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The most crucial transmission components utilized in rotating machinery are gears and bearings. In a gearbox, the bearings support the force acting on the gears. Compound Faults in both the gears and bearings may cause heavy vibration and lead to early failure of components. Despite their importance, these compound faults are rarely studied since the vibration signals of the compound fault system are strongly dominated by noise. This work proposes an intelligent approach to fault identification of a compound gear-bearing system using a novel Bessel kernel-based Time-Frequency Distribution (TFD) called the Bessel transform. The Time-frequency images extracted using the Bessel transform are used as an input to the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), which classifies the faults. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated with a case study, and a testing efficiency of 94% is achieved. Further, the proposed method is compared with the other TFDs and found to be effective.

This work highlighted the preparation of a hybrid of AA6061/Al2O3/graphite composite by additionally incorporating Si3N4 nanoparticles in the material system. The reinforcements were premixed with Al metal powder to improve their diffusion into the matrix during manufacturing of composites. The composites were manufactured by stir casting method. The pin on disc wear test was carried out as per ASTM G99 standard. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were conducted on worn out surface and subsurface of the composite specimens to determine the wear mechanism. From the results, it was found that the wear behaviour of Al powder premixed reinforcement was superior to unmixed reinforcements. The composites with dual ceramic reinforcement have shown lesser wear rate and coefficient of friction than composites with single ceramic reinforcement. Abrasive wear and grain structure refinement just beneath the worn out surface were noted in composites with Si3N4 nanoparticles. Single ceramic reinforcement of Al premixed Al2O3 was identified with abrasive wear, micro cuts and formation of mechanically mixed layer on the worn out surface. Single ceramic reinforcement of unmixed Al2O3 exhibited abrasive wear and severe plastic deformation on worn out surface. Porosity, particle fracture and particle pull out were noticed in the subsurface of the composites with unmixed single ceramic reinforcement of Al2O3. Keywords: Metal–matrix composite, Wear testing, Electron microscopy, Surface analysis

Phytosulfokine (PSK) is a phytohormone responsible for cell-to-cell communication in plants, playing a pivotal role in plant development and growth. The binding of PSK to its cognate receptor, PSKR1, is modulated by the formation of a binding site located between a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of PSKR1 and the loop located in the receptor's island domain (ID). The atomic resolution structure of the extracellular PSKR1 bound to PSK has been reported, however, the intrinsic dynamics of PSK binding and the architecture of the PSKR1 binding site remain to be understood. In this work, we used atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations to elucidate how the PSKR1 island domain (ID) loop forms and binds PSK. Moreover, we report a novel "druggable" binding site which could be exploited for the targeted modulation of the PSKR1-PSK binding by small molecules. We expect that our results will open new ways to modulate the PSK signalling cascade via small molecules, which can result in new crop control and agricultural applications.

Background: In Ethiopia, though all kinds of mortality due to external causes are an important component of overall mortality often not counted or documented on an individual basis., Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of mortality from external causes using verbal autopsy (VA) method at the Ethiopian HDSS Network sites., Methods: All deaths at Ethiopian HDSS sites were routinely registered and followed up with VA interviews. The VA forms comprised deaths up to 28 days, between four weeks and 14 years and 15 years and above. The cause of a death was ascertained based on an interview with next of families or other caregivers using a standardized questionnaire that draws information on signs, symptoms, medical history and circumstances preceding death after 45 days mourning period. Two physician assigned probable causes of death as underlying, immediate and contributing factors independently using information in VA forms based on the WHO ICD-10 and VA code system. Disagreed cases sent to third physician for independent review and diagnosis. The final cause of death considered when two of the three physicians assigned underlying cause of death; otherwise, labeled as undetermined., Results: In the period from 2009 to 2013, a total of 9719 deaths were registered. Of the total deaths, 623 (6.4%) were from external causes. Of these, accidental drowning and submersion, 136 (21.8%), accidental fall, 113 (18.1%) and transport-related accidents, 112 (18.0%) were the topmost three leading external causes of deaths. About 436 (70.0%) of deaths were from the age group above 15 years old. Drowning and submersion and transport-related accidents were high in age group between 5 and 14 years old., Conclusion: In this study, external causes of death are significant public health problems and require attention as one of prior health agenda.