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Cloud computing is the most emerging technology in the era that provides scalable, distributed, elastic computer resources for the end-user using the internet.However, the Cloud Computing Networks(CCNs) fails in providing many Quality of Services(QoS) such as reliability, load balancing, resource allocation and task scheduling, security, etc out of which the most challenging task in cloud computing is task scheduling, which directly affects the operational cost and resource usage of the system.Hence,this paper proposes an advanced technique named the Wolf Hunting Approach (WHA)for further improvement of an optimal solution for searching with a multi-objective optimization technique. The implementation of WHA involves simulation based experiment and shows that WHA has better accuracy and convergence speed in seeking for optimal task scheduling. In comparison to the current meta-heuristic algorithms, it provides superior performance in utilization of system resources in the presence of large-scale and small-scale tasks. The approach is well illustrated with suitable examples

Aim: Isolation, screening and characterization of beneficial rhizosphere bacteria associated with healthy (field-resistant) coconut palms in root (wilt) disease endemic hotspot areas of Kerala. Methodology: One hundred and ten rhizobacterial isolates associated with healthy coconut palms of root (wilt) diseased tract of Kerala were isolated and screened in-vitro for IAA production and solubilization of fixed forms of mineral nutrients. Seven isolates showing multiple phytobeneficial properties were characterized and the selected isolate was tested for its biopriming effect on maize. Results: Of the total isolates screened, 54 isolates produced IAA. Among the nutrient solubilizers, silicate solubilizers (57%) and phosphate solubilizers (48%) dominated. Of the seven isolates with multiple phytobeneficial properties, five rhizobacterial isolates belonged to Enterobacteriaceae family including three Enterobacter spp. The isolate T4HFB9 belonged to Acinetobacter sp. The green fluorescent Pseudomonas isolate K3HPSB2, showed 99% sequence similarity with Pseudomonas migulae. Seed biopriming of maize with Pseudomonas sp. strain K3HPSB2 recorded significant increase in germination percentage and seedling vigour index over untreated control. Interpretation: Disease-resistant coconut palms in RWD endemic tracts host a good proportion of phytobeneficial rhizosphere bacteria,with demonstrable multiple plant growth promoting traits. Multi-nutrient solubilizing Pseudomonas sp. with bioinoculant prospects has been selected for further studies on bio-priming for palm health management in RWD endemic tracts.

Reactive organic fluid–mineral interactions at elevated temperatures contribute to the evolution of planetary matter. One of the less studied but important transformations in this regard involves t...

As the demand for concrete increases in the construction industry, it puts stress on nature due to the extraction of resources. The coarse aggregate is the component, which occupies around ¾th volume in concrete. The use of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) is not very common due to the presence of porous old mortar attached around the surface of the aggregate. This makes the aggregates highly water absorbent in nature and also weakens the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In this study, an attempt has been made to improve the properties of RCA through CaCO3 precipitation using Bacillus megaterium. The bio-deposition treatment yielded satisfactory improvement in the properties of RCA by filling of surface pores through precipitation. Reduction in water absorption and improvement in mechanical properties are derived. Microstructure studies also confirm the presence of CaCO3 through precipitation.

The Vembanad lake provides various provisional services which are directly used for consumption through various means like fishing, aquaculture, paddy cultivation, duck farming etc. In this study, the economic valuation of duck rearing activities practiced by the 30 sample households situated in around three districts bordering Vembanad lake namely Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts were used for the estimation. This study used to estimate the economic value generated by duck rearing using market price method was about INR 27.62 crores, out of which the value generated from the egg and duck (meat) was about INR 15.43 and INR 12.18 crores respectively. In the process of estimation used the variable from the sample household as such as number of ducks reared, egg produced annually and selling price of duck egg and meat in local markets.

Coconut inflorescence sap is a phloem sap collected from the unopened coconut spadix. A new ‘coco-sap chiller method’ (CSCM) is developed to collect fresh and unfermented sap devoid of extraneous matter. A study was conducted to identify and compare the nutrients present in the sap collected by CSCM and the sap collected by traditional method (TM) using lime coated earthen pot, and also in the sap concentrate and coconut sugar prepared from sap collected by CSCM. Profiling of amino acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and vitamins was also done using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/ Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC coupled with TQD-MS/MS). Distinct variation in physical and biochemical properties were recorded between the sap collection methods. The sap collected by CSCM was slightly alkaline (pH 7–8), golden brown in color, sweet and delicious and rich in nutrients and zero alcoholic. While the sap collected by TM was acidic (pH below 6), oyster white in color and gave astringent smell and had about 2.32% alcohol. Sap collected by CSCM was rich in essential amino acids like lysine, threonine and histidine. A total number of thirteen phenolic acids and seven flavonoids were identified from coconut sap, sap concentrate and sap sugar. Vanilic acid, syringic acid, trans-cinnamic acid and p-hydroxy benzoic acid are the major phenolic acids and catechin, hesperitin, and myricetin are the major flavonoids identified. Vitamin C, niacin, and tocopherol are the major vitamin identified. Except few vitamins, all the nutrients present in the sap were preserved in the sap concentrate and coconut sugar. In summary, coconut sap collected by CSCM was fresh and contained numerous health promoting biochemical constituents such as phenolics, flavonoids and vitamins. Hence it can be consumed as ready to serve non-alcoholic health drink. Similarly, nutrient rich sap concentrate and coconut sugar can be prepared from fresh sap collected by CSCM without the addition of any chemicals.

In this contribution, we report on the nanoscale mechanisms responsible for enhancing the dielectric constant in the interfacial region of polymer-based nanocomposites. Recent experiments indicate ...

Lignin-rich recalcitrant biomass residues of coconut palms viz. (i) mature coconut husk, (ii) tender (immature or green) coconut husk (iii) coconut leaf petiole and (iv) coir-pith were successfully pyrolysed using a simple charring kiln into carbon-rich, black, light weight and porous biochars. High alkalinity and good ash content made them fit for remediating acid soils. High potassium content in these biochars could help reduce the use of inorganic K. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the mass loss phases of husk and coconut leaf petiole biochars to be similar. However, all four biochars gave smooth curves indicating thermal stability of the product. Positive seed germination and earthworm avoidance tests proved their potential as soil amendment. Soil incubation studies with coconut biochars in graded doses, alone or in combination with coconut leaf vermicompost, increased the pH, organic carbon and potassium contents, and promoted plant-beneficial microbiota and enzyme activities. Pot studies with tender coconut husk biochar and coconut leaf vermicompost enhanced the dry weight of cowpea plants accompanied with increased arbuscular mycorrhizal sporulation and root colonization, and root nodule dry weight. A field trial resulted in higher chilli yields with tender coconut husk biochar + coconut leaf vermicompost addition. The results from our studies highlight the potential of pyrolysis as an innovative technology for quick recycling of highly recalcitrant coconut palm biomass residues to biochars as a local source of soil amendment to aid regenerative agriculture in humid tropics.

Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening is endoscopist dependent, and colonoscopy quality improvement programs aim to improve efficacy. This study evaluated the clinical benefit and safety of using a computer-aided detection (CADe) device in colonoscopy procedures.This randomized study prospectively evaluated the use of a CADe device at 5 academic and community centers by US board-certified gastroenterologists (n = 22). Participants aged ≥40 scheduled for screening or surveillance (≥3 years) colonoscopy were included; exclusion criteria included incomplete procedure, diagnostic indication, inflammatory bowel disease, and familial adenomatous polyposis. Patients were randomized by endoscopist to the standard or CADe colonoscopy arm using computer-generated, random-block method. The 2 primary endpoints were adenomas per colonoscopy (APC), the total number of adenomas resected divided by the total number of colonoscopies; and true histology rate (THR), the proportion of resections with clinically significant histology divided by the total number of polyp resections. The primary analysis used a modified intention-to-treat approach.Between January and September 2021, 1440 participants were enrolled to be randomized. After exclusion of participants who did not meet the eligibility criteria, 677 in the standard arm and 682 in the CADe arm were included in a modified intention-to-treat analysis. APC increased significantly with use of the CADe device (standard vs CADe: 0.83 vs 1.05, P = .002; total number of adenomas, 562 vs 719). There was no decrease in THR with use of the CADe device (standard vs CADe: 71.7% vs 67.4%, P for noninferiority.001; total number of non-neoplastic lesions, 284 vs 375). Adenoma detection rate was 43.9% and 47.8% in the standard and CADe arms, respectively (P = .065).For experienced endoscopists performing screening and surveillance colonoscopies in the United States, the CADe device statistically improved overall adenoma detection (APC) without a concomitant increase in resection of non-neoplastic lesions (THR).gov registration: NCT04754347.

The phloem sap tapped from unopened inflorescence (spadix) of coconut palm using a novel collecting device, “coco-sap chiller,” has been branded Kalparasa® (henceforth as Kalparasa in the text) to distinguish its properties not found in sap harvested by traditional methods. To know its hitherto unidentified microbiome profile, we employed high-throughput sequencing to uncover the bacteriome and mycobiome in fresh and 12-h fermented samples. Fresh Kalparasa had a pH of 7.2, which dropped to 4.5 after 12 h, signifying fermentation of the sap. Diversity analysis indicated fresh Kalparasa having higher bacterial species than the fermented one. Contrary to this, fresh sap had lower fungal/yeast diversity than the fermented sample. Fresh Kalparasa had relatively higher abundance of probiotic-type Leuconostoc genus followed by equal proportions of Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, and Fructobacillus. The 12-h fermented Kalparasa showed a significant increase in Gluconobacter with a sharp decrease in Leuconostoc. Mycobiome data revealed fresh Kalparasa to be preponderant in Saccharomyces and Hanseniaspora genera of yeasts while the fermented sap had higher representation of Hanseniaspora and Cortinarius and lesser Saccharomyces. This suggested that the fermentation of Kalparasa was probably driven by symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY), particularly acetic acid bacteria and non-Saccharomyces yeasts. The bacteriome-function predictions highlighted the enrichment of glycerophospholipid, ABC transporters, purine, and pyrimidine metabolisms. Based on our findings, Kalparasa containing large population of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Fructobacillus fructosus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Hanseniaspora guilliermondii can be promoted as a healthy “unfermented” plant edible food containing live probiotic-type microbiome during its consumption.

The lack of reliable predictive modeling methods and robust experimental techniques has hindered the rational design of hierarchical materials with desired structure–property–performance attributes...

The study on fermentation kinetics of the coconut inflorescence sap is important to understand its shelf life at different storage conditions and to develop suitable value added products. The coconut inflorescence sap collected by using in-house developed coco-sap chiller device is called Kalparasa. The fermentation characteristics of Kalparasa were investigated at every 1-h interval under ambient (31 ± 2 °C) and refrigerated (5 ± 1 °C) storage conditions. The results reveal that pH of the sap and total sugar content decline rapidly under ambient conditions than under refrigerated conditions. Acidity, turbidity, and reducing sugar content significantly (p

Additional file 2: Figure S1. Reproductive characteristics of birds, squamates, turtles, placentals, marsupials and turtles.

The plant-microbiome symbiotic association will need to be taken advantage of for feeding the burgeoning millions in the face of climatic perturbations and environmental deterioration. Since the plants select their microbiome from the soils on which they grow, soils, therefore, remain the key source of microbiome for sustainable food production. Building a reliable and reproducible plant microbiome vault of key crops growing with desirable traits such as high yielders under low input conditions, drought tolerant plots, disease suppressive soils, etc. can become an important and irreparable biotechnological resource for future agriculture. Based on the available literature, a complementary approach is discussed wherein i) rhizosphere and bulk soils are preserved with the best available protocols in such a way that their biological components remain undisturbed for long periods and the viable microbiome can be accessed; supplemented side-by-side with ii) systematic isolation, screening and preservation of the ‘Minimal Effective Microbiome Set’ (‘MEMS’) for building the plant microbiome vault.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus megaterium TSB16 isolated from coconut and Pseudomonas putida KDSF23 from cocoa, were tested for cross-compatibility with vegetable crops in combination with coconut leaf vermicompost (CLV). The treatments included CLV @10 t/ha (T1), B. megaterium + CLV @ 6 kg /ha and 10 t/ha, respectively (T2), P. putida + CLV @ 6 kg /ha and 10 t/ha, respectively (T3) and recommended dose of NPK fertilizers @75:40:25 kg N, P2O5, K2O + CLV @ 2.5 t/ha (T4). The results of the field trial indicated that the cumulative yield of tomato was significantly higher (P

Despite long standing pursuit, fundamental questions concerning the chemical pathways of leaching of ions in minerals, a phenomenon crucial to energy extraction, hydrometallurgy, metal recovery, and agriculture remain unanswered. Here we use large-scale ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with hydrothermal experiments to understand the chemistry of leaching in illite exposed to aqueous environment. Our simulations show that potassium counterions leach out into the solution much earlier and in higher concentration when compared with aluminum and silicon, which form the structural network of illite. Upon analyzing the chemical pathway from the trajectory of MD simulations, water molecules supply protons near the illite surface that binds with the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) of the Al-O-Si linkage forming an [Al-O-Si]—H transition state that later converts to silanol group upon Al-O bond dissociation. Proton addition also weakens the interlayer K-O bonds, resulting in the diffusion of K+ ions to illite surface, where they combine with the hydroxyl group formed from water dissociation, to form KOH molecules. KOH molecules diffuse out reactively to bulk water via proton exchange mechanism. Furthermore, we also find that continued protonation results in the formation of Al(OH)3 and Si(OH)4 groups predominantly at the surface, which diffuse out into water resulting in the leaching of Al and Si cations. We also estimated the kinetics of surface reactivity from the MD simulations and explored its effectiveness as a surrogate model for leaching kinetics. However, surface reaction kinetics and experimentally measured leaching kinetics seemed to be off by several orders of magnitude. We also analyzed the effects of leaching on structural distortion and found that more than 20% leaching is required for a notable structural distortion in illite crystal.

The presence of artificial correlations associated with Green-Kubo (GK) thermal conductivity calculations is investigated. The thermal conductivity of nano-suspensions is calculated by equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations using GK relations. Calculations are first performed for a single alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticle dispersed in a water medium. For a particle size of 1 nm and volume fraction of 9%, results show enhancements as high as 235%, which is much higher than the Maxwell model predictions. When calculations are done with multiple suspended particles, no such anomalous enhancement is observed. This is because the vibrations in alumina crystal can act as low frequency perturbations, which can travel long distances through the surrounding water medium, characterized by higher vibration frequencies. As a result of the periodic boundaries, they re-enter the system resulting in a circular resonance of thermal fluctuations between the alumina particle and its own image, eventually leading to artificial correlations in the heat current autocorrelation function (HCACF), which when integrated yields abnormally high thermal conductivities. Adding more particles presents 'obstacles' with which the fluctuations interact and get dissipated, before they get fed back to the periodic image. A systematic study of the temporal evolution of HCACF indicates that the magnitude and oscillations of artificial correlations decrease substantially with increase in the number of suspended nanoparticles., by Murali Gopal Muraleedharan, Dilip Sundaram, Asegun Henry and Vigor Yang

Molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful technique that can be used to study thermal vibrations/phonons and properly account for their role in different phenomena that are important in mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics and materials science. However, despite the widespread usage of MD to study various phenomena, direct comparisons between experiments and simulations are often associated with low fidelity, due to the inaccuracy of the interatomic potentials (IAPs) employed. This issue has become the main barrier to utilizing MD for studying phenomena that depend on or involve atomic vibrations, and subsequently deriving physically meaningful insights. Towards solving this problem, we present a new approach to making IAPs that are specifically optimized to accurately describe thermal vibrations/phonons. The approach enables nearly exact reproduction of ab initio phonon dispersion relations (i.e.

Beneficial rhizosphere organisms are generally classified into two broad groups based on their primary beneficial effect on plant growth

Degree of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association and its diversity were investigated in the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) cultivated in crop mixed system under rain-fed condition in a highly productive humid tropical zone in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. Forty AM species belonging to ten genera viz. Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Dentiscutata, Diversispora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Redeckera, Scutellospora and Septoglomus were recorded indicating high level of AM richness in coconut rhizosphere. Of these, eighteen AM fungal species are being reported for first time from this palm. Claroideoglomus, Glomus and Gigaspora were the most commonly present genera and Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus aggregatum the common species. The diversity indices (Shannon indices values) of AM fungi associated with coconut palm in a crop mixed system and mono crop varied significantly. The Shannon index, Simpson’s index and evenness ranged from 1.40 ± 0.10 to 2.70 ± 0.01, 0.65 ± 0.033 to 0.90 ± 0.004, 0.51 ± 0.01 to 0.82 ± 0.01, respectively. Correlation between soil physio chemical characters and mycorrhizal parameters were worked out. Soil pH had negative correlation with spore count, root colonization, species richness, Shannon H and Simpson indices but had positive correlation with species evenness. Electrical conductivity showed positive correlation with root mycorrhizal colonization which indicated active AMF mediated uptake of nutrients.