Cyanobacterial biodiversity from different freshwater ponds of Thanjavur, Tamilnadu (India)

Cyanobacterial biodiversity from different freshwater ponds of Thanjavur, Tamilnadu (India). Studies on the cyanobacterial biodiversity of 5 different freshwater ponds in and around Thanjavur, Tamilnadu during summer month (June, 2004) has been made and compared their variations among five different ponds. In addition, certain physico-chemical parameters of pond waters such as dissolved oxygen, net productivity, pH, carbonate, bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus etc. were also analyzed and statistically compared with the cyanobacterial diversity. Totally 39 species of 20 genera of cyanobacteria were recorded in all 5 different ponds. Only 6 species of cyanobacteria were identified in Pond 1 (Dabeerkulam), where a massive bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa was recorded, which had a significant effect in reducing the other cyanobacterial population. As many as five species namely Aphanothece microscopica, Synechocystis aquatilis, Merismopedia glauca, Oscillatoria limnetica and O. subbrevis were common in all the ponds surveyed except in Pond 1.Biodiversidad de cianobacterias en diferentes charcas de agua dulce de Thanjavur, Tamilnadu (India). Se ha inventariado, y comparado entre sí, la biodiversidad de cianobacterias de 5 charcas de agua dulce de Thanjavur, Tamilnadu (India); el estudio se llevó a cabo en junio de 2004. En paralelo, también se determinaron los valores de ciertos parámetros físico-químicos que podrían explicar las variaciones en los valores de biodiversidad: oxígeno disuelto, productividad neta, pH, carbonato, bicarbonato, nitrato, nitrito, fósforo total, fósforo inorgánico, etc. Un total de 39 especies de 20 géneros de cianobacterias se identificaron entre las 5 charcas. En la charca 1 (Dabeerkulam) se detectaron 6 especies, pero cuando tuvo lugar una flor de agua de Microcystis aeruginosa las restantes especies apenas se pudieron detectar. Cinco especies (Aphanothece microscopica, Synechocystis aquatilis, Merismopedia glauca, Oscillatoria limnetica y O. subbrevis fueron comunes en todas las charcas con excepción de la número 1

Magmatic origin and petrogenesis characterization of syenite rock from Pakkanadu alkaline complex, Southern Granulite Terrain, India: Implication on emplacement and petrogenetic history

The present study mainly focused on understanding the magmatic origin and petrogenesis characterization based on the Petrography, major, trace and Rare Earth Element (REE) signatures in the alkaline syenite from Pakkanadu alkaline carbonatite complex. The alkaline plutons from South Indian granulite terrain are intruded along with Archaean epidote-hornblende gneisses. The study area was carbonatite complexes of Tamil Nadu and is characterized by a group of rock associations Carbonatite-Syenite-Pyroxenite - Dunite. From Harker various patterns Pakkanadu alkaline complex syenite showed increasing trends of SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O + K2O opposite to decreasing order of CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, TiO2, P2O5 and MnO trend, suggest fractionation of clinopyroxene, hornblende, sphene, apatite and oxide minerals and feldspar that ruled the fractionation. The concentration of trace elements enriched in Large Ion lithophile elements  (LILE) (Ba, Sr, and Rb) elements and High Field Strength Elements (HFSEs) indicated that the dyke intrusion by differentiation of magma from a mantle source. Rare earth element (REE) distribution of Light rare earth element (LREE) enriched and High rare earth element (HREE) depleted pattern show strongly fractionated pattern with moderate Eu anomalies. Plots of tectonic discrimination diagrams of Pakkanadu samples fall in the field of syn-COLG field to the VAG syn- COLG field.     For the first time, this type of study was carried out in the study region in a detailed manner. The present study significantly exposed the petrography, petrogenesis and magmatic origin process in the Pakkanadu alkaline carbonatite complex.

IN SILICO PROBING OF ANTI-ARTHRITIC POTENTIAL OF TRADITIONALLY FERMENTED AYURVEDIC POLYHERBAL PRODUCT BALARISHTA REVEALS LUPEOL AND DESULPHOSINIGRIN AS EFFICIENT INTERACTING COMPONENTS WITH UREC

Objective: To assess the anti-arthritic properties of Balarishta, an Ayurvedic fermented poly herbal product used to combat the immunological disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an autoimmune disease triggered by Proteus urinary tract infection through in silico analysis and assay of antimicrobial activity. Methods: Antibacterial activity of Balarishta against Proteus mirabilis was assessed. Phytochemical analysis was performed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. Urease interaction proteins were homology modeled based on template constraints and physicochemical parameters and stereo chemical nature of the proteins were analyzed. Rigid and flexible docking was done to study the hydrogen bond interaction patterns between active ingredients of Balarishta and urease interaction proteins. Results: In Balarishta, 42 bioactive metabolites were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis. These metabolites were checked for strong binding affinities against urease subunits and urease accessory proteins of Proteus mirabilis in silico. ureC subunit exhibited high binding to the compound desulphosinigrin (-10.5217 Kcal/mol) followed by lupeol (-10.0308 Kcal/mol) with conserved residue interaction ranging from amino acid residues 308 – 327. Further, lupeol when bound to ureC had 4 hydrogen bonds as compared to desulphosinigrin with 6 hydrogen bonds. Free energy calculations based on flexible docking showed that lupeol had significant binding affinity for ureC with -9.2 Kcal/mol rather than -6.0 Kcal/mol for desulphosinigrin. Both binding has residue conservation - Cys 319, His 320 and His 321. The results corroborated with in vitro antibacterial activity. Conclusion: It is proposed that Balarishta would be efficient in arresting Rheumatoid Arthritis complicated urinary tract infections

The motivation for incorporation of microgrid technology in rooftop solar photovoltaic deployment to enhance energy economics

Deployment of rooftop solar PV technology in domestic premises plays a significant role in accomplishing renewable energy transformation. Majority of domestic consumers still do not have a positive perception about adopting rooftop solar PV technology, due to its high capital cost and prolonged payback period. In this aspect, the proposed work identifies the factors causing energy deprivation in the present distribution and utilization system. To explicitly express the importance of the present work, an extensive case study based on Indian scenario has been carried out to investigate where the losses occur in the existing distribution system and how the solar power and its storage system have been ineffectively utilized. The deep investigation has thrown light on several issues that lead to the performance deterioration of PV technology. Finally, in this work, a scheme to incorporate hybrid microgrid technology in the domestic distribution network has been proposed to effectively manage the distribution system and to efficiently utilize solar power and its storage systems. The real-time electricity tariff data have been taken for cost comparison and payback period calculations to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. A crucial comparisons have been presented based on energy saving and CO2 emission reduction strategies.publishedVersio

The Effects of Governance Practices on the Performance of the Sri Lankan Public Sector Development Projects

The use of Project Governance Practices (PGPs) is increasingly taking a substantial stage in developing economies, particularly in a newly industrializing nation like Sri Lanka where public sector development projects have been implemented to expedite the nation's growth and prosperity. As it is essential to lay a transparent and tangible foundation for an effective public sector that can be sustained, the paper focuses on the significance of PGPs in enhancing the performance of the Sri Lankan public sector development initiatives. Structuring, normalizing, facilitating, and post-conflict-sensitive variables were used to measure the PGPs, whereas financial and non-financial performance measures were employed to evaluate the project performance. The researcher conducted direct observations and administered a comprehensive Likert-scaled questionnaire to 518 project administrators involved in various Sri Lankan public sector development projects, specifically focusing on projects related to irrigation, roads and highways, water and sanitation, and other infrastructure developmental projects. The data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling through the AMOS software. The results showed that PGPs created a considerable improvement in project performance, which increased support for expanding economic prosperity through balanced development strategies and sustainability-based policy formation. Keywords: Performance, Project governance practices, Public sector development projects, Sri Lank

Incorporation of Microgrid Technology Solutions to Reduce Power Loss in a Distribution Network with Elimination of Inefficient Power Conversion Strategies

The increase in energy-efficient DC appliances and electronic gadgets has led to an upheaval in the usage of AC–DC power convertors; hence, power loss in converter devices is cumulatively increasing. Evolving microgrid technology has also become deeply integrated with the conversion process due to increased power converters in its infrastructure, significantly worsening the power loss situation. One of the practical solutions to this disturbance is to reduce conversion losses in domestic distribution systems through the optimal deployment of the battery storage system and solar PV power using microgrid technology. In this paper, a novel energy management system is developed that uses a new control algorithm, termed Inefficient Power Conversion Elimination Algorithm (IPCEA). The proposed algorithm compares the Net Transferable Power (NTP) available on the DC side with the loss rate across the converter. The converter is switched off (or disconnected from the grid and load) if the NTP is less than 20% of the converter rating to avoid low-efficiency power conversion. The solar PV system is connected to the DC bus to supply the DC loads while the AC loads are supplied from the AC source (utility power). An auxiliary battery pack is integrated to the DC side to feed DC loads during the absence of solar energy. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is deployed to manage energy distribution effectively. The power distribution is managed using a centralized microgrid controller, and the load demand is met accordingly. Thereby, the power generated by the solar PV can be utilized effectively. Microgrid technology’s effectiveness is emphasized by comparative analysis, and the achievements are discussed in detail and highlighted using a prototype model.publishedVersio

Electrical Resistivity, Tribological Behaviour of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoboron Carbide Particles Reinforced Copper Hybrid Composites for Pantograph Application

This work focuses on the influence and contribution of multiwalled carbon-nanotube (MWCNT)–boron carbide (B4C) to the mechanical and tribological properties of copper matrix composites. Different weight fractions of nano- B4C-containing fixed-weight fractions of MWCNT-reinforced copper composites were prepared using the entrenched cold-press sintering method of powder metallurgy. The wear losses of sintered Cu–MWCNT–B4C composites were investigated by conducting sliding tests in a pin-on-disc apparatus. The addition of reinforcements showed enhancements in the hardness and wear properties of the composites due to the uniform dispersion of the secondary reinforcement in the copper matrix and the self-lubricating effect of the MWCNTs. The effects of the nanoparticle distribution in the matrix, the worn surface morphology, and the elemental composition of the composites were characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrical resistivity of the fabricated copper hybrid composite preforms was evaluated using a four-point probe tester. Our results highlight the use of experiential reinforcing limits of B4C on the wear and electrical and mechanical behaviour of copper composites

Enhancing Skin Cancer Diagnosis with Deep Learning-Based Classification

The diagnosis of skin cancer has been identified as a significant medical challenge in the 21st century due to its complexity, cost, and subjective interpretation. Early diagnosis is critical, especially in fatal cases like melanoma, as it affects the likelihood of successful treatment. Therefore, there is a need for automated methods in early diagnosis, especially with a diverse range of image samples with varying diagnoses. An automated system for dermatological disease recognition through image analysis has been proposed and compared to conventional medical personnel-based detection. This project proposes an automated technique for skin cancer classification using images from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) dataset, incorporating deep learning (DL) techniques that have demonstrated significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) research. An automated system that recognizes and classifies skin cancer through deep learning techniques could prove useful in the medical field, as it can accurately detect the presence of skin cancer at an early stage. The ISIC dataset, which includes a vast collection of images of various skin conditions, provides an excellent opportunity to develop and validate deep learning algorithms for skin cancer classification. The proposed technique could have a significant impact on the medical industry by reducing the workload of medical personnel while providing accurate and timely diagnoses.