Search

Background: In-office three-dimensional (3D) printers and metal sleeveless surgical guides are becoming a major trend recently. However, metal sleeve-free designs are reported to be more prone to distortion which might lead to variation in the inner diameter of the drill hole and cause deviation and inaccuracy in the placement of the implant. Carbon fiber nanoparticles are reported to improve the properties of 3D printing resin material in industrial application. Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the wear resistance of 3D-printed implant guides with metal sleeve, sleeve-free, and reinforced sleeve-free resin to the guide drill. Materials and Methods: A total of 66 samples with 22 samples in each group. Three groups including 3D-printed surgical guide with metal sleeve (Group A), without metal sleeve (Group B), an carbon fiber reinforced without metal sleeve (Group C) were included in the study. All samples were evaluated before sequential drilling and after sequential drilling using Vision Measuring Machine. The data were tabulated and statistically evaluated. Results: The data obtained were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and post hoc test. The data obtained for wear observed in the samples showed that the wear was highest in Group B with a mean of 0.5036 ± 0.1118 and the least was observed in Group A with a mean of 0.0228 ± 0.0154 and Group C was almost similar to Group A with mean of 0.0710 ± 0.0381. The results showed there was a significant difference between Group B with Group A and C, respectively (P < 0.05). The results showed that there was no significant difference regarding the wear observed between Groups A and C (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The wear observed in the guide with a metal sleeve and carbon fiber reinforced without a metal sleeve was almost similar. The carbon fiber-reinforced guide showed better tolerance to guide drill equivalent to metal sleeve. Thus, carbon fiber nanoparticles reinforced in 3D printing resin have shown improved strength and can be used as a good replacement for a metal sleeve for an accurate placement of the implant.

In this modern era, pollution of water resources due to industrial waste effluents is an alarming problem as it can cause various health problems in aquatic animals as well as in humans. Among the industrial pollutants, organic dyes are one of the leading chemicals that cause severe damage to the aquatic environment. These harmful organic dyes are practically omnipresent in various types of industries such as textile, tannery, cosmetic, food industries, etc. Photodegradation of these organic dyes is regarded as a promising technology for industrial waste treatment as it is a cost-effective and environment-friendly process. In this study, a nanostructured material of iron has been synthesized using the Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. extract in an easy and eco-friendly way. The potential of this synthesized nanostructured material to act as a photocatalyst, for the degradation of organic dyes, has been explored. Due to its small size and high dispersion, more than 72 % degradation has been achieved within 90 min. A comparative study of its photocatalytic efficiency in different degradation processes has also been performed.

A triple-metal-gate stacked III–V vertical tunnel field-effect transistor (TM-GS-VTFET) structure is examined. There are two different TM-GS-VTFETs: Device-A, which uses a source pocket, and Device-B, which uses a new source extension approach. Source pocket-engaged TFETs are recognized for their enhanced ON-state current (ION) and subthreshold swing compared to traditional TFETs. However, they may require more complex fabrication procedures. The source extension strategy alters the electric-field distribution and decreases the tunneling barrier width near the source side. This boosts the tunneling rate and increases the device functioning. The simulation was performed using the Silvaco Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) tool. Various analog and radio-frequency (RF) parameters were examined. The ION in Device-B was found to be $234.03~\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ , the OFF-state current (IOFF) was $1.52\times 10^{\mathrm {-14}}\text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ , Sub-threshold swing (SS) was 28.58 mV/decade, and the transconductance (gm) was $245.28~\mu \text{S}/\mu \text{m}$ . The RF frequency parameter such as cutoff frequency (fT), oscillating frequency (fmax), and Gain Bandwidth Product (GBP) were 152.45 GHz, 830 GHz and 25.16 GHz respectively. It was observed that Device-B exhibited 11 times higher ION, 3.2 times higher GBP, and 3.15 times higher fmax than Device-A. The utilization of this source extension technique has proven to be advantageous for achieving enhanced analog and RF properties in TFETs.

With rapid population increases, people are facing the challenge to maintain healthy conditions. One of the challenges is air pollution. Due to industrial development and vehicle usage air pollution is becoming a high threat to human life. This air pollution forms through various toxic contaminants. This toxic contamination levels increase and cause severe damage to the living things in the environment. To identify the toxic level present in the polluted air various methods were proposed by the authors, But failed to detect the tolerance level of toxic gases. This article discusses the methods to detect toxic gasses and classify the tolerance level of gasses present in polluted air. Various sensors and different algorithms are used for classifying the tolerance level. For this purpose “Artificial Sensing Methodology” (ASM), commonly known as e-nose, is a technique for detecting harmful gases. SO2-D4, NO2-D4, MQ-135, MQ136, MQ-7, and other sensors are used in artificial sensing methods (e-nose). “Carbon monoxide, Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide” are all detected by these sensors. The data collected by sensors is sent to the data register from there it is sent to the Machine learning Training module (ML) and the comparison is done with real-time data and trained data. If the values increase beyond the tolerance level the system will give the alarm and release the oxygen.

Today, the need for fabrics that resist the growth of microorganisms is rising rapidly, as bacteria and other microbes are resistant to any clean room environment. In particular, health care and hygiene textile products must be more bacterial resistant. This study thus concentrated on developing antibacterial surgical textile products using eco-friendly material, such as casein and banana peel, which were used to coat fabric using cyclodextrin as a cross-linking agent. In this research work, fabric was treated with banana peel, casein, and a combination of banana peel and casein, without cyclodextrin, while cyclodextrin-loaded fabric treated samples were tested for antimicrobial resistance (AATCC100-2004). The treated samples initially studied using FTIR showed a peak point at 3,278.99 cm-1, which infers the presence of an O-H group for banana peel extract, and at 3,340.71 cm-1, which infers the presence of an N-H group for casein. Antimicrobial tests against E. coli showed a bacterial reduction of 81.44%, while a reduction of 52.80% was recorded for S. aureus. An analysis of untreated and treated samples showed that treatment with extracts of an agent through the pad-dry-cure process did not have a significant effect on the tensile and air permeability characteristics of the samples.

This research focuses on a comprehensive exploration of the experimental and mechanical aspects of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, specifically targeting the machining characteristics of AA2014/Si3N4/Mg/cenosphere hybrid composites. The aim is to optimize the process parameters for enhanced machining performance through a combination of testing, optimization, and modelling methodologies. The study examines the effects of key EDM variables—peak current, pulse on time, and pulse off time—on critical output responses: surface roughness (Ra), electrode wear rate (EWR), and material removal rate (MRR). Leveraging an L9 Taguchi orthogonal array experimental design, the impact of controllable factors on these responses is analysed. An integrated approach utilizing MATLAB’s logic toolbox and Mamdani’s technique is employed to model the EDM process, and a multiple-response performance index is calculated using fuzzy logic theory, enabling multiobjective optimizations. Furthermore, a mechanical behaviour evaluation of AA2014/Si3N4/Mg/cenosphere hybrid composites is performed through mechanical testing, with a comparison between experimental machining results and predicted values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal the presence of filler reinforcements within the base alloy, displaying an improved microstructure and uniform reinforcement dispersion. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the major elemental constituents—aluminium, silicon, and magnesium—in the hybrid composites. A microstructural analysis of the hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) prepared for EDM showcases closely packed reinforcement structures, circular ash-coloured spots indicating silicon and nitrates, and a fine dispersion of cenosphere reinforcement particles. The study’s outcomes demonstrate a promising application potential for these hybrid composites in various fields.

Climate change poses existential threat on all forms of life on earth. Flood is one of the major fallout of it. Tropical humid zones experiences worst form of rain related disasters in the recent times. Kerala, a tropical humid state of India experienced one of the most destructive flood events of the century during August 2018. It had heavy impact on every sector including animal husbandry. Based on this event, a study was conducted to assess the impact of flood in 2018 on Livestock Farming System of Pariyaram Panchayat in Thrissur district of Kerala. The entire Panchayat was delineated into affected and unaffected wards and detailed survey on faming system and socio economic profile of the flood affected area was conducted. Pre and post flood livestock system of the flood affected area differed significantly regarding herd strength, milk production and feeding pattern. Livelihood of farmers who were depending on the agriculture and livestock rearing for their survival suffered due to the event, suggesting need for better preparedness.

Increasing concerns about the vulnerability of the world’s energy supply and the necessity to implement sustainable technologies have prompted researchers to develop high-performance electrocatalysts that are affordable and efficient for converting and storing renewable energy. This article reports a facile approach to fabricating two-dimensional (2D) Ge-decorated h-BN/MoS2 heterostructure nanosheets by self-assembly for multiple electrochemical applications such as supercapacitor and hydrogen evolution reactions. The organization of the physical and chemical links between the germanium modulations on the heterostructure of boron nitride/molybdenum sulphide (Ge/h-BN/MoS2) were facilitated to generate more active sites. Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor of Ge-decorated h-BN/MoS2 amplified the capacitance to 558.53 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density and 159.19 F g−1 at 10 A g−1, in addition to a retention rate of 85.69% after 2000 cycles. Moreover, the Ge-decorated h-BN/MoS2 catalyst realized a low over-potential value, with an RHE of 0.57 (HER) at 5 mA/cm2, a Tafel value of ∼204 mV/dec, and long-term electrolysis stability of 10 h. This work may open the door for further investigations on metal-decorated heterostructures, which have a significant potential for both supercapacitor and water-splitting applications.

Dissimilar metal joints (DMJs) are more common in the application of piping system of many industries. A 2- D and 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out on dissimilar metal Single Edged Notch Bending (DMSENB) specimens fabricated from ferritic steel, austenitic steel and Inconel – 182 alloy to study the behavior of DMJs with constraints by using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) principles. Studies on DMSENB specimens are conducted with respect to (i) dissimilar metal joint width (DMJW) (geometrical constraints) (5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm and 50 mm) (ii) strength mismatch (material constraints) and (iii) crack lengths (16 mm, 20 mm and 24 mm) to study the DMJ behavior. From the FEA investigation, it is observed that (i) SIF increases with increase of crack length and DMJWs (ii) significant constraint effect (geometry, crack tip and strength mismatch) is observed for DMJWs of 5 mm and 10 mm (iii) stress distribution at the interfaces of DMSENB specimen exhibits clear indication of strength mismatch (iv) 3-D FEA yields realistic behavior (v) constraint effect is found to be significant if DMJW is less than 20 mm and the ratio of specimen length to the DMJW is greater than 7.4.

The present study was carried out in the F2 population of the cross OMT 21 A × JLSC 96 of sesame with the objective to assess the genetic variability, character association of yield and yield related traits in sesame. Experimental materials were raised during Kharif season of 2019 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Seven biometrical traits viz., days to first flowering, plant height, the number of branches per plant, the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight and yield per plant were recorded. The magnitude of PCV and GCV values were higher for the traits yield per plant, the number of branches per plant and the number of capsules per plant. The traits number of branches per plant and 1000 seed weight exhibited a high heritability along with a high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Yield per plant had a significant positive correlation with the number of capsules per plant followed by 1000 seed weight, plant height and the number of branches per plant. Path analysis revealed that the number of capsules per plant had a high positive direct effect on yield per plant. So, the selection based on these traits such as number of capsules per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight and the number of branches per plant would be advantageous for crop improvement.

The moored buoy network in the Indian Ocean revolutionized the observational programs with systematic time-series measurement of in situ data sets from remote marine locations. The real-time meteorological and oceanographic data sets significantly improved the weather forecast and warning services particularly during extreme events since its inception in 1997. The sustenance of the network requires persistent efforts to overcome the multitude of challenges such as vandalism, biofouling, rough weather, corrosion, ship time availability, and telemetry issues, among others. Besides these, the COVID-19 pandemic constrained the normal functioning of activities, mainly by delaying the maintenance of the network that resulted in losing a few expensive buoy system components and precious data sets. However, the improvements in the buoy system, in-house developed data acquisition system, and efforts in ensuring the quality of measurements together with “best practice methods” enabled 73% of the buoy network to be functional even when the cruises were reduced to 33% during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. The moored buoys equipped with an Indian buoy data acquisition system triggered high-frequency transmission during the Super cyclone Amphan in May 2020, which greatly helped the cyclone early warning services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 lockdown points toward the reliability and enhanced utility of moored buoy observations particularly when other modes of measurements are limited and necessitates more such platforms to better predict the weather systems. The present study analyzed the enhancement of the buoy program and improvisation of the buoy system that extended the life beyond the stipulated duration and enabled the high-frequency data transmission during cyclones amid the COVID-19 lockdown. The recommendations to better manage the remote platforms specifically in the event of a pandemic based on the operational experience of more than two decades were also presented.

To improve power quality (PQ), detecting the particular type of disturbance is the foremost thing before mitigation. So monitoring is needed to detect the PQ disturbance that occurs in a short duration of time. Classification of real-time PQ disturbances under noisy environment is investigated in this method by selecting an appropriate signal processing tool called fusion of time domain descriptors (FTDD) at the feature extraction stage. It’s a method of extracting power spectrum characteristics of various PQ disturbances. Few advantages like algorithmic simplicity and local time-based unique features makes the FTDD algorithm ahead of other techniques. PQ events like voltage sag, voltage swell, interruption, healthy, transient and harmonics mixed with different noise conditions are analysed. multiclass support vector machine and Naïves Bayes (NB) classifiers are applied to analyse the performance of the proposed method. As a result, NB classifier performs better in noiseless signal with 99.66%, wherein noise added signals both NB and SVM are showing better accuracy at different signal to noise ratios. Finally, Arduino controller-based hardware tool involved in the acquisition of real-time signals shows how our proposed system is applicable for industries that make detection simple.

Five new diversified Gossypium barbadense germplasm accessions NGB-555, NGB-556, NGB-557, NGB-558 and NGB-559 with a check variety Suvin were studied for correlation coefficients, genetic component and path analysis at CICR, Regional Station, Coimbatore during Kharif season 2015-16. Significant differences were observed for plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of monopodia, number of sympodia, number of boll per plant, single boll weight, 2.5% span length, fibre strength, ginning percentage and seed cotton yield. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) depicted highly considerable and widespread differences among the cotton germplasm lines for all the studied attributes (P 1 contributed 60.423% of the variation amongst the investigated lines. Positive correlation between seed cotton yield and number of bolls, single boll weight, 2.5% span length, fibre strength, ginning percentage were found. Five yield components and 10 morphological traits of the five accessions were separated using ANOVA procedure and the Duncan’s multiple range test. The relationships between them and lint yield were investigated using correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that there was statistically significant difference in bolls per plant and lint percentage for the three types, which increased with increasing lint yield. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients between them and lint yield were the highest. The direct path coefficient was the maximum for bolls per plant to lint yield. The direct path coefficient of number of sympodia per plant to lint yield was positive and significant at 0.05 levels. Considering diversity pattern and quantitative performance, the genotypes NGB-556 and NGB-558 were identified as promising accessions and could be utilized for efficient hybridization in cotton.

In this paper, a single fed polarization reconfigurable antenna is proposed. The antenna consists of a radiating patch incorporated with a diagonal-shaped slot at its center. Four p-i-n diodes are used for polarization reconfiguration. The p-i-n diodes are placed in diagonal slot region. The proposed antenna is designed to operate in three states – linear polarization (LP), left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) by biasing corresponding p-i-n diodes. The antenna gives measured peak gain of 6.2 dBi for LP state and 5.82 dBic for both RHCP and LHCP states. It also achieves 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 5.95% for both RHCP and LHCP configurations. The antenna finds application in areas of modern wireless communication.

A set of 816 accessions of desi cotton (G.arboreum) were evaluated in augmented design 1 during Kharif 2015-16. Traits namely stem color, leaf size, leaf lobbing, leaf shape, leaf color, petal color, bract size, boll shape, boll size, leaf nectaries, and plant type were recorded. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified five principal components were accounted for a cumulative variation of 86.36%. The first principal component accounted for 40.37%, second for 17.43%, third for 11.32%, fourth for 9.75% and fifth for 7.50% of total variation. First principal component (PC 1) was correlated with boll shape (0.94) and bract size (0.10). Second principal component (PC 2) was associated with leaf shape (0.98) and bract size (0.11). PC 3 was correlated with bract size (0.74) and boll size (0.24). Forth PC (PC 4) was associated with nectarines (0.82) and bract size (0.57). Fifth PC (PC 5) was related with leaf lobbing (0.97). Maximum diversity index was recorded for the trait stem color (6.70). The trait leaf shape showed lowest diversity index (6.472), followed by boll shape (6.492) and nectar (6.570). Lower the diversity index discriminated the accessions in higher order. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on qualitative traits revealed that traits namely boll shape, leaf shape and bract size distinguished all genotypes in higher order than other traits. Convex of the hull occupied by the genotypes namely A 32, AC 30, AC 32, AC 543, AC 544 and 78/1A, these genotypes showed the highest point among the factors. All the genotypes were grouped into six distinguished clusters.

Probiotics are vital bacteria that colonize the intestine and modify its microflora with benefits for the host. Very few members of the Bacillus group are recognized as safe for use and hence only a few strains are available as commercial preparations for application in humans and animals. Acute and subacute studies in rats were conducted to establish safety of Bacillus clausii (B. clausii) UBBC07. In the acute toxicity study, the oral LD50 for B. clausii UBBC07 was found to be >5000Â mg/kg (630 billion cfu/kg) body weight. The NOAEL for B. clausii UBBC07 was found to be 1000 (126 billion cfu) mg/kg body weight/day by oral route in the subacute toxicity study. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups in any of the endpoints assessed using an OECD443 or OECD407 protocol.B. clausii UBBC07 was found to be resistant to three antibiotics âclindamycin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol. Analysis of the whole genome sequence of B. clausii UBBC07 revealed that the antibiotic resistance genes are present in chromosomal DNA which is intrinsic and not transferable. Toxin genes were also found to be absent. These results suggest consumption of B. clausii UBBC07 is safe for humans. Keywords: Acute toxicity, Subacute toxicity, NOAEL, Bacillus clausii UBBC07, Whole genome

A system for private searching on streaming data, allows client to send the encrypted search query to the remote server. The server uses the encrypted query on a stream of documents and returns the matching documents to the client without revealing the features of the query. A novel technique for private searching on streaming data is proposed which is based on keyword frequency that is the number of times that a keyword appears in the document is required to be higher or lower than a given threshold. This form of query searching can help the client in locating more related documents. Using fully homomorphic encryption techniques, the server can perform search for retrieving the related documents even though the search query is in encrypted form. Our scheme provides number of vital benefits for the client. They provide provable secrecy for encryption, in the view that the untrusted server cannot gather any information about the plaintext. They also reinforce hidden queries, so that the client may ask the remote server to search for a secret word without revealing the word to the server.

In the present study, the median lethal concentration (LC 50) of neem leaf extract to Cirrhinus mrigala for 24 h was found to be 1.035 g l-l. During the study period, the haematological parameters including Hb, Hct, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC levels were significantly decreased in neem leaf extract exposed fish when compared to the control fish whereas WBC count was increased. Similarly, plasma Na+ and Cl- levels were significantly lower and K+ level were significantly higher when compared to the control. In biochemical study, elevated plasma glucose and induced protein levels were noticed. The enzymes, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities were increased significantly in gill, liver and muscle of treated fish compared to that of their control groups. The results of the present investigation suggest that neem leaf extracts affects the hematological, ionoregulatory, biochemical and enzymological parameters of fish and alterations of these parameters can be useful in environmental biomonitoring of neem based products in freshwater environment.

The Grizzled Giant Squirrel is endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka. In India it is distributed in isolated populations with less than 500 mature individuals, restricted mostly to patchy riverine habitats. We have recorded the presence of this species (minimum 14 individuals) across eight locations in Hosur forest division along the Cauvery riverine forest, north of earlier reported locations in the Eastern Ghats. The documentation of this species in the study area adds to our understanding of its distribution. These squirrels are canopy dwellers, hence discontinuous forest restricts their movement and dispersal. Measures including stop auctioning Tamarindus indica fruits on large scale for commercial purpose by Forest Department, restoration of habitat, maintenance of canopy continuity, reducing anthropogenic pressure and translocating squirrels from larger populations are suggested to enhance the long-term survival of this habitat specialist, which is on the brink of local extinction in the study area. We also suggest a comprehensive population assessment of the species to reevaluate its global status.

Background. Copper is a heavy metal, and an aquatic pollutant, known for its bio-accumulative and non-biodegradable properties. In the aquatic ecosystems, acute and sublethal concentrations of copper may be linked to a variety of effects. Recently, hormones, particularly those regulating vital functions, such as osmoregulation, energy metabolism, and reproduction, may be used as potential biomarkers for sublethal toxicity studies. In the present study, the potential effect of a heavy metal—copper on hormonal changes (cortisol and prolactin) in an economically important fresh-water fish—common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was examined. Materials and methods. The experimental fish were subjected to two experimental regimes (backed by controls). In the first treatment they were exposed to the acute concentration of copper sulphate, amounting to 0.7 ppm. The second treatment featured copper sulphate concentration of 0.07 ppm, constituting 10% of LC50 (24 h). The acute-toxicity trials were carried out in two, 20-L, circular plastic tubs. Twenty fish from the tank were selected randomly and introduced to each tub. Control was maintained in 2 similar plastic tubs with 20 fish per tub. After 24 h, fish from control- and copper-exposure tubs were taken for analyses. To observe the sublethal toxicity four, 125-L, glass aquaria, filled with clean water were used. 200 fish were randomly selected from the stock and 100 of them were added to two aquaria, 50 fish in each, as experimental fish and 100 in two other aquaria, 50 in each, for as control fish. By the end of the stipulated period, 20 fish from control and 20 fish from experimental group were used for the hormone assay. Results. In both acute- and sublethal treatments, both cortisol- and prolactin levels increased. In sublethal treatment, however, plasma prolactin level decreased after 28-day exposure, showing a minimum percentage point decrease of 3.84 by the end of 35-day trial. Conclusion. The increase of the plasma cortisol was probably caused by release of cortisol from the interrenal tissue, as a mechanism of coping with stress. Significantly lower content of prolactin levels in sublethal treatment could be an indicative of a possible restored hydromineral balance or atrophy of the pituitary prolactin cells leading to inhibited prolactin secretion of the fish. These alterations of the above hormonal changes may be used as stress biomarkers in fish.

In the present study, the median lethal concentration (LC 50) of neem leaf extract to Cirrhinus mrigala for 24 h was found to be 1.035 g l-l. During the study period, the haematological parameters including Hb, Hct, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC levels were significantly decreased in neem leaf extract exposed fish when compared to the control fish whereas WBC count was increased. Similarly, plasma Na+ and Cl- levels were significantly lower and K+ level were significantly higher when compared to the control. In biochemical study, elevated plasma glucose and induced protein levels were noticed. The enzymes, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities were increased significantly in gill, liver and muscle of treated fish compared to that of their control groups. The results of the present investigation suggest that neem leaf extracts affects the hematological, ionoregulatory, biochemical and enzymological parameters of fish and alterations of these parameters can be useful in environmental biomonitoring of neem based products in freshwater environment. Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Acute toxicity, Cirrhinus mrigala, Haematology, Ion regulation, Biochemical and Enzymological parameters.