Double-stranded RNA binding motifs and recognition of RNA-editing substrates

RNA editing, the changing of a nucleotide sequence from that encoded by the gene, can both diversify and re code the genome. Adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs) are one class of enzymes that edit RNA by causing adenosine to inosine (functionally similar to guanine) mutations in RNA that is largely double stranded. These mutations are essential to neural receptor activity, and have been linked to clinical depression, schizophrenia, epileptic seizures, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The ADAR enzyme consists of a catalytic domain, whose structure has been previously determined, as well as one or more double stranded RNA binding motifs (dsRBMs) depending on the organism and type of ADAR. Given the high specificity of RNA editing by ADARs, dsRBM structure plays a key role in substrate recognition. By understanding the mechanism of RNA editing, specifically why ADARs recognize only certain double stranded RNA substrates, this project will shed light on the functional implications of RNA editing and could possibly lead to further understanding of multiple clinical diseases. The goal of this study is to determine the structure of dsRBMs from various species in both the absence and presence of RNA. The RBMs have been truncated from the rest of the protein due to the highly dynamic nature of the ADAR enzyme. A unique construct utilizing a cysteine protease domain has been employed in the cloning process to improve the solubility of the RBM as well as provide a means to better track the small RBM (7-8 kDA) during purification. The structure will be determined by X-ray diffraction of crystals of the dsRBM constructs. This determined structure will be critical in understanding why RNA editing is highly specific

TUNABLE GRAPHENE CHEM-FET AND GRAPHENE/SI HETEROJUNCTION CHEMI-DIODE SENSORS

Graphene, a two-dimensional material with very high charge carrier concentration, has drawn large research interest for sensing chemical species based upon charge exchange. Atomically thin 2-dimensional arrangement of carbon in hexagonal fashion in graphene, where each carbon atom is attached to 3 neighboring carbon atoms, and presence of π* and π bands imparts it many amazing properties. Some of these properties such as very high mobility, low 1/f and thermal noise, modulation of carrier concentration and Fermi level by electrical, optical, and chemical means, and very high surface to volume ratio make graphene very promising sensing material. In order to exploit these amazing properties for practical applications a reliable synthesis of high quality, large area graphene is needed. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) based synthesis offers reliable, scalable, and inexpensive method to make low defect, uniform, large area, good quality, thinner graphene with the ability to transfer graphene on any desirable substrate. In this work, high quality single layer graphene has been synthesized by CVD for sensing applications. The growth process was optimized to yield good quality monolayer graphene, which uses CH4 and H2 as precursor gases for the growth at 1035 °C, as characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Widely employed transduction mechanism in graphene chemical sensors or chemiresistor is conductance change due to charge exchange between graphene and vi adsorbed molecules. The reported sensitivities have been fairly low and selectivity is difficult to observe without functionalization. This work aims at improving the sensitivity of graphene sensors by three different approaches. In the first approach, the use of a global back-gate in graphene chem-FET devices has shown improvement in sensitivity and imparts selectivity as well. These devices exploit the back-gate induced Fermi level movement of graphene relative to defect level of analytes such as electron accepting NO2 and electron withdrawing NH3 molecules. In the second approach, the defect density in graphene has been used to show sensitivity enhancement. In these two approaches the sensitivity enhancement has the limitation of linear dependence of conductivity change to that of numbers of adsorbed molecules. In the third approach the use a graphene/Si heterostructure based Schottky device or chemi-diode, has been proposed for improving sensitivity many folds. Since graphene work function can be varied electrically or chemically, the Schottky barrier height (SBH) at graphene/Si interface also varies accordingly affecting the carrier transport across the Schottky barrier. These devices take advantage of graphene’s atomically thin nature, which enables molecular adsorption on its surface to directly alter graphene/Si SBH, thus affecting the junction current exponentially when operated in reverse bias and resulting in very high sensitivity. The sensing mechanism based on SBH change has also been confirmed by capacitance-voltage measurements. By operating the devices in reverse bias, the work function of graphene, and hence SBH of the chemi-diode, can be controlled by the bias magnitude, leading to a wide tunability of the molecular detection sensitivity towards NO2 and NH3 with very low power consumption. Optimized sensor design to detect particular analyte is also possible by careful selection of graphene/Si SBH. The use of Pd and Pt nano-particles on top of graphene as a functionalization layer serves to increase the capability of these chemi-diodes in sensing analytes such as H2 which have very weak interaction with graphene. Therefore CVD graphene based sensors have been found to be very promising for practical applications in chemical sensing in ambient conditions which shows much improved sensitivity, and even selectivity towards hazardous gases

A Review on Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Technique for PV Power Generation System

The growing concern on environmental issues caused by fossil fuels and, indeed, on the availability of such energy resources in a long-run basis have settled the ground for the spreading of the so-called green energy sources. Among them, photovoltaic energy stands out due to the possibility of turning practically any household into a micro power plant. One important aspect about this source of energy is that practical photovoltaic generators are equipped with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) systems. Currently, researchers are focused on developing MPPT algorithms for partial shaded panels. In this paper review is presented on the emerging topologies for PV applications that could be used in the generation of new smart inverters

Aluminium Alloy Cast Shell Development for Torpedoes

The sand-cast aluminium alloy cylindrical shells were developed for the advanced experimental torpedo applications. The components had intricate geometry, thin-walled sections, and stringent property requirements. The casting defects, such as shrinkage, porosity, incomplete filling of thin sections, cold shuts, inclusions and dimensional eccentricity, etc were found inthe initial castings trials. improvements in casting quality were achieved through modified methodology, selective chilling, risering, and by introducing ceramic-foam filters in the gatingsystem. The heat-treated and machined components met radiographic class I grade C/E standards, mechanical properties to BS1490 specifications, and leakage and hydraulic pressure testrequirements relevant for such applications

Antecedents of Private Label Attitude and Preference over National Brands

Abstract-Retail is one of the most dynamic and fast paced sectors in India. The Growth of the organized retail sector has led to the growth of the Private label brands in India. Private labels offer advantages to both the consumers and retailers. Retailers make huge margin of profit on private labels in comparison to National brand. Various factors are responsible for framing an attitude towards both the private labels and the National brands. Present study sets out to study customers attitude and preference pattern with respect to different attributes such as-Demographics, Social factors, psychological factors. The study will ultimately assist the retailers in developing and implementing effective marketing efforts in respect of their brands. Keywords- Smart purchases, Value consciousness, perceived quality, Private label, Consumer attitud

Consumer Purchase Decision towards Private Label Brands: Evidence from the Indian Market

The aim of this study is to explore the key factors which Indian consumers considers during purchase of Private label brand products and how these identified factors impact the purchase decision of consumers towards private label brand. The research is initially exploratory in nature followed by causal research to test various hypothesis developed. The research instrument used is structured questionnaire to collect responses from different consumers in retail segment of National Capital Region (NCR) in India. Thereafter factor analysis followed by multiple regression analysis was performed. EFA explored five key factors price consciousness, quality variability, brand image, store image and self perception. Thereafter hypothesis testing was done on explored factors to study the impact on PLB purchase decision which revealed that Brand Image is a most significant factor followed by Price consciousness, Quality Variability, Store Image whereas self perception emerged as insignificant as it varies among different consumers. Keywords- Private Label Brands, Store brands, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Purchase Decision, Multiple Regression Analysis

Spirometric and anthropometric studies in normal children aged between 7 and 12 years

Spirometric data on 1183 healthy school children (551 boys and 632 girls) ranging in age from 7 to 12 years were analysed to derive predicted equations for (forced vital capacity, FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), FEF25-75% (maximal flow over the mid-portion of FVC), Vmax50% (flow rate after expiring 50% of FVC), and PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate). For all lung functions parameters, girls have lower values than boys. Using regression analysis, standing height appeared to be the most important predictor of pulmonary function across the age group. Regression equations constructed with logarithmically transfered dependent variables provided accurate predictions. Predicted FVC values derived from equation based on other population were higher than the observed mean in this study. This study therefore, reemphasises the need to be cautions when applying formulae derived from one population to another. Grossly erroneous conclusions may be reached unless predicted equations for lung parameters for a given are derived from studies base upon the same population group

Smart Cart with Automatic Billing, Product Information, Product Recommendation Using RFID & Zigbee with Anti-Theft

AbstractA supermarket is a place where customers come to purchase their daily using products and pay for that. So there is a need to calculate how many products sold and generate the bill for the customer. When we go to shopping mart for shopping, we have to work for selecting the right product. Also, after that, it is hectic to stand in line for billing all the goods. Hence, we are proposing to develop a smart shopping cart system that will keep the track of purchased products and also online transaction for billing using RFID and ZigBee. The system will also give suggestions for products to buy based on user purchase history from a centralized system. In this system, every product in Mart will have RFID tag, and every cart will be having RFID Reader and ZigBee attached to it. There will be a centralized system for the recommendation and online transaction. Moreover, also there will be RFID reader at the exit door for anti-theft