Search

The present study employs rigorous DFT analysis using WIEN2k for the best suitability of the Cr2O3 as an electron transport layer, synergetic with nontoxic and thermally stable CsSnCl3 perovskite solar energy storage device, configured as FTO/Cr2O3/CsSnCl3/CBTS/Au. The main objective of our investigation is to improve the device performance by optimizing thickness, carrier concentration, bulk defect density of each layer, interface defects, operating temperature, as well as the impact of parasitic elements on device performance. SCAPS‐1D tool was used to optimize the novel device architecture. The simulation results reveal that a CsSnCl3 layer with an optimized thickness of 800 nm and a doping concentration of 1 × 1015 cm−3 yields noteworthy outcomes, specifically, champion efficiency (휂) of 22.01% along with an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.12 V, a short‐circuit current (Jsc) of 23.86 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 81.65%. These improved findings were compared with existing theoretical and experimental reported data and found to exhibit the best performance. The present research substantially enhances the understanding of eco‐friendly CsSnCl3 perovskite solar cell optimization, thereby extending its applicability to future photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selectively tracking and quantifying Al3+ ions is a significant concern to the scientific communities. In the present article, an imine‐linkage electron donor‐acceptor system, DSAN, (E)‐5‐(diethylamino)‐2‐(((2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)imino)methyl)phenol has been introduced which shows Al3+ ions endows red light fluorogenicity which could be utilized for sequential and detection of Al3+ ions and picric acid (PA) in both solid and liquid phases. Upon addition of Al3+ ions into the DSAN solution, an orange‐red fluorescence is noticed at 604 nm caused by the formation of Al3+ ions chelated DSAN complex having detection and quantification limit 0.2 μM and 0.62 μM respectively in dimethylformamide (DMF) medium. The complex formation is found to be a 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio as evident from Job's plot analysis. Also, the binding affinity value is found to be 3.24×104 M−1 demonstrating a high affinity of DSAN towards Al3+ ions. This orange‐red fluorescence of Al3+ ions chelated DSAN complex solution is quenched due to the introduction of PA. A super handy paper‐strips‐based detection tool also been fabricated utilizing DSAN which could be employed to track trace amounts of Al3+ ions in the solid state. The mechanism involved in the detection of Al3+ ions is elucidated by density functional theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nerve agents are becoming serious issues for the healthy and sustainable environment of modern civilization. Therefore, its detection and degradation are of paramount importance to the scientific community. In the present contribution, we have introduced a chromo‐fluorogenic pyrene‐based probe, (E)‐2‐methoxy‐3‐(pyren‐1‐ylimino)‐3,8a‐dihydro‐2H‐chromen‐4‐ol (PMCO) to detect sarin stimulant diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) in solution and gaseous phases. On inserting DCP in PMCO solution, a visual colorimetric change from yellow to clear colourless in daylight and highly intensified blue fluorescence was observed instantly under a 365 nm portable UV lamp light. PMCO has outstanding selectivity and high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 1.32 μM in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) medium and 77.5 nM in 20% H2O‐DMSO. A handy strained paper strip‐based experiment was demonstrated to recognize DCP in a mixture of similar toxic analytes. A dip‐stick experiment was performed to identify DCP vapour, and may be used as an effective photonic tool. We also demonstrated real sample analysis utilizing different DCP‐spiked water samples and validating DCP detection even in various types of soils such as sand, field, and mud. Therefore, this present study provides an effective chemosensor for instant and on‐site detection of toxic nerve agents in dangerous circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corpus callosotomy (CC) is a palliative treatment for drop seizures in patients with drug‐resistant nonlocalizable epilepsy. We compared drop seizure outcomes between patients undergoing anterior CC versus complete CC and examined factors impacting outcomes for drop seizures including age at CC and duration of epilepsy. A retrospective review of patients who underwent CC between 2003 and 2022 with a minimum of 6 months postsurgical follow‐up was included. Outcome measure for drop seizures included seizure reduction ≥50% from baseline as well as elimination of drop seizures. Thirty‐eight patients were included. Overall, ≥50% reduction in drop seizures occurred in nearly 70% (23 out of 33) patients with complete elimination in 58% (19 out of 33). Compared with anterior CC (n = 13), patients undergoing complete CC (n = 25) had increased likelihood of ≥50% reduction (p = 0.006) or elimination (p = 0.024) of drop seizures. Regression analysis showed that complete CC was the primary predictor for improved drop seizure outcomes (elimination, p = 0.014 or ≥50% reduction, p = 0.006), while age at CC and duration of epilepsy did not impact the outcomes. Compared to anterior CC, complete CC was significantly more likely to lead to improvement/freedom from drop seizures. Age at CC or duration of epilepsy did not influence drop seizure outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the role of bulk/interface defects and their impact on the performance of novel solar cell device structure p‐Si/n‐CdS/ALD‐ZnO (atomic layer deposited zinc oxide) heterojunction solar cells are shown. To calculate all important parameters and connect both types of defects with the performance of the solar cell, a theoretical model to simulate using well developed, established, and globally popular SCAPS‐1D simulation tool is developed. The different types of optimized simulation parameters that improved the performance of the solar cell have been calculated using bulk defects (p‐Si absorber), interfacial defects (p‐Si/n‐CdS interface), emitter layer (n‐CdS) thickness, and window layer (ALD‐ZnO) thickness. A further effect of incident radiation on the quantum efficiency and the spectral response has been plotted along with the I–V characteristics of the proposed solar cell. Based on the proposed simulation and comparing with the existing experimental and simulation results for similar combinations of the solar cell, this detailed study suggests that the highest efficiency η = 19.97%, fill factor = 83.37% with open circuit voltage = 635.3 mV, and short circuit current = 37.71 mA cm−2 can be achieved. Finally, the obtained performance parameters are best in class with the tabulated existing ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐CO2 batteries have been at the forefront of reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the present energy crisis. As the Martian atmosphere is 95 % CO2, this battery technology is ideal as a stand‐alone energy storage device on the planet. However, challenges such as low reversibility, high charging voltages, and poor cycling life restrict its practicability. The current study addresses these by increasing the reversibility of the active reaction sites on the cathode via a synergistic interaction between the RuNi nanoparticle catalyst and candle soot carbon (CSC). This helps the system achieve a full discharge capacity of 15207 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 200 mA g−1 with 99.3 % coulombic efficiency and an efficient cycling life of over 100 cycles at a higher current density of 500 mA g−1 for a limited capacity of 500 mAh g−1. Further, combining ex‐situ physical characterizations and density functional theory helps understand the underlying mechanism for improving the bidirectional CO2 reduction and evolution activities during discharging and charging. The study, thus using a bimetallic catalyst and carbon, provides an approach for a single solution towards addressing the dual challenges of regulating CO2 emissions on Earth and providing a constant energy source on Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A public–private partnership (PPP) upgrades airport services, infrastructures, space, and ground handling systems. The participation of private entities could provide significant sustainability‐related issues since they typically have a profit‐making mindset. Private entities mainly focus on maximising their profits, but public entities are more concerned about attaining social objectives. The differences in their approaches lead to sustainability issues in a PPP airport project. However, studies on the impact of PPP on sustainability are very scarce and limited to other infrastructure sectors like health, education, and so forth. To examine the impact of PPP on Mumbai and Delhi International Airport's sustainability, this study used partial least squares structural equation modelling. The direct impact of private ownership, investment distribution, risk sharing, regulatory intervention, stakeholder engagement, and reputation and credibility on environmental, economic, and social sustainability was examined. The study revealed that PPP improved Mumbai and Delhi's airports' economic sustainability but have a smaller impact on social and environmental sustainability. Existing airports lag in social and environmental sustainability. To achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability, the government must directly formulate and implement programmes. Regulators regulate JV activities and encourage social and environmental sustainability. Policymakers are likely to benefit most from building a favourable legal framework, commercial viability, and solid economic policies for effective private participation in PPP airports. The study focuses on institutional aspects. It will also help understand the mechanism's impact and how constructions and indicators are managed in PPP airport development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable lithium‐CO2 (Li−CO2) batteries are an attractive energy storage technology that can reduce fossil fuel usage and limit the adverse environmental impact of CO2 emissions. However, the high charge overpotential, unstable cycling, and incomplete understanding of the electrochemical process limit its advancement for practical applications. Herein, we develop a Li−CO2 battery by designing a bimetallic ruthenium‐nickel catalyst onto multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (RuNi/MWCNTs) catalyst as cathode by solvothermal method, which exhibits a lower overpotential of 1.15 V and a discharge capacity of 15,165 mAh g−1 with outstanding coulombic efficiency of 97.4 %. The battery can also operate at high rates and have a stable cycle of more than 80 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g−1 with a fixed 500 mAh g−1 capacity. Furthermore, Mars exploration is made feasible with the Li−CO2 Mars battery composed of the RuNi/MWCNTs as cathode catalyst, which performs very similarly to that of pure CO2 atmosphere. This approach may simplify the process of developing high‐performance Li−CO2 batteries to achieve carbon negativity on Earth and for future interplanetary Mars missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past seismic events have shown poor performance of reinforced concrete (RC) moment resisting frames, due to failure of beam‐column joints, attributed to insufficient anchorage and poor workmanship. Inadequate development length in beam‐column joints may lead to joint strength deterioration due to detailing constraints and site errors. Alternatively, headed bars have potential to replace conventional anchorage system of development length in beam‐column joint. The paper deals with extensive experimental and numerical program conducted on RC beam‐column joints with plain and deformed (grooved and ribbed) headed bars and compared with the specimens with conventional development length. Effect of steel fibers on strength of RC beam‐column joints is also investigated. The test specimens of beam‐column joints were subjected to displacement‐controlled reversed cyclic loading and structural behavior was assessed in terms of failure mode, load carrying capacity, stiffness, drift, ductility, and energy dissipation. The strength parameters of headed bar specimens were well comparable to that of conventional specimens. Grooved‐headed and ribbed‐headed bar specimens exhibited superior load resistance as compared with plain‐headed bar specimens. Numerical analysis was carried out, whose results were in agreement with the experimental results, thus demonstrating the efficacy of headed bars as mechanical anchorage system for RC beam‐column joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vehicular delay tolerant networks (VDTNs) suffer due to insufficient connection opportunities in sparse infrastructure. The sparsity of the network results in poor delivery ratio (DR). Deployment of additional small nodes named throwbox increases the contact opportunities, resulting in improved performance in terms of DR. However, randomly deployed throwboxes do not provide optimum results. Therefore, this article proposes the throwbox deployment as an optimization problem. Customized binary particle swarm optimization‐based optimization method is employed to solve the problem. With the objective of maximizing the DR, the method optimize the placement of k$$ k $$‐throwboxes in the network. The performance of the proposed methods is tested and compared by simulating a VDTN model in opportunistic network environment simulator. The optimization framework was implemented in Matlab. Exhaustive experiments were carried out by varying the number of throwboxes (k$$ k $$). A statistical comparison of the results with the existing throwbox deployment methods validates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization‐based approach. The article also presents an analysis for choice of value of k$$ k $$ for a desired network performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single‐step process has been demonstrated for the synthesis of core‐shell hybrid of poly(o‐phenylenediamine) functionalized with uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles as core were formed by the thermal reduction of the amine complexes of silver mono‐positive cation. The interfacial functionalization of silver nanoparticles by the =NH was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The uniform size of particles in core‐shell hybrid and the amount of metal nanoparticle ingrained in polymer matrix were confirmed from the characterizations, viz. dynamic light scattering, inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid with ∼12 % silver loading was found to have the highest DC‐conductivity of 10−4 S cm−1 range, even without the usage of any other dopant. The induced doping of silver nanoparticles through the functional groups of the polymer was considered to explain the conducting properties of the prepared core‐shell hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, the Li‐CO2 battery has gained significant importance arising from its higher gravimetric energy density (1876 Wh kg‐1) compared to the conventional Li‐ion batteries. Also, its ability to utilize the greenhouse gas CO2 to operate an energy storage system and the prospective utilization on extraterrestrial planets such as Mars motivate to practicalize it. However, it suffers from numerous challenges such as (i) the reluctant CO2 reduction/evolution; (ii) solid/liquid/gas interface blockage arising from the deposition of Li2CO3 discharge product on the cathode; (iii) high overpotential to decompose the stable discharge product Li2CO3; and (iv) instability of the electrolytes. Numerous efforts have been undertaken to tackle these challenges by developing catalysts, improving the stability of electrolytes, protecting the anode, etc. Despite these efforts, due to the lack of a decisive confirmation of the reaction mechanisms of the discharging/charging reactions occurring in the system, the progress of the Li–CO2 battery system has been slow. In situ characterization techniques help overcome ex‐situ techniques' limitations by monitoring the processes with the progress of a reaction. The current review focuses on bridging the gap in the understanding of the Li–CO2 batteries by exploring the various in situ/operando characterization techniques that have been employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vehicular delay‐tolerant networks (VDTNs) play prominent part in smart transportation and smart city paradigm to diminish the drivers' risk to meet accidents and offer many infotainment and entertainment services. All the operations are carried out by exchanging data among nodes. However, due to open communication nature of VDTN, the data broadcasted by mobile nodes are quiet susceptible to security attacks. Recently, a number of protocols are proposed for open communication. However, securing such communications and establishing trust value among vehicles are major addressable issues. This is because the existing fraudulent peers can lead to catastrophic circumstances on roads. Along with securing the data carriers, the authenticity and reliability of data is also equally important. In order to identify reliable nodes and maintaining the authenticity of data being communicated, a new artificial intelligence (AI)‐based hybrid trust management framework is proposed in this article. The study particularly exploits the proximity‐based k‐nearest neighbour (kNN) classification model for selecting controlling nodes. Further, decision stump is employed to accomplish trust estimation rules, and backpropagation is used to self‐train the mobile nodes, whenever anticipated trust value is not attained. The proposed scheme maintains the integrity of vehicular nodes and efficiently handles the specified. The trust framework uses a multifaceted direct and recommended trust estimation approach to calculate the global trust values. For comparison, the performance of the proposed method was compared with other trust management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neuroimaging and genetic testing have been proposed for diagnostic evaluation of infantile spasms (IS), establishing etiology in ~60% of multicenter IS cohorts. A retrospective analysis of the yield of diagnostic etiology following an institutionally established guideline for investigation/treatment of IS was conducted, and the association between etiological subgroups and sustained response to standard treatment was evaluated. Methods: Etiology of IS, neuroimaging, and genetic results were extracted from clinical records. Etiology was categorized as acquired or nonacquired, the latter including syndromic patients, nonsyndromic patients with confirmed etiology, and unknown cases. Regression analyses, using clinical variables including subtypes of etiology, were conducted to determine which factors correlated with favorable (spasm freedom at last follow‐up after two or fewer standard treatments) versus unfavorable treatment outcome (refractory spasms despite two standard treatments or relapse). Results: We included 127 IS patients (60% males) with a follow‐up of 2.4 years (range =.6–5 years). All patients had neuroimaging, and 95% of patients in the nonacquired category (103 of 108 patients) had genetic testing. Etiology was identified in 103 of 127 (81%, 95% confidence interval =.73–.86). At last follow‐up, 42 (33%) patients had favorable treatment outcome. No difference in treatment response was observed between acquired and nonacquired etiologies. Among patients with nonacquired etiologies, developmental delay prior to spasms onset increased the odds of unfavorable treatment outcome (p =.014), whereas a clearly recognizable dysmorphic/syndromic etiology was associated with a lower risk for treatment failure (p =.034). In nonacquired etiology without a recognizable dysmorphic/syndrome but with a genetic etiology, unfavorable treatment outcome was more likely (p =.043). Significance: Rigorous evaluation with neuroimaging and genetic testing yields an etiological diagnosis in most patients with IS. Among patients with a nonacquired etiology, those with recognizable dysmorphic/syndromic diagnosis had a higher likelihood of a favorable treatment outcome, whereas the absence of such a finding, when associated with an identifiable genetic diagnosis, was associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Scholars worldwide leverage science gateways/virtual research environments (VREs) for a wide variety of research and education endeavors spanning diverse scientific fields. Evaluating the value of a given science gateway/VRE to its constituent community is critical in obtaining the financial and human resources necessary to sustain operations and increase adoption in the user community. In this article, we feature a variety of exemplar science gateways/VREs and detail how they define impact in terms of, for example, their purpose, operation principles, and size of user base. Further, the exemplars recognize that their science gateways/VREs will continuously evolve with technological advancements and standards in cloud computing platforms, web service architectures, data management tools and cybersecurity. Correspondingly, we present a number of technology advances that could be incorporated in next‐generation science gateways/VREs to enhance their scope and scale of their operations for greater success/impact. The exemplars are selected from owners of science gateways in the Science Gateways Community Institute (SGCI) clientele in the United States, and from the owners of VREs in the International Virtual Research Environment Interest Group (VRE‐IG) of the Research Data Alliance. Thus, community‐driven best practices and technology advances are compiled from diverse expert groups with an international perspective to envisage futuristic science gateway/VRE innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are carbon‐based, nanoscale particles that display remarkable physical and organic properties. They are chemically and physically stable and eco‐friendly due to their non‐toxic and biologically inert nature. Various bioresources are used to synthesize GQDs to ensure biosafety and cost‐effectiveness. In this work, a critical review has been done by focusing on top‐down and bottom‐up synthesis strategies. GQDs by valorizing various bioresources like bamboo, neem leaves, mango leaves, paper fibers, rice husk, starch, honey, wood charcoal, coffee grounds, corn powder, and lime oil extract is highlighted in the present review. State‐of‐the‐art and future outlooks on the development and advancement of GQDs applications are also being addressed. Based on the surveyed literature, GQDs provide extensive use in various areas like bioimaging, nanomedicine, photocatalysis, light‐emitting diodes, solar cells, and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress imposes a serious threat to crop productivity and nutritional security. Drought adaptation mechanisms involve complex regulatory network comprising of various sensory and signaling molecules. In this context, melatonin has emerged as a potential signaling molecule playing a crucial role in imparting stress tolerance in plants. Melatonin pretreatment regulates various plant physiological processes such as osmoregulation, germination, photosynthesis, senescence, primary/secondary metabolism, and hormonal cross-talk under water deficit conditions. Melatoninmediated regulation of ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle plays a crucial role to scavenge reactive oxygen species generated in the cells during drought. Here, in this review, the current knowledge on the role of melatonin to ameliorate adverse effects of drought by modulating morphological, physiological, and redox regulatory processes is discussed. The role of melatonin to improve water absorption capacity of roots by regulating aquaporin channels and hormonal cross-talk involved in drought stress mitigation are also discussed. Overall, melatonin is a versatile bio-molecule involved in growth promotion and yield enhancement under drought stress that makes it a suitable candidate for eco-friendly crop production to ensure food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air transport is considered an important part of the transportation infrastructure and it has a great impact on urbanisation as well as long‐term economic growth. Airports significantly add to local economy and facilitate a country's integration into the global economy and also provide social benefits to the society. However, together with the socioeconomic benefits, airports adversely affect to the surrounding environments, ecology and society. Some of the main concern, that is, emission from aircraft, noise while take‐off and landing of aircraft, land use, waste disposal and energy consumption, are raised with respect to airport's functioning which requires the attention of the regulatory authorities. The authorities to find the balance approach for the development of airports and to minimise the unfavourable consequences. Therefore, the efforts to be made to develop the "sustainable airports". "Sustainable development" practises in the airports, improves the social, financial and operational benefits of the airport and also lessen the negative impacts on the environment. After understanding the concept of "Sustainability", next challenge is to make airport sustainable. The main objective of the article is to find, how to make airport sustainable, when it is called that the airport is a "sustainable airport". After reviewing the relevant literatures, it may be concluded that "sustainable airports" can be developed by incorporating the sustainability concept in to the airport planning and then taking care of the airport sustainability issues and barriers and airport sustainability components, that is, policy making, commerce, social responsibility, environmental and service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese is a product of ancient biotechnological practices, which has been revolutionized as a functional food product in many parts of the world. Bioactive compounds, such as peptides, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, have been identified in traditional cheese products, which demonstrate functional properties such as antihypertensive, antioxidant, immunomodulation, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Besides, cheese‐making probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exert a positive impact on gut health, aiding in digestion, and improved nutrient absorption. Advancement in biotechnological research revealed the potential of metabolite production with prebiotics and bioactive functions in several strains of LAB, yeast, and filamentous fungi. The application of specific biocatalyst producing microbial strains enhances nutraceutical value, resulting in designer cheese products with multifarious health beneficial effects. This review summarizes the biotechnological approaches applied in designing cheese products with improved functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the photovoltaic (PV) is considered as the best selection among renewable energy resources due to its nonpolluted operation and good flexibility condition. The PV system is affected because of the partial shading conditions (PSCs), which reduce the generated power. During steady‐state operating conditions, there occurs a time delay in tracking the Global maximum power point (GMPP) and Local maximum power point (LMPP) under PSCs using the perturb and observe (P&O) method. In order to overcome such shortcomings, this paper proposed a hybrid algorithm with a P&O technique to improve the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the PV system under PSC. In addition to this, the P&O technique is utilized to achieve the LMPP in the first section, and the hybrid algorithm is utilized to achieve the GMPP in the second section. Here, the hybrid technique is the integration of Cauchy preferential crossover (CC) with the flower pollination algorithm (FPA). Furthermore, the exploitation ability of the FPA is enhanced by the CC, and the combined hybrid algorithm has the ability to produce the optimal duty cycle for the DC–DC boost converter for MPPT. Then the proposed method will be executed in MATLAB/Simulink model, and it is contrasted with the existing methods such as CC, current sensorless (CS), and FPA, respectively. The experimental results and analysis reveal that the proposed approach provides better performances when compared with several other metaheuristic algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, dielectric/semiconductor interfacial p‐doping is used to develop a high‐carrier‐mobility and balanced ambipolar tin oxide (SnO2) thin‐film transistor (TFT). To introduce this interfacial doping, TFTs are fabricated by using two different ion‐conducting oxide dielectrics containing trivalent atoms. These ion‐conducting dielectrics are LiInO2 and LiGaO2 containing a mobile Li+ ion that reduces the operating voltage of these TFTs to ≤2.0 V. During SnO2 thin film deposition, the interfacial SnO2 layer is p‐doped by an In or Ga atom of the gate dielectric and therefore, hole conduction is facilitated in the channel of the TFT. To realize this interfacial doping phenomenon, a reference TFT is fabricated with a Li2ZnO2 dielectric that contains a divalent zinc atom. Comparative electrical data indicate that TFTs with LiInO2 and LiGaO2 dielectrics are ambipolar in nature, whereas the TFT with a Li2ZnO2 dielectric is a unipolar n‐channel transistor, corroborating the interfacial doping of SnO2. Most interestingly, using a LiInO2 dielectric, a 1.0 V balanced ambipolar TFT with high electron and hole mobility values of 7 and 8 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively, can be fabricated, with an on/off ratio > 102 for both operations. The TFT with a LiInO2 dielectric is utilized successfully to fabricate a low‐voltage complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) inverter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In precast construction, standardized concrete elements are manufactured in a controlled environment followed by onsite installations. One such precast system is 3S building system (Strength, Safety, and Speed), which consists of RCC hollow columns with notches; RCC solid beams ("T" shape/"L" shape/Square Shape), RCC Stair flights, RCC shear walls, and Autoclave Aerated Concrete (AAC) or RCC precast slab. The current study focuses on seismic performance of this system, where a full‐scale two storey, "3S" precast RC building, was subjected to quasi‐static lateral loading. The experimental results show that the structure responded within elastic range at Life Safety (LS) performance level with minimal damage to the joints. The results are further compared to an analytical model in SAP2000 subjected to pushover analysis. Both the experimental and analytical results were found to be in agreement. Therefore, it is inferred that the 3S building system can perform satisfactorily under seismic loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages represent the first line of defense against invading Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In order to enhance intracellular survival, Mtb targets various components of the host signaling pathways to limit macrophage functions. The outcome of Mtb infection depends on various factors derived from both host and pathogen. A detailed understanding of such factors operating during interaction of the pathogen with the host is a prerequisite for designing new approaches for combating mycobacterial infections. This work analyzed the role of host phospholipase C‐γ1 (PLC‐γ1) in regulating mycobacterial uptake and killing by J774A.1 murine macrophages. Small interfering RNA mediated knockdown of PLC‐γ1 increased internalization and reduced the intracellular survival of both Mtb and Mycobacterium smegmatis (MS) by macrophages. Down‐regulation of the host PLC‐γ1 was observed during the course of mycobacterial infection within these macrophages. Finally, Mtb infection also suppressed the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES) which was restored by knocking down PLC‐γ1 in J774A.1 cells. These observations suggest a role of host PLC‐γ1 in the uptake and killing of mycobacteria by murine macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expeditious urbanization and population rise around the globe has fostered the need of speedy and efficient construction, thus generating immense pressure on the construction industry to introduce an efficacious construction technique. The issue can be addressed by precast technology, which is advantageous over conventional monolithic construction in regards to speed, safety, and quality control along with reduced construction cost on mass scale production. However, precast reinforced concrete (RC) buildings have experienced severe damage during the past earthquakes, attributed to seismic behavior of connections between components. Thus, it is of utmost importance to improve the joint connection details and deploy seismic resisting features in precast buildings, such as provision of precast shear walls. Researchers across the world have performed extensive experimental studies to evaluate the response of precast RC walls under lateral loading. This paper reviews on general concepts, codal provisions, precast RC wall connections, review of experimental findings, and effect of post‐tensioning on precast RC walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ti/CuO interface has been studied by the techniques of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Thin films of titanium were deposited on a CuO substrate at room temperature by the e‐beam technique. The photoelectron spectra of titanium and copper were found to exhibit significant chemical interaction at the interface. The titanium overlayer was observed to get oxidized to TiO2, while the CuO was observed to get reduced to elemental copper. This chemical interaction was observed to occur until a thickness of 7 nm of the titanium overlayer. For thicknesses greater than this value, the presence of unreacted titanium in the sample was detected. Barrier characteristics at the Ti/CuO interface were also carried out for substrate temperatures of 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C as a function of the titanium overlayer thickness. A linear trend in the barrier thickness of the overlayer was observed between 400°C and 600°C substrate temperatures. The atomic force microscopy micrographs of the unannealed samples depicted layer‐by‐layer growth of elemental titanium on copper. At the Ti/CuO interface in such samples, the micrographs exhibited island formation of TiO2 corresponding to the Volmer‐Weber growth model. This formation has been interpreted as the relaxation in the strain energy. The percentage coverage of the underlying substrate by the TiO2 islands showed a linear trend for the thicknesses of the titanium overlayer investigated. The average size of these islands also showed a linear trend as a function of the thickness of the overlayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key MAPKKK family protein in interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and Toll-like receptor signaling. This study was undertaken to examine the posttranslational modification of TAK1 and its therapeutic regulation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The effect of TAK1, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1), and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) inhibition was evaluated in IL-1β-stimulated human RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and 20S proteasome assay were used to study the ubiquitination process in RASFs. The efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent antiinflammatory molecule, in regulating these processes in RASFs was evaluated. Molecular docking was performed to examine the interaction of EGCG with human TAK1, IRAK-1, and TRAF6. These findings were confirmed using a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Results Inhibition of TAK1, but not IRAK-1 or TRAF6, completely abrogated IL-1β-induced IL-6 and IL-8 synthesis in RASFs. EGCG inhibited TAK1 phosphorylation at Thr184/187 and occupied the C174 position, an ATP-binding site, to inhibit its kinase activity. EGCG pretreatment also inhibited K63-linked autoubiquitination of TRAF6, a posttranslational modification essential for TAK1 autophosphorylation, by forming a stable H bond at the K124 position on TRAF6. Furthermore, EGCG enhanced proteasome-associated deubiquitinase expression to rescue proteins from proteasomal degradation. Western blot analyses of joint homogenates from rats with AIA showed a significant increase in K48-linked polyubiquitination, TAK1 phosphorylation, and TRAF6 expression when compared to naive rats. Administration of EGCG (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days ameliorated AIA in rats by reducing TAK1 phosphorylation and K48-linked polyubiquitination. Conclusion Our findings provide a rationale for targeting TAK1 for the treatment of RA with EGCG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been previously shown by us to decrease peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we have studied the anti-inflammatory effects of newly synthesized derivatives of natural (-)-CBD ((-)-8,9-dihydro-7-hydroxy-CBD; HU-446) and of synthetic (+)-CBD ((+)-8,9-dihydro-7-hydroxy-CBD; HU-465) on activated myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-specific mouse encephalitogenic T cells (TMOG) driving EAE/ MS-like pathologies. Binding assays followed by molecular modeling revealed that HU-446 has negligible affinity toward the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors while HU-465 binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors at the high nanomolar concentrations (Ki = 76.7 ± 5.8 nM and 12.1 ± 2.3 nM, respectively). Both, HU-446 and HU-465, at 5 and 10 μM (but not at 0.1 and 1 μM), inhibited the MOG35-55-induced proliferation of autoreactive TMOG cells via CB1/CB2 receptor independent mechanisms. Moreover, both HU-446 and HU-465, at 5 and 10 μM, inhibited the release of IL-17, a key autoimmune cytokine, from MOG35-55-stimulated TMOG cells. These results suggest that HU-446 and HU-465 have anti-inflammatory potential in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BNip3 is a hypoxia-inducible protein that targets mitochondria for autophagosomal degradation. We report a novel tumor suppressor role for BNip3 in a clinically relevant mouse model of mammary tumorigenesis. BNip3 delays primary mammary tumor growth and progression by preventing the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria and resultant excess ROS production. In the absence of BNip3, mammary tumor cells are unable to reduce mitochondrial mass effectively and elevated mitochondrial ROS increases the expression of Hif-1α and Hif target genes, including those involved in glycolysis and angiogenesis-two processes that are also markedly increased in BNip3-null tumors. Glycolysis inhibition attenuates the growth of BNip3-null tumor cells, revealing an increased dependence on autophagy for survival. We also demonstrate that BNIP3 deletion can be used as a prognostic marker of tumor progression to metastasis in human triple-negative breast cancer ( TNBC). These studies show that mitochondrial dysfunction-caused by defects in mitophagy-can promote the Warburg effect and tumor progression, and suggest better approaches to stratifying TNBC for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Cu(I) dicoordination with thiolate ligands is not common. Yet, different from its homologue proteins, human copper chaperone is known to bind Cu(I) using this low coordination number while binding Cu(I) only via the two conserved Cysteine residues, Cys12 and Cys15. Based on structural analysis, this work determines that the protein possesses two distinct conformations referred to as 'in' and 'out' due to the relative positioning of Cys12 (one of Cu(I) binding residues). The 'out' conformation, with Cys12 pointing out, imposes a buried Cu(I) position, whereas the 'in' conformation with Cys12 pointing inwards results in a more exposed Cu(I) thus, available for transfer. Using QM/MM methods along with thermodynamic cycles these two conformations are shown to exhibit different coordination preference, suggesting that the protein has evolved to have a unique Cu(I) protection mechanism. It is proposed that the 'out' conformation with a preference to dicoordination prevents Cu(I) interaction with external ligands and/or Cu(I) release to the solvent, whereas the 'in' conformation with preference to tricoordinated Cu(I), facilitates Cu(I) transfer to target proteins, where additional ligands are involved. Proteins 2013; 81:1411-1419. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polythiophene (PT) is an important conjugated polymer that finds applications in electronic and molecular electronic devices. Considering its application area, its electrical conductivity is of major concern. In the present work electrical conductivity (σ) measurements of chemically synthesized and FeCl3 doped PT samples were carried out using a two probe method by applying voltages from 0 V to 100 V in the temperature range from 313 K to 373 K. There was an increase in electrical conductivity by two orders of magnitude after doping. I-V characteristic curves of undoped and doped samples show negative resistance behavior. From log σ versus 1/T graphs it was found that all doped samples showed a metallic nature, where as undoped polythiophene showed a semiconducting nature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples were carried out using Guoy's method in the temperature range from 300 K to 500 K to characterize the predominant charge carriers. They revealed that the undoped sample was completely diamagnetic in nature where as for the doped samples a number of transitions from diamagnetic to paramagnetic and vice versa were observed with increase in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polythiophene (PT) is an important conjugated polymer that finds applications in electronic and molecular electronic devices. Considering its application area, its electrical conductivity is of major concern. In the present work electrical conductivity (σ) measurements of chemically synthesized and FeCl3 doped PT samples were carried out using a two probe method by applying voltages from 0 V to 100 V in the temperature range from 313 K to 373 K. There was an increase in electrical conductivity by two orders of magnitude after doping. I-V characteristic curves of undoped and doped samples show negative resistance behavior. From log σ versus 1/T graphs it was found that all doped samples showed a metallic nature, where as undoped polythiophene showed a semiconducting nature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples were carried out using Guoy's method in the temperature range from 300 K to 500 K to characterize the predominant charge carriers. They revealed that the undoped sample was completely diamagnetic in nature where as for the doped samples a number of transitions from diamagnetic to paramagnetic and vice versa were observed with increase in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polythiophene has been chemically synthesized using 2,5- dibromothiophene by debromination with magnesium, catalyzed by nickel chloride. The synthesized polymer was undoped using liquid ammonia and then doped again using 5% (wt/volume) aqueous FeCl3 for 2.5, 5 and 10 hour duration. Characterization of undoped as well as doped samples using elemental analysis and FTIR has been carried out. Elemental analysis shows that concentration of Fe+ atoms increases as the duration of doping increases. The FTIR spectrum reveals the complex formation between FeCl3 and polythiophene. All samples were pressed into pellets of about 1cm in diameter. The pellets were coated with gold (Au) on one side and with aluminum (Al) on other side using vacuum deposition technique. I-V measurements of undoped and FeCl3 doped samples, after coating have been carried out using two probe method. I-V measurements, at room temperature, were carried out by applying d. c. voltage with +ve potential to the side of the pellet coated with Au and -ve potential to Al from 0 V to 1 V in step of 0.01 V and then from 1V to 15 V in step of 0.5 V. The measurements were again carried out after interchanging the polarity of the applied voltage. These characteristics are just similar to the characteristics of conventional tunnel diode in forward bias condition and like Schottky diode in reverse bias condition. Various parameters of tunnel diode such as figure of merit, voltage spread, noise figure etc are calculated using the measurements carried out. Noise figure value of undoped polythiophene is very close to ideal value. The performance of all FeCl3 doped sample reduces, however value of the current ratio Ip/Iv (figure of merit) value for 5 hr. FeCl3 doped polythiophene sample matches with that of silicon (Si) tunnel diode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-type ATPases constitute a ubiquitous superfamily of cation transport enzymes, responsible for carrying out actions of paramount importance in biology such as ion transport and expulsion of toxic ions from cells. The harmonized toggling of gates in the extra- and intracellular domains explain the phenomenon of specific cation binding in selective physiological states. A quantitative understanding of the fundamental aspects of ion transport mechanism and regulation of P-type ATPases requires detailed knowledge of thermodynamical, structural, and functional properties. Computational studies have made significant contributions to our understanding of biological ion pumps. Various 3D structures of Ca2+-ATPase between E1 and E2 transition states have given a impetus to the theorists to work on the Na+K+- and H+K+-ATPase to address important questions about their function. The current review delineates the importance of cation, nucleotide, and inhibitor binding domains, with a focus on the therapeutic potential and biological relevance of the three P-type II ATPases. This will give an insight into the ion selectivity and their conduction across the transmembrane helices of P-type II ATPases, which may pave the way to a range of fundamental questions about the mechanism and aid in the efforts of structure- and analog-based drug design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product-cooling load is one of the most important components, contributing about two-thirds toward the total refrigeration load during the transient cooling period of a cold storage. Therefore, time-variable behavior of product-cooling load is necessary for the efficient design and operation of a refrigeration system. A well-designed refrigeration system not only avoids wastage of electrical energy but also restricts the moisture loss within permissible limit. In the present study, a total of 15 combinations, with three cooling rates and five loading patterns, were investigated and corresponding product-cooling loads were predicted. The effect of cooling rates was studied on moisture loss as well. It was found that although the high cooling rate gave low moisture loss, it required a high capacity refrigeration system, which might not be justifiable over the reduced moisture loss during the long-term storage period. Loading rate of the product also had a similar effect on refrigeration load as that of cooling rate. A cooling rate corresponding to half cooling time of 6.72 days (cool-down time = 30 days) in combination with linearly decreasing product loading rate of 30 days duration gave the minimum refrigeration load with affordable increased moisture loss, which could be adopted in commercial potato cold storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results of the present study highlight the interdependence of two different but most burning problems of the Indian potato cold storage industry, i.e., higher electrical power consumption and storage losses beyond permissible limits. The quantitative information of product-cooling load under different combinations of loading patterns and cooling rates would enable the operators of cold storage in managing these parameters within the installed refrigeration capacity in order to avoid fluctuation in temperature of storage air and resultant storage losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Indian commercial potato cold storage facilities, the air temperature does not remain constant during the loading period. Also, because of stepwise loading pattern, the product loaded on different days would undergo different time-temperature histories. Under this transient condition, the product takes longer to reach the steady state and loses more moisture of about 1.7% during 1 month of storage period. In addition, the sensible product-cooling load is different for the product loaded on different days. In the present study, therefore, the product temperature, moisture loss and sensible product-cooling load were predicted for the product loaded on different days under the condition of variable storage air temperature in the range of 3.5–10C and constant relative humidity of 90% using the computational fluid dynamics technique. It was found that the product loaded during the middle of loading period incurred more moisture loss than that loaded during early and latter stages of loading. However, the former case imposed more sensible product-cooling load. The trends of temporal variation of average product temperature, moisture loss and sensible product-cooling load depended on the day of loading of the product in the cold storage facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit ripening is characterized by progressive depolymerisation of pectic and hemicellulosic polysaccharides of the cell wall. Several cell-wall hydrolases have been studied and their role implicated in the softening of various fruits. However, studies related to pectate lyases (PL), which degrade pectins through β-elimination of glycosidic linkages, have been very limited in fruit tissue. We have cloned a PL homologue, MiPel1 from ripening mango (Mangifera indica var. Dashehari), which shows sequence similarity to higher plant PL genes. The 1.7-kb complementary DNA of MiPel1 (accession number AY987389) encodes a putative protein of 437 amino acids, which possesses all the motifs and active site residues conserved in other PL. A progressive increase in transcript accumulation was observed during ripening but expression was delayed significantly in 1-methylcyclopropene-treated and control fruits kept in air without exogenous ethylene. The expression was specific to fruits and triggered only during ripening. No transcript was detected in other tissues such as leaf, stem and flower and during development of the fruit. The increase in transcript accumulation of MiPel1 during ripening was associated with an increase in the Ca+2-dependent PL activity and pectin solubilization. It is proposed that expression of PL may be closely associated with pectin degradation during ripening and play an important role in mango softening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties of potatoes, often required for analyzing heat and mass transfer during cooling and storage applications, were determined for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri varieties. The average values of linear dimensions, Dp, Sp, Ra, mass, ρ, Ac and A of these two varieties were measured. The Kufri Jyoti was found to have comparatively more variations in a, b and c than the Kufri Sinduri. The average values of Dp, Sp, Ra, ρ, Ac and A for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri were found to be 4.647 and 3.692 cm; 82.45 and 86.65%; 82.99 and 91.78%; 1113.3 and 1092.1 kg/m3; 30.86 and 12.10 cm2; and 79.05 and 47.10 cm2, respectively. The average values of ε, Dv, average Dpi, λ and bulk density for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri in a commercially used 50-kg gunny bag were found to be 0.42 ± 0.01 and 0.43 ± 0.008; 4.998 and 4.056 cm, 4.817 ± 0.534 and 3.922 ± 0.211 cm, 0.58 and 0.57; and 647.6 and 622.5 kg/m3, respectively. Relationships were also established for calculating the A of potato as a function of volume and weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A procedure was developed to predict moisture loss from cooling data of potato packed in gunny bags and stacked on wooden platforms in commercial cold stores. To predict the moisture loss, mass transfer coefficients kc and km were estimated during the storage period, which were found to decrease with time. The calculated time average k c and k m values were 1.83 × 10 −4 m/s and 2.31 × 10 −10 kg/s· m 2 ·Pa during the transient cooling period and 1.59 × 10 −4 m/s and 2.27 × 10 −10 kg/s· m 2 ·Pa for the rest of the storage period, respectively. The estimated moisture losses were 4.8, 4.74 and 4.78%, at the center of three different stacks, for a storage period of 8 months. The corresponding experimentally measured weight losses at the center of the same stacks were 5.2, 5.1 and 5.26% with a variation of 11, 7.5 and 10.2%, respectively. Therefore, the procedure adopted in this study may be used to assess the moisture loss from potatoes under the different storage conditions. The effect of relative humidity (RH) and potato temperature on moisture loss was also predicted using the developed procedure. Decrease in RH of the storage air increased the moisture loss. The potatoes stored below 85% RH incurred more than 7% water loss. Therefore, 88–90% RH in the cold store may be used to limit the maximum moisture loss within the permissible limit of 5% even after 8 months of storage. It was also found that increasing the potato temperature exponentially increased the rate of moisture loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial plantations of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) in Lucknow, Pantnagar and their adjoining areas were affected by a collar rot and wilt disease. The causal organism was identified as Fusarium moniliforme, anamorph of Gibberella fujikuroi. Isolates of the pathogen originating from Lucknow and Pantnagar differed in their pathogenicity on the host plant under glasshouse conditions. There were also differences in growth rates, pigment production and sporulation between isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]