Control of the Output Voltage of the PV System Based DC-DC Boost Converter Using Arduino microcontroller

The main object of this paper is to design and implement a DC-to-DC boost converter that regulates output voltage to a desired value and can be used in Photovoltaic system appliances or other unregulated sources. To regulate the output voltage of the boost, a feedback loop with Proportional-Integral-Differentiator (PID) controller is employed. The duty cycle is controlled to produce constant output voltage using voltage mode control technique. A simulation of the boost converter is done in MATLAB/Simulink. Also a practical implementation with the help of Arduino microcontroller is confirmed the validity of the control algorithm. Simulation and practical results have been proven that the proposed design is able to produce a regulated output voltage successfully against variation of input voltage and load

Peer Assisted Learning; The Perspective of Peer Tutors

Objective: To determine the perspective of PAL tutors regarding the effectiveness of PAL in promoting knowledge and skills among the undergraduate students using small group discussions in an integrated module. Methodology:  A prospective qualitative method study was conducted at Rawal Dental College, Islamabad, from April to June, 2021, for 12 weeks. Students from the second year of BDS (n = 50) were divided into five small groups. Five students’ volunteers were chosen from those who completed the previous units with more than 80% summative assessment score and with good communication skills. The group discussion centered on the application of core knowledge and skills in pathology. Responses from the tutors for the qualitative data were obtained using in depth one-on-one semi-structured interviews with audio recorded. The verbatim in the form of audio and notes were transcribed, and the qualitative analysis was performed by two independent investigators, generating codes, themes, and subthemes. Results: The results showed the comprehensive understanding of the insights of tutors and the motivational elements for achieving academic goals and improving teamwork and teaching skills. Many factors encouraged their participation as tutors, including the acquisition of knowledge and leadership skills. The students felt that their compassionate attitude encouraged active participation by the fellow students, increasing their confidence and learning. The students perceived that they had attained essential attributes that would benefit them in professional life in the future. Conclusion: The students enjoyed the Peer-assisted learning experience and recognized its importance for their academic and professional development. While learning in a relaxed environment, the students achieved their basic learning goals, developed leadership skills, improved communication skills, and gained confidence. Keywords: Peer Group, Integrated curriculum, Near-Peer tutoring.

Comparison of chest HRCT severity score in PCR positive and PCR negative clinically suspected COVID-19 Patients

Background: The limitations and false-negative results of Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) in diagnosing COVID-19 infection demand the need for imaging modalities such as chest HRCT to improve the diagnostic accuracy andassess the severity of the infection. Objectives: The study aimed to compare the chest HRCT severity scores in RT-PCR positive and negative cases of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 clinically suspected COVID-19 patients. Chest HRCT and PCR testing of all 50 patients were done and the chest HRCT severity scores for each lung and bronchopulmonary segments were compared in patients with positive and negative PCR results. Chi-square and Mann Whitney U test were used to assess differences among study variables. Results: Chest HRCT severity score was more in PCR negative patients than in those with PCR positive results . However, the difference was not significant (p=0.11). There was a significant association in severity scores of the anterior basal segment of the left lung (p=0.022) and posterior segment upper lobe of right lung (p=0.035) with PCR results. This association was insignificantfor other bronchopulmonary segments (p>0.05). Conclusion: CR negativity does not rule out infection in clinically suspected COVID-19 patients. The use of chest HRCT helps to determine the extent of lung damage in clinically suspected patients irrespective of PCR results. Guidelines that consider clinical symptoms, chest HRCT severity score and PCR results for a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patientsare needed. Keywords: Chest High resolution computed tomography (HRCT); COVID-19; Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Use / Land Cover in Swat, Pakistan Using Supervised Classification in Remote Sensing: 2000 to 2015

Changes in land use and land cover affect the social, economic and natural aspects of any area. Mostly land use and land cover (LULC) changes are the result of population growth and human activities in the form of urban agglomerations and industrialization etc. Physical factors like soil structure and type, slope condition, topography are main aspects. Land use change defines the historical pattern that how people used that specific land which depends on the availability of resources and economic conditions. LULC changes may trigger the detrimental effects like increase in natural hazard events and changes in climatic patterns. Climatic pattern directly affects the precipitation, groundwater recharge, the amount of evapotranspiration and runoff generation. On regional and local scale, LULC change is a far-reaching issue because environment and climate condition depend on i

use of dietary supplement in Iraq

Background: Dietary supplementation is a common strategy to achieve a specific health status or performance benefit. The aim of this study was to describe the use of dietary supplement in Iraqi genders. Patients and Methods:  several questions on dietary supplement use were asked as a part of single performed on 112 female and 247 women aged 35–74 years in 2021 .n = 359) ,reported the frequency and prevalence of supplement use by sex and type of supplement . Results: the mean percentage of dietary supplement use varied among female and men. Use was higher in women than in men. Vitamins, minerals were the predominant types of supplements reported, but there were striking differences between genders. Vitamins, particularly D, C, were the most frequently used ingredients by both genders. Herbals use in female more than male. Conclusions: This study indicates that there are wide variations in supplement use in Iraq, which may affect individual and population nutrient intakes. The results underline the need to monitor consumption of dietary supplements, as well as to evaluate the risks and benefits. Keywords: Abstract Background: Dietary supplementation is a common strategy to achieve a specific health status or performance benefit. The aim of this study was to describe the use of dietary supplement in Iraqi genders. Patients and Methods:  several questions on dietary supplement use were asked as a part of single performed on 112 female and 247 women aged 35–74 years in 2021 .n = 359) ,reported the frequency and prevalence of supplement use by sex and type of supplement . Results: the mean percentage of dietary supplement use varied among female and men. Use was higher in women than in men. Vitamins, minerals were the predominant types of supplements reported, but there were striking differences between genders. Vitamins, particularly D, C, were the most frequently used ingredients by both genders. Herbals use in female more than male. Conclusions: This study indicates that there are wide variations in supplement use in Iraq, which may affect individual and population nutrient intakes. The results underline the need to monitor consumption of dietary supplements, as well as to evaluate the risks and benefits. Keywords: Dietary supplements type; Iraq; vitamins; minerals, herbals

Selenium and Salt Interactions in Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.): Ion Uptake, Antioxidant Defense System, and Photochemistry Efficiency

Salinity is a major abiotic stress which limits crop production, especially under rainfed conditions. Selenium (Se), as an important micronutrient, plays a vital role in mitigating detrimental effects of different abiotic stresses. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of Se fertilization on black gram (Vigna mungo) under salt stress. Our results showed that salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in leaves significantly induced oxidative damage and caused a decline in relative water content, chlorophyll (Chl), stomatal conductance (gs), photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), sucrose, and reducing sugars. A low dose of Se (1.5 ppm) significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide content, malondialdehyde formation, cell membrane damage, and also improved antioxidative enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase under salt stress. Se-treated plants exhibited higher Chl, gs, Fv/Fm, sucrose, and reducing sugars than untreated plants in response to salt stress. In addition, Se application enhanced Se uptake and reduced Na+ uptake, but Cl remained unaffected. Our results indicated that a low dose of Se effectively alleviated salt damage via inhibition of Na+ uptake and enhanced antioxidant defense resulting in a significant decrease in oxidative damage, and maintained gaseous exchange and PS II function for sucrose and reducing sugars accumulation in black gram

Optimum strip width increases dry matter, nutrient accumulation, and seed yield of intercrops under the relay intercropping system

Strip width management is a critical factor for producing higher crop yields in relay intercropping systems. A 2-year field experiment was carried out during 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the effects of different strip width treatments on dry-matter production, major-nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) uptake, and competition parameters of soybean and maize in relay intercropping system. The strip width (SW) treatments were 0.40, 0.40, and 0.40 m (SW1); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.50 m (SW2); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.60 m (SW3); and 0.40, 0.40, and 0.70 m (SW4) for soybean row spacing, maize row spacing, and spacing between soybean and maize rows, respectively. As compared to sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS), relay-intercropped maize and soybean accumulated lower quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in all treatments. However, maize in SW1 accumulated higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than SW4 (9%, 9%, and 8% for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively). Soybean in SW3 accumulated 25% higher nitrogen, 33% higher phosphorus, and 24% higher potassium than in SW1. The improved nutrient accumulation in SW3 significantly increased the soybean dry matter by 19%, but slightly decreased the maize dry matter by 6% compared to SW1. Similarly, SW3 increased the competition ratio value of soybean (by 151%), but it reduced the competition ratio value of maize (by 171%) compared to SW1. On average, in SW3, relay-cropped soybean produced 84% of SS seed yield and maize produced 98% of SM seed yield and achieved the land equivalent ratio of 1.8, demonstrating the highest level in the world. Overall, these results suggested that by selecting the appropriate strip width (SW3; 0.40 m for soybean row spacing, 0.40 m maize row spacing, and 0.60 m spacing between soybean and maize rows), we can increase the nutrient uptake (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), dry-matter accumulation, and seed yields of relay-intercrop species under relay intercropping systems.</p

Numerical study of hydrodynamic flow of a Casson nanomaterial past an inclined sheet under porous medium

The main aim of the current paper is to investigate the mass and heat transportation of a Casson nanomaterial generated by the inclination of the surface. The magnetic field effect along with suction or injection are considered. The working nanomaterial is taken into consideration based on the concept of the Buongiorno nanofluid theory, which explores the thermal efficiencies of liquid flows under movement of Brownian and thermophoretic phenomena. The emergent system of differential expressions is converted to dimensionless form with the help of the appropriate transformations. This system is numerically executed by the implementation of Keller–Box and Newton's schemes. A good agreement of results can be found with the previous data in a limiting approach. The behavior of the physical quantities under concern, including energy exchange, Sherwood number, and wall shear stress are portrayed through graphs and in tabular form. The Nusselt number and Sherwood number are found to diminish against the altered magnitudes of Brownian motion and the inclination parameter. Moreover, the velocity profile decreases with the growth of the inclination effect. In the same vein, the buoyancy force and solutal buoyancy effects show a direct relation with the velocity field. The outcomes have promising technological uses in liquid-based systems related to stretchable constituents