A NOVEL MATLAB/SIMELECTRONICS MODEL OF PV ARRAY WITH MPPT CONTROLLER

A photovoltaic array (PVA) simulation model to be used in Matlab-Simelectronic GUI environment will be developed and analyzed in this paper. In Simelectronic environment the simulink signal is converted to physical signal and again physical signal is converted to simulink signal. The model is developed using basic circuit equations of the photovoltaic (PV) solar cells including the effects of solar irradiation and temperature changes. The new model developed will be tested using a directly coupled dc load. A new implemented Photovoltaic Array Simulation model is to be developed by using Matlab/ Simelectronic Simulation Software. Test and validation studies with proper load matching circuits are simulated and results are presented here

Field evaluation of whorl application of sand mixed entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sweet corn

Abstract Background Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, also called ‘whorlworm’ is a global pest threatening maize production. Larvae stay in the whorl of maize/sweet corn and efficient delivery of insecticides or bio-agents is the major issue for its successful management. Biological control of FAW through entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) offers promise, as EPNs are soil colonizers and commercially available in various formulations, soil or sand can ideally be exploited as natural substrate targeting FAW under field conditions. Results In the present study, field evaluations were carried out using the aqueous suspension of Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis indica in two cropping seasons. The Infective Juveniles (IJs) stages of EPNs mixed with sand at different doses were applied to the whorl region of sweet corn twice during cropping season, i.e. on 25th and 40th day after sowing. For comparison, a recommended insecticide, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC mixed in sand was taken as check. S. carpocapsae @ 500 IJs, significantly reduced the larval population and leaf damage score. It was statistically on par with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC whorl application. Principal component analysis revealed that there was a relationship between larval population and leaf damage score. Survival of S. carpocapsae was significantly greater than the H. indica in the three media tested. Soil was found to be the best media followed by sand and frass. Conclusions Field study of whorl application of sand mixed EPNs supported by laboratory studies on the persistence connoted that EPNs could be used as an eco-friendly option through whorl application for the management of FAW

Evaluation of Effects of Various Irrigating Solutions on Chemical Structure of Root Canal Dentin Using FTIR, SEM, and EDS: An In Vitro Study

Background: Sequential chemical application for irrigating a root canal during chemomechanical debridement can affect the dentin microstructure. Understanding the effects of various irrigants on chemical properties of dentin can elucidate their effects on physical properties and thereby explain the higher incidence of structural failure in endodontically treated teeth. This in vitro research aimed to compare and evaluate the effects of three different irrigating solutions on the chemical structure of root canal dentin in extracted human teeth. Methods: Forty-eight extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth were sectioned at the cemento–enamel junction by a diamond disc and were then randomly assigned to four groups of twelve samples each. The groups were irrigated using 5.25% NaOCl, ozonated olive oil, silver citrate, or distilled water. Dentin sections measuring 1.5 mm were obtained from the root portion and each section and were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). FTIR and EDS values are reported as means ± standard deviations. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA and a post hoc Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). Results: A comparison of the FTIR and EDS values among the groups using ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in the organic and inorganic peak values among the groups. An intergroup comparison between NaOCl with silver citrate and ozonated olive oil revealed significant reductions in the carbonate and phosphate peak values in the NaOCl group (p < 0.05). The EDS values tabulated for the carbon, oxygen, phosphorous, and calcium peak levels showed significant differences between the groups using an ANOVA. An SEM analysis was conducted under 1500× magnification, which revealed smear layer removal in the silver citrate group. Conclusions: The silver citrate solution and the ozonated olive oil caused less changes in the organic and mineral contents of dentin than sodium hypochlorite

To start or to complete? – Challenges in implementing tuberculosis preventive therapy among people living with HIV: a mixed-methods study from Karnataka, India

Background: Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) has been shown to reduce the risk of tuberculosis (TB) among people living with HIV (PLHIV). In 2017, India began a nationwide roll-out of IPT, but there is a lack of evidence on the implementation and the challenges. Objectives: Among PLHIV newly initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from January 2017 to June 2018, to: (i) assess the proportion who started and completed IPT and (ii) explore reasons for non-initiation and non-completion from health-care providers’ and patients’ perspectives. Methods: An explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted in two selected districts of Karnataka, South India. A quantitative phase (cohort analysis of routinely collected program data) was followed by a qualitative phase involving thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with providers (n = 22) and patients (n = 8). Results: Of the 4020 included PLHIV, 3780 (94%) were eligible for IPT, of whom, 1496 (40%, 95% CI: 38%-41%) were initiated on IPT. Among those initiated, 423 (28.3%) were still on IPT at the time of analysis. Among 1073 patients with declared IPT outcomes 870 (81%, 95% CI: 79%-83%) had completed the six-month course of IPT. The main reason for IPT non-initiation and non-completion was frequent drug stock-outs. This required health-care providers to restrict IPT initiation in selected patient subgroups and earmark six-monthly courses for each patient to ensure that, once started, treatment was not interrupted. The other reasons for non-completion were adverse drug effects and loss to follow-up. Conclusion: The combined picture of ‘low IPT initiation and high completion’ seen in our study mirrors findings from other countries. Drug stock-out was the key challenge, which obliged health-care providers to prioritize ‘IPT completion’ over ‘IPT initiation’. There is an urgent need to improve the procurement and supply chain management of isoniazid

DNA-PK promotes the survival of young neurons in the embryonic mouse retina.

Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on Cell Death and Differentiation website: http://www.nature.com/cdd/journal/v17/n11/suppinfo/cdd201046s1.htmlProgrammed cell death is a crucial process in neural development that affects mature neurons and glial cells, as well as proliferating precursors and recently born neurons at earlier stages. However, the regulation of the early phase of neural cell death and its function remain relatively poorly understood. In mouse models defective in homologous recombination or nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), which are both DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways, there is massive cell death during neural development, even leading to embryonic lethality. These observations suggest that natural DSBs occur frequently in the developing nervous system. In this study, we have found that several components of DSB repair pathways are activated in the developing mouse retina at stages that coincide with the onset of neurogenesis. In short-term organotypic retinal cultures, we confirmed that the repair pathways can be modulated pharmacologically. Indeed, inhibiting the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) catalytic subunit, which is involved in NHEJ, with NU7026 increased caspase-dependent cell death and selectively reduced the neuron population. This observation concurs with an increase in the number of apoptotic neurons found after NU7026 treatment, as also observed in the embryonic scid mouse retina, a mutant that lacks DNA-PK catalytic subunit activity. Therefore, our results implicate the generation of DSB and DNA-PK-mediated repair in neurogenesis in the developing retina.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain (Grant SAF2007–66175 to EJdlR). JB is an FPI Fellow (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación).Peer reviewe