fluorimetrically in silicate rocks and soils as a part of geochemical exploration of U. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of chloroborosilicate glass having composition (in mol%) (100 − x)(42SiO-30BO-20BaO-4KO-4AlO)- xBaCl (where x = 0−30) has been prepared by the melt quench technique yielding transparent monolithic glasses up to x = 22.5. Structural investigation by infrared reflection and UV-vis-NIR absorption revealed the bridging action of Cl atom and decrease in non-bridging oxygens with the increase in BaCl content. Thermal properties ( T, T and T) were measured by the dilatometry and softening point measurement. Viscosity was calculated using the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation. Elastic constants were measured by the ultrasonic method. Other mechanical properties like hardness, fracture toughness were also measured. All of the thermal and mechanical properties exhibited a similar trend of anomalous variation as a function of the BaCl content, showing maxima at 10 mol% and a sharp increase at 25 mol% BaCl content. The anomaly has been explained by the structural point of view with the help of the aforementioned spectroscopic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture behavior of low alloy steel 20MnMoNi55 has been evaluated under cyclic loading condition. Effect of unloading extent and degree of cycling on fracture resistance has been evaluated by varying load ratio $$(R)$$ and incremental plastic displacement $$(\varDelta V)$$ . It is observed that the initiation fracture toughness and tearing modulus decreased significantly with more negative $$R$$ ratio and decrease in incremental plastic displacement. Examination of interrupted cyclic fracture test specimens revealed considerable crack tip re-sharpening and suppression of void growth and this is thought to be the reason for the reduction in fracture resistance under cyclic loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal complexes ML ( 2- 6) [where M = Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pd(II) and HL = allyl-2-(4-benzyloxyphenylmethylene)hydrazine carbodithioate ( 1)] have been prepared by the reaction of the ligand with metal ions in 2:1 molar ratio and characterized by physicochemical techniques and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of the free ligand and its nickel(II) complex 2 have been determined by X-ray diffractometry. The ligand exists in its thione tautomeric form both in solution and in the solid state. In complex 2, square-planar coordination of nickel(II) was achieved by two chelating ligand moieties coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and the deprotonated thione sulphur atom. Based on the crystal structures of analogous dithiocarbazate species, a square-planar geometry was assumed for the copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes, and a tetrahedral coordination sphere for the zinc(II) and cadmium(II) derivatives. The in vitro bactericidal activity suggests that the palladium(II) complex is strongly active against two bacteria. The cadmium(II) complex is moderately cytotoxic with an LC value of 409 μg/ml, but less active than gallic acid, LC = 78 μg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alteration of crystallization behavior, microstructure, and thermal properties of fluorophlogopite mica-containing glass–ceramics by nucleating agent is systematically studied. TiO 2, TiO 2 + ZrO 2, and ZrO 2 have been doped as the nucleating agents in the SiO 2–MgO–Al 2O 3–B 2O 3–K 2O–MgF 2 (BMAPS) glass system and prepared by the melt-quench technique. The glass without nucleating agent is also prepared to ascertain the influence of nucleating agent. Addition of nucleating agents effectively increases the softening as well as glass transition temperatures. From the DSC study, it is found that the fluorophlogopite mica crystallization exotherm exhibited in the temperature range 800–850 °C and the activation energy varies in the range 167–182 kJ/mol. The opaque mica glass–ceramics are derived from these BMAPS glasses by a controlled heat treatment process and heat treatment at 1050 °C is found to be optimum. The mica crystals were identified as fluorophlogopite for all the four BMAPS glasses by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and subsequently confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Excellent matching with fluorophlogopite crystal was obtained in Zirconia-containing glass–ceramic as perceived from the XRD and FTIR studies. The microstructure of interlocked card-like mica flake crystals is found to form as seen from scanning electron microscopy, and such microstructure is obtained when ZrO 2 has been used as nucleating agent. Glass–ceramic without nucleating agent possesses Vickers hardness value 4.58 Gpa and it is increased with addition of the nucleating agent (5.67–6.56 GPa), ZrO 2-containing glass–ceramic possess lower hardness (5.67 GPa) and better machinability. Therefore, ZrO 2 is the most efficient nucleating agent to generate fluorophlogopite mica in these glass–ceramics useable for SOFC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic plastic deformation response of materials under asymmetric stress cycling is known as ratcheting. Combined effect of fatigue and permanent tensile strain accumulation results in early failure of materials during ratcheting. For this reason, ratcheting should be emphasized in the safety assessment and life estimation of engineering structures. Engineering and true stress-controlled ratcheting behavior of 304LN stainless steel has been carried out at room temperature. Effects of stress amplitude, mean stress, and their histories (i.e., step loading) on the ratcheting behavior are analyzed in this investigation. It is noticed that under true stress-controlled ratcheting experiments, ratcheting life increases in presence of mean stress, and hysteresis loop area and plastic strain energy decreases with the increasing mean stress. A comparison has also been drawn in between the true and engineering stress-controlled tests, and massive differences in ratcheting life and strain accumulation were found. Ratcheting strain accumulation ceases in descending step loading, is noticed in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metrological principle of 'differential technique in laser-induced fluorimetry' analysis is discussed and recommended as a reference measurement procedure for determination of total uranium content in ores and similar matrices. The estimated relative expanded uncertainty values obtained for uranium content in standard IAEA samples are, S 1, 0.04 g/kg, S 2, 0.06 g/kg, S 3, 0.04 g/kg, and for S 4, 0.10 g/kg, respectively. These low uncertainty values obtained for uranium show high metrological quality of differential technique. This reference measurement procedure guarantees the quality of an analytical result (accuracy, high precision, reliability, comparability, and traceability). Laser-induced fluorimetry will be useful for the analysis of uranium in ores, certification of reference materials, borehole core assay, and other diverse applications in nuclear fuel cycle. Differential technique in spectrophotometry/laser fluorimetry has inherent high metrological quality. In principle, laser-induced fluorimetry is an ideal technique for the very accurate determination of uranium by the use of appropriate fluorescence-enhancing reagents and methodology depending upon the concentration of uranium and sample matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]