Search

The availability of productive land is significantly impacted by the global phenomenon of urbanization. The amount of land available for food production and other essential activities decreases as cities grow because the urban perimeter encroaches on rural and natural areas. Conducting research on urban sprawl analysis and land use land cover (LULC) change assessment is essential in ensuring sustainable urban growth. Bengaluru, a rapidly expanding metropolitan city, has a significant impact on the area around it, making it a prime location for this kind of study. In this study, authors sought to assess how urban sprawl affected LULC in the Bengaluru rural district that surrounds the city of Bengaluru. The study evaluated changes in LULC over a two-decade period using remote sensing data and GIS tools. Five LULC classes were used to categorize the study area: settlement, waterbody, vegetation, agriculture, and barren land. The maximum likelihood technique was used to classify Landsat images from three different time periods using the supervised image classification method in the ERDAS software. Accuracy assessment was used to gauge the classified images’ accuracy. The study’s important findings showed how the LULC classes in the study area have been negatively impacted by the urban sprawl. The study emphasizes the significance of ongoing research in LULC change assessment and urban sprawl analysis to ensure sustainable urban growth and safeguard the availability of productive land.

Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mix amended with sugarcane bagasse fibers (SBFs) as a stabilizer was investigated experimentally in the present study. The SBF content in the combination mix was varied (0, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60%) to produce different mixtures. The prepared mixtures were then assessed for different properties, such as the Marshall stability, tensile strength, and draindown, which are crucial for the performance of the mix in flexible/bituminous pavements. The experimental results revealed enhanced stability and flow value, greater filling of voids in the bitumen, and reduced air voids in the prepared SMA mix amended with SBF. In addition, improvement in the tensile strength of the SMA mix amended with SBF was observed. An increase in the tensile strength ratio of the amended SMA mix was also observed. The susceptibility to the entry of moisture into the pores of the SMA mix was assessed by performing the draindown test, which revealed that the amended SMA mix exhibited reduced draindown due to the presence of SBF. Therefore, it was inferred that the inclusion of SBF into the SMA mix was beneficial for enhancing the stability and tensile strength of the mix and achieving higher resistance to moisture penetration. The present study demonstrated that the use of sugarcane bagasse as an active ingredient in the SMA mix would result in improved performance of flexible pavements while also reducing the waste burden of landfills and aiding in effective waste management.

The primary objective of this study is to offer a comparative picture to assess the potential environmental impact and to reduce the energy required for concrete preparation. For this investigation, concrete is prepared with industrial wastes like PVC waste powder (PWP) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) vis-a-vis conventional concrete. This investigation mainly focuses on the experimental study and environmental impacts of green versus conventional concrete using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. LCA models are prepared for green concrete by considering industrial waste by-products materials like GGBS and PWP. For this study, green concrete is considered by using 30% constant GGBS for all the mixes. In contrast, PWP is considered in varying percentages like 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% by weight of cement and compared with conventional concrete prepared. To compare the environmental impacts of green and conventional concrete, initially, authors compared the physical and chemical properties of materials, fresh and hardened properties of concrete for all the mixes. Based on test results, LCA models are prepared by using SimaPro software and the Ecoinvent database. The originality of this study lies in offering a comparative picture for researchers and practitioners. Experimental investigation of this study exhibits that concrete prepared with PWP (15–20%) and fixed contents of GGBS helps to improve the structural performance and durability properties of green concrete. This investigation also indicates that green concrete prepared with PWP and GGBS helps to reduce environmental damage substantially.

This paper addresses the problem of estimation of hydrogen gas concentration using current output from a sensor chip, integrated with a thin film of ZnO as a sensing layer and inbuilt microheater to obtain desired operating temperature by proposing an appropriate algorithm. The proposed algorithm minimizes the estimation delay while maximizing the estimation accuracy. The proposed algorithm also accounts for the variation in sensor performance with relative humidity. The key features of the proposed algorithm are low computational complexity, low memory requirements, compatibility with any metal-oxides-based hydrogen sensors with independent calibration or turning points, and minimal requirements to the calibration time. As proof of concept, a demonstration of the algorithm efficiency is evaluated by estimating hydrogen concentration using ZnO thin film-based gas sensor device and comparing its performance with available state-of-the-art hydrogen sensor algorithm outputs., Author(s): Jitthu Joseph [sup.1] , G. Uma [sup.2] , M. Umapathy [sup.2] , C. S. Prajapati [sup.3] , M. Manjunatha Nayak [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/05j873a45, grid.464869.1, 0000 0000 9288 [...]

Oxy-hydrogen gas is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas in 2:1 molar proportion. Oxy-hydrogen gas can be easily and economically produced from electrolysis of water by using dry cell electrolysers. Oxy-hydrogen gas is one of the alternative fuel options which can replace conventional fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, etc., because of its high-octane number (>130) and moderate calorific value (21.4 MJ/kg). Current research work consists of both experimental and simulation parts. Experiments focussed on studying the performance and emission characteristics of spark ignition engine fuelled with gasoline (petrol) and dual fuel (gasoline + Oxy-hydrogen) mixture at variable load and constant speed condition with three different oxy-hydrogen flow rates. Comparative findings suggest that NOx emission and brake thermal efficiency increased by 1.75% and 800 PPM, respectively, at full load and at a flow rate of 1.54 lit/min. Carbon monoxide emission dropped by 0.25% at full load and at a flow rate of 1.54 lit/min. A two-zonequasi dimensional modelling of spark ignition engine was carried out in order to understand the combustion process efficiently. The predicted values accord well with the experimental data, with just a small variance. Commercially available software MATLAB R2021a is used to develop code for the engine simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of bricks and their manufacturing process plays an important role in the construction sector. Despite its various methods of manufacturing, still large quantities of bricks are used in the building construction. Manufacturing of bricks consumes large quantities of natural resources, and it is energy intensive. Similarly, due to rapid industrialization large quantities of waste industrial byproducts are generated and causes handling and disposal challenges of these wastes. This review work attempts the possibilities and potential use of various types of waste industrial byproducts in fired and unfired bricks. This study also highlights the importance of waste and its usage guidelines in bricks manufacturing to enhance the strength and durability properties. To overcome the challenges associated with bricks manufacturing, firing is still considered as the most preferred method of making bricks. Use of industrial waste byproducts to the mix matrix of fire and unfired bricks will overcome the disposal challenges and reduce the depletion of natural resources. Since sustainability is a key factor that is considered when it comes to making bricks, innovative methods are needed to produce them using sustainable materials. The production and application of bricks and their usage guidelines are reviewed further in various aspects such as environment, social, economic, and technology to meet global standards and policies of the local government for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zebrafish are increasingly becoming popular as promising new model species for translational research in a variety of neurological fields. Because of their complex behaviors across all major neurobehavioral domains and strong genetic and physiological similarities to humans, zebrafish are well-suited to modelling many aspects of anxiety-related states. In this paper, we first summarized the behavioral models available in zebrafish, such as novel tank test, light/dark box test, open field test, and social preference test, and their efficacy in discovering anxiety-like indices in zebrafish, followed by highlighting the key neurotransmitter systems, such as glutamate and GABA. In addition, cortisol levels and gene expression were explored as well. Overall, this review discusses the benefits of using the zebrafish model for anxiety research and examines current research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, diesel fuel and two hundredth by volume of synthesised biodiesel from waste coconut oil (WB20) were used as fuel in unmodified, naturally aspirated, single cylinder compression ignition engine to study their performance and combustion characteristics at full load condition. Numerical studies were carried out with the use of CFD and compiled with the experimental results. FORTE software was used for CFD simulation. Methyl-palmitate (MPA) and Dodecane (C12H26) were used as surrogate fuels for biodiesel and diesel fuel respectively. The variation of special parts for diesel fuel and WB20 with CI engine in-cylinder pressure, in- cylinder temperature and mass fraction of O2, CO and NO emission at 10p and 20p ATDC were analysed. The mass fraction contours of in-cylinder temperature, O2, CO and NO for diesel fuel and WB20 were found to be decreased with increase in crank angle from 10o to 20° ATDC. The maximum BTE, in-cylinder pressure, in-cylinder temperature, O2, CO2 and NO were obtained for WB20 at 10° ATDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hesaraghatta watershed is one of the most vital and environmentally substantial watersheds in the Arkavathi basin. It has a freshwater lake created in the year 1894 across the Arkavathi River to quench the drinking water requirements of Bengaluru city. The watershed is facing significant stresses due to rapid urbanization and other developmental activities. For this study, an attempt is made to assess the distribution of various land use land cover classes and their temporal changes over 18 years using remote sensed data and GIS tools. The watershed is categorized into four land use land cover classifications: settlement, waterbody, vegetation, and bare soil. The maximum likelihood technique is utilized for the image classification and accuracy assessment is carried out to evaluate the accuracy of image classification. The outcome of the study revealed that there is a substantial change in land use land cover classes in the Hesaraghatta watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most extensively employed strategy to control the AC output of power electronic inverters is the pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy. Since three decades modulation hypothesis continues to draw considerable attention and interest of researchers with the aim to reduce harmonic distortion and increased output magnitude for a given switching frequency. Among different PWM techniques space vector modulation (SVM) is very popular. However, as the number of output levels of the multilevel inverter (MLI) increases, the implementation of SVM becomes more difficult, because as the number of levels increases the total number of switches in the inverter increases which will increase the total number of switching states, which will result in increased computational complexity and increased storage requirements of switching states and switching pulse durations. The present work aims at reducing the complexity of implementing the space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM)technique in multilevel inverters by using a generalized integer factor approach (IFA). The performance of the IFA is tested on a three-level inverter-fed induction motor for conventional PWM (CPWM) which is a continuous SVPWM method employing a 0127 sequence and discontinuous PWM (DPWM) methods viz, DPWMMIN using 012 sequences and DPWMMAX using a 721 sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an unique three phase seven level inverter with reduced number of switches. Multilevel Inverters (MLI) are used in high power and high voltage applications as they are capable of producing multiple levels in output voltage with reduced THD. To reduce THD further, the number of levels in the output voltage has to be increased, which is directly associated with the number of switches required. To accomplish this, the conventional MLI experiences complexity in control, number of required DC sources, size, switching losses and cost of overall system increases. The proposed topology overcomes the aforesaid limitations and compared with the conventional MLI in terms of the number of switches, DC sources, capacitors, fundamental voltage, and THD. The performance is analyzed by using a simulation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foods are processed to make them available at all places; consequently, our awareness regarding hygiene measures in food production has also increased dramatically over the last decades. In many countries cases associated with foodborne infectious are increased. However, available techniques are unable to effectively control the problem. Further, exploring novel methods and technologies for ensuring the safety of food with effective quality control approaches are under research. Phages are the natural enemies of bacteria, and are more specific to host renders them ideal candidates for applications designed to increase food safety during the production process. Scientific findings are available showing the possibility to use as biocontrol agents against various pathogens without interfering with the natural microflora or the cultures in fermented products. Furthermore, phages or phage derived proteins can also be used to detect the presence of unwanted pathogens in food or the production environments, which allows quick and specific identification of viable cells. Bacteriophages are natural, found in various environments including water; foods etc. and are not found significantly influence the human cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, [CoBr(C2H8N2)2(C4H11N)]Br2, the cobalt(III) ion has a distorted octahedral coordination environment and is ligated by three N atoms and a bromine ion in the equatorial plane, and by two N atoms occupying the axial positions. In the crystal, the complex cation and the two Br− counter-anions are linked by N—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular framework.

In the title compound, [CoBr(C2H8N2)2(C4H11N)]Br2, the cobalt(III) ion has a distorted octahedral coordination environment and is surrounded by four N atoms in the equatorial plane made up of three N atoms from the two ethylenediamine ligands and the remaining N from the n-butyl substituent, with the other N atom from the ethylenediamine ligand and the Br atom occupying the axial positions. In the crystal, the complex cation and the two counter-anions are linked via N—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component inversion twin.

In the title complex, [CoBr(C2H7N)(C2H8N2)2]Br2, the CoIII centre has a distorted octahedral coordination environment, and is surrounded by four N atoms in the equatorial plane, with an additional N atom and the Br atom occupying the axial positions. The complex is isostructural with the Cl compound for which the X-ray structure has also been reported [Anbalagan, Mahalakshmi & Ganeshraja (2011). J. Mol. Struct. 1005, 45–52]. In the crystal, the complex cation and the two counter-anions are linked via N—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

In the title compound, [CoBr(CH5N)(C2H8N2)2]Br2, the cobalt(III) ion has a distorted octahedral coordination environment and is ligated by four N atoms in the equatorial plane, with an additional N atom and a Br− ion occupying the axial positions. In the crystal, the complex cation and the two counter-anions are linked via N—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular framework.

Swine flu is caused by antigenic shift of influenza A virus with clinical features similar to seasonal influenza virus. Majority of the morbidity and mortality due to swine flu are attributable to pneumonia and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Bacterial superinfection can occur, though it is rare in adults. Here we report a case of swine flu superinfected with carbapenem resistant Klebsiella, which is often coined as Klebsiella 'superbug'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this article, we investigate the charged gravastar under conformal motion with the background of Finsler geometry. Mazur and Mottola pioneered the concept of the gravastar (gravitational vacuum star) for the first time. This vacuum object consists of three distinct regions, that is, (i) interior de Sitter region, (ii) thin shell consisting of ultrarelativistic stiff, and (iii) exterior vacuum Schwarzschild region. The nature of these regions can be analyzed by considering different equations of state parameters. We have studied various physical features of the gravastar, such as length, energy, entropy, stability, and the adiabatic index, both graphically and analytically within the Finslerian framework. Also, we have obtained the exact and non-singular solution for the gravastar model.

ABSTRACT: Watershed management is an essential part to achieve sustainability. In the case of large watersheds, management and conservation practices cannot be implemented efficiently over the entire area due to inadequate human resources and financial support. Therefore, prioritizing the sub-watersheds and implementation of management practices would be a viable technique to ensure sustainability within the watershed. In this study, sub-watershed prioritization is carried out for the Kalinadi basin based on erosion susceptibility using morphometric analysis. SRTM DEM is used to extract stream network and delineate the sub-watersheds using ArcGIS software. Further, the Kalinadi basin is divided into eight sub-watersheds and morphometric analysis performed. In the current study, for prioritizing the sub-watersheds, nineteen morphometric parameters are considered which include linear, aerial and relief aspects. The results of linear, aerial and relief parameters of every sub-watershed are given with ranks based on their influence on soil erosion and then subjected to compound parameter analysis which is used to prioritize each sub-watershed. The morphometry-based prioritization findings demonstrate that Sub watershed-8 (SW-8), SW-4 and SW-5 face high risk, SW-6, SW-7 and SW-2 face medium risk whereas SW-3 and SW-1 face a low risk of soil erosion. The results can be used by the decision-making authorities to plan and implement the watershed management practices optimally to control soil erosion.

A 34-year-old female presented to us with complaints of decreased vision in her left eye for 1 month. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/60 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination was normal in both the eyes. Fundus examination showed angioid streaks and comet tail lesions in both eyes. The left eye in addition showed a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) at the macula. Systemic examination revealed skin lesions on the neck with a plucked chicken appearance and multiple papules. Biopsy from the lesions provided histopathological confirmation of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). CNVM in the left eye was treated successfully with a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab injection with no further recurrence. No cardiovascular association was found in our case. This case report describes the pathognomonic fundus lesions seen in PXE. This case also emphasizes the need for thorough systemic evaluation, including biopsy from skin lesions for histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis in all cases with ocular features of PXE.

This study was conducted to evaluate various factors affecting fertility following insemination of dromedary camels. In experiment 1, camels were either bred by natural mating (NM) or inseminated in the body of uterus with whole, split (50:50) or 1 mL of undiluted ejaculate. In experiment 2, camels were inseminated with fresh diluted semen either in the body of the uterus or tip of the uterine horn and at either the time of ovulation induction (0 h), 24 or 30 h later. In experiment 3, camels were inseminated at the tip of the uterine horn with different doses of fresh diluted semen (75, 150 or 300 x 106 motile spermatozoa) or with 150 x 106 motile spermatozoa diluted with different extenders (Green buffer, Optixcell or Triladyl). In experiment 4, camels were inseminated in the tip of the uterine horn with diluted (Triladyl or Optixcell) liquid-stored semen or diluted (Triladyl) frozen-thawed semen consisting of either 300 or 500 x 106 motile spermatozoa. The pregnancy rate in camels bred by NM was similar to camels inseminated with whole undiluted ejaculates whereas insemination with 1 mL undiluted ejaculate resulted in lower pregnancy compared to whole and split undiluted ejaculates (P < 0.05). Deposition of semen in the uterine body resulted in lower pregnancy rates compared to deposition in the tip of the horn (35.3% versus 72.2%, P < 0.05) but insemination at the time of ovulation induction and 24 h later resulted in higher pregnancy rate to camels inseminated at 30 h after induction (68.4 and 70.0% versus 23.5%; P < 0.05). Artificial insemination with 75 x 106 motile spermatozoa resulted in lower pregnancy rates compared to 150 and 300 x 106 motile spermatozoa doses (40.9% versus 65.2 and 70.0%, respectively) and pregnancy rate was not affected by extenders. Insemination of chilled motile spermatozoa stored in either Triladyl or Optixcell resulted in similar pregnancy rates, regardless of insemination dose, although an upward trend with increasing sperm number was apparent (Triladyl; 11.1% versus 21.1% and Optixcell; 5.9% versus 12.5%, for 300 x 106 and 500 x 106 groups, respectively; P > 0.05). No pregnancies were obtained with frozen thawed semen. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the success of camel AI is highly dependent on sperm dose, location of semen deposition, timing of insemination and semen type. Further studies are required to determine the reason for the compromised fertility of preserved semen despite apparent high in vitro quality.

Foods are processed to make them available at all places; consequently, our awareness regarding hygiene measures in food production has also increased dramatically over the last decades. In many countries cases associated with foodborne infectious are increased. However, available techniques are unable to effectively control the problem. Further, exploring novel methods and technologies for ensuring the safety of food with effective quality control approaches are under research. Phages are the natural enemies of bacteria, and are more specific to host renders them ideal candidates for applications designed to increase food safety during the production process. Scientific findings are available showing the possibility to use as biocontrol agents against various pathogens with out interfering with the natural microflora or the cultures in fermented products. Furthermore, phages or phage derived proteins can also be used to detect the presence of unwanted pathogens in food or the production environments, which allows quick and sp ecific identification of viable cells. Bacteriophages are natural, found in various environments including water; foods etc. and are not found significantly influence the human cells.