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In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), Clustering aids in maximizing the lifetime of the network with sustained energy stability in the sensor nodes during data dissemination. In this clustering process, the sensor nodes are organized into clusters with the potential fitness node designated as Cluster Heads (CHs) for collecting and forwarding the data to the sink. In specific, the energy consumption of sensor nodes during their role as CH is maximized with great impact over the network lifespan. In this paper, a Weight-imposed Elite Hybrid Binary Cuckoo Search (EHBCS)-based Clustering Mechanism is proposed for facilitating potent data transmission with minimized energy consumption and improved network lifetime. This EHBCS is proposed as a novel energy-sensitive CH selection framework based on the process of hierarchical routing through the inclusion of hybrid optimization algorithm. It selected CH depending on the parameters of Quality of Service (QoS), delay, distance, and energy into account. It integrated the merits of Binary Cuckoo Search and Elite Mechanism for selecting CHs and performing effective processes by preventing sinkhole issues in WSNs. The results of EHBCS confirmed better throughout by 11.32%, minimized energy consumption by 13.84%, and minimized delay by 16.12% with an increasing number of sensor nodes, compared to the baseline CH selection approaches used for exploration.

The Silver nanoparticles (NPs) had been bio-synthesized using Ventilago maderaspatana leaf extract. The chemical and physical properties of the biosynthesized Silver NPs had been analyzed by XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDAX, FTIR and UV – visible absorption. The diffraction pattern confirmed the cubic structure of the synthesized NPs. The average crystallite size had been calculated by the Debye Scherrer’s method and W-H plot as 11.7 and 9.3 nm, respectively. The FESEM and TEM images confirmed the sized distribution around this range. The antidiabetic efficiency of the biosynthesized Silver NPs were assessed in a group of rats for 10 mg/ kg b.w and 20 mg/kg b.w. Injection of streptozotocin in experimental rat showed elevated level of biochemical parameters such as serum blood glucose, total protein, albumin and HbA1c. Meanwhile, serum insulin (2.50 ± 0.55) and activity of glucokinase (64.50 ± 8.66) levels were diminished. Treatment with silver nanoparticles decreased levels blood glucose, total protein, albumin and HbA1c to normal in dose dependent manner. On the other hand, insulin level (7.55 ± 0.63) and activity of glucokinase (121.50 ± 4.60) level were increased. It was due to the antidiabetic potential of V. maderaspatana mediated silver nanoparticles.

The assessment of population dynamics and demography of long-lived species can be challenging due to a longer life span and slow reproduction. The population status and demography of the Asian elephant was studied from Dec 2006 to May 2008 at Mudumalai Tiger Reserves and results were compared with earlier studies carried out in the study area in 1985 and 2000 to understand changes in the population size. The population was estimated using distance sampling and mark-recapture methods during wet and dry seasons. In the line-transect sampling, a total distance of 651.5km was walked. To estimate the population based on the capture-recapture method 17 routes were surveyed consisting of 128.5km surveyed twice per month. The estimated elephant density based on capture-recapture and distance sampling was 3.4/km2 and 3.6/km2 respectively, which was higher than the earlier estimate (1/km2 in 1985 and 2.4/km2 in 2000). Thus, the population of elephants increased significantly when compared to the past. The adult male to adult female ratio was 1:20. Tuskless male Makhnas make up 20% of the male population. Demography data shows that the male population has increased in the population. But lack of older bulls in the population and mortality of males due to retaliatory killing needs further investigation. The major per cent (61%) of mortality was due to natural causes like disease, injuries, and predation by tigers (two calves). There were sex-biased changes in mortalities that have occurred over time; while adult and sub-adult male mortalities were higher (83%) in the earlier study period, adult female mortalities were higher (54.5%) during the present study. Despite the skewed sex ratio elephant population has increased significantly when compared to the past in the study area.

Grass composition was assessed by plot method (1 m2; n= 1,749) in three habitats (dry deciduous-DDF, moist deciduous-MDF, and thorn forest-TF) at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India across different seasons from Jan 2004 to Dec 2007. The grass species richness and availability (per cent composition) varied significantly with habitats. Seventy-four species of grasses and sedges were recorded in all three habitats, with a few species common in all habitats. Grass availability varied significantly in different habitats across seasons and was positively influenced by precipitation. Among biotic factors, regeneration and shrub density had a primary influence on grass availability, followed by herb, sedge and weed density. The principal coordinate analysis revealed seven major associations in the tropical forest. There were considerable changes in the composition and association of grasses when compared to the past. Fire resistant species such as Themeda triandra, Heteropogan contortus and T. cymbaria dominated in the DDF. Grass species Aristida/Eragorstis were recorded in the TF, which were considered as indicators of heavy grazing pressure. Grass species that were reported rare and sporadic in the earlier study were not recorded, which emphasizes better pasture management in the tropical forest. Grass species composition and availability was threatened by invasion of weeds.

This paper demonstrates the augmentation of nano-fluid heat transfer in circular pipe. In this experimental study, nano-fluid of Al2O3/water flow through the circular tube for different mass flow rate (60LPH, 75LPH, 90LPH) Water was used as base fluid in this experiment. Magnetic stirrer and digital ultrasonic water cleaner were used to prepare the homogeneous mixture to disperse 45 nm of Al2O3 nano particle in the base fluid pipe at a particle concentration of 0.05 per cent. Nano fluid was passed through the copper tube for different mass flow rate. Similarly, Water was also passed through the same tube for the same condition. The outcomes from the both experiment was compared with each other. It revealed that higher heat transfer was achieved by nano fluid compared to water. Rate of heat transfer was 30 percent increased by incorporating nano particles in the base fluid.

In this work, drying kinetics, physical and bio-chemical properties of turkey berry were studied at an air velocity of 3.6 and 4.2 m/s along with different temperatures of 70, 80, 90 °C as well as open sun drying. The parameters such as drying rate, effective moisture diffusivity, activation energy, shrinkage, total color changes and Vitamin-C were analyzed in detail. The maximum moisture diffusivity of the sample was measured as 7.56 × 10−10 m2/s, at 90 °C with velocity of 4.2 m/s. The minimum and maximum activation energy was found as 30.79 and 32.29 kJ/mol at an inlet fluidized velocity of 3.6 and 4.2 m/s. The minimum volumetric shrinkage of the product was observed at 90 °C with velocity of 4.2 m/s while the minimum color change and maximum Vitamin-C retention was observed at 70 °C with velocity of 4.2 m/s. The morphology of the dried turkey berries was investigated using scanning electron microscope.

Surface modification is done through various surface modification methods like atmospheric plasma spray (APS), flame spraying, chemical vapour deposition, physical vapour deposition, electroplating process and most widely used technique is High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF). In that technique, powder in the hopper is melted by burning fossil fuel in the combustion chamber. This will develop coatings with high residual stress, crack propagation, oxidation of materials, and phase transition, it can affect mechanical, tribological, erosion and corrosion behavior of coating. Although during the burning of fossil fuels such as (LPG, acetylene and kerosene) with oxygen in the combustion chamber a large amount of energy is consumed, and also many harmful gases (like carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) is formed, which is very hazardous to the environment. To come out from this issue an eco-friendly technology cold spray coating process (CS) is the greater replacement for HVOF process. CS coating is formed using solid state impingement of feed stock powder to the substrate with supersonic velocity generated by de Laval nozzle. Cold spray coatings possess the improvement of tribological, mechanical, erosion and corrosion properties in contrast to HVOF. A study has been made to analyze the findings of mechanical, tribological, erosion and electrochemical characteristics of cold spray coating. The cold spray process assists to bring harmony between the environment and industries.

This research study summarizes the recent information about the characteristics of multi layer and composite lanthanum zirconate based thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) that provide high-temperature thermal protection for the jet engines parts. Thus the outcome of lightweight gas turbine components able to work at 3000° F nearly 1650 °C needs to be built. Such difficulties can be solved using coatings with optimized microstructure and chemical composition. Recently, Lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7-LZ) based pyrochlore oxides (Ra2Zr2O7, Re = rare earth) are now developing TBC material, owing to their fewer thermal conductivity with enhanced stability at elevated operating temperatures. Even though LZ cannot be directly replaced for standard YSZ because of its mismatch between the grew of thermal oxide (TGO) film. When LZ compared to Zirconia partially stabilized with yttria (YSZ), LZ possesses a poor thermal conductivity, lesser coefficient of thermal expansion, lower sintering ability, and lack of toughness than YSZ. Hence LZ comes to be combined with standard TBC YSZ in order to integrate advantages in multilayer architecture. In this study describes the thermal, mechanical and physical properties and failure analysis of Multilayer LZ/YSZ were described. It also reviews the characterization of coatings according to different criteria and conditions. At last, suggestions for investigation on layered LZ based TBCs applications for next-generation was indicated.

Natural fibres find their way into many engineering applications in the automobile and aerospace sectors owing to their eco-friendly nature. Natural fiber produced from agricultural residue, is capable of enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials while lowering their overall cost. The main aim of the current study is to investigate such natural fiber, nonwoven fabric reinforced composites. In this work, samples reinforced by non-woven Abutilon indicum (AI) fibre are manufactured with varying fibre weight percentages, such as 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, using the hand layup method and needle-punching process to make the fabric and composite. Mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, and compressive tests were using a universal testing machine, and impact tests were performed using an izod impact tester, in addition to morphological and thermal studies were performed on the above composites and their respect compositions. The effect of the fibres on FTIR and TGA was also investigated. In order to understand the bonding behaviors and the fractured composite specimens were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The findings revealed that the highest values of tensile and flexural strength were observed to be 39.796 MPa and 62.329 MPa at 35 wt% fibre and maximum impact strength and compressive strength were 0.441 joules and 47.45 Mpa at 35 wt% fibre.

Zn0.94Ni0.06O (Z1), Zn0.94Ni0.04Mn0.02O (Z2), and Zn0.94Ni0.02Mn0.04O (Z3) NPs had been synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction spectra revealed that synthesized NPs exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure. At initial Mn concentration, Mn co-doping alters the cell parameter ‘a’ alone, while there was no change in ‘c’. The morphology of NPs was analyzed using FESEM analysis and chemical compositions were confirmed through EDAX spectra. The valence state and composition of Zn, Mn, Ni, and O elements at the surface of Z3 NPs were analyzed by XPS. FTIR spectra showed that the absorption corresponding to Zn–O stretching had been observed around 442 cm−1 and the peak was shifted towards a higher wavenumber side by Mn co-doping. A UV emission corresponding to NBE and defects related to visible emission were noticed in the photoluminescence spectra. The simultaneous addition of Ni and Mn enhanced the magnetization by increasing the charge carrier density and by controlling the interstitial Zn density. Antibacterial tests were carried out against (G+) S. aureus and (G-) E. coli bacterial strains and all NPs inhibited the bacterial growth.

Cu and Cr co-doped ZnO nanopowder (Zn0.96Cu0.02Cr0.02O) had been synthesized by co-precipitation method and the nanopowders were annealed at 400 ˚C (S1), 600 ˚C (S2), and 800 ˚C (S3). The sample S2 had better crystallization with a lesser amount of defects and imperfections. However, the presence of impurities and imperfection in sample S1 and lattice distortion due to the thermal expansion of lattice in sample S3 were noticed in the XRD pattern. All the samples had wide absorption and emission bands in the UV/violet, blue and green regions due to the d-d transition of metal ions. The Cr3+ ions in the tetrahedral environment undergo crystal field splitting. The violet band centered at 435 nm, blue emission centered at 478 nm, and green emission centered at 520 nm are ascribed due to the transition from 4T1(4P) to 4A2(4F), 4T1(4F) to 4A2(4F), and 4T2(F) to 4A2(4F) respectively. The visible absorption and emission of the nanopowders had been enhanced by annealing. All the samples had room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) and the sample S2 had maximum saturation magnetization among others.

The undoped and rare earth metals (Ce and Nd) doped CuO nanoparticles were prepared by the co-precipitation method. The synthesized NPs exhibited a monoclinic structure and the secondary phase corresponding to dopants was traced in XRD spectra. A strong correlation was noticed between calculated average crystallite size from XRD and FESEM images. The Ce dopant enhanced agglomeration of NPs and Nd turned the particle morphology into a nano-spam like structure. Elemental compositions were obtained from EDAX spectra. The rare-earth dopant produced a blue shift in the bandgap of NPs, hence the absorption edge was shifted towards the higher wavelength side. The NBE emission in the UV region and defects related to violet, blue and green emissions were noticed in the PL spectra of NPs. The antibacterial activity of NPs was studied against gram-negative bacteria (E. aerogenes) and gram-positive bacteria(B. subtilis). The average crystallite size, chemical composition, and cell wall membrane of bacteria were influenced by the antibacterial activity of NPs.

In this present investigation composite modern construction material is developed and tested. The material chosen to develop a construction material is concrete. The range of material used in the concrete is cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water to make cement reactivate. In the composition of concrete major portion is occupied by fine and coarse aggregate. The coarse aggregate is replaced by Pumice stone in the following proportions like 5%,10% And 15%. The mechanical property of concrete specimen is determined by testing the specimen. The test results specify the optimum percentage of pumice Stone is 15% that can be used as replacement for coarse aggregate. The further investigation of developing a modern construction material is composite material. The material chosen to develop a composite material is steel and concrete. The steel is available in two kinds hot rolled steel and cold formed steel. In this investigation cold formed steel in tubular section will be used. The phase of developing the composite material will be done as a second phase of investigation.

Cd1−xZnxS nanoparticles for Zn = 0–30 % were successfully synthesized by a conventional chemical co-precipitation method at room temperature. X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the pure zinc blend cubic structure of undoped CdS; but Zn-doping on Cd–S matrix induced the mixed phases of cubic and hexagonal structure. The reduced crystal size, d-value, cell parameters and higher micro-strain at lower Zn concentration were due to the distortion produced by Zn2+ in Cd–S lattice. The enhancing diffraction intensity at lower Zn concentrations was due to the substitution of Zn2+ ions instead of Cd2+ ions whereas the reduced intensity after 20 % was due to the presence of Zn2+ ions both as substitutionally and interstitially in Cd–S lattice. The nominal stoichiometry and chemical purity was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The initial blue shift of energy gap from undoped CdS (3.75 eV) to Zn = 10 % (3.82 eV) was due to the size effect and also the incorporation of Zn2+ in the Cd–S lattice. The observed red shift of energy gap at higher Zn concentrations could be attributed to the improved crystallinity. The band gap tailoring was useful to design a suitable window material in fabrication for solar cells and other opto-electronic devices. The characteristic IR peaks around 617–619 cm−1 and the reduced intensity by Zn-doping confirmed the presence of Zn in Cd–S lattice.

Action recognition in video sequence has been a major challenging research area for number of years. Apriori algorithm and SIFT descriptor based approach for action recognition is proposed in this paper. Here, two phases can be carried out for accurate and updating of action recognition. In the first phase, the input should be the video sequence. For preprocessing the sequences frame can be formatted by background modeling for every successive frame. After modeling the background, the corners are detected for every frame and compound features are extracted. Data mining is performed by using Apriori algorithm as well as with the help of compound features extraction the action can be segregated in this video sequence. In the second phase, the same process is performed as well as analysis for new input frame and new pattern are updated for perfect recognition process. Due to Apriori algorithm, the processing delay is reduced and accuracy is improved.

The paper describes the results of recent research in the field of sonochemistry of the dairy products which was conducted from Australia, Russia, Belarus and Estonia. This work is related to the technology of preparation of composite formula milk from natural milk, vegetable oils and dry milk products with cavitation treatment of water used. She is devoted to obtaining a homogeneous mixtures of dairy semiproducts, from which subsequently produce dairy products such as cottage cheese or cheese, where most of the water is removed with sera. It is shown that sonochemical water treatment has a positive effect on the entire process and its outcome.

The existing thoughts in Human Resources Management put emphasis on knowledge sharing and team creation instead of individuals, informal learning, individual expertise, flexibility in use of skills, severe limits between healthcare organization and professionals. The organizational climate, efficiency, successfulness and innovativeness are the organizational factors for successful execution of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in private hospital. The results also show that there is significant difference between socio economic profile of employees of paramedics and organizational factors for successful execution of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in private hospital. The private hospitals should give conducive working environment to their employees of paramedics through applying advanced technologies, high organizational values, excellent organizational culture, rewards and incentives. In addition, they should promote sharing of knowledge and skills, inter personal relations and leadership among employees of paramedics for successful execution of human resource management practices.

The effect of 20 kHz ultrasound on the viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts was investigated. More than 90% of the dispersed Cryptosporidium oocysts could be deactivated in about 1.5 min of continuous sonication. In order to apply this technique to large quantities of contaminated water, quantitative filtration and redispersion of Cryptosporidium oocysts were investigated and found to be easily achievable. The estimated cost of sonication showed that the ultrasound treatment of Cryptosporidium oocysts contaminated water could be a very effective means of "deactivating" Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Tuticorin district of Tamilnadu has the potential of growing Banana in an area of more than 11,000 ha annually under canal irrigation system. The farmers were lacking in technical knowhow about improved technologies in Banana cultivation. The present study was conducted during 2013 to ascertain the knowledge gain and adoption level of thirteen specific technologies demonstrated through various interventions during earlier years by the KVK. Tiruchendur and Alwarthirunagari blocks of Tuticorin District were taken for study and the respondents were randomly selected at the rate of 50 beneficiary farmers per block. The data were collected through personal contacts (interview) with well designed questionnaire. The data revealed that the gain in knowledge was more than 50 per cent for technologies viz., foliar application of Banana special (73%), use of bunch cover (63%), drip irrigation (62%) and application of Pseudomonas (54%). Similarly, foliar application of Banana special and soil application of neem cake and Furadon recorded the highest extent of adoption, 66 and 53 per cent, respectively. This could be due to the easiness and effectiveness of technologies in field application and yield enhancement. Though the acquisition of knowledge for the technologies like drip irrigation (85%), use of tissue culture plants (52%) and high density planting (42%) was high, the number of farmers adopting these technologies were very low i.e. 18, 11 and 5%, respectively due to the various reasons.