A pragmatic approach for analysis of long-term climate trends for apple growing regions of Himachal Pradesh, India

The study assessed the long-term climate as well as the area and production trends for four representative decades (1985-2020) in three apple growing districts of Himachal Pradesh, India with the objective of understanding the impact of climate change on apple crop. A long term database was prepared for minimum temperature (Tmin), maximum temperature (Tmax) and rainfall, besides area and production for four decades for three districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. Trend analysis indicated that the temperature in apple growing regions of generally showed an increasing trend, whereas, decreasing trend was observed in the precipitation. The minimum temperature in apple growing regions of Kullu, Shimla and Kinnaur districts has shown an increase of 0.82º C, 1.09 º C and 0.03 ºC, respectively and the precipitation (rainfall) in the Kullu, Shimla and Kinnaur districts has shown a decrease by 5.3 mm, 3.3 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively. Increased warming in the mountain regions is elevating temperatures resulting in the reduction of chilling hours,  pre-requisite for apple fruiting. However, in the higher elevation of Shimla, Kullu and Kinnaur districts, in spite of the increase in temperature, the areas are still suitable for apple farming. The study indicated that the area and production of all three districts of study are increasing because growers are slowly shifting to low chilling varieties (Varieties having chilling hours requirement less than 1000 hours).  Also, the present ecosystem at lower elevations will not support high chilling requirement varieties and apple growers will have to shift to either low chilling varieties or alternate crops

(R1894) Invariant Solution for Two-dimensional and Axisymmetric Jet of Power-Law Fluids

An invariant solution is derived using the Lie symmetry technique for steady laminar two-dimensional and axisymmetric boundary layer jet flow of incompressible power-law fluids with appropriate boundary conditions. Using symmetry, the nonlinear partial differential equation of the jet flow problem is transformed into a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The resultant nonlinear ordinary differential equation with boundary conditions is converted to an initial value problem using the Lie symmetry technique. A numerical solution for the resulting initial value problem is derived using Fehlberg’s fourth-fifth order Runge-Kutta method through Maple software. The graphical representation of the characteristics of the velocity field for different physical parameters is also discussed

Green's Matrix for a Second Order Self-Adjoint Matrix Differential Operator

A systematic construction of the Green's matrix for a second order, self-adjoint matrix differential operator from the linearly independent solutions of the corresponding homogeneous differential equation set is carried out. We follow the general approach of extracting the Green's matrix from the Green's matrix of the corresponding first order system. This construction is required in the cases where the differential equation set cannot be turned to an algebraic equation set via transform techniques.Comment: 19 page

Verification of ZVS boost converter with resonant circuit & modelling of an accurate two-diode PV array system simulator using MATLAB simulink

This thesis proposes a MATLAB Simulink simulator for Photo Voltaic (PV) Array system. The main contribution is the utilisation of a Two-Diode model to represent a PV cell. This model is preferred because of its better accuracy at low irradiance levels. A PV of Kyocera (KC200GT) 50*10 Array is taken & the characteristics curves are plotted. The same simulator can be interfaced with MPPT algorithms & Power Electronics converters for better efficiency. The P-V & I-V Curves of this simulator is found in exact with that given by the manufacturers. It is expected that the proposed work can be very useful for PV professionals who require a simple, fast & accurate PV simulator in order to design their systems. A detailed analysis of a resonant circuit based soft-switching boost-converter for PV applications is also performed. The converter operates at Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) turn-on and turn-off of the main switch, & Zero Current Switching (ZCS) turn-on and ZVS turn-off of the auxiliary switch due to resonant circuit incorporated into the circuit. Detailed operation of the converters, analysis of various modes, simulation as well as experimental results for the design has also been aptly presented. The systems are modelled & simulated in MATLAB 2013a 64-bit version and the output waveforms are shown

Incidence and distribution of coleopteran insect pests on rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) in upper himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Experimental trail was conducted in free choice conditions at intermediate zone of Jammu and Kashmir, India during kharif season 2007. Various beetle populations viz. white grub (Holotrichia consaguinea), Blister beetle (Mylabris pustulata), flower eating beetle (Protatia alboquattata Vig.), wire worms (Melanotus communis Gyllenhal) and flea beetle (Phyllotera sp.) were observed at the experimental site. Among these pests H. consaguinea populations were found to be the dominating one. Correlation studies depicted that, both H. consaguinea adults and grubs were positively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures. M. pustulata and P. alboquattata were negatively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures, other beetles were positively correlated. H. consaguinea grubs, M. communis adults, were negatively correlated with relative humidity. M. pustulata and Phyllotreta sp. were positively correlated with relative humidity. As infestation of these insects is concerned wire worm, white grub larvae, white grub adult and blister beetle, fed on germinating seedlings, roots, leaves and silk, respectively however, both P. alboquattata and grain feeding flea beetle were found to feed on cob grains. Thus these beetles led to varying degree of damage and their distribution on maize plant.ÂÂ

A Survey Paper on Ontology-Based Approaches for Semantic Data Mining

Semantic Data Mining alludes to the information mining assignments that deliberately consolidate area learning, particularly formal semantics, into the procedure. Numerous exploration endeavors have validated the advantages of fusing area learning in information mining and in the meantime, the expansion of information building has enhanced the group of space learning, particularly formal semantics and Semantic Web ontology. Ontology is an explicit specification of conceptualization and a formal approach to characterize the semantics of information and data. The formal structure of ontology makes it a nature approach to encode area information for the information mining utilization. Here in Semantic information mining ontology can possibly help semantic information mining and how formal semantics in ontologies can be joined into the data mining procedure. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.16048

Iron oxide nanoparticles fabricated by electric explosion of wire: Focus on magnetic nanofluids

Nanoparticles of iron oxides (MNPs) were prepared using the electric explosion of wire technique (EEW). The main focus was on the fabrication of de-aggregated spherical nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. According to XRD the major crystalline phase was magnetite with an average diameter of MNPs, depending on the fraction. Further separation of air-dry EEW nanoparticles was performed in aqueous suspensions. In order to provide the stability of magnetite suspension in water, we found the optimum concentration of the electrostatic stabilizer (sodium citrate and optimum pH level) based on zeta-potential measurements. The stable suspensions still contained a substantial fraction of aggregates which were disintegrated by the excessive ultrasound treatment. The separation of the large particles out of the suspension was performed by centrifuging. The structural features, magnetic properties and microwave absorption of MNPs and their aqueous solutions confirm that we were able to obtain an ensemble in which the magnetic contributions come from the spherical MNPs. The particle size distribution in fractionated samples was narrow and they showed a similar behaviour to that expected of the superparamagnetic ensemble. Maximum obtained concentration was as high as 5 % of magnetic material (by weight). Designed assembly of de-aggregated nanoparticles is an example of on-purpose developed magnetic nanofluid. Copyright © 2012 Author(s)

STUDY OF BINDING INTERACTIONS OF HUMAN CARBONIC ANHYDRASE XII

Objective: The present study was carried out to study the binding interactions of different N'-(substituted phenyl sulfonyl)-pyridine-2-carbohydrazide derivatives and N'-(substituted phenyl sulfonyl)-thiophene-2-carbohydrazide derivatives which were synthesized by senior students from research laboratory, with objective to explore the suitability of selected ligands for their binding affinity for the selected target.Methods: Binding interactions of the selected ligands were studied using glide module of Schrodinger software using Maestro 10.1 interface. At the end of molecular docking studies, docking scores along with 2D and 3D binding interactions of these ligands were studied to evaluate the potency of ligands to act as selective human carbonic anhydrase (hCAXII) inhibitors in comparison with standard inhibitor Acetazolamide (AZA).Results: Docking study on the ligands exhibited very similar conformation and binding interactions with hCAXII as that of standard. This suggests that selected ligands might possess significant binding affinity for hCAXII.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the selected ligands have the potential to act as inhibitors of hCAXII

Glucosamine HCl-based solid dispersions to enhance the biopharmaceutical properties of acyclovir

The objective of the work presented here was to assess the feasibility of using glucosamine HCl as a solid-dispersion (SD) carrier to enhance the biopharmaceutical properties of a BCS class III/IV drug, acyclovir (ACV). The solid-dispersions of acyclovir and glucosamine HCl were prepared by an ethanol-based solvent evaporation method. The prepared formulations characterized by photomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and drug content analysis. The functional characterization of ACV-SD was performed by aqueous solubility evaluation, dissolution studies, fasted versus fed state dissolution comparison, ex vivo permeability, and stability studies. Photomicroscopy and SEM analysis showed different surface morphologies for pure ACV, glucosamine HCl and ACV-SD. The physical-chemical characterization studies supported the formation of ACV-SD. A 12-fold enhancement in the aqueous solubility of ACV was observed in the prepared solid dispersions, compared to pure ACV. Results from in vitro dissolution demonstrated a significant increase in the rate and extent of ACV dissolution from the prepared ACV-SD formulations, compared to pure ACV. The rate and extent of ACV permeability across everted rat intestinal membrane were also found to be significantly increased in the ACV-SD formulations. Under fed conditions, the rate and extent of the in vitro dissolution of ACV from the formulation was appreciably greater compared to fasted conditions. Overall, the results from the study suggest the feasibility of utilizing glucosamine HCl as a solid dispersion carrier/excipient for enhancement of biopharmaceutical properties of acyclovir, and similar drugs with low solubility/permeability characteristics

Cytological detection of microfilaria in unsuspected clinical scenario

Filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical countries, including India. Fine needle aspiration cytology plays an important role in prompt recognition of disease. Aim was to highlight the role of fine needle aspiration cytology as a simple and cost effective tool to detect microfilarial infestation. A retrospective study of 10 cases in which fine needle aspiration cytology was done and was useful in detecting microfilaria. Patient’s age were ranging from 19-62 years. M:F ratio being 7:3. Out of ten cases, maximum cases of microfilarial detection was reported in soft tissue swelling (four cases), followed by lymph node swelling (three cases), thyroid swelling (two cases) and breast swelling (one case). Careful screening of fine needle aspiration cytology smears is helpful in detecting microfilaria even in asymptomatic patients living in endemic zone which plays a significant role in recognition of disease and obviating severe manifestations of filariasis if treated in time