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The majority of high-power, high-voltage, and high-power medium-voltage electronic applications now need multi-level inverters (MLIs), which are becoming a required technology. MLIs may provide a wide range of output levels designed to meet the diverse requirements of high voltage/power applications. In addition to the increased output levels, MLI can mitigate the total harmonic distortion (THD) and perform the function of voltage stress (dv/dt) reduction across the power switches. The overwhelming development of new MLI topologies on existing ones multiplies its potential to stimulate more output levels with fewer components. Moreover, the most recent MLI topologies use symmetrical dc sources to produce comparable output levels with fewer semiconductor switches, decreasing capital costs and improving system reliability. In essence, asymmetrical DC source values can be obtained from various unconventional energy sources, including solar, wind, etc. As a result, the various topologies were proposed with an asymmetrical structure for balancing the unequal DC voltage sources and converting them into AC voltages with balanced conditions. This comprehensive review will provide an in-depth analysis of various MLI setups based on switch count, switching methods, symmetric structures, asymmetric topologies, and hybrid configurations.

Abstract Sugarcane root system comprises of superficial sett roots as well as deeply-penetrating shoot borne roots (SBR) with latter being the permanent root system. In sugarcane, the healthy SBR contributes to a better crop yield and it also helps to produce multiple ratoon crops after the harvest. There is a dearth of in-depth knowledge on SBR system architecture and its functional role in modern day commercial hybrids. A comprehensive phenotypic, anatomical and whole transcriptome profiling, conducted between the commercial sugarcane hybrids and a wild germplasm Erianthus, found a developmental delay in both initiation and establishment of the SBR in commercial hybrid compared to Erianthus. The SBR system in Erianthus proved to be an extensive drought-adaptive root system architecture that significantly contributes to drought tolerance. On the other hand, SBRs in the commercial hybrids showed an irreversible collapse and damage of the root cells under drought stress. The outcomes from the comparative analysis of the transcriptome data showed a significant upregulation of the genes that regulate important stress signalling pathways viz., sugar, calcium, hormone signalling and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in the SBRs of Erianthus. It was found that through these key signalling pathways, Erianthus SBRs triggered the downstream signalling cascade to impart physiological responses like osmoprotection, modification of the cell walls, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, expression of drought responsive transcription factors, maintenance of cell stability and lateral root development. The current study forms a basis for further exploration of the Shoot Borne Root system as a valuable breeding target to develop drought tolerant sugarcane genotypes.

Winter sprouting potential and red rot resistance are two key parameters for successful sugarcane breeding in the subtropics. However, the cultivated sugarcane hybrids had a narrow genetic base; hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the Erianthus procerus genome introgressed Saccharum hybrids for their ratooning potential under subtropical climates and red rot tolerance under tropical and subtropical climates. A set of 15 Erianthus procerus derived hybrids confirmed through the 5S rDNA marker, along with five check varieties, were evaluated for agro-morphological, quality, and physiological traits for two years (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) and winter sprouting potential for three years (2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021). The experimental material was also tested against the most prevalent isolates of the red rot pathogen in tropical (Cf671 and Cf671 + Cf9401) and subtropical regions (Cf08 and Cf09). The E. procerus hybrid GU 12—19 had the highest winter sprouting potential, with a winter sprouting index (WSI) of 10.6, followed by GU 12—22 with a WSI of 8.5. The other top-performing hybrids were as follows: GU 12—21 and GU 12—29 with a WSI of 7.2 and 6.9, respectively. A set of nine E. procerus-derived hybrids, i.e., GU04 (28) EO—2, GU12—19, GU12—21, GU12—22, GU12—23, GU12—26, GU12—27, GU12—30, and GU12—31, were resistant to the most prevalent isolates of red rot in both tropical and subtropical conditions. The association analysis revealed significant correlations between the various traits, particularly the fibre content, with a maximum number of associations, which indicates its multifaceted impact on sugarcane characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) summarised the data, explaining 57.6% of the total variation for the measured traits and genotypes, providing valuable insights into the performance and characteristics of the Erianthus procerus derived hybrids under subtropical climates. The anthocyanin content of Erianthus procerus hybrids was better than the check varieties, ranging from 0.123 to 0.179 (2018–2019) and 0.111 to 0.172 (2019–2020); anthocyanin plays a vital role in mitigating cold injury, acting as an antioxidant in cool weather conditions, particularly in sugarcane. Seven hybrids recorded a more than 22% fibre threshold, indicating their industrial potential. These hybrids could serve as potential donors for cold tolerance and a high ratooning ability, along with red rot resistance, under subtropical climates.

This work describes the preparation of cobalt oxide and Ruthenium doped (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) Co3O4 thin films on glass and fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by spray pyrolysis method. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Visible spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Cyclic voltammetry (CV), Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical Impedance analysis (EIS) to analyze phase purity, surface morphological features, elemental composition, molecular vibrations, optical absorption, magnetic behaviour, super capacitive behaviour and electrical characteristics respectively. The XRD pattern of Ru-doped Co3O4 showed no additional peak compared to Co3O4, with a peak shift observed that confirms the spinel cubic structure of Co3O4. The crystalline size of pure and Ru-doped Co3O4 (0.050) is about 22 nm and 38 nm, respectively. SEM images show pure Co3O4 has smooth and porous morphology, while Ru-doped Co3O4 showed porous, void and cluster formation and increased surface area. The EDAX spectra indicate that the synthesized films are non-contaminated. In Raman spectra, ∼ 480, ∼521, ∼617, and ∼ 689 cm−1 are observed, corresponding to the Eg, F2g, F2g and A1g modes, respectively. From the XPS, binding energy observed at 281.6 eV and 283.6 eV attributed to Ru3d5/2 and Ru3d3/2, respectively. The band gap is about 1.49, 1.28, 1.34, and 1.44 eV for pure Ru-doped Co3O4 thin films. At Ru content x = 0.050, the film exhibits a superparamagnetic nature. The real capacitance of Ru-doped Co3O4 thin film is 158.1 F/cm2 which is slightly increased than Co3O4 thin film. EIS measurement showed a semicircle attributed to oxygen evolution reaction and agrees well with experimental data.

Indium-doped Co3O4 thin films are successfully deposited on the surface of glass at various concentrations of Indium (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) by using the spray pyrolysis technique. The deposited films are subjected to XRD, SEM, EDAX, FTIR, Raman, UV visible optical studies, XPS, VSM, and Cyclic voltammetry which confirmed good morphological structure, phase purity, better reduction of the band gap, large CV area, respectively, and makes a comparative study on the variation in concentration of Indium on Co3O4 thin films.

Pure and (1, 3, and 5 wt%) Aluminum-doped copper oxide(Al:CuO) thin films were prepared using the JNS spray-pyrolysis technique using analytical grade copper chloride and aluminum chloride as a precursor. The monoclinic structure of the CuO film has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The microstructure of the films is analyzed with the help of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The optical characteristics of the grown films have been examined with the help of UV–vis spectroscopy, from which the bandgap of the materials of the coated films are calculated. Electrical properties such as conductivity and the diode activity of the films are studied using I-V characterization, which shows the improved electrical conductivity with the increase in doping concentration. Diodes are fabricated using pure and Aluminum-doped p-type CuO thin films coated on the n-type silica wafer by the JNS technique, and the rectification behavior is found to improved at a higher doping concentration of Al3+ ions.

Abstract Erianthus arundinaceus [Retzius] Jeswiet, a wild relative of sugarcane has a high biomass production potential and a reservoir of many genes for superior agronomic traits and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A comparative physiological, anatomical and root transcriptome analysis were carried out to identify the salt-responsive genes and metabolic pathways associated with salt-tolerant E. arundinaceus genotype IND99-907 and salinity-sensitive sugarcane genotype Co 97010. IND99-907 recorded growth of young leaves, higher proline content, higher relative water content, intact root anatomical structures and lower Na+/K+, Ca2+/K+ and Mg2+/K+ ratio as compared to the sugarcane genotype Co 97010. We have generated four de novo transcriptome assemblies between stressed and control root samples of IND99-907 and Co 97010. A total of 649 and 501 differentially expressed genes (FDR

Abstract Sugarcane is a trans-seasonal long-duration crop and tillering phase (60–150 days) is the most sensitive phase for moisture stress, causing significant reduction in biomass accumulation. The study focussed to assess the Genotype × Environment Interaction (GEI) for tillering phase moisture stress and to identify the stable genotypes in sugarcane. The study dealt with 14 drought tolerant genotypes and two standards (Co 86032 and CoM 0265) which were evaluated in two plant and one ratoon trials at four locations in Maharashtra, India. The moisture stress was imposed for 60 days from 90 to 150 days after planting and corresponded to tillering phase by withholding the irrigation. The AMMI ANOVA showed significant GEI for cane and CCS yield accounting 18.33 and 19.45 percent of variability respectively. Drought and genotype main effects were highly significant accounting 49.08 and 32.59 percent variability for cane yield and, 52.45 and 28.10 percent variability for CCS yield respectively. The first two interactive principal component (IPCA) biplots of AMMI showed diverse nature of all four environments and the Discriminative vs Mean biplots of Genotype + genotype × environment interaction (GGE) model showed that ‘Pune’ as the highly discriminating environment. The genotype ranking biplots of GGE showed that Co 85019 was the most stable genotype followed by Co 98017. Similar results were also observed in Yield vs IPCA1 biplot of AMMI, which revealed Co 85019 and Co 98017 as high yielding stable varieties. Yield related environmental maximum (YREM) showed thirteen and nine percent loss due to crossover interactions in Co 85019 for cane yield and CCS yield respectively. The multi-environment BLUP and genotype stability index (GSI) has reaffirmed that Co 85019 as a drought proof and stable genotype with high yield under tillering phase drought stress. The results suggested using Co 85019 for cultivation in drought prone regions and the usefulness of the methodology for identifying more such sugarcane varieties for the benefit of resource poor famers in drought affected regions.

In automotive IC engines, only 25% of heat energy is utilized to produce power whereas about 75% of heat is wasted along with exhaust gas. This work attempts to recover the heat energy from engine exhaust gas with the aid of a heat exchanger. Initially, the amount of availability of heat energy in exhaust gas was identified by conducting heat balance test on a single cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engine at various loads. Based on the heat exchanger design principle, the number of fins, thickness, length and other dimensions are varied numerically and optimization has done to ensure maximum possible heat transfer from the exhaust gas. From the optimised heat exchanger, additional heat energy can be recovered from the exhaust gas and is beneficial for an engine to do useful work with an increment of overall efficiency.

In the present work, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film was deposited onto the glass substrate by simple and economic SILAR method and its structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties were analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of CZTS with kesterite structure and the average crystallite size is found to be 142 nm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image shows that the film has homogeneous, agglomerated surface without any cracks. The prepared CZTS film shows good optical absorption (104 cm−1) in the visible region and the optical band gap energy is found to be quite close to the optimum value of about 1.54 eV for solar cell application. The refractive index of the prepared film is found to be 2.85. The electrical resistivity of the film is found to be ∼10−2 Ω cm at room temperature.

The present study was conducted in ten districts of five Agro Climatic Zones of Tamil Nadu to assess the attitude of tank irrigated farmers towards climate change. In order to measure the attitude of tank user farmers, the scale was constructed by following ‘Equal Appearing Interval’ scaling technique developed by Thurstone and Chave (1929). The study revealed that majority of the farmers had moderately favourable attitude towards climate change.

In this paper, the hydration behaviour of ordinary portland cement (OPC) and fly ash blended cement (10, 25 and 40%) replaced by two different fly ashes (FA) were investigated. The samples were hydrated with distilled water (DW) in water to solid ratio 0:4 and its setting time and dielectric measurement are carried out. Results of the study found that the fly ash blended cement composites have slow hydration than OPC during early stages (up to 24 h).