On Optimal Family of Codes for Archival DNA Storage

DNA based storage systems received attention by many researchers. This includes archival and re-writable random access DNA based storage systems. In this work, we have developed an efficient technique to encode the data into DNA sequence by using non-linear families of ternary codes. In particular, we proposes an algorithm to encode data into DNA with high information storage density and better error correction using a sub code of Golay code. Theoretically, 115 exabytes (EB) data can be stored in one gram of DNA by our method.Comment: Supplementary file and the software DNA Cloud 2.0 is available at http://www.guptalab.org/dnacloud This is the preliminary version of the paper that appeared in Proceedings of IWSDA 2015, pp. 143--14

Economics of water injected air screw compressor systems

There is a growing need for compressed air free of entrained oil to be used in industry. In many cases it can be supplied by oil flooded screw compressors with multi stage filtration systems, or by oil free screw compressors. However, if water injected screw compressors can be made to operate reliably, they could be more efficient and therefore cheaper to operate. Unfortunately, to date, such machines have proved to be insufficiently reliable and not cost effective. This paper describes an investigation carried out to determine the current limitations of water injected screw compressor systems and how these could be overcome in the 15-315 kW power range and delivery pressures of 6-10 bar. Modern rotor profiles and approach to sealing and cooling allow reasonably inexpensive air end design. The prototype of the water injected screw compressor air system was built and tested for performance and reliability. The water injected compressor system was compared with the oil injected and oil free compressor systems of the equivalent size including the economic analysis based on the lifecycle costs. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that water injected screw compressor systems could be designed to deliver clean air free of oil contamination with a better user value proposition than the oil injected or oil free screw compressor systems over the considered range of operations

Case Histories of Foundations With Stone Columns

The paper presents case histories of performance of foundations where stone columns were provided, along with relevant data regarding structural systems, soil conditions, construction methods and field control criteria. A wide range of applications are included comprising stone columns for area treatment and stone column in small and large groups for isolated footings, pipe pedestals and bridge abutments. In some of the cases design load exceeded the estimated yield load over a part of the stone column length yet collapse did not occur because the soil stress around the stone column increased as more load was passed on to the soil when yield stress was exceeded. There was also the benefit of drainage afforded by the stone columns. Load test data are furnished to substantiate the design approach which takes into consideration the strengthening of the soil annulus around the stone column resulting from compaction and subsequent consolidation

CONSUMER ATTITUDES AND PREFERENCES IN THE TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The global transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) has sparked significant interest in Kerala, a state at the forefront of India in e-mobility revolution. The study analyses consumer attitudes and preferences towards electric vehicles transition in Kerala, aiming to understand the factors influencing their willingness to transition from conventional engine vehicles. Through the surveys and interviews carried out in the study reveal that Kerala's consumers are enthusiastic about electric vehicles driven by concerns about environmental sustainability, fuel efficiency, and government incentives. However, range anxiety, high upfront costs, and charging infrastructure limitations remain significant barriers. The findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as investing in charging infrastructure, offering attractive financing options, and promoting awareness campaigns, can accelerate electric vehicles adoption in Kerala. This study contributes to the understanding of consumer behavior in the context of sustainable transportation and informs policy and marketing strategies to facilitate a smoother transition to electric vehicles in the region

Awareness of rational use of medicines among interns at rural teaching hospital

Background: The concern of switching irrational towards rational prescribing behaviour by prescriber impacts the patient compliance. Thereby an attempt to bring down the drug resistance is possible. Aim and objective of the study was to know the knowledge and practices Rational prescription behaviour in medical interns (MBBS 2012 batch) at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), BG Nagara.Methods: Observational cross sectional validated questionnaire based study on Rational Use of Medicines (RUM) was administered to Interns (n=75) included both males and females (MBBS 2012 batch) at AIMS during March-April 2018.Results: Both the gender had similar knowledge on RUM. 32 (42.67%) male and 43 (57.33%) female interns participated and 88% were aware of term “Essential drug”. Though 61.33% were prescribing rationally, they lacked in terms of listing National essential drug list and steps involved in selecting “P-drug”. Only 4% rightly defined RUM. 92% agreed that RUM minimizes ADR incidence. 90.67% believed that RUM would reduce the development of drug resistance. And 85.33% were in opinion that doctors should use his/her gained knowledge despite of Medical representative advice to bring the justice towards RUM in practice before prescribing.Conclusions: Rational use of medicine in interns should be assessed periodically on prescribing knowledge and skills during their training to minimize prescribing and clinical errors

Impact of riparian land use on stream insects of Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka state, India

The impact of riparian land use on the stream insect communities was studied at Kudremukh National Park located within Western Ghats, a tropical biodiversity hotspot in India. The diversity and community composition of stream insects varied across streams with different riparian land use types. The rarefied family and generic richness was highest in streams with natural semi evergreen forests as riparian vegetation. However, when the streams had human habitations and areca nut plantations as riparian land use type, the rarefied richness was higher than that of streams with natural evergreen forests and grasslands. The streams with scrub lands and iron ore mining as the riparian land use had the lowest rarefied richness. Within a landscape, the streams with the natural riparian vegetation had similar community composition. However, streams with natural grasslands as the riparian vegetation, had low diversity and the community composition was similar to those of paddy fields. We discuss how stream insect assemblages differ due to varied riparian land use patterns, reflecting fundamental alterations in the functioning of stream ecosystems. This understanding is vital to conserve, manage and restore tropical riverine ecosystems

Creating social learning spaces to enhance the learning experience

Social media has been used effectively for teaching and learning for many years in developed countries. It seems there needs to be an understanding of the affordances that social media could bring to the learning space in the African context. We use qualitative research and content analysis to see how and why the learners used social media in a private Higher Educational (HE) institution in South Africa to enhance their learning experience. The course was split into face-to-face lectures and social media use by the learners and facilitators. The learners were required to engage with various social media tools to collaborate and share skills with their classmates and facilitators. We also explore the affordance of social media. Content analysis was done to see the participation of the learners in the course’s Facebook page. Data was also collected from the focus groups that led to findings that indicate that WEB 2.0 tools had the potential to support learner collaboration that is self-directed and engaging. Learners adopted social media with confidence and used it to learn beyond the borders of the physical classroom. Daily interactions and the sharing of artefacts resulted in an informal and vibrant learning ecology that became self-sustainable ..