Identification of the best treatment combination for seedling production through fuzzy logic model and Pareto dominance criterion

The present study consists of the development of a fuzzy logic model for categorizing seedlings produced using various combination of potting mix and pot volume and identification of the best combination of treatment for the large scale production of seedlings for mechanical transplanting using Pareto dominance criterion.  A fuzzy logic model with simple expert system rules was developed to categorize the seedlings based on its dry weight of root and shoot biomasses.  The suitable membership function for the model was selected by picking up the shape of the membership function from the list of families and fine tuning the values of parameters of the function.  The model assigned a rational value called biomass growth index (BGI) between 0 and 10 to the seedling such that the seedling with higher growth of both root and shoot biomasses was assigned higher value of BGI and vice versa.  The categorization ability of the developed model was found to be reasonably good and it could be used for the evaluation of growth of seedlings produced from various treatments just prior to transplanting.  The best combination of potting mix and pot volume for the large scale production of seedlings was identified considering BGI of the seedlings, the cost of preparation of pots, and the weight of pot using Pareto dominance criterion.  Among the set of non-dominated solutions, paper pots of 50 cm3 volume filled with mix of 25% vermicompost and 75% sand and soil in equal proportion by volume was selected for the large scale production of the seedlings of tomato, eggplant, and chili peppers.  The proposed fuzzy logic model is very easy to develop and when it is coupled with Pareto dominance criterion, it can be effectively used in the decision support system for the identification of the best combination of treatment for the seedling production. Keywords: Fuzzy logic model, membership function, Pareto dominance, root:shoot ratio, biomass growt

Investigations on Fe3+ doped polyvinyl alcohol films with and without gamma (γ)-irradiation

This paper deals with the preparation of pure and ferric chloride (FeCl3) doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films by solution casting method. Optical and electrical properties were systematically investigated. We have found the decrease in optical band gap energy of PVA films on doping FeCl3. The optical band gap energy values in the present work are found to be 3.10 eV for pure PVA, 2 eV for PVA:Fe3+ (5 mol%), 1.91 eV for PVA:Fe3+(15 mol%) and 1.8 eV for PVA:Fe3+(25 mol%). Direct current electrical conductivity (σ) of pure, FeCl3 doped PVA films in the temperature range 70–127 °C has been studied. At 387 K dc electrical conductivity of pure PVA film is 5.5795 μ Ω−1 cm−1, PVA:Fe3+ (5 mol%) film is 10.0936 μ Ω−1 cm−1 and γ-Irradiated PVA:Fe3+ (5 mol%) film for 900 CGY/min is 22.1950 μ Ω−1 cm−1. The result reveals the enhancement of the electrical conductivity with γ-irradiation. FT-IR study signifies the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between Fe3+ ions of FeCl3 with OH group of PVA

Optimal Power Flow with Static VAR Compensator Using Galaxy Based Search Algorithm to Minimize Real Power Losses

AbstractIn this paper, Galaxy based search algorithm (GbSA) is used to solve multi-objective problem of optimization in power systems. The proposed GbSA resembles the spiral arms of some galaxies to search for the optimal solutions. The GbSA also uses a modified Hill Climbing algorithm as a local search. Simulation results show that the GbSA finds the optimal or very near optimal values in all runs of the algorithm. The weighted sum technique with equal weights has been chosen to solve the multi-objective function. The functions considered are to minimize the power losses in transmission line, cost of the real power generation and voltage deviation. Static VAR Compensator (SVC) is used for the purpose of optimal power flow. L-index is used to identify the optimal location to place SVC. The results have been compared with Genetic algorithm (GA) for IEEE-14 System

Probing the Dynamic Organization of Transcription Compartments and Gene Loci within the Nucleus of Living Cells

AbstractThe three-dimensional organization of nuclear compartments within living cells determines genome function and yet their underlying self-organizing principles are unclear. We visualize in real-time transcriptionally active compartments (TCs) by the transient enrichment of fluorescently-labeled uridine 5′-triphosphate molecules within living cells. These TCs partially colocalize with active RNA-Pol II in the cell nucleus. Fluorescence anisotropy maps of chromatin compaction evidences a more open chromatin structure at the TCs. Using live-cell timelapse imaging, heterogeneity in the dynamic behavior of TCs has been revealed which falls into three distinct classes: subdiffusive, super-diffusive, and normal diffusive behavior. In contrast, the mobility of a candidate gene locus, either in the repressed or activated state, undergoes a differential restricted motion that is coupled to TC movement. Further TC dynamics is directly affected by small molecule chromatin structure modulators and adenosine triphosphate depletion. This heterogeneous behavior in TC dynamics within living cells could provide an interesting paradigm to explore the spatiotemporal dimension to gene transcription control

Development of a Modular Unit of a Higher Level Framework or Tool for Basic Programming Course Teaching Through E-Learning Mode

This paper reports about the development of a modular unit of a higher level framework or tool whose intended objective is the creation of animated lessons for basic programming (CS1) course in computer science discipline with visual aids. The goal of such lessons is to address the difficulties faced by the novice programmers in CS1 course.This module here after referred to as ‘type writer’allows instructors to render programmes or code snippets in a live typing manner as opposed to their sudden or en-block placement on the presentation area like a Power Point Slide; a commonly used approach in the present day eLearning.This project is planned to be executed in two stages and ‘type writer’ is the outcome of the first stage. This would be combined with another two modules that are planned to be developed in the second stage, to make the complete tool. The entire tool would be developed in Action Script 3.0 language that works on Adobe Flash Platform

Investigation of Impact Energy Absorption of AA6061 and Composites: Role of Post-Aging Cooling Methods

Al6061 and its composites are widely employed in applications requiring high strength and impact resistance. Heat treatment, particularly ageing, is a well-established method for enhancing the mechanical properties of these composites. However, the influence of post-ageing cooling methods on the impact energy absorption capacity of Al6061 and its composites remains inadequately understood. This investigation aims to examine the impact energy absorption of Al6061 and its composites after ageing at 460°C for 2 hours, employing different cooling methods, including furnace cooling, air cooling, and water cooling. The composites were produced using the stir casting technique with varying weight fractions of graphite and SiC particles based on Taguchi's design of experiments. Charpy impact tests were conducted using a specialised testing machine. The results reveal that the impact energy absorption capacity of the composites is influenced by the cooling method employed after the ageing treatment. Furnace cooling demonstrated the highest impact energy absorption capacity compared to the other cooling methods, exhibiting a 28% increase compared to the monolithic aluminium alloy. Furthermore, it was observed that the impact energy absorption capacity of the composites did not improve with an increase in the weight fraction of SiC particles, while the addition of graphite negatively impacted the absorption capacity

DEVELOPMENT OF STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF AMBROXOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND LEVOCETIRIZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE

A simple, precise and accurate method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of Ambroxol hydrochloride and Levocetirizine dihydrochloride. The proposed RP-HPLC method utilises Enable C18 G column (250 x 4.6mm, 5m), mobile phase consisting of Phosphate buffer pH 3.0: Methanol in the ratio of 20:80 (v/v) and UV detection at 236nm using a photodiode array detector. ambroxol hydrochloride and levocetirizine dihydrochloride were exposed to acidic, alkali, oxidative, thermal and photolytic stress conditions and the stressed samples were analysed by the proposed method. Peak homogeneity data of ambroxol hydrochloride and levocetirizine dihydrochloride in the stressed samples demonstrated the specificity of the method for their estimation in presence of degradants. The described method was linear over a range of 15 45 g/mL for ambroxol hydrochloride and 1 3 g/mL for levocetirizine dihydrochloride respectively. The method validation data showed excellent results for accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. The present method can be successfully used for routine quality control and stability studies

Comparison of Sleep Attitudes and Beliefs among Older Adult Vietnamese Migrants and Australians with and without Insomnia

Sleep is an essential part of human life and is associated with both physical and mental health. When, where and how people sleep is known to vary across different cultures (Glaskin and Chenhall, 2013) but very little is documented about whether there are significant differences in attitudes and beliefs about sleep across different cultures or different ethnic groups. Previous research has found that both dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep and poor sleep hygiene knowledge can contribute to sleeping problems, especially for those with insomnia. As non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia often include addressing cognitive aspects related to sleep it is important that there is a good understanding of how sleep beliefs and attitudes may vary across groups and individuals, including possible ethnic differences. However, there has been no research, to the author’s knowledge, investigating the possible differences in sleep attitudes and beliefs between older adult Vietnamese migrants and Australians. This study aimed to examine the dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep, sleep hygiene knowledge and sleep perceptions between these two ethnic groups. Sex differences on the dependent variables were also of interest. Insomnia status was addressed as it is a possible confound. The participants consisted of 207 subjects (100 Vietnamese and 107 Australians). There were 36 males and 54 females for the Vietnamese sample with a mean age of 65.50 years (SD = 5.62). The Australian sample consisted of 50 males and 57 females with a mean age of 68.82 years (SD = 7.32)