Determination of the chromospheric quiet network element area index and its variation during 2008-2011

Generally it has been considered that the plages and sunspots are the main contributors to the solar irradiance. There are small scale structures on the sun with intermediate magnetic fields that could also contribute to the solar irradiance. It has not yet been quantified how much of these small scale structures contribute to the solar irradiance and how much it varies over the solar cycle. In this paper, we used Ca II K images obtained from the telescope installed at Kodaikanal observatory. We report a method to separate the network elements from the background structure and plage regions. We compute the changes in the network element area index during the minimum phase of solar cycle and part of the ascending phase of cycle 24. The measured area occupied by the network elements is about 30% and plages less than 1% of the solar disk during the observation period from February 2008-2011. During the extended period of minimum activity it is observed that the network element area index decreases by about 7% compared to the area occupied by the network elements in 2008. A long term study of network element area index is required to understand the variations over the solar cycle.Comment: 12 pages, 9 Figures, Accepted for publication in RA

Lithological Discrimination of Anorthosite using ASTER data in Oddanchatram Area, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India

The present study applies with hyperspectral remote sensing techniques to map the lithology of the Oddanchatram anorthosite. The hyperspectral data were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), Pixel Purity Index (PPI) and n-Dimensional Visualization for better lithology mapping. The proposed study area has various typical rock types. The PCA, ICA and MNF have been proposed best band combination for effectiveness of lithological mapping such as PCA (R: G: B=2:1:3), MNF (R: G: B=4:3:2) and ICA (R: G: B=3:1:2). The derived lithological map has compared with published geological map from Geological Survey of India and validated with field investigation. Therefore, ASTER data based lithological mapping are fast, cost-effective and more accurate

Biogenic silver nanoparticles mediated by Broussonetia papyrifera: anticancer and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic organisms

Objective: To evaluate the potential aspects of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles mediated by Broussonetia papyrifera against the human pathogens. The same is acknowledged to have high efficiency in the field of Pharmaceutical industry.Methods: The 1Mm of AgNO3 is prepared and mixed with appropriate volume of plant extract and reaction volume was made up to 100 ml. the physical   characterization of AgNPs was done. The anti-microbial activity was done against dread pathogens. Cytotoxic activity of the AgNPs was investigated against breast and lung cancer cell lines.Results: The FESEM and EDAX of the microscopic level showed the particle surface measurements around 44 nm to 50 nm. The XRD investigations are being an evidence for the crystalline structure of the AgNPs with 30 nm. The bacterial pathogen Rhodococcus rhodochrous showed the maximum zone of inhibition (11.8±0.447). The A549 human lung cancer cell line and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line were tested against the toxicity of AgNPs. The toxicity of AgNPs was valued and corresponding IC50 for Lung cancer (A549) is 12.95± 0.05 µg/mL and Breast cancer (MCF-7) is 10.75± 0.05 µg/mL respectively.Conclusion: The present research denotes that biomolecules derived AgNPs have larger impact as antimicrobials in the biomedical field. Since the aggressive chemicals are not involved AgNPs production, these bio-substances can of alternative medicine to resistant once. The in-vitro experiments exhibits the therapeutic effect of this AgNPs based on the ambient concentration on the process.Â

Psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score for the detection of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in South Indian patients with liver cirrhosis.

Hepatic encephalopathy is the commonest complication of cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis a spectrum of neuro psychiatric abnormalities exist ranging from indiscriminable changes in cognition(MHE) to clinically obvious changers in intellect, behavior, motor functions and consciousness(overt HE) AIM: To detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients in south indian population using PHES. METHODS: In this study 40 cases and 40 controls were taken. Cases are cirrhotic patients without obvious neurological findings. PHES score includes NCTA,NCTB, DST,LDT,CDT. RESULTS: Out of the 40 patients 19 cases(47.5% are found to have MHE CONCLUSION: PHES is statistically significant in detecting MHE in cirrhotic patients

Review of Topology Optimisation Refinement Processes for Sheet Metal Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry

Topology optimisation is a process that is becoming increasingly reliable and necessary in the pursuit of highly efficient components comprising of low mass with a high structural performance. These components are typically mass-produced on a large-scale in automotive sectors for instance, where components are usually metallic and pressed. The ability to maximise a component’s structural characteristics has yielded many variations of computational topological solvers over the years. Over time many different methodologies have been used to generate suitable manufacturable solutions. Despite this, a gap between the generation of topology optimisation solutions and the creation of ready-to-manufacture solutions still exists today. This review paper outlines existing methods for computational topology optimisation and addresses any refinement methods used to generate a manufacturable solution, particularly focussing on methodologies used in automotive sheet metal forming. These methods are scrutinised in regards to the level of manual user input needed to create a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model representation of the manufacturable solution. Suggestions are also made to highlight further work to improve these techniques for large-scale industry-standard product development

A Solar Photovoltaic Performance Monitoring and Statistical Forecasting Model Using a Multi-Layer Feed-Forward Neural Network and Artificial Intelligence

إن الطبيعة الطبوغرافية لسلطنة عمان تجعل نظام الطاقة الشمسية خيارًا قابلاً للتطبيق وموثوقًا لإنتاج الطاقة بكميات كبيرة في سوق الطاقة المتجددة. تشهد العديد من المناطق الصحراوية في عمان مستويات عالية من الإشعاع الشمسي. وهذا مناسب للأنظمة الكهروضوئية لأن كفاءتها تعتمد بشكل أساسي على الإشعاع الشمسي. ومع ذلك، في التطبيقات في الوقت الفعلي، تؤثر العديد من العوامل البيئية على كفاءة الألواح الشمسية وبالتالي على أدائها. في هذه المقالة، تم اقتراح الشبكة الطبيعية (العصبية) الأمامية متعددة الطبقات (MFFN) لتتبع أداء نظام الطاقة الشمسية الكهروضوئية من أجل استبدال أو تحسين أداء نظام الطاقة الشمسية الكهروضوئية بناءً على حالته الحالية. يتم استخدام خوارزمية الانتشار العكسي (BPA) لتدريب MFFN.The topographical nature of the Sultanate of Oman makes the solar power system a viable and reliable option for bulk power production in the renewable energy market. Many desert areas of Oman experience high levels of solar radiation. This is suitable for photovoltaic (PV) systems as their efficiency mainly depends on solar radiation. However, in real-time applications, many environmental factors affect the efficiency of the solar panel and therefore its performance. In this article, the Multilayer Feed Forward Neural Network (MFFN) is proposed to track the solar PV system performance in order to replace or improve the performance of the solar PV system based on its current state. A backpropagation algorithm (BPA) is used to train the MFFN

Efficient Low-Frequency SSVEP Detection with Wearable EEG Using Normalized Canonical Correlation Analysis

Recent studies show that the integrity of core perceptual and cognitive functions may be tested in a short time with Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) with low stimulation frequencies, between 1 and 10 Hz. Wearable EEG systems provide unique opportunities to test these brain functions on diverse populations in out-of-the-lab conditions. However, they also pose significant challenges as the number of EEG channels is typically limited, and the recording conditions might induce high noise levels, particularly for low frequencies. Here we tested the performance of Normalized Canonical Correlation Analysis (NCCA), a frequency-normalized version of CCA, to quantify SSVEP from wearable EEG data with stimulation frequencies ranging from 1 to 10 Hz. We validated NCCA on data collected with an 8-channel wearable wireless EEG system based on BioWolf, a compact, ultra-light, ultra-low-power recording platform. The results show that NCCA correctly and rapidly detects SSVEP at the stimulation frequency within a few cycles of stimulation, even at the lowest frequency (4 s recordings are sufficient for a stimulation frequency of 1 Hz), outperforming a state-of-the-art normalized power spectral measure. Importantly, no preliminary artifact correction or channel selection was required. Potential applications of these results to research and clinical studies are discussed

Application of the rainbow trout derived intestinal cell line (RTgutGC) for ecotoxicological studies: molecular and cellular responses following exposure to copper.

There is an acknowledged need for in vitro fish intestinal model to help understand dietary exposure to chemicals in the aquatic environment. The presence and use of such models is however largely restrictive due to technical difficulties in the culturing of enterocytes in general and the availability of appropriate established cell lines in particular. In this study, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) intestinal derived cell line (RTgutGC) was used as a surrogate for the "gut sac" method. To facilitate comparison, RTgutGC cells were grown as monolayers (double-seeded) on permeable Transwell supports leading to a two-compartment intestinal model consisting of polarised epithelium. This two-compartment model divides the system into an upper apical (lumen) and a lower basolateral (portal blood) compartment. In our studies, these cells stained weakly for mucosubstances, expressed the tight junction protein ZO-1 in addition to E-cadherin and revealed the presence of polarised epithelium in addition to microvilli protrusions. The cells also revealed a comparable transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to the in vivo situation. Importantly, the cell line tolerated apical saline (1:1 ratio) thus mimicking the intact organ to allow assessment of uptake of compounds across the intestine. Following an exposure over 72 h, our study demonstrated that the RTgutGC cell line under sub-lethal concentrations of copper sulphate (Cu) and modified saline solutions demonstrated uptake of the metal with saturation levels comparable to short term ex situ gut sac preparations. Gene expression analysis revealed no significant influence of pH or time on mRNA expression levels of key stress related genes (i.e. CYP3A, GST, mtA, Pgp and SOD) in the Transwell model. However, significant positive correlations were found between all genes investigated suggesting a co-operative relationship amongst the genes studied. When the outlined characteristics of the cell line are combined with the division of compartments, the RTgutGC double seeded model represents a potential animal replacement model for ecotoxicological studies. Overall, this model could be used to study the effects and predict aquatic gastrointestinal permeability of metals and other environmentally relevant contaminants in a cost effective and high throughput manner

Advancements in Animal Nutrition an Insights from Veterinary Science

Animal nutrition plays a crucial role in the health, well-being, and productivity of livestock and companion animals. As advancements in science and technology continue to reshape the field of animal nutrition, veterinary professionals are at the forefront of translating research findings into practical solutions for optimizing animal health and performance. This journal article provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments and emerging trends in animal nutrition, with a focus on veterinary perspectives. Drawing upon a synthesis of recent studies and industry developments, this paper explores novel dietary approaches, innovative feed additives, and advancements in nutritional science that are transforming the way we feed and care for animals. From precision nutrition and personalized feeding regimens to the use of alternative protein sources and sustainable feed production methods, the article delves into the diverse strategies being employed to address the nutritional needs of a wide range of animal species, the paper examines the role of veterinary professionals in navigating the complexities of animal nutrition and promoting optimal health outcomes for their patients. By staying abreast of the latest research findings and leveraging their expertise in clinical practice, veterinarians play a vital role in formulating customized nutritional plans, managing dietary-related health conditions, and promoting responsible feeding practices among animal owners. Through a critical analysis of key challenges and opportunities, this study aims to inform veterinary practitioners, researchers, and industry stakeholders about the current state of the art in animal nutrition and stimulate further interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in this rapidly evolving field. By embracing new technologies, advancing scientific knowledge, and prioritizing animal welfare, the veterinary community can continue to drive positive change and improve the nutritional well-being of animals worldwide

Microbial electrosynthesis: Towards sustainable biorefineries for production of green chemicals from CO2 emissions

Decarbonisation of the economy has become a priority at the global level, and the resulting legislative pressure is pushing the chemical and energy industries away from fossil fuels. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has emerged as a promising technology to promote this transition, which will further benefit from the decreasing cost of renewable energy. However, several technological challenges need to be addressed before the MES technology can reach its maturity. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the bottlenecks hampering the industrial adoption of MES, considering the whole production process (from the CO2 source to the marketable products), and indicate future directions. A flexible stack design, with flat or tubular MES modules and direct CO2 supply, is required for site-specific decentralised applications. The experience gained for scaling-up electrochemical cells (e.g. electrolysers) can serve as a guideline for realising pilot MES stacks to be technologically and economically evaluated in industrially relevant conditions. Maximising CO2 abatement rate by targeting high-rate production of acetate can promote adoption of MES technology in the short term. However, the development of a replicable and robust strategy for production and in-line extraction of higher-value products (e.g. caproic acid and hexanol) at the cathode, and meaningful exploitation of the currently overlooked anodic reactions, can further boost MES cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the use of energy storage and smart electronics can alleviate the fluctuations of renewable energy supply. Despite the unresolved challenges, the flexible MES technology can be applied to decarbonise flue gas from different sources, to upgrade industrial and wastewater treatment plants, and to produce a wide array of green and sustainable chemicals. The combination of these benefits can support the industrial adoption of MES over competing technologies. © 2020 The Author